English Entertainment
SundanceTV, Pace University & Media Storm ink partnership for social media campaign
MUMBAI: As part of Pace University’s Media Storm master’s degree programme in social media and mobile marketing, students will take part in developing an innovative social campaign for the second season of SundanceTV’s The Red Road.
This represents the first time any television network has partnered with the university’s Media Storm programme. The returning show, which premieres 2 April, 2015, is a gripping dramatic thriller that stars Jason Momoa as Philip Kopus and Martin Henderson as Harold Jensen, a local sheriff hiding a dark family secret. The two are forced to coexist amongst rising tensions within their two clashing communities: a Native American tribe and a small neighboring town. The fates of Kopus and Jensen are tied as the relationship between their communities becomes volatile.
The multi-media plan will include social media strategy, social networks, mobile apps, contests, user-generated content, blogger outreach, paid media, contests, games and experiential elements partially or fully created by Pace University students led by Professor Randi Priluck. Presentations will be submitted via video and, once reviewed by Priluck, will be sent to the Media Storm / SundanceTV teams to choose a winner. The winners will have the opportunity to have some or all of their projects weaved within the overall social plan for The Red Road.
“Pace University continues to be a leader in experiential learning, and we are thrilled to see our partnership with Media Storm and SundanceTV take flight. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with SundanceTV and provide our students with a truly hands-on academic program,” said Lubin School of Business deal and former NBC Network president and Viacom Entertainment CEO Neil Braun.
As the only Masters Degree in Social Media and Mobile Marketing currently offered by an Accredited Business School, this program closes the gap between academia and employer needs. “Social media and mobile technology have fundamentally transformed our culture. Bringing innovative thinking to clients like SundanceTV through our collaboration with Pace University’s Business School is critical in velocity disciplines like social and mobile media,” said Media Storm founder Craig Woerz.
SundanceTV SVP of marketing Monica Bloom added, “SundanceTV is constantly examining new and distinctive ways to introduce audiences to our programming. We are delighted to partner with Pace University and Media Storm on this remarkable program and are excited to collaborate with their students on creative marketing to support the second season of The Red Road.”
English Entertainment
ZEE5 UK partners Narrative Entertainment to add UK channels
Six FAST channels added as platform sharpens hybrid play in Britain
LONDON: ZEE5 UK struck a first-of-its-kind deal with Narrative Entertainment, bringing mainstream UK television channels onto an Indian streaming platform as it pushes to deepen its footprint in a crowded, mature market.
The partnership adds six of Narrative’s FAST channels to the service, including Great! Movies, Great! Romance, Great! Mystery and kids brands POP, Tiny Pop and POP UP, widening ZEE5 UK’s appeal across genres and age groups.
The move reflects a clear shift in strategy. ZEE5 UK is betting on a hybrid model that blends on-demand content with curated, always-on channels to drive discovery and increase time spent on the platform.
“This partnership represents a meaningful evolution in how we serve audiences in mature markets like the UK, where viewers are defined by habits, convenience and choice rather than geography or language alone,” said Parul Goel, territory head, Europe, Zee Entertainment. “By bringing trusted mainstream UK channels together with our premium originals, movies and kids’ content, we are building a more consumer-centric platform that simplifies viewing while increasing depth and relevance.”
Fateha Begum, commercial director, Narrative Entertainment, said the tie-up would fuel growth for both sides. “Our portfolio of quality programming, with such wide and enduring appeal, is a perfect complement to ZEE5 UK. This is a strong partnership that will support growth for both parties, and we share Zee Entertainment’s vision of an increasingly partnership-led future for the industry.”
ZEE5’s global library spans over 4,000 films and more than 500 originals, with over 130 new titles added annually. The addition of Narrative’s channels strengthens its kids offering and introduces genre-led linear experiences alongside its on-demand catalogue.
The deal also gives Narrative access to ZEE5 UK’s fast-growing user base, extending reach without diluting brand identity, while reinforcing ZEE5 UK’s network of more than 40 live channels.
As streaming wars intensify, ZEE5 UK is widening its playbook, blending content, convenience and partnerships in a bid to win screen time in one of the world’s toughest markets.
