Cynopsis: DIGITAL
6/29/07
Good Morning, it’s Friday, June 28, 2007 and this is your first early morning digital briefing.
It’s Friday, so you know what that means. Call it I-day. Many feel relieved to finally see the release of the iPhone tonight at 6 pm, if for no other reason than to get it over with. Whether you plan on buying one or not, Apple must be applauded for building buzz, much of it accomplished over the web. Apple dribbled out small bits of information about the device over a period of months to feed bloggers’ voracious appetites. This week the company sent only the upper echelon of gadget tastemakers a trial phone to review, then sat back and watched the campaign germinate. The New York Times‘ David Pouge and The Wall Street Journal‘s Walt Mossberg‘s video blog reviews of the iPod make for some compelling viewing. CNET has filled an entire microsite covering the thing!
CNN.com is gearing up to launch a new video-centric website on July 1 that will replace the subscription-based Pipeline service with free ad-supported video sourced live from CNN. The new video player is Flash-based instead of Microsoft Windows Media-based, plays in a widescreen format and will feature four live streams to chose from, according to reports. Users will be able to customize the player to create playlists, target news from their local area and provide feedback about stories.
Gemstar-TV Guide announced the creation of the TV Guide Online Video Awards to recognize excellence in professional video creation for the web. The annual franchise will be promoted across TV Guide’s multiple platforms, awarding original comedies, dramas, animations and other categories of work appearing between January and October 2007. Some winners will be consumer-chosen; others will be picked by TV Guide editors. Winners will be announced during a glitzy, live event to be held in L.A. in December.
Playboy.com has developed a collection of free content tailored for the iPhone, featuring (non-nude) wallpapers, photos, and a complete 1-hour episode of Playboy Radio’s “The Playmate Hour” featured on Sirius Satellite Radio hosted by Miss March ’01 Miriam Gonzalez.
TLC announced Street Custom, a new 6-part original series to be featured on the Discovery broadband site Turbo and geared around custom car builds. TLC is also getting into the casual gaming business with TLC Games for Grown Ups. Six games are up so far including “Dump The Chump” where users toss an ex-boyfriends’ stuff off the balcony, and “In The Mood” where players must figure out how to spice things up for a romantic evening at home.
VH1 is streaming the 6-hour “Concert For Diana” online concurrently with the live broadcast on VH1 and MHD, beginning Sunday at 11 am EST. DoubleClick will execute a banner ad across several MSN properties during the day, embedding live video clips from the show.
NBC Digital Entertainment’s DotComedy.com introduced a Viewer-Made channel where users can upload their own comedic shorts, sketches and parodies. The site has also completed encoding all its original content so that it can be freely embedded on blogs, profile sits and home pages.
BravoTV.com added new extensions to support the premier of real estate reality show Flipping Out, including character video blogs and weekly mobile-delivered messages from the show’s disgruntled crew. The site also launched a microsite around docu-series Welcome to the Parker, featuring video previews, deleted scenes and photo galleries of famous hotels.
~ INNOVATORS & START-UPS ~
Google announced a new initiative to foster third part gadget development, offering grants and seed investments for developers. Google Gadget Ventures will give up to $5,000 to developers who have created applications already in the Google directory that garner at least 250,000 page views. Up to $100,000 is available for previous grant recipients who have a viable idea for a business.
IM website Meebo launched a partner-friendly version of meebo rooms, allowing rich media to be added to the virtual rooms members create to meet up, chat and view videos with their friends. New features include brand customization and flash skinning, ad tracking and traffic/data reporting. Music sites, labels and artists have been first to jump into the phenomenon; more than 75,000 meebo rooms have been created since the feature initially debuted May 15.
New media network PodShow announced it will launch a second season of its online police drama Port City P.D. on July 27. Podcasting pioneer Adam Curry (a.k.a. “Podfather”) guest stars in the season 1 finale available now on the site.
The Federal Trade Commission released a report this week warning Congress to think twice before establishing any new “net neutrality” laws that would prohibit ISPs from discriminating against high-volume publishers by blocking access to their sites or degrading access they offer them. The FTC worries about effects such legislation might have on pricing, quality and choice for consumers and agrees with cable and telco providers that government intervention is not required.
Nintendo released a game-making tool called WiiWare that provides amateur and independent developers the necessary code needed to produce their own games for the Wii console.
