Tuesday, October 31, 2023

Casino News Media Blog: James Bond 007

Casino News Media Blog 




007 News

James Bond producer Barbara Broccoli admits she hasn’t started working on next instalment


The producer admitted in an interview with The Guardian that there is "a big road ahead", before the iconic British spy is "reinvented for the next chapter" following the end of Daniel Craig's run in 2021's No Time to Die. Broccoli explained her team "haven't even begun" the process of modernising the franchise, which they believe is necessary whenever a new actor takes over the role. When Craig signed up for Bond with 2006's Casino Royale, the producers "wanted to focus on what a 21st-century hero would look like"



James Bond 007 News


California man prepares to sell nearly 60-year James Bond memorabilia collection for $1 million


Collection includes over 30,000 items — posters, books, magazines and much more


A retired California schoolteacher is ready to cash in his collection of all things James Bond-related. 


Steve Oxenrider has a collection of over 30,000 items related to the Bond phenomenon, with some items dating back to the early 1960s when the series was first released. 


The San Francisco resident has shipped half his items so far to Ewbank’s Auction House in Woking, Surrey, England, ahead of the auction.


Due to the large number of collectibles, Ewbank’s will auction off Oxenrider's collection in two parts — with the first half of the miscellany going live in November.


Some of the items included in the auction include original posters for "Dr. No," valued at over $15,000, and a signed "Thunderball" gala charity premiere brochure from 1965, which is expected to sell for over $1,000.  


Although Oxenrider has over 30,000 items of memorabilia, he told Ewbank's that he still wishes he had call sheets from the earlier films in his possession. 


"They provide an intriguing insight into the production of a film," he said.


Oxenrider said the first items he acquired were James Bond trading cards in 1965.


These then led to books, lobby cards, magazines, comics, merchandise such as toys and games, music, posters, press material, scripts, still, movies and more.


The two-day auction for the first half of the collection will begin on Nov. 16.


It will be highlighted by posters from the earlier films — with the second auction scheduled for spring 2024. 


Ewbank’s partner and head of entertainment memorabilia Alastair McCrea said the collection is "breathtaking."


"We have been holding dedicated James Bond auctions for years now, but this collection is on an entirely new level," he said. 


Oxenrider said the first items he acquired were James Bond trading cards in 1965.


These then led to books, lobby cards, magazines, comics, merchandise such as toys and games, music, posters, press material, scripts, still, movies and more.


The two-day auction for the first half of the collection will begin on Nov. 16.


It will be highlighted by posters from the earlier films — with the second auction scheduled for spring 2024. 


Ewbank’s partner and head of entertainment memorabilia Alastair McCrea said the collection is "breathtaking."


"We have been holding dedicated James Bond auctions for years now, but this collection is on an entirely new level," he said. 


The sheer breadth and depth of the collection is breathtaking and a tribute to the dedication and perspicacity of Steve Oxenrider — the ultimate collector of 007 material."


For those looking to grow their own memorabilia collection, Oxenrider said that doing your own research is key. 


"Do research on auction websites to see what’s available and price estimates," he said.


"Limit what you’re looking for and how much you want to invest."


The collector recommended getting in touch with trusted establishments that might be interested in selling or trading material.  


James Bond, also referred to as "Agent 007," was a fictional character introduced in "Casino Royale" in 1953 as a British Secret Intelligence Service agent, according to Britannica. 


Bond was the product of British novelist Ian Fleming — who featured the character in 12 novels after "Casino Royale" and film adaptations, as Britannica also noted.


Some actors known for playing the role of Bond include Sean Connery, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig. 


For more information on how to bid for the Bond memorabilia, visit Ewbank’s Auctions.


Fox News Digital reached out to Ewbank's for further comment.


(FOX)


Content News Media







SEO News


Search News Media News

Content News Media


Ways to find unique content ideas from real-life insights


Find out how to create content that sets you apart from the competition using untapped sources. Here are four areas to explore.


Marketers often work at a distance from frontline operations.


We may not directly build the product, deal with angry customer phone calls, or be out in the field selling.


We might even be at an agency, an additional level removed from the shop floor or direct interactions with the target customer. 


How, then, can you:


Know what to write about?

Insert meaningful insights into your landing pages or ad creative?

Effectively persuade your target audience that you are the clear choice over your competitors? 

Digging new wells to find new content

One of the best writing tips I’ve ever received is to “dig new wells.” That is, to get content no one else is writing, you need to establish different sources. 


Too often, content writing for the web starts with the search results. While it makes sense to look at what’s ranking for your target keywords, it should not be your only source of information. 


The rise of 10x content and the Skyscraper Technique led some content writers to rely on rewording and combining top pages into a long, SEO-focused page. But it’s not getting outside sources of information. 


For me, the best type of content for the web comes from outside the web. Pulling content ideas, inspiration, and even language from real-life sources can help your content stand out, resonate with your target audience, and even alleviate any concerns they have. 


Plus, combining outside-sourced content with an SEO’s skills in finding keywords, structuring content, and generating links can form a powerful piece of content that performs nicely. 


Here are a few ways to dig new wells to find new content. 


1. Source content from employees

The single greatest source of content is from front-line employees. Depending on your business, you might have: 


Salespeople

Salespeople earn their living by earning trust, highlighting benefits, and alleviating fears of potential customers or clients.

Any successful salesperson has already worked out a script based on common pain points and exactly what message can help convince people to buy.

Customer service representatives (CSRs)

As frontline workers who come in contact the most with existing customers, they know the most common questions and objections people have.

If a CSR gets asked the same question regularly (say once per week or greater), the answer to that question should become content on your site. 

Those doing the work

Another great source of content is from those doing the actual work. Visit the factory floor, buy coffee for the production team, or go for a ride along with the installation team.

By spending time with those who actually make your products or carry out your services, you will get a newfound understanding and appreciation for what they do.

Plus, they should be able to provide great insights into how you are different than your competitors – whether it is better materials, unique processes, or attention to detail. 

Example of sourcing content from employees

I had a client in the agriculture industry who wanted to grow by getting their brand in front of more farmers. My main contact was a salesperson working in the field six days a week, traveling from farm to farm.


In some ways, he functioned more as a consultant, helping generate ideas and sharing best practices from others to help each farmer expand their operation. 


He would be the first to tell you he was not a great choice for writing new content for their website. Here’s what worked for us: I would get him on the phone while driving between farms, and he would rant.


For half an hour, he would brain-dump his thoughts on a certain product or service his company was offering. I was simply there to transcribe and ask follow-up questions. 


When it was time to write the website content, I found that the salesperson’s rants would form 80% of the page. I was merely there to edit and shape it into a logical flow and ensure it was optimized for search and conversions. 



2. Source content from current customers

Another well of great content ideas is from your current customers or clients. They are your best source for entering the buyer’s mind and decision-making process. 


If possible, make it a habit to regularly interview some of your current customers. Ask them questions about: 


Their pain points. 


How they researched options.

What mattered and didn’t matter to them as they made a decision.

You can sometimes use these stories as the basis for case studies or featured project pages for your site. At the very least, you will uncover phrases, words and concepts that can become integral parts of your website content and marketing efforts. 


Example of sourcing content from current customers

A few years back, I was working on a branding campaign for a furniture company. Their core business was selling through furniture stores; they saw an opportunity to increase sales by working with high-end interior designers. 


As we worked on drafting content for their website and marketing material, our team booked calls with a handful of interior designers with whom they currently worked. 


These phone calls were a wealth of information and insights into these interior designers’ pain points, goals and dreams. 


Some insights they provided were completely unknown to the furniture company. What we learned from these calls proved invaluable in shaping the website content. 



3. Source content from past customers


Past customer reviews are among the easiest yet impactful wells to pull content ideas and language.


Whether past customers have left reviews on your Google Business Profile, Amazon, a third-party review site, or your own internal system, these are great sources of info about how the market views your product or service. 


Customer reviews are great because they provide a glimpse into your customer's thinking at scale – no need to interview them. Online reviews also collect the right language, pain points, and angles you may not have noticed. 


Whenever I take on a new local SEO client, I make it a point to read every review on their Google Business Profile. I like looking for trends and themes across the reviews and see anecdotally what really matters to customers. 


Google does pull out themes by seeing the top 10 topics or phrases mentioned in reviews.


You can take your reviews and put them in a sentiment analysis tool to see topics, trends, and talk points that you can share with your CSR or use in your marketing, advertising and website efforts. 


Example of sourcing content from past customers

One time, I was reading reviews for a new client in the home service industry.


A few reviews told a similar story: each mentioned the same salesperson by name and how professional and informational the salesperson was – especially compared to other companies. And each said a surprising detail: the salesperson gave a gift of local jam. 


One specific salesperson was doing this to make connections with his prospects, but it was leaving such an impact on customers that they mentioned it in their reviews.


When our client found out about this, they made it a standard across all sales staff, and we mentioned it as part of the online appointment scheduler. 


4. Source content from competitors 

A surprising source of content ideas can come from your competitors.


