Cynopsis: DIGITAL

06/11/10

Good morning, it’s Friday, June 11, 2010, and this is your first early morning digital briefing.  If you would like to read this or any other Cynopsis edition online, click here.

Some say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. After experimenting with optional homepage imagery, Google embraced its Bing envy and replaced its minimalist white background with colorful full-screen photographs on Wed. night. By Thursday morning, the company did an about face, returning to its white space look, but still allowing users to change the background by clicking on a link at the bottom of the Google homepage. The official explanation blames a “bug” that prevented many users from seeing an explanation of the image showcase; photos are available that depict the works of famous artists or images from National Geographic’s archive. Meanwhile, Microsoft‘s Bing seems to be pursuing its envy of social networking sites, introducing a new social site that mines public and shared updates from Facebook and Twitter to display contextual real-time tweet results alongside your search topics.
 

 
AOL plans to consolidate its 100 or so content sites into concentrated “super networks” and hire hundreds of freelance journalists, editors and videographers to develop high quality original content around them, per AdAge. (Yahoo has a similar strategy; the desire to reach capable freelancers is believed to be behind the company’s $100 million acquisition of Associated Content last month.) David Eun, President of AOL’s media and studios division, says that the company is still working on an adequate pay system for its algorithm-powered Seed.com portal, which has been criticized for the low rates it pays to freelancers.
 
HBO is aggregating True Blood-related tweets on a new Twitter microsite developed with Red Interactive Agency in another effort to get fans to watch episodes live. BloodCopy will feature weekly “hosts” (that’s Vampire humor) who will live Tweet during each Sunday Night episode, initiating conversations, interacting with fans and facilitating the giveaway of prizes. Social discovery engine Tunerfish.com is also powering the ability for fans to earn “Truebie” and “Maker” badges by Tweeting while they watch and convincing their friends to do the same. 
 
CNN has partnered with Foursquare to encourage fans to “check in” to their Foursquare destination during the World Cup to unlock CNN-branded badges. The site is accessible from more than 100 international venues including stadiums and landmarks.
 

 
In its ongoing quest to effectively monetize its massive traffic, Twitter has acquired analytics firm Smallthought Systems, the company known for its Trendly analytics dashboard that tracks real time trends and changes for publishes. Twitter has been using Smallthought’s Dabble DV to track and share information about its projects internally.
 
Social media technology provider AdGent 007 announced it has released a JavaScript iPad interface for its Tweetology Twitter curation widget (which formerly went by the awkward moniker tweetedia.) The tool enables publishers like UFC or Warner Bros.’ Extra TV to pull tweets related to their programming from the field on their iPad to create custom Twitter feeds to place on their sites.
 
Online video entertainment site My Damn Channel has launched an app within the Boxee Media Center platform, providing an easy way to get its original comedies from the likes of David Wain, Illena Douglas and Harry Shearer to your television. To promote the offering, Boxee users will have exclusive off-site dibs to the new episode of Wain’s Wainy Days for the next week. The Boxee platform now claims over 1 million active users.
 

 
Mobile video ad network Vdopia introduced another alternative to Apple’s expensive iAd platform. The start-up’s Future5 solution enables advertisers to create and customize HTML5-based iPhone and iPad ads by choosing from 6 different pre-configured templates. The company says the solution, also available for Android, can be used to produce interactive ad units that allow users to watch video spots, visit the product’s website, view additional clips, play games, download content or share across Twitter and Facebook, among other options.
 

 
AT&T admitted that it was a security hole on its website that exposed so many iPad customers’ email addresses. The company says it has corrected the problem and that it would inform all customers whose email addresses and iPad IDs may have been obtained.
 
Steve Jobs was silent on the subject of when AT&T‘s exclusivity over Apple‘s iPhone would end in the U.S. this week, but one analysts thinks it could happen as early as this fall, report the AP, and says that T-Mobile is likely to get the next shot at distributing the phone. Kaufman Bros. analyst Shaw Wu cites discussions with Apple suppliers for the prediction, and says that T-Mobile would get the nod because both AT&T and T-Mobile run on UMTS/HSPA networks (vs. Verizon, which runs on the CDMA network.)
 
