Weekly Recap: Pink's Bottom Line on Media, Money and Sports
Top items and takeaways from the week
Here are the top items and takeaways from this week’s newsletter. Stay safe and have a great weekend.
MEDIA
A majority of Americans say political ads shouldn’t appear on social media platforms, according to a recent survey from Pew Research. However, whether platforms run or ban political ads ultimately might not matter that much when it comes to reaching or influencing potential voters.
Consumers appear to trust brands and companies that advertise in news environments, according to a recent survey by the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) and Magid Research. Here’s how that might impact both brands and news providers.
Viewership among those age 18 to 34 appears to have tuned out the debate this year — or at least not watched it on traditional linear television, according to data from Nielsen. That suggests to me that, while political ad spending on television will remain plentiful until next month’s election, ad spending to reach the coveted 18 to 34 year-old demographic will shift even more sharply to digital media than we've already seen.
MONEY
Fewer consumer credit accounts — including credit cards, auto loans and mortgages — fell into hardship in August compared with July, according to a report from TransUnion, a credit reporting agency. However, for auto loans and mortgages, there were actually more accounts delinquent for 30 or more days, according to that same report. Here’s what that means.
The American consumer appears more confident, at least according to one widely watched survey, the Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index. If consumers remain as confident in subsequent months, particularly as the holiday shopping season approaches, then the chance for a stronger, sustained economic recovery is in the cards.
Bed, Bath & Beyond this week reported strong sales growth came from its digital channels, which saw revenue increase 89% year-over-year while in-store sales actually declined 12% over the same time period. If traditional retailers like Bed, Bath & Beyond can remain nimble during these unprecedented times with their digital offerings, that could provide some much-needed stability to the overall retail sector.
SPORTS
In the NFL last Sunday, the Philadelphia Eagles tied the lowly Cincinnati Bengals 23-23, and the Eagles actually gained ground in their division, the NFC Least, I mean the NFC East. I think that a team from the NFC East this year might actually post a record worse than 7-9, still win the division and make the playoffs.
The Los Angeles Dodgers, who posted the best record in major league baseball’s shortened regular season this year, began their postseason this week with a sweep of their first round series against the the Milwaukee Brewers. Here’s why the Dodgers will win it all, and become World Series champs for the first time since 1988.
It’s week four in the NFL, and six teams started the year losing their first three games. Among those six that opened with an 0-3 record, the team that has the best chance to reach the post-season is the Atlanta Falcons. Here’s why the Falcons might earn a surprising playoff berth.
Jeremy Pink is former CEO of private-equity backed Broadcast Sports International where he led the company to a successful sale and exit during his tenure there. He is also a former CNBC television executive in New York, London and Singapore. Jeremy currently serves as an advisor, consultant or board member to companies in New York, London, Hong Kong and Dubai in the media, technology, sports and financial tech sectors.
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