The global response to COVID-19 is the single biggest topic anywhere at the moment, and here is no different. This month we look at how the industry has started to respond to the crisis. In addition, there were some other stories this month – the Australian Associated Press is in trouble, Cision’s leadership is in flux and Kantar made an acquisition.
Response to COVID-19
Over the space of just a few weeks, large parts of the world have been placed into isolation in response to COVID-19. The pandemic, of course, is leading to a radical transformation in the way we work and interact, and will have long lasting impact. News and social media measurement groups have been tracking responses to COVID-19, and measuring its impact. Below are a few of the ways that our industry is responding and supporting customers. Most are freely available or just require a sign-up form:
Cision has unified all of its support materials for COVID-19, including tips on managing a crisis and a live dashboard tracking news content. In Europe, Kantar has a wide range of resources for anyone wanting to understand consumer response to COVID-19. In the UK, Kantar Media is leveraging their editorial team to provide a daily news briefing. iSentia is leading the way in Asia, with a review of how the pandemic is shaping markets. Signal.AI is providing daily news briefings.
On social, Talkwalker is releasing a daily report on how news and social media are responding to the crisis. Brandwatch has launched a resource centre, which includes a daily newsletter and weekly report. Zignal Labs is providing a range of resources, including a dig into disinformation surrounding COVID-19. Italy’s CoMuNe Lab has dug into the infodemic on Twitter, examining bots and reliability.
Meanwhile, AMEC called on DeLange Analytics to analyse initial reactions to the topic. And, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) looked at how consumers have changed in their access to public broadcasting media. Unsurprisingly, audiences across all age groups are returning to trusted news sources.
Tumultuous month for the Australian Associated Press 
COVID-19 aside, it’s been a turbulent month for one Australian media business. March started with the news that shareholders News Corp and Nine Entertainment would close the Australian Associated Press (AAP) in June, with its press release distribution business Medianet and its media intelligence business Mediaverse being put up for sale. However, the AAP looks as if it might be saved after several organisations expressed an interest in acquiring the whole business. The Sydney Morning Herald has reported that suitors include talent manager Glenn Wheatley. The acquisition discussions are expected to close in April.
Cision shakes up leadership
Following last month‘s news that Kevin Akeroyd had stepped down as CEO, Cision has announced a raft of leadership changes. Cision President, and Trendkite founder, Erik Huddleston has stepped down. Peter Low, EMEA Managing Director, has exited the business and been replaced by Nicole Guillot, Cision’s Chief Content Officer and President of Canada and Latin America. (Low joined Cision last February.) Susan Steele, global chief human resources officer, has also left the company. Interim CEO Brandon Crawley has said that Cision is focused on streamlining internal systems and processes.
Kantar acquires Mavens of London
Kantar has acquired Mavens of London for an undisclosed sum. Based in London (the clue’s in the name), Mavens of London is a digital marketing and analytics consultancy, and will be integrated into Kantar’s analytics practice. Mavens chief executive Daniel Singer, and the company’s management team, will become part of the Kantar analytics practice. Mavens of London is Kantar’s first acquisition since Bain Capital purchased a 60% stake in the company last July.
Hootsuite partners with Brandwatch
Hootsuite has partnered with Brandwatch on its latest listening solution. The tool, which integrates directly into the Hootsuite dashboard, is called Insights, Powered by Brandwatch, and allows users ot visualise their brand perception and gain insight on social performance and trends.
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