Good morning. It’s Friday, January 7, 2011, and this is your first early morning Kids briefing.

A Squared Entertainment (A2), a kid-centric US-based entertainment company, and Tata Elxsi, an animation, digital design and visual effects studio of India’s business conglomerate Tata Group, enter into a ‘memorandum of understanding’ for a joint venture to create, develop and distribute original brands, which will include animated content and digital games.  With studios in LA and India, Tata Elxsi’s Visual Computing Lab (VCL) has produced animation and VFX projects for movies, including the 3D animated Roadside Romeo, as well as for TV shows and commercials.  VCL also has multiplatform game development experience.  Founded by Co-presidents Andy Heyward and Amy Moynihan Heyward in 2009, A2 has produced the Secret Millionaire’s Club with Warren Buffet and Gisele & the Green Team with Gisele Bundchen.  Upcoming A2 projects include the new animated series Martha & Friends, featuring a 10-year-old Martha Stewart, and Stan Lee Comics, a new superhero label created with Stan Lee.

Scholastic and Harry Potter creator/author J.K. Rowling win in court late yesterday.  Judge Scheindlin has dismissed the copyright infringement lawsuit filed by the estate of the late author Adrian Jacobs, which alleged that in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (known in the UK by the title Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone) Rowling “copied substantial parts” of Jacobs’ 1987 book The Adventures of Willy the Wizard: Livid Land.  The Judge stated that “…the contrast between the total concept and feel of the works is so stark that any serious comparison of the two strains credulity.”

NEW PRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT

Ricky Gervais will lend his voice to Mole, the lead character in the new indie film adaptation of Kenneth Grahame’s classic book The Wind in the Willows, per Variety.  Set to begin pre-production this year in New Zealand, the mixed live-action and animatronic movie is being directed by Ray Griggs (I Want Your Money) via his RG Entertainment, from a screenplay by Bill Marsilii (Deja Vu).  The movie will be produced by Radar Pictures’ Ted Field.  Griggs will work on the movie with Peter Jackson’s New Zealand-based special effects company Weta.

MORE KIDS STUFF

Portfolio International signs programming deals for the animated series The Cat In The Hat Knows A Lot About That!  Picking up the preschool series around the world are Disney Channel Spain, NRK (Norway), MTV Oy (Finland), and Al Jazeera’s Arabic channel, and the kid-targeted channel Yoopa (French speaking Canada).  Produced by Portfolio Entertainment and Collingwood O’Hare Productions, in association with Dr. Seuss Enterprises, Random House Children’s Entertainment, Treehouse and PBS Kids, The Cat In The Hat Knows A Lot About That! series is based on Random House’s Beginner Book collection, The Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library.  The animated TV series launched this summer on Treehouse (Canada) and PBS Kids (US), and will be seen soon on CITV (UK), HOP! (Israel), and Disney Channels in 40+ territories.

Universal Studios Home Entertainment will release a new movie version of The Little Engine That Could on DVD and for digital download on March 22, 2011.  Directed by Elliot M. Bour, The Little Engine That Could features a noted voice cast including Whoopi Goldberg, Jamie Lee Curtis, Patrick Warburton, Brenda Song, Corbin Bleu, and Alyson Stoner.  USHE will donate $.50 from each The Little Engine That Could DVD sold to the Starlight Children’s Foundation.

Program Call: Cynopsis Media will be producing our annual NATPE Shopping Guide sent to all Cynopsis and Cynopsis Kids subscribers on Thursday, January 20, the week before NATPE 2011 in Miami.  If you’re exhibiting at NATPE this year and would like to have your programming included, please send us only the following info for your top 5 shows: title, availability date, number of episodes, length, type (i.e., movie, series, special, etc.), genre and your terms (barter, cash, etc.) as well as your company’s stand/booth location. To be included in this free and highly-viewed special edition, please send your submission to [email protected] no later than Friday, January 14, 2011. A confirmation email will be sent following each submission from Lisa (if you don’t receive a confirmation email, please resubmit).

