Cynopsis: DIGITAL
11/02/12

Good morning. It’s Friday, November 2, 2012, and this is your first early morning digital briefing.

Activist investor Carl Icahn might have purchased his 10% stake in Netflix for the sole purpose of eventually selling the SVOD company, according to a report from Anthony DiClemente of Barclays Capital. The Barclays analyst comes to this conclusion based on Icahn’s prior history at Blockbuster and Lionsgate. While this may lead to a battle with Netflix CEO Reed Hastings, who DiClemente believes still has no intention of selling the company, the analyst argues that “fundamental challenges facing the business today, including increased domestic competition and rising content costs” could compel other shareholders “to partner with Icahn in his efforts to force a sale.” At the same time, DiClemente also notes that he is “skeptical that a buyer would find more value in purchasing Netflix than building a content offering organically.” Which is to say, as always, stay tuned.

Game developer Ubisoft has premiered a new series on Machinima’s main YouTube channel. Titled The Far Cry Experience, the mockumentary web series stars Christopher Mintz-Plasse (Superbad, Kick-Ass) as himself, as he squares off against Vaas Montenegro, the lead villain in the Far Cry 3 video game. Developed internally by Ubisoft, the series will span four episodes. Machinima is a video entertainment network focusing on the gaming community, and is consistently one of the top premium video content providers on YouTube. 

The fourth season of Misfits, a BAFTA Award-winning UK comedy series about delinquent superheroes, premiered on Hulu and Hulu Plus this past Monday, October 29. Each new episode will arrive exclusively on Hulu and Hulu Plus every following Monday through December 17. Of note, each episode of Misfits will be available in the US immediately after it airs in the UK, the first time Hulu is following such a distribution plan for an international series. The other returning show is Spy, another UK comedy, which follows a hapless single father slash MI5 agent and his son. The second season, which is comprised of 11 episodes, premiered this past Tuesday, October 30, and will run into January.

The Huffington Post Media Group and the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) have teamed up to launch a new section on The Huffington Post site. Branded as HuffPost OWN, the section will look to serve as a platform for users to discuss topics relating to lifestyle, health, relationships, and personal empowerment. To start off, the section is offering selections from this year’s list of “Oprah’s Favorite Things,” as well as Favorite Things trivia and a video montage of top Favorite Things moments from The Oprah Winfrey Show. HuffPost OWN is the result of a deal the two media companies signed earlier this spring. Financial terms of that deal were not disclosed.

As previously announced, Rescue Me is available on Sony Entertainment’s ad-supported video service, Crackle. This month brings the third season of the critically acclaimed series, joining the first two. On the feature film front, Crackle is also offering District 9, The Exorcism of Emily Rose, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, and Boyz N’ The Hood.

Swiss-based iConcerts is partnering with Pitchfork Media to live stream the Pitchfork Media Festival Paris, which began yesterday and runs through tomorrow, November 3. The music festival, featuring alternative acts such as Robyn, Animal Collective, and James Blake (to name a few of Sahil’s favorites), is streaming live on iConcerts.com. A selection of the performances will also be available worldwide on various iConcerts platforms, including its HDTV channel, online stores, apps, connected TVs, and tablets. “iConcerts is entering a new era of expansion as we consolidate and support localized partnerships, as well as becoming an active player within live music/concert production with labels,” said Natalia Tsarkova, Co-Founder/Editor-in-Chief of iConcerts.

Black Fridays is a QVC-style live weekly web series from Amazon and GameSpot, which premiered on the latter’s website this past Friday. The series looks to offer viewers deeply discounted gaming merchandises, all of which can be redeemed at Amazon.com. Viewers are only given a limited amount of time to act on the discount and make the purchase. Amazon and GameSpot say the first episode has already pulled in 100,000 streams. The second episode, which is scheduled for 5pm ET this Friday, will feature EA’s Kingdoms of Alamur Collection.

E! Online has launched The Trend, a new section on the site that is devoted to covering beauty, fashion, and stylish living. The Trend will be available on all E! Online platforms, including mobile and social, and will also receive integration with E! News. The section will also regularly feature E! talent, including Giuliana Rancic, Terrence Jenkins, George Kotsiopoulos, and Catt Sadler, offering topical commentary and dispensing advice on fashion and style.

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE

Pulse Films USA, a content production studio, has received $3.5 million in funding from film producer Sharon Harel (Albert Nobbs, Lucky Number Slevin). Harel’s investment means she is acquiring a 20% ownership stake in the company. Her husband, Sir Ronald Cohen, will also join the advisory board at the company. Pulse says the investment is a significant step for its development as the company looks to grow in business areas such as developing and owning IP, digital and technology expansion, international development, and content distribution.

