SpinCo gets a real name

[michael hagerty]

Versant Is New Name for Comcast Spin-Off

Versant has been selected as the new name for the parent company of media assets slated to be spun off from Comcast and NBCU later in 2025.

variety.com

 

[K.M. Richards]

At least that can't be misspelled the way Audacy has been.

 

[CTListener]

I wonder how it's pronounced: ver-SANT or VER-sant or VER-s'nt. (The latter with the "schwa" quasi-vowel instead of the short "a" sound.)

 

[Weiserguy]

At least that can't be misspelled the way Audacy has been.

What are you talking about?

VERSENT
CONVERSANT
REVERSANT
WORSE-NT
MS-VERSANBC

That took me less than 5 minutes. Given an hour, the brain trust here could probably come up with two dozen more. Totally open to mockery via misspelling.

 

[K.M. Richards]

What are you talking about?

VERSENT
CONVERSANT
REVERSANT
WORSE-NT
MS-VERSANBC

That took me less than 5 minutes. Given an hour, the brain trust here could probably come up with two dozen more. Totally open to mockery via misspelling.

Try to make a joke around here ... 🙄

 

[radiofan2023]

Try to make a joke around here ... 🙄

View attachment shame-on-you-eddie-murphy.mp4

 

[K.M. Richards]

Well, this isn't a joke ...

RBR-TVBR points out that Versant Health is an existing brand under MetLife, although their CEO professes not to care about that:

Comcast Spinoff Entity Gets A Name | Radio & Television Business Report

The shedding of nearly all of Comcast’s cable television networks housed under its NBCUniversal will see the properties end up in a spin-off company that is taking the name Versant. It's an interesting choice, as Versant Health is a brand under Met Life.

rbr.com

 

[inari]

There are quite a few existing trademarks for "Versant." Ranging from health (as mentioned above), wines, education, technology and more. I don't see any that would preclude Spinco from using this name as none of the existing trademarks appear to be media services or media companies.

 

[K.M. Richards]

There are quite a few existing trademarks for "Versant." Ranging from health (as mentioned above), wines, education, technology and more. I don't see any that would preclude Spinco from using this name as none of the existing trademarks appear to be media services or media companies.

From a strictly legal POV, you're right. But consider what the late George Carlin said about the public in general:

 

[nickp]

versant is a "blueprint for versatility, growth, and innovation" - mark lazarus

 

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

I remember back in November and December when we had to look at Spinco outside of News articles about the division that manages MSNBC and CNBC, we had to find out that Spinco is a lab equipment company from India and a gym club in Canada in those examples. This was before Comcast had to reassign people to NBC and the now rename company of Versant Inc.

Spincotech - Biotech Company In India

Founded on the strong cementing philosophy of Customerization, excellence at Spinco is not a sporadic act but a way of life. Aiming to become the leading player for our chosen markets we bring cutting-edge technology and leading innovation from global pioneers to further science.

spincotech.com

About Us - SPINCO

spinco.ca

 

[Don CT]

I would have gone with Spin Cycle.

 

[kevtronics]

Take a brand name that has a negative public reputation and rename it to something generically "positive and beneficial". Just like when Philip Morris became "Altria" and Blackwater became "Academi".

 

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

NBC Universal to continue selling ads for Versant

The partnership suggests Comcast's cable networks split isn't a clean cut, but a slow transition.

thedesk.net

Here some advertising deals between NBC and Versant over advertising.

The partnership between NBC Universal and Versant, the company formerly known as “SpinCo,” will allow the latter to take advantage of an established ad selling partner in the broadcast and cable TV space while it develops its own business practices.

The pact between NBC Universal and Versant will last for at least two years. Tom Winiarski, NBC Universal’s President of Platform Monetization, will move to Versant as part of the deal. NBC Universal Global Advertising and Partnerships Chairman Mark Marshall will manage sales and revenue strategies for both companies, but will remain at Comcast.

The partnership between NBC Universal and Versant is the first indication that Comcast’s decision to split its cable networks business might not be the clean break that some suggested.

Instead, it is likely a strategy intended to allow Comcast to experience the upsides associated with the business of linear television, without having to report any of the financial downsides on paper.