Discovery Networks Africa today announced the appointment of Cinevation, the award-winning full-service marketing and advertising agency, to expand upon the commercial brand partnerships opportunities for of its flagship local channels, Discovery Channel and TLC Entertainment. The new brand partnership opportunity will see Cinevation work under the management of Debbie Brady, Commercial Director, Discovery Networks Africa, to identify potential projects that will generate revenue and increase the brand awareness of Discovery Channel and TLC, through brand partnership agreements including channel and online sponsorship deals for brand integration.
“Due to a shift in advertising trends, brands now want to create bespoke consumer experiences, with the ultimate aim of delivering the right message to the right audience, at the right time and place,” said Debbie Brady, Commercial Director, Discovery Networks Africa. “At Discovery, we recognise this change, and are excited to partner with an innovative company like Cinevation and leverage their expertise and the power of Discovery Channel and TLC to provide greater synergies with third-party brands who demand more intuitive, 360 media solutions.”
“We are thrilled to enter into this new partnership with Discovery Networks and to work closely with the teams both in Africa and London” said Karen Bailey, Cinevation Managing Partner. “Cinevation is known for its Out of the Box thinking and so structuring multi faceted Brand Partnership deals are ideally suited for us, and as such we already have many new and innovative ideas which we look forward to taking to the industry.”
This new partnership follows a period of sustained growth for Discovery Channel and TLC Entertainment in Africa. The #1 factual channel in South Africa for upscale audiences, Discovery Channel (DStv Channel 121) is dedicated to creating the highest quality content that informs, inspires and entertains across genres including turbo, science and adventure.
This year, Discovery Channel will supercharge its content offering with an ambitious line-up of bold documentary specials, popular returning series and specially curated local content that will resonate with viewers across the continent. This includes the upcoming real-life adventure series Cooper’s Treasure; the topical event special Mosquito; the highly-anticipated scripted series Manhunt: Unabomber; plus new episodes of fan favourites such as Gold Rush and Fast n’ Loud.
Offering remarkable real-life stories without judgement, TLC’s (DStv channel 135) rise in Africa since its launch in 2012 is unparalleled. Now the #1 international lifestyle and entertainment channel in South Africa, TLC has been providing memorable moments for audiences across the continent through unmissable programming and high-profile pan-Africa campaigns such as TLC’s Next Great Presenter. Whether it’s weddings, relationships, larger-than-life characters, or milestone moments, TLC shares authentic, compelling stories that keep audiences coming back.
In 2017, TLC will spread the happiness further, both on and off screen, with increased local content, returning global franchises and engaging consumer activations. Viewers can look forward to more wedding dress drama in Say Yes to the Dress; impressive cake creations in Cake Boss; new faces in brand new series Hair Goddess; and Diana: Tragedy or Treason, a topical special marking the 20th anniversary of Princess Diana’s death.
About Discovery Communications
Discovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) satisfies curiosity and engages superfans with a portfolio of premium nonfiction, lifestyle, sports and kids programming brands. Reaching more than 3 billion cumulative viewers across pay-TV and free-to-air platforms in more than 220 countries and territories, Discovery’s portfolio includes the global brands Discovery Channel, TLC, Investigation Discovery, Animal Planet, Science and Turbo/Velocity, as well as OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network in the U.S., Discovery Kids in Latin America, and Eurosport, the leading provider of locally relevant, premium sports and Home of the Olympic Games across Europe. Discovery reaches audiences across screens through digital-first programming from digital content holding company Group Nine Media, Discovery VR, over-the-top offerings Eurosport Player and Dplay, as well as TV Everywhere products comprising the GO portfolio of TVE apps and Discovery K!ds Play. For more information, please visit www.discoverycommunications.com.
About Cinevation
Cinevation is an award winning agency specializing in marketing, advertising, design, activations and projects in the leisure and lifestyle category including movies, television, theatre, toys, books and youth. Divisions include: Media Sales (Primarily Popcorn Cinema Advertising); Media Strategy and Buying; Production and Design; Events, Projects and Activations. Cinevation is owned by Karen Bailey and Marisa Torrani, and they opened Cinevation’s doors in October 1997 as an innovative media company working across all media platforms but specializing in the cinema advertising industry. Over the years the business has grown and developed to meet clients requirements and industry needs.
