A look at what’s in store for shopping this holiday season, “big TV-related” insights, measurement news, and $1 Million for charity on Wheel of Fortune.
HOLIDAY SHOPPING
Despite supply chain challenges and pricing increases, retail spending for September was up 15%, while back-to-school and back-to-work helped drive “a higher level of transactions”. Now, with an eye on the holidays, retailers like Amazon and Target are offering their promotions earlier than normal, “ahead of the lack of inventory and to ease consumer anxiety.” (CNBC: 10/16/21)
STREAMING
TVRev’s co-founder and lead analyst was on Cheddar News to discuss content from his article on “Nine Big TV-Related Things We’re Looking At Right Now” and some global insights, including the impact of cord-cutting, targeting audiences via linear & streaming, what to do with live sports, and (aside from going to google), the challenge of off-platform searching for new programming without a universal solution like a program guide from your cable operator. (TVRev: 10/18/21)
MEASUREMENT
TV Squared released their “State of Converged TV” report, which included an aggregate of research insights from Advertising Perceptions (in the US) and Dynata (UK, Germany, and Australia). The report concluded that “media buyers across several key markets are finding that traditional currencies and transaction methods aren’t cutting it”. They’re also in agreement, with more than three-quarters (76%) responding that the term “TV” refers to both linear and streaming. In the US, cross-platform measurement accuracy leads the list of challenges, with 88% of respondents are looking for more flexibility across linear and streaming upfront deals. For context, emarketer predicts in their initial AVOD forecast (released last month and reprinted here) that 2021 will see 127.7 million AVOD viewers. (Mediapost: 10/13/21, emarketer: 10/14/21)
NBCU announced the formation of the cross-industry Measurement Innovation Forum; “a group aimed at looking at the way media and advertising is measured”. Partners include independents and agency holding companies, major brands (e.g. Citicorp, Ford, Target), and industry trade organizations (e.g. ANA & ARF). The goal of the initiative is “to bring more awareness to every measurement option available and to help the industry create a measurement system that accurately reflects consumer behavior and advertiser impact in this new era.” (NextTV: 10/14/21)
$1 MILLION WINNER
Melissa Joan Hart won big on Celebrity Wheel of Fortune, by landing on the $1 million wedge and solving the bonus round puzzle (BRAN MUFFINS). Hart became the third contestant since 2008 to win the million-dollar prize, playing for Youth Villages, a non-profit that helps emotionally and behaviorally troubled children and their families. And while the proceeds went to her charity, she got to keep the card: it’s even signed by Sajak and White. (USAToday: 10/17/21)