NBCUniversal's Linda Yaccarino: Expect $1 Billion in Revenue for 2018 Olympics
Media and advertising leaders gathered Thursday night at the 64th Annual Ad Council Public Service Award Dinner. Cheddar's Kristen Scholer spoke with NBCUniversal Chairman of Advertising Sales and Client Partnership, Linda Yaccarino, about the future of advertising.
Yaccarino shares NBCUniversal's goals in advertising for 2018. The new year kicks off with a heavy slate of events, including the Golden Globes, Super Bowl, and PyeongChang Olympics. Yaccarino says the network is on track to generate $1 Billion in advertising revenue for its Olympic coverage.
Next year NBCUniversal is planning to stream every event live so viewers can get the coverage in real time, says Yaccarino. When looking at cross-platform coverage, Yaccarino says its all about content and dominance. "What's really happening is a convergence of opportunity for the advertisers," said Yaccarino. "[Advertisers] want to be part of the Olympics to aggregate the biggest audiences."
Technology-driven sustainable waste management platform, RoadRunner Recycling, recently raised a $70 million Series D round from BeyondNetZero, the climate investing venture of General Atlantic. RoadRunner says it creates and manages end-to-end waste and recycling solutions for businesses of all sizes and that its proprietary technology can boost cost savings and improve recycling rates for companies, which in turn drives sustainability for the waste industry and our world. RoadRunner Recycling founder and CEO Graham Rihn joined Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss.
Tech giant Microsoft is rolling out a platform designed specifically to help retailers manage their logistics on the cloud, amid some very trying times. Shelley Bransten, Microsoft CVP for global retail and consumer goods, joined Cheddar to explain how the cloud-based solution is meant to support retailers, workers, and the supply chain. "It's never been more important with all the challenges that we're seeing with the global supply chain that demand and supply come together," Bransten said. "And we use AI technology to help better predict that old adage of getting the right product to the right place to the customer at the right time."
Apple TV+ is in serious talks for the rights to stream MLB games next season, the first foray into sports content for the platform, according to the New York Post. Lee Berke, president and CEO of LHB Sports, sat down with Cheddar to discuss how such a deal might impact the tech giant and the sports content industry. "Quite often with new media platforms one of the quickest ways to create and implement a programming strategy — and actually one of the most expensive ways — is to offer up sports content," Berke noted. "So, with this package available, it puts Apple literally in the game and gives them an opportunity to demonstrate their skills in offering up a major league sport."
A.I.-enabled fintech company Qraft Technologies recently closed a $146 million investment from SoftBank Group Corp.
The companies say they are entering a partnership to accelerate artificial intelligence in the asset management industry. Qraft has already developed A.I. solutions that have been used by major financial institutions and says its new approach to asset management maximizes investment efficiency. Qraft Technologies U.S. CEO Robert Nestor joined Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss.
