02/10/20: Cynopsis Media Tech Update

Monday February 10, 2020

Twitter had a technical problem on Friday afternoon that kept users from posting. “You might be experiencing trouble sending new Tweets, but we’re working on fixing this now. Sorry for the interruption and we’ll let you know when things are back to normal,” Twitter told users. The glitch lasted for about an hour.

Apple was hit with a $27 million fine in France over an iOS update two years ago that deliberately slowed down older iPhone models. The issue: Apple failed to inform users that they could purchase a new battery, rather than a new device, to reverse the throttling. Apple agreed to pay the fine and post a press release on its website for a month.

Facebook has acquired Scape Technologies, the London-based computer vision startup focused on location accuracy. Last year, Scape announced the first version of its “Visual Positioning Service,” allowing developers to build apps requiring location accuracy beyond GPS capabilities.

Google Fiber will stop offering traditional linear TV service to new subscribers, instead directing them toward streaming service options. It has been offering YouTube TV as an option for new subscribers since December 2019 and will now be adding virtual MVPD FuboTV. “As we return our focus to where we started – as a gigabit Internet company – we’re also ready to challenge the status quo, to finally come right out and say it: customers today just don’t need traditional TV,” Google Fiber posted in its company blog. New Google Fiber broadband subscribers can now decide to also sign up either YouTube TV or Fubo TV, or buy Fiber broadband and buy an online video service separately.

BlackBerry and TCL are ending their four-year brand licensing and tech support partnership in August, the companies announced last week. TCL will stop making new models of BlackBerry handsets, but continue to support models on the market until August 2022.

With Disney+ and Apple TV+ in the game, time spent streaming rose a whopping 58% from a year ago, according to Conviva’s State of Streaming report. On the down side, the average wait time for an ad to start rose to 2.27 seconds from 1.14 seconds, and 49% of those surveyed said they had stopped watching while waiting for an ad to start. “As with any disruptive technology, growing pains are inevitable,” said Conviva CEO Bill Demas. “The companies that win the streaming wars will be those able to offer viewers a fast, clear, reliable experience regardless of where in the world they live, or what device they use.”

The Apple TV app has launched on LG smart TVs, and include access to Apple TV+. Users can access the app from the LG Home Launcher on 2019 sets; it will be available on 2018 models later this year, and is available on 2020 TVs at launch. The Apple TV app, AirPlay 2 and HomeKit will work on all of LG’s 2019 OLED TVs and NanoCell TVs (series SM9X and SM8X).

JUST ANNOUNCED

Cynopsis Measurement & Data Conference
Tuesday, June 2, 9:00AM – 4:15PM / Edison Rooftop, NYC
Sponsored by: Gamut – Tubular Labs – Tunity

VIEW FULL AGENDA / VIEW SPEAKER ROSTER / REGISTER YOUR TEAM

ADVERTISING & MEASUREMENT

Quintesse has launched as an advanced contextual intelligence platform, aimed at meeting the need for pro-privacy targeting solutions in a CCPA, GDPR world. The new business from Vibrant Media offer brands and agencies transparency into the contextual suitability and safety of their campaigns and customized targeting tools to optimize and scale without the need for third-party data. For publishers, Quintesse helps increase monetization opportunities by exposing high-value, cookie-free media inventory. “A new era of privacy legislation is forcing the advertising industry to pursue alternatives to third-party cookies as the primary method of targeting audiences,” said Doug Stevenson, CEO and co-founder. “Google’s decision to phase out third-party cookies in Chrome will accelerate the move towards cookieless browsing. The market is shifting towards contextual targeting offerings.” For more, go here.

TV measurement and analytics company 605 announced the launch of 605 PLATF0RM, a next-generation TV measurement and audience analytics solution for national television networks, advertisers and agencies. The web-based application enables advanced measurement and analysis of TV programs and advertisements across linear, over-the-air, DVR and set-top box VOD, capitalizing on 605’s multi-source TV dataset comprised of set-top box and smart TV viewership data covering more than 21 million households in the US that is aggregated, anonymized and privacy compliant. 605’s PLATF0RM datasets can be combined and matched with clients’ viewership data. Using what 605 describes as an Identity Layer (or the highly specific attributes of the 21 million households it measures) 605 PLATF0RM users can select, activate and target first- or third-party audience segments or datasets. For details, go here.

TV Squared has launched an industry-first platform to power attribution across all forms of video advertising, combining coverage of streaming publishers and media owners, along with household-level data metrics and analytics for performance and true reach extension. “Together, linear and digital is giving the TV industry the greatest scale and reach potential of all time,” said Jo Kinsella, President, TVSquared. “We have strategic partnerships across the advertising ecosystem to create the most robust closed-loop attribution solution in the world. This means we can power independent TV measurement for advertisers and publishers – from direct streaming services to DSPs and MVPDs.” For more, go here.

TikTok is now a top ad mobile network in mobile user acquisition, joining the likes of Facebook and Google, according to measurement company Singular’s 2020 ROI Index. TikTok had 614 million downloads in a year, with 75 times growth in ad spend from May to November 2019.

