Warner Bros. Television and Warner Bros. UK Announce New Company Name for UK Television Production Operation
LONDON and BURBANK, Calif. — Following its acquisition of 100% of the outstanding shares of Shed Media Group, the Warner Bros. Television Group (WBTVG) and Warner Bros. UK today announced a new company name and senior management team for its UK-based television production business. Shed Media Group will be re-branded as Warner Bros. Television Productions UK, and key company executives Nick Emmerson and Claire Hungate have both been promoted to lead the new entity, with Emmerson tapped to serve as Managing Director and Hungate named Co-Managing Director.
Emmerson and Hungate will succeed current Shed Media Group CEO Nick Southgate, who has decided to leave the company upon the completion of the transaction that will see WBTVG take full ownership of one of the UK’s largest and most successful production companies, which is comprised of Wall to Wall, Twenty Twenty Television, Ricochet, Watershed Television, Renegade Pictures, Yalli and Headstrong Pictures.
As Managing Director of the newly named Warner Bros. Television Productions UK, Nick Emmerson will report to WBTVG President and Chief Content Officer Peter Roth on all creative matters, and he will work very closely with Mike Darnell, President, Warner Bros. Unscripted and Alternative Television. In his new role, Emmerson will be responsible for the overall operation of the new company and will have a primary focus on creative affairs across the group, with the heads of Wall to Wall, Twenty Twenty, Ricochet, Watershed, Renegade, Yalli and Headstrong reporting to him. Emmerson will also continue to build upon the company’s successful creative collaboration with WBTVG’s U.S. production units such as Warner Bros. Unscripted & Alternative Television (including Warner Horizon Unscripted Television, Telepictures and Shed Media US) as well as Warner Bros. Television and Warner Horizon Scripted Television.
As Co-Managing Director of Warner Bros. Television Productions UK, Claire Hungate will serve as the company’s top business, strategy and operations executive. In her role, Hungate will primarily be responsible for the business, strategic and financial matters of the company, working closely with the heads and executives of Wall to Wall, Twenty Twenty, Ricochet, Watershed, Renegade, Yalli and Headstrong on strategic and operational plans for the group. She will report to Nick Emmerson, and together they will work closely with Ronald Goes, Executive Vice President and Head of International Television Production, in managing the business.
In a joint statement, Warner Bros. Television Group President and Chief Content Officer Peter Roth, Warner Bros. Worldwide Television Distribution President Jeffrey R. Schlesinger and Warner Bros. Television Group Business and Strategy President Craig Hunegs said: “With the completion of the full acquisition of Shed Media Group, we are excited to operate the company now under the Warner Bros. brand as a fully integrated part of the Warner Bros. Television Group. Nick and Claire, with their shared experience and complementary creative and strategic business skill sets, will form an undeniable team and prove to be great leaders for the future of Warner Bros. Television Productions UK. We look forward to continued success across the globe with the combination of our U.S., UK and international television production businesses, including the recently acquired Eyeworks Group and the BlazHoffski Group.”
Roth, Schlesinger and Hunegs continued: “We also want to thank Nick Southgate for both his Creative and strategic success during his 15 years at the company and especially during the last three years of our partnership.”
Nick Southgate said: “I’ve had a wonderful six years leading this amazing bunch of people and now feel it is time for me to look for a new entrepreneurial challenge. I want to thank everyone at Shed and Warner Bros., and wish them all the best for the future.”
Nick Emmerson said: “I’m delighted to get the opportunity to focus on giving the hugely talented and creative leaders of Wall to Wall, Ricochet, Twenty Twenty, Renegade, Watershed, Headstrong and Yalli all the tools they need to do what they do best — make great television programmes. I couldn’t be happier that I’ll be joined on this mission by Claire Hungate. I first worked with Claire back in our Princess Productions days, and I know from experience that she’s the first name you’d want on your team sheet.”
Claire Hungate said: “Having worked to grow Wall to Wall and ultimately the Shed Group alongside Nick Southgate, it’s now fantastic to be part of the leadership team taking the company to a new level, as Warner Bros. Television Productions UK. I look forward to working with Nick Emmerson and the great creative and strategic teams across the company to continue growing its presence and success in the UK TV production space.”
Immediately prior to being named to this new post, Emmerson had served as CEO of Ricochet Television since January 2013, leading of one of Britain’s most accomplished producers of high quality unscripted entertainment programming. For seven years prior to being named Ricochet’s CEO, Emmerson was based in the U.S. He had previously served as President of Shed Media US since its founding in 2009. Before that, he had been Executive Vice President of Ricochet Television USA since 2006. During his tenure with the company in the U.S., Emmerson executive produced many hit U.S. shows, including ABC’s Supernanny, Bravo’s The Real Housewives of New York City and Animal Planet’s It’s Me or the Dog.
Previous to working in America, Emmerson was an executive producer at Ricochet Television in the UK, where he produced numerous unscripted specials and series, including co-creating/executive producing the British version of Supernanny, before developing it for ABC in the U.S. Prior to joining Ricochet, Emmerson was a series producer for Princess Productions, where he worked on Bedrock, a live children’s show for ITV2; Good Evening Rockall, a current affairs game show for the BBC; and Jailbreak, a reality-competition show for Channel 5. He was part of the London Weekend Television team that launched the ITV2 Network, and his credits also include producing a soccer-themed studio show for the 1998 World Cup.
Before being named Co-Managing Director of Warner Bros. Television Productions UK, Hungate had been Chief Operating Officer of Shed Media Group since November 2010. In this role, Hungate was responsible for overseeing the commercial, digital, legal and business affairs strategy across the Group, and she also managed the post-production, information technology and operational aspects of the business. She also worked closely with the divisions of the Warner Bros. Television Group, including Warner Bros. International Television Production, on the effective distribution and format sales of the Group’s intellectual property around the world. Hungate served as a key advisor to the CEO on the Group’s acquisitions, new business and growth strategy, and she was part of the executive team which helped to shape the eventual acquisition of Shed Media by WBTVG and the acquisition of Renegade Pictures by Shed Media in 2012.
For nearly six years prior, Hungate worked at Shed subsidiary Wall to Wall, where she served as Managing Director since 2008 after joining the company in 2004 as Legal and Commercial Director. In 2007, she was part of the team which orchestrated Wall to Wall’s sale to Shed Media Group. Before joining Wall to Wall, Hungate was Head of Legal & Business Affairs at Princess Productions from 2000–2004.
