Community Focusing on the people behind the headlines

About this blog

M&M’s Blog goes behind the headlines to offer a running commentary on the business dynamics within the international media and marketing industry. The M&M editorial team joins forces with industry experts and local market heroes to balance a bird’s eye view of global trends with the importance of local insight.

• What your iPad says about you...

  30 July 2010

  Confession number one. One of my favourite past-times during my morning commute is to peer over the shoulder of my fellow travellers and judge them based the materials they use to help pass the journey.

  It doesn’t matter whether it’s a business report, Sudoku, the Financial Times or the latest romantic novel based on supernatural creatures. I make snap judgements of person’s character and lifestyle based on what they’re staring blankly at.

  Confession number two. Despite not really knowing what I would need one for, I get quite jealous when I see another commuter using an iPad. But I also think the owner is a bit of a show-off.

   

  However, we need no longer feel guilty about judging iPad owners as the official word from US researchers MyType is that they are the “selfish elite”. Apparently, they’re six-times more likely to be wealthy, well-educated, power-hungry, sophisticated, unkind, non-altruistic… and aged between 30- and 50-years-old.

  So there you have it, official proof that iPad owners are the most popular kid in school who you always knew would end up rich with a beautiful wife.

  Still… what does all this say about the potential future - a world where EVERYONE owns an iPad?

  Comments (0) | Permalink

  Posted by: Josh Colley

  Tags: Mobile, Consumer insight

• What’s a few billion between friends?

  29 July 2010

  Not sure if anyone really noticed but apparently Comscore published incorrect Yahoo US page view data for the month of June.

  Even though the figure was only incorrect by 3%, due to the size of Yahoo’s reach in the US the number was inaccurate by more than a billion.

  In a company statement, Yahoo said that it was commenting on the error publicly due to the fact that “Comscore does not generally issue restatements of its published reports”.

  Which makes me wonder if Comscore does not come clean when it makes errors, how many does it make? And when is an error considered big enough that it deserves to be recognised?

  Yahoo says that it continues to have confidence in Comscore, which is a must for Comscore. If a giant like Yahoo comes out saying they have lost faith how soon until others will follow? Everything seems amicable for now but if it happens again I would not be so sure.

  

  Comments (0) | Permalink

  Posted by: Martina Lacey

  Tags: Online

• What race is your editor?

  29 July 2010

   

  Well mine is white, and it is never really an issue here at M&M. However, Essence magazine has just hired a white fashion editor in the US and it is causing all sorts of controversy.

  The 40 year old publication is a lifestyle and fashion magazine that caters to and celebrates black women, and now it has its first white editor.

  According to Essence’s editor-in-chief Angela Burt-Murray, Elliana Placas joined the publication six months ago to run the fashion section on a freelance basis, proved her worth, and has since been hired permanently.

  The brouhaha over Placas’ appointment started when a former Essence employee posted a comment on her Facebook page criticising the decision. Michaela Angela Davis wrote: “It's with a heavy heart I've learned Essence Magazine has engaged a white Fashion Director. I love Essence and I love fashion. I hate this news and this feeling. It hurts, literally.”

  There has been widespread criticism and support for the appointment, plus some overt racism about the issue. Burt-Murray has defended her decision, saying that Placas has enthusiasm and respect for the Essence audience and brand, and that the decision in no way diminishes her commitment to black women and their issues.

  I can’t honestly say where I stand on the issue, but I do know that I interview chief executives and chief marketing officers on a regular basis and I have never experienced half of the things that they have – does that mean my ability to write a story about them or relate to them is diminished?
  
  I think I may feel a bit better about the issue if she had been picking clothes and make-up shades that would never suit a black woman’s shape or skin colour. But that has not happened, there is just outrage because she is white, and seeing how she has been there for six months already readers obviously like her advice.

  Comments (0) | Permalink

  Posted by: Martina Lacey

  Tags: Print

• Black is Back!

  20 July 2010

  

  Publisher's hide your dailies, our favorite media mogul turned convict has been granted bail by the federal appeals courts pending an appeal of his fraud conviction.

  In 2007, Conrad Black was convicted of defrauding Hollinger International shareholders to the tune of $6.1m. He was sentenced to six-and-a half years and has served more than two.

  Comments (0) | Permalink

  Posted by: Martina Lacey

  Tags: Print

• IAA Summer Ball: Superheroes steal the show...

