CYNOPSISDIGITAL
03.16.17

Good morning. It’s Thursday March 16, 2017 and this is your first early morning digital briefing.

 
Cloaking: Cloaking is a prohibited search engine optimization (SEO) technique in which a search engine is tricked into indexing different content than a user actually sees. In other words, one version of a page is served to search engines (in order to achieve some intended SEO benefit), and another is served to people. Oftentimes, the content that’s served to the search engine is wholly unrelated to the content that appears on the rest of the site.

It’s not too often you see major TV conglomerates team up like this. Fox Networks Group, Viacom and Turner have partnered to launch a new platform designed to standardize audience targeting for ads appearing across their networks. Called OpenAP, the platform allows for consistent matching between the companies’ audiences and the custom audience targets that advertisers assembled using their own data. It’s potentially a major breakthrough when it comes to employing more targeted ads across linear TV. As Advertising Age points out, arguably the biggest barrier to audience targeting on TV has been marketers’ inability to buy specific audience segments across rival networks. OpenAP might just change that. Agencies and advertisers will be able to integrate the OpenAP platform with their own planning systems. The companies also say the platform will include third-party verified guarantees.
 
Verizon and CBS Corp. have inked a new multi-year carriage agreement. The deal covers retransmission consent for all CBS-Owned stations, including Showtime, CBS Sports Network, and CBS-owned The CW affiliates. So how’s that news of interest to Cynopsis Digital readers? According to the companies, Verizon will provide access to live authenticated streaming on the CBS App, CBS.com, and Verizon’s authenticated platform. The streaming features – coming in the “near future” – will be available across platforms, including mobile devices.
 

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Snap Inc. has inked a slew of original content pacts of late, with deals in place to bring original short-form shows from companies like NBCU, A+E Networks, and Vice to Snapchat’s Discover platform. Digiday is out with a new report detailing just what Snap hopes to get out of it. Not surprisingly, Snap has reportedly been pitching its “Snapchat Shows Initiative” to ad agencies. When it comes to its originals, Snapchat functions much like a TV network; the platform puts up money to produce the content, then sells ads against it. Snap, which has suffered a somewhat troubling slide on Wall Street after an explosive IPO, will live or die by its ad revenue. And as the Digiday report makes clear, Snap is hoping that its original programming initiative will set it apart in the hunt for ad dollars, even as competitors like Facebook continue to not-so-subtly crib some of Snapchat’s primary features. You can check out the Digiday article here.
 
If you can’t beat ‘em…take on high-profile leadership roles within their organization? Units of the media agencies WPP, Omnicom, and Publicis have signed on as charter members of AdBlock Plus’s Acceptable Ads Committee, a new body designed to take over the ad-blocking company’s Acceptable Ads program. Publishers including Conde Nast, Dennis Publishing, TED Talks, Leaf Group, and Local Media Consortium are also on the committee. In addition, one advertiser – Dell – has joined as well. AdBlock Plus’s Acceptable Ads Program, highly controversial in the industry, establishes a rating system for the placement, size, and “distinction” of ads that are deemed acceptable to AdBlock Plus’s users. By populating the committee with agency pros, AdBlock Plus may be trying to defuse widespread criticism that it’s singlehandedly deciding which ads publishers can show to their own users.
 
AffinityAnswers, a platform specializing in predictive branding based on social media data, announced a partnership with LiveRamp, an Acxion-owned company specializing in data onboarding and connectivity. Under the partnership, AffinityAnswers says it will make its social media audience data available across the digital ecosystem, including in demand-side platforms and via publishers.
 
 

Has lacrosse finally found its way into the limelight? The latest of Twitter’s many live-streamed sports partnerships is with the National Lacrosse League. Under a two-year deal, Twitter will become the NLL’s exclusive live-streaming partner. The social media company will distribute free live broadcasts of one NLL game each week, starting tomorrow. Twitter will also feature playoff games and highlights for the 2017 and 2018 seasons. The announcement comes soon after the NLL struck a deal to stream games and highlights via the OTT smart TV platform Xumo.
 
 

It looks like Samsung is updating its VR camera. The Gear 360, initially released last summer, is designed to record spherical video for use on smartphones and on the Samsung Gear VR headset. But reviewers have taken issue with some of the camera’s perceived shortcomings, including its slow WiFi transfer rates. Now, as spotted by Variety, a new FCC filing shows that Samsung is getting ready to release a new version of the camera. There aren’t too many details just yet; Samsung is likely to discuss the updated camera later this month, when the company will also announce its new line of flagship phones.
 
 

 
Vimeo has made a few recent hires. Alana Mayo, previously the VP of Production at Paramount Pictures, will serve as VP and Head of Development. Kesila Childers, previously the VP of Digital Media at Bunim Murray Productions, will serve as Director of Content Development. And Kelly Miller, formerly of Hulu, will serve as Director of Content Acquisitions. Vimeo has been trying to position itself as an original content provider for some time now, but the new hires signify that the IAC-owned video-sharing platform intends to further ramp up those efforts. All three execs will be based out of the company’s L.A. office.
 
 

 
Facebook’s COO is widely credited with steering the company toward it’s uber-successful monetization strategy. (In a word, advertising.) What’s her name? (Email [email protected] with your answer and be sure to include your name, company, city and state.)
 
