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☆ 10 Things in Tech: Apple's upcoming 'Reality' headset, BookTok drives book sales, and more
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-19 | by ( Lara O'Reilly | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

AI startup cloud deals by Microsoft, Google, and Amazon are ringing "accounting alarm bells" across Silicon Valley over revenue "round-tripping." As Big Tech firms invest in AI startups in exchange for commitments to use their cloud services, some investors question whether those arrangements are artificially inflating cloud revenue growth. A former Apple marketing executive predicts the company's upcoming "Reality" headset risks being "one of the greatest tech flops of all time." How the BookTok phenomenon helped send book sales to an all-time high and reignite a love for reading. Read on to find out more about what you can use the AI app for.

☆ Netflix stock jumps 10% on signs that its new ad-based subscription plan is booming
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( Filip De Mott | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Netflix told advertising executives that its new ad-based plan has 5 million active users. Sign up for our newsletter to get the inside scoop on what traders are talking about — delivered daily to your inbox. On Wednesday, the company presented advertising executives at the industry's so-called upfronts with the first insights into the new tier, disclosing that it had 5 million monthly active users. In March, Bloomberg reported that the $7-per-month ad option had 1 million monthly active users after its first two months. Because monthly active users can include several people using the same subscription, analysts at Evercore estimated that the 5 million MAUs Netflix reported translates to 2 million-3 million subscription accounts.

☆ YouTube's top exec Neal Mohan revealed its total revenues were $40 billion last year
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( Ryan Joe | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

YouTube's revenue last year was $40 billion mostly from ads, its chief Neal Mohan said at a recent conference. Newly appointed YouTube chief Neal Mohan said the company's revenue was $40 billion in revenue over the last twelve months. He declined to split out YouTube's revenue between ads and subscription products, like YouTube TV, Premium, and Music. YouTube's ad revenue had declined for three consecutive quarters, dipping 2.6% to $6.7 billion in the last quarter. Bolstering the creator aspect around NFL Sunday Ticket will also help YouTube's ad business, Mohan said.

☆ Netflix ad tier now has nearly 5 million monthly active users
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

LOS ANGELES, May 17 (Reuters) - Netflix Inc's (NFLX.O) recently launched tier that offers lower subscription fees but includes commercials on its programming now has nearly 5 million global monthly active users, a company executive said on Wednesday at a presentation to advertisers. The median age of those viewers is 34, said Jeremi Gorman, Netflix's president of worldwide advertising. Netflix launched a $7-per-month ad-supported tier in November in 12 markets. A Netflix subscription without advertising starts at $10 a month. Netflix had planned to make the presentation live in New York but switched to a virtual event to avoid protests from striking members of the Writers Guild of America.

☆ These 18 top Netflix execs are driving its advertising push under head Jeremi Gorman as the company makes its first big TV upfronts pitch
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Peter Naylor, VP of global advertising salesPeter Naylor, VP, global advertising sales. Netflix has also brought on several directors and other roles in ad sales who've worked at Hulu, Snap, and elsewhere. They are Kinsey Osberg Tamberrino, who is Publicis' main point of contact, and who spent eight years at Hulu, rising to director of advertising sales. Chad Rumminger, who focuses on automotive accounts, from automotive ad sales at Twitter. Julie Taylor Green is head of US vertical ad sales; she was TikTok's director of global business solutions before that.

☆ Warner Bros. Discovery just made another round of layoffs in sports, after calling 2023 a 'rebuilding' year
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Discovery just laid off dozens of people across its sports division. WBD Sports has the rights to NBA, NHL, and MLB, plus streaming services and brands like Bleacher Report. Discovery isn't done with cuts after all — the media giant laid off dozens in its sports division on May 16. WBD CEO David Zaslav and other company leaders have been drumming the message that 2023 is a "rebuilding" year after the massive layoffs and cost cuts that followed the completion of the WarnerMedia and Discovery merger in spring 2022. Between layoffs and open positions that were not filled, the total cuts at WBD Sports represented about 10% of its workforce.

☆ Netflix ad tier has nearly 5 mln monthly active users
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( Lisa Richwine | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LOS ANGELES, May 17 (Reuters) - Netflix Inc's (NFLX.O) recently launched ad-supported tier reaches nearly 5 million active users per month, executives said on Wednesday in a pitch that emphasized the breadth of its programming to potential advertisers. On Wednesday, Netflix made its first presentation to advertisers at the annual ritual known as the upfronts, where networks aim to lock in ad commitments for upcoming shows. Jeremi Gorman, Netflix's president of worldwide advertising, said that global monthly active users had reached 5 million. Monthly active users count all adult profiles used on one account with ads. Netflix reported 232.5 million paying subscribers around the world as of the end of March.

