Friday, March 27th, 2009

Cynopsis: DIGITAL

03/27/09

Good morning, it’s Friday, March 27, 2009, and this is your first early morning digital briefing. 

Another day, another round of layoffs we’re afraid. The New York Times circulated a memo internally yesterday informing staffers of 100 job reductions on the business side, accompanied by a 5% non-union employee pay cut in exchange for 10 additional personal days. Meanwhile Google announced it would cut about 200 sales and marketing jobs globally in an effort to eliminate inefficiencies. “We’ve created overlapping organizations which not only duplicate effort but also complicate the decision-making process,” explained SVP of Global Sales and Biz Dev. Omid Kordestani in a blog post.
 
A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM ACADEMY OF TELEVISION ARTS & SCIENCES

THE TELEVISION ACADEMY HONORS
Thursday, April 30, 2009

“What was important for me in making this story is that one person really can make a
difference…and to show a woman from my part of the world that wasn’t oppressed or
meek, but was instead strong and powerful.”
–Mohammed Naqvi, accepting for Shame, 2008 Television Academy Honors

Television has the power to enlighten, create awareness and encourage positive change.
CELEBRATE THIS YEAR’S HONOREES; CELEBRATE TELEVISION WITH A CONSCIENCE
For more information or to buy tickets, click here.


~ MULTIPLATFORM CONTENT NEWS ~

 
In 2004, the year of Halo 2, The Sims 2 and GTO: San Andreas, the gaming industry made headlines for surpassing $10 billion in revenue – surpassing the movie industry for the first time. MTV was smart to join its wagon to this rising star. The company announced that its Rock Band franchise it produces with Harmonix and EA surpassed $1 billion in sales in North America since its release 15 months ago, per NPD Group. The game has become a cottage industry in itself introducing a number of firsts. For instance, it was the first music video game to offer weekly downloadable content; 614 songs are now available on disc or from the in-game music store.
 
ABC News Now and ABCNews.com unveils its latest podcast on Monday entitled “Top Line,” hosted by ABC News’ Political Director David Chalian and Senior Political Reporter Rick Klein. The 15-minute webcast will stream live M-F at 12 pm ET.
 
CBSNews.com also added a new weekly interactive webcast powered by UstreamTV. Backstage Live offers viewers the chance to query the guests following their appearance on The Early Show, including the musicians who appear on the weekly “Second Cup Cafe” segment. Correspondent Cali Carlin and CNET Senior Editor Natali Del Conte will anchor the webcast, available on Saturday mornings from 7-10 am ET.
 
Blogs are becoming a go to source for information in the sporting world. Red Sox future Hall of Famer Curt Schilling utilized his blog 38 Pitches to break the news that he was retiring this week, drawing over 1,200 responses. Meanwhile GoDaddy.com has recruiting Aussie LPGA player and former model Anna Rawson to blog for the site.
 

~ INNOVATORS & START-UPS ~

 
Hardcore gaming network Global Gaming (GGL) and video syndication platform 5min have struck a partnership to distribute contextually relevant video clips to GGL’s 20 million + users who hang out on sites like Wowguru, dedicated to World of Warcraft initiates. 5min’s VideoSeed platform will provide access to some 15,000 gaming-themed videos such as game walkthrough and cheats. Both companies will look to sell ads to the clips.
 
Filmmaker and transcendental meditation guru David Lynch has founded a new website David Lynch Foundation Television offering video snippets of the master exploring “consciousness, creativity and bliss.” Lynch founded the foundation to try and educate at-risk young people on how to overcome stress and violence. BitGravity’s new BG Live platform will power live streaming on the site. The first DLF.TV webcast will stream on Sat. April 4, from Radio City Music Hall during an exclusive backstage webcast of the “Change Begins Within” benefit concert. The show features a reunion of Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr among many other stars.
 
Online music licensing platform YouLicense.com launched a new tool to help musicians and publishers launch their own e-commerce website with which to license their own music. Available for a monthly fee, the platform is geared toward multiple licensing platforms including web series, iPhone apps and music compilations.
 
Dallas, TX-area Studios 121 opened its doors to a new 43,000 sq. ft. digital production facility featuring production stages, editing and audio suites, digital cameras and switcher and other turnkey services.
 
 


A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM ACADEMY OF TELEVISION ARTS & SCIENCES


Cyn opsis Media & the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences
partner to bring you the:

2009 Television Academy Study

On behalf of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, we’re conducting a study to
learn about Academy Members’ & Non-Members’ views on programs they offer. Your
feedback will help enhance the services they provide the television community.

