Warner Bros. Animation's
Over-The-Top Comedy-Adventure Series
MUCHA LUCHA! Enters The Ring On Cartoon Network's
Prime Time Line-Up On March 5!
Hit series also airs Saturday Mornings on Kids' WB!
CYNTHIA TURNER'S CYNOPSIS Kids! 02/05/04
Good morning. It's Thursday, February 5, 2004, and this is your early morning Kids! briefing.
Sally Rodgers, SVP/Programming, VTV: Varsity Television, the teen targeted network, yesterday announced additions to the channel?s 2004 spring and summer programming grid. VTV launched in January 2003 with a mission to fill the gap in youth programming between networks serving younger kids 2-11 and older teens and young adults 18-24. Series joining VTV?s spring & summer 2004 line-up (show, producer or distributor): Vampire High (LaFete)
History Bites (S&S Productions)
Hardcore Candy (GirlsRoom Productions Inc.)
Get Reel Music Mix (The Television Syndication Company)
Restless (Singapore Broadcasting Authority)
Masters of Company (Mentorn International)
Radio program producer and syndicator, X Radio Networks and Russell Simmons and Simmons Lathan Media Group (SLMG) have inked a national syndication agreement for Russell Simmons? Hip-Hop Laws of Success, a new ?vignette/commentary program.? New episodes of Hip-Hop Laws of Success will be distributed daily (M-Su), and will feature ?Simmons? commentary on messages for success on issues including culture, business, politics, personal development and entertainment,? in addition to discussions with people of note from different fields. The series will officially launch February 16, with a preview of the series currently available to stations via downloadable MP3 format. New York City?s Clear Channel WWPR (aka Power 105) will carry the series. SLMG will also release a documentary and book titled Hip-Hop Laws of Success in fall 2004, as part of its ?Higher Self Series? X Radio Networks is owned and operated by Excelsior Radio Networks.
Having rejected an acquisition proposal from Entertainment Rights this past December claiming that ER had undervalued the company, yesterday Chorion again nodded out of ER?s most recent unsolicited takeover bid, offering some $80 million (a combination of cash and stock), explaining that it wasn't in best interest of Chorion?s shareholders. Entertainment Rights, which has made several advances toward Chorion over the last few years, issued a terse statement with its CEO, Mike Heap: "At the first possible opportunity following the lapse of the 'standstill' provisions in the Confidentiality Agreement (28 January 2004), ER announced a proposal. The proposal was conditional on a recommendation from the Board of Chorion and the satisfactory completion of limited due diligence. Disappointingly, the Board of Chorion refused to allow ER to conduct due diligence and hence, given the importance in particular of establishing the existence of clear title to IP rights, we are unable to make a formal offer." Chorion holds the rights to the kids property Noddy, in addition to those of Agatha Christie among others, and ER owns kid titles Basil Brush, Postman Pat and The Little Red Tractor.
Up and coming Capitol recording teen artist Sky Sweetnam, who will open for Britney Spears on her North American spring tour, makes a guest appearance on The N?s Radio Free Roscoe, March 5, 8:30p. Sweetnam?s album Noise From the Basement, will be released May, 18.
Tokyopop Inc., popular manga publisher and Sony Pictures Consumer Products have joined together to create a Cine-Manga version of the classic anime title Astro Boy, which is scheduled to publish in August 2004. A new Astro Boy anime series produced by Sony Pictures Entertainment Japan and Tezuka Productions airs Saturday mornings on Kids? WB! A Cine-manga is a manga (comic book) that closely follows the actual story, dialog, art, and format of an anime program or movie. Previously Tokyopop and Sony Pictures Consumer Products published a multi volume Cine-Manga series based on the animated series The Jackie Chan Adventures, which debuted November 2003.
Nielsen Media Research and the folks at Tivo have come to an agreement whereby they will jointly provide DVR data to the television industry. The data will be culled from a group of opt-in Tivo users, that will be made up of five to ten thousand participants. The service is expected to be made available to Nielsen subscribers by year's end.
Columbia Pictures has made it official: Samantha = Nicole Kidman; Darren = Will Ferrell; Director and writer - Nora Ephron; producing = Red Wagon Partners. Personally I would have preferred Reese Witherspoon, but not my call.
