NEW YORK, NY, December 15, 2009 – GEICO has become the first national advertiser for Wedding Central, the first and only 24/7 multiplatform destination dedicated to weddings, dating and relationships. The advertiser will be featured throughout Wedding Central’s on-air schedule, beginning in first quarter, 2010.
"These buys signal the marketplace demand for a destination targeting young women who enjoy bridal programming, and further supports Wedding Central’s launch at a time when other mediums are cutting back on wedding-themed information and entertainment," said Scott Collins, Executive Vice President of Advertising Sales, WE tv and Wedding Central.
GEICO ads will air throughout 2010, and will also be featured on Wedding Central’s sibling network, WE tv. In addition to a run-of-schedule flight, the network will also produce a customized 30-second vignette for GEICO coupling the theme of marriage as a key life stage with the importance of having the right insurance provider.
"Timing is everything in life," said Bill Brower, GEICO’s director of advertising, "and we want to be there for people going through significant lifestyle changes. When people get married, they are likely rethinking their insurance needs. We see this as a great opportunity to reach people in this stage of life and hope they consider GEICO when planning their lives together."
Bridal viewers are an attractive audience segment for advertisers. The average bridal viewer is within the W18-49 demo; nearly 25% of whom are likely to have a household income of over $100,000 and drive 80% of all purchase decisions. 1 According to The Wedding Report, Inc., in 2008 consumers spent over $19 billion on wedding receptions, $5.4 billion on engagement rings and $1.9 billion on wedding dresses. 2
In fact, it appears that weddings are to women what sports are to men. 73% of M18-34 watch sports while 72% of W18-34 watch wedding programming. 3 Even more surprising: the NFL industry is worth approximately $32 billion, while the wedding industry tops out at an astounding $60 billion. 4
1. Source: Nielsen Media Research, Live+SD Data. Based on P2+ (000s), Prime M-Su 8p-11p, 08-09 Full Season (9/29/08-9/28/09). All Cable Bridal Programs (WE, BBCA, CMT, STYL, TLC & TNT); Consulting firm A.T. Kearney.
2. The Wedding Report, Inc.
3. Source: MRI Doublebase 2008, Base: M18-34 ; E Poll Market Research, 1051 W18-49 in cable/satellite/IPTV homes
4. Source: www.ryanspoon.com; Wedding Report, Inc.
About Wedding Central
Wedding Central (www.WedCentral.com) is the first and only 24/7 destination where women, who are fascinated by all things wedding related, can go to get engaged in and entertained by the aspiration and drama of weddings. The network features channel-specific series, specials and movies all focusing on dating, relationships, and weddings. Wedding Central, a subsidiary of Rainbow Media Holdings, LLC, is available on Cablevision’s iO digital cable service.
About Rainbow Media Holdings LLC
Rainbow Media Holdings LLC is a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE: CVC). Rainbow Media owns and operates some of the world’s most popular and award-winning entertainment brands, including AMC, IFC, Sundance Channel, WE tv, Wedding Central and IFC Entertainment (IFC Center, IFC Festival Direct, IFC Films, IFC In Theaters and IFC Productions). Additional information about Rainbow Media’s multiplatform brands is available at www.rainbow-media.com.