10/20/17: Blaming cord-cutters, Verizon loses 18,000 Fios subs in Q3

CynopsisDigital
Good morning. It’s Friday October 20, 2017 and this is your your first early morning Digital briefing!
 

TODAY’S CODEBREAKER

 
Co-Viewing: Traditionally a linear TV term, co-viewing has taken on importance in the world of connected-TV as well. The phrase refers to any instance in which multiple people are watching the same stream or broadcast at the same time, on the same screen. In streaming media, metrics still treat individual streams as single viewers, even though that may not always be the case. There’s still no unified industry standard for addressing the problem.
 
 
JUST IN
 
Cord-cutting is hitting the pay-TV industry hard. The latest evidence is Verizon’s Q3 progress report: The telco lost a net 18,000 Fios Video subs in the corner, compared to a net gain of 36,000 during last year’s Q3. By the end of the third quarter, the company had 4.6 million Fios Video subs. In a call with analysts, CFO Matt Ellis said the losses reflected an “ongoing shift” from linear TV to OTT services. Verizon had already confirmed that, in the hopes of snaring some of its own cord-cutters, it plans to launch an OTT-based TV service – similar to what AT&T has done with DirecTV Now. (According to a new report from Bloomberg, that service is slated to debut in the spring of 2018.) Fios TV notwithstanding, Verizon actually had a fairly decent quarter. The company’s Fios Internet service gained 66,000 customers, placing it at 5.8 million in total. It also added 603,000 monthly phone customers – better than Wall Street analysts had predicted. The company’s overall revenue amounted to $31.72 billion, beating Wall Street’s estimates and improving on last year’s Q3 numbers.
 
SAG-AFTRA reached a new pact with the Joint Policy Committee on Broadcast Talent Union Relations, an industry group representing adverting professionals. The agreement allows SAG-AFTRA members to work on non-union digital commercial productions with budgets of $50,000 or less. “[T] he union and the JPC felt it necessary to create this waiver mid-contract to offer relief to ad agencies that are losing clients to non-signatory ad agencies on digital work,” the organizations stated. The agreement is no small thing for the ad industry: SAG-AFTRA represents some 160,000 media pros.
 
A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE
Solve the Digital Ad Measurement Challenge
in Cynopsis’ latest webinar
 

Join us on Monday, November 13 at 12:30 PM as George Ivie, CEO and Executive Director of the Media Rating Council and Bill Tucker, EVP of the Association of National Advertisers share goals for having a holistic media measurement ecosystem that gives every medium equitable value. You’ll learn the key standards that will impact your client campaigns, all angles on cross media measurement, the latest in view ability standards and more.

 
REGISTER NOW

 
 
ESPORTS
 
The New York Yankees may be one game away from baseball’s World Series – but now they have another sport to worry about too. The team has made an equity investment in Vision Sports, the largest shareholder in three different eSports companies. Those companies are Echo Fox, which fields ten competitive gaming teams; the content producer Vision Entertainment; and the league operator Twin Galaxies. The Yankees organization didn’t disclose the financial terms of its investment.
 
 
PROGRAMMING
 
Chelsea won’t be getting a third season. The show, which stars comedian Chelsea Handler, became Netflix’s first talk series when it debuted in 2016. Indeed, it was the first talk show ever to run on a major streaming service. It’s not 100% clear whose decision it was to end the series. (In her own statement, Handler says that she “decided” not to return for another season. But according to The Hollywood Reporter, Netflix canceled the series. So who knows?) Handler’s relationship with the service isn’t ending: She’s working with Netflix on an original documentary about the current political landscape.
 
 
ADVERTISING
 
Twitter unveiled #Fuel, a new service that rapidly churns out six-second ads for marketers. Essentially an in-house agency made up of brand strategists, #Fuel works on content, editing, and overall strategy. The #Fuel team also works directly with advertisers, talking them through the best ways to use Twitter’s ad products. Twitter says that it’s already tested #Fuel with 100 ad campaigns, conducted on behalf of brands such as Macy’s and Converse.
 
