BRANDED ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
Arianna Huffington to Leave the Huffington Post
Huffington revealed her intentions on Twitter today, saying: “I thought HuffPost would be my last act. But I’ve decided to step down as HuffPost’s editor-in-chief to run my new venture, Thrive Global.” Thrive Global is described as “corporate and consumer well-being and productivity platform.” (CL)
Nokia Gives ‘Pete’s Dragon’ the VR Treatment
As part of its multi-year partnership with The Walt Disney Studios, Nokia has helped create yet another virtual reality experience for a new theatrical release from the studio. Nokia previously created 360-degree VR experiences for The Jungle Book and Alice Through The Looking Glass. (BC)
Snapchat’s Seven Brand Partners for the Summer Olympics
The company will run ads in its Olympics content via dedicated Live Story and Discover channels: Sony Pictures, Walmart, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Hershey’s, Dunkin’ Donuts, Finish Line and Ford. Other advertisers will be in play on Snapchat during the games, though they will not be official partners. (AW)
TOP DEALS
Comedy Central & Lexus’ L/Studio Partner to Launch ‘Junketeers’ Original Multiplatform Series
Created and produced by Josh Horowitz and Ben Lyons, in partnership with Jason Berger and Amy Laslett at Kids at Play Media, the eight episode multi-platform workplace comedy series set in the behind-the-scenes world of celebrity news correspondents stars Brian Unger, Barak Hardley, Austin Lyon, Phil Augusta Jackson and Amanda Lund, and will feature a host of celebrity cameos. (TFC)
NBCU Bringing ‘SNL,’ ‘The Voice’ and ‘Tonight Show’ to Snapchat
Snapchat has been on a signing spree since spring to bring original video programming to the app, which is its way of competing with rivals Facebook and Twitter for digital rights. Company announced an expanded partnership with the National Football League last week. (AA)
John Leguizamo’s Branded Content Studio Specializes in the Hispanic Market NGL Creates Digital Videos for Ford, P&G
In response to the recent explosion in branded content firms, the actor and his partner, media veteran David Chitel, in 2013 launched their own company, New Generation Latino Media (NGL). With the mission of helping brands target the Hispanic market through digital video, the New York-based shop works with clients to create and distribute sponsored content across Latino-oriented websites using proprietary technology that serves video in ads. (AW)
Studio71 Signs Seven to Influencer Network Including Alx James, TechSmartt & Tina Yong
The multi-platform production company has added more than half a dozen influencers to its network, including YouTube musicians Kina Grannis and Tiffany Alvord and and YouTube sketch, parody and beauty channel Miles Gia Productions, along with Vine star James (8.1M followers), beauty and lifestyle YouTuber Yong, and the tech review channel. (TVI)
Snapchat Case Study: How Samsung Partnered With Snapchat Star Cyreneq
The company now reaches almost half of all U.S. millennials (18- to 34-year-olds) on any given day, making the disappearing content app both a cultural phenomenon and an excellent way for marketers and brands to increase visibility among young audiences who spend more time on social media platforms than they do on almost any other daily activity. (MK)
HOT PROJECTS
Home Again
Reese Witherspoon stars in this comedy to be produced by The Intern director Nancy Meyers. Story follows a recently separated mother of two whose new life in Los Angeles is overturned when she decides to take in three young, charismatic guys. (SE)
Humboldt
Sony Pictures Television and Anonymous Content (Mr. Robot) are developing this family crime drama that will star John Malkovich (Crossbones). Michael Alan Lerner (Love & Mercy) wrote the pilot and will executive produce alongside Malkovich, Elliot Webb (Alpha House), Alissa Phillips (Mob City), Alex Goldstone (Adult World), Adam Shulman (The Loft), and Carl Franklin (The Leftovers) who will also direct the pilot. (SE)