A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM THE FREEWHEEL COUNCIL FOR PREMIUM VIDEO

The FreeWheel Council for Premium Video has released results of a custom research study in partnership with Advertiser Perceptions, revealing that improving the video ad experience was identified as the biggest challenge facing the industry today by more than half of brand and agency executives surveyed.

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CYNOPSISDIGITAL
04.10.17

Good morning. It’s Monday April 10, 2017 and this is your first early morning digital briefing.

Vanity Metrics: In digital media, vanity metrics are metrics such as downloads, registered users, and raw pageviews. Marketers and publishers who know what they’re doing tend not to put too much stock in vanity metrics; they’re easy to manipulate and don’t always correspond to metrics that truly matter, such as active users, engagement, customer acquisition cost, and, of course, revenues and profits.
 
 

 
At a moment when licensed movies seem to be an increasingly distant concern for Netflix, Hulu just inked its biggest film output agreement to date. In a multi-year pact with Annapurna Pictures, Hulu will have pay-one window streaming rights to all of the studio’s future films. Movies released by Annapurna will stream exclusively on Hulu following their theatrical runs. The first Annapurna film to hit Hulu under the agreement will be Kathryn Bigelow’s Untitled Detroit Project. (That’s its actual title, FYI.) Hulu’s other recent licensing deals include pacts with IFC Films, Magnolia Pictures, Disney, and Epix.
 

Here it comes. Ajit Pai’s FCC is reportedly planning to scrap the agency’s net neutrality rules, which initially passed in 2015 when the agency had a Democratic majority. Pai reportedly aims to replace the 2015 regulations by June. Under Pai’s early blueprint, internet providers like Comcast and AT&T could be encouraged to promise, in writing, that they won’t block or slow down internet traffic. If they violate said promise, they could reportedly be fined by the Federal Trade Commission. The plans aren’t official, of course, and could still be amended. But make no mistake – the FCC’s current net neutrality rules aren’t long for this world.
 
 

We’ve got some more details on OpenAp, the recently launched consortium between Viacom, Fox and Turner that will focus on advanced ad targeting. At a meeting geared toward media buying agencies, the companies announced that the platform will be built and administered by the consulting and tech services firm Accenture. They also said that OpenAp will incorporate both comScore and Nielsen Data. The OpenAp project was initially announced last month as a means of standardizing audience targeting for ads appearing across Viacom, Fox, and Turner’s networks. The goal is to allow consistent matching between the companies’ audiences and the custom audience targets that advertisers assemble using their own data.
 
 

 
We’re officially sold out for Wednesday’s World eSports Summit. To add your name to the wait list, email Cynopsis Marketing Coordinator Cathy Pearson. Learn how to monetize eSports for your brand, network with 250+ industry experts and gain exclusive research on this booming industry.
 
 

Mic just raised a lot of cash. The digital media startup announced that it has taken in $21 million in Series C funding. The round was led by Lightspeed Venture Partners, which also led Mic’s Series B funding round back in 2015. Time Warner Investments, Kyu Collective, and the ad tech startup You & Mr. Jones also participated. Mic says that over 66 million unique monthly users consume its content. Just last month, the company announced plans to create nine new channels geared toward specific audience segments.
 
 

Here’s something VR execs don’t like to talk about all that much: A huge portion of the industry is wrapped up in adult video. And as detailed in a new story from Variety, metrics from adult websites might just carry some broader lessons about the industry as a whole. Specifically, Variety took a look at data from the website “BaDoinkVR” (NSFW times a million). Here’s where things get instructive: The site lets users download videos in different formats, depending on which headsets they use. For example, even though the Google Cardboard is the most widely purchased headset, Samsung’s Gear VR saw the most usage by far, accounting for 40 percent of downloads. The Cardboard accounted for 23 percent, while the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive accounted for 25 percent between them. The PlayStation VR accounted for 9 percent, while Google’s Daydream headset came in dead last with 3 percent. Granted, this is hardly a scientific survey, and there’s no telling whether it’s representative of the VR user population as a whole. Still, it’s a start. For a nascent industry with scant data on such things, it’s helpful to know which headsets are being used the most often, as opposed to which are being purchased the most often.
 