This is courtesy of www.timewarner.com
Omnicom Group’s TBWA Acquires German agency Heimat
BERLIN and NEW YORK, — TBWA Worldwide, an Omnicom Group (NYSE: OMC) advertising network, today announced its acquisition of Germany’s Agency of the Year and leading independent advertising agency Heimat. TBWA will take a majority share in Heimat, headed by founding partners Matthias von Bechtolsheim, Guido Heffels and Andreas Mengele. Heimat CEO and co-founder Matthias von Bechtolsheim will act as Chairman of the newly formed TBWA Operating Group Germany, which combines the leaders of TBWA’s German specialist agencies.
Perry Valkenburg, President Europe and International COO at TBWA, commented, “Heimat and TBWA are a natural match and create a unique offer for the fourth largest advertising market worldwide. Combining Heimat’s creative and entrepreneurial spirit with TBWA’s global strength is the perfect offer for the German market.”
Heimat CEO, Matthias von Bechtolsheim, said, “We have had conversations with many international groups, but the partnership with Omnicom and TBWA is based on a mutual respect for entrepreneurship and creativity between ourselves and the managers we collaborated with on this deal. Our commitment and passion for our clients and their brands has led to many fruitful relationships with our national and international clients over the last 15 years. We will continue to work with that same dedication, together.”
The acquisition comes at one of the best times for the agency, which grew in 2013 by 40% over the previous year. Founded in 1999, Heimat is the perceived market leader in Germany, known for its creative and strategic product as well as its long-term relationships with national and international brands. Currently Heimat employs over 230 people in Berlin and Hamburg.
With the conclusion of the deal, Heimat’s founders will retain a significant minority share in the company and will remain in their leadership roles. The agency will keep its original name. In an advertising market dominated by strong independent agencies, this new partnership allows TBWA to offer all benefits of independent agencies in a scalable and efficient global network.
The TBWA Group Germany offers fully integrated advertising services including the leading brand activation specialist, DO IT!, the market leader for business-to-business communications, RTS Rieger Team, The Disruption Consultancy a business strategy company, TBWA Worldhealth and shopper marketing partner, The Integer Group.
About Heimat
Heimat (www.heimat-berlin.com) is the leading German advertising agency. It was the most successful agency in the German 2014 ADC Awards winning 27 medals including 5 gold and one Grand Prix. It was named “Agency of the Year 2013” by Werben & Verkaufen, “Independent Agency of the Year” at Eurobest 2013 and “Best in Show” at the Advertising Effectiveness Awards 2014. Heimat is part of the TBWA Group Germany.
Founded in 1999 and managed by founding partners Matthias von Bechtolsheim, Guido Heffels, Andreas Mengele, the agency became known for its campaigns for Hornbach, Adidas, CNN, Swisscom, Rewe, Otto, German cooperative bank Volksbanken Raiffeisenbanken and Weight Watchers. Heimat has offices in Berlin and Hamburg and employs over 230 people.
About TBWA Worldwide
TBWA Worldwide (www.tbwa.com) is a top ten ranked global advertising network that holds DISRUPTION® at its core to develop business-changing ideas for the brands it works with. TBWA has 11,100 employees across 323 offices in 97 countries and also includes brands such as Auditoire, BEING, Digital Arts Network (DAN), eg+ Worldwide, The Integer Group® , TBWA\Media Arts Lab and TBWA\WorldHealth. TBWA’s global clients include Accenture, adidas, Apple, Energizer, Four Seasons, Gatorade, GSK, Henkel, Infiniti, Kraft, McDonald’s, Michelin, Nissan, Pernod Ricard, Pfizer, Standard Chartered Bank, Singapore Airlines, Vichy.
About Omnicom Group Inc.
Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC) (www.omnicomgroup.com) is a leading global marketing and corporate communications company. Omnicom’s branded networks and numerous specialty firms provide advertising, strategic media planning and buying, digital and interactive marketing, direct and promotional marketing, public relations and other specialty communications services to over 5,000 clients in more than 100 countries.
For more news on the TBWA network, please visit http://tbwa.com/news-and-press/
FAA to Consider Exemptions for Commercial UAS Movie and TV Production
WASHINGTON –The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration today announced that seven aerial photo and video production companies have asked for regulatory exemptions that would allow the film and television industry to use unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) with FAA approval for the first time.
If the exemption requests are granted, there could be tangible economic benefits as the agency begins to address the demand for commercial UAS operations. However, all the associated safety issues must be carefully considered to make sure any hazards are appropriately mitigated. The petitioner must still obtain operational approval from the FAA.
The Motion Picture Association of America facilitated the exemption requests on behalf of their membership. The firms that filed the petitions are all independent aerial cinematography professionals who collectively developed the exemption requests as a requirement to satisfy the safety and public interest concerns of the FAA, MPAA and the public at large.
The FAA has been working for several months to implement the provisions of Section 333 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 and move forward with UAS integration before proposing a small UAS rule. Companies from three industries besides film production have approached the FAA and are also considering filing exemption requests. These industries include precision agriculture, power line and pipeline inspection, and oil and gas flare stack inspection.
The firms are asking the agency to grant exemptions from regulations that address general flight rules, pilot certificate requirements, manuals, maintenance and equipment mandates. They are also asking for relief from airworthiness certification requirements as allowed under Section 333. Under that section of the law, certain airworthiness requirements can be waived to let specific UAS fly safely in narrowly-defined, controlled, low-risk situations.
To receive the exemptions, the firms must show that their UAS operations will not adversely affect safety, or provide at least an equal level of safety to the rules from which they seek the exemption. They would also need to show why granting the exemption would be in the public interest.
Currently, Certificates of Waiver or Authorization are available to public entities that want to fly a UAS in civil airspace. Common uses today include law enforcement, firefighting, border patrol, disaster relief, search and rescue, military training, and other government operational missions. Commercial operations are authorized on a case-by-case basis. A commercial flight requires a certified aircraft, a licensed pilot and operating approval. The exemption process under Section 333 provides an additional avenue for commercial UAS operations.
This news is courtesy of www.faa.gov
Amazon and Leading Italian Bookstore Chain Giunti Launch a New Bookstore Model for Italy
LUXEMBOURG– (NASDAQ:AMZN)—Amazon and leading Italian bookstore chain Giunti announced an exclusive agreement to launch an innovative bookstore model, blending digital and physical reading together, and offering Giunti customers access to a wide selection of Amazon products. Italian customers will be able to discover and buy Kindle e-readers in 170 Giunti al Punto bookstores by the end of the summer. Giunti booksellers will help readers find print or digital books they want that are most suitable for their literary tastes.
