Cynopsis: DIGITAL
12/16/11

Good morning. It’s Friday, December 16, 2011, and this is your first early morning digital briefing. If you would like to read this or any other Cynopsis editions online, click here .

Facebook‘s much-anticipated Timeline feature is now available for all users (you can see a preview and get it here). The feature is designed to give users the opportunity to trace back their entire history on the social network, as well as share new experiences as they happen. To that effect, numerous developers have been building apps using Facebook’s Open Graph to be integrated with the new feature and the social network, according to AllThingsD. The integration will enable users to automatically share what they are watching; reading; listening to; or any other activity performed through the application. Facebook tells AllThingsD that such applications will be available in the coming weeks. Facebook has also launched Timeline for the mobile web and its Android app. The mobile version mimics the visual aesthetic and design of its online counterpart. No information was released on exactly when Facebook’s iOS apps would be Timeline-compatible.

As part of a larger strategy to take advantage of new social platforms, NBC Owned Stations will use Instagram to integrate user-generated content into its local news programming both on the air and on the web. For example, several NBC-owned stations, including affiliates in New York, D.C. and Miami, are inviting users to send pictures of holiday lights in their area; the submitted images could end up on a telecast either on the air or online. “Our viewers send us great photos, particularly during breaking news… ” said Greg Scholl, President of Local Integrated Media at NBC Owned Stations. “We can now bring these images into our local news broadcasts and share our viewers’ photos widely.”

Slingbox now has support for Google TV via its recently launched SlingPlayer web app for connected TVs. Users can access the web app via the Spotlight section on their Google TVs. The Google TV support is available for everyone who owns a Slingbox SOLO or Slingbox PRO-HD with the latest firmware and also one of Logitech Revue’s set-top boxes.

Social media ad platform MediaBrix has closed a $4 million Series B round of funding from Edison Ventures. MediaBrix CEO Ari Brandt says that the company will use the new funds to expand the sales team and continue to build out MediaBrix’s social media platform with new proprietary products, such as SocialFlex. A new monetization unit that can be delivered through any browser- or mobile-based application, SocialFlex helps app and game developers monetize users who do not purchase virtual goods by offering developers access to agency and advertiser social spend. As part of the deal, Ryan Ziegler, principal at Edison Ventures, and Mike Leo, CEO of Operative, will join MediaBrix’s Board of Directors.

Rhythm NewMedia has launched the In-Banner Video ad, a new mobile video ad unit with patent-pending technology that automatically plays video within the banner ad, and can expand to full-screen upon viewer engagement. The new service is meant to expand the reach of mobile video ads as they can now be placed anywhere display ads are run. Rhythm’s network of over 50 media company partners includes NBCUniversal, CBS, Sony, ABC, FOX and Warner Bros.

Online ad solutions provider PLYmedia is rolling out adk2, a free ad server that enables mid-sized online publishers to increase ad revenue from international traffic. adk2 is specifically designed for online publishers that do not have the budget or capacity to meet the high IT investment requirements for larger ad-serving platforms such as Google’s DART for Publishers or OpenX. To that end, the free platform enables international traffic monetization and revenue optimization regardless of the country from where the traffic originates; facilitates video ad-serving; can be powered up in less than 15 minutes; and includes an analytics dashboard in order to provide publishers with an array of decision-making tools.

Google will invest $120 million towards building a data center in Singapore as the company looks to significantly expand in Asia. The data center is scheduled to be completed by early 2013, and will join two similar centers that are being built in Hong Kong and Taiwan (which have received commitments of $300 million and $100 million from Google, respectively). The Singapore data center will have the distinction of being the first of its kind in Southeast Asia, according to Google’s announcement of the investment.

College-aged TV viewers aren’t necessarily “cutting the cord,” but are using multiple platforms to consume content, according to eMarketer. The report cites a study from Chegg that revealed U.S. college students still spend 10 hours a week watching TV, indicating that it’s not a dead medium for the generation. A different study from agency Mr. Youth asked U.S. college students which methods they use to watch video. While 38% of respondents indicated that they watch TV through basic cable, and 31% through a premium cable service, 91% of U.S. college-aged students answered that they watch video via laptops. In addition, 52% and 51% also consume videos through smartphones and desktop computers, respectively, while 35% watch on gaming consoles. This means multiple devices are at play when watching TV as college-aged students “look at it as content when I want, where I want; not when you want,” according to Christian Borges, VP of marketing at Mr. Youth.

