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Super Bowl Advertisers Poised to Play Things Safe, Fearing Social-Media Backlash - Feb 2024

Dozens of advertisers will flock to Super Bowl LVIII this Sunday, ready to pay out a small fortune to CBS in a bid to grab some attention. But they won’t crave as much of that valuable recognition as they might have just a few years ago.

The Super Bowl has long offered Madison Avenue an arena where risk taking is welcome. In 2015, for example, Nationwide ran a commercial during Super Bowl XLIX that told a story from the viewpoint of a child who was already dead, while the portable-power company Mophie offered a spot showing God letting the Earth tilt into apocalypse because his smartphone battery was dead. Neither ad won hearts and minds that night, but the marketers felt they had permission to try and spark conversation.

In 2024, chatter is exactly what Madison Avenue fears most.

While some commercials that run in CBS’ Feb. 11 broadcast of Super Bowl LVIII may shock or surprise, most will aim to comfort or amuse, as marketers pull back on pushing the envelope. The bulk of the 70-or-so Super Bowl commercials that run will rely heavily on celebrities such as Kate McKinnon, Tina Fey, Jason Momoa or LL Cool J. Few of them will expand beyond the usual 30-second or 60-second running time, according to two people familiar with the matter — a change from recent years when the Big Game featured commercials 90 seconds or even two minutes in length to encompass big concepts and cameos, such as Bruce Springsteen appearing in an ad for Jeep. And some may tap into consumers’ collective memories for such things as Budweiser’s famous Clydesdale horses or the Coors Light Chill Train.

“Life generally is more difficult for consumers. They are more constrained,” Michelle Deignan, vice president of U.S. Oreo operations, part of Mondelez International, tells Variety in an interview. Oreo is returning to the Big Game for the first time in years and will rely on a commercial that features a cameo appearance by Kris Jenner and a humorous look at how people used the twist of an Oreo cookie to make big history-making decisions. “I think you’ll see those brands that lean into nostalgia, humor, emotion at the Super Bowl … those brands will resonate with the consumer.”

It’s true, the average consumer has in recent years been beset by existential issues ranging from the fate of the planet to a global pandemic and a roiling global economy. The average viewer may simply want some relief. But the Super Bowl audience also has unprecedented access to react negatively to commercials in ways advertisers in the past never contemplated. Those remarks, tossed out on social media and amplified by others, can prove extremely harmful to big brands.

“Advertisers are very aware that things can go wrong at the Super Bowl,” says Tim Calkins, a professor of marketing at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, who has studied Super Bowl commercials with his students for years. Thanks to social media, he says, marketers realize that any ad can “manage to annoy people or cause backlash. Nobody wants to put their career on the line with a certain piece of Super Bowl footage. There is a huge incentive to be cautious.”

No one knows that better than the advertiser that has been the Super Bowl’s most stalwart sponsor.

Anheuser-Busch InBev has spent months grappling with the aftermath of a well-intentioned marketing boost for Bud Light that had unintended results. The company in the first quarter of last year sent personalized cans of Bud Light to various influencers, including Dylan Mulvaney, a TikTok star and transgender advocate. The move was part of a bid to bring new, young consumers to Bud Light and broaden the brew’s customer base. But it was seized upon by right-wing media, which spurred boycotts, diminished sales and a decision to put on leave two marketing executives who oversaw the effort.

This year’s Super Bowl ad from Bud Light’s sibling, Budweiser, depicts a scenario in which the Clydesdale horses help bring beer to a bar in a storm that has knocked out power — a return to how things worked in the past. The song that plays in the background? The rustic Band tune “The Weight.” Anheuser-Busch no doubt hopes the whole thing takes a load off.

“There is so much that is going on. We are stimulated all the time, and going back to basics and delivering things the old-school way is really something that consumers are looking for,” says Kristina Punwani, the executive who heads up marketing for Budweiser in the U.S.

There’s less interest in challenging the Super Bowl audience with a surprise or talk of politics because the cost of getting into the game has skyrocketed in recent years. Paramount Global has sought between $6.5 million and more than $7 million for a package that includes a 30-second ad on CBS, and ad time on simulcast via Nickelodeon and the Paramount+ streaming service.

“The investment is so high, and the attention is so great that you have to be a very brave marketer to take a big creative risk on the Super Bowl today,” says Calkins.

Wariness of outraged consumers with itchy, clicking fingers isn’t the only factor behind the tilt toward more tepid Super Bowl advertising. Several players who typically like to stir things up are missing from this year’s lineup.

Barring last-minute changes, automakers Stellantis and General Motors are not likely to show up in the Big Game — according to two people familiar with the matter — crimped, perhaps, by last year’s autoworkers strike. In recent years, GM has sparked attention for commercials that use Will Ferrell, the cast of “Austin Powers” or members of the HBO series “The Sopranos” to tout electric vehicles. Last year, General Motors even ran a commercial with Netflix that spotlighted both its EVs as well as Netflix series — an unusual maneuver. Stellantis, meanwhile, has captured notice with extra-long ads that have featured Bob Dylan and Clint Eastwood, among others.

Also diminished is the presence of first-time Super Bowl advertisers who might cause trouble. TV networks have in recent years seen an influx of upstart marketers and digital players buying an ad in a big TV property for the first time. The ranks of these inexperienced frosh have included 84 Lumber, which ran a spot in 2017 that played off the difficult lives of immigrants coming to the United States over its southern border.

But the rookies in this year’s Super Bowl ad game have lots of experience. They include Popeyes, the veteran chicken chain; the chocolatier Lindt; Nestle’s Drumstick ice cream treats; and Ferrara Candy Co., the makers of Nerds. Food and consumer-goods companies are known for their intense marketing discipline and desire to avoid upsetting audiences.

At least two advocacy organizations will appear in Sunday’s Super Bowl to discuss sensitive issues. He Gets Us, a religious organization that aims to spark new connections with Christianity, will run two ads. And The Foundation to Combat Antisemitism, an advocacy group backed by New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, will run a 30-second spot that urges people to stand up against prejudice and hate toward Jews. But no political campaigns have purchased national ad time, according to two people familiar with the situation.

Many of this year’s Super Bowl ads will get people talking or laughing. But that’s it. Some of the event’s dazzle may be gone, at least for now. “Overall, there will be good advertising,” says Calkins, but “I doubt we will be blown away.”

The Money Behind Super Bowl LVIII: 19 Numbers You Need To Know

The big game means huge dollars, from Patrick Mahomes’ million-dollar incentive to the team owners’ combined net worth of $30 billion.

hen the San Francisco 49ers take on the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, the casinos on the Las Vegas Strip will be less than a mile away—some are even walking distance—which helps explain why this Sunday’s action is expected to demolish sports betting records.

The American Gaming Association forecasts that 68 million American adults will gamble on the matchup (even if that comes in the form of an informal Super Bowl squares pool with friends, rather than a wager at a sportsbook). That figure represents a rise of 35% from 2023, and the increase in the betting volume is even steeper, up an expected 44% year over year to an astounding $23.1 billion.

News Corp profits rise, Foxtel sheds customers - Feb 2024

Advertising revenues and economic pressures bit News Corp Australia and Foxtel Group in the second quarter despite a rise in global revenues and profits driven by its Dow Jones and Real Estate Australia businesses.

The company revealed on Thursday that revenues at the Murdoch family-controlled business rose by 3 per cent to $US2.59 billion ($3.97 billion).

Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) rose by 16 per cent to $US473 million due to higher revenues, lower costs in its book publishing business and a 5 per cent reduction in the company’s headcount.

Foxtel’s total paying subscribers fell by 6 per cent across the quarter to 4.32 million ahead of the launch of its new streaming aggregation product Hubbl later this month. Compared to the same time last year, subscriber numbers were flat. Across a single quarter, it is Foxtel’s largest drop in paying customers since introducing its streaming services.

Almost 250,000 Kayo customers cancelled or paused subscriptions across the quarter, which it put down to a “more difficult summer sports season” alongside inflationary pressures, with traffic on its news titles also down, due to what company chief executive Robert Thomson called “algorithmic aberrations” across major platforms – a trend experienced by most news websites.

Total paying Kayo subscribers as of December 31 were 1.17 million, compared to 1.4 million in the September quarter. Paying Binge subscribers rose marginally to 1.47 million, alongside another dip in Foxtel broadcast customers, which follows previous trends.

Thomson said crucial content negotiations are under way with artificial intelligence providers, while renegotiations for content deals with digital platforms at “advanced stages”. “We are not naive on possible impacts of AI on journalism,” he said.

While Thomson was confident about the prospects of “wooing, not suing” companies such as OpenAI, which is facing litigation from The New York Times, he asserted that those repurposing News Corp content without approval are stealing and “undermining creativity”.

Revenues for the segment were up by 2 per cent, with Foxtel Group revenues of $US470 million for the quarter now representing 29 per cent of total circulation and subscription revenues for the company.

Segment EBITDA for the quarter decreased by $US13 million – or 14 per cent – compared with the year prior, which it said was due to higher sports broadcasting costs, particularly for the AFL and NRL, alongside $10 million in costs relating to the launch of Hubbl.

In an address to investors, Thomson said the company’s “e-revolution” was advancing in tough conditions, with digital subscriptions accounting for 52 per cent of total revenues.

He also paid tribute to News Corp’s “three core pillars” – Dow Jones, book publishing and digital real estate services for the quarter of growth.

Following a drop in the first quarter for the year, News Corp’s Australian mastheads, which include The Australian, The Daily Telegraph and the Herald Sun, added 3000 paying subscribers, growing to 940,000. Segment EBITDA was down 12 per cent compared to the year prior.

Revenues at News Corp Australia again decreased, by 6 per cent across the quarter due to lower advertising revenues. Revenues across the quarter for the news media division were down $US16 million, with total increases in subscription revenue not enough to offset total losses through advertising revenue.

Real Estate Australia helped the company’s digital real estate division grow profits by 15 per cent to $US147 million, with listings in Melbourne (24 per cent) and Sydney (22 per cent) both up significantly.

(SMH)

Bankers, lawyers and tech workers most likely to be in AI firing line - Feb 2024

A new generation of artificial intelligence is poised to turn old assumptions about technology on their head.

For years, people working in warehouses or fast-food restaurants worried that automation could eliminate their jobs. But new research suggests that generative AI – the kind used in chatbots such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT – will have its biggest impact on white-collar workers with high-paying jobs in industries such as banking and tech.

A report published Thursday by the Burning Glass Institute, a nonprofit research centre, and SHRM (formerly the Society for Human Resource Management), stops short of saying the technology will do away with large numbers of jobs.

But it makes clear that workers need to better prepare for a future in which AI could play a significant role in many workplaces that until now have been largely untouched by technological disruption.

For people in tech, it means they may be building their AI replacements.

“There’s no question the workers who will be impacted most are those with college degrees, and those are the people who always thought they were safe,” said Matt Sigelman, president of the Burning Glass Institute.

Corporations and governments are going to have to seriously invest to get ahead of this.

SHRM chief executive Johnny C. Taylor Jr.

For hundreds of corporations, the researchers estimated the share of payroll spending that goes to workers employed in the 200 occupations most likely to be affected by generative AI. Many of those jobs are held by affluent college graduates, including business analysts, marketing managers, software developers, database administrators, project managers and lawyers.

Companies in finance, including Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase and Morgan Stanley, have some of the highest percentages of their payrolls likely to be disrupted by generative AI. Not far behind are tech giants like Google, Microsoft and Meta.

Getting AI to do human work could result in big savings for those companies. The research estimates that banks and some tech companies spend 60 to 80 per cent of their payrolls, or more, on workers in occupations most likely to be affected by the new technology.

The retail, restaurant and transportation industries are least likely to be affected by generative AI, the report found. Companies like Walmart, McDonald’s and Delta Air Lines mostly employ workers without college degrees who perform roles like helping customers, stocking shelves, cooking food and handling baggage. They spend less than 20 per cent of their payrolls on employees in occupations most likely to be affected by generative AI.

The report doesn’t predict potential job losses related to generative AI. That will be up to employers, the report said, and whether they want to bank the savings from AI automation or use that money to invest and grow, adding more workers. Most experts expect that AI will mostly change jobs for the next few years rather than eliminate them – though that could change if the technology improves sharply.

The report highlights the need for increased training to prepare workers to adapt to a fast-arriving technology, SHRM chief executive Johnny C. Taylor Jr. said.

“Corporations and governments are going to have to seriously invest to get ahead of this,” he said.

The report is the latest entry in a growing field of work trying to predict the effect of generative AI on the economy and the workplace. Other studies have forecast a surge in economic growth and productivity, automating activities that add up to the equivalent of millions of jobs, and time savings of up to 50 per cent for routine office and coding tasks.

In its research, the Burning Glass Institute started with the estimates of generative AI exposure by occupation in a widely cited academic paper that was published last year. It then added its own data sets – including job listings, payroll information, government statistics and corporate disclosures – for the company-by-company calculations.

The SHRM report includes a ranking of selected companies. The Burning Glass Institute did the percentage estimates of the payroll spending by company for The New York Times.

Manav Raj, a co-author of the academic paper that the Burning Glass Institute relied on, said the new research appeared to be a credible effort to parse company-level data. But at this stage, he said, all the studies are educated guesses.

“The many papers out there generally conclude that this wave of AI has the potential to have a very large effect,” said Raj, an assistant professor of management at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. “But it’s going to take some time to find out what that effect really looks like.”

BlackRock ETF’s Bitcoin Holdings Exceed $3 Billion; Interest Swells for Pepe Challenger

The recent revelation that BlackRock’s spot bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) has surpassed $3 billion in Bitcoin holdings has stirred significant interest. As investors seek out the best cryptocurrency investments and explore top crypto coins, attention is increasingly turning to alternative options such as Rebel Satoshi, a rising challenger in the crypto space.

BlackRock’s Bitcoin Expansion Sets the Stage

BlackRock, a titan in the asset management industry, has made waves with its expansion into Bitcoin through its ETF, IBIT. In just two days, IBIT’s reserve holdings surged from 63,488.22 bitcoins to an impressive 70,005.56 bitcoins, now valued at over $3 billion. This development underscores the growing acceptance and integration of cryptocurrencies within traditional financial portfolios.

In the midst of BlackRock’s milestone, investors are actively seeking out what crypto to buy and uncovering promising altcoins to diversify their portfolios. Amid this quest, Rebel Satoshi has garnered attention as a potential game-changer in the crypto landscape.

Rebel Satoshi: A Rising Star

With rounds like Rebels Round 1, Warriors Round 2, and Citizens Round 3 selling out within days, the excitement around Rebel Satoshi is palpable. As the Monarchs Round 4 progresses, investors are eyeing the upcoming Recusants Round 5, which promises to be the final chance to secure a stake in this innovative project.

Seize the Moment with Rebel Satoshi

With only 25 million $RBLZ tokens remaining for this round, the Rebel Satoshi ($RBLZ) presale presents a compelling opportunity for investors. As discussions with tier 1 centralized exchanges (CEX) advance, the project aims to enhance accessibility and liquidity for investors, further increasing its appeal.

Why Rebel Satoshi Stands Out

Rebel Satoshi’s foundation on the Ethereum network ensures robust security and reliability, making it a standout option for investors seeking the best crypto investments. With the community actively involved in shaping the project’s future, Rebel Satoshi offers a unique opportunity to participate in the evolution of decentralized finance.

As the presale nears its conclusion, investors are encouraged to act swiftly to secure their stake in Rebel Satoshi ($RBLZ). With the claim process and vesting schedule set to be released, excitement continues to build around the project’s launch and its potential for growth and innovation.

Embrace the Future with Rebel Satoshi

In conclusion, as BlackRock’s Bitcoin holdings soar, and interest in cryptocurrency investments reaches new heights, Rebel Satoshi emerges as a promising contender in the crypto space. With its innovative approach and strong community support, Rebel Satoshi remains one of the best cryptocurrency investments to consider at this moment in time.

Google E-E-A-T: Should We Search For Other Articles With High Backlink Profiles?

When Google says human first, does that mean we should search for other articles with high backlink profiles rather than keyword research when trying to find a topic to discuss?

Google has told us we must provide content that exudes experience, expertise, authority, and trust – commonly referred to as E-E-A-T – if we want to rank well.

But how do you know if your content has E-E-A-T?

How do you even know what to write about?

Let’s dive in and answer these questions.

What Is E-E-A-T?

So, let’s talk about E-E-A-T – how can we make our content exude experience, expertise, authority, and trust?

These are the four things Google cares about regarding the content on your page and how it affects rankings.

Google wants to ensure that the sites it shows in its search results are legit and trustworthy.

So, it looks at things like the experience of the content creators.

Do they have a background in the field they’re writing about? Have they worked in the industry? This stuff matters to Google.

Google cares about expertise. It wants to see the people behind a site know their stuff. It wants to see evidence that the content is accurate and reliable.

Expertise can be anything from formal education to real-world experience.

Authority is a big deal for Google. It wants to see that a site is respected and trusted by others in the industry.

We can demonstrate authority through awards, citations, or positive reviews from other experts.

Finally, trust is a huge factor for Google.

Google wants to be sure that the information it is showing its users is legit and not shady. It looks at the transparency of the content, how accurate it is, and whether the site has a good reputation for being honest.

All this stuff might sound common sense, but Google takes it seriously. It has a whole set of guidelines for its raters to follow.

So if you’re trying to rank your site, check out these guidelines and make sure your site meets the E-E-A-T criteria.

Are Backlinks A Good Way To Measure A Site’s E-E-A-T?

SEO pros traditionally view links as an essential metric for determining a site’s relevance and rank-worthiness.

However, relying solely on backlinks to measure a site’s E-E-A-T is not necessarily a viable strategy.

It is crucial to understand that not all backlinks are created equal, and some can even be detrimental to a site’s ranking if they come from low-quality sources.

Search engines like Google have evolved to focus more on the quality and relevance of a website’s content and reputation than the number of backlinks it has.

A site that ranks well because of high-quality content and a positive reputation is more likely to provide value to its users than one that relies solely on backlinks.

Overemphasizing backlinks can lead to unethical practices such as link farming and purchasing backlinks. These practices can result in search engines penalizing a site, causing it to lose its ranking and reputation.

So when Google says “human first,” it doesn’t mean looking for the site with the most backlinks.

Read the latest Google Quality Raters Guide and understand what Google is looking for in your site’s content.

Look at the content on the sites that are ranking and ensure your content is clearer and exudes E-E-A-T better than your keyword competitors.

When we dive into the “Human First” ethos, it emerges as an encompassing vision of delivering exceptional user experiences through valuable, pertinent, and engaging content that conveys expertise, authority, trust, and transparency.

This shift in focus underscores an important reality: our messages are meant for humans, not algorithms. We must solve problems, answer queries, and engage in genuine dialogue.

Does this shift indicate we should focus on articles with high backlink profiles? Backlinks are, undeniably, a significant cog in the SEO machinery.

They signify the perceived authority of a website, suggesting that the content is worth its salt in the sea of information on the internet.

But should keyword research take a backseat in this scenario? Not in the slightest.

Keyword research is a compass that guides us toward our audience’s needs, queries, and search patterns. It’s a critical tool in our arsenal that helps us understand user intent and deliver content that aligns with it.

The reality is that these two strategies aren’t rivals. They are allies in our quest for an all-encompassing SEO strategy.

Consider this: you unearth an article with a high backlink profile, and you’re tempted to create a similar piece.

But without keyword research, how would you know if your audience is actively searching for this information?

Conversely, finding a golden keyword is only half the battle; If your content doesn’t provide value, you’re unlikely to garner the backlinks that signal quality to Google.

It’s also important to understand that your backlink analysis tool does not know what Google knows.

Sites that engage in large-scale link-buying schemes will seem to have a significant backlink profile on your tool.

Google may be discounting the majority of the purchased links.

You need to analyze the sites with large amounts of backlinks. They could just be doing a poor job of link-building.

Google’s “Human First” approach calls for a harmonious blend of both practices.

It’s about crafting content that satisfies user intent (highlighted by keyword research) and ensuring it’s valuable and worthy of being linked to (as indicated by a high backlink profile).

In the grand scheme, Google’s “Human First” philosophy isn’t asking us to abandon tried and tested SEO practices.

Instead, it nudges us to remember why we employ these strategies in the first place – to serve the human user.

In this light, the mastery of both backlink profile analysis and keyword research becomes an indispensable part of an effective, human-first SEO strategy.

In Conclusion

In summary, while backlinks remain essential to SEO, they should not be the sole metric for determining a site’s experience, expertise, and trustworthiness.

Instead, SEO pros should focus on building a solid brand reputation through high-quality content and ethical marketing practices.

By prioritizing these factors, businesses can achieve sustained success and build a loyal user base that trusts and values their offerings.

Boost your SEO with the magic of internal linking

Unlocking the secret power of your website might be easier than you think, and it all comes down to the art of internal linking. By cleverly linking one page of your site to another, you’re not just guiding visitors around, you’re also sending signals to search engines about the structure and importance of your content.

Many overlook the potency of internal links, focusing instead on the allure of external backlinks. However, internal linking is a crucial, if not more critical, aspect of SEO. It’s about creating a network within your website that boosts your pages in search engine rankings, making your site more visible and accessible. Let’s dive into how internal links can transform your website’s performance, making it a powerhouse in the digital realm.

Imagine you’re navigating a city with a complex network of roads. In this scenario, internal links are the signposts guiding you seamlessly from one destination to another within your website. They’re pathways enabling visitors and search engines alike to discover and understand the wealth of content that resides on your site.

By implementing strategic internal linking, you’re not just improving the user experience but also reinforcing your site’s SEO framework. This effective arrangement allows search engines to crawl and index pages more efficiently, directly impacting your site’s visibility and performance in search results.

How to build your internal linking strategy

Here’s a simplified breakdown of the benefits associated with optimized internal linking:

Navigation: Makes it easier for your audience to explore your site.

Page authority: Distributes link equity among your pages, strengthening their SEO potential.

User engagement: Increases the time spent on your site by encouraging visitors to access more content.

Interestingly, while external links to your site play a crucial role, the way you internally manage links can significantly enhance your internal link structure’s effectiveness. Your most popular pages, rich in external backlinks, can serve as powerhouses in boosting other important pages through careful distribution of internal links.

Consider this essential data showcasing the impact of internal links:

Why internal links are important for SEO

Embedding internal links within your content isn’t just a best practice; it’s vital for your site’s SEO performance. Let’s break down why internal linking should be a cornerstone of your SEO strategy.

Internal links help search engines like Google discover and map out your website. When you link Page A to Page B, you’re not just guiding your users but also search engine crawlers. This mapping allows search engines to understand the hierarchy and relationship between pages on your site. Essentially, you’re making it easier for Google to read, index, and rank your content.

Moreover, internal links distribute page authority across your website. Think of each link as a vote of confidence between pages. A well-placed internal link on a high-authority page can boost the linked page’s visibility and credibility in the eyes of search engines. This interconnected web of links ensures that authority flows throughout your site, lifting the SEO potential of each page.

Understanding the different types of internal links

When you’re sprucing up your site’s SEO, grasping the full spectrum of links is like unlocking a secret power. Here, we’ll dive into the nuances of navigational and contextual links, key players in enhancing your website’s user experience and search engine discovery.

Navigational links

Imagine your website as a vast library. Navigational links are essentially the signage pointing readers to the main sections: the fiction aisle, the reference desk, or the special collections room. These links, typically found in your site’s header, footer, or sidebar, are your roadmap, guiding visitors through your website’s landscape with ease.

Here’s why they’re indispensable:

Simplicity: They streamline site navigation, making it a breeze for visitors to find what they’re looking for.

Structure: They provide a structural backbone to your website, helping search engines index your content more efficiently.

Navigational links often include:

Home

About Us

Services/Product Categories

Contact Information

FAQs

Swift navigation ensures users and search engines can explore your site without getting lost in the weeds.

Contextual links

Stepping into the realm of contextual links, you delve deeper into the specificity of linking. Picture yourself in a conversation where you mention a famous landmark, then naturally segue into its history or significance. Contextual links operate on a similar principle, seamlessly integrating into your site’s content, offering readers further exploration or clarification on a topic.

Engagement: Keeping your audience hooked by providing relevant additional content.

Relevance: Assisting search engines in understanding the relationships between various pages on your site.

A closer look at their features:

Placement: Embedded within body text, offering a natural flow.

Purpose: Direct users to related content, enriching their site experience.

Imagine writing about the importance of website speed. Within that context, you could link to a deeper dive on optimizing images for faster loading times. Contextual links not only enrich the reader’s journey but also bolster the interconnected framework of your site, enhancing both user experience and SEO.

Crafting an efficient internal linking strategy can significantly enhance your site’s SEO. Let’s explore how to develop this vital component of your digital marketing efforts.

Identify your site’s pillar pages

First things first, pinpoint your site’s cornerstone content—these are your pillar pages. Think of these as the primary subjects you want your site to rank for. They’re broad, encompassing topics that offer immense value and insight. Your goal? Ensuring these pages gain prominence and act as a foundation for further detailed exploration.

Enhance Your SEO Strategy: Explore Our Article on Effective Techniques for Creating Backlinks.

Legal Sector SEO Opportunities in 2024: A Comprehensive Guide

The landscape of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is continually evolving, and the legal sector is no exception. As we move into 2024, law firms face unique challenges and opportunities in optimizing their online presence. This article, inspired by insights from SERP expert Mark Huntley, delves into actionable strategies and trends that legal professionals can leverage to stand out in a crowded digital marketplace.

Understanding Google’s Algorithm Changes

Google’s algorithm updates have a profound impact on how legal websites perform in search results. Staying abreast of these changes is crucial for maintaining visibility. In 2024, Google emphasizes user experience (UX), page speed, and mobile optimization more than ever, making them key areas of focus for law firms.

Keyword Strategy for Legal Firms

The right keyword strategy can significantly enhance a law firm’s SEO efforts. Incorporating a mix of long-tail keywords, local SEO phrases, and optimizing for voice search queries are essential strategies. These approaches not only improve rankings but also align with user intent, leading to higher conversion rates.

Content Marketing Trends for Legal Sector

Content is king in the world of SEO, and for legal firms, this means creating value-driven, informative content. Blogging, video content, infographics, and podcasts are powerful tools for engaging potential clients and establishing authority in your legal niche.

Website Optimization for Legal Firms

A law firm’s website must be fast, mobile-friendly, and easy to navigate. These factors not only contribute to a better user experience but also positively influence Google rankings. Incorporating clear call-to-action (CTA) buttons and ensuring ADA compliance are also key considerations.

Link Building Strategies

Building high-quality backlinks is vital for SEO success. For legal firms, this means focusing on earning links from reputable industry sites, guest blogging on legal platforms, and listing in respected legal directories.

Social Media and SEO

Social media platforms offer valuable opportunities for boosting SEO. For legal professionals, LinkedIn is particularly beneficial for networking and sharing expert content. Additionally, engaging with audiences through Instagram stories or Facebook ads can drive traffic and improve search rankings.

