This month’s virtual IAB NewFronts will help to heighten interest in streaming video platforms that are ramping up their sales efforts and touting premium content to draw bigger audiences, Jon Stimmel, chief investment officer at advertising agency UM Worldwide, said in an interview with Beet.TV.

The coronavirus pandemic spurred a massive jump in media consumption among people who were stuck indoors during lockdowns. That sudden shift in behavior is likely to have lasting effects for streaming platforms, especially advertising-based video on demand (AVOD) services that will remain popular with viewers.

“The free ad-supported model — which is truly free — is going to resonate,” Stimmel said.

Watch Full Interview On BeetTV.