We appreciate your taking this short survey. Click Here .
To learn more about Television Academy Programs, go to: www.emmys.tv .


~ DIGITAL ADVERTISING ~

 
Downloadable media ad company VoloMedia signed a deal with ABC News to provide ad insertion and measurement services for the company’s podcasts including Nightline, World News with Charles Gibson, Good Morning America. VoloMedia’s solution provides dynamic ad insertion and tracking features that follow the device – offering the ability to refresh ads based on where consumers are when they watch or listen to the podcast.
 
Online video ad measurement firm Visible Measures has secured $10 million in Series C financing led by new investor Northgate Capital with participation from existing investors General Catalyst Partners and MDV-Mohr Davidow Ventures. Visible Measures has raised over $29 million in total financing to date.
 

~ TECHNOLOGY DEALS, MERGERS AND SKIRMISHES ~

 
Good news in the retail sector is hard to come by these days, so it came as an unexpected surprise when electronics outlet Best Buy reported that sales grew by 10% y/y during Q4 with revenues totaling $14.72 billion. Much of the boost came from Europe where the company opened 213 new stores within the last year. Same store sales fell by 4.9%.
 

~ TRENDS, RESEARCH, ETC.  ~

 
Perhaps broadcasters’ share of the total ad pie is still justified. Weaned on the boob tube, younger baby boomers (45-54 year olds) lead all demographic groups in video consumption at 9.5 hours a day and traditional TV is still their preferred medium, according to an ambitious new $3.5 million study conducted by Ball State University’s Center for Media Design and Sequent Partners for the Nielsen-funded Council for Research Excellence. The study generated data covering more than three-quarters of a million minutes or a total of 952 observed days – the largest and most extensive observational study of media usage ever conducted, according to VCM. Findings include:

  • Despite the proliferation of broadband, video-capable mobile phones and similar devices, TV in the home still commands the greatest amount of viewing, even among those ages 18-24
  • In fact online video viewing averaged just two minutes/day across the sample
  • Despite rampant DVR use and channel surfing TV users were exposed to, on average, 72 minutes per day of TV ads and promos

 
Video Consumer Mapping Study: Ave. Daily Minutes of Media Consumption
Means Including Zero – Spring and Fall 2008
Media                    Total Adults 18+        18-24   25-34   35-44   45-54   55-64   65+   
Live TV                        309.1                  209.9   256.0   230.4   335.7   346.1   420.5 
Playback TV via DVR       14.6                     17.2    15.9    17.2    19.4    8.5       7.2   
DVD or VCR                    22.9                    34.0    35.4    27.4    20.6    14.0    11.4  
Console Games                 6.5                      5.9    13.9      4.9     3.0     1.2       0.3   
Television Total              353.1                  287.0   321.2  279.9   378.7   369.7   439.4 
Any Web                          48.8                    67.0    55.7    74.1    46.0    41.7    19.2  
Email                               37.4                    20.3    45.1    46.5    51.4    37.8    11.1  
IM                                     7.9                    14.8    2.9     14.6     15.1     0.0      0.3   
Any Software                    46.1                    61.8   50.3    61.6     52.1    35.8    15.6  
Computer Video                  2.4                      5.5     4.3     2.6       2.0      1.2     0.2   
Computer Total               142.5                  169.5   158.3 199.3   166.4   116.5   46.5  
Mobile Talk                       16.6                    29.1     19.0   24.7    17.8    12.3      3.1   
Mobile Text/Multi Msg.         2.2                    11.6      2.2     2.1      1.3      0.4      0.1   
Mobile Web                         0.9                      0.8     2.3     0.6       0.7     1.3       0.0   
Mobile Other (Games, etc.)  0.5                      1.1     0.6     0.6        0.5     0.2      0.1   
Mobile Video                       0.1                      0.1     0.0     0.1        0.1     0.0     0.0   
Mobile Total                      20.2                     42.8  24.0    28.0      20.5   14.2     3.2   
Environmental/Other Video  4.4                       9.2    4.9     2.6        4.8     4.1     3.6   
In-Cinema Movie                 1.8                       1.2   1.6      3.1        0.6    3.0     2.0   
GPS Navigation                   2.0                       0.0   1.2      0.3        2.6    4.1      3.8   
Other Total                         8.2                       10.4  7.6     5.9         8.0   11.1    9.4   
Total                               524.0                   509.7   511.1  513.1   573.6  511.5 498.5 
Source: Council for Research Excellence (CRE)
 

~ GADGETS & APPS ~

 
Gamers will be happy to learn that DTS introduced a new Neural Surround Sound technology bringing 7.1 sound to the Wii, Xbox 360, Playstation 3 gaming platforms. New games will be coded to the format, which is also able to convert 5.1 games into 7.1 surround.
 

