Cynopsis: DIGITAL

11/27/07

Good morning, it’s Tuesday, November 27, 2007 and this is your first early morning digital briefing. 

ABC News is teaming with Facebook on a U.S. Politics channel, offering users the chance to interact with reporters, view video news segments and join online discussions about issues helping to shape the campaigns. The two companies will host Democratic and Republican debates in New Hampshire on Jan. 5 with Hearst Argyle’s WMUR-TV providing additional exclusive digital content on wmur.com and the station’s YouTube channel.
 

After canceling a planned televised event in deference to the WGA strike, TV Guide quietly announced the winners of its first online video awards in a press release, claiming over 1.75 million ballots were cast. As many of the categories highlighted programming from the major networks, the winners were mostly mainstream programmers. Go to TVGuide.com for a complete list and to view the winning entries.

• Funniest Web Video: NBC’s Dick in a Box
• Best TV Show Site: NBC’s Heroes 360
• Best Comedy Site: FunnyorDie.com
• Best TV Drama Webisode: CBS’ Ghost Whisperer: The Other Side
• Best TV Comedy Webisode: NBC’s The Office  
• Best Original Web Drama Series: Sanctuary
• Best Original Web Comedy Series: Clark & Michael

 
Program Partners and Merv Griffin Entertainment licensed rights for a suite of online casual games build around the Merv Griffin’s Crosswords syndicated show planned for release early next year. William Morris Agency brokered the deal.
 
Akimbo launched a VOD content service available to CenturyTel‘s high-speed internet subscribers. Content in the anime, health & wealth, exploration & adventure, family & fun and sports categories are available for prices starting at 99 cents per download.
 
IFC Entertainment expanded its day and date model to offer select independent films through LodgeNet’s On Command hotel platform the day they premiere in theaters. Available titles at launch include: Black Sheep, This is England, Dans Paris, You Kill Me, and I Want Someone to Eat Cheese With.
 
Gay and Lesbian service here! launched as subscription on demand service in Comcast’s Portland and Eugene, OR systems, available for $7.99/mo.
 
Univision will help educate its viewers on the issues involved in the digital transition with a series of PSA’s entitled “TV Digital…Que tal? (Digital TV…What’s That?). The network will also air a half hour special on Saturday Dec. 1 at 4:30 ET/PT informing viewers how to obtain a converter box.
 

NBC Universal, Microsoft and Peacock Equity’s Firebrand.com launched as an online destination to view the best TV commercials via the web or mobile devices. Click through to on-demand ads from around the world or watch a live hosted show highlighting commercial programming from major brands.
 
Indie music site Woozyfly.com signed a deal with 4 indie music labels to promote their acts. The site will stage online promotions, events and viral/mobile marketing campaigns for Defend Music, Blackheart Records Group, Robbins Entertainment and Eagle Rock Entertainment artists.

 
Today’s FCC vote on proposed cable regulation is in jeopardy of being delayed or derailed, according to The Wall Street Journal, as external pressure increases and questions remain about whether or not cable has exceeded the “70/70” threshold. (The 1984 rule states that the FCC can re-regulate once 70% of US homes can get cable and 70% actually subscribe.)
 
Tivo and the NCTA unveiled an external adapter that will allow Tivo users to access “switched video” digital channels without an additional set-top. Switched digital is an increasingly popular technique used by cable operators to free up bandwidth that delivers channels on an as-needed basis. The adapters will be made available from the Q2 of next year.
 
Speaking of freeing up bandwidth, Ascent Media Systems completed upgrading Discovery’s 6 TV networks to HD video, overseeing design and construction of the company’s Sterling, VA facility.
 
Yahoo‘s Merchant Solutions e-commerce platform suffered outages under heavy traffic during Cyber Monday, resulting in error messages for consumers at the online checkout lines.
 

 
Networks are easily meeting and beating online viewing guarantees made during the upfronts and are in the process of trying to find new online advertisers to fill empty spots, according to TV Week. (Contracts are structured in a way that allows networks to stop serving ads once quotas are met.) CPMs or cost per thousand impressions are selling in the $30 range – less than what other online video outlets have charged – but revenue is clearly being generated in the space.
 
Fox Interactive Media is expanding its MySpace online ad network early next year to include other News Corp. properties, according to comments made by FIM President Peter Levinsohn at the Reuters Media Summit in New York. The network could also add wireless outlets in the future.
 
Creative marketing agency CMP Entertainment acquired web and print design agency Deadline Advertising. Deadline will continue to be helmed by founders Amir Parstabar and Jay Tehrani as co-presidents and will remain based in its current West Los Angeles offices, while beginning a facility and personnel expansion.
 

