Cynopsis: Kids!
12/06/11

Good morning. It’s Tuesday, December 6, 2011, and this your first early morning briefing.

UK-based kids/family entertainment company Coolabi completes its US $7.7 million management buyout funded by Edge Performance, a venture capital group specializing in entertainment and media.  Earlier this year it was reported that this was a takeover, but Edge has in fact partnered with Coolabi’s CEO, Jeremy Bands, and the rest of the Coolabi management team, for the buy-out and to take the company private.  The buy-out was made through North Promotions, a company funded by Edge.  Under the deal, which has been “declared unconditional in all respects,” will see Coolabi de-list from London’s Alternative Investment Market (AIM).  The deal will give Coolabi access to significant additional funds, beginning with an initial $1.6 million, to invest in its current portfolio of properties, develop new ones and acquisitions too.  The board will comprise Jeremy Banks as CEO, Gordon Power as Chairman, Tim Ricketts as Finance Director and William Harris as Non-Executive Director. Coolabi’s management team will remain in place with Michael Dee as Director/Content, Zoe Scurfield as Head/Development & Production and Natasha Dyson as Head/Licensing.

NEW PRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT

Sticky Pictures (Me & My Monsters, Pearlie, Dennis & Gnasher), Kyla May Productions and Brown Bag Films (The Octonauts, Olivia, Noddy in Toyland) are teaming up to co-develop and co-produce the new tween-targeted animated comedy Dream Factory (52×12).  The series revolves around Tommy Winks, an apprentice to the Sandman who is learning to master the art of dream making at the dream-making studio in the clouds making some mischief and mayhem along the way.  Each night Tommy must put on a showstopper of an experience that puts his audience to sleep and keeps the bad dreams away.  Dream Factory is created and designed by creative director and designer Kyla May (Smirk, Flea-Bitten, Kyla May Missbehaves, SheZow).  The series will be produced by Australia’s Sticky Pictures and Irish animation studio Brown Bag Films.  The Dream Factory has been developed with the assistance of the Australian Children’s Television Foundation.

LICENSING

Nickelodeon teams with Exhart, a garden decor manufacturer, to create a line of garden products featuring Dora the Explorer and SpongeBob SquarePants.  The new line, which will include garden stakes, statuary, wind chimes and other accessories, is slated to be available at retail for fall 2012.

HIT Entertainment appoints Techno Source, a division of LF Products and part of Li & Fung, as a toy licensee for Barney.  Under the deal Techno Source will create a line of Barney toys including plush, play sets, and figurines that will be available in the US and Canada from spring 2012.  Barney can be seen on PBS Kids and Sprout in the US and Treehouse TV in Canada, with episodes also available for download via iTunes.

The Jim Henson Company inks a licensing deal with Rail Events to conduct live events based on its PBS Kids preschool series Dinosaur Train.  The Dinosaur Train themed events, including Tyrannosaurus Rex Buddy, will leave the station beginning in summer 2012 and visit tourist railroads and railroad museums across the US and Canada.

SMC Entertainment (SMC), the new entertainment and brand management division of consumer products manufacturer Sun-Mate Corporation, will showcase the CGI animated property The Jungle Book (52×11 and 1×60 special) at both Kidscreen Summit and American Toy Fair in February 2012.  SMC acquired all North American TV, Home Entertainment, licensing and merchandising rights, as well as all promotional rights, to the new K3-8 targeted TV series The Jungle Book and special from DQ Entertainment International.  Additionally, SMC also acquired the master toy rights for The Jungle Book for Australia and New Zealand and licensing and merchandising rights for South Africa.  Lisa Streff, SMC’s new SVP/Licensing, will lead the way in developing new partnerships for The Jungle Book across all toy categories.  Based on the classic stories by author Rudyard Kipling, The Jungle Book TV series is produced by DQ Entertainment, and co-produced with ZDF Group Germany, Moonscoop and TF1, France.  Global Home Entertainment partners include NBC Universal for the UK, France, Australia, New Zealand and Japan and Sony Pictures Entertainment and other partners.

