New Media Offers, Opportunities & News

Sorry, we should stay away from politics but when it comes to cats….(social media can really work, sometimes).

John Stewart

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From Irish Times (obviously):

Ever since the advent of social media two decades ago, the big companies have argued that the best form of regulation is self-regulation. They have had a considerable degree of success in persuading governments about the merits of this approach.

However, the damaging impact of social media and gaps in the response of the major players have become increasingly evident. And since Elon Musk took over X – the platform formerly known as Twitter – in 2022, the case for self-regulation has been further undermined.

In the guise of being a free-speech absolutist, the platform has descended into a quagmire of hate speech and politically destabilising misinformation. Musk has removed its guardrails against harmful content. What’s more, he has used X to push his own political agenda.

Other issues have underlined the case for action. Social media platforms are widely used to disseminate misinformation and threaten political leaders. Too often, the companies in charge of the platforms appear to have poor controls and are too slow to react.

In response to all this, Taoiseach Simon Harris said recently that the era of self-regulation is over and pledged to hold a meeting of State agencies and other stakeholders to look at further regulation of social media. This is welcome as Dublin is the international headquarters of many of the world’s biggest social media companies. Ireland must thus play a prominent regulatory role.

But regulation is only effective when it is backed up by an adequate enforcement regime. Over the past two years the Government has introduced the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill. More importantly, the EU has passed the Digital Services Act, which addresses illegal content, transparent advertising and disinformation.

The Act is sufficient to tackle many of the abuses taking place across social media platforms. But what is less clear is how it will be enforced by the 27 member states. That is why the most immediate priority must be to ensure that there is robust and coherent enforcement of existing regulation.

You’ll see the Sale offers on the homepage and just click and book. Once you book at today’s prices, the Ads can appear anytime. Including 2025! so you avoid any media price increases.

There’s John McGee of advertising fame, reading the New York Times in Ireland this morning and this popped up…..and he kindly sent it on.

There’s targeting for you.

From IMJ

Tickets are still available for the third annual TABs Charity Lunch which will take place in the Intercontinental Hotel, Ballsbridge on Thursday, September 12.

This year TABS is celebrating its 70th anniversary and during this period, it has helped hundreds of individuals and families through difficult and challenging times. Along with the TABS golfing and cycle events each year, the September lunch has become an important fund-raising event for the charity. Last year, it raised over €40,000.

Tables for the event cost €2,500 for a table of 10 or €3,000 for a table of 12. Individual places are also available. TABS is also accepting prizes to for its raffle which will be held at the lunch.

For more information about purchasing tickets, making a donation of cash or a prize, contact  Emma O’Doherty ( emma.odoherty@mindshareworld.com)

From IMJ (Admatic CEO was a joint founder of Core with Alan Cox):

Following a strong first half of year, Core has upwardly revised its full year advertising expenditure forecast to 6.94%.

Earlier this year Core predicted that the market would grow by around 4.1% to €1.472bn. Now it is forecasting that this will rise by 6.9% to €1,57bn.

According to Core, the key drivers of this growth include stronger than anticipated performance across digital, particularly driven by increased investment in online video and TikTok; Out-Of-Home and TV. “These channels have performed better than expected due to significant increased investment from categories such as FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods), Utilities/Telcos and Retail,” Core says in its revised Outlook report for the remainder of 2024.

“This positive trend mirrors global patterns, particularly in the UK where ad spend has also experienced robust growth driven largely by digital investment and increased investment across traditional media channels such as OOH and TV,” says Christina Duff, managing director, Core Investment.

The revised forecasts from Core come on the back of strong trading performances in H1 2024 announced recently by TAM Ireland and Radiocentre Ireland which represent the TV and radio sectors respectively.

According to Core’s latest Outlook report, it is forecasting that video advertising will increase by 4.62% this year to €291.13m while out-of-home will continue its strong performances of recent years by increasing by16% to €93.9m while digital advertising spend is forecast to grow by 9.7% to €1.00bn.

Elsewhere audio advertising spend is forecast to grow by 3.39% to €176.35m while cinema advertising is expected to increase by 17.8% to €5.4m. The outlook for news media, however, remains bearish with Core forecasting a 9.44% decline advertising spend to (€94.15m.

According to Duff, audio investment across radio and partnerships is expected to increase by 2.73%, while digital audio will increase by 10% across all streaming platforms.

“Growth in revenue from government, retail and motors are driving spend across spot and content. Digital audio continues to increase; however, we have adjusted this down vs. our initial prediction of 18% growth due to competition in the digital landscape across channels such as video streaming taking share, and radio continuing to be both cost effective while delivering strong audience numbers. Streaming platforms and Podcasting will continue to witness strong growth as brands search for incremental reach within the audio landscape,” she says.

On the back of a strong first half of the year for live sports, including the Olympic Games, Duff says the “time spent” watching TV is up 1% in the year to the end of July 2024.

“Commercial impacts are up 8% which has helped ease some of the hyperinflation the market has witnessed over the last number of years. For younger audiences, viewership is up as high as 24% over the busy summer months,” she says.

“To add to this, streams across all the broadcast digital players are averaging growth of 17%. The key categories driving growth in advertising spend across Video include FMCGs, Telecommunications, Utilities and Retail. The first half of 2024 is tracking total video (TV and Broadcast Video on Demand) spend at 11%, but Core expects this to slow down slightly from September due to less live sport content compared to 2023, when the Rugby World Cup was held,” Duff adds.

