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Wednesday April 13, 2022

IN THE NEWS

The ANA Brand Masters Conference got underway yesterday with some words for the marketing community: “This is not a time for the timid,” advised ANA CEO Bob Liodice, and the day’s presentations proved him out. Highlights included Caesars Digital CMO Sharon Otterman’s case study of spending one billion dollars in 99 days to launch Caesars Sportsbook, which resulted in an increase from a 2% brand awareness to being number one in the NY market. Twitter presented top findings from its annual Trends Report, urging brands to take advantage of “defi” (aka decentralized finance, such as NFTs and crypto) as well as the marketplaces and badges proliferating fan-built worlds. Third, brands will benefit connecting wellness and sustainability, top of mind in the “great restoration” movement. “Culture is borderless,” commented Twitter Global Business Marketing & Research Tim Perzyk.

Digital ad revenue in the US jumped 35% year-over-year in 2021 to $189 billion, according to a report from the Interactive Advertising Bureau and PricewaterhouseCoopers. David Cohen, CEO at IAB, points to the increase in consumer use of online services, and growth of small and mid-sized businesses during the pandemic, as reasons. And there’s no slowdown in sight. “We expect this digital migration to drive the continued growth of a healthy and competitive digital marketplace driven by innovation and entrepreneurship,” said Cohen.

Keke Palmer (“Scream Queens”) will host NBC’s reboot of game show “Password,” which is headed to prime time this summer. The series launched in 1961 and was revived by NBC in 1979 and 1984 prior to being featured on both “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” and “The Tonight Show.” Jimmy Fallon will play in each of the eight hourlong episodes as celebrity/contestant duos compete. The premiere episode will be dedicated to Betty White. “Password” is produced by Fremantle in association with Universal Television Alternative Studio, and Electric Hot Dog. Jimmy Fallon, Jim Juvonen, and Jennifer Mullin will serve as executive producers, along with John Quinn who will also serve as showrunner.

Rachel Maddow has returned to her MSNBC show after a two-month hiatus with the news that starting in May, she’ll go from hosting “The Rachel Maddow Show” five nights a week to Mondays only. Guest hosts will take over the other four nights for “MSNBC Prime.” “For big news events, for things like the leadup to the election, I will of course be here more than that, but that is the general plan,” said Maddow.

This year’s Top Women in Media Awards celebrate creativity and collaboration. Honorees are innovators and risk-takers who help design and execute strategy in categories that span entertainment, tech, and sports media.

Nominate yourself and/or a colleague for this industry distinction. It’s your turn to be in the spotlight!

Enter Now!

Strong Studios has acquired the rights and screenplay to its first original feature film, “The Tank Job,” a true-life crime drama adapted from Norman Miller’s book, The Great Salad Oil Swindle. “The Tank Job” tells the true story of ex-butcher turned salad oil exporter Anthony “Tino” DeAngelis and his blue collar crew as eventually crashed Wall Street in their con to corner the market on salad oil futures in the early 1960s. Alec Sokolow (“Toy Story”) wrote the screenplay and is set to direct. Sam Sokolow (Nat “Genius”) and Nicholas Levis (“Darkon”) are producers. CNBC contributor Ron Insana, CEO of Insana Entertainment Group will also produce. Ballantyne’s Chairman Kyle Cerminara and CEO Mark Roberson, and Strong Studios’ President David Ozer (“Willy’s Wonderland”) serve as executive producers.

Endeavor Content has partnered with Crewvie to apply the online platform’s software for real-time workforce analytics and crew list management across all of its productions. Crewvie, which is focused on advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility for artisans, will provide Endeavor Content with measurable data for all of its productions, along with access to a well of diverse talent for staffing crew on upcoming projects.

Playtone partners Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman have inked an exclusive overall deal with Apple TV+ for series, documentaries and unscripted projects. Apple Original Films and Playtime are already moving forward on a sequel to Apple TV+ hit “Greyhound.”

Dana Calvo (“Good Girls Revolt”) will serve as showrunner and exec producer on ABC’s David E. Kelley drama “Avalon,” based on Michael Connolly’s short story.

TelevisaUnivision announced that production began in Mexico City on “Quiero Tu Vida” (I Want Your Life), a romantic fantasy feature for ViX+, the streaming platform launching in the second half of 2022. It’s the first project under TelevisaUnivision’s recently announced first-look deal with Salma Hayek Pinault’s Ventanarosa Productions to produce Spanish-language feature films exclusively for ViX+.

