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Netflix Could Open A New Chapter For Streaming

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“We rely on transparency. We can’t control what we can’t see. We require persistent identity.” – Josef Kenik, “Anon,” K5 Films, 2018
In California, where we live, people bid on the average of seven homes before they finally get one they want/can afford.

When we visit Puerto Vallarta and see something we kinda like at the mercados, we’ll visit at least four stalls before mutually agreeing on a price we’re willing to pay … one we feel is good for us, good for them.

And that, my friends, is how most people choose their entertainment services.

O.K., there’s a segment of the viewing public that can only enjoy something if it is free (pirated) but there’s a pretty easy way to stop/slow the thieves. MESA (Media & Entertainment Services Alliance) has a whole group of folks who have developed solutions to protect content from beginning to end – https://tinyurl.com/4zp3rap2 – “because we want you to make it difficult for the ‘totally free’ folks.”

If those users dislike streamers capturing/using their info, what do they think the Torrent sites do? … jeezz!

As for the industry, we’ve never figured out why services brag about how many times a movie/series is pirated. It’s not only money out of their pockets but it also means the rest of us foot their bill!

Piracy costs streamers an estimated $30B plus every year and password sharing (freeloading) costs about $6B.

It’s not free advertising!

Every streaming service is saying enough is enough.

Despite Netflix’s miserable numbers for the 1st quarter, the bottom didn’t fall out of SVOD…far from it.

But SVOD has reached a point where it has to evolve.

No one really knows what the next phase will look like, but everyone has an opinion.

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Change – Netflix started the change in home entertainment back in ’97 when it bypassed the box stores to send folks DVDs direct to their home. Now it’s time for the next phase.
In August 1997, Netflix sent out its first red envelope (which started out white) and at their peak were sending out 12M DVDs a week.

In 2007, the company turned on the streaming spigot. Demand for new, unique content grew to 221M plus.

There are still 2M plus folks out there who want the envelope.

When they were “the only game in town,” studios fell all over themselves to have them distribute their film/series titles … until executives figured out they could do that too and make even more money.

In a little less three years, nearly all of the studios have reshaped their theatrical priorities and networks, moving from the day/time TV bundle to their own any time, any place, any screen service.

They all want to be the place where a subscriber will go so they can charge a fee based on “the value” of their content (translation … as much as they can get).

After all, $20/mo. is a lot less than the old $200/mo. subscribers used to pay for that overweight cable bundle.

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Content Spend – Consumers don’t just want movies and shows to watch; they want original content. People in different countries also want different content which has stimulated greater opportunities for content creators to develop material for home and abroad.
There are more than 300 SVOD/OTT services around the globe and that is expected to grow to 600 by 2025. All are focused on capturing their share of the 2B subscriber market by spending billions on “new, unique” content because … content is king.

Streaming investments led by Comcast, Disney and Netflix saw the global spend on content reach $220 billion in 2021 with the pot set to exceed $230 billion in 2022, according to a new report from Ampere Analysis.

In the US, 80 percent of TV households or 122.4M, have at least one SVOD service while the average number of services per household is four, according to Ampere Analysis.

In addition, the average churn rate is 35 percent.

Tough but tolerable.

Consumers will spend about $82.5B this year for subscription video content or $69.49 ARPU (average revenue per user).

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It’s Not One Form – Contrary to what some folks would like you to believe, the world isn’t all about streaming. In every country, there are a variety of ways people get their entertainment and that will continue.
But around the globe there are home/personal video entertainment options available that people can spend money on for ad–free services as well as less expensive and ad–supported services.

To entice folks to its service, Netflix set the bar high by signing multiyear contracts with leading content producers/developers and then funding/controlling the resulting projects.

That worked great by serving up popular shows like Ozark, Orange is the new Black, House of Cards, Stranger Things, The Crown and more. They’ve even shown the industry that regional shows have global audience appeal.

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Time for Change – Netflix, and the entire content distribution industry, has quietly tolerated people sharing SVOD passwords. However, it’s impacting everyone––even though folks have said, “hey if it wasn’t so easy, we’d change.” Now, it’s time to take back control.
Netflix took a page from Hollywood and bragged about how many Torrent downloads – free word of mouth advertising – projects it had.

They really wanted to recover some or all of that revenue but …

While Netflix has tiptoed around the password sharing issue for a long time, most recently by offering phased pricing for friends and family viewing.

The test program was a resounding failure coming at the same time the company increased monthly fees which after years of overlooking password sharing didn’t go over well … to say the least.

Went over like a lead balloon.