The Vermont Teddy Bear speaks, and he sounds remarkably like Adam Carolla. In an effort to attract more young adult male customers this Valentine?s Day, The Vermont Teddy Bear Company has selected Carolla as the voice of The Vermont Teddy Bear. Carolla currently co-hosts LA radio station KROQ?s Loveline program along with Dr. Drew, and is probably best known as the former co-host, also with Dr. Drew of Comedy Central?s The Man Show. If Carolla seems like a surprising choice to be the spokesperson for the company, consider Valentine?s Day is the company?s single biggest holiday, last year shipping 110,000+ orders, with 85% of those ordered placed by men. Radio and TV ads featuring Carolla as The Vermont Teddy Bear begin running this week.
Genio Group, Inc., has entered into a licensing deal with Spin Master, Ltd., for the creation of series of Mighty Beanz Genio Cards. Slated for release in spring 2004, the first Mighty Beanz series will feature a total of 90 different cards and will be sold in 40-card starter decks that include a free Mighty Beanz toy as well as in 9-card booster packs. Developed by Australia?s Moose Enterprises, Mighty Beanz were introduced in North America September 2003 by Spin Master.
Gemstar-TV Guide International, Inc. has announced the appointment of Mark Wilson Chairman/TVG Network, and his resignation as President/CEO, effective immediately. In his new role, Wilson will remain involved in the overall strategy and long-term planning for the network, while moving away from the day to day operations of the business. Gemstar-TVG Int. has not yet named Wilson?s successor, and intends to conduct a search for a new network president. Wilson, who founded TVG Network, has been its President/CEO since the company was acquired by TV Guide, Inc. in 1998.
Kids Cable Network Averages in thousands (000) for Tuesday, February 3, 2004 6am-11pm, ranked by K2-11:
NICKELODEON: K2-11 1271; K6-11 559; TWEENS 9-14 347
CARTOON NETWORK: K2-11 687; K6-11 394; TWEENS 9-14 271
DISNEY CHANNEL: K2-11 649; K6-11 403; TWEENS 9-14 356
TOON DISNEY: K2-11 134; K6-11 63; TWEENS 9-14 32
ABC FAMILY: K2-11 103; K6-11 87; TWEENS 9-14 93 Source: MTVN Research from Nielsen Media Research Data
A MESSAGE FROM CYNOPSIS: Kids!
GOT SOMETHING TO SAY?
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agencies, networks, merchandisers and licensors, publishers, consumer product divisions, production companies, local stations, station reps, studios, agents, radio and print outlets, syndicators and distributors, and internet sites to name a few,
both here and abroad to more than a dozen countries.
Now that's reach and efficiency.
Answer to yesterday's Trivia Question:This 1950's advertising mascot, Bucky Beaver, may not sound at all familiar to many of you, except he was also featured in a scene in the movie Grease. During the slumber party at Frenchie's house, one of the girls, Jan, stood up in front of the television and sang/acted out the jingle as it appeared on the TV set behind her. Remembering that scene, what type of product did Bucky Beaver hock? IPANA TOOTHPASTE, BRUSHA BRUSHA BRUSHA! Kudos to: Michael Brett-ABG Accessories/NY; Robert Salmon-Fisher Price/New York; Judy Williams-Cox Target Media/Largo; Wendy Hunt-The WonderGroup/Cincinnati; Karole Kelly-Kidcom Worldwide/Minneapolis; Charisse Winecki-Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company/Chicago; Valerie Heilbron-Heilbron Assoc/Santa Fe; Sue Barrett-Determined Prods/Chicago; Ted Field-All Three Wishes Prods/LA; Scott Heath-KSWB/San Diego; Stephanie Page-Mattel Inc./LA; Lisa Brause-Golden House Ent/LA; and Stephanie Kravos-Nelvana Ltd/Toronto.
Today's Trivia Question: Remember the Addams' living room? Remember the not-so-lucky moose on the wall? (Had he been luckier, he wouldn't be on the Addams living wall, now would he?) Sure, you remember him, right next to the fish with the foot hanging out. Well, the moose had a name. What was it? (To answer the trivia, click hereand please remember to include your name, company, city and time zone. Only the second four from each time zone will appear in tomorrow's kudos list.)
Later -- Gwen
Gwen Billings for Cynthia Turner's Cynopsis Kids!