~ EXECUTIVE MOVES ~

 
Interactive One
, the digital division of African American-targeted Radio One, Inc., hired former Napster CTO David Wolfe as its Chief Product and Operating Officer. David oversee strategy for Interactive One’s network of sites and brands reporting to Interactive One President, Thomas Newman.
 
Nicky Wood
has been upped to SVP/Sales, Russia, CEE and Sub Saharan Africa, Warner Bros. International Television Distribution, overseeing the licensing of Warner Bros. Entertainment content across all platforms. She will continue to report to Robert Blair, SVP and Managing Director, Northern Europe.
 
Out-of-home signage and ad firm Digital Consumer Solutions hired Mark Mersky as Sales Manager for the Portland, Oregon market, responsible for regional and local advertising sales, promotional sales and managing media partner relations.


 

~ WEBSITE OF THE DAY ~

 
Getting into the video streaming game early has paid off for Major League Baseball. The league has been experimenting for years with audio and video streaming and trial and error (pun intended) has given MLB Advanced Media CEO Bob Bowman and his crew the expertise it takes to run a successful business today. (MLB.TV grew to over ½ million subscribers last year.) MLB.TV threw out the first pitch on its premium HD media player yesterday with a free simulcast of the Yanks/Phils spring training game, featuring multi-game viewing, “HD quality” streaming, picture in picture, and FF pause and rewind functionality. Cool interactive features include the ability to plug in your fantasy line-up to receive real-time at bat look-ins when your players are up. Best of all for Mac users, MLB.TV is switched from Silverlight to Flash this year, which seems to have made a huge difference in terms of stability. Sensitive to the recession, the league has smartly offered two price points this year, charging $80 for the basic player and $110 for the premium product, which is actually $10 cheaper than last year. There’s also a monthly rate, which is less of a commitment for first timers. Flexible pricing and discounting will be a trend in digital media going forward as consumers become ever more price sensitive. Another must is good customer service – if you charge for content online you must have an operator standing by to deal with problems. Last year the MLB.TV site learned this the hard way when its “mosaic” player struggled considerably out of the gate.

Later — Wayne
 Wayne Karrfalt for Cynopsis: Digital
03.27.09

Cynopsis Digital Ad Sales:
Chuck Bolkcom, Pres/COO – 646-468-6180 / [email protected]
Classifieds – Trish Pihonak- 203-926-9878 / [email protected]

To subscribe to any Cynopsis edition(s) click here
To unsubscribe , click here or click the button at the end of this email.

Cyn opsis CLASSIFIEDSFor More classifieds, visit the Cynopsis.com classifieds page here    .
JOB OPENING:VP, BUSINESS & LEGAL AFFAIRS/AMC/NY: Deal Maker to Negotiate production/programming/talent agreements etc. for AMC NETWORK. L.A. Contacts, JD, 10+ yrs experience required. [email protected] (4/2)

JOB OPENING: DIGITAL MEDIA ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE/Discovery Communications/New York: Sell national advertising across Discovery’s Digital assets- online, vod, mobile. 2+ yrs digital sales exp required. Apply: www.discovery.com Req#8869 (4/1)

JOB OPENING: DVLPMT EXEC: Creative/aggressive for PT rsrch & dvlpmnt. Exp’d in shaping raw ideas into breakout formats. Knwldgbl of cable TV programming with experience in creating shows. Resumes: [email protected] (3/31)

JOB OPENING: VP/SVP CONSUMER/NY: Beauty/Entertainment PR account. Manage large consumer packaged goods biz. Prior exp managing large $1mil+ accounts. Relationships in ent/beauty world a must. Apply: [email protected] (3/28)

JOB OPENING: SR. DIR, CLIENT DEVELOPMENT/NY/Ent-Media research co: Develop new/expand existing biz for research prod/custom services. Min 3 yrs market research sales exp. http://www.epollresearch.com/corp/aboutus/careers.view (3/27)

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: ScribbleTown.com needs a web dvlopng intern for a Flash/HTML website. You would come in once or twice a wk to upload images & make adjustments. Great exp with fun content! Contact Arlene at [email protected] (4/1)

