Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Continues To Expand its Content Business with New Video Partnerships
Martha Stewart Network to Launch Today on Hulu and Hulu Plus
Short-Form Martha Stewart Programming to be Distributed Across The AOL On Network
MSLO Taps Fullscreen, Inc. to Extend Reach and Awareness on YouTube
New York, NY(10 Sep 2012)
As part of its strategy to expand its content business to better produce and offer its valuable how-to information across a variety of platforms, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. (NYSE: MSO) today announced several new relationships that will put its content in easier reach of consumers.
Beginning today, full episodes of MSLO's popular content will be available for the first time online on Hulu and Hulu Plus. Other MSLO short-form video content will be distributed to an audience of 52.9 million viewers via The AOL On Network, which includes the AOL On video hub, AOL's owned and operated properties and publisher partners. In addition, MSLO has engaged Fullscreen, Inc. to help optimize and manage its video content on YouTube and build its audience.
The new agreements reflect MSLO's larger strategy to redefine its video business by providing content across multiple platforms, especially online. MSLO's video business encompasses over 15,000 how-to videos featuring such talent as Martha Stewart, Chef Emeril Lagasse and Lucinda Scala Quinn, the star of the Mad Hungry TV series and Executive Editorial Director of Food and Entertaining at MSLO.
An increasing amount of short-form, high-quality video will be accessible via a new video hub onmarthastewart.com and other digital platforms. The company recently introduced a new daily video series, Everyday Food with Sarah Carey, a companion to the popular print and tablet magazineEveryday Food; the videos can be found on marthastewart.com and on the Everyday Food channel on YouTube, and consumers can subscribe to receive the free daily video newsletter directly to their inbox. The Everyday Food videos are the first in what is expected to be an expansive library of new, digital original "how-to" video clips from MSLO.
MSLO's President and Chief Executive Officer Lisa Gersh said: "Viewers are consuming media on an increasing number of screens and that's why we are tapping our strong competency for producing quality, how-to video content by expanding our presence across multiple platforms. We're also putting resources into connecting audiences who are hungry for do-it-yourself guidance with our expertise. We want to provide the most relevant, high-quality answers to their questions about a range of lifestyle subjects: from how to cook your Thanksgiving turkey and decorate for the holidays to planting bulbs for your garden and advice on home décor."
The Martha Stewart Network on Hulu and Hulu Plus will include curated content from the company's vast video library, launching today with three different programs-From Martha's Kitchen, Emeril's Table, and DIY Crafts-with plans to add additional content in October and throughout the year. In addition to shows from the Martha Stewart catalog, viewers will be able to access seasonal content in categories such as Halloween Celebrations, Holiday Celebrations, and Weddings Celebrations.
Under The AOL On Network agreement, MSLO will provide the platform with short-form video segments of archived content. Additional premium content, which will be sold by MSLO's ad sales team, will be rolled out following the launch. Fullscreen, Inc. will focus on extending the reach and awareness of MSLO programming on YouTube while also working with MSLO to build a Martha Stewart Network on YouTube.
About Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc.
Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. (NYSE: MSO) is a diversified media and merchandising company, inspiring and engaging approximately 66 million consumers a month across all media platforms with unique lifestyle content, and has a growing retail presence with 8,500 products in thousands of retail locations. MSLO's four magazine brands-Martha Stewart Living, Martha Stewart Weddings, Everyday Food and Whole Living-are available in print, digital and App formats; the Company also offers special issues, books and utility Apps. MSLO's television and video programming includes the new "Martha Stewart's Cooking School" series, slated for debut in Fall 2012, in addition to a vast library of how-to video available online. Martha Stewart Living Radio is available on SIRIUS XM Channel 110. MSLO also designs high-quality Martha Stewart products in a range of lifestyle categories available through select retailers, including The Home Depot, Macy's, Staples (together with Avery), PetSmart, Michaels and Jo-Ann Fabric & Craft Stores. The Company entered into a strategic alliance with J.C. Penney Company, Inc., in which the two will build distinct Martha Stewart stores in jcpenney department stores, and jointly develop an e-commerce site, for a 2013 launch. The MSLO family of brands also includes Chef Emeril Lagasse's media and merchandising properties. Additional information about MSLO is at www.marthastewart.com.
About Hulu
Hulu is an online TV service whose mission is to help people find and enjoy the world's premium content when, where and how they want it. As we pursue this mission, we aspire to create a service that users, advertisers and content owners unabashedly love. Hulu was founded in 2007 and is operated by an independent team (www.hulu.com).
About AOL
AOL Inc. (NYSE:AOL) is a brand company, committed to continuously innovating, growing, and investing in brands and experiences that inform, entertain, and connect the world. The home of a world-class collection of premium brands, AOL creates original content that engages audiences on a local and global scale. We help marketers connect with these audiences through effective and engaging digital advertising solutions.
About Fullscreen, Inc.
Fullscreen is a next-generation media company building a global network of YouTube channels with content creators and brands. The Fullscreen Network generates over 1 billion monthly video views and reaches over 90 million subscribers, making Fullscreen a Top 5 YouTube Partner. Fullscreen provides a full suite of end-to-end YouTube tools and services to many of the world's leading brands and media companies. Led by an experienced team of online video thought-leaders, Fullscreen was founded in January 2011 and is based in Culver City, California.