The Weekly Bulletin | October 15, 2024

Hi SODP community,

Let’s recap on what’s been happening, the new content, industry updates, tips, and more.

TIP OF THE WEEK

Recently, shifts in the B2B Publishing landscape have prompted publishers to reassess their reliance on events as a primary revenue stream. In B2B publishing, events have long been a cornerstone for revenue generation and audience engagement.

However, recent research reveals that publishers are redirecting their focus away from events as revenue dips. This shift underscores the evolving dynamics of the industry and the need for publishers to adapt to changing circumstances.

Despite the challenges posed by declining event revenue, there is room for optimism. B2B publishers can explore alternative revenue streams and innovative strategies to mitigate the impact of these changes.

One potential solution is to leverage virtual events/webinars (online communities and on-demand education) to supplement traditional in-person gatherings by embracing pub technology. Publishers can reach a broader audience and create immersive experiences that resonate with attendees.

Moreover, community building becomes crucial after revenue streams undergo shifts. Diversifying revenue streams beyond events can provide stability and resilience in the face of uncertainty. This may include exploring sponsored content, research intent data, and ABM solutions tailored to the needs of B2B audiences.

Collaboration and partnerships within the industry can also play a pivotal role in navigating events' impact. By forging strategic alliances with complementary organizations, publishers can expand their reach and unlock new revenue-generating opportunities.

Ultimately, while the decline in event revenue presents challenges for B2B publishers, continuing to mature your advertising model to become less dependent on traffic sources and towards products and solutions that matter to your prospects and audiences is essential.

SODP POSTS

Online News Consumption Has Surpassed Television – But Broadcasters Are Still the Most Widely Trusted

More people in the UK now access news online than on television, according to new survey data from the media regulator, Ofcom. This is the first time Ofcom’s annual news consumption poll found online media use ahead of TV news.

The immediate press reaction to the survey suggested television is in terminal decline, with online media replacing TV news. Ofcom itself pitted one format against another by declaring in the study’s headline: “TV loses its crown as main source for news.”

Yet rather than the survey reflecting a “generational shift” in audience behaviour, the truth is it has been going on for decades.

READ MORE

JOB BOARD

➡️ Morningstar is looking for a talented new member for the Audience team to serve the needs of its customers. (Sydney, Australia). SEE MORE

➡️ Motorsport Network is seeking an experienced and dynamic Sr. Manager, Audience Development to lead and enhance its membership, newsletter, subscription, and engagement strategies (Hybrid, NYC, NY, US). SEE MORE

COMMUNITY BUZZ

Industry News

➡️ The Athletic, a subscription sports news site owned by The New York Times, and Yahoo Sports are teaming up to launch a new hub for women's sports coverage on Yahoo Sports' website and app. READ MORE

➡️ Automattic CEO and WordPress co-creator Matt Mullenweg announced a new Executive Director for WordPress.org after the previous director’s resignation. Social media reactions, while generally positive, were notably subdued, with many comments focused on the recent WordPress controversy. READ MORE

Recommended Reading

➡️ Here is a really useful article on setting up reports showing the impact of ad revenue with Core Web Vitals. READ MORE

Events

➡️ This week, I will be at the annual conference by the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia. I’m joining as a speaker on Day 2 (18 October) and will be discussing the power of SEO for community radio. If you’re in the Gold Coast, let’s catch up! LEARN MORE

Social Media Discussions

➡️ Barry Pollard on X:

For Core Web Vitals what is CLS measured in? Why is 0.1 considered not good and 0.25 bad, and what do those numbers represent?

I've had 3 separate conversations on this with various people in last 24 hours so figured it's time for another deep dive thread to explain...

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READ THE FULL THREAD

These are the highlights for the last week.

Until next!

Vahe Arabian and the editorial team at SODP