MARKETING/LICENSING

Knowledge Adventure kicks off its 20th anniversary year by attending CES/Kids@Play, where it is showing off its new MathBlaster.com ( www.mathblaster.com ), a reinvention of its educational Blaster brand that initially debuted in 1987.  The new site will launch this year (it’s currently in beta) and will feature upgraded visual effects, interactivity, game play and accessibility.  Delivered in 3D through the web browser, MathBlaster.com will be a kid-targeted Massively Multiplayer Online (MMO).  In addition, the website will feature activities, worksheets and tips designed to support the lessons taught in the online world.  Also debuting is Math Blaster: HyperBlast ($1.99), a math challenge app for the iPad.  Additionally, Knowledge Adventure will package the subscriptions to MathBlaster.com, JumpStart.com (which launched in 2009) and future online games as a learning pack, offering access to the complete line of sites ($7.99/monthly, $74.99/annually, $149.99/lifetime).  Also launching this year are three JumpStart games for Nintendo DS.

MTV Networks and MusicSkins, a provider of ‘skins’ for 250+ electronic devices, unveiled their new partnership for Nickelodeon, MTV, and Comedy Central properties at the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show (CES).  In the kid arena, under the deal MusicSkins will develop vinyl removable skins based on Nickelodeon properties including SpongeBob SquarePants, Ni Hao Kai-lan, and Dora the Explorer, iCarly and The Last Airbender.

Alligator Books renews its licensing deal in the UK with Turner CN Enterprises Ben 10 for an additional three years.  The newly renewed deal extends Alligator’s Ben 10 license into 2013, with artwork will be refreshed by the new Ultimate Alien Style Guide.  Additionally, Alligator will also continue to produce its Ben 10 Classic and Ben 10 Alien Force product range which includes interactive formats such as colouring sets, poster art sets, stickers, magnets, colouring books and activity books.

Beetle Bailey, of comic strip fame, gets his own fashion line.  King Features Syndicate is teaming with fashion designers Darren Romanelli, founder of the Dr. Romanelli (DRx) streetwear brand, and Hitoshi Tsujimoto, head of the Japanese apparel company The Real McCoys, to develop a military-themed Beetle Bailey apparel and accessories collection for men.  The limited- edition line, which will include jackets, sweaters, pants, t-shirts, bags, hats and shoes, will be unveiled at Project New York, a contemporary fashion event that will take place at 82 Mercer Street, in NYC, January 16-18.  Created by cartoonist Mort Walker in 1950, Beetle Bailey went on to become an icon of American comics.

EXECUTIVE MOVES

Aniboom Virtual Studio names Leeor Goldberg as its VP/Production.  In his new role, Goldberg will head all productions at the studio, supervise production managers, and manage the creative team.  Goldberg joins the virtual animation studio from Israel’s Partner Communications where he was Project Group Manager.  He previously was co-founder and CEO of the animation studios Crew 972, and prior to that was VP/DPSI.

Animation industry veteran Bill Damaschke is promoted to COO of DreamWorks Animation, per Variety.  Damaschke, who had been Co-President/Production for feature animation with John Batter, will help focus the creative direction of company that is now on track to produce five movies every two years.  Damaschke joined DreamWorks Animation in 1995 to work on the movie Prince of Egypt.  DreamWorks Animation will not replace Damaschke position of Co-President.

RATINGS

Live + Same Day Ratings Kids Cable Network Averages (000) for Wednesday, January 5, 2011, 6am-11pm, ranked by K2-11:
NICKELODEON:         K2-11 1004; K6-11 443; TWEENS 9-14 301
DISNEY CHANNEL:     K2-11   871; K6-11 546; TWEENS 9-14 410
CARTOON NETWORK: K2-11   384; K6-11 248; TWEENS 9-14 163
DISNEY XD:               K2-11   140; K6-11   98; TWEENS 9-14   81
NICKTOONS:              K2-11     75; K6-11   48; TWEENS 9-14   37
Source: MTVN Research from Nielsen Media Research Data

Friday Fun Fact:  Every plant in Tomorrowland at Disneyland in Anaheim, California, is edible and guest are welcome to pick their fill.

