Debra Borchardt
Advertising Week and PRØHBTD MEDIA have extended their exclusive strategic partnership to further develop content and consulting services for brands in the cannabis space and beyond. The two companies first teamed up last year at Advertising Week in New York where PROHBTD impressed the New York crowd with its video stories on emerging cannabis brands like the chocolatier Defonce.
The partnership is starting strong with a video docuseries called “Branding Bud,” along with an editorial platform and a podcast series that will examine cannabis brands. There will be a special focus on what goes on behind the scenes of building a brand in the cannabis world and how that effects design, marketing, and diversity.
PRØHBTD MEDIA CEO and founder, Drake Sutton-Shearer, said, “We’re honored that Advertising Week has chosen to continue working with us. With the cannabis industry positioned to exponentially grow beyond $40 billion within the next five years, cannabis brands need help telling their stories to mainstream audiences and potential acquirers. Mainstream brands also need guidance to communicate with cannabis consumers in genuine and brand-safe ways. This partnership enables PRØHBTD to continue our mission of connecting brands with consumers via the Advertising Week platform.”
Advertising Week APAC, which takes place from 30 July and 2 August 2018, will see the debut of the “Cannabis in Australia” sessions to help educate and introduce leading cannabis brands to the Australian market, before returning to the United States for Advertising Week in New York in October 2018.
“The Advertising Week platform has always been about helping brands and marketers navigate what’s coming next in the technology and marketing space,” said Lance Pillersdorf, Advertising Week co-founder, and COO. “We’re excited to expand our partnership with PRØHBTD MEDIA to ensure the Week continues to bring a fresh perspective and provocative global conversations to delegates all around the world.”
Advertising for cannabis companies is a huge challenge since many of the traditional outlets are off limits. Cannabis companies are finding that building a brand name is harder than normal since even social media outlets reject the most innocuous ads. Last year’s cannabis sessions at Ad Week in New York were heavily attended as there was a large desire to learn more about cannabis branding.