Local SEO for Legal Practices

Local SEO is critical for law firms targeting specific geographic areas. Optimizing your Google My Business listing, accumulating local citations, and garnering positive reviews are strategies that enhance local visibility and attract clients from your community.

Online Reputation Management

In the legal industry, reputation is everything. Actively managing your online reputation, including responding to negative reviews thoughtfully and encouraging satisfied clients to share their positive experiences, is vital for SEO and building trust with potential clients.

SEO Analytics and Reporting

Utilizing SEO analytics tools to track performance and gain insights is essential for refining strategies and achieving better outcomes. Tools like Google Analytics and SEMrush can provide valuable data on traffic, engagement, and conversion rates.

AI and SEO in the Legal Sector

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming SEO practices. For legal firms, leveraging AI for chatbots, content creation, and keyword research can streamline operations and offer personalized experiences to potential clients.

Voice Search Optimization

With the rise of voice-activated devices, optimizing for voice search is increasingly important. Creating content that answers common questions and adopts a conversational tone can help your firm capture voice search queries.

E-A-T Principle and Legal Websites

The E-A-T principle (Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) is especially relevant for legal websites. Demonstrating these qualities through comprehensive about pages, showcasing credentials, and publishing well-researched content is crucial for SEO success.

Video Marketing and SEO

Video marketing is a powerful tool for engagement and can significantly impact SEO. Optimizing video content on platforms like YouTube and incorporating live streaming sessions can enhance visibility and drive traffic.

Case Studies: Successful Legal SEO Campaigns

Examining successful SEO campaigns in the legal sector provides valuable lessons and actionable insights. These case studies highlight the strategies employed and the results achieved, offering inspiration and guidance for law firms looking to improve their SEO efforts.

Challenges and Solutions in Legal SEO

The competitive nature of the legal sector presents challenges in SEO. However, by focusing on niche specializations, adhering to ethical SEO practices, and continuously adapting to algorithm changes, law firms can navigate these challenges effectively.

Future of SEO in the Legal Sector

As we look to the future, emerging technologies and ongoing algorithm updates will shape the SEO landscape. Law firms that stay informed and agile, embracing innovative strategies and technologies, will thrive in the evolving digital arena.

Conclusion: Maximizing SEO Opportunities

The legal sector’s SEO landscape in 2024 is both challenging and ripe with opportunities. By understanding Google’s algorithm changes, adopting a strategic approach to content and keywords, and leveraging the latest technologies, law firms can maximize their online visibility and attract more clients. Remember, in the fast-paced world of SEO, staying ahead requires constant learning and adaptation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can law firms stay updated on Google’s algorithm changes?

Regularly follow SEO news sources and blogs, and consider partnering with SEO professionals who specialize in the legal sector.

What type of content should legal firms prioritize for SEO?

Focus on creating informative, client-focused content that addresses common legal questions and showcases your expertise.

How important is mobile optimization for legal websites in 2024?

With the majority of searches now conducted on mobile devices, mobile optimization is essential for SEO success.

Can social media activity impact a law firm’s SEO?

Yes, active engagement on social media can drive traffic to your website and improve your search rankings.

What is the best way to approach local SEO for law firms?

Optimize your Google My Business listing, ensure NAP (Name, Address, Phone number) consistency across online listings, and focus on local keyword optimization.

SEO News

Why Local SEO is Important for Small Businesses?

In the ever-evolving landscape of online marketing, one strategy stands out as a game-changer for small businesses: Local SEO. With the majority of consumers turning to search engines to find local businesses, optimizing your online presence for local searches has become essential for staying competitive in today’s market. In this article, we’ll explore why local SEO is crucial for small businesses and how it can propel them to success.

Enhanced Visibility in Local Searches

One of the primary benefits of local SEO is increased visibility in local search results. When potential customers search for products or services in their area, search engines prioritize businesses that are optimized for local SEO. By optimizing your website and online listings with relevant keywords, business information, and location-specific content, you can ensure that your business appears prominently in local search results.

Targeted Traffic and Qualified Leads

Local SEO helps small businesses attract highly targeted traffic and qualified leads. Unlike traditional advertising methods that cast a wide net, local SEO allows businesses to target customers who are actively searching for their products or services in their local area. This targeted approach not only increases the likelihood of converting leads into customers but also maximizes the return on investment for marketing efforts.

Competitive Advantage

In today’s competitive marketplace, small businesses need every advantage they can get to stand out from the crowd. Local SEO provides a level playing field for small businesses to compete with larger competitors. By focusing on optimizing their online presence for local searches, small businesses can outmaneuver larger competitors and capture a larger share of the local market.

Build Trust and Credibility

Local SEO helps small businesses build trust and credibility with potential customers. When a business appears prominently in local search results, it signals to consumers that the business is reputable and trustworthy. Additionally, positive reviews and ratings from satisfied customers can further enhance a business’s credibility and encourage others to choose their products or services.

Cost-Effectiveness

Compared to traditional advertising methods such as print ads or direct mail campaigns, local SEO offers a cost-effective way for small businesses to reach their target audience. With local SEO, businesses can target customers who are actively searching for their products or services, eliminating wasted advertising spend on uninterested or irrelevant audiences. Additionally, local SEO strategies such as optimizing Google My Business listings and local citations require minimal financial investment but can yield significant returns in terms of increased visibility and customer engagement.

Mobile Optimization

As the use of mobile devices continues to rise, optimizing your online presence for mobile users is more important than ever. Local SEO ensures that your business is easily discoverable and accessible to mobile users searching for products or services in their local area. By optimizing your website for mobile devices and ensuring that your business information is accurate and up-to-date across all online platforms, you can capitalize on the growing number of consumers who rely on their smartphones to find local businesses.

Community Engagement

Local SEO fosters community engagement and encourages customer interaction. By optimizing your online presence for local searches, you can connect with customers in your local area and build relationships with the community. This can include participating in local events, sponsoring community initiatives, and engaging with customers on social media platforms. By actively engaging with the local community, small businesses can strengthen their brand presence and foster customer loyalty.

Conclusion

Local SEO is a powerful tool for small businesses looking to increase their visibility, attract targeted traffic, and compete effectively in today’s digital marketplace. By optimizing their online presence for local searches, small businesses can enhance their visibility in local search results, target qualified leads, and build trust and credibility with potential customers. Additionally, local SEO offers a cost-effective way to reach target audiences, capitalize on the growing use of mobile devices, and engage with the local community. In essence, local SEO is not just a strategy; it’s a blueprint for success for small businesses looking to thrive in today’s competitive landscape. For Affordable SEO services please contact Media Man.

WWE Elimination Chamber

Perth, Western Australia

Saturday, Feb 24, 2024

WWE Women's World Champion Rhea Ripley vs. Nia Jax

hea Ripley will defend the WWE Women's World Championship against Nia Jax in The Eradicator's home country of Australia.

Ripley has been a dominant champion since winning the title at WrestleMania 39, but she is now facing what could be her greatest threat yet as The Irresistable Force has her sights set on gold once again.

Since returning to WWE in September, Jax has dominated her competition and in recent weeks has turned her attention to Ripley, including laying the titlrholder out on the Jan. 29 episode of Monday Night Raw. That attack infuriated the champion and the two Superstars engaged in a massive brawl the following week, setting the stage for what is sure to be an incredible title match.

Who will walk out of Elimination Chamber the Women's World Champion? Find out live at the Optus Stadium in Perth, Western Australia, at 5 AM ET/2 AM PT streaming LIVE on Peacock in the United States and WWE Network everywhere else.

Elimination Chamber to determine the No. 1 Contender to World Heavyweight Champion Seth "Freakin" Rollins at WrestleMania

Six Superstars will collide inside the dreaded Elimination Chamber to earn the right to challenge World Heavyweight Champion Seth "Freakin" Rollins at The Showcase of the Immortals.

On the Feb. 9 edition of SmackDown, the first two entries into the career-altering structure were decided, as Drew McIntyre overcame AJ Styles, and Randy Orton defeated Sami Zayn. 

The Elimination Chamber Match will begin with two Superstars in the ring and four other competitors enclosed in their respective pods. At equally timed intervals, a pod door will open, allowing another competitor to join the bout. This process will continue until all pods are empty. When a Superstar is pinned or submits, that Superstar is eliminated and must exit the Chamber. The last Superstar remaining will be the winner.

Find out in the coming weeks who else will earn the right to step into the Chamber for a chance to punch their ticket to The Showcase of the Immortals. Don’t miss all the action of WWE Elimination Chamber, streaming live from Optus Stadium in Perth, Western Australia, at 5 a.m. ET /2 a.m  PT on Peacock in the United States and on WWE Network everywhere else.

The Rock and Roman Reigns to return to SmackDown - Feb 10, 2024

Next week, the fireworks will arrive as The Rock and Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns both return to SmackDown. 

The two, alongside Cody Rhodes and World Heavyweight Champion Seth “Freakin” Rollins, combined for a jaw-dropping WrestleMania XL Kickoff this past Thursday, where The Rock slapped Rhodes. 

With the main event now seemingly set after the 2024 Royal Rumble winner declared he would challenge Reigns, where does this leave The Rock, who had also wished to face The Head of the Table at The Grandest Stage of Them All? 

What do The Rock and Reigns have in store when they both return to SmackDown? Find out next Friday at 8/7 C on FOX! 

Rupert Murdoch’s secret hours on camera interviewed by Sky News chief - Feb 11, 2024

Paul Whittaker has been quietly interviewing the media magnate on camera around the world for months.

Paul “Boris” Whittaker, the (apparently) heir apparent to running News Corp Australia, has been quietly conducting a series of long, on-camera interviews with Rupert Murdoch.

Over the course of months, Whittaker interviewed Murdoch multiple times in the US and UK, sources with knowledge of the conversations said. The interviews were planned as a special televised series, and no topic was off limits. He apparently shares his thoughts on former US president Donald Trump, various politicians, and even the decision to hand the reins of his sprawling media empire to his eldest son, Lachlan.

Whittaker is known for being single-minded in certain stories and has three Walkley Awards, but has spent little time in front of the camera in a 35-year career as journalist, editor of The Daily Telegraph, editor-in-chief of The Australian and now Sky News Australia chief.

At 92 years old, Murdoch was, we’re told, in fine form. That could mean almost anything.

He does very few on-camera interviews. Among the last were a 12-minute discussion on Sky News UK about his sale of 21st Century Fox to Disney back in 2017 for $68.3 billion. Before that, he did a 30-minute interview with The Australian’s Paul Kelly for the paper’s 50th anniversary in 2014.

This could be part of the plans to celebrate The Australian’s 60th anniversary, postponed to mid-July to coincide with its first edition on July 15, 1964.

When Murdoch has free rein, it’s entirely unpredictable what he will say. Just look at his brief presence on X, formerly known as Twitter. He shared thoughts on world leaders, policy, and even the occasional Wall Street Journal trivia (“Can You Trump Donald Trump on Foreign Policy? I got 6 out of 6 on this quiz”).

“No more tweets for 10 days or ever! Feel like the luckiest AND happiest man in the world,” Murdoch wrote on March 5, 2016. That was his final tweet, except for a few nonsensical replies to random accounts over the following year.

Somewhere out there, in some form, exists the unedited, full-length footage of Murdoch being interviewed by Boris. It may be one of the last interviews the nonagenarian does (though, to be fair, he could be around for another 10 years. His mother died at 103).

The interviews demonstrate that Whittaker is close to Murdoch, which counts for a lot in News Corp succession planning. And now, we wait.

In other news …

Over the past two years, the members of powerful free-to-air lobby group Free TV have been carefully – clinically, even – arguing for legally enshrined prominent placement for their apps on internet-connected TVs. Seven, Nine, Ten, ABC and SBS apps, the government seems to agree, should be pre-downloaded and installed first on the home screen.

So there was some behind-the-scenes fury when Nine, the publisher of The Australian Financial Review, put in a separate submission to the government last week that basically said its streaming platform Stan should be chucked in that list, too. Other networks pointed out this undermines their argument free-to-air networks are different, unique, and special. Nine argues Stan is Australian, airs Aussie content, and is owned by an Aussie network.

Nine CEO Mike Sneesby, the former CEO of Stan, clearly has a soft spot for the platform. We hear Free TV chairman Greg Hywood called last week to express dismay about the change in approach. A parliamentary committee will call Sneesby, Seven’s James Warburton and Paramount’s Bev McGarvey together on February 23 to make their case. McGarvey and Warburton won’t back Stan’s inclusion, that’s for sure.

(AFR)

Piers Morgan cans nightly talk show in blow to Sky News Australia - Feb 9, 2024

Piers Morgan Uncensored will no longer be screened on Sky News Australia after the influential British figure announced he was leaving News Corp’s start-up TalkTV to focus on his own YouTube channel.

Morgan called the commitment of a nightly show on the newly established Murdoch channel an “unnecessary straitjacket”, saying the program’s rigid format and fixed schedule were out of step with global audience demands.

“It’s clear there’s a huge global demand for the content we’re making … but people are watching on YouTube rather than conventional television and I have no problem with that,” Morgan said.

The decision’s local implications mean the last episode of Piers Morgan Uncensored on Sky News Australia will air on Friday, a spokesperson confirmed to this masthead. The network is also set to lose his digital content, which it said had generated more than 150 million views across its online channels.

Morgan’s YouTube channel under the same name currently has 2.35 million subscribers, with his videos and interviews regularly attracting hundreds of thousands, if not millions of views.

In contrast, the Sky broadcast of the nightly program in Australia, which has aired at 11pm Tuesday to Friday, has failed to attract a significant audience.

TalkTV launched in April 2022, with Morgan signing on as the channel’s star talent in a reported three-year £50 million ($89 million) deal, and his show syndicated across Sky and other outlets.

The launch came shortly after the establishment of GB News, a fellow fringe cable news channel featuring prominent conservative figures, led by former Sky News Australia chief executive Angelo Frangopolous.

“Piers Morgan Uncensored has driven strong online audiences across [our] digital platforms ... and has consistently ranked within our top five programs for online viewership”, a Sky News Australia spokesperson told this masthead.

“New digital-only content from Piers Morgan will be available on the Piers Morgan Uncensored YouTube channel.”

Morgan is a high-profile media figure globally, making his name at News Corp’s tabloid The Sun before being appointed editor of the now-defunct News of the World at just 29 years old.

He later moved to the Daily Mirror, and led the paper during a period when it was caught up the phone hacking scandal, which later led to the Leveson inquiry. Morgan now writes columns for The Sun and The New York Post.

The move is a further shake up of Sky News’ weekly line up, with After Dark hosts Sharri Markson and Chris Kenny exchanging time slots earlier this year in a bid to attract more viewers in the primetime 8pm window.

International hosts including Morgan, Megyn Kelly, Nigel Farage and Douglas Murray have proved successful for Sky News digitally and a major contributor to the channel’s growing and influential online audience.

In similar fashion to Morgan’s aired concerns, Sky News’ digital audience far out-rates its traditional broadcast audience.

Outsized audiences on its YouTube and Facebook channels have led to a push away from broadcast content, instead focusing on lucrative digital audiences, particularly with an emphasis on American content, leading to fractures in its newsroom.

This masthead recently revealed that 38 per cent of the Australian channel’s digital audience is based in the United States, with audiences engaging with content on US President Joe Biden, culture wars issues and the royal family, a particular focus point for Morgan.

Morgan told online news provider Semafor that he co-owns the Piers Morgan Uncensored brand with News Corp.

Former Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson launched his own digital show exclusively on social media platform X in 2023 after being sacked by the Murdoch network.

The controversial media figure published an interview with Russian president Vladimir Putin on Friday morning, the first with a Western journalist since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

(SMH)

Flashback

Marcus Family History Feature via Media Man Int

LAST OF THE OLD-TIME PROMOTERS - AUGUST 1, 2004

(Credit: Mike Mooneyham)

*We are putting these articles into the public domain via X, as time keeps passing along and many of our family members on both sides of the family, Tingle family and Marcus family, have strong history and success in the sports, entertainment and entrepreneurial world. Full credit goes to the journalists who wrote and researched these articles on our family back in the day, and we have preserved them for histories sake. This article can also be purchased in digital form as well as in the form of an e-book and hard copy book (Final Bell) for interested parties. 

Published via X/Media Man Int for educational purposes.

Contact author/journalist Mike Mooneyham of The Post And Courier if you are interested to purchase it. Thank you.

Greg Tingle, Founder and Director, Media Man Group/Media Man Int

FINAL BELL By Mike Mooneyham (via Amazon)

www.amazon.com/Final-Bell-Legends-Mat-Remembered/dp/1929647409

By Mike Mooneyham

Aug. 1, 2004

I can’t help but think about Henry Marcus whenever driving past the old County Hall on King Street.

Now an affordable housing complex known as the Palace Apartments, the building is long removed from the days when it was the place to be on Friday nights, wrestling was the ticket and Henry Marcus was the ring master.

To thousands of wrestling fans in these parts, he was as much the building as the mortar that held it together. He was a promoter extraordinaire who dabbled in everything from the Royal Canadian Ballet to the Ice Capades. But pro wrestling was his bread and butter. It’s what endeared him to mat fans throughout the state for half a century.

The news of his passing last Sunday at the age of 93 leaves a void not only in the wrestling business, but also in the rich cultural fabric of our town, which counted Marcus among its unique group of engaging and colorful personalities. A master storyteller who was gifted with razor-sharp wit and an amazing sense of recall, he was the last of the old-time promoters.

BORN TO PROMOTE

I first crossed paths with Henry Marcus in 1964. It marked my indoctrination into the soap opera gone mad known as professional wrestling. By that time he had been in the promoting business for more than 20 years. What I first noticed about him was that he stood in stark contrast to the burly behemoths who worked on his shows. With thinning hair swept straight back over his head, thick glasses and trousers hitched up to his belly button (which earned him the name “High Pockets”), the nattily attired promoter was not an imposing physical presence by any stretch of the imagination.

One thing, though, was for sure. This was his show. You’d see him handing out tickets at the box office. You’d see him taking tickets at the door, with his “Hold your own ticket!” refrain providing a familiar backdrop for the bustling County Hall throng. He’d occasionally do the ring announcing, giving the festivities just the slightest sense of decorum and an added dose of legitimacy. And, what the fans normally didn’t see, was the promoter working the backstage area, making sure the performers showed up on time and going over the intricate details that fill out a wrestling card.

Back in those days, County Hall was a mecca for wrestling in this area, and Marcus brought them all to his mat shrine. From Jim Londos to Gorgeous George to Lou Thesz to Ric Flair, they all graced the hallowed hall at 1000 King Street. Henry Marcus was the common thread that tied this unique form of entertainment to the Lowcountry, although the man was about much more than professional wrestling.

Like any promoter worth his salt, Marcus knew how to relate to people, which included the largely blue-collar wrestling audience. Whether holding a dinner in honor of Jack Dempsey at the old LaBrasca’s restaurant across from County Hall, or dining with Irving Berlin at the old Lindy’s on Broadway, Marcus always found a comfort zone.

“He was probably the smartest person that never graduated college you’d ever meet, anytime or anywhere,” Eric Marcus would say about his dad.

The son of a railroad man who died when the Hartsville native was only 3, Henry Marcus was a familiar figure in Columbia and Charleston, where the storyteller routinely held court with local businessmen, politicians, newshounds and practically anyone who appreciated his unique gift of gab. His scope of acquaintances, however, extended far beyond the Lowcountry and the state, as he rubbed shoulders with the likes of actor Tyrone Power and President Harry Truman, and was personal friends with such sports figures as boxing greats Jack Dempsey and Joe Louis, and basketball coach Frank McGuire.

LUCRATIVE LEFT TURN

Marcus got into the promotional field purely by accident. As he would tell the story, he was headed on his way to the post office when he made “a left turn instead of a right one,” and ended up bumping into a sports editor at The Record newspaper in Columbia who offered him a job writing publicity for the local wrestling shows for $3 a week. The relationships he forged with building managers led to Marcus’s entree into the promoting business, and he was doing it full-time by 1944, eventually expanding his entertainment repertoire to ice shows, stage shows, athletic events and everything in between.

Marcus promoted his first wrestling show in Charleston around 1950, a decade after he began in his home base of Columbia. His primary promotional lesson was simple: The customer is always No. 1.

While the wrestling business was Marcus’ forte, there wasn’t much he didn’t promote. “From the Royal Canadian Ballet to wrestling,” as he was wont to say, he dabbled in a little bit of everything. Boxing stars Jack Dempsey, Joe Louis, Rocky Marciano, Jimmy Braddock, Jack Sharkey and Primo Carnera all worked for him. He brought in such big-band greats as Jimmy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington and Xavier Cugat. Dick Clark of “American Bandstand” fame emceed many of Marcus’s rock and roll revues.

He liked to tell the story about when he booked the late George Reeves as “Superman” at the Township Auditorium in Columbia, and nearly 3,000 children showed up for the matinee.

“Lois Lane came out singing torch songs with her dress split up the side,” he’d recall. “All the children wanted to see Superman fly, and they had to sit through nightclub entertainment beforehand. When Reeves finally appeared, the kids still only yelled, ‘Fly, Superman, fly’! Well, I knew Superman couldn’t fly, and Superman sure knew Superman couldn’t fly. But try telling 3,000 screaming kids.”

Then there was the time he had Olympic track legend Jesse Owens race a thoroughbred horse through Columbia’s Capital City Park.

He remembered promoting when wrestling tickets were a quarter. He recalled promoting band and dance shows when entertainers showed up, had a couple of mikes set up, performed for several hours and left.

“Now you have to meet them at the airport and they show up with 18 trucks,” he’d later lament.

Marcus was a jack of all trades, but what he was first and foremost was a promoter.

THE CHANGING TIMES

“Knowing a man like Henry Marcus is one of those things that people like me keep in their minds forever. He’s one of the famous people that I know,” said Dave Spurlock, former athletic director at St. Andrews High School, who helped give Marcus a place to hold his wrestling shows when County Hall closed down in the mid-’80s.

Spurlock said he was more than happy to bring wrestling to the then fairly new gym at St. Andrews. “Not only did I have a chance to make some money, but I got to actually see wrestling on a weekly basis,” said Spurlock, a lifelong wrestling fan. The school would get the concessions money along with a cut of the gate, while Spurlock received $80 at the end of the night for being the “key man.”

He can’t help but smile when talking about the time Marcus let Spurlock’s young son and his friends come in for free for a birthday party.

“We had my son’s birthday party right there at the wrestling show, and the kids got to meet some of the wrestlers. They had a blast. We still have pictures in our old album.”

“I learned a big part of promotion from him,” said Sandy Scott, a former wrestling star who worked with Marcus in the office during the ’70s and ’80s. “When he told you something, you could take it to the bank. He was an ace of a guy.”

“Henry was a wonderful promoter to work for,” said Rip Hawk (Harvey Evers), who was a headliner for Marcus during the ’60s and ’70s. “He was a very nice man and could take a heckuva rib. “Swede (Hanson) and I used to rib him like crazy. He really and truly enjoyed it, though, and he could come back with some pretty good shots of his own. We had a lot of fun with him. I’ll guarantee you he was a legend down there.”

Attendance and business dropped for the aging promoter with the decline of Crockett Promotions during the late ’80s. Times had changed, and Marcus wasn’t part of the new WWF empire that Vince McMahon had built, nor did he fit into Ted Turner’s plans for a national wrestling company, which had absorbed the Crocketts’ NWA operation. A terse, two-paragraph letter written in November 1989 commended Marcus on his contribution to the sport over a 50-year period before informing him that the company was terminating its agreement with him. It wished him well in “future endeavors.”

It certainly wasn’t the way Marcus had envisioned going out. But he was realistic enough to know that the industry had passed him by. It was changing fast, and he didn’t like that it had become more of a pay-per-view spectacle than a show that passed through all the towns on a regular basis.

He would promote his final show in 1990 for the short-lived North American Wrestling Association.

TAKING IT HOME

His retirement years, which basically didn’t begin until shortly before his 80th birthday, were punctuated by times of both great joy and great sadness. He and his wife, Marguerite, moved to a beach home in Cherry Grove, near Myrtle Beach, which proved to be a refreshing change of pace from their many years in Columbia. (The two lived in the Hickory Hill subdivision of Charleston for a brief period during the 1970s, but moved shortly after they were robbed at gunpoint after a wrestling show).

A special ceremony – titled “The Night The Legends Return: A Tribute to Henry Marcus” – was scheduled in honor of the promoter on May 30, 1998. Tragedy, however, struck when his wife of 48 years died suddenly of a heart attack a month before the event. Twenty years his junior, she was 67, and her passing hit the promoter hard.

“Marguerite was Henry’s life from the day he laid eyes on her at the restaurant where she was working. From the day he saw Marguerite until the day she died, she was his life,” recalled Valerie Warren of Charleston, who along with husband Earl and daughter Patty, attended Marcus’s wrestling shows at County Hall beginning in the early ’70s.

The promoter was crestfallen and canceled plans to attend the event. Without her, he said, it wouldn’t be the same. A number of friends and former colleagues from the wrestling business, however, convinced him that she would have wanted him to be there. He acquiesced and attended the show.

Fittingly the tribute was held at the former King Street Palace and the site of the old County Hall. Also quite appropriately, it was one of the last events ever staged at the building, and Marcus was there to see it for the final time. After all, as some reminisced, it was “the house that Marcus built.”

The Rev. Andy McDaniel, who helped organize the event, called the promoter an important influence in his life.

“He was part of my childhood. Wrestling was part of my life, and Friday nights at County Hall was a special time of bonding between my father and myself … When he did the event in 1998, it was truly an honor for us to honor him. It takes on even more significance now.”

Into his late 80s Marcus was traveling around the world by himself. He made visits to Israel, Egypt, Canada, China, Italy and the concentration camps in Germany and Poland.

He passed on walking The Great Wall of China, preferring to view it from a tour bus. His get up and go had got up and gone, he’d laugh.

He loved his visit to Israel, the land of his ancestors, and was delighted when a soldier visiting one of the pyramids in Egypt recognized him from his promoting days in Columbia. The soldier once had been stationed at Fort Jackson, and had been a regular at the promoter’s Tuesday night wrestling shows at The Township. “It really is a small world,” the promoter would say.

He loved his family, which included sons Eric, Jerry and Barry, and eight grandchildren. He loved his close friends and his faith.

And he loved his independence. Even in his advanced years, he’d drive his car to Charleston, pick me up and we’d go out to dinner at some of his old haunts, where invariably he’d recognize veteran restaurant patrons, proprietors and even some of the waitresses. He could crack a joke without cracking a smile. If he didn’t have an answer for everything, he certainly had an opinion.

But when he lost total vision in one eye nearly two years ago and was no longer able to drive a car, the world as he had known it was gone. A fall in early 2003, when he was 91, led to another more serious fall several months later that resulted in a broken arm and rib. At that point basically bedridden with little more left than his mind, which remained amazingly sharp, the old promoter knew that the finish was near.