As we saw above, if online reviews for your own products or services can provide helpful insights for your marketing efforts,  what can you learn from reading the reviews of your competitors? A lot!


Find a few of your competitors and read every review of theirs that is three stars or lower. Bad or mixed reviews can provide a gold mine of information about what people don't like about your competitors.


These points can be used in your marketing efforts, as they are pain points your target audience has, and your competitors are not meeting. 


Example of sourcing content from competitors

While conducting competitive research for an outdoor structure company, I noticed their main competitors had a fair amount of indifferent reviews. As I read these reviews, I noticed themes. Most reviews mentioned:


A lack of communication. 

Misunderstandings about the delivery and installation process. 

I took this to the client, and we discussed how we could make their service better. The client worked on strengthening their already solid customer communication system. 


On the website, we invested in content to fully explain how they deliver and install their structures, answering every single question their CSR is regularly asked. 


Finally, we created a comprehensive guide on the entire sales process, from initial order through installation. We used this as a target for a remarketing campaign to help reengage with potential customers. 


Dig deeper: Competitor content analysis: Here’s what you can learn


Start creating new content today

To create content that no one is creating, you need to get different sources no one else can get.


Interview your employees and current customers. Summarize feedback from past customers and those disappointed with your competitors.


Gain valuable insights to tell your unique story and stand out.

Casino News Media Blog: U.S. Gambling Regulations in 2023

Casino News Media Blog  


U.S. Gambling Regulations in 2023







Gambling in the U.S. is worth millions of dollars every year, but things aren't always so cut and dry. Each state has autonomy over its own gambling regulations and can decide which in-person and online betting markets are permitted.


With regular changes to bills taking place, it can be challenging to know which states permit what gambling activities (sports betting, poker, online casinos).  Even those states that only allow sports wagering, the rules vary.  Illinois, Virginia, New York do not allow betting on in-state schools, Oregon does not allow any mobile gambling on college sports.  States like Iowa and Massachusetts prohibit use of a credit card for opening a betting account.  And then there's Nevada.  The Silver State requires individuals to register in-person (not remotely).


The legality of online gambling markets in the U.S. is determined by individual states, most of which must amend their current state laws.  There are some exceptions such as New Mexico.  The Land of Enchantment allowed a few retail sportsbooks to operate on tribal lands without any type of legislative considerations.


The federal government has not immersed itself in gambling regulations in America since the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act in May of 2018. Instead, the sausage making all occurs at the state level (just not New Mexico) where lawmakers must find a way to get a final version of a bill through both the state house and senate.  Once legislation passes through both chambers, it's up to the governor to sign off or veto.  In 2020, Maine Gov. Janet Mills opted to veto a sports gambling bill that landed on her desk.  The Maine senate would go on to override Mills veto.  Only now is that state in the process of approving operators, three years later.  It's not always a pretty process.


All states apply tax rates on betting activities with taxes typically varying between 10% and 20%, but much higher in some states.  Case in point, Pennsylvania is over 30%.  New York flirts with the 50% mark. License applications and renewals are another way that states benefit financially from gambling operations.


Online gambling has enjoyed a surge in popularity due to the popularity of mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. This provides users with a convenient way to place bets from the comfort of their own home or on the move.


Online gambling is typically split into a variety of markets that include online casinos, sports betting, horse racing, fantasy sports betting, lottery, and poker.


At present, online sports betting is legal in Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Washington DC, and West Virginia.  It is estimated that over $180 billion has been wagered legally on sports betting in the U.S. and many states are interested in the possibility of tapping into this revenue stream.


This week, the Supreme Court rejected a challenge to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ multi billion agreement with the Seminoles to offer online sports betting in Florida.  And while it may appear the sky is the limit for the Seminoles to launch their Hard Rock sportsbook, various court challenges remain.  Clarity is not anticipated before the next Super Bowl.  Florida makes up the top three most populous U.S. states, none of which currently offer sports wagering.  Texas and California are the other two.  on October 27 it was announced that the most populated state, California, will once again feature two ballot initiatives asking voters to determine the fate of sports betting in 2024.  The last effort failed miserably.


Even in states that have yet to regulate sports gambling, there are ways for consumers to legally place wagers. Offshore betting is not covered by regulations, meaning citizens can sign up and play with operators from based outside the U.S.  Some offshore sportsbooks have opted not to accept new customers from New Jersey and Nevada.


Because offshore books are not regulated by any state, players are not afforded the same protection as those granted a license.  Offshore sportsbooks do tend to be far more established however.  That's resulted in a stellar reputation built over time.  Some of the best options for 2023 provide players with great incentives, state-of-the-art software, and high-security levels, and are licensed by reputable authorities overseas, like the CuraƧao Gaming Control Board.


When it comes to state regulated sports betting, the tribes do have significant influence over gaming in several states including Connecticut, California, Florida, Wisconsin, Minnesota and New Mexico.  This is both a blessing and a curse.   


Native American tribes are permitted to operate casinos on tribal land. These permissions are based on the 1988 Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, which created a framework based on set conditions.


Conditions include gaming compacts with the state and a license being granted by the NIGC (National Indian Gaming Commission).  But conflicts are common.  We're seeing this in Florida where the Seminoles are influential but not the only game in town, so to speak.   Connecticut's Mohegan and Mashantucket Pequot tribes, on the other hand, were met with little resistance in their quest to oversee the mobile and retail sports betting market.  California can't get over the finish line as a result of in-fighting among tribes.  For the better part of a decade efforts to legalize online poker fell apart courtesy of differing tribal agendas.


During 2023, there were bills either newly proposed or rehashed across the country looking to regulate sports wagering.  Lawmakers in Kentucky and North Carolina were ultimately able to take a victory lap.  Georgia?  Better luck next time.


Until now, there's been little effort to push for online gaming and/or poker legislation.  That seems to be changing.


Indiana launched an attempt to legalize iGaming under HB1536 with a proposed 20% tax rate that would see money going directly to services to support gamblers. This attempt failed in February and will have to wait until 2024 for another attempt.


Iowa's HSB227 to legalize online casinos isn't being considered while Illinois' HB2239, SB1656, and HB2320 to create an internet gaming act saw proposals of 12% and 15% tax rates, but there has been little movement. Illinois is relatively unique in offering biennial legislative sessions, which means the proposal will stay active until 2024.


There were high hopes for New York's attempts to legalize online casinos in 2023 under bills A1380 and A3634. The state has the potential to be one of the highest-grossing gambling states because of its population (4th largest in the nation), but support appears to have slowed down after the legalization of sports betting on the NFL, NBA and others bringing in massive revenues since 2022. New York is also considering retail casino applications at present.  With this in mind, iGaming will have to take a back seat for now.  There is a real possibility in 2025 following the election year.


Rhode Island surprised a lot of people by agreeing to SB948, which will legalize online casino gaming. Regulatory framework and licensing are still to be decided, but this is just a formality. 


Maryland missed the 2023 deadline to pass iGaming legislation to compliment the already approved sports betting market. Bill number SB267 will face a referendum so campaigners will be pushing for support if it gets the nod for 2024.


Maine's LD1777 proposal to legalize online casinos based on the current tribal agreement over online sports betting hasn't moved quickly (we mentioned the three year lag period for sports betting above).


Betting laws in the U.S. will continue to change to accommodate different betting markets. States are seeing significant revenue streams from allowing legalized betting, and many others are eager to explore these options.


Assurances that a percentage of gaming revenues will go towards programs to help problem gamblers along with other social programs will appease some detractors for sure.


States that have zero forms of gambling like Utah and Hawaii may never see mobile sports betting or iGaming in our lifetimes.  Georgia, South Carolina and Texas are not the most gambling-friendly states in the nation but, nevertheless, there are those at least trying to make an effort.  Anything is possible.  Just look at Tennessee.  This is a state that has no casinos yet embraced mobile sports betting with open arms not too long after the 2018 SCOTUS decision.


(Gambling911)


Casino News


Man faces Perth court charged with woman’s murder at Crown hotel



A man has faced court charged with murdering a woman in a hotel room at Crown Towers Perth.


A man charged with murdering a family law barrister at a Perth hotel has faced court wearing a white forensic jumpsuit.


The body of 34-year-old Alice Rose McShera was found at Crown Towers Perth in Burswood on Monday morning.


Cameron John Pearson, 42, was also found at the scene with allegedly self-inflicted wounds and was treated in hospital.


Homicide squad detectives charged the Bibra Lake man with murder overnight.


Pearson, represented by solicitor Reid Hogan, briefly faced Perth Magistrates Court on Tuesday morning wearing a forensic jumpsuit and was unshaven.


Magistrate Stephen Butcher remanded Pearson in custody to face Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court on November 22.


Ms McShera was based at the Murray Chambers in Perth.


Her profile said she was “an experienced advocate who appears and advises as counsel in all family law and restraining orders matters”.


Before commencing practice as an independent barrister, Ms McShera practised as a senior associate in a boutique family law firm and, prior to that, was a legal associate to a WA Family Court judge for four years.