Long time content producers/servers like HBO Max, Disney, Hulu, Amazon, Apple have had password protection capabilities and enforcement from the outset, so password sharing is minimal and aggressively discouraged.

Netflix, the globe’s leading SVOD by a wide margin, invested heavily in local content development which has helped them grow nicely in 190 countries in regions like the EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa), SEA (Southeast Asia) and LatAm.

But the service has always been a lot like Henry Ford’s Model T observation, “You can have it in any color you want, as long as it is black,” or in their case, all the content at one set fee.

Have they been considering growth options?

Sure!

The most tangible action has been its video game acquisitions (Next Games, Night School, Boss Fight) to tap into the lucrative, constantly connected Gen Z (10–24 years) $6B download and streaming gaming market.

It has worked … the games have attracted the younger crowd to its platform and its shows.

But offering tiered pricing options is something Hastings has resisted for years.

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Oh Yeah – It’s fun – and deadly – to believe that people hate ads which is why they click away. But they don’t hate ads … they hate bad, moronic, boring, repetitive, sloppy ads.
Snobs have been drinking the Kool–Aid … people cut their cord to escape advertising.

BS! Study after study has proven that’s not the case.

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Bad, Too Many – Consumers have consistently said they are willing to exchange their time to watch ads with their content as long as there aren’t so many and that they’re relevant. All services and marketers have to do is listen/act.
We’re not a reverse snob but we like ads … good ads.

We don’t like 20 minutes of ads an hour.

We don’t like the same stupid ads again … and again … and again …

That’s probably why advertising exploration/explanation was such a hot topic at NAB (which we covered earlier); and Hastings is right … there’s a lot of work to be done! And people want choices.

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Value – People are clearly willing to watch good advertising along with their content as long as ads don’t dominate the content airtime.
But Hastings and Netflix now have the opportunity to take the lead again not only with the content creation industry and the consumer but, more importantly, in helping the ad folks clean up the crap and do things right.

Netflix has the richest (most valuable) database of global viewer information (followed closely by Amazon and Apple) which can be used by the company to educate, assist marketers in developing more effective ads, understanding the best balance of ads and how to create ads people interact with as much as they do with the firm’s entertainment content.

Much as advertisers would love to have access to that data, it shouldn’t be shared.

The company needs to use the information to help advertisers give viewers a better experience when they view and interact with the ads.

Of course, it starts by Hastings making good on one the company’s founding precepts – giving consumers choice.

Sure, it will undoubtedly be expensive in the short term as an unknown number of subscribers shift to the lower–cost options.

That will only give Wall Street yoyos who only a short time ago were pushing folks to buy their stock to say, “See, we told you they couldn’t do it.”

However, many will stick with their ad–free status, others will “adjust.”

More importantly, it will increase the number of people/households using the service and mitigate churn.

Hastings has already signaled that the company will examine its options over the next year or two and make decisions that are right for the content creation industry, global consumers and last, but not least, investors.

Turning the industry leader won’t be easy or free of pain but in putting a positive spin on the change of heart Netflix COO Greg Peters said adding ad tiers, “is an exciting opportunity for us.”

The ceiling for Netflix isn’t 222M subscribers.

The ceiling is really 1B plus folks around the globe who want their entertainment when they want it, where they want it and, on the screen they have in front of them.

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Market Share – Netflix has clearly established itself as the benchmark for watching original content around the world. It’s possible for the company to maintain that leadership and develop content delivery solutions that will satisfy everyone … including shareholders.
Tiered service options that include efficient, effective, intelligent ads will give folks the opportunity to watch what has clearly been the most sought–after content in a way that is budget friendly and treats them as intelligent individuals instead of targets.

Netflix has the data, infrastructure, experience and understanding of UI as well as recommendation and integration capabilities.

They offered something totally unique that people came to want/expect back in 2007; and now, they have a chance to do it again.

They enriched the content creation/distribution market before and now they have a chance to repeat it in the years ahead.

There was certainly plenty of interest at NAB on how content providers and marketers could improve the quality and effectiveness of advertising.

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Netflix might have the opportunity to take it to the next level.

The goal for everyone is to understand and interest folks, keeping in mind what the Girl in Anon said, “It’s not that I have something to hide. I have nothing I want you to see.”

Imagine getting ads in your content that you stick around to watch instead of running to the kitchen or bathroom.

It could happen, but it’s going to take time.

It’s not an end to original content creation, but it could improve ads.

Think about it … sitting there watching original content advertisements.

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Andy Marken – andy@markencom.com – is an author of more than 700 articles on management, marketing, communications, industry trends in media & entertainment, consumer electronics, software and applications. An internationally recognized marketing/communications consultant with a broad range of technical and industry expertise, especially in storage; storage management and film/video production fields; he has an extended range of relationships with business, industry trade press, online media and industry analysts/consultants.

