News

As we close out yet another year of seismic change around the globe, across the United States and in the media and marketing industry, the following highlights the five areas we at MediaVillage believe will hold center stage in the year ahead.  The fascinating aspect is that each of these areas will affect those in media and marketing in both a business and personal way.

It’s that time of the year when CMOs look back at 2017 results, analyze important KPIs and assess their industry as a whole, and project 2018’s performance. Based on my personal survey with clients and prospects, most predict a 2018 with challenges, with any gains from a potential higher GDP growth being eaten by the need to keep prices competitive to fight private label, channel disruption, and a more-than-ever empowered consumer ready to make the switch to competitive brands.  By Isaac Mizrahi – Co President, Chief Operating Officer / ALMA

I was talking to Dale Beaton about the future of retail and he gave an insight that came from shopping for clothes with his teenage daughter over the holidays. I had suggested that their feelings about the shopping experience were probably very different but apparently not; they both disliked it.  by Nigel Hollis

Republica announced today that it has been selected as the global strategic agency for Azamara Club Cruises, a ​subsidiary ​of ​Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. As part of the assignment, Republica will lead myriad initiatives encompassing strategy, creative, media, digital, and social for the project launching Azamara’s new ship, the Azamara Pursuit.

Telemundo annoyed an expansion of its news programming by introducing a combination of local and national weekday newscasts from 12:00 to 1:00 P.M. Expanding on its ongoing investments in news content, the company will launch local weekday newscasts at 12:00 P.M. / 11:00 A.M. CT across ten Telemundo-owned stations, beginning Monday, January 22. In addition, Telemundo will launch  “Noticias Telemundo, Mediodía,” a national newscast to air Monday to Friday at 12:30 P.M. / 11:30 A.M. CT.

Entravision has made format changes in twelve markets this morning as it has eliminated the Spanish Adult Hits “José” brand from its portfolio along with its final Spanish CHR “Super Estrella” station.

By Gonzalo López Martí – Creative director, etc. / LMMiami.com

• Let’s get the snark out of the way first.
• If you want something done, do it yourself.
• If you want something gridlocked, put a committee in charge.
• A camel is a horse designed by committee.
• Groupthink.

The digital world has given manufacturers new ways to engage consumers, but online direct-to-consumer models are a mixed bag. Which ones actually work?

There is no doubt we live in a post-factual world and that is as true of marketing as the news media. We have more data than ever on what people do but we rarely try to understand it. Instead we leave interpretation to algorithms, AI and machine learning. We assume that the results are valid and the resulting actions correct.  by Nigel Hollis

Grocery shoppers scan a number of channels to find the best way to save a buck or two. And while digital is a big component of how they find and research such deals, many still take the traditional route—circulars.

The ANA (Association of National Advertisers) announced it is acquiring another leading trade group, the Word of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA).

The Spanish-language broadcast TV network known for its prime-time variety program hosted by a man in a clown suit, a host of originally produced reality competition shows, and weekday newscasts at 5:30pm and 10:30pm will soon return to Miami after a six-month absence.  By Adam Jacobson – RBR+TVBR

There’s no question that video is and will continue to be the preeminent media format; all media types, regardless of where they began, now play in the video space, and consumers’ collective appetite for it isn’t slowing down. 

Azteca America will broadcast “Desafío Súper Humanos”, the most extreme season yet of the reality adventure series “Desafío”, beginning Monday, January 8.  A group of extraordinary men and women will face off in a series of strenuous physical challenges to win the competition’s top prize.

Telemundo kicks off the New Year with the launch of six new kids programs under Mi Telemundo, the U.S. Hispanic network’s three-hour Saturday programming block, premiering January 6, 2018.

Twenty-five years after the release of the bestseller “Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus,” the debate over how and why men and women are different and what that means for their roles in society is far from settled.

Azteca America announced that the network’s programming is moving to KJLA Channel 57, a full power HD station in Los Angeles. KJLA will air all current Azteca America programming in Los Angeles, the country’s largest Hispanic DMA.

2018 Hispanic Public Relations Association/Los Angeles Chapter Board of Directors has been annouced. Serving as HPRA/LA President this year is Stephen Chavez, owner of PR consultancy ChavezPR. Chavez served as National HPRA President in 2013-2014 and had been on the national board of directors since that time.

The consumer packaged goods sector faces tough hurdles in 2018. That’s mainly because of long, steady shifts in consumer preferences. But new players are disrupting the market as well, as are changes in the distribution channel.

It is common knowledge that US consumers fill their waking hours with media usage. But how people split up their media time may surprise you.