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Cineverse Appoints Tim Russell as SVP of Direct Advertising Sales and Promotes Terry City to EVP

Cineverse Appoints Tim Russell as SVP of Direct Advertising Sales and Promotes Terry City to EVP

advertising 1 Apr 2025

 

Cineverse, a next-generation entertainment studio, has announced key additions to its leadership team as part of its continued efforts to strengthen its advertising sales division. Tim Russell has been appointed Senior Vice President of Direct Advertising Sales, effective immediately, while Terry City has been promoted to Executive Vice President of Direct Advertising Sales. These moves come as Cineverse seeks to accelerate ad sales growth and leverage its 360-degree portfolio of media solutions and offerings for brands.

Tim Russell’s Appointment: A Strategic Move for Cineverse’s Ad Sales Growth

Russell’s Experience and Expertise

Tim Russell brings 30 years of experience to Cineverse, having led high-performing sales teams across various industries. Most recently, he served as Chief Revenue Officer at Sabio Holdings, an ad-tech company, where he played a key role in pivoting the company’s focus to CTV streaming sales and achieving record revenue. His work with Fortune 500 brands and their agencies helped drive significant growth for the company. Prior to Sabio, Russell held senior executive roles at Turner Broadcasting, Comcast, and Tribune, among others, showcasing his versatility and proven ability to lead and scale ad sales operations.

Role at Cineverse

In his new role at Cineverse, Russell will report to Terry City, overseeing the company's direct advertising sales strategy across its expansive media portfolio. His vast industry experience in ad-tech and streaming media will be instrumental in expanding Cineverse’s presence in the digital and CTV advertising space, helping to maximize revenue and forge strategic partnerships with key advertisers.

Terry City’s Promotion: Recognizing Industry Leadership

City’s Proven Leadership

Terry City has been a key figure in Cineverse’s growth, and his promotion to Executive Vice President reflects his continued leadership in driving ad sales success. With over 20 years of experience in sales and partnerships, City has held executive roles at prominent companies including Variety, Yahoo Entertainment, BuzzFeed, Tastemade, and Tumblr. Additionally, City co-founded Steel Titan Entertainment, the production company behind the Emmy Award-winning ESPN: 30 for 30 film Playing for the Mob. His track record in both traditional media and digital platforms, along with his work as a mentor to emerging professionals, positions him to lead Cineverse into its next phase of growth.

Expansion of the Sales Team

Under City’s leadership, Cineverse saw its biggest direct sold ad revenue period to date in the third quarter of fiscal year 2025. With the growth of its Cineverse 360 ad platform, which includes both direct and programmatic sales, the company has experienced a 207% increase in revenue compared to the same period last year, generating $40.7 million in total revenue. The recent additions of Russell, as well as new directors for the Cineverse Podcast Network sales team, highlight the company’s commitment to expanding its ad sales footprint.

Cineverse 360: Fueling Revenue Growth

Success of the Cineverse 360 Ad Platform

The introduction of the Cineverse 360 ad platform has been a game-changer for the company. The platform, which offers a comprehensive range of advertising solutions across digital, CTV, and podcasting, has been a key driver behind Cineverse’s strong revenue performance. As the company continues to refine and expand this platform, the addition of senior leaders like Russell and City will ensure that Cineverse remains at the forefront of advertising innovation.

Podcast Network and New Hires

In addition to its traditional advertising offerings, Cineverse is also investing heavily in the growth of its Cineverse Podcast Network, which is now one of the top 10 podcast networks globally. With more than 35 audio series and over 75 million downloads, the network’s potential for advertising growth is significant. New hires like Laura Schumer and Ben Cabonargi, who are leading the Podcast Sales team, will further strengthen the company’s position in the growing podcast advertising space.

Cineverse’s strategic appointments of Tim Russell and the promotion of Terry City underline the company’s commitment to accelerating its advertising sales growth and solidifying its position as a leader in the media and entertainment industry. With an expanding ad tech portfolio, including the success of Cineverse 360, and a strengthened leadership team, Cineverse is well-positioned to capitalize on emerging opportunities and continue its growth trajectory in the coming years.

