Andrew Baron, he of Rocketboom fame, has revealed his core strategy for a new videoblogging/video podcast venture called Abbey Corps.

In a post earlier this week, Baron took a slap at the vertically integrated network models being practiced by PodTech and PodShow. In that post Baron comments on his model stating, "...I will go on to explain why I believe it's a much better business than Podshow or PodTech."

PodTech CEO John Furrier weighs in on that post with a comment and offers, "I see us as possible partners not competitors. PodShow and PodTech have been pushing out alot of great content and continue to aggregate more producers." Sounds like he's not up for a little scrap with Baron, who definitely pulls more weight than Furrier in the world of video podcasting.

The comment about the "great content" being pushed out by the famously funded vertical podcast networks of Silicon Valley amuses me. PodTech has the ScobleShow which I wouldn't call great. Neither would new PodTech hire Loren Feldman of 1938 Media who recently called the show "horribly boring." Quick, name another show on PodTech!

Then there's PodShow, who are great at producing nothing new. Their core stable of shows (like Rock n' Roll Geek, Daily Source Code, Dawn and Drew) still remain the most interesting on the network. What's new? Not much in my opinion.

So fast forward to Christmas day when Baron reveals more details on Abbey Corps. They will not be vertically integrated, which I think is a good move. My definition of a vertically integrated network is one that owns the media, owns the servers, sells all the ads, engages in exclusive contracts for content.

I think that the vertically integrated model is a poor one in a world where anyone can start a channel and siphon your audience. Baron disagrees with that opinion stating, "So whats wrong with these new networks? Nothing is wrong with them! They seem to be working. I'm very thankful they exist because my friends have jobs doing what they love to do and the audiences are happy." Very conciliatory Andrew. Your competitors are funded after all.

Baron gets it right when he points out the ridiculous expenses of the vertical networks, "...such as bandwidth, design, production, talent management (drama), IT, PR, legal, to name but a few." Yep, and a kid with a microphone or a video camera can come along and start a channel for next to nothing and start siphoning audience.

Baron's new network will focus on developing talent, while allowing them to own their brands. In his own words, "Abby (sic) Corps is about enabling content creators by building community." Okay, now how do you make money?