Cynopsis: DIGITAL

02/27/09

Good morning, it’s Friday, February 27, 2009, and this is your first early morning digital briefing. 

New Yahoo chief Carol Bartz found a reason to post her first blog entry yesterday – to share some of her future plans including a new management structure she is putting into place that will “make Yahoo! a lot faster on its feet.” She also writes of the elimination of silos and a renewed focus on the customer, mantras familiar to folks on Madison Avenue. The first official management reshuffle involves the just-disclosed departure of CFO Blake Jorgensen, who made news at an investors conference this week when he said that Yahoo isn’t opposed to a search deal with Microsoft in principle.
 

 
Microsoft struck a deal with NBC Universal to make 30 classic film titles available for rent through the Xbox Live Marketplace in Europe. Standard and high-def titles, available for the equivalent of 3-4.5 Euros in Microsoft Points, include The Bourne Supremacy, Shaun of the Dead and the most recent Incredible Hulk.
 
Turner Sports’ PGATour.com site set a record for traffic on Wednesday for its hole-by-hole video coverage of the return of Tiger Woods. The site streamed 2.5 million videos and recorded nearly 24 million page views.
 
msnbc.com launched a new “Hardball with Chris Matthews,” site centered around video clips of Chris’ editorial tidbits as well as interviews with politicians and beltway insiders. (This one calls out Rep. Joe Barton for twittering his followers during Obama’s address to watch the Aggie basketball game on ESPN2 instead of watching “Pelosi smirk for the next hour.”
 
Meanwhile CNBC.com has finally made a selection of its video content embeddable with limited editing functions.
 
Call for Votes: Figuring there’s always room for more awards, Hulu introduced the first annual user-determined Hulu Awards spotlighting the best videos that have appeared on the site over the past year. Categories include “Clips that will have us laughing in 15 years,” “Shows we’d bring back,” and “Our Favorite Senior Citizen.” The winning clips will be announced on Hulu’s one-year anniversary – March 12th.

Power to the people. After last week’s dust up and reversal over Facebook‘s decision to keep personal data even after they closed their accounts, the company announced it will release a new set of principles and Statement of Rights and Responsibilities in the coming weeks, encouraging community members to review, comment on and ultimately vote for rules they must all live under. “As people share more information on services like Facebook, a new relationship is created between internet companies and the people they serve,” writes CEO Mark Zuckerberg. “The past week reminded us that users feel a real sense of ownership over Facebook itself, not just the information they share.”
 
Shout out for Burbank-based web producer Fun Little Movies: FLM took home MoFilm’s grand prize for Best Mobile Film at the Mobile World Congress for the English As a Second Language episode of Turbo Dates, the only American show among the finalists. (Kevin Spacey, co-founder of TriggerStreet.com, was on hand to present.) The company is currently in talks with three media companies to license the show, according to President & COO Frank Chindamo. FNL produces ad supported web shows and “advertainment” distributed through more than 50 multiplatform outlets including MSN and Sprint.
 
Tivo-integrated broadband network KoldCast TV has added 6 new shows to its line-up of original programming including 4 new comedy series, a drama and a travel show:

• The 16-episode My Two Fans from MWG Entertainment stars Barret Swatek (“Quarterlife) as Kate, a single woman navigating the brutal world of dating
• David J. Miller’s Assisted Living follows down-on-his-luck Dustin as he struggles to get back on his feet after being dumped by his girlfriend and having to live with his sister
• Anarchy for Breakfast follows two roommates – socially awkward hipster Penny (Kelli Bland) and free-thinking wannabe anarchist Desdemona (Lorri Hamm-Wilson)
• American Heart is a zombie comedy about a motley crew of survivors combating boredom and the Undead from inside a local hospital
• Life After Lisa features New York-based actress Stephanie Danielson as 1987 college student in the duel roles and also features Corey Parker Robinson (The Wire)
• Galavanting is a new travel series hosted by co-creator Kim Mance documenting the travel adventures of Kim and her friends

 
Havas Digital has entered into a multi-level strategic partnership with Media6°, which uses proprietary “social graph” data to connect marketers to customized potential audiences. Havas Digital will adopt Media6°’s social graph targeting capabilities in order to integrate consumer insights with hyper-targeting as well as develop advertising solutions to leverage the value of the social graph data.
 
The IAB announced the release of Click Measurement Guidelines to establish parameters for the accurate buying and selling of cost-per-click advertising. The guidelines provide a standard for measurement and a framework for filtering fraudulent clicks, assuring buyers and sellers that only legitimate clicks are being counted.
 

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM THE CABLE SHOW ’09

The Cable Show ’09 is the only industry event to unite leaders from the cable, content and online media sectors to deliver the insight you need to compete. Newly added speakers including Clearwire Chairman Craig McCaw and Time Warner Inc. President and CEO Glenn Britt join News Corp.’s Rupert Murdoch, Comcast’s Brian Roberts, Walt Disney Co.’s Robert Iger and other top industry executives in exclusive appearances.

