Good morning, it’s Friday, June 3, 2011, and this is your first early morning digital briefing. If you would like to read this or any other Cynopsis edition online, click here.
The tech bubble continues to inflate as #1 daily deal site Groupon stepped in and filed for an IPO on Thursday, looking to raise up to $750 million in new funds after just raising $950 million in Jan. The company currently dominates the fastest growing sector on the internet and is truly one of the fastest-growing companies in the history of capitalism. According to Experian Hitwise, Groupon captured 76% of visits in a “group buying” category of 81 websites last week. The Chicago-based service, which is up to 83 million subscribers and 7,000 employees scattered across 43 countries, increased revenues in 2010 to $714 million (up from $30.5 million in 2009). While not yet profitable, during Q1 of this year it has already earned $644 million, so expect a handsome evaluation when the high-profile listing comes off. The Groupon filing comes about two weeks after professional-themed social networking company LinkedIn Corp. went public on May 19 at $45 a share. (Its shares more than doubled to over $100 on the initial day and have since settled into the high $70 range.)
Disney is planning a massive overhaul of Disney.com within the next year to make it a portal providing access to full-length movies, TV shows and games, according to comments made by Disney CEO Robert Iger at the AllThingsD conference. Content will be available in a variety of business models including subscription, pay-per-view and ad-supported. The company first signaled its intention to redo Disney.com when it hired former Yahoo executive Jimmy Pitaro as co-President in charge of the company’s web sites and mobile businesses.
Fox‘s upcoming singing competition series featuring Simon Cowell, The X Factor, is giving fans an additional opportunity to audition for the show online via YouTube. For one week only through June 9, solo artists and vocal groups 12-years old and over can submit an audition video exclusively on YouTube with the carrot of a $5 million recording contract with Syco/Sony Music. Pepsi is sponsoring the partnership, embedding social media features on the site including links to the Pepsi Foursquare page.
In another YouTube exclusive, G4 is offering up an exclusive sneak preview of the network’s new series “G4’s Proving Ground” on YouTube for the next 4 days. The full episode will be featured on G4’s YouTube channel and will be promoted as part of Ryan Dunn’s “Celebrity Playlist” video in the YouTube front page “spotlight” section where he calls out his favorite viral videos and showcases behind-the-scenes clips from the new series.
~ INNOVATORS & START-UPS ~
blip.tv announced a partnership deal with media management and production firm The Collective that will bring a range of some of the best-known YouTube stars to the online video distribution platform including iJustine, Annoying Orange, Freddie Wong, and of course, Fred. Blip.tv, which recently moved its offices to the 3rd floor of 636 Broadway in NYC, provides creators with social and marketing tools, a full distribution and analytics platform and monetization options they share with producers on a 50/50 basis.
Running with the photo-posting trend is Twitter, which has just struck a partnership with photo sharing service Photobucket to have the Denver-based site power all of its native photo sharing capabilities. Photos on Twitter, tagged “powered by Photobucket,” will now link to a page that allows users to sign up for or sign in to their Photobucket accounts via Twitter to further edit, share or save their snapshots. A number of photo-sharing apps have been built on top of Twitter’s API including TwitPic, yFrog and Lockerz Photos.
The mobile advertising space continues to grow in several areas according to Millennial Media‘s monthly ad report for April. Local market targeting grew 22% month-over-month and represented 56% of all campaigns that used targeted reach. (Targeting by demographic and behavioral audience made up 34% and 10% respectively.) Campaigns that let consumers take some sort of social media action grew 39% month-over-month, ranging from liking a Facebook page to leaving feedback on a new product. Some 62% of all retail campaigns had the goal of driving sustained in-market presence or brand awareness while 17% had the goal of increasing foot traffic to the stores.
Chinese officials have denied Google‘s allegations that Chinese hackers have compromised hundreds of Gmail accounts including those belonging to senior U.S. officials. The government was particularly sensitive about Google’s claims as it said the attacks came from an area that is home to one of the People’s Liberation Army’s technical reconnaissance bureaus. During January of 2010 Google made similar accusations, claiming that Chinese hackers were behind broad attacks on the Gmail accounts of human-rights activists.