Starting today through December 31, 2014, Giunti al Punto customers will receive five free Kindle books of their choice, from the Giunti catalog when they buy any Kindle e-reader at the Giunti al Punto bookstores.
Later this year and with the support of Amazon, Giunti al Punto bookstores will open an online shop where its customers will have access to a vast selection of books, physical media products and toys available on Amazon.it. Customers of the Giunti online shop will benefit from a great customer experience from Amazon logistics, delivery and customer service. Moreover, for every purchase on the new Giunti online shop, customers will also earn Giunti points, which can be converted into vouchers and spent in the Giunti al Punto physical bookstores.
“Giunti, with its centenary history, and its bookstore chain, among Italy’s best known and loved, continue to innovate on behalf of its customers,” said Jorrit Van der Meulen, Vice President, Amazon Kindle. “Amazon and Giunti share the same core values: customer obsession and a passion for reading. With its 170 bookstores, Giunti is the ideal partner for Amazon to help Italian readers discover the benefits of digital reading.”
“The Giunti-Amazon agreement represents a milestone to advance the bookstore experience for our customers and promote reading in Italy, in any possible format,” said Martino Montanarini, Giunti CEO. “The Kindle ecosystem is truly appreciated by customers all over the world, thanks to this agreement, we can make the largest possible selection of books, digital innovation and eBooks available to our customers, adding the Italian Kindle Store and the Giunti online shop to the traditional Giunti al Punto offer.”
The Amazon.it Kindle Store offers more than 2.5 million books, including one of the largest selections of books in Italian—with over 75,000 titles, including free classics and thousands of books for less than € 1.99. Amazon also has agreements with Waterstones, the UK’s largest brick and mortar bookseller, and independent bookstores in the US.
Giunti al Punto bookstores
With 170 bookstores extensively distributed throughout the Italian territory, Giunti al Punto is the #1 Italian bookstore chain in terms of directly operated stores. Giunti al Punto stores have a size ranging between 100 to 1000 square meters and carry a wide selection. Bookstores are conveniently located in historic city centers, shopping malls, airports and outlets.
About Amazon.com
Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN), a Fortune 500 company based in Seattle, opened on the World Wide Web in July 1995 and today offers Earth’s Biggest Selection. Amazon.com, Inc. seeks to be Earth’s most customer-centric company, where customers can find and discover anything they might want to buy online, and endeavors to offer its customers the lowest possible prices. Amazon.com and other sellers offer millions of unique new, refurbished and used items in categories such as Books; Movies, Music & Games; Digital Downloads; Electronics & Computers; Home & Garden; Toys, Kids & Baby; Grocery; Apparel, Shoes & Jewelry; Health & Beauty; Sports & Outdoors; and Tools, Auto & Industrial. Amazon Web Services provides Amazon’s developer customers with access to in-the-cloud infrastructure services based on Amazon’s own back-end technology platform, which developers can use to enable virtually any type of business. Amazon Fire TV is a tiny box that plugs into your HDTV for easy and instant access to Netflix, Prime Instant Video, Hulu Plus, WatchESPN, SHOWTIME, low-cost video rentals, and much more. Kindle Paperwhite is the world’s best-selling and most advanced e-reader. It features new display technology with higher contrast, the next generation built-in light, a faster processor, the latest touch technology, and exclusive new features designed from the ground up for readers. Kindle, the lightest and smallest Kindle, features improved fonts and faster page turns. The new Kindle Fire HDX features a stunning exclusive 7” or 8.9” HDX display, a quad-core 2.2 GHz processor, 2x more memory, and 11 hours of battery life, as well as exclusive new features of Fire OS 3.0 including X-Ray for Music, Second Screen, Prime Instant Video downloads, and the revolutionary new Mayday button. The all-new Kindle Fire HD includes an HD display, high-performance processor and dual speakers at a breakthrough price.
Viacom and Mass Relevance Partner to Launch EchoGraph, Measurement Platform for Advertisers
NEW YORK– Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA) and Mass Relevance today announced a partnership to launch EchoGraph, a social media measurement platform that will track and analyze social activity for advertisers. Throughout the 2014 Upfront season, Mass Relevance, which recently merged with Spredfast, will work exclusively with Viacom to measure earned media generated by Viacom client campaigns across Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr, Vine, Google+ and YouTube in real time. With EchoGraph, Viacom will provide clients with comprehensive data and analysis regarding reach, social activity, types of engagement, hashtag popularity, influencers and more.
The EchoGraph social analytics platform will support Viacom Echo, a client-service offering through which Viacom Velocity creates custom content to deliver measured earned media for advertisers. Echo extends an advertiser’s message beyond Viacom’s owned and operated linear, digital and mobile screens and into the social ecosystem, including the company’s Twitter Amplify and Tumblr partnerships.
“We’ve cracked the code on how to connect advertisers to the enormous social activity around our networks but, until now, the missing piece was comprehensive measurement,” said Jeff Lucas, Head of Sales, Music and Entertainment, Viacom Media Networks. “Through EchoGraph, we can offer clients true accountability and tell the full story of how our custom campaigns carry their brand messages across the social sphere.”
“We have a long history of working alongside this innovative company to help them push the boundaries of the TV and entertainment industry,” said Jesse Redniss, Chief Strategy Officer, Mass Relevance. “Viacom has always taken a lean forward strategy to define the marketplace, not just move it. The EchoGraph project is a groundbreaking approach in identifying the core value of social TV for their brand partners.”
Viacom and Mass Relevance have partnered previously to track and measure social integrations for programming and advertiser campaigns including MTV’s MTV Video Music Awards, MTV Movie Awards and Catfish: The TV Show. Mass Relevance is the only certified partner for both Twitter and Facebook and the company has the ability to curate content streams from a broad range of social platforms.
About Viacom
Viacom is home to premier global media brands that create compelling television programs, motion pictures, short-form video, apps, games, consumer products, social media and other entertainment content for audiences in more than 160 countries and territories. Viacom’s media networks, including MTV, VH1, CMT, Logo, BET, CENTRIC, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., TeenNick, Nicktoons, Nick at Nite, Comedy Central, TV Land, SPIKE, Tr3s, Paramount Channel and VIVA, reach approximately 700 million households worldwide. Paramount Pictures, America’s oldest film studio, is a major global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment.
For more information about Viacom and its businesses, visit www.viacom.com. Keep up with Viacom news by following Viacom’s blog at blog.viacom.com and Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/viacom.
