Good morning. It's
Monday, August 1,
2005, and this is your first early morning
Kids! briefing. After a week off, there's plenty to
catch up with --
Over the weekend the Screen Actors Guild voted in favor of a
new agreement for voice work on animated TV programs.
This new agreement builds on the provisional deal for actors on animated
TV projects set up early this month, which includes a 3% annual boost in
minimum pay, and a 1% percent boost in contributions to the union's
benefits plans, beginning on January 1, 2006, retroactive to July 1,
2005. Additionally, the Guild secured an agreement from producers
to recommend that the trustees of the union's pension and health plans
create a method to track earnings under this contract. To date, the TV
animation contract is one of the only union agreements for which member
earnings are not separately reported, data important to the Guild for
future negotiations. SAG also granted producers the right to theatrically
exhibit TV animation shorts for one week to qualify for Academy Award
consideration.
Also, at the end of last week, SAG members overwhelmingly approved
by 81% the proposed Interactive Media Agreement hammered out by
SAG's national board with video game producers at the end of last
month. The new contract went into effect on Friday July 29, 2005
following SAG member approval and runs through December 31, 2008.
While this brings some closure to the politically wrought negotiations,
video game actors did not make any movement on the topic of residual
payments relating to video game sales. The agreement was jointly
negotiated with the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists,
which approved the contract in June and with whom the contract has
already gone into effect.
Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. announced Australia's
Office of Film and Literature Classification, the body responsible
for rating films & video games there, has revoked the
classification of the Take Two and Rockstar Games video game Grand
Theft Auto: San Andreas, following the discovery of content within
the game that can be accessed via a third party modification. Given
the nature of the additional content, the OFLC declared that the game no
longer fit within the parameters of the initial MA15+ modification, which
means that the game is now unclassified in Australia, and can't be sold,
advertised or distributed there. Take-Two said, "…the OFLC
decision had been expected and the financial impact will not alter the
Company's recently announced guidance." On the flip side the
Interactive Software Federation of Europe stands by its original Pan
European Game Information rating saying, "The application of the
[modification] to the game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas does not change
the 18+ rating this title has been granted by the PEGI
administrator." Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc., is a
developer/marketer/distributor/publisher of interactive entertainment
software games & accessories, and the parent company of Rockstar
Games.
In the US, portable video games hardware, software and accessories
sales are up by +21% for the first six months of 2005 ($4.1b) versus
last year, according to a new report from The NPD Group. The only
categories to see a decline in retail sales was video game console
hardware, down -6% ($594m). Given consumers were well aware of the new
PlayStation and Xbox consoles coming within the next year, this should be
much of a shock. Also down year to year is PC game software sales,
down -10.5% ($405m).
NEW PRODUCTION &
DEVELOPMENT
Lions Gate Family Entertainment's second feature
film project is Sylvester, based on the well known kid's book
Sylvester and The Magic Pebble (1969) by William Steig. LGFE
acquired the rights to the Steig story from Simon & Schuster
Children's Publishing. This past March 2005, Lions Gate Family
Entertainment acquired the North American distribution rights to its
debut feature film Foodfight, a 3D animated movie Threshold Animation
Studios, and based on a story of Larry Kasanoff and Joshua Wexler.
Foodfight is currently in production and slated for release November
2006.
The cast for Sony Pictures Animation's upcoming CGI feature film
Surf's Up will includes Jeff Bridges, Shia LaBeouf, Zooey
Deschanel, James Woods, Jane Krakowski, Jon Heder, Mario Cantone, Brian
Benben and Michael McKean. Surf's Up is being directed by animators
Ash Brannon and Chris Buck. Slated for theatrical release in summer
2007, Surf's Up is the story Cody Maverick (LaBeouf), a young penguin and
up-and-coming professional surfer who hopes to gain admiration and
respect through winning. When he comes face-to-face with a washed
up old surfer, The Geek (Bridges), Cody begins to understand that winning
isn't everything.
