Doug Arthur

Doug Arthur asked for color on The Athletic's performance, specifically if it was additive or in line with expectations. He also followed up on the surge in single product subscribers, inquiring about the conversion rate of these subscribers to higher-value products over time.

Answer

Meredith Kopit Levien, President and CEO, stated that The Athletic's performance continues to be very pleasing and on track, highlighting strong engagement, the addition of NFL footage, and its contribution to advertising. She explained that single products, including games, serve as an engine for audience and engagement, driving subscriptions to individual products or bundles, and proving valuable for multi-revenue stream monetization, particularly in advertising.

Doug Arthur asked for an update on The Athletic's performance, specifically whether it was additive or in line with expectations, and any specific color. He also followed up on the conversion rate of single product subscribers to higher-value products over time.

Answer

Meredith Kopit Levien stated that The Athletic continues to perform very well and remains on track, highlighting strong engagement and the recent addition of NFL footage to enhance its signature journalism. Regarding single product subscribers, she explained that the model is working as designed, with these products serving as an engine for audience and engagement, driving subscriptions to individual products or bundles, and proving valuable for multi-revenue stream monetization, including advertising.

Doug Arthur asked if there is a similar acute talent shortage narrative in the legal profession as there is in the accounting profession.

Answer

CEO Steve Hasker stated that the talent shortage is not as acute in legal as in accounting. He elaborated that the accounting profession faces a dramatic fall in qualified CPAs while demand for audits and tax returns increases in complexity and volume, making technology's role in addressing this supply-demand imbalance crucial.

Doug Arthur asked if the legal profession is experiencing a similar acute talent shortage as seen in accounting firms.

Answer

CEO Steve Hasker stated that the legal profession does not face as acute a talent shortage as accounting. He highlighted that the accounting profession is struggling with fewer qualified CPAs while demand for audits and tax returns increases in volume and complexity, making technology's role in addressing this supply-demand imbalance crucial.