~ DIGITAL ADVERTISING ~
Oglivy & Mather launched a weekly broadband series to promote Hellmann‘s mayonnaise, a Unilever brand. The 12-episode series, “In Search of Real Food,” follows the Food Network’s Dave Lieberman across the U.S. searching for down home recipes. Dave chooses one each week to cook up for visitors to Yahoo’s food portal. Meanwhile French’s mustard unveiled webisodes of its own, beginning with one on “speed dating” between a hot dog and a bottle of French’s.
Lionsgate‘s Digital Media team launched a new Flash-based interactive website to promote Bratz: The Movie featuring a visual user interface and many digital goodies including games, a MySpace layout generator, video e-cards and all 19 tracks from the Geffen soundtrack. Lionsgate will add additional features including video mash-up tools that allow users to create their own music videos using clips from the movie.
Online video sites vary greatly in the way they record and report video views, found Berkley, California-based video analytics company Tubemogul in a new report “What Counts as a View?” Loose standards and a lack of standardization have led to rampant artificial inflation of views, downloads, video starts and unique visitors, complicating matters for advertisers. The company analyzed video viewing data from a multiple sources to study reliability. Tubemogul rated Yahoo! Video and Metacafe as the “most stringent” in measuring usage. YouTube was rated as “stringent”, Dailymotion as moderate, MySpace as “less stringent” and AOL Uncut and Revver as the “least stringent”.
Over 70% of viewers aged 12-34 engage in instant messaging, emailing, texting or talking on the phone while watching sports, according to an independent survey of 1,000 young sports fans by Solutions Research Group. They connected with an average of 3.1 friends, co-workers or significant others while watching, and many conversations revolved around big plays, team performances or predictions about who would win. The Watching the Big Event survey concludes such multitasking presents a huge opportunity for marketers and an important impetus for programmers to develop complimentary, multiplatform programming.
Amazon.com veteran Jason Kilar was named CEO of NBC Universal and News Corp.’s new online video venture. Jason, 36, wrote the original business plan Amazon used to enter the video/DVD business and went on to become VP/GM of Amazon’s North American media business. The company has hired 30 employees so far and has rented office space in Santa Monica, according to reports.
Wendi Deng, the wife of Rupert Murdoch, was named Chief of Strategy for MySpace China and awarded a seat on the board of the company. It is her first official post within News Corp. family, although the venture is majority owned by Chinese interests.
Ascent Media Consulting Services announced that Daniel Anco and Mark Brown have joined the company as Principal Consultants, to be based in the technology consulting firm’s new Singapore office.
Home video provider Channel M hired Garth Holsinger as SVP/Content Sales. Garth, a former consultant and executive producer of ABC-TV’s Greg Behrendt’s Wake Up Call, will be based in Los Angeles and report to CEO David Teichner.
Have you always secretly identified with Jimmy Stewart in Hitchcock’s Rear Window? HBO launched a series of short films on the site HBOVoyeur.com that focus on the lives taking place within 4 apartment buildings in New York. The peep show even mirrors Rear Window thematically, tracking one resident who turns out to be a murderer, according to The Wall Street Journal. BBDO spent a year and between $7-$10 million dollars to produce the footage, which unfolds before the viewer set to music. HBO has also produced SVOD and wireless components, including a 30-second mobile video clip that shows security-camera footage from inside of the apartment buildings. Click on the binoculars to start the show.
A new website will be featured here everyday for you to check out. Some are TV-centric, some creative, some just plain strange, but all have something to do with this crazy business. Email me your suggestions at wayne@cynopsis.com and if I include the site you mention, your name, company and city will be credited. Only one mention per calendar week, to make it fair.
Later — Wayne
Wayne Karrfalt for Cynopsis: Digitals
06.29.07
Cynopsis Ad Sales: Mark Bohn- 203-583-1224 / mark@cynopsis.com
Classifieds – Trish Pihonak- 203-926-9878 / trish@cynopsis.com
Features Available at Cynopsis Website: www.Cynopsis.com
Subscribe to the iTunes Video Podcast, or Audio Podcast
Cynopsis Daily Video and Cynopsis: Digital Audio Feed — both streaming (download option)
Extended Classified Ads
Subscribe a new address or change your email
Unsubscribe
Media Kits for all editions
Archives
Cynopsis Contact Info
To Unsubscribe from this edition or any Cynopsis editions, please click here
Cynopsis Audio on your Blackberry – click here for free Blackberry application
CableU – Know Networks Better. Pitch Smarter. Click here
All outgoing e-mails are scanned and sent out virus free.