 
Roy Blount Jr., President of the Author’s Guild and frequent panelist for NPR’s “Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me,” took the newly released Amazon’s Kindle 2 to task for its text-to-speech functionality in an op ed for the NYTimes. He argues the feature threatens to undermine the well-established audio book industry, which generates over $1 billion a year for authors and publishers.
 
Long Island-based Cablevision announced strong Q4 earnings including cable television net revenue growth of 7.4%, yet like other MSOs fell victim to a net loss of video customers. Cablevision lost 3,800 video subscribers during Q4 but gained 28,200 cable modem customers and 53,400 internet phone subs.
 
CDN Limelight Networks posted better-than-expected Q4 numbers recording a record $36 million in sales (up 23% from Q4 ’08) but warned of softening revenue growth for 2009.
 

 
Not surprisingly traffic to job search and career development sites spiked by 20% overall in Jan. according to Nielsen Online with the category reaching nearly 50 million uniques. Career Builder remained the top job site but several lesser-known brands experienced huge jumps. And while 35-49 year olds remained the biggest demo the 65+ category grew the fastest, attracting 3.5 million unique visitors (a 41% increase).
 
Top 10 Online Career Development Destinations for January 2009
Site                                         Jan-08 UA (000)   Jan-09 UA (000)  Percent Growth
Career Development Category        41,457                 49,745                20
CareerBuilder Network                  19,667                  20,778                 6
Yahoo! HotJobs                          10,968                  11,728                 7
Monster                                    10,697                    9,476               -11
Indeed.com                                 3,259                    5,835                79
USAJOBS                                    2,161                    4,398              104
Simply Hired                                1,232                    3,801              209
Job.com                                     2,408                    2,977                24
Snagajob.com                             1,341                    2,466                84
About.com Jobs & Careers             1,806                    2,356                30
Kenexa                                       1,944                   2,235                15
Source: Nielsen Online
 
A new report from ComScore suggests that mobile phones may be increasing the overall pie of web surfers or at least that heavy PC users are not necessarily also heavy mobile web users. Those who spend the least amount of time in front of their PCs are 30% more likely to surf the web on their mobile phones. The study also found that 15.2% of “light” PC internet users accessed news and information on their mobile device at least once per week, compared to a lower 11.7% of heavy PC internet users.
 
Filing taxes online, once a daunting proposition to many taxpayers due to security concerns, is steadily on the rise. About 40% of online households are planning to file their federal taxes online this year, up from less than 34% four years ago, according to The Consumer Internet Barometer, a quarterly report produced by The Conference Board, the global business research and membership organization, and research firm TNS.
 

                                                                                    
CBS’s TV.com released its first iPhone app powered by Veveo that can play full episodes of a number of TV shows including two C.S.I.’s, NCIS, and the original Star Trek from the Paramount television vaults. One of the cooler features is a tool that enables users to create customized video feeds based on favorite shows, networks or topics. The feeds recommend content based on past viewing habits.
 
Hip blogging platform Tumblr released its own free iPhone app that builds upon the features of the previously-released third party $1.99 Tumberette app. Features include the ability to post text, photos, links, chat or audio posts directly to your Tumblr blog.
 
Apple unveiled the new 17″ MacBook Pro, touting its thin profile and new battery that supposedly lasts up to 8 hours and can recharged up to 1000 times. (Note: battery life estimates are like EPA mileage estimates; divide by 2 for a safer figure.)
 

 
Redmond, WA-based Mobile app developer Mobui introduced a new live Audience Chat application soon to be available for a wide variety of mobile devices including the iPhone that provides an elegant interface for something viewers already love doing – chatting, texting, and twittering their friends during their favorite shows. Network partners such as VHI can set up show chat rooms to facilitate social viewing, sponsored contests or celebrity-moderated events. The iPhone App Store has strict rules about micropayment components (there not allowed) but Mobui founder and CEO John Burry says the app is a perfect way for broadcasters to promote shows and songs within the iTunes environment. “They’re opening a bidirectional channel with viewers – allowing them to click from the phone directly to a past episode or a soundtrack,” says Mr. Burry. One component lacking is an integration with existing social networks to make it easier to invite friends – top on Mobui’s to do list according to the company.
 
Later — Wayne
 Wayne Karrfalt for Cynopsis: Digital
02.27.09

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JOB OPENING:  SALES DIR/BBC/NYC: Manage& coach sales team, direct selling, media licensing exp. Bring in new rev, est & implement strategy, grow biz. Apps to www.bbcamerica.com/employment.jsp (3/5)

JOB OPENING:  SNR MANAGER, DIGITAL SYNDICATION/BBC/NYC: Mng marketing & promo for BBCWW titles w/ partners, manage clients & program supply, coord clearance process. Apps to www.bbcamerica.com/employment.jsp (3/5)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR, BUSINESS AFFAIRS & PROGRAMMING LEGAL/MD: Handle production and talent negotiations for TLC. JD and 5+ yrs entertainment law exp is required. Apply: http://corporate.discovery.com/careers/ #8636 (3/4)

JOB OPENING: CFO /Silver Spring, MD: Fin strategy & ldrshp, hand-on mgmt for B2B/B2C media business; Exclt comm. skills, high emotional intell, low ego, collaborative all req’d. Resume, ltr, to [email protected] EOE (3/3)

