Six Digital Industry Leaders Join Forces to Create the First Digital Content "NewFronts," as U.S. 2012 Online Ad Spend Forecast to Hit $39.5 Billion

NEW YORK, Feb. 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- In a collaboration first, AOL, Digitas, Google/YouTube, Hulu, Microsoft Advertising and Yahoo! join forces to bring the Digital Content NewFronts (#DCNF) to the U.S. market. Online ad spend is expected to grow 23% in 2012 to $39.5 billion in the U.S. Further, U.S. online video ad spending grew by 52.1% in 2011.  By 2015, video ad spending will reach $7.1 billion, up from $2.16 billion in 2011 (source: eMarketer).

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The DCNF mission is to shape a new and practical marketplace for connecting the wealth of native digital content with brand marketers and their media and marketing agencies. In other words, a "newfront" where "Brands, meet Content."

Each founding partner will host an independent event during a designated two-week period from April 19th – May 2nd, 2012. All events will take place in New York City.

The schedule of Digital Content NewFronts is:                                                                          

Additional events and programming will be announced in the next two-three weeks and will be updated regularly on the Digital Content NewFronts official website: www.digitalcontentnewfronts.com. There is no fee to attend the NewFronts. Each event is invitation-only and will be managed independently by the host company.

"We are excited to see the major players across the competitive landscape make native digital content a priority," said Janet Balis, SVP, Sales Strategy, Marketing & Partnerships, AOL.  "Given AOL's deep commitment to original, high impact digital experiences, we feel this is an incredibly valuable opportunity to showcase the creativity of our ideas and solutions."

"There is an urgency to invest in quality content at scale. The DCNF is established as a direct result of the growing impact of digital content on consumers, and therefore brands, their investments and agencies. We are thrilled to participate in this collaboration-first that will chart new territory in digital content and media," said Colin Kinsella, CEO, Digitas North America.

"We're really looking forward to meeting with our clients in May, to talk about brand building opportunities across Google and YouTube. We think this series of events will be a great forum for important industry discussions and we look forward to advancing the conversation," said Lucas Watson, VP of global video sales for YouTube. 

"Today, the word 'TV' has taken on new meaning - as a bar for quality of storytelling. The use of the word 'TV' no longer refers to a piece of hardware," said JP Colaco, SVP Advertising, Hulu. "We are investing in smart and distinctive content – compelling storytelling is what makes great TV. We seek content that is beloved by our users. Strong content combined with the effectiveness of the Hulu platform, allows advertisers and creators to connect very directly with highly engaged audiences who are extremely passionate about these shows."

"Over the last four years, Microsoft has highlighted its investment in digital content to the media industry through the Microsoft Digital Showcase event. As we enter our fifth year, we are thrilled to align our efforts and proud to participate as a 'Founding Partner' in the expanded format of the Digital Content NewFronts, which underscores Microsoft's longstanding partnership across the agency and brand-marketer communities," states Rick Song, General Manager Eastern US, Microsoft Advertising.

"Yahoo! has long been at the forefront of producing and delivering premium original video content for the Web.  Yahoo! Originals comprise the top 20 out of the 25 most-watched online originals on the Web* in January, and our original video programming alone attracts over 35 million unique visitors monthly," said Mickie Rosen, SVP of Yahoo! Media Network.  "We're proud to be a part of the Digital Content NewFronts, as we believe in its potential to push the boundaries of a growing consumer medium."

The Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) will also actively participate with DCNF, hosting collateral events and forums throughout the two-week period at the IAB Ad Lab. In keeping with the trade group's mission to foster the growth of the interactive advertising marketplace, the IAB will be welcoming companies from across the ecosystem to be involved, establishing DNFC as an inclusive, industry-wide event.

"The time is absolutely right for original digital video content to be offered up in an industry upfront marketplace," said Randall Rothenberg, President and CEO, IAB. "Digital video is growing explosively. Americans are consuming it on multiple screens. The medium is creating stars in comedy, sports, music, and drama - and the enormous investment in quality content will create even more. Advertisers are salivating at the prospect to marry great story-telling to interactive capabilities. It's a perfect time for the digital industry to bring buyers and sellers together to make this market massive."

A member of each Founding Partner is represented on the DCNF Steering Committee including:

• AOL: Janet Balis—SVP, Head of Sales Strategy, Marketing and Partnerships, AOL
• Digitas: Mark Beeching—Chief Global Creative and Strategy Director, Digitas (+ Founder of Digitas NewFront and The Third Act)
• Google/YouTube: Suzie Reider—Global Head of Industry Development, Google/YouTube
• Hulu: Bryan Thoensen— Director of Integrated Marketing, Hulu
• IAB: Seneca Mudd — Director, Digital Video Committee, IAB
• Microsoft Advertising: Rick Song—General Manager, Eastern US, Microsoft Advertising
• Yahoo!: Mickie Rosen—Senior Vice President, Yahoo! Media Network

The DCNF Steering Committee will determine scheduling of additional "NewFront" events and programming. This committee will also set the strategic evolution of DCNF in 2012 and subsequent years.

