→ You can now listen to all Ankler stories in the Substack app. Just hit the “play” arrow at the top right of the screen. Introducing ‘Crowd Pleaser’: New From The Ankler & LetterboxdThe two companies unveil a multi-faceted partnership that includes joint editorial, events and an ad sales alliance during awards season
Two sides of the entertainment coin, coming right up! The Ankler is teaming with Letterboxd, the world’s most vibrant global social community for film discussion and discovery, for a multi-faceted partnership that combines Letterboxd’s audience insights and community perspective with The Ankler’s best-in-the-business insider connections and industry news. Together, the two brands will explore how fans and business intersect through new editorial initiatives and joint sales opportunities. The news was first announced today onstage by Ankler Media CEO and editor-in-chief Janice Min at Axios’ inaugural Media Trends Live event in New York City, and reported by Axios’ Kerry Flynn. “As independent media organizations with passionate audiences, Ankler Media and Letterboxd come together at a unique intersection of industry and audience, and filmmakers and fans,” says Min. “Letterboxd has built a remarkable social space for people to connect over their shared love of cinema and storytelling. We look forward to bringing their members our top-of-class insider reporting with its sharp analysis, distinctive voice and unvarnished insights.” Adds Letterboxd CEO and co-founder Matthew Buchanan: “Letterboxd exists to connect people with films they’ll love, and to spotlight the conversations and creativity that flow from our community. Partnering with The Ankler lets us bring fresh perspectives on audience trends to both our members and the wider industry, while celebrating how fans shape film culture.” Previously, the two companies partnered on joint events in Los Angeles. Now, Ankler Media and Letterboxd are deepening the relationship, sharing for the first time joint editorial curation with newsletters and events. Additionally, Ankler head of sales, London Sanders, will sell partial inventory for Letterboxd for the first time during awards season, one of the most lucrative ad-selling times of the year in entertainment. The partnership will contain the following elements: Crowd Pleaser: New Newsletter and EventsOn Nov. 12, The Ankler and Letterboxd will launch Crowd Pleaser, a new in-depth newsletter about audience trends in entertainment, with FX’s Alien: Earth as a launch sponsor. Jointly produced, Crowd Pleaser will combine original reporting from The Ankler with Letterboxd’s audience insights and community perspectives, creating a unique look at how audiences engage with film and television in today’s changing marketplace. Crowd Pleaser will be sent to subscribers of both The Ankler and Letterboxd every other Wednesday. A schedule of joint Crowd Pleaser events will also be announced shortly (you can reach London Sanders at London@theankler.com for more information). For editorial, please reach Crowd Pleaser writer Matthew Frank at Matthew@theankler.com. Multi-platform Sales PartnershipAnkler Media and Letterboxd will collaborate for the first time ever on sales during awards season, with London Sanders, head of sales for Ankler Media, spearheading a portion of Letterboxd’s inventory and co-branded events while working closely with the Letterboxd team. This includes Letterboxd’s popular Best in Show newsletter, the new Crowd Pleaser newsletter and events, and a slate of live activations. Ankler Media and Letterboxd recently came together at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) with an industry party hosted by Min, Richard Rushfield and Letterboxd CEO Buchanan and COO Catherine Buchanan. The invite-only event took place on Sept. 7 at Soluna Toronto during TIFF’s opening weekend.
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