Yahoo Debuts New Video Series Hosted by Katie Couric
‘Cities Rising: Rebuilding America’ on Yahoo Highlights Cities in the United States that are Making a Comeback
SUNNYVALE, Calif(21 Jan 2016)
Yahoo! Inc. (NASDAQ:YHOO) today announced a new video series on Yahoo, Cities Rising: Rebuilding America, sponsored by H&R Block. Hosted by Yahoo Global News Anchor Katie Couric, the series takesan in-depth look at urban renewal, positive changes and growth in cities across America. As the exclusive sponsor of this new series on Yahoo, H&R Block will be able to connect with the millions of consumers that rely on Yahoo for high quality news and video programming across screens.
“We’re working with top brands like H&R Block that want to connect with our engaged consumers around high quality video content on Yahoo,” said Lisa Utzschneider, Chief Revenue Officer, Yahoo. “Our audience is constantly looking for entertaining video programming from amazing storytellers like Katie Couric, and we’re delivering this for consumers along with unique opportunities for advertisers.”
In the new series, Couric visits different cities and explores how each is making pivotal changes to reinvent itself and reinvigorate the lives of the people in those communities. The series kicks off with a visit to Buffalo, NY, followed by New Orleans, LA; Oakland, CA; Houston, TX; Pittsburgh, PA; and Detroit, MI.
H&R Block is the presenting sponsor of the six-episode series Cities Rising: Rebuilding America. A branded H&R Block video segment will appear at the end of each episode in the series highlighting topics including tips on when to file taxes and when to expect a refund. As part of these efforts, H&R Block will also leverage Yahoo Splash Ads, which are high-impact ads integrated within the design of Yahoo’s digital magazines, as well as video and display advertising on Yahoo to connect with viewers.
“The combination of a news leader like Katie Couric, a compelling narrative, and Yahoo’s extensive audience made the sponsorship of this new series an easy choice,” said Kathy Collins, Chief Marketing Officer, H&R Block. “This is another aspect of our overall efforts to reach consumers and tell them about our great services and products, especially at this time of year when the tax season is just kicking off.”
In the first episode, Couric stops in Buffalo, NY, where the city that was once the eighth largest city in the country is staging a major comeback. During Couric’s tour of Buffalo, she visits Canalside, the heart of Buffalo’s waterfront revitalization; 43North, the world’s largest business idea competition, that is revitalizing Buffalo and bringing in the best and brightest entrepreneurs and startups from around the globe; The West Side Bazaar, a small business incubator supporting entrepreneurs on their paths to becoming successful business owners; and Larkin Square which lies in the heart of ‘Larkinville’, a whimsical public square, that is part of the redevelopment of Buffalo’s Larkin District.
"I'm excited to have a chance to focus on what's working and positive in the country right now, and it's starting in many American cities that are finding new ways to reinvent themselves," said Yahoo Global News Anchor Katie Couric. "Everyday people with big ideas are getting their communities back to work and thriving again, and we're telling their stories with support from our sponsor H&R Block."
New episodes of Cities Rising: Rebuilding America will publish every other week on Yahoo. Episodes and additional clips are available atyahoo.com/cities-rising.
About Yahoo
Yahoo is a guide focused on informing, connecting, and entertaining our users. By creating highly personalized experiences for our users, we keep people connected to what matters most to them, across devices and around the world. In turn, we create value for advertisers by connecting them with the audiences that build their businesses. Yahoo is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, and has offices located throughout the Americas, Asia Pacific (APAC) and the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) regions. For more information, visit the pressroom (pressroom.yahoo.net) or the Company’s blog (yahoo.tumblr.com).