A group of powerful tech and media companies including Google, Microsoft, Cisco, Comcast, Time Warner, Intel, EchoStar and Verizon have formed a coalition called the Broadband Internet Technical Advisory Group (TAG) that will draw on experts to “develop consensus on broadband network management practices or other related technical issues that can affect users’ internet experience,” according to an introductory statement. The group will be facilitated by former FCC Chief Technologist Dale Hatfield, an Adjunct Professor at the Univ. of Colorado, Boulder,
 
Content Delivery Network Akamai has acquired mobile services company Velocitude, which operates a mobile platform that optimizes websites on the fly to read and function on a variety of mobile devices. Akamai says the technology will enable it to add the functionality to its existing suite of cloud services for optimizing web content and applications.
 
Comcast’s white-label video management company thePlatform has signed on to manage the assets of two large Canadian media companies: Canwest, including its largest broadcast company GlobalTV, and the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. (CBS), which is planning to launch an online video and audio portal, according to a blog post. thePlatform has also worked with Rogers to power its TV Everywhere initiative, which actually pre-dated any such efforts in the U.S.
 

 
AOL’s Truveo video search engine launched a Facebook app that allows you to browse videos directly from your Facebook page. The app features a voice recognition tool that is particularly useful for celebrity hounds; plug a name into the CelebritySearch bar and it will track videos in which the star appears, including trailers, interviews and red carpet appearances. The app also features a TV programming guide, a personalized video recommendation tool and the ability to set email notifications whenever a new video of your favorite celebrity is posted.
 
Skype launched a new version of its iPhone app that enables free 3G Skype-to-Skype calls and calls to landlines and mobile numbers around the world for low rates. (The previous version required a WiFi connection to make calls.) Skype says the Skype-to-Skype calls will remain free over a 3G connection throughout the rest of the year, but charges will be announced next year.
 

 
Razorfish has hired Ryan Turner to become Director of Social Influence Marketing in the agency’s West region, based in Seattle. He joins from ZAAZ, where he ran the company’s social media practice.
 
Max Benator, former head of digital for RDF Media USA, has joined multiplatform production company Hudsun Media (a MDC Partners subsidiary formerly known as Shout Media) as VP/Digital Media, reporting to founder and CEO, Michael Rourke. Max will lead creative, production and business development for programming across platforms.
 

 
GSN is turning to puppets to try and recapture some of that boozy, unpredictable game show magic in a new show called Late Night Liars, which premiered last night at 11 pm. It’s comedian Larry Miller’s job to play the straight man to a motley crew of characters who look like they could be repeat visitors to a Jim Henson’s rehab facility. Hollywood Squares isn’t the only thing they’re sending up. Check out PMZ.tv, the show’s celebrity-themed website that assumes fans are going to want to follow the puppets’ every move. For now its mostly promos and photos and puppet Twitter feeds, but they’re some funny bonus material scattered about. GSN’s digital crew is planning a bunch of fun features including the ability to create your own avatar or participate in live webcam chats with the cast.

Later – Wayne
Wayne Karrfalt for Cynopsis: Digital
[email protected]
06.11.10

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 the button at the end of this email.

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

  JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR, MASTER DATA MANAGEMENT/NY: Work w Sales, P & P Comm Ops, Billing to protect continuity/integrity of all data in sales/traffic system/all NBCU properties/Min 5 yrs exp & BA.  Apply: at www.gecareers.com # 1198119 (6/18)

JOB OPENING: SR. RESEARCH ANALYST/BET NY Sales: 2-3yrs exp TV or media rsrch. Prof in StarTrak, Nielsen Npower/MarketBreaks/AdViews, MRI. Strong PPT & Excel; PPT creativity a must. Res: [email protected] (6/18)

JOB OPENING: DIGITAL AD SALES/MTV Networks/NYC: Mgr Consu Insights. BA, 4-6 yrs exp. Exp mng quan/qual primary resch. ComScore, MediaMetrix, Omniture; knwl brand sol. Str ldrship/proj mgmt. EOE/M/F/D/AAP www.mtvncareers.com (6/17)

JOB OPENING: SR. BUYER-LOCAL TV/Active Int’l in Pearl River, NY: (15 miles from NYC): Min 3 – 5 yrs exp. in negotiating and buying local TV req’d. Resumes to: [email protected] or call 845-732-8943  (6/17)

JOB OPENING: DATA STEWARD/Univision/NY: Ongoing mgmt of adv/agcy data in sls systems. Biz POC for CRM sys support. Detail oriented/ work ind/ comm. skills. 2+ yrs exp in adv sls pref. EOP  email to:  [email protected] (6/17)

