YouGov’s COVID-19 tracker continues to measure public attitudes and behaviours around the pandemic

New data from YouGov’s COVID-19 tracker (25th- 31st March) shows that the level of fear among residents in the UAE and KSA about contracting the novel Coronavirus has stabilized over the past week and 72% now say they are very or fairly scared about contracting it, up marginally from 69% last week.

It seems that the Emiratis in the UAE are most concerned, with 83% saying they are very or fairly scared about getting infected, compared to 79% saying this last week. Arab expats in the country are also more anxious- at 79%, up from 76% last week.

In KSA, anxiety has remained stable for both Saudis and expats, but the latter continue being more worried than the locals - with 78% saying they are very scared or fairly scared.

Although in the past few weeks we observed that KSA residents were more afraid of contracting the disease as compared to people in the UAE, the markets have stabilized around the same level this week- 73% and 72%, respectively.

The number of people in both the countries who say they are not very scared, or not scared at all, has fallen further to 21% - down from 25% last week.

As the reality of the situation has set in, we see increasing proportions of residents taking precautionary measures to protect themselves against the Coronavirus.

‘Avoiding crowded places’ remains the top measure taken by people in order to protect themselves from the virus (as said by 79%), closely followed by maintaining personal hygiene (78%). A higher number of women than men are following both these practices.

Other behavioural changes include ‘wearing a mask in public’ and ‘avoiding going to work (working from home)’ and the number of people taking these steps have increased notably, from 46% and 37% last week, to 59% and 47%, respectively, this week. It is unsurprising to see the proportion of residents working from home grow as government calls for the public to stay at home have intensified.

Residents aged 45+ in both the countries continue being more cautious and are much more likely to observe almost all precautionary measures as compared to people from the other age groups.

Awareness about Coronavirus remains high at 94%. The level of information about handling the situation has improved marginally, with 78% saying they are well informed about what to do if they suspect they have the Coronavirus, up from 76% a week back. UAE residents are still ahead of KSA residents in this regard (82% vs 75%).

Young adults in UAE and KSA still seem to be the least well-informed group. Although the proportion of 18-24 year olds saying they do not have enough information had reduced since week one of the survey (from 24%), it stands at 18% saying they do not have enough information around what to do about the virus.

The increasing number of confirmed cases led the government in both the countries to enforce curfews and lockdowns in many cities. This explains why perhaps the number of people stockpiling essential items such as food, medicines, etc. has increased from 36% to 44% this week. The decision to avoid crowded places could be another reason for wanting to secure oneself with items of necessity.

YouGov will continue tracking and providing a round-up of the most noteworthy changes in the data over the previous seven days.

Data collected online by YouGov Omnibus among 2028 respondents in the UAE and Saudi Arabia between 25th and 31st March 2020 using YouGov’s panel of over 6 million people worldwide. Data is representative of the adult online population in each country.

An interactive platform that houses the latest insights, tools and evocative predictions about culture and industries on the back of the COVID-19 happenings.

As humanity navigates through an unprecedented time of unsettling realities, culture is shifting in every direction. It has become crucial for brands and businesses to weather the storm by accelerating fundamental decision-making to meaningfully connect with people.

TBWA\RAAD’s insights microsite includes different thought starters to explore, that serve as a source of knowledge and inspiration on how to keep brands active during these critical times:

- Backslash MENA COVID-19 Special Edition: a weekly series of triggering questions, a report of predictions that highlights the most interesting COVID-19 happenings, the future trends they shape, and their impact on industries and brands. 

- COVID-19 Marketing Flash-Advisor: a guide that provides advice to help brands test their choices and ideas and make marketing decisions in a turbulent environment.

- Brand White Paper: An assessment on brand behaviour around COVID-19, with recommendations on how brands can shift their strategies to react to emerging consumer behavior and sentiment.

Reda Raad, Group CEO of TBWA\RAAD said: “There has never been a more significant time for brands to think of the wider community and repurpose their decisions and strategies to contribute to the fight against COVID-19. We have put together this platform, sharing our knowledge and expertise in communication, in an effort to provide concise and helpful information and useful tools to help brands and businesses identify meaningful opportunities and drive positive impact.”

