CYNOPSISDIGITAL
05.27.16 Good morning. It’s Friday May 27, 2016, and this is your first early morning digital briefing.
Bounce rate: Bounce rate, also called Abandonment Rate, refers to the percentage of a webpage’s visitors who exit without visiting another page on the site. A high bounce rate can alarm publishers: It may mean that something about the site is failing to compel users to stick around.
It’s safe to say that Google is breathing a sigh of relief right about now – the company won its long-running legal battle with Oracle. In a lawsuit dating back to 2010, Oracle has alleged that Google violated its intellectual property rights when the tech giant began work on the Android operating system. A San Francisco jury sided with Google; an adverse judgment could have cost the company as much as $9 billion. But the saga may not be over: Oracle says it will appeal.
Hulu and the U.K.’s ITV have partnered on a straight-to-series order for Harlots, a new drama series. The series, which centers on the sex trade in 1700s London, will stream exclusively on Hulu in the U.S., and air on ITV Encore across the pond. Samantha Morton (The Last Panther) stars in the show, slated to begin shooting next month.
The audience-targeting software provider Telmar announced the launch of Telmar Audience Effects, a new advanced system for marketers. According to the company, Telmar Audience Effects recommends audience segments and media combinations to engage a brand’s best customers across digital and traditional platforms. “Brands need to use all the data smarts available to attract and convert new customers,” Stanley Federman, Telmar’s Chairman & CEO, told Cynopsis Digital. "We’re smoothing the integration of digital and traditional planning and buying to make this possible at a new level.”
The video advertising platform Innovid announced that it has partnered with MODI Media, GroupM’s advanced television business. Innovid says it will power MODI’s OTT advanced video delivery, helping MODI to provide advertisers with more advanced analytics with which to measure Connected TV performance, as well as drive deeper consumer engagement with interactive pre-roll ads.
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In 2014, MDC Partners launched Assembly, a media agency built on sophisticated planning and buying capabilities. And in April, Assembly brought on a new hire to help – as the company put it – “elevat[e] data and information into superior insights and actions.” Sarah Power, Assembly’s first Chief Strategy and Research Officer, recently chatted with Cynopsis Digital about her new role at the company, and about just what it means to make use of advanced analytics in the age of big data. You can check out the Q&A here: http://www.cynopsis.com/cyncity/putting-data-first/
Ad blocking foes are turning to a new Hail Mary: The U.S. government. The Newspaper Association of America, which advocates for about 2,000 newspapers in North America, announced that it has filed a complaint and a request for investigation with the Federal Trade Commission. The filing alleges that certain ad-blocking services violate FTC rules meant to protect consumers from deceptive and unfair trade practices. For instance, the NAA is asking the FTC to investigate “paid whitelisting,” which enables advertisers to pay to allow certain ads to remain unblocked. “Newspapers recognize that ad blocking technology is responding to a consumer demand, and publishers are working diligently to improve the ad experience for consumers," said NAA President and CEO David Chavern in a statement. "We need, however, to call the government’s attention to some ad blocking firms that have implemented ad blocking business models that are deceptive to consumers."
HBO announced that HBO Espana, its upcoming streaming service for Spain, will be made available to clients of the telco Vodafone Spain, pending the completion of a carriage deal between HBO and Vodafone. In addition to featuring HBO series and movies, the service will feature new content from top-tier TV series providers, according to an HBO press statement.
Google is discontinuing its Apple TV competitor. The Nexus Player set-top box, which debuted in 2014, is no longer available from the Google Store. For the time being, the device is still available from third-party sellers. But since Google has given up on the device, it seems unlikely that its manufacturer, Asus, will continue making it. But the Android TV platform isn’t dead; it’s still supported by TV manufacturers such as Sony, which is installing the platform on its newest TV sets. In addition, Android TV boxes made by third parties are still available – and Google is working on a new Android N (a powerful upcoming operating system) update for those devices.
