Benjamin Streeter

✅🖥️ DIGIDAY (9/20): “The NFL overhauled its app ahead of the season’s kickoff last week, placing its ad-free RedZone streaming service at the center of its NFL+ premium customer offering. At the same time, European soccer leagues including France’s Ligue 1 and Italy’s Serie A have pushed forward with their streaming efforts, with the former’s games now shown online only in the crucial U.K. and Ireland market. Sports organizations know that demand for these services stems, in part, from the complexity (and cost) consumers face when trying to view every televised match their team takes part in. NBA games, for example, are set to be split across four different media providers, while English Premier League fans would have to subscribe to Sky Sports, TNT Sport and Amazon Prime Video to follow their club’s season in its entirety. RedZone is priced lower than cable or streaming packages — $35.99 a year, compared to $59.99 for CBS and Peacock, for example — and has been available through the NFL+ subscription package as a standalone streaming service since 2023. It’s now the centerpiece of the NFL’s digital app, and a major component of the NFL’s attempt to answer that consumer demand for simplicity. The service itself is simple enough — a subscription simulcast that pulls from CBS and Fox’s live Sunday coverage, bouncing between games with no breaks and no ads (though, there is room for advertisers around the edges — DraftKings, for example, currently sponsors RedZone). The result, said Lauren Manning, the NFL’s head of product design, UX and research, is “one of the best kind of lean-back ways to watch football of any variety, on any device.” ⬇️🏈⚽️ #streaming #ctv #ott #avod #svod #tvos #cordcutting

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I had to read this line a few times.... "Audio is a key part of the daily lives of all Americans, and this is true for sports fans, as well. In fact, sports fans spend six hours and 26 minutes with audio content each day—that’s over two hours more than the average American spends listening to audio." On first read I was trying to figure out how anybody has 6 hours and 26 minutes a day to consume sports content. Then eventually I understood this to mean that sports fans spend 6 hours and 26 minutes with ANY audio content. Essentially, sports fans are listening to music as well and have other interests beyond sports. But, being a sports fan skews your appetite for more audio consumption up. There is big opportunity here. But, there is also a lot of competition. #podcasting #sports #audio #radio

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🔈Exciting developments in in-store audio advertisement! Vibenomics, a Mood Media company has expanded its programmatic reach by partnering with Yahoo allowing brands to bid on in-store audio ads through Yahoo's DSP. Looking forward to seeing how this shapes the future of in-store advertising! 🛍️ Are you leveraging in-store media system to drive BTS (Back to School) sales results with audio advertising or overhead voice messages❓IE. Intermingle music with advertising. Based on National Retail Federation and Prosper “24 Insights & Analytics more than half (55%) of back-to-school and college shoppers begun buying items in July for the upcoming school year. Total back-to-school spending is expected to reach $38.8 billion, also the second-highest figure on record, after last year’s high of $41.5 billion. #SalesFunnel #SalesOpportunity 🗣️Share how you are leveraging in-store media to engage customers. #RetailMedia #ProgrammaticAds #InStoreAudio #MoodMedia #RetailCommunity #RetailTechnology #InnovativeApproach #NRF #CustomerJourney

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Fast channels are paving the path for a new era of streaming digital advertising opportunities especially in the multicultural digital space. Lean in. https://lnkd.in/eYf8aktT

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Amidst a rapidly evolving sports landscape, independents are leading more integrated collaborations with brands and athletes to engage fans. Dan Conti spoke with Digiday about PMG’s sports marketing practice, offering dedicated strategies across brand partnerships, social media, streaming, and more. Learn more about how sports have become an interactive force in the media landscape: https://bit.ly/3YSKnzI

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Ad-supported streaming is here to stay, making CTV advertising a no-brainer.

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Hot Take: The Sports Streaming Era has arrived and Roku's Single-App Mode is a Disaster for Sports Fans 🚨 This past weekend, I was juggling the Yankees game on MAX, the Rangers on ESPN+, and Georgia football on Fubo – a true sports fan's dream, right? Wrong. Roku's single-app limitation turned my viewing experience into a nightmare. Picture this: the Yankees just finished an inning, and I want to quickly check the action in the Rangers game. Simple enough, right? Not for Roku users. Because Roku OS can only have one app open at a time, I had to completely exit the MAX app, relaunch ESPN+, and wait through a painfully slow selection & loading process, complete with forced ads. By the time I finally got to the Rangers game, I'd probably missed a crucial play in baseball! 😡 This clunky app-switching process might be okay for binge watching full episodes but it is an unacceptable user experience for the live sports fan, who just wants to use the old "clicker" to go between channels quickly. And here's the kicker: it's not an issue on other smart TV platforms. My LG TV (which my Roku is plugged into!) handles multi-app viewing seamlessly. I've seen it work on Apple TV. Roku! Fix this outdated app experience or risk losing sports fans. #sportsstreaming #roku #uxfail #streamingwars #cordcutting #programmatic #TV #linear

