Cynopsis: Kids!

12/04/09

Good morning. It’s Friday, December 4, 2009, and this is your first early morning Kids briefing. 

Leonardo DiCaprio is set to make his animation feature film debut in DreamWorks Animation‘s The Guardians (working title) in the role of Jack Frost.  Slated for release on November 2, 2012, the movie is based on The Guardians of Childhood, a series of upcoming books by author William Joyce.  The story revolves around an evil spirit named Pitch, with the goals or world domination and instilling fear in the hearts of kids everywhere, until our band of merry storybook heroes (AKA The Guardians), Santa, The Easter Bunny, The Tooth Fairy and Jack Frost band together to thwart the evil doers every effort and thus protecting the world and its kids.  Directed by Peter Ramsey, The Guardians is being produced by Christina Steinberg and Nancy Bernstein.

This week mars the launch of PBSKids.org‘s new video player, which offers free access to tons of streaming, full-length episodes and video clips from PBS Kids shows at www.pbskids.org/video.  The video player debuts with two new exclusive music videos from The Jim Henson Company‘s series Dinosaur Train.  The two songs/videos are Great big Dinosaur Holiday in the Show, available this week, and Elvisaurus, launching mid month, and are previews from the new Dinosaur Train episode Dinosaurs in the Snow/Cretaceous Conifers, which premieres December 14 (check local listings).  The new PBS Kids video player will initially showcase content from 14 different series including Curious George, Super Why, Dinosaur Train, Side the Science Kid, Sesame Street, Arthur, Martha Speaks, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Dragon Tales, Between the Lions, mama Mirabelle’s Home Movies, Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, WordWorld and Lomax, The Hound of Music, as well as original video shorts such as Hooper’s Adventures, Dot’s Story Factory and Steve Songs.

NEW PRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT

Disney is ramping ups its production output from its small UK production unit from two to seven series a year, per Variety.  Led by Marc Buhaj, SVP/Original Programming, Disney Channels Europe, Middle East and Africa, the 14-person production team will produce some 14 pilots and ultimately between 90-100 hours of programming for Disney’s international channels Disney Channel, Disney XD (DXD) and Playhouse Disney.  The group’s development slate includes projects such as I’m in Love with Rikki Doom, Tomax and the Amazing Things and Out of Step for Disney Channel, and Max Helsing: Monster Hunter, Joe Giant and Inventory X for DXD

Actor Kevin Pollak will host Fox‘s new kid-centric game show Our Little Genius.  The series, which challenges kids that are expects in select areas, will makes its debut on Wednesday, January 13 as the lead-out to American Idol and then find its permanent home the following Tuesday, January 19 at 9p.  Mark Burnett Productions and Zoo Productions are the producers behind the Our Little Genius game series.  Pollak is best known for his roles in the movies A Few Good Man, The Usual Suspects and Casino, with upcoming movies including playing opposite Bruce Willis in Kevin Smith’s A Couple of DICS and Middle Men with Luke Wilson and Giovanni Ribisi.  Given the time slots, the series is more likely for adults  which is good because most average kids don’t likely want to watch genius kids on a regular basis.

MORE KIDS STUFF

BBC One orders up a third season of the family aimed action/fantasy/drama Merlin, which is produced by Shine Television.  The series stars Colin Morgan as Merlin, Bradley James as Prince Arthur, Anthony Head as King Uther, Katie McGrath as Morgana, Angel Coulby as Gwen, Richard Wilson as Gaius, and John Hurt as the voice of the Great Dragon.  The second season, which concludes Saturday, December 19, has featured a range of celebrity guest appearances, I’m sure we can look for more of those in season three.

Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim programming block, which we all know isn’t aimed at kids (but tweens, teens and young adults are watching and loving it  at least at my home) is getting in the holiday spirit this month.  December 6 will see the premier of holiday themed episodes of Robot Chicken (Dear Consumer, 11:45p) and Metalocalypse  (Dethmas, 12:30a).  The Office (UK version) Christmas Special, parts 1 and 2, premieres at 12a, followed on December 13 with the debut of Aqua Teen Hunger Force at 11:45p.

Moonscoop enters into a broadcast sales deal with Germany’s KI.KA for the animated series ToddWorld and SamSam.  Under the pact, KI.KA acquires the second season of the 2D animated ToddWorld, which is based on the book by author/illustrator Todd Parr, for broadcast in 2010.  The network also picks up the preschool 3D animated series SamSam also for 2010.  ToddWorld is co-produced by Taffy Productions, DQ Entertainment, Telegael Teoranta and SuperTime Entertainment.  SamSam is produced by Bayard Jeunesse Animation with Araneo, Tiji, Gulli and France 5.

