More Tidbits and Takeaways from NewFronts 2019

Studio 71

Venue:  Lower level theater of AXA Equitable Center

News:  Red Arrow's digital programming outreach will have at least ten series on Facebook Watch by the end of the year -- several of them gaming-oriented.  Popular YouTube-distributed series Good Mythical Morning is now getting smart TV device distribution via Roku.  Also on deck: a big move into podcasting with 30 series launching soon or in development.

Data Insight:  The company's catalog of digital fare gets 105 million active viewers and three billion cross-platform impressions per month.

Innovative Opportunity:  Advertiser participation in a media effectiveness project in association with Amazon Web Services

Cuisine: Various post-presentation appetizers, including mushroom pizza bites, seared tuna on potato chips and stuffed peppers

Key Takeaways:  Look for more original short-form series to morph into long-form over the next year, picking up smart TV set/device distribution. Also, some producer should work up a long-form series for exotic animal expert Mike Holston (a.k.a. "The Real Tarzan"), whose well-behaved tan-colored lizard -- make that well-behaved giant lizard -- charmed attendees at the end of the presentation and for considerable time afterward.

Ellen Digital Network

Venue:  Union Park

News:  Upcoming unscripted series include Well, Well, Well hosted by Glee co-star Lea Michele and Life's First-Evers, where people give away cash prizes to people in need.

Data Insight:  Ellen DeGeneres' web/digital programming venture produces 12-15 original programs per day, available to more than 213 million cross-platform users each month.  Game segments alone reach 54 million people per month.

Innovative Opportunity:  Full program and segment sponsorships, plus participation as prize donors within individual segments

Cuisine:  Buffet table with greens, breads, ham and a separate ice cream/candy corner

Key Takeaways:  For now, EDN will stand pat on its unscripted content emphasis and mix of web and social media distribution.  A dip into scripted and semi-scripted programs is possible down the road, along with a smart TV-centric channel.

Vice

Venue:  Jing Fong, a popular Chinatown attraction

News:  Vice will combine all of its web content into one website by the end of May, with former separate sites Motherboard, Vice News, Noisey and Munchies becoming branded sections within Vice.com.  A new set of Viceland series begins May 22 with The Wrestlers (profile of professional wrestling's bizarre subcultures), followed by the debut of Jasper & Errol's First Time June 11 (twosome move outside their comfort zone by learning how to master bull-riding, Zumba and other pastimes).  Look for the debuts of Danny's House, Donkmaster, How to Rob A Bank and Fine Young Criminals during the second half of 2019 on Viceland, plus The Vice Guide to Everything interstitials.

Data Insight:  More than 124 million people in North America and 300 people worldwide see Vice in some video manner each month.  That adds up to more than one billion minutes a month.

Innovative Opportunity:  Cross-platform sponsorship and community outreach initiatives connected with The Contenders, a new documentary series tracking candidates and issues in the 2020 presidential election

Cuisine:  Plentiful selection of eats served on dim sum carts and from waiters.  Selections included pan-fried pork and vegetable dumplings, har gow, sticky veggie fried rice, chicken bites and seaweed salad.

Key Takeaways:  More emphasis on multi-platform documentary content that runs across cable network Viceland, the reconstituted Vice.com and social media

Target

Venue:  Metropolitan West on W. 46^th St.

News:  The department store chain's media network unit will now go by the name Roundel (another way to describe Target's famed bullseye logo). Already serving some 1,000 clients via in-store, web and YouTube marketing campaigns (including Coca-Cola, Mondelez, Mastercard and Allstate Insurance), Roundel will craft and manage an expanded set of media advertising and promotion initiatives.

Data Insight:  Target stores and digital commerce venues attract more than 30 million and 25 million visitors (referred to as "guests" by Target management) respectively each week.

Innovative Opportunity:  Participation and/or sponsorship of customized YouTube videos

Cuisine:  An outstanding lunch assortment from eateries including Momofuku, Dean & De Luca, Andy's Italian Ices and Calexico.  Momofuku's chicken rice bowls were so in demand, all the bowls were taken within 20 minutes.  Other standout treats were Dean's albacore tuna sandwiches, Concord grape and pink lemonade ices from Andy's and Calexico's chicken and black bean burritos.

Key Takeaways:  Unlike Walmart, Target does not want to be in the original program production business via Roundel.  Yet there are several ways Roundel can be a TV force.  One direction that management is looking at is incorporating linear TV networks and smart TVs with client promotions. Another possibility: launching an interactive TV shopping service.

Digitas

Venue:  Highline Stages

News:  The ad agency and NewFronts co-founder will collaborate with the John F. Kennedy Library this summer on Moonshot, an augmented reality application marking the 50^th anniversary of the first U.S. moon landing.

Innovative Opportunity:  Sponsorships of Moonshot segments, delivered via mobile

Cuisine:  Kale Caesar salad on edible parmesan cheese crust was the best among the post-presentation appetizers.

Key Takeaway:  Moonshot, judging by footage presented at Digitas' event, deserves to be distributed among as wide an audience as possible. Given smart TV sets and TV-connected devices can handle augmented reality and 360-degree produced content, Digitas and the JFK Library should make this attraction available to the public through these platforms, as well as via mobile.

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