Thursday, December 20, 2012
Cartoons - Triumph of the Nerds
The internet has unleashed a burst of cartooning creativity
As the newspaper industry continues its decline, the funnies pages have decoupled from print. Instead of working for huge syndicates, or for censored newspapers with touchy editors, cartoonists are now free to create whatever they want. Whether it is cutting satire about Chinese politics, or a simple joke about being a dog, everything can win an audience on the internet.
This burst of new life comes as cartoons seemed to be in terminal decline. Punch, once a fierce political satire magazine whose cartoons feature in almost every British history textbook, finally closed its doors in 2002. The edgier Viz magazine, which sold a million copies an issue in the early 1990s, now sells 65,000. In the United States, of the sprawling EC Comics stable, only Mad magazine remains, its circulation down from 2.1m in 1974 to 180,000. Meanwhile, the American newspaper industry, home of the cartoon strip, now makes less in advertising revenue than at any time since the 1950s.
As the newspaper industry continues its decline, the funnies pages have decoupled from print. Instead of working for huge syndicates, or for censored newspapers with touchy editors, cartoonists are now free to create whatever they want. Whether it is cutting satire about Chinese politics, or a simple joke about being a dog, everything can win an audience on the internet.
This burst of new life comes as cartoons seemed to be in terminal decline. Punch, once a fierce political satire magazine whose cartoons feature in almost every British history textbook, finally closed its doors in 2002. The edgier Viz magazine, which sold a million copies an issue in the early 1990s, now sells 65,000. In the United States, of the sprawling EC Comics stable, only Mad magazine remains, its circulation down from 2.1m in 1974 to 180,000. Meanwhile, the American newspaper industry, home of the cartoon strip, now makes less in advertising revenue than at any time since the 1950s.
Technology in 2012: year in review
Technology has never been more important than it is today, and it has shaped 2012 in ways that few could have imagined at the beginning.
2012 saw some odd trends too – you may have heard a lot of doom about BlackBerry, but this morning, just as it announces new results, its shares are basically unchanged year-on-year; Apple’s are up 40 per cent. Google, meanwhile, has expanded into areas that see it challenge Apple much more directly, from music to tablets, while Samsung, the world’s most popular brand, has finally called a truce in the lawsuits it’s fought with Apple. Finally, too, 4G launched to make mobile phone networks faster, although 2013 is when it will become mainstream.
2012 saw some odd trends too – you may have heard a lot of doom about BlackBerry, but this morning, just as it announces new results, its shares are basically unchanged year-on-year; Apple’s are up 40 per cent. Google, meanwhile, has expanded into areas that see it challenge Apple much more directly, from music to tablets, while Samsung, the world’s most popular brand, has finally called a truce in the lawsuits it’s fought with Apple. Finally, too, 4G launched to make mobile phone networks faster, although 2013 is when it will become mainstream.
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Social Media & Viral Marketing Saving the Film Industry
With the rise of online piracy, the film industry's annual ticket sales have been on a downward trend for the past decade. Yet, the silver screen has managed to stay afloat because of the very thing that undermined it in the first place: the Internet.
An infographic by law firm Allmand Law reveals how Hollywood is using social media and viral marketing to compensate for declining ticket sales. For example, cloud computing -- when combined with digital films -- saves the industry money on shipping costs by eliminating the need to transport physical copies of films between studios, theaters, distributors or advertisers.
What's more, the movie business is no longer exclusively in the business of movies, with tie-in products such as video games and toys generating profits for studios
An infographic by law firm Allmand Law reveals how Hollywood is using social media and viral marketing to compensate for declining ticket sales. For example, cloud computing -- when combined with digital films -- saves the industry money on shipping costs by eliminating the need to transport physical copies of films between studios, theaters, distributors or advertisers.
What's more, the movie business is no longer exclusively in the business of movies, with tie-in products such as video games and toys generating profits for studios
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Mayan apocalypse mania grips Russia
Officials try to calm fears as Russians buy up emergency supplies before the Mayan calendar runs out on Friday
Alexander Kolomeyets, the deputy head of Russia's Association of Independent Psychiatrists, lamented the apocalypse-mania that has gripped his country. "There are people who are prone to mental epidemics and I think that most of them are in our country," Kolomeyets said in an interview with local media in the far eastern city of Khabarovsk.
"What's happening in our country can be a lot scarier than the end of the world – so any negative information sticks. The more primitive the society, the stronger it lends itself to psychological epidemics. I think in this case our country isn't very civilised."
Alexander Kolomeyets, the deputy head of Russia's Association of Independent Psychiatrists, lamented the apocalypse-mania that has gripped his country. "There are people who are prone to mental epidemics and I think that most of them are in our country," Kolomeyets said in an interview with local media in the far eastern city of Khabarovsk.
"What's happening in our country can be a lot scarier than the end of the world – so any negative information sticks. The more primitive the society, the stronger it lends itself to psychological epidemics. I think in this case our country isn't very civilised."
Hobbit December record, Skyfall close to a Billion Worldwide
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey set a new December opening weekend record, though its debut failed to reach the inflated levels many were anticipating for director Peter Jackson's return to Middle Earth.
3D showings accounted for 49 percent of ticket sales, which is about on par with most major releases right now. Warner Bros. isn't currently providing a breakdown for the high-frame-rate (HFR), though a distribution executive there suggested it had the highest per-screen average among the three main formats (2D, 3D, HFR 3D). That may not sound overly convincing, but IMAX is reporting that HFR did $44,000 per-theater compared to $31,000 at regular IMAX 3D locations. Overall, IMAX contributed an estimated $10.1 million (12 percent) this weekend.
Even with direct competition from The Hobbit, Skyfall still hung on well and only dropped 39 percent to $6.56 million. It's now earned $271.9 million, and a total north of $290 million seems like a done deal.
3D showings accounted for 49 percent of ticket sales, which is about on par with most major releases right now. Warner Bros. isn't currently providing a breakdown for the high-frame-rate (HFR), though a distribution executive there suggested it had the highest per-screen average among the three main formats (2D, 3D, HFR 3D). That may not sound overly convincing, but IMAX is reporting that HFR did $44,000 per-theater compared to $31,000 at regular IMAX 3D locations. Overall, IMAX contributed an estimated $10.1 million (12 percent) this weekend.
Even with direct competition from The Hobbit, Skyfall still hung on well and only dropped 39 percent to $6.56 million. It's now earned $271.9 million, and a total north of $290 million seems like a done deal.
High-tech shopping
Bricks, bits and mortar
The app sends a message over the internet to a robotic system in the stock room. This locates a pair in the correct size and uses tensioned cables to drop it into a basket in one of the shop’s six large dressing rooms. When Babbage tried it, the whole process took less than the time to walk to the fitting room, around 30 seconds. If the jeans fit, customers can simply put them in a bag, swipe their credit card through a reader and walk out the door without ever interacting with another person.
“Soon, every item in the world will be sold like this,” Nadia Shouraboura says. “It will be bigger than Amazon.” In her upcoming stores, she plans to flog men’s shirts and shoes, too. Eventually, she hopes to launch a sister shop for women called Hointress. After all, some women hate shopping, too.
The app sends a message over the internet to a robotic system in the stock room. This locates a pair in the correct size and uses tensioned cables to drop it into a basket in one of the shop’s six large dressing rooms. When Babbage tried it, the whole process took less than the time to walk to the fitting room, around 30 seconds. If the jeans fit, customers can simply put them in a bag, swipe their credit card through a reader and walk out the door without ever interacting with another person.
“Soon, every item in the world will be sold like this,” Nadia Shouraboura says. “It will be bigger than Amazon.” In her upcoming stores, she plans to flog men’s shirts and shoes, too. Eventually, she hopes to launch a sister shop for women called Hointress. After all, some women hate shopping, too.
Twitter and Nielsen to publish new "social TV" ratings
(Reuters) - Nielsen Holdings NV, the television viewership measurement company, said on Monday it will partner with Twitter to publish a new set of ratings that measure chatter on Twitter about TV programming.
The new ratings, to be launched next fall, arrive at a moment when media and advertising industry executives say they are observing a shift in TV viewing habits that include the rise of "second screen" use.
But significant questions remain for advertisers over how best to interpret the data and whether a Twitter ratings system is meaningful at all.
In September, Nielsen ratings showed that TV viewership for Viacom Inc's MTV Video Music Awards, which coincided with the Democratic National Convention, plummeted by more than 50 percent from a year ago. Yet social media chatter tripled, according to the research firm Trendrr.
Brad Adgate, an analyst at Horizon Media, said advertisers will view the Twitter ratings as a useful layer of information about a show's popularity, but it is "not going to be close to the currency" of existing ratings metrics.
The new ratings, to be launched next fall, arrive at a moment when media and advertising industry executives say they are observing a shift in TV viewing habits that include the rise of "second screen" use.
But significant questions remain for advertisers over how best to interpret the data and whether a Twitter ratings system is meaningful at all.
In September, Nielsen ratings showed that TV viewership for Viacom Inc's MTV Video Music Awards, which coincided with the Democratic National Convention, plummeted by more than 50 percent from a year ago. Yet social media chatter tripled, according to the research firm Trendrr.
Brad Adgate, an analyst at Horizon Media, said advertisers will view the Twitter ratings as a useful layer of information about a show's popularity, but it is "not going to be close to the currency" of existing ratings metrics.
Discovery buys 20% stake in Eurosport
US factual broadcaster has the option of taking a controlling stake in the European company in two years
US factual broadcaster Discovery is moving into sports programming, paying $170m (£134m) for a 20% stake in Eurosport, with an option to take a controlling stake in the European company in two years.
Discovery's deal to take a stake in Eurosport group, parent of Eurosport International and Eurosport France, values the business at €850m (£690m). Discovery owns channels including Discovery, TLC, Animal Planet and the Oprah Winfrey Network.
As part of the deal Discovery has the option to increase its stake to 51% in two years. If the company does TF1, the parent of Eurosport, has the ability to then exercise a put option over the remaining 49% to that would see Discovery take full control.
US factual broadcaster Discovery is moving into sports programming, paying $170m (£134m) for a 20% stake in Eurosport, with an option to take a controlling stake in the European company in two years.
Discovery's deal to take a stake in Eurosport group, parent of Eurosport International and Eurosport France, values the business at €850m (£690m). Discovery owns channels including Discovery, TLC, Animal Planet and the Oprah Winfrey Network.
As part of the deal Discovery has the option to increase its stake to 51% in two years. If the company does TF1, the parent of Eurosport, has the ability to then exercise a put option over the remaining 49% to that would see Discovery take full control.
Monday, December 17, 2012
The Future of Food
Food companies play an ambivalent part in the fight against flab
Fast-food chains, too, have spread far into developing markets. McDonald’s is now in 119 countries (see box at the end of this section). Yum! Brands, owner of KFC, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut, derives 60% of its profit from the developing world, and there is plenty of growth potential left. Yum!’s chief executive, David Novak, explains that the company has 58 restaurants for every 1m Americans, compared with just two restaurants for every 1m people in emerging markets.
But even as they are expanding, food companies are keen to show that they take the obesity problem seriously. The International Food and Beverage Alliance (IFBA), a trade group of ten giants including Coca-Cola, Mondelez and Nestlé, has given global promises to make healthier products, advertise food responsibly and promote exercise.
Fast-food chains, too, have spread far into developing markets. McDonald’s is now in 119 countries (see box at the end of this section). Yum! Brands, owner of KFC, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut, derives 60% of its profit from the developing world, and there is plenty of growth potential left. Yum!’s chief executive, David Novak, explains that the company has 58 restaurants for every 1m Americans, compared with just two restaurants for every 1m people in emerging markets.
But even as they are expanding, food companies are keen to show that they take the obesity problem seriously. The International Food and Beverage Alliance (IFBA), a trade group of ten giants including Coca-Cola, Mondelez and Nestlé, has given global promises to make healthier products, advertise food responsibly and promote exercise.
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Billionaire Buffett aims to buy more newspapers
Warren Buffett, the billionaire who seems determined to single-handedly save the newspaper business, is reported to be keen on acquiring yet another smallish circulation daily title, the Allentown Morning Call.
He has spent more than $342m (£212m) to buy 80 newspapers, one of which is his hometown paper, the Omaha World-Herald. The majority of his titles came in a single acquisition earlier this year when he bought from Media General.
His publishing outfit is now headed by a former World-Herald staffer, Terry Kroeger, who doesn't mince his words when talking about the problems besetting the US newspaper industry.
"We've got to evolve with what people are looking for, and I think our industry has done kind of a crappy job with that," Kroeger, told Bloomberg reporter Edmund Lee.
He says the company's aim is to reintroduce newspapers to what they do best: delivering urgent local information that readers can't get elsewhere - and coaxing people into paying for it. It's essential to charge readers, he said. "You can't spend millions of dollars assembling something and then give it away."
He has spent more than $342m (£212m) to buy 80 newspapers, one of which is his hometown paper, the Omaha World-Herald. The majority of his titles came in a single acquisition earlier this year when he bought from Media General.
His publishing outfit is now headed by a former World-Herald staffer, Terry Kroeger, who doesn't mince his words when talking about the problems besetting the US newspaper industry.
"We've got to evolve with what people are looking for, and I think our industry has done kind of a crappy job with that," Kroeger, told Bloomberg reporter Edmund Lee.