His final six months were spent rotating between the hospital and a nursing home. A lethal combination of a viral infection and double pneumonia spelled the end.

“If it had been boring up there for anyone lately, it got real interesting Sunday morning,” said son Eric. “They’ve got a real card up there now to keep them in stitches.”

We said our final goodbyes when I visited him a year ago in Sumter, where he had been living with his niece and her family since his wife’s death in 1998. I thanked him for the years of wonderful memories he had given me, and for his unfailing friendship over the years. He asked me again, as he had in the past, to write his obit when that day came.

Perhaps the most impressive thing about Henry Marcus that some might not have known was that he had a heart of gold. Beneath the gruff exterior of an outwardly crotchety old-time promoter who could drive the hardest of bargains was a kind-hearted soul who quietly touched the lives of many.

“He was so kind and generous,” recalled Valerie Warren. “There was a restaurant in Columbia where there was a young waitress who was raising children by herself. Henry ate there often and always left a very good-sized tip for her because he knew she needed help with her children. But that was Henry.”

Eric Marcus probably summed up his father best.

“There aren’t many people like that in this world these days.”

#HenryMarcus #Marcus #MarcusFamily #MikeMooneyham #ByMikeMooneyHam #promoter #prowrestling #wrestling #NWA #NationalWrestlingAlliance #CrockettPromotions #wrestlingnews #wrestlinghistory #sportshistory #sports #entertainment #showbiz #popculture #history #retro #media #mediaman #mediamanint 

Movie Box Office (North American)

1. Argylle - $18 million

2. The Chosen: Season 4 Episodes 1-3 - $6 million

3. The Beekeeper - $5.3 million

4. Wonka - $4.8 million

5. Migration - $4.1 million

6. Mean Girls - $4 million

7. Anyone But You - $3.5 million

8. American Fiction - $2.3 million

9. Poor Things - $2.1 million

10. Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom - $2 million

Tingle Family History In Sports and Community Media

MEN AT PLAY - October 9, 1948

(Featuring Eric Tingle and Ric Tingle)

Credit: TROVE

Pitch inspection

Rival captains Eric (Fudger) Tingle of Newport, and Bruce Han- son of Bayview, inspect the ring surface before starting a champion- ship match between the two teams at Bayview Golf Club, Umpires set the ring. Umpires Jack McNally and Stan Hughes set the required 20 marbles in a small ring inside the 12ft. big ring. Players fire at the small target from outside the big ring, must not crib over outside line.

Interested spectators, who have probably bet on the game, crowd around Bayview Golf Club's champion Jim Duval, as he attempts difficult shot on the angle.

Marbles is a serious adult sport along Sydney's Palm Beach - Manly coastal area.

BIG money is lost and won every Saturday in bets about “big-ring” marbles FabMika Games played by adult enthusiasts at 10 pitches in Sydney between Manly and Palm Beach. Each team backs itself for £2O against its opponents. In addition there are substantial side-wagers.

Newport barber Eric Tingle started the craze nine months ago when his son Ric suggested a game while Tingle was waiting for some friends for a card game. The card players arrived, join- ed in, haven’t bothered about cards since. Tingle gathered a four-man team, constructed a per-manent “big-ring” beside the Newport Hotel.

Other teams were formed but Newport is still undefeated. Says Newport’s captain Eric (Fudger) Tingle: “Marbles gets a grip on you.”

The game is played with 20 marbles placed inside a small ring, itself inside a ring 12 feet in diameter. Four-man teams play either as individuals or in pairs.

When a player knocks out 11 of the marbles he wins game.

Marble lore known to every schoolboy, forgotten by most men.

THIS IS the correct grip with the taw to ensure a straight shot along the ground at the dihs.

ANOTHER correct grip, this time firing down.

REMEMBER cunny knuckle? These players, now experts, use it frequently for hard, fast shots. Knuckle down skin tight, and he should score well.

Media, Sports Media Giants Team Up With Streaming Service

ESPN, FOX and WBD launching joint sports streaming service in late 2024

All major entities will have an equal share in company

ESPN plans to launch full DTC service, possibly later in 2024

Fox has never launched a DTC platform

ESPN, Fox and Warner Bros Discovery (WBD) have created a joint venture to launch a combined sports streaming service in the US.

The JV will have its own brand and management team with the planned service offering coverage from the three media companies’ linear channels and direct-to-consumer (DTC) platforms.

The service will launch in late 2024, serving up an array of live content including the National Football League (NFL), the National Basketball Association (NBA) and college football. Subscribers will also have access to linear feeds of major channels, including ESPN, Fox and TNT, as well as the ESPN+ platform.

The three companies, all of whom will have an equal share in the JV, say the offering will offer better value for consumers who have migrated away from cable television and solve the growing issue of fragmentation.

Customers will also be able to bundle the as-yet-unnamed service with general entertainment services like Disney+, Hulu and Max.

“The launch of this new streaming sports service is a significant moment for Disney and ESPN, a major win for sports fans, and an important step forward for the media business,” said Bob Iger, Disney chief executive.

“This means the full suite of ESPN channels will be available to consumers alongside the sports programming of other industry leaders as part of a differentiated sports-centric service. I’m grateful to Jimmy Pitaro and the team at ESPN, who are at the forefront of innovating on behalf of consumers to create new offerings with more choice and greater value.”

“We’re pumped to bring the Fox Sports portfolio to this new and exciting platform,” added Lachlan Murdoch, Fox chief executive. “We believe the service will provide passionate fans outside of the traditional bundle an array of amazing sports content all in one place.”

“At WBD, our ambition is always to connect our leading content and brands with as many viewers as possible, and this exciting joint venture and the unparalleled combination of marquee sports rights and access to the greatest sporting events in the world allows us to do just that,” said David Zaslav, WBD chief executive.

“This new sports service exemplifies our ability as an industry to drive innovation and provide consumers with more choice, enjoyment and value and we’re thrilled to deliver it to sports fans.”

ESPN Release Additional Details To Media

Key Highlights:

ESPN, FOX and Warner Bros. Discovery would form a new joint venture to develop, launch and operate a streaming sports bundle of linear networks and certain DTC sports content and services.

Each entity would own one-third of the JV, have equal board representation and license their sports content to the joint venture on a non-exclusive basis.

The service would have a new brand with an independent management team.

Bob Iger, Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company said, “The launch of this new streaming sports service is a significant moment for Disney and ESPN, a major win for sports fans, and an important step forward for the media business. This means the full suite of ESPN channels will be available to consumers alongside the sports programming of other industry leaders as part of a differentiated sports-centric service. I’m grateful to Jimmy Pitaro and the team at ESPN, who are at the forefront of innovating on behalf of consumers to create new offerings with more choice and greater value.”

Lachlan Murdoch, Executive Chair and Chief Executive Officer of FOX said, “We’re pumped to bring the FOX Sports portfolio to this new and exciting platform. We believe the service will provide passionate fans outside of the traditional bundle an array of amazing sports content all in one place.”

David Zaslav, Chief Executive Officer of Warner Bros. Discovery, said “At WBD, our ambition is always to connect our leading content and brands with as many viewers as possible, and this exciting joint venture and the unparalleled combination of marquee sports rights and access to the greatest sporting events in the world allows us to do just that. This new sports service exemplifies our ability as an industry to drive innovation and provide consumers with more choice, enjoyment and value and we’re thrilled to deliver it to sports fans.”

More details, including pricing, will be announced at a later date.

Media Man: A massive deal and development in this space. Very curious and interesting to see Murdoch's FOX team up with WBD, ESPN (Walt Disney). Change is in the wind. This comes fresh off the heels of the Netflix - WWE streaming deal announced a week + ago. More details will follow.

(Sources: ESPN, WBD, Wires, FOX/News Corp and X)

Crypto absent again from Super Bowl ads - Feb 2024

Those hoping for crypto ads during the Super Bowl this year will be disappointed

FOX Business has learned most major cryptocurrency firms will once again sit on the sidelines during the biggest marketing event of the year when the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs face off in Las Vegas on Sunday for Super Bowl LVIII.

While the $1.7 trillion digital asset market is in a much better place than this time last year during the so-called "crypto winter," crypto companies don’t have the money they once had for advertising, and those that do believe they can better spend their ad dollars away from the NFL spotlight.

Kraken, the second-biggest crypto exchange in the U.S., is not taking out a Super Bowl ad. 

"The Super Bowl is a very U.S.-centric event, and the next wave of crypto users will come from all around the world, not just the United States," Mayur Gupta, Chief Marketing Officer at Kraken tells FOX Business. "If the last wave of crypto marketing was all about hype and FOMO (Fear of Missing Out), this current wave has to be rooted in education and awareness for the substance and true value proposition of crypto as a movement that will bring financial freedom and inclusion."

The U.S.'s largest crypto exchange Coinbase is focused this year on directing money to lobbying Congress for comprehensive digital asset legislation and making campaign contributions to crypto-friendly politicians in Washington, D.C., ahead of the 2024 elections. It is unclear whether the company, who has been a past Super Bowl advertiser and runs TV ads frequently, will be featured during Sunday's game. 

But it’s not just the exchanges that will be missing from Sunday’s ad palooza, where hundreds of millions have been spent on various commercials for beer, cars and snacks. Issuers of the "spot" Bitcoin exchange-traded funds will not be featured despite a handful of them launching TV commercials in the weeks leading up to the SEC’s approval of eleven new spot Bitcoin ETFs on Jan. 10, FOX Business has learned.

For instance, BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager and provider of the iShares Bitcoin ETF, is sitting out the Super Bowl, people with direct knowledge of the matter say.

Even crypto asset manager Grayscale, which owns $21 billion in assets in its Bitcoin ETF and has launched a billboard campaign in New York City subways and airports nationwide, is not advertising during Sunday’s big game, sources say.

While some Bitcoin proponents may see this as a missed opportunity, it’s not surprising that Bitcoin ETF commercials will be absent from the Super Bowl.

According to CBS, nearly all its Super Bowl ad slots were sold out by early November, and the Bitcoin ETFs were not officially approved by the SEC until two months later.

But macro factors are also at work. The industry has been cut in half since its bull run in 2021 that unwound with the implosion of Sam Bankman-Fried’s FTX crypto exchange.

FTX was a prominent advertiser during the 2022 Super Bowl when it paid $6.5 million to appear alongside other industry giants like Coinbase and Crypto.com. The commercial featured Larry David, who later confirmed that Bankman-Fried paid him $10 million to star in the 30-second ad promoting FTX as "the next big thing."

Just nine months later, FTX descended into bankruptcy, and Bankman-Fried would get outed for spending stolen customer funds on expensive brand deals like the Super Bowl and the naming rights to the Miami Heat arena, for which he agreed to shell out $135 million.

Bankman-Fried has since been convicted on seven counts of fraud, conspiracy and money laundering and awaits sentencing in March.

On top of the FTX debacle, regulatory uncertainty is still very much top of mind for many crypto companies, meaning legal expenses take precedent over marketing and ad campaigns.

Coinbase, for instance, is locked in a contentious court battle with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which alleges the exchange is violating securities laws by operating as an unregistered exchange, offering similarly unregistered securities products as digital assets.

A southern district of New York judge will decide whether the SEC can move forward with its case against Coinbase in the coming days.

BetMGM and X Sign Exclusive Sports Betting Partnership

Unprecedented connection between social media and sports betting integrates BetMGM exclusively into major social media platform

JERSEY CITY, N.J., Feb. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- BetMGM, a leading sports betting and iGaming operator, today announced a strategic partnership with X, becoming the social media platform's exclusive Live Odds Sports Betting partner. The first-of-its-kind partnership between a premier social media brand and a sports betting operator will integrate BetMGM's odds and branding into X, with each game linking to BetMGM's website and app.

"X is the center of the sports world's conversation 24 hours a day, seven days a week," said BetMGM CEO Adam Greenblatt. "Being directly accessible within that forum is an unprecedented opportunity to expand our reach to a passionate and engaged audience. We look forward to adding intel and content that enhances the platform's interaction around sports."

X users in the United States can explore BetMGM's latest betting odds on pro football, with each of the major professional and college sports expected to follow in the coming weeks. The odds interface provides an easy clickthrough for each game to BetMGM's app or website, creating a seamless user experience. The integration will continue to evolve and grow in its functionality over the coming months.

X CEO Linda Yaccarino said, "Sports never sleep on X and now with our strategic partnership with BetMGM, fans are practically in the front row. We're bringing sports fans on X even closer to the action so they can cheer, and now bet, on their favorite teams."

As BetMGM continues to expand into new markets, responsible gaming remains a key focus. Additionally, BetMGM is proud to provide resources to help customers play responsibly including GameSense, an industry leading program, developed and licensed to MGM Resorts by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation. Through the integration within BetMGM's mobile and desktop platforms, customers can receive the same GameSense experience they have grown to count on at MGM Resorts properties nationwide. This complements BetMGM's already existing responsible gambling tools which serve to provide customers with an entertaining and safe digital experience.

The BetMGM app is available for download on both iOS and Android and is accessible via desktop at http://www.betmgm.com. 

For more information, follow @BetMGM on X.

About BetMGM

BetMGM is a market leading sports betting and gaming entertainment company, pioneering the online gaming industry. Born out of a partnership between MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) and Entain Plc (LSE: ENT), BetMGM has exclusive access to all of MGM's U.S. land-based and online sports betting, major tournament poker, and online gaming businesses. Utilizing Entain's US-licensed, state of the art technology, BetMGM offers sports betting and online gaming via market leading brands including BetMGM, Borgata Casino, Party Casino and Party Poker. Founded in 2018, BetMGM is headquartered in New Jersey. For more information, visit www.betmgminc.com.

Joe Rogan Inks New Spotify Podcast Deal, Reportedly Worth $380m - Feb 2024

Controversial podcaster Joe Rogan (above) has renewed his deal with Spotify, reportedly worth up to $US250 million ($AU383 million), a significant improvement on his previous deal.

Importantly, this new deal means that The Joe Rogan Experience is no longer exclusive to Spotify and allows his podcast to be distributed to YouTube, Apple and other podcasting platforms. His previous deal was reported to be worth between $US100-200 million ($AU153-$AU301 million).

The news marks a big change in strategy for Spotify, too. Four years ago, Rogan signed his first exclusive deal with the audio platform, during a blitz of similar deals with other podcasters. As such, Rogan’s podcast could only be enjoyed through the platform.

With this new deal allowing Rogan to post wherever he may, it marks the end of Spotify’s exclusivity efforts. Call Her Daddy became widely available earlier this week and Spotify launched a new show with Trevor Noah last year without exclusivity rights.

“The Joe Rogan Experience debuted in 2009, has been a Spotify exclusive since 2020, and we’re just getting started,” Spotify wrote in a blog post.

“Today we announced our new multiyear partnership deal with JRE. There’s so much more ahead, including that the show will soon be available on additional platforms. JRE remains podcasting’s king, consistently ranking as the most-listened-to podcast globally and our users have ranked the show as Spotify’s Wrapped top podcast each year since 2020”.

Google Releases Super Bowl Spot Teaser Created By Blind Director - Feb 2024

Google has released a behind-the-scenes sneak peek at its Super Bowl commercial which has been directed by Adam Morse, a “filmmaker who happens to be blind”.

The video explains how Morse was able to direct the advert using Google’s AI-powered Guided Frame feature that emits audio cues to tell the users what is in the frame.

Meta Ad Revenues Jump Nearly A Quarter, Amazon Also Sees Big Ad Revenue Climb - Feb 2024

Meta’s advertising revenues jumped by 24 per cent year-on-year to $US38 billion ($AU58.8 billion) in the three months ended 31 December.

The number of ad impressions across all of Meta’s apps increased by more than a fifth and the average price per ad climbed by two per cent. Overall, the company’s revenue jumped by 25 per cent in the last quarter of 2023 compared to the same time in 2022.

“We had a good quarter as our community and business continue to grow,” said Mark Zuckerberg, Meta founder and CEO. “We’ve made a lot of progress on our vision for advancing AI and the metaverse.”

As a result of those bumper earnings, Meta’s stock price surged by 14 per cent in extended trading — despite Zuck’s bruising appearance in front of the US Senate Judiciary Committee which accused the American businessman of ignoring the severity of of child exploitation on his company’s apps.

Its Reality Labs division, which is responsible for creating the metaverse, saw its losses grow a further nine per cent in the last quarter for just over $US4.6 billion ($AU7 billion).

Meanwhile, Amazon saw its ad revenues climb by 27 per cent year — though it is operating in an entirely different universe to Meta’s soaring ad money.

In Q4 2023, it brought in $US14.6 billion ($AU22.2 billion), up from $US11.5 billion ($AU17.49 billion).

“This Q4 was a record-breaking Holiday shopping season and closed out a robust 2023 for Amazon,” said Andy Jassy, Amazon CEO.

“While we made meaningful revenue, operating income, and free cash flow progress, what we’re most pleased with is the continued invention and customer experience improvements across our businesses… AWS’s continued long-term focus on customers and feature delivery, coupled with new genAI capabilities like Bedrock, Q, and Trainium have resonated with customers and are starting to be reflected in our overall results; our Advertising services continue to improve and drive positive results; our newer businesses are progressing nicely, and along with our more established businesses, collectively making customers’ lives easier and better every day”.

BlackRock Now Holds Whopping 52,025 BTC For its Spot Bitcoin ETF; Solana (SOL) And InQubeta (QUBE) Eye Significant Price Jump

BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, has been making incredible strides in the spot Bitcoin ETF market. Following the SEC decision on Bitcoin ETFs on January 10, the market has been growing at an incredible pace. And yes, BlackRock has been at the forefront.

The asset manager now holds a staggering 52,052 BTC, worth over $2.18 billion—depending on Bitcoin’s valuation—for its spot Bitcoin ETF. Recently, following Google’s policy update, its spot Bitcoin ETF was one of the first to be advertised on the platform, which continues its quest to capture a large share of the market.

At the same time, Solana (SOL) and InQubeta (QUBE) appear primed for a significant price jump. With a strong bullish wave to surf, these are the best cryptos to invest in.

InQubeta (QUBE): Potential 70x Jump After Launch

InQubeta (QUBE) has been creating a stir in the crypto scene, and for the right reasons. It recently soared past $8.6 million in its ongoing presale, with sights set on breaking the $10 million fundraising milestone. That isn’t all; its innovative concept has been hailed as one of the most bullish narratives, propelling the massive demand in its ICO stage.

Its unique offering will be a crypto-based crowdfunding platform for AI tech startups and an NFT marketplace. This will assist in its vision of reshaping the fast-rising AI market, particularly in areas relating to fundraising and market accessibility. Given the critical role it will play, analysts tip it as the best new crypto to invest in.

BlackRock: 52,052 BTC in Spot Bitcoin ETF

Investor sentiment post BTC ETF has been on the rise, and BlackRock has been adding to its Bitcoin holdings in the process. BlackRock, the largest asset manager in the world, now has a whopping 52,052 BTC for its spot Bitcoin ETF after a recent purchase. It has been one of the top gainers in the BTC ETF market, receiving a huge chunk of inflows.

With further purchases anticipated in the coming days, the price of BTC is expected to soar. This makes its current price a good entry point, especially if you wish to ride the market’s current bullish wave.

Since the launch of the spot Bitcoin ETF market on January 11, it has been growing at a remarkable pace. Currently, it is the second-largest ETF commodity after flipping silver in just a week of trading, with the rivalry now being Bitcoin ETF vs. gold.

Solana (SOL): Aiming for $150

The Bitcoin ETF market effects have been largely bearish so far, causing a market downturn, with Solana (SOL), one of the top altcoins, declining. However, the market has been on the rise, and Solana has been mirroring the upward trajectory.

According to forecasts, following the reclaiming of the $100 support, SOL’s next stop is $150. This significant jump will be on the back of rising adoption and demand, which makes the coming days exciting and SOL a good crypto to buy.

Given the above, Solana is one of the most promising plays not to miss out on. To avoid the fear of missing out (FOMO), we recommend holding some of the tokens in your portfolio.

Conclusion

BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, now boasts 52,025 BTC for its spot Bitcoin ETF. Meanwhile, Solana and InQubeta have been making waves, primed for a significant upward trajectory, especially InQubeta.

How to watch the halftime show at the 2024 Super Bowl

Sin City’s Super Bowl 58 will have the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers facing off in a sold-out Allegiant Stadium full of roaring fans, some award-worthy commercials and a can't-miss performance by Usher at the Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show.

In an interview with Vogue, the "Yeah" singer revealed that he wants his halftime show performance to “a celebration for everybody, for all of us, from the beginning up until this point.” Usher also explained that he plans to have “R&B take the main stage” and has invited some special guests to join him onstage who represent “not just R&B music, but R&B performance, R&B connection, R&B spirit.” The R&B and pop legend has previously performed during a Super Bowl halftime show as a guest of The Black Eyed Peas, who headlined the performance during Super Bowl XLV.

So whether it's the Ravens vs. 49ers, the Chiefs vs. the Lions, or some other 2024 Super Bowl lineup, we know who the star (of halftime, at least) will be. Are you ready to tune into the 2024 Super Bowl halftime show? Here’s everything you need to know about how to watch Usher perform at Super Bowl 58.

When is the 2024 Super Bowl?

Super Bowl 58 is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. ET.

What time is the Apple Music Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show

Usher's halftime show performance will start at, well, halftime on Game Day.

What channel is the Super Bowl on in 2024?

Super Bowl 58 will air live on CBS, and the alternative, family-friendly telecast will air live on Nickelodeon.

How to watch the 2024 Super Bowl without cable:

Want to tune into the Usher halftime show and Super Bowl, but don't have live TV? You can watch all the Super Bowl 58 action with the help of a TV antenna, Paramount+ subscription or live TV streaming service. Here's what we recommend for ways to watch the Super Bowl in 2024.

Paramount+ has two subscription tiers: a $6/month ad-supported tier and a $12 ad-free premium tier that includes Showtime and live access to your local CBS channel. In addition to NFL games on CBS, Paramount+ offers a host of other live sports, hit shows and new and classic movies. Unlike a lot of other streaming services, Paramount+ still offers a one-week free trial, so new subscribers can sign up to watch this week's NFL games on CBS and check out the rest of the Paramount+ library totally free for seven days.

Record year for Amazon

February 2, 2024

Amazon has reported that net sales increased 12 per cent to $574.8 billion in 2023, compared with $514 billion in 2022. Excluding the $0.1 billion unfavorable impact from year-over-year changes in foreign exchange rates throughout the year, net sales increased 12% compared with 2022.

North America segment sales increased 12 per cent year-over-year to $352.8 billion.

International segment sales increased 11 per cent year-over-year to $131.2 billion.

AWS segment sales increased 13 per cent year-over-year to $90.8 billion.

“This Q4 was a record-breaking Holiday shopping season and closed out a robust 2023 for Amazon,” said Andy Jassy, Amazon CEO. “While we made meaningful revenue, operating income, and free cash flow progress, what we’re most pleased with is the continued invention and customer experience improvements across our businesses. The regionalization of our US fulfillment network led to our fastest-ever delivery speeds for Prime members while also lowering our cost to serve; AWS’s continued long-term focus on customers and feature delivery, coupled with new genAI capabilities like Bedrock, Q, and Trainium have resonated with customers and are starting to be reflected in our overall results; our Advertising services continue to improve and drive positive results; our newer businesses are progressing nicely, and along with our more established businesses, collectively making customers’ lives easier and better every day. As we enter 2024, our teams are delivering at a rapid clip, and we have a lot in front of us to be excited about.”

Focusing on Prime Video, Amazon highlighted:

Increased total viewership for the second season of Thursday Night Football (TNF) on Prime Video by 24 per cent year over year, and had double-digit growth (14 per cent) for the second consecutive season in the hard-to-reach 18–34-year-old demographic, according to Nielsen. The November 30th Seahawks-Cowboys game attracted 15.3 million viewers, becoming Prime Video’s most watched TNF game ever, according to Nielsen.

Released 16 films and series from Amazon MGM Studios, including the second season of Reacher, which was the No. 1 title on Nielsen’s Top 10 Originals Streaming chart for the week it debuted and had the highest number of minutes viewed for any Prime Video title during a single week in 2023 according to Nielsen; second season of Invincible, the most-viewed animated series ever on Prime Video globally; holiday comedy Candy Cane Lane, one of the top 10 most-watched worldwide film debuts ever on Prime Video; thriller Saltburn, which had the highest week-over-week audience growth of any film on Prime Video in 2023; dramedy American Fiction; and sports drama The Boys in the Boat. This awards season, Amazon MGM Studios earned 16 Golden Globe nominations, 68 Emmy nominations and nine wins, and 21 Critics Choice Award nominations for content such as American Fiction, Saltburn,Daisy Jones & The Six, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,andThe Boys. For the upcoming Oscars, the studio earned five nominations for American Fiction, including for Best Picture.

Grew Prime Video’s international slate of content with more than 60 local Amazon Originals, including Mr. Dressup:The Magic of Make-Believe(Canada), which was winner of the 2023 People’s Choice Award for Documentary at the Toronto International Film Festival; Sayen: La Ruta Seca (Chile), the action-packed sequel to the most watched Latin American Original movie ever on Prime Video; Operación Triunfo (Spain), Prime Video’s first weekly live entertainment show; and 007: Road To A Million (UK), the world’s first James Bond television format, which was No. 1 on Prime Video in 27 countries worldwide on its launch weekend.

Expanded Prime Video’s global sports programming with the debut of the Amazon Original sports documentaries Kelce, chronicling Philadelphia Eagles captain Jason Kelce’s 2022 season,and Bye Bye Barry, the story of Barry Sanders’ decision to retire at the height of his NFL career. In live sports, Prime Video added new broadcast rights for NASCAR, the National Women’s Soccer League, and Premier Boxing Champions in the U.S.; ICC Cricket in Australia; and Wimbledon tennis in Austria and Germany.

Announced AWS European Sovereign Cloud, an independent cloud for Europe, to give public sector customers and those in highly regulated industries more choice to meet stringent compliance mandates in the EU and achieve the operational independence they require without compromising on the broadest and deepest cloud services.

Dan Goman, CEO and Founder of Ateliere Creative Technologies, commented: “Amazon’s technology-driven success gives it a considerable edge in the streaming market, exemplifying the challenges traditional media and entertainment companies face against tech giants entering the content space.

The tech advantage essentially creates an uneven playing field, with companies like Amazon and Netflix enjoying a massive advantage.

Essentially, it’s like comparing a car race where legacy media companies are behind the wheel of a Buick Skylark, while companies like Amazon and Netflix are speeding ahead in Ferraris. It’s hardly a fair contest, and the losses for the slower contenders will continue. Merely merging companies won’t solve the issue; after all, two Buicks won’t outpace a Ferrari.

Amazon’s strategic focus on enhancing Prime Video the last several years has transformed it into a leading streaming service, significantly broadening its business model. This shift has evolved to Prime Video offering a wide range of entertainment options and revenue streams, rather than a mere add-on to an Amazon subscription. This move has not only bolstered customer loyalty but also positioned Amazon as a formidable competitor in the streaming wars, especially as Amazon has been able to take hold of Thursday Night Football, and other major streaming moments.

