06/06/16: Instagram launches algorithm-based feed; Twitter introduces new carousel ad format; Samsung re-introduces Gear VR promotion

CYNOPSISDIGITAL
06.06.16

Good morning. It’s Monday June 6, 2016, and this is your first early morning digital briefing.

TODAY’S CODEBREAKER

Carousel ads: Carousel ads are an advertising format in which several items – such as videos, photos, or text – are displayed and rotate within a banner. Users generally scroll through the items manually, making the format interactive.

TOP NEWS


Despite resistance from some users, Instagram is pressing forward with changes to how it displays photos and videos. Instead of just showing content in reverse chronological order, the Facebook-owned photo-and-video-sharing service will bring new algorithms into play. Instagram first announced the plans in March, and has since tested the algorithm-driven feed with a subset of users. “It’s become harder to keep up with all the photos and videos people share as Instagram has grown,” the company wrote in a blog post. “Over the past few months, we brought this new way of ordering posts to a portion of the community, and we found that people are liking photos more, commenting more and generally engaging with the community in a more active way.”


ADVERTISING

Carousel ads have become increasingly popular of late, with companies like Facebook, Instagram and Google taking advantage of the format. And since January, Twitter has been working on a new carousel format of its own. Now those efforts are beginning to roll out: Twitter is unveiling the Promoted Tweet Carousel, a new ad unit enabling brands to compile up to twenty of their tweets (including their ads) into one slideshow format that users can swipe through. (Brands can also include user-generated tweets from creators in Niche, the Twitter-owned influencer program). Photos and videos can both be used. Brands can even use tweets from regular users – but only if they get explicit permission.

PLATFORMS + DEVICES

Thanks to its newest firmware update, the TiVo Bolt media box will now allow users to stream their DVR recordings – and even live programming – on iOS and Android devices. And the newly afforded access doesn’t end at streaming. Users will also now be able to transfer recorded content to their devices. For apple users, that might be a more convenient option in some cases. For now at least, out-of-home streaming will be a Wi-Fi-only affair on iOS: iOS users can’t stream content using cellular data. It should be noted that not all content will be available: Some content can still block TiVo from letting users view it outside the home.


A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE


OPS CONFERENCE
Tuesday, June 7 / NYC

OPS is the best place to connect with other digital media strategists and make the next steps in turning your digital media business into a profitable and efficient enterprise. You’ll hear from longtime industry stalwarts, learn from the sharpest minds in digital advertising, and meet the tech providers shaping the future of digital media marketing and monetization.

Go to www.opsconference.com to learn more.


 

 

VIRTUAL + AUGMENTED REALITY
 

Samsung has reintroduced its Gear VR promotion: Through June 19, anyone who buys a Galaxy S7 edge, Galaxy S7, Galaxy S6 edge+, Galaxy S6 edge, Galaxy S6, or Galaxy Note5 can also get Samsung’s mobile-based virtual reality headset for free (as well as $50 worth of virtual reality content). For hardware manufacturers like Samsung, virtual reality isn’t an end in and of itself. Perhaps more importantly –at least at this stage in the game – mobile-based VR is a way to encourage consumers to buy the company’s more expensive hardware. The Gear VR, after all, is unusable without a Samsung device. Case in point: The writer of this newsletter owns a Samsung smartphone. This is why.

PROGRAMMING + CONTENT ACQUISITIONS
 

CuriosityStream, the SVOD service for educational and non-fiction documentaries, has debuted two exclusive productions in 4K Ultra HD. Sir David Attenborough’s Light On Earth, which uses  “low-light color cameras,” will initially be available to only U.S. subscribers. Mark Emery’s American Wildlife, which focuses on animals and scenery in the U.S., will be available globally.

Brands like PepsiCo and Mariott have been proving that companies can take branded content production into their own hands. And Mariott, which launched its branded content studio two years ago, will now be bringing back one of its more successful productions. Do Not Disturb, a talk show hosted by writer, producer and YouTube celeb Taryn Southern, is coming back for another season. The news was reported by TubeFilter. In each episode Do Not Disturb, Southern meets with a friend from the online video community for a slumber party in a hotel room. Season one premiered last July.

MOBILE APPS

On Saturday, the L’Oréal Paris became the first-ever beauty brand to run a Snapchat Lens sponsored Snapchat lens. The “Lenses” feature, unveiled last year, was initially introduced as a way for everyday users to send goofy animated selfies to each other. But Snapchat quickly began urging brands to get on board as well. (20th Century Fox, for instance, recently took over ran a 24 Lens promotion for the film X-Men: Apocalypse.) L’Oréal’s lenses let users appear as though they’re wearing the company’s beauty products. L’Oréal designed its lens in-house, and worked on the campaign with direct help from Snapchat. By most reports, a promotion like this costs into the hundreds of thousands of dollar. As Adweek points out, Snapchat seems to be hoping to justify the cost by helping brands design their own Lens campaigns, allowing them to bypass agencies.

In other Snapchat news (there’s a lot of that these days) the company has acquired Seene, a photo-sharing app that allows users to take 3D selfies. The news was first reported by TechCrunch.

EXECUTIVE MOVES


OWNZONES, a technology platform offering a multi-platform distribution solution for media companies and content owners, announced some new hires. G.O. Burton, formerly the SVP of Global Partnerships and Business at CNK Digital (ClickN KIDS), will now serve as OWNZONES’ SVP of Distribution and PartnershipsFran Shea, a production exec who has held positions at HBO and E! Entertainment, will serve as Head of Programming. Suzanne Rainey, formerly a Content Distribution Consultant for SRC, will serve as SVP of Content Acquisitions. And Joe Shepherd, formerly OWNZONES’ VP of Sales & Product Development, has been named VP & Business Unit Owner, Product Development & EZONES.

