The big story
Media businesses rely more than almost any other on a vague perception of “brand”, and in many cases that brand is directly linked to a personality. So while there are many reasons that could explain why Top Gear magazine had a bad sfirst half of the year, with circulation down 14%, the impact of Jeremy Clarkson and co’s departure on the TV show can’t be discounted. That many of the magazine’s petrolhead audience likely to be the programme’s most die-hard fans, makes it even more likely the change of lineup turned some people off the brand entirely.
Will Arianna Huffington’s departure from the Huffington Post have a similar impact? Even though the original web newspaper (or at least the first successful one) shares her name, the answer is likely no. HuffPo produces a diverse range of writing, and has a much more diffuse audience and way of reaching them. Yet there’s still a sense that her exit is the end of an era for the publication, that it will have to find a new driving force.
There are few sectors that so regularly build businesses around public personas – except perhaps the tech industry – and while it has helped create some influential and successful businesses, moving on to the next stage often proves difficult.
MediaGuardian’s top stories
-
Top Gear’s Matt LeBlanc: I’m keen to return to show
-
Gabby Logan to host BBC2 midweek Premier League show
-
‘Brexit effect’ drives Spectator’s sales to record high
- Snapchat faces backlash over filter that promotes racist stereotypes of Asians
-
Daily Mail columnist launches misguided attack on the Financial Times | Roy Greenslade
The best from around the web
For the birds: BuzzFeed goes in-depth on Twitter’s battle with abuse and harassment
Kremlinology: The Times continues its extensive coverage of Russian state-backed media’s expansion in the UK with a report on the new Edinburgh office of Sputnik News
Foreign friends: The Telegraph reports on Sky and Channel 4 teaming up to invest in international markets
Down river: Amazon picks up docu-series about the life and times of Playboy founder Hugh Hefner
And finally.....
For a man whose every tweet attracts multiple references to an embarrassing incident on a pitch in Italy more than 25 years ago, Gary Lineker continues to conduct himself with charm and wit, even in the face of a chilly day in the studio.
If that's what does it for you Claudio. https://t.co/7TzX9IwVLJ
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) August 11, 2016
