11/01/17: Netflix indefinitely suspends production of House of Cards' sixth season

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM THE FREEWHEEL COUNCIL FOR PREMIUM VIDEO

The State of Unified Video – Today & Tomorrow

The rise of digital consumption of premium video makes it ever more critical to close the measurement gap.

Download the FreeWheel Council’s paper “The State of Unified Video: Today & Tomorrow”, to understand how buyers and sellers of premium video are aligning investment and measurement strategies across all video.

CynopsisDigital

Good morning. It’s Wednesday November 1, 2017 and this is your your first early morning Digital briefing.

TODAY’S CODEBREAKER

Price Floor: In digital advertising, a price floor is a fixed CPM rate that prevents an ad partner from serving campaigns that pay below a certain threshold. For instance, if a price floor is set to $2, an ad partner can’t serve any campaigns that have net CPM rates below that price.

TOP NEWS

As you’re no doubt aware by now, Star Trek Discovery actor Anthony Rapp recently leveled sexual assault allegations against House of Cards star Kevin Spacey. Then on Monday, Netflix confirmed that House of Cards‘ sixth season would be its last. But as it turns out, the series might well have aired its final episode already: filming of the upcoming season has now been suspended “until further notice.” Cast and crew reportedly learned of the decision Tuesday morning. In a joint statement, Netflix and production company Media Rights Capital said they will now take the time “to review the current situation and to address any concerns of our cast and crew.” Shooting had only begun two weeks ago.

In more fallout from Rapp’s allegations, the educational startup MasterClass – which offers video courses taught by celebrities – has pulled an acting class taught by Spacey. The course, which consisted of 28 video lessons, debuted in February of 2016. MasterClass has ceased promoting the course on its homepage, and new users can no longer enroll.

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE

**CALL FOR ENTRIES**

The Cynopsis Social Good Awards

The Cynopsis Social Good Awards honors civic-minded professionals who find a way to utilize the media industry as a tool for social good. With a panel of judges who’ll benchmark excellence in the TV and entertainment industry. This is an incredible opportunity to shine a light on your team’s social good initiative, raising awareness and inspiring action! ( check out our 2017 winners, here).

ENTER BY 12/20

ADVERTISING

Looks like Facebook’s Russian ad problem wasn’t confined to Facebook. Business Insider reports that Russian-bought ads – already known to have appeared on Facebook during the 2016 elections – also ran across Facebook Audience Network, a tool that lets marketers deliver ads to apps and websites outside of Facebook’s platform. The Audience Network ads were affiliated with the Internet Research Agency, a Russian entity. Facebook recently acknowledged that the Internet Research Agency was behind about 80,000 spots that appeared on the social giant’s platform. By comparison, Audience Network saw relatively few Russian ads. According to BI, only 90 online publishers saw revenue from Russia-backed ads that ran through the network. Fewer than 9,000 people saw those ads, according to the report.

Facebook opened up its Collection ad format to travel campaigns. Facebook’s Collection ads, designed to let users browse and purchase products in an immersive format, are now available to brands through Facebook’s Dynamic Ads for Travel product. The expansion comes ahead of the holiday season, and that’s no coincidence: Hotel and airline brands will now be able to use Collection ads to woo holiday travelers.

OTT + SVOD

The lines between digital and linear blurred a little bit back in November, when Comcast started offering Netflix through its Xfinity X1 platform. Now the company is tacking on 4K video capabilities as well: Netflix subscribers with a $13.99-per-month “Premium” plan can now access Ultra HD Netflix content through X1 (provided that their X1 devices support 4K content.). Netflix isn’t the only digital service available through Xfinity X1; YouTube launched on the platform in September.

FuboTV, the OTT-based live TV service with a heavy focus on sports programming, now offers Fox programming in twelve new markets: Albuquerque, Louisville, Jacksonville, Norfolk, New Orleans, Little Rock, Waco, Colorado Springs, Baton Rouge, Huntsville, Providence, and Roanoke. With the new launches, fuboTV says it offers Fox in 80 markets, covering 66% of U.S. households.

APPS + PLATFORMS

Amazon Prime Video has launched globally for Xbox One consoles. And on November 7, the streaming video service will debut on the Xbox One X console as well. Prime Video is now available in more than 200 countries and territories.

Apple took a novel approach when it came to opening the iPhone X up to reviews. The tech giant let a handful of YouTube creators publish their first-impression reactions to the device a day before most mainstream media outlets were allowed to do the same. YouTube outlets with early reviews of the device included Booredatwork, UrAvrgConsumer, Soldier Knows Best, and vloggers from High Snobiety. Not all of the early reviews came from YouTube creators, of course; Fashion Magazine, Axios, and Wired’s Steven Levy got an early crack at the device as well. But it’s safe to say that some of Apple’s core consumer targets put stock in the opinions of tech vloggers – and clearly Apple knows it.

PUBLISHERS

BuzzFeed is launching its first U.K. video series. Called Worth It, the show will feature hosts who travel across the U.K. sampling food items at both high and low-rice points. A U.S. version of the show has already been released. The U.K. version of Worth It will run weekly on YouTube and Facebook. It debuts November 5.