 

Direct Digital Holdings Unveils Guide on Using Generative AI for Higher Education Enrollment Marketing

Direct Digital Holdings Unveils Guide on Using Generative AI for Higher Education Enrollment Marketing

artificial intelligence 1 Apr 2025

As higher education institutions grapple with declining enrollment numbers and increasing competition, Generative AI has emerged as a powerful tool to help improve marketing efforts and student engagement. To assist institutions in navigating this evolving landscape, Direct Digital Holdings (DDH) and its AI Council have released a comprehensive guide titled "Practical Generative AI: Use Cases & Tools for Higher Education Enrollment." This guide outlines how AI-powered solutions can optimize enrollment marketing strategies, improve personalization, and drive better performance.

Insights from the Guide

1. Smarter Campaign Performance Analysis & Reporting

AI-powered tools like Google Analytics 4 (GA4), Microsoft Copilot, and HubSpot are essential for higher education marketers. These platforms help analyze vast amounts of marketing data, optimize budget allocation, and uncover insights that refine strategy. With AI, marketers can not only streamline reporting processes but also make data-driven decisions to improve campaign effectiveness.

2. Hyper-Personalized Content for Enrollment Marketing

Personalization plays a key role in student recruitment. AI-driven content generators such as ChatGPT, Jasper.ai, and DeepL enable marketers to craft tailored messaging that resonates with prospective students. By understanding the unique needs and preferences of different student demographics, these tools allow for the creation of highly targeted marketing content that increases engagement.

3. AI-Powered Lead Nurturing

AI tools like advanced chatbots and predictive analytics are revolutionizing lead nurturing. These technologies help engage prospective students, answer their questions in real-time, and guide them through the enrollment process. By automating communication, universities can maintain constant engagement and support for potential applicants, increasing conversion rates.

4. Efficient Recruitment Event Promotion

Promoting recruitment events has become more streamlined with AI-powered solutions such as Eventbrite AI and Canva. These platforms help create compelling promotional materials, automate event planning, and enhance attendee engagement. AI-driven solutions simplify event marketing, ensuring that recruitment events are well-promoted and attended.

5. Seamless Content Consistency Across Channels

Maintaining brand consistency across all communications is crucial for higher education institutions. AI tools like Grammarly Business and Notion AI ensure that all university messaging aligns with the brand’s voice, whether it’s through email campaigns, social media posts, or website content. These tools support content quality and coherence, enhancing the institution's overall communication strategy.

6. Data-Driven Post-Course Feedback & Insights

AI technologies such as Qualtrics XM and Tableau allow institutions to analyze student feedback after courses or programs, providing valuable insights to improve the curriculum and enhance student engagement. By leveraging AI-driven data analysis, universities can continually refine their educational offerings and address student needs more effectively.

The Role of DDH's AI Council

The AI Council at Direct Digital Holdings was established to help organizations understand and adopt generative AI technologies. As Anu Pillai, Chief Technology Officer at DDH, explains, "Generative AI isn’t just about automation—it's about amplifying human potential." This guide equips higher education marketers with actionable strategies for improving recruitment, engagement, and student success using AI technologies. The tools and tactics presented in the guide are designed to help institutions integrate AI effectively and ethically into their marketing operations.

As the higher education sector faces increasing challenges, Generative AI offers a solution that can drive efficiency, personalization, and improved campaign performance in enrollment marketing. The guide by Direct Digital Holdings' AI Council serves as a valuable resource for universities looking to integrate AI tools into their marketing efforts, offering a clear roadmap for leveraging AI to enhance student recruitment and engagement.

Appier Unveils Behavioral Insights into Merge Game Players to Boost U.S. Mobile Game Monetization

Appier Unveils Behavioral Insights into Merge Game Players to Boost U.S. Mobile Game Monetization

marketing 1 Apr 2025

Mobile gaming is a dominant force in entertainment, with 190.6 million Americans (61% of the population) actively playing video games. As mobile gaming continues to expand, understanding in-app purchase (IAP) behaviors is crucial for game developers and marketers. In response to this, Appier, a global leader in AI-powered marketing solutions, has released a new report, "Behavioral Insights into Merge Game Players: Analyzing IAP Patterns to Optimize Engagement and Revenue." This report offers valuable insights into player behavior that can revolutionize marketing strategies for merge games, a popular casual genre, helping marketers drive targeted user acquisition and increase revenue.