Web-based TV technology firm Clearleap is expanding its platform to offer cable operators full back-end support for iPad apps and other connected devices. Clearleaps’s APIs will help streamline the development of TV Everywhere video streaming and DVR scheduling applications, managing provisioning, billing, authentication, security, parental controls and PIN management across multiple devices. iTV application developer itaas has already developed an iPad app on the platform, which the two companies plan to demo at the Cable Show later this month.
Twitter usage continues to slowly increase among adult internet users, according to the Pew Research Center, as 13% of online adults now use the microblogging service – that’s up from 8% six months ago. While young adults continue to have relatively high rates of Twitter usage, the number of 30-49 year olds who use the service has doubled since late 2010, from 7% of such users in November to 14% in May 2011. The gap between African Americans, traditionally heavy tweeters, and white users has also narrowed a bit with 13% of blacks and 5% of whites now using the service. Half of all Twitter’s users now connect to the service via cell phone.
BBC has updated its iPlayer video player this week to add sharing tools to help users share programs with friends on Facebook, Twitter and across a wide range of other social networks.
Nintendo announced that 3DS owners will now get free Wi-Fi access at 25,000 locations around the U.S., available at more than 1,000 Best Buy locations and at nearly 200 malls owned by the Simon Property Group. Nintendo also inked a deal that will allow 3DS owners to connect to AT&T Wi-Fi hot spots at no charge. Meanwhile, the 3DS will get a software update unveiled at E3 next week that includes the addition of a new content “eShop” and a Web browser.
Here’s the perfect iPhone/Android app for moviegoers with overactive bladders. Run Pee, which launched an update last week, identifies the perfect time within movies to make a run to the bathroom or snackbar without missing anything crucial. The app then fills you in on exactly what you missed. You can even set an alert to remind you when it’s time to go.
Conde Nast has released an iPhone/iPod Touch version of its popular iPad food app Gourmet Live, featuring foodie-themed articles, recipes, photos, and videos.
NBC News has hired former NPR Chief Executive and NYtimes.com web chief Vivian Schiller to oversee the division’s digital strategy as Chief Digital Officer, a new position. Vivian will report to NBC News President Steve Capus.
NBCUniversal has also upped Jay Bockhaus and Jared DiPalma to the newly created positions of EVP/Strategy and Operations and SVP/Finance, respectively, for the NBCUniversal Entertainment & Digital Networks and Integrated Media division. Both will report to Salil Mehta, recently promoted to COO/CFO of the division, which includes Telemundo, mun2, Bravo Media, Oxygen Media, Style, iVillage, DailyCandy, Swirl, Fandango as well as the partially-owned cable networks Sprout, ExerciseTV and TVOne.
Dormant comic publisher Valiant Entertainment is resurrecting the Valiant Universe of characters next year in both print and digital formats under the leadership of former Marvel CEO and Vice Chairman Peter Cuneo, who will assume the role of Chairman. The company has recently received a capital infusion from private investment company Cuneo & Company, LLC. and Peter Cuneo, Managing Principal of Cuneo & Co.
Claudia Strauss is joining Alliance, Grey New York’s lifestyle and entertainment marketing agency, as CEO, a new position. She will oversee Alliance and work closely with the group’s President, Amy Tunick.
PointRoll tapped online advertising veteran Matthew Flanagan as VP/Business Development and Publisher Channels. Adam Carroll also joined as the new Director of Business Development, working alongside Kailei Richardson, who was promoted to Director of Marketing.
Initiative has hired Tej Desai as SVP/Group Business Director. He will be responsible for the strategic management of the agency’s Hasbro account and will be based out of its New York office.
KEO digital has appointed Joanna Haslam as Senior Multiplatform Producer as part of a strategic step to strengthen the integration between its TV production and digital arms. She has served as cross-platform producer for Channel 4, Endemol and the BBC.
Patricia A. Gottesman, CEO of social media monitoring company Hexagon, has been elected to WWE’s Board of Directors.
A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE
Primetime Emmy® Special Series: Before the Ballot
Reality Host/Competition/Program
(Publishing Monday)Guest Editor Daisy Whitney explores the Reality Category, before the ballot.
Upcoming Before the Ballot Special Editions:
Comedy – June 13
Drama – June 20
Ad Space is limited (Drama Edition is Sold Out).