With growth in OOH advertising continuing to increase, Duff says “the OOH sector can finally confirm that it has recovered post pandemic and is seeing significant growth across all formats and sectors including Retail, Media, and Food.

“The OOH sector has significantly invested in upgrading sites country wide, securing transport contracts, continued investment into digital, while focusing on sustainability and with new research on the way, there are plenty of positives for the medium.,” she says.

“The growth in Retail Media opportunities from the likes of Elevate Media, and increased DOOH formats has helped the OOH grow faster than initially predicted.

With digital advertising spend now running at in excess of €1bn a year, Duff says that  AI has played a role in growing revenues beyond previous expectations.

“The key watch out for advertisers will be growing inflation in some of these platforms to counteract changing consumer behaviours as the lines blur between search and social specifically. TikTok’s potential move into long-form video will also be a watch out as it could disrupt video investment,” she says.

When it comes to news media, print will be hit the hardest, according to Core.

However, it notes that “small growth in ad revenue across display/ video across news media channels, along with potential increased government spending towards the end of year will offset some of the double-digit decline expected in print.”

Cinema: +17.8% (€5.4 million)

Elsewhere a forecast hike of 17.8% in cinema advertising this year to €5.4m masks a tricky first few months of the year for the industry when overall admissions year to date are down 8%.

However, Core notes that “the final quarter of the year will reverse this trend with Joker 2, Gladiator 2 and many new family movies set to be released. Cinema’s unique attention-grabbing formats pre-movie will be a must have in a busy end to the year.”

From The Radio CentreRadiocentre:

Ireland’s Sounding Out 2024 event will take place on Thursday, the 10^th of October and will feature Robert Heath, author of the seminal book “The Hidden Power of Advertising”.  Robert will talk about why the move towards attention measurement is a big mistake. You will also hear insights on the attention debate from renowned strategist Craig Mawdsley (Founding Partner Craig + Bridget).  There will also be a focus on effectiveness where you will hear from Bridget Angear (Craig + Bridget) and Andrew Tindall, System1 about new frontiers of effectiveness thinking based on insights from  IPA and Effies case studies.  Ralph van Dijk will show why brands which define their audio strategy, both media and creative, enjoy strong business outcomes. This event will also feature a new research study, commissioned by Radiocentre Ireland which reveals insights on the role audio plays in driving mental availability. The event takes place on Thursday, the 10th of October 8.30am to 1pm in The Round Room at The Mansion House and it is an event not to be missed.

Registration here https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sounding-out-2024-tickets-1002845316337?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

From Adworld

With streaming apps growing in popularity, Virgin Media Television (VMTV) is rolling out a new and revamped streaming service for mobile, tablet and smart TV viewers.

The new streamer, called Virgin Media Play, will be officially launched on September 2 and represents a substantial investment for the broadcaster.

Available live or on demand, viewers can watch all VMTV channels in-app and it will include significant additions to its existing on-demand library with exclusive content including  drama series ‘The Arrangement’ and reality shows such as ‘Below Deck Mediterranean’, ‘Million Dollar Listing’ ‘The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’ and ‘Vanderpump Rules’.

Details of the new streaming service emerged this week at VMTV’s launch of its Autumn schedule.

The schedule includes a strong mix of drama, entertainment, sport and current affairs programming.

A key feature of VMTV’s sporting schedule will be the live broadcast of all Ireland’s Autumn internationals against New Zealand, Argentina, Fiji and Australia in the Aviva Stadium while Irish viewers will also have access to eight  games in the UEFA Champions League every week with two games live on Virgin Media Two and two on Virgin Media More.

New drama on the schedule includes the highly anticipated Irish series ‘Dead & Buried’ which was written by acclaimed Irish author, Colin Bateman, and filmed across various Irish locations. Other highly acclaimed drama includes “Coma’ and “Until I Kill You.” Dramas set to return for additional series this season include hit police drama ‘The Tower S3’ and the detective series ‘Grace S4’.

VMTV has also lined up a number of new and original documentaries, including  ‘Women Locked Up: Inside the Dóchas Centre’, which provides unprecedented access and compelling insights into life behind bars in Ireland’s largest women’s prison.

Against a backdrop of continuing protests and riots, the two-part documentary ‘Borders & Lies’ will explore “the role of social media in inciting hate, fuelling fear and shaping public opinion in relation to immigration.”

Virgin Media News will also investigate University Hospital Limerick in  ‘Ireland’s Most Dangerous Hospital’ while ‘Generation Rent’, presented by Virgin Media News correspondent Zara King, explores issues surrounding the housing crisis in Ireland, speaking with young people who are struggling to put their renting days behind them and get on the property ladder.

According to  Anthony Nilan, director of orogramming, Virgin Media Television:

“We’re thrilled to launch a new season of programming that truly reflects the diversity, ambition, and creativity at the heart of our content. This lineup brings together bold new voices and familiar favourites across a range of genres, that will captivate and engage audiences, staying true to our role as a valued public service broadcaster for Irish viewers.”

FROM IMJ ADWORLD:

From The Examiner:

Sky Ireland’s business saw revenues fall by £21m (€24.6m) last year, representing a 4% decrease on the 2022 revenues of £531m.

New accounts filed with Companies House in the UK for Sky Subscribers Services Ltd reveal the Irish branch revenues last year totalled £510m – which was a £21m or a 4pc decrease on the 2022 revenues of £531m.