Tag: Mike Rich

  • Warner Bros Discovery International launches WBD AIM

    Warner Bros Discovery International launches WBD AIM

    Mumbai: Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) International has launched WBD AIM (audience insights and measurement), a first-party data platform that enables advertisers to target their campaigns with new levels of precision, across several markets throughout EMEA, APAC and LatAm spanning its most engaged assets including CNN, Max, discovery+ and Eurosport.

    WBD AIM will broaden WBD’s audience targeting capabilities with access to the vast library of its first-party datasets from across the WBD portfolio and touchpoints, ranging from registration and behaviour to intent and purchase.  

    This offering also allows advertisers to place contextual ad placements with relevance, leading to an optimisation of campaigns and ROI for advertisers; key when audiences are overloaded with information and their attention is selective.

    According to industry reports, enhanced targeting and contextual capabilities backed by deeper audience insights would improve CTV with 86 per cent of consumers saying that personalised experience increases their brand loyalty.

    Via WBD AIM, advertisers will be able to access a series of actionable audience segments and campaign insights built from key events or moments based on datasets spanning; WBD’s streaming service discovery+, CNN, Food Network UK, and across WBD sport entities on Max and discovery+ throughout EMEA, in a summer which has just witnessed the first Olympic Games in Europe for 12 years.  

    WBD AIM will expand across the company’s much-loved brands and franchises to bring datasets from gaming, theatrical, consumer products and experiences into a single addressable solution alongside premium sport and entertainment.  

    The AIM technology, originally built and launched by CNN International Commercial in 2015, has been optimised for CNN’s global clients over the last nine years and is a proven success for advertising partners ahead of this wider rollout across WBD. WBD AIM now launches internationally, and in the UK & Ireland brands including Adidas, British Airways and Lavazza are already utilising the platform to better tailor their campaigns this summer.

    WBD’s continued focus is to partner with leading technology providers to develop products and services that will enhance measurement capabilities, brand lift, incremental reach and new data sources from the WBD portfolio, all of which will be housed under WBD AIM and bought to market.

    Warner Bros. Discovery Global & UK&I, head of ad sales & brand partnerships, Mike Rich said, “As media consumption undergoes a profound transformation, traditional targeting strategies are evolving. This fundamental shift underscores the importance for media owners to harness the power of first-party data and audiences.  

    “WBD AIM allows us to navigate these complexities and tailor content and marketing efforts with precision across multiple touchpoints, as has been seen through CNN International’s use of the AIM technologies to date. With Warner Bros. Discovery’s vast portfolio of brands, franchises and touchpoints, with everything from streaming to shopping, Wheeler Dealers to the Wizarding World and 90 Day Fiancé to the Olympic Games Paris 2024, we have a unique ability to gain deep understanding of audiences across the most diversified portfolio in the industry and bring this to brands and advertisers, whilst ensuring the best possible ad experience for our consumers.”

    CNN International Commercial SVP, digital revenue, strategy and operations Rob Bradley said, “AIM is a solution originally designed, developed and grown at CNN with demonstrated success over the last nine years. The launch of WBD AIM marks the next generation of a continually evolving platform that is now expanded across much of the WBD universe with added local expertise. It enables brands to access the unique data touch points we have across our unsurpassed portfolio. Through an enterprise-level global data infrastructure, it can power impactful targeting to match client objectives and KPIs locally, regionally, and globally with in-depth reporting that reveals powerful insights to drive real business decisions.”

  • Soudah Development & Warner Bros Discovery International sign partnership to promote Soudah Peaks’ rich heritage

    Soudah Development & Warner Bros Discovery International sign partnership to promote Soudah Peaks’ rich heritage

    Mumbai: Soudah Development and Warner Bros. Discovery International signed a one-year partnership agreement to promote and celebrate the distinctive nature, culture, and heritage of Soudah and parts of Rijal Almaa, a region situated in southwest Saudi Arabia. This collaboration will focus on raising awareness of Soudah Peaks – an upcoming luxury mountain tourism destination set 3,015 meters above sea level, on the highest peak in Saudi Arabia – and showcase its unparalleled beauty and diversity to a global audience.

    The partnership agreement entails the production of three short-form documentaries that will highlight Soudah’s natural landscapes, cultural heritage, ancestral traditions, architectural aesthetics, local community and its wide range of unparalleled offerings including historical sites and monuments.

    These short forms will be airing this summer across Europe, US, Middle East, Africa, and India on WBD’s TV channels Discovery Channel, Travel Channel and Eurosport 1 and 2. Additionally, the short forms will air on digital across Discovery Youtube channel, on VOX MEDIA’s social networks and Discovery Channel Weibo in China.

    Soudah Development CEO Eng Saleh Aloraini commented on the partnership: “We are delighted to join forces with Warner Bros. Discovery to unveil the exceptional beauty and cultural significance of the Soudah region, along with the Saudi Arabia, on a global scale. This collaboration marks a pivotal step in our endeavor to position Soudah as a unique luxury mountain tourism destination, and we are confident that it will captivate travelers from around the world.”

    The Soudah region is home to a variety of fauna and flora, varied topography, and unique agricultural practices such as beekeeping, all of which will be highlighted in the content produced.

    Warner Bros Discovery, sports & lifestyle international brand partnerships head Mike Rich said: “Partnering with Soudah Development presents an exciting opportunity for us to showcase the unique appeal of the Soudah region through our influential media platforms. We are thrilled to bring captivating stories of Soudah’s natural wonders and cultural heritage to our viewers. We eagerly anticipate a successful collaboration ahead.”

  • Fox Asia appoints Mike Rich as EVP, Dawes departs

    MUMBAI: Fox Networks Group (FNG) Asia has named media the industry veteran Mike Rich as the executive vice president, advertising sales & content partnerships for Asia Pacific and the Middle East. The company also announced that Simeon Dawes, who has been keen to focus full-time on his other business interest, will leave the group by the end of April.

    In this enhanced role, Rich will lead teams across the region to identify new revenue streams for FNG Asia and its content partners, and to further strengthen FNG’s position as a leader in advertising innovation. He will report to Fox Network Groups Asia president Zubin Gandevia.

    Rich has more than 25 years of media and marketing experience in agency and client roles, and he brings to FNG Asia a keen understanding of the content and media industry across the US, Europe and Asia. He most recently served as Global President of Publicis Media’s Content Ventures division. Prior to that, he was CEO of GroupM Asia’s content business. Rich has also consulted for a multitude of major rights owners.

    Rich’s appointment follows the earlier hiring of Italo Zanzi as executive vice-president and managing director for Fox Sports as the group has been working to strengthen its sports, advertising sales and content creation teams across the region.

    Gandevia said, “With an incredible portfolio of channel brands and the world’s greatest television programming, Fox has a unique opportunity to leverage its assets to expand and develop existing and new revenue streams in Asia. Simeon has been a key figure in building the Fox business in Asia and I want to thank him for everything he has done for us and wish him all the best. At the same time we are delighted that Mike is joining us to contribute his wealth of experience with brands, agencies and content to help us continue delivering innovative solutions and ignite our full commercial potential.”

    Rich said, “The quality of global TV has never been better, and Fox is perfectly positioned to drive greater outcomes for consumers and commercial partners alike. Fox and I have ambitious plans in the content creation and digital distribution arenas, and I could not be happier to join such a forward-thinking global media business.”

    Dawes added, “The time is right for me to focus on my other business interest as I’m able to leave Fox knowing that with Mike and Italo the right people are in place. For the past seven years I have also had an interest in building a health and nutrition distribution business and now I can turn my full attention to leading and growing that, something I’ve been keen to do for some time.”