NBC and Facebook announced a deal Thursday to share content on the upcoming Winter Olympics, both hoping to boost interest on what promises to be a big event for social media.
One of NBC's short Olympic profiles, on the relationship between American speed skater J.R. Celski and Seattle rapper Macklemore, premiered Thursday on Facebook's site.
The Olympics begin Feb. 6 in Sochi, Russia, and NBC is the American rights holder to broadcast the games. The network believes, through its experience with the London Summer Olympics in 2012, that social media helps drive more viewers to their telecasts. Facebook wants to establish itself as the place to have those conversations.
The NBC Olympics page on Facebook will feature video like the Celski story and other content. American figure skating gold medalist Sarah Hughes will be available to answer questions from fans online during NBC's prime-time coverage of the figure skating competition. NBC will also offer polls, photo galleries, trivia and other shareable information on its Facebook page.
NBC is in talks with other social media companies about Olympics material, although the deal with Facebook and its related site Instagram was the first one announced.
NBC and Facebook also collaborated with the London games, but this year the network will share more information to serve an "insatiable appetite" for Olympics content, said Gary Zenkel, president of NBC Olympics.
Mike Pierantozzi joins Movers+Shakers as exec creative director
Creative agency Movers+Shakers has appointed Mike Pierantozzi as executive creative director. In this new role, he will help guide the creative direction of Movers+Shakers’ socially-native campaigns. Pierantozzi will report to co-founder and chief creative officer Geoffrey Goldberg.
With nearly two decades of experience as a copywriter, creative director, and multi-platform storyteller, Pierantozzi brings a wealth of knowledge from his work with major brands including Kraft, Unilever, IBM, and Walmart. He has led the creation of award-winning campaigns for agencies like Red Tettemer, Ogilvy, The Brooklyn Brothers, TAXI, Saatchi & Saatchi, and most recently, Vayner, where he spearheaded culturally iconic work for Planters including “Death of Mr. Peanut.” He led the National Down Syndrome Society and Luvs account, whose “First Kid. Second Kid” campaign was awarded by the Effies, ADC, Clios and LIAs.
Outside of the office, Pierantozzi practices what he teaches brands. He’s gone viral multiple times on his own TikTok account, featuring comedic interactions with his son and a trombone. He’s accumulated 15K followers on TikTok.
“Mike brings a rare and awesome combination of deep social and platform experience, a keen eye for excellent storytelling, and a humble and kind approach to leadership,” said Goldberg. “Mike’s got a knack for turning brand stories into cultural movements, making him the perfect fit for Movers+Shakers. He’s got the kind of bold vision and attention to culture that fits perfectly with our mission to push creative boundaries and drive industry firsts. Plus, as a creator himself he has the innate ability to make people stop, laugh, and share--which is exactly what we’re about.”
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