Think Pioneers New Advertising Model

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Think TeleVisual Network's (Think) dramatic reinvention of the way that news viewers are engaged also extends to its advertising model.  Think is the first company to present one unified televisual experience across every digital device that viewers use—and the first to enable marketers to reach their total digital audience with one media buy reaching all digital tiers.  Created by communications industry innovators Steven Saslow, Lee Abrams, and Brandon Davis, Think will produce its own media-rich 24/7 news and information programming designed for tablets, and distribute it across all digital platforms, following consumers wherever they are.

"This has never been done before.  Advertisers have had to place individual buys for each tier, as many as four—broadcast, cable, interactive, mobile.  That's not they want," says Saslow.  "Think is going to present news for the iPad generation, targeting people that have come of age in the digital era. Such convergence failed in the past because the technology and bandwidth just weren't there, but that's no longer an issue. Now, advertisers can reach audiences regardless of screen size and place—they don't care what people watch an ad on, as long as they get it enough times to make a difference."

Think's advertising model is based on selling total targeted impressions as a unified medium.  For the first time, a single buy will have reach across all digital platforms, while allowing creative to be changed to address geographic and demographic requirements.

"The technology is ready," says Abrams. "We just need to reimagine how audiences experience news, and how marketers reach them.  By doing that, we will engage advertisers' support from the beginning."

Think is a dramatic reinvention of news/information programming, targeted at the new mainstream of 18-44 America.  Balancing original content developed in-house with a totally new creative style, Think will deliver news and information in a cinematic and sonically rich presentation—updated 24/7 from a wide range of video and audio sources.  Think TeleVisual Network is set to launch in late 2012.

The principals:

Steve Saslow has more than thirty years of experience in the radio and media industries. In 1986, he founded SJS Entertainment Corporation, which produced and sold network radio programming and services and live concert programming and events. Steve sold SJS to SFX Entertainment in 1997, and joined SFX as Executive Vice President to help grow SFX Network Group, which was sold to Clear Channel Communications in 1999.  He also created the first interactive music service, "1-800-MUSICNOW," acquired by MCI Telecommunications in 1995. Before forming SJS, Steve served as Director of Special Programming for NBC; previously, he served as Director of Marketing for Group W Satellite Communications. Most recently, beginning in 2003, Steve was Vice-Chairman and CEO of Verance Corporation, a leader in Watermarking technology for the media and filmed entertainment industries. Steve serves on the Board of Directors of the International Radio and Television Society. 

Lee Abrams is a recognized leader in re-inventing traditional media and marketing.  Most recently, he was The Tribune Company's Chief Innovation Officer, responsible for helping re-invent the company's scores of TV stations, cable channels and newspapers, as well as to help create a new and modern innovation-focused culture. Prior to 2008, Lee was XM's Chief Programming Officer. Lee joined XM as their first employee in June 1998 to create satellite radio, designing the programming and overseeing and training a staff with the mandate to re-invent the sound of radio. Lee has been shaping the American radio industry for over three decades. During the past 40+ years, he has brought unparalleled ratings and economic success to radio stations in over 400 markets, including 97 of the top 100. In 1993, Newsweek listed Lee as one of America's "100 Cultural Elite" for his contributions to creating the modern radio; and Radio Ink listed Lee as one of the 75 most important radio figures of all time. 

Brandon Davis is an attorney with more than 30-years of experience, concentrating in intellectual property, sports and entertainment law, and commercial dispute resolution, while serving as outside counsel to early stage and mature businesses.  He began his legal career at Baker & McKenzie, where he concentrated on transnational commercial matters.  In 1991, he founded his own firm, Davis & Pfahl, LLP, and has represented music companies, technology companies (including start-ups), world champion boxers and entertainment figures, in both commercial matters and litigation. He has lectured on gray market issues and has advanced significant protection against gray market imports.  In addition, he has organized and led litigation teams including the successful defense of a technology company against a patent infringement claim, resulting in a withdrawal of all claims. As legal counsel to corporate leadership, Brandon handled capital raises, strategic partner relationships, executive employment contracts, and management/board relations, among other corporate concerns.

SOURCE Think TeleVisual Network