Latest from Next TV in Turner-broadcasting-system

Turner Focuses Research on Younger Viewers

jon.lafayette@futurenet.com (Jon Lafayette) — Thu, 14 Jan 2016 14:45:00 +0000

Younger consumers of media, specifically Millennials and their successors, dubbed "Plurals," were the focus of a conference Turner Broadcasting System hosted Wednesday (Jan. 13).

Turner owns cable networks Adults Swim, which is dominant among millennial viewers, and Cartoon Network, which last year grew its ratings with kids.

Younger viewers are at the forefront of changing media habits as consumers choose from a widening array of content whenever they want on an array of digital devices. That’s making monetizing content through advertising more and more challenging.

Turner called its conference “Deep Shift: Dealing With Disruption & the Young Media Consumer” and featured speakers in research, advertising and programming, as well as members of the generations under discussion, who provided first-hand insights into how they make their media choices.

“Our goal is to become a trusted advisor to our partners and share what we learn about the marketplace,” said Howard Shimmel, COO of Turner, which is aggressively trying to become a thought leader when it comes to young consumers and advertising effectiveness as it completes with Disney and Viacom’s Nickelodeon.

Turner on Tuesday (Jan. 12) also announced plans to start an Ad Lab that will work with research companies, ad tech companies and media buyers to study issues including advertising loads and branded content.

Cox Media Group Names SVP/Senior HR Officer

Jonathan Kuperberg, Broadcasting & Cable — Mon, 02 Nov 2015 17:45:00 +0000

Cox Media Group, corporate sibling to Cox Communications, has tapped Karen Bennett as senior VP and chief HR officer, effective Nov. 9.

Bennett, who held the same roles at digital media company YP (formerly AT&T Ad Solutions), has 25 years of human resources experience at Fortune 500 companies.

“She will take us to the next level,” Bill Hoffman, CMG president, said of Bennett. “She has the background, style, and competitive juice to be a perfect fit on our executive team.”

Before joining YP in 2013, Bennett spent nearly 14 years as senior VP of human resources for Turner Broadcasting System.

“As an Atlanta native, I have always admired the Cox family of brands and the culture fostered with its employees,” Bennett said. “I look forward to helping the company win with its people in this changing media landscape."

Turner Buys Video Streaming Company iStream Planet

jon.lafayette@futurenet.com (Jon Lafayette) — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 14:15:00 +0000

Turner Broadcasting System has acquired a majority stake in live video streaming company iStream Planet.

Traditional media companies are showing more interest in the digital companies that are gaining viewers and are increasingly creating their own over-the-top direct to consumer video products.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

Turner, part of Time Warner, says it will use iStreamPlanet’s technology to deliver OTT programming. With iStreamPlanet, Turner will also move its infrastructure to the cloud, allowing it to develop new products and services.

“We’ve worked with iStreamPlanet in the past during the PGA Championship and they have also delivered world-class events such as the Super Bowl and Olympics to millions of viewers,” Turner CEO John Martin said in a statement. “There is no one better in the business. This partnership will expand our capabilities to offer live events within and outside of the traditional ecosystem and, by bringing iStreamPlanet’s innovative technology in-house, allow us to cultivate future business opportunities on digital platforms.”