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: PRODUCTION MAKEUP ARTIST/NY: Over 20 years experience including keying top-rated network and cable TV shows, print, and film. Creative artistry, competitive rates. Email: [email protected] (4/2)

SITUATION WANTED: 5 PRIME TIME EMMYS/ DOC. PROD, DIR., WRITER in L.A. Credits: National Geo, PBS, Discovery, History CH, TLC and MSNBC. Contact email: [email protected] (4/1)

SITUATION WANTED: FIELD PRODUCER/ DIRECTOR:LA/ Docusoap, Lifestyle, Infotainment,Feature Doc + more. Resonant leader, keen director/ writer, strong storyteller + showrunner. 8+ yrs. Will travel. [email protected] 917.716.7277 (4/1)

SITUATION WANTED: PRODUCER-WRITER, SHOWRUNNER/NY w/org. series on PBS, Nick, Noggin, Fox, Discovery Kids, BBC.20+yrs developing, writing, producing & making co-pro and merch deals. [email protected] (4/1)

SITUATION WANTED: MEDIA PRO 15 yrs experience in network buying, product integration and multi-media promotions. LA based, available for freelance, project-based or permanent position. Thanks for your time! Contact [email protected] (4/1)

SITUATION WANTED: PROJ/OPS MGR: NYC Seeking the opp to work in on-air promos again, but open to other opps as well. Sev yrs cable on-air promo/new media & adops exp. Mang day-to-day ops of projs & campgs. [email protected] (3/31)

SITUATION WANTED: RESEARCH DIRECTOR Save money over a full time director. Let’s talk.20+ yrs Media, Nielsen, Hispanic, & Sales experience. Email: [email protected] (3/31)

SITUATION WANTED: INTERACTIVE MEDIA SPECIALIST: LA. Newly available w/18 yrs of media experience & MBA. Need high-performance campaigns integrating online & non-traditional media? Avail F/P or freelance. [email protected] (3/31)

SITUATION WANTED: ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE (NY) TV Ad Sales prof. seeks full-time media sales job. 5 years experience w/ stations (ABC, CBS, NBC) in top markets. Would like to stay in media, but open to opps. Email [email protected] for resume (3/28)

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 2009

 


 


 



 


Related Stories

Cynopsis 02/06/25: Fox News signs Lara Trump

Fox News signs Lara Trump

Thursday February 6, 2025    IN THE NEWS As requested, CBS News handed over the unedited video and transcript of its “60 Minutes” interview with Kamala Harris to the FCC – and the FCC made it public. The interview is the source of a lawsuit by then-presidential candidate Donald Trump, and its attendant FCC inquiry. […]

02/05/25: Cynopsis Jobs

jobs12

Interested in moderating a roundtable this fall? We need leaders comfortable with subject matter including media planning, buying, leveraging ai, cross-platform measurement and more. SUBMIT MY INTEREST Wednesday February 5, 2025    FEATURED JOB VICE PRESIDENT, POLITICAL SALES >> NEXSTAR MEDIA GROUP, INC./WASHINGTON, DC: Lead the company’s political advertising revenue across its […]

Cynopsis 02/05/25: “The Flip Off” a hit for HGTV

"The Flip Off" a hit for HGTV

Wednesday February 5, 2025    IN THE NEWS AMC Networks kicked off its Upfront on Tuesday with a technology breakfast, where the company unveiled AMCN Outcomes, a feature built into its Audience+ data and insights platform. The tool allows advertising partners to view the performance of their campaigns, across all platforms, in real-time based on […]

Cynopsis 02/04/25: Trump sits for Super Bowl interview

Trump sits for Super Bowl interview

Interested in moderating a roundtable this fall? We need leaders comfortable with subject matter including media planning, buying, leveraging ai, cross-platform measurement and more. SUBMIT MY INTEREST Tuesday February 4, 2025    IN THE NEWS After a four-month standoff, Paramount Global signed a multi-year contract with Nielsen. The deal includes measurement for […]

02/03/25: Cynopsis Media Tech Update

Video advertising

Monday February 3, 2025 Sweet 16: Apple reported record-breaking sales for 4Q24, the first full quarter its new iPhone 16 models were available. While iPhone sales were $69.1 billion, a tad down from $69.7 billion recorded the same period in 2023, CEO Tim Cook noted, “We’ve never seen a higher level of upgraders before. The […]

CynCity

Cynsiders