Online traffic increased 45% on Thanksgiving Day and 43% on Black Friday, reported Hitwise. In a custom analysis of the top 100 retail sites, walmart.com, bestbuy.com and circuitcity.com led the pack in terms of market share of visits.
 

 
National Geographic Digital Motion hired Paul Johnson as Account Manger for its London office. He joins recent recruit Dan Pierce with whom he will oversee advertising, entertainment and corporate accounts. 
 
Casual game creator Shift Control Media named Marc Gaccione as Director of Business Development. He joins the company from Eyeblaster, reporting to Tim Zuckert, President and CEO.
 
Ted Vagelos was named VP of Virgin Mobile USA’s Customer Management team. He reports to Jonathan Marchbank, COO.
 

 
UstreamTV is fast becoming a major player in the web broadcasting world, enabling anyone with a webcam to broadcast live video chats, events and shows. The site made news earlier this month announcing an integration with Bebo personal profiles. The homepage includes links to regular UstreamTV shows as well as user-generated video postings. Ustream will provide live video streaming of several important political events in the coming weeks beginning with today’s foreign policy forum at 9 am ET/6 am PT in Portsmouth, N.H., to be attended by Barack Obama. (The Senator will actually be introduced at 11 am ET.)

Later — Wayne
Wayne Karrfalt for Cynopsis: Digital
11.27.07

Cynopsis Digital Ad Sales:  Mark Bohn- 203- 583-1224 / [email protected]
Classifieds – Trish Pihonak- 203-926-9878 / [email protected]

Cynopsis website – Video Resumes, Extended Classified Ads, Archives, and the Cynopsis Daily Video

CableU – Know Networks Better. Pitch Smarter. Click here

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

JOB OPENING: ADMIN ASST/WE tv/NYC: Support programming execs & mgmt team with all admin needs. Handle phones, schedules,  travel, budgets, tape library, etc. Degree & Ent exp pref. res to www.cablevision.jobs ref #4860BR  (12/4)

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH DIR/Screenvision Cinema, NY: 8-10 yrs; Run sales research, strong know of resch resources, Nielsen exp req, prim resch exp plus, TV bkgnd pref, Mgmt Exp req. Submit resumes:  [email protected] (12/4)

JOB OPENING: SALES PLANNER/TV10s/NYC: For Closed Captioning & 10-second commercial sales: Create proposals, mkgds, manage adu, detail oriented. Power Point a +. Resume: [email protected] (12/4)

JOB OPENING:  2 SALES PLANNERS/Galavision/NY: Generate upfront/scatter plans. Handle all aspects of ongoing deal maintenance/stewardship. Dealmaker/VCI/media experience & Spanish a plus. Apply: [email protected]. EOE   (12/1)

JOB OPENING:  PROJECT MANAGER,AD SALES RES (Syn/Digital/NY-Warner Bros.) strong math and pres. writing skills. Adept w/Nielsen,digital measurements, Galaxy, Npower, Adviews, MRI. Email: [email protected] RE: UCTC/91155BR    (12/1)

JOB OPENING:  DIR OF PROGRAMMING/Rainbow/NYC: Develop & supervise production of Sportskool programming; oversee integration of branded content; assist in creating scheduling strategy. Apply to req 4926BR at www.cablevision.jobs   (12/1)

JOB OPENING: SR CLIENT ANALYST/MSA Media/NY: Manage cable nets on Gabriel/other SW. Perform biz svcs, issue resolution, training, Jr Acct mgmt duties, prod planning. Must have tech knowledge. Send res & $ req to [email protected]     (12/1)

JOB OPENING:  MTV EXEC PROD/NYC: 8+ yrs exp in TV production incl Sr and/or Supervising Producer exp. Extensive knwldge US market/pop culture. Strong mngmt exp; travel and work late hours. EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com     (12/1)

JOB OPENING:  VP RESEARCH MTVTr3s/NYC: 10-15 yrs media/market research exp. Strong analy sk + broad range qual/quant methodologies; Knwldge re key issues US Hispanic advertising industry. EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com   (12/1)

JOB OPENING:   PROMOTIONS & MARKETING MANAGER/Cartoon Network/[adult swim], NY:  Must have 3-5 yrs of exp in promos/mkting, advertising. Strong project mgmt, client service. Apply online via www.turnerjobs.com , Req# 90869    (12/1)

JOB OPENING:  SALES ASST/TV/DVD Dist. Co. in Norwalk, CT: Seeks energetic multi-tasker. Proficient in all MS Office apps. Accounting software knwldg  a +. Terrific hands-on experience! Send resume to: [email protected]     (12/1)

JOB OPENING:  MANAGER, PROGRAM PLANNING/MTV/NYC: 4+yrs TV prgm scheduling exp, Strg interpersnl & Excel skills, Knwldge of MTV brand /prgming/TV ratings & Entertainment industry. EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (12/1)