Hit Entertainment teams with Sprout, the 24/7 preschool TV, on demand and online destination, to launch Let’s Grow, a DVD series that will focus on life skills and lessons for preschoolers.  The new line will feature themed DVDs comprised of episodes of Hit Entertainment series, such as Barney, Bob the Builder, Thomas & Friends, among others, and tied together by live-action interstitial segments starring hosts from Sprout’s Sunny Side Up Show.  Lionsgate Home Entertainment, a longtime distributor of Hit’s home entertainment, will release the first DVD title, Lend a Helping Hand on January 12, 2010, followed by a second title in 2Q 2010.  Additionally, each DVD will come with a parent resource guide including information and suggestions that correspond with the theme of that DVD.

MARKETING/LICENSING

Scholastic Media teams with Post Cereals for two multi-media The 39 Clues promotions, which will coincide with Scholastic’s publication of The 39 Clues Book #7 in January 2010 and book #10 in August 2010.  Each 6-8 week promotion will see the book series featured on 4 million Post cereal boxes of its Honeycomb, Alpha-Bits, Golden Crisp and Waffle Crisp brands, which will be supported via a national print ad campaign and an instant win game (wwwpost39cluesracetowin.com) from January 5, 2010.  Post Cereals will also support the promotion with exclusive The 39 Clues games, a free screensaver and an online chance to enter the sweepstakes (No purchase necessary).  The 39 Clues Book #7: The Viper’s Nest by author Peter Lerangis will be published on February 2.  Post Food will host a second promotion will run in conjunction with the publication of book #10 (title TBD) in August 2010.

Bulldog Licensing signs on new European licensees for Gogo’s Crazy Bones.  New licensing partners include: in the Benelux, Glow Europe (apparel, stationery, gift plush) and Van der Erve (apparel accessories); Belltex (bedding) signs on to produce product for the Benelux, Germany and Spain; Medialive developing publishing line in Spain as well as distributing existing licensees Penguin publishing lines in the territory and Winning Movies will release its Top Trumps line across Europe.  Additionally, publishing and posters are already en route to the Benelux via deals with Pyramid who are distributing their posters through Hole in the Wall

EXECUTIVE MOVES

DHX Media makes three new senior appointments in the parent company as well as its divisions:

• Anne Loi is upped to SVP/Finance & Operations, DHX Media.  Loi, who had been SVP/Finance & Operations, Decode Entertainment will continue to report to Steven DeNure, President and COO, DHX Media, while also working in tandem with CFO Dana Landry.  Loi’s responsibilities expand to include overseeing operational aspects of DHX, as well as continuing coordination of production, finance and banking activities across DHX’s divisions.  Based in Toronto, she will also continue to oversee Decode Interactive.
• Anthony Jiwa moves on up to Director/Marketing, Decode Enterprises.  He will work across all DHX Media’s production output and distribution library.  Jiwa was most recently responsible for marketing at DHX’s Studio B Productions in Vancouver.  He will continue to be based in Vancouver and will report to Josh Scherba, SVP/Distribution, Decode Enterprises.  Cheers Anthony!
• Additionally, DHX Media appoints Craig McGillivray as Territory Manager for Asia, Japan and Latin America.  He will also report to Scherba.  Most recently McGillivray was with Breakthrough Entertainment.

Future US names veteran journalist and gaming writer Gary Steinman as Editor-in-Chief of PlayStation: The Official Magazine.  Steinman takes on his new position beginning with the magazine’s February 2010 issue, which will be available on newsstands this month.  Most recently, Steinman was Editorin-Chief of PC Gamer.  He previously toiled for a range of publications including PlayStation: The Official Magazine, Newtype USA, TehStreet.com and PC Gamer.

RATINGS

Live + Same Day Ratings Kids Cable Network Averages (000) for Wednesday, November 2, 2009, 6am-11pm, ranked by K2-11:
NICKELODEON:         K2-11 1180; K6-11 515; TWEENS 9-14 369
DISNEY CHANNEL:     K2-11   843; K6-11 528; TWEENS 9-14 408
CARTOON NETWORK: K2-11   409; K6-11 247; TWEENS 9-14 185
DISNEY XD:               K2-11   119; K6-11   87; TWEENS 9-14   67
Source: MTVN Research from Nielsen Media Research Data

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE

Friday Fun Fact:  Americans on average eat 18 acres of pizza every day.

