Friday, February 8th, 2008


A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM HALLMARK CHANNEL


Now Premiering –
HALLMARK MOVIE CHANNEL IN HD

This April, Hallmark Movie Channel launches in HD.

Now, for the first time, Hallmark Movie Channel’s schedule of movies — including
original movies, Hallmark Hall of Fame movies, and blockbuster feature films –
will be available in high definition.

Hallmark Movie Channel in HD. The legacy has never been so clear.

Insidehallmarkchannel.com


Cynopsis


02/08/08

Good Morning.  It’s Friday, February 8, 2008, and this is your first early morning briefing.

The WWE released a statement late yesterday that WWE Smackdown will continue on The CW until the end of the current broadcast season, but after that, the show is up for grabs again.  An exclusive negotiation period belonging to The CW expired on January 31st,  and since then WWE has been chatting with other potential partners, tho nothing definitive as yet.

Tonight’s Premieres:
ESPN2: Dale Jr.: Shifting Gears at 7p
 
Sunday’s Premieres:
IFC: The Whitest Kids U’ Know at 11p


Kellogg School/ IME Branding Program for media and ent execs. March 5-7 NYC. See below

~ MORE STUFF ~

Alex Paen-Telco Productions reached clearances of more than 70% of the U.S. for fall renewals of these syndicated shows: Animal Rescue in its 12th season with latest renewals on KCBS/Los Angeles, WCIU/Chicago, WTXF/Philadelphia, WHDH/Boston and WFLA/Tampa; Missing for a sixth season reupped recently on WCBS/New York, KCBS/Los Angeles, WCIU/Chicago, WRDQ/Orlando; KING-KONG/Seattle; and Dog Tales for season two just renewed on KCBS/Los Angeles, WCIU/Chicago and WOFL-WRBW/Orlando.

USA goes deep for a seven title movie package from Disney-ABC Domestic Distribution, including No Country for Old Men, Enchanted, National Treasure: Book of Secrets, for a total price of approx $50 million, reports Variety.  These three titles will also likely get additional clearance deals on other cable networks, after the initial window on USA.  The other four titles in the package arrive at USA after other cable net windows: Bridge to Terabithia; Becoming Jane, Gone Baby Gone and Dan in Real Life.  All of this ABC-Disney movies go first to pay TV on Starz which has an output deal with Disney.

Retired ABC News national security correspondent, John McWethy, 61 died Wednesday of injuries from a skiing accident in Keystone, CO. Since retiring, John and his wife had been living in Boulder. John started with ABC News in 1979 from U.S. News and World Report and was named Chief Security Correspondent for ABC in 1984. On 9/11 he was at the Pentagon and received five national Emmy Awards for his coverage. In an online tribute, ABC News President David Westin said he was “one of those very rare reporters who knew his beat better than anyone and had developed more sources than anyone and yet kept his objectivity. Jack’s work made the people he covered value him, respect him and always know that he would keep them honest.”

The Nielsen Company made an investment in NeuroFocus, a Berkeley, CA-based company that applies brainwave research to advertising, programming and messaging. The two companies will team to develop new basis of measurement and metrics on the latest advances in neuroscience and their initial work will develop a variety of new science-based products, services and metrics to clients in consumer packaged goods, television, film and emerging media. Specific details of the investment were not disclosed and part of the deal includes David Calhoun, CEO at Nielsen to become a member of NeuroFocus’ board of directors to help guide the company and this new partnership.

~ PRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT ~

PBS announced the development of a new television series, On Record: The Soundtrack of Our Lives, an eight-hour series chronicling the history of recorded music and its impact on popular culture. Hosted by George Martin, producer of the Beatles, and narrated by actor Kevin Spacey, the series will feature hundreds of artists from all music genres. Produced by Wildheart Entertainment, the series is slated to air nationally in primetime in the fall of 2010. Along with the TV series, PBS will offer educational outreach including a companion website at pbs.org and has plans to include a corresponding CD box-set and branded CD series, 12-hour DVD/home video series, accompanying books, a multi-genre global radio show and broadcasting through online portals worldwide.

Fox has cast Joshua Jackson in the lead role of its sci-fi pilot project Fringe, reports THR.  Other cast members include Anna Torv and John Noble. The story is about an FBI Agent (Torv) who teams up with a card-carrying Mensa member/high school dropout to find and identify paranormal activity.