Copyright Cynopsis 2007
Cyn opsis CLASSIFIEDS – For More classifieds, visit the Cynopsis.com classifieds page here
JOB OPENING: FLASH WEB DEVELOPER, DIGITAL MEDIA/Sesame Workshop/NY: Development & programming chops req’d – CS3, After Effects, FCP, Flash video & games, etc. human.resources@sesameworkshop.org (7/7)
JOB OPENING: ACCOUNT DIRECTOR/Scripps Networks/LA: – Sell-in netwrk distrib quarterly promos to maximize media value. 5-7 yrs exp in affiliate or sales. Strong pres & comm. skills pref’d. recruiter@scrippsnetworks.com ref #6147 (7/7)
JOB OPENING: COPYWRITER /The ZUNE brand team is looking for an experienced copywriter to drive the strategy and execution of ZUNE voice, tone, style in all communications. Go to www.microsoft.com/careers req#183782 (7/7)
JOB OPENING: SR ANALYST Vh1 AD SALES RESEARCH/NYC: 2+ yrs natl rsch exp.Detail-oriented with strong analytical/written/oral comm sk.Expert w/ Nielsen, MRI, Simmons.Prof in MS Office. EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (7/7)
JOB OPENING: MKTNG ASST/ NBC Universal/USA Ntwrk: Must be self-starter and passionate about Mktng. Will act as admin. Assst and support consumer mktg projects. Long-term temporary position. Resumes to: Charlene.Chan@nbcuni.com (7/6)
JOB OPENING: MKTG DIR/Legally Blonde/NYC: 2+ yrs promo/mktg w/in media/entertain/theater. Develop mktg/ tix sales initiatives/ viral mktg/ promotions. Graphic skills a plus. email to jobs@foxnyc.net (7/6)
JOB OPENING: SALES PLANNER/ Oxygen Media/ NY: Support two AE’s, 3 yrs exp. buying or plan’g. Must be detail oriented & possess excellent communication skills. Email res and cover letter to jobs@oxygen.com, ref job title in subject (7/6)
JOB OPENING: PROGRAM OPS COORDINATOR/Oxygen Media/NYC: Provide tech assistance & coordinating support for Broadcast Ops; digital media & master control aptitude. Email w/ sub line: “Prog Ops ” cover letter & res to jobs@oxygen.com (7/6)
JOB OPENING: AD SALES ADMINISTRATOR/Weather Channel/NY: providing support of proposal, traffic, and sales systems to Cable Ad sales. Exp with Dealmaker and VCI. Please apply online at www.weather.com/careers ref VSA004. (7/6)
JOB OPENING: COMMERCIAL TRAFFIC OPS ADMN/NY: Must have BA/BS & 2yrs of traffic exp; Resp: Create, manage, and ensure accuracy of commercial spots; execute manual day of air changes. Apply: www.nbcjobs.com #558504. (7/4)
JOB OPENING: SR ANALYST, AFF FINANCE/MTVN/NY: Full acct Mgmt, Cash Flow of MSO remittances & subscriber updating. Prepare subscriber & reconciliations & A/R Analysis. Bus. Degree w/ 2-3 yrs exp. www.mtvncareers.com EOE/M/F/D/AAP (7/4)
JOB OPENING: INTERACTIVE SALES PLANNER: ABC Digital Media Sales seeks a sales planner with a minimum of 1-2 years experience in researching, planning and executing digital campaigns.. www.disneycareers.com Req ID:99245 (7/4)
JOB OPENING: COORD, PRGMNG OPS/VERSUS/Stamford, CT: Maintain time buy & ad sales inventory tracking system for fast growing sports cable net. 1-2 yrs related exp req’d; traffic or sales asst exp pref’d. Apply at www.versus.com EOE (7/3)
JOB OPENING: ACCT MGR-SALES/POPULAR MECHANICS MAGAZINE/CHICAGO: Oppty to sell print and website. Must have 3-5 yrs exp, ability to interact with agencies and clients + excellent presentation skills. Apply: magazineshr5@hearst.com (7/3)
JOB OPENING: DIR. RES-AFF SALES/Digi Media/A&E TV-NY: Dvlp strategies & analysis for Aff Sls & Digi Media – Bus Dev & Sales. BA/BS & 5 yrs Research/Cable TV distrib/Digi Media. Res: www.aetn.com/careers.html (7/3)
JOB OPENING: DR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE/Fox Cable/ NY: Establish & maintain relations w/ nat’l Direct Response Advertisers & Agencies; identify avail inventory; 2+ yrs DR sls experience; strong comm & present skills; www.foxcareers.com (7/3)
JOB OPENING: REG MNGNG DIR/AD COUNCIL/DC: Secure/track & acknwldg donated media. Coord . support w/non-profit partners/gov’t/ commun. leaders. 3-5yrs ad sales/media mktng/station pub. serv. exp. Travel. careers@adcouncil.org (7/3)