He says the company's aim is to reintroduce newspapers to what they do best: delivering urgent local information that readers can't get elsewhere - and coaxing people into paying for it. It's essential to charge readers, he said. "You can't spend millions of dollars assembling something and then give it away."
From £2.72 a share to 2p – why HMV crashed
There is growing concern that, after a brutal 2012 for the high street that has claimed Comet, Clinton Cards and Peacocks, HMV could be next.
Once this was a great British company at the forefront of new technology. Now it is on the back foot. The rise of the internet and digital music services, such as iTunes, has rapidly eroded sales on the high street for HMV. The retailer has been slow to react to the digital revolution and the decline in sales shows no sign of slowing. HMV’s story is one that is depressingly familiar on the high street.
Once this was a great British company at the forefront of new technology. Now it is on the back foot. The rise of the internet and digital music services, such as iTunes, has rapidly eroded sales on the high street for HMV. The retailer has been slow to react to the digital revolution and the decline in sales shows no sign of slowing. HMV’s story is one that is depressingly familiar on the high street.
Friday, December 14, 2012
The best (and worst) media errors and corrections of 2012
Here’s the best and most notable of 2012′s media errors and corrections.
"If my annual tally of plagiarism and fabrication incidents is the depressing part of “Regret the Error”‘s year-end coverage, then this annual collection of the best of the worst in errors and corrections is the highlight.
That’s not to say the mistakes detailed below are minor or purely amusing; many are serious failures.
But it’s important to acknowledge the amusing and outrageous, and to collect them to help journalists avoid making the same mistakes.
I also want to celebrate the correction writers who went beyond the call of duty to offer something special."
"If my annual tally of plagiarism and fabrication incidents is the depressing part of “Regret the Error”‘s year-end coverage, then this annual collection of the best of the worst in errors and corrections is the highlight.
That’s not to say the mistakes detailed below are minor or purely amusing; many are serious failures.
But it’s important to acknowledge the amusing and outrageous, and to collect them to help journalists avoid making the same mistakes.
I also want to celebrate the correction writers who went beyond the call of duty to offer something special."
Mapping the digital agency universe of the UK
Explore the stars, planets and galaxies of the digital media industry in the UK with this infographic
Ever wondered what the digital agency landscape of the UK looks like? The stargazers of the media business will be interested in this graphic representation of the digital media universe in the UK, which brings together the galaxies (holding groups), the stars in each solar system (holding agencies) as well as planets and satellites which represent individual agencies.
Ever wondered what the digital agency landscape of the UK looks like? The stargazers of the media business will be interested in this graphic representation of the digital media universe in the UK, which brings together the galaxies (holding groups), the stars in each solar system (holding agencies) as well as planets and satellites which represent individual agencies.
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Early Kickoff for Marketers at Super Bowl
Usually, marketers that decide to buy commercials during the coming Super Bowl wait until after New Year’s Day to start telling the public and press about their plans.
The reason the information is coming out so soon is the same reason that led many advertisers buying commercials during Super Bowl XLVI to tease the contents in advance and even provide entire commercials before the game: the rapid rise of social media.
The increasing interest among consumers in discussing and sharing Super Bowl spots on Web sites like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube is encouraging sponsors to speak up sooner. Sponsors say they believe the additional publicity stimulates not only word of mouth, but also viewing of the commercials when they finally run in the game.
The average price that CBS is charging for each 30-second commercial in the game is in the range of $3.8 million.
The reason the information is coming out so soon is the same reason that led many advertisers buying commercials during Super Bowl XLVI to tease the contents in advance and even provide entire commercials before the game: the rapid rise of social media.
The increasing interest among consumers in discussing and sharing Super Bowl spots on Web sites like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube is encouraging sponsors to speak up sooner. Sponsors say they believe the additional publicity stimulates not only word of mouth, but also viewing of the commercials when they finally run in the game.
The average price that CBS is charging for each 30-second commercial in the game is in the range of $3.8 million.
Gold-hunting in a frugal age
Austerity-battered Western companies are looking everywhere for growth
Multinationals are applying to rich countries the lessons learned from reaching customers in poor ones. Unilever has enjoyed success selling consumer goods in small portions to Indians whose grocery budgets could not stretch to Western-sized packets; now it is offering shrunken packs of detergent to cash-strapped Spaniards and modest packages of mashed potatoes to impoverished Greeks.
There are plenty of reasons for Western business to resist the new gospel of frugality. Why look at the bottom of the pyramid when there are still millions of people in the middle? Why risk introducing cheap brands that could cut into sales of your existing ones?
But the forces of frugality are nevertheless powerful. The rich world is ageing. By 2030 a quarter of Europeans will be over 65. Lean emerging-market firms are challenging Western ones in everything from white goods (Haier) to telecoms equipment (Huawei) to baked goods (Bimbo).
Multinationals are applying to rich countries the lessons learned from reaching customers in poor ones. Unilever has enjoyed success selling consumer goods in small portions to Indians whose grocery budgets could not stretch to Western-sized packets; now it is offering shrunken packs of detergent to cash-strapped Spaniards and modest packages of mashed potatoes to impoverished Greeks.
There are plenty of reasons for Western business to resist the new gospel of frugality. Why look at the bottom of the pyramid when there are still millions of people in the middle? Why risk introducing cheap brands that could cut into sales of your existing ones?
But the forces of frugality are nevertheless powerful. The rich world is ageing. By 2030 a quarter of Europeans will be over 65. Lean emerging-market firms are challenging Western ones in everything from white goods (Haier) to telecoms equipment (Huawei) to baked goods (Bimbo).
Hispanic television in America - Lights, camera, acción!
Media companies are piling into the Hispanic market. But will it pay off?
Univision is still the biggest Hispanic network, beaten in prime time only by four networks in English—ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox—according to Nielsen’s ratings. Bought by private-equity firms in 2006 for $13.7 billion, Univision has launched new channels and digital initiatives, and is expected to go public in the next two years. It is aimed at Hispanics of Mexican origin, who are around two-thirds of the Hispanic population in America, and imports telenovelas from Mexico; Telemundo makes its own, and caters to Caribbean Hispanics.
Emilio Romano, the boss of Telemundo, insists it is a “big validation of our business” that media giants are piling into its market. But is this wise? Although the population of Hispanics is growing, they actually spend less time watching television than other groups in America, and watch more on mobile devices, which is trickier for media firms to earn money from. Advertisers pay half the average price for spots on Hispanic television, mainly because Hispanic families’ median income of around $40,000, although growing, is still a third below the average American household’s.
Univision is still the biggest Hispanic network, beaten in prime time only by four networks in English—ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox—according to Nielsen’s ratings. Bought by private-equity firms in 2006 for $13.7 billion, Univision has launched new channels and digital initiatives, and is expected to go public in the next two years. It is aimed at Hispanics of Mexican origin, who are around two-thirds of the Hispanic population in America, and imports telenovelas from Mexico; Telemundo makes its own, and caters to Caribbean Hispanics.
Emilio Romano, the boss of Telemundo, insists it is a “big validation of our business” that media giants are piling into its market. But is this wise? Although the population of Hispanics is growing, they actually spend less time watching television than other groups in America, and watch more on mobile devices, which is trickier for media firms to earn money from. Advertisers pay half the average price for spots on Hispanic television, mainly because Hispanic families’ median income of around $40,000, although growing, is still a third below the average American household’s.
New American law stops TV advertisers from turning up the volume
The Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation (CALM) Act has come into effect
The loudness of television adverts was first examined by American legislators in 1984 when regulators ruled that there was no objective way to quantify and control it – leaving advertisers free to turn the volume up.
The loudness of television adverts was first examined by American legislators in 1984 when regulators ruled that there was no objective way to quantify and control it – leaving advertisers free to turn the volume up.
10 Most Innovative Viral Videos of 2012
This year in viral video, advertisers either broke new ground or just got better at old concepts.
This year in viral video, advertisers either broke new ground or just got better at old concepts. Red Bull went to the edge of space with Felix Baumgartner's freefall 23 miles to Earth, which certainly qualifies as breaking new ground. On the other hand, Cartier's bejeweled panther was so sumptuous as to feel brand new.
Elsewhere, an independent filmmaker from New York took a refreshing route within the well-tread travel video genre, with a personal and inspiring execution for Nike. Innovation even made its way to Davenport, Iowa and Sweden, where Will Ferrell's rogue ads for Old Milwaukee Beer befuddled everyone.
But what is clear from this year's top 10 is how passion — for a company, brand or creative concept — continues to drive innovation in viral video advertising.
This year in viral video, advertisers either broke new ground or just got better at old concepts. Red Bull went to the edge of space with Felix Baumgartner's freefall 23 miles to Earth, which certainly qualifies as breaking new ground. On the other hand, Cartier's bejeweled panther was so sumptuous as to feel brand new.
Elsewhere, an independent filmmaker from New York took a refreshing route within the well-tread travel video genre, with a personal and inspiring execution for Nike. Innovation even made its way to Davenport, Iowa and Sweden, where Will Ferrell's rogue ads for Old Milwaukee Beer befuddled everyone.
But what is clear from this year's top 10 is how passion — for a company, brand or creative concept — continues to drive innovation in viral video advertising.
YouTube’s 20 Most-Viewed Ads of 2012
2012 is coming to an end, so it's time to recap the 20 most-viewed ads on YouTube this year.
The most-viewed commercial was a Nike ad featuring some of the biggest soccer stars in the world going up against a huge crowd of unknown players. Volkswagen continued its successful series of Star Wars-themed ads, while Old Spice somehow placed four commercials in the top 20.
The most-viewed commercial was a Nike ad featuring some of the biggest soccer stars in the world going up against a huge crowd of unknown players. Volkswagen continued its successful series of Star Wars-themed ads, while Old Spice somehow placed four commercials in the top 20.
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
The Best of the Guardian's Media Network
To celebrate the festive season and to say goodbye to 2012, we've rounded up our top articles of the year for your reading pleasure.
Marking the 25 days of the advent, here are some of the most read, most shared and most discussed Media Network contributions of 2012:
Marking the 25 days of the advent, here are some of the most read, most shared and most discussed Media Network contributions of 2012:
Data scientists take byte out of Mad Men
With its depiction of three-martini business lunches and a plot centred on the “creative types” who ruled the 1960s advertising world, the Mad Men television series defined the archetype of the industry. Not any more.
Marketers have long mined consumer information – ranging from public records data about how much a person’s house is worth to surveys about whether they are married or have children – to send direct mailings and make telephone pitches to people most likely to buy their products. Even the “mad men” drew on panel-based research about the television shows people watched, the radio stations they listened to and the newspapers and magazines they read.
Marketers have long mined consumer information – ranging from public records data about how much a person’s house is worth to surveys about whether they are married or have children – to send direct mailings and make telephone pitches to people most likely to buy their products. Even the “mad men” drew on panel-based research about the television shows people watched, the radio stations they listened to and the newspapers and magazines they read.
Big data’s renewed heft in the advertising industry, however, came partly
as a result of a concurrent disruption of the
advertising business as smartphones spread and consumers digitised their
lives.
(You may need to register to view the article)
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
The Internet goes Mobile - Live & Unplugged
In 2013 the internet will become a mostly mobile medium. Who will be the winners and losers?
The year 2002 was a turning-point for the telephone, invented 126 years earlier. For the first time, the number of mobile phones overtook the number of fixed-line ones, making the telephone a predominantly mobile technology. During 2013 the same thing will happen to the internet, just 44 years after its ancestor, ARPANET, was first switched on. The number of internet-connected mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablet computers, will exceed the number of desktop and laptop personal computers (PCs) in use, according to figures from Morgan Stanley, an investment bank. There is not a direct correlation between devices and people, because many people use multiple devices, both fixed and mobile. But IDATE, a consultancy, reckons that the number of people accessing the internet via mobile devices will overtake the number using fixed-line connections in mid-2014.
The year 2002 was a turning-point for the telephone, invented 126 years earlier. For the first time, the number of mobile phones overtook the number of fixed-line ones, making the telephone a predominantly mobile technology. During 2013 the same thing will happen to the internet, just 44 years after its ancestor, ARPANET, was first switched on. The number of internet-connected mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablet computers, will exceed the number of desktop and laptop personal computers (PCs) in use, according to figures from Morgan Stanley, an investment bank. There is not a direct correlation between devices and people, because many people use multiple devices, both fixed and mobile. But IDATE, a consultancy, reckons that the number of people accessing the internet via mobile devices will overtake the number using fixed-line connections in mid-2014.
The New Power of Television
Over the past decade, experts across the advertising world have proclaimed the demise of TV
However, we are now witnessing a phenomenon that is breathing new life into TV. In fact, you could even argue that the future for TV has never looked so healthy. And it is all down to social media – the very thing that many thought would be a further nail in TV’s coffin. Social media is having a profoundly positive impact on TV viewing as a new group of highly-engaged TV viewers is using social media to talk about TV programming and advertising and to influence the content and brand choices of their social peer group.
However, we are now witnessing a phenomenon that is breathing new life into TV. In fact, you could even argue that the future for TV has never looked so healthy. And it is all down to social media – the very thing that many thought would be a further nail in TV’s coffin. Social media is having a profoundly positive impact on TV viewing as a new group of highly-engaged TV viewers is using social media to talk about TV programming and advertising and to influence the content and brand choices of their social peer group.
