Party On!
At precisely 12:00, ten people at a time were ushered into the cavernous space. This allowed for easy check-in and a multitude of white uniformed professionals to take your coat and whisk it downstairs. No waiting for anyone.

Roughly 330 seats were set up in front of the stage while the old bank’s Corinthian columns loomed and hip hop music blared. At 12:30 exactly CEO Kevin Kay was introduced, but it was Dwayne Johnson, aka the Rock, who took the stage insisting he was Kay. The crowd, counting on a good time, roared. Johnson was charming and witty. “I finally got that circumcision,” he said, in his claiming-to-be-Kay-act. “It really makes a difference.”

The real Kevin Kay, along with Jeff Lucas, head of sales for Viacom’s music and entertainment division and Sharon Levy, EVP of Original series, told their story between clips and appearances from Spike celebs: LL Cool Jay, Sir Ben Kingsley, Jillian Michaels and John Krasinski.

Sharon Levy was visibly excited about the original series, shot entirely in Morocco. ”Its our biggest and most ambitious project to date. It has an amazing and diverse cast and first rate cinematic production values,” Levy told Cynopsis. ”It’s a must-see for viewers and must-have for advertisers.”

Jillian Michaels (Biggest Loser) will host a new reality show called Sweat Inc., where 12 aspiring fitness entrepreneurs compete to see whose fitness program is best. The winner gets a cash prize and will partner with a national gym chain to develop their brand. (FYI: Dressed in a black leather jacket, jeans and killer high heels, Michaels was proof that working out pays off.)

We had to laugh: John Krasinski and Steve Merchant hopped onstage to lip sync each other for their new show, Lip Sync Battles. Krasinski mouthed Tina Turner’s Proud Mary while stripping down to a silver short dress.

So what’s to make of all this new programming? According to a media exec at Universal McCann, the Upfront was exciting and positive: “It reminded me of a few years ago when A&E did its rebrand.”

The Food: Two buffet lines were loaded with with branzino, filet mignon, and several gourmet salads including avocado. Pass-alongs were mini T.B.M. sandwiches and petit fours.

Signature drink: The Bellini, of course – though most guests sipped water.

Best snack: Just-made zucchini chips at the bar.

Music: hip hop

Swag Bag: Comfy gray Lip Sync Battles hoodie, navy blue leather zippered iPad cover and a pyramid-shaped blue-tooth speaker with Tut inscribed on the bottom.

Programming Slate: At least 5 scripted shows and mini series and 2 new reality shows.

Fighting Words: Its appeal to a broader audience doesn’t mean Spike is abandoning the guys. Friday Night Lights Out will be devoted to men competing in different live combat sporting events.

Quotable Quote: Asked what her guilty pleasure show was, Sharon Levy said, “Any British serial killer series on Netflix.”

Spike Strategy: The plan, said CEO Kay, is not to be about “what’s on, but what’s next.”

Friday, March 13
Hear all about Fuse Media’s plans to light buyers up with plans for FM, a brand new music channel. Plus: White Guys get their own talk show!

Tuesday, March 17
All aboard for the UP and ASPiRE upfront meetings, conducted for the fifth year in the unique setting of the UP/ASPiRE Upfront bus. The networks expect to hold some 100 presentations on the 4-wheeler for more than 750 clients and agencies, and travel more than 3,000 miles during its multi-city upfront tour. The 45-foot executive coach will also be the site of after-hours events with clients such as happy hours and karaoke nights.

Cynopsis Ad Sales: Mike Farina | VP, Sales | 203-218-6480

Copyright Cynopsis 2015