A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM ANIMATION COLLECTIVE

Cynopsis: Kids!

6/15/07

Good morning. It’s Friday, June 15, 2007 and this is your first early morning briefing.

Cereal producer Kellogg has agreed to improve the nutritional values of its cereals (e.g. Froot Loops, Frosted Flakes, Pop Tarts), thus sidestepping a potential lawsuit threatened by parents and advocacy groups, per The Associated Press.  Kellogg also said that those products that cannot be changed to meet given standards would no longer be marketed to kids.  New standards guidelines for single servings of a given product can exceed 200 calories, have no trans fat and no more than 2 grams of saturated fat, a maximum of 230 milligrams of sodium (except for Eggo frozen waffles), and no more than 12 grams of sugar, not including sugar from fruit, dairy and vegetables.  Additionally, Kellogg is making several changes to its kid-targeted websites including providing nutrition and healthy lifestyle information, limiting images of foods in its games and downloads that fall outside the new standards.

NBC has announced plans to launch iCue, a new online offering that will deliver current news and historical coverage to high school students in three Advanced Placement courses, American History, English and government, according to the New York Times.  The site and reports on it will be fronted by NBC News talent and will at first be available for free, with a plan to charge for the service on a sliding scale.  NBC is reportedly pouring $10 million into the development of iCue, but there is more at stake for the network, like self-preservation.  NBC is hoping to draw teens, which are now getting their news from a range of different sources (e.g. Jon Stewart and the internet) to its news programming.  While there will be no ads on the site during the school day, there are plans to feature ads during after school hours though no deals are in place as of now.

Scholastic announced that Harry Potter creator/author J.K. Rowling is heading to the US this October 2007 for the J.K. Rowling Open Book Tour.  The Tour will include four events, three to be held for school kids in LA (October 15), New Orleans (October 18) and NYC (October 19), and one event in NYC (also on October 19, 7p) for the fans that win a ticket to the event through a sweepstakes to be held by Scholastic. At each event, Rowling will read from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the final book in the Harry Potter series, answer questions about the entire series, and sign copies of her latest book.  Scholastic will launch the J.K. Rowling and the Open Book Tour Sweepstakes on July 30, 2007, and on that day additional information and rules will be available at http://www.scholastic.com/harrypotter .

NEW PRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT

Universal, Lawrence Gordon Productions and Dark Horse Entertainment have begun principal photography in Budapest on the action-thriller movie Hellboy 2: The Golden Army, from writer/director Guillermo del Toro and film producers Lawrence Gordon, Lloyd Levin and Mike Richardson.  The film will be released on August 1, 2008.

Correction:  I must have been in a chimp state all my own yesterday … Barry Sonnenfeld will now set to produce Vanguard Films and Animation and Starz Media.  Prior to this Sonnenfeld had been serving as a creative consultant on the project.

MORE KIDS STUFF

Nickelodeon has teamed with Sony Music Label Group and Sony BMG Commercial Music Group to form a partnership to co-develop, co-produce and co-finance a range of projects over the next four years, including TV series and original movies to air on Nickelodeon, and multiple records.  Additionally, the deal could see the creation of apparel and electronics and other lines of business.  The first project as a result of the new partnership will be the fall 2007 release of an original soundtrack from Nickelodeon’s tween-targeted series, The Naked Brother’s Band.

The Science Channel is dedicating a weekend of programming to the life of Don Herbert, better known as Mr. Wizard.  Herbert passed away this week at the age of 89.  This weekend, June 15-17, Science Channel’s primetime programming will include: Building the Future: The Search for Ultimate Energy, How It’s Made, Beyond Invention, Venus Unveiled, From The Earth To The Moon, Mars Underground among others.

Anime Network has picked up the license the young-adult targeted anime series Ninja Nonsense from The Right Stuf International.  The popular Japanese comedy, described as “racy,” follows the mischievous adventures of a girl named Shinobu, a naive ninja-in-training.  Comprised of 12-episodes, Ninja Nonsense is scheduled to debut on US VOD on July 5, 2007 on Anime Network.

Toei Animation Co., Ltd. and Elastic Rights have completed three Spanish broadcast deals for the first two seasons of the anime action/adventure series Pretty Cure: Jetix has picked up the pay TV rights the series, which is scheduled to run June 25 through September 8, 2007; Cuartro has taken the free TV rights and will premiere Pretty Cure in early July for the second run of both seasons; meanwhile Clan TVE has acquired the free dtz rights and will begin broadcasting it on June 28.  Pretty Cure revolves around two strong girl characters.

