Venue: Madison Square Garden Theater, home to big Upfront crowds for Turner, The CW and other programmers over the years. A trio of large green screens outside the theater posted greeting copy for individual advertisers, agencies and media buyers while attendees reached for coffee, fruit salad and other breakfast items. One moment Progressive would be recognized, followed by GameStop or Energizer or Horizon Media seconds later. Bottled water and organic mixed fruit drinks from BluePrint were available at stations next to the two main entrances. (After a taste, I stocked up on a few bottles of Lemon Yay, made from lemon cayenne and agave.) A giant green screen presented salutations to attendees inside the theater. There was even a short green stairway to the stage. Grade: 4 Jacks
Presentation: A three-part affair, starting with Hulu CEO Mike Hopkins announcing the launch "at this very moment" of Live TV on Hulu, the combo of Hulu's current content assortment with 50-plus broadcast and cable networks bundled in with a new interface. "The TV of your dreams is here," Hopkins declared. "It is simple and effortless; the interface is cinematic by nature and you get access to the TV you want in the home. We're going to boldly go into TV's next adventure together." That “adventure” -- as explained by Hopkins, Senior Vice President, Head of Content Craig Erwich and Ad Sales Senior Vice President Peter Naylor -- will match high-quality premium content, more of it original and exclusive to Hulu, with innovative premium advertising opportunities. Naylor added that at all times the ad environment will be brand-safe, a condition several NewFront participating ventures are expected to guarantee before the end of next week. Grade: 4.5 Jacks
News: Live TV on Hulu will cost $39.95 per month, with the current on-demand Hulu format still available for $7.99 per month. A parade of new original series begins this summer with I Love You, America, a weekly political comedy/variety half-hour hosted by Sarah Silverman (pictured above). Marvel's Runaways, based on the popular comic book, will be part of the fall schedule, along with superhero/time-travel spoof Future Man from Seth Rogen (who contributed and narrated one hilarious opening sizzle reel about the use of opening sizzle reels), The First (Mars colonization saga from House of Cards creator Beau Willimon) and Hard Sun (end of the world-related crime tale). Jeff Daniels will top the cast of The Looming Tower, a 9/11-themed adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning book, while classic Stephen King tales and characters will be dramatized in semi-anthology Castle Rock, executive produced by King and J.J. Abrams. Both series are targeted for premieres during the first half of 2018. A second season of The Handmaid's Tale, which premiered last week to outstanding reviews, also is set for next year. (Handmaid's stars Elisabeth Moss and Samira Wiley are pictured at top.) Hulu will introduce several new advertising features over the next 12 months, from viewers choosing which message to watch from a specific advertiser during breaks, to ads where viewers can click to information from a local dealer or affiliate of the product or service. Benjamin Moore paints will be one of the first clients to use this approach. Dynamic ad insertion for Live TV on Hulu also will be utilized, and 360-degree commercials where viewers determine the picture's direction by remote, smartphone or tablet, will be introduced in the near future. Grade: 5 Jacks
Hosts: Hopkins, Erwich and Naylor kept the pace and attitude rolling throughout. Grade: 3.5 Jacks (Pictured above, left to right: Erwich, J.J. Abrams, Naylor and Hopkins.)
Star Time: Besides Seth Rogen, Mindy Kaling (pictured below) was on hand with a funny sizzle reel -- stringing together the many times The Mindy Project sneaked in a sponsor reference. "We've supported a lot of integration ... and there's no content on my show [about to begin its final season],” she said. “I just hawk products and wear colorful outfits. You want Mindy to go to the psych ward for Maybelline? Okay!" When Daniels came on to tout The Looming Tower, he acknowledged how new this series was. "They started shooting [here in New York] this morning. This morning!" he bellowed. "I hear it's doing well." On a far less jovial note, Daniels promised Tower "will remind us how important TV can be." Silverman ended matters by reminding all present that "you are better men and women for sitting through this Upfront." Grade: 3.5 Jacks