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Man of Many
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Man of Many
Man of Many's Staff Favourites—14 June, 2025
By Dean Blake - News Published: 14 June 2025 |Last Updated: 13 June 2025 Share Copy Link Readtime: 8 min The Lowdown: No-Tell Motel | Image: The Raconteur Every product is carefully selected by our editors and experts. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more. For more information on how we test products, click here. We get the chance to test, review, and just toy around with a lot of cool stuff here at Man of Many, but not everything gets the full write-up treatment. Sometimes, we just find things we like and want to share with ya'll, and sometimes we get cool stuff recommended to us and want to talk about it somewhere. Here, in our weekly Staff Favourites, we get the chance to do just that. Put your feet up, preferably with a coffee or beer (depending on the weather), and check out the stuff we loved this week. No-Tell Motel | Image: The Raconteur No-Tell Motel by The Raconteur Nick Hall – Editor-in-Chief It isn't often that a fragrance really speaks to me. Like so many men, colognes, perfumes, and scents are often an afterthought, relegated to the same tier as the 'wallet, keys, phone pocket-pat'. Of course, I understand the necessity and intricacy involved in choosing the right scent, but I have never put too much thought into what that actually means. No-Tell Motel from Australian fine fragrance label The Raconteur may well have changed my view. A punchy scent that exudes a certain level of late-night sophistication, this fragrance embodies the kind of man I wish I was. Suave, elegant and charismatic by default, No-Tell Motel has a playful exuberance that bursts onto the senses. It hits like a counter-punch to the dull and dulcet tones of the established luxury houses, but with a subtle undertone that doesn't overstay its welcome. To me, this fragrance perfectly walks the powerful but not overpowering line, and it comes courtesy of one unique ingredient. As The Raconteur founder and perfumer Craig Andrade told me when we caught up last month, No-Tell Motel actually features an olive fruit absolute, which he described as a 'world-first'. 'It's an actual extract from olives, and I don't know of another scent in the world that's done this in fine fragrance, because you generally can't. No one has ever produced a scent note from actual olives,' Andrade told me. 'All of the olive notes you get in perfumery are always a construct or an accord created by perfumers to mimic the scent of an olive. This is extremely rare because it's got this insane olive fruit absolute, and I built the whole scent around that.' Adrade's new fragrance is an ode to urban nightlife, described as a 'Dirty Martini hooking up with a Spicy Margarita', and I couldn't agree more. There is an earthy undertone that flows through this fragrance, buoyed by the inclusion of Tasmanian mountain pepper, that I am entirely enamoured by. It's decadent, but not in an ostentacious way, but rather the allure of a well-kept secret. Mark my words, No-Tell Motel might just be the most remarkable fragrance I have come across in years. Favourite Article of the Week: Retro Revival: Why Longines is Banking on the Vintage Watch Trend Ultrahuman Ring Air Harry Parsons – Head of Branded Content I've uncovered a new obsession, and it's data. I never thought I would be saying that; however, when it relates to my health and wellbeing, it's a great way to uncover less-than-ideal habits that affect my day-to-day life, hiding behind the guise of unchecked routines. I have been trialling the Ultrahuman Ring Air for a couple of months now, and it has made a noticeable dent in my habits in the most positive way possible. Here are three things that have impressed me the most with this device: The design is fashion-forward. Gone are the days of tracking fitness and having to take it off for meetings, events, etc., to ensure you weren't looking like you were prepared to run a marathon. I've got the ring in Space Silver, and it looks like a completely normal ring, allowing me to wear it day in, day out: perfect for keeping all your health data tracked and not having gaps that affect your health insights. It's all about