She obtained her Master of Laws from the Australian National University in 2015 and was a member of the Family Law Practitioners Association of Western Australia and the Law Society of Western Australia.


Outside court, supporters of the victim, who are believed to be family members, declined to comment to the waiting media.


Emergency services were called to the hotel about 11.10am on Monday after reports a woman was found dead inside a room.


St John Ambulance paramedics treated Ms McShera at the scene but she could not be saved.


Police said Pearson had sustained “serious self-inflicted injuries”.


A spokesperson for Crown Resorts issued a brief statement following the woman’s death.


“We can confirm police responded to an incident at Crown Towers Perth earlier today,” the statement read.


“Our team are assisting WA Police with their investigation, and we are supporting our team members.


“Any further inquiries should be directed to WA Police.”


The $650m Crown Towers in Perth, which includes 500 guest rooms and villas, was opened in 2016.


Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers.


Anti-domestic violence organisation White Ribbon Australia said Ms McShera was the 43rd woman to die this year due to alleged violence.


“We’re faced with a shocking reality that should make all of us feel equal parts outrage and sadness — on average, one woman is allegedly murdered every nine days in Australia,” chief executive Melissa Perry said in a statement.


“As a society we cannot be so numbed and desensitised that we view family and domestic violence and the resulting deaths as just another statistic.“


Ms Perry said the time for silence and indifference had passed.


“As a nation, we need to be doing more to change this unacceptable set of statistics,“ she said.


“We also need to recognise that this won’t happen without greater investment across all areas of the family domestic violence and abuse sector.


“This includes primary prevention strategies and education campaigns to stop violence before it starts, behaviour change programs for men who have chosen to use violence, and victim-survivor support services.”






007 News

James Bond producer Barbara Broccoli admits she hasn’t started working on next instalment


The producer admitted in an interview with The Guardian that there is "a big road ahead", before the iconic British spy is "reinvented for the next chapter" following the end of Daniel Craig's run in 2021's No Time to Die. Broccoli explained her team "haven't even begun" the process of modernising the franchise, which they believe is necessary whenever a new actor takes over the role. When Craig signed up for Bond with 2006's Casino Royale, the producers "wanted to focus on what a 21st-century hero would look like"



James Bond 007 News


California man prepares to sell nearly 60-year James Bond memorabilia collection for $1 million


Collection includes over 30,000 items — posters, books, magazines and much more


A retired California schoolteacher is ready to cash in his collection of all things James Bond-related. 


Steve Oxenrider has a collection of over 30,000 items related to the Bond phenomenon, with some items dating back to the early 1960s when the series was first released. 


The San Francisco resident has shipped half his items so far to Ewbank’s Auction House in Woking, Surrey, England, ahead of the auction.


Due to the large number of collectibles, Ewbank’s will auction off Oxenrider's collection in two parts — with the first half of the miscellany going live in November.


Some of the items included in the auction include original posters for "Dr. No," valued at over $15,000, and a signed "Thunderball" gala charity premiere brochure from 1965, which is expected to sell for over $1,000.  


Although Oxenrider has over 30,000 items of memorabilia, he told Ewbank's that he still wishes he had call sheets from the earlier films in his possession. 


"They provide an intriguing insight into the production of a film," he said.


Oxenrider said the first items he acquired were James Bond trading cards in 1965.


These then led to books, lobby cards, magazines, comics, merchandise such as toys and games, music, posters, press material, scripts, still, movies and more.


The two-day auction for the first half of the collection will begin on Nov. 16.


It will be highlighted by posters from the earlier films — with the second auction scheduled for spring 2024. 


Ewbank’s partner and head of entertainment memorabilia Alastair McCrea said the collection is "breathtaking."


"We have been holding dedicated James Bond auctions for years now, but this collection is on an entirely new level," he said. 


Oxenrider said the first items he acquired were James Bond trading cards in 1965.


These then led to books, lobby cards, magazines, comics, merchandise such as toys and games, music, posters, press material, scripts, still, movies and more.


The two-day auction for the first half of the collection will begin on Nov. 16.


It will be highlighted by posters from the earlier films — with the second auction scheduled for spring 2024. 


Ewbank’s partner and head of entertainment memorabilia Alastair McCrea said the collection is "breathtaking."


"We have been holding dedicated James Bond auctions for years now, but this collection is on an entirely new level," he said. 


The sheer breadth and depth of the collection is breathtaking and a tribute to the dedication and perspicacity of Steve Oxenrider — the ultimate collector of 007 material."


For those looking to grow their own memorabilia collection, Oxenrider said that doing your own research is key. 


"Do research on auction websites to see what’s available and price estimates," he said.


"Limit what you’re looking for and how much you want to invest."


The collector recommended getting in touch with trusted establishments that might be interested in selling or trading material.  


James Bond, also referred to as "Agent 007," was a fictional character introduced in "Casino Royale" in 1953 as a British Secret Intelligence Service agent, according to Britannica. 


Bond was the product of British novelist Ian Fleming — who featured the character in 12 novels after "Casino Royale" and film adaptations, as Britannica also noted.


Some actors known for playing the role of Bond include Sean Connery, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig. 


For more information on how to bid for the Bond memorabilia, visit Ewbank’s Auctions.


Fox News Digital reached out to Ewbank's for further comment.


(FOX)


Content News Media







SEO News


Search News Media News

Content News Media


Ways to find unique content ideas from real-life insights


Find out how to create content that sets you apart from the competition using untapped sources. Here are four areas to explore.


Marketers often work at a distance from frontline operations.


We may not directly build the product, deal with angry customer phone calls, or be out in the field selling.


We might even be at an agency, an additional level removed from the shop floor or direct interactions with the target customer. 


How, then, can you:


Know what to write about?

Insert meaningful insights into your landing pages or ad creative?

Effectively persuade your target audience that you are the clear choice over your competitors? 

Digging new wells to find new content

One of the best writing tips I’ve ever received is to “dig new wells.” That is, to get content no one else is writing, you need to establish different sources. 


Too often, content writing for the web starts with the search results. While it makes sense to look at what’s ranking for your target keywords, it should not be your only source of information. 


The rise of 10x content and the Skyscraper Technique led some content writers to rely on rewording and combining top pages into a long, SEO-focused page. But it’s not getting outside sources of information. 


For me, the best type of content for the web comes from outside the web. Pulling content ideas, inspiration, and even language from real-life sources can help your content stand out, resonate with your target audience, and even alleviate any concerns they have. 


Plus, combining outside-sourced content with an SEO’s skills in finding keywords, structuring content, and generating links can form a powerful piece of content that performs nicely. 


Here are a few ways to dig new wells to find new content. 


1. Source content from employees

The single greatest source of content is from front-line employees. Depending on your business, you might have: 


Salespeople

Salespeople earn their living by earning trust, highlighting benefits, and alleviating fears of potential customers or clients.

Any successful salesperson has already worked out a script based on common pain points and exactly what message can help convince people to buy.

Customer service representatives (CSRs)

As frontline workers who come in contact the most with existing customers, they know the most common questions and objections people have.

If a CSR gets asked the same question regularly (say once per week or greater), the answer to that question should become content on your site. 

Those doing the work

Another great source of content is from those doing the actual work. Visit the factory floor, buy coffee for the production team, or go for a ride along with the installation team.

By spending time with those who actually make your products or carry out your services, you will get a newfound understanding and appreciation for what they do.

Plus, they should be able to provide great insights into how you are different than your competitors – whether it is better materials, unique processes, or attention to detail. 

Example of sourcing content from employees

I had a client in the agriculture industry who wanted to grow by getting their brand in front of more farmers. My main contact was a salesperson working in the field six days a week, traveling from farm to farm.


In some ways, he functioned more as a consultant, helping generate ideas and sharing best practices from others to help each farmer expand their operation. 


He would be the first to tell you he was not a great choice for writing new content for their website. Here’s what worked for us: I would get him on the phone while driving between farms, and he would rant.


For half an hour, he would brain-dump his thoughts on a certain product or service his company was offering. I was simply there to transcribe and ask follow-up questions. 


When it was time to write the website content, I found that the salesperson’s rants would form 80% of the page. I was merely there to edit and shape it into a logical flow and ensure it was optimized for search and conversions. 



2. Source content from current customers

Another well of great content ideas is from your current customers or clients. They are your best source for entering the buyer’s mind and decision-making process. 


If possible, make it a habit to regularly interview some of your current customers. Ask them questions about: 


Their pain points. 


How they researched options.

What mattered and didn’t matter to them as they made a decision.

You can sometimes use these stories as the basis for case studies or featured project pages for your site. At the very least, you will uncover phrases, words and concepts that can become integral parts of your website content and marketing efforts. 


Example of sourcing content from current customers

A few years back, I was working on a branding campaign for a furniture company. Their core business was selling through furniture stores; they saw an opportunity to increase sales by working with high-end interior designers. 


As we worked on drafting content for their website and marketing material, our team booked calls with a handful of interior designers with whom they currently worked. 


These phone calls were a wealth of information and insights into these interior designers’ pain points, goals and dreams. 


