Alec McNayr

You remember this Spider-Man drawing meme from a few years back? https://lnkd.in/gXwXApdd You know, the one that shows the level of quality you get when you give an artist 10 minutes vs. 1 minute vs. 10 seconds? I remember when it started doing the rounds, a lot of creative types used it as an example of how much worse their work is when it's rushed vs. when they get enough time to truly ideate. What's funny is, this isn't even the best depiction of that. Imagine instead if you started by giving someone 10 seconds to draw a *brand new* superhero — one that doesn't already exist. My guess is the result would go something like "Uhhhmmmmm.... I dunnnoo.... (hastily scribbles rough silhouette with a cape)". Then give them 1 min and watch more detail get added. And then 10 and watch really rich character and story elements emerge. I see this a lot in organizations that put a premium on sprints and MVPs. It's one thing to put time constraints on refinement, evolution and optimization of an idea. It's another to rush the ideation itself. That's typically not a good recipe for innovation, since (as my example illustrates) when people are rushed, they tend to regurgitate/replicate the familiar. There is something to be said for putting some time constraints on ideation as a generative exercise. And when facilitated with a focus on lateral connections sparking new combinations, there is a way to hack novelty at pace. But often the main value is in getting all the obvious ideas out of the way, and getting the gears turning in the back of brains to let time do its work of mental marination. Then the real gems that team members can't stop thinking about can be prototyped/MVP'd/etc. Have you seen rapid ideation produce novel concepts (in product, comms, org design, etc.)? Or has it tended to churn out ideas that feel like replications/regurgitations, logical/linear progressions and slight incremental improvements on what already exists? #innovation #creativity #ideation #agile #mvp #prototyping #poc

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Should this be filed under "if you can't beat them, sue them"?　📃🖊🧑‍⚖️ Universal Music Group files $500 million lawsuit against Believe and TuneCore, accusing them of industrial-scale copyright violations. Believe has allegedly been pumping out unauthorized sped-up and remixed versions of hits on platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Spotify. Believe's acquisition of Tunecore in 2015 turned it from an indie record label to major industry disruptor. Tunecore is basically a self-publishing platform for every erstwhile (and legit) new recording artist out there. For a low low monthly fee, you too can get your music onto Apple Music, Spotify and YouTube Music! Like a gym membership, for every recording artist that turns pro, there are another 50 or so that publish their first song, give up the dream, but forget to turn off auto-deduct from their subscription, thus supporting the economics of the platform. But that ~2% of artists can become the next superstars. Once they reach a certain size, they move up in the value chain and receive direct attention from a Believe artist success team member, who will help them with getting onto playlists and other marketing. Hello, A&R? It's a record label by another name, and now Believe threatens the Major 3, including UMG. We know that because UMG tried to launch it's own Tunecore, called Spinnup, in 2013. #socialmedia #policy #creatoreconomy

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Market Share After stellar results, Google’s shares fell 5%. Netflix killed it in 2Q. Their market value has sunk 5% since earnings. After meh results, Charter Communications saw its biggest market cap increase in 15 years. Fellow MVPD Comcast had similar numbers but their stock went the other way. Publicis Groupe grew net income 24%. Their shares dropped 1%. Net income sank -10% at Omnicom Media Group and -19% at Interpublic Group (IPG). Their market caps both grew 5%. Spotify says “music subscription is awesome.” Universal Music Group says “maybe not so much.” How do we make all this 👆 make cents? At the convenient link, I dig into the earnings reports of Media’s biggest players to share what the numbers - not the CEOs - actually say. https://lnkd.in/eRCHwdjE Welcome to #EarningSeason!

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As scripted content regains its prominence, the demand for unscripted, quick-turnaround programming is shrinking. But don’t freak out—reality TV isn’t going anywhere. The entertainment landscape is ever evolving, and we’re sure to see a surge in unscripted content again in the future (I mean, I need my 'The Challenge' fix!). However, as networks are tightening budgets and producers are increasingly looking to brands to co-fund productions. The days of networks fully bankrolling reality TV are fading, making brand partnerships more essential than ever. At BENlabs, we take pride in creating placements that not only fulfill brand marketing objectives but also help our content partners bring their creative visions to life. This evolving landscape is exciting, and we're proud to be part of a future where brand integration plays a key role in content creation. Our goal is to ensure both brands and content creators succeed in delivering entertainment that captivates audiences. #ProductPlacement #BrandPartnerships #EntertainmentTrends #ContentCreation #MarketingInnovation https://lnkd.in/d2XFKUDF

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The $500M Influential sale to Publicis Groupe is inspiring 2025 M&A planning for large ad networks and agencies. We know this from many active client convos for Q4 planning. Below are 3 key things to know about the deal... - why it’s such a landmark purchase - ebitda valuation multiples - take-home liquidity for 3 founders I do a full in-depth analysis in my article here: https://lnkd.in/gsCaH6eM Comment below if you have any other questions on the deal, or on my valuation and deal proceeds math 👇🏼 The goal of my LinkedIn and newsletter posts are to help make you all better dealmakers, based on learnings from my 20 years of industry and dealmaking experience. — I’m the founder of RockWater Industries. We do M&A and strategy advisory for media, agency, and creator economy. My DM’s are open.

