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Consumer backlash against News Corp having ‘no impact’: Michael Miller

Backlash against the News Corp agenda and the content of titles such as The Daily Telegraph, the Herald Sun and The Australian is having no impact on the business, executive chairman Michael Miller has claimed.

Miller said the media organisation had long been targeted by “smaller groups and activists”, but the results of such activities were “not even marginal”.

Michael Miller_M360 2018

Miller: News Corp is fine 

Miller was speaking to Mumbrella about the launch of the Premium Content Alliance – which sees industry bodies Think TV and News Media Works come together in a bid to educate marketers on the value of traditional media organisations.

Miller was asked if he had any concerns about pitching News Corp as ‘premium’, when there was a sustained campaign against its stance on climate change, and recent protests including a ‘lie in’ outside the organisation’s Sydney Holt Street office.

Founder of the organisation Rupert Murdoch has previously denied his media outlets deny climate change.

Miller, more keen to talk about the Premium Content Alliance, was not concerned about the conflicting messages.

“In terms of your question, does it impact premium content? No. We have seen better than seasonal growth on our sales, and no impact on our run rate for consumer subscriptions either,” he said.

A protestor outside News Corp Photo: Robert Coluccio

“We have long been targeted by smaller groups and activists. The business impact consumer side is not there to be honest. It’s not even marginal.”

Miller said News Corp’s credentials, legacy and current positioning of its news brands prove they are “definitely premium”.

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