Cynopsis: DIGITAL
4/26/07
Good Morning, it’s Thursday, April 26, 2007 and this is your first early morning digital briefing.
On the heels of joining the NBCU/NewsCorp online video alliance, MSN Video is beta testing a new cross platform, multi-browser video site, compatible with Windows and Mac machines using Firefox 2. Its look, feel and features borrow liberally from Soapbox, Microsoft’s answer to YouTube. Videos can be searched for, tagged and viewed full-screen without interruption. MSN Entertainment is also sporting a new look. It now features localized TV listings, a recommendations engine and a searchable database that will pull up all stories, listings and video episodes by title.
~ MULTIPLATFORM CONTENT NEWS ~
Mark Burnett and MySpace are teaming up to produce a politically-themed reality show next year that will begin on MySpace and hopefully find a network to land on. Independent places would-be politicians in a competition to vie for votes among interactive town halls made up of MySpace’s “friends”. The winner will be awarded $1 million to use to further a political goal, either as a donation to an action group or to fund a personal campaign. Candidates try out for a spot by submitting clips to MySpace Video. Political topics that generate the most buzz will influence the challenges producers create for the on air show.
Kids publisher site Scholastic.com is also getting into the political online arena, hosting the first Democratic Kids Debate ’08 tonight at 7 p.m. from South Carolina. Students email comments and questions to kid reporter John Dixon who will pose them to the candidates in the “spin room” after the debate. This is John’s second time covering the elections–he began his career in 2004 at the ripe of ten!
HBO is making its documentary series Addiction available for free to college students via the Open Student Television Network. The feature film, about the science behind drug addiction and treatment, is viewable on student cable or at OSTN’s website.
CNN.com debuted an online memorial to honor the 32 victims of the Virginia Tech tragedy, including photos, profiles and comments from the people who knew them. Users can submit content via mobile phone or the internet using citizen journalist tool I-Report.
Bright House Networks launched a user-generated video on demand service to its digital cable customers in Tampa Bay with categories such as Cool Kids, Pet Performances and Funny Videos. But the MSO is not set up to receive videos online; audiences must send in a VHS or DVD. How 20th century!
It’s finally here! The Cyn opsis Weekender College Edition sponsored by Greek, A New ABC Family Original Series coming in July. The edition will be sent out later on this morning and will include editorials on television chosen from the 150+ essays submitted by college students all around the world. The edition will also include a special section of Situation Wanted ads sent in by college students all looking to be hired into our industry. Be sure to pay particular attention to these ads!
Watch the trailer for GREEK A New ABC Family Original Series, Coming This July
Check out the two minute trailer in Today’s Cynopsis Video Showcase
~ INNOVATORS & START-UPS ~
Revver struck a syndication agreement with Intent MediaWorks to exchange and distribute each others’ video content online. Revver, the first video site to offer amateur creators a revenue-sharing model, will bring ad-attached syndication to Intent’s content by offering channels on its site. Intent will increase distribution for Revver utilizing its peer-to-peer network.
Music trade magazine Billboard became the latest channel to launch on Veoh.com. The channel will feature news, interviews, original series and musical performances. Shows include Billboard in Sixty, a 60-second wrap of music news and Billboard Underground, focusing on emerging artists. Both shows are hosted by Danielle Flora.
UK-based data search company Autonomy exercised an option to take over video search consumer site Blinkx. Autonomy plans to spin off its consumer division, combine it with Blinkx and list the newly merged company on the London AIM stock exchange in May. Blinkx founder and CEO Suranga Chandratillake was formerly CTO of Autonomy.
Internet video network GoFish premiers Seduce A Celeb today, a 14-week interactive reality dating show made exclusively for the net. Two eligible bachelorettes, Lindsey Knickerbocker and Ashley Zarin (from Bravo’s Real Housewives of Orange County fame), evaluate user-submitted videos and interact with the men who send them to decide who they want to date. Scott Sternberg directs, and former ABC bachelor Andrew Firestone hosts.