recovery. Many trackers I've worn in the past focus on the activity aspect as the core data points, burning calories, tracking fitness levels, etc. Whilst the Ring Air does all of this, its core data revolves around recovery, tracking my caffeine-permissible window to ensure I have substantial rest, advanced sleep data covering sleep cycles, HR drop, movement, body temperature, and even how groggy I felt waking up. All of these combine into a holistic view of how to better your rest and recovery, providing tips on how to improve aspects of your nightly routine across the board. What are Circadian Rhythms exactly? Prior to owning the Ring Air, I was not across the body's daily circ rhythms, so this has been an enjoyable learning curve. With each phase providing information on how my body responds to external factors such as exercise, food, and blue light/sunlight, I am able to structure my day to ensure that my rest does not suffer due to a late-night meal or scrolling on my phone too long. P.S. Ultrahuman also have blue-light glasses that block out 99 % of blue light and have a noticeable effect on setting up for sleep (wearing them for 30 min prior to sleep had me out like a light). Whilst the ring itself is a large component of the experience, the app and UX will sway a majority of buyers; after all, there is no screen, so you do find yourself checking the app's data regularly. It feels like every time I go to check my sleep or stress levels, there is a new feature being released. One in particular is tagging lifestyle factors, i.e., drinking coffee, and Ultrahuman's algorithm helps decipher how these affect you day and night. Overall, it's a wellbeing coach, guiding you in the right direction towards a well-rested and energetic self. Who wouldn't want that? If you would like to see more of the ring itself and app, check out our short review here: Favourite Article: 2026 Land Rover Defender Armed with New Tech and Revised Styling Uniqlo Men Ultra Light Padded Quilted Jacket John Guanzon – Head of Creative & Production Anyone else freezing in Sydney right now, or is it just me? No word of a lie, I've barely taken this jacket off. The quilted design makes it feel a little more elevated than your average puffer, but it's still super practical: lightweight, easy to throw on, and surprisingly super warm for something so minimal. I actually brought it with me to Geneva recently, and it got me through some properly cold days there. Since then, it's basically become part of my daily uniform. I wear it to the office, to the kids' soccer training, even just running around doing errands on weekends. It's one of those staple pieces you forget you're wearing until you realise you've been living in it. Favourite Article: Here's All the Best Stuff from Apple's 2025 WWDC Event Under Armour Unstoppable Utility Pants Alex Martinez – Media Sales and Brand Partnerships One of my friends recently described my fashion style as 'eshay grandpa', which was intended as criticism but received as a major compliment. I think the essence of his comment referred to me wearing comfortable and often loose-fitting streetwear. The Under Armour Utility Pant gives a toned back street-style I am going after and just in time for winter too. I'm pretty obsessed with them; they're super versatile (can wear to morning coffees, to work, nights out, and almost any occasion), and I'm all about anything with zippered pockets. Favourite Article: Nintendo Switch 2 Review: Fantastic, but Flawed Tony Touch DJ Set at 214 Mulberry Frank Arthur – Co-Founder Looking for music to play in the background? Hit play on Tony Touch's guest set for Aimé Leon Dore's 214 Mulberry series, for a soundtrack that keeps the energy high without hijacking your focus. Filmed in the label's secret New York Sound Room on Mulberry Street, the set sounds as good as it looks: with a backdrop themed to Aimé Leon Dore's iconic aesthetic, the dark timber panelling, shelves of wax and just-enough mood lighting make this video a visual treat. For an entire hour, the New York turntable icon glides from golden-era hip-hop to buttery soul, Latin and funk, all blended live on vinyl. It's familiar enough to nod along, eclectic enough to keep your ears pricked. Throw it on in the background and let Tony do what he does best.