There is a big old universe out there and world-renowned physicist, Stephen Hawking and his daughter Lucy Hawking are going to explain it to kids in George’s Secret Key to the Universe, a new novel scheduled for release by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers in fall 2007.  To help in explaining the origins of the cosmos the book will feature humorous illustrations created by Garry Parsons.  Life changes for George when a scientist and his daughter move in next door to his family.  As George becomes friendly with his new neighbors and their super-computer, he himself on an adventure where he learns about physics, time, and the universe as they travel from planet to planet, and what might happen if evildoers got their hands on the super-computer.  The translation rights have already been sold to 24 countries.

MARKETING/LICENSING

Disney Interactive Studios will launch a line of High School Musical video games this summer.  Based on the Disney Channel movie of the same name, the High School Musical games will offer players the chance to make their way singing and dancing through the first and upcoming High School Musical 2.  High School Musical: Sing It! will be available soon for the Nintendo Wii and Sony’s PlayStation 2, while High School Musical: Makin’ the Cut! Will be released for Nintendo DS.   Disney Interactive Studios also plans to publish a number of video games this fall 2007 based on Disney Channel series.  Games for Nintendo DS include: Hannah Montana: Music Jam; The Cheetah Girls: Pop Star Sensations; and The Suite Life of Zack & Cody: Circle of Spies.  Games for the Wii include: Hannah Montana: Spotlight World Tour.  And Power Rangers: Super Legends on Nintendo DS, PC and PlayStation 2 system.

Star Farm Productions have entered into a deal with Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing for its Edgar & Ellen property.  The new Edgar & Ellen publishing deal includes a new six-book series, two graphic novels, a pop-up book, as well as a how-to book titled Mischief Manual, which hits stores this month.  Simon & Schuster also published the first Edgar & Ellen six book series, which launched in January 2006 and has sold 425,000+ copies so far.  The Edgar & Ellen animated TV series (26×22 or 52×11) is set to bow fall 2007 on Nicktoons Network in the US and YTV in Canada.

Cartoon Network Enterprises has awarded D3Publisher of America, Inc. the handheld gaming rights to the original series Ed, Edd n Eddy.  The game, Ed, Edd n Eddy: Scam of the Century, is slated for release in fall 2007 for Nintendo DS.

Nelvana Enterprises has inked a number of licensing deals around the world for tween/teen-targeted products based on the Ruby Gloom property:

• US: Mighty Fine launched fashion knit tops, fashion bags, stickers, patches, buttons and badges with Hot Topic and plans to build this out into 2008. Mighty Fine also tapped Penguin Books to develop four non-series related chapter books with the first two titles slated for release in summer 2008.
• Canada: JC Kids (apparel) collection launches fall 2007; Adorable Kids (sleepwear), and Black and White Merchandising Co. (footwear).
• Pan-European deals: Bravado (apparel, accessories), and Belltex (bedding)
• France: Canal+ Licence has been appointed as licensing agent and has signed deals with CTM (nightwear) and Calego International Inc. (accessories). Publishing and apparel deals are currently under negotiation.
• UK: Global Licensing (T-shirts), Trudeau (tableware/lunchware) and Pyramid Posters (posters, badges, key rings and calendars), J Fox Sox (nightwear)
• Germany: Super RTL has been tapped as the agent, and there are two clothing collections being developed by Hall Eleven for launch beginning this fall.
• Merchandise agents have signed on in the following territories:  Benelux (CPLG), Mexico (Televisa), Latin America (EXIM Licensing Group), Middle East (MBC), Israel (YPL), Australia (Merchantwise) and New Zealand (Global Licensing).
• DVD deals have been completed with FTD (France), Televisa (Mexico), Magna Pacific (Australia) and OLC/Rights Entertainment (Japan), and Super RTL Video (Germany).

Warner Bros. Records is set to release Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Original Motion Picture Soundtrack on Tuesday, July 10, the day before the movie opens in the US and Canada.  Composer Nicholas Hooper scored the movie.

Friday Fun Fact:  Over 70 years ago, PEZ candy was first marketed as a compressed peppermint in Vienna, Austria. The name PEZ was derived from the German word for peppermint … PfeffErminZ

Answer to Yesterday’s trivia question: On what series would you find Winnie Cooper, the main character’s love interest?  THE WONDER YEARS. Kudos to: Joe Kromer-Sunny Delight Beverages Co./ Cincinnati; Ellen Donahue-Fisher-Price/East Aurora, NY; Kerry J. Hughes-qubo/NY; Kristen Tuinstra-ZONDERKIDZ/Grand Rapids; Mike Patterson-Cartoon Network/Chicago; Julie Syers-Briggs & Caldwell/Houston; Rita Silva- Disney • ABC Kids Networks/Chicago; M.Golding-Bandai America/Cypress,CA; Misti Ray-KSTU/ Salt Lake City, Utah; Kerri Huyck-KIDK/Idaho Falls, ID; Jen Tucker-Corus Entertainment/Toronto; Natalie Edgar-Cartoon Network and Boomerang/Australia; Kate Morton-Jetix Europe/London; Sean Cocchia-Disney Channel
 
Today’s Trivia Question:  Fleegle, Drooper, Bingo and Snorky are all characters from what “musical quartet”?   ( click here with your answer and be sure to include your name, company, city and time zone. Unofficial rules: Only the second four correct answers from each time zone will be mentioned; and once you’ve been mentioned in any of the Cynopsis editions, you can’t be mentioned again that calendar week.)
 