Speaking of Backslash MENA COVID-19 Special Edition, Remie Abdo, Head of Strategy at TBWA\RAAD said: “In these stringent and uncertain times, everyone has more questions than answers. We provide some of these answers, although still in the form of a question that starts with What If”. The Backslash MENA COVID-19 Special Edition helps brands identify opportunities amongst the darkest challenge of our generation”.

Speaking of the COVID-19 Marketing Flash-Advisor Jennifer Fischer, Chief Innovation Officer at TBWA\RAAD said: “Deciding what’s the next step for your brand has never been harder. Now’s the time to make the right choice. And the right choice requires business acumen, marketing know-how, as well as a healthy dose of ethics and empathy. We don’t have all the answers. Only you can take the right decision for your business, but we hope this guide will come in handy.”

Brightcove’s just-released Q4 2019 Global Video Index found a big increase in the time spent viewing streaming video on a pair of devices — smartphones and connected TVs.

The increase on screens at opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of size seems out of character with the streaming world, but it may simply be an example of evolution. Where we once talked about the democracy of screens, that whatever screen at hand was the one we were most likely to choose to watch, viewers have evolved and now use mobile devices to source content and connected TVs to consume it.

Tablets and desktop computers are losing ground, meanwhile, with computers taking the biggest hit, a decline in video views of more than 10%.

Online news becomes a staple; especially in crises

If there’s any doubt streaming video has become mainstream across the world, how consumers are getting news related to the coronavirus outbreak should put an end to it.

Data from Brightcove shows streaming media/entertainment and streaming news numbers are riding a surging wave of viewing, almost certainly driven by the coronavirus crisis.

Whether it’s social distancing prompting consumers to camp out in front of screens to watch streamed entertainment, or a need for the latest news that has viewers checking in on developing stories more often, Y/Y streaming numbers have seen big gains.

In the first two weeks of March, for example, the amount of time spent viewing news video increased 14% from the previous year, while the actual number of videos viewed jumped more than 31%.

On March 13 alone, when U.S. President Donald Trump declared a national emergency, time viewing news online increased 47% from a year ago and the number of news videos views jumped nearly 66% – the highest total for a single day in Q1 for the past two years.

Broadcasters used to be the go-to source for developing news stories, but the COVID-19 crisis has shown that consumers increasingly turn to streaming news sources for the latest updates – as well as in-depth coverage of news that’s important to them. With streaming, news providers can update news on the fly, provide broader, deeper coverage, and pull in points of view from around the globe. And, they don’t need to worry about fitting reports into arbitrary time slots. They have the flexibility to tell a better story.

Q4 2019 Global Video Index sees rise in time watched

Time watched overall during Q4 increased by nearly a quarter, up 23% Y/Y, according to the Q4 2019 Global Video Index. Connected TVs saw time watched more than double globally, up 114% from a year ago, with smartphones rising 30% and tablets up 6%. Only computers saw a decline in time watched, about 2%.

Australia/New Zealand saw time watched on connected TVs increase 173% with North America seeing a significant increase in time watched on smartphones, more than 53%.

Marketing & Sales see rise in mobile use

In Q4, smartphones were the name of the game for marketers trying to reach consumers online. More than 62% of all marketing video views were on mobile devices globally.

Asia-Pac saw an even higher percentage of marketing video on smartphones, 82%, up from 55% the previous year. ANZ increased to 55%, Europe was at 62%, Latin America 61% and North America 53%.

Computers saw the second largest share of retail and marketing video views in every region with tablets trailing and connected TVs even further back. While smartphones earned a bigger share of video views in every market, computers lost share. Asia-Pac saw computer’s share of video views drop by more than 50%, Japan/Korea saw computers fall behind smartphones for the first time, as did North America. MENA saw smartphone share grow to 49%, pulling even with computers during the quarter. In every other region smartphones surpassed computers.

Tablets slipped in every region and connected TVs saw limited growth. But connected TV share is likely to add pace over time as viewers continue to look to the big screen for content, more premium content makes its way onto CTVs and marketers follow.

Engagement (time spent), meanwhile, with retail and marketing video on smartphones is up in every market: Asia-Pac (+380%); ANZ (+41%); Europe (+78%); Japan/Korea (+12%); LatAm (+52%); MENA (+91%); and, North America (+71%).