About Mass Relevance
Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Mass Relevance is a social acceleration platform that gives brands, media and agencies the power to transform their marketing strategies. The Mass Relevance platform sifts through millions of pieces of social content per minute to identify what matters to clients. Over 400 major brands, sports teams, publishers and broadcasters have partnered with Mass Relevance to create actionable, engaging and visually stunning experiences on every digital screen. In the past three years, Mass Relevance has delivered more than 35 billion pieces of social content to multiple digital surfaces for world-class brands such as Pepsi, Campbell’s, GE, Target, Walgreens and Microsoft. Mass Relevance works with all four major broadcast networks and has supported a multitude of iconic events such as the Super Bowl, March Madness, the Academy Awards, and the GRAMMYs. Mass Relevance merged with Spredfast on April 2, 2014, to learn more visit http://www.massrelevance.com/spredfast
Time Warner Announces Proposed $1.4 Billion Financing by Time Inc.
NEW YORK – Time Warner Inc. (NYSE:TWX) and Time Inc. today announced that, in connection with Time Warner Inc.’s previously announced intention to separate Time Inc. from Time Warner Inc., Time Inc. plans to raise an aggregate $1.4 billion of debt through an offering of unsecured senior notes and by entering into a secured term loan facility. Time Warner Inc. will not be a guarantor or otherwise provide credit support for the notes or the term loan facility.
Time Inc. intends to use the expected net proceeds from this financing to fund the acquisition of Time Inc.’s U.K. publishing business, which is currently owned by a wholly owned subsidiary of Time Warner Inc. Time Inc. intends to use the remaining expected net proceeds from this financing to pay a special cash dividend to Time Warner Inc.
The notes have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or the securities laws of any state or other jurisdiction and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and any other applicable securities laws.
The notes will be sold in the United States only to persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers in reliance on the exemption from registration set forth in Rule 144A under the Securities Act and sold outside the United States to non-U.S. persons in reliance on the exemption from registration set forth in Regulation S under the Securities Act.
This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of the notes in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.
ABOUT TIME WARNER INC.
Time Warner Inc., a global leader in media and entertainment with businesses in television networks, film and TV entertainment and publishing, uses its industry-leading operating scale and brands to create, package and deliver high-quality content worldwide through multiple distribution outlets.
ABOUT TIME INC.
Time Inc., a division of Time Warner, is one of the largest branded media companies in the world reaching more than 130 million Americans each month across multiple platforms. With influential brands such as TIME, PEOPLE, SPORTS ILLUSTRATED, InStyle, and REAL SIMPLE, Time Inc. is home to celebrated events and franchises including the FORTUNE 500, TIME 100, PEOPLE’s Most Beautiful and SPORTS ILLUSTRATED’S Sportsman of the Year.
This news is courtesy of www.timewarner.com
The Weather Channel Returns to DIRECTV
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. & ATLANTA — The Weather Channel will return to DIRECTV (channel 362) tomorrow as both companies have settled on a new agreement, the financial terms of which were not disclosed.
As part of the new pact, The Weather Channel agreed to reduce reality programming by half on weekdays; return instant local weather and allow authenticated DIRECTV customers to watch The Weather Channel video programming on multiple devices inside and outside the home.
“Our apologies to DIRECTV and their customers for the disruption of our service and for initiating a public campaign,” said David Kenny, CEO of The Weather Company, parent to The Weather Channel. “Our viewers deserve better than a public dispute, and we pledge to reward their loyalty with exceptional programming and more weather-focused news.”
“It’s a shame these disputes are played out on a public stage, but I’m pleased that we’ve been able to work together with The Weather Channel in a way that will benefit everyone,” said Dan York, DIRECTV’s chief content officer. “I know this was frustrating for many of our customers, but their patience was ultimately rewarded with a better deal and a better product.”
About The Weather Company: Where the World Gets its Weather Through The Weather Channel, weather.com, Weather Underground, Intellicast.com, and third-party publishing partners, the company provides millions of people every day with the world’s best weather forecasts, content and data, connecting with them through television, online, mobile and tablet screens. Through WSI and Weather Central, the company delivers superior professional weather services for the media, aviation, marine and energy sectors. The Weather Company is owned by a consortium made up of NBCUniversal and the private equity firms The Blackstone Group and Bain Capital. For more information, visitwww.weather.com/press.
About DIRECTV: DIRECTV (NASDAQ: DTV) is one of the world’s leading providers of digital television entertainment services delivering a premium video experience through state-of-the-art technology, unmatched programming and industry leading customer service to more than 37 million customers in the U.S. and Latin America. In the U.S., DIRECTV offers its 20 million customers access to more than 195 HD channels and Dolby-Digital® 5.1 theater-quality sound, access to exclusive sports programming such as NFL SUNDAY TICKET™, Emmy-award winning technology and higher customer satisfaction than the leading cable companies for 13 years running. DIRECTV Latin America, through its subsidiaries and affiliated companies in Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Venezuela, Colombia, and other Latin American countries, leads the pay TV category in technology, programming and service, delivering an unrivaled digital television experience to more than 17 million customers. DIRECTV sports and entertainment properties include two Regional Sports Networks (Rocky Mountain and Pittsburgh), and minority ownership interests in Root Sports Northwest and Game Show Network. For the most up-to-date information on DIRECTV, please visit www.directv.com.
This news is courtesy of www.weather.com
ESPN and Disney/ABC Television Group Launch WATCH Authenticated Products to DISH Customers
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. & BURBANK, Calif.–In the weeks immediately following the announcement of their groundbreaking, multi-year distribution deal, DISH Network Corporation (NASDAQ:DISH) and The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) today announced the availability of WATCH ABC, WATCH ABC Family, WATCH Disney Channel, WATCH Disney XD and WatchESPN, enabling DISH’s 14 million video subscribers to access live and on-demand news, entertainment and sports programming on computers, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles and connected devices. Access to WATCH Disney Junior as well as authenticated services from SEC ESPN Network and Longhorn Network will launch later this year.
DISH customers can now conveniently watch live programming from ABC Family, Disney Channel and Disney XD as well as live network streams of ABC, which are currently available in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Houston, Fresno, Philadelphia and Raleigh-Durham. Additionally, live events and programming from ESPN networks – including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNU, ESPNEWS and ESPN Deportes – are now accessible. ESPN Goal Line and ESPN Buzzer Beater will also be available on WatchESPN when those channels are in season. Video subscribers will need to log in with their DISH online IDs and passwords to access all services.
In addition to live streaming, DISH video subscribers can watch the most current episodes of ABC and ABC Family original series the day after they air online at ABC.com and ABCFamily.com or on smartphones and tablets via the WATCH ABC and WATCH ABC Family apps, which are available free to download in the App Store, Google Play Store, Amazon Appstore and Windows Store. WATCH ABC is also accessible on Apple TV.