Some insights they provided were completely unknown to the furniture company. What we learned from these calls proved invaluable in shaping the website content. 



3. Source content from past customers


Past customer reviews are among the easiest yet impactful wells to pull content ideas and language.


Whether past customers have left reviews on your Google Business Profile, Amazon, a third-party review site, or your own internal system, these are great sources of info about how the market views your product or service. 


Customer reviews are great because they provide a glimpse into your customer's thinking at scale – no need to interview them. Online reviews also collect the right language, pain points, and angles you may not have noticed. 


Whenever I take on a new local SEO client, I make it a point to read every review on their Google Business Profile. I like looking for trends and themes across the reviews and see anecdotally what really matters to customers. 


Google does pull out themes by seeing the top 10 topics or phrases mentioned in reviews.


You can take your reviews and put them in a sentiment analysis tool to see topics, trends, and talk points that you can share with your CSR or use in your marketing, advertising and website efforts. 


Example of sourcing content from past customers

One time, I was reading reviews for a new client in the home service industry.


A few reviews told a similar story: each mentioned the same salesperson by name and how professional and informational the salesperson was – especially compared to other companies. And each said a surprising detail: the salesperson gave a gift of local jam. 


One specific salesperson was doing this to make connections with his prospects, but it was leaving such an impact on customers that they mentioned it in their reviews.


When our client found out about this, they made it a standard across all sales staff, and we mentioned it as part of the online appointment scheduler. 


4. Source content from competitors 

A surprising source of content ideas can come from your competitors.


As we saw above, if online reviews for your own products or services can provide helpful insights for your marketing efforts,  what can you learn from reading the reviews of your competitors? A lot!


Find a few of your competitors and read every review of theirs that is three stars or lower. Bad or mixed reviews can provide a gold mine of information about what people don't like about your competitors.


These points can be used in your marketing efforts, as they are pain points your target audience has, and your competitors are not meeting. 


Example of sourcing content from competitors

While conducting competitive research for an outdoor structure company, I noticed their main competitors had a fair amount of indifferent reviews. As I read these reviews, I noticed themes. Most reviews mentioned:


A lack of communication. 

Misunderstandings about the delivery and installation process. 

I took this to the client, and we discussed how we could make their service better. The client worked on strengthening their already solid customer communication system. 


On the website, we invested in content to fully explain how they deliver and install their structures, answering every single question their CSR is regularly asked. 


Finally, we created a comprehensive guide on the entire sales process, from initial order through installation. We used this as a target for a remarketing campaign to help reengage with potential customers. 


Dig deeper: Competitor content analysis: Here’s what you can learn


Start creating new content today

To create content that no one is creating, you need to get different sources no one else can get.


Interview your employees and current customers. Summarize feedback from past customers and those disappointed with your competitors.


Gain valuable insights to tell your unique story and stand out.

Saturday, October 28, 2023

Casino News Media Blog: PR, Publicity, SEO and SEM for casinos, hotels and resorts

Casino News Media Blog

PR, SEO and SEM News

Human and A.I elements









PR, SEO and SEM Powers Business And Online Business Exposure via Internet Matrix Of Things Says Casino News Media


Boost online visibility and improve search engine rankings by integrating public relations and SEO strategies.


Summaey, Key Points and Keywords


Digital technology has transformed how brands connect with their audiences.

To connect successfully, brands need to take an integrated approach.

Combining the strengths of PR and SEO is one aspect that delivers benefits across a brand's entire marketing strategy.


When talking about how digital technology transformed brands and marketing, most marketers are quick to point out the arrival of new digital marketing channels and the influence of social media. But what about public relations (PR) and search engine optimization (SEO)?


Traditionally, most brand teams would have considered PR and SEO separately or even left SEO to their website teams. As the two disciplines come closer together, brands are starting to see the benefits of integrating PR and SEO.



Understanding the relationship of PR and SEO in digital marketing


The Public Relations Society of America defines PR as a "strategic communications process that builds mutually beneficial relationships between organizations and their publics." Just a few decades ago, PR professionals relied mainly on newspapers, magazines and broadcast outlets to spread their messages. Today, they have a far wider choice of channels, most of them digital.


SEO, on the other hand, is firmly linked to the digital age. The term describes how teams increase their brand's visibility and ranking on search engine results pages. As Google puts it, SEO is about "helping search engines understand and present content."


Both PR and SEO rely on understanding the brand's audiences and taking a strategic approach to reaching those audiences. While they have traditionally pursued that goal separately, brand teams and company leadership teams are starting to realize that combining their efforts can create previously unknown synergies.


The best marketing strategies have a few things in common. They are built on a central message or a set of messages woven through the entire campaign. They also use the combined power of a variety of different (digital) marketing channels, making sure that their core messages are recognizable across all of them. Lastly, they are based on a solid strategy and clear objectives. Both of those ensure each strategic element contributes toward achieving the objectives.


Use the same principles to integrate PR and SEO and take advantage of the power of public relations to support search engine rankings. Here are four ways PR supports SEO.


Backlinks


Backlinks from high-ranking, influential websites can transform your rankings. So, how can you convince other websites to link to yours? Enter PR. Compelling storytelling is the strength of PR. Use that strength to craft content others would like to share on their platforms.


Consider blog posts, case studies, or high-quality video content to attract the attention of your target brands. Don't be afraid to send direct links to their brand teams or tag relevant brands if you share social media content.


In most cases, you will spend some time building a relationship before others backlink to you. Stay the course, and you will reap the rewards in the long term.


Keyword research


You don't need to be an SEO expert to understand the importance of keyword research. Knowing how potential customers search for you and optimizing your website accordingly are cornerstones of successful search engine marketing.


To be effective, keyword research needs to include the actual words your audience is looking for and the search intent. Once both are clear, your SEO team needs to share them with your PO professionals. Applying keyword research results only to your website would mean missing out on a large part of the opportunity.


Integrating SEO and content marketing


So-called keyword stuffing no longer works for successful SEO. Search engines are looking for well-organized content that adds value to the person who initiated the search. However, that does not mean that you should remove SEO keywords from your PR content.


The opposite is the case: Skilled PR professionals can utilize target keywords without compromising their storytelling. Think about thought leadership articles, social media posts, and even press releases – all of these forms of content can contribute toward higher rankings.


Monitoring and measuring performance


Measuring the performance and effectiveness of your efforts is critical to understanding what is working and what needs to be adapted. Start by establishing clear key performance indicators (KPIs) to allow you to benchmark successes and understand where improvement is needed.


Most search engines offer a range of analytics tools to help you understand your performance. Make sure those are set up and ready to monitor your activity right from the start.


Best practices


Both PR and SEO require mid- to long-term commitment. Over time, their impact builds up and grows stronger. That is why some of the brands reaping the most noticeable results started their integration a few years ago.


Airbnb, for example, developed relationships with leading influencers and thought leaders as early as 2015 to create content that helped users experience key cities and drove traffic to the accommodation platform. The content created by those influencers contributed to Airbnb's search engine rankings.


Inbound marketing and sales platform Hubspot is another example of a brand integrating PR and SEO successfully. The company realized in 2017 that previous approaches to SEO were no longer as effective. To maximize the potential of their content for search engine rankings, the team not only integrated its own approach but even built a tool customers could use to validate the potential effectiveness of content before creating it.






News

SEO Tips For A Small Business


In the digital age, having a strong online presence is crucial for the success of any small business. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) plays a pivotal role in improving your website’s visibility on search engines like Google, which can drive more organic traffic and potential customers to your site. While SEO can be a complex and ongoing process, there are several quick and effective strategies that small businesses can implement to boost their online presence. In this article, we’ll explore some simple and quick SEO strategies tailored to small businesses.


Optimize Your Website’s On-Page Elements


One of the fundamental aspects of SEO is on-page optimization. This involves optimizing various elements on your website to make it more search engine-friendly:


a. Keyword Research: Identify relevant keywords and phrases that potential customers are likely to search for. Use tools like Google Keyword Planner or SEMrush to find valuable keywords for your niche.


b. Title Tags: Create unique, descriptive, and keyword-rich title tags for each page on your website. These tags appear as the clickable headline in search engine results and should accurately represent the content of the page.


c. Meta Descriptions: Craft compelling meta descriptions that provide a concise summary of your page’s content. Include relevant keywords and a call to action to encourage clicks.


d. Header Tags: Use header tags (H1, H2, H3, etc.) to structure your content and make it more readable for both users and search engines. Include keywords naturally in your headers.


e. Image Optimization: Compress and optimize images on your website to improve page load speed. Add descriptive alt text to your images for accessibility and SEO benefits.


Create High-Quality, Relevant Content


Content is king in the world of SEO. Producing high-quality, informative, and engaging content is essential for attracting and retaining visitors. Consider the following tips:


a. Blogging: Start a blog on your website and regularly publish articles related to your industry, products, or services. Share valuable insights, tips, and solutions to common problems.


b. Keyword Integration: Incorporate your target keywords naturally into your content. Avoid keyword stuffing, which can harm your SEO efforts.


c. Visual Content: Use a mix of text, images, videos, and infographics to make your content more engaging and shareable.


d. Regular Updates: Keep your content fresh and up to date. Outdated information can negatively impact your search rankings.


e. Internal Linking: Link to other relevant pages on your website to improve user navigation and help search engines understand your site’s structure.