Daily Mail
14-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Experts flag new agonising risk of most popular contraceptive - after another type is linked to brain tumours
Millions of women on the Pill may face a higher risk of painful infections that can cause infertility or life-threatening pregnancy complications, experts warn. The warning comes just weeks after it emerged that hundreds of women in the UK are considering legal action amid fears contraceptive injections may raise the risk of brain tumours five-fold. Now, experts are sounding the alarm over other hormonal contraceptives, which have been shown to contribute to chronic urinary tract infections (UTIs) and bacterial vaginosis (BV). Dr Melanie Davis-Hall, medical director at The Lowdown and an NHS GP, said: 'The potential link between these conditions and hormonal contraception deserves more attention. 'Recurrent UTIs and BV can seriously affect a person's quality of life. 'These aren't just minor annoyances—they cause pain and can lead to complications like kidney infections or pelvic inflammatory disease.' A recent US study of more than 24,500 women found those using prescribed contraceptives were significantly more likely to develop a UTI. The injection was linked to a two-fold increase in UTIs, whilst The Pill—which contains hormones oestrogen and progesterone—was associated with a 10 per cent spike. Despite concerns, health experts urged women taking hormonal contraception not to suddenly stop without having another method in place. A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common but agonising condition that affects the bladder, urethra and sometimes the kidneys. It's typically treated with a short course of antibiotics. Symptoms include a burning sensation while urinating—known as dysuria—frequent or urgent need to go, and lower abdominal pain. According to the NHS, some people may also notice blood in their urine, develop a high temperature or feel hot and shivery. Others may have an unusually low temperature, below 36C. Bacterial vaginosis (BV), meanwhile, is a common cause of abnormal vaginal discharge and can raise the risk of sexually transmitted infections, including chlamydia. Dr Melanie Davis-Hall, an NHS GP and medical director at The Lowdown, says she regularly sees women with recurrent infections while using certain hormonal contraceptives. The proportion of women taking oral contraceptives has fallen by more than two-thirds, from 420,600 in 2012/13 to 126,400 in 2022/23, according to the NHS data. Around 555,400 women turned to the health service's sexual and reproductive health services in 2022/23—equivalent to four per cent of 13 to 54-year-olds In some cases, symptoms ease significantly after switching contraceptive methods—or stopping them altogether. One woman, who asked not to be named, told MailOnline she suffered from monthly bouts of thrush and UTIs for more than five years while taking the Pill. Since August last year, the 24-year-old teacher from Oxford experienced near-daily symptoms, including a stinging sensation when passing urine or during sex, and a frequent, urgent need to go. Despite trying everything from over-the-counter remedies to repeated courses of antibiotics, nothing brought lasting relief. 'Having constant thrush and UTIs has completely knocked my confidence—especially around being intimate,' she said. 'It's really upsetting to feel unattractive, even with a really understanding partner.' She added that limited access to bathrooms during the school day often made her symptoms worse. 'I'm always thinking about where the nearest toilet is when I'm out in public. It's draining, having to plan around it all the time.' Since coming off the Pill in April for fertility reasons, her symptoms have almost entirely cleared—and she hasn't had a single UTI. 'I feel disappointed that I didn't know all the facts, and that the dots weren't joined by my healthcare provider,' she said. Commenting on the large number of women reporting recurrent UTIs, Dr Davis-Hall said: 'Whilst there isn't robust clinical evidence yet to definitively confirm that the Pill causes UTIs, there are plausible biological mechanisms. 'The Pill can alter the balance of hormones in the body—particularly oestrogen and progesterone—which may impact the vaginal microbiome, the ecosystem of bacteria that protects against infections like BV and UTIs.' Hormonal changes can also affect the vaginal and urethral linings, which may influence susceptibility to infection. Vaginal dryness is a well-known side effect of progestogens—synthetic hormones used in many contraceptives—and this in turn increases the risk of UTIs. 