EARNINGS REPORTS

Twitter posted its first billion-dollar quarter, a surge that comes as the social network attempts to distinguish itself by banning political ads. The company also continues to attract new users. In the fourth quarter, the number of monetizable active viewers hit 152 million, up almost 21% from the 126 million in the same period last year.

Snap reported Snapchat gained 8 million new daily active users in Q4, marking its biggest sequential growth in two years, though revenue slipped under Wall Street projections. Total revenue rose 44 percent to $561 million, shy by $2 million of the analysts’ expectations.

The coronavirus in China could impact Sony Corp. forecasts and results, said the Tokyo-based company, which reported a drop in fiscal third quarter due to faltering video game, networking and film businesses. Sony said production and sales of its image sensor division were at risk. Higher sales from TV shows, including The Crown, were offset by higher expenses. Profit from October-December was 229.5 billion yen, down from 429 yen a year earlier.

Alphabet reported 4Q19 revenue of $46.07 billion, up 17% from 4Q18. “Our investments in deep computer science, including artificial intelligence, ambient computing and cloud computing, provide a strong base for continued growth and new opportunities across Alphabet,” said Sundar Pichai, Chief Executive Officer of Alphabet and Google. “I’m really pleased with our continued progress in Search and in building two of our newer growth areas – YouTube, already at $15 billion in annual ad revenue, and Cloud, which is now on a $10 billion revenue run rate.”

Cynopsis Team

Lynn Leahey
Editorial Director
@Lynn_Leahey

Kerry Smith
Division President
Access Intelligence

Roberta Caploe
Publisher
@robertacaploe

Cynopsis Ad Sales
Mike Farina
203-218-6480

Albert Nassour
917-545-3129

Cynopsis Job Listings Sales
Trish Pihonak
203-899-8459
Director of Operations

CynopsisJobs
Check out more jobs in Cynopsis Classifieds »

Job of the day

DIRECTOR MEDIA RELATIONS
FX Networks
NY
Resp for launching/sustaining new & returning shows, planning/executing goal-focused PR campaigns, contributing to the advancement of PR objectives, and cultivating media support and awareness of FX Networks. Min 7 yrs exp in media/PR – previous exp in TV, network or studio a + Full info HERE (2/21)

SALES ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

>>
(NBC/TLMD Chicago): Primarily responsible for delivering sales revenue, as well as cultivating and developing new advertisers for the station’s multi-platform properties. Min 3 yrs exp in sales and/or marketing roles start-up, media company exp. Full info HERE (2/21)

SR DIRECTOR, CONSUMER MARKETING >>
INSP/Charlotte NC: Relocation package offered. Responsible for leading INSP’s consumer mktg strategy, campaign dvlpmnt & executional oversight to effectively drive awareness, reach, and ratings for all off-channel initiatives.7-10 yrs exp ent, brand mktg, ad cable/streaming. Full info HERE (2/21)

PR MANAGER >>
MAGNOLIA/NYC: Looking for an energetic PR Manager under the new JV with Chip and Joanne Gaines. Must be ready for hands on, fast paced, high pressure environment. Looking for a talent driven, creative PR pro with prior media/tv experience. Must have at least 3+ yrs of new talent experience. Full info HERE (2/19)

RESEARCH MANAGER >>
HGTV/NYC: HGTV is looking for a strong Research Manager for their linear insights team. Will be driving all brand/industry related reporting for the net while presenting and providing insight to managing teams. Must have 5+ yrs exp in tv research and leadership/supervisory role. Full info HERE (2/19)

DIR, DIGITAL AND SOCIAL MEDIA >>
TV ONE/Silver Spring, MD: Seeking individual to direct and implement the content/marketing strategy for TV One’s digital platforms, including website, social media, apps and mobile. Must be a detailed-oriented multi-tasker with previous entertainment television network exp. Full info HERE (2/19)

DIR, ENDEAVOR ANALYTICS (IMG MEDIA & EVENTS) >>
Endeavor/NY: seeking a Dir to lead our business data and analytics team for the IMG Events portfolio. This role partners with brand mktg, growth mktg and finance to dev strategic rev plans that drive growth. Must be passionate about growing and dev a team that promotes an insights-driven, data culture. 7 yrs exp in advanced analytics and 5yrs exp leading data teams. Full info HERE (2/18)

AD SALES PLANNER >>
Tennis Channel/NYC: Support sales team & their accts to maximize sales efficiencies, increase revenue & enhances customer srvc. Embrace all plan’g, prep/fulfillment related tasks that take place pre-& post-sale for the Ad Sales team. 2-4 yrs exp in media sales plan’g or agency buying is req’d. Full info HERE (2/18)

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE>>
PAC-12/SF: seeking candidate who will engage with advertisers and their associated agencies to sell sponsorship and advertising across Pac-12 Networks media and sponsorship assets. 3-5yrs of media sales or ad agency exp working on media planning or client/adv relations. Sponsorship sales exp required. Full info HERE (2/18)