ABC has ordered 13 episodes of an animated comedy called The Goode Family from creators Mike Judge, John Altschuler and Dave Krinsky. The Goode family is obsessed with doing everything politically correct, be it environment, social or political, and the upshot is often intended.  The project comes from Media Rights Capital, one of the independent production companies who has signed an interim agreement with the striking writers’ union.

Casting Call: The sixth season of the country music talent search show Nashville Star, premiering on NBC this summer, is looking for aspiring country music stars during open casting calls in several cities. Starting this Saturday, open auditions will happen in Pittsburgh and Milwaukee, then later this month in Charlotte, Kansas City, Tallahassee, Denver, New Orleans and Portland. For the first time, Nashville Star producers have opened the search to include solo artists, duets and singing trios and singers over the age of 16 are welcome to audition. Complete information on audition cities, song lists, rules and applications can be found at www.nbc.com or www.NashvilleStarCasting.com.

~ ELSEWHERE IN CYNOPSIS ~

CYNOPSIS DIGITAL – TODAY’S TOP STORY:   Facebook is beginning to make a name for itself on the international stage. The company completed a tie-up with Vodaphone in the UK to allow its 8.9 million mobile subscribers to receive newsfeeds, messages, status updates and “pokes” from their profiles. Also, as part of its Translations project, a Spanish language version of the site is now available – accessible by clicking on the account tab then selecting language. Next week users in Spanish speaking countries will see their profiles in Spanish by default. Finally, Morocco’s state run news agency is reporting that authorities in Casablanca have rounded up the usual suspects and arrested an engineer accused of stealing the identity of Prince Moulay Rachid on Facebook. The prince is the younger brother of King Mohammed VI and second in line to the throne.    Full edition: CYN DIGITAL. (Or to listen to the Cynopsis Digital Podcast click here or subscribe to it at iTunes here .)

CYNOPSIS KIDS – TODAY’S TOP STORY :    “Can you make it with spoons?”  That used to be the answer to pitching a cooking show for kids (ya know kids love knives, stoves and hot boiling this and that).  Enter, chef Jamie Oliver, who with his production company Fresh One, will produce the food/cookery centric, preschool-targeted series called, Made with Magic, which will broadcast on the Nick Jr. digital channel in the UK.  Designed to get kids interested in where food comes from, the mixed live-action and CGI-animated series will not star Oliver, but he will serve as executive producer.  Full edition: CYN KIDS.

CYNOPSIS INTERNATIONAL – TODAY’S TOP STORYSky Italia, an Italian subscription platform, inked a distribution deal with user-generated content channel Current TV.  Sky Italia will create a localized version of the network (Al Gore will be there for the formal launch in Spring 2008), adding 4.24 million households to the network’s reach.  Local Italian submissions may possibly be used on the network’s current channels in the U.S., the U.K., and Ireland.  Full edition: CYN INTERNATIONAL

~ RATINGS ~

Wednesday – A18-49 Analysis:  FOX held its grip on Wednesday night with 8.8/22 A18-49, according to final national ratings from Nielsen Media Research. FOX far out-paced the competition at 8p with American Idol at 10.5/27 and again during 9p with The Moment of Truth at 7.1/17. At 10p, it was a tie for first between CBS’ CSI: NY and NBC’s Law & Order with both posting a 2.9/8.

Live + Same Day Household Ratings: Wednesday, February 6, 2008 (February Sweep Day 7)time period averages. Source: NTI Galaxy, as dated. Live+SD.


FOX: 12.1/19       American Idol 14.6/23, The Moment of Truth 9.5/15


CBS: 5.8/9           Two and a Half Men [r] 5.1/8, The Big Bang Theory [r] 4.0/6, Criminal Minds [r] 6.2/10, CSI: NY 6.5/11


NBC: 5.7/9          Deal or No Deal [r] 5.1/8, Law & Order: CI 5.3/8, Law & Order 6.9/11


ABC: 4.4/7          Wife Swap 4.3/7, SuperNanny 5.1/8, Cashmere Mafia 3.7/6


UNIV: 2.4/4         Al Diablo con los Guapos 2.3/4, Futbol: Mexico vs. USA 2.4/4


CW: 1.1/2           America’s Next Top Model Exposed Part 1.2/2, One Tree Hill [r] 0.9/1


MNT: 0.8/1          Whacked Out Videos 0.8/1, Whacked Out Videos 2 [r] 0.7/1, Masters of Illusion: Impossible Magic 0.8/1


TELE: 0.6/1        La Traicion 0.5/1, Victoria 0.9/1, Pecados Ajenos 0.5/1


A18-49: FOX 8.8/22, ABC 2.5/6, CBS 2.5/6, UNIV 2.4/6, NBC 2.3/6, CW 0.7/2, TELE 0.5/1, MNT 0.4/1


 

~ EXECUTIVE MOVES ~

The Weather Channel Interactive (TWCI) elevated Sheila Buckley to VP/National Ad Sales to head the sales force and sales support members in charge of weather.com, The Weather Channel Desktop, forGetaway.com and Forecast Earth Online. Sheila joined TWCI in 2005 as VP/Sales.