Beyoncé signs 'unique' $50m brand ambassador deal with Pepsi
The former Destiny's Child star's very own Pepsi challenge involves allowing her face to appear on cans and bottles and an ad campaign timed to coincide with the release of her new album
Whether it’s Rihanna hollering “Everybody say HTC! Say Budweiser! River Island!” during her recent 777 tour or the hosts at last night’s Jingle Bells Ball getting the crowds at the 02 Arena to cheer louder for BlackBerry than for Girls Aloud or The Wanted, brands and music seem to be forging ever closer (and more profitable) relationships.
Whether it’s Rihanna hollering “Everybody say HTC! Say Budweiser! River Island!” during her recent 777 tour or the hosts at last night’s Jingle Bells Ball getting the crowds at the 02 Arena to cheer louder for BlackBerry than for Girls Aloud or The Wanted, brands and music seem to be forging ever closer (and more profitable) relationships.
But the biggest signifier of the enmeshing of worldwide domination of our beloved popstars with the interests of what they can persuade us to buy came today with the announcement that Beyoncé Knowles, 31, is the new global brand ambassador for Pepsi in a deal reported to be worth $50 million
Google Zeitgeist reveals the top search terms of 2012
Whitney Houston topped Google's list of the most searched-for people in 2012, ahead of the Duchess of Cambridge, the search giant has revealed.
Google releases its Zeitgeist search list annually to show how
trends in search have changed in the previous year. Google eliminates the
searches that are the same every year, such as 'email', to identify the terms
that have seen the biggest increase on previous years.
The top search trend for 2012 was Euro 2012, with searches for the football
tournament coming in ahead of searches for Olympic tickets. Other trending terms
included Natwest online, which made news this summer with a technical outage
that lasted for days, iPad 3 and Gangnam Style, the Korean pop hit that became a
viral success.
The newspaper industry
After years of bad headlines the industry finally has some good news
IN A recent issue of the beloved comic book, Superman’s alter ego, Clark Kent, quits his job as a journalist at the Daily Planet because the paper has gutted its news coverage. Is the outlook for newspapers really so dire that even superheroes have given up on them? Ever since 2006, when The Economist asked on its cover who had “killed the newspaper”, the industry’s pains have only intensified. Advertising has plunged. Readers have kept moving online. Revenues of newspapers continued to fall, dropping to $34 billion last year in America—only about half of what they were in 2000.
Yet things have started to look a bit less grim, particularly in America. Revenues from advertising are still falling, but those from circulation have at last started to stabilise. At some papers, such as the New York Times, circulation revenues this year are forecast to offset the decline in advertising for the first time in at least five years.
IN A recent issue of the beloved comic book, Superman’s alter ego, Clark Kent, quits his job as a journalist at the Daily Planet because the paper has gutted its news coverage. Is the outlook for newspapers really so dire that even superheroes have given up on them? Ever since 2006, when The Economist asked on its cover who had “killed the newspaper”, the industry’s pains have only intensified. Advertising has plunged. Readers have kept moving online. Revenues of newspapers continued to fall, dropping to $34 billion last year in America—only about half of what they were in 2000.
Yet things have started to look a bit less grim, particularly in America. Revenues from advertising are still falling, but those from circulation have at last started to stabilise. At some papers, such as the New York Times, circulation revenues this year are forecast to offset the decline in advertising for the first time in at least five years.
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Eurovision - More Countries Quit Contest
Greece, Cyprus, Portugal and Poland have all said they are ‘very unlikely’ to take part in the cheesy singing contest that has become a European institution.
The rush of nations pulling out comes after Spain’s entrant for the 2012 contest was urged to sing badly and not to win, to avoid any risk of having stage the competition in 2013.
Bosses of Spanish public television told pop star Pastor Soler ‘to throw’ her entry amid massive government spending to reduce the huge national debt.
The rush of nations pulling out comes after Spain’s entrant for the 2012 contest was urged to sing badly and not to win, to avoid any risk of having stage the competition in 2013.
Bosses of Spanish public television told pop star Pastor Soler ‘to throw’ her entry amid massive government spending to reduce the huge national debt.
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Forbes - The Most Overpaid Actors In Hollywood
In past versions of our overpaid actors roundup, we looked at each actor’s films over the last five years. This year, we cut back to the last three years to give the list a more contemporary focus.
That dropped Drew Barrymore from the top 10, but not because she has anchored any smashes lately. Barrymore was our worst-performing actor last year — her films earned only 40 cents for each $1 she was paid. However she hasn’t starred in three big releases over the last three years. We don’t count ensemble films where there is no clear star like Barrymore’s 2009 film He’s Just Not That Into You, which was actually a hit.
That dropped Drew Barrymore from the top 10, but not because she has anchored any smashes lately. Barrymore was our worst-performing actor last year — her films earned only 40 cents for each $1 she was paid. However she hasn’t starred in three big releases over the last three years. We don’t count ensemble films where there is no clear star like Barrymore’s 2009 film He’s Just Not That Into You, which was actually a hit.
Psy Will Make $7.9 Million This Year From 'Gangnam Style'
Gangnam Style, which is racing towards 1 billion views on YouTube, will net pop star Psy at least $7.9 million this year, according to a report
Despite the unprecedented YouTube success of Gangnam, Psy won't even make $1 million from the video itself. The Associated Press cited TubeMogul, a video and ad-buying platform, which estimates Psy will make $870,000 from ads shown during the video. Google takes about half of the ad revenues. With about 880 million views for the video at present, that nets out to $0.001 - one-tenth of one cent - per view.
Despite the unprecedented YouTube success of Gangnam, Psy won't even make $1 million from the video itself. The Associated Press cited TubeMogul, a video and ad-buying platform, which estimates Psy will make $870,000 from ads shown during the video. Google takes about half of the ad revenues. With about 880 million views for the video at present, that nets out to $0.001 - one-tenth of one cent - per view.
The Pope v Twitter: can he overtake Lady Gaga?
Social media experts say the Pope will be lucky to break into the top 20 of the site’s most followed people
Nearly 32m people follow Lady Gaga on Twitter; just behind her is fellow popstar Justin
Bieber. Of the top 10 users, eight are celebrities, from Kim
Kardshian to Taylor Swift and Rihanna.
Only Barack Obama, with 24m followers and YouTube
(20m) break the mould.
Where, therefore will the Pope’s new account, @pontifex, get to in the rankings? His
closest religious rival on Twitter is the Dalai
Lama. His 5million followers put him below Ryan
Seacrest, FC Barcelona, Tyra
Banks, Paulo Coelho, Russell
Brand and a range of celebrities so famous you’ve almost certainly never
heard of them. Let's hope it's quality, not quantity of followers that count.
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Apple Launches iTunes Store in Russia
Apple on Tuesday launched a Russian version of its bestselling iTunes Store, but the online music shop so far offers a limited selection of Russian songs because the U.S. company has failed to sign agreements with all domestic copyright-holders.
"We just received an offer from Apple to work with them through the Russian Authors Society or First Music Publishing House, and we were very surprised by this approach, Alexei Kozlov, director of the Navigator Records label, told Vedomosti. "This is why we temporarily halted putting albums from our catalog on iTunes."
Navigator Records owns the rights to the songs of artists including DDT, Melnitsa, Zveri, Kalinov Most, Splin and Vladimir Vysotsky.
"We just received an offer from Apple to work with them through the Russian Authors Society or First Music Publishing House, and we were very surprised by this approach, Alexei Kozlov, director of the Navigator Records label, told Vedomosti. "This is why we temporarily halted putting albums from our catalog on iTunes."
Navigator Records owns the rights to the songs of artists including DDT, Melnitsa, Zveri, Kalinov Most, Splin and Vladimir Vysotsky.
How Nestlé dealt with a social media campaign against it
How Nestlé dealt with a social media campaign by Greenpeace against its KitKat bar brand
By early this year, Mr Blackshaw had set up a “digital acceleration team” as part of Nestlé’s efforts to monitor social media sentiment 24 hours a day. When the team sees problems, the communications unit co-ordinates the company’s engagement with the relevant parties, such as suppliers, campaigners, governments and consumers. In addition, Nestlé executives from across the globe visit the digital acceleration team centre at the headquarters in Switzerland, to learn about managing social media communications and digital marketing.
(You may need to register to view the article)
By early this year, Mr Blackshaw had set up a “digital acceleration team” as part of Nestlé’s efforts to monitor social media sentiment 24 hours a day. When the team sees problems, the communications unit co-ordinates the company’s engagement with the relevant parties, such as suppliers, campaigners, governments and consumers. In addition, Nestlé executives from across the globe visit the digital acceleration team centre at the headquarters in Switzerland, to learn about managing social media communications and digital marketing.
(You may need to register to view the article)
The World in 2013 - Media Pressures
Time for repentance and new ideas
Two commercial sectors, meanwhile, will have much to cheer in 2013. Television advertising, long predicted to evaporate in a multichannel, digital environment, looks strong. BSkyB will compete with the BBC to export television across the globe. Commercial broadcasters are searching for another “Downton Abbey”, a thoroughly British costume drama actually made as an American co-production. Even as Downton’s last swish of silk disappears, advertisers will pursue its audience of prosperous female viewers.
The new golden age of radio will continue with a revived commercial side likely to make still more money in 2013. Capital Radio, headed by Stephen Miron, is creating young bands and hosting big concerts, as well as playing noisy tracks to cabbies and teenagers. Mr Miron has shown that a well-targeted station with attractive add-ons can win listeners. The proliferation of whizzy digital devices is good for radio. Fresh ideas and some commercial innovation are even better.
Two commercial sectors, meanwhile, will have much to cheer in 2013. Television advertising, long predicted to evaporate in a multichannel, digital environment, looks strong. BSkyB will compete with the BBC to export television across the globe. Commercial broadcasters are searching for another “Downton Abbey”, a thoroughly British costume drama actually made as an American co-production. Even as Downton’s last swish of silk disappears, advertisers will pursue its audience of prosperous female viewers.
The new golden age of radio will continue with a revived commercial side likely to make still more money in 2013. Capital Radio, headed by Stephen Miron, is creating young bands and hosting big concerts, as well as playing noisy tracks to cabbies and teenagers. Mr Miron has shown that a well-targeted station with attractive add-ons can win listeners. The proliferation of whizzy digital devices is good for radio. Fresh ideas and some commercial innovation are even better.
OMG! Texting turns twenty
Happy bday txt msg! :D
ON DECEMBER 3rd 1992 a young Vodafone engineer wished his boss "Merry Christmas" by SMS (short message service). This is widely regarded as the first ever text. (Tapping out 07734 on a calculator, turning it upside down and handing it to someone does not count.) Since then, texting has become a global phenomenon, growing particularly rapidly in the early-noughties when America finally embraced the medium and Chinese mobile subscriptions took off. According to Portio Research, a market-research firm, 7.8 trillion text messages were sent in 2011 and the number is expected to increase. The growth of social networks in recent years such as Facebook and Twitter (based on the SMS format) and services such as BlackBerry Messenger and WhatsApp (which offer free or cheap texts) are seen to herald the death of SMS. Portio predicts a decline in texting around 2016 as the mobile market reaches saturation and rival systems become more popular. Yet for the moment, people's thumbs continue to peck at the fingerpad to send texts, as the number of mobile subscribers worldwide continues to grow.
ON DECEMBER 3rd 1992 a young Vodafone engineer wished his boss "Merry Christmas" by SMS (short message service). This is widely regarded as the first ever text. (Tapping out 07734 on a calculator, turning it upside down and handing it to someone does not count.) Since then, texting has become a global phenomenon, growing particularly rapidly in the early-noughties when America finally embraced the medium and Chinese mobile subscriptions took off. According to Portio Research, a market-research firm, 7.8 trillion text messages were sent in 2011 and the number is expected to increase. The growth of social networks in recent years such as Facebook and Twitter (based on the SMS format) and services such as BlackBerry Messenger and WhatsApp (which offer free or cheap texts) are seen to herald the death of SMS. Portio predicts a decline in texting around 2016 as the mobile market reaches saturation and rival systems become more popular. Yet for the moment, people's thumbs continue to peck at the fingerpad to send texts, as the number of mobile subscribers worldwide continues to grow.
Internet Traffic - Video Takes Over
On November 23rd Psy, a South Korean pop star, claimed the title for the most-watched online video
His goofy, rodeo-dancing “Gangnam Style” clip was viewed more than 805m times, surpassing Justin Bieber’s “Baby”. Psy’s sudden success underscores a broader trend: video has become the dominant form of (fixed-access) online content. Three years ago audiovisual entertainment was less than 30% of peak-time internet traffic in North America. That share has since doubled, says Sandvine, a consultancy. Web-browsing’s share has shrunk by two-thirds. Netflix accounts for a third of American peak-time traffic. YouTube is the world’s biggest purveyor of online videos, not all of them filmed in Seoul.
His goofy, rodeo-dancing “Gangnam Style” clip was viewed more than 805m times, surpassing Justin Bieber’s “Baby”. Psy’s sudden success underscores a broader trend: video has become the dominant form of (fixed-access) online content. Three years ago audiovisual entertainment was less than 30% of peak-time internet traffic in North America. That share has since doubled, says Sandvine, a consultancy. Web-browsing’s share has shrunk by two-thirds. Netflix accounts for a third of American peak-time traffic. YouTube is the world’s biggest purveyor of online videos, not all of them filmed in Seoul.
