Business of Media
Twitter hit by 40% revenue drop amid ad squeeze, say reports
Twitter remains in the grip of an advertising squeeze with the social media platform hit by a 40% drop in revenue after more than 500 clients paused their spending, according to reports, writes The Guardian’s Dan Milmo.
The company’s daily revenue was down 40% year-over-year, the tech newsletter the Platformer reported, while the news site the Information said staff were told more than 500 of Twitter’s top advertisers had halted spending since Elon Musk bought it in October.
Advertising is the main source of income for Twitter, accounting for more than 90% of its $5.1bn in revenue in 2021, but clients including Audi and Pfizer are among the firms that have paused after the Tesla CEO’s $44bn takeover.
Concerns about an increase in hate speech on the platform after its acquisition by a self-described “free speech absolutist” have prompted advertisers to withdraw in droves. They have also been alarmed by a spate of impersonator accounts that flourished on the site after a botched relaunch of its blue tick scheme for verified users.
Nine News Darwin reporter Georgie Dickerson faces court charged with impersonating a police officer
Nine News Darwin’s senior crime reporter, Georgie Dickerson, has fronted the Darwin Local Court accused of impersonating a police officer, reports the ABC’s Melissa Mackay.
A media release from Northern Territory Police in early December said a 25-year-old woman had been issued with a notice to appear for “personating a police officer”.
Police said the alleged incident happened in Palmerston — outside Darwin — on October 17, 2022.
Dickerson arrived at Darwin Local Court on Wednesday morning with her colleagues.
Her Barrister, Mary Chalmers SC, sought an adjournment and indicated Ms Dickerson would contest the charge.
Dickerson, 25, has been reporting in the Northern Territory for about eight months and, according to her social media profiles, is a senior reporter with the network.
Carrie Bickmore announces split from husband Chris Walker
Australian TV presenter Carrie Bickmore has split from her husband Chris Walker, reports Seven News’ Georgie Kearney.
The 42-year-old made the announcement via her Instagram stories on Wednesday, saying she would not make any further comment.
“Hi there. It’s with immense sadness that Chris and I have decided to separate,” Bickmore said.
“While this is a tough time, our focus is to concentrate on parenting, loving and supporting our three amazing children, Ollie, Evie and Addie, with everything we’ve got. They are doing great.
“We won’t be making any further comment at this stage.”
Walker went on to share the same statement.
Trump pleads with Meta to restore Facebook account
Donald Trump has petitioned Meta to restore his access to Facebook, as he reportedly looks to shift his 2024 presidential campaign into a higher gear, reports The Guardian’s Ramon Antonio Vargas.
The former president was banned from Facebook more than two years ago, after his followers attacked the US Capitol in an unsuccessful attempt to stop certification of Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 presidential election.
In a letter to Meta obtained by NBC News on Wednesday, Trump advisers argued that the ban “dramatically distorted and inhibited the public discourse” and should be rescinded.
Meta said it would “announce a decision in the coming weeks”.
G.O.P. in talks with networks about debates, and even CNN Is included
Despite a field of candidates who regularly bash the news media and a continuing tussle with the Commission on Presidential Debates, Republican leaders sat down last week with television executives in New York and posed a question, report the New York Times’ Michael M. Grynbaum and John Koblin.
Do you want to host a debate?
In an intriguing show of détente, the Republican National Committee has asked several major TV networks — including CNN, a regular Republican boogeyman — to consider sponsoring debates, an early sign that the party is making plans for a contested presidential primary.
The debates would probably begin this summer, and Republicans are casting a wide net: Party officials are also in talks with executives from ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox News, along with more-niche networks like Newsmax and NewsNation, according to several people who requested anonymity to describe discussions intended to be private. Political debates are highly prized in the TV news industry, and the networks are expected to present proposals next month.
Netflix earnings preview: how well did the ad-tier launch go?
Netflix’s stock has recovered from a sharp 2022 drop with a rally early this year. Actually, it is up even since its most recent earnings report in October. This renewed Wall Street optimism will be put to a test Jan. 19, when the streaming giant reports its fourth-quarter results after the market close, reports The Hollywood Reporter’s Georg Szalai.
Analysts and investors will have all eyes on the Reed Hastings and Ted Sarandos-run company’s subscriber momentum in the final period of last year, as well as possible color on the early performance of its new cheaper, advertising-supported service tier, which, reports have suggested, hasn’t been all smooth sailing. In addition, many will have their ears out for any updates on a crackdown on password sharing that the firm is expected to start rolling out.
Meanwhile, one of the starring roles in Netflix management’s discussion of its content strategy and successes is expected to be reserved for Tim Burton’s new original series Wednesday, which earned a quick renewal.
While the streamer is increasingly focusing on revenue as a key performance metric, unveiling in October that it would no longer provide quarterly subscriber guidance, the Street is for now keeping a close eye on subscriber trends. Netflix added 2.4 million users in the third quarter to hit 223 million overall, turning around customer declines in the two previous quarters. In its final user forecast, Netflix also projected it would add 4.5 million subscribers during the fourth quarter.
Agencies
Studiospace announces its launch in the US
Studiospace, the marketplace for creative, digital and marketing services, has announced its launch in the USA.
This allows will Australian marketers and independent agencies to now have direct access to briefs and talent from the biggest marketing and advertising market in the world.
The move enables Studiospace to continue to deliver on its promise of unlocking unlimited potential across the marketing ecosystem.
Its unique, tech-powered platform provides a simple and risk-free means for the biggest brands to access independent agency talent across an unparalleled range of marketing services disciplines anywhere in the world.
Publicis Foundation launches pledge that aims to erase the stigma of cancer in the workplace
Publicis Foundation is launching the first cross-industry coalition to erase the stigma of cancer in the workplace.
Working with Cancer is supported by leading cancer charities and organisations, including Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), MacMillan Cancer Support and the Gustave Roussy Institute.
In a world where one in every two people will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, and in April 2022, Publicis Groupe CEO Arthur Sadoun was diagnosed and treated for cancer. After making his condition public, he received thousands of testimonies that exposed the fear those with cancer experienced, not only for their lives but also for their jobs.
Those messages reflected an unsettling reality that Working with Cancer aims to address: 50% of cancer patients are afraid to tell their employer about their diagnosis, despite 92% feeling that support at work positively impacts their health.
At Davos on the 17th of January, in partnership with the World Economic Forum Working with Cancer will launch a pledge rallying some of the world’s most influential companies around the commitment to building the most open, supportive and recovery-forward work cultures for their employees.
Sports Media
BBC apologises for pornographic prank during FA Cup football coverage
The BBC has apologised after its coverage of an FA Cup football match was marred by pornographic noises being played loudly while its presenters were live on air, reports The Guardian’s Tom Ambrose.
Gary Lineker, the host, later said in a tweet that the moaning noises came from a hidden mobile phone which had been “taped to the back of the set” in the studio looking out over the pitch at Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Molineux stadium.
The embarrassing incident occurred before kick-off in the third round replay fixture between Wolves and Liverpool on Tuesday night.
As Lineker previewed the tie with pundits Paul Ince and Danny Murphy, the audible noises broke out in the background.