08/18/14: Xbox Entertainment Studios may live to see another day, Nielsen: Social media fosters more TV fans, Mike Birbiglia joins Orange is the New Black cast



CYNOPSISDIGITAL
08.18.14

Good morning. It’s Monday, August 18, 2014, and this is your first early morning digital briefing.

NEW PROGRAMMING + DEALS

 
Xbox Entertainment Studio
may not shutter after all. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Microsoft is in early talks with Warner Bros to acquire its TV arm. In July, Microsoft announced it would shut down the studio and lay off 18,000 employees within the year, but still finish its current projects, including the Halo series from Steven Spielberg. Warner Bros also owns a stake in YouTube MCN Machinima, and if a deal is reached, the two video companies would merge.
 


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Coca-Cola brand Fanta and CollegeHumor created a new Vine comedy series called Fanta for the Funny, which began Friday. Vine stars Alli Cattt, Jason Mendez and Mighty Duck (who collectively reach more than three million followers) will release weekly clips that consist of multiple six-second vids to focus on sports, music and the brand’s theme, “more Fanta, less serious.” The series will run for six weeks, and be available on CollegeHumor.com and social media platforms through both companies.
 
Collective Digital Studio
’s Annoying Orange just leaked country singer’s Brad Paisley’s latest song. In the song and video available on YT, called Limes, Paisley sings to Annoying Orange about what happens when “life gives you limes.” The single will be available on Paisley’s new album “Moonshine,” out on Aug. 25.
 
WWE debuted a new logo on Twitter. The company describes the symbol as “a more contemporary, bold and powerful image while maintaining the iconic ‘W,’ which has been part of the company’s long-storied history.” Logo got its on-air premiere during SummerSlam on Sunday.

Missed any Cynopsis news last week? Check out Just in Case You Missed It.
 
 

CONTENT MEDIA
 

Actor and comedian Mike Birbiglia will join the cast of Orange is the New Black for its third season. Birbiglia most recently appeared in The Fault in Our Stars, and previously worked with Netflix on his one-man comedy special My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend. No word yet on what role he will play in the series.
 
The Fosters fun isn’t over after the summer finale of the ABC Family drama tonight at 9p. Immediately following the episode, an after-show live party will recap the finale, and actors will answer questions from fans. TheFostersAfterShow.com starts at 10p.
 

HAPPY NEWS

 
Shawn Hollenbach
, Creative Director, Social Media at Lifetime, was married to Chip Killingsworth on July 25 in New York City. Congrats!
 
If you’ve got happy news, weddings, babies, engagements you’d like shared with your industry colleagues for a new feature going up soon on our web site, send to Jessica@Cynopsis.com.
 


A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE


Only 2 day until the Sports Business Summit!
Wednesday, August 20|NYAC|REGISTER NOW!

Featured Panels Include:
College Football Playoff
State of the Sports Industry
CMO Summit
Leveraging the Power of the Local Fan

Thank you to our sponsor FOX Sports 1
Agenda | See Who’s Attending | Speakers


 
ADVERTISING
 

Mars Chocolate North America is extending the Twix Bites candy bar campaign that started in May with a new video series based on the “Throwback Thursday” social media trend. Every Thursday, a new Twix spot will be released on social and digital platforms, offering funny reasons for why it took the company so long to come up with the idea of Twix Bites. In the first entry, an executive uses a dial-up connection to download Twix Bites, but loses his connection when his co-worker makes a phone call on the same line.
 

 
RESEARCH
 

Nielsen released a new study which shows social media has fostered more TV fans. TV viewers reported they were 25 percent more aware of TV programs because of their social media interactions. Last year, 15 percent of viewers said they enjoyed watching TV when social media played a part. Additionally, social media encouraged 11 percent to watch more live TV and 12 percent to record TV programs.
 
Facebook
is still the most engaged social media site, according to the latest report from JPMorgan. Last month, the social network accounted for 18 percent of all time spent on the web, and 20 percent of time spent on mobile devices (not including users in its acquired apps Instagram and WhatsApp). The instant photo sharing app, SnapChat, showed the most growth, with minutes doubling to 114 percent in July compared to a year ago. Facebook recently launched a new cross-device reporting tool to allow marketers see how users engage in the social site across multiple screens.
 
Get ‘em before they’re gone! Networking, keynotes, Commissioners and top brands in the business will all be at the Cynopsis Sports Business Summit and Women of Action THIS WEEK – on Aug. 19-20 in NY. Our annual sold out conferences continue to deliver with organizations this year that will include Chobani, Twitter, SiriusXM, Mars, CBS Sports, NFL and NBA. For more info and to register, click here.
 

 
DIGITAL SPOTLIGHT OF THE DAY

 
Community fans get ready: Yahoo released the first spot for season six of the cancelled NBC series. Although the commercial doesn’t actually show anything new from the show – since filming doesn’t start until the fall – Yahoo promises in dramatic narration that “we can rebuild it….we have the technology. We have the capability to make the world’s first bionic show. Community will be that show.” Convinced that Yahoo will make fans happy? Check it out for yourself at www.cynopsis.com/#video.


A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE


Do you know how to read ratings?

