Picking up the Slack: CMO Bill Macaitis on why word-of-mouth is central to the unicorn’s success June 6, 2016 "We're selling organisational transformation," says Bill Macaitis, chief marketing officer of Slack – Silicon Valley darling and contender for the fastest growing B2B software-as-a-service company in history. Slack is more than a workplace messenger. It is a communication and collaboration tool which facilitates meetings, provides access to shared documents, and breaks down silos between apps by integrating Twitter, [...]
As social media platforms get better at monetising, what should marketers expect? June 6, 2016 Monetising is a top priority for the world’s leading social platforms like Twitter and Periscope, and recent figures suggest they’re getting better at it. According to the Internet Advertising Bureau, the UK’s social media ad spend rose 51 per cent last year to £574m, so what developments should marketers expect from these firms over the coming [...]
Roland Garros 2016: Watching Andy Murray at French Open as a TV executive provides conflicting emotions, says Eurosport boss Peter Hutton June 2, 2016 Andy Murray's torturous run to the semi-finals of this year's French Open has put fans through the ringer but provided conflicted emotions for TV executives. The world No2's passage to a third successive semi-final has not been completly smooth sailing, with the Scot playing 20 sets in his last five games and twice coming within a set of [...]
Wimbledon set to be broadcast on pay TV for first time after Eurosport strikes agreement with BBC June 2, 2016 Wimbledon could be set for a new home on pay-TV this year after Eurosport announced it is in advanced negotiations for a groundbreaking deal with the BBC to share coverage of the tennis grand slam. The agreement is still waiting on approval from TV regulator Ofcom but could be in place for the start of this year’s [...]
Top banter: Unilad has just released its first financial figures May 31, 2016 Bearded bros Liam Harrington and Sam Bentley will be g-lad all over as they release their startup's first financial figures today. Harrington, 24, and Bentley, 25, founded the Unilad.co.uk in 2014. The website does not share the same origins as the controversial Unilad.com, which was closed in 2012 following negative press coverage around its apparent promotion [...]
Luxury adspend on the up – but not for print publications May 31, 2016 Expenditure on luxury advertising is set to increase this year and next, but print is set to lose out at the expense of the internet. Total luxury adspend is expected to grow by three per cent in 2016 to $10.9bn (£8.3bn) across 18 key markets focused on by Zenith’s Luxury Advertising Expenditure Forecasts. Read more: [...]
Flop Gear? The viewing figures for the new Top Gear are in May 30, 2016 The BBC's revamped Top Gear featuring new presenters Chris Evans and Matt Le Blanc pulled in 4.3m viewers for its first episode on Sunday evening. The official overnight figures include those who watched as it aired, but not those who may watch on the BBC's iPlayer or catch up on the recorded show, however, the ratings represent the [...]
Trials and tribulations: As Three announces a controversial ad-blocking experiment on some customers’ devices, is the technology gaining acceptance? May 29, 2016 In June, mobile carrier Three is to conduct an ad-blocking trial on the devices of some of its UK customers. Of course, it's only a trial. Three will invite 500,000 customers to partake for 24 hours. But Three's project could set a precedent which could threaten the revenue streams of online publishers and broadcasters which [...]
Gawker said to be exploring sale following Hulk Hogan lawsuit May 26, 2016 US news and gossip website Gawker Media is said to be exploring a sale after losing a court battle with wrestler Hulk Hogan. Gawker has reportedly hired investment bank Houlihan Lokey to explore options after it was ordered to pay out $140m (£95.6m) to Hogan. Read more: Media and entertainment execs want deals – and [...]
Daily Mail publisher’s share price tumbles as supermarkets pull print adverts May 26, 2016 Shares in DMGT fell by nine per cent today after the Daily Mail publisher reported a double-digit decline in print advertising led by cost-cutting supermarkets. DMGT issued a profit warning after its DMG Media division – which houses the Mail and Metro newspapers as well as Mail Online and makes up around a third of turnover – reported a four [...]