Terry Mackin joins Univision Communications Inc. beginning March 1 as President/Television Station Group to oversee Univision’s and TeleFutura’s 64 television stations. Prior to this appointment, Terry was EVP at Hearst-Argyle Television Inc. where he increased that company’s digital media properties. Based in New York, Terry will report to Ray Rodriguez, President/COO, Univision Communications Inc.

Merv Griffin Entertainment tapped Roy Bank, creator and executive producer of Are Your Smarter Than a 5th Grader? and Amnesia, for the new position of President/Television.

After 17 years with MTV and most recently as its President, Christina Norman will leave the network at the end of this month to pursue something new professionally. Christina began as a freelance production manager and later led all of MTV’s marketing efforts including the launch of MTV2. In 2002, she went to VH1 then returned to MTV as President, reinventing such franchise events as The VMAs and The Movie Awards. Van Toffler, President/MTV Networks Music and Logo Group will retain his current position and during the interim manage the MTV operations.



Friday Fun Fact: 
Borborygmi is the medical term for stomach rumbling or hunger pangs.

This day in History:  1910 – Boy Scouts of America was founded in Washington, DC, by William Boyce.

Answer to Yesterday’s Trivia Question:  Who was the runner-up in the first season of Last Comic Standing?  RALPHIE MAY (Dat Phan was the winner)    Kudos to: Dave McKeand-Image Factory/Midlothian, VA ; Adam Licker-ABC/NY; Adam DePaul-WMOR/Tampa; Kimberly Keeley-Safety4Kids/Stamford, CT; Lance Papenfuss-KTTC/MN; Gregg Hess-NCC/ Minneapolis; Dan Radman-Prometheus/Chicago; Jamie Barton-The CW Television Network/Burbank; Robin Schmelling-BCMI/Palm Desert, CA; Bob Ramsey-KSWB/San Diego; Lisa Tatum Roehrig-10×10 Entertainment/LA

Today’s Trivia Question: On Friends, Chandler and Joey had a pet duck and a pet chick.  Chandler named the chick after an actress on one of their favorite TV shows.  What actress is this?   (
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  — Cyn
02.08.08

Cynopsis Ad Sales:
Mark Bohn- 203-583-1224 /

Classifieds – Trish Pihonak- 203-926-9878 /

Cynopsis website – Video Resumes, Extended Classified Ads, Archives, and the Cynopsis Daily Video

CableU – Know Networks Better. Pitch Smarter. Click here


A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM INSTITUTE FOR MEDIA & ENTERTAINMENT


Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management and the Institute for Media and Entertainment present a high-impact Branding Program for media and entertainment marketing executives. Learn from the #1 marketing faculty in the world while networking with industry colleagues.

Master branding, positioning and how to build and reinforce your brand system.

March 5-7 in New York City.

Visit our website for more information.



Cynopsis CLASSIFIEDSFor More classifieds, visit the Cynopsis.com classifieds page here


JOB OPENING: BRDCST BUSINESS ANALYST/NYC: Exp writing use cases &test cases. Media Knwldg 5-7 yrs. Traffic systems exp. is a +. Exp. on integration projects like integration to sales systems is a +. Respond to:
(2/15)

JOB OPENING: EXEC DIRECTOR NEWS RESEARCH/ABC: Design & conduct strategic research on new programming initiatives & new platforms, develop RFP’s. Apply to: www.disneycareers.com Req 141309. EOE (2/15)

JOB OPENING: SALES PLANNERS/Discovery Communications/NYC: Support Account Execs developing proposals and presentations. Strong communicator. Exp with research, advertising, acct mgmnt. Apply: www.discovery.com , Req#7604 (2/15)
        
JOB OPENING: DIR/AD SALES MKTG (2)/HGTV DIY/NY&KNOX: Dvlp & implement added value sales promotions & Upfront materials, provide support to the National Ad Sales Reps. 5-8 yrs sales promotions req’d. Apply at SCRIPPSNETWORKS.COM (2/15)