Lonleygirl15’s Jessica Rose scored her first starring role in a movie. Perfect Sport follows at the rise and fall of an aspiring high school wrestler (Anthony O’Brien) who is overshadowed by his younger sister after she joins the team. It is currently being shot on Vashon Island, WA by Building Block Pictures.
~ TECHNOLOGY DEALS, MERGERS AND SKIRMISHES ~
Dish Network will launch a new interactive TV application developed with Gemstar-TV Guide and Ensequence providing recommendations for what to watch in up to 10 categories of programming. It will also allow Dish subscribers to set programming reminders and recordings as well as upgrade services.
Scripps Interactive Media (including search and shopping services Shopzilla, uSwitch and United Media) revenue totaled $62.9 million for the first quarter compared with $58.6 million 1q 2006. But on a pro forma basis, when the uSwitch acquisition is factored in for a full year, revenue is actually down by 8.7%. Meanwhile online revenue was the one bright spot for Scripps’ Newspaper group, up 20% to $10.1 million over last year. Overall the company saw year-on-year growth of 2%, to reach $601 million.
Meredith also reported “outstanding growth” in online revenues across the company. Advertising on magazine-branded websites grew by more than 50%. Traffic, unique visitors and page views were up more than 10%. In addition to the recent relaunch of BHG.com and the introduction of its first broadband network Better.tv, the company plans to introduce a new parenthood portal under the parents.com brand tied to an additional broadband channel ParentsTV.
Rupert Murdoch is hosting a pow-wow for his top news executives at his ranch in Carmel, California next week to map out a strategy for survival in the digital age. Outside speakers such as eBay CEO Meg Whitman will be on hand to help rally the troops. In a piece he penned this month for Forbes, Murdoch is cautiously optimistic about the role of big media in this “ruthlessly competitive” marketplace. “Old media can survive–and thrive–in this new environment, but they must adapt,” he wrote. “We must learn how younger generations of consumers prefer to receive their news and entertainment, and we must meet those expectations.
~ DIGITAL ADVERTISING ~
Boulder, Colorado-based marketing and lead-generation company Intela acquired blog advertising network CripsAds. Intela plans to leverage the network to add more targetability and interactivity to its marketing campaigns. CrispAds delivers ads to over 2,000 content-specific blog sites, matching interests of advertisers with categories submitted by the blog publishers.
Nike moved its running shoe account to Miami-based Cripsin Porter + Bousky, amid highly publicized rumors that its long-time agency Widen + Kennedy wasn’t web savvy enough. Crispin has become known for innovative online campaigns for clients such as Mini Cooper and Burger King. R/GA in New York will continue to maintain Nike’s Nike ID and Nike Plus websites.
Web radio ad firm TargetSpot received funding from Union Square Ventures, CBS Radio and avatar creator Oddcast. CBS Radio plans to use TargetSpot’s ad authoring and targeting technology on more than 100 of its music, sports, news and talk radio stations that broadcast online.
~ TRENDS, RESEARCH, ETC. ~
Nielsen will begin reporting DVR ratings nationally and in local markets from next month. Initial “timeshifted” ratings information on a live + 7 days basis showed House and Lost to be the most popular among DVR users. House gained additional 2.74 million viewers on April 3 while Lost pulled in an additional 2.47 million. The Office showed the highest gain on a percentage basis, picking up more than 31% more viewers. DVR numbers will be computed using the installed National People Meter sample. The DVR universe now accounts for 17.2% of U.S. homes.
Nielsen/Net Ratings responded to IAB‘s call for auditing last week, saying the company is already in the process of securing third-party certification of its methodologies, and that traditional ratings auditor Media Ratings Council had completed its first pass. ComScore also replied to the letter, claiming it has opened its methodology to the Advertising Research Foundation. ComScore said it plans to release results of the evaluation in the near future.
~ EXECUTIVE MOVES ~
Online ad rep firm Gorilla Nation hired Aimee Gerry, formerly of Avenue A/Razorfish and DoubleClick, as Senior Account Manager covering the Northwest region. Neda LaMarr also joined the company as Account Executive, Inside Sales. Finally Sharyn Alcaraz was hired as Senior Corporate Counsel.