Answer to Yesterday’s Trivia:  What was the effect of the Hybernia Tree Drug? On Wonder Woman, the Hybernia Tree grew on Paradise Island, and the drug from that tree induced FORGETFULNESS Kudos to just one — Pam Lehn-Corus Entertainment–Nelvana Studio/Toronto

Today’s Trivia Question:   Who is the high flying Jeff Tracy?      (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 Billings for Cynopsis Kids!
01.07.11

Cynopsis Ad Sales:
Mike Farina – VP/Business Development & Sales – 203-218-6480 / [email protected]
Classifieds – Trish Pihonak- 203-381-9096 / [email protected]

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

JOB OPENING: MGR  DIGITAL RSRCH/DISNEY/CA: Min 4 yrs exp in new media rsrch, exp in comScore, Omniture, web traff, quan analys, strong analytical & written skills. Apply at: disneycareers.com (ID250326) (1/14)

JOB OPENING: SR. ANALYST  DIGITAL RSRCH/DISNEY/CA: min 3 yrs exp in new media rsrch, exp in comScore, Omniture, web traff, quan analys, strong analytical & written skills. Apply at: disneycareers.com (ID274877) (1/14)

JOB OPENING: PRIMARY RSRCH MGR/DISNEY ABC/CA: min 4 yrs exp in ent research, qual testing, insight analysis, rtg analysis, strong analytical & written skills. Apply at: disneycareers.com (ID265400) (1/14)

JOB OPENING: ACCT EXEC AFFILIATE DIST/GSN/NY: BA/BS 3+years exp cable network. Relationships w/ MSO’s. Heavy Travel. Send res + CL to [email protected] (1/14)

JOB OPENING: NETWORK PROGRAMMER/LAPTV/ATL: Implementation of ntwrk strategy, prgrmng & monthly scheduling, coordination of acquisition strategy. Analyze ratings & competition, mkt rsrch. resume & salary req’s: [email protected] (1/14)

JOB OPENING: DIR COMMUNICATIONS/NEWS/ NBC UNIVERSAL/NYC: Oversee/Execute PR & Publicity for News division. Min 7 yrs iTV Publicity, Media or Political Environment Apply: www.nbcunicareers.com (note job # 1273681) (1/14)

JOB OPENING: VP, AFFILIATE MARKETING/iN DEMAND/NYC: Front line leader for sales, marketing, planning/execution.  Able & willing to travel.  Degree + 8-10 yrs in video/cable in mktg /sales. Apply:  [email protected] (1/14)

JOB OPENING:   DIGITAL AE/Sony Pictures TV/NY: Sr. Level AE Strong digital (sales or agency) background a must. Apply: www.sonypicscareers.com (1/13)

JOB OPENING:  SALES PLANNER/IGN Entertainment/LA:  This position will work with our West Coast entertainment and consumer clients Apply: http://bit.ly/hXJ9Cv (1/13)

JOB OPENING: VP, OPERATIONS/Miami:  Needed for emerging internet portal incubator. Net Element seeks a web 2.0 professional to run its daily ops & coord functions of its various internet properties. Resume:  [email protected] (1/13)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR ANIMATION MARKETING/Nickelodeon/NYC: 7+yrs Consumer Mrkting Exp w/in Ent/Media/Retail, Strng Success record of Initiatives & Leadrship, Strng Strat Planng exp,EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvnetworkscareers.com (1/13)

JOB OPENING:  ACCT EXEC, DIGITAL SALES/NYC: WWE seeks experienced Digital AE w/ proven experience, established contacts, and excellent sales acumen. Competitive compensation & excellent benefits. Apply: http://wwe-careers.com/ (1/13)

JOB OPENING: SR NAT’L BCST BUYER/Focus Network & Cable Active Int’l/Pearl River, NY (15 mi. from NYC):  Freelance to perm possible 10 yrs buying exp @ major agency or buying service [email protected] 845-732-8943 (1/12)

JOB OPENING: SR FINANCIAL ANALYST/Cablevision/ Woodbury NY:  1 / 4 yrs fin planning/budgeting exp  for MSG Varsity our 24/7 tv/ online/ interactive network.  See full posting and apply to www.cablevision.jobs req 12533BR (1/12)

JOB OPENING:  SR RESEARCH ANALYST/Current TV/NY: 2+ yrs broadcast or cable/media buying agency exp, Nielsen/MRI knowledge a must, proficient in media math & MSOffice send resume to [email protected] (1/12)

