Cynopsis: DIGITAL

10/10/08

Good morning, it’s Friday, October 10, 2008, and this is your first early morning digital briefing.

It was another bloodbath on Wall Street yesterday as the Dow dropped 675 points to finish below 9,000 and Yahoo fell below $13 – its lowest level in 5 years. Speculation is swirling around the tech space regarding how the financial crisis will affect strategies, revenues and ultimately the fate of many companies. Prominent venture capital firm Sequoia Capital called a meeting in Silicon Valley to warn entrepreneurs to expect the worst, reports Gigaom. Prominent angel investor Ron Conway sent an email out this week warning start-ups to lower their “burn rate,” noting that “unfortunately history DOES repeat itself.” Analysts from Wachovia and Deutsche Bank dialed back forecasts for online advertising and entertainment revenues, respectively.
 

 
NHL.com dropped the puck on its new online subscription service GameCenter Live powered by NeuLion, offering users a free weekend-long trial beginning today to watch the season’s first games. The streaming video service will offer up to 40-games a week (local blackouts apply) with a variety of interactive features including multiple camera angles for select games and a multi-view option that allows you to keep an eye on 4 games at once. Sign up before Oct. 15 to lock in a special rate of $19.95/month payable in monthly installments or $159 for the season.
 
Perhaps sympathetic to the impending belt-tightening Comcast said it will begin offering a special $10 price point for basic cable subscribers (20-30 channels) as part of its “Get Ready” digital transition initiative. Sign up for high speed internet or Voice over-IP services and get the bare bones package for free. The offer is good for up to 12 months.
 
MoMedia International has agreed to a distribution deal with Sky to provide content for Go!View, the new video-on-demand service for the Sony PSP. MoMedia will supply Go!View with 10 episodes per month of The Aiya! Gang, an Asian version of Jackass, Endemol-owned JoeCartoon and Kamikaze Videos, described as funniest home videos meets Dirty Sanchez.
 
i-Rights, part of the Digital Rights Group (DRG) has signed a three-year deal to distribute Bebo’s 10 part online comedy series Chelsey:OMG!, a fish-out-of-water tale about a young American girl in London for the first time. The series, which officially launches at Mipcom, is created by comedian and writer Nat Coombs and produced by Channel X.
 

 
Socially enlightened integrated media company GOOD launched a new six-part web series, Wild Frontier of Sports, appearing exclusively on social networking site Imeem. (These are not ready for prime-time competitions such as Soap Box Derby racing and “Urban Golf.”) Imeem has just undergone a new design with an emphasis on recommending content to users. The Spotlight section highlights editor-recommended music, videos and personalities and the Discover feature is Imeem’s own Amazon-style recommendation engine, based on your past listening and viewing habits and those of folks you’re associated with.
 
It’s getting colder out – that means it’s an even better time to drink Scotch. Check out this new social networking site For Scotch Lovers built around that carefully cultivated spirit from the old country. It was put together by a collection of enthusiasts from around the world including co-founder Doug Stone, former Group Director of Interactive Media at Siegel+Gale. The site is informative and decidedly accessible for a pursuit that can bring out the snobs.
 

 
Sling Media took the wraps off its latest TV viewing gadget, the SlingCatcher, now on sale at electronics retailers for $300. The EchoStar subsidiary’s answer to Apple TV or the $99 Roku box, in some ways it does the reverse of what the company’s Slingbox does, allowing you to watch cable TV, internet video (incl. Hulu, ABC.com, YouTube and Netflix) or video saved to your PC on another television rather that on a broadband-connected PC. The SlingCatcher actually supports more digital video formats the Apple TV including WMV and Xvid. And a cool new application called SlingProjector allows you to start watching virtually any video stream on your PC, highlight it, then continue watching (just the video) on your TV. Previous two-screen solutions have projected the entire PC screen onto a television.
 
Apple fans are chomping at the bit to see what the company announces at a newly scheduled press conference next Tuesday. The blogsphere is pretty sure a new line of Powerbooks will be unveiled, including one that will sell for a recession-busting $800. (Apple has yet to sell a laptop for under $1,000.)
 
AccuWeather.com launched new weather applications designed especially for users of Twitter and Tumblr social networking and micro-blogging services. The first weather-specific apps for each service, the initial versions will provide regular updates from 50+ global locations.
 