Mobile Optimization


With the majority of internet users browsing on mobile devices, mobile optimization is no longer optional. Google considers mobile-friendliness a significant ranking factor. Ensure your website is responsive, loads quickly on mobile devices, and offers a seamless user experience.


Claim and Optimize Your Google My Business Listing


Local SEO is essential for small businesses that serve specific geographic areas. Google My Business (GMB) is a free tool that allows you to manage your business listing on Google. Here’s what you should do:


a. Claim Your Listing: Claim and verify your business on GMB to appear in local search results and on Google Maps.


b. Accurate Information: Ensure your business name, address, phone number, and hours of operation are accurate and consistent across all online platforms.


c. Reviews: Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews on your GMB listing. Respond to reviews, both positive and negative, to engage with customers and improve your online reputation.


d. Posts and Updates: Use GMB to post updates, promotions, events, and other relevant information to attract local customers.


Build Quality Backlinks


Backlinks (links from other websites to yours) are a vital ranking factor in SEO. However, it’s essential to focus on quality over quantity. Here’s how to build quality backlinks:


a. Guest Blogging: Contribute guest posts to reputable websites in your industry. Ensure the content is valuable and relevant to the host site’s audience.


b. Local Directories: List your business on local directories, industry-specific directories, and review sites like Yelp and TripAdvisor.


c. Social Media: Share your content on social media platforms to increase its visibility and potentially earn natural backlinks when others link to your content.


d. Influencer Outreach: Collaborate with influencers or experts in your niche who can link to your website or mention your products/services.


Conclusion

SEO is a powerful tool for small businesses looking to compete in the digital marketplace. While SEO is an ongoing process, these quick strategies can help you get started and see noticeable improvements in your website’s search engine visibility. Remember that SEO requires patience, monitoring, and adaptation to stay ahead in the competitive online landscape. By consistently implementing these strategies, your small business can establish a stronger online presence and attract more potential customers.



Local SEO






In today's digital age, 97% of consumers go online to find local services, and 82% of smartphone users use a search engine when looking for a local business. If you're not optimizing for local search, you're missing out on a significant chunk of potential customers right in your vicinity.


The web is a bustling hub of business opportunities. If you're a local enterprise looking to stand out, our tailored Local SEO strategies can position you at the forefront of your industry. Our skilled team of Local SEO experts has a proven track record of delivering results for businesses on the east coast of Australia.


We understand the Australian market, its nuances, and what the local audience is searching for. Our strategies have helped numerous businesses rank on the first page of search results.


Our Local SEO packages are designed to be budget-friendly, making them accessible to businesses of all sizes. Our team is just a call away to address any of your concerns or to provide updates.


Our deep understanding of the Aussie market, combined with our expertise in local SEO, has allowed numerous businesses to achieve and maintain a strong online presence in the region. We pride ourselves on our commitment to delivering tangible results and our dedication to our clientele.


SEO


Casino News Media (Digital), a leading expert SEO marketing company in Australia, is here to skyrocket your online visibility and drive targeted traffic to your website. With our cutting-edge strategies and proven techniques, we ensure that your business stays on top of search engine rankings, generating higher conversions and maximising your ROI. Our team of skilled professionals will work closely with you to understand your unique business needs and tailor a customised SEO strategy that delivers exceptional results. 


Don't let your competitors steal the spotlight. Get in touch with Casino News Media and watch your online presence soar!





Casino News Media Marketing CEO and Founder Greg Tingle sees success in SEO, storytelling and cormering niche markets such as casino news, casino games, casino innovational, mixed martial arts (MMA), pro wrestling (WWE, AEW etc), surf culture, online advertising agencies, MBS (Mind, Body and Spirit) and gaming, casinos and hotels).






Digital Marketing Agency 

20 Best Digital Marketing Agencies


mediaman.com.au

mediamanint.com

digitaluncovered.com › best-digital-marketing20 Best Digital Marketing Agencies in Sydneydigitaluncovered.com › best-digital-marketing CachedPerth SEO Studio. Perth SEO Studio one of Australia’s top digital marketing agencies is based in Sydney and specializes in helping businesses enhance their online presence and achieve higher rankings in organic search results. Wonderful Digital. Wonderful Digital is an award-winning digital marketing agency based in Sydney Australia. With their extensive range of services including SEO PPC social media marketing and website design they have established themselves as one of Australia’s best digital marketing agencies. Humaan. Humaan is a reputable digital marketing agency based in Sydney Australia. With a team of experienced professionals Humaan offers many services including website design and development SEO social media marketing and content creation. Due North. Due North is a renowned digital marketing agency based in Sydney Australia. Their extensive services encompass SEO PPC advertising social media management and content marketing.


Best Digital Marketing Agencies in Sydney | Digital Agency …

Explore the top digital marketing agencies in Sydney. Creative and b2b digital marketing companies offering branding web design UX design eCommerce SEO content marketing PPC email marketing online marketing and social media marketing services in Sydney.


Sydney Digital Marketing Agency ™️ | Digital MarketingDone …

Ready to achieve real business growth with a comprehensive customised digital marketing strategy? Sydney Digital Marketing Agency works with business owners and marketing managers to accelerate revenue growth using Google Ads Social Media SEO Email Marketing and Marketing Automation.


Best Digital Marketing Agencies in Sydney 2023 | Semrush

TOP Professional Digital Marketing Companies in Sydney. List of TOP 26 Digital Marketing Agencies in Sydney. Discover the most skilled marketing agencies from our community to outsource your marketing to.


Top Digital Marketing Companies in Sydney – DesignRush



Readers and online entrepreneurs, that's the SEO News for the day. Tell them Casino News Media sent you.


Good web surfing and wrestling with the web across the The Internet Matrix Of Things.


By Casino News Media with some modest assist from A.I!  Bard, xAI, Bing et al. Man over machine!






Wednesday, October 25, 2023

Casino News Media Blog: Crypto News

Casino News Media Blog


Crypto News





Blog

Cryptocurrency News

Exploring the Latest Statistics for Cryptocurrency Investors



Some of the most recent statistics that provide valuable insights for cryptocurrency investors

Cryptocurrency markets have seen remarkable growth and transformation in the past decade, with millions of investors worldwide participating in this dynamic and often volatile space. As the cryptocurrency ecosystem continues to evolve, it’s essential for investors to stay informed about the latest statistics, trends, and developments in the market. In this article, we will explore some of the most recent statistics that provide valuable insights for cryptocurrency investors.


Market Capitalization

Market capitalization is a fundamental metric in the cryptocurrency space. It represents the total value of all cryptocurrencies combined. As of the most recent data, the cryptocurrency market cap exceeds $2 trillion. This number gives investors a sense of the overall size and significance of the market.


Bitcoin Dominance

Bitcoin, often referred to as digital gold, is the most dominant cryptocurrency in terms of market capitalization. It has consistently maintained a dominance percentage of around 40-50% in recent years. This metric helps investors understand Bitcoin’s relative importance within the broader cryptocurrency market.


Altcoin Popularity

While Bitcoin remains the largest cryptocurrency, altcoins (alternative cryptocurrencies) have gained popularity. Ethereum, Binance Coin, and Cardano are some of the leading altcoins. Ethereum, in particular, is known for its smart contract capabilities, and the total value locked in decentralized applications (DeFi) has surged.


Exchange Statistics

The number of cryptocurrency exchanges has grown significantly. At present, there are over 300 exchanges globally. The competition between exchanges has led to improved services, lower fees, and increased trading volumes.


Trading Volume

Daily trading volume is a critical statistic for investors. It provides insights into the liquidity and activity in the market. Recent data shows that the daily trading volume for all cryptocurrencies is well over $100 billion, indicating substantial market participation.


Wallet Growth

The number of cryptocurrency wallets continues to grow steadily. This reflects the increasing interest and adoption of digital assets by individual investors. As of the latest figures, there are over 80 million blockchain wallet users.


Institutional Involvement

Institutional participation in the cryptocurrency market has surged in recent years. Major financial institutions, hedge funds, and publicly traded companies have started investing in cryptocurrencies. This trend has contributed to the market’s overall legitimacy and growth.


Regulatory Developments

Cryptocurrency regulations are evolving worldwide. Governments and regulatory bodies are increasingly addressing the need for regulatory frameworks to govern digital assets. Investors are closely watching how these regulations may impact the market.


NFT Explosion

Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) have become a significant trend in the cryptocurrency space. NFTs represent unique digital assets and are often used for digital art, collectibles, and in-game items. The NFT market has experienced substantial growth, with high-profile sales of digital artwork making headlines.


DeFi and Yield Farming

Decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms and yield farming have gained traction among investors. These platforms offer various financial services, including lending, borrowing, and liquidity provision. Total value locked in DeFi protocols has surpassed $100 billion.