 

TRIVIA

In April, E.W. Scripps Co. acquired a humor website for $39 million. Which site was it? You can find the answer in tomorrow’s newsletter.


Friday’s Trivia Question: Jack Dorsey serves as CEO of two different companies. One is Twitter. What’s the other? Answer: Square, Inc.


A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE


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DIGITAL SPOTLIGHT

On a billboard ad in NYC, Snickers decided to give its famed “you’re not you when your hungry” campaign a new face: Marilyn Monroe…Though if you stare at the billboard long enough, she turns into a different, decidedly less sexy celebrity. It’s pretty funny stuff – take a look here.

Watcheroo Premieres and Tune-in Alerts for the week of May June 6:
People Now at People.com, Monday-Friday at 8:30a ET and 11:30a ET: Guests include actress Jane Krakowski (Broadway’s She Loves Me), actress Kristin Chenoweth (Hard Sell), and actor Freddie Prinze Jr. (USA Network’s First Impressions)
Acorn TV Series 3 & 4 of the British detective drama Suspects make their U.S. debut on the streaming service today, June 6
– SI.com
: Jenner: 40 Years After Gold, a retrospective documentary about Caitlin Jenner from Sports Illustrated Films, debuts today, June 6
Hulu: Season 2 of Casual debuts June 7
Netflix: The children’s series Voltron: Legendary Defender premieres June 10
Watcheroo
is Cynopsis Digital’s tune-in guide, categorized alphabetically by platform or network. Programming includes digital premieres, ongoing shows, live-streamed events and linear TV digital integrated series.

See you tomorrow,
David Teich
06.06.16

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

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JOB OPENING: HEAD OF PRODUCTION/MEGALOMEDIA/AUSTIN TX: Lead over large slate of series at proco/reality. Mng budgets/teams/schedules, coordinate w/all staff. Strong network relationships a must. [email protected] (6/11)

JOB OPENING: DEVELOPMENT EDITOR/MEGALOMEDIA/AUSTIN TX OR NY: Lead editor w/proven track record for growing dev slate. Sizzle Character POC versatility across multiple genres a must. Resume and reels to: [email protected] (6/11)

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JOB OPENING: SR PUBLICIST/NICKELODEON/BURBANK: Mng communications for Nickelodeon animation properties. Create/implement publicity campaigns for projects. 5+ yrs exp TV communications, PR, and/or media relations. Strong writing skills a must. Full info/apply HERE (6/10)

JOB OPENING: LICENSING MGR/The Fred Rogers Company/Pittsburgh: Collaborate daily w/ prod business dvlpmnt, finance, mktg & external licensing agents to ensure our strong brand presence. 5+yrs related exp. Exc knwlg of brand & property positioning. Resume HERE (6/10)

JOB OPENING: SR. DIRECTOR, SOCIAL MEDIA/TURNER SPORTS/ATL: Candidate responsible for social media strategy & develop. across Turner Sports’ brands. Oversee content development and provide social insights back to business leaders. 8-10+ yrs exp. Full info/apply HERE (6/9)

JOB OPENING: WRITER/PRODUCER, TNT/TURNER/ATL: Responsible for conceptualizing, writing, and producing assigned on-air, social/digital promotions. Determines and writes TNT program content and maintains the creative vision of programs and/or campaigns. Full info/Apply HERE (6/9)

JOB OPENING: INTERACTIVE COORDINATING PRODUCER, ELEAGUE/TURNER/ATL: Coordination and oversight of all video production elements for ELEAGUE. 12-15 yrs of sports television/digital exp in at least a Producer role. Knowledge of gaming/eSports is req. Full info/apply HERE (6/9)

JOB OPENING: SR PUBLICIST/Nickelodeon/Burbank: Mng communications for Nickelodeon animation properties. Create/implement publicity campaigns for projects. 5+ yrs exp TV communications, PR, and/or media relations. Strong writing skills a must. Full info/apply HERE (6/9)

JOB OPENING: PUBLISHER/The News & Observer/Raleigh, NC: 10+ yr newpr ind, 8+ yr in mgmt; 4 yr degree, exp w/digital/print media, rev gen, aud gwth, mang/budget. Full info/Apply HERE (6/8)

JOB OPENING: WRITER/PRODUCER, ELEAGUE/TURNER/ATL: Seasoned producer comfortable creating high-end broadcast elements, on-air proms, short-form features, & marketing projects for ELEAGUE. Knowledge of gaming/eSports and reel required. Full info/apply HERE (6/8)

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JOB OPENING: SOFTWARE ENGINEER/Weather Channel/Atlanta GA: Determine operational feasibility by evaluating analysis, problem definition, requirements, solution development and proposed solutions.
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JOB OPENING: SENIOR TECH MANAGER, SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT/AOL/Seattle WA: Work as part of the Advertising Technology team to design and deliver new & maintain existing platforms and systems. Full info/apply HERE (6/8)

JOB OPENING: SOFTWARE ENGINEERING LEAD/DirectTV/Los Angeles: Providing technical leadership and mentorship for the rest of software developers in the Software Operability team. Full info/apply HERE (6/8)

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PAID SUMMER INTERNSHIP: On Air Dept/iN DEMAND/NYC: seeking interns to help in in-house edit facility  logging, viewing reels, tape dup. Apply: [email protected] (6/10)

SUMMER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: Beverly-Hills-Studios.com is seeking interns for Summer. Interns are required to be on site. Schedule flexible; 4 day-16 hour week. Please send resume to:
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