Cynopsis: DIGITAL
01.03.14

Good morning. It’s Friday, January 3, 2014, and this is your first early morning digital briefing.

Netflix is testing a discount price of $6.99 a month for new customers to the streaming service. The package allows videos to be seen on just one screen, versus the $7.99 that allows for two. Bloomberg reports the move is to capture money-conscious consumers and to reduce account sharing. Netflix introduced an $11.99-a-month service last year for the option of four videos to screen at a time, but only expected one percent of its predicted 40 million users to actually adopt it.

---

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM STORYTECH@CES

---

---

As of January 6, ABC is restricting next-day access to full episodes of its shows on ABC.com to subscribers of participating pay-TV affiliates and Hulu Plus. ABC shows will be available to anyone after one week. Fox already uses the same technique.

Samsung may already be looking back wistfully at 2013: its stock dropped five percent on the second day of the new year, bringing down its market value by $9 billion. Mashable reports that the declining profit is due to growing concern for slowing demand for high-end smartphones and high marketing costs.

Cynopsis will be at CES next week, providing daily coverage of all the festivities, as more than 150,000 participants hit the Las Vegas strip. To prepare for the mega tech event, here are some top trends to expect:

01) 4K or Ultra HD: Both Samsung and LG already unveiled their gigantic 4K curved screen TVs. The next step is to watch how companies embrace 4K itself. Netflix and Amazon Prime have announced plans to include the new technology in their streaming services, but YouTube has lined up no fewer than 19 partners to support a competing Google-owned video compression technology, according to Variety.

02) Clothes tech: It’s not enough to own the latest and greatest electronics: now, you need to be able to wear it. Samsung released its Galaxy Gear smartwatch in the fall, and Google Glass is expected to hit the consumer market this year. Look for plenty of other companies to follow suit.

03) Connected tech: Digital companions for the fridge or the car are no longer just concepts for the future: Sensors, voice command and access to an individual’s data cloud of music, movies and social media is likely to be the next big development.

---

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM PEABODY AWARDS

---

---

SnapChat has a security problem. More than 4.6 million usernames and phone numbers from the social instant photo app – with an estimated eight million users – were leaked online yesterday. Gibson Security reports that SnapchatDB.info released a list of the data; the site has since been shut down. Fox News reports that the hackers said the breach was to prove how reckless companies are with users’ personal information. SnapChat had recently addressed previous warnings from Gibson in a blog saying, “Theoretically, if someone were able to upload a huge set of phone numbers, they could create a database of the results and match usernames to phone numbers that way… we recently added additional counter-measures and continue to make improves to combat spam and abuse.”

Skype also took a hit from hackers yesterday, but from the Syrian Electronic Army. The group compromised the site and its blog, running the headline, “Hacked by Syrian Electronic Army… Stop Spying!” The group also tweeted former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer‘s contact information. The message referred to Skype being part of the NSA’s program to monitor communications through major U.S. companies (revealed by infamous NSA contractor Edward Snowden).

Millennial Media released a new report showing the biggest jump in mobile ad spending came from the pharmaceutical industry. The study compared the growth of 2013 Q3 to the same period in 2012, which showed pharma spending increased by 744 percent in a year. News took second at a 530 percent growth rate, sports at 411 percent, consumer goods at 357 percent and entertainment at 264 percent. Millennial also reported the top goal of mobile ad campaigns in Q3 was to increase mobile traffic to the site.

Netflix released results of a study that said binge-watching doesn’t keep viewers on the couch – it can actually get them on the treadmill. In a survey conducted by the streaming service, 45 percent of respondents said they would be more motivated to exercise if they could watch their favorite shows on-demand, commercial-free. Favorite genre to jog to? Thirty-six percent of respondents said sitcoms.

The third season of TruTV‘s Impractical Jokers, which bowed on Thursday, includes a promotion sponsored by Geico that encourages viewers to unlock never-before-seen videos by engaging in social media. The final challenge will be revealed live online Thursday, February 13; details on “Impractical Jokers FANarchy presented by Geico” can be found on Facebook.

---

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE

---

---

Dell has released a new and endearing ad that pays homage to the humble beginnings of many big brands. The spot features companies like TripAdvisor, Whole Foods and Skype, which all use Dell products, depicting the types of locations in which they started (diners, basements and even a bus). Dell has not been a startup since 1984, but the ad suits the company as it embarks on its new privatized status and bigger focus on cloud systems. Check out the spot at www.cynopsis.com.