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✅🖥️ Fast Company (4/21): “Tom Ryan, CEO of Paramount Streaming, was one of the first pioneers in FAST when he cofounded Pluto TV back in April of 2014. Ten years later, Pluto TV—which Ryan sold to Paramount (then ViacomCBS) in 2019—has become a billion-dollar business. It has 425 global media partners and has expanded into an international brand that spans four continents and more than 35 markets. *FC: Why do you think FAST is really taking off now? *TR: “I think it’s a universally and globally appealing product. Free television, who doesn’t want that? Sure, you pay with a little bit of your time for watching advertising, but even in paid streaming for most services, there’s an ad-supported tier of paid streaming. But here, you get a product that feels familiar, is easy to use, if not better, frankly, than traditional TV in terms of its UX and its usability. You get to dive right into great well-known content all for free, so it’s just a highly appealing product. And it’s complementary to paid services. We’ve seen that the average Pluto TV user has several paid services based on our research, so this is not substitutional; this is complementary. They go to their paid services for certain content, and Pluto TV is a complementary product that they use for their overall entertainment usage; and the same is true with cable TV. About half of our Pluto TV users have a cable TV subscription, but they find interesting channels and lots of great content that is easy to access all for free. So why wouldn’t you add that to your streaming diet? It’s a great way to enhance your entertainment offering at home and . . . at no incremental cost.” ⬇️ #fast #streamingtv #ctvadvertising #newfronts #iabnewfronts https://lnkd.in/eTTtBB_P

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The National Basketball Association (NBA) and Prime Video & Amazon Studios are reportedly finalizing a deal that could change the game for sports media, and putting pressure on Warner Bros. Discovery and NBCUniversal According to executives with direct knowledge of the talks, the streaming service is set to become a major home for the league’s games. Prime Video's package is expected to include significant regular season and postseason games, and possibly even some conference finals. The contract is anticipated to be for at least a decade and slated to begin during the 2025-2026 season. Article via The Athletic #NBA #AmazonPrimeVideo #SportsMedia #sportsbiz #sportbusiness #sportsmarketing #streaming #marketing #media #sponsorships #sportssponsorships #ai #mensio #hive

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Feeling nostalgic today as I reflect on one of the very first brand partnerships I ever did! 🎮✨ Back in the day, while working for Pax Prime/Reedpop, I had the incredible opportunity to help put together a memorable partnership with a few ReedPoppers Kyle Marsden-Kish Larry Settembrini, Lance Fensterman, Lauren DeMaio and Ryan Hartman between Microsoft, Doritos, and Mountain Dew. Our goal was to add value to the Pax Fan, and we did just that with an exciting live scavenger hunt at PAX Prime. Participants collected points for the chance to win several Xbox Ones at a live auction. Specially marked Mountain Dew and Doritos packages contained codes, and attendees scanned hidden QR codes throughout the convention center. The excitement was palpable as fans competed to gather as many points as possible for the live auction held on Sunday night. It was a brilliant blend of digital engagement and physical activity, creating an unforgettable experience for the gaming community. This partnership highlighted the power of collaboration and innovative marketing strategies to drive engagement and brand loyalty. Looking back, this experience taught me so much about the potential of creative marketing and the impact of seamless collaboration. As I continue to explore new avenues in brand partnerships, I often reflect on this iconic moment that brought us together and pushed the boundaries of what’s possible. Here’s to more creative and impactful collaborations in the future! 🚀🙌 Today, I'm leveraging those early lessons in exciting new ways with brands on Roblox. Imagine sports fans signing up for rewards from their favorite sports teams by participating in virtual events and challenges. Or album releases transformed into immersive worlds where artists can measure Roblox integrations through API integrations with DSPs like Spotify, allowing fans to earn tickets to real-life concerts and exclusive merch. One of my favorite recent projects is the Zenni Optical integration in Watermelon GO on Roblox. Players can unlock custom in-game Zenni skins and exclusive items, merging digital fun with real-world rewards. Another groundbreaking initiative is Ikea's "Careers Done Different" campaign on Roblox. Ikea is revolutionizing recruitment marketing by creating a virtual store and inviting players to apply for real positions. These innovative strategies are reshaping the way we think about brand engagement. How are you leveraging digital platforms to innovate your strategy? Let’s connect and share ideas! 🚀🎮 #TBT #Nostalgia #BrandPartnerships #Gaming #MarketingInnovation #Microsoft #Doritos #MountainDew #XboxOne #PAXPrime #ReedPOP #GamingCommunity #Roblox #DigitalInnovation #FutureOfMarketing #Ikea #ZenniOptical https://lnkd.in/epcUh5nu

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Disney navigated its proxy battle successfully, but now faces a significant challenge: the upcoming end of CEO Bob Iger’s contract. Iger, who returned in 2022 to steer the company through turbulent times, is set to leave by the end of 2026. The pressure is on to select a successor who can continue Disney's legacy of excellence. According to Vanity Fair, the Disney board has narrowed the candidate list to four key internal contenders: Dana Walden, Co-Chair of Disney Entertainment Alan Bergman, Co-Chair of Disney Entertainment Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman of ESPN Josh D’Amaro, Chairman of Disney Experiences A final decision isn’t expected until 2025, but whoever takes the helm will play a crucial role in shaping Hollywood’s future. With Disney being the second-largest entertainment company globally, valued at over $200 billion, this decision is monumental. Stay tuned as Disney embarks on this pivotal journey! #Disney #Leadership #BobIger #Entertainment #CEO #Hollywood