JOB OPENING: VOD AD SALES DIR/NYC: Work w/ definition, justification, dvlpmnt & delivery of advanced advrtsng prods w/focus on VOD advrtsng & online vid advrtsng to mktplce.VOD exp req’d. [email protected] EOE/M/F/D/AAP (1/11)

JOB OPENING: CREDITS PRODUCER/Stamford: Freelance Credits Producer-Nights 4-midnite-Stamford,CT reformat credits for Lifetime aetn.com https://www.abso.com/jobboard/Default.aspx?JOBBOARDID=618&JobDetail=85469 (1/11)

JOB OPENING: CONTENT SALES MGR (3)/Thought Equity Motion/NY LA CHI: World leader in video licensing. Expert ideation, consultative & relationship sales exp. More info: http://corporate.thoughtequity.com/ Res: [email protected] (1/11)

JOB OPENING: DIR MKTG PARTNERSHIPS/Food Network/Cooking Channel/ NY: Oversee creation & execution of partnerships. /7-10 yrs exp integrated and/or partnership marketing for a media/cable/entertainment brand required. www.scrippsnetworks.com (1/11)

JOB OPENING: TECH MGR, DIGITAL ACTIVATION & SPONSORSHIP/Fox Digital Media/NY: Work w/ Sales, Prod, Ad Ops, & clients on dig. activation & sponsorship.3-5 yrs exp online media, client mgmt, HTML. Apply: www.foxcareers.com #FNG000014 (1/11)

JOB OPENING: MEDIA STRATEGY COORDINATOR /National Geographic Channel/DC: Assist Mktg dept on exec on-air campaigns. Sched promos on daily broadcast logs. 2+yrs exp in Traffic, Prog, Mktg. Apply: www.foxcareers.com , job# FNG0000145 (1/11)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR OF PRICING AND PLANNING/GMC Cable/NY: 8+yrs Price/Plan exp + mgmt exp. Analysis of inventory/pricing. Expert w/Dealmaker/ Excel. Apply: [email protected] (1/11)

JOB OPENING: DIR, INTEGRATED MARKETING/FOOD NETWORK & COOKING CH/NY: Resp for marketing of Networks’ brand, talent & prgrmng priorities. Undergrad degree req’d w/ 6-8 yrs ent and/or new bus/ mktg exp. www.scrippsnetworks.com (1/11)

JOB OPENING: SR DIR TRAFFIC SALES/NYC: Mng daily operations. Incl order approvals, EDI, backup for log duties, resolve billing issues, maint integrity & enforce best practice.10+ yrs exp traffic/sales ops. www.tvopportunities.com (1/8)

JOB OPENING: DIR DVLPMNT/2C MEDIA/LA or NYC: Creative, aggressive idea generator to oversee dev. Net or prod co dev exp a must w/demonstrated series picked up to air & casting exp a +. Res: [email protected] 2Cmedia.com (1/8)

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/SUMMER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: PROD INTERN/ATLAS MEDIA CORP/NYC: Opp to learn about business of commercial TV prod. 2-3 days/wk. assist coordinators/producers in prod of various shows. Dvlp skills various areas. [email protected] (1/14)

WINTER/SPRING INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: NEW MEDIA/DIGITAL MKTG INTERN/VanillaVision/West Hollywood: Report to Sr Mgr. work closely w/ the designated dept execs in est a basic understanding of dept needs & functions.
http://www.vanillavision.com/careers.html (1/13)

WINTER/SPRING INTERNSHIPS CREDITS ONLY:  iNDEMAND/NYC: Howard Stern On Demand internships available, college credit only, 15-25 hrs wkly. Apply: [email protected] (1/13)

WINTER/SPRING INTERNSHIPS CREDITS ONLY:  Station 3 Entertainment is seeking an intern for pilot season. Tasks include general office work, handling phones, and attending showcases. Flexible 15 hrs/week in midtown Manhattan. Contact: [email protected] (1/13)

SPRING INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: START ASAP: RESEARCH INTERNS/TWO CATS PRODUCTIONS/NYC: Interns wanted to research and develop new TV show ideas. Please send resumes [email protected] (1/12)

SPRING/SUMMER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: NEW MEDIA/DIGITAL MKTG INTERN/GSN/Santa Monica: Please send resume and CL to [email protected] (1/12)