While many streaming services are introducing ad-supported tiers as an option, Amazon is taking a unique approach by making ads the default for Prime Video viewers, with an option to pay extra for ad-free viewing. This strategy could differentiate Amazon in the crowded streaming market by potentially increasing ad revenue while also catering to those who prefer a premium, ad-free experience (and willing to pay more).

This move aligns with broader industry trends increasing monetisation and driving profitability for streaming platforms. The introduction of ads on Amazon Prime Video is expected to have upwards a 5 billion dollar impact on Amazon’s earnings over the next several months.”

India: JioCinema to stream 10th Celebrity Cricket League

February 2, 2024

JioCinema has announced a partnership with Celebrity Cricket League (CCL) that will se the India streaming platform exclusively live-stream Celebrity Cricket League Season 10.

Spread over four weekends, and with 20 matches that appeal to a wide audience cohort beyond cricket fans, the tournament will stream from February 23rd, exclusively on JioCinema.

Launched in 2011, Celebrity Cricket League has evolved to become one of India’s most-watched sport and entertainment event. The previous season of Celebrity Cricket League reached out to over 250 million viewers across India. Comprising eight teams representing India’s major film industries including Hindi, Punjabi, Bhojpuri, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam, CCL Season 10 will bring together over 200 film celebrities.

Ferzad Palia, Business Head, JioCinema, commented: “JioCinema is loved by users across the spectrum and is home to the best of sports and entertainment content. The unparallel viewership we enjoy is a testimony to that. Celebrity Cricket League brings the best of both these worlds, and we are happy to partner with them to entertain India.”

Vishnu Induri, Founder of Celebrity Cricket League (CCL), added: “Celebrity Cricket League has become a cultural phenomenon, and we’re delighted to partner with JioCinema to elevate the reach of our 10th season. The combination of sports and entertainment on this scale is unparalleled, and we look forward to engaging fans across the nation.”

Business class and no extra stop: Roosters’ ritzy Vegas special treatment revealed - Feb 5, 2024

In a move sure annoy rival NRL clubs, the Sydney Roosters will have a superior travel schedule to the other Las Vegas bound clubs via a luxurious flight.

The Daily Telegraph reported Roosters players will travel business class directly to the US, while the Sea Eagles, Rabbitohs and Broncos have a stop-over in Fiji on route to America.

The Roosters were chosen to fly on a Boeing’s 787-9 Dreamliner, an aeroplane which offers revolutionary lower cabin altitude, less turbulence, new filtration, better humidity and less fatigue.

The NRL had previously confirmed they would be responsible for booking squad travel arrangements to the USA, with one club flying on United Airlines in a non-stop flight.

The remaining clubs would be required to travel with Fiji Airlines under a new partnership between the NRL and the airline, however, that flight would involve a stop-over in Nadi, Fiji.

The Roosters have since been informed that they will be the club travelling directly from Sydney to Las Vegas without a stop-over on one of the world’s most comfortable aircraft.

The 787, which has multiple variants, is used for long-haul travel, with the 9 variant first brought into service on September 17, 2013.

The plane promises smoother travel, more personal space than other aircraft, and better air features to help passengers experience less fatigue. ‘

The 787 was the cheaper-to-run, smoother alternative to a number of Airbus long-haul aircraft, and has also helped to replace the Boeing 747, which for many decades was the king of the skies.

The decision to give the best flight itinerary to the Roosters is understood to be simply luck of the draw.

All four teams competing in the Las Vegas 2024 season opener fly out approximately a week before the double-header in Sin City.

The first game sees the South Sydney Rabbitohs clash with the Manly Sea Eagles (Sunday, March 3, 1:30pm AEDT), before the Roosters take on the Brisbane Broncos at 3:30pm (AEDT).

Clubs will reportedly begin working with players on sleep schedules and pre-flight activities from this week in an effort to minimise the effects of travel to Las Vegas and back in the unique start to the season.

All four clubs travelling will depart the USA the day after the games, arriving back in Australia with a week off before their Round 2 fixtures.

(FOX Sports)

Elon Musk weighs in on the economic impacts of illegal immigration

Musk said that the illegal immigration crisis is contributing to the lack of affordable housing in the US

Billionaire Elon Musk weighed in on the economic impacts of illegal immigration in a series of posts on social media as he criticized the Biden administration’s handling of the border crisis.

Musk took to X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter which he acquired and rebranded, to call out a variety of services and benefits that illegal immigrants have access to in the U.S. and argue they’re contributing to the housing affordability crisis.

"A few other things you probably don’t know: illegals in America can get bank loans, mortgages, insurance, driver’s licenses, free healthcare (California & New York) and in-state college tuition," Musk wrote. "What’s the point of being a citizen if an illegal gets all the benefits, but doesn’t pay taxes or do jury duty?"

"If you’re wondering why housing is so expensive, this is a major contributor," Musk added.

Housing prices in the U.S. hit a new record high in November amid an ongoing shortage of inventory. Mortgage rates are near the highest level in two decades due to the Federal Reserve’s fight against inflation, which has made sellers locked into low-rate mortgages reluctant to sell.

Not only are homebuyers struggling in the current housing market, but burdens on renters are rising as well. Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies found that the number of American renters considered "cost burdened" by their monthly housing payment in 2022 hit an all-time high of 22.4 million. Renters are considered burdened if they spend more than 30% of their income on rent and utilities, and the 22.4 million total amounts to roughly half of U.S. tenants.

Musk, a legal immigrant to the U.S. who was born and raised in South Africa and then moved to Canada at the age of 18 before later becoming a naturalized American citizen, emphasized that he supports legal immigration pathways despite his opposition to illegal immigration.

"As a reminder, I am very much PRO increasing legal immigration significantly," Musk added. "I’m not anti-immigration, I’m just against a massive number of unvetted people flooding into America, which any rational person should be."

Musk said that President Biden and lawmakers in Congress who’ve pushed for a border security bill could make progress on resolving the southern border crisis without enacting a new law if the administration simply puts forward an executive order reforming asylum policies.

"No laws need to be passed," Musk wrote. "All that is needed is an executive order to require proof before granting an asylum hearing. That is how it used to be."

Last week, Biden told reporters that he has done "all I can do" using the executive authority at his disposal to secure the border.

Musk also agreed with Silicon Valley entrepreneur and investor David Sacks who wrote last week that the border is broken "because this administration refuses to enforce the laws we already have." Musk responded by writing, "exactly."

(FOX Business)

Google parent Alphabet sees AI investment providing long-term opportunities

Google expected to release its most advanced generative AI model, Gemini Ultra, this year

For Google and other tech titans, the rise of artificial intelligence remains a big focus for investors as the emerging technology reshapes the tech landscape, transforming the business of search, cloud and advertising, but it also comes with a cost. 

Shares of Google parent Alphabet fell more than 7% on Wednesday, a day after the company reported quarterly results. Despite beating expectations on many key metrics, the company said capital spending will jump in 2024 as it continues to invest in AI to improve its services.

"We do remain very committed to investing in the AI opportunity across Google DeepMind, Google services, Google Cloud," Ruth Porat, the tech giant’s chief financial officer, told FOX Business' Susan Li. "Capex was up in the fourth quarter to $11 billion, and that was overwhelmingly the investment in our technical infrastructure."

There are serious questions about how AI could impact Google’s ad business. Advertising remains a powerhouse for Alphabet, accounting for more than 50% of its total revenue. YouTube’s ad revenue grew 16% year over year, but overall ad spending has seen a pullback as advertisers rein in spending.

Alphabet’s ad revenue for the fourth quarter rose to $65.5 billion from $59 billion in the same period a year ago, just shy of analysts’ estimates, also adding to the selling pressure. Shares are marginally lower this year, compared to the Nasdaq Composite's modest 1% gain.

However, Porat says evolving AI technology could contribute to success across Alphabet’s spectrum of services, including cloud computing, which earned its first-ever quarterly profit in 2023.

"The results reflect spreads across industry sectors; there is an increasing contribution from AI," Porat said. "This is clearly an extraordinary time."

Google is expected to release its most advanced generative AI model, Gemini Ultra, later this year.

(FOX)

Can Crown Sydney’s style refresh win back the high rollers? - Feb 2024

Crown Sydney has reopened one of its gaming floors in the hope that a refurbishment will attract foreign and local punters to its VIP-only casino after poor foot traffic resulted in more than 200 job cuts and reduced operating hours just one year into operations.

The Barangaroo tower’s boss Mark McWhinnie said he was confident the revamped Mahogany Room would attract gamblers from Australia and overseas.

He stressed he believed the business model would prevail regardless of whether Chinese tourists, who formerly propped up the bottom line of all Australian casinos, returned to Australia.

“I’m not overly concerned [by the absence of Chinese tourists] because we’re not just hanging our hats on China. It’s quite the opposite. We’re focused on developing awareness and demand on a number of countries in South-East Asia,” McWhinnie said.

Inbound tourism to Australia has picked up over the last year, with the latest ABS data revealing international arrivals increased to 75 per cent of pre-pandemic levels as of September last year.

McWhinnie said Crown was “quite bullish about what the international market will represent in the future”.

This masthead revealed in August that Crown had been forced to close the Mahogany Room – which was originally designed with private salons for top high rollers – due to poor visitation. It also reduced its hours of operation and made more than 200 staff redundant.

The Mahogany Room has since been redesigned to have a mix of tables and private booths to attract all kinds of punters to the same floor. Crown said it planned to reopen its second floor, known as the Crystal Floor, but did not commit to a timeline. As a VIP-only facility, Crown Sydney has no poker machines. A minimum bet of $20 applies.

Private equity giant Blackstone purchased Crown Sydney and the broader Crown Resorts business for $8.9 billion in June 2022 after the casino group was disgraced by extensive breaches of anti-money laundering and counterterrorism financing laws. The breaches culminated in the loss of its casino licences in the three states in which it operates.

Crown Sydney opened one month after Blackstone formally took the reins of the business and overhauled its original strategy, which was based around attracting junket-driven, overseas high rollers.

The company has spent $71 million in anti-money laundering and counterterrorism compliance measures since 2021, discontinued all junket tour operations and is transitioning to cashless gaming.

Crown Sydney is currently operating under a conditional licence. The NSW Independent Casino Commission will decide later this year whether its investment and strategy change has been enough to reinstate its full licence.

Regardless of whether Crown regains it, investors and industry analysts have long questioned whether the state is big enough for two casinos.

US-based Blackstone investors told this masthead in December they were concerned that the Crown takeover was a bad call. Rumours have also intensified about whether a long-touted merger between Crown and Star Entertainment is finally on the cards, as casinos face challenges from the high cost of living, increased taxes and regulatory hurdles.

But McWhinnie dismissed the idea that the business model of the $2.2 billion Barangaroo precinct wasn’t sustainable, or too reliant on casino visitation.

“If you look at the fabric of what we offer we’re not just about a casino experience. We’re a well-rounded entertainment space,” he said.

Travis Kelce Taylor Swift Proposal Super Bowl Prop Bet - Feb 5, 2024

BetOnline is honoring Taylor Swift's iconic 1989 album by offering 89 Taylor Swift Super Bowl props.

Swift of course is madly in love with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, and vice versa.  She'll be flying into this year's Super Bowl to watch him play fresh off a tour in Japan.

So does he pop the question?

It's not if, but where he proposes, as far as BetOnline is concerned.

Vacation is the favorite and only non-game location offered.

"The Taylor Swift Effect is real as we felt it throughout the NFL season, and now at an exponential level leading up to Super Bowl LVIII," BetOnline Sportsbook Manager Adam Burns said. "It truly feels like the Swift storylines have become bigger than the game itself, which is just crazy considering this is the most watched event in the world every year. But if anyone can set a new bar, it's Swift, and we wanted to do the same with our props menu."

(Gambling911)

NASCAR has strong start on Netflix - Feb 2024

NASCAR’s new Netflix documentary has already started making the Top 10 shows list in nearly 20 countries since launching earlier this week, according to streaming tracking site FlixPatrol. The five-part documentary around the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs debuted Tuesday.

Blame the Internet for Sports Illustrated’s Fall, Not Private Equity

Sports Illustrated reportedly gut much of its staff after parent co. –Arena Group Holdings– had the publishing license to the label revoked. Brand licensor Authentic Brand Group pulled the company’s print and digital rights after Arena withheld a $3.75 million quarterly payment.

Longtime fans and former employees of the once powerful publication have been quick to lament private equity’s role in SI’s fall from grace. But the blame is misguided. It belongs with the internet. 

“This isn’t about [ABG or] Arena Group. It’s about the depreciation of the value of the written word,” one well-placed media executive said. Long-form content no longer pays the bills, and “journalists simply can’t grapple with the reality their ASME winning stories aren’t helping their employers keep the lights on in a post TikTok digital world…Even in ’24, they choose to ignore how this business works.”

The relationship between ABG and Arena Group seemed to be working fine on both sides until Manoj Bhargava's Simplify Inventions took majority control of Arena Group in August ’23. The 5-Hour Energy founder subsequently let go of senior personnel, established himself as interim CEO (a position he has since resigned), and Arena defaulted on the loan payment.

That decision drove ABG to place Arena into breach of contract, and to terminate its publishing licensing agreement. 

Bhargava subsequently sent a letter to the SI Union informing its members of their tenuous future. The move sparked outrage amongst the journalism community, led to a public funeral for the brand on social channels, and spawned the narrative that PE killed Sports Illustrated.

But SI isn’t dead. 

It is currently operating, and even if Arena is unable to reobtain the license, the publisher is obligated to continue running it for some time. ABG would almost certainly have another publisher in place before the grace period expires. 

SI has gone through ownership changes before. The label was sold from Time to Meredith in 2018 and then from Meredith to Authentic Brands Group a year later.

But unlike Time and Meredith, ABG is a brand management company. Its expertise is in licensing and merchandising, not publishing. So, the holding co. licensed SI’s print and online publishing rights to Maven (now Arena Group).

The SI brand was two decades past its prime when ABG took it over. Any suggestion it or Maven/Arena is solely to blame for tarnishing its once pristine reputation is misleading. 

There’s an argument to be made ABG could have elected a better steward for the media property. Maven/Arena has made some highly controversial decisions (see: use of independent contracts, accusations of AI generated articles). 

But it’s difficult to fault the publisher for emphasizing clicks and traffic over investigative and long-form journalism. It’s happening across the digital landscape. Legacy brands are doing what is needed to survive and appeal to today’s consumer.

SI also still employs some of the industry’s best writers (see: Pat Forde, Jon Wertheim). So, while the overall product is not as good as it once was, the business is profitable and remains viable within the marketplace.

Authentic Brand Group (think: Reebok, Brooks Brothers) controls SI’s licensing rights. 

It purchased the company from Meredith for $110 million in May ’19 and had a 10-year $15 million/year publishing agreement in place with Maven before the end of the June. So, its starting point on Sports Illustrated is profitable.

And because Arena employs all the content creators, its overhead is lower and margins are much higher than they would be for a traditional publishing co.

ABG has since introduced an SI branded sportsbook, ticketing platform, premium hospitality concept, and it is reportedly working on several hotel projects (including: Ann Arbor, Michigan). 

Those efforts do not even have to pan out for them to be worth ABG’s involvement. Licensing companies typically structure deals to include minimum guarantees (there may be success-based kickers to create upside opportunity).

ABG is building a high-end ticketed events business with the SI brand too.  

“They’re literally doing what Meredith, Conde Nast, Hearst, and most digital publishers have been trying to do for 20 years and haven’t been able to figure out,” the media executive said.

ABG has seemingly cracked the code on how to extract maximum value from a brand in a business that is in secular decline–minimizing the content side of the house from business decisions. Arena is solely responsible for writing, editing, publishing, and distribution.

“They don’t get a seat at the table for licensing deals, events, [partnerships], or any of the other things they get to weigh in on at other places that they have no expertise to weigh in on,” the media executive said.

ABG handles all the omni-channel opportunities demanded by today’s consumer as the licensor. 

The only issue with ABG’s model is that it is reliant on a publisher, which it does not employ, to uphold the brand’s editorial product and to manage the team who produces the content and sells the ads. And contract stipulations can only ensure so much. 

Licensors will often factor the loss of control into their models, but asset quality still needs to remain at sufficient levels for the brand to expand into ancillary categories.

Up until this point, Arena had upheld its end of the bargain. Its recent decision to skip a payment, and the subsequent fallout, may have changed the calculus for ABG. 

It’s hard to understand what Arena’s end game was/is. But it’s nearly impossible to believe a billionaire bought a majority stake in the company only to unload its biggest asset within a matter of weeks. One must assume Bhargava has a plan for SI moving forward. 

Whether ABG can or wants to trust him to operate the publication is another discussion. 

“If you’re degrading the value of the brand, you’re degrading the partnership or its potential impact [for the licensor],” the media executive said.

ABG does not need the next publisher to re-establish SI as the ‘Porsche’ of sports media to build a lucrative licensing business. But it can’t get to ‘Honda’ levels, either. The next SI publisher simply needs to come in and churn out quality content. 

Junior Bridgeman, Vox, and Penske Media are among those who have reportedly expressed interest in taking SI over should ABG choose to go in another direction.

(JohnWallStreet)

What will be on the Sphere in Las Vegas during Super Bowl LVIII?

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Many people are curious about what will be projected on the massive Sphere in Las Vegas during the upcoming Super Bowl. On Sunday, we received a sneak peek of what to expect from the newest addition to the city’s skyline.

The collaboration with the NFL is scheduled to kick off on Monday, Feb. 5. On Sunday, Sphere Entertainment Co. previewed what will be displayed on the Sphere’s exterior, celebrated as the largest LED screen in the world.

During the game, CBS’s coverage of Super Bowl LVIII will be broadcast on the landmark display. Content on the Sphere will respond in real-time to the action on the field between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers. Additionally, officials say the Sphere will be the focus of two curated moments during the game broadcast on CBS.

There’s no immediate word on whether or not the adorable Sphere emoji will make an appearance during the big game, but the little guy is usually up to something, so that’s worth keeping an eye on as the game approaches.

In the week leading up to the Super Bowl, the Sphere will project NFL-related content, including a countdown clock and a graphic highlighting Sunday’s matchup.

Additionally, all 57 Super Bowl rings will be displayed on the Sphere in the lead up to the NFL championship game, providing football fans in the “entertainment capital of the world” a unique photo opportunity to represent their favorite team.

“In celebration of Super Bowl LVIII, Sphere Studios created custom content that will run throughout the week,” a news release from Sphere Entertainment Co. stated. “This includes, as part of its ongoing XO/Art program, commissions from legendary street artists to create custom art for the Exosphere that will run at various times this week.”

The Sphere’s exterior is the largest LED screen on Earth, consisting of approximately 1.2 million LED pucks spaced eight inches apart. Each puck contains 48 individual LED diodes.

SPHERE AND NFL COLLABORATE ON CUSTOM SUPER BOWL CONTENT FOR THE EXOSPHERE CREATED EXCLUSIVELY BY SPHERE STUDIOS

Exosphere Content To Be Broadcast During The Game on CBS And Run Throughout Super Bowl Week

Both Interior and Exterior of Sphere to be Showcased 

LAS VEGAS , Feb. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Sphere Entertainment Co. (NYSE: SPHR) and the NFL today announced a collaboration that will see custom Super Bowl LVIII content, created exclusively by Sphere Studios, displayed on Sphere's fully programmable LED exterior – the Exosphere – throughout Super Bowl Week. As part of this, Sphere will also be featured in CBS Sports' coverage of Super Bowl LVIII on CBS and Paramount+.

"We welcome Super Bowl LVIII to Las Vegas, which continues to reinforce its place as a destination for the biggest events in sports and entertainment," said Joel Fisher, Executive Vice President, Marquee Events and Operations for MSG Entertainment, who oversees marquee events for Sphere. "As a new Las Vegas landmark, Sphere is recognized worldwide for its dynamic visuals, and we're proud to collaborate with the NFL on content that will captivate audiences both in Las Vegas and watching on CBS."

"The Super Bowl and Sphere are two globally recognized brands, and together will showcase the power of this unparalleled digital canvas to bring fans together around Super Bowl LVIII," said Guy Barnett, Senior Vice President Brand Strategy & Creative Development, Sphere Entertainment. "The custom Super Bowl-themed content our Sphere Studios team created for the Exosphere will surprise and delight fans, adding a one-of-a-kind element to the first ever Las Vegas Super Bowl, and to the game broadcast."

"In the short amount of time since its opening, Sphere has established itself as one of the most recognizable landmarks in Las Vegas and we're thrilled about this collaboration in the lead up to Super Bowl LVIII," said Peter O'Reilly, Executive Vice President, Club Business, League Events & International at the NFL. "There won't be a better place for the League and our family of official NFL partners to display their creative and message the thousands of fans descending upon Las Vegas for the biggest annual sports event in the world."

Super Bowl Week in Las Vegas officially kicks off tomorrow, as does a slate of custom Exosphere content that will run throughout the week. Working in collaboration with the NFL, Sphere will display content including: a countdown clock leading up to kick-off on Sunday; a welcome visual that will serve as a beacon for the hundreds of thousands of people expected to descend on Las Vegas; and key graphics highlighting the matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers. In celebration of Super Bowl history, Sphere will showcase all 57 Super Bowl rings, giving fans on the ground in Las Vegas an opportunity to pose in front of their team's ring. Throughout the game, content on the Exosphere will run live, in real time in response to action on the field.

During the game, the CBS Sports' broadcast of Super Bowl LVIII will showcase Sphere. Both the Exosphere and the interior of Sphere will be featured as part of two curated moments in custom, one-of-a-kind videos filmed at the venue that showcase the immersive capabilities of Sphere's 16K x 16K resolution interior display plane.

In celebration of Super Bowl LVIII, Sphere Studios created custom content that will run throughout the week. This includes, as part of its ongoing XO/Art program, commissions from legendary street artists to create custom art for the Exosphere that will run at various times this week.

In addition to custom NFL and Super Bowl content, some of the world's largest brands will have advertisements displayed on the Exosphere throughout Super Bowl Week.

The largest LED screen on Earth, the Exosphere consists of approximately 1.2 million LED pucks, spaced eight inches apart. Each puck contains 48 individual LED diodes, with each diode capable of displaying 256 million different colors – creating a vivid landmark on the Las Vegas skyline.

About Sphere:

Sphere is a next-generation entertainment medium that is redefining the future of live entertainment. A venue where the foremost artists, creators, and technologists create extraordinary experiences that take storytelling to a new level and transport audiences to places both real and imagined. The venue hosts original Sphere Experiences from leading Hollywood directors; concerts and residencies from the world's biggest artists; and premier marquee events. The first Sphere venue opened in Las Vegas in September 2023, and is a new Las Vegas landmark, powered by cutting-edge technologies that ignite the senses and enable audiences to share experiences at a never-before-seen scale. More information is available at thespherevegas.com.

About Sphere Entertainment Co.

Sphere Entertainment Co. (NYSE: SPHR) is a premier live entertainment and media company. The Company includes Sphere, a next-generation entertainment medium powered by cutting-edge technologies to redefine the future of entertainment. The first Sphere venue in Las Vegas opened in September 2023. In addition, the Company includes MSG Networks, which operates two regional sports and entertainment networks, MSG Network and MSG Sportsnet, as well as a direct-to-consumer and authenticated streaming product, MSG+, delivering a wide range of live sports content and other programming. More information is available at sphereentertainmentco.com.

The King of Vegas: Legendary Hall of Fame oddsmaker Jimmy Vaccaro has a story for you - Feb 5, 2024

AS VEGAS — When you spend nearly five decades working in Las Vegas, you have stories to tell. Jimmy Vaccaro would run out of time before he'd run out of stories.

Vaccaro is one of the legends in Las Vegas sports betting history, one of the first to manage a sports book and a fixture in the city who has been setting odds since the 1970s. When the Sports Gambling Hall of Fame was formed in 2023, Vaccaro was part of the 10-person inaugural class. He's one of the legendary oddsmakers in Las Vegas history.

"He’s one of the most famous now," said South Point sports book director Chris Andrews, a decades-long friend of Vaccaro. "How do you rate them? It's like, who’s the best guitar player in the world? Everyone has their opinion on it. He’s certainly in the conversation."

Vaccaro isn't unfamiliar with fame and attention. His brother, Sonny, was played by Matt Damon in the movie "Air," the story of Sonny Vaccaro convincing Nike to sign Michael Jordan.

Vaccaro has stories to tell, and he'll often interrupt himself to start one.

"I was on 'The Simpsons,'" Vaccaro said. "You didn’t know that?"

"The Simpsons"? Like Homer, Marge and Bart, those Simpsons?

"Want to punch it up? You can punch it up," Vaccaro said, turning to a computer near him, almost egging you to search for him on the internet.

Vaccaro said Alan Feldman, then the marketing director for The Mirage casino in Las Vegas, came to him with the opportunity to be on the popular show in 1995.

"I didn’t know what 'The Simpsons' were," Vaccaro said. "Now, my two kids did because that was in their zone. I said, 'Yeah, whatever.'"

He explained how he had to find a different color shirt (other than white) because of how it would look on camera, how he gave the fake betting odds on who shot Mr. Burns and even how royalties work after you've been on a TV show. He laughed at how classmates heard that his kids' dad had been on "The Simpsons," and that became a thing at school.

"So, I was on 'The Simpsons,'" he said.

This is what a visit with Vaccaro is like. This one took place in mid December, about six weeks before Vaccaro's beloved Las Vegas played host to the Super Bowl this week. Most days, he is hanging around the South Point sports book, about a 15-minute drive from the south end of The Strip, advising the oddsmaking team there, wearing his comfortable sweatshirt and always willing to share a story.

When you're one of the most famous figures in Las Vegas gaming history, you have plenty of stories to tell.

The glory days of Vegas' big boxing matches

Super Bowl LVIII will be played in Las Vegas. It's not the first time the city has hosted a big sporting event.

The big boxing matches are what Vaccaro remembers most fondly from his career. Muhammad Ali's last big fight, against Larry Holmes at Caesars Palace in 1980, stands out. And here comes another Vaccaro story, this one about the time he had a customer from Detroit, with a woman on each arm, come in wanting to bet on Tommy Hearns in a big fight. Vaccaro asked him how much he wanted on Hearns.

"He says, ‘I don’t know. What do you think, girls?’ They’re giggling," Vaccaro said. "He says, ‘How about $40,000?’

"You can only imagine how long it would take to count out $20 bills for $40,000. I’ll never forget it."

Back in the glory days of big boxing matches in Las Vegas, there weren't nearly as many sports books in the city as there are now. There were only a handful, which is part of what makes Vaccaro such a big figure in sports betting history. He ran multiple sports books through the years, starting at Barbary Coast and eventually moving to The Mirage, MGM Grand and Golden Nugget. When the fights came to town, people wanted to bet, and Vaccaro's sports book was one of their only options.