☆ Warner Bros. Discovery's ad sales chief is battling for market share at the TV upfronts. Meet his 8 deputies driving the strategy.
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Discovery's Jon Steinlauf is working to help the company rebuild amid a soft ad market. The task of grabbing a greater share of that ad market falls to chief US advertising sales officer Jon Steinlauf. He'd led its ad sales since 2018, having joined Discovery through its acquisition of Scripps Networks. He also has Warner experience, having served as VP of ad sales for Turner Broadcasting's TBS and TNT networks in the '90s. And it shared with Insider that four of Steinlauf's eight direct reports are women and that 56% of the ad sales leadership team are women.

Fox Corp. , Disney , Warner Bros. Media executives' messaging to advertisers could center around value this year, particularly as companies continue to offer more content on their streaming services. Cost cuttingWhile media executives will try to convince advertisers to maximize their spending, they'll be pushing that narrative while making fewer shows. The logo of the streaming service Paramount+ on a logo wall at the Paramount+ launch event. Jörg Carstensen | Picture Alliance | Getty ImagesParamount, in particular, has seen a big reliance on franchises, especially for its Paramount+ streaming service.

☆ More and more streaming companies jumping into advertising pool, says LightShed’s Rich Greenfield
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailMore and more streaming companies jumping into advertising pool, says LightShed’s Rich GreenfieldRich Greenfield, LightShed Partners co-founder, joins 'Squawk Box' to preview what to expect from media upfronts this season, the impact of writers' strike, the state of streaming wars, and more.

☆ Watch CNBC’s full interview with Lightshed's Rich Greenfield on media industry's upfront season
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailWatch CNBC’s full interview with Lightshed's Rich Greenfield on media industry's upfront seasonRich Greenfield, LightShed Partners co-founder, joins 'Squawk Box' to preview what to expect from media upfronts this season, the impact of writers' strike, the state of streaming wars, and more.

☆ Warner Bros. Discovery's ad sales chief reveals how he'll tout flexible offerings and 6 new measurement deals to grab brand dollars from TV rivals
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Discovery ad sales chief Jon Steinlauf has a strategy to grab market share at the TV upfronts. WBD left money on the table at the 2022 upfront, Steinlauf said, and faces a soft 2023 ad market. Discovery's pitch to advertisers was all about the breadth of its newly merged portfolio of news, sports, and lifestyle entertainment. When it comes to WBD's Premiere package of top ad inventory, for example, ad sales chief Jon Steinlauf emphasized how advertisers could customize the mix of programming to meet their wants. Discovery debuted at an inopportune time, just a few weeks ahead of the biggest TV sales event of the year.

☆ Warner Bros. Discovery's sales chief Jon Steinlauf is battling for business in a tough TV ad market. Meet his 8 top deputies.
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-12 | by ( Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Discovery's Jon Steinlauf is helping the company rebuild but faces a soft ad market. The task of grabbing a greater share of that ad market falls to chief US advertising sales officer Jon Steinlauf. He'd led its ad sales since 2018, having joined Discovery through its acquisition of Scripps Networks. He also has Warner experience, having served as VP of ad sales for Turner Broadcasting's TBS and TNT networks in the '90s. And it shared with Insider that four of Steinlauf's eight direct reports are women and that 56% of the ad sales leadership team are women.

☆ Let the guessing game begin! Elon Musk's cryptic Twitter CEO tweet drives speculation — and plenty of joke theories
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-12 | by ( Sindhu Sundar | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Elon Musk offered few clues about Twitter's next CEO, besides that "she" will take over in weeks. The cryptic post drove plenty of people on Musk's platform to suggest possible contenders. One serious guess came from tech journalist Kara Swisher, who laid out her case and observations in a Twitter thread. An NBCUniversal spokesperson told Insider that Yaccarino was preparing for the Upfronts, an event where media companies pitch advertisers. Guesses included famous tech names, some quickly debunkedYou didn't have to look far on Twitter to see some famous tech names like Sheryl Sandberg, Marissa Mayer, or Susan Wojcicki being floated.

The departure of ads chief Linda Yaccarino to Twitter has thrown NBCU into chaos. The exit comes on the heels of the departure of NBCU CEO Jeff Shell after sexual harassment allegations. One advertising executive who works closely with NBCUniversal described the situation inside the company as a "Cuban missile crisis." NBCU does have a deep bench of ad executive talent that's highly regarded in the ad industry. Although Yaccarino's departure from NBCUniversal to Twitter was a surprise, she had been close with the company and its billionaire owner.

Elon Musk made a surprise announcement that he'd found Twitter's next CEO. Twitter employees think they may know who Elon Musk has picked to replace himself as CEO of the social media company. Chatter from the media industry points to Linda Yaccarino, head of global advertising and partnerships at NBCUniversal. Yaccarino has told friends in the past that she wanted to be CEO of Twitter, one person familiar with the situation said. The Wall Street Journal reported that Yaccarino is in talks to be Twitter CEO.

