A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM DIC ENTERTAINMENT
Contact: Karl Kuechenmeister,SVP 917/208-4023 Dave Danowski,VP 917/208-4038 Stacey Sacket,AE 516/972-2206
CYNTHIA TURNER’S
Cynopsis: Kids!
05/23/06
Good morning. It’s Tuesday, May 23, 2006 and this is your first early morning Kids! briefing.
DHX Media, a new producer/distributor of kid/youth programming, has been established by the recent merger of Decode Entertainment and Halifax Film Company. Both Decode and Halifax will retain their individual identities and brands, with Decode responsible for exploiting the combined libraries of kid/youth/family targeted programming internationally. Michael Donovan has taken on the role of Chairman/CEO, DHX Media. Donavan founded Halifax Film Company with Charles Bishop; both men are major shareholders in the new company along with Decode’s partners Neil Court, Steven DeNure, Beth Stevenson and John Delmage, all of whom serve as members of DHX Media’s board of directors. Court remains as President, Decode Enterprises Ltd. DHX Media Ltd. went public last week with trading on AIM in London and TSX on Toronto’s stock exchange.
CBS Corporation has entered into an agreement to sell its Paramount Parks to Cedar Fair, L.P. for $1.24 billion in cash. The Paramount Parks included in the deal are: Canada’s Wonderland (Toronto); King’s Island (Ohio); King’s Dominion (Virginia); Carowinds (North Carolina); and Great America (California). Cedar Fair already owns seven amusement parks: Cedar Point, (Ohio); Knott’s Berry Farm (California); Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom (Pennsylvania); Valleyfair (Minnesota); Worlds of Fun (Missouri); Geauga Lake & Wildwater Kingdom (Ohio); and Michigan’s Adventure. In addition Cedar Fair has two water parks are in California, and adjacent to Cedar Point, Knott’s Berry Farm and Worlds of Fun, and also owns and operates the Castaway Bay Indoor Waterpark Resort (Ohio). In 2005 the Paramount Parks together generated revenues of approximately $423 million (12.2 million visitors), while last year Cedar Fair’s seven parks earned $569 million in revenues (12.7 million visitors).
In a unique deal, MySpace.com and Nylon Magazine have teamed up to release a free digital version of magazine’s 7th annual Music Issue (June/July) tomorrow via Nylon’s website, about a week in advance of the print version of the issue. The digital version of the Music Issue will feature MySpace URL addresses to listen to songs composed for the partnership, interviews of well-known bands (Gnarls Barkley, Panic! At the Disco), unsigned bands and others in the music industry (casting agents, models, fashion designers), fan clubs, in almost every article in the magazine, thus linking the readers back to MySpace. Additionally, on its MySpace profile Nylon will include exclusive interviews, soundbites, songs and photos among other things.
NEW PRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT
The Weinstein Co. has introduced Unstable Fables, its new brand of direct-to-video CG animated feature length films that will be produced by The Jim Henson Co., Flame Ventures and Prana Studios. Roger S.H. Schulman (Shrek, Mulan II) will oversee the screenplay of irreverent adaptations of classic fables with some curve balls. Production is slated to begin September 2006 on the first titles in the line that will be based on Goldilocks, The Three Little Pigs, and Billy Goats Gruff. The Unstable Fables titles will be distributed by The Weinstein Co. through its affiliate Genius Products Inc. The Jim Henson Co., Flame Ventures and Prana Studios will oversee the development with the animation produced at Prana’s facility in India.
Bavaria Media Television’s Saxonia Media has begun production in Bulgaria on the kids’ series Magna Aura – The Search for the Lost City (13 x 25 min). Filming will continue through this October. Commissioned by Germany’s MDR, the series is a co-production of Saxonia Media, BNT Bulgaria, Cinemaq Ltd. and TVP Poland/Bomedia, and will premiere on ZDF’s kid channel KiKa. Magna Aura has been pre-sold to Slovakia (Slovenská Televízia), Estonia (Eesti TV) and Serbia and Bosnia (Nira TV). Directed by Irina Popow, Magna Aura revolves around Christian, a 13-year-old boy, who spends holiday with his grandfather at sea in search of Magna Aura a city that according to lore disappeared 1000 years ago. Two of Christian’s classmates wind up on the adventure and during a storm the three kids vanish only to be drawn by a blue light that takes them to Magna Aura. In German the series is called Magna Aura – Die Suche nach der verschwundenen Stadt, while the direct translation is The Search for the Disappeared City my guess is they mean lost city, a la Atlantis.