"The boxing was incredible," Vaccaro said. "We went through about 15 years where every four or five months was a monster fight. Forget this UFC garbage."

Sitting nearby in a side office as he listens to Vaccaro tell his old stories, Andrews chimed in: “We had like three or four extra Super Bowls a year with these fights.”

"The fights were incredible," Vaccaro continued. "And I loved them. Never stopped loving 'em."

A memorable fight led to Vaccaro's most famous moment. Want to hear a story?

42-to-1

Vaccaro loved putting up odds on boxing matches, even a 1990 mismatch between the seemingly invincible Mike Tyson and a no-name such as Buster Douglas.

"I was putting up odds on all those fights because I enjoyed it," Vaccaro said. "So now here it is, it’s like, ‘Wow.’ Nobody would book the fight because the odds were too high. So I said, ‘I’ve got to do this because I’ll be the only one.’"

In a previous Tyson fight, Vaccaro opened Michael Spinks as an 8-to-1 underdog, and so many people bet Tyson that the odds moved to 15-to-1. Tyson won in 91 seconds.

For the Douglas fight? Vaccaro's sports book at The Mirage was the only one to set a line. He set it at 27-to-1.

"That was the opening line," Vaccaro said. "A guy I know pretty well, he was a bettor every day, he laid the 27. He laid $54,000 to win $2,000. Because he thought it was just a pickup. You know, 10 minutes later, I’m going to get my money.

"I changed it to 31-to-1. Another one of my big boxing bettors from L.A. came to town. 'Jimmy, I heard you had this fight.’ It’s 31-to-1. He bet $93,000 to win $3,000 at 31-to-1 or whatever it was. Then people started to hear about it. It just didn’t stop. I got to 42-to-1."

In 2018, ESPN made a documentary on the Tyson-Douglas fight as part of its "30 for 30" series. The title was "42 to 1."

"You’ll like this," Vaccaro said. "The number is 42-to-1. This is the day of the fight. Guy came in, he was a customer at The Mirage. He laid $420,000 at 42-to-1 to win $10,000. I’ll never forget.

"Somebody was standing there, I think it was a newspaper guy. I said, ‘He thought he was going to pick up $10,000 in about five minutes, when they rang the bell.’"

Well, Tyson lost in one of the biggest upsets in sports history. Vaccaro said he didn't believe the ticker when it said Tyson lost the fight, which was in Tokyo. He didn't pay out the bets on Douglas until news stations such as ESPN started reporting it.

Then Vaccaro went home, and at about 5 a.m., he started getting calls from The Mirage saying they were receiving multiple interview requests. The Mirage, thanks to Vaccaro, was the only sports book that had a line on Tyson vs. Douglas. He came back in to do all the interviews.

"So you can only imagine the vibration through the whole freaking world," Vaccaro said. "Now remember, if Tyson would have won, there would have been nobody calling us."

Soon, 42-to-1 became part of the lore of one of the most famous fights in boxing history.

"I'll live with that one for a long time," Vaccaro said. "It’s a good feeling. Nobody else did it."

How Vaccaro built his name in Vegas

Got time for another story? Sure you do.

"I was the first one to make overs and unders on season win totals," Vaccaro said as soon as he finished the Tyson-Douglas story.

In 1989, he had customers in from Texas who wanted to know how many wins Vaccaro thought the Dallas Cowboys would get with new head coach Jimmy Johnson. He thought about it a while, and he set a line: 5.5 wins. One of the bettors wanted the over. His wife had a purse on her shoulder.

"She turned her purse over, and all these wrapped $10,000 of bills are in there," Vaccaro said. "He bet $38,500 to win $35,000 on the over."

The Cowboys went 1-15, but that started the trend of sports books posting season win totals for teams. Today, it's one of the most popular markets in sports betting.

The stories don't stop. One time, when Vaccaro was running the sports book at The Mirage, the book had a terrible day and lost $1.4 million. Vaccaro got a call from casino/resort owner Steve Wynn.

"I walk in there, and he says, ‘What the hell did you do?’ I said, 'We have good days, too, Steve,'" Vaccaro said, perhaps unaware that not many people have to answer to their boss after losing more than a million dollars. "He said, ‘Go back, and do what you’re doing, and keep doing it.’"

The stories go all the way back to his origins in Las Vegas. He first drove to Vegas from Trafford, Pennsylvania, when he was 18. After he turned 21, he'd go to Vegas "every time I had a little bit of money" and go home when he was broke. After a few years, a friend remarked that he should just stay in Vegas. And in 1975, he did. He went to see casino owner Michael Gaughan and asked for a job. Gaughan said he could become a blackjack dealer; it just took $250 to go to a dealer school that Gaughan owned.

"I had, like, $40, I think," Vaccaro said.

Gaughan let Vaccaro pay him back when he had the money.

You won't be surprised to hear that Vaccaro also has a story about how he got into the sports betting business in which he became a legend. One day, Gaughan called him up to his office.

"If I live to be 10 million years old, this is what he said, because it changed my life," Vaccaro said. "He said, ‘Do you know how to run a sports book?’ I said, ‘No!’ I was just a kid like him, betting, but never running a sports book.

"He said, ‘Good, neither do I.’"

Vaccaro was put in charge of a little sports book at the Royal Inn, which was imploded in 2015. There were only a few other sports books in Las Vegas at the time. That grew until practically every casino had one. Then a Supreme Court decision in 2018 allowed states to legalize sports gambling. Legal sports betting exploded afterward. Sports betting going mainstream is likely part of the reason the Super Bowl is in Las Vegas. That explosion traces back, at least in part, to Vaccaro setting lines for Ali-Holmes, taking $40,000 bets on Tommy Hearns, making the first win total odds for the 1989 Cowboys and giving sports betting invaluable exposure with the Tyson-Douglas line.

There are many more stories from his lifetime of oddsmaking, such as the time legendary poker player Stu Ungar was being treated in his office after having a heart attack but still wanted to bet ("‘Where’s Jimmy? I want the Cowboys for $30,000!’" Vaccaro said. "Everybody was staring. I said, ‘You’re going to f***ing die!’ He said, ‘Jimmy, give me the bet!’") or the time his was the first sports book to take a big bet from from Mattress Mack, the owner of the Gallery Furniture chain in Houston who has become famous in the betting world for massive wagers, which are sometimes eight figures and usually on Houston teams ("He’s a gentleman," Vaccaro said. "We have nothing but good things to say about each other.").

Along the way, Vaccaro played his part in bringing sports betting to the mainstream.

"I was probably the only one who said, ‘We ain’t seen nothing yet,’ way back when it started," he said. "We’re not geniuses. We just left the door open for a little bit."

(Yahoo!)

Elon Musk's X to hire 100 content moderators in Austin this year - January 28, 2024

The Elon Musk-owned X social media platform announced a new content moderation push

Elon Musk’s X is in the process of hiring 100 content moderators for a new office in Austin, Texas, that will focus on fighting child abuse online on the social media platform, an executive said on Saturday.

X, formerly known as Twitter, announced a new "Trust and Safety center of excellence" in a blog post by CEO Linda Yaccarino on Friday. The new initiative comes as part of the company’s efforts to combat child sexual exploitation (CSE) on the social media platform.

"While X is not the platform of choice for children and minors – users between 13-17 account for less than 1% of our daily U.S. users – we have made it more difficult for bad actors to share or engage with CSE material on X, while simultaneously making it simpler for our users to report CSE content," Yaccarino wrote.

She added that the platform is "improving our detection mechanisms to find more reportable content on the platform to report to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC)."

The post noted that X suspended 12.4 million accounts for violating the platform’s CSE policies in 2023 – a dramatic uptick from 2.3 million account suspensions in 2022. 

The company also referred 850,000 reports to NCMEC in 2023, including through X’s first ever fully-automated report. 

The company said that was over eight times more than what Twitter referred to NCMEC in 2022 before it was acquired by the Elon Musk-led ownership group.

Following Musk’s 2022 takeover of Twitter, he has faced criticism for the content moderation policy changes to the social media site, which caused some advertisers to reconsider their spending on the platform.

X is in the process of hiring content moderation staff for the new Trust and Safety center of excellence in Austin, Texas.

"The team is currently being built," said Joe Benarroch, X’s head of business operations, about the Austin office. He added that the goal to fill the positions by the end of the year is dependent on finding the right talent.

The company added that the new Austin facility will also help X fight other types of harmful social media content.

(FOX)

Sports News

Rudd, Hockey on hand to turn NRL’s Las Vegas play into reality - January 25, 2024

The NRL’s Las Vegas season-opener is expected to go ahead as planned, with executives at the sport’s governing body planning to lean on the expertise of three former politicians to expedite a visa process for players.

The four NRL clubs that will travel to the United States to compete in the Las Vegas double-header on March 2 have been at loggerheads with the Australian Rugby League Commission over delays to crucial matters such as accommodation, visas and funds for offshore training camps.

But an urgent meeting on Thursday between the clubs, NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo and Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys ended with an agreement to hand the South Sydney Rabbitohs, Sydney Roosters, Manly Sea Eagles and the Brisbane Broncos $700,000 each in funding for pre-season training camps and unlimited insurance for serious injuries. They have also been given assurances that all visas and accommodation issues will be resolved.

“We’ve got the comfort and satisfaction that we needed to make sure that it’s going to be a success. From now on, it’s full steam ahead,” Rabbitohs chief executive Blake Solly said. “What Peter and Andrew said today is they’re very confident that all players will get access to the US, which is really important to the game. We want to see the best players on the field.”

The NRL’s Las Vegas play is the brainchild of Mr V’landys and is based on concerns the game can’t sustain revenue growth by relying on local broadcast revenue, advertising sponsorship and wagering turnover.

But the process has been arduous and expensive. The Sydney Morning Herald reported earlier this week that the four clubs had written to Mr V’landys expressing concerns about a lack of information regarding visas, medical insurance, Las Vegas training venues and fast rising costs.

“There was a degree of frustration about some of the things and issues we were raising and couldn’t get a resolution,” Mr Solly said on Thursday. “Peter understood our concerns, and he understood some of the challenges Andrew has faced, and he was able to bulldoze through them.”

The NRL initially told the clubs players could travel to the US with visa waiver available for Australian travellers. Clubs were concerned about players being stopped by US customs, particularly those who had been arrested in Australia such as Payne Haas, Latrell Mitchell and Reece Walsh.

Mr V’landys will rely on Australian Turf Club chairman Peter McGauran, a friend and former Howard government minister, to expedite the visa process. Mr McGauran is a former consul-general and senior trade investment commissioner to Texas and currently works for Bondi Partners, the advisory and investment firm run by former treasurer Joe Hockey.

The NRL also plans to lean on Kevin Rudd, the Australian ambassador in Washington DC, and Mr Hockey to expedite the process.

Mr Solly said the clubs had received assurances that players would be able to get visas approved. Players who have not been arrested previously will enter the US on a waiver, while the others will apply for a visitor visa.

“They’re working with the consulate and government to make sure that process is expedited as quickly as can be,” he said. “Based on what we agreed today, we should be fine to sign the [final] agreement and get on with it.”

To make sure players are prepared to play in US conditions, the four clubs will base themselves in Los Angeles, San Diego and Las Vegas for more than a week before kick-off. The NRL agreed on Thursday to provide $175,000 per club towards the cost of that week.

“This is an investment right now for the future,” Mr Abdo said.

“Having said that, we’re not approaching this expecting massive losses. We’ve already started building revenue streams, we’ve got investment from sponsors, we’ve sold a number of tickets.”

(AFR)

Can the tech giants live up to all the AI hype? - January 29, 2024

Investors will be closely watching to see if Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon, Apple and Meta can report a rise in earnings that would  justify the surge in their share prices.

The mania surrounding generative artificial intelligence (AI) has propelled the US sharemarket to record levels, but this week’s earnings reports from the five US tech giants will test whether the hype has been overdone.

In particular, investors will be questioning whether the tech giants – Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon, Apple and Meta – can report a rise in earnings that would justify the huge surge in their share prices. (So far this year, the US blue chip S&P 500 has risen 2.5 per cent, and the tech sector is up by close to 6 per cent).

The question about monetising generative AI is a difficult one for the big tech giants.

This month, Satya Nadella, the CEO of Microsoft, and Sam Altman, the high-profile head of OpenAI, took to the stage together at Davos to discuss their partnership, and the potential of generative AI, which enables computers to generate sophisticated text, images and computer code at a level comparable to humans.

Nadella was upbeat, saying the world was nearing a “magical moment” similar to the introduction of the personal computer.

But then the moderator posed an awkward question about their AI efforts: “Do you guys make money?”

Although both Nadella and Altman avoided giving a direct answer, the question is very pertinent – especially now that Microsoft boasts a market capitalisation of about $US3 trillion ($4.6 trillion) and is vying with Apple for the title of the world’s most valuable company.

Since ChatGPT was released at the end of November 2022, Microsoft’s share price has soared 66 per cent, or roughly three times the rise in the overall market.

Underpinning this share price surge, however, are investor expectations that generative AI will result in a huge increase in revenue and profits.

There’s no doubt that Microsoft’s partnership with Altman’s OpenAI, which developed ChatGPT, has allowed it to leapfrog Google, which has been working on AI for years.

Microsoft first invested $US1 billion in OpenAI in July 2019, and then committed a further $US10 billion a year ago. When the OpenAI board ousted Altman last year, it was Nadella’s support that led to his reinstatement.

But Microsoft is still in the early stages of embedding OpenAI’s technology into its offerings, such as its coding platform GitHub, its Azure cloud business and its software business, which includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.

And there are also questions about the speed with which its customers will embrace AI.

Risk of disillusionment

This means there’s a risk that investors will become disillusioned if the AI hype fails to quickly translate into stronger revenues.

Interestingly, Altman seems to have recognised this risk. On stage at Davos, he played down hopes that AI technology would radically change the world in the short term. Instead, he said it would inexorably improve over a longer period and eventually have a significant impact.

“The world had a two-week freakout with GPT4”, Altman said, referring to the launch last March of OpenAI’s latest version of its chatbot. “And now, people are like, ‘Why is it so slow?’”

Given the US market’s rally has been driven by a handful of big tech stocks, the risk is that investors show a similar impatience. That’s why this week’s earnings updates from the five US tech giants are so important.

In particular, investors will be keen to hear from Microsoft on its progress in embedding the latest AI models in its offerings.

And while they’ll be keen to hear from Google parent Alphabet on the outlook for online advertising revenues, they’ll also be waiting for an update on the company’s progress in developing its own AI models, which it plans to commercialise through its Google Cloud business.

Meanwhile, investors will be watching closely to see how Amazon performed during the holiday retail season, and whether it has been able to improve margins in its e-commerce business. But they’ll also be looking for signs that its cloud business is continuing to benefit from the growth in AI workloads.

Apple’s results will be scrutinised for signs that its Chinese sales of the iPhone have suffered because of stronger competition from rivals such as Huawei. But investors will also be keen to hear from Apple boss Tim Cook on its plans to incorporate generative AI on its devices.

Finally, investors will be paying close attention to Meta’s results, both to get a read on the health of the online advertising market and for an update on the company’s aggressive AI plans.

Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg has signalled that the company is now focused on building an artificial general intelligence (AGI) system, which can carry out tasks at a level of intelligence that equals or exceeds that of humans.

(AFR)

Nine’s bankers asked private equity if they were interested in Domain - January 29, 2024

Nine Entertainment’s bankers canvassed major private equity firms to gauge their interest in the company’s controlling stake in Domain, the ASX-listed property sales platform which is valued at more than $2 billion.

Nine owns 60 per cent of Domain, which listed in 2017. Nine’s position in the major residential and commercial property listing platform makes up around 38 per cent of the media group’s $3.2 billion valuation.

Sources close to the discussions, who asked for anonymity to speak openly about the matter, confirmed Jefferies’ Michael Stock canvassed both KKR and TPG around the middle of last year and discussed whether they were interested in looking at a deal relating to Domain.

While no deal eventuated, the discussions demonstrate that Nine – the publisher of The Australian Financial Review – has been considering how to make one of its major growth investments work harder. Among options for Nine could be taking Domain private with a third party, or selling all or part of its position in the company.

KKR and TPG declined to comment, as did Jefferies, Domain and Nine.

There are two key challenges going forward for Nine, which owns the Nine Network, free streaming platform 9Now, paid streaming service Stan, radio stations like 2GB and 3AW, and some of the country’s largest publishing assets including The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.

First, the television advertising market is largely flat. Advertisers are pulling back in a cost-of-living crunch, and there is more competition with streaming platforms – Amazon Prime Video will start running ads in Australia in the middle of this year. Television advertising made up 53 per cent of earnings in the last financial year. Domain added 11 per cent.

The second challenge is with Domain. The real estate platform is a key area for future growth for Nine, but it has not performed on par with $24 billion giant REA Group, which is 61 per cent owned by News Corporation.

REA’s share price is up 142 per cent over the five years from January 2019 – Domain is up 39 per cent over the same time. Assuming dividends are reinvested, total shareholder return over those five years for Domain has been 53 per cent; for REA, it has been 163 per cent.

Domain’s most recent trading update in November was weaker than analysts expected. UBS’ Lucy Huang told her clients that there was a “significant underperformance in [property] volumes” at Domain, despite REA reporting 4 per cent growth nationally. That could be due to strong growth in Western Australia and Queensland, she said.

Due to Domain’s historic strong presence in newspapers in Sydney and Melbourne, it is more competitive in those cities. There is also some competition from former Domain chief executive Antony Catalano’s View Media, which took $50 million in investment from ANZ early last year.

Nine’s chief executive, Mike Sneesby, and chief product officer Rebecca Haagsma both sit on Domain’s board, which is chaired by former Fairfax Media chairman Nick Falloon. Mr Falloon stepped down from Nine’s board, where he was deputy chairman under Peter Costello, in November 2022.

While trailing REA, several brokers expect a solid first half result for Domain this year, with greater activity in NSW and Victoria. Macquarie’s Darren Leung told his clients earlier this month that the focus would be on “the difference in listings growth between Domain and REA, in our view”.

“The spread between REA and Domain valuations is at record highs and Domain’s multiple is implying dwelling price declines – against our view of likely increases,” he said, upgrading his recommendation on the stock.

Private equity has long seen value in property and classifieds businesses, including in Domain.

In 2017, TPG spent a month looking at Fairfax Media’s books after mounting a $2.8 billion takeover offer for the company. It would have owned The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and the Financial Review, but it was a deal primarily aimed at securing control of Domain.

TPG withdrew from the auction. Fairfax instead demerged and listed Domain after that, in late 2017, and merged with Nine the following year.

(AFR)

Media Man Biz Terms

Disruptor: a company or form of technology that causes radical change in an existing industry or market by means of innovation. 

"the company is becoming a major disruptor in the media, ad and PR industry" 

"Logan Paul radically disrupted both the pro wrestling and sports/energy drink sector"

"Jake Paul, Logan Paul and KSO proved to be disruptors in the boxing industry including with the Misfits Boxing promotion. Jake Paul was elevated to such a level he was signed on both PFL, backed by the Saudis, further disrupting professional combat sports"

"Rebel News hard hitting and no B.S approach to news media journalism without corporate monetary kickbacks proved to be a massive disruptor in the Canadian and Australian news media sector causing significant headaches for politicians and helped amplify the voice of the community at large. Rebel News also encouraged citizens to become citizen journalists and podcasts, and they further threw light on situations that some mainstream news media outlets were not covering".

Nikola Telsa  (10 July [O.S. 28 June] 1856 – 7 January 1943 was an early disruptor of the energy, engineering and utilities industry. So much so that many dirty corporate and government tricks and tactics were used against him to prevent the wide distribution of free energy for the citizens of the United States.

NETFLIX TO BECOME NEW HOME OF WWE RAW BEGINNING 2025

Long-Term Deal Brings Weekly Live Sports Entertainment to Netflix

STAMFORD, Conn., January 23, 2024 – WWE, part of TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: TKO), and Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX) today announced a long-term partnership that will bring WWE’s flagship weekly program – Raw – to the world’s leading entertainment service. This marks a major programming shift as Raw leaves linear television for the first time since its inception 31 years ago

Beginning in January 2025, Netflix will be the exclusive new home of Raw in the U.S., Canada, U.K. and Latin America, among other territories, with additional countries and regions to be added over time. Likewise, as part of the agreement, Netflix will also become the home for all WWE shows and specials outside the U.S. as available, inclusive of Raw and WWE’s other weekly shows – SmackDown and NXT – as well as the company’s Premium Live Events, including WrestleMania, SummerSlam and Royal Rumble. WWE’s award-winning documentaries, original series and forthcoming projects will also be available on Netflix internationally beginning in 2025

“This deal is transformative,” said Mark Shapiro, TKO President and COO. “It marries the can’t-miss WWE product with Netflix’s extraordinary global reach and locks in significant and predictable economics for many years. Our partnership fundamentally alters and strengthens the media landscape, dramatically expands the reach of WWE, and brings weekly live appointment viewing to Netflix.”

“We are excited to have WWE Raw, with its huge and passionate multigenerational fan base, on Netflix,” said Netflix Chief Content Officer, Bela Bajaria. “By combining our reach, recommendations, and fandom with WWE, we’ll be able to deliver more joy and value for their audiences and our members. Raw is the best of sports entertainment, blending great characters and storytelling with live action 52 weeks a year and we’re thrilled to be in this long-term partnership with WWE.”

“In its relatively short history, Netflix has engineered a phenomenal track record for storytelling,” said Nick Khan, WWE President. “We believe Netflix, as one of the world’s leading entertainment brands, is the ideal long-term home for Raw’s live, loyal, and ever-growing fan base."

With 1,600 episodes to date, Raw is the most iconic show in sports entertainment. Since its debut in 1993, Raw has delivered action, compelling drama and unmatched athleticism – 52 weeks a year. Blending the best of scripted content with unpredictable live entertainment, the three-hour show has helped launch the careers of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Triple H, John Cena, Roman Reigns, Bianca Belair and Charlotte Flair.

The show is currently the No. 1 show on USA Network, where it brings in 17.5 million unique viewers over the course of the year. One of television’s best performing shows in the 18-49 advertising demographic, Raw trends on X 52 weeks a year while each new episode is airing. On social media, WWE has more than one billion followers across its platforms.

###

About WWE

WWE, part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO), is an integrated media organization and the recognized global leader in sports entertainment. The company consists of a portfolio of businesses that create and deliver original content 52 weeks a year to a global audience. WWE is committed to family-friendly entertainment on its television programming, premium live events, digital media, and publishing platforms. WWE’s TV-PG programming can be seen in more than 1 billion homes worldwide in 25 languages through world-class distribution partners including NBCUniversal, FOX Sports, TNT Sport, Sony India and Rogers. The award-winning WWE Network includes all premium live events, scheduled programming and a massive video-on-demand library and is currently available in approximately 165 countries. In the United States, NBCUniversal’s streaming service, Peacock, is the exclusive home to WWE Network. Additional information on WWE can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com.

About Netflix

Netflix is one of the world's leading entertainment services with over 247 million paid memberships in over 190 countries enjoying TV series, films and games across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can play, pause and resume watching as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, and can change their plans at any time.

About TKO

TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: TKO) is a premium sports and entertainment company that comprises UFC, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization, and WWE, an integrated media organization and the recognized global leader in sports entertainment. Together, our organizations reach more than 1 billion TV households in approximately 170 countries, and we organize more than 350 live events year-round, attracting over one million fans. TKO is majority owned by Endeavor Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: EDR), a global sports and entertainment company.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 intended to be covered by the safe harbor provisions contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements in this press release that do not relate to matters of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, expected programming and viewer benefits under the multi-year domestic media rights partnership with and NBCUniversal. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from what is expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to the factors discussed in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in TKO’s final prospectus on Form 424(b)(3) filed with the SEC on September 19, 2023, as any such factors may be updated from time to time. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and, except as may be required under applicable law, neither TKO nor WWE undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise

Investors and others should note that TKO announces material financial and operational information to its investors using press releases, SEC filings and public conference calls and webcasts, as well as its Investor Relations site at investor.tkogrp.com. TKO may also use its website as a distribution channel of material information about the Company. In addition, you may automatically receive email alerts and other information about TKO, UFC and WWE when you enroll your email address by visiting the “Investor Email Alerts” option under the Resources tab on investor.tkogrp.com.

Wrestling News

WWE

Cody Rhodes and Bayley win the Royal Rumble Matches to earn the right to headline WrestleMania

At the 2024 Royal Rumble, Cody Rhodes and Bayley both outlasted 29 other Superstars to win their respective Royal Rumble Matches and earn the right to challenge a World Champion at The Showcase of the Immortals. Plus, Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns successfully defended his title against Randy Orton, AJ Styles and LA Knight in a Fatal 4-Way Match, and Kevin Owens accidently got himself disqualified in a United States Title Match against Logan Paul.

Wrestling News

Cody Rhodes Addresses Never Crossing Paths With CM Punk In AEW

Cody Rhodes is surprised he never crossed paths in any real way with CM Punk during their respective runs in AEW.

   “The American Nightmare” spoke about this during the WWE Royal Rumble 2024 post-show press conference on Saturday night.

“It’s funny that we meet back here,” Cody said of himself and Punk. “Really. When we were at AEW, I thought we would encounter one another there. It didn’t happen. For whatever reason, it didn’t happen.”

He continued, “I think both him and I had different personal experiences. Don’t believe anything that Wade Keller put out about why I left or anything like that. The truth is, nobody knows. Personal thing. Probably a personal thing for Punk. That happens. People come. People go. It’s not a huge thing.”

Rhodes also spoke about reuniting with The Miz, Kofi Kingston and Punk and it feeling like his first run in WWE.

“To see [CM Punk] tonight. To see Miz. To see Kofi. Those were my guys,” he said. “First OVW show I walked into, Brent Albright vs. CM Punk was the main event and Punk was also running the whole show, maybe set up the ring. To see that, sometimes you want another person who you admire and respect to stop looking at you as the kid and look at you and see who you are now. I think he got to see who I am now. That means a lot to me. He’s amazing, could have gone either way, I look forward to what he does in WWE.”

Wrestling News and Streaming News

Image credit: WWE/Netflix

Netflix to become new home of WWE Raw beginning 2025

STAMFORD, Conn., January 23, 2024 – WWE, part of TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: TKO), and Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX) today announced a long-term partnership that will bring WWE’s flagship weekly program – Raw – to the world’s leading entertainment service. This marks a major programming shift as Raw leaves linear television for the first time since its inception 31 years ago. 

Beginning in January 2025, Netflix will be the exclusive new home of Raw in the U.S., Canada, U.K. and Latin America, among other territories, with additional countries and regions to be added over time. Likewise, as part of the agreement, Netflix will also become the home for all WWE shows and specials outside the U.S. as available, inclusive of Raw and WWE’s other weekly shows – SmackDown and NXT – as well as the company’s Premium Live Events, including WrestleMania, SummerSlam and Royal Rumble. WWE’s award-winning documentaries, original series and forthcoming projects will also be available on Netflix internationally beginning in 2025. 