Casting notes: Bel Powley (“The Morning Show”), Liev Schreiber (“Ray Donovan”) and Joe Cole (“Peaky Blinders”) have joined the cast of Disney+ limited series “A Small Light,” telling the story of a Dutch woman who sheltered Anne Frank’s family, then preserved her diary…Joseph Gordon-Levitt (“Super Pumped”) has boarded Peacock mystery drama “Poker Face.”

NEW & RETURNING SERIES

WE tv’s “Mama June: Road to Redemption” returns Friday, May 13 at 9p, picking up where June’s run-in with the law left off. June claims she wants to step back into the role of mom, however resentment soon builds when she continues to avoid all responsibility for her family.

Season three of “Breeders” kicks off Monday, May 9 at 10p on FX, picking up days after season 2 ended, as the Worsley family reels from teenaged Luke (Alex Eastwood) punching his dad, Paul (Martin Freeman).

Apple TV+ comedy “Loot,” starring Maya Rudolph (“Saturday Night Live”) as a billionaire on a journey of self-discovery, debuts with the first three episodes on Friday, June 24.

It’s everyone against the Amazon on a new season of Discovery survivalist challenge “Naked and Afraid XL: Next Level,” premiering Sunday, May 1 at 8p.

COMING UP

“The Princess,” starring Joey King (“The Kissing Booth”), premieres July 1. The film follows a strong-willed princess who refuses to marry the sociopath to whom she is betrothed.

Revery is streaming pot-friendly programming on Wednesday, April 20, including the premiere of “High HerStory” at (of course) 4:20. “Cannabis consuming ladies” will tell stories about women in history.

TECH TALK

Gamut has entered a strategic partnership with AdGreetz, an adtech, martech personalization provider, to offer personalized local OTT advertisements to consumers leveraging Gamut’s platform capabilities and reach to a list of over 100 premium publishers streaming OTT content. “The media world around us is changing daily and our advertisers’ requirements plus consumer expectations are evolving on a constant basis,” said Soo Jin Oh, President, Gamut. “As we introduced personalization capabilities, partnering with AdGreetz made perfect sense. Their platform has proven to be one of the most effective tools for advertisers to communicate specific messaging tailored to individual users in a scalable manner.”

Comcast’s Effectv will use Comscore’s audience impression-based measurement product with local advertising clients to deliver an advanced industry measurement solution for marketers. “Choice and innovation are crucial for helping to move the industry forward when it comes to measurement,” said James Rooke, General Manager, Effectv. “We believe the ecosystem is stronger when brands and media sellers have multiple currencies from which to choose. We are looking forward to working with Comscore, as well as other measurement providers in the future, to accelerate innovation and solve for dependable, cross-screen, audience-based measurement.” Added Bill Livek, CEO and Executive Chairman, Comscore, “With local media continuing to expand in importance for both national brands as well as local marketers, the industry needs the most reliable currency, based on a census approach, to transact on, and that currency is Comscore. We are excited to be working with Comcast to deliver on that need.”

More than one-third (38%) of consumers incorrectly recall their online shopping behavior when asked, according to DISQ’s “Mind the Gap” study. There was a correlation between those who were highly confident in their recall ability and those who recalled their behavior incorrectly. “The Say-Do Gap has always existed, but as consumers conducted more of their purchase journeys online, marketers gained access to adtech measures of consumer behavior such as cookies, mobile IDs and IP addresses that gave imperfect, but easy-to-use metrics,” said Anne Hunter, VP of Product Marketing. “Now, with the usefulness of these technologies deprecating, self-reported measures of behavior may return to vogue – but the risks of relying exclusively on consumer recollection without behavioral confirmation are huge.”

Content experience platform EX.CO, which powers personalized interactions around the web, has acquired Bibblio, the machine-learning technology company with AI-driven recommendation capabilities. In addition to launching targeted, interactive experiences for different audience segments, EX.CO’s customers will now be able to surface contextual videos and AI-driven product recommendations.

Data activation, curation and identity platform Audigent announced the release of CognitivePMPs, a privacy-centric, cookieless data and inventory product to help advertisers curate and buy programmatic inventory. Comscore will be the first partner for PMP product utilizing their Predictive Audiences segments. “We see predictive data as one of the major tools for building effective campaigns that respect consumer-privacy and are future-proofed against the eventual depreciation of the third-party cookie,” said Eric Gomels, Group Director – LeDesk Programmatic at Wavemaker. “Audigent’s CognitivePMPs create new and exciting ways to use Comscore’s predictive data at scale. This is a smart, new build on the kind of tool that many brands are asking for, and an approach we look forward to testing.”