DISH customers can access live and popular on-demand programming from Disney Channel and Disney XD online at WATCHDisneyChannel.com and WATCHDisneyXD.com. The WATCH Disney Channel and WATCH Disney XD apps are free to download in the App Store and Amazon Appstore. The networks are also accessible on Apple TV and Roku.
For WatchESPN, DISH video subscribers can visit WatchESPN.com on their computers for live access to ESPN networks. Customers with a supported smartphone or tablet can also download the free WatchESPN app by visiting the App Store, Google Play Store, Amazon Appstore or Windows Store. The app features access to live content and on-demand video clips. WatchESPN live programming and on-demand clips are also available on Xbox 360, Xbox One, Apple TV and Roku.
About DISH
DISH Network Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH), through its subsidiary DISH Network L.L.C., provides approximately 14.057 million satellite TV customers, as of Dec. 31, 2013, with the highest quality programming and technology with the most choices at the best value. Subscribers enjoy a high definition line-up with more than 200 national HD channels, the most international channels, and award-winning HD and DVR technology. DISH Network Corporation is a Fortune 200 company. Visit www.dish.com.
About The Walt Disney Company
The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international entertainment and media enterprise with five business segments: media networks, parks and resorts, studio entertainment, consumer products and interactive. Disney is a Dow 30 company and had annual revenues of $45 billion in its Fiscal Year 2013.
This news is courtesy of www.dish.com
Technological Progress and Economic Crisis Reshape Media Landscape, According to New UNESCO Report
© UNESCO
Advances in technology and innovative business models have opened avenues for freedom of expression across the world, but new challenges have also emerged in the form of internet censorship, filtering, blocking and surveillance, according to a UNESCO report released today in Stockholm.
The study, World Trends in Freedom of Expression and Media Development, recognizes that new technologies have empowered individuals with unprecedented opportunities to access, produce and share media content across multiple platforms. At the same time, the Report warns that the increasing control of online content by Internet intermediaries, such as search engines and social media networks, threatens transparency in the free flow of information and raises concerns about the “privatization of censorship.” According to the Report, journalists and online media actors face new threats related to their safety in the digital sphere.
For UNESCO, the findings of the Report call for reinforced action in support of press freedom.
“Freedom of expression is essential to dignity, dialogue, democracy and sustainable development”, said Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO. “We need to act on the ground – to strengthen national legislative frameworks, to train journalists, to build capacity and advance media and information literacy. We must continue to support media independence by promoting professional standards and self-regulation,” she added.
In partnership with UNESCO, an Advisory Group of 27 international experts from civil society and academia contributed to the study, which analyzes trends in press freedom along four dimensions: freedom, pluralism, independence and the safety of journalists. The Report explores major trends in these areas since 2007 around the world, with a particular focus on global media and the gender dimensions of press freedom.
According to the Report, progress towards greater media freedom has lost momentum in some regions that have experienced political transitions, and press freedom laws have not always been effectively implemented. Direct and self-censorship remain challenges to journalists worldwide.
Despite the continued economic dominance of a handful of companies in both traditional and online media, the vast expansion of information sources and platforms has positively impacted media pluralism.
The Report also finds that State or public advertising continue to affect independent reporting. At the same time new business models are prompting the emergence of independent journalistic organizations, such as non-profit investigative journalism groups.
International awareness of the importance of journalists’ safety has significantly risen over the last six years. This is due in large part to the implementation of the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity. However, the number of journalist killings has continued to rise. According to UNESCO’s data, 430 journalists were killed between 2007 and 2012, including 23 women, who face rising forms of intimidation and abuse, including sexual assault. Although conflict zones remain the most dangerous places for journalists, between 2007 and 2011 more were killed outside of these areas, and impunity for these crimes remains the norm, the Report notes.
Additional regional sections in each of the four thematic chapters will be published as an online companion to the Report later this spring.
World Trends in Freedom of Expression and Media Development was produced with support from the Government of Sweden.
This news is courtesy of www.unesco.org
Interpublic Invests in Tech Platform ADstruc
New York, NY – Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG) announced today that the company has made a strategic investment in tech platform ADstruc, which specializes in automating the process of planning and buying outdoor advertising. The holding company’s IPG Media Lab initiated the relationship with ADstruc and has overseen its deployment to IPG’s global Out-of-Home (OOH) specialist agency, Rapport. Terms of the minority investment by IPG in the venture-backed ADstruc were not disclosed.
ADstruc is a unique platform that consolidates OOH inventory for major outdoor providers and independent owners and creates a comprehensive online workflow for OOH media. The partnership is expected to modernize and simplify the OOH planning and buying process for IPG agencies and their clients.
Outdoor advertising includes media such as billboards, transit and street furniture, as well as place-based networks. Interpublic advertising forecasting unit MAGNA GLOBAL estimates that the OOH market in the U.S. will grow by 4.8% and total $7.3 billion in 2014.
Michael Roth, Chairman and CEO of Interpublic, commented, “Outdoor advertising’s transition to a more digital channel has made it one of the fastest growing media disciplines and has put Rapport Worldwide at the forefront of how agencies and clients can deliver innovative messaging on the channel. Working with ADstruc, we expect Rapport’s leadership position in the industry to continue and strengthen.” Roth continued, “The IPG Media Lab is unique in its ability to identify key partners that can jumpstart greater efficiency and accountability in the ad industry. They know all sides of the business and have a successful track record when it comes to honing in on companies that can move the needle for our clients’ businesses. This strategic partnership with ADstruc will be equally effective.”
Chad Stoller, Managing Partner, IPG Media Lab commented, “ADstruc has managed to do what no player in the ad space has done before. It has obtained the buy-in of all the major operators as well as hundreds of smaller regional owners of outdoor, in order to seamlessly consolidate, track and buy outdoor media.”
In addition to the IPG investment, Rapport U.S. has entered into a strategic agreement with ADstruc. The agreement includes the implementation of a new model that will shift the purchase of Rapport’s OOH buys to a more automated system, in keeping with IPG Mediabrands’ commitment to automate half of its media buys by 2016.
Mike Cooper, President of Rapport U.S., stated, “Outdoor advertising can be an efficient and accurate channel for clients. However, buying and planning OOH can also be a cumbersome, disjointed process. This deal streamlines the process and puts Rapport where we need to be. It frees up our account teams to think and plan more creatively, focusing on service and results for our clients.”
