Pink's Bottom Line on Media, Money and Sports

New video study, used car prices climb and Andrew Luck

I feature former Indianapolis Colts’ quarterback Andrew Luck in today’s newsletter, and it’s not just because I’m a huge fan of a great Twitter parody account account on him. In any case, below is today’s edition:

MEDIA: New Video Study

Vevo, a service that hosts and distributes music videos, just released some fascinating results from a research study called The Anatomy of a Video Experience: A Multicultural Study it conducted with MAGNA and IPG Brands.

A couple of interesting takeaways from the study:

Across all ethnic groups, viewers consumed the most video overall on a mobile device compared to any other type of device.

Interestingly, if consumers were co-viewing (watching a video with someone else), they preferred to do that on what the study called an OTT device, which it defined as a television or smart tv.

In other words, whether you’re Asian, Black/African-American, Hispanic/Latino or White (the four ethnic groups denoted in the study), you’re most likely to consume video on your mobile device, but if you’re watching video with someone else, you’ll most likely to do that on a television or smart tv.

Pink’s Bottom Line

These aren’t necessarily surprising results, but it does show the power of mobile in general and the power of streaming video to a larger device.

The study also does not bode well for linear tv. That was the least likely way — by far — for viewers across the study’s four ethnic groups to watch video.

MONEY: Used Car Prices Climb

If you’re in the market for used cars, you might be surprised at the low inventory and high prices. Auto information and research company Edmunds says the average used car listing increased in price by $708 or 3.4% to $21,558 in July compared to June.

Listings for large and medium trucks as well as sports cars and luxury midsize cars are showing the steepest increase in prices.

Pink’s Bottom Line

Edmunds says that normally at this time of year, prices tend to decline rather than increase so it appears to be a pretty unusual occurrence that used car prices are increasing.

I think two factors account for this increase. First, many consumers are likely cost conscious due to the impact of the pandemic, and used vehicles are less expensive than new ones.

Secondly, people aren’t driving as much – fewer people are commuting to work, for example – so the need or propensity to buy a new car right now probably isn’t great as a result.

Sports: Out of Luck

It’s hard to believe but it’s been almost exactly one year since Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck surprised the sports world and retired at age 29.

Luck truly showed elite talent and ability at the position, putting up some very impressive numbers during his seven years in the league. (He played six seasons only, missing the 2017 campaign due to injury.)

Luck led his team to the playoffs four times, set a rookie record for passing yards and threw 171 touchdowns in his career.

Pink’s Bottom Line

Luck says he retired because he had battled injuries for much of his career, and he said that had simply taken the joy out of the game for him.

Had Luck stayed in the NFL, I believe he would have posted historic numbers and would have had a chance to play in multiple Super Bowls.

It’s our bad luck that we won’t get to see that.

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Jeremy Pink is former CEO of Broadcast Sports International and a former CNBC executive in New York, London and Singapore. He currently serves as an advisor to companies in media, sports and financial tech.

The information contained in this communication is strictly for general informational and entertainment purposes and is not meant to be construed as financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. This communication is not a solicitation to buy or sell any securities. I am not a financial advisor or offering professional advice of any kind. Users should not act upon the content or information found within this communication without first seeking professional advice appropriate for their individual situation. Decisions based on information contained in this communication are the sole responsibility of the user, and use of this communication and its contents constitutes an explicit understanding and acceptance of the foregoing disclaimers.