ABI Research expects OTT rental revenues to surpass those of subscription VOD services like Netflix by 2014. Looking even farther ahead, ABI says overall OTT revenues will almost quadruple from $8.2 billion in 2012 to $32 billion by 2017. “Connected CE and mobile devices continue to push consumer behavior towards newer forms of media distribution like OTT and multiscreen services. Pay-TV services will continue to thrive, by implementing multiscreen services and supporting OTT content. In the end we expect an amalgamation of services that complement each other for many consumers,” said Sam Rosen, Practice Director at ABI Research.

The Cynopsis Digital Video Measurement Summit is less than two weeks away, coming at you from the J. Walter Thompson headquarters in NYC this November 14. We’ve got some great speakers lined up for the event, including executives from AOL, Adap.tv, comScore, Machinima, MediaCom, My Damn Channel, Nielsen, Starcom MediaVest Group, VideoHub, Vuguru, and YouTube. You won’t want to miss it. REGISTER NOW.

The Boxee TV is officially here. The new connected set-top device lets users watch and record live over-the-air TV, as well as access apps from the likes of Netflix, VUDU, YouTube, Vimeo, The Wall Street Journal, MLB, and TED. Available for $99 via Boxee’s website as well as from the company’s exclusive retail partner Walmart, the device offers HD channels from ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, PBS, and Univision, among others. It also comes with two tuners so users can watch and record shows at the same time. Boxee TV’s DVR service lives in the cloud, which means unlimited storage. This “No Limits DVR” ($15/month) is available in eight markets as of right now — NYC, LA, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, D.C., Atlanta, and Philadelphia. Support for additional markets is coming in 2013. With the launch, Boxee is also offering a few deals to entice you into buying the new set-top. These include three months of free Netflix streaming for new and existing subscribers, three months of free No Limits DVR, and a $5.99 credit for new VUDU subscribers.

The Wizard of Oz Facebook game, from developer Spooky Cool Labs and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, is now available for everyone. The game drops players into the world of Oz right after Dorothy’s house lands on the Wicked Witch of the East. Players then have to build their own “Munchkintown” (construct buildings, interact with locals) as well as the Yellow Brick Road in order to help the main characters from the movie get to Emerald City. The world-based game allows users to visit each other’s Munchkinlands, and also interact with characters from the movie. Thanks to a full license from Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, the game also includes music from the original soundtrack and video clips from the film.

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE

1. Fast & efficient personalized service

Vineloop is a social recommendations app that refers to itself as a “trust-based discovery platform.” Recently launching its 2.0 version in the Apple App Store, Vineloop’s goal is to connect people with each other and create a trustworthy environment in which they can share personal discoveries and talk about mutual interests. It does this by enlisting “Trustlines,” which essentially means linking people with only the influencers they trust most across various categories, including food, beer, movies, and music. Users are then connected with those “trusted few” that their influencers trust the most. The main point being, it’s a private-ish social network that does away with the noise and clutter common to most social platforms. In fact, Vineloop says it limits the group size to five users or less per category. While currently only available on iOS devices, Vineloop points out that it’s capable of extending to other platforms that play in the social discovery/e-commerce game. It’s already inked partnerships with the likes of Amazon, OpenTable.com, Wine-searcher.com, and Sephora.com, so when users discover something cool, they can immediately access a place where that product can be bought, all from within the app.

Later – Sahil
Sahil Patel, Associate Editor for Cynopsis Digital
11.02.12

Denise O’Connor: Group Publisher, Media Entertainment
Diane K Schwartz: Senior Vice President, Media Communications Group

Cynopsis Ad Sales: Mike Farina | VP Sales & Marketing | 203-218-6480
Classifieds Sales: Trish Pihonak | Director of Operations & Content | 888-702-3858

To subscribe to any Cynopsis edition(s) click here.
To unsubscribe from this edition, click here.