Monday, December 3, 2012
Authenticity is crucial when it comes to content
If brands believe in the advertising content they're creating, ensure that it both holds its own among other entertainment and is culturally credible, then the sky's the limit
Branded content has a long and esteemed history. In simple terms, many of history's renowned "creatives", such as Da Vinci, Michelangelo and Shakespeare, all took commissions for "branded content". The great and the good have always wanted to be associated with the work produced by the most innovative artists. Today, brands are increasingly playing the role of patron. Brands have a well-established and accepted role in the music industry, but this is spreading to film, theatre, comedy, sport, art, television drama, space travel – the list goes on. Even Tesco has its own Youtube channel.
Branded content has a long and esteemed history. In simple terms, many of history's renowned "creatives", such as Da Vinci, Michelangelo and Shakespeare, all took commissions for "branded content". The great and the good have always wanted to be associated with the work produced by the most innovative artists. Today, brands are increasingly playing the role of patron. Brands have a well-established and accepted role in the music industry, but this is spreading to film, theatre, comedy, sport, art, television drama, space travel – the list goes on. Even Tesco has its own Youtube channel.
DVR Use One Factor in Networks’ Low Ratings
If you ask several of the top programmers in network television what is going wrong with their ratings this season, they offer a litany of answers: jarring schedule disruptions from debates, election night and Hurricane Sandy, for instance, as well as the ever-increasing defections toward delayed viewing and away from the nightly schedules that have defined network prime time since the days of radio.
“The point the networks make is that the DVR is revolutionizing viewing,” said Brad Adgate, director of research for Horizon Media, a media buying company. “But that is masking the fact that the new shows they put on this fall just aren’t that good. There are better shows on cable.”
“The point the networks make is that the DVR is revolutionizing viewing,” said Brad Adgate, director of research for Horizon Media, a media buying company. “But that is masking the fact that the new shows they put on this fall just aren’t that good. There are better shows on cable.”
Nordic giant Schibsted wants to be world's No 1 for online classifieds
Norwegians reckon the online free ad market is up for grabs
Le Bon Coin's revenue stream is made of three parts: premium services (you pay to add a picture, a better ranking, tracking on your ad); fees coming from the growing number professionals who flock to LBC (many car dealerships put their entire inventory here); and advertising for which the primary sectors are banking and insurance, services such as mobile phone carriers or pay-TV, and automobile. Although details are scarce, LBC seems to have given up the usual banner sales, focusing instead on segmented yearly deals: A brand will target a specific demographic and LBC will deliver, for half a million or a million euros per annum.
Le Bon Coin's revenue stream is made of three parts: premium services (you pay to add a picture, a better ranking, tracking on your ad); fees coming from the growing number professionals who flock to LBC (many car dealerships put their entire inventory here); and advertising for which the primary sectors are banking and insurance, services such as mobile phone carriers or pay-TV, and automobile. Although details are scarce, LBC seems to have given up the usual banner sales, focusing instead on segmented yearly deals: A brand will target a specific demographic and LBC will deliver, for half a million or a million euros per annum.
Sunday, December 2, 2012
The Economist 2012 Daily chart Advent calendar
A round-up of the year's most popular graphics and charts
WELCOME to our Daily chart Advent calendar, a collection of the 24 most popular maps, charts, data visualisations and interactive features published on our site this year. You'll find one behind each door, with a new door available to open every day until Christmas Eve, when our most popular infographic of 2012 will be revealed. There's also an entirely new graphic behind door number 25—a Christmas gift to all our readers who've been good this year.
Season's greetings from everyone at The Economist.
WELCOME to our Daily chart Advent calendar, a collection of the 24 most popular maps, charts, data visualisations and interactive features published on our site this year. You'll find one behind each door, with a new door available to open every day until Christmas Eve, when our most popular infographic of 2012 will be revealed. There's also an entirely new graphic behind door number 25—a Christmas gift to all our readers who've been good this year.
So bookmark this page, and visit us again
tomorrow to continue counting down the days.
Season's greetings from everyone at The Economist.
United Stations
Cross-border collaboration between TV companies and creatives is producing drama with global appeal
The worldwide dominance of US TV drama over the past 20 years has resulted in international audiences becoming familiar with and now even expecting the long-arc, box-set-friendly US format. Homeland was just as anticipated in Italy, Germany and Sweden as it was in the US. There is a growing taste for foreign drama in America too. Homeland was a remake of Israeli drama Hatufim; The Killing (as it is known in the UK – Forbrydelsen, or “The Crime”, is the Danish title) was remade with a Seattle setting. Other foreign-inspired shows are in the pipeline. “It’s a natural evolution,” says Balcer. “The proliferation of cable channels in the US has meant that there are so many hours to fill that; creative as US writers are, they can’t fill them all.”
The worldwide dominance of US TV drama over the past 20 years has resulted in international audiences becoming familiar with and now even expecting the long-arc, box-set-friendly US format. Homeland was just as anticipated in Italy, Germany and Sweden as it was in the US. There is a growing taste for foreign drama in America too. Homeland was a remake of Israeli drama Hatufim; The Killing (as it is known in the UK – Forbrydelsen, or “The Crime”, is the Danish title) was remade with a Seattle setting. Other foreign-inspired shows are in the pipeline. “It’s a natural evolution,” says Balcer. “The proliferation of cable channels in the US has meant that there are so many hours to fill that; creative as US writers are, they can’t fill them all.”
Simon Kuper - Brazil’s goal: a clean sheet
Hosting the World Cup and the Olympics is meant to showcase a transformation: Brazil is attacking corruption
However, it does depend what you count as corruption. Brasília’s stadium will have 70,000 seats. After 2014, it will become a white elephant, because no local team draws even 5,000 spectators. Several other stadiums under construction are equally pointless, says the Danish pressure group Play The Game. This squandering of public money has been shrouded with falsehoods by Rousseff’s government. Brazil’s sports ministry has forecast an economic boost worth more than $70bn from the World Cup – a claim that almost every sports economist would dismiss. Surely misleading your population is a form of corruption too?
However, it does depend what you count as corruption. Brasília’s stadium will have 70,000 seats. After 2014, it will become a white elephant, because no local team draws even 5,000 spectators. Several other stadiums under construction are equally pointless, says the Danish pressure group Play The Game. This squandering of public money has been shrouded with falsehoods by Rousseff’s government. Brazil’s sports ministry has forecast an economic boost worth more than $70bn from the World Cup – a claim that almost every sports economist would dismiss. Surely misleading your population is a form of corruption too?
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Technology giants at war - Part One
Concern about the clout of the internet giants is growing. But antitrust watchdogs should tread carefully
THE four giants of the internet age—Google, Apple, Facebook and Amazon—are extraordinary creatures. Never before has the world seen firms grow so fast or spread their tentacles so widely. Apple has become a colossus of capitalism, accounting for 4.3% of the value of the S&P 500 and 1.1% of the global equity market. Some 425m people now use its iTunes online store, whose virtual shelves are packed to the gills with music and other digital content. Google, meanwhile, is the undisputed global leader in search and online advertising. Its Android software powers three-quarters of the smartphones being shipped. Amazon dominates the online-retail and e-book markets in many countries; less well known is its behind-the-scenes power in cloud computing. As for Facebook, if the social network’s one billion users were a country, it would be the world’s third largest.
THE four giants of the internet age—Google, Apple, Facebook and Amazon—are extraordinary creatures. Never before has the world seen firms grow so fast or spread their tentacles so widely. Apple has become a colossus of capitalism, accounting for 4.3% of the value of the S&P 500 and 1.1% of the global equity market. Some 425m people now use its iTunes online store, whose virtual shelves are packed to the gills with music and other digital content. Google, meanwhile, is the undisputed global leader in search and online advertising. Its Android software powers three-quarters of the smartphones being shipped. Amazon dominates the online-retail and e-book markets in many countries; less well known is its behind-the-scenes power in cloud computing. As for Facebook, if the social network’s one billion users were a country, it would be the world’s third largest.
Technology giants at war - Part Two
Google, Apple, Facebook and Amazon are at each other’s throats in all sorts of ways
Nor has the industry ever seen such young and feisty firms—Apple, the oldest of the quartet, was founded in 1976—with so much financial firepower. Each of the companies has developed a powerful business model. Google has turned search into a huge money-spinner by tying it to advertising. Facebook is in the process of doing something similar with the way people’s interests and relationships are revealed by their social networks. Amazon has made it cheap and easy to order physical goods and digital content online. And Apple has minted money by selling beautiful gadgets at premium prices.
Nor has the industry ever seen such young and feisty firms—Apple, the oldest of the quartet, was founded in 1976—with so much financial firepower. Each of the companies has developed a powerful business model. Google has turned search into a huge money-spinner by tying it to advertising. Facebook is in the process of doing something similar with the way people’s interests and relationships are revealed by their social networks. Amazon has made it cheap and easy to order physical goods and digital content online. And Apple has minted money by selling beautiful gadgets at premium prices.
Fifty shades of data-visualisations
WHIPPING up good data journalism can involve painful research and number-crunching. The hacks at Delayed Gratification, a quarterly magazine that produces a slower, more reflective type of journalism, have achieved this with striking results
The idea was to provide an antidote to increasingly speedy “fast” media by producing a beautiful print publication which looks back every quarter on the events of the preceding three months and revisits them with the benefit of hindsight. We’re interested in the final analysis not the knee-jerk reaction, and pride ourselves on being “Last to Breaking News”. We also pick up on a lot of quirky stories the rest of the media missed, and publish a lot of beautiful infographics which bring out new patterns in three months’ worth of data. Ultimately, you can see Delayed Gratification as either a very slow magazine—or a very fast history book.
The idea was to provide an antidote to increasingly speedy “fast” media by producing a beautiful print publication which looks back every quarter on the events of the preceding three months and revisits them with the benefit of hindsight. We’re interested in the final analysis not the knee-jerk reaction, and pride ourselves on being “Last to Breaking News”. We also pick up on a lot of quirky stories the rest of the media missed, and publish a lot of beautiful infographics which bring out new patterns in three months’ worth of data. Ultimately, you can see Delayed Gratification as either a very slow magazine—or a very fast history book.
Key to career success - know your TV catchphrases
New research finds television gossip can help you win at work
It appears that mentioning certain television programmes at work will not
just win friends, but also influence people, resulting in a fast-tracked
promotion. So much so, that one in five of us are prepared to fake our knowledge
of these shows to create a good impression.
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Pirelli calendar covers up
The world's most beautiful women, including Karlie Kloss, Petra Nemcova and a heavily pregnant Adriana Lima, cover up for photojournalist Steve McCurry's Pirelli Calendar
Alongside Terry Richardson, the Pirelli Calendar has, in recent years, been the preserve of the biggest names in fashion photography, from Mario Sorrenti and Karl Lagerfeld, to Patrick Demarchelier and Mert & Marcus, so McCurry's appointment was clearly meant as a deliberate gear shift.
Could this signal the end of naked women in the Pirelli Calendar? Some certainly feel the usual format is a gratuitous hangover of a bygone era, but while McCurry's images are strikingly beautiful and thought provoking, we can't help but wonder how many disappointed faces there will be when the postman comes.
Alongside Terry Richardson, the Pirelli Calendar has, in recent years, been the preserve of the biggest names in fashion photography, from Mario Sorrenti and Karl Lagerfeld, to Patrick Demarchelier and Mert & Marcus, so McCurry's appointment was clearly meant as a deliberate gear shift.
Could this signal the end of naked women in the Pirelli Calendar? Some certainly feel the usual format is a gratuitous hangover of a bygone era, but while McCurry's images are strikingly beautiful and thought provoking, we can't help but wonder how many disappointed faces there will be when the postman comes.
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Global adspend forecast downgraded
Warc, the marketing intelligence service, expects global advertising spend to increase by 4.3% in 2012 and by 4% in 2013 according to its latest international ad forecast
Russia (+14.6%) and China (+12.5%) are expected to be the fastest-growing ad markets in 2013, followed by Brazil (+9.5%) and India (+9%).
The US – the world's largest ad market with predicted revenue of $153bn in 2012 – is expected to expand at a slower rate of 2.5% next year without the benefit of certain big events.
Suzy Young, Warc's data editor, explained: "The global ad market has been boosted this year by quadrennial events, namely the Olympics, the US presidential election and, to a lesser extent, Euro 2012. Next year will suffer by comparison, with advertisers having fewer incentives to spend when the underlying mood is generally one of caution."
Russia (+14.6%) and China (+12.5%) are expected to be the fastest-growing ad markets in 2013, followed by Brazil (+9.5%) and India (+9%).
The US – the world's largest ad market with predicted revenue of $153bn in 2012 – is expected to expand at a slower rate of 2.5% next year without the benefit of certain big events.
Suzy Young, Warc's data editor, explained: "The global ad market has been boosted this year by quadrennial events, namely the Olympics, the US presidential election and, to a lesser extent, Euro 2012. Next year will suffer by comparison, with advertisers having fewer incentives to spend when the underlying mood is generally one of caution."
11 Biggest Social Media Disasters of 2012
The calendar year wouldn’t be complete without a few social media fails.