The bottom line

As the Global Video Index showed, Q4 traditionally has been a quarter of growth for OTT with the holidays driving viewing time on new devices and company’s racing to get content and platforms into the public eye.

But Q1 this year could see significant change as the coronavirus begins to have an impact on how critical information and news is shared around the world.

The true measure of just how far streaming video has come will be even more apparent in Q2, as large portions of the world’s population begins to “shelter in place” to slow the spread of the virus. Will the amount of streaming video consumed increase? Of course it will.

Netflix in 2019 launched about nine times as much original programming as its chief video-streaming rival Amazon, reflecting the divergent business models of the two companies. 

Last year, Netflix released 2,701 hours’ worth of original programming, compared to just 314 hours for Amazon Prime Video, according to the Omdia Original Online Production Report – 2020. Netflix offered a total of 657 first-run original titles in 2019, massively outstripping the 70 new titles from Amazon Prime Video. 

Compared to 2018, Netflix increased its hours and titles of original programming by 78 percent and 70 percent respectively in 2019. In contrast, Amazon’s hours declined by 18 percent and titles decreased by 5 percent. 

“Rather than competing head-on, Netflix and Amazon are in very different businesses—as illustrated by the original programming results from 2019,” said Tim Westcott, research director, channels & programming, for Omdia. “Netflix is a pure-play subscription streaming business that needs to fuel its continued international growth; Amazon is first and foremost a retailer, using video as an add-on to its Prime delivery business. In pursuit if its streaming strategy, Netflix is evolving into a Hollywood-style studio, building its defenses against the likes of Apple and Disney+ by offering an increasing volume of original programs.” 

Netflix focuses on the international box office 

Non-U.S. productions were the main factor driving Netflix’s programming increase in 2019, with 1,562 hours originating overseas, up from 578 hours in 2018. The 1,139 hours of production sourced from the United States in 2019 were up 20 percent from 2018.  

For the first time, most of Netflix’s original content was produced outside the U.S. in 2019, accounting for 58 percent of total hours. The company’s non-U.S. originals were up 175 percent while non-U.S. subscriptions increased by 24 percent. 

“Netflix sourced a majority of its original content outside the United States in 2019, but there is more to this phenomenon than simply driving international growth,” Westcott said. “Of course, local productions help to drive international growth, but Netflix is a global platform seeking content that can appeal to audiences all over the world. Non-U.S. productions tend to be a lot cheaper, giving Netflix a more cost-effective way to address audiences in the United States and across the globe.” 

Netflix basks in international stardom

At the end of 2019, Netflix reported 109 million international subscribers, 64 percent of its overall total. International subscribers rose 24 percent compared to 2018, while growth in the United States was a relatively modest 3 percent.  

Clearly, more international original content is key to driving continued growth, along with local currency pricing, partnerships with local operators, and local acquisitions. However, the relationship between international content and the platform’s growth in the international market is not so straightforward.  

Netflix is primarily a global platform, so its original series are designed to appeal to worldwide audiences rather than simply delivering an upside in a local market. For example, take La Casa de Papel (Money Heist), the Spanish-language series picked up by Netflix after the first season on national terrestrial TV in Spain. According to Netflix, this is Netflix’s most viewed series not in the English language, with 44 million views between October 2018 and September 2019. The U.K. productions Sex Education (40 million) and Our Planet (33 million) and another Spanish series, Elite (20 million), also featured among the streaming platform’s top-10 shows per Netflix.  

COVID-19 is on everybody’s mind and will certainly remain so for months, quarters, and years to come. The coronavirus outbreak will have many impacts on multiple industries, some extremely negative but also some positive.

Digital services are becoming critical to our society as many go into self-isolation to fight the spread of the virus. From the ability to communicate with loved ones or share a coffee remotely with colleagues via video conferencing, to entertaining the whole family with premium TV content and video games, the demand for digital is set to increase tremendously in the next few weeks. Many service providers have responded with free broadband and pay-TV package upgrades to help their consumers survive this new situation. Figure 1 is an extract from Omdia’s upcoming report on the impact of COVID-19 on consumer services. The outbreak will create some short-term opportunities in a number of areas including e-commerce, OTT video, and mobile apps but those will be short-lived as people return to some sort of normality around early 2021.

