Welcome to Trippant Takeaway!
This week, Disney’s media empire is on the rise, the WNBA is breaking records, and a high-stakes cyberbullying lawsuit is making headlines, plus much more. Let’s dive in!
The big stories 🚀
Disney’s Media Surge Outshines Theme Parks
Disney’s media business is experiencing a major revival. For the first time ever, Disney’s streaming services—Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+—turned a profit of $47 million in the last quarter, bouncing back from a hefty loss of $512 million a year earlier. The company is also shining at the box office with “Inside Out 2” becoming the highest-grossing animated film of all time and “Deadpool & Wolverine” earning $824 million globally. CEO Bob Iger is optimistic about continued growth, supported by new strategies like cracking down on password sharing and increasing subscription prices. Find out more from Alex Sherman – CNBC
WNBA Returns
The WNBA is back after a month-long break, and the league is riding a wave of incredible growth. Dan Gadd, SVP for growth at the Atlanta Dream, highlights how the arrival of rookies like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese has driven record viewership, with 16 games exceeding one million viewers this season. Despite potential challenges from the upcoming NFL and college football seasons, Gadd is optimistic about maintaining fan interest. The recent $2.2 billion media-rights deal further cements the league’s rising value. Read the full article from Colin Salao, David Rumsey, and Eric Fisher – Front Office Sports
J.K. Rowling and Elon Musk Named in Cyberbullying Lawsuit
Algerian boxing star Imane Khelif has filed a criminal complaint in France, naming J.K. Rowling and Elon Musk among those accused of severe cyberbullying. Khelif, who won Olympic gold in the women’s 66kg boxing division, faced a barrage of online abuse over her gender. The complaint, lodged with the Paris Prosecutor’s Office, aims to address cyber harassment and related crimes. High-profile figures like Donald Trump and Logan Paul are also mentioned. Khelif’s coach noted the significant emotional toll the abuse has taken on her. The investigation could extend internationally, with a focus on those responsible for the harmful posts. Read the full article from Elsa Keslassy, Alex Ritman – Variety
Women’s Sport: Progress in Paris, but Parity Still Distant
The Paris Olympics marked an important milestone for women’s sport with equal numbers of male and female athletes, but true parity remains elusive. While standout performances from athletes like Keely Hodgkinson and Simone Biles inspired many, significant gaps persist in areas like coaching, leadership, and sports science. Women made up just 13% of coaches at the Games, a figure that may have declined since Tokyo.
Challenges also extend to health and equipment, with research still heavily skewed towards male athletes. Efforts are underway to address these issues, with initiatives like those from the UK Sports Institute and The Well HQ aiming to close the gender gap in sports performance and health. Read the full article from Cath Bishop – The Guardian
The Power of Fandoms in Advertising
Fandoms have become a powerful force in marketing, transforming loyal customers into passionate communities. Brands can harness this by understanding the unique cultures and psychographics of these groups, creating more authentic and impactful connections. Successful “brandoms” like Glossier and Apple show that engaging deeply with fan culture can turn brands into integral parts of people’s lives. The future of marketing lies in fostering these genuine, two-way relationships with fans. Read the full article from LBBOnline
How AI Is Transforming the World of Professional Sports
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is making waves in professional sports, revolutionising everything from athlete performance to fan engagement. Athletes and coaches are leveraging AI for hyper-personalised training plans, real-time game strategies, and injury prevention. Referees and judges, too, are benefiting from AI’s precision, with tools like the AI-assisted Judging Support System enhancing the accuracy of scoring in gymnastics. Find out more from Kathleen Walch – Forbes
The Australian Breaker Who Broke the Internet
Australian Olympic breaker Rachael Gunn, aka Raygun, has become an internet sensation, but not in the way she’d hoped. Memes mocking her performance at the Paris Olympics went viral, and controversy soon followed. Critics questioned how Gunn, a cultural studies professor with a less-than-stellar showing, managed to represent Australia in breaking, a sport making its Olympic debut. The backlash sparked debates on privilege, cultural appropriation, and the impact of Gunn’s participation on future support for Australian breakers. Find out more from Angela Watercutter – Wired
Expert Opinion 📝
Big Tech’s Battle to Reshape Net Zero Rules
Amazon, Meta, and other tech giants are lobbying to influence the rules governing how companies report their greenhouse gas emissions. Although these firms boast of meeting net zero goals, scrutiny reveals discrepancies between their claims and actual emissions. Amazon and Meta argue for flexible rules on renewable energy certificates (RECs), while Google proposes stricter, location-specific requirements. Critics warn that the proposed changes could obscure real-world pollution and undermine genuine emission reductions. As the Greenhouse Gas Protocol undergoes its first major review in nearly a decade, the outcome will significantly impact how Big Tech’s future emissions are accounted for. Read the full article from Kenza Bryan, Camilla Hodgson and Jana Tauschinski – Financial Times
Trippant champions people and storytelling to grow businesses across sport, entertainment and experience. If you want to see what we can do for you, connect with us here.
