AT&T is rolling up its ad-tech business Xandr into WarnerMedia, a little more than a month after its CEO Brian Lesser abruptly resigned.
WarnerMedia CFO Gerhard Zeiler will now be in charge of all advertising across AT&T. Xandr’s chief business officer Kirk McDonald will continue to lead Xandr, reporting directly to Zeiler.
“We are in unprecedented times that amplify the priority across both WarnerMedia and Xandr, to deliver valuable results and outcomes for our agencies and clients,” said Zeiler. “Now more than ever, we need to simplify advertising and further our marketplace capabilities for our customers. This is done through one holistic conversation that spans premium content and trusted environments, alongside proven and advanced ad capabilities.”
The combination comes a month ahead of the launch of HBO Max, which will debut May 27. Although it will initially be ad-free, WarnerMedia plans to roll out a cheaper, ad-supported version in 2021. AT&T had already been moving Xandr and WarnerMedia closer together; the two were supposed to hold a joint upfront presentation next month before the coronavirus scuttled those plans.
Xandr was acquired by AT&T in 2018, when it was called AppNexus.
“Xandr and WarnerMedia have always worked hand-in-hand to benefit our incredible advertising partners,” stated McDonald. “This is the next logical step to help empower our clients and continue to ‘Make Advertising Matter’ for consumers. I look forward to the work ahead of us as one powerful combination.”
Isolation TV Guide: The Most Binge-Worthy Shows on Every Streaming Service (Photos)
Have you, like so many of us,found yourself doing an absurd amount of binge-watching during isolation? And yet, do you find yourself struggling to find a decent thing actually worth watching? Well, here is TheWrap's list of the five most binge-worthy original series from the major streamers, including Netflix, Hulu, HBO, Disney+, Apple TV+, Showtime, and Amazon.
Netflix, Fox, HBO
Netflix: "Love Is Blind"
Little did we know that soon enough, we'd all be in the pods. Close your eyes and let the sweet, grating tones of Jessica's voice carry you away.
Netflix
Netflix: "The Witcher"
Watch this while you pray that Henry Cavill didn't come in contact with the infected "Game of Thrones" actor who was set to star in Season 2 of this monster-hunter drama.
Netflix
Netflix: "Sex Education"
Try not to think of all the sex you're not having while cooped up in quarantine/isolation.
Netflix
Netflix: "Locke & Key"
This one dropped last month, but if you slept on it, it's not too late to catch up on the first season of this strange, key-filled drama.
Netflix
Netflix: "You"
If we're talking binge-worthiness, this one will have you sucked in faster than you can say Joe Goldberg.
Other honorable Netflix mentions: "Chilling Adventures of Sabrina," "Russian Doll," "Narcos," "Breaking Bad," "Better Call Saul," "Mad Men," "Sherlock," "Mindhunter," "Outlander," "The Circle," "Ozark"
Netflix
Amazon: "Carnival Row"
Escape from the terrors of reality by slipping into this magical world of fairies and beasts.
Amazon
Amazon: "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel"
Come along with Midge on her quest to become a stand-up comedian.
Amazon
Amazon: "Fleabag"
Can we offer you a hot priest in this trying time?
Amazon
Amazon: "Good Omens"
In this David Tennant and Michael Sheen-led series, an angel and a demon partner up to save the world from the apocalypse. Wonder if they have any free time these days?
Amazon
Amazon: "Jack Ryan"
Look into John Krasinski's glistening green eyes and be soothed.
Other honorable Amazon mentions: "Bosch," "Modern Love," "Goliath," "The Man in the High Castle" and "The Expanse"
Amazon
Hulu: "Handmaid's Tale"
If you need a distraction from the dystopian society we're currently living in, rest assured this series will convince you it could always be worse.
Hulu
Hulu: "The Act"
Joey King and Patricia Arquette star as Gypsey Rose Blanchard and her mother in this Munchausen-by-proxy drama based on a true story.
Hulu
Hulu: "11.22.63."
James Franco is masterful in this Stephen King imagining of what would happen if one man tried to go back in time to stop the JFK assassination.
Hulu
Hulu: "Castle Rock"
A psychological-horror series, also from Stephen King.
Hulu
Hulu: "Ramy"
Because we all need some laughs right about now.
Hulu
Disney+: "The Simpsons"
This obviously isn't a Disney+ original, but since Fox and Disney are one now, we had to count this classic cartoon.
Fox
Disney+: "The Mandalorian"
It's not too late to get on board the Baby Yoda train.
Disney
Disney+: "High School Musical: The Musical: The Series"
For those who loved the original, or for their children.
Disney
Disney+: Early 2000s Live-Action Disney Channel Classics
"Even Stevens," "Lizzie McGuire," "The Suite Life of Zack & Cody," "Hannah Montana," and "That's So Raven," to name a few.
Disney
Disney+: Early 2000s Animated Disney Channel Classics
Get you some "Kim Possible," "Doug," "The Proud Family," and "Phineas and Ferb."
Disney
HBO: "Game of Thrones"
Winter may have come and gone, but if there ever was a time to binge the entirety of this series, it's now.
HBO
HBO: "Succession"
Money. Power. Glory. Crying into your father's arms.
HBO
HBO: "Westworld"
Season 3 only just premiered, which means it's not too late to catch up on the first two seasons.
HBO
HBO: "McMillions"
McDonald's may be closed because of coronavirus, but HBO will never leave us.
HBO
HBO: "Curb Your Enthusiasm"
Who doesn't smile when they hear that theme song?
Honorable mentions: "Euphoria," "Chernobyl," "The Outsider," "Avenue 5," "Gentleman Jack"
HBO
Showtime: "On Becoming a God in Central Florida"
Why not use this downtime to learn about pyramid schemes?
Showtime
Showtime: "Murder in the Bayou"
Not only can you binge-watch this extremely sad and yet-unsolved true crime murder story, but you can also read the book by Ethan Brown when you're done.
Showtime
Showtime: "Homeland"
This series may be coming to an end next month, but the good news is, now you have plenty of time to catch up on all seven seasons prior to the eighth and final one.
Showtime
Showtime: "Shameless"
Because we're all feeling a bit like William H. Macy in the above picture right now.
Showtime
Showtime: "Kidding"
Let Jim Carrey make you laugh. It's what he does.
Showtime
Apple TV+: "The Morning Show"
Watch Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, and Steve Carell star as television journalists during the #MeToo era.
Apple
Apple TV+: "See"
Who couldn't use a little shirtless Jason Momoa in times like these?
Apple
Apple TV+: "Dickinson"
Watch Hailee Steinfeld as a sassy, young Emily Dickinson.
Apple
Apple TV+: "Little America"
Watch the heartwarming stories of immigrants unfold in this series from executive producer Kumail Nanjiani.
Apple
Apple TV+: "Servant"
Two words: Baby doll.
Apple
Apple TV+: "Mythic Quest: Raven's Banquet"
Who doesn't love Rob McElhinney?
Apple
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From ”Love Is Blind“ to ”Westworld“
Have you, like so many of us,found yourself doing an absurd amount of binge-watching during isolation? And yet, do you find yourself struggling to find a decent thing actually worth watching? Well, here is TheWrap's list of the five most binge-worthy original series from the major streamers, including Netflix, Hulu, HBO, Disney+, Apple TV+, Showtime, and Amazon.