Intelligence Briefs

"The events of the past few months have caused my family to make some significant adjustments, most of which included bringing my 82-year old parents to live with me," notes Kelly Orchard. It's been very challenging for her to navigate the emotions, and the stress. But, as always, she's on a mission to look for the positive. It's a good lesson for media leadership.

The food and dining industry was adversely impacted by the effects of COVID-19. Yet, many brands in the QSR, casual dining, delivery and pizza industries are finding ways to advertise through it. This has seen some brands evolve their business models accordingly. A new iSpot report of the first half 2020 finds which brands are finding more impressions on TV than last year.

A highly regarded Wall Street financial analyst has initiated coverage on Roku, following a deep dive into a hot arena: the connected TV/advertising video-on-demand (AVOD) opportunity. While he's "very optimistic about future industry growth," this analyst warns of "too many long-term risks" to enthusiastically recommend a buy at this time.

You never know where your next source of business intelligence and insight can come from. Today, it's thanks in part to a longtime friend and the South Florida Interactive Marketing Association. The SFIMA on Thursday hosted a webinar featuring Peter Shankman, "Futurist in Residence" at Epic Marketing Consultants. He offered marketing tips in COVID-19 times worth noting.

With the recent format change to a '90s-focused pop hits format at iHeartMedia-owned WMIA-FM in Miami, the radio industry is now abuzz with talk of more "Totally"-branded format shifts at other iHeartMedia stations. But, how can Radio benefit from more ad dollars with such a change? This encore Media Information Bureau column from editor-in-chief Adam R Jacobson could prove inspiring.

Three years ago, our editor-in-chief visited a Wegmans supermarket for the first time. His visit sparked a column offering inspiration and innovative ways a radio station can best connect with your community, thus driving revenue and an increase in listeners. The column proved very popular, and we are pleased to offer it today as an RBR+TVBR Encore Presentation.

Deloitte's 14th Digital Media Trends Survey is out, and this time the focus is on consumer streaming and entertainment habits. Deloitte conducted two surveys related to digital media: one pre-COVID-19, and a second in May. Together, the surveys provide intriguing insights into how media consumption has accelerated and changed as a result of COVID-19.

Years ago, the April/May Arbitron book was essential for advertising across the rest of a year. Today, in the top markets, monthly ratings reports have erased that paradigm. And, as we welcome the first day of summer, veteran consultant Clark Smidt offers up an exclusive review of what Nielsen Audio is telling us about radio's sell-ability, by format.

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.

Is this a positive COVID-19 effect ... or something else? Since the start of the year, Americans' trust in government has risen nine points, while their trust in business has risen by six points. Those are the key findings of the 2020 Edelman Trust Barometer Spring Update: Trust and the COVID-19 Pandemic.

From a big-picture perspective, TV news is largely trusted. But, that differs with respect to how some Gen Z and Millennial consumers feel about the coverage of protests tied to the murder of George Floyd by some television news organizations. Negative aspects of the protests have dominated coverage, they lament.

"Of the different types of Sales Managers, the Maintenance Sales Manager is typically the easiest job of the group," says expert sales training coach Barrett Riddleberger. For him, Maintenance is the key term here. Why? It shows that the Sales Manager maintains an effective sales team and processes that someone else has put into place.

Among the many streaming-focused reports sent to the Radio + Television Business Report of late is a CordCutting.com study that wonders just how premium-tier, subscription-based streaming services are faring through the COVID-19 pandemic. While streaming surged, did advertisement-based video on demand benefit more? If so, could broadcast TV benefit?

In March 2016, John R. Brooks and Erwin Krasnow penned a Media Information Bureau column that deviated from their common topic of how to find a lender, or ways to work with your lender in tough times. How should a broadcast media owner act if the lender-borrower relationship has failed? Examples of what not to do can be found here, in this encore presentation.

Longtime Boston-based radio programming consultant Clark Smidt has combed through the April Nielsen Audio ratings results for his home market. There, as in other locales where the PPM is used, cume -- the number of people actively tuning to radio -- has tumbled since the COVID-19 pandemic began. But, Smidt believes ratings are only part of the story radio can tell.