Facebook advertisers have access to some new real estate. The company has been testing interstitial ads – along with “rewarded video” ads – within Instant Games. The service, which lets users play games with their friends within News Feed and Messenger, is now testing ads with select game developers. According to a new blog post, the ads will first run across only a small set of games. The company says it will add additional developers to the ad program over the coming weeks.
 
 
VIRTUAL + AUGMENTED REALITY
 
AMC is launching a new virtual reality app. Designed to stoke interest in the network’s shows, the app is loaded with immersive content related to The Walking Dead and Into the Badlands. (VR content connected to AMC’s other shows is said to be on the way.) The app also features a “screening room” section, where viewers can see behind-the-scenes videos and trailers. The app becomes available on October 22 – the same day The Walking Dead returns for its eighth season.
 
 
APPS + PLATFORMS
 
VidAngel has declared bankruptcy. The streaming service, which filters offensive content out of movies, has been engaged in a major copyright fight with Disney, 20th Century Fox, and Warner Bros. The three studios filed suit against VidAngel last year, arguing that the service was essentially offering pirated versions of their films. The bankruptcy declaration will bring that lawsuit to a halt, at least for the time being. David Quinto, VidAngel’s general counsel, said that the filing will give the company time to develop its newest product – a service that filters out content on streaming platforms like Amazon Video and Netflix
 
 
EXECUTIVE MOVES
 
DigitasLBi has elevated two of its long-time employees. The marketing agency has promoted Laurent Ezekiel to President, North America & International. He’ll expand his role from the New York-Atlanta-Nashville region, taking the lead on multi-national client opportunities, including in international markets. And Jodi Robinson has been elevated to President, North America. Her leadership responsibilities now expand from the Boston/Detroit region to include Chicago and San Francisco as well. Both of the roles are newly created.
 
 
TRIVIA
 
Our Last Trivia Question: Full House  creator Jeff Franklin would go on to create Fuller House, the show’s Netflix spinoff, almost thirty years later. In-between, he created an ABC sitcom that ran from 1992 to 1997. What was it called? Answer: Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper. Kudos to Andy Pittman-TAMU/TX, Susan Nessanbaum-Goldberg-M and S Entertainment/CA, Tom Moore-Kalt Productions/CA, David Westberg-SAG-AFTRA Federal Credit Union/CA, Lorrie Shilling/CA, and Aaron Paquette-Screen Engine/ASI/TX 
 
Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper alum Raven-Symoné had a one-episode cameo in the latest season of a Netflix series. Her character – a fictionalized version of herself – gave the third-degree to a TV chef who’d been accused of harassing women. What was the series? (Email [email protected] with your answer and be sure to include your name, company, city and state.)
 
A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE
DEADLINE DAY

Cynopsis Short Form Video Festival: Entries due by
11:59pm tonight !
 
The deadline for the  Cynopsis Short Form Video Festival  is tonight and you don’t want to miss out. With a range of categories to choose from and a judging panel of the best in the industry, this is the perfect opportunity to shine a light on your work. Finalists will be notified in mid-November and the winning videos will be screened at our festival this March in NYC.
 
Submitting is quick, easy and done completely online – Get Started Here
 
 
SHORT FORM SPOTLIGHT
 
VR is still in its infancy – and so are VR editing techniques. At its Max conference, Adobe introduced a new product designed to take VR sound design to new level. Called Project SonicScape, the new prototype lets developers visualize sound in a 3D environment while they’re editing. Adobe has a quick video explainer that demonstrates just what that looks like – check it out here.
Roberta Caploe
Publisher
@robertacaploe
Diane K Schwartz
Senior Vice President
Media Communications Group
Cynopsis Ad Sales
Mike Farina | 203-218-6480
VP, Sales
Cynopsis Job Listings Sales
Trish Pihonak | 203-899-8459
Director of Operations
CYNOPSISJOBS – For More jobs, please visit Cynopsis.com
JOB OPENING: CONTROLLER/for LA  based  network rep firm: Broadcast minded controller to mng day to day activities & work w/ CEO to build future strategies. HR & procedure compliance exp a + but not req’d. Strong knwldg of Accounting software, payroll systems, Salesforce, Quickbooks & WO. EOE. Resume HERE (10/26)
JOB OPENING: MANAGER, SOCIAL MEDIA/VICELAND/BROOKLYN/NY: Person to effectively mng social strategy across all key platforms. Mng/drive linear tune-in, engagement & social video views for max reach, relevance, & effectiveness. 3-4 yrs exp mngg social accts for a publisher or brand (ideally media/TV) Full info/apply HERE (10/25)
JOB OPENING: MEDIA RESEARCH ANALYST/NYC: Analyze lrg amt quanti data. Ability to draft compelling stories. Creative. 2-3 yrs exp working in media/rsrch related cos. Interact w/clients. Strong kwldg of cross platform data (TV, dig, social). Bilingual (Eng/Spn) 30 hrs wkly. Position open for NYC or Miami. Res HERE (10/25)