In a preemptive move Warner Bros. has picked up the rights to Larklight: A Rousing Tale of Dauntless Pluck in the Furthest Reaches of Space, the upcoming first book in a fantasy/adventure/space trilogy by Philip Reeve. Warner Bros. has set the movie up with producer Denise Di Novi (Lucky You, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, What a Girl Wants), based at the studio. Set for publication by Bloomsbury Children’s Books this September, Larklight features illustrations by David Wyatt. The story takes place in the Victorian era and follows the adventures of Art Mumsby and his sister Myrtle who live with their dad at Larklight a big and unusual house.
Production has begun on Martial Arts Television, a new kids/tweens targeted magazine show from producer/distributor Merika Productions. Hosted by Mikie, Toni-Tiny and Alby Castro, the series is designed to offer a look into the world of the sport, lifestyle and philosophy of the martial arts. 30m episodes of the series will include segments such as profiles of kids/teens across the country involved in martial arts and coverage of competitions.
MORE KIDS STUFF
At LA Screenings event, Buena Vista International Television (Japan) inked multi-year distribution agreements with Japanese broadcaster Wowow Inc. that includes films, TV series, animated features etc, which Wowow will run in high definition. Properties under the deal include several feature films: Chicken Little, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, The Incredibles, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest and National Treasure; and the TV series Grey’s Anatomy. The deals also cover the broadcast rights to the Annual Academy Awards, and popular Japanese programming events including Japan’s Disney Special and the I Love Disney animated series.
Bloomsbury Children’s Books has sealed a deal to acquire actress Julianne Moore’s picture book Freckle Face Strawberry, which was also Moore’s nickname from the age of six; she hated it and likewise her red hair and freckles. The book, Moore’s first, will feature the art of illustrator LeUyen Pham, author/illustrator of Big Sister Little Sister (Hyperion). Freckle Face Strawberry is currently slated to be published in fall 2007 in the US and UK. The story was acquired from literary agent David Kuhn of Kuhn Projects.
MARKETING/LICENSING
Fox Soccer Channel and teamed up with the US Youth Soccer Association to create programming, marketing and community outreach initiatives to support young soccer players. Starting this month, Fox Soccer Channel will premiere the US Youth Soccer Show, a monthly 30 min magazine show, and this August the network will air the 2006 US Youth Soccer National Championships. A series of co-branded 60 second interstitials providing coaching and parenting tips, will launch this summer, as well as public service announcements in support of Youth Soccer month in September. As the official TV partner for the US Youth Soccer, Fox Soccer Channel will be able to tap into a range of promotions and events. There are 3+ million soccer players between 5-19 years-old nationwide.
Video game publisher Ubisoft has entered into a long-term worldwide licensing deal with Touchstone Television to develop and publish a video game based on the series Lost. Developed by Ubisoft’s Montreal studio the Lost game is scheduled to be available at retail in 2007. The Lost game will be offered for home and portable consoles as well as PCs.
Funimation Entertainment has picked up the exclusive North American distribution rights for titles from Tokyopop’s home video catalogue. Some of the home video titles featured under the deal include Great Teacher Onizuka (GTO), Marmalade Boy, and Initial D. The first title released as part of this agreement is Street Fury Remixed, which will be available on June 27 nationwide. Funimation Entertainment is a subsidiary of Navarre Corporation.
EXECUTIVE MOVES
LaShun Lawson has been appointed to the newly created position, Licensing Director/KOL and Red services, AOL. Lawson will be responsible for developing and creating licensing opportunities for current and new KOL and Red programming brands (e.g. Princess Natasha, Pilar’s Adventures, Kung Fu Academy, SKWOD and Chubby Butter). She will report to Malcolm Bird, SVP, Kids & Teens. Most recently Lawson was Assistant VP/Multimedia and Interactive, National Football League Players Incorporated. Lawson is a member of Women In Sports & Events and the Executive Director, Association of Black Sporting Goods Professionals.
Pokemon USA, Inc. has added two to its licensing group.
- Holly Rawlinson has joined Pokemon USA as VP/Licensing. Rawlinson is responsible for developing and implementing a business plan and strategies for licensing, retail, animation, TV, movies, music, and promotional opportunities in North and South America and Europe. Most recently, Rawlinson ran Orange Grove Entertainment and was producing partner for the production company’s founder director Larry Guterman (Antz, Sony of Mask). Previously Rawlinson served as VP/Entertainment and Licensing, Mattel and as VP/Sales and Marketing, Consumer Products, Paramount Pictures and held toy licensing and marketing roles at both DreamWorks SKG and Fox.
- Nicole Piper has been named Sr. Director/Licensing. In addition to following through on Pokemon USA’s licensing strategies and managing its current portfolio, Piper will identify, develop and design licensing and promotional opportunities in both the US and internationally. Piper toiled for 11 years at MTV Networks International for Nickelodeon’s licensing effort outside the US.
