What’s Happening:
With the 2019 Digital Content NewFronts week recently concluding, many key moments and events stand out as the most memorable. Here is a breakdown of some of those takeaway moments from AdWeek.
Digging Deeper:
- BBC News presented in an effective dynamic for the attendees, with its presenters on a round platform surrounded by the audience. BBC Global News CEO Jim Egan talked about TV news in 2019 and why advertisers need to be involved. “I don’t think the right response to the understandable concerns that advertisers, agencies and brands have about news is to simply say, ‘Well we aren’t going to advertise on news at all,’ because that will make what we’re seeing in the industry worse, rather than better,” he said.
- Viacom Digital Studios focused on a young demographic with YouTube stars, but the audience was more engaged with the parts of the presentation that targeted a slightly older demographic. Comedian David Spade’s appearance was a hit, along with the news of Pluto TV’s upcoming channel that will exclusively air a revival of The Hills.
- Univision journalist Jorge Ramos touted an unusual benefit of Twitter when he proclaimed that the platform literally saved him from jail. While in Venezuela to interview President Nicolás Maduro in February, the president detained the journalistic team — but before Ramos could be taken into custody, Univision began a tweetstorm from its Miami headquarters, resulting in the team’s immediate release.
- YouTube is making all of its original content free and ad-supported. The streaming video service announced plans to create an expanded slate of new and returning series from a range of mainstream celebrities such as Justin Bieber and YouTube creators. This year’s slate of scripted and unscripted content is focused around “music, learning and personalities.”
- Meredith is showcasing a digital programming lineup that will target women. The publisher of People, Time, Better Homes & Gardens, Food & Wine and other well-known brands announced a new lineup of video programming designed to support its publications and offer brands advertising opportunities, including two new #SeeHer series about women who are changing the world.
- In perhaps the most surprising presentation during the Studio71 talk, Instagram influencer and former zookeeper Mike Holston brought a massive python onto stage. The audience audibly gasped as the snake wrapped around Holston’s head and neck.
The Bottom Line:
From these memorable moments to news from YouTube, Google, Hulu, Vudu and more, the 2019 NewFronts broke new ground in digital content.
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