In 2012, plenty of big brands and organizations suffered serious backlashes on social networks like Twitter and Facebook for offensive tweets, questionable ad campaigns or controversial company statements. Some, like McDonald’s, attempted good-natured social media campaigns that simply took unexpected turns. Others, like StubHub’s and KitchenAid’s Twitter accounts mistakenly send out shocking tweets.
If there’s one lesson to take away from this year’s fails, it’s that brands need to be particularly careful when it comes to tying a promotion or post to a big, public event. Several of the businesses on our list were heavily criticized for posts relating to the presidential election and Hurricane Sandy, for example
In 2012, plenty of big brands and organizations suffered serious backlashes on social networks like Twitter and Facebook for offensive tweets, questionable ad campaigns or controversial company statements. Some, like McDonald’s, attempted good-natured social media campaigns that simply took unexpected turns. Others, like StubHub’s and KitchenAid’s Twitter accounts mistakenly send out shocking tweets.
If there’s one lesson to take away from this year’s fails, it’s that brands need to be particularly careful when it comes to tying a promotion or post to a big, public event. Several of the businesses on our list were heavily criticized for posts relating to the presidential election and Hurricane Sandy, for example
Monday, November 26, 2012
Skyfall - Billion-Dollar Bond...?
Who's Making What From 'Skyfall'
MGM, the Broccoli family and Sony all have fingers in the pie as the extraordinary worldwide grosses come just in time for a flashy IPO.
Many Hollywood observers now believe the Sam Mendes-directed picture could be the first Bond -- and only the 14th film ever -- to pass the $1 billion mark at the worldwide box office.
MGM, the Broccoli family and Sony all have fingers in the pie as the extraordinary worldwide grosses come just in time for a flashy IPO.
Many Hollywood observers now believe the Sam Mendes-directed picture could be the first Bond -- and only the 14th film ever -- to pass the $1 billion mark at the worldwide box office.
Boom-bang-a-bust Glitz of Eurovision proves too costly
Portugal and Poland drop out because winning would be disaster
In recent years former Soviet countries have shown how seriously they take the contest.
The Moscow Eurovision, which at the time was thought to have been the most expensive in history, was estimated to have cost around £25m to host, while the following year in Oslo came in at around £23m.
Last year's tournament in Baku dwarfed these figures, however. Unofficial estimates said the Baku government may have spent up to £500m.
In recent years former Soviet countries have shown how seriously they take the contest.
The Moscow Eurovision, which at the time was thought to have been the most expensive in history, was estimated to have cost around £25m to host, while the following year in Oslo came in at around £23m.
Last year's tournament in Baku dwarfed these figures, however. Unofficial estimates said the Baku government may have spent up to £500m.
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Girl Power 1 - Movies, Bella beats Bond
Films featuring weapon-wielding teenage girls are dominating Hollywood's fantasy output. But in the real world men still hold power in the industry
One thing that has struck many observers of the trend is that the young female characters emerging in post-Twilight Hollywood are not overly sexualised. Instead they wield weapons, lead other characters and exist in film genres – such as horror, dystopian science fiction and post-apocalyptic settings – where strong male characters have usually dominated. Again The Hunger Games is a classic example. The character of Everdeen is dominant and strong, including over her putative love interests. "These girls are not all wearing bikinis. It is not just about showing skin," said Noah Levy, senior news editor at celebrity magazine In Touch Weekly.
One thing that has struck many observers of the trend is that the young female characters emerging in post-Twilight Hollywood are not overly sexualised. Instead they wield weapons, lead other characters and exist in film genres – such as horror, dystopian science fiction and post-apocalyptic settings – where strong male characters have usually dominated. Again The Hunger Games is a classic example. The character of Everdeen is dominant and strong, including over her putative love interests. "These girls are not all wearing bikinis. It is not just about showing skin," said Noah Levy, senior news editor at celebrity magazine In Touch Weekly.
Girl power 2 - Music
Ke$ha is one of the vibrant group of feisty female pop stars who now dominate the charts. Have women finally seized control of the music industry?
Ke$ha, 25, is one of a vibrant group of female pop stars who dominate today’s charts. Each projects a distinctive personality: the self-styled “black Madonna” (Rihanna), the arty weirdo (Lady Gaga), the middle-American sweetheart (Taylor Swift), the cheeky girl-next-door (Katy Perry). Their male counterparts are colourless in comparison. You can’t really imagine Justin Bieber’s entourage planning visits to “weirdly sexual” burlesque clubs.
Ke$ha, 25, is one of a vibrant group of female pop stars who dominate today’s charts. Each projects a distinctive personality: the self-styled “black Madonna” (Rihanna), the arty weirdo (Lady Gaga), the middle-American sweetheart (Taylor Swift), the cheeky girl-next-door (Katy Perry). Their male counterparts are colourless in comparison. You can’t really imagine Justin Bieber’s entourage planning visits to “weirdly sexual” burlesque clubs.
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Gangnam Style breaks YouTube record
Psy's song poking fun at South Korea's bourgeouisie leapfrogs Justin Bieber's Baby to become most-watched video ever
The camp video, which has spawned a growing number of spoof and tribute clips, wrested the title from Canadian singer Justin Bieber's Baby, which has more than 803m views.
Psy, whose real name is Park Jae-sang, has become an international star since Gangnam Style's release in July.
Psy's song, which pokes fun at the fashion-conscious residents of an upmarket neighbourhood in Seoul, has topped charts around the world, selling more than 4m copies worldwide.
The camp video, which has spawned a growing number of spoof and tribute clips, wrested the title from Canadian singer Justin Bieber's Baby, which has more than 803m views.
Psy, whose real name is Park Jae-sang, has become an international star since Gangnam Style's release in July.
Psy's song, which pokes fun at the fashion-conscious residents of an upmarket neighbourhood in Seoul, has topped charts around the world, selling more than 4m copies worldwide.
The Future of Football
On-pitch drama at a London derby sparks a global Twitter frenzy. Technology is changing the way we watch football
Initially, it’s not the emotions of the thousands of spectators present that appear the most powerfully felt but those of the millions of people watching TV broadcasts around the world, streaming the games online and commenting on social networking sites such as Twitter. They include US-based Arsenal fan and television host Piers Morgan, his Twitter sparring partner and Tottenham fan Sir Alan Sugar, golfer Ian Poulter, and what seems like a large number of Arsenal’s 1.9m Twitter followers – the most of any team in England (Chelsea are second, with 1.6m). From Spain, Cesc Fàbregas (@cesc4official), a former Arsenal midfielder now playing for Barcelona, posts his own good luck message before Arsenal go 1-0 down: “Come on @Arsenal!!!!” It is re-tweeted more than 10,000 times during the game.
Initially, it’s not the emotions of the thousands of spectators present that appear the most powerfully felt but those of the millions of people watching TV broadcasts around the world, streaming the games online and commenting on social networking sites such as Twitter. They include US-based Arsenal fan and television host Piers Morgan, his Twitter sparring partner and Tottenham fan Sir Alan Sugar, golfer Ian Poulter, and what seems like a large number of Arsenal’s 1.9m Twitter followers – the most of any team in England (Chelsea are second, with 1.6m). From Spain, Cesc Fàbregas (@cesc4official), a former Arsenal midfielder now playing for Barcelona, posts his own good luck message before Arsenal go 1-0 down: “Come on @Arsenal!!!!” It is re-tweeted more than 10,000 times during the game.
Lunch with the FT - Martha Stewart (née Kostyra)
The former stockbroker who built an empire out of American domesticity talks to the FT’s fashion editor about surviving prison - and Christmas
It was Stewart (as Stewart will tell you) who understood media and commerce would soon be one and the same thing, decades before Net-a-Porter launched a magazine and magazines launched their own storefronts; it was Stewart who suffered a public fall from grace in 2003 when she was indicted for making false statements and obstruction of justice in relation to a stock trade – she was convicted by a jury and spent five months in prison in West Virginia; and it was Stewart who re-emerged blonder and tougher and, product-wise at least, more ubiquitous than ever, with 8,500 Martha Stewart-branded items sold everywhere from Macy’s to Home Depot to PetSmart and Staples.
It was Stewart (as Stewart will tell you) who understood media and commerce would soon be one and the same thing, decades before Net-a-Porter launched a magazine and magazines launched their own storefronts; it was Stewart who suffered a public fall from grace in 2003 when she was indicted for making false statements and obstruction of justice in relation to a stock trade – she was convicted by a jury and spent five months in prison in West Virginia; and it was Stewart who re-emerged blonder and tougher and, product-wise at least, more ubiquitous than ever, with 8,500 Martha Stewart-branded items sold everywhere from Macy’s to Home Depot to PetSmart and Staples.
Simon Kuper - A Question of Identity
The nation-state is shrinking to just a flag, some sports teams and a pile of debts
I view nationalism as an outsider. Living in Paris with my American wife and my British passport, supporting Holland at football and South Africa at cricket, I’m baffled that anyone would want to die for their country. And, in fact, for most of history they didn’t. Nationalism – the notion that people who shared a culture and language should govern themselves in one state – is a fairly new idea. To quote the opening words of Elie Kedourie’s book Nationalism: “Nationalism is a doctrine invented in Europe at the beginning of the nineteenth century.”
I view nationalism as an outsider. Living in Paris with my American wife and my British passport, supporting Holland at football and South Africa at cricket, I’m baffled that anyone would want to die for their country. And, in fact, for most of history they didn’t. Nationalism – the notion that people who shared a culture and language should govern themselves in one state – is a fairly new idea. To quote the opening words of Elie Kedourie’s book Nationalism: “Nationalism is a doctrine invented in Europe at the beginning of the nineteenth century.”
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Taking the Long View
The pursuit of shareholder value is attracting criticism—not all of it foolish
Are the critics really right to argue that modern capital markets invariably put short-term results before long-term ones? Amazon has never found it hard to attract investors, despite the way it ploughs its profits into long-term plans for world domination. Plenty of other tech stocks are wildly popular despite negligible short-term returns. And are companies always foolish to react sharply to short-term warning signs? Nokia, a Finnish telecoms firm, would be much healthier today if it had reacted more swiftly to market warnings, rather than keeping a second-rate boss in place while Apple destroyed its business.
Are the critics really right to argue that modern capital markets invariably put short-term results before long-term ones? Amazon has never found it hard to attract investors, despite the way it ploughs its profits into long-term plans for world domination. Plenty of other tech stocks are wildly popular despite negligible short-term returns. And are companies always foolish to react sharply to short-term warning signs? Nokia, a Finnish telecoms firm, would be much healthier today if it had reacted more swiftly to market warnings, rather than keeping a second-rate boss in place while Apple destroyed its business.
Manufacturing - The New Maker Rules
Big forces are reshaping the world of manufacturing
Add to that another 1.8 billion consumers who will join the global marketplace in the next 15 years and “Manufacturing the Future”, a new report by the McKinsey Global Institute, has good cause to be optimistic. Demand will grow not only for basic goods (which are typically made in developing countries) but also for the costly, innovative gadgets and high-tech products that rich countries make. McKinsey reckons that rich countries will keep making such products better than anyone else.
Add to that another 1.8 billion consumers who will join the global marketplace in the next 15 years and “Manufacturing the Future”, a new report by the McKinsey Global Institute, has good cause to be optimistic. Demand will grow not only for basic goods (which are typically made in developing countries) but also for the costly, innovative gadgets and high-tech products that rich countries make. McKinsey reckons that rich countries will keep making such products better than anyone else.
#Susanalbumparty: Top 5 Twitter hashtag PR disasters
Following the most recent addition to the Twitter hashtag wall of shame – here's a roundup of the best and add your own
Causing great mirth on the social network on Thursday, the unfortunate choice of hashtag #Susanalbumparty to promote the singer's new album event has spawned a wealth of mock invites to the party and ridicule. Gawker reports the rumour-bashing site Is Twitter Wrong (run by @flashboy) managed to track down the original tweet from Susan's account, which was hastily changed to #SusanBoylesAlbumParty.
Causing great mirth on the social network on Thursday, the unfortunate choice of hashtag #Susanalbumparty to promote the singer's new album event has spawned a wealth of mock invites to the party and ridicule. Gawker reports the rumour-bashing site Is Twitter Wrong (run by @flashboy) managed to track down the original tweet from Susan's account, which was hastily changed to #SusanBoylesAlbumParty.
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Schools Kill Creativity - Sir Ken Robinson
"We are educating people out of their creativity"
Creativity expert Sir Ken Robinson challenges the way we're educating our children. He champions a radical rethink of our school systems, to cultivate creativity and acknowledge multiple types of intelligence.
Creativity expert Sir Ken Robinson challenges the way we're educating our children. He champions a radical rethink of our school systems, to cultivate creativity and acknowledge multiple types of intelligence.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Lucy Kellaway - As Not Seen on TV
It’s hardly ever like real life, so why are we so fascinated by workplace drama on television?
The second way in which TV fails to resemble office life is in its lack of restraint. How thrilling for us, for whom workplace indulgence is a cappuccino in a paper cup and a bar of Kit Kat, to fantasise (or feel scandalised) about the drinking and smoking in Mad Men. Even after watching five seasons of it, I haven’t tired of the cigarette lighters and the whiskey decanters on the G-plan-style sideboards. In fact, I rather regret that the writers are moving us into the late 1960s and LSD instead, where the wish fulfilment element is less obvious. I have no desire to be, like Roger Stirling and his friends, crawling around on all fours hallucinating.