Answer to Yesterday’s trivia question: On what cartoon are you likely to hear the phrase “Hello Nurse”? ANIMANIACS
Kudos to: Hank Bordowitz-The Bordowitz Media Werx/Suffern NY; Marleah Tkacz-9WSYR/NY; Nancy Pines-Harrison and Star/NY; Erica Minton-Wondergroup/Cincinnati; Marleigh Norton-Waterford Research Institute/Salt Lake City; Jay Pauer-The Marketing Store/Lombard IL; Tom Boyd-WGN TV/Chicago; Jim Smith/Dallas; Joshua Fisher-Brandissimo/LA; Leah Hoyer-Disney TV Animation/Burbank; Matthew C. Bergeron-Disney ABC Cable Networks Group/Burbank; LaMont Ridgell-PRN/San Francisco
Today’s Trivia Question: What cartoon has a super hero with a secret identity, a humble and lovable shoe shine boy? ( click here with your answer and be sure to include your name, company, city and time zone. Unofficial rules: Only the second four correct answers from each time zone will be mentioned; and once you’ve been mentioned in any of the Cynopsis editions, you can’t be mentioned again that calendar week.)
Later — Gwen
Gwen Billings for Cynthia Turner’s Cynopsis Kids!
05.23.06 – 3:33a
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JOB OPENING: EXEC-IN-CHARGE/NY: – indy prod company. Budgets/Schedules/Tracking for multiple
reality/doc/lifestyle series. 10+ yrs exp. No calls. Email w/resume pasted: slybrand@atlasmediacorp.com (5/31)
JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR SCHEDULING/BBC AMERICA-NY: Oversee prog and promo sched staff; support VP Sched in strategy. 3-5 exp in sched. Res & Cov lett: human.resource.bbcany@bbc.co.uk (5/31)
JOB OPENING: CREATIVE SERVICES EDITOR, HGTV /KNOXVILLE: Looking for talented promo editor w/excellent Avid Adrenaline or DS Nitris skills. 6 yrs network promo editing exp req’d. Resume: recruiter@scrippsnetworks.com, job# 5253-U (5/31)
JOB OPENING: SALES ASSISTANT/Superstation WGN NY: Requires detail-oriented team player w/excellent communication skills & proficiency in Excel to support cable ad sales AEs. Resume to wgnnyjobs@tribune.com (5/31)
JOB OPENING: PRODUCTION ASST/NYC: Nationally syndicated talk show seeks a motivated, outgoing PA. Must be a college graduate who has worked on a national tv show for at least (1) yr. Send resumes to tliszczak@themauryshow.com (5/31)
JOB OPENING: INTEGRATED SALES MGR/A & E TV NETS/NY: Create integrated ideas/proposals. Execute & mng after sales. BA Mktg/Bus 2 yr exp cable sales/mktg or prog mgmt. Min 5 yr mktg exp. E-mail res & sal reqs: recruiter3@aetn.com (5/31)
J OB OPENING: MGR, BUSINESS DEVLP’T/ Fuse/ NYC: 3-5 yrs exp BD or mgmt consulting pref’d. ID, research & eval new biz opps. Passion for New Media. Strong Tech, Fin’l, Research skills req. Res/cvr ltr to hdnjobs@cablevision.com (5/31)
JOB OPENING: FIELD PRODUCERS AND AP’S/NY Based Nationally Syndicated Television show: Must have at least 5 years exp.RESUMES: TALK_DAYTIME@YAHOO.COM (5/27)
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JOB OPENING: AE/SAE, CONSMR PROD/NY: Dynamic P/R person. Cnsmr prod/TV/pre-sch ent. a+. Exp’d in client/rel, strat/dev w proven writing/pitching skills + placement & 3-6 yrs in P/R. Email brian_reinert@bhimpact.com . No F/U calls (5/27)
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JOB OPENING: PROGRAMMING MGR,CARTOON/Boomerang Latin Amer/ATL: Seek out, evaluate & recommend new product for Boomerang Ntwk;4+ yrs Broadcast exp; Eng/Spanish pref’d, Apply at: sjobs.brassring.com (5/27)
JOB OPENING: ICM is seeking is seeking an ASSISTANT TO A NEWS/BROADCASTING AGENT in its NYC office. A bachelor’s degree and at least 3 years administrative experience are required. Please email resume to careersNY@icmtalent.com. (5/27)
JOB OPENING: COORD MEDIA PLNG/Nickelodeon/NY: BA/BS; 1-2 yrs exp media plng, programming, traffic, scheduling. Detail-oriented, strong comm skills; handle updates/ reports /schedule logs. EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (5/26)
JOB OPENING: PROGRAMMING RESEARCH ANALYST/NY: Resp for data analysis/overnights. Knwlg adv Nielsen systems. Strong analytical skills/detail oriented a must.2-3 yrs research exp req’d. Resume w/Title in subj line: jobs@oxygen.com (5/26)
JOB OPENING: MGR, PRICING & Planning/ AD SALES/Fox Cable/NYC: Dvlp revenue report & forecast, rate cards, manage stewardship & inventory, 2-4 yrs rel industry exper, strong comm/present skills, pro multi-tasker, www.foxcareers.com. (5/26)