“This deal is transformative,” said Mark Shapiro, TKO President and COO. “It marries the can’t-miss WWE product with Netflix’s extraordinary global reach and locks in significant and predictable economics for many years. Our partnership fundamentally alters and strengthens the media landscape, dramatically expands the reach of WWE, and brings weekly live appointment viewing to Netflix.”

“We are excited to have WWE Raw, with its huge and passionate multigenerational fan base, on Netflix,” said Netflix Chief Content Officer, Bela Bajaria. “By combining our reach, recommendations, and fandom with WWE, we’ll be able to deliver more joy and value for their audiences and our members. Raw is the best of sports entertainment, blending great characters and storytelling with live action 52 weeks a year and we’re thrilled to be in this long-term partnership with WWE.”

“In its relatively short history, Netflix has engineered a phenomenal track record for storytelling,” said Nick Khan, WWE President. “We believe Netflix, as one of the world’s leading entertainment brands, is the ideal long-term home for Raw’s live, loyal, and ever-growing fan base." 

With 1,600 episodes to date, Raw is the most iconic show in sports entertainment. Since its debut in 1993, Raw has delivered action, compelling drama and unmatched athleticism – 52 weeks a year. Blending the best of scripted content with unpredictable live entertainment, the three-hour show has helped launch the careers of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Triple  H, John Cena, Roman Reigns, Bianca Belair and Charlotte Flair. 

The show is currently the No. 1 show on USA Network, where it brings in 17.5 million unique viewers over the course of the year. One of television’s best performing shows in the 18-49 advertising demographic, Raw trends on X 52 weeks a year while each new episode is airing. On social media, WWE has more than one billion followers across its platforms.

Netflix  to Become New Home of WWE Raw Beginning 2025

01/23/2024

Long-Term Deal Brings Weekly Live Sports Entertainment to Netflix

STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- WWE, part of TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: TKO), and Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX) today announced a long-term partnership that will bring WWE’s flagship weekly program – Raw – to the world’s leading entertainment service. This marks a major programming shift as Raw leaves linear television for the first time since its inception 31 years ago.

Beginning in January 2025, Netflix will be the exclusive new home of Raw in the U.S., Canada, U.K. and Latin America, among other territories, with additional countries and regions to be added over time. Likewise, as part of the agreement, Netflix will also become the home for all WWE shows and specials outside the U.S. as available, inclusive of Raw and WWE’s other weekly shows – SmackDown and NXT – as well as the company’s Premium Live Events, including WrestleMania, SummerSlam and Royal Rumble. WWE’s award-winning documentaries, original series and forthcoming projects will also be available on Netflix internationally beginning in 2025.

“This deal is transformative,” said Mark Shapiro, TKO President and COO. “It marries the can’t-miss WWE product with Netflix’s extraordinary global reach and locks in significant and predictable economics for many years. Our partnership fundamentally alters and strengthens the media landscape, dramatically expands the reach of WWE, and brings weekly live appointment viewing to Netflix.”

“We are excited to have WWE Raw, with its huge and passionate multigenerational fan base, on Netflix,” said Netflix Chief Content Officer, Bela Bajaria. “By combining our reach, recommendations, and fandom with WWE, we’ll be able to deliver more joy and value for their audiences and our members. Raw is the best of sports entertainment, blending great characters and storytelling with live action 52 weeks a year and we’re thrilled to be in this long-term partnership with WWE.”

“In its relatively short history, Netflix has engineered a phenomenal track record for storytelling,” said Nick Khan, WWE President. “We believe Netflix, as one of the world’s leading entertainment brands, is the ideal long-term home for Raw’s live, loyal, and ever-growing fan base."

With 1,600 episodes to date, Raw is the most iconic show in sports entertainment. Since its debut in 1993, Raw has delivered action, compelling drama and unmatched athleticism – 52 weeks a year. Blending the best of scripted content with unpredictable live entertainment, the three-hour show has helped launch the careers of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Triple H, John Cena, Roman Reigns, Bianca Belair and Charlotte Flair.

The show is currently the No. 1 show on USA Network, where it brings in 17.5 million unique viewers over the course of the year. One of television’s best performing shows in the 18-49 advertising demographic, Raw trends on X 52 weeks a year while each new episode is airing. On social media, WWE has more than one billion followers across its platforms.

About WWE

WWE, part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO), is an integrated media organization and the recognized global leader in sports entertainment. The company consists of a portfolio of businesses that create and deliver original content 52 weeks a year to a global audience. WWE is committed to family-friendly entertainment on its television programming, premium live events, digital media, and publishing platforms. WWE’s TV-PG programming can be seen in more than 1 billion homes worldwide in 25 languages through world-class distribution partners including NBCUniversal, FOX Sports, TNT Sport, Sony India and Rogers. The award-winning WWE Network includes all premium live events, scheduled programming and a massive video-on-demand library and is currently available in approximately 165 countries. In the United States, NBCUniversal’s streaming service, Peacock, is the exclusive home to WWE Network. Additional information on WWE can be found at http://wwe.com and http://corporate.wwe.com.

About Netflix

Netflix is one of the world's leading entertainment services with over 247 million paid memberships in over 190 countries enjoying TV series, films and games across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can play, pause and resume watching as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, and can change their plans at any time.

About TKO

TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: TKO) is a premium sports and entertainment company that comprises UFC, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization, and WWE, an integrated media organization and the recognized global leader in sports entertainment. Together, our organizations reach more than 1 billion TV households in approximately 170 countries, and we organize more than 350 live events year-round, attracting over one million fans. TKO is majority owned by Endeavor Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: EDR), a global sports and entertainment company.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 intended to be covered by the safe harbor provisions contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements in this press release that do not relate to matters of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, expected programming and viewer benefits under the multi-year domestic media rights partnership with and NBCUniversal. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from what is expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to the factors discussed in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in TKO’s final prospectus on Form 424(b)(3) filed with the SEC on September 19, 2023, as any such factors may be updated from time to time. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and, except as may be required under applicable law, neither TKO nor WWE undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Investors and others should note that TKO announces material financial and operational information to its investors using press releases, SEC filings and public conference calls and webcasts, as well as its Investor Relations site at http://investor.tkogrp.com. TKO may also use its website as a distribution channel of material information about the Company. In addition, you may automatically receive email alerts and other information about TKO, UFC and WWE when you enroll your email address by visiting the “Investor Email Alerts” option under the Resources tab on http://investor.tkogrp.com.

(Sources: Netflix, WWE/TKO Group and Business Wire)

Image credit: Netflix and WWE)

Streaming News

Netflix to stream WWE’s Raw starting next year in its biggest jump into live entertainment - January 28, 2024

Netflix and TKO Group Holdings said Tuesday that the streaming platform will air the WWE’s flagship program Raw starting next year.

Netflix is trying to drive revenue by cutting down on subscription sharing and pushing viewers toward its ad-tier membership.

The streaming platform is making its first major foray into live sports, while WWE will get access to Netflix’s roughly 250 million global subscribers.

Netflix and TKO Group Holdings said Tuesday that the streaming platform will air WWE’s flagship program “Raw” starting next year, in Netflix’s first major foray into live sports.

The 10-year deal is valued at more than $5 billion, according to a company filing. Netflix will have the option to exit the deal after five years and to extend it for another decade. The streaming platform will be able to stream “Raw” globally, and will start the agreement with exclusive rights to it in the U.S., Canada, U.K. and Latin America. Netflix will also become the home for all WWE shows and specials outside the U.S., including “SmackDown” and “NXT” as well as “WrestleMania,” “SummerSlam” and “Royal Rumble.”

TKO shares spiked more than 20% following the news and a separate announcement that actor and former wrestling superstar Dwayne Johnson would join its board of directors. Netflix shares rose less than 1%, hours before the company was set to report earnings after the bell Tuesday.

Netflix, which is trying to drive revenue by cutting down on subscription sharing and pushing viewers toward its ad-tier membership, has made few attempts at live programming in its history. Adding “Raw,” which currently airs on USA Network and produces three hours of live programming per week year-round, to its programming lineup will be a boon to the platform and a significant historical shift for Netflix.

“This is a super game changer,” said TKO President and Chief Operating Officer Mark Shapiro in an interview. “When you look back at the chapters of sports media history, new chapters are driven by extraordinary new paradigms. ESPN and Turner bringing NFL to cable in 1987. Rupert Murdoch bringing football to Fox in 1994. When new histories are written, Raw on Netflix will be such a chapter starter.”

Netflix has dabbled in sports recently with documentary-type series about Formula One and professional golf, tennis and football. This deal will allow Netflix to tap into WWE intellectual property for similar projects. With WWE permission, Netflix could even develop movies or series around WWE characters, a person familiar with the matter said.

For TKO, the parent company of WWE, striking a deal with Netflix brings WWE wrestling to about 250 million global subscribers. WWE President Nick Khan has had Netflix on his radar as a potential landing spot for “Raw” for several years.

He discussed the world’s largest streamer on a WWE earnings call in the first quarter of 2022, referencing how Netflix has showed openness to changing long-held stances, such as rejecting advertising and cracking down on password sharing. As recently as December 2022, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos said at the UBS Global TMT Conference that Netflix had not “seen a profit path to renting big sports.”

“Netflix is willing to make adjustments and reverse positions when it identifies an issue,” Khan said back in 2022.

Choosing Netflix

TKO held discussions with other media companies but zeroed in on Netflix in December, according to people familiar with the matter.

Netflix’s global footprint, which outreaches every other streaming service, was a key draw for WWE, Shapiro said.

“This is one of the greatest entertainment platforms in the world,” Shapiro said of Netflix. “It has marketing you can’t even comprehend. It has positioning that’s unparalleled in terms of what they do on their front page.”

Netflix announced earlier this month it had 23 million monthly active users for its advertising tier, which the company launched in November 2022. Matches will be scripted around commercial breaks to satisfy ad-free customers, who will see continued action from live matches that aren’t important to the outcome, such as a wrestler in a sustained headlock, according to a person familiar with the matter.

“Raw” is the top program on the USA cable network, drawing 17.5 million unique viewers per year, the companies said. Shapiro said Amazon’s ability to stream “Thursday Night Football” this season without a glitch and Peacock’s recent success streaming a National Football League playoff game gave him confidence Netflix will be technologically sound streaming “Raw,” even if it hasn’t done anything like this on a consistent basis yet.

Disclosure: Comcast NBCUniversal, CNBC’s parent company, owns USA Network.

Clarification: This story was updated to reflect that Netflix said it had 23 million monthly active users for its advertising tier.

TKO APPOINTS DWAYNE JOHNSON TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Johnson Granted Full Ownership of Trademarked Name, “The Rock”

NEW YORK (January 23, 2024) – TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: TKO) (“TKO”), a premium sports and entertainment company, has appointed Dwayne Johnson to its Board of Directors, effective today.

Johnson, one of the most decorated WWE Superstars in company history and the most followed American man globally on social media platforms, brings decades of experience in live entertainment and sports to the Board. Through his expansive business portfolio, which includes Seven Bucks Productions, Teremana Tequila, ZOA Energy, Project Rock, and the recently combined spring football league, the United Football League (UFL), Johnson has significant experience identifying and cultivating revenue generating media rights, live events, sponsorship, licensing, and social media opportunities. The appointment of Johnson reflects TKO’s commitment to delivering long-term value and strong performance for shareholders through strategic growth initiatives across both UFC and WWE.

Vince McMahon, Executive Chairman of the Board, TKO, said: “Very few people on the planet understand the convergence of sports, entertainment, media, and business like Rock. We are proud to have him join the TKO board to help take our company to new heights.”

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, said: “My grandfather, High Chief Peter Maivia, and my dad, Rocky ‘Soulman’ Johnson, would’ve never thought this day would come. Which is why I’m very humbled to have a seat at the table that has decades of history and family legacy for me. A table that my family helped to build. Being on the TKO Board of Directors, and taking full ownership of my name, ‘The Rock’, is not only unprecedented, but incredibly inspiring as my crazy life is coming full circle. At my core, I’m a builder who builds for and serves the people, and Ari is building something truly game changing. I’m very motivated to help continue to globally expand our TKO, WWE, and UFC businesses as the worldwide leaders in sports and entertainment — while proudly representing so many phenomenal athletes and performers who show up every day putting in the hard work with their own two hands to make their dreams come true and deliver for our audiences. I’ve been there, I’m still there and this is for them.”

Ariel Emanuel, CEO, TKO, said: “I am thrilled to partner with Dwayne and welcome his immense talent to TKO’s Board. Dwayne brings an incredible track record of creating content and building globally recognized consumer brands, and he will play a key role in realizing our ambitions for TKO.”

WWE has also entered into a services and merchandising agreement with Johnson that provides for his promotional, licensing, and other services, and an intellectual property assignment agreement pursuant to which Johnson has secured ownership of the trademarked name, “The Rock”. The name is derived from his father, WWE Hall of Famer Rocky Johnson, who was the first Black champion in WWE history (alongside partner Tony Atlas). Johnson’s grandfather, Peter Maivia, a Samoan-American professional wrestler, was posthumously inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2008.

The addition of Johnson, as well as today’s appointment of Brad Keywell to TKO’s Board of Directors, will increase TKO’s board from 11 to 13 members.

Dwayne Johnson Background

Dwayne Johnson is a global entertainer and entrepreneur who manages a diverse and ever-expanding media and business portfolio. Johnson serves as the co-founder and CEO of Seven Bucks Companies, a multi-platform global enterprise crossing all entertainment and creative verticals with an audience-first mentality. A third-generation performer, Johnson began his WWE career in 1996 and remains one of WWE’s preeminent WWE Superstars in the organization’s history.

Johnson develops, produces, and stars in all forms of entertainment content via his production company, Seven Bucks Productions, LLC, which he co-founded in 2012. In addition to Seven Bucks Productions, LLC, Johnson has founded multiple business ventures, including Teramana Tequila, the fastest-growing tequila brand in history, and co-founded ZOA Energy, LLC, an energy drink company in partnership with Molson Coors. In 2020, Johnson co-led a consortium to acquire the XFL, a professional American football league, which re-launched in 2023 before merging with the USFL to form the UFL. Johnson also maintains several prominent brand partnerships. Alongside Under Armour, Inc., Johnson founded and developed a line of fitness apparel under the “Project Rock” brand. In 2016 and 2019, Johnson was named by TIME as one of the world’s most influential people.

A dedicated philanthropist, Johnson serves as a National Celebrity Wish Ambassador for Make-A-Wish and has been granting wishes with the organization for over 20 years. In 2008, the United States Congress and the United States Joint Leadership Commission recognized Johnson with the prestigious Horizon Award, the U.S. Congressional Award given to an individual in the private sector who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and provided opportunities for youth nationwide. Johnson graduated from the University of Miami, where he earned a football scholarship and became NCAA National Football Champions.

Johnson has been a client of Endeavor’s WME agency for nearly 13 years.

About TKO

TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: TKO) is a premium sports and entertainment company that comprises UFC, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization, and WWE, an integrated media organization and the recognized global leader in sports entertainment. Together, our organizations reach more than 1 billion TV households in approximately 170 countries, and we organize more than 350 live events year-round, attracting over one million fans. TKO is majority owned by Endeavor Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: EDR), a global sports and entertainment company.

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Twitter Strikes Deal With BetMGM to Feature Odds, Allow Bets to Be Taken From Platform - January 26, 2024

Kylie Robison of Fortune broke the news late Friday that X (formerly known as Twitter) has entered into a deal with BetMGM to integrate sports betting statistics into the platform.

While the specific financial terms of the collaboration could not be learned, the intention is to introduce a feature for X soon that will showcase betting odds and provide a direct link to BetMGM, allowing users to place bets.

X reportedly lost a significant number of high paying advertisers including Disney, NBC parent company Comcast as well as Fox Sports after Media Matters for America discovered ads displaying along side racist posts. 

X owner Elon Musk responded by calling Media Matters of America "pure evil".

Best selling author and CBR Chair in Politics, Censorship, and Free Speech at the University of Austin, Michael Shellenberger, questioned the Media Matters of America findings at the time.

"The media say X is placing Apple, IBM, and other ads near pro-Nazi content, but it's not. We tried various ways to replicate Media Matters' research and couldn't. The real goal of Media Matters isn't to fight antisemitism. It's to destroy X as a free speech platform."

Despite premature reports of Twitter's demise, Gambling911.com now touts the platform as its second biggest referral source after Google.

BetMGM had a market share of 17 percent in U.S. online sports betting in December and has the third largest market share in the US sports betting industry behind DraftKings and FanDuel.

The BetMGM site is a partnership between MGM and Ladbrokes parent company Entain.

Nic Nemeth Reveals How He Got In Contact With New Japan Pro Wrestling

Fresh off his NJPW and TNA debut, Nic Nemeth (former WWE star Dolph Ziggler) appeared on Talk Is Jericho to talk about WWE and what is next for him in wrestling.

Nic Nemeth on how he got into New Japan:

"I'm not close friends with a lot of people, but a long time ago when Shinsuke came up from NXT, at the time it was when I was doing the thing where everybody who shows up wrestles me and I was doing the thing, it was like nine years in a row, whatever, but I'm doing that thing and I didn't really know him. I don't watch Japanese wrestling. I don't watch our wrestling. I famously don't watch wrestling and I hate everything, but I love my job doing what I do."

"So right after WrestleMania, Shinsuke comes up, does whatever he does, and we're overseas doing that two weeks we used to do before COVID times. We bounced around in buses and things and him and I had to stay to do the dark match after TV and everyone else went on. So him and I are just in this car sitting next to each other. We put a couple of matches together, but I'm not really outspoken. We're just sitting there looking at our phones. I had requested a big bottle of Jack Fire whiskey and we had that for the ride and it's like, 'Hey, you want a sip' He's like, 'Yea' and then we start talking. Then we had a couple of whiskies and we were buddies. It was so great because he's the biggest sweetheart in the world and he's like an ass kicker and like it's so great. He's so nice. We had a good bond and I really liked wrestling him."

"It reminds me of his first pay-per-view match with us. I even offered, I go, 'He's a strong style guy', like, I don't know what the hell is going on. I go, 'Should we have him like MMA style me up and we start having a wrestling match and he cracks me and hits me with a knee and I'm out cold and throw it out or something?' They go 'No, we don't want that.' Vince wanted a very WWE style match.' All right, great. So we did that."

"A long time ago I was like every time a contract comes up I'm like, alright, I'm gonna get out of here. I have nothing left to do. I was kind of just sitting on the bench. I go, 'I'm gonna get out' and he goes, 'If you ever get out of here, I got some connections and I would like to help you out.' I'm like, 'Well, that's so cool. I don't know anybody or anything.' So years and years go by and I sent an email to the boss, Vince. At the time we were not sure actually what's going on, but I sent Vince an incredibly long email, 90% thankful, 'Oh my God. You guys are so great. You've taught me to do all this stuff.' 10%, 'This is messed up. I gotta get the hell out of here. There is no purpose for me to be getting paid millions of dollars to sit on the bench or be in a three minute match like a local.' I go, 'Pay locals to do this. There's no reason for me to be here.' I didn't hear anything back for two weeks and then I found out that I was released. I’m sorry. I sent that (letter) to a few different people. I don’t want to name names. but I sent it to very important people. Vince was the only one who wrote back instantly, and was like, 'This is a lot to unpack. Let's talk about it further.' I said, 'Sir, if you want me to fly to Stanford tomorrow, I will be on a flight' and he said, 'Thanks. We'll think about it', and then two weeks later, I was released or whatever. So a couple weeks later."

"So the first thing I want to do is like man, I've never done independents. I haven't gone out of the country, except for with WWE all those times, all these places. I go, well, I'm still friends with Shin. 'Hey Shin. Do you think I'm so good at wrestling?' and he laughed. I was like, 'What do you think about Japan?' and he's like, 'I got you.' Then put a couple pieces together and get to Rocky Romero, who is the go between, and luckily for me, they were happy and excited to have me. That was one of the first things I did when I got released. The first week this goes back and forth. It's set up and I'm not saying a word and no one's going to know and everyone thinks I'm retired or doing comedy, but sure as hell not going to Japan. Nobody sees this coming and I go, 'This is so great.' So we kept it very secretive, got everything done back and forth, and then even snuck in there and snuck out and nobody knew and everyone was kind of blown away.

(Talk Is Jericho/Web Is Jericho)

TNA Hard To Kill Drew Solid PPV Buys for a Loaded Show With Several Surprises - January 26, 2024

The numbers are in

TNA Wrestling officially returned earlier this month as the promotion rebranded at the Hard to Kill pay-per-view event that was a hit through the way of PPV buys from the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The show

The show featured several debuts, including former WWE stars Dana Brooke, Nic Nemeth (Dolph Ziggler), and Xia Brookside.

Alex Selley lost the World Heavyweight Title against Moose in the main event of the show. Trinity lost the Knockouts title to Jordynne Grace on the show as she is expected to return to WWE soon and has since finished up with the promotion.

PPV buys

While speaking on Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer noted the show likely did its biggest PPV buys since AEW's Kenny Omega beat Rich Swann to win the Impact World Title at the 2021 Rebellion. The final numbers are expected to be out in two weeks. 

“The TNA Hard To Kill show did great. Right now, this is basically a week and a half out, so this number will grow. But it was at 8,000 on television, which is a really good number for TNA. I'm sure it's the biggest number that they've done since the Rich Swan-Kenny Omega match. And it actually has a fairly decent shot, I don't know about beating that one. But being in the same realm as that one. And it's possible that it could be the biggest since the Spike days, certainly already the third biggest since Spike days. The fact that they did this on a night that was against the NFL playoffs against [NJPW] Battle in the Valley, although they were not head to head completely with Battle in the Valley like the last hour, I think of TNA in the first hour of Battle in the Valley, we're head to head, but they were completely head to head with [AEW] Collision. So, to do a number that big against that football game and Collision and Battle in the Valley. I think that’s great. There's no other way to put it. That's great." Meltzer stated.

(Wrestling Observer/Figure 4)

Wrestling News

High-Flying Wrestling Fan Fest To Land In Ballarat

01 December 2023

The Allan Labor Government is backing a major boost to Ballarat’s events calendar, with the global professional wrestling convention Starrcast Downunder, headed for the Goldfields region from 10-14 April 2024.

Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos today announced Ballarat will host the first Starrcast pro wrestling event staged outside the United States, attracting fans from across the state, Australia and overseas to regional Victoria.

Held over five days, Starrcast will feature fan events, signing sessions, stage shows, and interactive panels across Ballarat Mining Exchange and Civic Hall alongside wrestling events at Selkirk Basketball Stadium – set to delight thousands of local and visiting fans.

The event has been made possible by the Regional Events Fund via Visit Victoria.

Legendary WWE Hall of Fame wrestler, Bret "The Hitman" Hart, and six-time WWE Women’s Champion Mickie James have signed on to lead the cadre of international wrestling stars to take part in the action.

Joining Hart and James at Starrcast Downunder will be a handful of soon-to-be-announced legends, alongside 30 Australian and international wrestlers who will put on three action-packed nights of wrestling throughout the event.

This will include an international wrestling show, an Australian showcase and Empowerr, the groundbreaking all-female wrestling show created by Mickie James in 2021.

The wrestling events will be streamed internationally from Selkirk Basketball Stadium, showcasing Ballarat to wrestling fans around the world.

It marks the most recent addition to Ballarat’s packed 2024 calendar of events, alongside the Road National Championships in January, two Western Bulldogs AFL matches at Mars Stadium, and the recently announced White Night Ballarat, which will take over the city in June.

For more information about the event, including future updates and tickets, visit oceaniaprowrestling.com.

Quote attributable to Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos

“We’re proud to support Starrcast Downunder – not just for the boost it will deliver to the region’s tourism sector, but because it joins the packed calendar of events bringing Ballarat to life for everybody to enjoy.”

Quote attributable to Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison

“This international exclusive event will bring pro wrestling fans up close to their favourite legends right here in Ballarat, adding to our already jam-packed events calendar.”

Quote attributable to Member for Eureka Michaela Settle

“Starrcast Downunder will attract pro wrestling fans from across Victoria – and further afield – to Ballarat for an incredible five days of action, supporting local hospitality, hotels and keeping the economy booming.”

Quote attributable to Member for Ripon Martha Haylett

“From stage shows, interactive panels and fan events, there will be something for everyone to enjoy at Starrcast Downunder. It’s going to be fantastic to see Ballarat’s local buildings and stadiums come alive with fans and wrestling legends from near and far.”

Five-day pro wrestling convention coming to Ballarat in 2024

Ballarat will be beamed across screens around the world when global professional wrestling convention Starrcast Downunder arrives in 2024.

It’s the first Starrcast pro wresting event to take place outside the USA, and will be in region from 10-14 April 2024.

Attracting fans from across Australia and overseas, the five-day event will include stage shows, signing sessions and interactive panels at the Ballarat Mining Exchange and Civic Hall, alongside wrestling events at Selkirk Basketball Stadium which will be streamed internationally.

Legendary WWE Hall of Fame wrestler, Bret “The Hitman” Hart, and six-time WWE Women’s Champion Mickie James have signed on to lead the cadre of international wrestling stars to take part in the action.

Announced by the Victorian Government on Friday 1 December, this event has been made possible by the Regional Events Fund via Visit Victoria.

For more information about the event, including future updates and tickets, visit oceaniaprowrestling.com

Wrestling Events Announced For Starrcast

News : 12-Jan-2024

The first two wrestling events of Starrcast Downunder have been announced!

Hall of Famer Bret Hart is set to curate Australian Stampede, the flagship event of Starrcast Downunder. The wrestling icon will showcase a thrilling card featuring top-notch international talent and Australia's own homegrown stars on Saturday, April 13th in Ballarat. 

On the preceding day, Friday, April 12th, women's wrestling pioneer Mickie James will present H.E.R, a groundbreaking women's wrestling event at the heart of Starrcast Downunder in Ballarat. This event, following in the footsteps of Empowerr, will feature an unparalleled lineup with international sensations and Australia’s brightest talents. H.E.R promises to highlight the heart, athleticism, and drive of its trailblazing competitors. 

Don't miss out on two massive nights of action– tickets will be available at the end of January.

HITMAN | A SUNDAY WITH BRET HART

Sunday April 14 2024

Civic Theatre, Ballarat

Starrcast Downunder invites fans on an unforgettable journey into the storied career of the legendary WWE Hall of Famer, Bret "The Hitman" Hart. This exclusive event promises an intimate and immersive experience as fans get up close and personal with one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time.

Step into the world of the Hitman as he takes the audience on a captivating exploration of his iconic career, sharing unique anecdotes, behind-the-scenes stories, and personal reflections that have shaped his illustrious journey in the world of sports entertainment. From his early days in the legendary Hart family wrestling dynasty to his rise as a global superstar, Bret Hart's narrative will provide a unique and genuine insight into the challenges and triumphs that defined his remarkable career.

