Go-To Network for All Things Bridal Joins Forces with Leading Consumer Bridal Show to Complete On-Air, Online and Now In-Market WE tv Presence
Partnership Creates Unique In-Market Opportunities for Stunts, Casting, Affiliates, Ad Sales, Research, Sweepstakes and More
New York, NY – September 8, 2008 – WE tv, the network that brought such bridal hits as Bridezillas and Platinum Weddings, as well as a Sunday night "WE Go Bridal" programming block to the small screen, announced today it has signed on to be the exclusive title sponsor of The Great Bridal Expo 2008/2009 season national tour. The Great Bridal Expo reaches more than 170,000 engaged couples, family members and friends in 20 of the nation’s largest media markets, on its 40 city tour, featuring everything for the engaged couples’ wedding, honeymoon and home.
As exclusive title sponsor of The Great Bridal Expo, WE tv will enhance the show floor with exciting events and opportunities for attendees such as celebrity guest appearances, stunts, sweepstakes, giveaways, and casting calls for WE tv’s original bridal shows. WE tv will also highlight its successful slate of bridal programming, including the upcoming premieres of Amazing Wedding Cakes, My Fair Wedding and Rich Bride Poor Bride.
"WE tv’s commitment to bridal programming and online wedding content has made us the go-to network for all things bridal, reaching more than 12 million women viewers with our primetime bridal programming this year alone. We’re now expanding our on-air and online presence in the bridal space to include an in-market presence alongside the leading U.S. consumer bridal trade show," said Kenetta Bailey, senior vice president of marketing for WE tv. "Collaborating with such a successful and recognized bridal show will broaden our expertise in the bridal marketplace, as WE tv brings more excitement and exposure to each exposition."
"WE tv is the cable network that created an on-air destination for bridal programming, and is truly the ideal partner for The Great Bridal Expo in terms of not only promotion that will drive floor traffic, but also creating unique experiences on the show floor that will appeal to our audience," said Bill Heaton, founder and CEO of The Great Bridal Expo Group, Inc. "The Great Bridal Expo is like no other bridal show in the world, and I’m looking forward to this year’s tour being even more spectacular with an admired media sponsor within the bridal industry."
In each market WE tv will look to work with local cable and satellite affiliates, as well as National Ad Sales sponsors to create additional opportunities to reach out to and service engaged attendees at this important stage in their lives. Beyond the trade show floor, WE tv will have a presence on The Great Bridal Expo’s website www.greatbridalexpo.com. WE tv will also have the opportunity to shoot exclusive content on the expo floors to be featured on www.WEtv.com.
Source: Nielsen Media Research, Live Data, NPower, R&F program report, 2008 YTD (12/31/07-8/17/08), bridal programs (orig/acq) in Prime M-Su 8p-11p, W2+, 6+ min qualifier, 75% unification, WE cov area. Subject to qualifications upon request.
About The Great Bridal Expo
The Great Bridal Expo, the nation’s leading direct to the consumer wedding resource, has over 30 year’s of consumer event production throughout the United States. The expo is owned and produced by the privately held Great Bridal Expo Group, Inc. Its nationally sponsored tour criss-crosses the US, visiting major cities twice a year and reaching over 170,000 about-to-be-marrieds, their families and friends, actively involved in the wedding planning process. The Great Bridal Expo is sponsored nationally by WE tv, Sandals, J.C. Penney Gift Registry, David’s Bridal, Things Remembered, Pfaltzgraff, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Macy’s, Cuisinart, and T-Fal. The event is sponsored regionally by local companies in each city it visits.
About WE tv
WE tv (www.WEtv.com) is the premier source for women looking to satisfy their curiosity with fascinating, original stories and entertaining, informative content that is relevant to key stages of their lives. Available in nearly 72 million homes, WE tv’s programming gives viewers compelling perspectives on women’s lives that range from provocative to extraordinary, including signature series like "Bridezillas" and critically-acclaimed original documentary series such as "High School Confidential." WE tv’s public affairs initiative, WE Empowers Women, is dedicated to creating programs that foster and celebrate women’s strength, confidence and diversity. The initiative’s current focus is its WE Vote ’08 campaign. WE tv is available in HD and WE tv On Demand is available in 20 million homes. WE tv is a subsidiary of Rainbow Media Holdings LLC.
About Rainbow Media Holdings LLC
Rainbow Media Holdings LLC is a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE: CVC). Rainbow Media is a leading producer of targeted, multi-platform content for global distribution, creating and managing some of the world’s most compelling and dynamic entertainment brands, including AMC, IFC, WE tv, Sundance Channel, Lifeskool, sportskool, and VOOM HD Networks. Through IFC Entertainment, Rainbow Media also owns and manages the following: IFC Films, a leading distribution company for independent film; IFC Productions, a feature film production company that provides financing for select independent film projects; and IFC Center, a three screen, state-of-the-art cinema in the heart of New York’s Greenwich Village. Rainbow Media also operates Rainbow Advertising Sales Corporation, its advertising sales company; Rainbow Network Communications, its full service network programming origination and distribution company; and 11 Penn TV, a company that manages Rainbow Media’s NYC studios and post-production facilities.