YouTube will be front and center at the Digital Content NewFronts, which begin in New York on April 29. However, the video sharing leader isn’t waiting to unveil its brand strategy. At events in LA and Chicago, it has previewed the topics it will discuss at the online advertising conference.
Unlike last year, YouTube isn’t focusing on its Original Channels Initiative as the centerpiece of its NewFronts presentation. Instead, it will cover a variety of topics, including the most popular genres on the site. “This year we’re focusing on the types of content that really resonates with our audience, such as comedy, music, and personal expression, and are helping advertisers reach across all this great content to connect with their most valuable audience,” said Jim Lecinski, VP of sales and service at Google. Lecinski, speaking at an event in Chicago, made sure to mention popular channels like SourceFed and Karmin Covers when discussing these prime categories.
Google has also noticed the popularity of live stream events. In the past year, live streams of The Olympics, Presdiential Debates, and Red Bull Stratos all drew massive audiences, and YouTube would like to get in on the fun with more site-sponsored feeds.
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YouTube has also mentioned its skipable True View ad format, but the company continues to be silent on paid, subscription-based channels, which are definitely coming (if the YouTube app’s code is to be believed).
Altogether, it’s not looking like the most exciting NewFronts slate for YouTube, but it could still surprise us with some big news or spice things up with special guests. It’s time for somebody at Google to give Hova a call.
