Why There’s So Much Uncertainty Heading Into This Year’s Upfront

Buyers wonder what the biggest media companies will look like in a year

For several months, Scripps Networks Interactive ad sales chief Jon Steinlauf was preparing for his annual upfront tour, while being unsure of exactly when Discovery Communications would officially acquire his company. “So we built our ‘business as usual’ presentation,” he recalled, “but we knew that somewhere along the line, the deal could close, and we could become Discovery overnight.”

That finally happened on March 6, leaving Steinlauf—who was named chief U.S. advertising sales officer of the combined company—with just two weeks to pull together the first of seven upfront events around the country for what is now known as Discovery Inc.

AW+

WORK SMARTER - LEARN, GROW AND BE INSPIRED.

Spring Special

Save 30% Off an ADWEEK Subscription Today!

View Your Options

Already a member? Sign in

Adweek magazine cover
Click for more from this issue

This story first appeared in the April 9, 2018, issue of Adweek magazine. Click here to subscribe.