~ WEBSITE OF THE DAY ~
Drivetime is a weekly video blog produced during the daily commute of Boston-based artist and graphic designer Ravi Jain. He’s got a webcam taped to his rearview mirror, which records the conversations and coming-and-goings of the people he carpools with. Like a sitcom, there are recurring characters, special guests and a definite point-of-view. The only unnerving thing is when Ravi keeps looking at the camera – instead of at the road! The site was actually nominated for a Webby, so it’s already got some light on it. If you haven’t seen it, I encourage you to check it out.
Thanks to: Zach from Tilzy.TV
A new website will be featured here every day for you to check out. Some are TV-centric, some creative, some just plain strange. Email me your suggestions at [email protected] and if I include the site you mention, your name, company and city will be credited. Only one mention per calendar week, to make it fair.
Later — Wayne
Wayne Karrfalt for Cynopsis: Digital
04.26.07
Cynopsis Ad Sales: Mark Bohn- 203- 583-1224 / [email protected]
Classifieds – Trish Pihonak- 203-926-9878 / [email protected]
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Cyn opsis CLASSIFIEDS – For More classifieds, visit the Cynopsis.com classifieds page here
JOB OPENING: MKTNG DEP/NAT SALES STAFF: Execute promotional prgrms for advrtsrs. Proactive, orgz’d, creative thinker. Exc written/verbal skills. Knwldg PP, Microsoft Word, Excel. 2-3 yrs exp. [email protected] EOE/M/F/D/AAP (5/3)
JOB OPENING: DIR CREATIVE SVCS/Miramax Films/NY: Responsible for coord’g and producing select A/V Projects (trailers, TV spots) from inception through finishing. Advertising prod and ent exp a must. [email protected] (5/3)
JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR, MEDIA/Miramax Films/NY: Responsible for sprvsng & coord’g TV/Radio buying/planning.Oversee media based promotions. 3+ yrs of TV/Radio buying/planning exp for film a must. [email protected] (5/3)
JOB OPENING: SR INTERACTIVE PROJECT MGR/Celebrity’s Websites/NY, NY: Design, develop & lead implementation of a holistic strategy for online properties. HTML CSS & SEO a must. 5+yrs related exp. Res to: [email protected] (5/3)
JOB OPENING: ACCT MGR MEDIA AD SALES/The New York Times: Min 3 yrs media and/or online exp, print & online ad sales, agency exp. ok. Please apply to: [email protected] (5/3)
JOB OPENING: RESEARCH MANAGER/The New York Times/NY: 3-5 yrs research. exp, design & conduct res. projects, support sales team with research data, strong presen. & analytical skills, BA req., please apply to: [email protected] (5/3)
JOB OPENING: COORD RIGHTS & CLRNCS/BBCWWA/NY: Coord/calc TV prog rights & clrnc info/costs for intl TV prog sales/dist. 4yr dgre, strng math, att to detl & fllow through; 1+ yrs exp. RE: Cvr ltr & res [email protected]. EOE (5/3)
JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR, AFFILIATE MARKETING/Hallmark Channel LA: 5 years exp. in Affiliate Marketing. See full posting & apply at www.hallmarkchannel.com (5/2)
JOB OPENING: DEVELOPMENT COORD/LA: Seeking creative, organized individual with passion for reality TV and ability to develop, write and pitch unscripted TV formats. Some admin work expected. Apply to: [email protected] (5/2)
JOB OPENING: MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER/Context Web, Inc./New York/NY: Support the sales group of a growing ad network. Individual w/ comm, rsrch & analytics skills. 2-3 yrs online exp. Apply: [email protected]. (5/2)
JOB OPENING: SALES PLANNER/Fox Cable/New York, NY: day-to-day management of accounts; assist in RFPs & proposal development; 2-3 yrs sales/agency experience; strong communication skills & attention to details; www.foxcareers.com (5/2)