'Contraceptives containing certain progestogens may thin the vaginal lining or affect cervical mucus in ways that increase the risk of other infections like BV,' she added. Common symptoms of BV include unusual vaginal discharge—often with a strong, unpleasant odour, particularly after sex—and changes in the colour and consistency of discharge. According to the NHS, around half of women with BV experience no symptoms at all. Whilst the condition is not usually serious and can often be treated with antibiotics, in extreme cases it can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). This is a serious infection of the female reproductive system that can cause scarring in the fallopian tubes. This can increase the risk of a dangerous ectopic pregnancy—where a foetus grows outside the womb, usually in the fallopian tubes. Ectopic pregnancies cannot be saved and can cause life-threatening complications. If left untreated, PID can lead to infertility—a risk that rises with repeated episodes of the disease. Dr Davis-Hall said: 'Recurrent UTIs and BV can cause pain, impact sexual enjoyment or lead to avoidance of intimacy, and contribute to relationship difficulties. The psychological burden—particularly when symptoms are dismissed or inadequately managed—is also significant.' In line with NHS guidance, she advises anyone experiencing recurrent UTIs or BV to speak to their GP to rule out other causes and consider whether their current contraceptive method may be playing a role. The warning comes as research published this week suggests that millions of women taking the mini-pill could be at greater risk of developing a brain tumour. The mini-pill —a daily birth control pill that contains progesterone only—is often prescribed as an alternative to The Pill, which also contains oestrogen. But scientists now say that women who take the contraceptive for more than five years are more likely to develop a meningioma. These tumours can be potentially life-threatening, putting pressure on the brain and causing symptoms like seizures, visual disturbances and memory loss as they grow. However, health experts urged women not to be alarmed, as the overall risk remains very low. Experts also pointed out a key limitation of the study—the researchers only looked at one type of mini-pill, desogestrel , and did not asses other progestogens. That being said, a similar study published last year, found that women using contraceptives jabs were also more likely to suffer potentially-fatal brain tumours. The injection implicated in the study—known as medroxyprogesterone acetate—also contains progestogen and works by stopping ovulation. When used correctly, this form of long-acting reversible contraception can last up to 13 weeks. But now a team of scientists from the French National Agency are raising the alarm over the jab's safety, as they found the number of women developing meningiomas while on the jab was particularly worrying. Around 400 women from the US have so far joined a class action against Pfizer and other manufacturers of the jab, alleging that they were aware of the risk but failed to adequately warn users or promote safer alternatives. All the women developed meningiomas after using Depo Provera, the brand name the jab was sold under, for at least a year.
Man of Many
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Man of Many
5 Things We Learned About the Next ‘James Bond' Game: 007 First Light
By Dean Blake - News Published: 7 June 2025 |Last Updated: 5 June 2025 Share Copy Link Readtime: 5 min The Lowdown: 007 First Light | Image: IO Interactive Every product is carefully selected by our editors and experts. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more. For more information on how we test products, click here. At a time that we've been waiting patiently for any news of when everybody's favourite secret agent will be making his next appearance on the big screen, Sony just went ahead and dropped a trailer for a brand new James Bond game. 007 First Light is a new take on the often reinterpreted character, clearly eschewing the book-and-film series' various canons to present a new origin story: one unique to this much younger version of Bond. Created by IO Interactive, the people behind the incredible Hitman series, 007 First Light looks particularly promising in a industry finally taking licensed games seriously. If you haven't seen the first trailer for the new James Bond game, check it out below. Looks pretty good, right? Well, there's a bit more packed in that 3 minutes that we can tease out with a bit of digging: so here's 5 things we learned about 007 First Light. 1. Bond has a Backstory As a rule, Bond's backstory is usually pretty muddy. He's a secret agent, after all, and tends to keep his history pretty close to his chest. First Light seems to be taking things pretty closely from Ian Fleming's original novels, with Bond joining the secret service following the deaths of his parents after a mountaineering accident. After a few years in the Navy, and a few too many run-ins with authority, Bond is headhunted by MI6 and begins his journey to become the infamous, charismatic agent we all know today. In First Light, we'll see that process play out and, in some ways, will get to determine what kind of agent this version of Bond is. 007 First Light | Image: IO Interactive 2. Free-Form Gameplay takes Centre Stage… Now, this may not be a surprise to those of us in the know given IO Interactive's pedigree, but 007 First Light is going to feature open-ended, mission-based gameplay. It's a third-person action-adventure, likely