MORE KIDS STUFF
PorchLight Entertainment has inked a deal for its
Jay Jay The Jet Plane preschool brand with India's Hungama
TV, the subscription based kid and teen targeted channel. Under
the agreement, Hungama has the rights to all 40 Jay Jay episodes and will
begin airing them 4 times a week as part of its pre-school line-up
starting in August 15, 2005.
The X Games 11 (no longer a Roman numeral laden event) will be
held this week August 4-7 in LA. The family-friendly action sports
summer X Games features athletes competing in BMX Freestyle, Moto X,
Skateboard, Surfing and Wakeboard, with different events airing live on
ESPN, ABC and for the first time ESPN Deportes. In
another first this year, portions of the X Games will also air live on
ESPN International in 75+ countries/territories in the Pacific
Rim, Middle East and Africa. In all the summer 2005 X Games will
reach 191 countries/territories. Television coverage begins on
Thursday - check listings.
MARKETING/LICENSING
X Games 11 off-air, on-site events:
This Wednesday prior to the official opening of the games, 400 kids
will take part in ESPN Play Your Way Day: X Games, an initiative
designed to encourage kids to create their own physical games and rules,
and watch a preview of the skateboard Big Air and BMX Freestyle Vert
competitions.
Friday, August 5, the X Games will host ESPN Deportes Day,
where the first 5,000 people to bring their cable bills to Home Depot
Center or Staples Center box office and can show that they are ESPN
Deportes subscribers will receive free tickets to X Fest, which will be
held Friday evening, August 5. ESPN Deportes along with the X Games
will host a group of Latino kids through LA not-for-profit organizations.
X Fest, the X Games fan and family centric activity center
located at both Staples Center and Home Depot Center throughout the
competition, will feature an interactive skatepark, lifestyle exhibit
booths, live music, product samples, awards ceremonies, athlete meet
& greets, and so on.
Activision, Inc. has extended its license with Marvel
Enterprises, expanding the long-term, strategic alliance through an
additional license agreement for a non-persistent role playing
game. Under the terms of the deal Activision is granted the
exclusive rights to develop and publish cross property non-persistent
role playing games that features groups of Marvel characters. The
agreement covers both the console and PC areas. The first game under the
new agreement is expected to be released in 2007.
STONE SOUP
Weekend Box Office Estimates for kids/tweens/teens
rated G, PG or PG-13; July 29-31, 2005: Charlie & the Chocolate Factory (Warner Bros.) PG $16.4m-3 wk
total $148.1m
Sky High (Buena Vista)
PG
Opening Weekend $14.6m
Stealth (Sony)
PG-13
Opening Weekend $13.5m
Must Love Dogs (Warner Bros.)
PG-13
Opening Weekend $13.1m
Fantastic Four (Fox)
PG-13
$6.8m-4 wk total $136.1m
The Island (DreamWorks)
PG-13
$5.6m-2 wk total $24.0m
War of the Worlds (Paramount)
PG-13
$5.4m-5 wk total $218.3m
Bad News Bears (Paramount)
PG-13
$5.4m-2 wk total $22.5m
March of the Penguins (Warner Independent)
G $4.1m-6 wk
total $16.4m
Batman Begins (Warner Bros.)
PG-13
$2.4m-7 wk total $195.8m Source: Box Office Mojo
EXECUTIVE MOVES
Olivier Dumont has been appointed as the new
COO of TV-Loonland. Dumont will be responsible for
the development, production and distribution of programming targeted at
kids and families. He will be based in Paris and London and report
directly to the TV-Loonland's CEO & Chairwoman, Selma Kappel.
Prior to his appointment, Dumont was Managing Director, SIP Animation,
formerly Saban International Paris, where he responsible for the
development, financing and production of animated series, which over his
five years with the company included series such as W.I.T.C.H.
