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Entertainment Industry Updates

December 05, 2023

The death of streaming.

Troubles are ahead for streamers forced to face the reality of unprofitable business models. With revenues shrinking, audiences fragmenting, subscriptions being canceled, and content more expensive to churn, it's time to adapt. Now, desperate to recreate the lucrative format of cable television, streamers are scrambling to offer ad-supported models, with mergers in the space imminent. All to suggest, a future that looks much like the past, with ad revenue and fewer platforms to choose from. As a landscape consolidation sets in, we're eyeing YouTube as the power player to bet on. With YouTube TV, its role as a home for creators, the NFL partnership, and a new gaming hub, they're on track to become the go-to for easy viewing.

Move over, middlemen.

Tired of corporate censorship and operational hurdles, entertainers are railing against old systems as they realize they no longer need middlemen in today’s digital world and consumer-driven landscape. Both Ryan Reynolds and Idris Elba have launched their own ad agencies, allowing for complete autonomy over marketing and positioning, and hinting at a broader trend of “in-house everything.” Similarly, artists exercise creative control by launching their own production companies and networks, from comedian Nate Bergatze’s “Nateland” to Dr. Phil’s “Merit Street Media.” Meanwhile, Taylor Swift pioneers for direct distribution, eliminating the studios and selling straight to theatres to negotiate her Eras Tour concert film. The suits are in trouble!

Sirius XM and the case for radio.

With endless listening options overwhelming consumers, tuning into a go-to “channel” finds new appeal. Once headed for obsoletism, Sirius XM is making moves to compete for consumers’ digital-audio attention. A new all-access streaming plan and appaims to challenge Spotify and Apple Music, while new programming deals like John Mayer’s Life With JM channel modernize the concept of a good-ol-fashioned radio show for digitally native audiences. Much like the impending consolidation shift with streamers, this is an opportunity for brand partners and advertisers to capitalize on listeners' loyalty.

A new era of fandom is here.

More closely related to consumer identity and belief than ever, fandom has been turbocharged by modern branding. Layer in AI, and consumer-facing opportunities multiply exponentially. Known for its savvy social-media marketing and exclusive merch, arthouse production company A24 has risen to mainstream hype brand, capitalizing on niche fandom with a new membership-based all-access app and more commercial projects like a Friday the 13th prequel TV series, which will air on Peacock. As seen with the Barbie movie, brands are the new Marvel IP—we expect many to follow Mattel’s plans to turn  other IPs into Hollywood fodder. And while many fear AI in the arts, positive use-cases will mobilize existing fanbases with attention to authenticity. Beatles fans can now stream the band’s final, unfinished song, Now And Then,thanks to a collaborative effort between Paul McCartney, Ringo Star, and machine-learning engineers able to extract John Lennon’s voice.

Hot genres: Rom-Coms and Coming of Age.

In recent years, consumer angst and rage welcomed a renaissance and mainstreaming of the horror genre. Now as 2024 approaches, The Co.’s calling a return of classic Rom-Coms and Coming of Age stories, with viewers seeking true comfort and guidance to cope with the anxieties of today. Several key works of 2023 serve as early indicators. Hit Rom-Com No Hard Feelings brought new life to a dwindling R-rated comedy category and attracted a distinctly wide audience, equally distributed across ages 18-64. Throwback young-adult novels were resurrected, from Judy Blume’s Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret film adaptation, to a new Percy Jackson novel and forthcoming TV adaptation. Pay attention to upcoming releases in these genres for partnership and licensing opportunities.

But wait, there's more...

Upstate Itinerary

November 29, 2023

Personal growth parties & Mr. Taylor Swift

November 21, 2023

Five Next Big Things

November 14, 2023

E-Bike Opportunities

November 07, 2023

Spooky technology and record Skims sales.

October 31, 2023

Middle America and interoperability.

October 24, 2023

Oyster season and ice bath addictions.

October 17, 2023

Cringe it-brands and commercial anxiety.

October 10, 2023

Bridesmaid burnout and home economics.

October 03, 2023

Fast Company Findings

September 26, 2023

Paris Design Week

September 19, 2023

Munich Musings

September 12, 2023

Retro living and artificial surfing.

September 05, 2023

Gas stations, small homes, and a good ol' office

August 29, 2023

New romance, New England, no morals.

August 22, 2023

Gen Z’s quarter-life crisis and collectibles craze.

August 15, 2023

Jell-O, dolls, and religion return

August 08, 2023

Ralph reborn, peak produce season, and the circus is in town

August 01, 2023

Peak Pickles

July 25, 2023

Big female energy drinks.

July 18, 2023

Nostalgic IPs never end.

July 11, 2023

Fresh findings from Paris.

July 05, 2023

Tourist traps' ironic allure.

June 27, 2023

Shopping's existential crisis.

June 20, 2023

Rising tides for surf culture.

June 13, 2023

Fashion’s foot fetish.

May 30, 2023

Micro clout beats follower count.

May 23, 2023

The dupe culture wars.

May 15, 2023

PMS and EDM.

May 08, 2023

Cruises’ Gen Z era.

May 01, 2023

Vegas and mahjong

April 25, 2023

Boob jobs and Judy Blume.

April 18, 2023

Condiments and Gwyneth’s $1 win.

April 11, 2023

Pasta as creative direction.

April 04, 2023

We took our talents to Texas for SXSW

March 28, 2023

Weddings’ glow-up.

March 21, 2023

Scream queens and F1 fangirls.

March 14, 2023

Rock stars and english majors.

March 07, 2023

Sleep sells.

February 28, 2023

A Goop-ified hospital giftshop.

February 21, 2023

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