Ryvalmedia Pulse (Vol.49)

IAB release its latest Ecommerce report on the ANZ retail landscape

IAB have released Wave 4 of their ecommerce report, revealing the trends and issues from the first half of 2024. One interesting callout is the contradicting behaviours of customers with regards to how brands use their data. Cost of living pressures have led to consumers increasing the usage of loyalty and reward programs offered, however the report also indicates that trust and transparency is crucial when brands collect their data. This is notable because buyers are looking to remain loyal to brands, but are conscious of data use, particularly given recent data breaches and cyber scares from large international entities. One element advertisers can take from these trends is that if they are clear with consumers around how their data is utilised, they will naturally feel more comfortable in engaging with them and maintaining the loyalty. Brands who can capitalise on this concept and remain proactive in their advertising approach can build and maintain trust, which sets them up to become a viable option in consumers' minds, particularly when financial pressures ease. learn more

The SVOD landscape prepares for more change, with Foxtel put up for sale

News Corp CEO Robert Thomson has revealed that they are putting Foxtel up for sale. Whilst the motivations behind this potential sale are unknown, it looms as a landscape-defining move. Since launching in 2018, Foxtel’s subscription video on demand (SVOD) options in Kayo Sports and Binge have dominated the Australia SVOD landscape, increasing in both volume and pricing in the June quarter. Given the strong competition from other platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime, this decision to sell Foxtel is a significant affair for other SVOD advertisers, particularly given the sheer size of the company in Australia. Regardless of why News Corp are looking to sell such a valuable asset, competitors like Netflix should be keeping a close eye on this transition period and monitor their own capabilities. While we don't know who the purchaser will be at this stage, whether it is an existing player or a new entrant to the market, we do expect a shake up in the SVOD landscape with Foxtel being such a key player. learn more

Digital news far from gone, with promising results off the back of the Olympics

Across the first 10 days of the Paris Olympics, News Corp Australia (NCA) has seen a surge in audience numbers, with 126 million page views for news.com.au and 18 million video plays – a 38% increase from the Tokyo games. Digital print editions also rose by 10% from the last tournament in 2021, as well as huge increases on their social platforms, most notable a 39% boost in video views. These numbers indicate that digital presence for traditional media brands like NCA is important, given the necessity of ensuring consumers can access news easily and across many platforms. In an era where information is so accessible across other formats like social media, this NCA surge exhibits that with proper integration through milestone events in a year, such as the Olympics, significant results can occur. It is valuable for brands to explore the digital advertising landscape during key events, to ensure audiences are reached across multiple touchpoints. learn more

The Ryvalmedia Pulse is prepared fortnightly by Alex Pupko (Strategy Manager), with this issue in collaboration with Paddy Sinnott (Business Coordinator).