  16 July 2010

  Justin Davison, CNBC's Regional Sales Director UK & Scandinavia, on his experience at the IAA Summer Ball

  And so another eventful Summer Ball has gone down in the IAA annals. A great night was had by all, with some particularly memorable costumes and characters providing the office with a plethora of stories this morning.

  Superheroes were out in force – congratulations to those courageous enough to carry off the Superman look in particular! Batman’s sidekick, Robin – a superhero from Starcom - stole the show at our table.

  From CNBC’s point of view as lead sponsor of the event, the evening was a great success - over 700 media and ad personalities were in attendance, all seemingly ‘having a ball’. The CNBC and IAA-branded ‘green screen’ photo booth was definitely put to good use too with guests able to collect their photos on the spot.

  The chefs were to be complimented (as always) and both the champagne reception and healthy flow of drinks throughout the night made for a really enjoyable occasion. I had to shoot off ‘early’ at 1am but rumours have it that the ball was in full swing well past 2am.

  

  The 2010 IAA Summer Ball was very much a runaway success and, of course, I look forward to many more!

  Comments (0) | Permalink

  Posted by: Josh Colley

  Tags: Agency/ client relationships

• IAA Summer Ball: Our spidey senses are tingling...

  14 July 2010

  Justin Davison, CNBC's Regional Sales Director UK & Scandinavia, on preparations for the IAA Summer Ball
  Tomorrow evening marks one of the Summer highlights for agency and media types with the 2010 IAA Summer Ball, which takes place at London’s Hurlingham Club.

  At CNBC we’re looking forward to the event as it’s a great evening of costumes, conversation and champagne and as we are lead sponsor for the third year running.

  The ‘Super Hero’ theme for this year’s event promises to provide some interesting outfits for those so inclined. Can anyone top the fluorescent tracksuits and ‘Prince’-style velvet suits from last year’s 80s theme? CNBC have a special photo area at the ball to catch all of the evidence, and a great bar for you to strut your stuff at.

  We’ve been putting the sharpest minds in the industry to the test with a quiz ahead of the event, playing on the super hero theme (hopefully you’ve been getting the e-mails, if not email karolina.nilsson@cnbc.com to get a quiz sent to you).  Prizes include dinner at The Ivy, a spa session at the Mandarin Oriental, helicopter ride across London and a limo ride.  The last quiz goes out tomorrow morning and winners will receive certificates tomorrow night.

  Other than that, I look forward to an unpredictable night with the finest that the ad and media industries have to offer. Do come and say hello – on our table we’ll have a few from CNBC, Starcom, Initiative Media, Zenith Optimedia, Carat, MEC and Universal McCann.

  Check back here on Friday too for a follow-up blog with the goings-on from the night before!

  Comments (0) | Permalink

  Posted by: Josh Colley

  Tags: Agency/ client relationships

• Playing the PR game LeBron James style

  08 July 2010

  To make this blog post more global let me explain the influence of the US basketball star LeBron James. LeBron is to US basketball what Lionel Messi is to Argentina and what England fans wish Wanye Rooney was for England this summer.

  LeBron has spent the last seven years playing for his hometown team the Cleveland Cavaliers and is yet to win a championship. He is now a free agent and understandably is looking for pastures new because he really wants to win something.

  In fact, he has spent all summer looking very publicity for pastures new. He has been criss-crossing the US looking for a new team to join and being very vocal about his courting – pun intended.

  Besides the World Cup, “Where will LeBron go” has been the dominate talking point on the sports and even front pages of US papers. The whole saga will come to a head tonight when LeBron announces on live TV – presidential address style – which team he will be playing for next season.

  How ridiculous! Or is it PR genius?

  

  Everyone is talking about LeBron, even those like myself who stopped watching the NBA a long time ago are talking about it. If I was still living in North America, I am pretty sure that I would be watching his little announcement begrudgingly.

  As Karen Crouse of the New York Times put it, “LeBron James and his handlers are attempting to hijack the American sporting public's attention.” To be truthful they are just doing that – but will it come at a cost?

  LeBron has up until now been seen as a ‘down-to-earth’ NBA player, and this really isn’t down-to-earth behaviour. It is turning some fans off of the once loveable and relatable star, even though he has asked ESPN to give all advertising revenue from the special to charity.

  I think this will call come down to how he reveals his choice. If he comes out in a cloud of smoke wearing a sequined robe of some sort it will be downhill for LeBron in the eyes of his fans, regardless of which team he signs for and what he potentially wins.

  Comments (0) | Permalink

  Posted by: Martina Lacey

  Tags: Reputation