11/09/15: Alibaba Group completes buyout of Youku Tudou; Tencent gets rights to James Bond and Paramount films; Snooki and JWoww get new Go90 reality series



CYNOPSISDIGITAL
11.09.15

Good morning. It’s Monday November 9, 2015, and this is your first early morning digital briefing.

Watcheroo Premieres and Tune-in Alerts for November 9-15:
People Now at People.com, Monday-Friday at 8:30a ET and 11:30a ET: Guests include Vine stars and actors Nash Grier and Cameron Dallas (The Outfield), TV personality Willie Robertson (Duck Dynasty), and TV personalities Snooki and JWoww (Snooki & JWoww: Moms With Attitude)
iTunes: The Outfield, an original film produced by Fullscreen Films and featuring Vine stars Nash Grier and Cameron Dallas, premieres exclusively on iTunes November 10
Netflix: With Bob and David, starring Mr. Show’s David Cross and Bob Odenkirk, premieres November 13
Go90: Snooki & JWoww: Moms with Attitude, produced by AwesomenessTV, premieres on Verizon’s Go90 streaming service November 13
Amazon Prime: Shaun the Sheep: The Farmer’s Llamas, originally commissioned by the BBC, debuts November 13
 
 

TOP NEWS

 
After all those hectic live-action ads, it’s about time someone adapted Call of Duty into a movie (or several). And it looks like the game’s publisher wants to make that happen. Video game giant Activision Blizzard has launched Activision Blizzard Studios, a production arm dedicated to turning the company’s games into film and TV properties. Disney alum Nick van Dyk will serve as Co-President, while a creative exec will be announced in the coming weeks, according to Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick. The studio’s first production will be an animated series based on Skylander Academy.
 
Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group has completed its acquisition of Chinese online video company Youku Tudou. Alibaba, which already owned 18.3% of Youku Tudou, made its initial buyout offer last month. The final deal is worth over $4 billion. Youku Tudou CEO Victor Koo, who supported the deal from the beginning, will continue leading the company.
 
If you suddenly had fifty-plus years of James Bond films dropped on your head, you might be a little shaken. (Not stirred.) Now you know how China feels: In a deal with MGM, Chinese Internet company Tencent Holdings has acquired transactional video on demand and streaming rights to the entire Bond catalog, including Spectre.  Meanwhile, in a separate deal with Paramount Pictures, Tencent has acquired exclusive SVOD and transactional video on demand rights to numerous Paramount titles for 12 months following release. Films include Star Trek Beyond and Jack Reacher: Never Go Back.

In the fight against ad blocking, publishers suffer more than anyone­especially smaller ones. But they can also fight back. Sandy Pelland, Founder and CEO of MomLifeTV, will join Cynopsis for the November 17 webinar, Beating the Ad Blockers. “Many people download ad blockers because of advertisers’ actions," Pelland says. “Repetition and poor design are two examples of common and avoidable pain points. However, publishers also need to take responsibility for placing invasive ad tools on their sites.” Register for the webinar here.


A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE


Cynopsis Digital Webinar:
Beating the Ad Blockers

Call it the “Attack of the Ad Blockers” – display and search ads are hidden, and video ads (whether running on YouTube or an OTT network) simply won’t play. And that means lost revenue. So what are advertisers, TV programmers and publishers going to do about it? Join Cynopsis Digital on Tuesday, November 17 from 1:30-3PM EST for our latest webinar, to get tips and insights from leading figures in the ad-blocking fight.

Save your spot and register now!


NEW PROGRAMMING + DEALS
 

It’s not the first time that Bill Burr’s brand of frank humor has landed him an exclusive spot on Netflix. But last time it was a stand-up special, it took place in the 21st century, and he wasn’t a cartoon. On December 18, Netflix will debut F Is for Family, a six-episode original animated series from the acclaimed comic. The show centers on a supremely dysfunctional 1970s family. Voice talent includes Burr, Laura Dern, and Justin Long. Aside from Burr, Executive Producers include Vince Vaughn, Peter Billingsley, and Michael Price, who will also serve as showrunner.
 
Snooki and JWoww
are back (real names: Nicole Polizzi and Jenni Farley). The Jersey Shore alums are partying less hard these days, having traded in their vodka for baby formula. (Okay, also some wine.) Snooki & JWoww: Moms With Attitude, a new series produced by AwesomenessTV, debuts November 13 on Verizon’s Go90 streaming service, documenting the two best friends’ lives as mothers. The episodes will be available weekly on Go90’s Awestruck channel; sneak-peek promos of the series will also air on YouTube.
 