Sean Cocchia has been upped to VP/Business Development, Disney
Channel Worldwide, reporting to Rich Ross, President, Disney Channel
Worldwide. Cocchia will oversee business planning and development for
Disney Channel Worldwide, which includes US basic cable networks Disney
Channel and Toon Disney, 23 international Disney Channels, 5
international Playhouse Disney and 6 international Toon Disney channels,
as well as Disney's interest in 12+ Jetix channels. He will also
work across all departments and divisions to develop new opportunities
and growth strategies for the kids TV business. Most recently
Cocchia was Executive Director/Business Management for Disney Channel
US. He joined Disney in 1998 as a Sr. Analyst in the strategic
planning division, focusing on the Company's International Television and
Studio businesses. Previously, Cocchia served as an investment
banking analyst with Credit Suisse First Boston's Media and
Telecommunications Group.
Today's trivia
question:According to Albus Dumbledore, what
is the one element of magic He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named does not have?
(click
here with your answer and be sure to include your name, company,
city and time zone with your answer. 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 Billings for Cynthia Turner's Cynopsis Kids!
08/01/05 - 3:55am
Cynopsis Ad Sales - Barbara Shapiro - 203-583-1224 /
Classified Ad Sales - Trish Pihonak - 203.381-9096 /
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Copyright Cynthia Turner 2005
JOB
OPENING:
ACCOUNT
EXECUTIVE - NCC,Wash DC. Experience
in media sales/media management with previous cable and/or electronic
media experience strongly preferred. Send cover letter and resume to
(8/06)
JOB
OPENING: DIR
FINANCE COMCAST PROGRAMMING/PHL:
Assist in management of Comcast's networks,review budgets and financials,
monitor current operations and handle related issues
http://careers.comcast.com
req#22093BR (8/06)
JOB
OPENING:
LICENSING
DIRECTOR/DISCOVERY
COMMUNICATIONS/DC: Expertise in toy or interactive/video gaming
industries. Strong bus/creative. Apply:
www.corporate.discovery.com and search by keyword 'licensing' on
our Career Site. (8/06)
JOB
OPENING:
PRESIDENT,
INTERNATIONAL. NY based. Develop
int'l broadcast & sponsorship client base/Manage int'l ad sales. Req:
5 yrs+ exp. in similar/int'l trade show exp./fluency in official U.N.
languages. FAX only 212-230-5843 (8/06)
JOB
OPENING: CLIENT
SUPPORT SPECIALIST/INVISION,
Inc.1-2 yrs exp. media ad sales w/ support exp. Knowledge of an
ad-sales system REQUIRED, DealMaker exp. a bigplus. Please
send resumes & salary to
(8/06)
JOB
OPENING: GM PLANWORKS seeks
MEDIA BUYERS
(local)-Chicago, NY, LA, Detroit,
Atlanta, Dallas. In NY-need
ASSOC DIR
ENT &
NTL MEDIA
BUYERS. Apply at
http://jobs.gm-planworks.com or
e-mail to
(8/06)
JOB
OPENING:
DIRECTOR, FINANCIAL
PLANNING & ANALYSISLA based
SíTV, the first English-language Latino network, seeks a driven
indiv w/ strong analytical & budgeting bkgrnd. Visit
www.sitv.com for job desc. Resumes:
(8/06)
JOB
OPENING:
MANAGER, FINANCIAL
PLANNING &
ANALYSISLA based
SíTV, the first English-language Latino network, seeks a driven
indiv w/strong analytical & budgeting bkgrnd. Visit
www.sitv.com for job desc.Resumes:
(8/06)
JOB
OPENING: TRAVEL
& EVENTS COORDINATOR/LA. Solid
promotions, travel and event marketing background for seasoned candidate.
Email:
; see full job desc @
http://www.tpeinc.com/helpwanted/coord.html (8/06)
JOB
OPENING:
MARKETING
MANAGER-HALLMARK CHANNEL Studio
City. Provides support for affiliate marketing initiatives. Must have
min. 3 yrs. exp. See full posting and apply at
www.hallmarkchannel.com (8/06)
JOB
OPENING: MNGR,
PRESS/CMT/Nashville: Conceive,
develop and implement effective press strategies. Secure national press,
arrange interviews, research & write press releases. 5+ yrs PR exp.
Industry exp pref.
www.mtvncareers.com (8/06)
JOB
OPENING:
RESEARCH
DIRECTOR (KMEX 05-07).