JOB OPENING: ASSOCIATE CREATIVE DIR TRADE & NEW MEDIA/NBC UNI,CA: Responsible for creative concept & management of all Ad Sales Marketing & New Media On-Air/Video projects Min. 5 yrs related exp. www.nbcjobs.com search job#567496 (5/2)
JOB OPENING: PRODUCERS/ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS/Chicago: Must be able to book real people & work well in fast-paced environment. Talk or Court TV exp. a plus. Send resume to: [email protected] (5/2)
JOB OPENING: PUBLICIST/ Turner Broadcasting/NY: Execute public relations campaigns for ad sales & marketing partnerships at the Turner nets. 4+ yrs PR exp. Digital contacts/exp. a plus. Resumes to: [email protected] (5/1)
JOB OPENING: RESEARCH ANALYST/Cablevision, NY, NY: 1 + yrs media research exp. Nielsen systems exp. req. MRI/Scarborough know. a plus . Strong presentation/analytical skills. Visit www.cablevision.jobs apply to req ID 3149 (5/1)
JOB OPENING: DIR OF PRODUCTION/SF, CA: 5+ yrs as Prod Mgr w/ TV PRODUCTION CO/hi-profile series for TV. Hi-level mgmt position, juggles concurrent series, detail/trouble-shooting, big-picture vision. Res: [email protected] (5/1)
JOB OPENING: DIR, BUS DEV/VERSUS/Stamford, CT: Source/develop/execute new bus around ntwrk’s niche genres. 5+yrs exp, strong fin’l bckgrd,knwldg/contacts w/in sports media req’d. Apply: www.versus.com EEO (5/1)
JOB OPENING: DEVELOPMENT EXEC/MTV NETWORKS/SANTA MONICA: For youth prgrmng ntwrk The N. Oversee dvlpmnt of scripted live-action drama/comedy & reality properties across mult platforms. www.mtvncareers.com (5/1)
JOB OPENING: ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE/Fox Sports en Espanol/ NY: Sell Spanish language ad time; manage established accounts; develop new business; 3+ yrs sales experience; strong communication & presentation skills; www.foxcareers.com (5/1)
JOB OPENING: DIR INTL. RESEARCH-NBCUNI/CA: responsible for audience research & analysis in support of the distribution unit’s TV licensing activities worldwide. Degree w/ min. 5 yrs related exp. www.nbcjobs.com keyword job#591119 (5/1)
JOB OPENING: DEVELOPMENT EXEC/NYC: Conceptualize, fully develop and sell new series/shows for cable/similar. Experience a must. Self starter. Salary based on exp. Small company, fun environment. Email: [email protected] (5/1)
JOB OPENING: ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE ONLINE/LIFETIME NY: Sales Account Manager responsible for growing and managing media sales for Lifetimetv.com and LMN.tv Apply at: http://www.lifetimetv.com/about/jobs.html (5/1)
JOB OPENING: MGR. ONLINE AD SALES OPERATIONS/LIFETIME NY: Develop, evaluate and approve deals to maximize the gross profit generated by online inventory Apply at: http://www.lifetimetv.com/about/jobs.html (5/1)
JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR PROGRAMMING/ DIY Network /Knoxville: Strong knwldg in all phases of TV production and development. 7 yrs of competitive network experience preferred. Resume: [email protected] ref job# 6104-U (4/28)
JOB OPENING: MGR DIGITAL ASSET/CONTENT MGMT/Starz Media/NY: Mng content assets (encoding/storage, schdlng, QC, metadata database, asset trffckng). Orgnzd & det. oriented. www.starz.com/careers/2467.htm [email protected] (4/28)
JOB OPENING: MGR DIGITAL TRAFFIC & MERCH/Starz Media/NY: Manage online merchandising of digital content (placement/promo on services + developing/executing online campaigns). www.starz.com/careers/2463.htm [email protected] (4/28)
JOB OPENING: SR MGR RETAIL DEVEL/LA: Assist licensees sell-in retail accts; devel/execute retail progs/promos; hi impact present’ns; key buyer/merch mgr relations. Min 3 yrs exp. Travel. Apply: [email protected] (4/28)