A new whitepaper on tune-in advertising published by Mixpo studies the broadcast and cable industry’s use of online video advertising to build audience awareness and increase viewership. It finds that well executed tune-in video ad campaigns can expect an uplift of almost 20% in viewer intent to watch. In addition, average time spent with a video ad that is promoting a tune-in message is 25% higher than the average for non-tune in advertising. If the ad is personalized, it’s even more effective as ads containing localized information draw higher engagement rates (up to 27% higher) and view rates (up to 30%) than those that do not. Finally, there isn’t much of a disparity between the effectiveness of a 15-second spot and a 30-second spot; the difference in completion rates between the two ad-lengths is less than 10%.

Thomas Carson is the new President and Chief Executive Officer at Rovi Corporation. He has also been elected to the Rovi Board of Directors. Carson joined Rovi in 2008 with the company’s acquisition of Gemstar-TV Guide International, and had since been serving as Rovi’s EVP of worldwide sales and marketing. Rovi Corp. offers an array of entertainment discovery services for television, movies, music and photos to its customers in the consumer electronics, cable and satellite, entertainment and online distribution markets.

National Geographic Digital Media has appointed Rick Robinson as Senior Vice President of Interactive Product and Content. In the newly-created position, Robinson will take the reins on National Geographic’s development of multiplatform digital and interactive products, content and editorial offerings. He will also take charge of digital media partnerships with other National Geographic product and editorial teams in order to support digital content strategies.

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE

Awesome music site Last.fm is now providing a great way to search and discover new independent music with Last.fm Discover. The HTML5-powered app is available through the service’s website and has a library of over three million tracks from all sorts of independent artists. The new app is free; has no commercials; and offers unlimited skips, listens and the ability to build playlists that can be shared with friends online and on social networks. Last.fm worked with London-based design firm Somethin’ Else and Microsoft to build the rich media tool. While it is optimized for Internet Explorer, Last.fm Discover is compatible with all major web browsers. So, what are you waiting around for? If I may recommend, as your first search term: “space music.”

Later – Sahil
Sahil Patel, Associate Reporter for Cynopsis Digital
12.16.11

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JOB OPENING: CLIENT SRVCS MGR/WN/Queens NY: Mng client prod launches; provide training, acct mgmt & strategic support for clients; 2-4 ys exp in client services, acct mgmnt, project mgt or sales support. Apply: CSM [email protected] (12/23)

JOB OPENING: DIR, MULTICULTURAL DIG SALES/NBC News/NY: Lead Sales efforts on behalf of theGrio.com and our new English language Hispanic News Website 7 yrs exp. To apply, visit: http://www.nbcunicareers.com/search_nbc/ Job#3250BR (12/23)

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH ANALYST/OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network/LA: 1-2 yrs exp in TV Research, detailed oriented, knowledge of Star & NPower required. Apply at: http://careers.own.tv/ (12/23)

JOB OPENING:  DIG. RSRCH ANALYST/LAS VEGAS: Track/analyze perf of company’s official website & digital dist. Proficient w/ Google Analytics. Exp w/ content mngmnt system reporting tools a +. More info/Apply to: www.ufc.com/jobs (12/23)

JOB OPENING: SALES ASSISTANT/LER/NY: Exp w/ Excel/Word/PowerPoint, DDS a +plus, work closely w/AE’s in all aspects of sales, Multi-tasker, Strong comm skills, Fluent in Spanish. Send resume to [email protected] (12/22)

JOB OPENING: MARKETING COORDINATOR/FOOD NETWORK/NYC: Assist 2 Marketing Managers w/all aspects of consumer/ brand partnerships marketing. 2+ yrs brand/media/entertainment industry exp req’d. Resumes: www.scrippsnetworks.com #2592 (12/22)

JOB OPENING: SOCIAL MEDIA COORD/The Hub/Burbank, CA: Temporary position. Salaried, no benefits. BA and writing samples req’d. This position will be the project coordinator for the network’s social media efforts. Apply: www.hubworld.com (12/22)