Amazon is striking a healthy balance these days. First the company unveiled a dystopian nightmare about a Nazi-occupied America; now it has licensed a kid-friendly Shaun the Sheep special exclusively for the U.S. Originally commissioned by the BBC, Shaun the Sheep: The Farmer’s Llamas, will debut for Amazon Prime members in the U.S. on Nov. 13. Meanwhile, Amazon has also acquired three new kids’ series: Dino Dana, The Kicks, and Lost in Oz.
 
Popcornflix is getting a little more ambitious. The ad-supported streaming site, owned by Screen Media Ventures, has laid claim to several films – the site’s first exclusive content. The most prominent film of the bunch is The Lifeguard, a dramedy starring Kristen Bell. (For insights on Popcornflix’s OTT strategy, check out the new Cynsiders: http://cynopsis.com/cyncity/ott-not-ott-thats-not-really-question/.) By the way, don’t confuse Popcornflix with the streaming piracy site Popcorn Time. Popcorn Time’s kernels are now going decidedly unpopped: The site was shut down last week as a result of a lawsuit from the MPAA

Lionsgate is getting its prank on. The company has bought up the distribution rights for Natural Born Pranksters, a film centering on a trio of pranksters and their stunts. The movie stars VitalyzdTV, Roman Atwood and Dennis Roady, three esteemed YouTube prankticioners. (Cynopsis Digital just coined that word, by the way. Patent-pending.) In 2016, the film will get a day-and-date release in theaters, on EST, and via VOD. Collective Digital Studio produced and financed the movie. 
 
Google has acquired Fly Labs, a company that specializes in making video-editing apps for the iPhone…well, for the moment anyway. The Fly Labs team will now begin contributing to Google Photos, which, among other things, provides cloud storage for photos and videos, and catalogs images in a way that makes them easily searchable. (As the Fly Labs team starts building up the service’s video-related capabilities, the name “Google Photos” might come to seem outdated.) And as Google gaineth, Apple loseth: Next year, each of Fly Labs’ existing apps­designed for the iPhone­will be shut down. 
 
1620 Media
, the digital arm of Pilgrim Studios, announced last week that it has launched four new original scripted comedies: In Bros, two overconfident buddies (Sarah Rodenbaugh and Brooke Heatley) make friends and deal with “haters.” Losing It focuses on a young Angeleno on the brink of 30 tries desperately to lose his virginity… and fails miserably. Puppets offer their take on life in Realistic Street, and You’re Not Alone is an Instagram video series of short animated pieces directed toward individuals navigating through life’s most frustrating everyday situations. Shows can be viewed at 1620media.com and on YouTube. New episodes are released weekly.
 
Last week, programmatic video inventory management SpotX partnered with the Connected TV platforms Frequency and Wurl. “We’re an ad-serving platform,” SpotX’s VP of Mobile and Connected Devices, Allen Klosowski, explained to Cynopsis Digital. “Our partners are using our ad-server to manage their demand.”

 

VIRTUAL REALITY

 
The latest pioneer in virtual reality? The Associated Press. The likes of CNN, ABC News, and The New York Times have already figured out that 360-degree immersion can be a powerful news tool; now the AP is joining their ranks. The news service is partnering with production company RYOT to release a series of VR news stories, set to roll out over the next five months. The first video released through the collaboration was Seeking Home: Life Inside the Calais Migrant Camp, about the largest migrant camp in Northern France. The AP’s VR videos films will be available via Oculus Share, Google Cardboard, and RYOT’s VR mobile app.
 
 

RESEARCH

 
EXCLUSIVE
: Syfy’s news website Blastr.com hit some new milestones. Its November 4, article, NASA just saw something come out of a black hole for the first time ever, has garnered over 1.5 million unique visitors­more than any article in the site’s history. In addition, Blastr reached its best-ever day in unique visitors (1.1 million) on November 5. Total November monthly unique visitors stand at 1.6 million, putting the site on pace to have its best month ever. Blastr.com was launched in 2010. In its previous iteration, it was called Sci Fi Wire
 
Last week, child-oriented media non-profit Common Sense Media released the Common Sense Census: Media Use By Teens, a new study. Some of its findings:
 
Teenagers (ages 13-18) in the U.S. average 9 hours per day of entertainment media use – though some usage can occur simultaneously – while tweens (8-12) use an average of 6 hours of entertainment media daily.
 
