week 21 / 21 May 2015
Style NEWS How StyleHaul is entering its next phase
France
M6 Publicité launches ‘UP – Programmatic by M6’
Germany
A second season of Sing meinen Song – Das Tauschkonzert on Vox
Germany
Thomas Gottschalk celebrates his birthday on air
week 21 / 21 May 2015
Style NEWS How StyleHaul is entering its next phase
France
M6 Publicité launches ‘UP – Programmatic by M6’
Germany
A second season of Sing meinen Song – Das Tauschkonzert on Vox
Germany
Thomas Gottschalk celebrates his birthday on air
Cover Montage
Publisher RTL Group 45, Bd Pierre Frieden L-1543 Luxembourg
Editor, Design, Production RTL Group Corporate Communications & Marketing
before yo ink up Th
t rin
backstage.rtlgroup.com
backstage.rtlgroup.fr
backstage.rtlgroup.de
QUICK VIEW
Riveting online beauty StyleHaul
p.4–9
M6 Publicité goes programmatic! M6 Publicité
p.10
Congratulations, Thomas Gottschalk
Lemon to strike back
RTL Television
FremantleMedia UK
p.11
p.12
A guided tour through the corridors of power
Expanding its geographical footprint
RTL-TVI
IP Network
p.14
p.13
Big Picture p.15
SHORT NEWS p.16–17
Backstage interviewed StyleHaul’s senior management to lift the lid on its upcoming projects.
RIVETING ONLINE BEAUTY North America – 21 May 2015
StyleHaul
4
Online video is at the heart of RTL Group’s digital strategy. To this end, in December 2014 RTL Group increased its shareholding in the leading beauty, fashion and women’s lifestyle multi-channel network (MCN) StyleHaul to 94 per cent. StyleHaul’s network comprises 6,000 online creators who share their beauty, fashion and expertise tips with millions of Youtube subscribers every day. The company has recently announced a series of new projects which will revolutionise the business by introducing new technology, original content and international expansion. At the same time, StyleHaul made several new executive appointments which will spearhead StyleHaul’s global expansion and rebranding efforts: Philip Kitcher as Vice President of Asia Pacific and Tracy Crane as Chief Marketing Officer. To unite its talents, the leading MCN recently announced the launch of StyleHaul Society, an exclusive new technology product that aims to connect brands and creators globally across multiple social platforms at scale. StyleHaul Society is currently being tested with selected clients and talents, and is scheduled to fully launch in summer 2015.
Olivier Delfosse, Chief Operating Officer at StyleHaul
Olivier Delfosse, Chief Operating Officer at StyleHaul, explains: “StyleHaul Society is a proprietary technology product created by StyleHaul to connect brands to a larger section of our network of 6,000 creators. StyleHaul Society will be the internal technology tool that StyleHaul uses to manage all aspects of our business, from recruiting channels, to building and monitoring sales campaigns to scaling content across multiple platforms. This product was specifically designed to capitalise on the strength of engagement in the StyleHaul community and translate it into larger sales opportunities to produce more content at scale – both video and social.
Online video at the heart of RTL Group’s digital strategy Q1/2015: RTL Group’s catch-up TV services, websites and MCNs attracted a total of
18.7 billion online video views
+160%
Year-on-year (Q1/2014: 7.2 billion)
Following the most recent acquisitions of Divimove and YoBoHo, RTL Group now generates
6.4 billion
online video views per month
Next >
Making RTL Group the #2 player on Youtube
1 2 3 4 5
Online video is at the heart of RTL Group’s digital strategy 1
5
In addition, there will be an outward facing dashboard for creators where they can receive relevant information about their business and content performance.”
STYLEHAUL IS... ...the largest fashion and beauty multi-channel network on Youtube and is the leading online global community of women who are passionate about style. The company has offices in Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, New York, Singapore and London, and is home to some of the world’s most popular and influential digital fashion stars such as Zoella, iJustine, Dulce Candy, Pixiwoo, and Its My Raye Raye. StyleHaul dominates this category, with the majority of Youtube’s top style creators being part of the StyleHaul network.
Mia Goldwyn, Chief Content Officer at StyleHaul
On the series side, StyleHaul recently revealed its first scripted series called Vanity. Mia Goldwyn, Chief Content Officer at StyleHaul, describes how the idea came along: “We have been fans of Bernie Su, Emmy-Award winning creator of Vanity, for a long time at StyleHaul. We believe that he has a unique and engaging approach to storytelling that resonates with millennial audiences across multiple platforms. He created Vanity exclusively for StyleHaul and our partner, Maybelline, has been involved in the creative process since the show’s genesis. We all collaborated on the concept, which has created a one-of-a-kind experience that fans can only find on StyleHaul that brings together traditional elements with digital within the style categories.” Speaking about the production details, Mia Goldwyn says: “Vanity is envisioned as 12 11-minute episodes that fit the consumption patterns of Youtube viewers, while also allowing StyleHaul to create six half-hour episodes for ancillary distribution. Vanity is currently in production, which consists of 12 shooting days of a script that is 156 pages in total; production is scheduled to wrap in May 2015.” The storyline follows Lily (Alex Frnka) as she infiltrates the world of high fashion in an attempt to discover how her mother (Denise Richards) died. “The show has a ‘Gossip Girl’ and ‘Devil Wears Prada’ feel to it. There is a plot twist at the end that sets up the show for future seasons, similar to how TV series often end on what we call cliffhangers,” says Mia Goldwyn.