Behavioral Insights from Appier’s Report

1. IAP vs. Non-IAP User Behavior

One of the most significant findings in the report is the stark difference in behavior between IAP and non-IAP users. IAP users exhibit more frequent game interactions and have distinct cross-app habits. Non-IAP users, on the other hand, show varying engagement patterns throughout the week. Recognizing these differences allows for more tailored marketing strategies—marketers can create specific campaigns aimed at high-value IAP users, differentiating them from other players to maximize engagement and conversions.

2. Cross-App Engagement

Merge game enthusiasts are not limited to gaming apps. According to Appier’s findings, IAP users often engage with apps from other categories such as News, Music, and Weather. This presents a unique opportunity for game marketers to expand their reach beyond traditional gaming apps. By strategically placing ads or running cross-promotions on these high-engagement platforms, marketers can increase the visibility of their games and attract more players.

3. Weekly & Hourly Usage Patterns

Appier’s data highlights specific daily and weekly patterns among merge game players. Mornings (during commutes) and evenings (prime gaming time) are identified as peak activity periods. Marketers can time their campaigns to coincide with these key moments—such as running ad bursts or sending push notifications during morning rush hours and evening leisure periods—to enhance the return on investment (ROI) of their campaigns.

4. Top Apps for User Acquisition

To support user acquisition, Appier’s analysis identifies several high-traffic apps that serve as effective channels for reaching merge game players. Popular merge games such as Travel Town and Gossip Harbor, as well as mainstream apps like Pandora music streaming, emerged as top sources for attracting merge game fans. Marketers can refine their user acquisition strategies by targeting these high-traffic apps for better reach and engagement.

Success Story – TapNation Boosts ROAS and Engagement with Appier

Appier’s AI-driven marketing solutions have proven highly effective in driving performance for mobile game developers. A success story with TapNation, a leading mobile gaming publisher, underscores the impact of these tools. TapNation partnered with Appier to boost the performance of their game Thief Puzzle amid rising competition and privacy concerns. By leveraging Appier’s Ad Cloud solutions, including retargeting capabilities, TapNation achieved a 130% return on ad spend (ROAS) in just a few weeks. This success was also accompanied by higher user engagement and retention rates, demonstrating how Appier's AI-optimized budget allocation and retargeting can significantly drive revenue and player loyalty in the highly competitive mobile game market.

Appier: Empowering U.S. Marketers with AI Leadership

As the mobile gaming industry in the U.S. continues to surge, Appier remains at the forefront of AI-powered marketing solutions. The insights from this report provide marketers with actionable data to help optimize user acquisition, increase engagement, and drive smarter monetization strategies. With the demand for innovative marketing solutions in mobile gaming growing, Appier is empowering U.S. marketers to gain a competitive edge in this rapidly evolving industry.

ITG Partners with Sundogs to Enhance Creative Performance with AI-Driven Insights

ITG Partners with Sundogs to Enhance Creative Performance with AI-Driven Insights

artificial intelligence 1 Apr 2025

In the ever-evolving landscape of digital marketing, creating content that resonates with audiences on multiple levels is crucial. Inspired Thinking Group (ITG), a leader in AI-enabled, agile content solutions, has announced a strategic partnership with Sundogs, a creative intelligence startup. This partnership aims to combine AI-driven consumer insights with content creation, optimizing the way brands craft and deploy creative assets. By leveraging Sundogs' AI capabilities, ITG is set to transform how content is designed, ensuring it delivers maximum performance across global markets.

The Power of AI-Enhanced Creative Performance

1. Leveraging AI for Consumer Understanding

The partnership between ITG and Sundogs utilizes Sundogs' expertise in AI-driven consumer insights to enable a deeper understanding of what makes content resonate. By combining AI with data, ITG can now craft content that is more aligned with consumer preferences, ensuring that ads are designed to maximize engagement and performance. This methodology allows ITG to create smarter, more effective creative strategies for their clients.