Watching television and listening to music still dominate entertainment consumption of teens and tweens.
 
Only 10 percent of teens choose social media as their favorite media activity.
 
Nearly two-thirds of teens who multitask say they don’t think watching TV (63 percent), texting (64 percent) or using social media (55 percent) while doing homework makes any difference in their work quality.
 
Gender differences continue to be pronounced, with just 5 percent of girls saying they play videogames every day vs. 23 percent of boys.
 
Teens from lower-income families spend an average of 2.45 hours more with media per day than those from higher-income families.
 
One of the obvious questions arising from the survey: How much is too much? “There is a huge void in leadership among [tech] companies in terms of the implications of what they are creating,” said Common Sense Media CEO Jim Steyer. “The tech industry has made tens of billions of dollars off this market yet there’s almost a complete lack of thought as to the implications.”
 
The study surveyed 2,600 children ages 8-18.

 

 2015 MODEL D AWARDS LUNCHEON

Cynopsis Digital’s November 13 Model D Awards Luncheon, dedicated to innovators who have demonstrated continued excellence in engaging audiences and spurring online growth, is only days away.
 
Cynopsis Digital had some questions for Sean Dowling, Host at 2015 Model Finalist Zazoom Media Group.
 
What’s your all-time favorite ad campaign?
HBO Go – Awkward Family Viewing
. Hilarious because it’s true! Some HBO shows are better if your parents are in the other room.
 
What do you think is the most exciting new digital technology on the horizon?
Mobile news videos. It’s how we make money and the way people consume news and information these days.
 
What’s Your Favorite Social Media Platform?
Instagram.
I love adding the right pops of color to my food pictures.
 
Who’s your favorite YouTube star?
Jenna Marbles
, she cracks me up!

Register for the November 13 Model D ceremony here.


A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE


CYNOPSIS is accepting entries for the Social Good Awards

We know the Cynopsis community is a vibrant group of engaged professionals who work hard, committed to evolving the media industry to be first and best at serving the consumer. But this is not all you and your organization are dedicated to. You’re also a collection of civic-minded citizens who want to give back to the public through their profession.

WITH THAT IN MIND, CHECK OUT THIS YEAR’S CATEGORIES AND START YOUR ENTRY TODAY!


DIGITAL SPOTLIGHT

 
YouTube celeb Tyler Oakley has had an unlikely rise to fame. He now stands as a shining star in the LGBT community. No wonder they made a documentary about him. You can find the new trailer for Snervous – where else? – on Oakley’s YouTube page. Or you can watch it here.

See you tomorrow,
David Teich
11.09.15

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

Cynopsis Ad Sales: Mike Farina | VP, Sales | 203-218-6480
Cynopsis Job Listings Sales: Trish Pihonak | Director of Operations | 203-899-8459

Cynopsis Media: a division of Access Intelligence, LLC * 10 Norden Place * Norwalk, CT * 06855 * USA


CYNOPSISJOBSFor More jobs, visit Cynopsis.com


JOB OPENING: SALES & MKTG ASST TO SVP/DS SIMON MEDIA/NYC: Upbeat, organized & forward-thinking assoc. to support our Sr. VP of Mktg & Bus Dev. 1-2 years post-college exp, pref in PR, Comm, Media, Mktg or Advertising. Exc personal skills & det oriented a must. Full info/apply HERE (11/14)

JOB OPENING: AUDIENCE PROD ASST/Meredith Vieira Show/NYC: PT position looking to hire a freelance prod asst immediately. Must be a people person w/great comm skills, excellent research ability, able to provide high level of guest svc. Full info/apply HERE (11/14)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR, REGIONAL/NATIONAL SALES/Groton CT: Leading and directing the operations in the Ad Sales Division of Comcast Spotlight. Establish direction of all sales activities within regional and national markets. 9+ years related experience. Full info/apply HERE (11/14)

JOB OPENING: MGR, PROMOTIONS ACQUISITIONS/COMEDY CENTRAL/NYC: Resp to rsch/evaluate prgrmng that best fits with the Comedy Central brand in order to drive ratings, create ad-sales opportunities ad revenue. 4+ yrs exp prgrmng & acquisitions TV/ent industry. Full info/apply HERE (11/14)

JOB OPENING: NEWS PRODUCER/SUCCESSFUL NATIONALLY SYNDICATED TALK SHOW/LA: 3 yrs solid conflict booking exp req’d. Must possess strong managerial, pre-interviewing, writing & rsrch skills. Ability to book conflict stories/resourceful/deadline driven. Benefits offered. Resume HERE (11/13)