The one segment of the industry that may fare well during the downturn is gaming, based on recent trends:

• Nintendo continues to lead among 3rd generation consoles approaching 30 million global units sold. The company’s Wii Shop Channel is gaining popularity, offering downloads of classic games for points that can be purchased online or at a retail outlet. The platform also offers an increasing selection of WiiWare – games built by independent developers  
• Microsoft says sales are picking up steam since it lowered the price on the entry level Xbox 360, even in Japan where the company has struggled to gain market share. Microsoft raised its forecast for sales in Japan, emboldened when publisher Square Enix said the latest Final Fantasy edition would launch for the Xbox 360 as well as the PS3. (FF has quite a cult following it Japan)
• Sony is so confident that it is refusing to lower the price of the PS3 for the holiday season according to Edge magazine, which at $399 is the priciest console on the market. Sony said it’s on track to meet its goal of selling 10 million units of the PS3 and 15 million units of the PSP in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2009

 

 
Honda tried a new multiplatform approach to promote the launch of the Honda Fit this week buying up all the ad space for sale by Sony Pictures Television on the web and mobile platforms, per WSJ. The $500,000 buy included video pre-rolls on Crackle, spots embedded in Sony Minisodes and ads in Sony BMG music videos, available on Sprint and AT&T.

 
Veoh Networks commissioned a study from Forrester Consulting that found heavier online video viewers do pay attention to brand messages delivered to them in suitable environments. The study found that nearly 40% of all online video viewers watch more than one hour of video/week and that these users are responsible for 75% of all online video consumption. Of these “Engaged Viewers”, those who spend the most time consuming and sharing long-form content:

• Are more likely to watch videos all the way through
• Pay more attention to online video more than they do TV
• Interact with and rate the videos they watch more frequently
• Are twice as likely to recall in-video ads and post-rolls than non-Engaged Viewers
• Agree more readily that advertising is fair and helps pay for their free experience
• Consider banner ads and ads that come in between videos (mid- rolls) most effective

 

 
Former DraftFCB San Francisco VP Michael Knott has joined digital media agency Mediasmith as Group Media Director, a newly created position. Michael will report directly to founder and CEO, David L. Smith.
 

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If you’re into the social networking craze, chances are you have more than one profile out there and updating them one at a time can be an extremely laborious process. Enter Ping.fm, which went into open beta last month. It allows you to post to multiple social networks simultaneously instead of having to log on to Facebook, type out a message on Twitter, then call up that Pownce page you keep forgetting to update. Ping.fm allows you to post from a variety of inputs such as email, AOL Instant Messenger, Google Gadget or via an iPhone web app. The founders keep adding cool new features as well such as bookmarking tools from Delicious and Diigo. A brand new tool powered by voice-to-text technology company SpinVox allows you to speak your posting into your cell phone and pass along the message to any of your networks in text format. This could be a just the hands free app you need when you’re stuck on the 405 (or fill in appropriate road) this afternoon.
 
Later — Wayne
 Wayne Karrfalt for Cynopsis: Digital
10.10.08

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

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JOB OPENING: VP PRODUCTION/Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions Group/CA: Oversee development & production of SPWAG productions. Identify potential DVD Premiere projects. 5+ yrs exp required. www.sonypicturesjobs.com Req # 700816 (10/18)

JOB OPENING: DIGITAL ACCT EXEC/Discovery/NY: Sell national interactive advertising across Discovery’s assets – online/broadband, vod, mobile. 2+ yrs digital sales exp required. Apply: www.discovery.com , Req # 8089 (10/18)

JOB OPENING: CREATIVE DIRECTOR/LA: Lead creative for on/off air promos, dev thru execution for ent adv firm. Strong writing, concept & comm. skills. Generate new biz. 8+yrs exp. Incl salary req. Email [email protected] (10/18)

JOB OPENING: SR WRITER/PRODUCER/LA: Conceive/write/produce compelling on/off air promos for top ent mktg agency. 7 yrs exp in ntwrk/agency req’d. Self-starter w/knowl of prod proc. Incl salry req. Email [email protected] (10/18)

JOB OPENING: SR. SCHEDULER/Discovery/MD: Responsible for sched. daytime/manage acquisitions process. Min 3yrs exp in scheduling, programming, research. Apply: www.discovery.com #8386 (10/18)

JOB OPENING: AE-AS/ NYC PR agency: 3-8 yrs bkgrd kids’ entertainment/products, team mgmt exp, excellent writing, ntl print/TV clips, top organizational skills. Online mktg exp a plus. Resume/cover/salary to [email protected] (10/18)

JOB OPENING: CNBC/ FREELANCE RESEARCH ANALYST: Report & strategic insights for digital media & TV properties. Report & analyze Nielsen ratings.BS.1-2 yrs media rsrch, web analytics, mgmt consulting. Nielsen exp req’d. [email protected] (10/18)

JOB OPENING: ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE/WTIC/WTXX/Hartford: Seeking AE 3+ years sales/media experience  multi-media experience preferred; excellent negotiation skills; strong work ethic; desire to win. Resume: [email protected] (10/17)

JOB OPENING: FREELANCE, SR MGR, INT’L DIGITAL MEDIA/AETN/NY: Manage intl digital distribution deals for broadband, VOD & mobile. Estab program strategies. Mrktg & digital biz dev req’d. Apply: [email protected] (10/17)