JOB OPENING:
LOCAL SALES MGR/WVIT/Hartford CT: Local Sales Manager w/min 5 yrs previous broadcast/radio/print advertising experience to lead a team of Account Execs. Working knowledge of Nielsen audience data. Full info/apply HERE (10/25)

 
JOB OPENING: MEDIA RESEARCH ANALYST/NYC: Analyze lrg amt quanti data. Ability to draft compelling stories. Creative. 2-3 yrs exp working in media/rsrch related cos. Interact w/clients. Strong kwldg of cross platform data (TV, dig, social). Bilingual (Eng/Spn) 30 hrs wkly. Remote 2 days/wk & 1-2 days NY. Resume HERE (10/25)
 
JOB OPENING: DIR, ACCOUNT MGMT – ADVANCED AD PRODUCTS/FOX/NY: Client-facing role responsible for proposal dev, campaign execution & mgmt of all digital campaigns. Min 7-10 yrs exp in an agency account mgmt role with exp leading a team & providing strategic oversight. Full info/apply HERE (10/25)


JOB OPENING:
VP NATIONAL AD SALES
/INSP/Open location: Growing nat’l ntwk seeks VP to mng agency relationships w/planners/buyers, dev new business w/clients direct & agency. Must exceed short form revenue; assist sponsorship sales for orig prgming. 3-5 yrs sales exp pref’d. Netwk exp a must. Full info/apply HERE (10/25)

JOB OPENING: VP, SALES/SPORTLOGiQ/Montreal, QC: Bringing a new level of analysis to the sports statistics market using advanced computer vision. Five+ years of exp. in software industry/technology/sales management w/ business degree. Passion for hockey a plus! Full info/apply HERE (10/25)

JOB OPENING: DIR, PAID SOCIAL MEDIA/A+E Networks/NY: Develop & manage all paid social media campaigns to drive engagement & increase visibility of programs across the entire portfolio. 5+ yrs. of digital media plng experience. Apply: HERE (10/24)


JOB OPENING:
ACCT EXECUTIVE/Stage 13/Burbank: Dvlp deep relationships w/clients to deliver against specific sales targets, while delivering exceptional mktg solutions & highest levels of client service w/top tier brand partnerships & prgrms w/in a new premium content. 3-5 yrs’ exp dig media sales. Apply HERE (10/24)


JOB OPENING:
LOCAL SALES MGR/ KNSD (NBCUOTS)/San Diego: Manage and develop Account Managers within the Sales Department training & motivating the team to surpass rev targets. Min 5 yrs of previous brdcst/radio/print advertising exp. Full info/apply HERE (10/24)

 
JOB OPENING: INTEGRATED SALES MARKETING MGR/ KNSD (NBCUOTS)/San Diego: Be both client and intercompany facing, responsible for the hands on development and execution of multi-market integrated sales solutions. Min 3 yrs working in TV or entertainment space. Excellent comm skills. Full info/apply HERE (10/24)
 
JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR, CONTENT PRODUCTION/EKO/NYC: Pioneer of interactive serial video ent. Manage creative development & prod for all scripted interactive series. Exp developing scripted content or serial content prod. Budgeting/negotiating exp a must. Mng team to achieve goals. Resume HERE (10/24)
 
JOB OPENING: SR DIGITAL RESEARCH ANALYST/Showtime/NY: Reporting & strategic analysis related to subscription and viewing behavior on SHO digital platforms, including Showtime (OTT) and Showtime Anytime (TVE). Min 2 yrs digital exp. with robust Adobe Analytics skills. APPLY HERE (10/24)
 