JOB OPENING: MEMBERSHIP SVCS COORD/NonFiction Producers Association/LA or NY: Outgoing, results-oriented staff for trade association w/40 prod. co.members. Full-time, report to GM. Strong writing, comm skills, exp. serving customers, webfriendly. Resume HERE (11/13)

JOB OPENING: NAT’L TV SALES PLANNER/BET/LA: Prep sales plans using Dealmaker. Must have TV Exp, Agency a plus. Media Math, Excellent Comm and MS Office Full info/apply HERE (11/13)

JOB OPENING: MGR, DIGITAL AD INVENTORY/AMC/NYC: Drive execution of yield optimization strategy across our ntwk of properties. BA deg Bus., Engineering, Mathematics, Economics. 3+ yrs exp digital ad sales in inv mngmnt/quantitative/analytical role. Full info/apply HERE (11/12)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR, RESEARCH & ANALYTICS/DISCOVERY DIGITAL NETWORKS/SF: Oversee the collection, analysis & distribution of data for DDN business. 8+ years of digital research experience. Strong data & analytics exp, expert with YouTube, FB analytics. Full info/apply HERE (11/11)

JOB OPENING: COORDINATOR, CNBC PRIMETIME/East Coast: NBCUniversal is one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global. Full info/apply HERE (11/11)

JOB OPENING: MANAGER, PUBLICITY/CNBC/East Coast: This individual is responsible to publicize and promote CNBC’s primetime programming and talent as well as implement and execute public relations campaigns and strategies. Full info/apply HERE (11/11)

JOB OPENING: DIRECT RESPONSE SALES ASSISTANT/Travel Channel/NYC: Seeking sales assistant, 1 year relevant sales experience. A successful candidate will be extremely organized, proactive and able to work independently and as part of team. www.scrippsnetworks.com #5082 (11/11)

JOB OPENING: MULTI PLATFORM CONTENT PRODUCER/E!/LA, CA: Develop video content for E! platforms, channels and social media accounts. 2 yr writing/producing/editing video exp req. Full info/apply HERE (11/11)

JOB OPENING: WEB DEVELOPER TECH LEAD & ARCHITECT/E!/LA, CA: Manage front-end development team for desktop and mobile web platforms. 6 yrs web applications/digital experience req. Full info/apply HERE (11/11)

JOB OPENING: SOCIAL MEDIA COMM MGR/GLOW/NYC: Dvlp & execute innovative SM campaigns that spark social buzz and cultivate communities for top entertainment clients. 3-4 yrs exp in professional SM capacity. SEND RESUME: [email protected] (11/11)

JOB OPENING: SR PRODUCT MARKETING MGR/San Jose/Immersion (NASDAQ: IMMR): WW marketing strategy & outbound programs for mobile/media content solutions targeting videos/ads, social media, gaming apps. Full info/Apply HERE (11/11)

JOB OPENING: SALES ASST/METV Network/NYC: Daily maintenance of accounts: Plans, orders, allocations, posts. Work closely with AE’s, Traffic, and MGT on all aspects of business. Agency Exp. a plus. Fast track to planner and sales based on performance. Email [email protected] (11/11)

JOB OPENING: SALES ASSISTANT/High Times/NYC: Assist ad sales director w/support duties w/high vol sales. Previous exp as sales admin req’d. Highly organized and attention to detail critical. Strong comm skills & ability to resolve issues. Full info/apply HERE (11/11)

JOB OPENING: SR PRODUCT MARKETING MANAGER/San Jose, NASDAQ: IMMR, worldwide market strategy & outbound marketing programs for mobile content & media solutions targeting video/ad, social media, gaming applications. Apply HERE (11/11)

JOB OPENING: SR RESEARCH ANALYST/TV ONE/Silver Spring MD or NY: Asst Sr Rsch Dir w/interpreting media rsrch results & communicating results. Strong knwlg Nielsen software prods & 3rd party software systems. BS deg & 2+ yrs rsrch exp @ media co/agency. Full info/apply HERE (11/11) 

JOB OPENING: AD SALES ASST/UP TV/NY: Recent grad w/previous ad sales/adv internship exp. to asst ad sales dept. Strong Excel & multi-tasking a +. Good comm, interpersonal & organzt’l skills. Res: [email protected] (11/11)