JOB OPENING: ACCT EXEC/AETN Digital Media Chicago: Sell digital advertising solutions to clients/agencies. Dvlp new business. Client service and acct mgmt. 4 yrs in sales -min 2 yrs digital sales. Apply: www.aetn.com/careers.html (7/3)
JOB OPENING: RESEARCH ANALYST/E! Networks: Asst networks understand their viewers and users. BA/BS, 1 yr of media research experience, and knowledge of Nielsen systems req. Apply online, www.eentertainment.com/careers (6/30)
JOB OPENING: RESEARCH COORDINATOR/E! Networks: Asst with collecting primary research. BA/BS, 1 yr of media research experience, and interest in data entry/manipulation required. Apply online, www.eentertainment.com/careers. (6/30)
JOB OPENING: NATIONAL MEDIA BUYER/GM Planworks New York: Manage day parts by ensuring proper allocation of brands, stewarding buys, negotiating scatter. If you are a seasoned Media Buyer apply www.gmplanworks.com (6/30)
JOB OPENING: ONLINE ACCOUNT EXEC/Comcast Networks (E! Online, G4, Versus, style.)/NY. 3-5+ years of strong agency and/or online sales-related exp. Excellent communication and presentation skills. Reply: mmermann@comcastnets.com (6/30)
SUMMER 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 trish@cynopsis.com .
SUMMER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: Intern/PA: Short film shooting in NYC with award-winning Actors, Director & Writer looking for team player to work hard with a professional crew. Interested applicants respond to alybabar@yahoo.com (7/4)
SITUATION WANTED ADS, POSTED BY THOSE LOOKING TO BE HIRED …
SITUATION WANTED: INTERNET MARKETING SPECIALIST SEEKING CONSULTING /LA/NYC/SF/DC: Talented in complete campaign management including SEO, PPC, affiliates, e-zines, RSS, ad placement, etc. LA based, can work remotely. eli@lightshake.com (7/7)
SITUATION WANTED: MOBILE MEDIA MBA seeks SALES/MKTG/BIZ DEV position in digital media content/consulting at co. w/ established goals but out-of-the-box thinking & processes www.LinkedIn.com/in/RussellBernstein (7/7)
SITUATION WANTED: Experienced manager seeks immediate FT or FREELANCE OPPORT. In on-air promos or new media mgt. In NY, but maybe willing to relocate. For resume & ref, e-mail tomyerk9@yahoo.com (7/7)
SITUATION WANTED: INTERNATIONAL ONLINE ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE ONLINE MARKETING MANAGER/DALLAS: Interested in incorporating a passion for online sales with an internationally branded company-TV/New Media/. Chelsea933@hotmail.com (7/7)
SITUATION WANTED: WRITER/PRODUCER – LA: HBO Creative Services writer/producer recently relocated to LA looking for freelance or permanent gig. See resume and most recent work www.ostroviesky.com Contact: ostroviesky@gmail.com (7/7)
SITUATION WANTED: CONSULTANT w/ 20 yrs transactional/biz affairs/biz dev/legal experience in cable, broadband, broadcast. Successful and creative solutions. Available project basis/hourly rate. contact lawyer.poet@yahoo.com (7/6)
SITUATION WANTED: FREELANCE TRAFFIC COORDINATOR OR MANAGER/NYC or Philadelphia: Looking for freelance traffic work. 7yrs + experience in broadcast traffic- cable, radio and agency traffic. Contact: FreelanceTraffic@yahoo.com (7/3)
SITUATION WANTED: SAVVY SENIOR LEVEL SALES/NEGOTIATIONS ACQ/NYC/LA/Atlanta/DC: seeks position mng. clients/content/deals in Film/TV/New Media. Exp on 2 coasts & abroad closing multi-MM dollar content deals. SavvyExec@hotmail.com (7/3)
SITUATION WANTED: 07 SUNY BU Grad seeks SPORTS WRITING POSITION in media industry. Current part-time sports reporter for Binghamton paper. Completed 3 internships, will work from ground up. E-mail Robertb.bonaparte@hotmail.com (7/3)
E-mail Trish Pihonak for rates and specs for Job Openings.
Are you looking for a job? Post your Situation Wanted Ad here — Email Trish Pihonak for specs.
