NEW YORK/ SINGAPORE – A+E Networks is rolling out digital studios outside of the United States, under an A+E Digital International initiative, with the first set in Singapore, for Asia. The rollout further cements its leadership position in creating cross-platform content and reaching viewers everywhere they consume content.
The full-service, integrated creative and content creation units will specialize in producing original, premium short- and mid-form digital content assets, themed around network brands and those of its partners.
In Asia, these brands include HISTORY, Lifetime, FYI and Crime+Investigation. In its bid to effectively respond to the changing preferences of Asian consumers, this content will be distributed through online platforms, adding to its already substantial OTT offerings, which include some of the most compelling long-form content in the industry.
In Asia, A+E Networks has forged strong growth for its brands in the online space since October 2016 with a unique reach that has doubled to 331 million and engagement that has grown 196 percent to 81 million. Collectively, the network’s flagship brands – HISTORY, Lifetime and FYI garnered over 218 million video views and 3 million watched hours across its digital platforms. During this period, the company also created bespoke branded solutions for regional brands such as POSB Bank, Silk Air, Shiseido and Nestlé.
With the new digital studio in Asia, A+E Networks will be able to provide an additional value-add service in the form of integrated content marketing solutions to help brands build stronger fan bases and meaningful brand experiences in the volatile online and mobile space.
Standing out among the completed work is HISTORY’s digital-first series, The History Hustle, a host-led short-form edutainment show featuring Simon Yin (Hidden Cities: Extreme). In partnership with POSB Bank, which celebrated its 140th anniversary, special episodes were created to showcase the bank’s technological advancements through interesting trivia around Singapore.
OMG! Philippines showcases amazing Filipino artists and artisans. The short-form digital piece features, among others, a sculptor who carves miniatures out of crayon sticks and an artist who harnesses sunlight through a magnifying glass to create his masterpieces.
In the same vein, Shiseido worked with Lifetime to show how the region’s top female MMA fighter, diver, pastry chef and dancer all find their strengths while showcasing Shiseido’s latest product.
Nestlé also collaborated with Lifetime to create short-form branded clips focused on an active and healthy female lifestyle and featuring the food and beverage brand’s own ambassadors in action.