Later — Gwen
Gwen Billings for Cynopsis: Kids!
06.15.07

Cynopsis Ad Sales:  Jennifer Franko – 203-583-9796 / [email protected]
Classifieds – Trish Pihonak- 203-926-9878 / [email protected]

Features Available at Cynopsis Website: www.Cynopsis.com
Subscribe to the iTunes Video Podcast, or Audio Podcast

Cynopsis Daily Video and Cynopsis: Kids Audio Feed — both streaming (download option)
Extended Classified Ads
Subscribe a new address or change your email
Unsubscribe
Media Kits for all editions
Archives
Cynopsis Contact Info

To Unsubscribe from this edition or any Cynopsis editions, please click here

Cynopsis Audio on your Blackberry – click here for free Blackberry application

CableU – Know Networks Better. Pitch Smarter. Click here

All outgoing e-mails are scanned and sent out virus free.
Copyright Cynopsis 2007

Cyn opsis CLASSIFIEDS – For More classifieds, visit the Cynopsis.com classifieds page here

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH ASSOCIATE/Silver Spring MD: Support rsrch initiatives. 2yrs Rsrch exp. in Brdcst/Media pref. Quantitative/Qualitative rsrch background. Excellent growth opp. Apply: discovery.com/careers Position 5407 (6/22)

JOB OPENING: MANAGER OF STANDARDS & PRACTICES/MTV Tr3s/NYC: Review on-air & digital content for MTV Tr3s. Knowledge of FCC regulations. Bi-lingual Spanish. 3 yrs related experience. EOE/M/F/D/AAP www.mtvncareers.com (6/22)

JOB OPENING: SALES ASST/Oxygen/NY: Support 2 AEs and Sales Planner w/ all aspects of sales process. Must be detailed oriented w/strong PC Skills and a team player. 1+ yr cable exp or advertising agency. Resume to: [email protected] (6/21)

JOB OPENING: VP MKTG/ Retirement Living TV, DC/Balto area: BA, 7 yrs Sr Mgmt exp, tv or media exp req/ oversee dev of mktg strategies & campaigns, create & implement mktg plan, short to long term strategy, apply @ www.rl.tv (6/21)

JOB OPENING: PRODUCERS, ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS & FIELD PRODUCERS/NY based Nationally Syndicated TV show. All needed and each position must have experience in talk. RESUMES: [email protected] (6/21)

JOB OPENING: DIR, BUS. DEV/NY: Emph on brdbnd bus. Knowl ent. ind. Knowl. w/cab & sat. ind. Intutve analytcl sklls. Able to mng proj. Min. 3 yrs post MBA rel. exp.Ability to manage multi projects simul. [email protected] (6/21)

JOB OPENING: COORD, PROGRAMMING/VERSUS/Stamford, CT: Assist w/all aspects of scheduling for fast growing sports cable net.1-2 yrs prior exp, knwldg/interest in sports & strong computer skills req’d.EOE.Apply at www.versus.com (6/20)

JOB OPENING: CONTENT DVLPMNT/RIGHTS MGR for NY Metro Area leading cable ntwrk.Leveraging content assets across multi-platform.Prod & Rights clearance exp. Req’d.Contract negotiation skills a +. Apply [email protected]    (6/20)

JOB OPENING: DR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE/Fox Cable/ NY:Establish & maintain relations w/nat’l Direct Response Advertisers & Agencies; identify avail inventory; 2+ yrs DR sls experience; strong comm & present skills; www.foxcareers.com (6/20)

JOB OPENING: PRODUCER/EDITOR : Write, shoot, edit provocative shorts for bilingual audience. Take projects from pre to post production. Know Final Cut, Photoshop, After Effects, etc. Send links to your reel: [email protected] (6/20)

JOB OPENING: ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE/KTXL FOX40/Sacramento: More at www.fox40.com. To apply send resume; Email: [email protected] or Fax: (916) 733-3110; EOE (6/20)

JOB OPENING: PROMO SERVICE REP/Fox/NY:dvlp & execute sponsor partnerships (in-show integration, promotions & on-site branding); liaise w/ internal & external clients; 2+yrs promo/mktg w/in entertain or adv; www.foxcareers.com (6/20)

JOB OPENING: ACCOUNT MGR-AFFILIATE SALES/AETN, NY: Support the NE & SE regions in distribution, promotion and marketing of all the AETN networks.  2+ years
exp in Affiliate Sales.   Apply: www.aetn.com/careers.html (6/19)