VHX, the Vimeo-owned SVOD platform that provides OTT distribution platforms for media companies and self-distributors, is coming to several devices. Video channel operators using VHX will now be able to allow users to subscribe directly through apps on Apple TV, Roku devices, as well as iPhones and iPads. Vimeo acquired VHX earlier this month.
Apple TV has added new TV Everywhere apps for NBCUniversal’s Bravo, Syfy, and E!. The apps will give pay-TV customers access to full seasons, as well as current and past episodes, of Bravo, Syfy, and E! series.
Given its name, you might take it for granted that Politico is wholly devoted to covering politics. But as it happens, the publication also boasts fairly robust coverage of the media landscape…You just might not know it, because much of that content lives behind a paywall. Or at least, it did. Politico has launched politico.com/media, a free new hub bringing all of its media-industry coverage together in one place. Among other content, the hub will feature a flagship newsletter from Politico reporter Joe Pompeo.
The next wave of Amazon pilots is on its way. Amazon Studios has announced two new hour-long dramas: The Last Tycoon, based on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s unfinished last novel, centers on a 1930s film exec played by Matt Bomer. And The Interestings, starring Six Feet Under’s Lauren Ambrose, is a coming-of-age story about a group of artistic teenagers who meet at a summer camp in the 1970s. Both series were co-produced by TriStar Television. Amazon will also launch six new kid-oriented pilots. (Like Netflix, the company has been trying to diversify its content offerings with a growing array of children’s content.) All eight shows will debut June 17 on Amazon Video in the U.S., U.K., Germany, Austria and Japan. As is its wont, Amazon will allow users to rate the shows, and consider those rankings as it decides whether or not pick up full-season orders.
Monumental Sports Network, a digital platform for original sports content across desktop, tablet, mobile and OTT streaming devices, announced that, this summer, it will launch an original programming initiative featuring a team of basketball stars from the Washington, D.C. area. The team will compete in The Basketball Tournament, a well-known contest featuring teams and players from around the world, for a $2 million winner-take-all prize. Monumental Sports Network says it will create and produce exclusive and original programing around the team – dubbed Team City of Gods – during the competition. The content will include behind-the-scenes footage of games and practices, documentary-style player narratives, and community events; it will be available through iOS and Android, Amazon Fire and Roku devices, and through MonumentalSportsNetwork.com and Monumental Sports Network’s Facebook page.
Twitter is looking at a couple of high-profile upcoming departures: Nathan Hubbard, the company’s VP of Global Media and Commerce, is leaving the company to found his own startup. The company is also losing Jana Messerschmidt, its VP of Global Business Development & Platform. Their exact dates of departure are still unclear, but once they leave, both their roles will be taken over by Ali Jafari, the VP who runs Twitter’s Amplify video advertising business. It’ been a somewhat tumultuous several months for Twitter: The company lost several high-profile execs in January, and its stock took a big hit at the end of April.
Neil Breakwell, who serves as Deputy Editor for the BBC news show Newsnight, will now serve as London Bureau Chief for Vice News. Breakwell will oversee all of Vice’s news gathering throughout Western Europe. He will also have his fingerprints on linear as well as digital content: Later this year, Vice will be launching its Viceland TV network in the U.K. and France, and the network will air some of Vice News’s U.K. programming.
In 2013, Netflix launched its first original series for children. The third season launched this past February. What’s the series called? You can find the answer in Tuesday’s newsletter.
Yesterday’s Trivia Question: Nintendo released its first-ever smartphone application on March 31. What was the app called? Answer: Miitomo.
