What HBO’s ‘Succession’ can teach us about advertising

As an abashed former News Corp employee (thankfully at HarperCollins, one of the Murdoch portfolio’s least-offensive holdings), HBO’s "Succession" is my straight shot of Sunday-night dopamine. The show’s great even if you aren’t attuned to the devastating, thinly veiled media and publishing world portrayals—but it’s a lot more fun for those of us who are. And watching through the eyes of a current ad guy, there are still a lot of professional lessons to take away from the savage, but often insightful, Roy family and their various hangers-on. In anticipation of the season coming to a close this Sunday, when we bid adieu to our favorite deliciously dysfunctional and unscrupulous family of one-percenters until next year, I bring you my favorite ad-world lessons learned and reaffirmed in the first two seasons of HBO’s latest tentpole show. What's the protein? Roy family patriarch Logan’s go-to phrase, “What’s the protein?” is quickly becoming my internal mantra in all sorts of daily situations. Logan’s a busy guy who shoots from the hip, so he needs a quick phrase that helps get to the meat of the matter at hand—or points out the lack of substance in a given proposition (like his daughter Shiv’s much-mocked family memo). “What’s the protein?” is great shorthand for stripping the BS out of the equation and weighing whether there’s real substance at the core of an idea or it’s just carbohydrate filler. I’ve toyed with “What’s the protein?” becoming my new go-to filter in... Continue reading at 'Advertising Age'

[ Advertising Age | 2019-10-11 11:22:17 UTC ]

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Passing the screen test: four speakers reveal what makes a hit TV adaptation

A rise in the number and output of streaming platforms such as Amazon Video and Netflix has opened up new and profitable revenue streams for writers—but how can publishers help them grasp them? Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-09-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Text in the city for SJP

“Sex and the City” star Sarah Jessica Parker talks to The Bookseller about moving into the publishing world with her own imprint on behalf of Hogarth. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-05-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The Top 10 Library Stories of 2017

PW takes a look back at some of the library stories that captivated the publishing world in 2017, and what they portend for 2018 Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-12-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Attica Locke lives in L.A., but she writes about what she knows — black life in Texas

Few contemporary writers have portrayed black Southern life with as much wit and heart-pounding drama as Attica Locke, whose latest book is the mystery “Bluebird, Bluebird.” Formerly a writer and producer on the television show “Empire,” Locke took the publishing world by storm with her debut... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2017-12-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Benway, Bidart, Gessen, and Ward Win 2017 National Book Awards

At the 68th National Book Awards, held at Cipriani New York in Lower Manhattan on Wednesday night, politics were again front and center in the publishing world. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-11-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Why Publishers Need to Focus on Audience and Brand as They Step Up Their Video Efforts

The pivot to video came upon the publishing world with a force still being grappled with, even as the video environment continues to evolve. During a panel discussion on the subject during Adweek's first Elevate summit today, Vox general manager Andrew Golis described the experience as "moving... Continue reading at AdWeek

[ AdWeek | 2017-11-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Andrew Wylie and the Internationalist Imperative: ‘A Profound Moral Question’

In his keynote at Frankfurt's The Markets, the arch-agent Andrew Wylie will address the forces of nationalism: 'The publishing world is in opposition.' The post Andrew Wylie and the Internationalist Imperative: ‘A Profound Moral Question’ appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2017-06-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Webcast on Virtual Communities Today

The fourth and final webcast in CodeMantra’s series on the publishing-technology connection will be held at 1 p.m. today. The subject of the webcast is virtual communities and will examine how the publishing world can use engagement and collaborative communities to its advantage. Panelists are... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-01-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The Top 10 Library Stories of 2016

PW takes a look back at some of the library stories that captivated the publishing world in 2016, and what they portend for 2017. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-12-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Video publishers seek to extend Facebook content beyond Facebook

Facebook video publisher Attn is producing a long-form version of its popular video series “America Versus,” which will live on its site and streaming platforms. Attn has also produced other content for HBO Now and Spotify. Similarly, CNN’s Great Big Story just premiered its first TV show on the... Continue reading at Digiday

[ Digiday | 2016-12-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Industry Notes: Omeda, Lytics Team Up | Emerald Acquires RFID Journal

The latest from around the publishing world. The post Industry Notes: Omeda, Lytics Team Up | Emerald Acquires RFID Journal appeared first on Folio:. Continue reading at Folio Magazine

[ Folio Magazine | 2016-11-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Ilex joins the dots

Ilex Press, part of Octopus, will publish Superstars of YouTube: The 100% Unofficial Dot-to-Dot Book by Abi Daker in October 2016, featuring famous vloggers such as Zoella, Alfie Deyes and Dan and Phil. World rights are available. Zara Larcombe of Ilex said: “The popularity of YouTubers has... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2016-04-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Illustration to Thrillers, Fiction and Nonfiction: International Titles on Offer at London 2016

We asked a few publishers which international titles they are especially excited to present to the publishing world at the London Book Fair this spring. The post Illustration to Thrillers, Fiction and Nonfiction: International Titles on Offer at London 2016 appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2016-04-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Why Bauer Media ditched its sales team and went all programmatic

The publishing world has long seen programmatic as the realm of cheap, unsold inventory with far less revenue potential than what's sold through direct channels. But times are changing. Bauer Xcel Media, the U.S. arm the European magazine company, has shuttered its direct sales team in favor of... Continue reading at Digiday

[ Digiday | 2015-12-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Do These 'Instagram Husbands' Remind You of Any Poor Bastards in Your Life?

The life of an Instagram star might seem stylish and elegant, but what about the poor sidekick left holding the camera like some off-screen putz? A new video called "Instagram Husband" tells the heartbreaking (or at least relatable) story of men whose existence has dwindled into two roles:... Continue reading at AdWeek

[ AdWeek | 2015-12-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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ALA Midwinter 2016 Preview: We Need to Talk About Reference

We take a look back at some of the library stories that captivated the publishing world in 2015, and a look ahead at what they portend for 2016. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-12-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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PW's Top 10 Library Stories of 2015

We take a look back at some of the library stories that captivated the publishing world in 2015, and a look ahead at what they portend for 2016. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-12-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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An Upstate Press Finds a Potential Local Hit in France

Open Letter press is well known in the publishing world for its literature in translation program. It's less known in its hometown of Rochester, though the press's new French novel might change that. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-11-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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At Frankfurt, It’s Time for the Superheroes of Publishing to Rise

Ahead of the Frankfurt Book Fair, Ed Nawotka reflects on the up-and-coming stars, those in the spotlight and behind the scenes, of the publishing world. The post At Frankfurt, It’s Time for the Superheroes of Publishing to Rise appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-10-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Frankfurt Book Fair 2015: At Opening, Salman Defends Free Speech

Amid tight security, author Salman Rushdie told reporters that the publishing world must continue to defend free speech. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-10-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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