Join Cynopsis on Wednesday, September 24, 2014, for a deep dive into how to read and understand the latest changes in TV ratings. Whether you’re just starting out in the TV industry or want a refresher on interpreting the most recent advanced data collection methodologies, you won’t want to miss this info-packed event.

Cynopsis’ Understanding the Latest Ratings Advancements Webinar
|
1:30 to 3:00 PM EST | REGISTER NOW!
|



See you tomorrow,
Jessica Reese  @JMarieReese
08.18.14

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

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JOB OPENING: DIR, ON-AIR PROMO & PGRMNG STRATEGY/CMT/Nashville: Dvlp tactics to support varying levels of prgrmmng priorities. 5+ yrs exp prgrm plan’g/sched &/or in on air promo sched’g @brdcst/cbl ntwrk. Strong knwlg. of PTS, OAP & GRiPit software. Apply HERE (8/23) 

JOB OPENING: MGR, PR/Scripps Ntwks/Chevy Chase MD or NYC: help dvlp & implement strategic publicity plans for key Travel Channel prgrmng & initiatives. Demonstrate track rec creative/successful PR pro. a must. 5+ yrs PR exp. Full info/apply HERE (8/23)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR EDITORIAL VIDEO/Washington Post/DC: Leader w/6+ yrs in video production Drives audience traffic w/track record storytelling w/graphics & video in time constraints tracy.grant@washpost.com http://linkd.in/1lXVn28 (8/22)

JOB OPENING: DIR GLOBAL SALES, ENTERTMNT/NYC: Create thriving biz model & adoption of ent platform w/in agency & client media comms. Set strategy & drive execution. 15 yrs of relevant sales w/emphasis on integrations deals. Full info/apply HERE (8/22)

JOB OPENING: DIGITAL ASSOCIATE MANAGER/Discovery Ad Sales/NY: Temporary opp. to develop digital and on-air sales solutions and execute sold marketing deals. Great presentation skills and client care. 2-5 years exp. APPLY HERE (8/22)

JOB OPENING: SR DIRECTOR, RESEARCH/SPROUT/NYC: Lead research for Sprout. Research systems expert & strong presenter. Must have network experience. 8+ yrs exp in media rsch required. Exp with Nielsen a must. Full info/apply HERE (8/21)

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH ANALYST/DIRECTOR/CO: contributes to decisions at Outdoor Channel via analysis of viewing, digital usage, market and sales data. 1+ yrs exp Analyst or 5+ yrs exp in media rsrch. careers@outdoorchannel.com (8/21)

JOB OPENING: SR MGR/DIR, DIGITAL PRODUCT/A+E Networks/NY: Dev & serve as owner of dig products & features across A+E Networks dig platforms. Full Info/Apply: http://www.aenetworks.com/careers (8/21)

JOB OPENING: MGR DVLPMNT/NY Established Prodco: Create and cast new shows for cable. 2+ yrs exp. mandatory. Please send job specific cover letter. devjobchelsea@gmail.com (8/21)

JOB OPENING: PRICING CONSULTANT/OPRAH WINFREY NETWORK/LA: Develop pricing strategies, business models for OWN’s eCourse business. Strategy, industry experience, analytics, web-based ecommerce required. Apply online at http://careers.own.tv (8/20)

JOB OPENING: VP, BRAND MKTG & ACTIVATION/SPIKE/NY: Oversee off-channel mktg for Spike brand & TV content. Min 10-15 yrs of relevant exp mktg and/or Media Plan’g. Exp in mktg leadership role in a media co, agency or client-side. Full info/apply HERE (8/20)

JOB OPENING: DIR, ANALYTICS & BRAND MKTG/SPIKE/NY: Measure, report, and analyze all key performance indicators across mktg initiatives. BA Deg req’d w/ 8-10+ yrs relevant work exp in a mktg analytics role 3+ yrs mngmnt exp. Full info/apply HERE (8/20)

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH PROFESSIONAL/Litton Entertainment/Charleston SC: Provide rsch/analysis supporting corp sales. TV rsch exp in ad agency or TV ind a must. BS deg & 6 yrs of TV exp req’d. MRI/Simmons, Ad Views & Nielsen sys knwlg req’d. Resumes HERE (8/20)

JOB OPENING: SCHEDULING SPECIALIST/Lifetime/NY: Resp for scheduling, dissemination, tracking & upkeep of all scheduling information & prgrm records. Create & update/maint all Air Schedules. Sched/rsch exp and able to multi task a must. Full info apply HERE (8/20)

JOB OPENING: SVP, BRAND CREATIVE/Comedy Central/NY: Lead team to dvlp all branding/mktg; Min 12 yrs brand-building exp. Digital creative background a must. Strong comedic dvlp background a + Apply HERE (8/19) 

JOB OPENING: DR SALES ASSISTANT/TVI Media/NYC: Part-time. Daily maint of all accts from booking orders, pulling reports & brand allocations. Work closely with traffic depts all areas scheduling/inv mngmnt. Dig media knwlg a must. Resumes HERE (8/19)

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SITUATION WANTED: Business & Partnership Development Pro/Mobile app and video games experience/Digital media and entertainment licensing exp/International exp/SF Bay Area contact.david.schwartz@gmail.com (8/22)

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