Sports Business News


TECH TRENDS CONTINUE TO SHAKE SPORTS FANDOM. MAY THE BEST IDEAS WIN


In 2022, a number of new technologies offered glimpses of their promise for sports—and their drawbacks. 


An explosion of streaming services has brought more action to our fingertips, while simultaneously making it harder (and possibly more expensive) to find any one game. Meta showed off its vision of online worlds bringing us closer together, but performance issues led the company to put part of its Horizon Worlds team in a “quality lockdown” this fall.


FTX imploded, if you hadn’t heard, largely extinguishing excitement about blockchain’s potential. And that was only days after Twitter began writhing through an Elon Musk-led overhaul. 


Over the last year, the Internet writ large seemed poised to offer fans things like better access to their favorite teams, fun new ways to connect with peers, and even literal riches. But the deliverables rarely matched the hype. Instead came another reminder that “new” doesn’t necessarily mean “better” and that, with a few poor decisions, the sports fan experience has the potential to actually get worse.


During 2023, we’ll see how the following tech developments impact sports, for good or for bad.


Streaming

This year, Amazon, Apple, and Google-owned YouTube have set themselves up to apply their unique philosophies to live sports. (Netflix remains on the sidelines. For now.)


Amazon went first, with its operational focus helping it successfully set a new standard for streaming sports with Thursday Night Football. Apple, meanwhile, has always put an emphasis on top-to-bottom design, which often requires a high degree of creative input if not outright control. In a league-level partnership with Major League Soccer, they’ll get the chance to show how they think modern sports fandom should operate. 


Then there’s Google, which will lean on its decades-long history of organizing information and making it accessible as it builds a product to help fans watch the right out-of-market NFL games at the right time. YouTube made one of the biggest sports media splashes of 2022 by securing seven years worth of NFL Sunday Ticket. Now it will need to meet fans’ expectation of an improved experience—and sell a lot of subscriptions. 


So far, tech companies have mainly only changed where sports are broadcast, not what it is like to watch them. After shaking up music and TV, streamers need to give fans a reason to be excited about games making the jump to digital. AltCasts might be that reason, though right now the best one—the ManningCast—resides on ESPN2.


Social

It’s not just Twitter that’s in flux; some pundits are declaring Instagram to be “Over.” TikTok continues to face regulatory scrutiny. Numerous other platforms have recently suffered layoffs in the face of discouraging advertising projections.


Athletes and properties have turned into 365-day brands thanks to social media, and that won’t stop even if the platforms change. Instead, look for teams and leagues to build even more direct relationships with their fans—the NBA and NFL are already taking cues from social companies with new features in their own apps.


Sports is primarily a community product. Teams sell an identity and an invitation to a group. As more of life takes place on the Internet, it’s crucial fans have a digital place they’re proud to call home.  


Augmented Reality

While the Metaverse hogged more of the hype spotlight last year, AR has quickly found a home in sports. Broadcasters ranging from ESPN to Nickelodeon are incorporating virtual elements into their shows. Numerous properties are also experimenting with how phone-based tools could improve or enliven the in-person experience. 


More radical change will come when (and if) a critical mass of people decide it’s time to buy (and wear) advanced headsets. Live sports content could drive adoption, but rights holders might also be wary of being burned on the idea for a second time in 10 years.


In the meantime, VR games like NFL Pro Era and Golf+ are already demonstrating interesting use cases. We’ll see if any leagues are able to leverage advanced simulators to develop a new generation of fans. 


Artificial Intelligence

AI (called as much because we’re evidently on a nickname basis with our computers after all these years) will only intensify the speed of all those above changes. Automated cameras will soon be paired with AI-commentating to elevate the production values of more sporting events, including youth-level games. Online, AI promises even more personalized feeds and viewing recommendations, like a customized RedZone channel. Computational wizardry might also hold the keys to creating more advanced AR graphics and life-like digital spaces. 


But then come the buts, such as the potential for brand-damaging fake videos and the possibility of minimizing the human element that has made sports sports. 


There’s a lot of change on the horizon, and by now we’ve learned it won’t all be positive. It can’t be. In each of these categories, some tech will prove itself; other stuff will prove itself … to be a headache. Here’s hoping 2023 is not another rebuilding year.


May the best ideas win.


(John WallStreet)






HOW PROFITABLE IS ESPN? DISNEY BREAKS OUT FIGURES FOR FIRST TIME



Just how profitable is ESPN to The Walt Disney Co.? For the first time, per The Hollywood Reporter, there’s a clear answer, and it shows just how lucrative the sports business is for the company.


Beginning next quarter, Disney will change how it reports its quarterly financials. The move comes after CEO Bob Iger’s reorganization earlier this year to “to restore creativity to the center of our business.”


The new structure will consist of parks and experiences, entertainment and sports (which is almost entirely ESPN, with Star-branded sports channels in India comprising a small portion). Whereas before ESPN was lumped in with all of Disney’s linear TV and streaming assets in the Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution division, and before that was folded into its other TV assets, including ABC and the Disney cable channels, it will now occupy its own division, led by Jimmy Pitaro.


According to an SEC filing Wednesday that outlines the new financial reporting structure, ESPN delivered $16 billion in revenue in fiscal 2022 (the company’s fiscal year ended October of 2022), and had profits of $2.9 billion.


For comparison, the new “entertainment” division, which includes Disney’s other TV networks and streaming services, as well as its film and TV studios, had revenues of $39.6 billion in fiscal 2022 … but profits of only $2.1 billion, thanks to Disney’s yet-to-be-profitable streaming business.


That lucrative profit margin for ESPN underscores why the company seems intent to keep it for the time being, and why it was so eager to cut a deal with Charter Communications and end its blackout last month.


Indeed, a deeper read of the finances show that most of ESPN’s revenues came from pay TV carriage fees ($10.1 billion), compared with advertising revenue of $4.4 billion. As cord-cutting has worsened, ESPN has bore the brunt of it for Disney, thanks to its lucrative carriage deals.


It’s worth noting that before Disney began spending billions on streaming, the filing shows that its traditional entertainment business was very profitable, and the “peak losses” at Disney+ pushed them down last year.


Now Disney is looking for partners to become minority shareholders in ESPN, with sports chief Jimmy Pitaro saying earlier this year the company wants “partners that we think can make the flagship product more compelling” as it plans a streaming offering. Hearst, an early investor in ESPN, continues to own a 20 percent stake in the channel.






Sports News Media


YouTube’s NFL Bet May Be About Becoming Sports Content Filter



YouTube’s successful technical launch of NFL Sunday Ticket has turned industry observers’ attention to the business rationale behind the company’s $14 billion bet on American football.


DirecTV held the exclusive broadcast rights to the league’s out-of-market package from 1994 through the 2022 season. While the service helped to drive subscriptions, and credibility to the satellite-delivered “cable TV” service in its early years, the company is widely believed to have lost tens of millions of dollars on the quarter century plus long relationship.


DirecTV was paying $1.5 billion annually to the league over the last eight years of the relationship. Reports have stated that just 10% of company subscribers bought the football specific service.


It is challenging to make a direct business case for YouTube paying $2 billion a year to acquire the product given this context. And that is before one realizes YouTube is not requiring NFL fans to be YouTube TV subscribers to purchase their Sunday Ticket offering (as was the case with DirecTV). The streaming service can be bought on an a la carte basis.


However, Google may not be looking at it that way. The company may see investing in the tier-one produced content as a means of “driving more eyeballs and driving up CPMs to its traditional YouTube platform,” Matt Rosenberg (managing director & head of media finance, Monroe Capital) said. “Google can afford the large price tag it takes to do this.”


It is also suspected that the Google subsidiary is using the NFL package to anchor the sports content discovery platform it is building. Stratechery’s Ben Thompson theorized the company may be planning to monetize the rights by turning YouTube into a ‘filter’ for sports content, similar to what its search engine does for internet content.


Of course, Google acquired YouTube in 2006. Both companies are now part of the holding company Alphabet.


YouTube and the Google Press Team did not respond to a request for comment on the speculation.


The internet made it easy for people to create content. But the rapid proliferation of it quickly made discovery a challenge.


Google became the internet’s dominant search engine by making it easy for people to find the content they were after. Millions of people now use it daily to navigate the internet.


The company monetizes the traffic it generates by serving as a referral engine to product, service, and content providers, primarily through search engine ads. And it generates a fortune (see: $42.6 billion in Q2 ‘23).


Sports fans are now facing their own content discovery challenges.


The emergence of countless new properties, the rise of streaming services (think: YouTube TV, ESPN+, AppleTV, and Amazon Prime) and the fracturing of rights packages have made it increasingly challenging to find the game one wants to watch.


At the same time, sports content costs are rising (annual rights fees cost billions of dollars) and unlike entertainment programming, the content is usually only shown once.


Google found being the filter for content, rather than the primary creator of it, to be a lucrative strategy for its internet search business. Logic suggests YouTube may be trying to replicate the model around digital sports programming.