 

Netflix is losing one of its longest-serving executives. Chief Product Officer Neil Hunt announced that he has decided to leave company; he’d been with Netflix for 18 years. (It’s hard to believe the company has even been around that long, but yes, it was founded in 1997.) Hunt led the development of Netflix’s streaming service back in 2007, and has since overseen the serve’s user experience. He’ll be replaced by Greg Peters, who’d been the company’s International Development Officer. In addition, Netflix is losing Chief Talent Officer Tawni Cranz, who’s leaving to pursue other interests. Cranz joined the company in 2007.
 
Here’s a move from the top executive: President Trump has nominated Vishal J. Amin to serve as to serve as White House Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator. Created by Congress in 2008, the position is frequently referred to as the “IP czar.” The IP coordinator’s role revolves around efforts to curtail copyright infringement, particularly online. Amin most recently served as a senior counsel on the House Judiciary Committee. If confirmed, he’ll succeed Daniel Marti, a Barack Obama appointee.
 
 

 
Orange Is the New Black’s Samira Wiley had a recurring role as a therapist on the latest season of which FXX comedy? Answer: You’re the Worst. Kudos to Andy Pittman-TAMU/TX, Susan Nessanbaum–Goldberg M and S Entertainment/NY, Louis Lewow-Lewow Media/GA, Judy Margolis-The Ad Place/TX, Andrew Bellamy-Producers Guild of America/NY, Tom Moore-Kalt Productions/CA, Darren Bleckner-Hulu/NY, David Westberg-SAG-AFTRA Federal Credit Union/CA, Lorrie Shilling/CA, and Damon Parry-NCC Media/CA
 
Perhaps not coincidentally, You’re the Worst’s creator and showrunner previously served as a –co-executive producer on Orange Is the New Black. What’s his name.
(Email [email protected] with your answer and be sure to include your name, company, city and state.)
 

The industry’s most trusted brand is bringing together industry experts to honor the best in children’s, tween and family programming across platforms, technology, marketing and prosocial campaigns.

Get your entry in now for the chance to be among your industry peers and join us in honoring the amazing accomplishments that have been made in children’s programming!

 
R.I.P. Don Rickles, master of insults. PBS is circulating an outtake from a Bob Newhart-focused installment of its American Masters docu-series. Rickles was a friend of Newhart’s you see. And just how did the comedian talk about his friends? Exactly how you might expect. Check out the clip here.

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JOB OPENING: SR AUDIENCE RESEARCH ANALYST/Crown Media Family Networks/CA: Track/ analyze various standard & custom reports. Track/analyze data for orig & acquired content, web traffic, mobile app, VOD and DTVR. BA & min 3 yrs’ exp req. Exp w/Nielsen Systems req’d.Full info/apply HERE (4/18)

JOB OPENING: COORDINATOR, PRODUCTION ACCOUNTING/Crown Media Family Networks/CA: Input and review film production budgets, cost reports and cash flows. Assist w/preparing ad-hock reports and analysis and various reconciliation processes. Prev accounting exp req. Full info/apply HERE (4/18)

JOB OPENING: DIR DIGITAL RESEARCH, AD SALES/NBCU/NY: Innovative, critical thinker to take on ground-breaking opportunities at one of US’ biggest and most inventive digital players. Collaborate with Apple, Buzzfeed, Kargo, others. 6+ yrs exp in digital research/analytics. Apply: http://bit.ly/2mf8qa5 (4/18)

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH MANAGER/Discovery/LA: Strategic mind to utilize Nielsen ratings to inform prgmming, mktg, press, biz strategies. Turn data into stories w/actionable/valuable info for presentations. Find consumer insights/trends to support aud building initiatives, 4+ yrs TV rsrch exp req’d. Apply (4/18)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR, RESEARCH/WNBC/NYC: Tell the story of sales rating highlights, competitive positioning, and marketing category spending trends to the sales team. 7+ years in media or market research field with expertise in Nielsen ratings, syndicated products. Full info/apply HERE (4/18)

JOB OPENING: PUBLICIST/DISCOVERY/LA: Top notch strategic thinker dedicated to dvlpng publicity campaigns across traditional/ digital media for Discovery programs & talent. Dev strategy/messaging, write press releases, pitch & field press inquiries. Superb written/verbal skills. 2-3 yrs publicity/media exp. Full info/apply HERE (4/18)

JOB OPENING: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR PROGRAMMING/GSNTV Santa Monica, CA: 10 yrs. of previous exp. overseeing prog. at a network or wking prod. in alternative TV as well as a strong contact base of producers and agents; BA/BS degree. Send res and CL to [email protected] (4/18)