JOB OPENING: PROMOTIONS & PR SPECIALISTS/ElectricArtists/NY: Dev/pitch/execute online contests/promotions. Expert ideation 2-4+ yrs mktg, PR. Online media, TV, or major consum brand. [email protected] (6/16)

JOB OPENING: DEPT. ASSISTANT, NICK PRESCHOOL CREATIVE/Nickelodeon/NYC: 1+yrs Admin Exp, MSOffice skills, Able mult-task, ProActive A MUST, Strng Comm skills, Strng Proj Mgmt exp A+ EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply: www.mtvnetworkscareers.com (6/16)

JOB OPENING: GRAPHICS PRODUCER, NICKTOONS/ Nickelodeon/NYC: 3+yrs Post Production Exp in TV/ADV, Knwlg TV Prod/Graphics, Strng Org Skills, Pro Active A MUST, Multi Projects/Fast Paced, EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply: www.mtvnetworkscareers.com (6/16)

JOB OPENING: MANAGER RETAIL SOLUTIONS/ NICK/Viacom CP/NYC: 5+yrs exp Retail Sales/Promo Marktng, Trck record Successful Retail Prgms, Build Creative brief, Kwnlg of Retailers/Trade Cat’s EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply: www.mtvnetworkscareers.com (6/16)

JOB OPENING: MGR CONS MKTG/Fuse/NY: Oversee multiplatform promo & branding efforts. Drive awareness & execute consumer mktg initiatives. Proficient in online mktg, min 5 yrs exp. Send rez to: [email protected] “MCM” in subj (6/16)

JOB OPENING: DIR. PROG/FOOD NET & COOKING/NY: Manage all aspects of commissioned shows. Long form storytelling exp in competition, docusoap and/or reality TV req’d plus 5 yrs TV prod exp for cable nets. www.scrippsnetworks.com #1317 (6/16)

JOB OPENING: SR RSRCH ANALYST/Syfy, USA & Emerging Brands Primary Research/NYC: Plan, design, analyze& report consumer rsrch projs. 2+yrs exp surveys, focus groups &synd rsrch srvcs req’d. BA/BS. Apply: www.gecareers.com #1197114 (6/16)

JOB OPENING: FREELANCE WRITER/PROD ONAIR PROMOS/ABC DAYTIME/LA: 5+yrs writ/prod exp. OnAir Promos/TV/Adv, Strng concept abilities & storytelling, Knwldge of daytime a plus. Apply [email protected] (6/16)

JOB OPENING: WRITING ASST/NYC: Kids Ed TV co. seeks admin asst. to execute demanding writing schedule. Must be organizational wiz, detail oriented w/ability to multitask. Email cover letter/resume to: [email protected] (6/16)

JOB OPENING: PROD. COORD/NYC: Kids Ed TV co. seeks coordinator animated series. Must be organized, detail oriented w/ability to multitask. Animation exp. a plus. Email cover letter/resume to: [email protected] (6/16)

JOB OPENING: MKTG COORD/GMC/ATL: Support Ad Trade Mkting, Consumer & Affil Mktg Depts. 3-5 yrs exp creative/media at cbl ntwrk a must. Strong writing & orgnz’l skills req. Knwldg of MS Office. Apply, send resume: [email protected] (6/16)

JOB OPENING: PRICING/PLNG ANALYST/TVG/NY: Ad Rev reporting/analysis. ADU Liability tracking/analysis Deal approval/analysis.  Ad hoc req’s.  2-3 yr exp @ agncy or cable ntwrk. Strg excel skill Dealmaker & VCI exp a +. [email protected] (6/15)

JOB OPENING: INT SLS PLANNER/NY: Create plans, dev integrated ideas/bld decks. 2 yrs buying exp. www.aetn.com/careers.html https://www.abso.com/jobboard/Default.aspx?JOBBOARDID=618&JobDetail=73874 (6/15)

JOB OPENING: MANAGER INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM SALES: 24-hr cable/satellite network dedicated to holistic health. Over 500 hours of original content, backed by successful international media company. Apply to: [email protected] (6/15)

JOB OPENING:  RSRCH MGR/Charlotte NC: PRIOR EXP ONLY. Rsrch/write reports: viewership, demographics, mkt trends, etc. using data from Nielsen, Rentrak, MRI, SNL-Kagan. Christian TV ntwrk. http://www. insp .com/position.aspx?id=165 (6/15)