JOB OPENING:  MEDIA SALES PLANNER/AMC/WE TV – LA: 2-4 yrs cable TV experience. Must have a minimum of 2 Upfronts and Gabriel exp pref. Resumes to www.cablevision.jobs #3628BR  (6/19)

JOB OPENING: SALES & RSRCH ASSOC/CableU, Norwalk, CT: Target corps & ind orgs for CableU subscription sales; support analyst team in cable ntwrk rsrch; 4-yr deg. Strong comp. skills & cable TV ind knwldg req.  Apply: [email protected] (6/16)

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH ANALYST/Program Partners/Venice CA: Great opportunity! 1+yrs Research & Nielsen. Ratings exp a must. Prior Studio Intern ok. Excel/Word/Outlook/PP critical. Work closely with sales.  [email protected] (6/16)

JOB OPENING: FCP EDITOR/PLUM TV/NYC: Must be proficient and work on various commercial projects simultaneously. Must shoot, produce, and edit creatively and quickly. Light and sound exp req.  Send resumes to [email protected] (6/16)

JOB OPENING: AFFIL RES MGR/FOX Brdcsting/CA-LA Analyze, present affiliate perf. Strong comm, writing, analytical & PC skills; BA; 3-5+ yrs media/brdcst res; Nielsen/WRAP/SNAP sftwr & MS appl’s prof.
www.foxcareers.com (6/16)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR, SALES ADMIN/Comcast Ntwrks/NY:  5+ yrs exp w/ strong analytical skills; strategic thinker. Resp for managing pricing, stewardship, revenue analysis, inventory mgmt. Email   [email protected]   (6/16)

SPACE TO RENT: Two fully functioning Edit Rooms, plus work space if needed, for rent from reputable TV/Web Co. Available now. Both have Final Cut Pro with NTSC Monitors & multiple decks. Turn key(phone, T1). Call Katie 212.242.1400  (6/16)

JOB OPENING:  MGR & COORD ONLINE STRATEGIES & PRGRMS (WEBSITE PROPERTIES)2 JOBS) Planned Parenthood: Dvlp/execute website strategy. Reqs BA/BS & related work exp (3-5 yrs-mgr; 2-3 yrs-coord). E-mail: [email protected] EOE (6/16)

JOB OPENING: OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR/ NAMIC, NYC: Operations, project mgmt, web support to diversity org. 3-5 yrs experience required. For full description and to apply: http://www.MyChoiceEngine.com/Role/35788 (6/16)

JOB OPENING:  EASTERN REGION DIRECTOR AD SALES/GOSPEL MUSIC CHANNEL/NY:  Develop and generate sales for emerging network.  Hire and manage sales team.  Senior sales candidates contact [email protected]  (6/16)

JOB OPENING: SR. BUYER/Job Share/SPOT TV/Active Int’l Pearl River NY(15 miles from NYC): 3 days-24hours total, 7 yrs+ agency Buying Spot TV exp a must; Resumes to: [email protected] or call 845-732-8943 (6/19)

JOB OPENING: SR. NEGOTIATOR/National Broadcast/Pearl River NY(15 miles NYC): Exp in all areas of Nat’l Broadcast placement. Strong analytical & presentation skills req’d. Resume: [email protected] or call 845 732-8943 (6/19)

JOB OPENING: GROUP BUYING DIR/Spot TV-Active Int’l /Pearl River NY (15 miles NYC): 10 Exp+. in Supervising/Buying TV. Strong negotiating, operations & team bldg skills req’d. [email protected] 845-732-8943 (6/19)

SUMMER INTERNSHIPS – These positions are for credit only – nobody gets paid here. They are posted for free, and students work for school credit only. For more information on the specs for posting an Internship ad, email Trish at  [email protected] .

SUMMER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: Baltimore INTERN needed immediately for doc on waterfront redevelopment. Logging, research, set ups and assist on shoots. Begin immediately work through summer, possibly the fall. [email protected] (6/16)

SITUATION WANTED ADS, POSTED BY THOSE LOOKING TO BE HIRED …

SITUATION WANTED: CONSULTANT w/20 yrs transactional/biz affairs/biz dev/legal experience in cable, broadband, broadcast. Successful and creative solutions. Available project basis/hourly rate. contact [email protected] (6/21)

SITUATION WANTED: SALES /NYC. Exp. professional with strong interest in media looking to transfer Wall Street sales & analytical skills to ent. industry. Seeks position in sales dept. w/ability to learn & grow. [email protected] (6/20)

E-mail Trish Pihonak for rates and specs for Job Openings.

Are you looking for a job? Post your Situation Wanted Ad here — Email Trish Pihonak for specs.