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Advertising
The Latest in Technology and Ads: NewFronts Sets 2024 Schedule
The 2024 NewFronts schedule by the IAB is out, set for April 29 to May 2 in New York. Google leads the presentations, while Amazon and Peacock are notably absent. This year, there's a spotlight on news and women's sports marketing.
Music
Musicians Unite: Open Letter for AI Protections
Over 200 artists, including Billie Eilish, Stevie Wonder, and Nicki Minaj, have endorsed the Artist Rights Alliance's plea to halt the use of AI that harms or devalues artists' rights, fearing that AI-generated music could undermine fair compensation. This aligns with legislative efforts such as Tennessee's ELVIS Act, aiming to strengthen artists' publicity rights.
Streaming
The Latest in Content Deals: Amazon, Lionsgate, and Starz
Amazon's MGM+ in the U.K. has inked a content deal for Lionsgate and Starz shows, including hits like Outlander. Starting April, U.K. subscribers joining Lionsgate+ via Prime Video Channels will access MGM+, which will be rebranded in May. This marks the third collaboration between MGM+ and Lionsgate, boosting MGM+ with exclusive series and blockbuster movies.
Television
The Audience Measurement Argument: TV Companies Choose Sides
The U.S. Joint Industry Committee, representing major traditional TV companies, backs Comscore and VideoAmp's audience-measurement tools for national ad deals, offering an alternative to Nielsen. To stay competitive, Nielsen is rolling out new technologies, including a "Big Data" product. However, the adoption of these new ad currencies hinges on Madison Avenue's response. Launched last January, the JIC aims to bring clarity to the industry by certifying new audience-measurement products.
International
Return to Normal: French Box Office Stabilizes After Slow Start to 2024
In March, the French box office saw a slight improvement, selling 15 million tickets, driven by Warner Bros' Dune: Part Two. Despite this uptick, the first quarter of 2024 experienced a 10% drop in admissions compared to 2023 and a 23.7% decrease compared to pre-pandemic levels, partly due to the absence of major Hollywood releases.
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