CBS’s All Access streaming service features an original spin-off of The Good Wife. What’s it called? The Good Fight. Kudos to Dan Quitério-Understood/NY, Andy Pittman-TAMU/TX, Susan Nessanbaum-Goldberg-Mand S Entertainment/NY, Louis Lewow-Lewow Media Group/GA, Tim DeLaney-Showtime Networks/NY, Scott Jenkins-Gracenote/NY, Peter Steckelman-Tennis Channel/CA, Christopher Hall-Comcast Spotlight/FL, Mathew Tombers-Intermat, Inc./NY, David Westberg-SAG-AFTRA Federal Credit Union/CA, Tom Moore-Kalt Productions/CA, Christine Allen-McGee Media/NY, Cortney Pellettieri-Campfire/CA, Anjali Desai-Departure Films/NY, LeNea Ricks-KIDK/KXPI/ID, Tiffany Sanders-CBSi/CA, Matt Dana-The CW/CA, Tamara Jones-BET Networks/NY,  Jeff Mirkin-Phoneatics/CA, and Seraphina Kleinen-S2BN Entertainment/NY
 

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CYNOPSISJOBS – To view our full job listing online, please visit our webpage: HERE!.

JOB OPENING: PART TIME ASSISTANT/Talk Show/NYC: Retrieve/relate info accurately & promptly regarding pending projects incl but not limited to: personal appearances, PR, travel & charity initiatives. Ability to work well under pressure & prioritize tasks w/mult deadlines. Resume: [email protected] (3/23)

JOB OPENING: DIGITAL RESEARCH ANALYST/TBS-TNT/ATL: Responsible for analyzing, tracking and reporting the multiplatform performance of programming and adoption and usage of network digital offerings. Track competitive digital landscape and environmental shifts. Full info/apply HERE (3/23)

JOB OPENING: WRITER-DIRECTOR/NYC: We are now building out the video team at Scary Mommy, and looking for an exceptional creative talent who will join us on our mission to reimagine video/visual storytelling. 5+ yrs’ exp writing, producing and/or directing for creative productions. Full info/apply HERE (3/23)

JOB OPENING: DEVELOPMENT MANAGER/Oriental DreamWorks/LA or NYC: Finding, evaluating and developing ideas for feature animation projects. Min 2 yrs executive level exp in creative development. Strong knwlg of global entertainment mktg. Mandarin Proficient a +. Full info/apply HERE (3/23)

JOB OPENING: DIR, SPORTS & SPECIALS/NBCU/NYC: Responsible for prospecting, targeting, and presenting all Sports & Olympics sales efforts. Min 8yrs of media sales, sponsorship, league/team sales or mktg focusing on client direct relationships. Full info/apply HERE (3/23)

JOB OPENING: ASSOC PRODUCER/OUTSIDE TV/Westport CT: Write/produce Short form videos & full length TV Programs that support brand. BS Deg. Exp in ths field & post production. Great opportunity for a self-starter to join our team and help grow our digital and TV footprint. Res/cover HERE (3/23)

JOB OPENING: SR ANALYST, AD SALES RSRCH/NBCU/NYC: Description: NBCU/NYC: Produce insightful reports for national ad sales & mrktng. Analyze trends, position NBC Entertainment in the marketplace & measure effectiveness of client campaigns. Ful info/apply HERE (3/22)

JOB OPENING: EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT, PROGRAMMING/NYC: Support 3 sr progrmng exec. Generate presentations and spreadsheets for meetings. Coord travel, meetings, exp reports. 5-7 yrs of work exp & BA degree req’d. Flexible hours. Full info/apply HERE (3/22)

JOB OPENING: SR MGR ON AIR PROMO PLANNING/Lifetime/NYC: Dvlp/implement on-air media plan’g strategies that support network. Min 5 yrs exp exp planning and executing on-air promotional logs for brdcst or cable. Ability to mng a team of individual’s resp for scheduling mult networks. Full info/apply HERE (3/22)

JOB OPENING: SENIOR WRITER/PRODUCER/EDITOR/IFC/NYC: Lead creative for IFC Originals launches and brand campaigns. Idea-generating/writing/producing/directing mastermind with a comedy background and "Always On, Slightly Off" sensibility. 6-8 years’ experience. Submit resume and reel link HERE (3/22)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR, MEDIA SALES/BRITE MEDIA/NYC: Senior sales role to lead and cultivate programs with brands and agencies. Client and agency relationships – OOH, shopper, multicultural, promotional, sampling experience desired – 7+ years exp. Resume HERE (3/22) 

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR OF PUBLICITY/TV LAND/LA: Responsible for dvlpng, overseeing, & implementing communications strategies for scripted series P&D. 8+ yrs exp TV comm (preferably scripted) or media relations. Superb writing & excellent verbal & interpersonal skills a must. Full info/apply HERE (3/22)
 
JOB OPENING: SR ANALYST, STRATEGIC INSIGHTS/The Weather Channel/Atlanta: Provide analysis and data-driven insights to inform strategy for television and OTT media properties. Occasional travel to ad markets. 2 yrs TV/video research exp. Full info/Apply HERE (3/21)

JOB OPENING: MGR, BRAND MKTG/PROMOTIONS/SYFY/NYC: Ideate & execute on ground consumer promotions, stunts, events & partnerships for Syfy’s original series & brand initiatives. 3-5 year’s experience. Full info/apply HERE (3/21)

JOB OPENING: ENGAGEMENT EDITOR/Consumer Reports/Yonkers NY: Resp for editorial & site copy content that engages & responds to members. Work w/content dvlpmnt team to prod a strategy for dvlpg/integrating interactive content. BA deg w/3+ yrs writer @ fast-paced, news-oriented enviro. Full info/apply HERE (3/21)

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