03/24/17: Report: IMDB exploring long-form original video content



CYNOPSISDIGITAL
03.24.17

Good morning. It’s Friday March 24, 2017 and this is your first early morning digital briefing.

TODAY’S CODEBREAKER
 

Backlink: The word backlink refers to when a webpage links to any other page. The quantity and sources of backlinks for a webpage are among the factors Google’s PageRank algorithm considers when assessing how important the page is.
 
 

TOP NEWS
 

The Republican-controlled senate just voted to swat down sweeping FCC privacy rules that would have forbidden internet service providers from using customer data in targeted ads without permission. When the FCC passed those rules on a 3-2 vote last October, the agency was controlled by Democrats. Now it very much isn’t. In other words, without congressional action, the FCC likely would have done this on its own. But the legislation goes further than the FCC could have, prohibiting the agency from enacting similar rules in the future. The senate bill will now go to the GOP-controlled House of Representatives early next week. It’s overwhelmingly likely to pass there, and President Trump is overwhelmingly likely to sign it.

 
 
CYNOPSIS Q&A: FUBOTV
 

At a moment when every other media and tech company is launching its own OTT TV service, fuboTV has something that sets it apart: A specific focus. The upcoming service, now in beta, is sports-first. Cynopsis Digital asked Fubo co-founder and CEO David Gandler about the company’s efforts. Check out the Q&A here.


A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE


CYNOPSIS WORLD ESPORTS SUMMIT
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 2017 | NEW YORK CITY
 
See some of the companies already registered
to attend and secure your spot today: cynopsisesportsconference.com
 
Sponsored by: Go To Team, PromaxGAMES, Polygon, Bruin Sports Capital, theScore, eSports Ad Bureau, rEvolution, rEvXP, NAB Show

 
 
ADVERTISING

 
YouTube
has had a tough stretch of late. A slew of advertisers – most recently AT&T and Verizon have pulled ads from the platform, citing concerns that their spots were have been appearing alongside offensive and extremist content. The question is, how much does this matter to Google? The company has taken the matter seriously, laying out steps designed to give advertisers more control. And yet, according to a new analysis from RBC Capital Markets, the near-term revenue impact of all these advertiser boycotts is likely to be “minimal.” In fact, the firm isn’t changing its 2017 revenue projections for Google-parent Alphabet. RBC’s analysts noted that Google is actively taking steps to reassure advertisers. Still, the analysts noted that if YouTube does suffer a significant revenue setback, Facebook and its subsidiary Instagram are – not surprisingly – likely to reap the benefits.
 
Speaking of which, Instagram is moving to avoid the types of problems that Google is dealing with. The Facebook-owned company announced that it is beginning to blur out photos that are deemed “sensitive.” “While these posts don’t violate our guidelines, someone in the community has reported them and our review team has confirmed they are sensitive,” wrote CEO Kevin Systrom in a post. Users will still be able to view the photos by tapping on them. Instagram, which already bans nudity, hasn’t yet specified what qualifies as a “sensitive” photo. 
 
Sling TV, Dish Network’s OTT TV service, has launched a new real-time programmatic advertising offering. Created in partnership with Adobe, the service lets advertisers target ads to specific devices during specific times of day.
 
 

PLATFORMS, APPS + DEVICES
 

YouTube’s automatic closed-captioning system just added some new capabilities, thanks to the latest advances in Google’s machine learning tech. In addition to recognizing spoken language, the system can now describe sound effects such as applause, laughter, music, and…well, actually, only those three, at least for the time being. But Google says that it should be easy to start captioning other sounds at some point in the near future.
 
IMDB may soon be more than just a site you use to remind yourself who Stephen Tobolowsky is. The Amazon-owned film and TV database has been quietly working on its own streaming service, according to a report from VideoInk. IMDB is reportedly in talks with digital-first studios and publishers, looking for long-format projects and feature films to place on the surface. VideoInk reports that Harry Lin, IMDB’s Head of Business Development, is overseeing the new project.
 
YouTube’s NextUp program, designed to train up-and-coming creators, has never teamed up with a major media company – until now. NBCUniversal will participate in a weeklong session this May, held at YouTube Space New York. NBCU creative execs will coach a group of YouTubers on how to develop content that will draw bigger and more engaged audiences. The NextUP program has been active since 2011.

 

 

EXECUTIVE MOVES

 
Amazon’s Twitch has named a new exec. The gaming-centric live video platform has hired Michael Aragon as SVP of Content, a newly created position. Reporting to CEO Emmett Shear, Aragon will oversee eSports, Twitch Studios, broadcaster partnerships, content development and content marketing teams. He most recently worked as GM of VRV, a content service owned by the digital media company Ellation. He’s also held positions at Sony’s PlayStation Network and at Sony Pictures Entertainment.
 