Contact Mike Farina to reserve today: [email protected] | 203.218.6480
Following a trail blazed by sites such as Yahoo Answers and ChaCha, CBS Local Digital Media is launching a localized, crowd-sourced question and answer platform across its 24 properties. (The O&O sites are not ones to miss out on these trends, also launching a “Deal of the Day” feature earlier this year.) Simply type in a question next to the “get answers” tab on sites such as CBSNewYork.com or CBSLosAngeles.com to ask the community to answer a question across a number of categories including arts & entertainment, autos, dining, education, family & parenting, fashion and health. You can wait for your question to be answered or browse previous replies. (The most popular and highest-rated questions are listed in a separate highlighted section.) Q&A sites are a thriving category and it makes sense to build a database of answers localized by community.
Correction: The new ShoutOMatic iPhone app doesn’t covert voice status updates to text – it actually posts audio clips to your Facebook and Twitter streams. The “featured” tab on the interface is geared toward celebrity “Shouts” complete with audio, text, photos and location tabs, like this one from musician/songwriter Dave Stewart.
Later – Wayne
Wayne Karrfalt for Cynopsis Digital
06.03.11
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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JOB OPENING: VP, BUS AFFAIRS/Disney Channels/LA. 10+ yrs BA live action, scripted devl/prod. Major studio/prod co exp, CA bar, major law firm prefd. Top negot, analytic, drafting; leadrship exp. Apply disneycareers.com #291961 (6/10)
JOB OPENING: SALES ASSISTANT/BET/NY: detailed-oriented, organized, multi-tasker, ecx comm & math skills. DealMaker/VCI exp a plus, BA req. Email resume: [email protected] (6/10)
JOB OPENING: SALES PLANNER/BET/NY: prepare sales plans, Mng Multi accts, 2 yrs exp in Cable sales or buying a must. Detailed-oriented, org’d, multitasker, ecx comm & math skills, BA req. Email resume: [email protected] (6/10)
JOB OPENING: LINE PRODUCER/NY: Heavy hitter with solid mngmnt skills for potential NY based ntwrk project. Must be well versed in Budgets, Sched, Crew & Studio Mgmt. Plz send resume/credits to [email protected] (6/10)
JOB OPENING: EDITORIAL DEVELOPMENT EXEC/HHMI/Chevy Chase, MD: manage the research and development of film ideas and proposals for science documentaries. Visit www.hhmi.org for more information. (6/10)
JOB OPENING: SPECIALIST, DIST MKTG/A+E/NY:Support Dist Mktg initiatives across A+E Networks. Cust show presentations/comm tools/asset agg & tracking. 3+ yrs mktg, cable pref’d, affiliate mktg a +. #99373. www.aetn.com/careers.html (6/10)
JOB OPENING: DIR AD SALES MKTG/BRAVO/NY: Job # 1918BR Lead dig sponsorship mktg efforts across mult platforms incl. bravotv.com, TVWOP, mobile/app platforms & social/viral mediums. 7+yrs exp. http://www.nbcunicareers.com/search_nbc/ (6/9)
JOB OPENING: DIR RSRCH/LOGO/NYC: 7 +yrs TV ratings rsrch/data analysis; Expertise in rsrch methodology, competitive TV landscape & ind trends; Exp. w/ Startrak, NPower & Aud Watch; B.A req. EOE/M/F/D/AAP apply www.mtvnetworkscareers.com (6/9)
JOB OPENING: MARKETING MANAGER/GOLF CHANNEL/ORLANDO: Responsible for marketing programs and materials to promote Golf Channel to cable and satellite affiliates. AA / EEOC / DFWP; to apply go to www.nbcunicareers.com (6/9)
JOB OPENING: HEAD OF PRODUCTION/NY: Prodco needs heavyweight. Hire & Manage staff of LP, PMs. Budget/Schedule/Tracking wizard. Juggle lots projects. [email protected] (6/9)
JOB OPENING: TECHNICAL OPERATIONS COORDINATOR/MTV 44 1/2 /NYC: 1-2 yrs tech exp. w/ Louth, Oacis, DDR, Media Client, Pinnacle Server, Final Cut/Motion. NOC exp pref. EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvnetworkscareers.com (6/9)