JOB OPENING: VP DEVELOPMENT/GSNTV/Santa Monica, CA: Resp. for development of unscripted game show and competition based content from conception and deal-making to pilot prod. BA/BS degree. 7-10 yrs. exp. developing content in the digital space and/or editorial space. Send res and CL to [email protected] (4/18)

JOB OPENING: DIGITAL HR DIRECTOR/NBCU/NYC: Digital HR Director for emerging group that leads the company’s digital business strategy and partnerships with emerging platforms. 7+ years of relevant exp as an HR business partner. Full info/apply HERE (4/18)

JOB OPENING: MARKETING SPECIALIST/GSNTV/CA: construct custom mktg campaigns for MVPDs; devlop, design & implement mktg. activities & resources. BA/BS degree. Min 3 yrs exp work in content (video,digital,OTT) distribution. Photoshop skills preferred. Send res and CL to [email protected] (4/15)

JOB OPENING: ART DIRECTOR/TLC/MD: Motion graphics & branding expert w/desire to get their hands dirty in multiple mediums. Enthusiasm for on-air graphics, independent/team work, latest technologies & trends a must. 6-8 yrs exp req’d. Apply (4/14)

JOB OPENING: MARKETING MGR/UP TV/ATL: 3+ creative media exp. at cable network. Exp dev. mkting strategies & creative briefs. Exp. working w/ creative agencies & executing campaigns. Must have budget mgt exp. Exp. managing media trafficking for off channel. Apply HERE (4/14)

JOB OPENING: AD SALES ASSISTANT/BOUNCE TV/NYC: Support AdSales Planning: executing client skeds, wkly allocs, securing traffic, preventing discreps. Interacting w/AE’s & clients. 1+ yr AdSales or Rsch exp. & use of WideOrbit a +. Resumes/cvr: HERE [email protected] (4/14)

JOB OPENING: SALES/ACQUISITIONS/CSI SPORTS/NY: Assist in acquiring, dvlpng & executing content strategy on a worldwide basis. Support expansion of live 24/7 Sports Network /. +7 yrs Sales/acquisitions exp. req. Sports bckgrnd a +. Res/cvr letter to Robert [email protected] (4/14)

JOB OPENING: HR GENERALIST/Fuse Media CA: Coaching, counseling and employee-related solutions. Develop people plans in line with the business strategy. Manage full-cycle recruiting processes. Serve as a super-user for a variety of HR technology systems. Apply here http://www.fuse.tv/ (4/13)

JOB OPENING: SALES PLANNER/BET/NYC: Be primary contact of the Sales Planning dept to the Acct Execs regarding all assigned accts. Sales planning or adv agency buying/planning exp. Proficient in MS off. Media Math skills req’d. BA Deg related field req’d. Full info/apply HERE (4/13)

JOB OPENING: SALES PLANNER/Entertainment Studios/NY: Sales support, sales reporting, campaign tracking Knwlg sales processes, CPM’s/inventory mgmt & Wide Orbit Systm a must; Need BS+2 yrs media exp, strong excl/ppt as well as media math skills.Fast paced envir, multi-tsker a must. Apply HERE (4/13)

JOB OPENING: EXEC ADMIN ASST, DISTRIBUTION/Crown Media Family Networks/IL: Provide high level support to SVP, Dist and Chicago office. Manage travel, phones, expenses, meetings, and calendars. Serve as liaison w/ mgmt and bldg mgmt. Self-motivated, proactive, and resourceful. Min 3 yrs’ executive level support req. Full info/apply HERE (4/12)

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH DIRECTOR/POP/LA: Proficient in linear + multiplatform analytics, adept at communicating insights, expert problem-solving/project management skills, extensive Nielsen knowledge. 10+ yrs of linear rsrch & 3+ yrs of multiplatform rsrch. New position. Full info/apply HERE (4/11)

PAID INTERNSHIP: BUSINESS DEVEL. & MKTG/Litton Entertainment/Charleston, SC: Seeks college or grad intern w/strong written/verbal comm skills to assist our Bus Dvlpmnt & Mktg dept. Resp will incl Competitive/ind trends rsch/analysis as well as ideation & sales material assistance. 3 days/20 hrs wkly. Res/cvr HERE (4/16)

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