On April 1, 2010 NYTimes.com will run a home page takeover for the premiere of A&E's new original docu-series "Fugitive Chronicles"that will be their most comprehensive effort to date. The fully integrated video unit, created by The Visionaire Group (TVG) and secured by Horizon Media, Inc., showcases a fugitive, in hot pursuit by the police, who jumps across the page touching every ad unit, including crossing over the prized search bar real estate, to announce the series' premiere that evening at 10PM ET/PT. Although NYTimes.com has had cooperative video ads on its homepage before, this marks the first time video has been integrated across all of its ad units and the search bar.
Through its partnership with TVG and Horizon Media, A&E sought an innovative way to introduce their new series that tied in perfectly with the network's branding of "Real Life. Drama." Lori Peterzell, VP, Consumer Marketing for A&E Network, says, "We want to create ads that break through the clutter and capture our viewers' attention. This innovative takeover gives viewers a real sense of what they will experience watching it on A&E."
"Fugitive Chronicles" is A&E's original docu-drama series that cinematically brings to life the most compelling fugitive captures in recent history. Through gritty reconstructions, archival footage, fugitive narrative recreated from real testimony and exclusive taped interviews with law enforcement officials, each one-hour episode dramatically brings each infamous manhunt to life.
The home page takeover, executed by LA digital shop TVG, involved an intricate three-tier production process of shooting ad-specific green screen elements, character compositing and Flash animation/integration. The shoot required precise planning to ensure that the footage would work within the parameters of the multiple ad units. Dimitry Ioffe, CEO and co-founder of TVG, says, "We feel this is the absolute best way to utilize video in the digital ad space and believe this type of creative execution is the future of not only web advertising, but print ads on tablets like the iPad."
Horizon Media's Katy Ferguson, senior vice president and managing director for A&E Television Networks, concludes, "We're always looking for first to market media executions that are truly creative and strategically showcase A&E's compelling programming. This video integration was an innovative and bold way to introduce their new original series to a broad and qualified audience."
About TVG
The Visionaire Group is a digital shop residing on the cutting edge of creative digital solutions. Capitalizing on the shared knowledge and expertise from their two distinct teams, Digital Development and Digital Advertising, TVG lets creativity lead them and their clients down a path of innovation to discover engaging and impactful marketing experiences. From the desktop to the handheld, TVG consistently discovers interactive digital solutions that engage your target audience. For more information, please visit www.tvgla.com.
About A&E
A&E is "Real Life. Drama." Now reaching more than 99 million homes, A&E is television that you can't turn away from; where unscripted shows are dramatic and scripted dramas are authentic. A&E offers a diverse mix of high quality entertainment ranging from the network's original scripted series to signature non-fiction franchises, including the Emmy-winning "Intervention," "Dog The Bounty Hunter," "Hoarders," "Paranormal State" and "Criss Angel Mindfreak," and the most successful justice shows on cable, including "The First 48" and "Manhunters." The A&E website is located at www.aetv.com. For more press information and photography please visit us on the web at www.aetvpress.com.
About Horizon Media
Founded in 1989, Horizon Media, Inc. is the largest U.S. independent media services company. Horizon's core mission, "to create the most meaningful brand connections within the lives of people everywhere," is focused on helping clients sell products and build brands through insightful marketing counsel, and delivered through effective negotiation and placement, Horizon's holistic approach to brand marketing and development has resulted in estimated billings of $2 billion and established the company as the fastest growing agency in the industry. Headquartered in New York City with a full service office in Los Angeles, Horizon also has offices in San Diego, and Amsterdam, Netherlands. Horizon is also a founding member of Columbus Media International, a multi-national partnership of independent media agencies. For more information, please visit the company's website at www.horizonmedia.com.
Contacts:
The Visionaire Group
Brian Pettigrew, 310-823-1800 x43
Brian@thevisionairegroup.com
or
Horizon
Media
Cindy Riccio, 212-309-7906
CRiccio@horizonmedia.com
or
A&E
Network
Dan Silberman, 212-210-9114
dan.silberman@aetn.com