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The Global Business Leader Charity Golf Tournament – Jamaica November 2025

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The Global Business Leader Charity Golf Tournament is set to elevate the intersection of business and sport like never before. Golf has rapidly become a favorite pastime among executives, and this event marks the first of its kind in this unique format, debuting in Jamaica in November 2025, with plans to expand globally.

Bringing together top executives from around the world (with special focus on Africa, Asia, Europe and Caribbean), this prestigious tournament will see them compete across three world-class courses over five thrilling days, all vying for the coveted title of “Best Global Business Leader Golfer.” With global bragging rights on the line, this is more than just a game—it’s a chance for companies, employees, and fans to rally behind their business leaders in a high-stakes competition.

Get ready to witness business leadership meet competitive golf on a global stage in November 2025!

For More Information please email info@asterixtourism.com or contact

Roy Page for Player Registration, Accommodation,  charter flights and logistics – 876-781-7588

Peter Lindo for Competition execution and management – 876-8159700

Aldo Antonio Muir for Marketing, Promotions and Sponsorship -876-542-3719

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Unilever Initiates Talks To Potentially Sell Ice Cream Business

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Unilever has initiated talks with buyout firms to potentially sell its ice cream business, a move estimated to be worth up to $19.4 billion. This strategic decision aims to streamline Unilever’s operations and focus on its core business areas.

Unilever’s ice cream division, which includes renowned brands like Ben & Jerry’s, Magnum, and Wall’s, generated a turnover of €7.9 billion in 2023, representing about 13% of the company’s total sales. The separation will create a standalone ice cream business with significant global presence in both in-home and out-of-home segments.

The sale is driven by the distinct operational needs of the ice cream business, which differ from Unilever’s other segments. Ice cream has unique supply chain requirements, seasonal demand fluctuations, and higher capital intensity. By separating, Unilever can focus on its remaining core segments—Beauty & Wellbeing, Personal Care, Home Care, and Nutrition—aiming for mid-single-digit sales growth and improved margins post-separation​.

The potential buyers include private equity firms like Advent International, Blackstone, Cinven, and CVC Capital Partners, which have shown preliminary interest. The separation process will involve significant operational changes, including a major productivity program aimed at reducing costs by €800 million over the next three years, offsetting any dis-synergies from the separation. This plan also involves a restructuring that will impact approximately 7,500 predominantly office-based roles globally​​.

Overall, this move is expected to create a world-leading ice cream business with the flexibility to grow and innovate independently while enabling Unilever to become a more focused and higher-performing company.

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Consolidating Marketing Efforts into a Social-First Framework: A Data-Driven Approach

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In the rapidly evolving digital landscape, consolidating marketing efforts into a social-first framework has become essential for brands seeking to maximize the effectiveness of their marketing channels, content strategies, and influencer collaborations. This comprehensive approach leverages the power of social media to create a cohesive and data-driven marketing strategy that enhances engagement, reach, and ROI.

Understanding the Social-First Framework
A social-first framework prioritizes social media as the primary channel for marketing activities. This approach ensures that all marketing efforts are integrated and optimized for social media platforms, where consumers increasingly spend their time. By consolidating efforts into a social-first strategy, brands can streamline their marketing processes and make more informed decisions based on real-time data and consumer insights.

Benefits of a Social-First Framework

Unified Marketing Channels:
Consolidating marketing efforts into a social-first framework allows brands to create a unified strategy across multiple channels. This ensures consistency in messaging and branding, leading to a stronger and more cohesive brand presence.

Example: Coca-Cola effectively uses a social-first approach by maintaining consistent branding and messaging across all social media platforms, which reinforces their brand identity and enhances consumer recognition​​.

Enhanced Content Strategies:
A social-first framework enables brands to develop content strategies that are tailored to the preferences and behaviors of their social media audiences. By analyzing social media data, brands can create content that resonates more deeply with their target audience.

Example: Starbucks uses social media analytics to understand what types of content their audience engages with the most. This data-driven approach allows them to create highly relevant and engaging content, from seasonal promotions to user-generated content campaigns​.

Optimized Influencer Collaborations:
Integrating influencer marketing into a social-first framework ensures that influencer collaborations are aligned with overall marketing goals and strategies. Social media data can help identify the most effective influencers and measure the impact of their campaigns.

Example: Daniel Wellington’s influencer marketing strategy is deeply integrated into their social-first framework. By leveraging data to identify influencers who resonate with their target audience, they have successfully driven brand awareness and sales​​.