The ADstruc platform connects each component of Rapport’s planning and buying through its third-party integrations, including Mediaocean and Telmar. It will enable Rapport’s OOH planners to quickly and easily plan and buy OOH audiences in line with other media, making their campaigns more measurable and accountable.
John Laramie, the CEO and Founder of ADstruc added, “This long-term commitment from one of the industry’s most important players in advertising is a big step for the OOH industry. It sets the standard for how OOH media will be planned and bought going forward, and brings efficiencies to both sides of the market. We are excited to work with IPG and Rapport and look forward to a long-term successful partnership.”
About Interpublic
Interpublic is one of the world’s leading organizations of advertising agencies and marketing services companies. Major global brands include BPN, Draftfcb, FutureBrand, GolinHarris International, Huge, Initiative, Jack Morton Worldwide, Lowe and Partners, MAGNA GLOBAL, McCann, Momentum, MRM, Octagon, R/GA, UM and Weber Shandwick. Leading domestic brands include Campbell Mithun, Carmichael Lynch, Deutsch, Gotham Inc., Hill Holliday, ID Media, Lowe Campbell Ewald, Mullen and The Martin Agency.
About IPG Mediabrands
We were founded by Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG) in 2007 to manage all of its global media related assets. Today that means we manage and invest $37 billion in global media on the behalf of our clients, employ over 8,500 diverse and daring marketing communication specialists worldwide and operate our company businesses in more than 130 countries.
A proven entity in helping clients maximize business results through integrated, intelligence-driven marketing strategies, IPG Mediabrands is committed to driving automated buying, pay-for-performance and digital innovation solutions through its network of media agencies including UM, Initiative, BPN, Orion Holdings, and ID Media. Its roster of specialty service agencies including MAGNA GLOBAL, Mediabrands Audience Platform, Mediabrands Publishing, IPG Media Lab, Ensemble, and Identity offer technologies and industry moving partnerships that are recognized for delivering unprecedented bottom line results for clients.
About IPG Media Lab
The IPG Media Lab is equal parts think tank, real-world proving ground, and change enabler. We provide agencies and media operators with the power to harness emerging communication opportunities by offering expertise, resources and consulting services tailored to drive quantifiable outcomes, learnings and strategies. The IPG Media Lab is part of IPG Mediabrands, the media innovation and investment arm of IPG. For more information, please visit www.ipglab.com or follow @ipglab.
This news is courtesy of www.interpublic.com
Walt Disney Company to Acquire Maker Studios, A Network of Online Video Content
BURBANK, Calif., – Furthering its goal of bringing content to consumers on all the platforms they prefer, The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) has agreed to acquire Maker Studios, the leading network of online video content on YouTube.
Maker Studios shareholders will receive total consideration of $500 million, and a performance-linked earn-out of up to $450 million if the strong performance targets are met.
With more than 55,000 channels, 380 million subscribers and 5.5 billion views per month on YouTube, Maker has established itself as the top online video network for Millennials.
By acquiring Maker Studios, Disney will gain advanced technology and business intelligence capability regarding consumers’ discovery and interaction with short-form online videos, including Disney content.
“Short-form online video is growing at an astonishing pace and with Maker Studios, Disney will now be at the center of this dynamic industry with an unmatched combination of advanced technology and programming expertise and capabilities,” said Robert A. Iger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, The Walt Disney Company.
“Disney is synonymous with the best entertainment and is the ideal partner for us, strengthening our position as the leading player in online video,” said Ynon Kreiz, Executive Chairman and CEO of Maker Studios.
Maker Studios will report to Disney Chief Financial Officer Jay Rasulo. Maker Studios will remain headquartered in Culver City, Calif., with operations in New York and London.
The transaction, which is subject to regulatory clearances, is expected to close in Disney’s third fiscal quarter.
About The Walt Disney Company
The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international entertainment and media enterprise with five business segments: media networks, parks and resorts, studio entertainment, consumer products and interactive. Disney is a Dow 30 company and had annual revenues of $45 billion in its Fiscal Year 2013.
About Maker Studios
Maker Studios is a next-generation media and technology company and the world’s largest provider of online video content for Millennials. Maker Studios has more than 5.5 billion monthly video views and 380 million subscribers, targeting the coveted Millennial audience. Maker Studios is headquartered in Culver City, Calif., and has operations in New York and London.
This news is courtesy of www.thewaltdisneycompany.com
Omnicom and TBWA acquires the Brazilian agency Mood
NEW YORK,– TBWA Worldwide today announced the acquisition of an advertising agency in Brazil, Mood. TBWA, an Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC) advertising network, will take a majority share in Mood, headed by Augusto Cruz Neto.
With the conclusion of the deal, Cruz will retain a significant minority share in the company and will continue in the role of president for Mood. The agency will keep its original name, clients and team. “I was courted by many international groups, but I chose a partnership with Omnicom and TBWA because it is a group which respects entrepreneurship and creativity, and also because of my relationship with Luiz Lara, who has always respected our total independence to work,” Augusto Cruz Neto said.
The acquisition comes at one of the best times for the agency, which finished 2013 with a 25% growth rate over the previous period. In the first two months of 2014, Mood also announced it had won business from restaurant chain Giraffas, the sandwich franchise Tostex and the American portable electrical appliances brand Oster.
James Fenton, CFO of TBWA Americas, commented “Mood is an agency I’ve admired since first being introduced to them several years ago, and I’m excited that they are now part of the TBWA Network. They are an impressive agency with an outstanding creative team and expertise in a broad range of disciplines, taking a truly integrated approach. We see this as a strategic move to continue expanding the capabilities of the TBWA Brazil Group in the fast-moving Brazilian market. Mood’s culture of innovation and depth of talent will strengthen our business capabilities, not only in Brazil, but around the TBWA Worldwide network.”
Augusto Cruz Neto highlights that taking on a new partner was inevitable in order for Mood to keep growing. “We realized that we needed to partner with a great network to enable us to keep evolving at this pace,” he states. “TBWA’s proposal recognized the philosophy of an agency based on integrated communications, what we call the ‘3D Concept.’ Therefore the proposal recognized not only Mood’s economic value, but also — and most importantly — the brand’s potential for the future,” he added.
In the market for seven years, Mood is a success case among young agencies in a sector dominated by international groups responsible for a major part of the advertising budget. The company, at first conceived to carry out promotions, activations and events, has proven effective by betting on its multidisciplinary aptitude to gain market share. Driven by contributing to the business success of its clients, Mood’s scope of work includes advertising, digital, direct marketing and design. Mood has 85 employees in its Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro offices.
