Time Warner Inc. (NYSE: TWX) and Unilever (NYSE: UN) have entered into a
multi-year strategic partnership which aligns Unilever’s brands and
marketing initiatives with the content and audiences of Time Warner’s
premier assets. This marks a renewal of a three-year partnership that
began in 2007.
Unilever, which was named Marketer of the Year at the Cannes Lions
International Advertising Festival in mid-June and was Ad Age’s
inaugural Digital Marketer of the Year, has led the industry by taking a
different approach to media.
Keith Weed, Unilever Chief Marketing Officer, said, "“The variety of
top-quality communications platforms that Time Warner offers give us the
ability to engage our consumers with innovative brand content that is
most relevant to them. As a major marketer, we want to be where our
consumers are and these platforms give us the added ability to do that
through our extended relationship.”
“We recognize that in order to drive strategic growth for our partners
and ourselves, we must focus our efforts on delivering premium content,
applications and experiences that serve the client’s brand and uniquely
engage the consumer,” said Mark D’Arcy, President of Time Warner’s
Global Media Group. “Unilever is second to none in how they apply
creativity to the media canvas. We are delighted to continue our
partnership.”
Time Warner Global Media Group has become an industry leader in
innovative media practices, embracing the evolving digital landscape and
offering multi-platform solutions for its clients.
An example of Unilever and Time Warner leading with innovative
technology under the partnership, is the new launch of the TIME iPad
App. Unilever used a unique multibrand approach to take advantage of the
environment and functionality. Both companies were able to experiment
with this new platform and identify mutually-beneficial ways to engage
consumers.
“We are looking for unique communications solutions from our partners,
and Time Warner has helped deliver some exciting programs for our
brands,” said Rob Master, Unilever’s North American Media Director. “We
are now looking forward to creating more new and engaging campaigns
together.”
Since 2007, Time Warner Global Media Group has crafted custom Unilever
brand platforms leveraging assets from Warner Bros, Time Inc and Turner
Broadcasting. Recent examples include the ideation, production and
distribution of a content series for Caress, featuring talent Carson
Kressley across digital, in-book, and retail outlets. For Knorr, Time
Warner leveraged its wealth of mom insights to produce “Delicious Dinner
Diaries,” documenting busy moms making their family’s favorite meals and
distributed it across Time Warner branded sites. And, earlier this year,
Time Warner Global Media brokered the production of seven segments for
Telepictures’ EXTRA covering Bertolli’s high profile “Into the Heart of
Italy” program featuring talent Marisa Tomei, Rocco Di Spirito, Dan
Cortese.
ABOUT TIME WARNER INC.
Time Warner Inc., a global leader in media and entertainment with
businesses in television networks, filmed entertainment and publishing,
uses its industry-leading operating scale and brands to create, package
and deliver high-quality content worldwide through multiple distribution
outlets.
ABOUT TIME WARNER GLOBAL MEDIA GROUP
Time Warner Global Media Group partners with industry leading marketers
to create and distribute premium content, applications and experiences
that build brands and drive business growth. A catalyst for creativity
and collaboration across the company, the Global Media Group offers a
unique point of access to Time Warner's wealth of content, media
platforms and consumer insights. Through its efforts, the Global Media
Group contributes to the growth of advertising revenue across the Time
Warner portfolio.
ABOUT UNILEVER NORTH AMERICA
Unilever works to create a better future every day. We help people feel
good, look good and get more out of life with brands and services that
are good for them and good for others. Each day, around the world, we
serve over two billion consumers. In the United States, Canada and the
Greater Caribbean (Trinidad & Tobago, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico)
the portfolio includes brand icons such as: Axe, Becel, Ben & Jerry’s,
Bertolli, Blue Band, Breyers, Caress, Country Crock, Degree, Dove
personal care products, Hellmann’s, Klondike, Knorr, Lipton, Omo,
Popsicle, Promise, Q-Tips, Skippy, Slim-Fast, Suave, Sunsilk and
Vaseline. All of the preceding brand names are registered trademarks of
the Unilever Group of Companies. Dedicated to serving consumers and the
communities where we live, work and play, Unilever employs more than
13,000 people across North America – generating nearly $10 billion in
sales in 2009. For more information, visit www.unileverusa.com,
www.unilever.ca,
or www.unilevercaribbean.com.
Time Warner Inc.
Keith Cocozza, 212-484-7482
keith.cocozza@timewarner.com
or
Unilever
U.S.
Dean Mastrojohn, 201-894-2721
dean.mastrojohn@unilever.com