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Just in time for the #WorldSeries-- Roblox users can now show off their team spirit on their avatars. Official Major League Baseball (MLB) team jerseys from all 30 teams are now available for purchase in our marketplace! Sports fandom lives on Roblox and wearing your team’s apparel is a key form of self-expression for fans. According to #GWI insights: ⚾ Half of Roblox users play sports video games with low duplication with some of the most popular titles. ⚾ Roblox users are 40% more likely than the average sports fan to have bought an official jersey in the last 6 months Thank you to Jamie Leece, Jason Schreiber, Paul Crockett at #MLB for bringing their teams to Roblox. Happy that now all fans can support their teams from the stands, their couch and the virtual world! #futureofsports #sportsmarketing #worldseries2024 #majorleaguebaseball #yankees #dodgers #immersivemarketing #genzmarketing #genz #fandomforthefuture

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One of my favorite recent articles from the amazing Kiri Masters. In 2025, retail media networks will shift gears, moving beyond mere existence with an upcoming “charm offensive” that will prioritize user experience, emphasizing value and innovation in ad offerings instead of relying solely on their platform reach. Plus, B2B has entered the Retail Media realm. As competition intensifies, retailers will aim to attract higher ad spend by fostering brand loyalty and refining measurement strategies. Expect a year of fierce competition and strategic partnerships as retail media networks evolve to stand out in a saturated digital landscape. https://lnkd.in/eUr9zt2h

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🚨 NFL Ads Outperform Primetime TV 🚨 Ads during the NFL’s 2024 Week 1 games saw 48x more consumer engagement than the average primetime ad on broadcast and cable TV. 🏈📺 But are you getting the most out of your NFL investment? The key isn’t just in placing ads but in analyzing how and why they drive action. EDO provides critical data on which spots resonate, so you can optimize future placements and make smarter media investments. If you’re investing in live sports, make sure you’re measuring its true impact. EDO can help you maximize every dollar spent on the NFL season. 📊 #MarketingAnalytics #EDO #NFL2024 #ConsumerEngagement #AdPerformance #MarketingExecutives #SportsAdvertising #ROI

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Money talks in all forms of media and sports media is no different. Well, for these past few years, and especially this year for women’s basketball, money revenue has been powerful. Women’s advertising revenue and overall revenue have skyrocketed. Viewership is up in a big way thanks to stars like Caitlin Clark and recording-setting attention is being delivered. Glad we are seeing women’s sports receive the attention they deserve. After seeing Caitlin Clark's rookie contract value last night, here's to hoping this revenue potential begins to positively influence WBNA earnings in the same way. #WomensSports #Sports #Advertising

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Athletes aren’t the only ones competing during the Paris Olympics. Advertisers are bidding to reach tens of millions of viewers during the first programmatic Olympic Games. NBCUniversal is selling ad inventory throughout the 2024 Paris Olympics on Peacock programmatically. The highly coveted opening and closing ceremonies are the only exception. Commercial space is available exclusively via private marketplace deals through The Trade Desk and FreeWheel. Although most Olympics inventory will still be sold directly, programmatic is bringing in a large number of new advertisers that previously didn’t have the resources or budget to secure media during the Olympics. During a trial run in June to test programmatic ad buying, nearly every advertiser who bought in was new to the Olympics. Now that the Games are underway, NBCU says 70% of brand sponsors and advertisers are new. #programmatic #olympics #olympicsadvertising #digitaladvertising #tvadvertising #RTB https://lnkd.in/e44sQwpN

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The National Basketball Association (NBA) is on the brink of lucrative media deals with NBCUniversal, Prime Video & Amazon MGM Studios and The Walt Disney Company/ESPN, potentially bringing in a staggering $76 billion in revenue over 11 years, as reported by The Wall Street Journal. NBCUniversal is set to pay an average of $2.5 billion annually to showcase about 100 games per season, with half airing exclusively on Peacock. Amazon's deal, valued at $1.8 billion, includes regular season and playoff games, an in-season tournament, and "play-in" games. The Walt Disney Company, on the other hand, is expected to pay about $2.6 billion each year to continue broadcasting the NBA Finals, receiving fewer games but expanding coverage to ESPN's forthcoming direct-to-consumer platform. These agreements, encompassing WNBA (Women's National Basketball Association) telecasts, are slated to commence post the 2024-2025 season and could hike the National Basketball Association (NBA)'s annual fees to nearly $7 billion, marking a notable 2.5 times increase in average fees. 🏀 📺 💻 📱 #nba #disney #espn #nbcu #peacock #amazonprime #primevideo #mediarights #sportbiz #sportsbusiness #sportsmedia #sponsorships #sportssponsorships #marketing #media #NBAfinals #brandedcontent #ai #mensio #hive

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