2. Customizing Content for Different Audience Segments

With Sundogs' AI insights, ITG can now determine the type of content that will appeal to various audience segments across multiple channels and markets. Whether the content is for a specific demographic or tailored for a global campaign, ITG can ensure that each creative asset is designed to meet the unique needs and behaviors of every audience interaction. This personalized content creation helps brands engage their target market more effectively and with greater relevance.

3. Increased Speed and Efficiency in Content Creation

ITG's AI-powered content model allows the company to deliver high-performance creative campaigns faster. By collaborating with Sundogs, ITG can craft intelligent campaigns at speed and scale, ensuring that each piece of content is optimized for maximum impact. This collaboration significantly enhances content production timelines, enabling brands to stay ahead in fast-moving digital environments.

Innovative Tools and Platforms Driving Success

1. Scoring System for Performance Optimization

As part of their partnership, ITG and Sundogs are developing a scoring system to assess which creative assets are most likely to drive the best performance. This AI-driven tool will help marketers prioritize content that is statistically more likely to achieve their objectives, resulting in more targeted and impactful campaigns.

2. Content Automation with Storyteq

ITG's Storyteq platform, recognized as a Leader in Content Marketing Platforms and Digital Asset Management by Gartner, will play a crucial role in this partnership. By integrating Sundogs' AI-powered insights, Storyteq will allow for the creation of enhanced templates for content automation, enabling brands to produce highly personalized content at scale while maintaining quality and effectiveness across different touchpoints.

A Partnership Built for the Future

Andrew Swinand, CEO of ITG, described the collaboration as a natural fit, highlighting the synergy between Sundogs' ability to optimize creative effectiveness and ITG’s established expertise in AI-driven content solutions. With the partnership already benefiting global clients such as Microsoft, Jaguar Land Rover, PUMA, and KFC, ITG and Sundogs are poised to unlock new opportunities for brands to enhance their content strategies and achieve lasting business impact.

This partnership between ITG and Sundogs marks a significant step forward in the realm of AI-enhanced creative performance. By combining cutting-edge AI technology with agile content creation, the two companies are redefining how brands approach content marketing—ensuring that each campaign is smarter, faster, and more tailored to its audience. As the marketing landscape continues to evolve, ITG and Sundogs are positioning themselves as leaders in the AI-driven creative space, offering global brands the tools they need to succeed.

Liberty Mutual’s LiMu Emu Leads the Pack in Insurance Mascot Performance, MarketCast Finds

Liberty Mutual’s LiMu Emu Leads the Pack in Insurance Mascot Performance, MarketCast Finds

marketing 1 Apr 2025

In the highly competitive insurance industry, memorable advertising can make all the difference in driving brand awareness and consumer loyalty. MarketCast, a global marketing research firm, has released its latest insights into the performance of U.S. insurance brand mascots. Based on data collected from 20,000 real audiences daily via MarketCast’s Brand Effect platform, the report analyzes which iconic characters have the most significant impact on brand and message recall from January 2024 to February 2025. The findings shed light on which insurance brands are getting the most bang for their advertising buck through the use of memorable characters.

Insights from MarketCast's Latest Report

1. Liberty Mutual’s LiMu Emu and Doug Dominate Key Metrics

Liberty Mutual's dynamic duo, LiMu Emu and Doug, came out on top in several crucial categories, including Ad Breakthrough, Messaging, and Branding. The duo's consistent branding cues, such as the bold yellow visuals, Statue of Liberty imagery, and the iconic "Liberty, Liberty, Liberty" jingle, ensure their ads remain top of mind. This combination of brand identity and clear messaging contributed to their dominant performance across the board.

2. Allstate’s Mayhem Shines in Likeability and Memorability

Allstate’s Mayhem continues to capture attention with his chaotic and humorous persona, securing the top spots in Likeability and Most Memorable Ads. The character’s unpredictable storylines and rebellious antics have made Mayhem a standout in insurance advertising. As the data shows, a little destruction can go a long way in making an ad unforgettable.