JOB OPENING: SALES DEVELOPMENT MGR/Zoom Media/NY: lead team to create proposals and media & mktg solutions that drive sales revenue for fast-growing media co. 4+ yrs media, agency or mktg exp. Apply [email protected] (6/8)
JOB OPENING: Sr RESEARCHER/IFC/SUN/NYC: 3+yr ad sales resrch exp w/Cble/Brdcast indstry. Desgn/prep presntations, enhce sales/prgm effrt. MRI/Simmons/Omniture/Comscore/BrgtCove/NielsenTolbx/AdViews/Arianna. [email protected] (6/8)
JOB OPENING: ACCT EXEC/Clear Channel Digital/NYC: Develop strategic advrtsng programs & sponsorship deals. 4+yrs exp digital advrtsing sales. Strong contacts across major national digital agencies/advrtsrs. www.katz-media.com (6/8)
JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR, ADVERTISING & STRATEGY/Food Network/NY: Est comm strategy & positioning for netwk priorities. 8-10yrs exp agency and/or ent media exp pref’d. Exp Mng multi-million $ budgets. www.scrippsnetworks.com #2345. (6/14)
JOB OPENING: VP, EDITORIAL DEVELOPMENT/National Geographic Television/DC: Oversee development of high-end Specials and Event programming. Apply www.nationalgeographic.com to Job ID 4683. EOE (6/4)
JOB OPENING EXEC PROD/National Geographic TV/DC: Seeking exp’d producer of reality & format-driven series to head up high-vol. prod unit. Dvlp/staff/oversee all aspects of mult series. Apply www.nationalgeographic.com ID 4728. EOE (6/4)
JOB OPENING SALES COORD/TV Guide Mag/NY: Assist clients w/requests on sales orders/strong multitasking/prospect new leads through database. MS Office and Media or Ad agency exp pref. Res/salary reqs: [email protected] (6/4)
JOB OPENING Sr. PRODUCER-ON AIR PROMOS/MTV/NYC: Resp: conception to delivery of on-air promotions. 5+yrs writer/prod exp & 4+yrs Cable/Network On Air promotion exp a must. Apply: www.mtvnetworkscareers.com (6/4)
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].
OTHER ADS NOT RELATING TO JOBS:
ROOMMATE NEEDED: Need Roommate,2Be/2Ba condo,Hollywood,$1250mth+util. Garage Parking,Security,Pool,Gym,Laundry, AC,W-in Closets,Partially furnished. F,29 w/sm dog. Seeks professional/clean/friendly. July 1st [email protected] (6/10)
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: RESEARCH DIR – 20+ yrs Media, Nielsen, Hispanic Mkt, Research, Sales, and Presentation experience. Prefer Telecommute. Email: [email protected] (6/10)
SITUATION WANTED: Seeking entry position in TV (scripted or unscripted). B.A. from USC in 2007, veteran, 4 years experience assisting senior government leadership. LA based. Contact [email protected] (6/10)
SITUATION WANTED: PRODUCER, WRITER with over 12 years experience working with children, including in an international setting, located in L.A. looking for an opportunity to contribute to children’s television. Email: [email protected] (6/10)
SITUATION WANTED: ACCOUNTING/FINANCE – 20+ yrs. experience in TV Broadcasting/Cable & Digital. Seeking a FT/PT or Temp-to-Perm position: [email protected] (6/10)
SITUATION WANTED: MARKETING PROJ MGR/NYC. Experienced in managing project life cycle. Expertise in direct mail, print, broadcast, and digital advertising. Exceptional communication, prioritization skills. [email protected] (6/10)
SITUATION WANTED: Dedicated & Experienced ADV. SALES PLANNER (NYC) Sales proposals, resolving client discrepancies, quarterly post analysis, special sales service projects, expert computer skills. Contact- [email protected] (6/9)
SITUATION WANTED: Creative Consultant 16 yrs Brdcst exec can develop your pitch + script. Credits inc. DeGrassi, DaVinci, Dragon Boys. Exp w/ convergence models 8500+ scripts! [email protected] (6/9)
SITUATION WANTED: Relocating to LA Seeking FT position as a Junior Publicist/Assistant. No stranger to Hard Work and 4+ years of public relations/radio/TV/promotions experience Contact me: [email protected] (6/8)
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] (6/4)
E-mail [email protected] or call Trish Pihonak at 203.381.9096 for rates and specs for Job Openings.
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