in a similar style to IO's Hitman series, where you'll be dropped into 'breathtaking locations' with a goal to accomplish, and decide yourself how you'll proceed. Is your James Bond a silent assassin, keeping to shadows and eliminating guards as they pass his hiding place? Or is he more of a 'shoot first, sneak later' kind of agent? Or, does he aim to keep the body-count low, using gadgets to infiltrate or his natural British charm to bluff his way past potential encounters? I'd honestly think it was just the kind of overpromising many developers are prone to do at a game's announcement, only to reel it back in as you get closer to release, but this is IO Interactive. If any developer can nail the kind of free-form infiltrating a game like this requires, it's the team behind Hitman. I'm very hopeful. 007 First Light | Image: IO Interactive 3. …but Narrative is a Star Player A focus on gameplay doesn't mean the game's story gets thrown to the wayside, though. In First Light, Bond will be tracking down a rogue agent—009, specifically—who, according to MI6, is a master manipulator with an end-game they likely won't see coming. Why send an unproven, unreliable wannabe agent to track down a skilled defector? If 009 is as intelligent as MI6 thinks, they probably know everything the other 00 agents will do to track them down and can avoid them, but Bond is an unknown, a wild card, and likely MI6's best chance at tracking its former agent down. While we don't have much idea of what to expect from the story of 007 First Light, it's clearly going to be a particularly cinematic one, with IO Interactive likely relishing the chance to write a more charismatic and talkative character (no shade to Agent 47, of course). 007 First Light | Image: IO Interactive 4. There are a Ton of Classic Bond Goodies in the Trailer Bond has always been tied to real-world products, from his signature appreciation of cars and watches (especially when they're deadly weapons in their own right) to his love of Vesper Martinis, shaken, not stirred. In the 3 minutes and 14 seconds of trailer footage seen so far, we spotted a whole bunch of Omega watches, including an unreleased model, as well as the fact the man himself is driving an Aston Martin again—probably the Aston Martin V8. These are all undoubtedly geared up to the extreme by Q, with Bond seen accidentally kicking off a hidden thruster on a nearby dirt bike with the press of a button, and are likely to play a key role in the new agent's success in tracking down his mark. I honestly can't wait to cruise around in a Bond car, especially if there are hidden machine guns or something. 5. It's Coming in 2026 While we'll be learning more about the game in the coming months, we know it's set for launch in 2026. And, while it was shown at PlayStation's State of Play, and all the focus was on its launch on Sony's platform, 007 First Light is also coming to Xbox Series S/X, Steam, Epic Games, and the newly-released Nintendo Switch 2. 2026 is already looking pretty stacked for great games, with The Duskbloods, Saros, Onimusha: Way of the Sword, Nioh 3, Fable, and, obviously, Grand Theft Auto 6 set to launch (not to mention a potential Elder Scrolls 6). Now, we've got one more reason to look forward to next year.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
FX Sets Premiere Dates for ‘The Bear' Season 4, ‘Alien: Earth' and Sterlin Harjo's ‘The Lowdown'
FX has set the premiere dates for The Bear season four, Noah Hawley's Alien: Earth and Sterlin Harjo's The Lowdown starring Ethan Hawke. The fourth season of The Bear will drop on Hulu in its entirety Wednesday, June 25, starting at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. The binge release is a holdover from the FX on Hulu days; the series will stream internationally on Disney+. More from The Hollywood Reporter Inside the Amazon Upfront: There's No Escaping Walton Goggins Inside the Fox Upfront: Rupert Murdoch, David Letterman and an Unfortunate Tom Brady Pass Michael B. Jordan-Produced 'Creed' Series 'Delphi' Ordered at Amazon Prime Video Alien: Earth will premiere on Tuesday, Aug. 12, with a pair of episodes available to stream on Hulu at 8 p.m. and airing on the FX cable channel at 8 p.m. ET/PT; international viewers can stream the series on Disney+. The eight-episode season will premiere one new episode each following Tuesday. Drama series The Lowdown will premiere its first two episodes on Tuesday, Sept. 23, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on FX. The rest of the eight episodes will premiere one at a time over the next six Tuesdays; episodes will be made available on Hulu the day after each premieres. The Lowdown is coming to Disney+ internationally. Season four of The Bear finds Carmen 'Carmy' Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White), Sydney Adamu (Ayo Edebiri) and Richard 'Richie' Jerimovich (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) ready to take The Bear, now also the name of their fine-dining restaurant, to 'the next level,' per FX. 'With new challenges around every corner, the team must adapt, adjust and overcome,' the season four synopsis reads. 