Goodway Group, the data-driven and technology-enabled digital media and marketing services firm, has launched a new people-based identity solution, Passport One, offering marketers with a privacy-forward proprietary database to reach customers, enhance existing first-party data, and create new opportunities for closed-loop measurement. “At Goodway Group, we recognize that addressing identity in today’s privacy-centric digital advertising space is a huge undertaking for most brands who aren’t already deep into their first-party data journey,” said Jay Friedman, President of Goodway Group. “Through Passport One, we’re tackling this problem with an invaluable marketing tool capable of creating and enhancing first-party data for any brand and by extension providing them with the insights necessary to position their brands for success.”

STREAMING

Netflix has introduced a “Double Thumbs Up” button for users to express their content preferences. “Our current Thumbs Up and Thumbs Down buttons are a good way for you to tell us how you feel about a series or film, and in return, you get a profile that’s better personalized to your taste,” wrote Christine Doig-Cardet, Director of Product Innovation, in a blog post. “However, we’ve learned over time that these feelings can go beyond a simple like or dislike. Providing an additional way to tell us when you’re really into something means a profile with recommendations that better reflect what you enjoy.”

Roku users can now subscribe to discovery+ from within the Roku Channel app. The subscription is for discovery+’s ad-free tier, which costs $6.99/month.

FIFA has launched FIFA+, a digital platform offering access to live soccer matches, interactive games, news and other video content. “FIFA+ represents the next step in our vision to make football truly global and inclusive, and it underpins FIFA’s core mission of expanding and developing football globally,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino. “This project represents a cultural shift in the way different types of football fans want to connect…. It will accelerate the democratization of football.”

UPFRONT CALENDAR

April 13: FETV (Empire State Building, NYC); TV One (virtual)
April 19: SeeHer SheFront (virtual)
April 26: Disney Storyteller’s Showcase (virtual); FETV (Empire State Building, NYC)
May 2-6: IAB NewFronts
May 2: NBCUniversal/Peacock NewFront
May 3: Samsung Ads at 9a (Samsung 837, NYC), Roku at 11:30a (Caldwell Factory, NYC)
May 5: Canela Media at 1p (virtual) and CincoDeFront at 5:30p (NYC)
May 16: NBCUniversal (Radio City Music Hall, NYC); Telemundo (Ziegfeld Theater, NYC); Fox (Skylight, NYC)
May 17: Disney (Basketball City at Pier 36, NYC); YouTube Brandcast at 8p; Univision (Javits Center in NYC)
May 18: Paramount (Carnegie Hall, NYC); Warner Bros. Discovery (Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden, NYC)
May 19: The CW (New York City Center Theater, NYC)

GOING GLOBAL

Saloon Media has entered into an agreement with A+E Networks to produce “Hoarders,” the first format commission for the series outside the US. Under the title “Hoarders: Canada,” the series has been greenlit by Blue Ant Media for its Canadian programming slate.

Malaysia’s Astro has acquired the rights to adapt “Liar,” a thriller series created by screenwriters Harry and Jack Williams, through the partnership of its film production arm, Astro Shaw, with distribution company All3Media International.

French animation production and distribution company Dandelooo has licensed the preschool adventure CGI series “Tainá” and “The Amazon’s Guardians” to Paramount+ Latin America.

Dynamic Television announced that ZDFneo has come on board “The Fighter,” SVT’s upcoming suspense thriller. The 6-episode Swedish series from Kärnfilm and SVT follows a female boxer on a high-risk path to become the world champion

Drive announced the sales of over 70 hours of premium factual content including crime and investigation, history, science and nature and factual entertainment programming in separate deals with AMC Networks International Southern Europe and Foxtel.

9 Story Distribution International has secured sales for preschool series “Donkey Hodie” to TVO (Canada), Canal Panda (Spain), and Ejunior (UAE).

June 7th at Edison Ballroom, NYC

Publicis Media, Walt Disney Company, Discovery and more confirmed for key panels.

The Best Alternative Currencies Panel: FULL!

FIND OUT MORE

CBS’ first broadcast of the 2022 CMT Music Awards delivered 5.33 million viewers, a number expected to rise to 5.5 million when Paramount+ livestreams are added. That’s a big jump from the 2021 awards, when the simulcast on CMT, Logo, MTV, MTV2, Paramount Network and TV Land drew 828,000 viewers.