3. Progressive’s Diverse Character Lineup Scores High in Brand Recall

Progressive's mascot, Flo, remains a key player in the insurance ad world, ranking highly in Message Recall, coming second only to Mayhem. Meanwhile, Jamie continues to gain traction, outperforming Flo in Branding and tying with her in Ad Breakthrough. Meanwhile, Dr. Rick, with his humor around "parent-life" lessons, secured third place in Likeability but faces challenges with brand attribution in his ads.

Top Insurance Mascot Winners by Category

Ad Breakthrough (Remember both Ad and Brand Correctly)

  • LiMu Emu (Liberty Mutual) – +9% above the norm

  • Mayhem (Allstate) – +4% above the norm

  • Flo & Jamie (Progressive) – +3% above the norm

Ad Recall (Remember the Ad Correctly)

  • Mayhem (Allstate) – +5% above the norm

  • Gecko (GEICO) – +3% above the norm

  • Dr. Rick (Progressive) – +2% above the norm

  • LiMu Emu (Liberty Mutual) – +2% above the norm

Branding (Attribute the Ad to the Correct Brand)

  • LiMu Emu (Liberty Mutual) – +18% above the norm

  • Jamie (Progressive) – +8% above the norm

  • Flo (Progressive) – +6% above the norm

Messaging (Recall the Main Message of the Ad)

  • LiMu Emu (Liberty Mutual) – +16% above the norm

  • Flo (Progressive) – +8% above the norm

  • Mayhem (Allstate) – +7% above the norm

Likeability (Like the Ad)

  • Mayhem (Allstate) – +8% above the norm

  • Dr. Rick (Progressive) – +4% above the norm

  • LiMu Emu (Liberty Mutual) – +1% above the norm

The Power of Strong Branding and Storytelling

Amy Fenton, Chief Operations and Creative Officer at MarketCast, emphasizes that simply being fun or likable isn’t enough for effective advertising. The most successful insurance ads combine strong brand identity cues with clear, memorable messaging. This balance allows brands to capture attention and ensure lasting recall, as seen with the leading mascots of the insurance industry.

The latest insights from MarketCast underscore the importance of brand consistency and creative effectiveness in the success of insurance advertising. Liberty Mutual’s LiMu Emu, Allstate’s Mayhem, and Progressive’s Flo are leading the charge by blending humor, chaos, and clear brand identity to drive ad breakthrough, message recall, and brand awareness. For marketers, the lesson is clear: building a strong, memorable brand persona through mascots and effective storytelling is key to standing out in a crowded advertising space.

535media Featured on Empowered with Meg Ryan to Share Expert Digital Marketing Strategies

535media Featured on Empowered with Meg Ryan to Share Expert Digital Marketing Strategies

digital marketing 1 Apr 2025

In an upcoming segment of Empowered with Meg Ryan, Public Television viewers will get an inside look at the evolving world of digital marketing and discover expert strategies for business growth. The segment, featuring 535media, a full-service digital marketing agency, is titled "Helping Businesses Grow." Set to film on April 8, 2025, the segment will highlight how 535media helps businesses enhance their online presence, drive targeted traffic, and generate high-quality leads in today’s fast-paced digital environment.

Jennifer Bertetto, President of 535media, expressed excitement about the opportunity, saying, “This segment is a powerful opportunity to highlight how data, creativity, and cutting-edge technology come together to help businesses grow and thrive in today's evolving digital landscape."

Areas Covered in the Segment

1. The Investment Mindset

The segment will delve into the idea that digital marketing is not just a cost but an essential investment for long-term business growth. 535media will discuss how viewing digital strategies as investments can help businesses stay competitive and succeed in the marketplace.

2. Navigating the Digital Shift

With the rapid evolution of consumer behaviors, businesses must adapt to a more personalized, omnichannel marketing approach. 535media will explore strategies to engage today’s digital consumers, who expect seamless, multi-platform experiences that cater to their specific needs and preferences.