JOB OPENING: VIDEO ARCHIVE SALES REP/NYC:  Resp for growing existing stock & historic footage sales & est new biz opps for targeted markets. 5+ years in advertising, PR or archive sales.  Apply [email protected]   (6/12)

JOB OPENING:  SALES COORD/Univision/NY: Highly motivated. Mng tasks/srvcng agencies/clients daily basis. Det. oriented/comm/PC & math skills. 1-2 Yrs Media Exp, Deal Maker exp a +, Spanish a +. EOE. Res: [email protected]  (6/12)

JOB OPENING: EXECUTIVE PRODUCER/TRIBUNE/Chicago: Execute a dramatically different TV morning show. Lead technology/hiring/building/development & implementation from the ground up. Details at www.tribjobs.com (Job ID 2010-14375) (6/12)

JOB OPENING: SR MKTG BRAND MGR/Cisco Consumer Prod/San Fran: Dvlp mktg plans for Flip Video, Valet & Linksys bus & new prod launches in Canada. French speaking/knwldg of Quebec mkt. 5-8 yrs exp. More info:  www. cisco.apply2jobs.com (6/12)

JOB OPENING: SUPR, PROG INVENT/Rainbow/NYC: Mng projs related to inventory admin for cable nets. Anlyz/review contracts& inv data. Exp in invent admin, Fam w/contracts& solid analytical skills a mus. www.cablevision.jobs #11403BR (6/12)

JOB OPENING:  EXEC ASST/AMC/NYC: Supp sr mktg exec w/special projects& gen admin needs. 2-3 yrs mktg/admin exp.Cable/Agency exp & mktg degree pref.Superior comm,org, problem solving a must. res: www.cablevision.jobs #11408BR (6/12)

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] .

SUMMER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY:TV DISTRIBUTION INTERN/NYC: Learn how to market and sell factual series and specials to cool broadcasters in the US & Canada.Must be interested in the business of TV. Cover/resume to: [email protected] (6/17)

SUMMER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: Hallmark Channels (LA) has summer internship opportunities for enthusiastic student. Must be eligible to earn college credit. Send resume to [email protected] (6/16)

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM TV GUIDE NETWORK

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: Dedicated & Experienced ADV. SALES PLANNER (NY) Sales proposals, resolving client discrepancies, quarterly post analysis, special sales service projects, expert computer skills. Contact- [email protected] (6/17)

SITUATION WANTED:  DOCUMENTARY. PRODUCER, DIRECTOR, WRITER in L.A. Five prime time Emmys. Credits: National Geo, PBS, Discovery, History CH, TLC and MSNBC. Contact email: [email protected] (6/17)

SITUATION WANTED: ACCOUNTING/FINANCE – 20+ yrs. experience in TV Broadcasting & Cable. Seeking FT/PT or Temp-to-Perm position: [email protected] (6/16)

SITUATION WANTED: CINEMATOGRAPHER (LA, NYC, or ATL): Cinematographer focusing in high quality micro-budget new media production. Steven Swigart portfolio: http://StevenSwigart.com email: [email protected] (6/15)

SITUATION WANTED: PRODUCER/DIRECTOR/WRITER (LA & NYC): Award-winning, creative, organized, team-building veteran reality producer expert at all stages of production.  Seeking FT/PT position.  Email [email protected] for resume (6/15)

SITUATION WANTED: MEDIA, TV & FILM SALES STRONG TRACK RECORD. 8+ years of experience in media sales with strong knowledge of contracts and sharp professional relationship with clients, email [email protected] (6/15)

SITUATION WANTED: WRITER (NY) Experienced in TV/web/print. Skilled in many formats & styles:from treatments to scripts, magazines to blogs. Available full time or freelance.Contact: [email protected] (6/15)

SITUATION WANTED:Hard working, self-starter PRODUCTION MANAGER(NY)with Field Producing and Post Supervisor experience seeks challenging new position. Past companies include HBO, MTV, A&E, Thirteen & Nat Geo. [email protected] (6/12)

SITUATION WANTED:BRANDED CONTENT/MEDIA PARTNERSHIPS SALES PRO: Problem solver who specializes in negotiating multi-platform media partnerships and custom branded content solutions. Contact: [email protected] (6/12)

SITUATION WANTED:REALITY PRODUCER. NBC,VH1,Disc.,TLC,CMT,E!,CNN,ESPN. Docu-soap and competition. Field and post. Shoots/Writes.  [email protected] (LA based.) (6/12)

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 2010