March 29
Crown Media Family Networks

Crown Media Family Networks an Upfront celebration for media buyers on Wednesday at NYC’s landmark Rainbow Room. Bill Abbott, Crown Media president & CEO, opened the presentation with brief remarks about the Hallmark brand. “Our brand has become one of the highest profile brands in entertainment with high quality original content that consistently delivers high ratings and makes both of our networks such a unique success story,” said Abbott. “Hallmark is synonymous with trust, emotional connections, caring, holidays, and celebrating life’s special moments every day. These touchstones are essential building blocks as we create content across multiple genres, and market and promote it in an intentional way.”

Crown Media’s EVP of advertising & digital sales, Ed Georger, spoke to the Hallmark brand promise and the importance to advertisers of the environment in which they convey their marketing messages. “Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries are, quite simply, two of the most trusted brands on television. And based on recent news, with major advertisers pulling their ads from digital platforms that deliver objectionable, off-brand content, it is clear how incredibly important it is for you to trust that your commercial messages air in a safe environment,” said Georger. As for data, “Everyone is talking about new data but we know what still matters most…delivering Nielsen ratings in the weeks and months in which they are planned.” Reinforcing the company’s ongoing growth and success, Georger noted that Hallmark Channel was the most watched and highest rated network on all of cable among women 25-54 for the entire fourth quarter last year, while Hallmark Movies & Mysteries has grown 83% over the past 2 years.

The evening was emceed by Debbie Matenopolous and Mark Steines, co-hosts of Hallmark Channel’s two-hour daily lifestyle program, Home & Family. Also in attendance were other familiar faces from Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries’ current and upcoming programming, including Danica McKellar, Kellie Martin, Kathie Lee Gifford, and Lacey Chabert. The evening culminated with a musical performance by multi-Grammy nominated singer/songwriter Jewel, who also stars in the Fixer Upper Mysteries movie series on HM&M.