New app joins The Hollywood Reporter, Adweek as third Prometheus Global Media brand built with Portico

Jenkintown, PA — Managing Editor Inc. (MEI) today announced the release of Billboard’s new custom-branded app developed and deployed using MEI Portico™ and Adobe® Digital Publishing Suite™. The MEI team worked with Prometheus Global Media, owner of the Billboard brand, to create a unified app experience across three of its digital publications — The Hollywood Reporter, Adweek and Billboard. The three tablet apps feature custom-designed storefronts of selected content and subscription fulfillment for readers, made possible using Portico.

The third app in a series of digital publications produced and supported by MEI for Prometheus Global Media, Billboard readers are presented with a branded landing screen powered by Portico. Readers can view a live news feed with up-to-the-minute Billboard news, as well as search and preview a library of issues available for download.

“Portico adds a level of precision to our creative control,” said Rory McCafferty, vice president, digital, at Prometheus Global Media. “It offers adaptability as our needs grow, an invaluable advantage for all our Adobe DPS magazines — The Hollywood Reporter, Adweek and Billboard."

Billboard worked with Nervous Pixel, the creative division of MEI, to design custom features, including an accordion-like menu of the weekly charts and interactivity that allows the reader to stream songs on-demand from Spotify.

“Portico paired with Adobe DPS is a powerful tool for app publishers who want to enhance their presentation,” said Craig Roth, senior vice president of sales at MEI. “Our solutions make it possible for publications to put the focus on highlighting quality content for their readers.”

MEI’s team of solutions specialists trained designers at Billboard to build and edit interactivity for their digital issues using Adobe DPS creative tools. MEI also worked with the production team to install Portico, build the app and submit to the iTunes App Store. The Portico framework allows administrators to easily present new content in their storefront without having to update the app.

“Portico made it possible for Billboard to incorporate subscription management, search, news and issue previews,” said Meghan Milkowski, corporate production director at Prometheus Global Media. “With MEI’s support, we expect our readership to grow with each digital magazine we build, all in an experience that differentiates us from others.”

Find the apps for Billboard, The Hollywood Reporter and Adweek in the iTunes App Store.