WarnerMedia Showcases Unified Offerings and Advertising Possibilities at 2021 Virtual Upfront Event WarnerMedia
Globally Beloved Franchises, Brands & Shows; Distinct Reach & Scale; and Unparalleled Data and Tech Collation Underscore WMx Event Theme
Company Demonstrates Continued Investment in Linear TV Foundation through New and Returning Series Debuts, Expanded Portfolio of Sports Partnerships and Commitment to the Largest Addressable Advertising Footprint
HBO Max with Ads Price Point and Ad Experiences Revealed, with Debut Content Previewed
NEW YORK (May 19, 2021) - Two years since its last in-person Upfront event, WarnerMedia took center stage this week to present its unified offering to advertisers through a newly expanded portfolio of brands and franchises. WarnerMedia's theme this upfront - WMx - underpins the company's foundation as a force multiplier, combining premium content with a deep data insights engine, scaled distribution pipes powering reach and an advanced technology platform delivering precision.
The virtual Upfront event opened with a powerful We are WarnerMedia sizzle reel featuring an appearance and voiceover from Issa Rae (Rap Sh*t w.t., Insecure) synced to awe-inspiring content and culture-defining moments spanning the company's 100-year history of storytelling.
Immediately following, WarnerMedia featured a high-impact, entertaining oner performance hosted by Leslie Odom, Jr. (The Many Saints of Newark) with cameos from executives and a star-studded lineup of dynamic talent illustrating WarnerMedia's best-in-class storytelling, globally beloved intellectual property (IP) and consumer-centric platforms that meet audiences wherever they are. The journey through creative intersections showcased how the company's celebrated brands have unified to create a powerful, cohesive universe.
The 70-minute virtual event showcased an array of brand moments and news spanning the breadth of the WarnerMedia portfolio, including TBS, TNT, truTV, CNN, Turner Sports, Bleacher Report, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, and HBO Max. Marketers, agencies, members of the press and other industry influencers received a sneak peek into new and returning content, big franchise moments coming soon, advanced advertising news, and more.
WarnerMedia executives Jason Kilar, CEO; Tony Goncalves, EVP and CRO; JP Colaco, Head of Advertising Sales; Katrina Cukaj, Lead of Sales and Client Partnerships and Brett Weitz, General Manager, TBS, TNT and truTV were among the executives who took to the virtual stage to reinforce the company's value proposition to advertisers, notably:
85 percent of Americans are reached each month through WarnerMedia's portfolio of iconic entertainment, news and sports brands [1]
TNT is #1 in cable in total day[2]
TBS is #1 in cable in prime time[3]
TNT, TBS, truTV combined reached 215 million viewers last year[4]
CNN has been the #1 network in all of cable since the 2020 Presidential Election in A25-54 and is the #1 news network[5]
NCAA March Madness ranks #1 on television every night of coverage[6]
Bleacher Report is the #1 digital sports destination for millennials and Gen Z[7]
Adult Swim has been #1 in Total Day for the past 16 consecutive years (2005-2020) with young adults.[8]
Today we showcased who we are as WarnerMedia and where we differentiate ourselves in advertising possibilities, said Colaco. Our rich history, unparalleled reach, and limitless future is why I came to the company. Where we truly excel is partnering with advertisers to execute epic custom programs and events that galvanize fans, elevating brands to new heights, and most importantly generating outcomes that achieve their business goals.
In my twenty-plus years at our company, this moment is unlike any other, added Cukaj. From the power and impact of our collective media brands to the superpower strength of new franchise partnerships, our galaxy of consumer reach just got bigger for advertisers. We remain the most trusted partner in the brands we represent, the sales force that aligns with advertisers each day, and through our ongoing commitment to delivering best-in-class advanced advertising solutions, like addressable TV.
Announcements throughout the event included:
Adult Swim Launches Four New Digital Short Spinoffs Inspired by Rick and Morty, Your Pretty Face is Going to Hell, Robot Chicken and Aqua Teen Hunger Force
WarnerMedia Kids & Family to Commemorate 20th Anniversary of the Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Film with Unscripted Quiz Competition Series and Retrospective Special Celebrating Wizarding World Fans
HBO Max and Cartoon Network Make Series Commitment for Batman: Caped Crusader
Adult Swim Orders Series Pick Ups for Royal Crackers and Smiling Friends
HBO Max and Cartoon Network Take Flight With Series Commitment For My Adventures With Superman
TBS and TNT Launch Front Row, A Limited Commercial Interruption Programming Destination
TBS Debuts Friday Night Vibes , Hosted By Actress And Comedian, Tiffany Haddish
TNets Double Down on Original Programming Slate For 2022 With Second Season Renewals For Wipeout, Fast Foodies and Chad
It's a Sizzling Hot Summer for the TNets as TBS, TNT and truTV Announce July Premiere Dates
AEW Franchise Continues Domination and Expands to TBS in 2022
Premium Content from CNN Original Series and CNN Films Shines On Theatrical, Streaming, And Television Screens for 2021 and 2022
Sara Ramirez to Star in Max Original And Just Like That From Executive Producer Michael Patrick King
HBO Max Announces Ad-Supported Tier Pricing, Previews New Original Series and Content Premieres and Debuts Advertising Experience at 2021 WarnerMedia Upfront
Official Trailer & Key Art Released For HBO Max's FRIENDS: THE REUNION
In addition to news announced across each of the brand seg
