Fox News Channel’s executive VP for ad sales Paul Rittenberg talks to Broadcasting & Cable (subscription required) about what’s in store for the nework’s upfront pitch this year. Rittenberg, who tries to keep his pitch under 25 minutes, says the network’s changes to primetime will be a major part of the presentation:
“The message is primarily our new schedule and the fact that it’s working,” Rittenberg says. “We aren’t resting on our laurels. We made some changes and they all pretty much worked.”
Rittenberg will bring a couple of his TV sales guys, plus some of his digital sales execs. “It’s 95% the television sales pitch. We talk about multiple-screen opportunities but these days there’s always a question about social media or TV Everywhere, and it’s good to have one of my digital people there to answer them. You need to be under 35 or probably 30 to handle most of those,” he says.
AdvertisementA lot of the pitch is about the network’s new schedule and talent. “We’re going to talk about Megyn Kelly’s show and the fact that it gave a jolt of energy to our primetime. And Maria Bartiromo signing on,” he says. “We talk a lot to advertisers about sponsorship opportunities at Fox & Friends, so we mention that Elisabeth Hasselbeck has brought some younger viewers to the show and more female viewers.”