Following “The Slap,” major syndicated magazine shows clocked double-digit improvement with their next-day coverage in the week ending April 3. “Inside Edition” (2.4 Live+SD national Nielsen rating, up 20% from the week before) and “Entertainment Tonight” (8-week high 2.3, up 28%) were the biggest winners. “ET” was the No. 1 magazine overall for its Oscar recap reporting, jumping 56% to a category best single-day 2.8 for its coverage on March 28. Also getting big Nielsen boosts were red carpet favorites “Extra” (season high 0.7, up 17%), which swelled 33% for its next day Oscar coverage and “Access Hollywood,” which shot up 13% on the 28th.

New HGTV series “Fixer to Fabulous: Welcome Inn” averaged a .72 live plus three-day rating among P25-54 and a .95 live plus three-day rating among W25-54, up 46% and 47% over year-ago levels in the demos. The four-episode series averaged a .86 Live+3 rating among upscale P25-54 and a 1.10 among upscale W25-54.

Nielsen Top 10 M-F Syndicated Strip Series for the week of March 28 ranked in order by HH Rtg
Jeopardy (CMV) 5.6 AA
Family Feud (CMV) 5.3 AA
Wheel of Fortune (CMV) 5.2 AA
Judge Judy (CMV) 4.8 AA
Inside Edition (CMV) 2.4 AA
Entertainment Tonight (CMV) 2.3 AA
The Big Bang Theory (WB) 2.0 AA
Live With Kelly and Ryan (DAD) 1.8 AA
The Dr. Phil Show (CMV) 1.7 AA
Hot Bench (CMV) 1.5 AA

Basic Cable Top 5 for the week of April 4
Network, P2+ AA (000)
Primetime
Fox News 362
TBS 1522
TNT 1220
HGTV 1168
ESPN 1101
Total Day
Fox News 1511
MSNBC 660
ESPN 654
HGTV 592
CNN 586
Source: Nielsen

Broadcast Ratings for Monday, April 11
Show, P2+ 000s, (A18-49)
ABC: American Idol 5.31 (0.7), The Good Doctor 3.99 (0.4)
CBS: CMT Music Awards 5.33 (0.7)
CW: All American 0.47 (0.1), All American: Homecoming 0.33 (.01)
FOX: 911 5.06 (0.6), 911: Lone Star 4.24 (0.5)
NBC: American Song Contest 1.44 (0.3), Endgame 1.51 (0.2)
Telemundo: Exatlon Estados Unidos 0.87 (0.2), Hercai: Amor e Venganza 1.15 (0.2), Pasion de Gavilanes 0.63 (0.2)
Univision: Soltero con Hijas 1.51 (0.5), Mi Fortuna es Amarte 1.81 (0.5), Madre 1.87 (0.5)
Source: Nielsen, live + same day time period averages

EXECUTIVE MOVES

Erica Forstadt has been promoted from VP to SVP, Entertainment Unscripted Current Production at NBCUniversal Television and Streaming.

David Madden is departing Berlanti Productions at the end of his contract next month, reports Deadline. Madden has served as President of the company since 2020.

IN MEMORIAM

Comedian Gilbert Gottfried died after a lengthy illness. He was 67. In addition to late night appearances, TV audiences perhaps knew Gottfried best for voiceover work for characters like the bird Digit in animated PBS Kids series “Cyberchase,” and the Aflac duck in commercials. “RIP Gilbert. Opening for Gilbert Gottfried at Carolines and Princeton Catch was one of the great thrills of my early stand up life,” wrote Jon Stewart. “He could leave you gasping for breath…just indescribably unusually hilarious…Damn.”

Answer to Our Last Trivia Question
On which series did Alley Mills, Barbara Babcock and John Schneider all have supporting roles? “Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman” (1993-98). Kudos to: John Ferlazzo/London; Heather Allen-WWE Corporation/Stamford, CT; Greg West-WATC TV/Atlanta; Phyllis McQuillan-MSG Networks/NYC; Charles Lore/NYC; Steven Williams-Spectrum Enterprise/Columbus; Chase Heinrich-Walt Disney Pictures/LA; Sandra Mueller-KTLA/LA; David Garber-Loyola Marymount University/Playa Vista, CA; Susan Nessanbaum-Goldberg-M and S Entertainment/LA

Today’s Trivia Question
Which Chicago-set 1998 dramedy lasted one season, and was revived with a new cast and location (NYC) in 2009? (Email [email protected] with your answer and be sure to include your name, company, city and time zone. Unofficial rules: a limit of four per time zone.)