Stephanie Horbaczewski, Co-Founder and CEO of StyleHaul
Stephanie Horbaczewski is the Co-Founder and CEO of StyleHaul, which first opened its doors in 2011. Under her leadership StyleHaul has grown to more than 70 employees, over 6,000 content creators in 62 countries and 1.2 billion video views per month.
StyleHaul has also disclosed that it is working with Sean Avery and James Cox on a new series inspired by a true story. “The series follows eight kids from the underground scenes of New York City as they use Instagram to successfully launch a clothing line. The story speaks to the importance of social media in driving influence and creativity,” says Goldwyn. “We have a script and are currently evaluating bringing on the appropriate producing and distribution partners.”
Next >
6
Earlier in 2015, the leading beauty MCN also partnered with Samuel Goldwyn Films to acquire the North American rights to the documentary Fresh Dressed, a mass appeal production in partnership with CNN Films. The feature-length documentary, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, highlights the uniqueness of New York’s hip-hop culture and offers a glimpse inside the complex relationship between fashion and hip-hop that brought baggy pants and graffiti-drenched jackets from the street to the catwalk and Middle American shopping malls. StyleHaul’s Chief Content Officer explains the strategic objective behind this acquisition: “Fresh Dressed explores the evolution of street style through the lens of hip-hop. The film is directed
by Sacha Jenkins and stars A-list celebrities such as Kanye West, Pharrell Williams, and Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs. We felt that this story aligns with our audience who are at the forefront of what is considered ‘fresh’ in fashion today. This is a unique distribution opportunity. In partnership with Goldwyn Films, Fresh Dressed has both a theatrical release (i.e. in cinemas) and a digital release (transactional window) on the video platform Vimeo in June 2015. We are also providing a unique value proposition to our network of talent to participate in this story by creating content relevant to the film,” Mia Goldwyn continues. Finally, StyleHaul also announced its partnership with Amazon by extending its stories on its platform.
Hip hop with style
d Watch the trailer of Fresh Dressew-York’s Ne of s to discover the uniquenes hip-hop fashion culture
Next >
7
RUNNING SHOWS ON STYLEHAUL
Web Therapy, a comedy series from Lisa Kudrow and Dan Bucatinsky, has found a new digital home on the StyleHaul Youtube portal. The sixth season of webisodes debuted in September 2014 with Youtube superstar and StyleHaul partner Caspar Lee guest-starring alongside Project Runway judge and Marie Claire creative director, Nina Garcia. Previous Web Therapy seasons, which initially aired on CBS corporation’s premium TV network Showtime, are also available for viewing on StyleHaul.
The Crew is a new original talk show from StyleHaul and FremantleMedia featuring Youtube heartthrobs Alfie Deyes, Caspar Lee, Jim Chapman and Marcus Butler, along with special guest appearances from popular StyleHaul stars. Filmed in front of a live audience and tackling everything from fashion and beauty routines to roommates and first dates, the show covers all things Girl with a Guy’s perspective. The production was done by FremantleMedia North America’s digital content studio Tiny Riot.
8
A GOLDEN NEWCOMER On 5 May 2015, StyleHaul made its debut to the Newfronts stage by hosting Stylefronts. 100 VIPs, including brand and agency partners and clients, StyleHaul talents across its network, representatives from RTL Group, Bertelsmann, BroadbandTV, FremantleMedia, as well as Youtube executives and key press from media outlets such as The Wall Street Journal, Ad Week, and Media Post attended the StyleHaul presentation. In addition to StyleHaul Co-Founder and CEO Stephanie Horbaczewski the speakers were Mia Goldwyn, Chief Content Officer of StyleHaul, Sacha Jenkins, Director of Fresh Dressed, Peter Goldwyn, of Samuel Goldwyn Films, and several StyleHaul creators including Dulce Candy, Blogilates, Hello KatyXO, Adelaine Morin and Megan Hearts Makeup. The Digital Content Newfronts is a high-profile online media event that is organised by the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) with founding partners AOL, Digitas LBI, Hulu, Microsoft, Yahoo and Youtube. It offers digital media companies a stage to present their features to advertisers. It took place from 27 April to 7 May 2015 in New York City.