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM LITTLE AIRPLANE

Little Airplane Productions is accepting applications for a unique workshop taught by accomplished preschool TV veterans on each step of creating a high-quality preschool series. Topics include Writing, Pitching, Legal, Design, Music, Directing, Producing, Distribution and more. A panel of noteworthy Children’s TV broadcasters will be on hand to discuss pitching to a network. 

Limited to 25 participants. Contact Tone Thyne: [email protected] .

MARKETING

Atlantic recording artist, Australian teen Cody Simpson, comes to town help The Wish Factory launch his new dolls at an event at Toys “R” Us Times Square this Thursday, December 8 at 3p.  The doll line includes two Cody fashion dolls, both stand 11.5 inches and feature his sculpted hair (surfer style), sunglasses, shoes, microphone, guitar pick and lanyard, with one doll featuring a Gold Coast tee and khakis, and the other dons a denim jacket and black pants.  The Cody Simpson dolls will be available at the retailer’s stores nationwide as well as via www.toysrus.com .

MORE KIDS STUFF

Sprout celebrates the holidays with a range of programming, including an appearance by Sesame Street’s Elmo, live on The Sunny Side Up Show on Tuesday, December 13 at 9a-12n.  As always, Sprout will also host its Snooze-a-Thon, beginning Christmas Eve at 6p through Christmas morning at 6a, which features hosts Nin and Star from The Good Night Show catching some sleep comfortably on set, along with clips of characters from other series doing the same.  Sprout’s other holiday programming plans feature:

• The network will feature a holiday-themed movie every Tuesday evening at 6p (encores on Friday afternoons) through December beginning today: Caillou’s Happy Holidays (December 6); Barney’s Christmas Star (December 13); Elmo’s World: Happy Holidays (December 20).
• Sprout will also feature two holiday movie marathons Elmo’s Movie Merry-Thon Friday, December 23 and Saturday, December 24 at 1p (featuring Caillou’s Holiday Movie, Bob the Builder: Snowed Under, Barney’s Christmas Star and Elmo’s World: Happy Holidays), and Caillou Movie Marathon on December 25, 12n-6p.

Hey, over here.  The first annual Cynopsis Kids !magination Awards is currently for accepting submissions for your preschool, kid and tween targeted TV series, TV movies, and websites, apps and games, and the marketing, public relations and advertising campaigns that supports that content.  To find out more, check out Cynopsis Kids !magination Awards. To enter the Cynopsis: Kids !magination Awards your kid-targeted content or support campaign must have taken place (in part or in full) between October 1, 2010 and December 31, 2011.  We look forward to seeing your entry and honoring the winners at the June 2012 Awards ceremony in New York City.

Aardman Rights in association with cross platform app developers Widebeam Digital launch the brand new Wallace and Gromit ‘Chat-O-Matic’ App for the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad.  In addition to coming pre-loaded with 48 classic Wallace sayings, including “Someone’s been at me cheese” and “Hold tight lad and think of Lancashire hot pot,” the app features the ‘Chat-O-Matic’ mode where Wallace and Gromit fans can select their favorite phrases and when they turn their iOS device over and place it under their nose, they have the animated mouth and voice of Wallace.

PBS Kids expands its PBS Kids Video App to iPhone and iPod touch as of today.  The popular app, which offers a range of free educational streaming video content to families, debuted May 2011 for the iPad and has since racked up 430+ million video streams and 450,000 downloads to date.  The app includes clips and full episodes from PBS Kids series, such as The Cat in the Hat Knows A Lot About That!, Dinosaur Train, Curious George, Super Why, Sesame Street, Wordgirl and Wild Kratts, as well as tools for parents like: access to local PBS station TV schedules; additional information about TV series (target ages, learning goals); the ability to download related educational apps and TV episodes directly from the App Store and iTunes; and sharing videos via email, Facebook and Twitter.  More information about PBS Kids’ collection of mobile apps is available at www.pbskids.org/mobile .