The second way in which TV fails to resemble office life is in its lack of restraint. How thrilling for us, for whom workplace indulgence is a cappuccino in a paper cup and a bar of Kit Kat, to fantasise (or feel scandalised) about the drinking and smoking in Mad Men. Even after watching five seasons of it, I haven’t tired of the cigarette lighters and the whiskey decanters on the G-plan-style sideboards. In fact, I rather regret that the writers are moving us into the late 1960s and LSD instead, where the wish fulfilment element is less obvious. I have no desire to be, like Roger Stirling and his friends, crawling around on all fours hallucinating.
Micropayments: Would you pay 20p to read an article?
After reading the first few lines, would you pay a bit of money to read the rest of it?
It's a system called micropayments, and some believe it is the future for supporting journalism, and other creative content, on the internet.
The likes of Google and Paypal have begun to roll out and promote their technologies, and there are a number of smaller players hoping to break-through.
It's a system called micropayments, and some believe it is the future for supporting journalism, and other creative content, on the internet.
The likes of Google and Paypal have begun to roll out and promote their technologies, and there are a number of smaller players hoping to break-through.
Monday, November 19, 2012
HBO channels hit programmes for 40 years
Cable channel made its early reputation as a niche channel for boxing fans before hitting its stride with original shows
Even the most cynical among us have to admit that sometimes a promotional statement gets it right. Take HBO's most famous slogan – "It's not TV, it's HBO" – a phrase that sums up the enduring appeal of the cable channel which was launched on 8 November 1972 and celebrates its 40th birthday this month.
Think of your favourite shows of the last 20 years and chances are at least one of them, probably more, is an HBO creation. From Oz to Boardwalk Empire, Sex and The City to Girls, HBO has consistently demonstrated a knack for creating shows people talk about, even if it's only to say how much they don't care.
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Tobacco - Look what they’ve done to my brands
Cigarette-makers will weather the spread of plain-packaging laws
Plain packs may chime with a global back-to-basics mood. Some analysts think they could even help brands in their endless quest for differentiation. Faced with rows of identical boxes Aussies will ask for their favourites by name. New brands will find it hard to break in. Incumbents may find the new regime rather cosy.
Plain packs may chime with a global back-to-basics mood. Some analysts think they could even help brands in their endless quest for differentiation. Faced with rows of identical boxes Aussies will ask for their favourites by name. New brands will find it hard to break in. Incumbents may find the new regime rather cosy.
Company museums are not as dull as they sound
The SPAM Museum in Austin, Minnesota, is the Guggenheim of pork products. The Kohler Design Centre in Kohler, Wisconsin, is the Frick of bathroom fixtures. The Cumberland Pencil Company’s museum in Keswick, England, is the British Museum of old pencils. But now company museums are going mainstream.
A corporate museum is a shrewd way to bolster a brand. If it’s good, people will actually pay to hear your story. So companies have been transforming stodgy old-fashioned museums—collections of company artefacts and documents—into corporate theme parks. And they have started using their histories to enrich their brands and deepen their relationships with customers.
A corporate museum is a shrewd way to bolster a brand. If it’s good, people will actually pay to hear your story. So companies have been transforming stodgy old-fashioned museums—collections of company artefacts and documents—into corporate theme parks. And they have started using their histories to enrich their brands and deepen their relationships with customers.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Berezovsky vs Abramovich - Vanity Fair
This year Boris Berezovsky and Roman Abramovich, two of Russia’s most prominent oligarchs, squared off in a London courtroom—former business partners turned bitter enemies. At stake were billions of dollars. And a constant presence in the courtroom was a man who wasn’t there: Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin.
“But your witness statement says, ‘For me, O.R.T. is not only the first step into mass media, it is also good business,’” objected Sumption. “Is that wrong?”
“It’s correct.”
“So you used connections for business?”
“No. I want to stress it was not for business at all.”
“You needed $200 million for funding O.R.T. And you thought that an oil company would be a good source?”
“I took O.R.T. under control only to help with election coming 1996. I don’t want to give the impression that I was not interested in business. I was very interested. But I was interested to make money only to create political stability.”
“But your witness statement says, ‘For me, O.R.T. is not only the first step into mass media, it is also good business,’” objected Sumption. “Is that wrong?”
“It’s correct.”
“So you used connections for business?”
“No. I want to stress it was not for business at all.”
“You needed $200 million for funding O.R.T. And you thought that an oil company would be a good source?”
“I took O.R.T. under control only to help with election coming 1996. I don’t want to give the impression that I was not interested in business. I was very interested. But I was interested to make money only to create political stability.”
Vevo prepares for European launch
Music video website, founded by Sony and Universal, aims to attract fans who currently watch clips on its YouTube channel
Vevo, the music video website founded by music majors Universal and Sony, is to break into mainland Europe, launching in France, Spain and Italy.
Vevo, which launched in the UK last year, is launching country-specific versions of Vevo.com, as well as free mobile and tablet apps in each territory.
Vevo, the music video website founded by music majors Universal and Sony, is to break into mainland Europe, launching in France, Spain and Italy.
Vevo, which launched in the UK last year, is launching country-specific versions of Vevo.com, as well as free mobile and tablet apps in each territory.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Victoria's Secret latest label to offend Native Americans
The Victoria's Secret show, which sees some of the world's most beautiful women saunter down a runway in sparkly underwear, received plenty of attention last week. But it wasn't always for the right reasons
In October, Gap withdrew a line of T-shirts with the slogan "Manifest Destiny", a reference to the 19th-century belief held by Americans that they should expand across the continent, which resulted in the occupation and annexation of Native American land.
Last year, Urban Outfitters came under fire for using "Navajo" to describe and market a collection of products, knocking off the aesthetic (not to mention trademark) of an actual Native American tribe. The tribe filed a lawsuit in February.
In October, Gap withdrew a line of T-shirts with the slogan "Manifest Destiny", a reference to the 19th-century belief held by Americans that they should expand across the continent, which resulted in the occupation and annexation of Native American land.
Last year, Urban Outfitters came under fire for using "Navajo" to describe and market a collection of products, knocking off the aesthetic (not to mention trademark) of an actual Native American tribe. The tribe filed a lawsuit in February.
Conference Speaker - Owen Matthews
In 1995 he moved to Moscow and became a correspondent for Newsweek Magazine, covering conflicts in Lebanon, Afghanistan and Chechnya.
From 2006 to 2012 he was Newsweek's Moscow Bureau Chief. Owen's first book on Russian history was Stalin's Children, a family memoir, which was published to great critical acclaim in 2008. The book was shortlisted for the Guardian First Book Award and the Orwell Prize for political writing, and selected as one of the Books of the Year by the Sunday Times, Sunday Telegraph and the Spectator. It has been translated into twenty-six languages
From 2006 to 2012 he was Newsweek's Moscow Bureau Chief. Owen's first book on Russian history was Stalin's Children, a family memoir, which was published to great critical acclaim in 2008. The book was shortlisted for the Guardian First Book Award and the Orwell Prize for political writing, and selected as one of the Books of the Year by the Sunday Times, Sunday Telegraph and the Spectator. It has been translated into twenty-six languages
Evgeny Lebedev pulls plug on Journalism Foundation
Initiative to train journalists, promote 'free and independent journalism' and expose corruption, to close after less than a year
Last year Evgeny, head of the UK publishing operation including the Independent and the Evening Standard, said he envisaged that the "biggest titles around the world ... pool resources to uncover the schemes and money flows used to sustain massive corruption".
But the Lebedev family has been under political and financial pressure after it emerged in September that Alexander had been charged with hooliganism and battery a year after punching a business rival in the face live on television. The hooliganism charge is the same one levelled against Pussy Riot, the punk protest band jailed for two years after performing anti-Putin songs in a Moscow cathedral.
Last year Evgeny, head of the UK publishing operation including the Independent and the Evening Standard, said he envisaged that the "biggest titles around the world ... pool resources to uncover the schemes and money flows used to sustain massive corruption".
But the Lebedev family has been under political and financial pressure after it emerged in September that Alexander had been charged with hooliganism and battery a year after punching a business rival in the face live on television. The hooliganism charge is the same one levelled against Pussy Riot, the punk protest band jailed for two years after performing anti-Putin songs in a Moscow cathedral.
Cyrillic Web Domain Ranked World's Largest
Russia may not be the world champion in terms of computer use or Internet access, but when it comes to non-Latin domains the patriotic .рф is the name to beat.
Registration for .рф opened in November 2010. As of Tuesday, there were more than 845,000 addresses registered, which makes it the biggest internationalized domain name in the world, according to the coordination center.
The domain's growth rates are also impressive. Monthly growth rates have been comparable to those of Russia's Latin-script top-level domain .ru, the EURid report states.
The .рф domain grew 54 percent between December 2010 and December 2011, and it has collected 5,973 new registrants since the beginning of this month alone.
Registration for .рф opened in November 2010. As of Tuesday, there were more than 845,000 addresses registered, which makes it the biggest internationalized domain name in the world, according to the coordination center.
The domain's growth rates are also impressive. Monthly growth rates have been comparable to those of Russia's Latin-script top-level domain .ru, the EURid report states.
The .рф domain grew 54 percent between December 2010 and December 2011, and it has collected 5,973 new registrants since the beginning of this month alone.
Monday, November 12, 2012
Beware the tweeting crowds
In the online world, it’s possible to purchase a crowd of fans. One thousand cost only $18 on average, according to estimates by Barracuda Networks, a network security company.
Yet these friends won’t meet you for drinks after work. In fact, they don’t even exist. They are pixels on a screen.
Yet these friends won’t meet you for drinks after work. In fact, they don’t even exist. They are pixels on a screen.
For start-ups a strong social media following can
boost business. A small mom-and-pop shop struggling to sell its wares can look
like a booming upstart thanks to a swollen Twitter account, or an artificially
high number of Facebook likes. For major international companies, an
underwhelming number of followers in the early stages of engagement with social
media can be galling at best and damaging to brand perception at worst. Buying
crowds of fans—even if they aren’t engaged with the brand—can give an artificial
boost to a business.
It's retail, but not as we knew it
Retail itself isn't withering – buyers are simply moving away from the high street, but where do the latest trends lead?
The volume of transactions where the entire purchase cycle is completed in store will continue to fall, but the need for consumers to interact with goods physically will, however, continue to be met through the traditional store; the desire for consumers to touch, feel and even smell is universal from China to Australia, the US to Spain – quality is just too difficult to assess in the virtual world. But more importantly the traditional store will provide the channel through which the consumer can complete the last mile of the retail journey when they just cannot wait for their goods to be delivered, or when delivery to a physical address is just not practical.
The volume of transactions where the entire purchase cycle is completed in store will continue to fall, but the need for consumers to interact with goods physically will, however, continue to be met through the traditional store; the desire for consumers to touch, feel and even smell is universal from China to Australia, the US to Spain – quality is just too difficult to assess in the virtual world. But more importantly the traditional store will provide the channel through which the consumer can complete the last mile of the retail journey when they just cannot wait for their goods to be delivered, or when delivery to a physical address is just not practical.
Sunday, November 11, 2012
'Skyfall' fetches £55m in new US box office record
James Bond's 'Skyfall' has fetched a franchise record $87.8 million (£55 million) in its first weekend at the US box office.
That lifts the worldwide total for "Skyfall" to $518.6 million since it began
rolling out in Europe in late October.
The third instalment starring Daniel Craig as British super-spy Bond,
"Skyfall" outdid the $67.5 million US debut of 2008's "Quantum of Solace," the
franchise's previous best opening. "Skyfall" more than doubled the $40.8 million
debut of Craig's first Bond film, 2006's "Casino Royale."
Dasha Zhukova’s next move
Dasha Zhukova is expanding her Garage arts centre in Moscow, and now has designs on St Petersburg. Her critics in the art world may still not take her seriously, but they can’t ignore her
The Garage Center for Contemporary Culture, Zhukova’s initial cultural foray into her birthplace, which opened in Moscow in 2008 – housed in a vast former bus terminal designed by the constructivist architects Konstantin Melnikov and Vladimir Shukhov in 1926 – was an encouraging first move on her part. It announced an approach, which now seems to be her modus operandi, of taking over ruined Soviet architectural masterpieces and working with world-class architects to create sympathetic restorations. That Garage lease has come to an end, and the exhibition space is now moving to Gorky Park.
The Garage Center for Contemporary Culture, Zhukova’s initial cultural foray into her birthplace, which opened in Moscow in 2008 – housed in a vast former bus terminal designed by the constructivist architects Konstantin Melnikov and Vladimir Shukhov in 1926 – was an encouraging first move on her part. It announced an approach, which now seems to be her modus operandi, of taking over ruined Soviet architectural masterpieces and working with world-class architects to create sympathetic restorations. That Garage lease has come to an end, and the exhibition space is now moving to Gorky Park.
Simon Kuper - How to handle the media
An interview is like a seduction: the journalist aims to charm you into giving him your best stuff. Sometimes the seduction is literal
Usually, I am the journalist asking people stupid questions. But because I have a new book out in the US, the roles are temporarily reversed: now other journalists are asking me. I like the situation. Because I’m the enemy myself, I know how to deal with him. Media savvy typically costs a fortune (which is why PRs outnumber journalists six to one in the US) but here is some free with your FT.
