Stand Up To Cancer, 60+ Broadcast and Cable Networks, Dozens of Celebrities, Digital and Streaming Platforms and Connekt will Make TV History by Putting the Power of Advanced TV into the Hands of Millions

Michael Fitzsimmons
Sep 7, 2018 · 4 min read
SU2C creative example of what Friday’s Advanced TV options will look like

On Friday, Sept. 7, from 8:00–9:00 PM ET/PT (7:00–8:00 PM CT), Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) a division of the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF), 60+ broadcast and cable networks, digital and streaming platforms, dozens of celebrities and Connekt will make TV history as they put the power of Advanced TV into the hands of millions. Through a new partnership with Connekt, an innovative technology company that activates smarter TV experiences audiences love, this year audience members across the United States and Canada will be able to engage, donate to and buy merchandise from SU2C directly from their televisions or other connected devices within their household. This year’s campaign is the largest scale advanced TV campaign of its kind. Results of the campaign will be used to increase the success of the annual fundraiser and the organization’s goals-at-large.

Ten years after SU2C’s first telecast, this year’s biennial fundraiser boasts a variety of reasons to watch and even more ways for its audiences to learn about and support SU2C’s lifesaving research achievements.

A few of the tried and true reasons Stand Up To Cancer promises to be successful this year:

● A number of networks will be donating one hour of simultaneous commercial-free prime time for telecast, including ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC, along with AT&T AUDIENCE Network, Bloomberg TV, Bravo, Discovery Life, E! Entertainment, EPIX, Escape, ESPNEWS, FM, Freeform, FS2, FXM, FYI, HBO, HBO Latino, ION Television, Laff, Logo, MLB Network, MTV2, Nat Geo WILD, SHOWTIME, Smithsonian Channel, STARZ, STARZ ENCORE, STARZ ENCORE ESPAÑOL, TNT, and WGN America.

● The event will also be telecast across 60+ other networks.

● Bradley Cooper will return as co-executive producer.

● Celebrities including Mahershala Ali, Kathy Bates, Katie Couric, Jennifer Garner, Tony Hale, Marg Helgenberger, Ed Helms, Ken Jeong, Marlee Matlin, Matthew McConaughey, Maria Menounos, Jillian Michaels, Trevor Noah, Dak Prescott, Italia Ricci, Rob Riggle, Karla Souza, David Spade, Keith Urban, and Reese Witherspoon will all participate in this memorable event.

This year, audiences will be able to:

● Engage and donate while watching directly from their Smart TV using their remote controls or mobile device

● Visit the Connekt ShopTV application on their Sony, LG and Hisense smart TVs

● Visit the official website on their phone or PC at www.standuptocancer.org to donate and shop

According to Connekt founder and CEO Mike Fitzsimmons, “Being able to help power the success of SU2C in its 10 years is an amazing opportunity and perfectly aligned with the vision, mission and core values of our company. Ultimately, we win when audiences connect with the TV content they care about the most. SU2C is exemplary because the one-hour broadcast unites us all to raise funds for more effective treatments to save lives now. We are grateful to be on board and proud to put the power of advanced TV in the hands of everyone.”

As this year’s telecast airs, Connekt will help SU2C begin measuring the results of the new capabilities so the organization can react to audiences in real-time and continuously assess which calls-to-action and appeals drive the most excitement and giving from their audiences.

Insights from this year’s campaign will also be used to inform future campaigns as well as year-round activities the organization is planning to fulfill its commitment to those it serves.

Tune in to this incredible event on Friday, Sept. 7, from 8:00–9:00 PM ET/PT (7:00–8:00 PM CT) on CBS, SHOWTIME and other networks.

For more information on Stand Up To Cancer-http://www.StandUpToCancer.org | facebook.com/SU2C | Instagram: @SU2C | Twitter: @SU2C

About Connekt

Connekt activates smarter TV experiences audiences love. Connekt’s patented, AI-driven platform has powered millions of smart TV ad, content and commerce experiences for partners including LG, Sony, Nielsen, ABC, CBS, Showtime, the top ad agency holding companies and top brands like Chipotle, Eli Lilly, Target, and P&G. Connekt’s partners use its patented platform-based SaaS solutions to make their TV investments more targeted, engaging, transactable and measurable. Connekt is a private company headquartered in San Francisco with offices in Denver and New York.

About Stand Up To Cancer

STAND UP TO CANCER (SU2C) raises funds to accelerate the pace of research to get new therapies to patients quickly and save lives now. A division of the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF), SU2C was established in 2008 by media and entertainment leaders who utilize these communities’ resources to engage the public in supporting a new, collaborative model of cancer research, to increase awareness about cancer prevention, and to highlight progress being made in the fight against the disease. As of April 2018, more than 1,500 scientists representing more than 180 institutions are involved in SU2C-funded research projects.

Under the direction of our Scientific Advisory Committee, led by Nobel laureate Phillip A. Sharp, Ph.D., staff at SU2C and the American Association for Cancer Research, our Scientific Partner, implement rigorous competitive review processes to identify the best research proposals to recommend for funding, oversee grants administration, and ensure collaboration across research programs.

Current members of the SU2C Council of Founders and Advisors (CFA) include Katie Couric, Sherry Lansing, Kathleen Lobb, Lisa Paulsen, Rusty Robertson, Sue Schwartz, Pamela Oas Williams, and Ellen Ziffren. The late Laura Ziskin and the late Noreen Fraser are also co-founders. Sung Poblete, Ph.D., R.N., serves as SU2C’s president and CEO.

For more information on Stand Up To Cancer, visit StandUpToCancer.org.

Michael Fitzsimmons
Welcome to a place where words matter. On Medium, smart voices and original ideas take center stage - with no ads in sight. Watch
Follow all the topics you care about, and we’ll deliver the best stories for you to your homepage and inbox. Explore
Get unlimited access to the best stories on Medium — and support writers while you’re at it. Just $5/month. Upgrade