JOB OPENING: ONLINE/INTERACTIVE MEDIA COORDINATOR– Fast Paced Automotive Aftermarket Agency! Orange Cnty/CA:1-3 yrs exp. in online ad-serving,ad traffic, optimizing and Microsoft Office a plus. Email: [email protected] (4/28)
JOB OPENING: RESEARCH ANALYST/Carat USA/NY: Seeking bright, curious individual to join our Insight team. Must have at least one year exp in media research, media planning or consumer research. Send resume to: [email protected] ( 4/28)
JOB OPENING: CREATIVE DIRECTOR/ NFL.com/LA: Direct and develop NFL.com creative process and principles. Lead a team of web designers. 6 yrs exp: multimedia, internet design. Full job description @ NFL.com. Apply: [email protected] (4/28)
JOB OPENING: CLIENT SVC MGR/AWARD-WINNING NYC GRAPHIC DESGN/MKTG FIRM: Mng timelines/budgets. Organization, communication, diplomacy skills, exp.in mrktg. BA+3-5yrs exp. Cover, resume, salary range to [email protected] (4/28)
JOB OPENING: WEB PRODUCER/Sesame Workshop/NY: B is for Business. Sesame Street Digital seeks producers experienced with interactive content production, marketing, e-comm and publishing. Apply [email protected] (4/28)
JOB OPENING: MARKETING SOLUTIONS COORDINATOR/Comcast/CT: Support Comcast Network Sales w/custom advertiser driven initiatives. BS req’d. 2yrs Mktg exp. Cable background pref. Apply: www.comcast.com Req#40343BR (4/27)
JOB OPENING: STRATEGIC MKTNG MGR/NBC Universal/SciFi: 5+ yrs in client-focused business, creating and fulfilling strategic sponsorship prgrms. FT position. Online B2B Mktng exp desired.Resumes to: Charlene [email protected] (4/27)
JOB OPENING: TRAFFIC MANAGER/qubo/NY: Oversee commercial operations, copy continuity, log preparation. Detailed, well organized, 3+ yrs. exp., Dealmaker exp a plus. apply: jobs@ qubo.com (4/27)
JOB OPENING: MEDIA PROMOTIONS MANAGER/BURBANK CA: Responsible for coordination and execution of broadcast sponsorships. Traffic creative materials via client to media partners. Email resume: mediacomvp @gmail.com (4/27)
JOB OPENING: INVENTORY & TRAFFIC ADMINISTRATOR/Ovation/NY: 3-5 yrs exp. in ad sales inventory & traffic process/Working knowledge of media math/Paradigm a +/Excel Send resume and salary requirement to: [email protected] (4/27)
JOB OPENING: EXEC PROD/WASH DC: Ability to mng team & explain complex scientific ideas thru TV, keep up w/ science developments to build & oversee world-class unit. BS + 10 yrs solid doc exp. apply @ www.nationalgeographic.com (4/27)
SPRING 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] .
SPRING INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: INTERN / Firebrand/NYC: Media start up /fast paced production environment. Opportunity to work in various depts. Sales/Marketing/Web/Programming & Editorial. Could lead to perm position. Apply to [email protected] (4/26)
SITUATION WANTED ADS, POSTED BY THOSE LOOKING TO BE HIRED —
SITUATION WANTED: SR DIGITAL MEDIA EXEC: 15+ years in Digital Media, Video, Music. Hands on programming, distribution, licensing and bus Dev; focus on New Media platforms. Startup & large company experience: [email protected] (5/2)
SITUATION WANTED: NYC’s PREMIERE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY LIFE COACH. Clients in comedy, docs, PR. Be the writer-producer-director of your life. Entertain Possibilities. [email protected]. Call for a free consultation. (5/2)
SITUATION WANTED: ONLINE MKTG/PR/PROMO EXPERT/NY: 13+Yrs Online exp Mktg/PR/Viral/Promo/Strategy/Soc Ntwrk/Content/Mgmt/for entertainment/consumer brnd. Cross-Platform exp.Creative/strategic. Email: onlineexp @gmail.com (4/27)
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