Our media options have increased and evolved more in the last decade then over the last century. This evolution affects all aspects of our lives and, more specifically, has forever altered how consumers interact with the brands vying for their attention on all types of media outlets. In today's world, a brand cannot just preserve the status quo but must be positioned correctly within a tumultuous world of options for both advertisers and consumers. One of the big questions for a brand manager is whether to place the brand inside content that's created exclusively with the brand in mind? This is the idea behind Branded Entertainment (BE). It is not product placement but a concept where brands and solid, entertaining content become truly intertwined. This book provides a thorough and practical understanding of the BE business including when it makes sense and when it doesn't. It explains the roles and thought process of all parties involved in a potential deal: the brands, the networks, the content producers, and the ad/marketing agencies. Branded Entertainment outlines the many different scenarios that could surface in these arrangements depending on who leads a deal and who accepts production costs. It summarizes the do's and don'ts of this business and gives the reader a checklist of things to keep in mind when at the deal table.
About the Author: Damaris Valero has been the Managing Director and Executive Producer at Animus Entertainment Group since 2003. Animus is a multimedia content provider company with offices in New York and Miami focusing on TV production, Branded Entertainment, and program development. Ms. Valero's career in the television industry spans more than 25 years and her expertise and know how has become a symbol of leadership in the industry. She has developed numerous multi-layered deals and co-produced innovative programming ideas for networks and national advertisers through unique Branded Entertainment formulas. She has led a successful career launching prime-time TV series, and cable and digital channels, building joint ventures between companies, and developing content with global groups like the BBC, the NFL, and Endemol. Her television career began at Telemundo pioneering the international distribution of content to Latin America. Later, she was called to startup MTV Networks in Latin America and helped make MTV the #1 advertising funded network with the largest distribution in Latin America after ESPN. Ms. Valero started Animus Entertainment Group as an independent TV production operation in 2003. She has been a leader in the Branded Entertainment arena by concluding over 20 deals with companies like such as FOX, NBC, Univision, and ESPN. For over a decade, she has executive produced award-winning primetime series, formats and movies. Her credits include: 21 Days; The Ultimate Match; Music and Lyrics (the series); La Parranda; The Gold Game; Sex with Marilyn; The Ultimate Match; One Home, One Family; Romancing Your Palate; El Diez; Aaron Loves NY; That's Fresh and movie projects such as The Celestine Prophecy.