JOB OPENING: VP, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT & OPERATIONS/FOX Sports/Playa Vista CA: Identify/analyze business opps, negotiate contracts & follow deals thru completion. Multiple yrs of media/interactive exp w/ad & subscription businesses. Knwlg of internet tech platforms. 7-10 yrs mngmnt exp. Full info/apply HERE (10/24)


JOB OPENING:
SR RESEARCH ANALYST AD SALES/GSN/NY: 2yrs exp in Media (TV, Digital, Social, CBL) Knowledge/Skill in (Nielsen NPower, Nielsen AdViews, comScore, Rentrak, Wide Orbit, Custom Show & Simmons) Microsoft Suite (Word, PowerPoint & Excel) Detail Oriented. Send res and CL to [email protected] (10/23)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR, CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS/BBCWA/NYC: Design/deliver short & long-term strategic plans related to internal comms & events, as well as external corp comm. Apply if you are bright, energetic & enthusiastic about BBC brand values & content. Min 4-6 yrs exp. Full info HERE (10/23)
JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR, PRODUCTION ADMINISTRATION/IFC/Santa Monica: Supervise physical prod & administrate contractual payments for all IFC Originals; Interact w/3rd party prod entities ensuring compliance guidelines. Able to cultivate prod relations w/industry contacts externally & internally. Full info/apply HERE (10/23)


JOB OPENING:
PRODUCTION COORD/UP/ATL: Provide creative & admin supprt to SVP, Prod. & Dev.; mgt prod. sched; deliver treatments, scripts, rough cuts, etc.; serve as liaison to Ad Sales Exec & prod. companies; At least 1 yr exp. in T.V. or film prod. Strong verbal, written & org skills. Full info/apply HERE (10/23)

Cynopsis • Access Intelligence LLC • 9211 Corporate Blvd., 4th Floor, Rockville, MD 20850

Related Stories

Cynopsis 03/28/24: GroupM doubles commitment to women’s sports

GroupM doubles commitment to women's sports

Thursday March 28, 2024 Today’s Premieres Hulu: We Were the Lucky Ones Netflix: Bad Dinosaurs; Ronja the Robber’s Daughter Prime Video: The Baxters; Hope on the Street Today’s Finale A&E: Taking the Stand at 9p IN THE NEWS FOX Entertainment CEO Rob Wade is restructuring the company’s creative and business operations into three primary business […]

Cynopsis Esports 3/28/24: Riot shifts League esports strategy; Mid-major developers reign; Sentinels win big in Madrid

Thursday March 28, 2024 Good morning! It’s Thursday and this is your early morning Esports and Gaming brief. League of Legends developer Riot Games is shifting its esports strategy to better support its franchise teams, including a minimum revenue share guarantees and opening up additional sponsorship categories for esports organizations. The changes, Riot President of […]

03/27/24: Cynopsis Jobs

jobs5

GENERAL MANAGER PAC-12 ENTERPRISES SAN RAMON, CA (HYBRID) The General Manager is a strategic entrepreneurial leader w/in-depth insight into the evolving media marketplace. You will have a unique combination of executive mgmt, bus dev, and production ops leadership exp; with a proven track record of developing, executing, and maximizing lucrative opportunities for production/media content organizations. […]

Cynopsis 03/27/24: MGM+ orders “Earth Abides”

MGM+ orders "Earth Abides"

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT TV Family Entertainment TV & Family Movie Classics The Family networks run by a real family, serving families • Low duplication with other nets • • Brand-Safe Environment • • Delivering in flight • Click here to schedule an FETV upfront presentation with us Wednesday March […]

Cynopsis 03/26/24: Keith Urban headed to “The Voice”

Keith Urban headed to "The Voice"

Tuesday March 26, 2024 Today’s Premieres MhZ Choice: The King PBS: The Invisible Shield at 10p Today’s Finale NBC: Night Court at 8p; Extended Family at 8:30p IN THE NEWS CBS is sticking with the Golden Globes. The net signed a five-year deal with Dick Clark Productions for the show, which will air next in […]

CynCity

Cynsiders