Usually, I am the journalist asking people stupid questions. But because I have a new book out in the US, the roles are temporarily reversed: now other journalists are asking me. I like the situation. Because I’m the enemy myself, I know how to deal with him. Media savvy typically costs a fortune (which is why PRs outnumber journalists six to one in the US) but here is some free with your FT.
Friday, November 9, 2012
Newspapers versus Google
As newspapers’ woes grow, some are lobbying politicians to make Google pay for the news it publishes
The real issue behind all this, however, is the decline of traditional media. In France not a single national newspaper is profitable, despite around €1.2 billion ($1.54 billion) in direct and indirect government subsidies. Google can hardly be blamed for the recession, declining readership, and slumping advertising revenue. Online advertising has not offset the decline of print ads in newspapers. In 2011 newspaper advertising globally amounted to $76 billion, down 41% since 2007, according to the World Association of Newspapers. Only 2.2% of newspapers’ advertising revenues last year came from digital platforms, and even these are vulnerable to ad-blocking software (see article).
The real issue behind all this, however, is the decline of traditional media. In France not a single national newspaper is profitable, despite around €1.2 billion ($1.54 billion) in direct and indirect government subsidies. Google can hardly be blamed for the recession, declining readership, and slumping advertising revenue. Online advertising has not offset the decline of print ads in newspapers. In 2011 newspaper advertising globally amounted to $76 billion, down 41% since 2007, according to the World Association of Newspapers. Only 2.2% of newspapers’ advertising revenues last year came from digital platforms, and even these are vulnerable to ad-blocking software (see article).
Forget the Christmas TV shows, what are the ads like?
Festive adverts have become so celebrated that they are now being previewed by 'teaser’ commercials
Channel 4 has beaten its rivals to one of the festive season’s most hotly
anticipated events. It’s not the television première of the new James Bond
movie, or the Queen’s Christmas message, or even an exclusive chat with Santa
himself. No, it’s got the big one: the John Lewis Christmas advert.
So excited is the broadcaster that it is running ''teasers’’ plugging the
forthcoming advert. Yes, that’s right. The John Lewis advert is now deemed such
a major television occasion that it gets its own adverts. More than that, it
will be “premiered”. The channel will give over a whole commercial break on
Saturday night and introduce the advert as though it were a mini feature film.
Voters Take to Social Media
On Tuesday voters did not just turn out in droves to cast their votes for the next president of the United States. They also took to social media and let the world know which candidate they voted for
22 percent of registered voters let others know how they voted on a social networking site, primarily Twitter or Facebook, reports the Pew Internet & American Life Project. Interestingly, there was a stark generational divide, with young voters more vocal about their voting choices than older voters.
29 percent of those under 50 announced on their social media networks how they voted or planned to vote, while only 17 percent of those 50 and older revealed their voting choices on social media.
22 percent of registered voters let others know how they voted on a social networking site, primarily Twitter or Facebook, reports the Pew Internet & American Life Project. Interestingly, there was a stark generational divide, with young voters more vocal about their voting choices than older voters.
29 percent of those under 50 announced on their social media networks how they voted or planned to vote, while only 17 percent of those 50 and older revealed their voting choices on social media.
Moscow Times Founder to Head RBC
Derk Sauer, founder of The Moscow Times, was appointed president of RBC Information Systems media group Thursday but will stay on as chairman of Sanoma Independent Media's supervisory board.
“[RBC] is an interesting company with a strong core website and television,” Sauer told The Moscow Times in a phone interview. “It has had a few turbulent past years, but has a lot of potential.”
The Independent Media founder said his leadership position at RBC will not clash with the role at his old publishing house because at the latter he is not in a management position and is not responsible for daily business operations.
“I had a lot of free time on my hands, so I wanted to start something new and interesting,” he said.
“[RBC] is an interesting company with a strong core website and television,” Sauer told The Moscow Times in a phone interview. “It has had a few turbulent past years, but has a lot of potential.”
The Independent Media founder said his leadership position at RBC will not clash with the role at his old publishing house because at the latter he is not in a management position and is not responsible for daily business operations.
“I had a lot of free time on my hands, so I wanted to start something new and interesting,” he said.
More than just a game
Video games are behind the latest fad in management
As video games have grown from an obscure hobby to a $67 billion industry, management theorists have begun to return the favour. Video games now have the dubious honour of having inspired their own management craze. Called “gamification”, it aims to take principles from video games and apply them to serious tasks. The latest book on the subject, “For the Win”, comes from Kevin Werbach and Dan Hunter, from the Wharton Business School and the New York Law School respectively.
As video games have grown from an obscure hobby to a $67 billion industry, management theorists have begun to return the favour. Video games now have the dubious honour of having inspired their own management craze. Called “gamification”, it aims to take principles from video games and apply them to serious tasks. The latest book on the subject, “For the Win”, comes from Kevin Werbach and Dan Hunter, from the Wharton Business School and the New York Law School respectively.
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Hug photo makes social media history
A photograph of Barack Obama embracing his wife Michelle has become the most liked and re-tweeted post ever
Obama posted the image at 0416 GMT, effectively claiming victory over Mitt Romney in the US presidential race. Since then it has been re-tweeted nearly 700,000 times. More than 3.23 million people have liked the image on Facebook, with over 400,000 shares; more than 100,000 today were liking it every hour.
Obama posted the image at 0416 GMT, effectively claiming victory over Mitt Romney in the US presidential race. Since then it has been re-tweeted nearly 700,000 times. More than 3.23 million people have liked the image on Facebook, with over 400,000 shares; more than 100,000 today were liking it every hour.
'Wired' is pointing the way to the future of publishing
Wired’s offering of expert insight goes beyond tired awards ceremony formats based on dinners
Wired doesn't go in for cosy discussions. "There are no panels, they don't work – I go to 30 conferences a year," said Rowan before the opening of the event.
Businesses with even deeper pockets can buy a "Wired Consulting" service, with prices typically in five figures. For this the magazine's events team will tailor an internal conference for an individual company. "We are hired by you and we will explain some of the stories and some of the trends that we know from our connections," says the editor.
Wired doesn't go in for cosy discussions. "There are no panels, they don't work – I go to 30 conferences a year," said Rowan before the opening of the event.
Businesses with even deeper pockets can buy a "Wired Consulting" service, with prices typically in five figures. For this the magazine's events team will tailor an internal conference for an individual company. "We are hired by you and we will explain some of the stories and some of the trends that we know from our connections," says the editor.
Politics and Statistics - March of the Nerds
The 2012 presidential election went exactly as predicted by the leading quantitative analysts.
"...it is inevitable that media coverage of politics will eventually follow the path taken by sportswriting, and that traditional pundits will be left out in the cold—just as there are ever-fewer members of the old guard, like the recently retired Joe Morgan, in baseball broadcast booths. After all, the campaigns have already been using advanced statistics for years. But it’s up to individual news outlets to determine the speed of progress. I hope to see many more references to weighted poll averages, quantitative win probabilities and betting-market odds in the pages of The Economist in the years to come."
"...it is inevitable that media coverage of politics will eventually follow the path taken by sportswriting, and that traditional pundits will be left out in the cold—just as there are ever-fewer members of the old guard, like the recently retired Joe Morgan, in baseball broadcast booths. After all, the campaigns have already been using advanced statistics for years. But it’s up to individual news outlets to determine the speed of progress. I hope to see many more references to weighted poll averages, quantitative win probabilities and betting-market odds in the pages of The Economist in the years to come."
Exclusive: Louis Vuitton TV ad teaser
An exclusive preview of the first ever Louis Vuitton TV ad, starring model of the moment Arizona Muse, which is set to air this weekend.
Louis Vuitton airs its first TV ad this Sunday, bang in the middle of Homeland - and it gives Carrie Mathison and co a run for their money in the intriguing stakes. In a midnight-swathe Louvre, Arizona Muse dashes through its deserted corridors, Monogram Empreinte bag in hand. What is she looking for in this temple of culture infused with the shadows of the past?
Louis Vuitton airs its first TV ad this Sunday, bang in the middle of Homeland - and it gives Carrie Mathison and co a run for their money in the intriguing stakes. In a midnight-swathe Louvre, Arizona Muse dashes through its deserted corridors, Monogram Empreinte bag in hand. What is she looking for in this temple of culture infused with the shadows of the past?
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
The role of the media during the US presidential race
Could the US presidental election contest of 2012 be remembered for the lack of imagination from candidates' media strategists?
The incumbent President Barack Obama has had the edge in social media since he started engaging through Twitter whilst still a candidate in 2007. Media consultant Alan Stevens from Mediacoach.co.uk gives him a lot of credit for it. "[Obama] has gathered 21.5 million Twitter followers, whereas his challenger has fewer than two million," he says. "In addition, he (or his campaign team) is more active, having so far delivered over 400 tweets in this campaign to a mere 16 from the Romney camp. Obama scores more highly on YouTube too, with 21 campaign videos to Romney's 10."
The incumbent President Barack Obama has had the edge in social media since he started engaging through Twitter whilst still a candidate in 2007. Media consultant Alan Stevens from Mediacoach.co.uk gives him a lot of credit for it. "[Obama] has gathered 21.5 million Twitter followers, whereas his challenger has fewer than two million," he says. "In addition, he (or his campaign team) is more active, having so far delivered over 400 tweets in this campaign to a mere 16 from the Romney camp. Obama scores more highly on YouTube too, with 21 campaign videos to Romney's 10."
The Death of Traditional Advertising...?
The list of companies venturing into the content creation space is long: GE, Coca-Cola, Walgreens, Red Bull, Citi Bank, to name just a few.
A new report by Forrester’s Darika Ahrens confirms this trend and advises more brands to jump on the content bandwagon. Forrester forecasts that the number of online content buyers in western Europe will jump by 8 to 12 percent in the next few years. By 2017 in Europe, 20 percent of tablet users will pay for news, 60 percent of video buying will be digital and the number of music subscribers will double. Europeans are willing to pay for content, avoiding traditional advertising such as commercials and banner ads in the process.
A new report by Forrester’s Darika Ahrens confirms this trend and advises more brands to jump on the content bandwagon. Forrester forecasts that the number of online content buyers in western Europe will jump by 8 to 12 percent in the next few years. By 2017 in Europe, 20 percent of tablet users will pay for news, 60 percent of video buying will be digital and the number of music subscribers will double. Europeans are willing to pay for content, avoiding traditional advertising such as commercials and banner ads in the process.
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Max Keiser on Russia Today
Some call Max Keiser a 'traitor' but America's most outrageous political pundit is about to become the most widely watched newscaster on the planet. Here, he explains why he won't be voting in Tuesday's US election.
His most popular outlet is The Keiser Report, on Russia Today (RT), and its international viewing figures, as Keiser (not a man plagued by self-doubt) isn't slow to point out, are huge.
"Well, you have to make an impression quickly. Most people first see The Keiser Report at an airport or hotel. RT has 450 million viewers. It goes into more hotel rooms than the BBC and it has more YouTube views. Everywhere I go, people stop me in the street. And remember I'm broadcasting about global financial corruption; not so long ago, everyone used to say, who could be interested in that?"
His most popular outlet is The Keiser Report, on Russia Today (RT), and its international viewing figures, as Keiser (not a man plagued by self-doubt) isn't slow to point out, are huge.
"Well, you have to make an impression quickly. Most people first see The Keiser Report at an airport or hotel. RT has 450 million viewers. It goes into more hotel rooms than the BBC and it has more YouTube views. Everywhere I go, people stop me in the street. And remember I'm broadcasting about global financial corruption; not so long ago, everyone used to say, who could be interested in that?"
Monday, November 5, 2012
FT backs Obama as 'better choice' president
Business title joins the Economist in supporting incumbent and criticises Romney's 'fiscal alchemy'
The New York Times (for Obama), The Los Angeles Times (for Obama), New York Daily News (for Romney), The Des Moines Register – the biggest newspaper in swing-state Iowa (for Romney), The Houston Chronicle – the biggest daily newspaper in Texas (for Romney)
The New York Times (for Obama), The Los Angeles Times (for Obama), New York Daily News (for Romney), The Des Moines Register – the biggest newspaper in swing-state Iowa (for Romney), The Houston Chronicle – the biggest daily newspaper in Texas (for Romney)
The internet is not free in Azerbaijan
Today Baku will host the Internet Governance Forum. Today the president ignores the truth about the lack of freedom in Azerbaijan.
"Finally, I realise that you may ignore my letter. You have behind you a large army and powerful police. I have only words and the internet. I will continue, though, in my civic duty to remind you and our society of the truth about life in Azerbaijan. I believe that our country will become a better place to live once we all accept the truth of our situation and act together for change. Only then will we be able to hope for a free internet, perhaps it will herald a free country"
"Finally, I realise that you may ignore my letter. You have behind you a large army and powerful police. I have only words and the internet. I will continue, though, in my civic duty to remind you and our society of the truth about life in Azerbaijan. I believe that our country will become a better place to live once we all accept the truth of our situation and act together for change. Only then will we be able to hope for a free internet, perhaps it will herald a free country"
Web Agency Fields 5,000 Ban Requests
The Communications and Press Ministry was inundated with more than 5,000 requests to ban various websites on the day a new Internet restriction law took effect.