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See you Tuesday,
David Teich
05.27.16
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JOB OPENING: MGR, PROGRAMMING/The Tennis Channel/Santa Monica: Asst in long term strategy/plan’g. Key point of contact for Sales & Mktg on all integrations. Understanding world of production is crucial. Provide competitive analyses across media landscape Min 5yrs exp. Full info/apply HERE (6/4)
JOB OPENING: VP, FAN ENGAGEMENT & EDITORIAL/SPIKE/NYC: Lead team & mng Spike’s initiatives on social media platforms, App & Site editorial efforts. Dvlp orig content initiatives for for distinct platforms. 10+ yrs exp in digital & social content space. BA deg req’d. Full info/apply HERE (6/3)
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JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR, DIGITAL GOLF/NBC/ORLANDO: Create/socialize/execute multi-platform digital mktg campaigns for Golf vertical; lead big idea generation & commercial monetization of Golf dig properties. 10+ yrs media mrktg exp; digital exp req’d. Full info/apply HERE (6/3)
JOB OPENING: SR MGR, PROJECT MANAGEMENT/AccuWeather Network/State College PA: Resp for the management of cross-departmental initiatives for the new AccuWeather cable TV network. 5-7 yrs progressive leadership exp in broadcast, cable or OTT environments. Full info/apply HERE (6/3)
JOB OPENING: VP, BUSINESS & LEGAL AFFAIRS/NICKELODEON, GAMES, MKTG & RECREATION/NYC: Provide daily business & legal affairs services with a focus on mktg & licensing. Qualified candidates must be a member of the NY Bar w/8 + yrs of relevant exp. Full info/apply HERE (6/2)
JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR, PROGRAM RESEARCH/Bravo/Oxygen/NYC: Manage analyses/ratings reporting, audience profiling, for both nets and their competitors. 7 yrs media research req. Full info/apply HERE (6/2)
JOB OPENING: PROGRAMMING & SCHEDULING SPECIALIST/CSI SPORTS/NY: 3-5 yrs TV Network exp. Create/manage logs and allocate inventory. Implement/schedule ad campaigns, promos plus work with Ad Agencies and RSNs nationwide. Traffic software exp. & excel skills req. Res/cvr to Rose: HERE (6/2)
JOB OPENING: AD SALES RESEARCH, SENIOR ANALYST/HGTV and DIY Network/NYC: Successful candidate will be well-rounded and experienced research professional, strategic business partner to our ad sales team. Min 3yrs relevant exp. Full info/apply HERE J101087 (6/2)
JOB OPENING: PRODUCER/NBC Nightly News/NYC: Will work directly with Senior Producers and Associate Producers to create original news content, for broadcast and digital platforms. Full info/apply HERE (6/2)
JOB OPENING: SALES PLANNER DIRECT RESPONSE/HGTV and DIY Network/NYC: Successful candidate will be well-versed in the direct response sales process. Attention to detail and strong customer services skills are a must. Full info/apply HERE J101100 (6/2)
JOB OPENING: SALES PLANNER AD SALES/Travel Channel and GAC/NYC: We are currently seeking strong media sales professionals. A successful candidate will have 2-3 years media sales experience and a strong work ethic. Full info/apply HERE J101100 (6/2)
JOB OPENING: AD SALES PLANNER/TENNIS CHANNEL/Santa Monica CA: Provide support for all aspects of the ad sales process. Create media plans with pricing and planning direction 3 yrs Ad Sales ind exp. Sales Assistant /Financial Planning /Rsrch exp a +. Full info/apply HERE (6/1)
JOB OPENING: CO-EP/DAILY LIVE SHOW/LA: Oversee/manage all aspects production. Manage team of producers & editors, produce daily content. Focus on pop-culture & entertainment, familiarity w/demos & lifestyle preferred. 5+ yrs exp. Resumes to: [email protected] (6/1)
JOB OPENING: CONSULTANT, AD SALES MARKETING/Pivot TV/NYC: Manage development of branded content mktg pitches for advertisers on TV, digital, & social. BA, 5-7 yrs exp, strong writing & ppt skills rq’d. Full info/apply HERE (5/28)
JOB OPENING: SR. MGR/DIR. SOCIAL ANALYTICS/A+E Networks/NY: will better utilize, organize social digital data, provide insights & analyses, & create best practices for data alignment & optimization across social content & social media plans. Full Info/Apply HERE (5/28)
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