An unlikely trend is developing in the media industry: people think they can make real money from local news. Axios will release newsletters in four markets early next year. Former CEO of Atlas Obscura David Plotz is launching a podcast company called City Cast that will produce local news audio shows. And hyperlocal publisher Patch is seeing direct sales grow as readers increase their interest in what is happening in their communities. But in general, not much has changed about the economics of local news. It’s still a slog. Executives in the space, however, say they see an opportunity — and an audience begging for news. Read more below. - “The only route that we could see for local to work would be to go in relatively small with clear-eyed expectations,” said Axios CEO Jim VandeHei.
- For Digiday+ members, the pandemic has upped the urgency for networks to pivot to streaming, but lower linear profits require more belt-tightening in the process.
- BuzzFeed's official Sex and Love vertical is scheduled to launch in the first quarter of next year. But before that launch it already has a commerce play in market.
- Marketers want the ability to be flexible and reactive to the current climate, be it a new surge of coronavirus cases or a worsening recession.
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| Future of TV | | | | Not much has changed about the economics of local news. It’s still a slog. But executives in the space say they see an opportunity — and an audience begging for news. | | |
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howdy! | Business of TV | | | | The pandemic has upped the urgency for networks to pivot to streaming, but lower linear profits require more belt-tightening in the process. | | |
| Sponsored by LiveRamp | | | | While the advertising ecosystem is accustomed to change, the past 10 months have created plenty of uncertainty among brands, agencies and publishers. For a sustainable future, brands and publishers need to establish and communicate their value exchanges effectively so consumers are aware they are sharing their data in exchange for personalized content, services and experiences. | | |
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howdy! | Content & Commerce | | | | BuzzFeed’s official Sex and Love vertical is scheduled to launch in the first quarter of next year. But before that launch it already has a commerce play in market. | | |
| Sponsored by Verizon | | | | The arrival of 5G will be critical to facilitating the virtual events of the future as consumers turn to mobile networks to connect — this article explores three advantages for virtual events powered by the new network. | | |
howdy! | Coronavirus Fallout | | | | Marketers want the ability to be flexible and reactive to the current climate, be it a new surge of coronavirus cases or a worsening recession. | | |
| Advertisement |  | | |
| Sponsored by Cohley | | | | In this new report based on research into more than 300 brands and agencies, learn the most effective tools and tactics that creative marketing teams are using to generate user generated content and target it toward the right audiences. | | |
howdy! | Marketing on TikTok | | | | Employee advocacy marketing is moving into TikTok in large part because TikTok is so good at creating a sense of intimacy with viewers | | |
howdy! | Video Anywhere | | | | While patients are waiting for their appointments, they will be able to watch videos from Meredith brands, giving the content new monetization opportunities. | | |
| Mobile | | | | Whatever else can be said about the year 2020, it has at least led to a renewed focus on issues of mental well-being for those open to discussing it. "Even in 2019 there wasn't this spotlight on mental and emotional health," Marah Lidey, co-founder of the mental health company Shine, said on the Digiday Podcast. |
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