MEASURING UP

The ListenFirst Television Interest (TVI) Rating (TM) is a standardized measurement of the most buzzed-about TV programs on linear TV and streaming services. A complement to ListenFirst’s other syndicated data products (such as the ListenFirst Digital Audience Rating – TV), the metrics included in the rating capture organic actions that are largely unaffected by paid media. Programs that surface on the TVI leaderboards are the most hashtagged on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and Tumblr, as well as most searched for on Wikipedia (used as a proxy for organic search volume).

Streaming Series (10/23/17 – 10/29/17)

Source: ListenFirst. The TVI Rating aggregates metrics that measure organically generated activity by fans of the TV show. The metric includes total volume of official hashtag mentions on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and Tumblr, along with Wikipedia page views (as a proxy for organic search volume) for a show as a percentage of the total volume of the same activities for all shows.

CYNOPSIS TV AWARDS

Our call for entries for the 2017-2018 TV Awards is now open, and the deadline is 11/10. We are honoring excellence in national TV programming, and we can’t wait to see the phenomenal work from this past year. The submission process is quick and simple –just go here: http://ht.ly/eBtv30fUFFz

EXECUTIVE MOVES

Comedy Central has a new digital chief. Jennifer Danielson will serve as SVP of Digital, overseeing all editorial and creative for the Viacom network’s digital content. She’ll report to Josh Line, EVP of Marketing and Creative. Danielson has a long history in the digital comedy space. She’d been with Broadway Video, Lorne Michaels’s entertainment studio, since 2001. She also helped launch Above Average, Broadway Video’s digital comedy studio. She’d served as Above Average’s President since 2012.

Talent management firm Brillstein Entertainment Partners has hired Seth Jacobs, a long-time digital media pro. Jacobs most recently worked as VP of Business Development and Partnerships at Victorious, a company that helps YouTube creators build apps and websites. Jacobs will be tasked with growing Brillstein’s roster of digital clients. The firm’s existing digital stars include Cameron Dallas, Flula Borg, Mark “Markiplier” Fischbach, and others.

TRIVIA

James Franco starred in which 2016 streaming mini-series? (Email [email protected] with your answer and be sure to include your name, company, city and state.)

Our Last Trivia Question: Before appearing in Netflix’s Stranger Things, the young actor Caleb McLaughlin held a role in which Broadway musical? Answer: The Lion King. Kudos to Andrew Bellamy-Producers Guild of America/NY, Andy Pittman-TAMU/TX, Rachel Leva-NBCUniversal New Jersey, David Young-ABC Television Network/NY, Tom Moore Kalt-Productions/CA, David Westberg-SAG-AFTRA Federal Credit Union/CA, Lorrie Shilling/CA, Christine Allen-McGee Media/NY, Susan Nessanbaum-Goldberg-M and S Entertainment/CA, and Alex Walker-Engine Shop/CA

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE

Craft your campaign strategy with Cynopsis’ Digital’s latest webinar:

Solving the Digital Ad Measurement Challenge

Monday, NOV. 13 |12:30PM ET

According to the IAB, last year was the first time digital ad spend totaled $72 billion, surpassing that of TV at $67 billion. But although usage is on the rise, management of digital ad growth is complex and confusing. Which is why Cynopsis’ newest webinar is here to illuminate the media measurement ecosystem with insights that will give you an efficient and powerful strategy.

SHORT FORM SPOTLIGHT

Did you know that an alternate Game of Thrones pilot exists? You’ll never see it though, because by all accounts it’s terrible. Fortunately for TV fans everywhere, showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss ultimately got to reshoot the thing (with a number of cast changes). The rest is history. From the Looper YouTube channel, learn more here.

David Teich
Roberta Caploe Publisher @robertacaploe	Diane K Schwartz Senior Vice President Media Communications Group	Cynopsis Ad Sales Mike Farina \| 203-218-6480 VP, Sales	Cynopsis Job Listings Sales Trish Pihonak \| 203-899-8459 Director of Operations

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JOB OF THE DAY

SR MANAGER, CONSUMER MARKETING
TV ONE
Silver Spring, DC
Responsible for developing and managing TV One’s consumer marketing and promotional campaigns. Strategic thinker w/ minimum 5-8 yr exp in network TV mktg. Strong knwlg African American demographic a +.
Full info/apply HERE

JOB OPENING: SALES PLANNER/DISH/NYC: Detail oriented w/ excellent written/oral communication skills, strong analytical skill/media math knowledge to support 2 AEs on DISH Media Sales team. Steward campaigns, post, recommend makegoods. 2 yrs Ad Sales or Media Buying experience required. Full info/apply HERE (11/9)

JOB OPENING: DIGITAL MARKETING MGR/CNBC/Englewood Cliff NJ: Dvlp strategic mktg plans to build adoption across CNBC’s wide variety of digital products incl mobile & OTT apps & emerging platforms. Min 5yrs related work experience, pref in media. free shuttle from NYC. Full info/apply HERE (11/9)

