Indiantelevision.com Team

(23 July 2008 3:00 pm)

MUMBAI: As a result of the response from advertisers to their InFront scheduling presentation last April, US broadcaster NBC has announced plans to host a similar event in April 2009, over a month before the traditional Upfront week.

NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios co-chairman Ben Silverman says, "Our decision to hold a series of earlier more intimate meetings with advertisers this past spring resulted in profound new partnerships, deeper engagement with our clients and a very successful upfront for NBC.

"Our partners and us want to build on this innovative strategy and continue evolving the broadcast model."

Says NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios co-chairman Marc Graboff, "Giving our advertising clients an early look at a 52-week schedule is a better way for both of us to gain a competitive edge. We are going to respond to their positive feedback and set the pace again in 2009 with an even better version of the InFront that focuses on their advertising needs."

This client-centric approach to the presentation will again include the announcement of a year-round programming schedule in April followed by a series of one-on-one client meetings in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago.

The process is designed to give advertisers several key advantages, including a more comprehensive way in which to plan their marketing strategies for the year, the ability to coordinate their involvement in major events and to involve their brands more closely with the content of our shows.

NBC Universal sales and marketing president Mike Pilot says, "Our strategy of getting ahead of the market and involving our clients earlier in the process couldn't have been more successful.

"Not only did our clients appreciate the approach and our desire to be more collaborative, they were also able to execute on some meaningful integrations and marketing opportunities that were the right fit for their brands."