Yet only 190 of the requests were deemed suitable for “expert” review, and fewer than 20 sites have so far been placed on the blacklist, the Federal Mass Media Inspection Service, the ministerial agency responsible for maintaining the list, said on its website Friday, a day after the program began.
Ten websites were banned by Friday, adding to the six that had been blacklisted a day earlier.
Yet only 190 of the requests were deemed suitable for “expert” review, and fewer than 20 sites have so far been placed on the blacklist, the Federal Mass Media Inspection Service, the ministerial agency responsible for maintaining the list, said on its website Friday, a day after the program began.
Ten websites were banned by Friday, adding to the six that had been blacklisted a day earlier.
Friday, November 2, 2012
The Cyber War - Obama vs Romney
Voters are being targeted in new and powerful ways
Sasha Issenberg, author of a new book, “The Victory Lab”, says the innovation in this election cycle is that the campaigns are able to link online and offline data. Voter-registration files have been merged with vast quantities of bought consumer data, on top of which come bought or acquired e-mails, mobile and landline numbers, as well as data gathered through canvassing, phone banks and social-media pages. The campaigns are also making use of cookies, the crumbs of data people leave behind when they browse the net. It is these that allow Mr and Mrs Sixpack to be sent different advertising.
Sasha Issenberg, author of a new book, “The Victory Lab”, says the innovation in this election cycle is that the campaigns are able to link online and offline data. Voter-registration files have been merged with vast quantities of bought consumer data, on top of which come bought or acquired e-mails, mobile and landline numbers, as well as data gathered through canvassing, phone banks and social-media pages. The campaigns are also making use of cookies, the crumbs of data people leave behind when they browse the net. It is these that allow Mr and Mrs Sixpack to be sent different advertising.
Lessons from TED
What a nonprofit events group can teach business
WHEN it started in 1984, the TED conference (an abbreviation of “Technology, Entertainment, Design”) brought together a few hundred people in California. It has since grown into a global craze. It will soon pass a milestone: the one-billionth download of an online TED speaker video.
How did it get so popular? The internet played an important role. So did social media. But part of the success is the result of untraditional management. Instead of controlling the most valuable parts of the business, the group took the riskier path of opening them up to everyone. The method may hold lessons for other companies.
WHEN it started in 1984, the TED conference (an abbreviation of “Technology, Entertainment, Design”) brought together a few hundred people in California. It has since grown into a global craze. It will soon pass a milestone: the one-billionth download of an online TED speaker video.
How did it get so popular? The internet played an important role. So did social media. But part of the success is the result of untraditional management. Instead of controlling the most valuable parts of the business, the group took the riskier path of opening them up to everyone. The method may hold lessons for other companies.
Wishing upon a Death Star
Disney buys out George Lucas, the creator of “Star Wars”
Lucasfilm gives Disney material for fresh hits in tough times. Studio bosses complain that the only films that pull crowds to cinemas are familiar franchises such as Batman or James Bond. People are spending more time watching small screens and shelling out less to watch features on large ones, even when studios are spending more to make them. Around 1.28 billion movie tickets were sold in America last year, the fewest since 1995. This summer would have been dismal without the success of “The Avengers” and “The Dark Knight Rises”. Studios have kept revenues stable only by raising ticket prices.
Lucasfilm gives Disney material for fresh hits in tough times. Studio bosses complain that the only films that pull crowds to cinemas are familiar franchises such as Batman or James Bond. People are spending more time watching small screens and shelling out less to watch features on large ones, even when studios are spending more to make them. Around 1.28 billion movie tickets were sold in America last year, the fewest since 1995. This summer would have been dismal without the success of “The Avengers” and “The Dark Knight Rises”. Studios have kept revenues stable only by raising ticket prices.
Penguin and Random House
The merger of two big publishers shows the book business’s challenges
The book industry has felt more pain than pleasure in the past few years, largely thanks to technology. Many physical retailers, such as Borders, have shut down after losing out to cheap online sellers, particularly Amazon.
In only three years the page has turned for electronic books; American publishers generated $2.1 billion in revenues from them last year, up by more than 3,200% from 2008, according to BookStats, which tracks the industry. In theory e-books offer better margins, because they are cheaper to produce. But publishers fret that customers will soon expect to pay less for all books. That won’t be so good for profits.
The book industry has felt more pain than pleasure in the past few years, largely thanks to technology. Many physical retailers, such as Borders, have shut down after losing out to cheap online sellers, particularly Amazon.
In only three years the page has turned for electronic books; American publishers generated $2.1 billion in revenues from them last year, up by more than 3,200% from 2008, according to BookStats, which tracks the industry. In theory e-books offer better margins, because they are cheaper to produce. But publishers fret that customers will soon expect to pay less for all books. That won’t be so good for profits.
Thursday, November 1, 2012
What Does Disney’s Acquisition of Star Wars Mean?
“We could go on making Star Wars for the next 100 years.”
You can also expect Disney to wring every profit possibility out of the iconic empire, which hauntingly spans 17,000 characters, via amusement-park rides, television shows, action figures, books, and games.
You can also expect Disney to wring every profit possibility out of the iconic empire, which hauntingly spans 17,000 characters, via amusement-park rides, television shows, action figures, books, and games.
Online paid-content market threat to traditional advertising
Rise of tablet computers and smartphones could help paid-content market rise to £8bn a year by 2017, says report
The Forrester report found that over the next five years, the amount spent on music, games, film, TV and news content by consumers in western Europe will surge by 65% from €6.2bn (£5bn) to €10.2bn.
However, the knock-on effect of the rise of paid-for services is the loss of digital "pure advertising" opportunities for companies.
"Although content consumption across connected devices is on the rise, the very services driving digital content growth are limiting pure advertising opportunities for brands," she says. "Payment models don't require brand advertising for revenue and … are driving consumer appetite for more ad-free content."
The Forrester report found that over the next five years, the amount spent on music, games, film, TV and news content by consumers in western Europe will surge by 65% from €6.2bn (£5bn) to €10.2bn.
However, the knock-on effect of the rise of paid-for services is the loss of digital "pure advertising" opportunities for companies.
"Although content consumption across connected devices is on the rise, the very services driving digital content growth are limiting pure advertising opportunities for brands," she says. "Payment models don't require brand advertising for revenue and … are driving consumer appetite for more ad-free content."
More Mummy Porn...
Sylvia Day – another star of self-published erotica – scores huge hit for Penguin at the tills
The Bookseller's charts editor Philip Stone also points out that more money – £420,000 – was spent on Day's novels last week than on the works of Iain Banks, Ian McEwan, Philippa Gregory, Marian Keyes, Sebastian Faulks, Philip Pullman, Cathy Kelly, Jackie Collins, Tom Clancy, Henning Mankell, Yann Martel, Alexander McCall Smith, Harlan Coben, Linwood Barclay, Victoria Hislop, PD James, Pierre Dukan, Stieg Larsson, Ian Rankin, Zadie Smith, Karin Slaughter, Paulo Coelho, and Salman Rushdie combined.
The Bookseller's charts editor Philip Stone also points out that more money – £420,000 – was spent on Day's novels last week than on the works of Iain Banks, Ian McEwan, Philippa Gregory, Marian Keyes, Sebastian Faulks, Philip Pullman, Cathy Kelly, Jackie Collins, Tom Clancy, Henning Mankell, Yann Martel, Alexander McCall Smith, Harlan Coben, Linwood Barclay, Victoria Hislop, PD James, Pierre Dukan, Stieg Larsson, Ian Rankin, Zadie Smith, Karin Slaughter, Paulo Coelho, and Salman Rushdie combined.
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Walt Disney buys Star Wars Studio for $4bn
Walt Disney has agreed to pay veteran film maker George Lucas $4.05bn (£2.5bn) to acquire the company behind the Star Wars franchise and make a seventh film in the series.
“Lucasfilm reflects the extraordinary passion, vision, and storytelling of its founder, George Lucas,” Robert Iger, Disney’s chairman and chief executive said. “This transaction combines a world-class portfolio of content including Star Wars, one of the greatest family entertainment franchises of all time, with Disney’s unique and unparalleled creativity.”
“Lucasfilm reflects the extraordinary passion, vision, and storytelling of its founder, George Lucas,” Robert Iger, Disney’s chairman and chief executive said. “This transaction combines a world-class portfolio of content including Star Wars, one of the greatest family entertainment franchises of all time, with Disney’s unique and unparalleled creativity.”
Social TV and second-screen viewing
What does research from Nielsen, Google, Deloitte, Thinkbox, BSkyB and others tell us?
Somewhere between 75% and 85% of TV viewers use other devices while watching, although a lot of these people are doing unrelated tasks – it's startling how many surveys come up with around 60% for the percentage of people who are emailing.
Of these multi-screeners, how many are actually using their second device to look for something relating to the show they're watching? Somewhere between 37% and 52%, while between 27% and 44% are browsing for products spotted in a show or ad, depending which survey you believe.
It's looking like more than a fifth of TV viewers are chatting on Facebook or Twitter about the shows they're watching.
Somewhere between 75% and 85% of TV viewers use other devices while watching, although a lot of these people are doing unrelated tasks – it's startling how many surveys come up with around 60% for the percentage of people who are emailing.
Of these multi-screeners, how many are actually using their second device to look for something relating to the show they're watching? Somewhere between 37% and 52%, while between 27% and 44% are browsing for products spotted in a show or ad, depending which survey you believe.
It's looking like more than a fifth of TV viewers are chatting on Facebook or Twitter about the shows they're watching.
Monday, October 29, 2012
Baumgartner and brands’ race to the bottom
Financial Times Business Blog - Andrew Hill
As Felix Baumgartner struggled to correct his spin at the start of his 128,100 ft descent to earth on Sunday, I couldn’t help thinking of the consequences of failure for Red Bull, his sponsor.
Mr Baumgartner’s feat was obviously extraordinary and compelling. It was a new frontier for him, and for YouTube (where 8m people watched the dive live), but despite strenuous efforts to identify some great scientific benefit of the stunt, it is a far greater leap for brand-marketers – and I worry where they will go next.
The Austrian’s sponsor is an introverted company with an extrovert energy drink brand and it has blasted out a niche in extreme sports, from Formula One to air races. Plenty of people pointed out on Twitter on Sunday that if Mr Baumgartner died, so would Red Bull’s slogan “Red Bull gives you wings”.
But Red Bull is not alone. Virgin’s Sir Richard Branson, who has racked up some high-risk airborne accomplishments himself, promised in the FT on Monday to go deeper as well as higher, with a Virgin Oceanic submarine.
Commercial success – combining high-adventure feats with a youthful online audience – will surely encourage other companies to contemplate backing even riskier exploits, testing the all-publicity-is-good-publicity maxim to the limit. Eventually, someone will perish – either taking part in such an adventure or, worse, imitating better-prepared brand ambassadors like Mr Baumgartner. For brands, this is, literally, a race to the bottom.
Mr Baumgartner’s feat was obviously extraordinary and compelling. It was a new frontier for him, and for YouTube (where 8m people watched the dive live), but despite strenuous efforts to identify some great scientific benefit of the stunt, it is a far greater leap for brand-marketers – and I worry where they will go next.
The Austrian’s sponsor is an introverted company with an extrovert energy drink brand and it has blasted out a niche in extreme sports, from Formula One to air races. Plenty of people pointed out on Twitter on Sunday that if Mr Baumgartner died, so would Red Bull’s slogan “Red Bull gives you wings”.
But Red Bull is not alone. Virgin’s Sir Richard Branson, who has racked up some high-risk airborne accomplishments himself, promised in the FT on Monday to go deeper as well as higher, with a Virgin Oceanic submarine.
Commercial success – combining high-adventure feats with a youthful online audience – will surely encourage other companies to contemplate backing even riskier exploits, testing the all-publicity-is-good-publicity maxim to the limit. Eventually, someone will perish – either taking part in such an adventure or, worse, imitating better-prepared brand ambassadors like Mr Baumgartner. For brands, this is, literally, a race to the bottom.
Tablets 'media machines' with games the most popular
Analytics firm Flurry claims 67% of time spent using tablets is gaming
"At a high level, consumers spend more time using tablets for media and entertainment, including Games (67%), Entertainment (9%) and News (2%) categories which account for nearly four-fifths of consumption on tablets," blogs Flurry's Peter Farago, who notes that communication and task-oriented activities have a higher profile on smartphones.
"At a high level, consumers spend more time using tablets for media and entertainment, including Games (67%), Entertainment (9%) and News (2%) categories which account for nearly four-fifths of consumption on tablets," blogs Flurry's Peter Farago, who notes that communication and task-oriented activities have a higher profile on smartphones.
Building your brand with content marketing
The changing digital landscape is forcing organisations to re-evaluate their media strategy, says Robert Raiola
With the lines between paid, earned, and owned media becoming blurred, it's crucial for marketers to find more cost-effective and coherent means of engaging with consumers.
As a result, content marketing has quickly become a key part of any organisation's marketing mix, and, according to recent research, is being used by nine out of 10 marketers. So what exactly is it, and what is the opportunity for strengthening your media strategy?
With the lines between paid, earned, and owned media becoming blurred, it's crucial for marketers to find more cost-effective and coherent means of engaging with consumers.
As a result, content marketing has quickly become a key part of any organisation's marketing mix, and, according to recent research, is being used by nine out of 10 marketers. So what exactly is it, and what is the opportunity for strengthening your media strategy?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)