Grace Blue, the global executive search firm, now part of Sinecure Inc an Al-powered talent discovery platform, has promoted Tara Winstanley to Partner and to be the dedicated lead of their Media Practice. The Practice operates alongside Grace Blue’s existing practices – Consumer Brands, Agencies, Sports & Entertainment and Private Equity – and benefits from the access to a broader pool of relevant talent and skills offered by the combined Grace Blue business.
Grace Blue is working with Hamish Nicklin as their strategic advisor to their Media Practice. Twice winner of Media Sales team of the Year, and former CRO for Guardian and Dentsu Media CEO, Hamish brings a unique view of the UK media sector. Tara Winstanley’s media career includes Hearst, BBC and Wallpaper as well as six years in executive search at Grace Blue working with media clients, especially around their changing business models and diversifying revenue streams.
Sarah Skinner, EMEA CEO, Grace Blue,said: “The media sector is undergoing a period of exciting transformation and requires new skills and fresh perspectives from leadership talent outside of media’s core heartland which is Grace Blue’s expertise. Having worked with Tara who is firmly established as Grace Blue’s media expert, I am delighted she is going to lead our dedicated practice”
Tara Winstanley, Partner, Grace Blue, said: “I am thrilled to be taking responsibility for this dynamic and diverse sector where I have spent my whole career. It’s a privilege to work with media leaders to get under the skin of their business challenges and consult on the talent that will help them achieve their goals. Thank you to the many clients who have trusted Grace Blue with their media searches.”
Grace Blue’s Media Practice & The Media Sector
- Consumer behaviour and media consumption are transforming bringing new challenges and opportunities to all Media owners and content distributors. In addition, the industry is making huge advancements in the use of data and technology allowing advertisers to better connect with audiences.
- Today, progressive media businesses including those in TV, radio, OOH, publishers, digital platforms and Adtech have a broader range of skills and expertise in their teams and those who have embraced the changes that technology and Al bring, are best placed to diversify revenue streams and monetise changing audiences.
- But finding the right game-changing talent often means looking outside the core sector. With additional priorities including the role of sustainability in Media, recognising the value of trust and the continued commitment to DE&I, leaders are being stretched and often need fresh ways of thinking to allow them to move forward.
- With almost 20 years’ experience placing senior talent in Media owners as well as agencies and consumer brands, Grace Blue has a broad perspective on talent and can bring this insight to the leaders of the media industry, in the UK and across the world. Coupled with their proprietary AI talent discovery tool, the Media practice brings its expertise to the transforming media landscape.
- Global entertainment and media industry, spurred by advertising and digital, to hit $2.8 trillion market in 2027 even as growth rate decelerates (Source: PWC Outlook 2023-2027)
- Deloitte Digital Media 2024 Trends report points to continued disruption for media and entertainment—not just from streaming, social, and gaming, but also from the ways these media and their technologies are weaving together and enabling new combinations. From so much change and disruption, however, the new landscape is becoming clear—and it may demand that providers move beyond their core businesses. To drive discovery, engagement, and monetization of their intellectual property and services, media, and entertainment (M&E) companies may need holistic strategies that operate across TV and film, social media and user-generated content, and interactive and immersive gaming.(Source: Deloitte)
- 2024 will see the media landscape – for better or worse – make much deeper integrations of AI technologies, deploying test and-learn methodologies. Generative AI will particularly stand out with its potential to revolutionise content creation. (Kantar)
- One of the big focus points over the next year or two will be how brands can use AI to optimise media planning and buying. The likes of Google, Meta, and TikTok have all developed buying platforms heavily driven by AI. Google, for example, has both its Performance Max and Demand Gen products; advertisers provide a goal, a creative and a budget and then let these platforms run their campaigns for them (Source: Marketing Week)
- In 2024, it won’t just be about having content available on various platforms; it will be about harnessing the power of those platforms effectively. As audiences continue to consume content across linear, streaming and different devices, the imperative will not merely be to reach them – but to understand how to measure and monetise them. (Source: Kantar Media Trends & Predictions 2024)
- On-demand viewing continues to gain traction, yet the allure of linear viewing will remain strong, notably for major events like the 2024 Paris Olympics and political elections. These moments will underscore the communal magic that on-demand streaming often can’t match and will continue to deliver peak linear viewing. Whether linear or VOD, viewers are increasingly favouring streaming for its flexibility and interactivity. In response, platforms will continue to integrate streaming, merging scheduled programmes and events with on-demand offerings across a range of platforms (Source: Kantar Media Trends & Predictions 2024)
- Consumers are demanding more eco-friendly products and services, and businesses are recognising the financial and reputational benefits of sustainability. In 2024, we can expect to see clients take further steps to reduce their environmental impact to hit their COP21 targets. Media companies will increasingly switch to renewable energy, use more efficient resources, and look to reduce their supply chain emissions. They’re also more likely to produce content that’s more sustainable, both in terms of the production process and the content itself. (Kantar)