9
M6 PUBLICITÉ GOES PROGRAMMATIC!
M6 Publicité
The advertising arm of Groupe M6 is now offering exclusive access to its premium video inventory through a universal programme service called ‘UP - Programmatic by M6’. France – 18 May 2015
Based on supply-side platform (SSP) technology by Stickyads.tv, this innovative service enables advertisers to make real-time purchases of premium contexts in a way that offers brand safety, while their ads are shown on the screen of their choice, regardless of which platform they selected for their purchases. Thanks to UP - Programmatic by M6, brands can now gain access at any time to premium locations on Groupe M6 video contents, especially on 6play. 6play is the ideal premium showcase for brands’ media exposure thanks to high-quality contents, a sophisticated modern design as well as its Optiexpo function that guarantees ad visibility whilst programmes are being watched. As a result, brands can benefit from all the combined advantages of programmatic purchases and premium context. This new product is compatible with all types of screen (PCs, mobile phones, tablets and IPTV), all Internet access providers and all trading desks.
10
CONGRATULATIONS, THOMAS GOTTSCHALK RTL Television
Thomas Gottschalk is one of Germany’s great entertainers. Though he started in radio, he quickly found his way into television. On May 18, he turned 65 – reason enough for RTL Television to throw him a big birthday party: Herbstblond – Gottschalks große Geburtstagsparty, broadcast live on 18 May 2015 at 20:15. © RTL / Andreas Friese
Germany – 18 May 2015
Thomas Gottschalk at his big birthday party on RTL Television
“Everyone wants to live to be a hundred, but no one likes to turn sixtyfive,” comments Thomas Gottschalk, who presented his own birthday show. The German comedian Otto Waalkes and presenters Hugo Egon Balder and Barbara Schöneberger joined him to ensure that things did not get boring for Gottschalk on his birthday, and designer Guido Maria Kretschmer took a good hard look at the host’s wardrobe. Because if there’s one thing Gottschalk is known for, it’s his rather eccentric style of dress. In addition, a number of special surprises awaited the birthday boy, and his fellow TV celebrity Günther Jauch had also been at Berlin’s Admiralspalast to celebrate an unforgettable birthday party with Thomas Gottschalk. 11
LEMON TO STRIKE BACK FremantleMedia UK
ITV 2 has announced the recommission of The Keith Lemon Sketch Show, produced by Talkback, a FremantleMedia UK label. United Kingdom – 20 May 2015
CREATING A BUZZ Watch the sketch Big Fat Gypsy Kardashians, in which Keith Lemon plays a moustachioed Kim Kardashian which has been released as a sneak peak ahead of his brand new series, attracting over 7.2 million views on Facebook.
The Keith Lemon Sketch Show
Recently announced as a nominee at the Broadcast Digital Awards 2015 in the category of Best Scripted Programme, the first season of The Keith Lemon Sketch Show launched in February 2015 and was ITV2’s highest rated series launch in two years with one million viewers and a 5.7 per cent share – making it the most watched digital programme of the day. The second series will see the return of the hugely popular Big Fat Gypsy Kardashians, David Dickinson, Hollywilloughby and the Urban Fox, whilst also introducing us to a whole host of brand new and exciting characters. There will also be an abundance of high profile special guests to add to the list of celebrity cameos from series one which included Paddy McGuinness, Carrie Fisher, Jonathan Ross, Fearne Cotton, Phillip Schofield, Louis Walsh, Verne Troyer, Ashley Roberts, Dermot O’Leary and Keith’s very own mum, Pat. Keith Lemon says: “So chuffed to be doing a second series of me sketch show. It is a nice fing to say you have got a sore throat from laughing at work. Hope it is not too warm whilst we are filming, that fox suit can get pretty hot! Feels like ya balls are in a cuppa tea!” Leon Wilson, Managing Director, Talkback and Executive Producer, The Keith Lemon Sketch Show, says: “The appetite for Keith’s sketch show has been huge so we are really excited to see it return to ITV 2 for another series.” ITV’s Commissioning Editor, Comedy Entertainment, Claire Zolkwer adds: “To pick a favourite The Keith Lemon’s Sketch Show character would be like asking to choose a favourite child... There really is something for everyone to love in it.” 12
EXPANDING ITS GEOGRAPHICAL FOOTPRINT IP Network
IP Network appoints Map Media Asia as exclusive representative for IP Network in Asia. Luxembourg – 21 May 2015
Map Media Asia, a media company owned by former General Manager of IP Network UK Mark Pimbley, has recently opened a new office in Bangkok. Under the new partnership with IP Network, Map Media Asia will represent IP Network’s entire portfolio of over 50 TV channels, 20 radio stations and more than 200 dedicated web platforms in 12 countries. This includes all of RTL Group’s leading channels in Europe: RTL Television in Germany, M6 in France, RTL 4 in the Netherlands and RTL-TVI in Belgium. The company also represents ITV in Britain, VTM in northern Belgium and La 7 in Italy. During more than ten years at the helm of IP Network UK, Pimbley gained extensive expert knowledge of the European media market. With this new deal Pimbley will help Asian advertisers develop their media communications and brand building in Europe by providing them with broadcast and online solutions.
