ADVERTISING
Video ad tech company Unruly is launching what it’s calling a Six Second Fix – a new product designed to create shorter ad content that uses existing creative assets. The company says it will use its “UnrulyEQ” content evaluation tool to map the peaks of engagement for advertisers’ target demos, and help them create the optimal six-second video. Unruly says it will also make use of proprietary data from EQ’s recent mobile vs. desktop study.
PROGRAMMING
Who’d have guessed that a media company geared exclusively toward weed enthusiasts would boast such a robust digital programming slate? Cannabis news and lifestyle platform Merry Jane announced its new content lineup. It includes episodes of Talking Buds, a series from Point Grey, Seth Rogen’s creative agency. The slate also features a new short-form series made in partnership with Taylor Gang and Wiz Khalifa. In addition, Merry Jane’s GGN video series just featured an exclusive interview of boxer Floyd Mayweather; the interview, conducted by Snoop Dog, was posted ahead of Mayweather’s Saturday fight with Conor McGregor. And speaking of Snoop, Merry Jane says that the rapper will produce a new series for the platform; Called Queens of the Stoned Age, it’ll bring together “a diverse group of engaging women” to discuss issues facing modern women.
The risque sports-oriented publisher Barstool Sports is launching a weekly Snapchat series. Called Barstool U, the show will center on Barstool staffers who travel to colleges around the U.S. to examine campus culture during football season. It debuts September 8.
OTT + SVOD
Viacom International Media Networks is about to introduce its new SVOD service to the Nordics. Called Paramount+, the service will feature Paramount Pictures’ new film releases, along with over 800 episodes of shows from Viacom’s TV networks. Paramount+ will debut in Scandinavia on October 1. It’ll be available to premium subscribers through various pay-TV services.
UPCOMING DIGITAL PROGRAMMING…
… for the week of Monday, Monday, August 28, through Sunday, September 3.
– People Now at People.com, Monday-Friday at 8:30a ET and 11:30a ET. Guest include TV personality Matt Iseman (NBC’s American Ninja Warrior), TV personality Mark Ballas (ABC’s Dancing with the Stars), and TV personality Eric Bigger (ABC’s The Bachelorette)
– Netflix: Ryan Hamilton: Happy Face, a new comedy special, debuts Tuesday, August 29
– Netflix: Final Fantasy XIV: Dad of Light, a foreign drama series, debuts Friday, September 1
– Netflix: LEGO Elves: Secrets of Elvendale, an animated family series, debuts Friday, September 1
– Netflix: Little Evil, an original horror comedy film, debuts Friday, September 1
– Netflix: The new season of Narcos debuts Friday, September 1
– Netflix: Resurface, a new documentary film, debuts Friday, September 1
EXECUTIVE MOVES
A Twitter exec is taking on an unusual dual role. Recode reports that Leslie Berland, who’s been the social media platform’s Chief Marketing Officer and head of communications since February of 2016, is now taking over as head of human resources as well. CEO Jack Dorsey reportedly announced the expanded role internally; Berland’s official HR title will be Head of People. (She’ll continue running marketing and communications as well.) The human resources role had been vacant for nearly six months. In addition, Recode reports that Jennifer Christie, most recently an SVP of HR at American Express, has been hired as Twitter’s new VP of Human Resources. She’ll oversee the day-to-day responsibilities of the HR team, reporting directly to Berland.
TRIVIA
Which Naomi Watts-starring Netflix series was recently canceled after one season? (Email trivia@cynopsis.com with your answer and be sure to include your name, company, city and state.)
Our Last Trivia Question: Amazon original series The Last Tycoon was loosely based on an unfinished novel of the same name. Who wrote it? Answer: F. Scott Fitzgerald. Kudos to Andrew Bellamy-Producers Guild of America/NY, Andy Pittman-TAMU/TX, Dan Quitério-Understood/NY, Luke Watson-Essential TV/NY, Matthew Wilson-RXR/NY, Mathew Tombers-Intermat/NY, Matt Willence-ITN Networks/NY, Sheena Das-Disney Media/NY, David Westberg-SAG-AFTRA Federal Credit Union/CA, Anjali Desai-Departure Films/NY, Gabrielle Pedro Fredrick-National Geographic/DC, Tom Moore-Kalt Productions/CA, Susan Nessanbaum-Goldberg-M and S Entertainment/CA, McKenzie Jones-U.S. International Media/AZ, Aaron Paquette-Screen Engine/ASI/TX, Shannon Henley-FOX/CA, Amir Zolfaghari-A+E Networks/CA, and Ricardo Zanirato-FOX Networks Group/ São Paulo, Brazil