JOB OPENING: DIGITAL SALES SPECIALIST/WFAA/Dallas: Grow our digital rev by proactively finding opps to optimize campaign performance. Familiar w/SEO, SEM, social media, targeted display, mobile & video mktg strategies. Proven track record of excellence. Full info/apply HERE (11/11)

JOB OPENING: CREATIVE DIRECTOR/SundanceTV/NYC: Oversee daily creative ops of On-Air Promos. Mng team Writer/Preditors & external resources to support projects. Work w/SVP of Brand as well as Marketing, to identify & solidify brand identity. Full info/apply HERE (11/11)

JOB OPENING: SR PRODUCER EDITOR/SundanceTV/NYC: Conceptulize/create on-air promos using prgrm footage, motion graphic elements & creation of own materials. Creative capacity to understand ntwrk brand & to execute effective brand-supportive work a must. Full info/apply HERE (11/11)

JOB OPENING: TALENT AGENT/Top Talent Agency/East Coast: Aggressive talent agency looking for highly motivated candidate with a passion and knowledge for journalism to represent high-level television, print, and digital talent. Resume HERE (11/11)

JOB OPENING: MGR SALES DEVELOPMENT/Disney/NYC: Create/mng sales packaging strategy. Must have sales packaging exp, incl ideating/creating presentations & crafting sales solutions. Min 5 yrs mktg/promo exp w/3+ yrs in Dig. setting pref’d. Full info/apply HERE (11/11)

CASTING CALL: Companies can showcase their casting notices/casting calls here. For information on rates and specs for posting a casting notice, please email Trish at [email protected]

EXPERT SERVICES ADS: These ads are for companies or people who offer an expertise in the field of media by way of production, voice over artistry, writing, set development, etc. For information on rates and specs for posting an Expertise Service ad email Trish at [email protected]

EXPERT SERVICES AD: Radio Promotions Drive Ratings! Want to increase audience? Direct Response Radio Promotions forNetwork/Cable/Web looking to drive viewers to watch shows via Direct Response Radio Promotions. Email: [email protected] (11/21)

INTERNSHIPS – These positions are for credit only – nobody gets paid here. These ads are always posted for free, and students work for school credit only. For more information on the specs for posting an Internship ad, email Trish at [email protected].

SITUATION WANTED ADS, POSTED BY THOSE LOOKING TO BE HIRED… There is no charge for placing your Situation Wanted ad… for more information contact Trish Pihonak at [email protected]

E-mail [email protected] or call Trish Pihonak at 203-899-8459 for rates and specs for Job Openings.

To subscribe to any Cynopsis edition(s) click here.
%%PLUGIN_Unsubscribe: 2193667-unsub-generic%%

Copyright Cynopsis 2015

All outgoing e-mails are scanned and sent out virus free. Copyright Cynopsis 2015

Related Stories

12/04/24: Cynopsis Jobs

hand shake

Wednesday December 4, 2024 COUNSEL, LEGAL & BUSINESS AFFAIRS >> MLB NETWORK/SECAUCUS, NJ: Responsible for a variety of matters, including services agreements, production related agreements, talent agreements, software and other technology related agreements, licensing and programming agreements, third party rights clearances, distribution agreements, contract summaries, confidentiality, and general contract matters. Full info

Cynopsis 12/04/24: “Family Guy” returns to Adult Swim

Wednesday December 4, 2024    IN THE NEWS In its annual ad-spending forecast, Dentsu offered a sunnier projection than it did last year, upgrading growth estimates for both its US and worldwide outlooks through 2027. Dentsu now estimates global ad spending will expand 6.8% this year, up 2.2 percentage points from its last release in […]

Cynopsis 12/03/24: TelevisaUnivision undergoes major restructuring

TelevisaUnivision undergoes major restructuring

Tuesday December 3, 2024    IN THE NEWS TelevisaUnivision is implementing “significant and necessary changes,” wrote CEO Daniel Alegre in a memo to employees on Monday. In addition to layoffs, those changes include a major adjustment to the company’s organizational structure. Jose Luis Fabila, currently Head of Content and Strategy at TelevisaUnivision in Mexico, will […]

11/27/24: Cynopsis Jobs

jobs5

Wednesday November 27, 2024 COUNSEL, LEGAL & BUSINESS AFFAIRS >> MLB NETWORK/SECAUCUS, NJ: Responsible for a variety of matters, including services agreements, production related agreements, talent agreements, software and other technology related agreements, licensing and programming agreements, third party rights clearances, distribution agreements, contract summaries, confidentiality, and general contract matters. Full info

CynCity

Cynsiders