Tag: advertising

Analysis

How publishers are navigating the perilous path to diversification

Chris Sutcliffe looks at how and why publishers are working so hard to diversify their revenue streams, for Digital Content Next.

Many quality publishers are navigating the “valley of death” on their migration from an advertising-funded model to one more reliant on direct reader revenue. It’s not a journey that they’ll all survive. But publishers are being driven by the realization that solely ad-funded models won’t work in the age of platform intermediaries and tech giants, which control both content distribution and advertising revenue. However, for publications with a loyal, engaged audience, the journey is worth the risk.

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Podcasts, Strategy

Media Voices Live: What’s the future for free?

In this very special live episode of Media Voices the team discuss the future of free media in front of an audience at Magfest ’18, the UK’s premiere magazine-focused event. On stage in the far-flung city of Edinburgh, the team are joined by Mike Soutar, chairman of ShortList Media Limited, and Radio Times Editor Mark Frith to discuss the fate of free magazines.

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Conversations, Podcasts

Is advertising more hassle than it’s worth?

Digital advertising has never delivered on its potential for publishers. Crowded ecosystems, a break in the value chain between creator and audience, and the prioritisation of direct reader revenue all demand the question ‘is advertising more hassle than it’s worth?’

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Editorial content, Podcasts, Publishers, Strategy

The Atlantic’s Executive Director EMEA Jemima Villanueva on trust and transparency

This week Jemima Villanueva, Executive Director for EMEA at The Atlantic tells us about trends in programmatic advertising, the need for trust, transparency and collaboration and her own role in the Atlantic’s relatively new European operation.

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Business models, Editorial content, Podcasts, Publications, Publishers, Strategy

The Scottish Wedding Directory’s Chris Phin on switching niches and ads vs reader revenues

In this week’s episode of Media Voices, Peter talks to Chris Phin, Head of DC Thomson’s Scottish Wedding Directory, about the best ways to monetise a niche vertical and switching from tech journalism to covering the bridal scene.

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Analysis

Is digital dying?

According to Betteridge’s law, the answer to all headline questions is, of course, no. But the last few weeks have seen some stories about digital media organisations that have shaken the firm belief that digital can stand alone profitably with a bright future as print lies spluttering.

In a single week it emerged that Buzzfeed and Vice are going to miss their revenue targets, Mashable was sold for $50 million, and the resistance to the Duopoly is growing as Broadcasters, the FT’s Lionel Barber and the Guardian’s Kath Viner have all waded in.

These events all set the tone of this episode of the Media Voices podcast, dedicated entirely to this question of whether we’re witnessing the beginning of the end for digital media.

People have long been saying ‘print is dead’ but it is becoming clear that digital was dead from the start – at least as a sole revenue source – despite all the hope and all the resources that companies have been pouring into it.

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Business models, Podcasts, Strategy

The Death of Digital Special

In this very special episode of Media Voices, we discuss the conflux of news about BuzzFeed, VICE, Mashable and many more and ask whether the dream of a digital future for publishers is over before it began.

It’s Media Voices’ first birthday! The team briefly reminisce about the travails of launching the podcast, their favourite episodes, and their plans for the future.

One of those plans is to make Media Voices so good you have to listen to every single episode. The only way we can do that is if you tell us what you like, what you don’t like and what should be doing that we haven’t even thought about. Please take a few minutes, complete our survey, and tell us how we could make Media Voices better for you.

What we’re reading:

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Podcasts, Social responsibility

The Tip-Off’s Maeve McClenaghan on celebrating investigative journalism

This week, host and founder of The Tip-Off Maeve McClenaghan takes us through why it’s important to celebrate investigative journalism in an age of ‘fake news’ and limited resources for journalists.

In the news round-up, the team takes a deep dive into new ad-blocking stats, laments the closure of Teen Vogue in print, worries about Snapchat’s future and celebrates more paywall success. Audio glitches suspiciously kill a discussion on billionaire media owners.

What we’re reading:

Subscribe to Media Voices on iTunes here or by searching for ‘Media Voices’ in your favourite podcast app.

Business models, Editorial content, Podcasts, Publications, Publishers, Strategy

Stylist Magazine’s editor-in-chief Lisa Smosarski on its circulation success

This week, Stylist Magazine’s editor-in-chief Lisa Smosarski explains how the title has managed to grow its weekly circulation at a time when much of the industry is experiencing print decline.

In the news round-up the gang butt heads over the Guardian’s new £42 million Venture Capital fund, argue about The Wall Street Journal’s new social media guidelines and agree that BuzzFeed UK’s success is a good thing (mostly).

What we’re reading:

Subscribe to Media Voices on iTunes here or by searching for ‘Media Voices’ in your favourite podcast app.

Editorial content, Podcasts, Strategy

University of Oregon’s Damian Radcliffe on local journalism in the Pacific Northwest

In this week’s episode, the University of Oregon’s Carolyn S. Chambers professor in journalism Damian Radcliffe takes us through his latest report into local journalism in the Pacific Northwest.

In the news round-up, the gang discuss strict new NYT social media guidelines for journalism, Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg’s statement on moderating news content, and whether publishers should ‘punish’ audiences who come in through social. We can’t stop making analogies; we’re like sharks who just have to keep swimming.

What we’re reading:

Subscribe to Media Voices on iTunes here or by searching for ‘Media Voices’ in your favourite podcast app.

Background music courtesy of Nicolai Heidlas Music via SoundCloud -@nicolai-heidlas
Business models, Podcasts, Strategy

FIPP CEO James Hewes on international lessons for media owners

In this week’s episode of Media Voices, Peter speaks to CEO of FIPP James Hewes to discuss its upcoming congress and the lessons learned through watching other titles from round the world.

In the news round-up the team discusses the backlash against a pivot to video and the decision by a UK cycle retailer to stop advertising with the right-wing tabloids. Chris, Esther and Peter accidentally make it through a whole episode without mentioning Trump.

Subscribe to Media Voices on iTunes here or by searching for ‘Media Voices’ in your favourite podcast app.