3. Data-Driven Strategies

Using data analytics to inform marketing decisions is more crucial than ever. In this segment, 535media will explain how leveraging insights from data can optimize campaigns, target the right audience, and measure success, ensuring that every marketing dollar is spent effectively.

4. The AI Revolution

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is playing an increasingly vital role in digital marketing. From automating campaign optimization to delivering personalized customer interactions, 535media will examine how AI is reshaping the marketing industry and helping businesses achieve better results in less time.

5. Ethical Digital Practices

With the rise of data-driven marketing, the importance of privacy, security, and transparency in data usage is a hot topic. 535media will discuss how ethical digital practices build consumer trust and enhance brand reputation, ensuring companies stay compliant with regulations while delivering value to their customers.

6. The Future of Engagement

As consumers seek more interactive content, video, and social media engagement, 535media will explore how businesses can capitalize on these trends. The segment will also focus on the impact of zero-click search environments, where answers are delivered directly in search results, shaping the future of customer engagement.

535media's appearance on Empowered with Meg Ryan offers a unique opportunity to gain insights into the latest digital marketing strategies and innovations that are helping businesses grow and succeed in today’s fast-paced, ever-evolving digital landscape. Tune in to learn how 535media's blend of data, creativity, and technology is helping businesses thrive in the digital age.

Ezoic Named Premier Google Certified Publishing Partner, Elevating Ad Revenue Optimization

Ezoic Named Premier Google Certified Publishing Partner, Elevating Ad Revenue Optimization

artificial intelligence 1 Apr 2025

 

Ezoic, a leader in first-party data and AI-powered optimization, has been officially named a Premier Google Certified Publishing Partner (GCPP). This prestigious designation, which is currently held by only four companies globally, is a testament to Ezoic’s continuous commitment to providing publishers with innovative solutions that drive ad revenue optimization. Having partnered with Google for over a decade, this recognition underscores Ezoic's technical excellence and strong impact on the success of publishers worldwide.

As the digital advertising landscape evolves, Ezoic remains at the forefront, helping publishers navigate the complexities of an increasingly programmatic environment. This achievement is timely as businesses relying on ad revenue face significant changes, such as the rise of Large Language Models (LLMs) and the growing commoditization of programmatic advertising.

What Does Being a Premier GCPP Mean?

Exclusive Recognition

The Premier Google Certified Publishing Partner (GCPP) tier, introduced in 2023, recognizes partners who meet the highest standards of performance and expertise in the Google ecosystem. This recognition is based on rigorous qualification criteria, and only the top-performing companies are included in this elite group.

Benefits for Publishers

Publishers partnering with Premier GCPPs like Ezoic gain access to earlier access to beta features, enhanced support, and tailored solutions that can drive more effective and optimized ad revenue. Working with Premier partners ensures publishers receive top-tier guidance and resources, setting them apart in the competitive digital space.

Ezoic’s Role in the Evolving Web Landscape

Adaptation to Industry Changes

Ezoic’s Chief Marketing Officer, Tyler Bishop, emphasized the significance of the Premier GCPP designation, noting the web's rapid transformation and the growing importance of businesses finding precise, data-driven direction. The shift towards LLM-generated content and the rise of programmatic advertising present challenges, but Ezoic’s innovative approach ensures that publishers and digital businesses are well-equipped to thrive in this evolving environment.

“Being one of four Premier partners identifies us as having the expertise, innovative vision, and focus needed to overcome — and thrive — amid today’s web challenges,” Bishop stated. “It's a great spotlight on our long-standing success helping independent publishers and digital businesses win in a space dominated by giants."

Unwavering Support for Publishers

Since its early days as an inaugural member of the GCPP program, Ezoic has consistently helped publishers unlock the potential of Google's advertising products, providing insights and optimization strategies that maximize revenue. This new Premier tier status is a reflection of the company's continued excellence and the measurable success they’ve driven for their partners.

Ezoic’s new Premier Google Certified Publishing Partner status is a well-deserved acknowledgment of their decade-long partnership with Google and their role in shaping the future of digital advertising. This prestigious title positions Ezoic as a trusted partner for publishers seeking to optimize ad revenue, leverage AI-powered tools, and stay ahead of the curve in an ever-changing online ecosystem.

