Cinema Network NCM Makes Upfronts Plan

It seems everyone wants in on the upfronts action. First, Internet giants Yahoo, Google, Hulu, MSN and AOL said last week that they will hold their own event — dubbed Digital Content New Fronts –to promote new shows for advertisers like the broadcast and cable networks do each May in NY. Now in-theater network NCM Media Networks said today that it will hold its first-ever upfront presentation May 16 that will featurea sneak peek at the upcoming Hollywood 2D and 3D film slate and the ways marketers can reach moviegoing audiences.The NCM network is one of Americas top-rated networks on weekends as well as one of the top 15 national networks overall, so it makes perfect sense for us to participate in the TV upfront process, said Cliff Marks, NCM president of sales and marketing. The company saysnearly 700 million moviegoers see NCMs FirstLook pre-show program and walk through its theater lobbies each year, and NCM consistently ranks as one of the top three networks on Fridays and Saturdays in adults 18-34 in primetime. The event “will allow advertisers to get a first look at the upcoming feature film slate and have special access to premium inventory and our unique integrated cinema programs, Marks said.