Warner Bros. Discovery showcased an impressive array of advertising solutions, including cross-company precision-driven branding opportunities, and content slate at its annual Upfront event in New York.
The Upfront presentation, made on May 15 to advertisers and other industry stakeholders, spotlighted WBD’s extensive selection of advertising offerings across premium entertainment, theatrical, sports, news and lifestyle brands on streaming, digital and linear platforms.
According to a statement put out by the media company, WBD leadership shared its innovative partner opportunities for the evolving media landscape, including advanced advertising and measurement solutions, new ad formats, data-driven linear and efficiencies across the portfolio that allow for optimized reach for brands.
Touting the theme “Make It Happen Here”, the presentation emphasized WBD’s unique position to advertisers, with best-in-class IP and effective marketing solutions that drive value for partners.
Additionally, Warner Bros. Discovery introduced “One WBD”, a system that extends point of contact throughout the organization including streaming, theatrical and US networks, as well as licensing and franchise teams, to deliver end-to-end partnerships for clients throughout the marketing cycle.
Company executives, including Bruce Campbell, Chief Revenue and Strategy Officer; Casey Bloys, Chairman and CEO, HBO and Max Content; Jon Steinlauf, Chief US Advertising Sales Officer; Sheereen Russell, EVP, Client Partnerships and Inclusion Solutions; Dana Nussbaum, EVP, Worldwide Marketing, Warner Bros. Pictures; Kathleen Finch, Chairman and CEO, US Networks; Mark Thompson, Chairman and CEO, CNN Worldwide; and Luis Silberwasser, Chairman and CEO, TNT Sports, presented the organization’s unrivalled content, franchises and products to advertising partners, the investor community and media.
In addition to the presentations, attendees were delighted by stars from the Warner Bros. Discovery family, including Mindy Kaling, Hannah Einbinder, Paul W. Downs, Sarah Jessica Parker, John Cena, Bobby Flay, Anderson Cooper, Erin Burnett, Omar Jimenez, Jake Tapper, Christiane Amanpour, Kate Bolduan, Audie Cornish, Taylor Rooks, Wayne Gretzky, Charles Barkley, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Micah Parsons, Conan O’Brien and Shaquille O’Neal, as well as a custom video from Rick and Morty.
“Warner Bros. Discovery is second to none in the marketplace when it comes to our iconic content offerings and IP, with the unique ability to move culture and influence consumer behaviour around travel, shopping, dining and more of life’s important moments,” said Steinlauf.
“Coupled with our innovative ad products and creative solutions across our diverse platforms, we’re able to provide targeted reach and scale that delivers maximum impact for our partners with measurable results,” he added.
Warner Bros. Discovery leadership shared key insights that included the following:
- Max ranked #1 in quality, value and variety as well as overall satisfaction among consumers. The Max ad-supported tier averages less than four minutes of ads per hour.
- The Max ad-supported tier subscriber base doubled in the past two years.
- Warner Bros. Discovery dominates the 71 million home pay TV landscape where net worth is 67 percent higher than in homes without pay TV.
- Warner Bros. Discovery is home to the Top 5 Networks in primetime cable in Q1 2024: TBS, Food Network, TLC, Adult Swim and HGTV.
- Warner Bros. Discovery has delivered more than a 40 share in primetime among adults 18-49 on 32 nights in 2024.
- Warner Bros. Discovery content is seen by 85 percent of all adults in the US on a monthly basis.
- CNN Digital reaches over 100 million Americans every month.
- TNT Sports reaches more than 150 million fans across linear and digital platforms.
Announcements regarding new and enhanced advertising offerings include:
WBD made several exciting programming announcements, including: