Step 1: Stop Relying on Static, Outdated Reports

Here’s the biggest mistake I see companies make: they spend thousands on a traditional market research report. It’s dense, it’s full of charts, and it was probably commissioned six months ago. In the M&E world, six months is a lifetime.

That report on “The Future of Streaming” from last quarter?

It doesn’t account for the three new FAST channel aggregators that launched last week or the new co-production treaty signed yesterday. You need intelligence that moves as fast as the market does.

This means shifting your mindset from “reports” to “real-time intelligence.”

• Static Reports: A snapshot in time, often outdated upon arrival.
• Live Intelligence: A dynamic, continuously updated view of the market, tracking deals, projects, and companies as they happen.

Think of it like using a GPS with live traffic updates versus a printed map. Both can get you there, but only one will help you avoid the traffic jam that just happened. In M&E, the traffic jams are missed opportunities.

Step 2: Identify Your Core Business Questions

Raw data is useless without a purpose. Before you dive into any intelligence platform, you need to know what you’re looking for. Don’t just ask, “What are the trends?” Ask specific, strategic questions that tie directly to your business goals.

Examples of Smart Questions:

• For Content Acquirers: “Which production companies in South Korea are developing Sci-Fi series with a budget under $2 million per episode?”
• For Distributors: “Which streaming platforms in Europe have recently acquired content similar to our new documentary?”
• For Service Providers: “What major films are moving into post-production in the UK that will require VFX and localization services?”
• For Strategic Planners: “Which competitors are co-producing with partners in Latin America, and who are those partners?”

See the difference? These questions are specific, measurable, and actionable. They turn a vague search for “M&E market intelligence reports” into a targeted mission for growth.

Step 3: Hunt for Actionable Data, Not Just Trends

High-level trends are great for conversations, but they don’t sign deals. You need to dig deeper for the granular data points that lead to real business outcomes.

What does this actionable data look like?

When you have access to this level of detail, you’re no longer just observing the market. You’re actively participating in it with a clear competitive advantage.

Step 4: Turn Intelligence into Partnerships

This is where the magic happens. The final step is to connect the dots between the intelligence you’ve gathered and the actions you need to take. The goal of M&E market intelligence isn’t just to know more; it’s to do more.

Let’s say your research shows a surge in demand for unscripted content on platforms in the Nordics. Your next step isn’t to write a memo. It is to:

1. Identify: Use an intelligence platform to find the top 10 producers of unscripted content in Sweden and Denmark.
2. Vet: Look at their past projects, see who they’ve worked with, and confirm they have a good track record.
3. Connect: Reach out to the key decision-makers with a specific, informed proposal based on the intelligence you’ve gathered.

This proactive, data-driven approach is what separates market leaders from followers. It transforms research from a passive activity into an active business development engine.

How Vitrina Powers Your Intelligence Strategy

Doing this kind of research manually is nearly impossible. Sifting through press releases, trade publications, and company websites is a full-time job. That’s why we built Vitrina.

We move beyond static M&E market intelligence reports by providing a live, dynamic platform.

Vitrina tracks over 15,000 new and upcoming projects and 90,000 companies, giving you the granular, actionable data you need to identify opportunities, vet partners, and make decisions with confidence—all in one place.