Media Intelligence

We invite GroupM's Simon Thomas, Global Director of Audiences Research, and Bharad Ramesh, Executive Director of Research and Investment, to discuss the formation of a joint industry committee of major U.S. television players set to focus on advancing measurement across linear and streaming. But first, a look at a less pessimistic global economy as well as strategic (and non-strategic) happenings...

We're back from the new year break with a quick look at some economic figures out of the U.S. and EU, and then we analyze some comments from the CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery about the health of the advertising market. We make sense of the $414 million GDPR fine handed down to Meta and explain why there will likely be a greater effort from media owners to secure informed consent. And then we analy...

In the last episode of 2022, we discuss the latest economic data from inflation to new business formation and November pumpkin sales. Kate, Brian and ChatGPT discuss the key trends of 2022 and what we’re looking forward to in 2023. Then Kate and Brian dig into what we (and everyone else) got right and wrong this year (remember when Brian had to eat his mask?). And, lastly, we want to hear from you...

In this special episode, we discuss the findings from our This Year Next Year 2022 Global End-Of-Year Forecast, authored by Kate Scott-Dawkins. In the face of rising inflation and fears of economic downturns, the report outlines reasons for cautious optimism as we project positive growth for 2022 and 2023.  Related Links: This Year Next Year: 2022 Global End-Of-Year Forecast (GroupM) Music cr...

We review the latest economic data trends, highlight key points from investor days hosted by Nestle and P&G and provide a clear take on the "confusing and uncertain times" at AMC and Disney. With a deep dive on some of the key issues impacting global and local television trends, such as the state of the auto market, the challenges of diminishing audience reach and the importance of targeting d...

We unpack the big television downgrade of Q3 and try to unmask the culprit that’s killing the medium. Hint: digital endemics and tough pandemic comparables are looking suspicious. We look at recent ad-tech earnings figures, and then put all the attention-grabbing headlines around Twitter in context with the platform’s actual share of attention among advertisers. Music credit: Joseph McDade

We sift through yet another week of earnings, this time from big TV players like Paramount, Warner Bros. Discovery and Canal+. Special guest Tom Narayan, Lead Equity Analyst for European Autos at RBC Capital Markets, joins to discuss the health of the automotive sector — a major contributor to the global advertising economy. Music credit: Joseph McDade

We look at earnings results from some of the world's top sellers of advertising, including Meta, which faced pointed questions from analysts on its results call. Traditional pay TV continues its slow decline, and questions abound as Elon Musk finally takes over Twitter. Music credit: Joseph McDade

We look at earnings from Snap and ask the question: "If a billion ad dollars were to come out of Twitter, where would it go?" Then it's more earnings breakdowns of Netflix and major CPG and luxury advertisers. Creative destruction is in full effect as digital endemics continue to gain share among the top 100 U.S. advertisers, and we dig through some academic literature for a little history lesson...

This week, we dive into the state of the economy in the U.S. and other parts of the world: from higher-than-expected new inflation data—but “less bad” than it could’ve been—to new retail sales data. As Q3 earnings reports begin to come in, we go through some key growth numbers from LVMH and PepsiCo. and discuss the impact of Kroger’s acquisition of Albertsons for $24.6 billion. And, as we take you...

We gut-check some comments from The Trade Desk's investor day and then look at the e-commerce ambitions of beauty companies. Kim K faced the equivalent of an SEC colonoscopy, while the Musk vs. Twitter saga continues. And we're joined by Phil Smith, director general of ISBA, to discuss advertiser sentiment in the U.K. amid political and economic uncertainty, and the need to push social media giant...

A mixed EU economy facing possible recession is seeing rising inflation yet low unemployment levels. With this backdrop, Italy's Mediaset reported new results and provided limited commentary in the wake of news of an "auction" for France's M6. We look at proposed local ad bans in the U.K. and Netherlands, the growth of e-commerce for big apparel brands, the state of political advertising in the U....

