MediaVillage.org’s Post

Well, a week in and the story won’t die. I shared my thoughts about the debacle at United Talent Agency and their mishandling of the MediaLink situation with Emily Smith at TheWrap. Firing Michael Kassan, whatever the rationale, is akin to buying a new Ferrari from the dealership and ripping out the engine. What the hell were you thinking? Michael Kassan is the indispensable key to accessing the most senior levels of any client. Without him, MediaLink is #JAFA (just another f#%king agency) no matter how much UTA touts executive continuity, the access just isn’t there. In theory, UTA is in the business of managing talent that can be demanding, even petulent at times. Seems like they didn’t execute that well in this case. If UTA has a board of directors worth their salt, they are already examining how this situation was handled by their current CEO, Jeremy Zimmer, in the context of future revenues and shareholder wealth creation. I doubt it will take them long to come to the right conclusion. #integrity #leadership #vision https://lnkd.in/eHG5unnG

Be Heard: The Art of Moving On This past week, the Washington Commanders threaded an interesting perceptual needle. They traded away two prominent players from a 3 and 5 team yet wanted to position the moves publicly not as a sign of disinterest in competing for a playoff spot this year. This created an interesting news cycle vacuum. What they leaned on was the promise of a developing young quarterback, Sam Howell. Here is where the action plan was implemented (and successfully thanks to a stellar performance by Howell in the following game at New England): -The Press Conferences in the immediate aftermath of the trades were littered with positive messaging about the growth and development of Howell on the premise that all moves are about the future successes of the team. -Questions about the trades themselves were not given lengthy explanations and answers about direct questions were diverted to Howell and the positive growth of their young quarterback. -The team social media roll out had posts profiling Howell as the team's focal point of hope and growth labelling him "QB1" as in the quarterback of the team. For those in sports, this is a known parlance. The reasons behind dealing two former first round draft picks (both defensive ends) Chase Young and Montez Sweat are nuanced but rarely does that filter into public perception. So, the calculation was to divert attention away from moves that short term, in all likelihood, wouldn't help the team succeed. What is unknown is how a cycle will play out. Thanks to a strong performance in New England by Howell (look at the media focus on the Commanders in the aftermath of the win), the page was successfully turned, and the focus was shifted squarely on the future and hope. If the team was playing poker, they just won a big pot. For all inquiries for consultation and speaking engagements please email me at Bram@ampiremedia.com and to learn more about me, look at this link to my personal website: https://lnkd.in/eCsarmWb

Advice from a 2,000-yr-old Ad Exec: Sometimes leadership is about driving the bus, sometimes it’s about enjoying the ride. The tricky part is recognizing the difference.   Bob Rose #smanyc #b2bagency #advertisingandmarketing

In today's dynamic business landscape, the presence of top-rate, high-calibre individuals within an organisation serves as a powerful magnet for attracting new audiences and driving growth. Just as a renowned performer like Taylor Swift can elevate the appeal of an event like the Super Bowl, so too can influential leaders and experts in the corporate realm enhance the visibility and desirability of a company. Their reputation, expertise, and track record draw attention from a diverse array of stakeholders, expanding the organisation's reach and fostering connections with previously untapped markets. Whether it's through thought leadership, industry recognition, or simply their aura of success, these individuals play a pivotal role in amplifying brand awareness, generating interest, and ultimately driving new business opportunities. In a competitive landscape where differentiation is key, the presence of high-calibre talent within a company not only commands attention but also serves as a beacon of credibility and excellence, setting the stage for sustained growth and prosperity. https://lnkd.in/egDkfF8e

🔮 CNBC recently spoke with a number of former & current media, sports, and entertainment execs about their industry predictions for 2024... here are five hot takes: 🏀 NBA rights will go to Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Apple 📺 Netflix, Disney, and Max will offer the first significant streaming bundle 🎬 No movies will top $1 billion at the box office all year 🧭 Local broadcast stations take most local NBA, NHL, and MLB sports rights away from regional sports networks 👸 Bob Iger will name Dana Walden his successor as Disney CEO (after extending his contract one more time ♻️) Quite a few predictions from last year's same poll came true in 2023... which of these might (or might not) come true next year? 🤔 #MediaPredictions #MediaPlanning #HotTakes