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Take Stock Take a hard look at this chart of 2Q Media Earnings Results and tell me who YOU think had a good market reaction to these results and who had bad (taking into account the big selloff yesterday). Click to expand. Read the numbers. I’ll wait… In normal times, we could look at this scorecard and know instinctively the state of most of the companies covered - the health of each and the relative value of its shares. But these are NOT normal times. This is SILLY SEASON. If you look at the actual results of these companies, then read the analysis, you have to question if those COVERING these companies actually READ the actual results. Yesterday I was quoted in a great piece in The Ankler by Claire Atkinson called “Dead Wrong But Never in Doubt: How Analysts Plague Hollywood.” https://lnkd.in/ecC_VM5R In the article, Jessica Reif Ehrlich & Rich Greenfield show, with numerous direct quotes, how much of the analysis of the Media industry is pure guesswork - regardless of how hard they sell Media C-Suites to follow what they profess. It’s a good, fascinating read. To be clear: Most Media analysts know a total of fuck-all about running Media or Tech companies. Which explains how they can react to Apple’s shitty results with golf claps while looking at Microsoft’s earnings with gasps. Or how they can CAMPAIGN HARD to merge Disco Bros, then, just two years later, boldly proclaim it’s time to break up Warner Bros. Discovery - like goldfish who forgot what they said on the last lap around the bowl. If yesterday’s market shitstorm rattled you; if the state of the Media Universe gives you agita; if YOU want to find your way out of Silly Season; then follow this edict: First, ignore all the analysts. At this link, for your reading pleasure, using just data and my keyboard, I debunk the current conventional analysis about the most important companies in Media & Tech. https://lnkd.in/eYu9raqY Before you react to an analyst report or take action based on yesterday’s market storm… remember to take a breath. Don’t be a part of the silliness. #earningseason #stockmarket #earnings #dow #nasdaq #GenAI

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I recently read an argument in Ad Age from retiring industry veteran Rick Sittig that data and analytics have made advertising dull – and I couldn’t disagree more. Are there flaws in traditional #creative measurement? Sure. And I’ve certainly spent plenty of time critiquing them, particularly the limitations of focus groups and surveys leading to misleading assessments and even the wrong objectives. But creatives can and must help their clients by focusing on strategy -- which is always ultimately about winning, demonstrably moving the business forward -- and then aligning data and analytics to that strategy. By helping creatives identify and prove the impact of their most effective ads, data and analytics gives these professionals the tools they need to fine-tune their next big idea, satisfy the C-suite, and drive business results. Is it stressful to feel the pressure of driving results? Absolutely, but that’s what your clients are feeling too. So help them pick the right creative measurement instead of raging at the machine.

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Crafting an iconic brand: PT. 2 ⚡️ I'm thrilled to continue with the second edition of this series by leaning into the second C: Category / Competition. Over the years, I've seen firsthand how understanding a category's nuances and daring to zag when others zig can truly elevate a brand. In today's crowded marketplace, it's not enough to follow trends—you need to challenge them, push boundaries, and carve your path. This series aims to unpack how strategic differentiation can lead to powerful brand positioning, much like we do at Movetic, where every brand story we help shape has its unique twist. Let's dive deeper and explore how zagging sets the foundation for lasting impact. https://lnkd.in/gQq3Myp4 Bailey Clark, Steven Picanza ✌️🍕 #strategy #brandstrategy #branding

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Calling everyone who's ever sat through an awkward creative presentation. Over the last decade, we’ve made a shift at Mortar that’s changed the game for our creative process. Instead of starting with "big ideas" and treating creative briefs as launching pads, we’ve adopted a framework focused on imagining what we want our target audience to say--that singular Aha moment of delight and surprise—and it’s paid off. I don’t remember one creative presentation that has missed its mark since we adopted this framework. The difference? Aha briefs aren’t about blasting off into the creative unknown. They’re landing zones. They’re about aligning the team and the client around a clear, shared vision of how we want customers to respond. This focus keeps the creative work sharp, purposeful, and, most importantly, effective. So, while big ideas can be exciting and captivating, we’ve found that aiming for that Aha moment—with a disciplined, collaborative approach—consistently delivers results that hit the bullseye. See www.mortaragency.com for more. #CreativeStrategy #AhaMoments #MarketingInnovation #ClientCollaboration #BreakthroughThinking #MarketingFramework #OriginalIdeas #TargetedCreativity #MarketingSuccess #BrandDevelopment