In this special episode, we discuss the findings from our This Year Next Year: 2022 E-Commerce & Retail Media Forecast , authored by Kate Scott-Dawkins. The report tracks the growth of the medium throughout the pandemic and dissects the economic trends impacting growth across the globe. Mudit Jaju, Global Head of E-Commerce for Wavemaker, joins to share his deep insights on the space. Related...

Inflation data from the U.S. and U.K. are stoking recession concerns, but the counterpoint of strong retail sales in China and America suggest there's more nuance to the economic outlook. We ponder the future business model of streaming following chatter around the future of Hulu. And a lesson in media training and data security as Big Tech executives are summoned to Capitol Hill yet again. Relate...

Brian and Kate pay tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Then, they look back to 1974 to explain why the overall advertising industry can still grow within a negative economic environment. But acknowledging certain limits to advertising's upside, they explore the misconception that digital advertising would always grow at double digit percentages in light of recent news from Snap. Out-of-home...

The northern hemisphere summer may be slowing down, but what about the pace of ad-spending among primarily digital businesses? We get into the numbers for 'Digital Endemics' and find a specific sector bucking the trends. Also: in the age-old debate between brand and performance, where are marketers currently focused and why? Plus: the love/hate triangle between AppLovin, Unity, and IronSource. And...

Kate and Brian pore over recent e-commerce and retail data, explaining the difficulties of finding the "new plateau" of growth and unpacking macro housing trends from home improvement retailers. Networks sign big-money contracts for the rights to the Big Ten and the Champions League. Erica Farber, CEO of the Radio Advertising Bureau, joins the show to talk about the oft-overlooked medium and how t...

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

Brian and Kate get into the latest earnings reports from RTL, Warner Bros. Discovery, Paramount and more and share new data about the acceleration of cord-cutting and related shift to streaming. Brian reveals new figures for the estimated number of pirated Netflix households and how that could impact the platform’s advertising plans. Kate updates us on the latest economic numbers, including job gr...

Brian's back from vacation to explain with Kate why the advertising economy isn't actually in a terrible place right now, despite all the chatter that may say otherwise. Krystal Olivieri, GroupM and Choreograph's Chief Global Innovation Officer, makes her podcast debut to give an update on Chrome's latest third-party cookie deprecation delay and illustrate the impact media supply chains have on ca...

Amanda Grant, VP & Global Head of Social at GroupM, joins Kate as guest host this week as we get into the latest earnings reports from Twitter and Snap and discuss why social commerce has yet to gain as much traction in Western markets as it has in Asia. Then, Dade Hayes — business editor for Deadline Hollywood and author of the new book "Binge Times: Inside Hollywood's Furious Billion-Dollar...

With Brian out eating his weight in chocolate, Adam Gerber, GroupM's Executive Director of U.S. Investment Strategy, joins as guest co-host to discuss the recent flurry of major announcements, including Netflix choosing Microsoft as its ad partner, a tie-up between The Trade Desk and Disney and the latest in the Musk-Twitter drama. Plus, GroupM's Mike Fisher comes on to explain how Adam binge-watc...

Brian gives us an update on his European travels, including the latest chatter around the impact of inflation in the Eurozone. A quick look at U.S. political pressure on TikTok, the future of the metaverse and the latest in Disney corporate intrigue. And Kate sits down with Bridget Sponsky, Executive Director of Marketing at Ally Financial, and AJ Andrews, TV host and former Rawlings Gold Glover,...

Kate comes back from vacation with a first-hand account of consumer spending in action, lending some anecdotal evidence to the growth we're seeing in the services industry. Brian goes over his big takeaways from Cannes, including the future of Netflix's ad business and his conversation with Citigroup's Tom Singlehurst about the current state of the media industry, and he teases his upcoming chocol...

It's finally here. Brian and Kate discuss the findings of GroupM's This Year Next Year 2022 Mid-Year Global Advertising report, explaining why they still expect solid growth this year despite some economic concerns. Related Links: GroupM: This Year Next Year 2022 Mid-Year Global Advertising Report Music credit: Joseph McDade