STONE SOUP

The International Academy of Television Arts & Science is launching The International Emmy Kids Awards, a new kid programming-centric awards competition for TV programming produced and initially aired outside the US.  The awards will be handed out at its own ceremony, the first of which will be held in February 2013 in NYC.  Six new categories have been created for this event: Kids: Preschool; Kids: Animation; Kids: Factual; Kids: Non-Scripted Entertainment; Kids: Series, and Kids: TV Movie/Mini-Series.  For rules, regulations and entry information go to http://www.iemmys.tv/awards_entry.aspx

Bestseller Children’s Picture Books (top 10), Week of December 5, 2011: Title; Author (Publisher)
Elf on the Shelf; Carol V Aebersold (CCA)
The LEGO Ideas Book; Daniel Lipkowitz, contributions by Sebastiaan Arts, Tim Goddard, Deborah Higdon, Barney Main, Duncan Titmarsh (DK)
If You Give A Dog A Donut; Laura Joffe Numeroff, illus. by Felicia Bond (HarperCollins/Balzer)
LEGO Star Wars: The Visual Dictionary; Simon Beecroft, consultant Jeremy Beckett (DK)
Llama Llama Holiday Drama; Anna Dewdney (Viking)
Home for Christmas; Jan Brett (Putnam)
Heaven Is for Real for Kids; Todd Burpo, Sonja Burpo, and Colton Burpo, illus. by Wilson Ong (Tommy Nelson)
Press Here; Herve Tullet (Chronicle/Handprint)
The Bippolo Seed and Other Lost Stories; Dr. Seuss (Random)
A Bad Kitty Christmas; Nick Bruel (Roaring Brook/Porter)
Compiled from data received from independent and chain bookstores.
Source: Publishers Weekly

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE

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Answer to Yesterday’s Trivia Question:  What sitcom character was Shaggy from Scooby Doo based upon? Maynard G. Krebs. Many people guessed Gilligan, oh so close, both were played by Bob Denver. Kudos to: Alan Dorfman-Topdog Worldwide/Bristol, PA; Brad Stern-Floral Park, NY; Fred Petrosino-JBG/NY; Emily Brenner-HarperCollins Children’s Books/NY; Michael Hawkins-PromoDoctors/Irving, TX; Squirrel Rippley-Dark Horse Media/Tucson; Richard Quan-BSSP/San Francisco; Rob Chatlin-FX Network/LA; Brett Ashy-The Ashy Agency/LA; George Evelyn-Spider-Eye Ltd./St. Just, Cornwall U.K.

Today’s Trivia Question: What cartoon character had a son named Augie and sounded like Jimmy Durante? (Email [email protected] with your answer and be sure to include your name, company, city and time zone. 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
Gwen Billings for Cynopsis Kids!
12.06.11

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JOB OPENING: MGR CORP OUTREACH/A+E Networks/NY: Prod Mgr for educational, mktg & pgmg projects. Video exp. pref. http://www.aetn.com/careers.html (12/13)

JOB OPENING: EXEC PRODUCER/SCIENCE CHANNEL/MD or NY: Create & Produce groundbreaking tv programs; creative oversight on a variety of prod projects; 10+yrs exp; network exp. www.discovery.com # 4839 (12/13)

JOB OPENING: DIR BRAND & MULTIPLATFORM RESEARCH/CNN/NY: Lead rsch on brand/soc media/ multiplat fast paced news envir. Exp Omniture/comScore/analyt & reporting skills, soc media rsrch pref’d. 8+yrs rsch exp, [email protected] (12/10)

JOB OPENING: MGR CORP OUTREACH/NY: Oversee broad spectrum of marketing, educational, & programming projects for Corporate Outreach. https://secure.sterlingdirect.com/jobboard/Default.aspx?JOBBOARDID=618&JobDetail=115846 (12/10)

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JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR, FINANCE/NY: Manage the day-to-day financial operations of the Consumer Products Division for A+E Networks. https://secure.sterlingdirect.com/jobboard/Default.aspx?JOBBOARDID=618&JobDetail=115863 (12/10)

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JOB OPENING: SR ACCT DIR/Dom Distro/NY: Responsible for Discovery’s 18 ntwrks distro & mrktg; plan & attend local mrkt events/ensure affiliate contract compliance; 6+yrs cable distro; www.discovery.com # 4823 (12/9)