'This season, the pursuit of excellence isn't just about getting better — it's about deciding what's worth holding on to.' (Here's where things left off.) The Bear also stars Abby Elliott, Lionel Boyce, Liza Colón-Zayas and Matty Matheson, with Oliver Platt and Molly Gordon in recurring roles. The series was created by Christopher Storer, who serves as executive producer alongside Josh Senior, Joanna Calo, Cooper Wehde, Tyson Bidner, Matheson, Hiro Murai and Rene Gube. Courtney Storer serves as a co-executive producer and culinary producer. In Alien: Earth, 'when the mysterious deep space research vessel USCSS Maginot crash lands on Earth, 'Wendy' (Sydney Chandler) and a ragtag group of tactical soldiers make a fateful discovery that puts them face-to-face with the planet's greatest threat,' the logline reads. More? Sure: In the year 2120, the Earth is governed by five corporations: Prodigy, Weyland-Yutani, Lynch, Dynamic and Threshold. In this Corporate Era, cyborgs (humans with both biological and artificial parts) and synthetics (humanoid robots with artificial intelligence) exist alongside humans. But the game is changed when the wunderkind founder and CEO of Prodigy Corporation unlocks a new technological advancement: hybrids (humanoid robots infused with human consciousness). The first hybrid prototype named 'Wendy' marks a new dawn in the race for immortality. After Weyland-Yutani's spaceship collides into Prodigy City, 'Wendy' and the other hybrids encounter mysterious life forms more terrifying than anyone could have ever imagined. The series also stars Timothy Olyphant. In addition to Hawley, Ridley Scott, David W. Zucker, Joseph Iberti, Dana Gonzales and Clayton Krueger executive produce. Alien: Earth is based on the film franchise, hence some of those EPs. Noir series The Lowdown from creator, executive producer, writer and director Sterlin Harjo (Reservation Dogs) follows 'the gritty exploits of citizen journalist Lee Raybon (Hawke), a self-proclaimed Tulsa 'truthstorian' whose obsession with the truth is always getting him into trouble,' per FX. The Disney-owned cable channel and feeder system for quality Hulu programming (and yes, Disney+ internationally), had a whole lot to say about this one. Lee lives and works in a rare bookstore tucked in the heart of Tulsa — a local refuge and unofficial community hub. While Lee's no idealist, he's fiercely committed to exposing corruption and unearthing the city's hidden rot, even when it puts him at risk. His constant sleuthing pulls him deep into Tulsa's underbelly — and often away from his 14-year-old daughter 'Francis' (Ryan Kiera Armstrong), a precocious kid who's inherited his curiosity and longs to join him on his adventures. His ex 'Samantha' (Kaniehtiio Horn) is exasperated by Lee's endless digging, but still sees the good in him — especially when it comes to Francis, the one thing they've never stopped showing up for. When the publication of Lee's latest exposé — a deep dive into the powerful Washberg family — is immediately followed by the suspicious suicide of 'Dale Washberg' (Tim Blake Nelson), the black sheep of the family, Lee knows he's stumbled onto something big. Following a trail of breadcrumbs Dale has left behind, urging someone to dig deeper into the circumstances surrounding his death, Lee does just that. What Lee finds is that 'Betty Jo' (Jeanne Tripplehorn), the grieving widow, seems to be more interested in her brother-in-law 'Donald Washberg' (Kyle MacLachlan), a gubernatorial candidate, than in her dearly departed. And powerful forces want to prevent Lee from learning anything more. Lee has also gained the attention of a mysterious stranger who seems to appear whenever Lee least expects it: refined and suave, 'Marty' (Keith David) shares Lee's appreciation of great literary minds, and seems unusually interested in his investigation into the Washberg family. In addition to Harjo, series lead Ethan Hawke also executive produces — as do his wife, Ryan Hawke, and Garrett Basch. All three series are produced by FX Productions. Best of The Hollywood Reporter 22 of the Most Shocking Character Deaths in Television History A 'Star Wars' Timeline: All the Movies and TV Shows in the Franchise 'Yellowstone' and the Sprawling Dutton Family Tree, Explained
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
TelevisaUnivision Bets on Microdramas and Music in Upfront Push