JOB OPENING: MGR DIGITAL RSRCH/Disney ABC Media Networks:Rsrch, design, execute, analyze & present findings. Incls ongoing testing of pricing, platform usability, short & long-form. Apply: www.disneycareers.com Req142207 EOE (2/15)

JOB OPENING:  MARKET & MEDIA RESEARCH A.E./NASCAR/Char NC: Sports ratings analysis, market/consumer research, industry wide decision support. Nielsen, NPower & Galaxy a plus; BS w/min 4 yrs. Exp;  www.employment.nascar.com EOE (2/14)

JOB OPENING:  HR MGR/LA: Provide direct HR support to client groups located in the LA reg’l office; incl’g TLC, Ad Sales, Affil Sales, Bus. Dvlpmnt, & Prod Mngmnt. Apply: http://corporate.discovery.com/careers/careers.html Job 7216 (2/14)

JOB OPENING:  EXEC PROD + SR. PROD/NYC:  Branded Ent. Production House filling 2 positions: both need strong web and film or video production, plus budgeting and scheduling skills and great, creative personality.
(2/14)

JOB OPENING:  DIGITAL RSRCH ANALYST/NBCU, NY: Analyze internal & 3rd party online data to support mktg & sales for Oxygen/ Bravo properties. BA/BS, 2+ yrs exp in media, familiar w/Omniture a plus. www.nbcunicareers.com #784838(2/14)

JOB OPENING:  MKTG COORD/Lightworks/NYC: Asst mktg dir in creation/mgmt of all materials-incl. trade shows, ads, pr, sales dvlpt, website & e-blasts. 1-2 yrs exp.Organized. Strong Writer. Apply:
(2/14)

JOB OPENING:  SR DIR/VP Digital Media Assets/AETN Stamford, CT:  Create, drive, execute strategies to efficiently develop media mgt priorities. apply: www.aetn.com (2/14)

JOB OPENING:  TRAVEL ACCT EXECS/Discovery/NYC: Sell nat’l TV or interactive ads for Travel Channel. Manage & dev. growing business. Strong communicator. Solutions sales exp. Apply: www.discovery.com Req #7513/# 7334 (2/13)

JOB OPENING:  SERIES PRODUCER/NYC: Oversee prod of a children’s animated series, inc. mng day-to-day opers, guide creative dir, & ensure that prjt adheres to sched/budget. ANIMATION EXP A MUST. Apply:
(2/13)

JOB OPENING:  VP, DIGITAL MEDIA MKTG/NYC/Brdcstg Co: Strategic multiplatform exp: series websites, ecom, wireless, online,mktg/adv/branding tactics. Sal: six figures. Resume to:
om’; document.write( ‘‘ ); document.write( addy_text42036 ); document.write( ‘</a>’ ); //–>   (2/13)

JOB OPENING: SR ACCT MGR/CABLE NETWORK AND ENTERTAINMENT MKTG/ATL:  Must have 4-6 yrs exp. in acct mgmt at ad agency or in ent mktg dep’t w/ exp managing projects w/ an outside agency. Sports exp a plus.
(2/12)

JOB OPENING: MGR AD SALES RSRCH/NY: Dvlpmnt of sales presentations/materials. Competitive Analysis. Well-versed in Nielsen & its applications as well as synd studies. 5+ yrs rsrch exp major nat’l ntwrk. Res:
(2/12)

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH ANALYST/Discovery/MD:  Min. one yr. marketing resh. or media exp. Excellent analytical/mathematical/basic statistic exp. req. Strong comp. skills incl. spreadsheets/graphics. Apply: www.discovery.com req# 7564  (2/12)

JOB OPENING: ACCT MGR-NAT’L SALES/New York,NY: BETCable salesperson w/strong presentation skills. Comfortable w/multi-platform & integrated opps.Sales/agencyexp. req’d. Email:
  (2/12)

JOB OPENING: CMT/TVL and SENIOR RESEARCH ANALYST AD SALES/MTVN-NYC: BA/BS; 2+ yrs media ind exp; wrkng knwldg Nielsen apps. Analytical sk. Strong math and computer sk. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (2/12)

JOB OPENING: MGR STRATEGY & RSRCH/BBC/NYC: Analyze mkt trnds & competition. ID new rev ops. Cr8 strat docs, develop LT biz strat. 3-5 yrs exp. Strat thinker & researcher. Apply: http://www.recruitingcenter.net/clients/bbc/publicjobs (2/9)