Answer to Yesterday’s Trivia Question:   Created in the 1940s by Eleanor Abbott while she was in the hospital recovering from polio.  In 1949 Milton Bradley bought the rights and was the most popular game sold in the US in the 1940s.  What board game is this?   CANDYLAND  Kudos to: Chris Byrne-TimetoPlayMag.com/NY; Ed Dall’Aste-UPROAR! Youth Marketing/NY; Lisa Petitmemet-Hasbro/Pawtucket; Wendy Ott/NY; Rob Hughes-Disney Channel/Burbank; Patrick Rieger/Burbank; Brett Ashy-The Ashy Agency/LA; Carol Monroe-SD Ent/LA; Elize Morgan-Slainte Development/Toronto

Today’s Trivia Question:  This classic toy was invented in 1916 by John Lloyd Wright, son of archite4ct Frank Lloyd Wright.  They were originally marketed by the Red Square Toy Company in Chicago.  What is the name of this toy?   (Email [email protected] 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 Cynopsis Kids!
12.04.09

Cynopsis Media Facebook Page here – all of our Job Listings and Top Stories reported here first!

Cynopsis Ad Sales:
Mike Farina – Sr. Dir/Business Development & Sales – 203-218-6480 / [email protected]
Classifieds – Trish Pihonak- 203-926-9878 / [email protected]

Member of Interactive Advertising Bureau (iab)

To subscribe to any Cynopsis edition(s) click here . 
To unsubscribe , click here or click the button at the end of this email.

Cyn opsis CLASSIFIEDS – For More classifieds, visit the Cynopsis.com classifieds page here    .

JOB OPENING: DIR DIGITAL MEDIA/LA: Lead dev/execution of short/long-term creative & production strat for digital initiatives-ABC Daytime, SOAPnet. BA/BS req. Min 8 yrs digital, & managerial exp. Apply at: www.disneyabcjobs.com  (12/11)

JOB OPENING:  ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE AD SALES/CHICAGO/REELZCHANNEL: 3+ yrs media ad sales exp. Exp cable, network, online, mp biz, strat integ mktg solu. Resp for ad sales & sales activity of WC ofc. Send res: [email protected] (12/11)

JOB OPENING: DVLPMNT ASST/DC: Int’l TV prod co. Dvlop ratings driven, commercial concepts for cable & brdcst clients. 1 to 5 yrs exp nat’l TV dvlpmnt/prod req’d. Current TV trends & sched knwlg a must.Res/references: [email protected] (12/10)

JOB OPENING: SALES AE/Plum TV/Colorado: Successful, Creative, Aggressive, ad/sponsorship sales pro familiar w/ solutions mktg for local/regional/national clients. 5+ yrs exp in cable TV, other nat’l media. Posting @ plumtv.com (12/10)

JOB OPENING: MGR, TECH PROD/Santa Monica: Report to VP/HBO’s West Coast Tech Ops group. Provide prod & post-prod support & consultation svcs to HBO’s internal prod & post-prod depts. www.timewarner.com/careers Req#115777 (12/10)

JOB OPENING: SR CLIENT ANALYST/MSA Media/NY: Manage cable nets on Gabriel/other SW. Perform biz svcs, issue resolution, training, Jr acct mgmt duties, prod planning. Tech knowledge preferred. Send res/$ to [email protected] (12/8)

JOB OPENING: VP, CREATIVE SVCS/Disney ABC Domestic TV/LA: Min 8 yrs in broadcast advertising; lead all aspects creative production (a/v, trade, consumer, print). Solid leader/mgmt skills. Apply www.disneycareers.com #215363  (12/8)

JOB OPENING: VP, BUS & LEGAL AFFAIRS/MTVN/NYC: 6+ yrs in antipiracy/litigation related to protection of copyrighted content; Exp in tech related investigations/IP related transactions; JD/NY Bar Req’d www.mtvnetworkscareers.com (12/8)

JOB OPENING: SR ACCT EXEC/ElectricArtists/NY: Online mktg, PR, social media & promo initiatives. Expert ideation & project mgt 5-8+ yrs mktg, project mgt, PR. Online media, TV, or major consum brand. [email protected] (12/5)

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH ANALYST/ION/NY: Entry level, Nielsen/MRI, quantitative analysis exp required, College Degree req’d, Business Degree a +, proficient in MS Office. Apply to [email protected] (12/5)

