Elon Musk Is Today’s Ted Turner, and Legacy Media Is “Scared”
Dec 6, 2024
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Ken Auletta, a renowned author and New Yorker writer, delves into the significant shifts in the media landscape. He discusses how Elon Musk is emulating Ted Turner’s disruptive legacy and reshaping today's media. Auletta offers a vivid recount of his experiences with Turner, blending personal insight with industry critique. The conversation highlights the impact of independent content creators and the challenges traditional media faces amidst evolving consumer habits and advertising strategies.
Legacy media is struggling to adapt and keep pace with the rise of digital creators and changing audience preferences.
The transformation in advertising strategies emphasizes data-driven approaches, requiring legacy media to innovate beyond traditional ad sales.
Deep dives
The Evolving Landscape of Media
There is a growing concern about audiences turning away from traditional media, sparking discussions about its relevance in the modern age. This trend follows a broader pattern where media industries have faced challenges, leading to predictions of decline. The conversation points to the emergence of new content forms, including podcasts and creators who cater to specific audiences, leaving legacy media struggling to keep up. The ongoing shifts paint a picture of an industry in flux, driven by consumer preferences for diverse formats and voices.
Legacy Media's Response to Change
Legacy media companies are grappling with the need for consolidation and adaptation amid the decline of traditional advertising revenues. Despite their concerns, they often fall short by hiring individuals from legacy backgrounds rather than embracing new, digitally native talent. Past mistakes, such as delayed responses to competition from tech companies, highlight the indecision and fear that plague these organizations. Executives are aware of the challenges but are often paralyzed by the perceived dominance of platforms like Google and Facebook.
The Impact of Technology on Advertising
Advertising has undergone significant transformation as digital platforms introduce data-driven approaches, fundamentally shifting traditional methods. Companies that leverage robust data insights can improve targeting and engagement, which is particularly advantageous for platforms like Amazon, which excels in audience understanding. The evolution of advertising necessitates legacy media to rethink its approach and diversify revenue beyond mere ad sales, as consumers increasingly resist traditional ad formats. Innovative advertising strategies, such as brand integration and creator partnerships, emerge as essential for maintaining relevance in the current landscape.
The Future of Media Leadership
Figures like Elon Musk and Ted Turner exemplify the shifting dynamics of media influence, showcasing how personality and ambition affect industry trajectories. These leaders leverage their unique visions and the power of technology to forge new paths in media, often prioritizing bold risks over tried-and-true methods. The landscape hints at potential competition between conventional media powerhouses and individual digital creators who can reach audiences in more engaging ways. As these trends unfold, media structures will need to adapt to the new realities fueled by the persistent innovations driven by technology.
Mixed Signals is back for Season 2, and this season we’re following the money in the changing media business. What happens now, after the clear win by podcasts and YouTubers in the election? Is it the end of legacy media, for real this time? And can advertisers keep up with audiences’ evolving media diet? To kick off this conversation, Ben and Nayeema bring on author, New Yorker writer, and media savant, Ken Auletta, who’s been examining the industry since the 90s. They talk about if and how this moment feels different from previous disruptions, how Elon Musk is reshaping media, and Ken shares his, uh, colorful recollections of flying with Ted Turner, his girlfriend, and the couple’s bed.