Media stocks have historically been among the first to feel the pinch of a recession, as companies cut back on advertising spending. This trend is likely to continue, making it crucial for investors to identify stable options.
Diversified Income Streams
Companies with diversified income streams are less likely to be impacted by a recession, making them more attractive to investors seeking stability.
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Netflix Inc.: Boasts a strong subscription-based business model, making it the least likely media company to be affected by a recession.
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The Walt Disney Company: Has taken steps to diversify its revenue streams beyond advertising by:
- Expanding its theme park operations.
- Launching new streaming services like ESPN Plus to reduce reliance on advertising revenue.
Market Performance and Risks
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Google: Its stock price has declined 20% year-to-date despite an upgrade last month, with an increased price target of $1,100. This is based on Netflix’s potential for continued growth through better monetization of existing customers and expanded use of AI-powered tools. However, Apple’s recent announcement of an AI search offering poses risks for Google’s default search engine partnership with Apple.
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Other Media Firms: Companies like Meta Platforms, Snap Inc., The Trade Desk, Paramount Global, Fox Corp., Warner Bros Discovery, and Roku are vulnerable if there is another downturn in the economy.
Recent Developments
- The Trade Desk: Experienced a revenue miss in Q1 2025 after eight years without doing so. Management attributed this miss primarily to minor execution missteps rather than fundamental issues with demand or supply-side performance.
In summary, while media stocks face challenges during economic downturns, companies with diversified income streams like Netflix and Disney may offer more stability. Investors should remain cautious and monitor the performance of other media firms as the economic landscape evolves.
I’m Mark W. Lamplugh Jr., a visionary Chief Executive Officer, Board Member, and best-selling Author with over 25 years of experience driving significant revenue growth and optimizing ROI across the healthcare, wellness, and media industries. Throughout my career, I’ve consistently transformed underperforming operations into thriving ventures by building top-tier marketing organizations, implementing data-driven strategies, and leading transformational change. My empathetic, collaborative, and adaptable leadership style has allowed me to cultivate inclusive cultures of innovation, develop and retain top talent, and forge strong partnerships that fuel organizational success.
Adept in executive leadership, strategic business planning, and brand and marketing strategy, I have a proven track record of boosting annual revenues—achieving up to $1.3B in oncology over three years and generating $360M in mental health initiatives. My approach combines strategic vision with hands-on execution, as evidenced by my success in launching innovative facilities, expanding services for addiction and mental health care, and enhancing organizational brand visibility. As author of “The AI Marketing Playbook,” I contribute thought leadership on the integration of artificial intelligence in marketing, a role that showcases my commitment to staying at the forefront of industry innovation.
I also bring my insights and expertise to a broad audience as the host of cable tv & global streaming of “Street Level Marketing Show,” while my writing has been featured in major publications such as Entrepreneur, Business.com, The Startup, and Kivo Daily. Whether I’m implementing targeted digital marketing campaigns that engage over a million individuals monthly or overseeing multi-million dollar budgets to maximize return on investment, I approach every challenge with a combination of strategic planning, creative problem-solving, and unwavering dedication. Above all, I am passionate about expanding access to high-quality addiction and mental health care through innovative solutions that drive both patient outcomes and organizational growth.
Mark serves on the board of One World for Life, National Fire Heritage Center, and the Institute for Responder Wellness.
Mark (https://marklamplugh.com) is one of the top marketing executives in the United States and has revolutionized how companies reach potential clients thru influence, SEO, social, PR, and traditional marketing. His expertise in Marketing, Social Media, Digital Marketing, and Public Relations has generated millions of dollars in revenue for several national companies. Mark documents many of his techniques in his book “Beginners Guide to Social & Digital Media.” and “Marketing Playbook for Social Media,” which was named the top 100 social media marketing books of all time by Book Authority. He’s also a professional advocate for the behavioral and mental health of firefighters and other first responders. Marks articles have been published in Better Marketing, Startup Magazine, Social Media Today, Kivo Daily, Biz Catalyst 360, Fire Engineering, Firehouse Magazine, and several others.
One of his companies, niches, are marketing products and services to the public safety industry and their employees, specifically mental & behavioral health services. He can be reached for comment at ceo@influencemediasolutions.com
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