Mark Pimbley, CEO of Map Media Asia
13
A GUIDED TOUR THROUGH THE CORRIDORS OF POWER
RTL-TVI
A year after the legislative elections, the RTL-TVI magazine, Tout s’explique, takes viewers along the corridors of power for a special show. Belgium – 21 May 2015
RTL-TVI presenter Thomas Van Hamme (right) and Charles Michel, the Belgian Prime Minister
Over the course of this programme to be broadcast on 21 May 2015, RTL-TVI presenter Thomas Van Hamme follows the Belgian Prime Minister, Charles Michel, for one day. Field visits, the Council of Ministers, and meetings with close collaborators: Van Hamme was able to go behind the scenes of Belgian political life. Also on the menu, a very private visit to the Walloon Parliament with its President André Antoine as a guide. Minister for Mobility, Jacqueline Galant, also opened the doors to her offices and spoke about her collaborators and their roles. Finally, the journalist wormed his way into the offices of the Socialist Party and reveals how the parties are structured and what is their influence in the political world.
14
Successful start into the second round of Goosebumps The second season of Vox’s Sing meinen Song – Das Tauschkonzert started on 19 May at 20:15. Once again, Xavier Naidoo invited some fellow musicians to South Africa this year, and seven of them took up his invitation. Besides Yvonne Catterfeld, Christian Stürmer, Andreas Bourani, Pur vocalist Harmut Engler and Daniel Wirtz, he is joined by Sebastian Krumbiegel and Tobias Künzel, a.k.a. the pop duo ‘Die Prinzen’. An average of 11.7 per cent of 14-to-59-year-olds were watching the start of the second season – the best rating since launch.
SHORT NEWS
1/2
And the winner is… FremantleMedia North America Watch here American Idol crowning 29-year-old rocker Nick Fradiani during a star-studded season finale held on 13 May 2015. The 14th version winner released his coronation single Beautiful Life, which will be the theme song of the upcoming Women’s World Cup. North America – 18 May 2015
Recognising journalistic talent RTL Belgium RTL Belgium’s presenter Frederic Moray was honoured with the award ‘Prix de la Presse Belfius’ in the radio category. The award was granted as a recognition of his reports dedicated to the Walloons who fought for Germany willingly or by force. Belgium – 18 May 2015
Even more content Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland extends its co-operation with BBC Worldwide for Clipfish. As of now, almost 100 programme hours of action, comedy, drama, science fiction and crime contents will be available free of charge. Germany – 19 May 2015
Alone in the world M6 In The Island – a new programme started on 19 May 2015 on M6 – 13 ordinary men try to survive for a month, while lost in the Pacific on a remote island 8,000 km from France. France – 19 May 2015
16
SHORT NEWS
2/2
Torn between two worlds Vox Vox set off on a very special course of time travel: at 20:15 on 20 May 2015, the channel started airing the award-winning Highland saga Outlander, whisking audiences off into a world of centuries past. Germany – 20 May 2015
Creative leaders StyleHaul / BroadbandTV CEO of StyleHaul Stephanie Horbaczewski and CEO of BroadbandTV Shahrzad Rafati were included in the list of ‘The Most Creative People in Business 1000’ compiled by Fast Company. North America – 21 May 2015
Only for Web RTL II RTL II is producing its first series exclusively for the Web. Soapstar – Eine Luftpumpe will nach oben is a comedy series and the full season is now available on rtl2.de, rtl2now.de as well as on the new Youtube channel Soapstar. Germany – 21 May 2015
17
More about Backstage BACKSTAGE IS AVAILABLE IN THREE LANGUAGES
DAILY NEWS FROM ACROSS THE GROUP – DIRECTLY IN YOUR INBOX
‘AT RTL GROUP, WE CARE’
You can read Backstage in your preferred language – in English, German or French.
In addition to the weekly newsletter we offer to registered users a daily newsletter available in three languages.
RTL Group is committed to effectively combine business success with socially responsible actions towards local communities and to protect the environment. Visit the Corporate Responsibility news section on Backstage (CR news) and find out how RTL Group aims to improve the societies in which we operate.
backstage.rtlgroup.com
backstage.rtlgroup.fr
backstage.rtlgroup.de
For more information, don’t hesitate to contact the editorial team:
[email protected]
