On today’s episode of Daily Variety, Brian Steinberg reports on the kickoff of Upfronts week after attending Monday’s presentations by NBCUniversal (https://variety.com/t/nbcuniversal/), Fox (https://variety.com/t/fox/), and Amazon (https://variety.com/t/amazon/ Prime Video). He examines how each platform leverages technology and data to reach diverse audiences, highlighting the shift from traditional storytelling formats to dynamic, audience-centric approaches. NBCUniversal’s chief business officer Liz Jenkins (https://variety.com/t/liz-jenkins/) discusses her company’s strategy in an interview delivered at SeriesFest in Denver, where she reflects on the industry’s evolving landscape amid growing uncertainty. Jenkins notes that while past trends focused on maintaining relevance through ad-tech innovations, she emphasizes the importance of fostering a growth mindset and data-informed decision-making. "We’ve found our cruising altitude again," she says, underscoring the challenge of navigating volatile markets. However, Jenkins also highlights the limitations of current technologies—such as predicting hits—while stressing the value of strategic bets and informed choices. The podcast includes interviews with hosts on platforms like Apple Podcasts (https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-strictly-business-30950719/), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/0gXghvpBqLBXznnxGVsPt5), and others. Steinberg observes that while some platforms prioritize brevity and social media engagement, the core message remains: adaptation and innovation are vital for sustained success.