JOB OPENING:  POST SCHEDULER/ATLANTA, GA: Seeking experienced post production scheduler with proven client service skills. APPLY:  [email protected] (2/28)

JOB OPENING:  PR MGR/WE tv/NYC: Dvlp & imp effective PR campaigns for net prgrmng & online initiatives. 5+ yrs hands-on comm/media relations exp incl. digital outreach. Work pref in TV/agency envir. Res: www.cablevision.jobs #8180BR(2/28)

JOB OPENING:  SALES DIRECTOR/Little Pim/NYC:  3+ yrs exp w/Content-based goods. Increase sales w/Large Markets, manage sales cycle, demo product. Exp w/Youth mkt a +.  Apply:  http://www.littlepim.com/about/salesdirector/ (2/28)

JOB OPENING:  SR GRAPHIC DESIGNER/BBC/NY: Plan create & code web designs & flash pieces to spprt chnnl prgrmng/enhance user exp. Write code & build own design. Strong comm & collaboration. Resume to www.bbcamerica.com/employment.jsp (2/28)

JOB OPENING:  ACCT EXEC/MediaPlace/NY & CHI:  Out of Home TV, creative “out of box” thinking, media & promotion sales/ planning exp. Please email Res/CL to: [email protected]  “AE” in subj. (2/28)

JOB OPENING:  DIR, BUS AFFAIRS/ABC Daytime/SOAPNet/LA: Structure, negotiate, oversee wide variety of deals/prods; top analytic skills.  JD+ min 5yrs exp in TV. Netwk/cable strongly pref’d. Apply www.disneycareers.com, Req ID# 188120 (2/28)

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SITUATION WANTED: OFFICE OR SET PA/PERSONAL ASSNT/LA:3 yrs. exp, creative, well organized, pays attention, catches on quick. Will travel + can start asap. email: [email protected] 323.605.2086 (3/6)

SITUATION WANTED: PROD. (TV, Print, Multimedia): Live/taped/field, booking, writing, editing, casting, on-camera, PR. News, biz, finance, entertainment, health, beauty, fashion & lifestyle. [email protected] (3/6)

SITUATION WANTED: CASTING PRODUCER/AP For Reality/Docs. Worked for NBC, CBS, ABC, TLC, E!, Reelz, and MTV. From Big personalities to experts/professors. Research galore. (In LA) [email protected] (3/5)

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] (3/5)

SITUATION WANTED: OFFICE OR SET PA/PERSONAL ASSNT/LA:3 yrs. exp, creative, well organized, pays attention, catches on quick. will travel + can start asap. email: [email protected] 323.605.2086 (3/5)

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] (3/4)

SITUATION WANTED: MEDIA DIRECTOR: 15+ years exp, seeking freelance projects. All media TV, radio, print, OOH, digital, emerging. Expertise includes entertainment, packaged goods, tech, travel, auto. Email [email protected] (3/4)

SITUATION WANTED: TV PRODUCER- EDITOR Northeast 13 years exp, have produced 6 weekly magazine programs, I also write and shoot. Creative and tenacious, Freelance or full-time. Contact [email protected] (3/4)

SITUATION WANTED: FIELD PRODUCER/ DIRECTOR/LA: Docusoap, Lifestyle, Infotainment,Feature Doc + more. Resonant leader, keen director/ writer, strong storyteller + showrunner. 8+ yrs. Will travel. [email protected] 917.716.7277 (3/4)

SITUATION WANTED: CELEBRITY BOOKER & REALITY CASTING DIRECTOR: Extensive exp. w/TV Talk, Reality & Lifestyle Shows. Thousands of contacts to celebrities, experts, authors, real people, etc. Contact: [email protected] (3/4)

SITUATION WANTED: CASTING PRODUCER/AP For Reality/Docs. Worked for NBC, CBS, ABC, TLC, E!, Reelz, and MTV. From Big personalities to experts/professors. Research galore. (In LA) [email protected] (3/4)

SITUATION WANTED: RESEARCH DIRECTOR: 20+ yrs media, Nielsen, Hispanic, & sales experience. Contract basis. Save money over a FT director. Let’s talk.Email: [email protected] (3/3)

SITUATION WANTED: CASTING PRODUCER or ASSOCIATE /Reality/Ent/Docs. NBC; CBS; Spike; Dis; TLC; E!; VH1; MTV; Specializing in the hard to find, runs on Batteries. (LA based) [email protected]    (2/28)

SITUATION WANTED:   Award winning ON-AIR/OFF-AIR CREATIVE DIRECTOR:  20 years network / cable experience.  Innovative promotion, design, branding and strategy.  Hard working, detail oriented, motivated.  [email protected] (2/28)

SITUATION WANTED: MEDIA BUYER: Based in Dallas/Fort Worth with over 12 years experience, available for FT/PT/Freelance media buying. Contact: [email protected] (2/28)

SITUATION WANTED: RESEARCH DIRECTOR – network experience (ad sales/prog/mktg), sales estimate expert, all Nielsen software, MRI, MS suite, supervisory exp., references. Full-time or consulting. [email protected] (2/28)

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