JOB OPENING: TEMP COUNSEL TRADEMARK/MSG COMPANY/NYC: Assist with all aspects of US and international trademark registration and maintenance. Monitor incoming infringement reports from watch services & internet comms. Ability to work in high-pressure envir. Min 6 yrs exp trademark clearance. Full info/apply HERE (11/8)

JOB OPENING: MEDIA PLANNER/AdMore/LA or Temecula: Create media plans across Local & National Brdcst, Syndication, National Cable and Local Cable/Satellite. BA deg req’d, 3 + years exp of general market/audience based media planning. Proficient in STRATA media planning software. Resume/cvr HERE (11/8)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR- BUSINESS & LEGAL AFFAIRS/TLC/LA: Resp. for handling deal negotiations and drafting/ review of agreements for dev/prod/distribution of non-scripted progmmng including agreements for lead/supporting talent across ntwrks w/ focus on TLC. Exp working in-house at an entertainment company. APPLY (11/8)

JOB OPENING: MEDIA BUYER, TV/BPM/LA: Responsible for DR media buying, planning and analysis across all clients. Self-starter, good communication skills a must. Proficient in Excel & PP. Team player with good understanding of media and performance marketing. Resume HERE (11/8)

JOB OPENING: JR PRODUCER/WRITER/EDITOR/ION/Clearwater Beach, FL: Responsible for producing, writing and editing all on-air promotions. Responsible for conception, writing/producing/editing episodic & movie promotional material for mult properties. BA deg comms or related fieldExp w/non-linear editing. Full info/apply HERE (11/4)

JOB OPENING: SR MANAGER, CONSUMER MARKETING /TV ONE/Silver Spring/DC: Responsible for developing and managing TV One’s consumer marketing and promotional campaigns. Strategic thinker w/ minimum 5-8 yr exp in network TV mktg. Strong knwlg African American demographic a +. Full info/apply HERE (11/4)

JOB OPENING: VP MEDIA & CAMPAIGN PLANNING /BET/NYC: Oversee/lead the overarching series mktg strategy across all platforms, incl show positioning, KPIs &key objectives of each plan.Define/comm strategic positioning for series & events throughout org.10+yrs holding mktg/Ad positions.Full info/apply HERE (11/4)

JOB OPENING: DR NATIONAL TV BUYER/Mediassociates/Newtown CT: Fairfield County CT Ind media plan’g, buying & analytics agency seeks buyer to execute/mng our client’s media efforts. Assess initial buy thru final reporting/reconciliation. Min 5 yrs exp as Nat’l DRTV buyer. Exc quantitative skills. Full info/apply HERE (11/4)

JOB OPENING: MEDIA DIRECTOR, PAID SOCIAL/GLOW/NYC: Grow team to mng daily execution of campaigns for clients & work closely w/Sr leadership across mult depts to create & identify new client/business opps. 8-10 yrs exp digital media planning, as well as 3-5 yrs mngmnt exp. Full info/apply HERE (11/4)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR, PUBLICITY /A&E/NY: Dvlp/implement effective PR strategies & publicity campaigns resulting in positive media placement. 8+ yrs. of TV prgm publicity exp. Must have background in TV – network or cable news and/or entertainment publicity . Knowledge of pop culture essential. Full info/apply HERE (11/3)

JOB OPENING: SPVR PRODUCER /45^th & Dean/A+E/NY: Produce high quality digital content via A+E Digital Studio for Lifetime. 8+ yrs. of digital/TV prod exp. Extensive post prod exp essential. Apply: HERE (11/3)

JOB OPENING: MEDIA RESEARCH ANALYST/NYC or Miami: Analyze lrg amt quanti data. Ability to draft compelling stories. Creative. 2-3 yrs exp working in media/rsrch related cos. Interact w/clients. Strong kwldg of cross platform data (TV, dig, social). Bilingual (Eng/Spn) Position open for NYC or Miami. Resume HERE (11/3)

JOB OPENING: DIGITAL PREDITOR /NBCU/CT: Freelance Part-time to produce/edit digital videos for nationally syndicated talk shows. 2 to 3 years of work experience as an AVID Video Editor/Producer. Experience in news, entertainment, or promos & strong story telling sensibility. Resumes HERE (11/3)

JOB OPENING: DIGITAL/TV SALES COORDINATOR /Univision/Chicago: Highly motivated Digital & TV Sales Coord w/ exc interpersonal skills resp to assist acct execs & mgrs w/in the sales dept w/daily acct maint in all aspects of the order process. Prior exp sales, mktg in related field or industry pref’d. Full info/apply HERE (11/2)

JOB OPENING: MANAGER, RESEARCH /VICELAND/Brooklyn NY: Oversee analysis for VICELAND’S linear/digital/social performance. Report findings to programming, dev, sales, marketing and key execs. 4+ years exp in relevant TV/content analytics. Full info/apply HERE (11/2)

JOB OPENING: CONTROLLER /for LA based network rep firm: Broadcast minded controller to mng day to day activities & work w/CEO to build future strategies. HR & procedure compliance exp a + but not req’d. Strong knwldg of Accounting software, payroll systems, Salesforce, Quickbooks & WO. EOE. Resume HERE (11/2)