Comcast Ad Sales Announces 12 More Consolidated Markets
Comcast Ad Sales, a division of Comcast Cable, continued in its record setting quest to consolidate cable markets and simplify the advertiser purchasing experience by today announcing 12 new interconnects. In the second quarter of 2003, Comcast has completed interconnects in Denver; Eugene and Portland, Ore.; Fresno, Monterey and Sacramento, Calif.; Grand Rapids, Mich.; Hartford, Conn.; Louisville, Ky.; and Wheeling, W. Va. In addition, Comcast worked with Time Warner Cable and Adelphia Media Services to interconnect Cleveland and with Charter Media, Mediacom (OnMedia), Time Warner Cable and National Cable Communications to build a CableLink interconnect in Paducah, Ky.
Forty-eight of the 71 markets in which Comcast has a presence were interconnected by the end of July 2003. All of Comcast's owned-and-operated top 50 markets are now interconnected. The company's market consolidation strategy includes interconnecting Comcast-owned markets as well as working with other MSOs to form interconnects in markets where Comcast is not the leading provider.
"These new interconnects bring Comcast one step closer to achieving its market consolidation goal," said Charlie Thurston, president, Comcast Ad Sales. "The effort also reinforces our commitment to creating a cable advertising model that better meets the needs of today's media community and creates an easy, one-stop buy."
Interconnects provide advertisers the ability to buy an entire DMA with one buy, one tape and one invoice. For regional and national advertisers, this makes spot cable as easy to buy as broadcast. For local retail advertisers, consolidation adds subscriber count within a market and enables them to reach all subscribers within their trading area. In addition to the market consolidation efforts, the company is working to standardize across markets and provide 40 consistent network offerings. It is also utilizing marketing and research programs to help educate advertisers and impact revenue.
About Comcast Ad Sales
Comcast Ad Sales is committed to providing a one-stop shopping experience making cable as easy to buy as broadcast. Dedicated to building the preeminent advertising and sales organization for the cable industry, Comcast Ad Sales is helping advertisers and their agencies more efficiently and effectively target customers. Headquartered in New York with regional and local advertising offices throughout the country, Comcast Ad Sales employs nearly 3,100 people and has a major presence in 22 of the top 25 television markets.
Contacts:
Dana Runnells/Amy Brookler
Comcast Ad Sales
917-934-1015/1974
dana_runnells@cable.comcast.com
amy_brookler@cable.comcast.com