About TBWA Worldwide
TBWA Worldwide (www.tbwa.com) is a top ten ranked global advertising network that holds DISRUPTION® at its core to develop business-changing ideas for the brands it works with. The TBWA network includes AUDITOIRE, Digital Arts Network (DAN), E-Graphics, The Integer Group® and TBWAMedia Arts Lab, as well as independent and local TBWA agencies, with 307 offices in 99 countries and over 11,110 employees worldwide. TBWA’s global clients include Accenture, adidas, Apple, Energizer, Four Seasons, GSK, Henkel, Infiniti, McDonald’s, Michelin, Nissan, Pernod Ricard, Pfizer, Roche, Standard Chartered Bank and Singapore Airlines.
About Omnicom Group Inc.
Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC) (www.omnicomgroup.com), a leading global marketing and corporate communications company. Omnicom’s branded networks and numerous specialty firms provide advertising, strategic media planning and buying, digital and interactive marketing, direct and promotional marketing, public relations and other specialty communications services to over 5,000 clients in more than 100 countries.
This news is courtesy of www.omnicomgroup.com
CBS Launches Dynamic AD Insertion Capabilities for On-Demand Programming
NEW YORK, N.Y. – CBS Corporation today announced the launch of dynamic ad insertion capabilities for the CBS Television Network’s on-demand programming. The dynamic ads will be delivered through Canoe, an advertising technology company that enables national television networks and other content providers to explore further monetization of their content beyond the traditional three-day window. The availability of dynamic ad insertion enables CBS to offer advertisers increased audience reach and the flexibility to easily change advertisements at any time within its on-demand programming.
As the most-watched network on-demand[1], CBS’s introduction of dynamic ad insertion allows advertisers more opportunities to reach key demographics as time shifting through VOD, as well as streaming and DVR, continues to grow. This increase in multiplatform audiences has brought new viewers to the CBS Television Network and built on its standing as the #1 network in the business. The addition of dynamic ad insertion will further expand the Network’s ability to monetize beyond the live +3 and live +7 day windows.
“With the launch of dynamic ad insertion we are unlocking new and valuable on-demand inventory for our advertisers with added reach and flexibility,” said Marc DeBevoise, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Entertainment, Sports and News, CBS Interactive. “The rollout of dynamic ad insertion for our VOD programming is another key step in our multiplatform distribution and monetization strategy as we continue to see meaningful lift in online, mobile and on-demand viewership.”
“As the on-demand platform and the viewing it delivers continues to evolve and grow, we’re pleased to offer our clients even greater scheduling flexibility and reach through dynamic ad insertion,” said Jo Ann Ross, President, CBS Network Sales. “Our advertisers recognize the value of delayed viewing both in terms of sheer volume and the quality of the audience it delivers. Having the ability to switch creative copy in a significant portion of this footprint makes VOD an even more attractive option for clients moving forward.”
About CBS Corporation
CBS Corporation (NYSE: CBS.A and CBS) is a mass media company that creates and distributes industry-leading content across a variety of platforms to audiences around the world. The Company has businesses with origins that date back to the dawn of the broadcasting age as well as new ventures that operate on the leading edge of media. CBS owns the most-watched television network in the U.S. and one of the world’s largest libraries of entertainment content, making its brand – “the Eye” – one of the most recognized in business. The Company’s operations span virtually every field of media and entertainment, including cable, publishing, radio, local TV, film, outdoor advertising, and interactive and socially responsible media. CBS’s businesses include CBS Television Network, The CW (a joint venture between CBS Corporation and Warner Bros. Entertainment), Showtime Networks, CBS Sports Network, TVGN (a joint venture between CBS Corporation and Lionsgate), Smithsonian Networks, Simon & Schuster, CBS Television Stations, CBS Radio, CBS Outdoor, CBS Television Studios, CBS Global Distribution Group (CBS Studios International and CBS Television Distribution), CBS Interactive, CBS Consumer Products, CBS Home Entertainment, CBS Films and CBS EcoMedia.
This news is courtesy of www.cbscorporation.com
Turner Broadcasting System and Trans Media to Launch CNN Indonesia
Hong Kong – Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific, Inc. and PT Trans Media Corpora have today announced a strategic partnership to launch CNN Indonesia, a 24-hour news channel and accompanying website in Bahasa Indonesia. This ground-breaking channel will be the first of its kind for CNN in Southeast Asia, delivering a localized version of CNN’s unique brand of high-quality news to the region’s most populous nation.
Jeff Zucker, CNN Worldwide President, said: “This agreement with one of the country’s largest media corporations puts CNN in a unique position to reach millions of Indonesians in a way that we have not been able to previously. The combination of the strength of the worldwide newsgathering power of CNN with the local perspective and sensibility that Trans Media will bring to the partnership enables us to provide important news and information to this enormous, non-English speaking audience.”
Chairul Tanjung, Founder and Chairman of Trans Media’s parent company, CT Corp, added: “I believe this partnership will help Indonesians to better understand the world and even more importantly, also help the world to better understand Indonesia. This is a partnership of two like-minded organisations who share common values of quality, integrity and transparency. CNN Indonesia will be the new destination for trustworthy and engaging content.”
The TV channel will be accompanied by a strong digital presence, including CNNIndonesia.com. With more than 100 million Indonesians expected to be online by 2016, a multi-platform brand will be a vital and complementary component to the on-air offering.
In addition to engaging leading local journalists to generate compelling coverage, the channel will also tap into CNN International’s vast pool of journalistic talent and share content from global affiliate partnerships. Trans Media will operate CNN Indonesia from its facilities in Jakarta. A launch date will be announced in due course.
About Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific
Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific, Inc. (Turner) creates and distributes award-winning brands throughout the Asia Pacific region and beyond. A leader in the television and media business, it runs pay- and free-TV channels, as well as Internet-based services, including 40 channels in 12 languages in 40 countries throughout Asia Pacific. Turner’s leading brands in the region include CNN International, CNNj, CNN, HLN, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Cartoonito, Boomerang, POGO, Toonami, TCM Turner Classic Movies, truTV, WB, HBO, HBO Hits HD, HBO Defined HD, MondoTV and TABI Channel. Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific, Inc. is a Time Warner company.
About CNN International
CNN’s portfolio of news and information services is available in five different languages across all major TV, internet and mobile platforms reaching more than 375 million households around the globe, including over 46 million across the Asia Pacific region. CNN International, awarded “News Channel of the Year” by the Royal Television Society in 2013 and 2014, is the number one international TV news channel according to all major media surveys across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the Asia Pacific region and Latin America. The CNN digital network is consistently one of the top news and current affairs destination on the web. CNN has 44 editorial offices and more than 1,100 affiliates worldwide through CNN Newsource. CNN International is part of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company.