Video calling is more popular than voice calling on mobile messaging apps

The key question is which effects will last beyond 2020. Let’s start with economy. It is anticipated that the COVID-19 outbreak will initiate a global recession despite the financial packages and measures offered by many governments around the world. Industries such as tourism, transportation, and hospitality will simply fail and significantly affect consumer demand. Deutsche Bank recently updated its forecast on March 18 for 2Q20 predicting that euro-area GDP and US GDP will drop 24% and 13% year-on-year, respectively. Many financial institutions still forecast global GDP growth in 2020, anticipating a huge rebound in the second half of the year but this will be highly dependent on the effectiveness of social distancing measures. The economic outlook will have a fundamental impact on advertising spend and therefore on all consumer services which depend on it fully or partly, such as social platforms, free-to-air TV, and free OTT video services.

Another lasting effect to consider is how self-containment will make people aware of alternative ways of doing things which they may choose to continue after the crisis is over. One obvious example is working from home and how this might affect the future of work. On the media side, people will be more inclined to experience new services especially in OTT video. Smart home technology such as smart displays, video doorbells, and AI assistants will see increased adoption and find more uses among consumers.

Doing things differently tends to be enlightening as many unexpected outcomes emerge. One thing for certain is that digital will become critical and this should be seen as a positive gain for the industry, although this may translate into financial gains much later than anticipated.

Source: Omdia

Signifies Tech Mahindra’s commitment towards ensuring well-being of its associates, clients and customers

Tech Mahindra Ltd., a leading provider of digital transformation, consulting and business reengineering services and solutions today conveyed solidarity in the global fight against COVID-19 through announcement of a temporary tweak in its brand logo. The new logo is in line with Tech Mahindra’s commitment towards ensuring well-being of its associates, clients and customers.

The tweak reflects Tech Mahindra’s agility in adjusting to a global crisis situation. The “e” in the familiar Tech Mahindra logo is now boxed inside the home for the next few weeks, and showcases how Tech Mahindra’s 130,800+ associates have adjusted to the crisis and are meeting the organization’s commitments to keep critical systems running for global clients, including governments, public-sector institutions, healthcare institutions and leading service companies. This is being achieved without compromising on the safety of the employees.

CP Gurnani, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Tech Mahindra, said, “We, at Tech Mahindra, have always prided ourselves in our ability to be adaptable and agile. This logo tweak is reflective of our commitment towards the same, while delivering a refreshingly positive message during the time of crisis. Our focus continues to be on ensuring the safety and well-being of our associates, partners and customers; while continuing to keep mission-critical systems on for global clients.”

The Tech Mahindra culture draws heritage from the core purpose and values that drive the Mahindra Group as a whole. It remains rooted in the business and social ethos that the three Mahindra RISETM tenets – accepting no limits, alternative thinking, and driving positive change – instill in every member of the Mahindra family.

Harshvendra Soin, Chief People Officer, Tech Mahindra, said, “At Tech Mahindra, we RISETM up to meet the challenges. That’s the essential quality that keeps us strong and resilient. Employees are our biggest asset, and their health and safety is our top priority. Our new logo symbolizes this spirit of resilience and fight for the greater common good. It perfectly balances the sense of optimism and the need for caution that will help us weather these tumultuous times”.

With the recent COVID-19 outbreak, Tech Mahindra has taken all the necessary preventive measures to ensure the wellness and well-being of its associates. Tech Mahindra’s investments over the years in digital collaboration tools combined with a culture of working remotely, has enabled the organization to prepare for a world where people are physically separated from their workplaces at a large scale.

Zee TV has introduced a new 9:30 to 11:00 PM band with three finite shows to keep the audience entertained while they are at home. ‘Karle Tu Bhi Mohabbat’, ‘Kehne Ko Humsafar Hain’ and ‘Baarish’ will be showcased for the first time on television. Each of the shows has strong TV faces that the masses are closely attached to.

