Scripps Networks Uses Ontra Presentation Software to Sell Upfront 2005 Advertising

April 27, 2005 (PRLEAP.COM) Technology News
New York, April 27, 2005 – Ontra Presentations, LLC, a leading provider of enterprise presentation software and services, announced today that industry leading Scripps Networks has selected Ontra software to design and present its 2005 Upfront presentation. Scripps Networks joins ABC National Sales, NBC stations, Warner Brothers Domestic Television Distribution, FOX Broadcasting Co., Tribune Entertainment, Towers Perrin and other industry leaders as users of Ontra Presentations.

Scripps Networks operates a growing portfolio of popular lifestyle television networks, including Home & Garden Television, Food Network, DIY Network, FINE LIVING and Great American Country (GAC). The Upfront season is when media companies present their upcoming programming to media buyers and the majority of annual advertising revenues are committed.

Jon Steinlauf, SVP of Ad Sales, Scripps Networks, views the Ontra presentation as a valuable investment beyond the Upfront season because the national sales force will continue to use it for the rest of the year. Scripps Networks benefits from Ontra’s ability to seamlessly integrate videos into a staged presentation that includes five different networks. Furthermore, the Ontra presentation manages a library of slides representing each network, which enables salespeople to present each of the Scripps Networks without additional training.

“The Ontra presentation allows all of our salespeople to speak intelligently whether talking about the details of one program or the value of working with Scripps in general,” says Steinlauf. “With the Ontra Presentation, they can now cross-sell the networks, which translates into higher revenues for all of Scripps.”

“Thanks to Ontra, our A-level Upfront presentation matches the quality of our signature cable brands,” said Michael Yavorsky, VP of Ad Sales Marketing, Food Network/Fine Living. “The Ontra Presentation delivers a real impact when presenting to hundreds of advertisers in a large ballroom, or one-to-one in a media buyer’s office. One Ontra presentation solves all of our presentation needs.”

Ontra software delivers the unique ability to include a full library of slides, complete with large amounts of video and other applications seamlessly within the context of a dynamic and interactive presentation. Ontra also offers services to design and create professional presentations with the software.

“Large sales organizations today need the latest cutting edge technology in regards to presentations. Power Point is a horse and buggy compared to Ontra Presentations.” said James Ontra, Co-Founder and CEO of Ontra Presentations. “Our software allows easy distribution across a large and dispersed organization. An Ontra presentation is ideal for media networks because it can seamlessly include multiple full-screen videos bookended with the stats and facts that support the presentation — all from one PC.”

About Ontra Presentations
Ontra Presentations is a leader in enterprise software for interactive, multimedia presentations. Ontra Presentation software provides users with greater flexibility and greater content capacity than previously seen in presentation technologies, enabling clients to deliver better looking, up-to-date, and more relevant presentations.
Visit http://www.OntraPresentations.com

About Scripps Networks
Scripps Networks is part of The E.W. Scripps Company (NYSE: SSP), a diverse media concern with interests in newspaper publishing, broadcast television, national television networks, interactive media and television retailing. Scripps Networks brands include Home & Garden Television, Food Network, DIY Network, Fine Living, Great American Country (GAC) and HGTVPro. Scripps Networks Web sites include FoodNetwork.com, HGTV.com, DIYnetwork.com, fineliving.com and gactv.com. Scripps Networks programming can be seen in 95 countries.