About Trans Media
PT Trans Media Corpora (Trans Media) is Indonesia’s leading integrated media group comprising of two nationwide FTA television stations: Trans TV and Trans 7, a leading pay TV operator, TelkomVision, and the most visited online portal, Detik.com. Trans TV and Trans 7 hold the #1 position in the Indonesian FTA market in terms of market share and profitability respectively. TelkomVision is the second largest pay TV operator in Indonesia in terms of number of subscribers with unique offerings across DTH, cable, and IPTV platforms. Detik is the #1 online portal in Indonesia.
This news is courtesy of www.timewarner.com
Warner Bros. To Acquire The Eyeworks Group In Deal That Grows International TV Production Business
Amsterdam, London, Burbank – As part of the studio’s television growth strategy, Warner Bros. Television Group today announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire¹ all Eyeworks’ businesses outside the US, in 15 countries across Europe, South America, Australia and New Zealand, adding 13 new territories to its network of production companies. Once completed, this acquisition will further strengthen Warner Bros.’ international television production capabilities and see Warner Bros. take over all of Eyeworks’ international distribution activities.
The announcement was made by Jeffrey Schlesinger, President, Warner Bros. Worldwide Television Distribution, Craig Hunegs President, Business and Strategy, Warner Bros. Television Group, Peter Roth, President and Chief Content Officer, Warner Bros. Television Group and Reinout Oerlemans, Founder and current Chief Executive Officer of the Eyeworks Group.
Founded in The Netherlands by Oerlemans in 2001, Eyeworks is a major international independent producer and distributor of scripted and non-scripted content across a range of genres, including entertainment, drama and film, which airs in more than 150 countries worldwide.
The pending acquisition of Eyeworks marks a milestone for Warner Bros. International Television Production, led by Ronald Goes, Executive Vice President & Head of Warner Bros. International Television Production, which was originally formed by WBTVG in 2009 to establish operating production companies.
Kevin Tsujihara, Chief Executive Officer, Warner Bros. Entertainment said: “Our proposed acquisition of Eyeworks’ 15 local production companies, represents a significant next step in our strategy, further strengthening Warner Bros.’ position in global television .”
Hunegs, Schlesinger and Roth added: “This is an important move for the Warner Bros. Television Group, as we establish local production companies around the world, each with a mandate to develop original local programming and adapt the output from the studio. We see Eyeworks as a strong complement to our existing US and international production capabilities.”
This follows the acquisition in 2010 of Shed Media, one of the leading production companies in the UK, and in 2011, BlazHoffski in The Netherlands and Belgium.
In connection with the transaction, Reinout Oerlemans would move to Los Angeles for his new role in the industry, as Chairman of Eyeworks USA, leading the further expansion of that company in the USA. Reinout will step down as CEO of the Eyeworks Group once the acquisition has been completed.
Oerlemans said: “It’s fair to say that it got me thinking when Warner Bros. showed the strong interest in Eyeworks. For Eyeworks, this is a defining step towards our ongoing objective to be a major player in content production around the globe. I realize this is the end of an era, because I will no longer be the CEO of the Group, after an amazing period of 12.5 years since I’ve built the company from scratch together with Ronald van Wechem and Robert van den Bogaard. Together with CFO Jan Peter Kerstens we have created Eyeworks as what it is today: a creative and versatile content company, operating as a tight knit web around the world. I know Ronald Goes will be a tremendous leader for this fantastic group of talented people going forward”.
¹The acquisition of Eyeworks is expected to be complete later in 2014, subject to regulatory approvals.
The WARNER BROS. TELEVISION GROUP oversees and grows the entire portfolio of Warner Bros.’ television businesses, including worldwide production, traditional and digital distribution, and broadcasting. One of WBTVG’s businesses is Warner Bros. International Television Production, (WBITVP) which aims to establish or acquire production companies in major television territories around the world in order to become a leading producer of local scripted and non-scripted programming.
EYEWORKS is a creative, independent television production company that develops, produces and distributes content in different genres including fiction and entertainment. Eyeworks was founded in The Netherlands in 2001 by Reinout Oerlemans. Currently, with operations in The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Spain, Portugal, the United States, New Zealand and Australia, Eyeworks operates a tight-knit web of local affiliates on four continents. In its 16 territories, Eyeworks produces television programs for over 100 different channels and employs more than 1,500 people. Internationally successful titles include: Test The Nation, CQC, Who Wants to Marry my Son?, Beat The Blondes, Reality Queens of the Jungle, I Know What You Did Last Friday,Obese (aka Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition), and their newest hit Celebrity Splash.
This Press Release is courtesy of www.timewarner.com
DIRECTV and DISH Revolutionize Political TV Advertising Landscape
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. and ENGLEWOOD, Colo., Jan. 26, 2014 – DIRECTV (NASDAQ: DTV) and DISH Network L.L.C., a wholly owned subsidiary of DISH Network Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH), have joined forces to offer an addressable advertising platform of unprecedented scale and reach for political campaigns. The strategic relationship will allow participating statewide political campaigns to target their TV ads at the household level within 20+ million DIRECTV and DISH homes.
The DIRECTV-DISH arrangement will focus on political TV advertisements only, while the companies’ other media sales efforts will continue to operate independently.
“The DIRECTV/DISH addressable advertising platform utilizes highly sophisticated and targeted technology that will allow political campaigns to specifically reach swing voters with TV ads. Campaigns can focus their message to a precise set of potential voters and eliminate the spending waste,” said Keith Kazerman, senior vice president of ad sales, DIRECTV. “The platform not only uniquely monetizes big data, which has become critical to every political campaign, but it does it at scale. It’s the perfect complement to local DMA cable buys and a fiscally compelling alternative to local broadcast.”
“Individually, DISH and DIRECTV have pioneered household-addressable advertising across a national footprint for more than two years,” said Warren Schlichting, senior vice president of DISH media sales. “As campaigns utilize more and more data, household-addressable advertising introduces a powerful tool to deliver a tailored message to a precise and measurable audience. Together, DISH and DIRECTV reach nearly one out of every five U.S. television households and usher TV into the modern political age.”
DIRECTV and DISH utilize the same technology to deliver addressable advertising at the household level to a combined audience of more than 20 million households.
Using the same methodology of direct mail, addressable advertising allows advertisers to reach their desired audience with accuracy and combines the emotional impact of TV with nationwide reach and scale.
This Press Release is courtesy of www.dish.com
