NewFronts 2015 Schedule Unveiled

Founding Partners—AOL, DigitasLBi, Google/YouTube, Hulu, Microsoft and Yahoo—To Be Joined by Other Media Powerhouses & Digital Innovators on the Lineup

NEW YORK, NY(21 Nov 2014)

The Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB), today released the preliminary schedule for the fourth annual Digital Content NewFronts marketplace, held in New York City, April 27-May 6, 2015, spotlighting the best in upcoming digital video programming for marketers and media buyers trying to reach engaged audiences. The eight-day lineup will consist of a series of presentations from prominent media brands, showcasing innovative content from some of the biggest names across the entertainment landscape. The IAB will once again be serving as managing partner of the NewFronts, responsible for event logistics and communications for the third year in a row.

Fueled by escalating consumer adoption—streamed videos were up 43 percent in 2013 and 15 percent more consumers said they watched original digital video—digital video advertising is one of the fastest-growing advertising mediums in the United States. Marketers responded by increasing their spending to $2.8 billion on it last year, up 19 percent from 2012.

The NewFronts’ six co-founding companies—AOL, DigitasLBi, Google/YouTube, Hulu, Microsoft and Yahoo—will be joined by BuzzFeed, Condé Nast Entertainment, Crackle at Sony Pictures Television, Discovery Digital Networks, the Dow Jones Company/Wall Street Journal, Fullscreen, HealthiNation, Machinima, Maker Studios, Mode Media, National Geographic, The New York Times, POPSUGAR, Refinery29, Time Inc., Time Warner Cable, Vevo, and VICE. Each partner will produce and manage its own independent, invitation-only event. IAB itself will introduce digital video research from a range of industry leaders during a luncheon at the conclusion of the marketplace.

Week #1	Monday 4/27	Tuesday 4/28	Wednesday 4/29	Thursday 4/30	Friday 5/1
Breakfast: 9:00–11:00AM	The New York Times	Maker Studios	Hulu	Time Inc.	Wall Street Journal
Lunch: 12:00–2:00PM	BuzzFeed	Mode Media	Sony Crackle		Time Warner Cable
Afternoon: 3:00–5:00PM	Microsoft	Condé Nast Entertainment	Refinery29	2:00-5:30PM DigitasLBi	VICE
Evening: 6:00–8:00PM	Yahoo	AOL	Google/ YouTube	POPSUGAR Vevo
WEEK #2	Monday  5/4	Tuesday  5/5	Wednesday 5/6
Breakfast: 9:00–11:00AM		Discovery Digital Networks
Lunch: 12:00–2:00PM	Fullscreen		IAB NewFronts Research Lunch
Afternoon: 3:00–5:00PM	Machinima	National Geographic
Evening: 6:00–8:00PM		HealthiNation

“Last year’s NewFronts provided a defining moment for original digital video programming, as marketers, media buyers and the press were wowed by knockout presentations that not only turned heads, but moved dollars,” said Anna Bager, Senior Vice President, Mobile and Video, IAB, and head of the new IAB Digital Video Center of Excellence. “With this incredibly strong lineup for the 2015 NewFronts, we can anticipate even greater excitement from marketers and media agencies surrounding this rapidly growing medium. Consumers are captivated by original digital video, whether watching it on a computer, tablet, smartphone or internet-connected TV, and with this annual marketplace fueling buy-side interest and demand, the sky could be the limit for this new form of programming.”

Additional digital video creators are expected to join the agenda in the weeks ahead. For further information and regular NewFronts updates, visit iab.net/events_training/2015/newfronts.

About the Digital Content NewFronts
The Digital Content NewFronts is an annual series of events founded by AOL, DigitasLBi, Google/YouTube, Hulu, Microsoft and Yahoo in 2012. It is committed to the creation of valuable partnerships between brands and native digital content. Our mission is to shape the NewFronts into a new and practical marketplace for connecting the wealth of digital content and content creators to brands and their media and marketing agencies.

About the IAB
The Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) empowers the media and marketing industries to thrive in the digital economy. It is comprised of more than 650 leading media and technology companies that are responsible for selling, delivering, and optimizing digital advertising or marketing campaigns. Together, they account for 86 percent of online advertising in the United States. Working with its member companies, the IAB evaluates and recommends standards and practices and fields critical research on interactive advertising. The organization is committed to professional development, elevating the knowledge, skills, and expertise of individuals across the digital marketing industry. The IAB also educates marketers, agencies, media companies and the wider business community about the value of interactive advertising. Founded in 1996, the IAB is headquartered in New York City.