Karrle Tu Bhi Mohabbat, starring Ram Kapoor and Sakshi Tanwar is the love story of a struggling superstar, recovering from alcoholism, and his new counsellor. (From1st April, Sun to Thu at 9:30 PM UAE)

Kehne Ko Humsafar Hain, starring Ronit Roy, Gurdeep Kohli and Mona Singh, will be the second show to air. The show is a mature love story that delves into the subject of infidelity. (From 1st April, Sun to Thu at 10:30 PM UAE)

Baarish, starring Sharman Joshi and Asha Negi, explores the lives of two strangers from starkly different backgrounds, who meet while stranded in the rains. (From 3rd April, Fri & Sat at 8 PM UAE)

Ramzi Sleiman takes over from Adil Khan as CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi

Publicis Groupe MEA today announced that Adil Khan, Chief Executive Officer at Saatchi and Saatchi Middle East, is departing to pursue other interests after leading the agency for close to a decade.

“It is with mixed sentiment that I announce the departure of Adil Khan, CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi, almost ten years after he started leading the agency,” said Raja Trad, Executive Chairman at Publicis Groupe MEA.

“As a seasoned ad-man, Adil led Saatchi & Saatchi to become the market force it is today. Under his steady leadership, the rich creative culture and strong reputation of Saatchi & Saatchi is testament to Adil’s drive and dedication for the creative process and end product. He will be sorely missed by his team, colleagues, management, and clients, and we wish him the best of luck for what comes next,” added Trad.

In light of Adil Khan’s departure, Ramzi Sleiman, Regional Growth Director – Publicis Communications MEA, has been appointed to the position of Regional Managing Director, Saatchi & Saatchi.

“Before arriving at Saatchi & Saatchi in 2010, the agency’s global reputation as a creative powerhouse was a key drawcard and something I always admired. This has remained an unshakable inspiration for me. I will miss the infectious energy and passion of my team, but I leave with the knowledge they are in sound hands at the start of this new decade and chapter,” said Khan.

“I want to say a big thank you to everybody for the memories and the opportunity to make real impact within the UAE’s advertising realm. This success is illustrated through the diverse talent we nurtured, the great work we did and businesses we won like Cadillac, HSBC, RTA, Mondelez, AlMarai, Dubai Tourism and MAF Share to name a few. The spirit and drive that Ramzi brings to Saatchi & Saatchi gives me every confidence that he will help the agency grow and deliver great results,” added Khan.

Ramzi Sleiman assumes the position of Regional Managing Director, Saatchi & Saatchi, as of April 1, 2020.

Ramzi Sleiman brings nearly two decades of experience to his new role, and draws on his strength as a proven growth driver and change leader in the region’s evolving marketing and communications realm.

“Saatchi & Saatchi brings together a unique combination of talent and creativity, sparking innovative ideas and unlocking the true potential of the brands we work with. As a leader and driver of formative solutions for clients, I will be driving journey-based creative solutions that help brands win in this transformative new digital era. I look forward to the exciting opportunities ahead,” said Sleiman.

Media, entertainment and technology executive Jason Kilar has been named CEO of WarnerMedia, effective May 1. He will report to John Stankey, AT&T’s President and Chief Operating Officer. 

Kilar, 48, previously was the founding CEO of Hulu and SVP at Amazon.  

“Jason is a dynamic executive with the right skill set to lead WarnerMedia into the future. His experience in media and entertainment, direct-to-consumer video streaming and advertising is the perfect fit for WarnerMedia, and I am excited to have him lead the next chapter of WarnerMedia’s storied success,” said Stankey. “Our team led by Bob Greenblatt, Ann Sarnoff, Gerhard Zeiler and Jeff Zucker has done an amazing job establishing our brands as leaders in the hearts and minds of consumers. Adding Jason to the talented WarnerMedia family as we launch HBO Max in May gives us the right management team to strategically position our leading portfolio of brands, world-class talent and rich library of intellectual property for future growth.”

“In partnership with this world-class team, I'm so excited for the opportunity to lean into the future at WarnerMedia,” said Kilar. “Stories well told have always mattered, and they matter even more in this challenging time for the world. It will be a privilege to invent, create, and serve with so many talented people. May 1st can't get here soon enough.”