JOB OPENING: MGR DIGITAL AD SALES RSRCH/BBC NYC: Supprt bbc.com, maintain sls systems, track performance, monitor mrkt & industry trends. 3+ yrs exp. Apply: http://www.recruitingcenter.net/clients/bbc/publicjobs (2/9)

JOB OPENING: MGR BBC AMERICA AD SALES RSRCH/ BBCA NY: Nielsen rating knowledge, maintain research sales system, sales presentations. Apply: http://www.recruitingcenter.net/clients/bbc/publicjobs (2/9)

JOB OPENING: ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE/Rainbow Advertising Sales Corp/NY:  Interconnect  NY, NY  5 yrs major market TV radio sales exp at ad agency level. See full posting and apply to www.cablevision.jobs req id #5243 (2/9)

JOB OPENING: VP DIGITAL AD SALES/Fuse/NY: Gain high value clnts. Bld prtnrshps w/ clnts & agencies. Sell intgrted, X-platform deals w/ emph on Web, VOD, Mobile/Wireless and Facade. Send Rez to:
“VPDAS” in subj. (2/9)

JOB OPENING: ASSOC DIR CUSTOMER MARKETING/ABC: Key liaison for Sales Teams’ Custom/Client-specific Communication re ABC marketing opportunities/Strong research/analytical/communication skills www.disneycareers.com Req 139694  (2/9)

JOB OPENING: SR ANIMATOR-DESIGNER/Hallmark Channel/LA: Provides motion design & production from start to completion. 3 yrs. min. exp. See full posting and apply at www.hallmarkchannel.com (2/9)

WINTER AND SPRING 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
.

SPRING INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: PR /NYC: Boutique agency (kids TV, toys, CE, licensing) seeks smart, mature, highly-organized, communications-oriented intern. College JRs or SRs only. Apply to
  (2/13)

SPRING INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: OK! Sales/Mktg. Intern. Responsibilities include rsrch, coord mailings & sales materials, assisting the mktg team w/ general office duties. Plz indicate “MRKTNG INTERN” in sub line.
(2/12)

SITUATION WANTED ADS, POSTED BY THOSE LOOKING TO BE HIRED … Interested in posting your Video Resume?  Contact
for more information ….

SITUATION WANTED:  SEASONED PROFESSIONAL SPECIAL EFFECTS MAKEUP ARTIST:Offering all services ranging from simple cut and bruise makeups to custom prosthetic work and lifecasting. Contact
(2/14)

SITUATION WANTED:  MEDIA PLANNING/Los Angeles Full Time/Freelance: 10+ yrs exp. Experience-General Market and Hispanic. Works independently or manages staff. Large and small agency exp.
  (2/13)

SITUATION WANTED:  20+ yrs exp in sales, marketing, strategic planning, brand mgmt, product development and marketing. 
(2/13)

SITUATION WANTED:  SHOWRUNNER/FIELD PRODUCER/ DIRECTOR: Docusoap, Comedy, Makeover, Lifestyle Infotainment,Feature Doc formats. Resonant leader, excellent writer/director, creative, always on time and on budget.
(2/13)

SITUATION WANTED: Hire “Made in NY” Production Assistants-Trained, experienced and vetted. Licensed drivers, reliable, with positive attitudes. Call 24/7 Hotline. 718-757-5816 (2/12)

SITUATION WANTED:  DIRECTOR/VP MARKETING: 15+ yrs exp in marketing, strategic planning, brand mgmt, advertising, product marketing.  Extensive industry background in advertising, CPG, travel, retail, financial services.
(2/12)

E-mail 
for rates and specs for Job Openings. 

Interested in posting your Video Resume?  Contact
for more information ….

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


WHAT’S ON TONIGHT – Friday, February 8, 2008


ABC: Grey’s Anatomy [r], Desperate Housewives [r], 20/20
CBS: Ghost Whisperer [r], Moonlight [r], Numbers [r]
CW: Friday Night Smackdown!
FOX: Bones [r], House [r]
ION: Movie: Only Love
MNT: Movie: Sherrybaby
NBC: 1 vs. 100, Friday Night Lights, Las Vegas
PBS: Washington Week, Now on PBS, Bill Moyers’ Journal, In Search of Shakespeare [r]
TELE: La Traicion, Victoria, Pecados Ajenos
UNIV: Al Diablo con los Guapos, Pasion, La Familia P. Luche

All outgoing e-mails are scanned and sent out virus free.  Copyright Cynopsis 2008
 

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