---

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE

---

---

See you tomorrow,
Jessica Reese
01.03.14

Roberta Caploe: Editorial Director
Diane K Schwartz: Senior Vice President, Media Communications Group

Cynopsis Ad Sales: Mike Farina | VP, Sales | 203-218-6480
Classifieds Sales: Trish Pihonak | Director of Operations | 203-899-8459

To subscribe to any Cynopsis edition(s) click here.
To unsubscribe from this edition, click here. Or for further assistance please email [email protected].

---

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE

---

---

---

CynopsisCLASSIFIEDS – For More classifieds, visit theCynopsis.com classifieds page here.

---

JOB OPENING: RETAIL MKTG MGR/NICKELODEON/NYC: Focus on new bus retail opps. Be instrumental in creating new relationships w/retailers & dvlpng mktg prgrms to engage new/existing clients. 3-5 yrs exp licensing, consumer prods Apply HERE (1/10)

JOB OPENING: ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE/Screenvision/NYC: 3+ yrs exp selling media advtsing. Client mgmt & develpmt. Success in sales! Apply: www.screenvision.com (1/10)

JOB OPENING: STRATEGIC MKTG MGR/NBCUniversal/NYC: 6 month role w/USA Network. Develop/present 360 campaigns during Upfront season. 5 yrs TV/agency exp. required. Send resume to [email protected] (1/10)

JOB OPENING:SENIOR INTERACTIVE ART DIRECTOR/A+E Networks/NY: Create/maintain consistent visual style that best represents A+E Networks brands in all forms of dig mktg. Full Info/Apply: http://www.aenetworks.com/careers (1/8)

JOB OPENING:DIRECTOR, RESEARCH/NYC: Channels & Ad Sales: manages research needs for BBC America across programming/scheduling, ad sales, affiliate sales & senior management. The position oversees 1 Manager and 2 Senior Analysts. Apply HERE (1/8)

JOB OPENING:FINANCE COORD/LA: Coordinate and process financial records for the Art Department. Assist Production Manager in managing production and department budgets. APPLY HERE (1/8)

JOB OPENING:DIR, VH1 PROD MNGMNT/NYC: Support a diverse slate of channel branding initiatives across a broad range of formats. Must be diplomatic and tactful, strategic and extremely resourceful. More info/Resume HERE (1/7)

JOB OPENING: FINANCE COORDINATOR/NBCU/LA: Coordinate and process financial records for the Art Department and assist Production Manager in managing production and department budgets. Apply HERE (1/5)

JOB OPENING: SR GRAPHICS SYSTEM ADMIN/NBC Universal/NYC: Has an exciting opportunity for a talented individual to become part of our Graphics Technology team in New York. This department supports all of the Graphics De. Apply HERE (1/5)

EXPERT SERVICES ADS: These ads are for companies or people who offer an expertise in the field of media by way of production, voice over artistry, writing, set development, etc. For information on rates and specs for posting an Expertise Service ad email Trish at [email protected]

INTERNSHIPS – These positions are for credit only – nobody gets paid here. These ads are always 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].

WINTER/SPRING INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: Entertainment Intern: NYC ISO talented writers, adept rsrchrs, enthusiastic, personable interns to help build brand new prod/content dvlpmnt co headed by 30-yr veteran of ent. ind. Res/cover: [email protected] (1/5)

SITUATION WANTED ADS, POSTED BY THOSE LOOKING TO BE HIRED… There is no charge for placing your Situation Wanted ad… for more information contact Trish Pihonak at [email protected].

SITUATION WANTED: South East/SENIOR PRODUCER: 15+ years in cable television, extensive experience with live remote, studio and post production. Willing to relocate. Contact: [email protected] (1/5)

SITUATION WANTED: Established online entertainment writer and executive assistant seeks FT employment in NY or LA in TV, film, or creative office. See christinamilazzo.contently.com for clips. Email [email protected] for resume (1/5)

E-mail [email protected] or call Trish Pihonak at 203-899-8459 for rates and specs for Job Openings.

Are you looking for a job? Post your Situation Wanted Ad here — Email [email protected] for specs.

Copyright Cynopsis 2014

All outgoing e-mails are scanned and sent out virus free. Copyright Cynopsis 2014