Raze, a digital media venture co-founded by actress Sofia Vergara, is staffing up. As first reported by Variety, the company has hired former Viceland marketing exec Rafael Sandor as its new Chief Creative Officer; Vice alum Daniel Hernandez as had of Raze News; and producers David Stern and D. Matt Geller as co-Heads of Scripted Programming. The company, based in L.A., has also named Joe Abruzzese, the former President of Ad Sales at Discovery Communications, to its board. Raze will focus on Hispanic-oriented lifestyle, beauty, and news content.
 
 

TRIVIA
 

Claire Temple is the kind of character who goes wherever she wants. In fact, she’s appeared in episodes of all four Netflix shows set in the Marvel universe. Who plays her? (Email [email protected] with your answer and be sure to include your name, company, city and state.)
 
Our Last Trivia Question: This veteran screenwriter, whose credits include Total Recall, on Tuesday filed suit against Disney, alleging that the company stole character designs, themes, lines of dialogue and the name “Zootopia” from a project that he first developed in 2000. What is his name? Answer: Gary Goldman. Kudos to Andy Pittman-TAMU/TX, Susan Nessanbaum-Goldberg-M and S Entertainment/CA, David Westberg-SAG-AFTRA Federal Credit Union/CA, and Tom Moore-Kalt Productions/CA


A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE


WEBINAR: What You Need to Know Now About the Hottest Social Media Platforms

The rapid-fire pace of the social media landscape (R.I.P., Vine, hello Houseparty) requires an ever-evolving social strategy for networks and brands. But staying on top of social is a real challenge. Music Choice and Octagon will offer insights on new platforms and features programmers and advertisers should be exploring, as well as what social media skills your team should focus on updating.

REGISTER NOW.


 
 

DIGITAL SPOTLIGHT
 

In April, Hulu is rolling out its highest-profile original in quite some time. The Handmaid’s Tale, a dystopian drama series based on Margaret Atwood’s 1985 novel, has a new trailer – and it’s pretty haunting. Check it out here.

See you Monday,
David Teich
03.24.17

Roberta Caploe: Publisher @robertacaploe
Diane K Schwartz: Senior Vice President, Media Communications Group

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


JOB OPENING: AD SALES PRICING & INV MGR/Weather Channel/NYC: Support VP Pricing & Inventory & the ad team. Price inventory analysis, sales reporting, working w/Sales Planners to dvlp media proposals & working w/Sales team to create win-win deals. 4 yrs’ exp media ind, pref as cable planner. Full info/apply HERE (3/30)

JOB OPENING: GLOBAL PROJECT MGR, FINANCIAL CONSUMER PRODUCTS & BUSINESS OPS/Viacom/NYC: Assist in evaluating ongoing business needs & req’s for Consumer Products finance, legal & global sales functions that support Viacom. 3-5 yrs of relevant Consumer Products global licensing ind work exp. Full info/apply HERE (3/30)

JOB OPENING: DIGITAL ACCOUNT EXEC/NBCU/East Coast: Come join NBC Connecticut as a Digital Account Executive. Partner with our Broadcast Sales Team, develop new business, and sell digital solutions to our clients. Min 4 yrs sales exp. Full info/apply HERE (3/30)

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 (3/30)

JOB OPENING: SR ASSOC, CORP COMMUNICATIONS/DigitasLBi/NYC: Resp for branding & mktg & reputation of the agency through client/partner-facing programs & events agency goals. Internal client mngmnt & collaboration w/ability to build/maint relationships. 2+ yrs corp comm or PR agency equivalent. Full info/apply HERE (3/29)

JOB OPENING: SR DIR, LICENSE MARKETING/Scholastic Trade/NYC: Create smart and strategic mktg campaigns & programs that drive sales for licensed titles. Min 10 yrs exp in publishing, licensing, and/or entertainment leading initiatives against high-profile franchises and brands. Full info/apply HERE (3/29)

JOB OPENING: DIGITAL PRODUCER/Animal Planet/NYC: Execute creative vision for APL websites & social accts. Create dig orig series & build aud engagement, track analytics & seamlessly integrate social w/brdcst-maintaining ntwrk voice across dig space. 5+ yrs exp dig/interactive, TV exp a MUST. Full info/apply HERE (3/29)

JOB OPENING: PRODUCTION LEADER/EDGE NET/Orlando FL: Creative/self starter to mng all aspects of prod (studio and remote), content creation and delivery worldwide. Experience with kids and/or sports content a plus. Lead US based team. Mentor & mange staff. 7-10 years of increasingly responsible experience. Resume to: [email protected] (3/29)

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] (3/29)

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 (3/28)

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 (3/28)

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 (3/28)

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