*Source:  comScore Custom Report

ABOUT AOL

Having helped millions of Americans to get online, AOL Inc. (NYSE: AOL) is on a mission to inform, entertain and connect the world. The home of a world-class collection of premium brands, AOL creates original content that engages audiences on a local and global scale. We help marketers connect with these audiences through effective and engaging digital advertising solutions.

AOL Press Contact

Caroline Campbell | c.campbell@teamaol.com | 917-606-4772 (office) | 404-444-7970 (cell)

ABOUT DIGITAS

Digitas, the top global integrated brand agency, builds active brands for some of the foremost companies in the world. In 2012 Digitas was named OMMA Magazine's Agency of the Year and The Drum's London Integrated Agency of the Year.  The agency also counts Agency of the Year honors from the Festival of Media, BtoB Magazine, and Les Agences de l'Annee, France, and has been named to the Advertising Age Digital A-List among its many awards. Digitas also operates the brand content platform, The Third Act:, producers of first and most well renowned event on digital content, The NewFront; and, Prodigious Worldwide, the world's only standalone, global digital productions company.

With sister agencies Starcom MediaVest Group, ZenithOptimedia, Denuo and Razorfish, Digitas is a member of Publicis Groupe's VivaKi—a global digital knowledge and resource center that leverages the combined scale of the autonomous operations of its members to develop new services, new tools, and new partnerships.

Publicis Groupe [listed on the Euronext Paris Exchange - FR0000130577 - and part of the CAC 40 index] is the world's third largest communications group. With activities spanning 104 countries on five continents, Publicis Groupe offers local and international clients a complete range of advertising services. Web site: www.publicisgroupe.com

www.digitas.com | Twitter: @Digitas | Facebook: Digitas Fan Page | Blog: Digitas Distillery

Digitas and VivaKi Press Contacts

Jill Kelly  jill.kelly@digitas.com | 646-735-7330 (office) | 646-498-8645 (cell)
Cheri Carpenter  cheri.carpenter@vivaki.com | 312-220-6218 (office) | 312-446-9276 (cell)

ABOUT GOOGLE/YOUTUBE

YouTube allows millions of people to discover, watch and share originally-created videos. It provides a forum for people to connect, inform and inspire others across the globe and acts as a distribution platform for original content creators and advertisers large and small. YouTube, LLC is based in San Bruno, CA and is a subsidiary of Google Inc.

Google/YouTube  Press Contact

Annie Baxter | [email protected] |  650-279-1752 (office)

ABOUT HULU

Hulu is an online TV service whose mission is to help people find and enjoy the world's premium content when, where and how they want it. As we pursue this mission, we aspire to create a service that users, advertisers and content owners unabashedly love. Hulu was founded

in 2007 and is operated independently by a dedicated team with offices in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago , Seattle, Tokyo and Beijing. NBCUniversal, News Corporation, The Walt Disney

Company, Providence Equity Partners and the Hulu team share in the ownership of the company. (www.hulu.com)

Hulu Press Contact(s)

Meredith Kendall | meredith@hulu.com  | 310-571-4988 (office)  | 310-739-6867 (cell)

ABOUT MICROSOFT ADVERTISING

Microsoft Advertising provides advertisers and publishers with media, tools and services designed to drive deep and profitable engagement with their audiences.  This includes a global media network of Microsoft properties such as Bing, MSN, Windows Live, Xbox LIVE, and partner properties. The Microsoft Advertiser and Publisher Suites simplify planning and management of campaigns and content, offering a range of services that help advertisers and publishers untangle the complexities of digital media and get more out of their marketing and content investments. Microsoft Advertising makes buying and selling media simple, smart and cost-effective across media and devices spanning 42 markets and 21 languages.  Visit http://advertising.microsoft.com for more information.

Microsoft Advertising Press Contact

Kristen Ogdon  | kog@microsoft.com |  646.225.4561(office)   | 917.846.2816 (cell)

ABOUT YAHOO!

Yahoo! is the premier digital media company, creating deeply personal digital experiences that keep more than half a billion people connected to what matters most to them, across devices and around the globe. And Yahoo!'s unique combination of Science + Art + Scale connects advertisers to the consumers who build their businesses. Yahoo! is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California. For more information, visit the pressroom (pressroom.yahoo.net) or the company's blog, Yodel Anecdotal (yodel.yahoo.com).

Yahoo! is the trademark and/or registered trademark of Yahoo! Inc. All other names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

Yahoo! Press Contact

MaryLiz Ghanem | maryliz@yahoo-inc.com | 646-213-6279 (office/cell)

SOURCE Digitas