WINTER/SPRING INTERNSHIP CREDIT ONLY: MEDIA RSRCH/NY: Opp to work with media rsrch team. This professional opp will provide you w/ the hands-on exp, entail active assignments, & learn from the colleagues. Strong MS Office Skills req’d. Res: [email protected] (1/11)

WINTER/SPRING INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY : MKTG INTERN for Post-prod co. NYC: Work w/ VP, biz-dev; build database, mktg materials, web presence, mrkt research, brand & PR. MS Office, web savvy, skilled communicator. Apply: [email protected] (1/8)

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: FREELANCE TV PUBLICIST: Any publicists out there need help? Freelance publicist with 20 years of TV experience available for project or retainer work. Contact: Bronagh Hanley: [email protected] (1/14)

SITUATION WANTED: EXPERIENCED FINANCE & MARKETING10+ yrs in Cable / Network (BHN/FOX Sports), Bachelor’s in Finance. (Tampa, FL open to relocation). Email: [email protected] (1/14)

SITUATION WANTED:PR-MKTG ASST/ATL:5+ yrs as publicist to multi-Grammy nominated Ann Nesby, former Promo Asst at WZRB TV(CW Ntwk) Cola.,SC. Website: JustinOCooper.com – Contact:404-803-3006| [email protected] (1/14)

SITUATION WANTED: VO TALENT Rebecca Michaels available for freelance & in-house projects using Neumann mic from home studio for all types of gigs. Visit www.LoveThatRebecca.com for latest info! (1/14)

SITUATION WANTED:  EXPERIENCED REALITY SHOWRUNNER seeks gun-for-hire gig. Pilots, series, webisodes, or sizzles from blank page to final delivery. Great creativity, budget savvy and sense of humor. [email protected] (1/13)

SITUATION WANTED: ASSOCIATE PRODUCER/NY:6+ years experience at: Food Network, ABC, NBC, CBS, BBC, Nick, MTV, CNN, History Channel, Sesame Street,TLC, NY1. Website: CharlesGoon.com Contact:(917) 692-3229 [email protected] (1/13)

SITUATION WANTED: RESEARCH DIR/SALES STRATEGIST: 20+ yrs media, Nielsen, Hisp, research, sales, and presentation experience. Email: [email protected] (1/13)

SITUATION WANTED: CREATIVE DIRECTOR / DESIGNER/ILLUSTRATOR (NYC) Exceptional concept through completion. Freelance or staff. Portfolio: www.baerdavis.com Email: [email protected] (1/13)

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] (1/13)

SITUATION WANTED: CREATIVE DIRECTOR ENTERTAINMENT/NYC: On-Air Promotion Experience in Kids/Animation Cable / Broadcast. Reel on Website; Razorheadbh.com Linkedin Profile: http://www.linkedin.com/in/billhorvath (1/12)

SITUATION WANTED: SALES/MARKETING/BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT: Dynamic & passionate exec with 6+ yrs experience in sports & media selling integrated sports & ent sponsorships and building brands/marketing partnerships  [email protected] (1/12)

SITUATION WANTED: Dedicated & Experienced ADV. SALES PLANNER (NY) Sales proposals, resolving client discrepancies, quarterly post analysis, special sales service projects, expert computer skills. Contact- [email protected] (1/12)

SITUATION WANTED: CORPORATE RECRUITER/NY/CT/NJ: Results-oriented talent acquisition professional with 10+ years of media/CPG/publishing experience. [email protected] (1/12)

SITUATION WANTED: MEDIA SALES/MARKETING STRATEGIST/NY: Extensive exp in all forms of media. print/digital/OOH. Smart consultative seller. Can identify new niche mkts & use analytics to generate revenue. Contact: [email protected] (1/12)

SITUATION WANTED:  EXP. REALITY PRODUCER:    Post and Field. 3 Emmy Noms. Consults/Writes Pitches & Sales tapes. LA based, works everywhere. [email protected] (1/12)

SITUATION WANTED:  Experienced TV PRODUCER with MBA: I have an MBA and 9 years experience as a TV Producer.  Ideally looking for a position that integrates content and brands.  Also open to other opportunities. [email protected] (1/12)

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

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

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