Implementing a Social-First Framework

Centralized Data Collection and Analysis:
To implement a social-first framework, brands need to centralize their data collection and analysis. This involves using tools that aggregate data from various social media platforms, providing a comprehensive view of consumer behavior and campaign performance.

Example: Sprout Social offers robust analytics tools that help brands gather and analyze social media data, enabling them to make informed decisions and optimize their marketing strategies​​.

Content Creation and Distribution:
Content should be created with a social-first mindset, ensuring that it is optimized for the platforms where it will be shared. This includes creating visually appealing graphics, engaging videos, and interactive posts that are tailored to each platform’s unique features.

Example: GoPro’s social-first content strategy involves creating stunning visual content that showcases their products’ capabilities. By focusing on user-generated content and sharing it on platforms like Instagram and YouTube, GoPro effectively engages their audience and promotes their brand​ (Latest Insights)​.

Leveraging Real-Time Engagement:
Social media allows for real-time interaction with consumers, providing an opportunity to build stronger relationships and address customer needs promptly. Brands should use this capability to engage with their audience, respond to feedback, and foster a sense of community.

Example: Nike’s real-time engagement strategy involves actively responding to customer inquiries and comments on social media. This proactive approach not only improves customer satisfaction but also enhances the brand’s reputation as responsive and customer-focused​.

Conclusion
Consolidating marketing efforts into a social-first framework provides a comprehensive and data-driven approach that maximizes the potential of marketing channels, content strategies, and influencer collaborations. By prioritizing social media, brands can create more cohesive and effective marketing campaigns, engage with their audience in meaningful ways, and drive better business outcomes. Adopting a social-first strategy is essential for brands looking to thrive in the digital age and stay ahead of the competition.

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Elevating Traditional Marketing Efforts Through an Always-On, Social-First Lens

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In today’s digital age, traditional marketing efforts such as experiential marketing and customer service can be significantly enhanced through an always-on, social-first strategy. This approach not only increases engagement and reach but also creates a seamless brand experience for consumers. Here’s how brands can scale and elevate these efforts:

1. Transforming Experiential Marketing

Digital Amplification of Live Events:
Experiential marketing, which focuses on creating immersive brand experiences, can reach a broader audience by leveraging social media. Live streaming events, behind-the-scenes content, and interactive social media campaigns can extend the impact of physical events to a global audience.

Example: Red Bull’s Stratos Jump was not just an in-person event but a global phenomenon, thanks to its extensive live streaming and social media coverage. By sharing real-time updates and encouraging user-generated content, Red Bull created a massive online buzz that amplified the event’s reach and impact​​.

Creating Virtual Experiences:
Incorporating virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) into experiential marketing allows brands to create immersive experiences that can be shared on social media. This not only engages users but also encourages them to share their experiences, further extending the brand’s reach.

Example: IKEA’s AR app, which allows customers to visualize furniture in their homes, was widely shared on social media. This social-first approach turned a functional tool into an engaging experience that users were excited to share with their networks​.

2. Enhancing Customer Service

Always-On Customer Support:
Social media provides a platform for brands to offer real-time customer support. By utilizing chatbots and AI, brands can ensure 24/7 availability, quickly addressing customer inquiries and issues. This always-on support enhances customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Example: Nike uses Twitter to handle customer service inquiries efficiently. Their dedicated support account (@NikeSupport) provides real-time responses, demonstrating the brand’s commitment to customer care​.

Personalized Customer Interactions:
Brands can use social media to offer personalized customer service, leveraging data to tailor interactions. Personalized responses and proactive engagement based on past interactions make customers feel valued and understood.

Example: Spotify uses data-driven insights to personalize their interactions with users on social media. By addressing users by name and referencing their listening habits, Spotify creates a personalized experience that enhances customer satisfaction​.

3. Scaling Content Through User Engagement

User-Generated Content (UGC):
Encouraging customers to create and share content related to their brand experiences can significantly amplify marketing efforts. UGC not only provides authentic content but also increases engagement as users feel part of the brand community.

Example: GoPro excels at leveraging UGC by encouraging users to share videos and photos captured with their products. This content is then featured on GoPro’s social media channels, showcasing real user experiences and inspiring potential customers​.

Influencer Partnerships:
Collaborating with influencers can scale traditional marketing efforts by leveraging their established audiences. Influencers can create engaging content that resonates with their followers, extending the brand’s reach and authenticity.

Example: Daniel Wellington’s influencer marketing strategy involved sending free watches to influencers, who then shared their experiences on social media. This approach helped the brand achieve significant growth and recognition​​.