Kilar was CEO of Hulu from its start in 2007 until 2013. He served in several leadership positions at Amazon from 1997 to 2006, including SVP of Worldwide Application Software. Also, Kilar was co-founder & CEO of video streaming service Vessel from 2013 to 2017. Additionally, he served as a board member at DreamWorks Animation (2013-2016) and Univision Communications (2016-2020). He holds a bachelor’s degree (journalism & business) from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; and an MBA from Harvard Business School. 

The UPS Board of Directors today announced it has named Carol Tomé as UPS Chief Executive Officer, effective June 1. David Abney, the current Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, will remain in his role until June 1 when he will become Executive Chairman of the Board. He will retire from the UPS Board on September 30. In order to ensure a smooth transition and successful peak season, Abney will remain as a special consultant through the end of 2020 and then retire after 46 years of UPS service. On September 30, William Johnson, UPS Lead Independent Director, will assume the role of Non-Executive Chairman.

“After a rigorous selection process involving both internal and external candidates, Carol was the clear choice,” said Johnson, who also serves as Chair of the UPS Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and is a member of the Executive Committee.

“Carol is one of the most respected and talented leaders in Corporate America and has a proven track record of driving growth at a global organization, maximizing shareholder value, developing talent and successfully executing against strategic priorities,” said Johnson. “As a member of the Board and Chair of the Audit Committee, Carol has in-depth knowledge of UPS’s business, strategy and people, and is the right executive to lead the company at this important time in its transformation.”

Johnson continued, “We congratulate David on a truly exceptional career at UPS. He has undertaken bold actions to place UPS at the forefront of the transportation industry and position its global network and people to capitalize on emerging trends that will carry the company well into the future.”

“UPS has been one of my life’s passions and through UPS I have been able to live the American dream,” said David Abney. “I am proud to have worked with UPSers to prepare this great company for its next 100 years. I am confident in the UPS management team and their capabilities to execute our strategies in the future. This is the right time for me to pass the baton. I am extremely pleased for Carol and know she is the best choice to lead the company. She understands UPS’s culture and values, is a strategic leader and possesses a customer-first mindset.”

“I look forward to working with and further developing the talented management team and the company’s 495,000 employees to deliver for our customers and shareowners,” Carol Tomé said. “David has led a remarkable transformation at UPS and I plan to build on his success. UPS’s rich culture and commitment to its values will guide us as we continue to lead the industry and build on the company’s already strong foundation.”

Carol Tomé becomes the 12th chief executive officer in the 113-year history of UPS. She has been a member of the UPS Board of Directors since 2003 and serves as Chairperson of the Audit Committee. Tomé is the former Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of The Home Depot, the largest home improvement retailer in the U.S. with 2,300 stores and 400,000 employees. Her responsibilities included corporate strategy, finance and business development. During her 18-year tenure as CFO, she is credited with helping to deliver a 450 percent increase in The Home Depot’s shareholder value.

Abney was appointed CEO in 2014 and as Chairman in 2016.  Under his leadership, UPS has:

·       increased revenue by 27%, increased adjusted net income by nearly 50% and raised adjusted earnings per share by nearly 60%;

·       returned over $29 billion to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases;

·       implemented a multi-year transformation program that established strategic growth priorities and significantly improved U.S. operating leverage in 2019;

·       significantly expanded global network capacity, enabling over 32 million package deliveries per day during the 2019 peak season;

·       created UPS Flight Forward and obtained the FAA’s first full approval to operate a drone airline;

·       shifted the composition of the Board and management team to increase the company’s diversity.

Abney previously served as Chief Operating Officer since 2007, overseeing logistics, sustainability, engineering and all facets of the UPS transportation network. Before serving as COO, he was President of UPS International, leading the company's strategic initiative to increase its global logistics capabilities. During his career, he was also involved in a number of global acquisitions that included Coyote, Marken, the Fritz Companies, Sonic Air, Stolica, Lynx Express, and Sino-Trans in China. He began his UPS career in 1974 as a package handler in a small facility in Greenwood, Mississippi, while attending Delta State University.

UPS has operated in the region since 1989 and strategically located its Indian Subcontinent, Middle East and Africa headquarters in Dubai.  It was chosen as the Official Logistics Partner for Expo 2020 Dubai which is enabling UPS to demonstrate its global expertise and experience in international trade and shipping.