The day will feature a special watchalong of Bret's legendary match with his brother Owen Hart at Wrestlemania X as we celebrate the 30th anniversary of that unforgettable match. Attendees will have the opportunity to watch the match alongside the man himself, gaining a deeper understanding of the in-ring psychology and artistry that set Bret Hart apart.

But the excitement doesn't end there – HITMAN will also include a highly anticipated Q&A session. Fans will have the chance to pose their burning questions directly to the Hitman, creating an interactive and engaging experience that adds a personal touch to the event.

To make the day even more special, special guests may make appearances, providing additional perspectives and anecdotes that add layers to the already rich tapestry of his professional journey. Whether it's fellow wrestlers, managers, or iconic personalities, these surprise guests will contribute to the nostalgic atmosphere of the event.

HITMAN is a must-attend for wrestling enthusiasts, offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to celebrate the legacy of a true icon. Join us for an day filled with passion, nostalgia, and the unparalleled charisma of Bret "The Hitman" Hart – an event that will leave a lasting impact on fans and wrestling history alike.

Oceania Pro Wrestling

A Pro Wrestling Event Company holding events in the Oceania Region that will have as many non-exclusive partnerships locally and internationally in delivering pro wrestling events

With an emphasis on showcasing professional wrestling through our quality broadcasting and highly engaging fan experience model at events, with leadership by an experienced sporting executive with Australian and International connections, OPW will become a destination wrestling company for fans, promotions and commercial partners.

OPW Pro Wrestling

June 2023

IMPACT Wrestling

Global Wrestling phenomenon Impact Wrestling provided plenty of action both inside and outside of the ring with their tour down under thrilling crowds at the Equex Centre in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales.

The event broadcast live on pay-per-view featured three title matches, including a rematch from Against All Odds in the main event as Alex Shelley defeated Steve Maclin to retain the IMPACT World Championship. 

Shelley defeated Maclin for the gold on June 9 and The Motor City Machine Gun kept ahold of the gold at Down Under night one after he countered a KIA attempt into Shellshock.

Night 1 Results:

• Slex def. Adam Brooks

• Gisele Shaw def. Erika Reid

• Joe Hendry (c) def. Eddie Edwards - Digital Media Championship

• Killer Kelly def. Aysha

• Chris Sabin (c) def. Frankie Kazarian & Robbie Eagles - X-Division Championship

• ABC (Ace Austin & Chris Bey) (c) def. Moose & Brian Myers

• Deonna Purrazzo def. Steph De Lander

• Alex Shelley (c) def. Steve Maclin - IMPACT World Championship

The second and final show of the Down Under Tour at the Equex Centre in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales saw three title matches with Slammiversary implications.

Joe Hendry defeated Moose to retain the IMPACT Digital Media Championship, Ace Austin & Chris Bey ended their one-year programme with The Motor City Machine Guns with a win for the IMPACT World Tag Team Champions, and Deonna Purrazzo picked up the win against Gisele Shaw in their Knockouts World Tag Team Title match. 

Night 2 Results:

• Adam Brooks def. Robbie Eagles - Oceania Pro Wrestling World Championship

• The Natural Classics def. The Velocities

• Joe Hendry (c) def. Moose - IMPACT Digital Media Championship

• Eddie Edwards def. Slex

• Steph De Lander def. Killer Kelly

• Frankie Kazarian def. Brian Myers

• ABC (Ace Austin & Chris Bey) (c) def. The Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin) - IMPACT World Tag Team Championships 

• Deonna Purrazzo (c) def. Gisele Shaw - IMPACT Knockouts World Championship

TNA iMPACT! on AXS TV Results: January 25, 2024

Results / January 25, 2024 / by IMPACT Wrestling Staff

A loaded episode of TNA iMPACT! comes to you from the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada!

Tonight’s iMPACT! is dedicated to the memory of Frank Caiazzo. RIP.

Chris Bey w/ Ace Austin vs Kevin Knight

Two of TNA’s most spectacular in-ring performers dazzle in a display of astounding athleticism. Jeff Timmons of 98 Degrees is seen at ringside. Bey emerges victorious with the Art of Finesse.

Chris Bey def Kevin Knight

The Grizzled Young Vets jump ABC from behind after the match, lay out Chris Bey with the Grit Your Teeth and stake their claim to the TNA World Tag Team Titles.

Undeniable. Irresistible. Unforgettable. She is Ash By Elegance.

Frankie Kazarian addresses his shocking actions from last week. He will explain himself next week but Rich Swann attempts to reason with Frankie. AJ Francis comes in and offers to be Rich Swann’s backup against Joe Hendry in an upcoming match.

Dirty Dango and Oleg Prudius vs Damian Drake and Dante King

Dirty Dango informs us that he hates pro wrestling. Dirty Dango takes a seat on the ramp as Prudius demolishes the competition. Dango takes the pin over Drake.

Dirty Dango and Oleg Prudius def Damian Drake and Dante King

Zack Gibson and James Drake state earlier tonight was a statement of intent. ABC look for a piece of GYV before Santino Marella makes a Best of 3 Series between the two teams for the TNA World Tag Team Titles starting next week.

Gia Miller speaks to Kazuchika Okada and The Motor City Machine Guns. They’re ready for The System in the main event.

Jordynne Grace vs Trinity for the Knockouts World Championship

This is Trinity’s contractual rematch after losing the championship at Hard To Kill. A handshake shows the respect between the competitors but Trinity takes the fight straight to Grace. After a series of back and forth pin attempts, Jordynne Grace uses the momentum of Trinity’s attempt to lock in Star Struck to score a quick pinfall victory.

Jordynne Grace def Trinity to retain the Knockouts World Championship

Gisele Shaw, Savannah Evans and Jai Vidal attack both Trinity and Jordynne Grace, leaving them laying as Gisele’s Ultimate X victory gives her a future Knockouts World Title shot.

The System discuss tonight’s main event – the system works and tonight it goes worldwide against the Guns and Okada.

Josh Alexander addresses the return of TNA and his victory over Will Ospreay last week. Alan Angels interjects and offers the Walking Weapon a spot on the premiere edition of his brand new talk show The Sound Check. After some insistence from Angels, Alexander agrees.

Nic Nemeth vs Zachary Wentz

Nic Nemeth competes in a TNA ring for the very first time. Wentz feigns an injury to distract the referee allowing Trey Miguel to grab Nemeth’s leg as Wentz takes control. Nemeth connects with Danger Zone for the victory.

Nic Nemeth def Zachary Wentz

Trey Miguel tries to get a piece of Nemeth after the match and eats a Danger Zone too. Steve Maclin jumps Nemeth and looks for the KIA but Nemeth connects with one more Danger Zone and stands tall.

Crazzy Steve addresses his recent Digital Media Title win at Countdown To Hard To Kill but is interrupted by Rhino. Rhino shoves Steve as Steve laughs maniacally.

Decay discuss their resurrection and Knockouts World Tag Team Title victory at Hard To Kill.

Dani Luna and Jody Threat vs MK Ultra

MK Ultra drop Threat with their tandem piledriver to return to winning ways after their title loss at Hard To Kill. MK Ultra also piledrive Luna after the match to assert their dominance.

MK Ultra def Dani Luna and Jody Threat

Next week on iMPACT!: Nic Nemeth vs Trey Miguel, we hear from Frankie Kazarian, Brian Myers vs Kevin Knight plus ABC vs GYV in the first match of the TNA World Tag Team Title Best of 3 Series.

The System (Eddie Edwards, Moose and Brian Myers) vs The Motor City Machine Guns and Kazuchika Okada

Kazuchika Okada makes his entrance to rapturous applause as he returns to TNA for the first time since 2011. Okada connects with the iconic Rainmaker on Brian Myers allowing Alex Shelley to follow up with Shellshock for the victory. Okada and The Guns celebrate their monumental victory.

The Motor City Machine Guns and Kazuchika Okada def The System (Eddie Edwards, Moose and Brian Myers)

After the credits, Mustafa Ali addresses TNA Wrestling.

TNA IMPACT! goes off the air.

(Credit: TNA Wrestling)

Google to tweak crypto ad policy, amplify Bitcoin ETF visibility - January 28, 2024

Google, a subsidiary of tech conglomerate Alphabet, is on the verge of a significant policy update set to take effect on Jan. 29, which could alter the landscape of cryptocurrency advertising.

Now that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) approved 11 spot Bitcoin (BTC) ETFs on Jan. 10, Google is expected to amend its rules and enable asset managers to advertise these products to a broader U.S. audience.

This move follows Google’s recent decision to broaden its cryptocurrency and related products’ policy, now providing advertisers with specific guidelines for promoting what it calls “cryptocurrency coin trusts.”

Advertisers eager to capitalize on Google’s platform, renowned for its expansive reach and high search volume, will now require certification to ensure compliance with the tech giant’s stringent requirements.

The significance of this development is highlighted by the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) converting to a spot Bitcoin ETF, coupled with the sanctioning of 10 other institutions to include spot BTC ETFs in their investment portfolios.

Crypto analysts are optimistic about the ramifications of this policy change on the digital currency sphere, as Google processes around 8.55 billion searches daily, according to DemandSage.

Can Google Ads tip the scales for Bitcoin ETFs?

The crypto community speculates that the heightened visibility of Bitcoin ETFs through Google’s ad platform may drive substantial awareness and investment in the space.

As such, companies operating within the spot Bitcoin ETF market could potentially witness a significant influx of interest from new segments of the public — not just from seasoned day traders or investors.

The update could also signal a shift in how cryptocurrency products are advertised, ensuring that ads meet legal requirements and are responsibly presented to an engaged audience.

Google’s policy change arrives at an opportune moment. The crypto market has seen fluctuating investor sentiment toward spot Bitcoin ETFs over the past week.

On Jan. 24, Bitcoin ETFs saw an influx of approximately $270 million, counterbalanced by significant withdrawals — most notably from Grayscale Investment’s Bitcoin ETF—totaling a net outflow of around $153 million. 

The trend did not improve, with Jan. 25 witnessing a continuation of the withdrawal streak, marking a fourth consecutive day of net outflows over the last week, totaling up to $80 million, specifically from the funds recognized by the SEC.

Despite these challenging dynamics, crypto commentators feel Google’s policy shift could potentially open doors to a flood of new investors. The increased visibility and imposed certification could counterbalance the recent outflows from the spot Bitcoin ETFs, signaling a possible rebound as we edge closer to the Jan. 29 policy implementation date.

UFC 298 CARD FILLS OUT WITH FOUR INTRIGUING BOUTS - January 27, 2024

UFC’s Return To Anaheim Receives A Quartet Of Fascinating Bouts

For UFC’s first visit to California since August 2022 for UFC 298: Volkanovski vs Topuria, the Anaheim fans will receive a treat of a card top to bottom. While most eyes will be trained toward Alexander Volkanovski’s featherweight title defense against the undefeated Ilia Topuria as well as Robert Whittaker’s bout against Paulo Costa. Fun fights are abundant in the organization’s second pay-per-view of 2024, including four more just added to the slate.

Road to UFC winner Rinya Nakamura returns for his second official UFC bout against Carlos Vera. The Japanese bantamweight tallied six of his eight wins via finish and hopes to pick up his first official UFC stoppage after his decision win over Fernie Garcia in Singapore. Carlos Vera comes into the organization having just competed on the most recent season of The Ultimate Fighter during which he lost to eventual tournament winner Brad Katona. He steps in hoping to have a successful UFC debut. 

Welterweights Josh Quinlan and Danny Barlow feature on the card as well. Quinlan, a Dana White’s Contender Series alumnus split his first two UFC bouts to Jason Witt and Trey Waters, and after injuries and a cancelled bout kept him out of the Octagon since his lost to Waters, he hopes to get a bounce back win over Barlow. A fellow DWCS alumnus, Barlow earned his contract with a first-round knockout of Raheam Forest In September 2023. The undefeated Barlow racked up four knockouts and one submission on his climb to the organization, and he hopes to stretch his undefeated record to 8-0 on February 17.

Another welterweight contest goes down as Oban Elliott and Val Woodburn lock horns. Woodburn is hoping to bounce back after suffering a knockout loss to Bo Nickal at UFC 290, which was his first professional loss in mixed martial arts. Meanwhile, Elliott aspires to become one of the best Welsh mixed martial artists after competing on at Cage Warriors and Dana White’s Contender Series, the latter of which he won a fight via majority decision in August 2023. “The Welsh Gangster” has proven durable, and the two are surely desperate to get their hands raised in Anaheim. 

Finally, two middleweights hoping to finally get their breakout moment square off as DWCS alumnus AJ Dobson and The Ultimate Fighter graduate Tresean Gore are set to fight. Dobson came into the organization with high expectatioins, and after dropping his first two bouts, he earned his first UFC win over Tafon Nchukwi in August 2023. The Ohio-bred grinder believes he now has the right things around him and in place to climbt he division’s ladder. He’ll be hard pressed against Gore, however. One of the highest touted prospects on his season of The Ultimate Fighter, Gore couldn’t parlay that into wins in his first two trips to the Octagon. That said, he bounced back with a viscious submission win over Josh Fremd in October 2022. He was originally slated to fight Bo Nickal at UFC 290 before injuries prevented that matchup, so he is in search of momentum ahead to once again chase his championship aspirations.

Stay tuned to UFC.com for any updates or changes to all events.

Search Engine News

Google lays off hundreds of employees in advertising sales team

Google is laying off hundreds of employees in its advertising sales team, the Alphabet-owned Google opens new tab company said on Tuesday, marking the latest cuts at the search giant.

The move adds to signs that job cuts will continue this year, as companies look to adopt artificial intelligence software and automation to lighten workloads.

Last week, Google said it would lay off several employees in its Voice Assistant units, hardware teams responsible for Pixel, Nest and Fitbit, as well as in its augmented reality team.

Google's customer solutions unit, which serves medium-level advertiser clients, will be the core team for growth moving forward, the company said.

Business Insider first reported the news earlier in the day.

Amazon opens new tab also said last week that it would lay off several hundred employees in its streaming and studio operations and 500 workers at its video streaming platform, Twitch.

Last month, Google - once touted as a leader in spurring AI research - unveiled its long-awaited AI model Gemini, as the company attempts to catch up to Microsoft, opens new tab in the AI race.

In January 2023, Alphabet announced plans to cut 12,000 jobs, or 6% of its global workforce.

(Wires, X, Alphabet, News and AI!)

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Social Media Platform News

Elon Musk's X receives money transmitter license in Utah

Elon Musk's social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, on Monday received a money-transmitter license from Utah, the 15th U.S. state to grant approval as the company explores offering payment features.

Utah granted the approval on Friday, according to the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System & Registry, opens new tab, an online database.

It grants the company the ability similar to PayPal's, opens new tab Venmo, to facilitate money transfers and makes way for the company to allow users to send money to one another.

The push into payments could help X diversify its business beyond digital advertising, which has suffered setbacks since Musk took ownership.

Some major advertisers paused their spending or fled the platform after Musk last year agreed with an X user who espoused an antisemitic conspiracy theory. 

Speaking at a New York Times DealBook event later that month, the billionaire CEO made a profane comment about brands that had suspended their ads on X.

Since acquiring Twitter in October 2022, Musk has said he envisions remodeling the company into the purveyor of an "everything app" similar to popular Chinese app WeChat, which lets users send messages but also hail a taxi or pay merchants.

The company received its first state money-transmitter license in New Hampshire in June last year and also got approved by Pennsylvania, Arizona, Georgia, Maryland and Michigan.

(Sources: X, Wires, News and A.I!)

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Big Tech News

Mark Zuckerberg to be deposed in Texas multibillion-dollar suit targeting Meta for ‘secretly harvesting’ facial recognition without customer consent

Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg will be called for a deposition in a lawsuit accusing Meta of “secretly harvesting” biometric data from its users.

Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg will be deposed as part of a Texas lawsuit accusing the Facebook and Instagram parent of using facial recognition technology without customer consent.

A Texas state appeals court upheld a lower court’s decision requiring Zuckerberg to give testimony in the case.

The lawsuit, originally filed in 2022, accused Meta of “secretly harvesting” biometric data from its users in violation of state law.

The decision was a blow to Meta, which had sought to avoid having its boss deposed. Meanwhile, Texas argued Zuckerberg should be compelled to sit because he has “unique personal knowledge of discoverable information relevant to its claims,” the filing said.

Meta did not immediately return a request for comment on the court ruling.

Bloomberg was first to report on the decision.

The Texas lawsuit alleged that Meta gleaned the biometric data from photos and videos uploaded by users, shared the information with others and then “failed to destroy collected identifiers within a reasonable time.”

Texas is said to be seeking hundreds of billions of dollars in civil penalties – with fines of up to $25,000 for every violation of applicable state laws.

Meta has described the suit as “without merit.”

When the lawsuit was filed in February 2022, Texas Attorney General Ken Patton accused the company of attempting to “take advantage of people and their children with the intent to turn a profit at the expense of one’s safety and well-being.”

In November 2021, the Facebook parent said it would shut down its facial recognition program and proceeded to delete related data for more than a billion users.

(Wires, X, AI)

#Meta #Facebook #TikTok #Zuck #socialmedia #socialmedia #ai #ainews #ArtificialInteligence #platforms #platformnews #privacy #bigtech #biometric #biometrics #people #man #machine #manvsmachine #bot #bots #technews #digitalnews #trends #trending #buzz #X #media 

Aussie Crypto Biz News

Some of Australia's largest retail brokers are working to allow local investors access to bitcoin spot price ETFs launching in the United States after they were approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Local exchanges reported that trading volumes for bitcoin and other currencies had more than doubled on Thursday, although the price remained steady.

The SEC decision means major financial institutions – including BlackRock, Grayscale, VanEck, Franklin Templeton, Fidelity and six others – will be allowed to issue securities that will be linked to the price movements of the 15-year-old cryptocurrency. The new spot ETFs are set to begin trading on the New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq on Thursday night.

The New York Stock Exchange, Nasdaq and Cboe Global Markets have all received permission to list the spot-bitcoin ETFs. BlackRock, Fidelity and Grayscale have already announced their fee plans for investors, marking the start of a fierce battle to attract investor money to the new asset class.

Australia is set to allow a local spot bitcoin ETF in the first half of this year.

(Sources: X, Wires, Google Finance, Yahoo and A.I)

(Image: A.I)

#Bitcoin #BitcoinETF #BitcoinEFTs #bitcoinetfapproval  #crypto #cryptonews #cryptocurrencies #CryptoCommunity #CryptocurrencyNews #SEC #Blackrock #Grayscale #VanEck #Franklin #Templeton #Fidelity #NYSE #Nasdaq #CBOE #fintech #asset #Assets #biz #biznews #mediabiz #prbiz #bitcoinnewsmedia #trends #trending #buzz #hype #PR #AI #X #media #mediaman #mediamanint 

Pro Wrestling

WWE NXT

January 16, 2024

Let's go ringside with Vic Joseph @VicJosephWWE and Booker T @BookerT5x for the call of the action!

Carmelo Hayes & Trick Williams vs. Edris Enofé & Malik Blade: NXT highlights, Jan. 16, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FrWJ0jtn_s&t=3s&ab_channel=WWE

"Big splash. Into the cover. Hook of the leg to advance" Vic Joseph

"You asked the question - are these two on the same page. Looking at 'em right now man, they look like they are totally, totally, in-sync. I'm talking about working as a well oiled machine man" Booker T

"That's part of the game for these two as there's been a lot of questions"... VJ

Baron Corbin and Bron Breakker brainstorm team names: NXT highlights, Jan. 16, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOePeuR2FLo&ab_channel=WWE

The LWO is focused on winning the Dusty Cup: WWE NXT exclusive, Jan. 16, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEhyWSts1Sw&t=3s&ab_channel=WWE

Lyra Valkyria & Tatum Paxley vs. Lola Vice & Elektra Lopez: NXT highlights, Jan. 16, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7be7suMtaeA&t=4s&ab_channel=WWE

FULL MATCH – Women’s No. 1 Contender Battle Royal – Fatal 4-Way Finale: Jan. 16, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHUupf-ojiM&ab_channel=WWE

Trey Bearhill vs. Dijak: NXT highlights, Jan. 16, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pORRSZ5VcOA&ab_channel=WWE

JBL gives Josh Briggs some advice: NXT highlights, Jan. 16, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1S67B1PeLg&t=3s&ab_channel=WWE

Dijak is going to show Joe Gacy what crazy looks like: WWE NXT exclusive, Jan. 16, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_0cYYtOqZU&ab_channel=WWE

and more via the award winning official WWE YouTube Channel 

www.youtube.com/wwe

Media Man: Very solid. Loving the Wolf Dogs. Need to see much more of the farm or any other venues with Fallon Henley and Tiffany Stratton. From squared circle to paddock to bull riding, best of show and beyond. Yee Haw! Let's see some gold on Lexis King. King of his own domain. Future King Of The Ring. WWE legend JBL with great advise: "I want you to show NXT, WWE, who you are"!

#WWENXT #NXTDustyClassic #DustyClassic #NXTWomen #CarmeloHayes #TrickWilliams #WolfDogs #BronBreakker #BaronCorbin #LexisKing #King #kingmaker #JoshBriggs #JBL #prowrestling #wrestling #entertainment #popculture #USANetwork #broadcast #broadcasting #YouTube #YT #trends #trending #buzz #X #media 

Image credit: WWE NXT

Mixed Martial Arts

UFC @ufc 297

Strickland vs du Plessis - Bad Blood | UFC 297

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwA8DrO4XMk&t=20s&ab_channel=UFC

"When your about to go fight a man, whatever thoughts, doubts, fear, hesitation, you know, that's all just the coward in your brain".. Sean Strickland @SStricklandMMA 

FULL EPISODE | UFC 297 Countdown

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OES8O0YAEzo&t=11s&ab_channel=UFC

"In the annuals of UFC history, dominant UFC title holders were crowned." Narrator

"One of the most diverse fighters in the history of the sport" Joe Rogan

STRICKLAND vs DU PLESSIS | UFC 297 Countdown

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7iBEKaxLAE&t=8s&ab_channel=UFC

UFC 297 Embedded: Vlog Series - Episode 2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYo2BJyVYi8&ab_channel=UFC

"Ah, so right now, Sean's going to teach me how to fight"... Nina Drama

UFC 297 Embedded: Vlog Series - Episode 1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Na8VB9SvTxw&t=4s&ab_channel=UFC

"We're going in my buddy's gun shop"... Sean Strickland

PENNINGTON vs BUENO SILVA | UFC 297 Countdown

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrfIwSTASv0&ab_channel=UFC

and much more history, story, highlights and moments via the award winning UFC YouTube Channel

www.youtube.com

Media Man: SS for the win. Cheers legend.

#UFC297 #UFC #SeanStrickand #duPlessis #BadBlood #UFCMiddleweight #NinaDrama #MMA #mixedmartialarts #combatsports #video #highlights #history #moments #story #YouTube #entertainment #popculture #legends #AndStill #sportsbiz #sportsnews #sportsmedia #PPV #PayPerView #streaming #trends #trending #buzz #X #media 

Image credit: UFC

Pro Wrestling

WWE 

Raw’s most shocking moments: Raw highlights, Jan. 15, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiqwQ-gpCyU&t=937s&ab_channel=WWE

"Do you remember the last match I had before I returned to WWE?  It was with you.  And I remember what you told me after that match. Do you remember? You said I was going to be a future world champion. And I've done it twice".. Drew McIntyre

"Since we're talking about stepping up, A assure you Drew, this is not an act"... Cody Rhodes

Media Man: Loving the storylines and in-ring promos built on actual history. The ups and downs of the pro wrestling industry and life in general. The story backed up by the amazing in-ring history makes the best version of professional wrestling. Master storytelling as we approach the Royal Rumble in just a few short weeks. Big thumbs up.

#WWERaw #WWE #DrewMcintyre #CodyRhodes #AmericanNightmare #JudgementDay #SethRollins #JinderMahal #RoyalRumble #prowrestling #wrestling #USANetwork #YouTube #YT #broadcast #broadcasting #moments #video #entertainment #popculture #trends #trending #buzz #TV #X #media 

Image credit: WWE

Report: Brands face marketing challenges in an AI world - January 17, 2024

After a challenging 2023, WARC Media predicts global advertising spend will double its growth in 2024 with spend expected to top $1 trillion for the first time. Just five companies – Alibaba, Alphabet, Amazon, Bytedance and Meta – are forecast to attract over half (51.9 per cent) of global advertising spend this year as their ad revenues rise by 10.7 per cent.

Key to this growth is the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI). However, the growth of AI raises challenging questions about media quality and the future of advertising on the open internet.

With concerns around media quality affecting all aspects of media planning and buying, The Future of Media 2024 report takes a look at platform power in the era of AI, the current state of linear TV, the future of attention measurement, and the growth of in-game advertising.

Paul Stringer, Managing Editor, Research & Insights, WARC, commented: “As marketing budgets rebound in 2024, uncertainty swirls around where best to direct investments in media, the role of AI in planning, and how to assess media quality. And as politics temporarily engulf culture with impending elections in several major economies, and the threat of low-quality AI generated content looms large, media environments that can offer suitable guarantees around brand safety will take on extra value. With this report we aim to provide insights and data enabling marketers to be better equipped to make informed decisions and plan for success in the year ahead.”

Key trends outlined in The Future of Media 2024 are:

AI-based advertising solutions grow but force advertisers into trade-offs

Walled garden platforms are expanding their reach and influence in advertising, thanks in part to the adoption of new AI-based capabilities, such as Meta’s Advantage+ and Google’s Performance Max.

While this has generated a fair deal of excitement among advertisers, these trends have also prompted fresh concerns about advertising transparency and increased speculation about the future of advertising on the open web.

For agencies and brands, transparency should be prioritised when working with AI-based tools, AI-generated content is a threat to media quality and brand safety, and brands should take steps to protect their investments in open web advertising.

Linear TV consumption continues its gradual decline but age matters 

Linear TV (broadcast and cable) consumption has been in gradual decline over the last decade, particularly with young audiences. Despite remaining the most trusted medium, there is a sense that this decline has accelerated over the last year.

According to WARC data, global Linear TV ad spend decreased by 5.4 per cent in 2023 and data from WARC’s 2024 Marketer’s Toolkit shows that only 18 per cent of marketers worldwide plan to increase their investment in linear TV this year, while 39 per cent plan to withdraw spend.

However, actual time spent consuming TV only declined on average by 3 minutes daily (2.7 per cent) in 2023. WARC Media forecasts global linear TV consumption to decline by a further 2 minutes per day (1.9 per cent) in 2024, meaning people will continue to spend more time with linear TV than streaming video, streaming music, or listening to podcasts.

Dave Campanelli, EVP/Chief Investment Officer, Horizon Media, says: “We hear a lot about ‘linear is dead’. People are still watching linear TV. They tend to be older, but they are still watching linear TV. And it’s 50 per cent of this whole pie. Our budgets need to represent that, depending on your age segment and who you’re going after.”

