Media brands shape culture. They inform, entertain and frame public debate. The challenge is to stay relevant in a landscape where attention is scarce, feeds are crowded, and trust is fragile.

Behavioural signals

• Immediacy: “breaking news”, live tickers, real-time updates.
• Authority: anchors, mastheads, editorial boards, returning formats.
• Entertainment: bold visuals, trailers, stings, and promo spots.
• Personalisation: algorithms, tailored feeds, watch-lists and “for you” rows.
• Ubiquity: seamless presence across devices, platforms and territories

Expressions fit

• Visionary: innovation-led media tech and streamers.
• Mover: entertainment and pop-culture outlets.
• Ruler: national broadcasters and newspapers projecting authority.
• Familiar: local and regional titles that anchor daily life.
• Pragmatist: functional platforms that prioritise utility over drama.

Other: Familiar (local papers), Pragmatist (functional platforms).

Media and channels

• Print, broadcast and digital platforms.
• Social and creator channels for amplification.
• Streaming services, apps and connected TV.
• Podcasts, newsletters and direct-to-inbox formats.
• Events, live shows and sponsorships.

What to avoid

• Chasing clicks or views in ways that quietly weaken credibility.
• Over-reliance on opaque algorithms that trap people in narrow bubbles.
• Frustrating product experiences on apps, players or paywalls.
• Blurred boundaries between editorial judgment and paid promotion.

Summary

Media lives on trust, habit and attention. Strong brands combine clear authority with genuine relevance, so people feel both informed and entertained rather than pushed or manipulated. The Energies lens helps clarify whether a media brand is behaving mainly as a guide, an entertainer, or a governing voice – and what needs to shift for that role to stay coherent.

Featured brands

• BBC
• Netflix
• The Beatles
• The Guardian
• Sky
• TikTok