JOB OPENING: SR DIR- US DIST/OWN-HUB-3NET/LA: Mng all aspects of Discovery’s acct mgmt relationships w/MSOs; dvlp/implmnt strtgy for top affiliates & internal comm; 8+yrs cable TV/business dvlpmnt/mktg/sls; www.discovery.com # 4286 (12/9)

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JOB OPENING:  ADMIN ASST/Hallmark Channel/NY: 3+ yrs Admin Asst exp supporting execs and multiple leaders. Exp w MS Office and database apps. Bachelor’s Degree req. View posting and apply @ www.hallmarkchannel.com (12/8)

JOB OPENING: WEB DESIGNER/BBC America/NY: Oversee design/redesign & prod wide range online mktg graphics. Strong orgnztl/comm skills a must. Sftwr knwlg: MacOSX, Photoshop, illust, flash.Res/cvr: www.bbcamerica.com/employment.jsp (12/7)

JOB OPENING: MGR SALES PLANNING/Galavision/NY: Support Dir. on inventory mgmt/stewardship/revenue rptg. Must be detailed/analytical/able to multi-task. Experience in media/DM/VCI/Spanish a +. Apply- [email protected] (12/7)

JOB OPENING: ON-AIR PROMO PREDITOR/ NY: Write, produce, edit & direct promos, short form, BTS or interstitial segments. Utilize writing skills and present multiple concepts for each assignment. Apply: www.disneycareers.com #9923 (12/7)

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SPRING INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: Internship opportunity within the OWN Research department. TV/Online/VOD/Social Media Quant and Qual research. Must good w/ numbers and proficient w/ Microsoft Office (esp. Excel). For credit only! Re: [email protected] (12/7)

SPRING INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: CBS TV Stations is seeking intern in Strategic Mktg to support biz dev/ad sales efforts. Detail-oriented & thrives in fast-paced environment. Must receive academic credit. Send res/cov. ltr to [email protected] (12/7)

SPRING INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: Entertainment marketing firm seeking intern to join creative/fast-paced team. Will prepare presentations, research, onsite activation & organize/work on multiple tasks simultaneously. Contact [email protected] (12/7)

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SITUATION WANTED: SOCIAL MEDIA CONSULTANT/PROMOTER: Looking for work promoting web content (articles, videos, pictures, etc.) All budgets considered. I can get you views on your blog! [email protected] (12/13)

SITUATION WANTED: EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT position film/tv (NY) 10 years experience: Interned for a President, Executive Assistant to SVP/VP/film director/celebrity [email protected] (12/10)

SITUATION WANTED: Jeanne Intile Burns, VOICE-OVER ARTIST/VOICE COACH, Cell: 845-721-9681, E-Mail: [email protected], Web Links: www.castingnetworks.com/jburns, http://jburns.voices.com, www.allegro-music.com (“American Biographies”) (12/10)

SITUATION WANTED: STAND IN FOR KIDS/Los Angeles, 20 + years experience, seeking a Pilot, TV series, Feature Film. Stats: SAG and AFTRA, Height 4’7, Blonde, Blue eyes. Contact Desiree Szabo, [email protected] for pix and resume (12/10)

SITUATION WANTED: DIG SALES & MKTG ACCT MGR looking for freelance projects. ~7 yrs of digital ad sales/acct mgmt/mktg exp.. Detail oriented/highly org./able to multi-task. Resume + Ref. available email: [email protected] (12/9)

SITUATION WANTED: SALES & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT EXECUTIVE/Chicago: 10+ yrs experience in Int’l Business Development, Media Licensing, and Online Advertising Sales. Recent transplant from L.A. – [email protected]  (12/8)

SITUATION WANTED: FIELD PRODUCER 20+ yrs. Covered Cannes, BH Film Fests, Red Carpets, Product Launches. Clients inc Dreamworks, Qantas, Carnival Cruises. [email protected] (12/7)

SITUATION WANTED: SPORTS BROADCASTER: Currently working with CBS Sports, YES Network, and Army Athletics. Broadcasted games for Hudson Valley Renegades. Resume and demo reel upon request. FT/Contract. Contact [email protected] (12/7)

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