TelevisaUnivision plans to lean into new formats and areas of cultural conversation, as the Spanish-language media giant seeks to stand out in a crowded upfront marketplace. That will include the addition of 24/7 reality formats, where viewers can watch the goings-on at any time in addition to regular episodes, a slew of music programming (and an entirely new live music festival), and a substantial investment in 'microdramas,' which will seek to bring the telenovela format to mobile devices. More from The Hollywood Reporter Kim Kardashian Plays Hardball Divorce Lawyer in Ryan Murphy's 'All's Fair' Legal Drama Trailer FX Sets Premiere Dates for 'The Bear' Season 4, 'Alien: Earth' and Sterlin Harjo's 'The Lowdown' Inside the Amazon Upfront: There's No Escaping Walton Goggins 'Where all other businesses are trying to be everything to everyone, we are laser focused, and always have been,' days Donna Speciale, TelevisaUnivision's head of ad sales, in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. 'I think we have a uniqueness to us, you know, we are a cultural force. We're built on trust over 70 years. We have this authenticity and this deep connection with our audience, we are the heart of the Hispanic connection, and that unique proposition really makes us stand out and makes us be very different than everything else that's out there.' The company has the Univision network, of course, but it has also built up the ViX streaming platform, which is increasingly where it is investing in a push to retain relevance with younger consumers. The microdrama strategy is a key part of that. As TikTok-style vertical video has exploded in popularity, some Asia-based apps and studios have created ultra short-form dramas built with extraordinarily low budgets. While they aren't a threat to ultra-premium TV dramas, they are sucking up time on mobile devices, and TelevisaUnivision thinks that it can leverage its expertise in the telenovela space to secure a piece of that pie. The company plans to debut about 40 of the microdramas, which will be presented in ViX in one minute or so episodes, with plans to expand into documentaries, comedies and other genres later. 'This format has been exploding in the Asian markets, and it really taps into the appetite of that young, digital centric user based across a massive mobile footprint. We're basically capturing that craze, and we're building on our expertise with episodic scripted dramas,' Speciale says. 'We're going to be putting a lot of different types of innovation, messaging and stuff for clients and brands to sponsor and lean into.' Speciale adds that the company expects to experiment more with brand integrations in the microdrama space, given the short episodes and a desire to minimize viewing interruptions. 'Clients actually want to kind of test with us, because we all don't have the answers quite yet, but we all know, given what we're seeing and given the surge of TikTok and how this audience now lives on their phones and vertical content now is what they're used to,' she says. 'There's a huge opportunity here, and we really believe that we're going to seize the moment.' In the music space, TelevisaUnivision has a slew of programming on tap, and is planning to launch its own branded music festival called YA Fest, which will also run across the company's platforms. The company plans to host the festival across multiple cities with different genres of music. 'We're going to be simulcasting them at the same time between linear and digital, having a lot of influencers and hosts going across back and forth,' Speciale says. 'It's going to be a huge social play. Clients are definitely now leaning into wanting to do social first, digital first events. And I think this is going to be one of them that I think could be a huge success.' The company is also launching ViX Música, which it frames as a music destination within the larger ViX experience In the entertainment space, new series include reality concepts like the 24/7 reality concept La Mansión 24/7 and the survival reality show El Conquistador, and scripted fare like Doménica Montero and Los Hilos del Pasado. But the upfront comes at an uncertain moment for the ads business. Media buyers are seeking flexibile terms given tariffs and economic uncertainty, while media companies are leaning into sports and live events to try and secure as many commitments as possible. TelevisaUnivision is no exception, with a new deal with Concacaf adding its women's events to the lineup. Speciale says that her company is prepared for what's coming. 'Uncertainty is not new to the marketplace, I mean, we've have had recessions before, we all went through COVID. That was a first for us,' she says. 'What I can say and what has happened in all times of uncertainty is that marketers lean in and focus on areas and investments that drive the biggest impact, and don't scale back on the areas that drive growth, and I feel really good about that, because the Hispanic audience now being 20 percent of the population, clients are realizing that this is a huge business imperative, and it shows day in and day out the ROI when they lean in.' 'What they're talking about is flexibility. They want flexibility only because of the unknown and the upfront gives them the flexibility. The terms and conditions have always been there,' she adds. 'So to me, we're in a great place, because we are such a huge growth engine for them and such a huge growth driver that I'm really confident going into this, that we're not going to not going to be affected.' Best of The Hollywood Reporter How the Warner Brothers Got Their Film Business Started Meet the World Builders: Hollywood's Top Physical Production Executives of 2023 Men in Blazers, Hollywood's Favorite Soccer Podcast, Aims for a Global Empire
