NewFront News and Views: Studio 71
Way back when, when founded as The Collective, this organization was one of the first to successfully translate internet content to TV. Two examples: Fred the Movie for Nickelodeon and theAnnoying Orange series on Cartoon Network. In time, The Collective became Collective Digital Studios (and did a pair of NewFronts under that name). Now, Studio 71 operates through Red Arrow, a fast-growing worldwide entertainment empire owning ten TV production companies in the U.S. alone.
Venue: The main auditorium of Times Center at 242 W. 41st St. The company’s 71 logo (which looks like an arrow pointing Northeast) served as a podium for speakers center stage. Grade: 3 Jacks
Presentation: Centered on the company’s role as content supplier to YouTube and other platforms, including Roku and Facebook Watch. Big emphasis on brand safety and trustworthy programming. “Our DNA is different from the rest,” noted President Dan Weinstein. Grade: 3.5 Jacks
News: New co-production/distribution partnership with Fine Brothers Entertainment, whose work gets over 300 million online views per month. Initial series include Measure Up (product testing competition),Poker Face (two people determine the truth-teller or fibber in various situations) and Will a Baby? (cute vignettes of babes in action). More unscripted series ahead from Dwayne Johnson’s Seven Bucks Digital Studios, including one on body transformation. Grade: 3 Jacks (Studio 71 Executive Vice President and Head of U.S. Partnerships and Operations Peter Leeb is pictured at top.)
Host: Cool and collected effort by Weinstein and executive colleagues. Grade: 3 Jacks
Star Time: Popular YouTube personalities Grace Helbig and Mamrie Hart came by to highlight their daily variety feature This Might Get,while singer/comedian Joe Kosach satirized the digital ad scene,Adam Sandler “Chanukah” style. Grade: 3 Jacks (Pictured above, left to right: Matt Crowley of Studio 71, Rafi Fine of Fine Brothers Entertainment, Mamrie Hart, Dan Weinstein, Peter Leeb, YouTuber Jon Cozart, Grace Helbig and Mitchell Moffit and Gregory Brown, creators of the YouTube channel AsapScience.)
Cuisine: Several appetizers served post-presentation. Best eats; crunchy maki sushi with carrot center and short rib tostadas. Grade: 3.5 Jacks (Note: Cuisine ratings do not figure in the overall Jacks score.)
Data Insight: Adults 18-49 make up 68 percent of Studio 71’s recurring viewer base, while the gender split is 50-50 male/female. Grade: 3 Jacks
Innovative Opportunity: Product integration and segment sponsorships in a number of upcoming new series, including Let’s Talk About That and a Saturday edition of weekday favorite Good Mythical Morning (which gets 100 million views per month). Grade: 4 Jacks
Overall Grade: 3.5 Jacks Good focus throughout on matching new series with new advertising options.
Our Jacks rating system: 5 Jacks – Excellent, 4 Jacks -- Very Good, 3 Jacks – Good, 2 Jacks – Fair, 1 Jack – Poor, 0 Jacks -- Don’t go there
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Simon Applebaum
Simon Applebaum has covered the TV medium for more than 38 years. Now a regular MediaVillage columnist, he produces and hosts Tomorrow Will Be Televised, a program all about TV, now in its 12th year. Previously, he was a senior editor for various TV-centric …
