Hulu to Up Content Marketing Spending

NEW YORK: At its Upfront presentation to advertisers yesterday, Hulu revealed that it will triple its content marketing budget to showcase its original series, which include the just renewed Deadbeat from Lionsgate.

Mike Hopkins, the streaming platform's CEO, also announced that the subscription service Hulu Plus has topped the 6-million mark. Hopkins listed Hulu original series as one of the key drivers of the service's gains. Deadbeat has emerged as one of the service's most-watched shows, prompting its renewal. Hulu has also set return dates for The Awesomes, Quick Draw and East Los High. The platform has already premiered season two of Moone Boy and its first kids' show, Doozers. "It’s not enough for us to simply invest in acquiring and producing great shows," Hopkins said. "We want to make sure viewers know where to find them—only on Hulu and Hulu Plus. To that end, over the next year, we will more than triple our content marketing spend to grow awareness for, and interest in, Hulu Originals."

Hulu also showcased three new options for advertisers: the in-stream purchase unit, launched with Pizza Hut; cross-platform interactive ads, rolling out with Corona Extra; and the Hulu 360 Ad, for mobile devices.