Attention measurement at a crossroads

An increasing number of brands and agencies are embracing attention measurement as a means of assessing creative and media quality. However, a lack of common standards and substantial evidence are two potential barriers to attention measurement achieving widespread adoption and legitimacy.

A common criticism of attention measurement is that it is strongly biased towards visual media. The top tools used across all companies are eye tracking (50 per cent), survey-based ad recall (46 per cent), tuning duration/dwell time (42 per cent) and facial coding (42 per cent).

The need to understand how attention works across different media channels and formats is resulting in more research and the building of new models of media quality. Brands and agencies should scrutinise vendor tools and methods, conduct their own experiments into attention to determine its value to their advertising, and prove the business effects of attention.

Karen Nelson-Field, Founder and CEO, Amplified Intelligence, said: “It’s clear that the industry needs more robust evidence [for attention measurement] to convince CFOs and procurement teams that low-cost media doesn’t necessarily equate to efficiency. When we focus on business effects and align with the goals of CFOs, the industry as a whole will benefit.”

The growth of in-game advertising

With a global audience of over 3 billion, gaming has developed into one of the most popular and pervasive forms of entertainment in the world, but remains a largely untapped opportunity for brands. Research by IAB estimates that gaming accounts for 5 per cent of advertiser budgets.

Offering increasing amounts of ad inventory and a highly engaged and diverse audience, there are shifts taking place across the wider gaming industry that signal the potential for further growth:

(1) major acquisitions such as Microsoft’s $69 billion purchase of Activision and Sony’s purchase of Bungie and Savage Game Studios; (2) the continual leveraging of gaming IP in new TV and movie releases; (3) the growth of cloud-based game streaming services; (4) investment from new entrants such as Netflix, Amazon and Bytedance.

PWC estimates that video game advertising revenues will be worth $91 billion in 2024, meaning gaming would be the fifth largest channel by advertising spend, behind search, social media, linear TV and retail media.

According to WARC’s Marketer’s Toolkit Survey 2024, more than half (51 per cent) of advertisers plan to increase their investments in gaming next year, but authenticity and integration are key to success.

(Advanced Television)

MMA News

Mixed Martial Arts Media World and Fans respond well to announced PFL @PFLMMA card line-up

"And you know I'm always curious as well as to how the fans feel about news and whatno, especially when I'm hearing about things a couple of weeks out, and I have to say, and I think you know this to a degree, when your not the UFC the fans, especially on Twitter and social media can be a little harsh right because they've been supporting the UFC for so long. I was kind of blown away by the response yesterday"... - Ariel Helwani

"We held nothing back for fans" Donn Davis

"Current fans, skeptical or not yet a fan..said, You moved up two or three notches as far as interest and certainly respect" DD

"..All we're trying to tell fans is MMA is big. There's 650 million fans out there" Donn Davis

"UFC puts on a great product. We put on a different and  unique, great product. Check it out" Donn Davas, PFL (Professional Fighters League)..

"It ain't either or. This ain't Coke or Pepsi. PLF's doing a whole different thing".."and we're doing a whole different thing for fans and a whole different thing for fighters, and I think yesterday people started to get that vibe".. "So we're delighted on how it all came together" Donn Davis 

"Mega Event" DD

Videos

Donn Davis Takes Shot at UFC, Talks PFL vs. Bellator Fight Card | The MMA Hour

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BiKNaHe3to&ab_channel=MMAFightingonSBN

PFL MMA YouTube Channel

PFL Champions vs Bellator Champions is OFFICIAL for Feb 24th!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_XpqxZJtUI&ab_channel=PFLMMA

Riyadh Season has revealed that the Professional Fighters League (PFL) and the General Entertainment Authority (GEA) will host an unprecedented pay- per-view mega event – PFL Champions vs. Bellator Champions – from the state-of the-art Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Saturday, February 24. This unprecedented Champions vs Champions fight card features four co-main fights of current PFL Champions vs current Bellator Champions. In addition, the card features two compelling match-ups of previous PFL title challenges vs previous Bellator title challengers. (Credit: PFL)

More great PFL history, profiles, news and developments via their official YouTube channel

www.youtube.com/@PFLMMA

Media Man: Stronger than average interview and fight card. Credit where credit is due. Mixed martial arts world buzz continues.

PFL vs Bellator fight card

Feb. 24, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Main card (ESPN+ PPV at 3 p.m. ET):

Renan Ferreira vs Ryan Bader

Impa Kasanganay vs Johnny Eblen

Magomed Magomedkerimov vs Jason Jackson

Jesus Pinedo vs Patricio Pitbull

Bruno Cappelozza vs Vadim Nemkov

Thiago Santos vs Yoel Romero

Clay Collard vs AJ McKee

Prelims (ESPN News/ESPN+ at 12:30 p.m. ET):

Gabriel Braga vs Aaron Pico

Biaggio Ali Walsh vs Chris Morris

Claressa Shields vs Kelsey DeSantis

Abdullah Al-Qahtani vs Edukondal Rao

Malik Basahel vs Vinicius Pereira

Image credit: PFL

#PFL #ProfessionalFightersLeague #DonnDavis #quote #quotes #MMAFighting #ArielHelwani 

#RenanFerreira #RyanBader #Ferreira #Bader #FerreiraBader #RiyadhSeason #interview #PFLChampions #Bellator #BellatorChampions #PFLBellator #combatsports #sportsbiz #sportsmedia #sportsnews #sportsmarketing #PPV #PPVS #PayPerView #megaevent #specialevent #specialevents #livesports #liveentertainment #trends #trending #buzz #hype #X #media #mediaman 

Pro Wrestling

All Elite Wrestling @AEW 

Samoa Joe’s FIRST AEW World Title defense! Joe vs FTW Champ Hook! | 1/17/24, AEW Dynamite

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M98j3dB9SQI&ab_channel=AllEliteWrestling

"Managed Joe years ago. Joe knew Hook when he was little" Taz

"Not little any more"

"A wild right hand and he's got the champion on his hands and knees"

"That can certainly be an advantage. I mean Hook has grown as a professional wrestler watching Samoa Joe. Watching his win titles"

"See that right hand. In front of our desk here" Taz

Media Man: Great match between Joe and Hook. Both legit bad asses. Hook, Hook, Hook!  One of our favourite AEW pro wrestling matches ever! Hook mania running wild! FTW vs AEW lockerroom and beyond. Hook tipped as future world champ. Shoots and hooks matter. This ain't ballet folks. Those who can wrestler. Those who can't or fittest days are past are media, fans or both!

Much world class pro wrestling via the official AEW YouTube Channel 

www.youtube.com/AEW 

#AEW #AEWDynamite #AEWTitle #SamoaJoe #Hook #JoeHook #FTW #Taz #prowrestling #wrestling #dreammatch #dreammatches #combatsports #entertainment #music #showbiz #feature #highlights #YouTube #trends #trending #buzz #TV #X #media

Image credit: AEW

"Our problems are man-made, therefore they may be solved by man. And man can be as big as he wants. No problem of human destiny is beyond human beings." - John F. Kennedy

Best Quotes Of The Day (Media Man Int)

www.mediamanint.com/articles/best_quotes.html

"The Man In The Arena" (spoken by JFK). Video

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/dTx-12tWdKA

#JFK #JohnFKenny #quote #quotes #problems #man #human #humanbeings #TheManInTheArena #poltiics #USA #media #mediaman #mediamanint 

The Cycle

Meditation

Visualization

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Energize

Exercise 

Action

Interaction

Light 

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Be

Zen

Rest

Repeat 

Mind, Body and Spirit (Media Man Int)

Wrestling News Media

Nick Aldis on wrestling for WWE: 'I'll cross that bridge if I come to it' Aldis isn't closing the door on competing in a WWE ring - January 2024

Though he's having a blast in his current role, Nick Aldis isn't ruling out the possibility of wrestling in WWE.

Aldis joined WWE as a producer last summer and has now been working as an on-screen character for three months. He was introduced as the new SmackDown general manager on October 13.

Aldis has been involved in a power struggle with Roman Reigns and The Bloodline on WWE television, leading some fans to speculate that a Reigns vs. Aldis match could happen one day. Aldis told the Daily Mail that he's grateful for the fans who want to see him compete in a WWE ring. Aldis is fully committed to his GM role right now but believes that anything is possible in WWE.

Anything is possible in the WWE. I deeply appreciate all of the fans who keep me alive in that regard, who want to see me in the ring with this person or that person. Since my interaction with Roman, that started a whole different conversation in that regard.

I'm just grateful that there's an interest in it. At the same time, I'm fully committed to being the best general manager of all time, so I'll cross that bridge if I come to it.

When Aldis departed the NWA, he knew that he wanted to end up with some kind of a job in WWE. Aldis wanted the chance to contribute in the big leagues.

I've been having a blast. I've come in blessed with the gift of managed expectations. I had sort of made peace with the idea that maybe WWE was never going to be on the cards for me at all. So I certainly have come in with a level of gratitude that I perhaps wouldn't have had as a guy in his 20s.

I came in on a on a day rate, try out as a producer behind the scenes, which I, again, had fully made peace with the idea of if that's going to be my job, then that's going to be my job, and I'll do that job to the best of my ability, because I decided that at this point in my life and my career, I wanted to contribute to the big leagues.

That may be because I put in my 10,000 hours, I felt like I had done enough and had enough experience, enough expertise and my own unique sort of philosophy and my own track record of success in the wrestling business that I was ready to work at the top level. I felt one way or another that my skill set as a professional was best suited to be contributing to the number one company.

I finished up with the NWA. And at that time, I decided that if there was any kind of opportunity whatsoever with WWE, that was where I wanted to be. I felt like I'd done everything I could do at a place with limited resources and just decided one way or another that I wanted a chance to contribute there.

Aldis was a two-time Worlds Heavyweight Champion while with the NWA. He's also a former TNA World Champion.

On SmackDown two weeks ago, Aldis announced that Reigns will defend his Undisputed WWE Universal Championship against Randy Orton, LA Knight, and AJ Styles in a fatal four-way match at the Royal Rumble. Aldis made the announcement after The Bloodline disrupted an Orton vs. Knight vs. Styles number one contender's match.

Nic Nemeth On Why He Chose To Confront Moose at TNA Hard to Kill

In an interview for TNA’s Instagram (via Fightful), Nic Nemeth explained why he chose to confront Moose for his TNA debut at this past Saturday’s Hard to Kill PPV. Nemeth will appear on tonight’s Impact on AXS TV to explain his actions.

He said: “I wasn’t focused on Moose [at TNA Hard To Kill], and I wasn’t even focused on the championship, which I have thought about non-stop for a long time. Like I said, I go, where can I pinpoint the moment where people will make it the most memorable? I did 20 years in one company. I get one chance to make a second impression here on the world. That will be the biggest possible moment and the most talked-about, I think. I really think that helps myself and the company. I didn’t have a plan. Moose is in my target, I got him. I was watching that title match going, whoever wins, I’m sliding in there and going, ‘Here I am, let’s go.’ So I don’t exactly know what my focus is, other than, I have earned everything that I’ve worked for, to a point where I go, I don’t want to stroll in here and be like, ‘Hey, I showed up through the crowd so you gotta give me a title shot,’ or, ‘I’m famous, so I get a ….’ No, I wanted to make my mark there, and now I focus on, where can I fit in? Where can I start building blocks to make myself to where I’m not presenting it, but the world goes, this should be the number one contender, and here’s why. Then, when that happens, I’ll know that I’ll be able to sleep at night going, I have proven myself worthy of a title shot. Okay, now let’s focus on the champion. No, I’m not hand-picking anything: I’m here, and I said, I am lucky to be here, I’m happy to be here. If I get some more eyes on TNA, hell yeah, that rocks. Let me know where I start, and I’m coming in with my lunchbox and ready to go. I’m gonna prove it in the ring every single night that says, we need to do something else. We need to get this guy in the title picture, he has earned it. But I gotta put in the time first and the effort. I’m not all show and all talk. I’m gonna earn it, but I want the TNA locker room and the audience to be going, this is the guy. He deserves a shot. Not me walking in and saying, ‘Hey, give me a shot.’ Hell no. I would never do it that way the rest of my life. There’s no way I’ll do it now. I want to make this count. I want it to be special.“

TNA Wrestling: TNA Champion Moose Says TNA Wrestling now in "Hot Spot" - 18th January 2024

"Even though he took me out, which I'm going to get mine back when the time is right, but let's leave that alone. Talking about Nic coming into the company, I think it's huge for TNA. Obviously, I'm a huge fan of his. He's a superstar. He's done everything in professional wrestling, he's been World Champion, he's been a tag team guy, he's won every single title you can think about. He's been all over the world. He has a huge buzz going right now. For him to pick TNA over AEW and New Japan or any other company, that shows that TNA is a hot spot right now. I'm happy he's part of the team, I'm happy I get to do something down the road with him. I'm happy that TNA is starting to be a spot where people want to come. Same thing with Ash By Elegance, her picking us over other companies out there, I'm happy she is part of the team and I can't wait to see what the future brings with Nic and Ash.”

Kazuchika Okada to leave New Japan Pro-Wrestling - January 19, 2024

Thank you for supporting New Japan Pro-Wrestling.

Kazuchika Okada will be leaving New Japan Pro-Wrestling after the conclusion of his contract on January 31 2024. 

We apologise to fans for the abrupt nature of this announcement, but join them in wishing Okada the very best in his future. 

As the New Beginning series begins this weekend, Okada will appear on February dates on February 11 in Osaka, and February 23 and 24 in Sapporo. Changes will be made to forthcoming cards with an announcement to follow. 

We appreciate your understanding and continued support. 

Kazuchika Okada statement:

I have nothing but gratitude for having been a part of New Japan Pro-Wrestling since 2007, and for NJPW bringing me from a 19 year old kid off the plane in Mexico to the Rainmaker I am today. Thank you to the best of companies in NJPW, to the best of opponents that I’ve been able to face here, and to the best of fans that have cheered and booed over the years. I promise to make it rain in every match I have left, so keep watching.  

WWE

SmackDown preview, Jan. 19, 2024: Huge Contract Signing for Royal Rumble set

Don't miss SmackDown, this Friday at 8/7 C on FOX!

Next week on SmackDown, Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns, Randy Orton, LA Knight and AJ Styles will be in the ring to sign the contract for their monumental title match at Royal Rumble. 

The last time all four men shared the ring, utter bedlam erupted as The Bloodline attacked Styles, Orton and Knight while they were competing in a Triple Threat Match to determine who would challenge Reigns at Royal Rumble. 

What will happen when these four dynamic Superstars participate in what seems certain to be a volatile contract signing? 

Don’t miss SmackDown, next week at 8/7 C on FOX! 

"The Kevin Owens Show" to welcome U.S Champ Logan Paul

A special edition of "The Kevin Owens Show" is coming to Friday Night SmackDown as the No. 1 Contender to the United States Title welcomes the champion, Logan Paul.

Owens earned the right to face The Maverick after winning the United States Title Tournament by defeating Santos Escobar in the finals, a result that clearly bothered Paul. 

The last time the two Superstars came face-to-face, Owens knocked out the champion with a brutal punch from his casted right hand, so there's no telling what will happen they meet again live on Friday at 8/7 C on FOX!

The LWO to take on Santos Escobar, Angel and Humberto in Six-Man Tag Team action

Carlito, Joaquin Wilde and Cruz Del Toro will represent The LWO against their bitter rivals Santos Escobar, Angel and Humberto in a Six-Man Tag Team Match.

Since Escobar turned his back on The LWO, WWE Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio, Carlito, Wilde and Del Toro have been waiting for their chance at payback, and it will finally come on Friday Night SmackDown.

With the numbers not in his favor, Escobar brought Angel and Humberto from NXT to form Legado World Order.

Don't miss this Six-Man Tag Team Match live on Friday Night SmackDown at 8/7 C on FOX!

(WWE)

Wrestler Grayson Waller’s defiant response to Sunrise controversy - January 19th, 2024

An Aussie wrestler isn’t backing down after he caused chaos live on Sunrise this week, threatening to punch a crew member.

By Nick Bond

Australian wrestling champ Grayson Waller has shared a simple public response to the controversy over his chaotic appearance on Sunrise earlier this week.

Waller was appearing on Tuesday’s episode of Sunrise alongside US wrestler LA Knight, and lost his temper when hosts Natalie Barr and Matt Doran attempted to goad them into showing off some of their moves on a willing crew member.

“I don’t think you understand – if I come over there right now, we’re going to have the police here, cos I’m not going to give you some fake punch. I’m going to punch you straight in the jaw,” Waller said, as Doran struggled to contain him while the crew member quickly scarpered from the set.

To the average viewer, it was a shocking outburst – but as the clip circulated online, wrestling fans were quick to praise Waller. They insisted his trash-talk had actually diffused the situation, and was a better option than what the Sunrise hosts were suggesting he do: Potentially hurt a member of their staff.

Waller posted a photo to his Twitter account yesterday that would’ve been cryptic to many, but one that meant something to wrestling fans:

The photo in question is from an infamous 1988 encounter between wrestler David Schultz and reporter John Stossel, who was at the time working on an ‘expose’ on the world of professional wrestling.

“I think this is fake,” Stossel told the wrestler, which got an immediate – and violent – response.

‘You think this is fake?” Schultz asked, before smacking the reporter across the face, leaving him cowering on the ground.

“You think that’s fake? What the hell’s wrong with you? That’s an open-hand slap, huh?”

Schultz continued, before walloping Stossel again, leaving him to flee down the corridor.

The wrestling faithful knew exactly what Waller was referencing just from the screenshot of Schultz – and applauded him for standing his ground on Sunrise.

“That was awesome. Good on you for sticking up for wrestling. They were totally disrespectful,” wrote one follower.

“I saw you in a different light today, Grayson. Good on you,” said another.

“My respect for you has risen tenfold,” another fan tweeted.

After footage of Waller’s outburst went viral on social media – one clip alone has been viewed more than 1.5 million times – fans praised him his respect for “kayfabe”, a wrestling term used to describe the convention of presenting staged performances as genuine or authentic.

“That was absolutely f**king brilliant from Waller there. He protected kayfabe, he protected Knight. He was so sharp and on the ball. I was already a fan of his but my respect for him just grew a lot from this,” gushed one fan.

Waller’s face might be familiar to reality TV fans: He was a controversial contestant on the 2019 season of Australian Survivor, where he proved divisive among his fellow contestants and viewers due to his aggressive nature in challenges.

Teammate and former AFL player Abby Holmes dubbed him an “actual idiot,” but Farrelly, who is also a high school teacher when he’s not wrestling, soon embraced the epithet, selling “ACTUAL IDIOT” T-shirts at his wrestling matches.

“I had a feeling that most of my airtime was probably going to be me yelling and screaming, and I’m OK with that,” he told news.com.au after his elimination from the show.

(News Corp)

Wrestling Media

Update

Wrestling Media (Media Man Int)

https://www.mediamanint.com/articles/wrestling_media.html

Wrestling News, including flashbacks and retro via social media channels (Media Man Int)

https://www.mediamanint.com/articles/wrestling_news.html

A collaboration between Media Man, Wrestling News Media @wrestlingnewsm and Australian Sports Entertainment @austsportsent 

#wrestlingmedia #wrestlingnews #wrestlingnewsmedia #prowrestling #prowrestlingnews #sportsentertainment #WWE #SmackDown #TKO #KO #TNAWrestling #TNA #AEW #NWA #UFC #PFL #MMA #grappling #combatsports #champions #worldchampion #Goat #rankings #wrestlingnewsmedia #australiansportsentertainment #popculture #blog #blogs #blogging #onlinenews #promotions #wrestlingpromotions #wrestlingpromoters #interviews #OP #ED #gonzo #mainstream #alt #trend #trends #newsmedia #buzz #TV #media #mediaman #mediamanint 

Pro Wrestling

WWE @WWE SmackDown

Reigns, Knight, Orton and Styles set for Contract Signing: WWE Now, January 19, 24

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rS4t3oMLL2E&t=15s&ab_channel=WWE

Watching the live broadcast!

and more world class pro wrestling, action and drama via the award winning WWE YouTube Channel

www.youtube.com/wwe

Media Man: This ain't going to be any normal contract signing folks! This isn't 'Succession' or 'Billions'. This is the world of the WWE! #SmackDown #WWE2K24 

#SmackDown #RoyalRumble #HeadOfTheTable #prowrestling #wrestling #wrestlingnews #wrestlingmedia #TheBloodline #PaulHeyman #RomanReigns #RandyOrton #AJStyles #LAKnights #LoganPaul #KevinOwens #KO #TKO #LWO #LatinoWorldOrder #NickAldis #wrestlingcontract #contract #contractsigning #combatsports #fight #fighters #entertainment #popculture #broadcast #broadcasting #FOX #PLE #PPV #trends #trending #buzz #TV #media 

Image credit: WWE

Aussie Sports Pay-Per-View News

UFC - Foxtel Group Pay-Per-View Partnership

January 2024

Kayo Sports (part of The Foxtel Group), out of Australia, and the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) @UFC have officially commenced a new multi-year agreement from January 1, 2024, which sees Main Event @MainEventTV – available only on Kayo Sports and Foxtel – become the exclusive home of UFC Pay-Per-View events down under in Australia aka Terror Australis! The readership knows we like media on the edge, so we've got to slip the Aussie slang in every now and again to suit the theme right.

The first Pay-Per-View (PPV) exclusive event will see UFC middleweight Champion Sean "Tarzan" Strickland make his virgin title defence against South African Dricus "Stillknocks" Du Plessis as they marquee UFC 297 direct from Toronto on January 21.

This partnership casts Main Event as the undisputed home of PPV in Australia, with a prized tradition of showcasing the biggest UFC fights across the globe, as well as being a key part of seeing up and coming top range fighters climb to the top since 2008.

Under the terms of the new agreement, fans looking to hit up a buy of a UFC PPV will be redirected to Foxtel and Kayo Sports’ Main Event platform for exclusive access to world class matches. UFC Fight Pass will continue to broadcast live UFC fights, including the Preliminary bouts to UFC PPV events and each UFC Fight Night event in its entirety, in addition to live and on-demand combat sports and unforgettable archived bouts from around the world.

In addition to all the UFC PPV events, sports fans can expect a full menu of UFC content, including UFC Fight Nights, UFC Pay-Per-View Prelims, UFC Countdown, DC & RC, plus selected titles from UFC’s Fight Library on ESPN, available on Kayo Sports and Foxtel.

Ahead of the UFC’s first PPV event in 2024, Australian foodie critic, MasterChef Australia judge and self-confessed fanatic Melissa Leong will host UFC Fight Week on Wednesday, January 17, available on Kayo Sports and Foxtel. Melissa will be joined by panellists Tyson Pedro and Dan Hooker as they break down UFC 297 and interview Middleweight Champion Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis. The show will be replayed daily leading up to the event.

UFC’s popularity has boomed since it was first broadcast in Australia in 2008. There are now in excess of 700 million UFC fans across the globe. In Australia and New Zealand, UFC counts more than 4.3 million fans and features the youngest fan base of any professional sport in Australia with 48 per cent aged between 18-39. These stats are gold to the business of sports marketing, sports media and other associated business arms.

“We’re excited to strengthen and expand our relationship with the UFC, the fastest growing sport in the world, and 2024 will deliver a line-up of epic battles, kicking on January 21 with UFC 297,” said Rebecca McCloy, executive director of commercial sport at Foxtel Group.

“Foxtel and Kayo Sports are the best sports broadcasters in the country and they have backed UFC in Australia since the beginning. Together, we will continue to grow UFC in Australia and they will be the destination for the biggest and baddest fights we put on year-round,” said UFC president Dana White.

It will be a full UFC schedule on Main Event in 2024. Following UFC 297, all eyes will turn to Australia’s fan-favourite UFC Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski for his much-anticipated title defence against Georgian Ilia Topuria at UFC 298 in California on February 18.

Media Man: Combat sports PPVs certainly have boomed in Australia since circa 1996 to 2000 when we most closely collaborated and cross promoted with Main Event while working for Optus Vision/Communications in a full-time capacity. The UFC continued to build upon the earlier success of pro boxing and pro wrestling on pay-per-view. The YouTube and social media based features are great, but there's nothing quite like a main event MMA match on PPV for those who live and breath combat sports. Many fighters and former fighters these days even have their own channels across the internet. Exciting times for combat sports fans as well as for those who work in and around the industry. Another chance to ground and pound and KO with the best of them thanks to the UFC, Kayo Sports and Main Event.

Videos To Help Get Casual and Hardcore Fans Up To Speed on UFC 297

(Sources: UFC, Main Event and News)

UFC Official YouTube

UFC 297 Embedded: Vlog Series - Episode 5

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4G8qz_UVusA&ab_channel=UFC

UFC 297 Embedded: Vlog Series - Episode 6

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=virYgBbiSog&ab_channel=UFC

UFC 297: Final Faceoffs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ipEXK1tHQA&ab_channel=UFC

Main Event Official YouTube

Dana White: New Home of the UFC l Main Event

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaKiSNkC6cM&ab_channel=mainevent

Chael Sonnen Official YouTube

The Rise of Sean Strickland & Dricus Du Plessis | UFC 297

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PR8DxSWk3Tc&t=53s&ab_channel=ChaelSonnen

Daniel Cormier Official YouTube

Sean Strickland WARNS Du Plessis: "Bring that s*** up, and it's ON SIGHT!" | Daniel Cormier Check-In

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gieWHG_Q2yU&ab_channel=DanielCormier

#UFC297 #UFC298 #UFC300 #UFCAustralia #KayoSports #MainEvent #UFC #UFCNews #UFCMedia #PPV #PayPerView #PayPerViews #SeanStrickland #Strickland #DricusDuPlessis #DuPlessis #DanaWhite #quote #quotes #combatsports #sportsnews #sportsmedia #sportsmarketing #sportsbiz #broadcast #broadcasting #OTT #OverTheTop #trends #trending #buzz #media 

Image credit: UFC

Search Engine Journal

SEO structures Geo

SEJ's Motoko with an insightful and interesting article about the global nature of the internet based business. Numerous valid points. We started with one basic website and a basic blog. Then we expanded with a range of dotcoms and dotcomdotaus and numerous social media platforms and challenges. Cast the net far and wide and adapt to the cycles and frequently changes in the industry. Business models can and generally should be changed and improved from time to time to adapt. In and around sports news media and sports and pop culture media business there are frequent changes and developments. New websites can be created for a minimum budget. Exposure can be gained in numerous ways including the trending algorithm and getting indexed on Google and the like. Having a local, state, national and international approach helps plug into go-ahead areas one may otherwise miss. Geo stories in far away lands can really take off and create great opportunities. My biggest deal ever was involving one brand in three counties and we adpated it to the different geo zones. Business is not a sprint, it's a marathon and there's always more work to do. Last but not least, enjoy the journey as it's part of the bigger picture.