JOB OPENING: TV ACQUISITIONS MGR/Orange, CA: Research, screen, select and schedule content for inflight entertainment. Experience of global TV markets, negotiation, planning and attention to detail are musts. [email protected]  (11/30)

JOB OPENING: SALES PLANNER/Gorilla Nation Media/NYC: – Support sales team in managing proposals & campaign management. 1-2 yrs online sales & planning experience; Microsoft office exp. Apply at [email protected] (11/30)

JOB OPENING: VP CREATIVE DIR/Fuse TV/NY: Responsible for the overall dir, conception, creation, dvlpmnt & implementation of all On-Air promotions and packaging for all marketing platforms. Please send resume to [email protected]. (11/30)

JOB OPENING: WRITER/PRODUCER/Discovery Communications/LA: Conceive, write & produce TV & Radio campaigns for TLC On-Air promotions & mktg. Please apply online at www.discovery.com/corporate to job opening number 5931. EOE M/F/V/D (11/30)

JOB OPENING: NETWORK CABLE BUSINESS ANALYST/NY: Exp. With VCI software required. Background in Traffic & Ad Sales. Strong documentation & training skills needed.  [email protected] (11/30)

JOB OPENING: COORDINATOR, CUSTOM RESEARCH/NHL: 3+ yrs exp in ad sales rsrch. Extensive exp with custom research (e.g. Simmons/Scarborough/MRI) req’d. Strong knwldg of Excel and Power Point a must. Apply: [email protected] (11/29)

JOB OPENING: WDCW Washington DC seeks BROADCAST SALES VETERAN with 4+ years of exp. Aggressive seller with successful agency and direct business exp. Stellar presentation and negotiating skills required.  [email protected] EOE (11/28)

JOB OPENING: Rainbow/NYC: PROD MGR, ONAIR PROMOS for VOD cable nets; create & oversee budgets & project mngmt for post-prod/shoots/gfx. 3+ yrs ent/media exp. Strong detail/org/comm skills. www.cablevision.jobs.com req 4856BR. (11/28)

JOB OPENING: Rainbow/NYC: ASSOC. PROD, ONAIR PROMOS for VOD cable nets; write/produce/edit promos on FCP. Writing test req. Oversee digital file mgmt. Apply to req 4780BR at www.cablevision.jobs.com (11/28)

JOB OPENING: VP CONSUMER/AFFILIATE MKTG/Fuse TV/NYC: Establishes strategic mktg, promos & ad campaigns for Fuse, drive awareness & promote brand attributes to the trade, press & consumer.  Please send resume to [email protected] (11/28)

JOB OPENING: COORDINATOR, PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT/NY: 2 yrs devo or agency exp to maintain databases, draft deal memos and conduct research for fastest growing ad-supported cable network. To apply go to www.turnerjobs.com req# 90639 (11/28)

JOB OPENING: DIGITAL AE/History/A&E/LA: Sell digital advertising solutions to clients/agencies. Dvlp new business. Client service and acct mgmt. 4 yrs in sales -min 2 yrs digital sales. Apply: www.aetn.com/careers.html (11/28)

JOB OPENING: VP, PROGRAMMING & DEVELOPMENT/ EGO TV/LA: Scout, produce web and mobile video content for new Gen Y network. Must have strong talent agency relationships. 10+ yrs  exper. Resumes to [email protected] (11/28)

JOB OPENING: ON AIR TALENT/Web/NY:Looking for a 30-45 yr old female talent. To host a weekly prgrm on the latest in books, CD’s, DVD’s. Needs to appear knwldgble & authoritative, ditzy need not apply. Contact: [email protected] (11/28)

JOB OPENING: EXP’D CO-EP SHOW RUNNER/Powderhouse Productions: Develop and execute a stripped one-hour infotainment series for a major cable net. Science-tech background, web integration, a big plus. Resume to: [email protected] (11/28)

WINTER AND 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] .

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

SITUATION WANTED: JACK OF MEDIA TRADES/Over 10 yrs of hands on film & video exp varying from prod and post-prod to national spot sales. Willing to relocate to lrg or moderate mrkts in US or abroad.  Email:  [email protected] (12/4)

SITUATION WANTED:  Script Coordinator with previous work experience in animation industry seeks script or production coordinator position in Vancouver, BC. [email protected] (11/30)

SITUATION WANTED: CASTING DIRECTOR: Commercials, shorts, music videos. Very experienced Reality Casting Director/Frmr Talent Agent would love to do scripted! Great eye for talent of all kinds! Contact: [email protected] (11/29)

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

Interested in posting your Video Resume?  Contact [email protected] for more information ….

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