Compile/analyze/present Nielsen rtgs & mrktg data to increase
sales, track ratings of L.A. stations & viewership
trends.Bilingual-Span/Eng. EEO. 310-348-3414 fax;
(8/06)
JOB
OPENING:SR
RESEARCH ANALYST: 3+ yrs exp for
ABC-TV/NY. Competitive tracking & accessing daily
ratings.National research exp nec.Must: exp w/NPOWER,Galaxy, Excel &
Power Point. Resumes w/salary req:
(8/06)
JOB
OPENING: HR
PROFESSIONAL: Sundance Channel Full
service HR function: recruitment, employee relations, policy mgmt, comp,
benefits. Bach Deg, 5+ yrs exp in HR mgmt. HR exp in media a +. Apply:
(8/06)
JOB
OPENING: CLIENT
SERVICE EXEC/Nielsen, NY. Sell
Nielsen products, provide service to Nat'l Cable nets. 3+ yrs research
industry exp. Sales exp a must. National Cable exp a+.
www.NielsenMedia.com (200502687-JL) (8/06)
JOB
OPENING: LA-based arm for a
NY branding/design firm. A
NEW BUSINESS/ACCOUNT
SERVICES pos w/ a creative eye.
Agency background, style guide exp, & contacts w/motion pictures
(consumer products div) Apply:
(8/06)
JOB
OPENING: FIN.
ANALYST: Sundance Chnl, NY. Full
support for the film acq group, ensure books/records are
accurate/compliant w/ intl controls/GAAP. 2-3 yrs exp, Bach's in Accting
or Fin, CPA a +.
(8/6)
JOB OPENING:
NETWORK
OPERATIONS SPECIALIST, TV One.
Operations, Silver Spring, MD. Please see our web site for a
detailed job description and other exciting career opportunities.
www.tvoneonline.com (8/05)
JOB
OPENING: ACCT
REP, AFF SALES/A&E TV Nets, LA.
Support West Reg Aff Sales thru presentations, client events, trade
shows. BA/BS. 2 yrs aff or local ad sales or cable exp. Significant
travel req'd. Fax resumes to: 310-286-1143 (8/05)
JOB
OPENING: TV AD
EXECUTIVE/TRIBUNE/CT: Immed
opening. Motivated, TV AE exp req'd. Relations w/CT & regional
agencies a plus. Resume & cover to HR, WTIC/WTXX 1 Corp
Center, Hartford CT 06103.
M/F/V/D EOE (8/05)
JOB
OPENING:REALITY RESEARCHER -
LA based clip reality series, 3 yrs
tv/news exp. acquiring video clips, great digging skills & story
sense. Self sufficient & self motivated.
(8/04)
JOB
OPENING:POST PRODUCTION
SUPVSR - LA based clip reality
series, 5 yrs exp. set up & oversee in-house off-line & on-line.
large volume w/tight schedule. Self sufficient & self motivated.
(8/04)
JOB
OPENING:DIR, LICENSING CONSUMER
PRODS/VIZ Media/SF. Min 5yrs dom.
lic. exp, team player, sales skills, budgeting/forecasting, mgmt exp
& estd. industry relationships a must. Email resume (NO ATTACHMENTS)
to
(8/03)
JOB
OPENING:AD SALES
COORDINATOR; TV One Ad Sales-NY
office. Must have traffic or copy experience. Please see our web site
for a detailed job description and other exciting career opportunities.
www.tvoneonline.com (8/03)
JOB
OPENING:ADMIN
ASSISTANT/HALLMARK CHANNEL Studio
City-Support Corporate Communications Department. 2 years exp. See full
posting and apply at
www.hallmarkchannel.com (8/02)
JOB
OPENING:WE is
looking for a MNGR
OF PROD OPERTNSand PROG
ADMIN in NY. Min 5 yrs prod
exp. Degree required. Budgetary skills and budget sw knowl. Knowledge of
entertainment industry. Send resume to
(8/02)
JOB
OPENING:NAT'L TV
PLANNER/Children's Media Broadcast
Team: Agency/client-side exp 2+ yrs planning Nat'l Media. Children's
Media a +. Pearl River, New York call 845-732-8943
(8/02)
JOB
OPENING:REALITY
PRODUCER: Action Sports/Reality
Series:5 yrs mid-sr level exp: Strengths req'd: Coaching unscripted
inexp'd talent, working w/formats targeting 15-49. Great sense for story
& story arc dev.