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

JOB OPENING: DIR, BRAND MKTG/WWE/Stmfrd CT: Manage/execute brand image campaign; 8-10 yrs related exp; BA req’d; full info & apply: http://wwecareers.com/wwe/jobboard/JobDetails.aspx?__ID=*7707C12281BEDA3C (11/9)

JOB OPENING: ACCT EXEC/Collective Digital Studio/NYC & LA: 3+ yrs dig. media sales premium video pre-roll, sponsorship, branded content, & display to nat’l brands; knwlg of the YouTube “Dig. Influencer” space.  Res: [email protected] (11/9)

JOB OPENING: SALES RSRCH ASSOC/COMCAST SPOTLIGHT/SAN FRAN: support/execute standardizing sales collateral & analytics across 13 Western mkt. Asst w/ compilation of corp & reg’l ad hoc reports. More info/apply: www.comcast.jobs/9838 EOE (11/8)

JOB OPENING: SALES RSRCH AUTOMATION SPEC/COMCAST SPOTLIGHT/SAN FRAN: Act as developmental regional point person for key corporate tools. Must have intermediate + excel/database skills. More info/apply: www.comcast.jobs/2485. EOE (11/8)

JOB OPENING: RSRCH MGR/COMCAST SPOTLIGHT/SAN FRAN: Mng/guide mktg rsrch Analysts and Representatives within the Mkt Rsrch & Plan’g team. Must have 6-9 years relevant experience. More info/apply: www.comcast.jobs/2564 EOE (11/8)

JOB OPENING: ASSOC ACCT EXEC/COMCAST SPOTLIGHT/MONTEREY: Create customized advertising and marketing solutions for local businesses and advertising agencies. 0-2 years related exp req’d. More info/apply: www.comcast.jobs/5218 EOE (11/8)

JOB OPENING: LOCAL SALES ACCT EXEC/COMCAST SPOTLIGHT/SACRAMENTO: Resp for creating customized advrtsng/mktg solutions for local businesses & advertising agencies. 1-3 yr related exp req’d. More info/apply: www.comcast.jobs/9207 EOE (11/8)

JOB OPENING: SALES ACCT EXEC/COMCAST SPOTLIGHT/FRESNO CA: Resp for creating customized advertising & mktg solutions for local businesses and advertising agencies. 1-3 yrs related exp req’d. More info/apply: www.comcast.jobs/6159. EOE  (11/8)

JOB OPENING: ASSOC MKTG COMS MGR/NYC-Midtwn: Captivate Network-cre8 mktg & sales tools+ vdeos etc – mge brandg+ PR+ evnts+ B2Badv+ web cntnt–U need 1-3yr agncy/sls team suprt exp + mktg &media passion! Great team! [email protected] (11/8)

JOB OPENING: SR RSCH ANALYST/LA: Mng reg reporting for the Aud Ntwrk, incl overall channel perf, prgrm breakdowns & potential acquisition compatibility studies.2 yrs min TV rsch exp, pref within Cable. info/apply: http://bit.ly/SxmZiw (11/8)

JOB OPENING: MGR. MARKETING SOLUTIONS – G4/NBCUniversal/LA: Develop innovative brand integration ideas and structure pitches for ad sales mktg in an evolving network. 4yrs similar experience req. www.nbcunicareers.com Job#6796BR (11/7)

JOB OPENING: MANAGER, SALES OPERATIONS, DIGITAL PROPERTIES/NBCUNIVERSAL, INC/LA: projct. mgt. and liaison b/t groups – DART,DFP,Auditude, seeking cand. w/2+ yrs. exp., BA req. www.nbcunicareers.com Job#7475BR (11/7)

JOB OPENING: TEMP PUBLICIST/STUDIO CITY: Responsible for developing and implementation of comprehensive traditional publicity & social media campaigns. More info & apply: http://www.hallmarkchannel.com/jobs (11/6)

JOB OPENING: EXECUTIVE/PERSONAL ASST: needed for owner of NY based Television Production Company. This is not a stepping stone position – apply only to BE an Executive Assistant. Resumes to [email protected] (11/6)

JOB OPENING: SALES EXEC/ITN/NYC: Self driven Sales Exec for its successful sales operation. provide both sales support to your colleagues & exceptional cust srvc support to US customers. Resume/apply: [email protected] (11/3)

JOB OPENING: DIR POST/PROD/OPS/Discovery Studios/MD: Work through DCI Vendor to manage production, post and operations for all project phases (originals, series, &reversions) email resumes to [email protected] (11/3)

JOB OPENING: CONTRACTS ADMIN/WarnerBros/LA: Temp Contracts Admin will support data conversion project within WB Int’l TV Distribution. Contracts exp & adv Excel skills req. Ent/media exp a big plus. Details: http://bit.ly/PSQIUr (11/3)

JOB OPENING: INTEGRATED SALES MGR./NYC: Dvlp custom sales materials, proposals for hot digital/video media start up. Min 2 yrs exp. Apply: bitly.com/RmvGuy (11/3)

