ABC suspends correspondent for calling Stephen Miller a "world-class hater"

(via Axios)

ABC News suspended Senior National Correspondent Terry Moran after he called Trump aide Stephen Miller a "world-class hater" in a now-deleted social media post. The network said Moran's comments violated its standards of objectivity and impartiality. The incident fueled criticism from Trump officials, who cited it as further evidence of bias in mainstream media.

Brand Insights → This moment forces ABC News to double down on its brand promise of neutrality, especially during a politically charged time. By quickly suspending Terry Moran, ABC is signaling to the public, and critics in Washington, that it values journalistic standards over personal opinion. Strategically, it’s trying to protect its credibility and avoid being seen as part of the “biased media” narrative. Culturally, the move responds to a growing divide over media trust, and it uses a clear story, accountability over opinion, to reinforce its identity.

Why Disney and Universal are investing billions into their theme parks

(via CNBC)

Disney and Universal are investing billions into their theme parks to strengthen their experiences businesses amid shifts in the media landscape. Universal opened Epic Universe, a $7 billion theme park aimed at making Orlando a full-week destination, while Disney plans to invest $60 billion in experiences, with half allocated to U.S. parks. These moves come as both companies pivot away from volatile TV segments, though economic uncertainty may impact the payoff from increased travel spending.

Brand Insights → Disney and Universal are focusing heavily on what makes their brands magical, real-world experiences. By investing billions in theme parks, they’re telling a story that goes beyond screens: fun, wonder, and escape are best felt in person. Strategically, this shift helps them rely less on unpredictable TV markets and lean into travel and tourism, which remain strong post-COVID. Culturally, it’s smart timing, families want immersive, memorable moments. These big bets show both brands are evolving to meet emotional and economic shifts head-on.

How Netflix's ad business could become a $10 billion sleeper hit

(via Quartz)

Netflix's ad-supported tier, launched in 2022, has grown to over 94 million monthly users and is expected to generate up to $10 billion in annual ad revenue by 2030. Analysts project significant growth as over 40% of new subscribers now choose the cheaper, ad-supported plan, with Netflix developing its own global ad-tech platform. Despite initial reluctance, the company is now seen as a major player in the streaming ad market, positioning advertising as a key driver of future revenue.

Brand Insights → Netflix is expanding its brand by leaning into a new revenue stream: advertising. What started as a reluctant shift in 2022 has become a smart, strategic move as nearly half of new users now choose the cheaper, ad-supported plan. Culturally, it shows Netflix understands viewers’ desire to save money, even if it means watching ads. By building its own ad-tech system, Netflix is taking control of its future and proving it can evolve with both the market and its audience.

Clarity is your most underused asset

In branding, marketing, or even just everyday communication, clarity is everything. If people don’t quickly understand what you’re saying, selling, or offering, they move on. That’s where the phrase “If you confuse, you lose” comes from. It means that unclear messages cost you attention, trust, and often money. Brands especially fall into the trap of sounding smart or fancy instead of being simple and direct. But here’s the truth: people don’t have time to figure you out. If your message makes them pause or guess, you’ve already lost them.

That’s why clarity is such a powerful asset—and often underused. It doesn’t mean dumbing things down. It means saying the right thing in a way people instantly get. When a brand clearly tells you what it does, why it matters, and how it helps you, that brand wins. Think of it like this: if you’re trying to invite someone to a party, you don’t give them a puzzle. You give them a clear time, place, and reason to show up. The same goes for your message. Make it easy, make it clear, and people will pay attention.

At Projekts Workshop, we help brands find their voice, sharpen their story, and show up with purpose.

We design and run newsletter strategies that align your message, voice, and content—delivering consistent, audience-focused stories across email and social. And we build brand strategies that connect positioning, messaging, and visual identity into one cohesive, lasting story.

Whether you’re building, rebuilding, or growing, we’re here to help you do it with clarity, confidence, and consistency.