2020: The digisport 'list of lists'
This list went out in my newsletter (sign up here) a few days into the New Year. I had added a few extra stories I have found since then.
What 2020 Holds For TikTok In Sports (Front Office Sports)
Is TikTok the next content play for sports rights-holders? Facebook will not be able to buy it so will they try their other usual route, copy it out of relevancy. It seems to be in a stronger position than Snapchat occupied a couple of years ago and its roots in music and entertainment seem ideal for any club, federation or athlete trying to branch out. As ever, I suspect most will wait and see, then mimic each others ‘innovations’ until they all produce the same content, differentiated only by colour.
Gravity Media: 2020 will be a big year for sport on and off the field (SVGEurope)
This piece talks about 2020 as a year of rapid development in sports streaming and, most pertinently, why the big four US sports leagues will have looked closely at Amazon’s recent coverage of the Premier League.
At Large: 20 questions for the sports industry in 2020 (SportsPro)
A comprehensive list of key questions. They are all there - the impact of Tokyo and the Euros in 2020, environmental factors, esports and streaming.
SportsTech & Media: the 2019 Review & 2020 Predictions (Part 1) (SportsScore)
There are some bold predictions in this one. Amazon to buy DAZN in 2020?!? Wow
Top Shifts In Sports Sponsorship For 2020 & Beyond (LinkedIn)
I learnt something from this piece. Who knew signage 2.0 was a thing? However, I want to make one point on the back of this quote: “There is no reason your team can't create a "Hard Knocks" type weekly show for Facebook Watch and IG TV and get HUGE views on it.” If you want ‘Hard Knocks type’ content on a weekly basis then expect to pay for HBO-type resources, that means lots of experienced staff, great equipment then give them time and space to be creative.
Whistle’s Recipe For Success: Mobile-First, Multiplatform, Made To Order (AdXChanger)
Analysts dole out 2020 predictions (Gamesbiz)
An unenthusiastic headline for an illuminating round-up. The key areas of discussion appear to be cloud gaming and whether VR or AR will make an impact.
Our own sports media prognosticator serves up his best predictions for 2020 (Sports Business Journal)
This is a very US-centric list but, if they come through, it will be fascinating to see how the NFL works with Amazon and Netflix. Maybe these movements have been prompted by the re-introduction of XFL, which will get a second season according to this piece. It failed before but I sense the timing is a lot better now. Great final words on VR too. Yep, we are all still waiting.
Gambling will overwhelm sports media in 2020 (Digiday)
Sports technology in-game for 2020 (TechHQ)
Five key social media trends that will shape 2020 (ClickZ)
Top 100 Sports Business Twitter Follows for 2020 (Part One) (SI)
Top 100 Sports Business Twitter Follows for 2020 (Part Two) (SI)
Good list with… ahem… one glaring omission
What will define Sports Marketing in 2020 + 2021? (GMRMarketing)
NON-SPORTS
In charts: 9 trends that will define media in 2020 (whatsnewinpublishing)
Really like this chart-based round-up of major media trends. Covers all the major bases, most of which cropped up in the sports lists above.
Think twice before turning to Twitter (NiemanLab)
20 Big Ideas that will change your world in 2020 (LinkedIN)
Brand & Activation: What to Expect in 2020 (Prophet)
3 content marketing myths to let go of in 2020 (LinkedIN)
Podcast predictions for 2020 (Podnews.net)
20 Podcast Predictions for 2020 from Top Industry Leaders (PacificContent)
Everyone has a podcast now so, understandably, these predictions are based around the move to monetisation. SportsContentStrategy smashed through the 100,000 annual downloads-barrier well before the end of 2019. Of course, I am open to advertising and sponsorship plus there is another angle in career development and personal branding. But the main reason I started mine is that I like interviewing and writing. If the promised revenue does not pile into podcasting I suspect there will be a ’thinning out’ for those who have more hard-headed reasons.
The anti-predictions: What won’t happen in media and marketing in 2020 (Digiday)
This is a general piece but I like the idea of ‘won’t change’ lists in the New Year. After all, the constants will be the foundation stones of your strategy so a little confidence can help. I am most confident about Digiday’s predictions on big tech, influencer marketing and Netflix.
