Shakespeare on advertising: Wetherspoons beer shortages hit public perceptions September 8, 2021 Cut-price pub chain JD Wetherspoon was in the news recently following reports that supplies of Heineken, Carling, and Coors have run out in some of its locations across the UK. While some have argued that Brexit has impacted supply chains, company founder Tim Martin has attributed the issues to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Whatever the [...]
CMA says Sony’s $430m purchase of independent label AWAL raises competition concerns September 7, 2021 The UK’s competition watchdog has today said the US recording giant Sony’s purchase of independent record label AWAL could lead to worse terms for musicians. Sony bought the company, which represents artists such as Jungle, Banks, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, and Deadmaus for $430m back in May. At the time, the Competition and [...]
BBC director of news Fran Unsworth to exit next year September 7, 2021 The BBC’s director of news and current affairs, Fran Unsworth, is set to depart next year after four decades with the corporation. Unsworth said she feels the time is right to exit the coveted position, which she entered in 2018, after having a “ringside seat” at some of the world’s most era-shaping events. The departing [...]
The Analyst: Inflation is coming, and advertisers too September 6, 2021 Ian Whittaker has been a City analyst for more than two decades, and what he doesn’t know about media, advertising and the creative services industry isn’t worth knowing. Here’s his third monthly column for City A.M. Inflation is coming for you. Companies such as P&G, Unilever, Kelloggs and Nestle have highlighted the rising cost of [...]
Kristen Stewart playing Princess Diana in ‘Spencer’ gets warm reception at Venice film festival September 4, 2021 U.S. actress Kristen Stewart’s interpretation of Princess Diana in “Spencer” got a warm reception at the Venice film festival, where it premieres on last night, with some critics already tipping her as a likely Oscar contender. Watch the full report.
GB News: Andrew Neil’s return delayed and insiders doubt he’ll ever come back September 3, 2021 Andrew Neil’s return to GB News has been pulled into question amid reports of a leadership tussle with senior management at the just-launched news and opinion channel. Neil, a former BBC journalist and Sunday Times editor, was the primary figurehead and chairman of the news network that launched in June – before retreating from the [...]
Exclusive: Lawyer warns tech savvy teens could leave Children’s Code efforts futile September 3, 2021 Following a twelve-month grace period, the Age Appropriate Design Code has now come into force. The UK’s new digital privacy regulation will compel social media companies, gaming platforms and video services to protect children’s data online and has been lauded by campaigners as one of the first successful pieces of digital media regulation. The Code’s [...]
Tabloid websites pull in the most UK eyeballs, over those stuck behind a paywall September 3, 2021 Tabloid news websites pulled in the most UK readers in July, according to new official research, while left-leaning papers and those behind a paywall lagged behind. The research, from the media industry’s new official audience data provider Ipsos Iris, found that the MailOnline led with around 518.2m viewers, with The Sun which pulled in 334.7m, [...]
China bans reality TV and seeks to make male representation more ‘manly’ September 2, 2021 China has reportedly banned reality talent programmes from airing today, in a wide extension of its crackdown on pop culture that Beijing has dubbed as ‘immoral’. The latest bout of hawkish regulation has included broadcasters being ordered to promote more ‘masculine’ representations of men – amid fears of its declining population. Talent shows featuring young [...]
Late to the game: YouTube Music secures over 50m paid subscribers September 2, 2021 YouTube has bagged more than 50m paid subscriptions to its music service, after joining late to the paid streaming game. The video platform, owned by Google, has long been criticized by record labels for giving away music for free. The platform has not yet revealed how much revenue its streaming subscriptions have pulled in. Now [...]