4. Integrating Data-Driven Insights

Real-Time Analytics:
Social media platforms offer robust analytics tools that provide insights into consumer behavior and campaign performance. Brands can use this data to refine their strategies, ensuring that marketing efforts are continuously optimized for better results.

Example: Starbucks uses social media analytics to track customer sentiment and engagement. By analyzing this data, they can adjust their campaigns in real-time, ensuring that their marketing efforts are always relevant and effective​​.

Feedback Loops:
Social media allows for immediate feedback from customers, which can be used to improve products, services, and marketing strategies. Creating a feedback loop where customer insights are regularly integrated into business decisions helps brands stay aligned with consumer needs.

Example: Sephora utilizes social media to gather customer feedback on new products. This feedback is then used to make adjustments and improvements, ensuring that the brand meets customer expectations​ (Sprout Social)​.

Conclusion
By adopting an always-on, social-first approach, brands can scale and elevate traditional marketing efforts such as experiential marketing and customer service. This strategy not only extends the reach and impact of these efforts but also creates a more engaging and personalized experience for consumers. Leveraging social media’s capabilities for real-time interaction, personalization, and data-driven insights ensures that marketing efforts remain relevant and effective in the ever-evolving digital landscape.

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Humanizing Brands Through Influencer Marketing: A Guide to Resonating with Social-First Audiences

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In today’s digital landscape, humanizing a brand is crucial for resonating with social-first audiences. Leveraging influencer marketing effectively can bridge the gap between brands and consumers, fostering authentic connections and enhancing brand loyalty. Here’s how brands can utilize influencer marketing to achieve these goals:

1. Authentic Storytelling
Influencers as Storytellers: Influencers are adept at weaving personal stories into their content, making them ideal partners for brands aiming to humanize their image. By sharing their genuine experiences with a product, influencers can create relatable and engaging narratives that resonate deeply with their followers.

Example: Nike collaborates with influencers who share their fitness journeys, personal challenges, and triumphs. These authentic stories not only promote Nike products but also inspire and connect with audiences on an emotional level​​.

2. Micro-Influencers for Relatability
The Power of Micro-Influencers: Micro-influencers, those with smaller but highly engaged followings, often come across as more relatable and trustworthy. Their recommendations feel like advice from a friend rather than a sales pitch, which can significantly humanize a brand.

Example: Beauty brands like Glossier leverage micro-influencers to showcase everyday use of their products. This strategy has helped Glossier build a community-driven brand image that feels personal and approachable​.

3. Interactive and Engaging Content
Engagement Through Interaction: Influencers can facilitate direct interaction between brands and consumers through Q&A sessions, live streams, and interactive stories. This type of content allows consumers to engage directly with the brand, fostering a sense of community and connection.

Example: Starbucks often collaborates with influencers to host live coffee-making sessions or behind-the-scenes tours of their stores. These interactive sessions allow followers to ask questions and engage in real-time, making the brand more accessible and human​.

4. Highlighting Brand Values and Social Causes
Championing Causes: Influencers who align with a brand’s values and social causes can help highlight these aspects authentically. This not only humanizes the brand but also builds trust and loyalty among consumers who share similar values.

Example: Patagonia partners with environmental influencers to promote its commitment to sustainability. These influencers share stories and content that highlight Patagonia’s environmental efforts, resonating with eco-conscious consumers​​.

5. Behind-the-Scenes Content
Transparency Through BTS: Behind-the-scenes content provided by influencers can offer a glimpse into the brand’s operations, culture, and people. This transparency can humanize the brand by showing the human effort and passion behind the products.

Example: Brands like Ben & Jerry’s use influencers to share behind-the-scenes content of their ice cream-making process, their fair trade practices, and employee stories. This approach helps consumers see the brand as a collection of real people and values, not just a corporate entity​.

6. User-Generated Content and Community Building
Empowering Consumers: Encouraging influencers to create and share user-generated content (UGC) can amplify the voices of everyday consumers, making the brand feel more inclusive and community-driven. UGC campaigns often lead to higher engagement and loyalty.

Example: Coca-Cola’s “Share a Coke” campaign, where influencers and consumers shared personalized Coke bottles, created a massive amount of UGC. This not only promoted the product but also built a sense of community and personal connection around the brand​​.

Conclusion
Influencer marketing offers a dynamic and effective way to humanize brands and resonate with social-first audiences. By leveraging authentic storytelling, engaging content, and aligning with influencers who share their values, brands can foster deeper connections with consumers. This approach not only enhances brand perception but also drives loyalty and long-term engagement.

In a world where consumers crave authenticity and connection, influencer marketing stands out as a powerful tool for humanizing brands and making them more relatable to their audiences.

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