Upfronts & NewFronts: Who Won the Beauty Contest?

Having just completed my 31st Upfront presentation season, it's easy to be cynical. With 16 presentations and multiple parties during the traditional Upfront Week and more than 70 companies presenting since mid-February (not including multiple press briefings and networks meeting independently with agencies), I can only respect those who invest an aggregate of more than $200 million to influence the decisions of marketers and their agency buyers. The obvious question is: were they influenced and, if so, in what way.