I'm not sure who heads up comms for Warner Bros. Discovery, but they may want to reconsider their strategy on media for David Zaslav. First, there was the piece in The Atlantic that sealed former head Chris Licht's fate and positioned Zaz as a bumbler with poor judgment. Now, there's the piece in The New York Times Magazine entitled "How David Zaslav Blew Up Hollywood." On no planet is it a flattering depiction of the CEO's #leadership. Link in the comments to the full article. Instead of making him look like a maverick, they're making him look like the Dick Fuld of media...arrogant, unlikable and doing a job any high school kid could do. Yeah, I said it. Cutting cost is so easy even a high school kid could do it -- and for far less than $40M/year. Problem is, you eventually have nothing more to cut. The innovation/creativity stops, then the revenue nosedives. And the debtors holding onto that $45B tab will give zero f@cks. It's clear that there's no real vision in this business. They'll be lucky to sell it off in a firesale for parts. That's truly unfortunate for the 38k people who depend on WBD to live. #media #entertainment #warnerbrosdiscovery #ceo

Thanks, Bulova! In July 1941, NBC ran the very first television commercial in the United States. It was a 10 second live commercial for Bulova watches, aired right before a game between the Brooklyn Dodgers and the Philadelphia Phillies. (The cost for that prime airtime was just $9. Wow!) Thus began a multi-billion-dollar industry. For decades afterwards, advertising operated on a “pray and spray” spot buying methodology; aka, buy everywhere and anticipate somebody who needs this sees this. Today’s media-buying practices are far more diverse. A skilled media strategist with an in-depth understanding of data-based tactics and opportunities can not only strengthen a brand, but also place that brand in front of exactly the right people on exactly the right platforms at exactly the right time. America may run on Bulova Time, but your time and money are precious! You want results! Get Network Affiliates’ creative team and media strategists working for you and your brand! Give us a call at 800-525-3332 and ask for Tammy Kehe! https://lnkd.in/e9j5CcW9 Network Affiliates… Strategy. Creativity. Results.

The Super Bowl was yesterday (or at dawn if you live in Europe)   The Super Bowl is a masterclass for marketers and let me explain you why:   - Many ads are launched during break commercials: from the most important brands in the US and worldwide (airtime during the Super Bowl is insanely pricey, not everyone can afford it) but it's amazing for brand awareness and for us marketers to get inspired.   - Creativity at is best: every Monday morning after the Super Bowl, I enjoy looking at the most fun, creative ads, my favorite from this year: Ben Affleck and Dunkin: https://lnkd.in/d53SJ9ai (I might be biased since i'm a Bostonian at heart plus a millennial, but this was funnyyyyy).   - New ways to communicate or to reach new audiences: this was the case of Nickelodeon, in which to reach new audiences they used Augmented Reality to bring to live beloved characters such as Sponge Bob and Patrick to narrate to younger audiences the Super Bowl in real time. https://lnkd.in/dzhGDa6S   Do you have a favorite Ad or innovation from this year’s Super Bowl? #superbowl #marketing #creativeadvertising

This year's Super Bowl was not just a battleground for the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers but also for brands vying for the title of the most effective advertisement. With 123.4 million viewers tuned in, the stakes were higher than ever for the 59 commercials aired. Analyzing ad effectiveness goes beyond mere viewership. While traditional metrics such as ad recall and brand awareness offer insights, innovative methodologies are paving the way for more accurate evaluations. Engaged-view conversions emerge as a crucial metric, tying advertising directly to customer actions and sales. What Makes an Ad Effective? The most effective ads are those that create a memorable and engaging experience for the viewer, driving not just awareness but action. This year, ads by State Farm®, Dunkin', Kia, and Uber Eats, among others, stood out not just for their creativity but for their ability to resonate with the audience and drive engagement. Here is our favorite:

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