JOB OPENING: PRESENTATION DESIGN SPECIALIST/Time Warner Cable Corp/NY: Seeking a PDS for our Media Sales Dept in NYC. PowerPoint/Photoshop CS2/Flash/Director/Quark/In Design. Degree. Apply www.timewarner.com/careers (5/25)
JOB OPENING: SR MGR PROMOS AD SALES MKTG/Disney ABC Kids Networks, NYC: Support advertising and promotion sales activities by developing customized, marketing concepts. Apply www.disney.com/careers search “Sr. Manager Promotions” (6/2)
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JOB OPENING: RESEARCH DIR, CONSUMER & BUSINESS INSIGHTS/Scripps Networks – NY or Knoxville, TN: 8 yrs cable ntwrk primary/secondary rsch exp pref’d. Exc presentation & writing skills. Recruiter@scrippsnetworks.com job# 5221-U (6/2)
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JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR RESEARCH, OLN-Stamford: Provide research support to all depts. 7+ yrs exp nat’l cable/broadcast tv & sports exp req’d. More info: www.olntv.c om Resume/Salary: jobs@olntv.com EOE/AA/Drug (6/2)
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JOB OPENING: BRAND MGR, KIDS PROPERTIES/American Greetings/NYC: Drive Interactive growth and all brand building aspects. Innovative, collegial demeanor. See full post and apply careers.american.greetings.com (5/24)
JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR ALTERNATIVE PROGRAMMING/NBC Universal/CA: Work w/VP to dev/prod all network based reality prog. 4-7 yrs TV exp reqd. cable network and/or reality prog prod/dev exp pref. Submit: www.nbcjobs.com job#514008 (5/24)
JOB OPENING: RESEARCH MGR/WGBH, Boston, MA: Manages the qualitative, quantitative and prospect research for radio, web and local TV. BA with 2-4 years of radio and TV sales research exp. For more info visit careers.wgbh.org (5/24)
JOB OPENING: RESEARCH SR ANALYST/MGR/ MPG-NY: Work w/client teams to provide insights to help drive effective media strategies. 2-4 yrs media research exp. Knowledge of Nielsen, MRI, Claritas. Apply: recruiter.manager@mpg.com (5/24)
JOB OPENING: COURT SHOW PRODUCERS/CHICAGO: Please fax resume and cover letter to 877-721-9191 or e-mail them to Chicagojobs123@yahoo.com (5/24)
JOB OPENING: NEW MEDIA PROJECT MGR/ New Media Ops, Silver Spring, MD: Plan/create/produce mobile prod’s for Discovery Mobile.com. 3+ yrs Telco, online or ntwrk content prod. exp; editorial exp. Apply: www.discovery.com Job req#3692 (5/24)
SUMMER INTERNSHIPS – These positions are for credit only – nobody gets paid here. They are posted for free, and students work for school credit only. For more information on the specs for posting an Internship ad, email Trish at cynops4@optonline.net.
SUMMER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: HUMAN RESOURCES/MTV Networks/Santa Monica, CA: Business & HR Mgmt. majors a plus. Summer school credit required. Sm.internships@mtvstaff.com (5/27)
SUMMER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: MRKTNG INTERNS/Boston: Cecropia, a game co., wants energetic interns for fun viral & event mrktng projects Need to be 21 yrs old, have MA driver’s license and good communication skills. Contact us: Jobs@cecropia.com (5/27)
SUMMER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: LEGAL INTERN (Part Time)/Comedy Central Business & Legal Affairs/Century City CA: Law School Credit only. Debbie.Spander@comedycentral.com (5/25)
SITUATION WANTED ADS, POSTED BY THOSE LOOKING TO BE HIRED —
SITUATION WANTED: COORDINATOR/PRODUCTION ACCOUNTANT AVAILABLE. Exp’d in reality and studio.Looking to learn more about budgeting/ producing CDhan79@aol.com (323) 919-7474 (5/31)
SITUATION WANTED: STRATEGIC MRKTNG LEADER: Proven success. Innovative marketing passion. Hands-on brand bldr. Digital multi-plat specialist. Mngr’l excellence. Team spirit. For hire or consult. Contact: brand.driver@gmail.com (5/26)
SITUATION WANTED: PRODUCER/WRITER/FIELD DIRECTOR AVAILABLE. Exp’d in reality; entertainment; news; magazine format; excellent story teller. Three-time Emmy nominee. LA based, willing to travel. ophelial@earthlink.net 310-594-6917(5/25)
E-mail Cynops4@optonline.net for rates and specs for Job Openings.
