Sportspeople have never had so much power. In 2021 they will continue to change the way they are defined December 29, 2020 The coronavirus pandemic has been the dominant theme of 2020 for the entire global population and its impact on the world of sport – its events, competitions, clubs and athletes – has been equally transformative. But, as Benjamin Franklin’s famous quote states, out of adversity comes opportunity. And as we look ahead to the sporting [...]
The top gadgets of 2020, from the iPhone 12 to the first next gen console December 27, 2020 It already feels like a cliche to describe 2020 as a year we’d rather forget. But it was also a year we found different ways to communicate with each other, and sought solace in digital escapism. In no particular order, here are our favourite gadgets of 2020, with links to our full reviews. Xbox Series [...]
The Women’s Super League Team of the Year 2020, according to quantitative analysis December 26, 2020 Who should be in the Women’s Super League team of 2020? Using quantitative analysis derived from investment banking, Matthew Belford and Jack Morris of Carteret Analytics have selected an XI for City A.M. How the XI was selected The players chosen for this Women’s Super League Team of the Year 2020 have been selected based [...]
What the UK watched in 2020 December 24, 2020 Terrible, wonderful, and every shade in between: 2020 is not a year any of us will ever forget. But as marketers with eyes firmly on the future, we must take what we’ve learned into 2021 — a year that is certainly full of hope, but not of certainty. The dramatic shifts in consumer behaviour are [...]
Advertising watchdog bans Klarna Instagram ads December 23, 2020 The advertising watchdog has banned several Klarna shopping adverts that appeared on Instagram and encouraged consumers to use Klarna to shop and ‘boost their mood’. The Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) has banned Klarna’s Instagram campaign from appearing again, and warned the influencers involved to not “irresponsibly” encourage the use of Klarna’s deferred payment service. The [...]
Major League Cricket: Silicon Valley and Bollywood’s grand plan to make America fall in love with T20 December 23, 2020 People don’t tend to associate the game of cricket with the United States. The world’s second most popular sport has an estimated global following of 2.5bn, yet has struggled to attract an audience in the US, where American football, baseball, and basketball dominate the live sport broadcasting schedule. But a group of investors that includes [...]
To the Moon: The ‘fintel’ going after the TikTok generation December 22, 2020 Almost every startup has at some stage dubbed themselves a disruptor. The Monzo or Revolut of their respective industries. It has become a tired cliche in the startup world but a new London-based startup is laying claim to being not only a disruptor but forging a new industry in itself. To the Moon claims to [...]
Control or catastrophe? Farage, fortune, freedom and a £199 subscription December 22, 2020 For the small price of £199 a year, promises Nigel Farage, you can “take back control” of your finances. Gold, real estate trusts, even a crypto revolution – all are tickets to an independent financial future, all stamped with the Brexit Party founder’s seal of approval. Or, at least, that’s the idea. But the jury [...]
Wanted: A minister for hospitality December 22, 2020 The hospitality industry — which provided work to more than 3.2m people before the pandemic struck — has been hit harder than virtually any other sector by Covid-19. But while the latest ONS figures show that a staggering 78 per cent of businesses in the accommodation and food services industry have been impacted, there is [...]
Westminster year in review: Who is up and who is down in 2020? December 21, 2020 As the UK ushered in 2020 it looked as if Boris Johnson had an unshakeable grasp on Westminster and the Conservative party. Johnson’s election landslide win last December and his victory in dragging the UK out of the EU in January made him look infallible. Before the Open newsletter: Start your day with the City [...]