☆ Lachlan Murdoch says there's 'no change to our programming strategy' at Fox News in wake of Tucker Carlson's firing
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-09 | by ( Sindhu Sundar | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Lachlan Murdoch told analysts Tuesday that "programming strategy" at Fox News wouldn't change. Murdoch, CEO of Fox Corp. and Rupert Murdoch's son, was involved in Tucker Carlson's firing, Insider reported. Media scion and Fox Corp. CEO Lachlan Murdoch told analysts on Tuesday that it would be programming as usual in the wake of host Tucker Carlson's abrupt firing from the network. Murdoch, the son of News Corp. mogul Rupert Murdoch, said on the company's earnings call that "there's no change to our programming strategy at Fox News. Representatives for Fox Corp. and Fox News did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment ahead of publication.

☆ Analysts are torn on how Fox News' ratings will be affected after Tucker Carlson's ousting craters the company's stock
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-25 | by ( Nidhi Pandurangi | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Tucker Carlson's exit from Fox News wiped $962 million from the network's market value on Monday. But analysts are torn about the long-term impact of the host's ouster on Fox Corp stock. But financial analysts are torn about the impact Carlson's departure will have on Fox Corporation's stock — which lost about $962 million in market value on Monday after news broke of the departure. Matthew Tuttle, the CEO and CIO of Tuttle Capital Management, told Bloomberg that Carlson's exit is "definitely going to leave a mark on Fox." But not all analysts shared the gloomy projection for Fox Corp stock in the long term.

☆ NBCUniversal CEO Jeff Shell exits after an 'inappropriate relationship,' shocking insiders, and Comcast won't rush to replace him as corporate exec Mike Cavanagh steps up
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-24 | by ( Claire Atkinson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

NBCUniversal CEO Jeff Shell's exit shocked company insiders and all of Hollywood. NBCUniversal CEO Jeff Shell's bombshell departure on Sunday night was a surprise to the well-regarded executive and also to his closest colleagues. Deadline reported that Shell's relationship was with CNBC's senior international correspondent, Hadley Gamble, which lasted 11 years but had ended a couple of years ago. "Comcast is as buttoned-up and straight as ever — this is a black eye for Brian Roberts," the Comcast CEO. A second company insider, however, said that Cavanagh is expected to remain in the role for some time.

Not only have marketers been pausing ad spend en masse, YouTube is also battling TikTok for audiences and content creators. Industry insiders credit Mohan with building out the ad products that made YouTube Google's main growth engine for so many years. Tal Chalozin, CTO and cofounder of the adtech company Innovid, said that Mohan's expertise stretches across all of YouTube's ad business, particularly adtech. "He was leading product for the launch of YouTube Premium and YouTube TV, and the growth of YouTube Music," said one former YouTube employee. "It's now Neal and YouTube against TikTok, and that's the existential battle for short-form video monetization and creators," Norman said.

☆ Warner Bros. Discovery signs audience measurement deal with startup Nielsen rival VideoAmp
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-03 | by ( Lillian Rizzo | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Discovery has signed a deal with VideoAmp to measure its audience as an alternative means of data for advertisers, the companies announced Tuesday. Firms like Nielsen and VideoAmp offer audience estimates and data that TV networks and streamers use to sell slots for commercials. The merger between Discovery and Warner Media closed in 2022, amassing a portfolio of TV networks including the Discovery Channel, TLC, TNT, TBS and others. The merged company plans to roll out a revamped streaming platform in the spring, combining its Discovery+ with Warner's HBO Max. "Traditional media measurement has not kept pace with how consumers are engaging with streaming and linear content.

☆ Warren Buffett just bet big on Paramount to win the ad streaming wars — here's what makes its business unique compared to competitors like HBO Max, Disney, and Netflix
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-15 | by ( Elizabeth Pham Janowski | Ryan Joe | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

The maturation of ad-supported streaming services over the last year have become clearer. Discovery, and Netflix, which are charging high rates for streaming ads against so-called premium content. If these companies hope to attract premium CPMs however, they need to get them now. "The only reason, in my opinion, that they can control premium CPMs today is that they're just starting at this," Martin said. She believes the market will force services charging "premium" CPMs to lower these prices over time.

☆ Warner Bros. Discovery is swirling with talk of more layoffs and concerns about integrating streamers HBO Max and Discovery+
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-03 | by ( Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Discovery insiders are bracing for another round of layoffs the week of November 7. This round is expected to hit sales support roles as the company looks for $3B in cost cuts. Some are also speculating that the planned streamer combining Discovery+ with HBO Max will be delayed. A second insider said WBD was closely scrutinizing vendor contracts as it tries to find cost savings wherever possible. Questions are also swirling about the company's new streaming service that will combine Discovery+ with HBO Max.

☆ US TV advertisers will spend close to $20 billion in this year's upfronts
▼ + stars: | 2021-05-25 | by ( Ross Benes | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Advertisers will spend $19.90 billion upfront in the 2021-2022 TV season, an increase of 7.6% over the previous cycle. Our upfront TV ad spending forecast includes TV ad spending resulting from the national primetime TV upfronts. In June 2020, we had forecast a 27.1% decrease in that season's upfront TV ad spending. We now estimate just a 3.5% dip, however, as advertisers spend $18.50 billion on upfront commitments with TV networks. When we compare the 2020–2021 season with the cycle two years prior, we see about a $2 billion drop in upfront TV ad spending.

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