Score one for advertising.
The historical backbone of Netflix, according to Co-CEO/Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos isn’t a global pandemic. It’s the non-linear programming and lack advertising – basically the anti-TV model. Subscription-based services are now facing a budgetary backlash. Thus the Netflix decision to offer an ad-inclusive model. It returns our industry to its roots of helping to finance entertainment for the masses. I call this an Ad Victory.
Fun fact: Squid Games is Netflix’s biggest show ever.
Sir Patrick Stewart took to the stage today for what ended up being a conversation about inclusion
I Boldly Went
Let’s talk diversity shall we? Sir Patrick Stewart took to the stage today for what was billed as a discussion about longterm fandom but ended up being a deeper conversation about inclusion. The Star Trek practically invented DEI. The franchise has a long history of welcoming all genders, races, sexual orientation and species. Ahead of its time, yet again.
Greenpeace joins the Festival
As Greenpeace put it so eloquently, “there are no awards on a dead planet”. This week has seen protests against the complicity of ad agencies working for the fossil fuel industry. WPP seems to be a specific target. The climax today included GP’s “This is fine” dog mascot hoisting up a protest banner on the Palais façade from an enormous crane.