Publisher/Editor Cynthia Turner
02/05/04 5:53am Free Subscriptions-- SubjectKids! Searchable Archivewww.Cynopsis.com Cynopsis Kids! Ad Sales 203-526-8978 Submit Press Releases to Gwen Billings at
Copyright Cynthia Turner 2004
CYNOPSIS Kids! CLASSIFIEDS JOB OPENING:CONTROLLER for WBAL-TV/Radio Stations, Hearst-Argyle/Hearst Corp., Baltimore. Deg. in finance or acc'ting, 7-10 yrs exp in bcsting or related field; CPA or MBA a +. Send resume/salary req. to (2/12)
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JOB OPENING:Executive Producer of 2 nationally syndicated, NY based TV pgms seeking dynamic, proactive, PERSONAL ASSISTANT. Applicant must be dedicated, organized, extremely responsible. Resume: (2/12)
JOB OPENING:RESEARCH PROJECT MANAGER, TNT, New York. 4-6 yrs ad sales rsch exp needed; develop presentations & special projects; exp in Nielsen national systems required; apply to www.turner.com req # 19832BR (2/11)
JOB OPENING:EXEC DIRECTOR OF PROGRAM PLANNING-Disney Channel/LA -implement programs and strategy for Disney channel,7+ yrs exp in Kids TV. Email: (2/11)
JOB OPENING:ASST. CHIEF ENGINEER, WAZE-TV/WB19, Evansville, IN. Multi-tasker, Main Studio Operations, Master Control & edit suite re-build. IT skills necessary. 3-5 yrs exp. Email resume to: (2/10)
JOB OPENING:VP/AD SALES RESEARCH, CNN/NY. 10+ yrs exp in sales research, pref. w/news, be key ad sales res. contact within network. Strong writing skills, expertise in statistics, passion for news. Apply: www.turnerjobs.com EOE (2/7)
JOB OPENING:EMMY AWARD ENTRIES COORD/NY. 9 wk F/T temp 3-1 to 4/30/04; 4 yrs exp pr/agency/studio/network. Expert multi-tasker, handle 150-200 Emmy entry forms/req?d support materials. Email: (2/7)
JOB OPENING:RESEARCH ANALYST, MTV/MTV2, NYC. Various research reports/analysis. Strong analytical/writing skills. MS Excel required. Nielsen software experience preferred. Apply: www.mtvncareers.com(2/7)
JOB OPENING:MKTG CORD/Shopro Ent/SF. Min 3yrs dom lic exp. Exp launching consumer brands, success in cons. kids mktg. understanding of retail, PR and advertising. Email resume (NO ATTACHMENTS) to (2/6)
JOB OPENING:DIR OF LICENSING/Shopro Ent/SF. Min 5yrs dom. lic. exp, team player, sales skills, budgeting/forecasting, mgmt exp & estd. industry relationships a must. Email resume (NO ATTACHMENTS) to (2/6)
JOB OPENING:TEMP POSITION: PR ASST/TRIO, NY. Administrative duties, update media lists, daily press clips & digital clips, fulfill requests for screeners & art. Help on misc. projects/events. Email: (2/6)
JOB OPENING:MULTI-MEDIA SALES SPECIALIST: BELO MKTG SOLUTIONS, Dallas. Media Sales exp, oversee multi-media campaigns for Belo properties in TX. Solid comm skills, org, prof in Excel, Powerpoint. Resume: EOE (2/6)
SITUATION WANTED ADS, POSTED BY THOSE LOOKING TO BE HIRED --
SITUATION WANTED: PROGRAMMING/SCHEDULING/TRAFFIC PROFESSIONAL and seeking similar position in industry. 5 years exp in domestic and internat?l Programming, Traffic and Marketing. Email (2/11)
SITUATION WANTED: TELEVISION & MUSIC PROFESSIONAL. Los Angeles. 10 Years Producing Doc. Celebrity Profiles. Former A&R Director Warner Records, Pro Composer & Naming Creative. Seeks stable industry position. Contact: (2/10)
SITUATION WANTED: Top MBA student seeking kid focused media/entertainment MBASUMMER INTERNSHIP. Experience in brand management, advertising and product development. Hard working and creative. Contact (2/7)
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