With this recognition, Ezoic is not only elevating its own position in the digital marketing space but also enhancing the capabilities of the publishers it supports, helping them navigate today's web challenges with confidence.

 

MetaMedia Announces CEO Jason Brenek’s Departure After Successful Integration with Qube Cinema

MetaMedia Announces CEO Jason Brenek’s Departure After Successful Integration with Qube Cinema

marketing 1 Apr 2025

MetaMedia, the pioneering cloud-based platform for delivering movies, live events, and targeted advertising to cinemas, has announced the departure of its founder and CEO, Jason Brenek. This follows the successful integration of MetaMedia’s global operations with Qube Cinema, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of digital cinema. Over the course of his tenure, Brenek transformed the way content is distributed and experienced in movie theaters, leaving a lasting legacy of bold innovation in the entertainment industry.

Brenek’s departure coincides with the closing of the acquisition, which expanded MetaMedia’s footprint to 600 top global cinemas across more than 30 major cinema chains. His leadership helped MetaMedia overcome numerous challenges, including the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, positioning the company as a major force in digital cinema distribution.

Jason Brenek's Leadership and Vision

Founding MetaMedia

In 2018, Jason Brenek founded MetaMedia at CinemaCon, drawing from his extensive experience at IMAX Corporation. Just two years later, in March 2020, he launched MetaMedia's innovative cloud-powered platform, which went live with its first customers, including The Walt Disney Studios, Cinemark, Emagine Entertainment, and Cinepolis, shortly before the global lockdown due to the pandemic.

Despite the unforeseen challenges brought on by COVID-19, Brenek led the company through unprecedented times, enabling theater owners to discover new streams of revenue while supporting the industry’s resilience. He introduced groundbreaking live and interactive events, including concerts from major artists such as Garth Brooks, Metallica, and BTS, as well as live esports tournaments, sports events, and interactive movie premieres.

Innovation in Content Delivery

Brenek’s innovative leadership saw MetaMedia become a pioneer in cloud-based technology for delivering high-quality, real-time content. The platform marked a major leap from traditional methods like hard drive and satellite delivery, providing cinema owners with cost-effective solutions while expanding content offerings. MetaMedia’s ability to deliver a diverse range of content—ranging from Indie films to Bollywood, Chinese cinema, and themed content for Black and Hispanic audiences—illustrated the platform’s versatility and its ability to address underserved communities.

This disruptive model not only saved cinemas millions of dollars annually in operational costs but also enabled targeted content delivery, enhancing the cinematic experience for diverse audiences.

Brenek’s Industry Contributions

Before founding MetaMedia, Jason Brenek had already made a name for himself in the entertainment industry. His contributions to the digital transition in cinema, including the shift from analog film to digital cinema and the advent of stereoscopic 3D, were instrumental. During his tenure as Head of Worldwide Digital Cinema and Cinema Programming at The Walt Disney Company, Brenek played a key role in shaping the future of cinema technology.

As a Chairman of DCI (Digital Cinema Initiatives) and a founder of the Advanced Imaging Society, Brenek’s efforts to advance cinematic technology were foundational. His subsequent work at IMAX Corporation further solidified his legacy as an innovator in the industry.

MetaMedia’s Future Under Qube Cinema

As MetaMedia transitions into a new chapter under the leadership of Qube Cinema, the company continues to honor Jason Brenek's foundational contributions. His vision for leveraging cloud-based solutions to enhance the cinematic experience paved the way for a new era in digital cinema distribution.

Brenek's departure signifies the close of one era and the exciting beginning of another, as Qube Cinema moves forward with a new vision, building on the solid foundation laid by MetaMedia.

Jason Brenek’s departure marks the end of a transformative chapter in the world of cinema technology and content delivery. As the founder of MetaMedia, Brenek's leadership and innovation revolutionized the industry, ensuring the company’s place at the forefront of cloud-based cinema content delivery. MetaMedia’s integration with Qube Cinema opens the door to new possibilities, and Brenek’s legacy will continue to influence the future of how movies, live events, and advertising reach global audiences.

   

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