Category: Affiliate Marketing Tips

Digiday surveyed 120 publisher professionals with knowledge of their company’s financial health and questioned them about a number of different topics, including how 2021 went for their respective organizations and what they expect for 2022.

The 120-person sample represents organizations of many different sizes, including statistically significant numbers of people who work at large, medium-sized and small publishers; in this case, Digiday defines those with annual revenues over $50 million a year as large, those with annual revenues between $10 million and $50 million as medium-sized, and up to $10 million as small.

Three-quarters of the survey’s respondents said that their organization’s revenues went up in 2021 compared to 2020, and for more than half, the increase was in the double digits. More than a quarter of respondents said their organization’s revenues increased more than 25%.

That same sample has an optimistic outlook about 2022. More than 80% of respondents expect revenue to increase in the new year, and more than one-fifth expect revenue to increase by more than 25%.

Anecdotally, this optimism prevails even among those that didn’t have a great 2021; over 40% of the two dozen respondents who said their revenues were either flat or declined year over year in 2021 said they expect their revenue to grow by double digits in 2022.

This optimism largely reflects the rosy forecasts put out by researchers including GroupM’s Brian Wieser, who upped his growth projections for 2022 in a report published in December. Wieser projected a 39% growth in digital ad spending, but also projected robust growth in traditional channels such as television, thanks in part to political ad spending driven by the coming midterm elections.

Below is a running list of media companies’ sustainability pledges and initiatives. One thing to note: Some companies use the term “net zero” while others opt for “carbon neutral.” These are similar concepts; the goal is to balance out a company’s greenhouse or carbon emissions by reducing an equal amount of emissions.

BBC

BBC wants to be net zero by 2030. Part of the process means transitioning to green energy with a focus on energy reduction, efficiency and electrification/hydrogen. Targets were approved by the Science Based Targets initiative, an independent, global organization that assesses corporate plans to reduce emissions. By 2030, BBC wants to reduce its emissions in its direct operations by 46%.

Bloomberg

Bloomberg Media is a division of Bloomberg L.P., which has committed to net zero carbon emissions by 2025. It wants to transition to 100% renewable energy by that year, according to its 2020 Impact Report. 50% of Bloomberg’s energy currently comes from renewable sources.

Condé Nast

The publisher wants to be carbon neutral by 2030. As of September 2021, its offices in London, Germany, Italy and Spain have transitioned to 100% renewable energy. Pilia, who oversees sustainability efforts across the company, said the cost difference in moving to renewable energy was “negligible.”

The Economist 

The Economist has set a goal to cut carbon emissions by at least 25% by 2025, a plan approved by the Science Based Target initiative. The nonprofit works with over 2,000 businesses around the world to develop and verify a business plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Gannett

Gannett will share more information around the company’s sustainability goals in 2022, according to a spokesperson.

Hearst

Hearst Tower, Hearst’s headquarters in New York City, is a “green” commercial building with a Platinum LEED Rating, a points-based certification system created by the U.S. Green Building Council for construction projects. There are four LEED certification levels, with Platinum being the best, and the levels are based on categories like energy and water efficiency, ventilation, location, materials and resources. Icefall, a three-story waterfall in the building’s atrium and lobby, circulates recycled rainwater collected from the roof, saving 1.7 million gallons of water annually that serves to cool and humidify the space and saves power.

The New York Times

The New York Times Company is reviewing its environmental impact and sustainability-related initiatives. No timeline has been set yet for when that review will be complete, a Times spokesperson said.