Gracenote Teams with DG for Targeted Advertising Across TVs, Tablets and Phones

EMERYVILLE, Calif., Jan. 16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Gracenote, a wholly owned, independent subsidiary of the Sony Corporation of America (SCA), has teamed with DG® (NASDAQ: DGIT), the world's leading ad management and distribution platform, to create new opportunities for advertisers to tap into growing audiences with Smart TVs and second screen devices. Gracenote and DG are fueling the delivery of targeted advertisements and ads that automatically synchronize phones and tablets with advertising on the TV screen, through audio and video fingerprinting.   

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According to Nielsen, 85 percent of tablet or smart phone owners use their device while watching TV at least once per month, and 40 percent report using their device daily. In addition, Smart TVs with Internet connectivity are expected to account for close to 85 percent of TVs manufactured by 2016. Gracenote and DG are addressing these growing trends in device connectivity and viewer behavior, providing brands with new ways to tailor advertising for specific viewers.

Gracenote has developed advanced audio and video fingerprinting technology that can identify what TV viewers are watching in real time. Looking forward, this will provide DG's extensive network of advertisers and brands the ability to dynamically insert ads into broadcast programming targeted at specific viewers. In addition, Gracenote powered Apps running on smartphones and tablets can automatically recognize and sync with TV programs and advertising on the prime screen, letting advertisers deliver relevant content to the second screen as well.    

"Being able to identify and dynamically insert TV advertising specific to each viewer is a tremendous opportunity," said Ricky Liversidge, Chief Marketing Officer, DG.  "Content recognition technology is the key link to making interactive advertising a valuable reality for advertisers, broadcasters and other partners, and we are keen to collaborate with Gracenote, a recognized leader in this space."

DG operates the largest global advertising management and distribution network and counts the top broadcast and online media in the U.S. as customers. The alliance between Gracenote and DG enables new and exciting ways for advertisers to reach audiences across every screen in the house.

"Partnering with DG and using its robust technology enables us to provide the advertising industry with a pioneering way to enrich the advertising experience," said Stephen White, president of Gracenote.  "These new capabilities to target advertising and synchronize the TV and second screens will completely shift the way advertisers think about targeting promotions and will bring real value to brands and TV viewers alike."

About Gracenote
A pioneer in digital media, Gracenote, Inc. provides music and video content and technologies to the world's hottest entertainment products and brands. The company's partners in the entertainment community include major music publishers and labels, prominent independents and movie studios and television networks. A wholly owned, independent subsidiary of the Sony Corporation of America (SCA), Gracenote has offices in Tokyo, Munich, Berlin, Seoul, and Taipei with worldwide headquarters in Emeryville, Calif. For more information, follow us at @GracenoteTweets and www.facebook.com/PoweredbyGracenote

About DG
DG connects over 11,000 global advertisers and agencies with their targeted audiences through an expansive network of over 6,000 television broadcast stations and over 11,500 web publishers in 75 countries. The company's television division utilizes best-in-class network and content management technologies, creative and production resources, and digital asset management and syndication services that enable advertisers and agencies to work faster, smarter, and more competitively. The company's online division, MediaMind, allows marketers to benefit from optimized management of online advertising campaigns while maximizing data driven advertising. For more information, visit http://www.DGit.com.

For More Information Contact:
Veronica Skelton
Concept PR for Gracenote
415.342.3435
veronica@conceptpr.net

Anna Martin
DG
917-549-3337
press@mediamind.com

Gracenote is a registered trademark of Gracenote, Inc. All other names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

SOURCE Gracenote