The main difference this time around is that YouTube made a substantial investment in content to bring users to its platform. Presumably, the hope is NFL Sunday Ticket draws fans into the centralized content marketplace and that they’ll continue using the platform to find the games they’re looking for.


The company will then likely pursue a commission each time it refers a fan to a third-party platform (e.g., ESPN+).


Amazon, Apple, and Roku charge similar fees for referrals to other platforms. Affiliate has become a profitable revenue stream for those companies, generating billions of dollars in combined revenues.


“YouTube isn't taking this exclusively to YouTube TV because it wants to build YouTube Primetime Channels–[this is] its answer to Apple and Amazon's channel stores,” John Kosner (president, Kosner Media) said.


Google’s ‘late’ entrance into the marketplace should not be an issue given that it has overcome similar competitive dynamics before. It was not the first search engine when it launched, but was able to make up the time lost by delivering a better experience.


Combining NFL content with YouTube/Google search capabilities would seemingly have the company in position to become sports’ preferred discovery solution. If it can achieve those ambitions, generating a return on the Sunday Ticket investment shouldn’t be an issue.


“YouTube TV is far more than just one of the Virtual Multichannel Video Programming Distribution (vMVPD). It is becoming one of the largest TV distributors period,” Kosner said.


(JohnWallStreet)







‘Couldn’t organise a conference for 500’: event expert on Games chaos


The Victorian government’s team in charge of delivering the 2026 Commonwealth Games was so inexperienced it would have struggled to host a 500-person conference, an inquiry has been told.


Event Pty Ltd director Simon Thewlis said one of the primary causes of the Games’ failure was that it was being organised by “generalist public servants” rather than specialists. He also panned the reliance of state government “super departments” on outsourcing work to consultancy firms.


Events industry heavyweight Simon Thewlis has slammed the organisational structure of the Victoria’s ill-fated Commonwealth Games, saying it was “always going to end in tears”.  Eamon Gallagher


Mr Thewlis said he believed the Games would always “end in tears” given its business case was based on the 2018 Gold Coast Games but was intended to be held in five regional hubs across Victoria.


“At the end of the day, a bunch of people with little to no real operational major event experience tried to organise one of the largest events our country has ever seen,” he told an inquiry on Monday.


“This is a story of astonishing arrogance and hubris that has seen Victoria going from having once been a leading event state to one responsible for the biggest debacle in the history of events in Australia.


“They thought they knew better than the event industry. They failed


Mr Thewlis said he believed the Games would always “end in tears” given its business case was based on the 2018 Gold Coast Games but was intended to be held in five regional hubs across Victoria.


“At the end of the day, a bunch of people with little to no real operational major event experience tried to organise one of the largest events our country has ever seen,” he told an inquiry on Monday.


“This is a story of astonishing arrogance and hubris that has seen Victoria going from having once been a leading event state to one responsible for the biggest debacle in the history of events in Australia.


“They thought they knew better than the event industry. They failed completely. I would go as far as saying had the project been a conference for 500 people, they still would have been in trouble.”


Mr Thewlis, who has worked in the Victorian event industry for 40 years and co-founded the lockdown-era Save Victorian Events campaign, said leading public servants in the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions “decided they were the best people in Australia to run the Games”.


‘Unencumbered by knowledge or experience’

“To my knowledge, they all had little to no real operational major event experience and some an unwillingness to ever listen or learn. This confirmed to me that the Games would end in tears,” he said.


“Events don’t happen by magic. They involve a whole range of really quite specific skill sets. They didn’t do that, it was just generalist public servants.


“I have no doubt that they all thought they were doing a good job. They were so unencumbered by knowledge or experience that they would not have known otherwise.”


Red flags in the business case included that Melbourne spent $2.9 billion to host the Games in 2006, but the 2026 event, with a “vastly more complex regional model”, was budgeted to cost $2.6 billion.


Also, the Gold Coast in 2018 spent $40 million on ceremonies, but only $41.9 million was budgeted for 2026 ceremonies at the MCG and Geelong’s Kardinia Park.


Mr Thewlis said the axing of the Games would put NSW in a better light than Victoria, particularly after the Sydney edition of the South By Southwest festival, the first time the festival was held outside Texas in 36 years.


Volleyball Australia chief executive Andrew Dee told the inquiry earlier on Monday Victoria would be a “place to avoid for some time” for major events.


Meanwhile, Commonwealth Games Australia boss Craig Phillips said he and fellow organisers met in April with Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan, who was then the minister tasked with delivering the event, to discuss cost pressures and proposed savings.


“We got the impression that she was very confident the budget would be available,” he said.


Ms Allan has denied misleading parliament by saying “tremendous progress” was being made to host the Games months after receiving advice that the cost would blow out by billions of dollars.


Mr Phillips said the government was yet to pay the $380 million agreed compensation for cancelling the Games, because the federation was concerned it may have to pay UK tax on the payout.


(AFR)






Seven boss content with ‘last-mover advantage’ on streaming - October 24, 2023


Kerry Stokes-controlled Seven West Media is pitching its all-in approach to free-to-air television as an asset to advertisers, with CEO James Warburton saying that the network is not captive to the distractions of newer broadcast formats, like streaming.


According to Warburton, Seven’s main competitors, Ten and Nine (the owner of this masthead), are “probably a little bit distracted with the other bits they’ve got”.


“They don’t talk a lot about just television. Whereas us, it’s what we eat, sleep and breathe.”


Warburton spoke to this masthead before Seven’s annual Upfront event last week, where the network pitched its slate of programming to media executives in a bid to secure a chunk of tighter advertising dollars.


Backed by the network’s staple performers, Home and Away and The Voice, Warburton points to Seven’s claim as the “number one free-to-air network”, based on this year’s TV ratings survey period.


It’s an important metric, given Warburton’s real challenge is to remind advertisers that television remains an unmatched place to reach audiences at scale.


Ten/Paramount will pitch to advertisers this week, showcasing its free-to-air product, alongside content on affiliated streaming service, Paramount+. Meanwhile, Nine, which made its pitch in September, has assets in streaming (Stan), radio and newspapers, including this masthead.


Warburton reckons these other assets should be seen as a distraction from the main event, and that’s television.


But his upbeat tenor belies the pressure the television industry continues to face from global and digital competitors. Meanwhile, the advertising pool is continuing to shrink, with total revenue across the year ending June 30 dropping 7.9 per cent.


In a $3.6 billion market, Seven remains a powerhouse, but its long-term viability looks increasingly wobbly. While Seven does own Perth-based masthead The West Australian, it’s lack of diverse assets, particularly in the premium streaming space, means it will continue to be reliant on revenue from freely accessible news, sport and entertainment.


However, across the past 12 months, market sentiment on global streaming SVOD (streaming video on demand) services has soured, and Warburton believes Seven can focus on what it does best by not being weighed down by the “pain” involved with such products.


“I’m not a believer in last-mover advantage, I’m too aggressive for that,” he says, but in this case, “it exists”.


Seven did mull the streaming opportunity, working with NBCUniversal at one time to partner on a local launch of the latter’s streaming service, Peacock. NBCUniversal eventually decided that licensing made more sense. 


Now, global giants like Disney are rethinking their commercial models, freeing up some of their content to be licensed across other platforms and allowing the US heavyweights to turn their intellectual properties into dollars, even as their streaming platforms start to stutter.


Paramount on Tuesday announced it was adding an advertising tier to its Paramount+ service in Australia, in a bid to attract new audiences at a lower price point and diversify revenue opportunities on the platform. The tier will be introduced in Australia in 2024.


“I think everyone puts on a brave face, but ultimately, it always comes back to economics, and it’s funny to read some global people saying it was all about subs at any cost, and now it’s about profitable subs. Like, really?” Warburton said.


“You wouldn’t want to be trying to renew content pipelines in this market, you can see clear as day they’ll all be here eventually,” Warburton adds, a potential reference Foxtel’s lucrative HBO-based content deal with Warner Bros.


Discovery is another company looking to launch its own service, Max, in 2025.


Seven is hoping new content, including a new format drawing from the popular Made in Chelsea brand, Made in Bondi, co-commissioned with British network Channel 4, will help bring new audiences to its free digital service, 7Plus, alongside a number of new titles fronted by the ‘Bondi Vet’, Dr Chris Brown, recently recruited from Network 10.


Brown will do the heavy lifting for Seven in 2024, hosting a new The Block-like format, Dream Home, and a new dating show, Stranded on Honeymoon Island, while also joining Sonia Kruger as co-host of Dancing with the Stars.


Also coming to Seven’s digital channels at the end of 2024 are new broadcast deals with the AFL and Cricket Australia. Currently, the network’s respective deals with the sporting bodies only allow it to broadcast matches on linear channels.


Next on the horizon for Warburton is doubling up on winter codes with an attempt to snatch the NRL’s State of Origin. The three annual games are a regular ratings hit across both linear and digital channels for current rights holder Nine, though negotiations are not likely to take place until 2025.


“Our commitment is with the AFL - but absolutely [Seven is interested]. We have a very good relationship with [Racing NSW CEO and chairman of the Australian Rugby League Commission] Peter V’Landys through racing, and a very good relationship with [NRL chief] Andrew Abdo as well, so that’s something we’ll target,” he said.


