Friday, August 22, 2025

Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom lit up at night

So, About That Disney ‘Lifeboat’ Two Analysts Worry About …

MoffettNathanson's senior analysts describe the planned suite of direct-to-consumer services from The Walt Disney Co. a “lifeboat.” With Q1 cord-cutting results now in the books, it may still be too early to abandon ship … but it’s not too early to put on the lifejackets, they say.

Serious Questions To Ask Before Securing Your Next AE

Never assume anything about a sales candidate — even if they come from your industry or a competitor, says sales training expert Barrett Riddleberger. In this freshly written column, Riddleberger shares some top tips on how your Director of Sales can do some solid due diligence.

Kantar: A Strong Lack Of Confidence In Marketers’ Media Programs

If the media buyer or planner your company works with lacks access to all the data needed to create actionable insights, they’re not alone. According to a new report from Kantar, only 8% of marketers think they have all the data they need. It's a top takeaway from "Getting Media Right: Marketing in Motion."

Media Trends and Predictions, Courtesy of Kantar

From 5G to shopvertising, e-sports, influencer marketing, brand activism, and media in-housing, which are the major trends that marketers and media owners need to be aware of over the next 12 months?
Money

Benner on Washington: Recalling The ‘Greenmail Scam’

Long before Media Information Bureau featured columnist Ken Benner got involved with the ABIP programs, he used his time off from his full-time job to visit radio stations in the Upper Midwest to conduct the then-FCC required annual proof of performance measurements. It was during these tours that Benner first learned of how some FCC regulations, in his view, were distorted for "extortion." Yikes!

Black Media Owners To America: ‘Actions, More Than Words’

First, it was the disproportionate COVID-19 pandemic impact on the Black community. Then, it was the murder of George Floyd, and the resulting nationwide protests tied to a message that "Black Lives Matter." Now, a group of NABOB members believe it is time for Corporate America and Capitol Hill to speak up.
Mark Jamison

‘Modernizing’ Section 230: What’s Your Liability Shield?

The White House and strict constitutionalist Mike O'Rielly, the FCC Commissioner, don't see eye to eye on Section 230 reform. Hence, O'Rielly is exiting at the end of his term on January 23, 2021. But, what does the AEI -- selected by the Trump administration to transition the FCC from the Obama administration -- have to say about the internet free speech statute?

‘Traditional Broadcasters’ Poised To Fuel OTT TV, Video Sub Growth

There will be nearly 2 billion active subscriptions to on-demand video services in 2025. That's the key finding of a new report by U.K.-based research and analytical services firm Juniper Research -- and good news for broadcast TV station owners.

The Rising Confidence Of Hispanic Consumers

Hispanic consumers are gaining more confidence in the nation's economic outlook and their own finances as COVID-19 vaccines become widely available and government support helps hard-hit households recover from the devastating pandemic. That's according to new research from Florida Atlantic University.
TV Remote

Keeping Up with the New Pace of Connected TV Change

"TV has and will continue to transform as Connected TV becomes more widely adopted, moving from tested to trusted across all types of advertisers." That's the viewpoint of "the largest independent global measurement and attribution platform for converged TV." While they certainly have a bias, TVSquared's latest Connected TV report is worth a look.

Digital: Ever-Changing the Communications Game

Today, digital media and technology have permeated businesses at every level. Yet, they continue to create fundamentally new challenges in the crisis and risk management field. Perhaps Edelman’s just released 2021 Connected Crisis Study can help. It sheds new light on how significant this shift has become, and how far companies still have to go, to adapt.
Pierre Bouvard

Can These Five Strategies Lead To Successful Local Audio Advertising?

With the shift of TV audiences to advertising-free video platforms, local advertisers are turning to audio — not simply radio — to build their brands and drive sales. How can a CMO and brand manager help build a successful local audio plan? Pierre Bouvard, the Chief Insights Officer at Cumulus Media and its Westwood One arm, offers up five strategies he believes will yield success.

For QSR Brands, ‘A Menu of Disruption, Digital and Dazzle’

According to Statista, consumer spend on QSRs is expected to reach $296 billion this year. But, fast-food brands, just like other major TV and radio advertisers, are today navigating through the impact of inflation by responding to disintermediation, catering to customer experience and partnering with celebrities.
Money

FCC Regulatory Fees? Not Without Clear Authority

Does the FCC have the power to adopt “new regulatory fee categories” on non-licensees that nonetheless “benefit” from the FCC’s regulatory efforts? Non-partisan Washington think tank TechFreedom says no, and it voiced its opinion in Reply Comments filed earlier this week with the Commission in opposition to its FY2022 regulatory fee proposal, which the NAB is vociferously against for their substantial rate hike.
Rosemary Ravinal

Four Words To Avoid When You Speak

Being clear and concise are hallmarks of leadership communication says "Zoom expert" and veteran public relations executive Rosemary Ravinal.  In this latest column, Ravinal offers a video lesson on what four common words should only be used with caution.