Media Intelligence

Inflation data from the U.S. and U.K. are stoking recession concerns, but the counterpoint of strong retail sales in China and America suggest there's more nuance to the economic outlook. We ponder the future business model of streaming following chatter around the future of Hulu. And a lesson in media training and data security as Big Tech executives are summoned to Capitol Hill yet again. Related Links: Warner Bros. Discovery Has Bigger Problems Than Its DC Search (Hollywood Reporter) Disney CEO Bob Chapek says he’d like to own all of Hulu ‘tomorrow’ but says chances of an early deal are slim (CNBC) Twitter whistleblower disclosure   FedEx Reports Preliminary First Quarter Financial Results and Provides Update on Outlook  TikTok’s C.E.O. Navigates the Limits of His Power (NYT) How China became big business for Twitter (Reuters) Bouygues: Proposed merger between the TF1 and M6 Groups abandoned Music credit: Joseph McDade

Brian and Kate pay tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Then, they look back to 1974 to explain why the overall advertising industry can still grow within a negative economic environment. But acknowledging certain limits to advertising's upside, they explore the misconception that digital advertising would always grow at double digit percentages in light of recent news from Snap. Out-of-home is digitizing as part of its comeback journey, and cinema advertising may never return to what it once was. Related Links: This Is Snap's Turnaround Plan (The Verge) Clear Channel Outdoor Investor Day Paramount at the Bank of America Conference Music credit: Joseph McDade

The northern hemisphere summer may be slowing down, but what about the pace of ad-spending among primarily digital businesses? We get into the numbers for 'Digital Endemics' and find a specific sector bucking the trends. Also: in the age-old debate between brand and performance, where are marketers currently focused and why? Plus: the love/hate triangle between AppLovin, Unity, and IronSource. And: Sean Cunningham, President and CEO of the Video Advertising Bureau (VAB), joins the podcast to discuss the future of video measurement. Related links: https://www.groupm.com/digital-endemic-businesses-2022-2nd-quarter-takeaways/ https://thevab.com/about Music credit: Joseph McDade

Kate and Brian pore over recent e-commerce and retail data, explaining the difficulties of finding the "new plateau" of growth and unpacking macro housing trends from home improvement retailers. Networks sign big-money contracts for the rights to the Big Ten and the Champions League. Erica Farber, CEO of the Radio Advertising Bureau, joins the show to talk about the oft-overlooked medium and how the definition of radio has changed. Brian reads us a bed time story about recessions. Related Links: Why Radio: RAB Research Music credit: Joseph McDade

Brian and Kate analyze the implications of Disney introducing an ad-supported tier of Disney+ at the current price of the ad-free version, which will soon see a price hike. CPG companies and TV networks are seeing growth, and European economies are relatively healthy despite there not being enough corgis in sunglasses riding vespas.  Related Links: Ad-Supported Disney+ Subscription Tier to Launch December 8 in the U.S. Music credit: Joseph McDade

Brian and Kate get into the latest earnings reports from RTL, Warner Bros. Discovery, Paramount and more and share new data about the acceleration of cord-cutting and related shift to streaming. Brian reveals new figures for the estimated number of pirated Netflix households and how that could impact the platform’s advertising plans. Kate updates us on the latest economic numbers, including job growth, inflation and rising interest rates. And, finally, Nicola McCormick, GroupM’s Global General Counsel, joins the podcast to take us through the potential implications of pending and proposed privacy and antitrust legislation around the world. Related Links:  https://www.irs.gov/statistics Music credit: Joseph McDade

Brian's back from vacation to explain with Kate why the advertising economy isn't actually in a terrible place right now, despite all the chatter that may say otherwise. Krystal Olivieri, GroupM and Choreograph's Chief Global Innovation Officer, makes her podcast debut to give an update on Chrome's latest third-party cookie deprecation delay and illustrate the impact media supply chains have on carbon emissions. Related Links: Calculating a Cleaner Future Now: A Unified Methodology for Accelerated Media Decarbonization Music credit: Joseph McDade

Amanda Grant, VP & Global Head of Social at GroupM, joins Kate as guest host this week as we get into the latest earnings reports from Twitter and Snap and discuss why social commerce has yet to gain as much traction in Western markets as it has in Asia. Then, Dade Hayes — business editor for Deadline Hollywood and author of the new book "Binge Times: Inside Hollywood's Furious Billion-Dollar Battle to Take Down Netflix" — shares insights on the streaming industry following this week's Netflix numbers. And, finally: mukbangs. Related Links: Binge Times by Dade Hayes & Dawn Chmielewski Music credit: Joseph McDade

With Brian out eating his weight in chocolate, Adam Gerber, GroupM's Executive Director of U.S. Investment Strategy, joins as guest co-host to discuss the recent flurry of major announcements, including Netflix choosing Microsoft as its ad partner, a tie-up between The Trade Desk and Disney and the latest in the Musk-Twitter drama. Plus, GroupM's Mike Fisher comes on to explain how Adam binge-watching Bosch led to a breakthrough study on the efficacy of CTV advertising. Related Links: How Microsoft won Netflix (Insider) Disney inks major advertising deal with The Trade Desk (Axios) Continuous Play (GroupM) Music credit: Joseph McDade

Brian gives us an update on his European travels, including the latest chatter around the impact of inflation in the Eurozone. A quick look at U.S. political pressure on TikTok, the future of the metaverse and the latest in Disney corporate intrigue. And Kate sits down with Bridget Sponsky, Executive Director of Marketing at Ally Financial, and AJ Andrews, TV host and former Rawlings Gold Glover, to talk about the state of women's sports and representation off the back of the 50th anniversary of Title IX passing in the U.S. Related Links: The Metaverse in 2040 Barrier Breaking Women with A.J. Andrews Ally Financial's 50/50 Pledge AJ Andrews on Twitter and LinkedIn Bridget Sponsky on LinkedIn Music credit: Joseph McDade