The 2015 edition of IAB‘s Digital Content Newfronts is still months away, but we already know at least one newcomer who will be joining in on the action. According to Adweek, Facebook will present to digital media advertisers at the event, signaling a potential move into original content.
As Adweek explains, companies that present at Newfronts usually share their upcoming content slate in order to find advertisers among the present marketing executives and agency reps. Last year, all 22 companies that took part in the Newfronts presented at least one original program to attendees.
If Facebook follows suit, it would signal a bold move into original content from a company that already looks primed to steal some of YouTube’s audience. For the past year, we’ve known about Facebook’s plan to use its large user base, deep pockets, and massive treasure trove of data to become a player in original video, and the site also seems to be in talks with several prominent online video networks. Most recently, we learned how Facebook is thriving by driving shares in spite of its videos inferior view counts (compared to YouTube).
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Despite all of that growth, Facebook still hasn’t discussed plans for original content, but if it has some shows in the works, the 2015 Newfronts would be the perfect place to share them. We’ll be able to confirm Facebook’s participation when IAB debuts the official Newfronts schedule; for the 2014 event, that step occurred in February.
Adweek reached out to Facebook, but the social media giant declined to comment.
