Greg D’Alba Forecasts A “Terrific” Double-Digit Upfront Increase For CNN

Greg D’Alba, the chief operating officer for CNN Ad Sales and Marketing, says the upfront ad market has been solid for CNN. “We’re seeing a terrific upfront, and I’m sure that’s the case for cable news,” he tells Multichannel News. “Cable news has become a daypart that’s not only demanded, but now planned for.”

CNN has focused on integrated multimedia deals. The momentum for CNN Headline News has fueled the company’s upfront, as well: “We’re going to come out of the upfront with a double-digit increase,” D’Alba said.

> Also: “Doug Seay, senior vice president at Starcom New York, reports that his shop has cut upfront deals with networks such as Cable News Network, CNBC, MSNBC and Bloomberg Television. ‘We’ve done a lot of business-oriented cable,’ he said. ‘Those were very attractive stuff.”