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This is backward thinking. Of course, brands and marketers should seek to avoid backlash, but not by incentivizing persons of influence to stay "apolitical." What kind of society are we advancing if political ideas cannot be shared on free and open platforms? I submit that our goal should not be to keep brands away from political discussion but to require that those discussions be civil and responsible if brands are to be present. This is measurable, enforceable, and healthy for democracy. Brands don't suffer backlash because of adjacency to topics or opinions. They suffer backlash when those opinions are delivered in hateful ways or by hateful people. Remove the personal attack and you'll remove the controversy. It's really that simple to address brand safety for brands around political content. Let's help brands reward and celebrate responsible creators who help audiences better understand the most important issues of our day.

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Exactly! Focusing on content over platform shifts the conversation to what really matters: engaging the audience. Since users are trained to ignore ads, brands need to rise above by producing content that adds value. Each platform has a unique environment and attracts a specific demographic, but engaging, informative, and entertaining content cuts across all channels and makes a lasting impact. Brands need to adapt their voice and approach, focusing on Brand Programming™ that resonates with their audience's interests and values. This way, they can build, maintain, and monetize their own audience across platforms and ultimately create and drive Fandom for the brand.

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The California Endowment's Media plan has made an impact for California, including: *the lowest vaping rate in the United States, * 42% decrease in lung cancer and * $500 billion saved in healthcare cost! Their media plan wisely included key #OOH placements surrounding key sports/concert venues like Golden 1 Center, near the #CaliforniaStateCapitol; thereby reaching the perfect target demo attending concerts and National Basketball Association (NBA) games, as well as, all #Legislators at the Capitol. The right place at the right time. End Tobacco damage Now...UNDO. Delta Media, Sutter Health, Kaiser Permanente, Western Health Advantage, Dignity Health, California Department of Public Health, California Department of Health Care Services

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The question is: how high will you climb? How will you scale your digital marketing strategy and reach new heights? #digitalmarketing #growthmindset #california

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After a long road up to the elections full of election advertising, hyperbole and rhetoric, the thing I'm most disappointed in, is our inability as an American people to not be able to come together anymore. If I have to see one more social post from someone whose candidate won taking shots at those who lost I may put my fist through my desk. Whatever happened to being able to see all sides of a situation and empathize? Our political climate as a people is so segmented and hostile that it's no wonder the candidates when they come into power can't get anything done. It's no wonder they can't reach across the aisle and work together. They may be concerned about pissing off the voters more than doing the right thing. It's completely maddening and frustrating that we can't find a way to accept the situation for what it is and learn to work together to make the best of it. Who gives a shit what political party you are in, we now have to make things better together. Let the animosity go and grow up a bit. Democrats you lost, time to find ways to work with Republican's to improve our way of life. Republicans you won, congratulations but let's stop rubbing salt in old wounds and start figuring out how to find a good middle ground with those across the aisle to consider their point of view too. Or just keep being assholes to each other and failing to achieve anything while also continuing to be fodder for others around the world and comedians everywhere. No more politics from me, moving on.

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Magnite's CEO, Michael Barrett, recently spoke about the benefits of Clearline and how it's directly integrated into platforms like MediaOcean to help clients execute better. In a recent interview with BeetTV, Barrett highlighted Clearline's progress and the evolution of SSP. To learn more about how Clearline can benefit your business, check out the link below. [Link to article]

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Fourthmeal... the meal between dinner and breakfast. It's been almost 20 years since we introduced this crazy idea that didn't just elevate the business, but truly became part of the cultural lexicon. The team at FCB Irvine and Taco Bell realized that 'spice up the night' had done great things for the business, but wanted to provoke the fast food industry as only TB could. Strategically, we leaned into the fact that the food did more than just fill you up, but late at night it was more about 'feeding your carnivorous side' (aka the main idea from the brief). Since then, seeing how the business has continued to evolve, creative that pushed deeper into the role Fourthmeal can play in people's nights, and as the CBO said at the time... "TB is really just late night food we eat during the day". Remembering our crew that created this iconic idea... Chris D'Amico, Michelle Purcell, Teddy Brown, Sean Hardwick, Richard Pinnella, Cooper Olson... they've all gone onto great things, but this is one that I always go back to. #Fourthmeal #iconic #brands #creativeideas #business #latenight #FCB #advertising #campaigns #makingithappen #TBT #throwbackthursday #socal #creative #marketing #provoke #strategy #brandstrategy #creativestrategy #fastfood #qsrmarketing #qsr https://lnkd.in/e2xZZf3t

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