JOB OPENING:  FREELANCE MARKETING/RETAIL MANAGER/ Nickelodeon Publishing/NYC. 3+yrs Marketing exp, Retail or publishing exp A+, Knowledge of Children’s publishing A+, Strong Org Skills EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Resumes to [email protected] (12/5)

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: MEDIA RESEARCH NY: This professional opp will provide you with the hands-on exp, entail active assignments, and learn from the colleagues. Strong MS Office Skills required. Send resume to: [email protected] (12/11)

SPRING INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY:  MARKETING INTERN/NYC: Support the Pop2Life creative team with national promotions – research, brainstorming, coordinate events. Must be smart, driven, creative, energetic. Mac savvy a plus. Email: [email protected] (12/10)

SPRING INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY:  MARKETING INTERN /truTV, NY: Support brand strategy & mktg dept. (consumer, digital & ad sales). Majors: Comm., Mktg, Adv. Skills: Writing, Computer, Phone, Rsrch. Apply Online: turnerjobs.com – Requisition # 115355BR (12/10)

SPRING INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY:  SPRING AD SALES MARKETING INTERN/NYC: Support Ad Sales and Marketing Team. Microsoft Office & strong communication skills required. Part-time. For credit only. www.scrippsnetworks.com (Requisition #1253) (12/9)

SPRING INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: NYC doc prod. co. seeks exp’d, orgnzd & energetic JRS/SRS. Fast-paced envir. Pls specify “dvlpmnt” “accting” or “prod” in app. Office, shoot, post-prod & dvlpmnt work.. Email:  [email protected]  (12/8)

SPRING INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: NYC Boutique TV Syndication Co. seeks diligent undergrad to assist in daily operations. Duties include creation of mktg/promo materials,contracts, etc. MS Office & strong comm skill required. Email [email protected] (12/5)

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: PRODUCER/WRITER/DIRECTOR (NY) Ultra-creative, award winning, all formats, all genres, all major networks and major cable. Fast, frugal and fun! [email protected] (12/11)

SITUATION WANTED: PUBLICIST, PUBLIC/MEDIA RELATIONS EXECUTIVE: 5 + yrs exp in agency, entertainment and non-profit. Seeking work in television or movie studios on east coast. For inquiries, contact [email protected]  (12/11)

SITUATION WANTED: (NYC, Boston) PUBLICITY .  6+ years of major studio & agency experience. Send email for resume. [email protected] (12/11)

SITUATION WANTED:  SEGMENT PRODUCER. Years of network and cable television experience familiar with final cut pro. Contact email: [email protected] (12/11)

SITUATION WANTED: DESIGN, ILLUSTRATION & ART DIRECTION (NYC)20 years experience working concept through completion. Portfolio: www.baerdavis.com Email: [email protected] (12/10)

SITUATION WANTED: MEDIA SALES/MARKETING MANAGER/LA: 15+ years experience in educational, documentary, advertising media sales.True Closer!!!!!  [email protected] (12/10)

SITUATION WANTED: TV and WEB MANAGER/PRODUCER with 13+ years editing, writing, and production experience. Flash, Dreamweaver, Photoshop knowledge. Online and video editor. Seeking FT position. [email protected] (12/10)

SITUATION WANTED:  20+ yrs. experience in TV Broadcasting & Cable ACCOUNTING/FINANCE. Seeking FT/PT or Temp-to-Perm position: [email protected] (12/9)

SITUATION WANTED:  TRAFFIC MANAGER with 13 years exp seeks position in Radio/TV/Online or traffic software in NY/NJ. [email protected] (12/5)

SITUATION WANTED: 5 PRIME TIME EMMYS/ DOC. PROD, DIR., WRITER in L.A. Credits: National Geo, PBS, Discovery, History CH, TLC and MSNBC. Contact email: [email protected] (12/5)

SITUATION WANTED: MARKETING POSITION: 10+ years of account management experience. Trustworthy, intelligent and hardworking. Email me for a resume: [email protected] (12/5)

E-mail [email protected] or call Trish Pihonak at 203.926.9878 for rates and specs for Job Openings.

Are you looking for a job? Post your Situation Wanted Ad here — Email [email protected] for specs.

Cynopsis Media LLC
One Corporate Drive, Suite 724
Shelton, CT 06484
203.926.9878

All outgoing e-mails are scanned and sent out virus free. Copyright Cynopsis 2009