(8/2)
JOB
OPENING:EXECUTIVE
ASSISTANT/PHL- to support
President, Comcast-Sony Networks. Min 5 years exp. See full posting
http://careers.comcast.com #21885BR (8/02)
JOB
OPENING:FREELANCE
PROD/DIR: NYC-based reality show.
Reality show and/or doc/long form exp req'd. Strong field exp; good
creative story-telling skills; & work w/ tight deadline. 5+ yrs exp
req'd. Res:
(8/02)
JOB
OPENING:FREELANCE ASSOC
PROD:NYC-Based Reality Show: field
exp, relate well to people, writing skills, good organizational skills,
editorially support the producer/director. Start immed. Resume:
(8/02)
JOB
OPENING: VP,
PROGRAMMING/ DEVELOPMENT/ ACQUISITIONS,
MTV EspaNol /NYC. 5+ yrs TV exp, 3+ yrs as Director in development
& production, Span/Eng fluency, Scripted & Non-Script exp.
EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply
www.mtvncareers.com(8/02)
JOB
OPENING: MGR
NEW BUSINESS INITIATIVES/ON AIR PROMOS
MTV/NYC. 3-5yrs commercial film exp, Strg financial/budget skills,
Xcellent org&detail, able to multitask, problem solve EOE/M/F/D/AAP.
Apply
www.mtvncareers.com(8/02)
JOB
OPENING: ADMIN
ASST/OLN-Stamford, CT. Support busy
Ad Sales/Mktg Solutions Execs.Proficient in Word/Excel/PowerPoint
req'd,sales/mktg/media background preferred.See:
www.olntv.com
Resume/salary:
(8/2)
JOB
OPENING:DIR
MKTG/PARAMOUNT HOME ENT ENT/LA:
Dev/exec of biz plans/vid sell thru release of theatrical/cat/acq
kid's vid titles. BA/MBA 5+yrs mktg exp req'd ent/kid's/fam prod. No
relo. Res & sal req.
(8/02)
JOB
OPENING:PROD
MGR/PARAMOUNT HOME ENT/LA: Strat
dev/mgmt of brand mktg efforts & ownership of mktg budget. BA req w/
2+yrs exp req'd in consumer pkg'd gds, toys or ent. No relo. Res &
sal req.
(8/02)
JOB
OPENING:LOCAL RESEARCHER
ANALYST/ABC Burbank.1-2 yrs exp in
TV research, apt at Nielsen/WRAP, strong written & analytical
skills,college degree req. Resumes:
(8/2)
JOB
OPENING:SR ANALYST, SALES
RESEARCH/ABC FAMILY NY 2-3
yrs exp media research, cable a +; savvy w/Nielsen, app. software; track
net pref/competitors, adding perspective; develop/track estimates. Email:
(8/02)
SITUATION WANTED
ADS, POSTED BY THOSE LOOKING TO BE
HIRED --
SITUATION
WANTED:
ASSOCIATE BRAND
MANAGER Atlanta. MBA, BS in
Marketing, and BFA in Graphic Design. 6+ years of solid brand
management skills, including cable broadcasting ad sales and agency
experience.
(8/6)
SITUATION
WANTED:
CREATIVE MARKETING
GUY from UK seeks position in
TV/film/radio in LA. Fluent Japanese too! I am the talent you
need. Email
stamfordcullen (8/6)
SITUATION
WANTED:
CHILDREN'S
PUBLISHER: Can create novelty books
for kids. 13 years exp. in publishing/writing/management. Based in LA.
Respond to:
(8/02)
E-mail
for
rates and specs for Job Openings.
Are you looking for a
job? Post your Situation Wanted Ad here --Email
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