News consumption in times of crisis –

New Media usage and the Arab Spring

Rufus Weston Senior Digital Insights

Manager

Falko Mortiboys Senior Digital Insights

Executive

2

241,000,000

BBC Global News

3

TV Radio and online

BBC Global News

BBC Arabic.comMany ways to access

Text VideoAudio

YouTube

Mobile Widgets

Online Video Sites

Website & Mobile Site

Content Syndication

Partners

SMS Alerts

Mobile Internet

Radio Apps

IVR

Socia

l M

ed

ia S

ites

New Media usage and the Arab Spring

First peak in website usage: Ben Ali’s departure

Ben Ali leaves Tunisia

Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr Ma

Egypt: Record audiences

Ben Ali leaves Tunisia

Egypt protests & Mubarak’s resignation

Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr Ma

Live TV Streaming crucial for Audiences

Ben Ali leaves Tunisia

Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr Ma

Egypt protests & Mubarak’s resignation

Strong Increase in Social Media Mentions

Ben Ali leaves Tunisia

Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr Ma

Egypt protests & Mubarak’s resignation

From Egypt to Libya

Egypt protests & Mubarak’s resignation

1st air strikes against Libya

Beginning of Libya protests

Japan earthquake

Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr Ma

A case of user fatigue?

Egypt protests & Mubarak’s resignation

1st air strikes against Libya

Beginning of Libya protests

Japan earthquake

Arrest of Mubarak’s sons

Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr Ma

A case of user fatigue? Not for mobile

Egypt protests & Mubarak’s resignation

1st air strikes against Libya

Beginning of Libya protests

Japan earthquake

Arrest of Mubarak’s sons

Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr Ma

Summary

To summarise: Liveness

• The story dictates the media that it will be consumed

• Story needs visual characteristics

• Mobile phones important device to maintain traction

• Key to users attention is ‘liveness’

14

What is ‘Liveness’

Thank you

Rufus Weston Senior Digital Insights

Manager

Falko Mortiboys Senior Digital Insights

Executive