SALES PLANNER>>
PAC-12/SF: Seeking individual to create sales proposals for integrated marketing/media campaigns that include balancing linear, digital, and sponsorship assets. Serve as the primary contact for accounts and create and dev ongoing business relationships with clients/ad agencies. 1-2yrs of sales planning, ad agency buying/planning, or other relevant exp. Full info HERE (2/18)

SUPERVISOR/AMD, OUT OF HOME>>
EVERGREEN TRADING/NY: Seeking candidate to lead Out of Home media strategy, development, analysis and execution across Evergreen’s portfolio of clients, while at the same time managing media vendor investments and a high caliber staff. Min 5yrs of media planning & buying exp with a focus in OOH. Full info HERE (2/18)

GROUP MEDIA MANAGER, LOCAL INVESTMENT>>
EVERGREEN TRADING/NY: Seeking individual to supervise local broadcast staff and negotiate spot broadcast buys by negotiating, placing, and maintaining all broadcast buys, merch and promo within boundaries of specific market list. Min 6yrs of local broadcast buying exp including 1yr in supervisory capacity. Must include exp in buying top 15 mkts. Full info HERE (2/18)

DIR, MEASUREMENT STRATEGY AND DATA ANALYTICS >>
NBCUniversal/NY: Bravo and Oxygen Digital is seeking an individual to help drive the growth and evolution of its suite of products across digital platforms. Ideal candidate must have 5+ yrs exp in analytics implementation with a knwl of client-side dev in JavaScript, native mobile apps and front-end debugging. Full info HERE (2/17)

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE >>
Palomino Media/NYC: Palomino is the exclusive seller of advertising for Walmart’s OTT – Vudu. Serve as lead sales contact to grow/maintain the nat’l advertising revenue derived from a specified group of ad agencies. Team oriented nature & Min 3 yrs exp working in an ad sales role across digital and video. Full info HERE (2/14)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER >>
Stadium/Chicago: Work to develop/manage the programming strategy, prod efficiencies & to ensure that the content being created by Stadium matches the company vision and revenue strategies. Strong knowledge TV & digital media; The ideal candidate should be familiar with syndication. Full info HERE (2/14)

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE, SALES >>
ION Media/NYC: Responsible for developing, generating and maintaining new and existing business for ION Television. Minimum of 5 years of national television experience. Full info HERE (2/14)

ASSISTANT DIGITAL PLANNER >>
Blue Plate Media/Summit NJ: Assist in digital media strategy and plan development for top tier clients. Responsible for planning and buying digital campaigns across mobile, desktop and tablet (Video, Display, Native, Gaming, SEM). 2-3+ years Digital and Social Media mktg exp req’d. Full info HERE (2/14)

DIGITAL MEDIA ANALYST >>
Blue Plate Media/Summit NJ: Responsible for Campaign setup across digital and paid social platforms. 3+ years relevant experience in an analytical digital media role. Self-starter who is motivated and can work with urgency. Full info HERE (2/14)

ASSOCIATE PRODUCER/RESEARCHER >>
Monumental Media/DC: Research and sometimes produce and shoot documentary, news, studio, live / as-live, social & digital productions. Minimum 1-3 yrs exp in an editing, shooting and producing environment. Experience in live & digital streaming a +. Full info HERE (2/14)

SHOOTER/EDITOR >>
Monumental Media/DC: Shoot documentary, news, studio, live /as-live, social & digital productions. Shooter/Editor for short-form and long-form creative content focusing on e-sports. Minimum 1-3 years of experience in an editing, shooting and producing environment. Full info HERE (2/14)

ON CAMERA HOST >>
Monumental DC Based Media Company/DC: Washington, DC based media company is looking for a female on camera host for an upcoming weekly digital video series. At least 1yr brdcst or digital/social on camera exp. Interest in/knowledge of gaming & esports a major plus! Full info HERE (2/13)

SR. SPECIALIST, ADVANCED ADVERTISING SOLUTIONS >>
A+E/NY: Execute day-to-day objectives of AAS assisting w/product dev & specializing in QC, UAT & optimization of ad products across A+E brands on web, mobile & OTT. BA/BS Degree, 1-3 yrs exp in prod dev, analytics & revenue mgmt in an ad tech or media environment. FreeWheel ad server exp. Full info HERE (2/13)

MGR, DOMESTIC RESEARCH >>
Sesame Workshop/NYC: Focus on Sesame Workshop’s domestic initiatives- incl video, digital & outreach projects for Sesame Street and other properties. exp in a social science rsrch lab & working directly with preschool-age children. Full info HERE (2/13)

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE DR >>
Marathon Ventures/NYC: Maintain/develop our DR acct business while working in collaboration w/internal depts to minimize risk & maximize revenue on current & future business transactions. Success record selling TV inventory to nat’l advertisers in the branding & DR marketplace. Full info HERE (2/12)