JOB OPENING: DIGITAL AE/BBC.com/NYC: Maintain/grow revenue on web/mobile proprties-BBC.com, BBC America.com, LonelyPlanet.com. 3+ yrs exp w/ client & agncy contcts. News exp, a +. www.bbcamerica.com/jobs & [email protected] (12/21)

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH DIRECTOR/SCREENVISION/NYC: 8+ yrs media exp req’d, TV pref. Exp w. MRI/Simmons, Nielsen (TV ratings, AdViews, Galaxy). Analytical, mgmt skills req’d. Prof. Excel. SPSS & (MR)Tables ideal. www.screenvision.com (12/20)

JOB OPENING: MGR-MARKETING & MEDIA/IFC /NYC: Oversee the planning and execution of consumer mkg campaigns across all platforms including On Air, Digital, OOH, Print, Radio, and Social. Resume to: [email protected] (12/20)

JOB OPENING: MANAGER/PR /TRAVELCHANNEL/NY: Develop & implement program publicity plans for programming & digital initiatives. Prior TV publicity exp. required. Full details, http://www.scrippsnetworks.com & select req 2768 (12/20)

JOB OPENING: TOP NOTCH SUPERVISING PRODUCER/EP (NYC): Proven superstar producer/exec to lead production/creative on mult web series. Starts Jan. Be highly creative, smart,level-headed. Resumes to: [email protected] (12/20)

JOB OPENING: ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE/CNBC/CHI: Responsible for revenue goals through growing existing business & developing new business. 5+ yrs exp. To apply, visit http://www.nbcunicareers.com/search_nbc/ Job# 3638BR (12/20)

JOB OPENING: AE /MSNBC & NBC NEWS/CHI: Responsible for revenue goals through servicing existing bus & developing new bus for MSNBC & NBC News. 3+ yrs exp. To apply, visit http://www.nbcunicareers.com/search_nbc/ Job# 3676BR (12/20)

JOB OPENING: SR ANALYST, NEWS RESEARCH/NY: Responsible for supporting the Research team by collecting & evaluating audience & market research data. 1+ yrs exp. To apply, visit http://www.nbcunicareers.com/search_nbc/ Job#3354BR (12/20)

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] .

SPRING INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY:  NON-FICTION TV DEV INTERNSHIP/NYC: Major TV Prod Co seeking creative interns interested in reality TV and motivated to research, write and develop new ideas for TV series. Res/cov let: [email protected] (12/23)

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]

SITUATION WANTED: SUMMER, CREDIT 2012 INTERNSHIP TV/FILM HI-ENERGY & IN-PRODUCTION CO/LA: Syracuse Newhouse: Exp: HD Camera Shooting & Prod, FCP, & PA duties. In LA 12/19-01/13 [email protected]; linkedin.com/in/aaronmwfrank, 818.569.0678 (12/22)

SITUATION WANTED: AD SALES ASSISTANT: (CHICAGO) Interned at Comcast Sports Net in Ad Sales, Works as Sales Assistant at NBCUniversal. Has B.A. from DePaul in PR/Advertising. Resume upon request. Contact [email protected] (12/22)

SITUATION WANTED: On air guest for major TV shopping network available as your PITCHMAN FOR YOUR PRODUCT(S). NY based,will travel. 38/M, clean, high energy, articulate, also host a high profile radio show. 631-415-5013 [email protected] (12/22)

SITUATION WANTED: LITERARY AGENT in the children’s market, 5+ yrs exp., interested in development position in children’s TV with studio or production co. Please contact [email protected] (12/21)

SITUATION WANTED: I’M ALL YOURS N.Y. Seeking to Assist, Currently an E.A. to Chief of Dept. 5 Yrs. work exp. B.A. Mass Comm. Contact, [email protected] (12/21)

SITUATION WANTED: EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT position film/TV (NY) 10 years experience. Interned for a President, Executive Assistant to SVP/VP/film director/celebrity [email protected] (12/20)

SITUATION WANTED: VOICE OVER ARTIST/SINGER/CT BASED:- For dynamic commercials, characters, e-learning, corporate narrations and more. Home studio. Contact [email protected]. Site: www.lailaberzins.com (12/20)

E-mail [email protected] or call Trish Pihonak at 203.381.9096 for rates and specs for Job Openings.

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