70% of leading media companies ready to sacrifice revenue for long-term digital growth: EY

Shift to consumer-centric digital models not without challenges

TORONTO, March 6, 2014 /CNW/ - Seventy-percent of "digital leaders" in the media and entertainment (M&E) industry are willing to accept short-term revenue losses to invest in long-term digital growth, according to a new EY report.

"Leading M&E companies are already focusing everything they do around continuous innovation. But how do they sustain that leading edge?" asks Martin Lundie, EY partner and Canadian media industry leader. "Simply evolving existing products may not be enough. Success comes down to striking the right balance between short-term revenue sacrifices and the long-term benefits of a digital model. Those who adhere to customer demands for sophisticated digital models will come out on top." 

Sustaining digital leadership! reveals 57% of M&E companies cite listening to customers and analyzing customer interactions as an important strategic priority in order to create lasting relationships with clients, and reimagine the products and business models that define them.

"Companies are undertaking digital models to provide customers with a seamless, anytime/anywhere experience. These models span everything from product development and distribution to customer experience, supply chain, profit models and risk management," says Lundie. "They're also using real-time social engagement and big data analytics to put the customers' voice at the centre of their innovation."

But operating in a digital world is not without its challenges. Even leading companies still wrestle with data reliability: 49% cite it as a challenge, and 39% say they are not yet obtaining insight from big data.

Those companies not yet in a digital leadership position say they are facing even greater big data challenges. Only 11% are employing second- or later-generation analytics. And, where 81% of companies who are digital leaders say they can integrate data from two or three channels to obtain a better customer profile, only 64% of other M&E companies claim that capability.

"The M&E experience has to centre on the evolving consumer, their needs, expectations and desires," explains Lundie. "We're having these discussions with a lot of companies at Dx3 this week, and that's critical. Businesses need to have these discussions and capitalize on every tool available to them if they want to emerge as, or remain, industry leaders."

EY is a platinum level sponsor of DX3 Canada 2014, Where Canadian Business Gets Digital. The conference, focused on digital marketing, digital advertising and digital retailing brings together agencies, brands, publishers and retailers for two days to network and do business.

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SOURCE: EY (Ernst & Young)

Erika Bennett, [email protected], 416 943 5497; Sarah Shields, [email protected], 604 648 3607; Julie Fournier, [email protected], 514 874 4308