Nine declined to comment.





Forget football: investors line up as PFL reveals local launch - October 2023


The fast-growing Professional Fighters League wants to take on giants like UFC and sees Australia as a key part of that strategy. Local fighters – and money – will help.


(The Australian)



MMA star’s $10 million boxing payday continues shakeup - October 22, 2023


Mixed martial arts star Francis Ngannou is in the final week of training for his first professional boxing match, which will reportedly pay him $10 million — 16 times more than his most recent MMA bout.

Ngannou was a heavyweight champion in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, MMA's top circuit. When his contract expired earlier this year, he signed with the upstart Professional Fighters League, which — unlike the UFC — allowed him to compete in boxing, where purses can be much larger. If other UFC stars follow his path, it would continue shaking up the sport.


On Oct. 28, Ngannou will fight world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury in Saudi Arabia. Although payouts haven’t been officially revealed, Fury has said Ngannou is set to make at least eight figures.


The tilt is another meeting between a top boxer and MMA fighter that’s drawing lots of media attention and big paydays. Conor McGregor set the stage for these kind of matchups in 2017, when the UFC star boxed and lost to Floyd Mayweather. McGregor earned $85 million, according to Forbes.


Despite experiencing a boom in popularity, MMA’s top fighters still can’t match the payouts of boxers. One big reason is that boxing is a much older sport with a lucrative business model in place. And while MMA fighters are under contract with a promotion or league, boxers act as their own business entities. That gives them more power when negotiating fights and advertising deals.


"Most fighters are barely able to make a living,” Ngannou said. They’re "living paycheck to paycheck.”


Ngannou, who oddsmakers see as a big underdog against Fury, was able to take part in a boxing match because of a unique contract with the PFL, which was founded by venture capitalist Donn Davis.


"I didn’t know a contract could be this great,” Ngannou said. "It’s been a while since I have had a promotion that fully supports your goals and dreams.”


The deal also gave Ngannou a minority stake in the league. That adds to a growing portfolio that includes ownership of a professional soccer team in his native Cameroon. He’s also interested in purchasing a piece of a Major League Soccer team.


UFC fighters have applauded the deal, with UFC hall-of-famer Daniel Cormier saying it "set a new standard.”


Ngannou’s contract with the PFL could be replicated again, according to Davis.


"If people can deliver what Francis can deliver then we will give them a Francis contract,” Davis said during an August interview.


Ngannou has pushed for better pay for his peers. As part of his deal with the PFL, his opponents will receive a guaranteed payout of $2 million.


MMA athletes have already pushed back against their employers. The UFC is currently in the midst of an antitrust lawsuit filed in 2020 by former fighters that alleges unfair business practices and seeks up to $1.6 billion in damages. Ultimately, Ngannou would like to see fighters unionize, but doubts it will happen.


"Until there is a law or government officials (get involved), there is not a way that a union can happen,” Ngannou said. "Fighters have minimal power.”









MVP confirms stipulation for Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz rematch - October 24, 2023



Jake Paul returns to the ring on December 15.


Two months after his brother fought Dillon Danis in Manchester, Jake Paul is set to make his return to the ring. 


This will take place on December 15, a location and opponent are yet to be announced, but fans should not expect to see former UFC star Nate Diaz in the opposite corner. 


Paul and Diaz first fought in August in what was a memorable event with the "The Problem Child" being declared the winner via unanimous decision. 


In the aftermath it was revealed that there was a rematch clause in the contract with both men wanting to run it back inside an MMA cage. 


Now Paul's promotional company, Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), have confirmed on social media that Paul will face Diaz for a second time and it will take place inside a cage under the Professional Fighters League (PFL) banner. 


"For the record: Jake Paul will not be boxing Nate Diaz again. Nate Diaz and Jake Paul have received an offer from @PFLMMA to rematch in MMA in the SmartCage. Jake Paul has accepted the offer," MVP posted on X. 


Paul signed a deal with the PFL in January which will see him compete in the organisation's pay-per-view "Super Fight" division which contains a number of stars including former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou and undisputed women's featherweight champion Amanda Serrano. 


(DAZN)





‘Go big or give up’: The hunt for TV’s next big hit


As more than 11,000 television program buyers and sellers head home from Mipcom — the annual market where TV content is bought and sold — striking American actors will mark the 100th day of industrial action which has essentially put a plug in Hollywood’s content pipe.


The strikes — in addition to the actors, Hollywood’s writers ratified a new, three-year contract earlier this month after their own 148-day stoppage — shifted the focus at Mipcom, held annually in Cannes, France, to international content, including Australian content, as program buyers searched for the “next big thing”.


In conversations up and down the Boulevard de la Croisette, cafĆ© chatter ranged from the commercial impact of artificial intelligence (AI) — both positive and negative — to the muted presence of US majors like Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery, the rapid rise of FAST (free, ad-supported TV) channels and the shifting significance of glass-jawed streaming platforms.


As for the strike itself? All eyes were on Paramount Global president Bob Bakish for clues during his packed keynote. “I’ve said publicly that the strike is accretive to our cash in 2023; that is true, and it’s true for the industry writ large,” Bakish said. “We’re playing the hand we were dealt. We didn’t want to be in a strike. We would very much like this strike to be over, so everyone can get back to work.”


Of Mipcom’s more than 11,000 delegates, some 3500 were program buyers. That detail is significant, as it marks a roughly 10 per cent increase year-on-year, the clearest indicator of both the buoyancy of the market and the broadcast industry’s shift away from the make-the-show-and-own-the-pipeline streaming business model that has seen streamers shell out billions in content investment only to wake up with the same old problems as the networks they aspired to replace: how to hang onto revenue and eyeballs?


“Given the buzz from the stands, what [has been] said on stage and the sheer volume of content deals done, it is clear that third-party sales and distribution are back,” Mipcom director Lucy Smith said.


In plain terms, Mipcom shrinks the global television business to the size of the Royal Easter Show. More than 320 production companies and television studios — the majors, the minors and the fringe players — cram into the world’s biggest show bag pavilion, Cannes’ Palais des Festivals, and the world’s TV channels (and streaming platforms) come to shop.


But the four-day market also sees producers and broadcasters grapple with existential questions, such as how to bridge the gap between widening demographics: the older linear TV audience and the younger-skewing digital TV audience.


The answer? Shows like The Masked Singer and Ninja Warrior, which are popular “co-viewing” titles, where grandparents, parents and children will watch together, the summit heard. It’s go big or give up, ITV commissioning editor Satmohan Panesar said. “We can’t go for the middling,” he said. “It’s got to be big, or it can’t go forward.”


Besides the tens of thousands of meetings — inside the Palais, at full pelt, it’s like speed-dating on steroids — there are more conventional activities, such as screenings, conferences and keynote talks. There are even several awards nights. (Australia picked up two: Blackfella Films’ The Australian Wars won the Content Innovation Award, and Southern Pictures’ The Swap won the Diversify TV Award.)


For traditional broadcasters, the market is a balance between content acquisition and keeping a seat at the table when local content strikes a chord with the market. The Australian formats Married at First Sight (distributed by Red Arrow) and The Summit (Banijay Rights), for example, both had creative talent at the market, meeting with international broadcasters. (Both are Endemol Shine Australia productions for Nine, owner of this masthead.) Other popular formats are The Traitors (All3media) and Love Island (ITV Studios).


But the bulk of Mipcom’s transactional business is driven by new content. Three of the buzziest this year: Beta Film and ZDF Studios’ co-production Concordia, about a crimeless near-future AI-controlled town which must deal with its first murder, a Zorro reboot from Secuoya Studios for Amazon, about the 19th century Californian vigilante, and a reboot of Enid Blyton’s iconic children’s series The Famous Five, from BBC Studios.


Among the new Australian content generating noise: Paper Dolls, a fictional spin of the story of the real reality TV pop group Bardot from Helium and Entertainment One, and the crime drama Scrublands, starring Jay Ryan and Luke Arnold, from Easy Tiger and Abacus Media. (Scrublands will air in Australia on Stan.)


The reboot of Neighbours, was also in the spotlight, with the show’s producer Jason Herbison and two of its stars, actors Annie Jones and Tim Kano, in attendance to promote the series to potential new investors. And Leonine Studios was selling the Australian “tropical noir crime drama” Troppo, which has just finished filming its second series in Queensland.


Other stars in attendance included Andrea Riseborough, promoting the Channel 4 romantic drama Alice & Jack, and Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria, delivering a producer keynote. (Longoria’s producing credits include the drama Mystery Hotel and the upcoming Spanish-language remake of Call My Agent.)


And American actor/producer Josh Duhamel came to promote one of the market’s more unusual packages: a reality TV reboot of the 2019 scripted comedy film Buddy Games, from Bunim/Murray Productions and CBS Studios, in which groups of friends compete in physical and mental challenges. (Duhamel directed and starred in the original film, and will executive produce the reboot.)


(SMH)