TV Story of the Week
CFlight, the first linear TV and Broadcast Video on Demand (BVOD) measurement system has officially entered the next phase of testing. A handful of top agencies will get the chance to trial the new platform as access was rolled out earlier this month. CFlight is a joint initiative between Sky, ITV and 4 Sales, backed by industry bodies. The system combines TV impacts and BVOD impressions to give a better indication of the total reach of campaigns, targeting all adults across the two formats.
Experiential Story of the Week
Heineken is set to open a metaverse themed bar in Shoreditch on the 7th of April, promoting the launch of the brand's 'virtual beer' in the metaverse. The experience won't serve any real drinks to attendees, who will instead receive a pixelated prop beer. All furniture and décor will have a pixelated appearance and staff are said to 'act' like non-playable characters. Visitors will be required to put on goggles shaped like a VR headset on arrival in order to enter the 'IRL meta-bar'.
Radio Story of the Week
An open letter has been published from professionals in the Radio industry, calling on the UK government to continue supporting the Audio Content Fund (ACF). The fund was initially set up with a three-year trial period and has distributed around £1m a year, supporting public service radio projects. Campaigns, which otherwise would have been unable to take place, have appeared across commercial stations of different sizes. The open letter is available at www.audiocontentfundfuture.org and has so far been signed by over 30 production companies and 20 executives from UK radio stations.
Industry Story of the Week
NewsUK has appointed Sky Media to manage advertising sales for its new television venture, TalkTV. The channel launches on the 25th of April and will broadcast across linear and on-demand platforms. Sky Media will be responsible for linear and on-demand advertising, with broader sponsorship opportunities managed between the two partners. TalkTV is set to include shows from Piers Morgan and Sharon Osbourne.
OOH Story of the Week
Mental health not-for-profit ‘Men’s Minds Matter’ has launched a new campaign, sharing the last texts sent by men to loved ones before they took their own life. The messages appear on Digital Out of Home screens across the UK, with space donated by Ocean Outdoor and Clear Channel. The charity worked with Media Bounty on the project who donated their time and advertising expertise on a pro bono basis. ONS research shows that suicide is the biggest killer of men under 45, with men making up 76% of all UK suicides.