JOB OPENING: VIEWER MEASUREMENT ANALYST/NEW YORK NY: New York, NY: Working with TV viewership data in order to analyze advance advertising performance and programming trends. BA and 2 yrs exp in media or finance. Email [email protected] (11/3)

JOB OPENING: MARKETING COORDINATOR/truTV/NY: Temp position. Develop/execute interactive & social media strategies for key series & network initiatives  2-3 yrs Marketing/Digital/Social exp – email resume to [email protected] (11/3)

JOB OPENING: SPVSR, INTERSTITIAL SCHEDULING/SHOWTIME/NYC: Sched promos for assigned networks, plan & implement on-air media plans. 3+ yrs On-Air Promo, Media Plng, or Agency Traffic and/or Ops exp. Apply @ www.sho.com. 12977BR (11/2)

JOB OPENING: EXEC EDITOR/CYNOPSIS MEDIA/NYC OR CT: 7+yrs exp working FT at a media co. Mngmnt exp a must. BA deg journalism/comm. Apply: Res/sal. requirement/writing sample to: [email protected] More info: www.accessintel.com (11/2)

JOB OPENING: AE, AFFIL SALES & MKTG/WWE/STMFRD, CT:  Mng distrib, sales, mktg affil prods (PPV, VOD, etc); 3-6 yrs direct-related exp, BA deg. Travel req’d. Apply:  http://www.wwe-careers.com/wwe/jobboard/JobDetails.aspx?__ID=*B13DC600 (11/2)

JOB OPENING: TV SYND CONTRACTS ASST/NYC: BA/BS DEG, strong math & PC skills req’d. 1+yrs media exp pref’d. Create/revise sales contracts, work with Nielsen ratings & various admin duties. Please send resumes to [email protected] (11/1)

JOB OPENING: INVENTORY MGR/REELZ/NYC: Ad sales inv mgmt, DR & stew. Inv & pricing reports. 3 yrs sls planning/buying exp. Apply: [email protected] (11/1)

JOB OPENING: MANAGER, DIG AD OPS/SALES ADMIN/A+E/NY: Coordinate implementation and optimization of digital campaigns. Test/QA Ad Products across A+ E web/mobile properties. Full Info/Apply: www.aenetworks.com/career.html (11/1)

JOB OPENING: SALES PLANNER/NYC: Resp for proposal dev, lead gen, campaign optimization & mgmt, Strong knwldg of dig. media & campaign ops, 1-2 yrs exp, planning or sales coord role. Apply: http://bit.ly/VoBXpi (11/1)

JOB OPENING: TRAFFIC COORD/RNN TV/RYE BROOK NY: obtains traffic instructions from advrtsrs & inputs the instructions into the traffic system More info: http://www.rnntv.com/content/traffic-coordinator Resume & apply: [email protected] (11/1)

JOB OPENING: SR. MGR AD SALES RSRCH/S. Monica/Viacom: Be voice of LA office from Rsrch vantage-point. 5+yrs Ad Sales Rsrch exp. w/cbl/brdcst ntwrk or advrtsng agency exp. Nielsen systems & synd sales tools. Click here: http://bit.ly/RgWRs6 (11/1)

JOB OPENING: MGR, MARKETING/FX Networks/LA: Develops & executes marketing campaigns across media formats. BA Required. 3-5 yrs. exp. marketing for TV. Broadcast/studio exp. is a must. http://bit.ly/MWDWSC (11/1)

JOB OPENING: DIR, PRICING & PLANNING/FX/NYC: 7-10 yrs Media Ad Sales, Inventory Mgmt, reporting & forecasting for multiple networks. Strong exp. w/ Ad Sales systems & Excel. Strong math & comm skills. http://bit.ly/Rk4ywe (11/1)

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].

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: SR. STORY PRODUCER/DIRECTOR/LA: all genres, docu-series. 8+ yrs cable/broadcast/film. Seasoned, resonant leader, strong story/writer + post + savvy director, supervisor. Int’l/ Dom. Great credits & refs.917.716.7277, [email protected] (11/8)

SITUATION WANTED: Voice Over Artist/Singer/Audio Production: ‘One Stop Shop’  Laila Berzins – specialty is character voice work, e-learning and corporate.  Site: www.lailaberzins.com Email: [email protected] (11/8)

SITUATION WANTED:STRONG EXEC ASST: Researching, Copy-editing and Organizational Skills. 15 + yrs as key player in primetime. [email protected] (11/8)

E-mail [email protected] or call Trish Pihonak at 888.702.3858 for rates and specs for Job Openings.

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

Copyright Cynopsis 2012

All outgoing e-mails are scanned and sent out virus free. Copyright Cynopsis 2012