NewFront News and Views: Maker Studios, Mode Media, Conde Nast
Maker Studios Venue: Skylight Clarkson St. at 550 Washington St., across from the scene of TechCrunch's first Disrupt NY event. Big presentation points: Staying put as short-form content producer catering to Millennals with Disney relationship beginning to bear fruit (Marvel Comics and X Games programming ahead). Big new content: “Camp” (coming-of-age drama, another James Franco digital inroad), “Maker Tales” (music videos adapted from fairy tales), “The Taryn Show” (talk/sketch comedy/social media participation from Taryn Southern) and “This is Why You're Single” (best friends comedy). What worked: The "Who Are You?" theme (all about finding your voice) and anytime chief content officer Erin McPherson talked from one side of the stage to the other. What didn't work: Content creators appearing on stage without the audience knowing much about them. Overall Grade: 3.5 Jacks
Mode Media
Venue: Second floor of Milk Studios (450 W. 15th St.) across from Chelsea Market. Big presentation points: Mode will create a centralized Web site and app for its entire portfolio of video/multimedia programming, arranged by 20-plus categories. May open the door for smart TV/smart TV-making device distribution. Once that happens over the next few months, the company will launch a mechanism for creators to update or modify their work. This may usher Mode into the playpen of scripted content. At the moment, all the content is reality/unscripted. Big new content: “Making Room,” “Home Plate,” “Rad Pads” (home/apartment redecorating and remodeling short subjects). What worked: Great tuna sliders and watermelon juice. What didn't work: Dark, spooky setting as people ate pre-presentation lunch; no on-screen graphics giving executive names/titles, in-and-out audio problems with on-air talent. Overall Grade: 2.5 Jacks
Conde Nast Entertainment
Venue: Spring Studios (50 Varick St.), next door to Tribeca Studios, a key home of the annual New York Television Festival. Big presentation points: Full-fledged entertainment outlet spreading its wings with original digital content, including scripted series; Conde Nast's lineup of magazines fully engaged in content development. Big new content: More than 2,500 original videos will be offered over the next year, including first scripted series “The Tyler Zone.” Before 2015 ends, Vida Belleza (Beauty Life), the company's first Latino-targeted video/Web venture, will debut. What worked: Stylish, modern set, plenty of clips and an opening video exploring how NewFronts would operate in the hands of that oft-spoken about Millennial audience. Some ideas: Vice throws a Queen Mary bash, and “The Hunger Games” go live. What didn't work: No words on “The New Yorker Presents,” CNE's new series for Amazon Studios. Also could have used another minute or two to detail a growing TV business (four series in production, 25 in development and a recently-announced first-look deal with 21st Century-Fox). Nominee for best NewFront quote: "More content was created yesterday than you can watch in a lifetime." -- CNE president Dawn Ostroff. Overall Grade: 3.5 Jacks
A quick reminder of our Jacks grading system:
5 Jacks = Excellent
4 Jacks = Very Good
3 Jacks = Good
2 Jacks = Fair
1 Jack = Poor
0 Jacks = Worse than that
Next up: Digitas LBI and more capsule reviews
Until the next time, stay well and stay tuned!
The opinions and points of view expressed in this commentary are exclusively the views of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of MediaVillage.com.
Simon Applebaum
Simon Applebaum has covered the TV medium for more than 38 years. Now a regular MediaVillage columnist, he produces and hosts Tomorrow Will Be Televised, a program all about TV, now in its 12th year. Previously, he was a senior editor for various TV-centric …