JOB OPENING: DIGITAL LIFE EDITOR/Common Sense Media/SF: Assign/edit reviews, expert Internet, mobile & videogames. Strong knwldg of dig. mkt trends, exp/tech background. Interest kids/media issues. Apply: [email protected] (10/17)

 JOB OPENING: SVP MEDIA BUYING/Starcom MediaVest Group/ NY: Mng negotiations for GM’s nat. BC & cable sports media investments. 15 yrs ind. exp. incl. at least 5 yrs in mgmt. role at media agency or sales org. www.smvgroup.com (10/17)

JOB OPENING: BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST/NY-Based Entertainment Ad Agency: Seasoned biz dev person, experience in film and TV advertising a must. Emphasis on print. Send resume and salary requirements to [email protected] (10/17)

JOB OPENING: FREELANCE PROJ MGR, PRINT/BRAVO TV/NY: Mng print & Digital advrtsng & promo projects. Mng workflow, creative team. Strong comm./org skills. Previous Ntwrk exp req’d. Resume: [email protected] (10/16)

JOB OPENING: DIR MKTG & PROMO/Wang Theatre/Boston: Dev & execute strategic tix sales, mktg/promo for concerts/shows. Pitch new biz & negotiate agreements. 8 yrs mktg exp w/ music/venues/ent. Rez: [email protected]. “DMPB” in sub (10/16)

JOB OPENING: MGR,DIGITAL PRICING & INVENTORY/AETN, NY: Maximize digital ad sls revenue thru inv mgmt, pricing & optimization.Min 2 yrs exp in digital ad sls. Strong analytical skills..Apply: www.aetn.com/careers.html (10/16)

JOB OPENING: SALES DIRECTOR/PITCHFORK MEDIA(Chicago, IL):4-7 yrs exp in online sales. Mgmt exp also req’d. Responsible for mngng & developing sales dept. of growing internet publication Res/Cov to: [email protected] (10/16)

JOB OPENING: VP/NON-FICTION DEVELOPMENT/NYC: Seasoned non-fiction development exec w/7+ yrs exp on both network and production company sides. Writing, creating, pitching, managing: soup to nuts. NY-based prod co. [email protected]  (10/16)

JOB OPENING: SR DIGITAL RESCH ANALYST/MTV NETWORKS/NY:BS 3-5 yrs online web analytics. Web tracking (Omniture, Webtrends, HBX, DbleClick); Exp w/synd sources: comScore Media Metrix, NetRatings. EOE/M/F/D/AAP. www.mtvncareers.com (10/16)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR, ACCOUNTING/Harmonix/NY: Resp. for monthly accting close, including sales reporting, deferred revenue. CPA a plus w/ prior public accting experience. Apply: www.mtvncareers.com EOE (10/15)

JOB OPENING: BBC/NYC/ DIR AUDIENCE DEV: Drive exposure of bbc.com; mng synd relationships; dev bbc news communities; & rel w/ soc ntwrks. Increase traffic to website & audience base & 3rd party linking to bbc.com. www.bbcamerica.com/employment.jsp (10/15)

JOB OPENING: BBC/NYC/ DIR PRODUCT DEV: Drive product strategy for bbc.com. conduct mkt analysis, watch consumer trends, do comp analysis & benchmarking, est strategic partner & supplier relationships. www.bbcamerica.com/employment.jsp (10/15)

JOB OPENING: BBC/NYC/ SR MGR, DIGITAL SYNDICATION: Mng client relationships & ongoing prgrm supply to digital media syndication partners Work w/ partners to max exposure of BBC prgrmng & brands. www.bbcamerica.com/employment.jsp (10/15)

JOB OPENING: BBC/NYC/ SR WRITER/PRODUCER: Conceive/write/produce/edit creative solutions for promo material for BBC America. 5+ yrs exp as network writer/producer. Knowledge of production process. www.bbcamerica.com/employment.jsp (10/15)

JOB OPENING: INTERACTIVE MARKETING ANALYST/MEDIA PLANNER/LA – Los Angeles Times Interactive: Pull/analyze data ComScore, HitWise, MRI; Develop sales collateral/decks, update media kits; Send resumes to [email protected] (10/15)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR,TURNER AD SALES RESEARCH/CNN/NY: Resp for research-based strategic direction of CNN. BA. Min5 yrs exp in sales research at ntwrk.Must have primary research experience. Apply:  [email protected] (10/11)

JOB OPENING: FREELANCE PROJ MGR, PRINT/BRAVO TV/NY: Mng print & Digital advrtsng & promo projects. Mng work flow, creative team. Strong comm./org skills. Previous Ntwrk exp req’d. Resume:  [email protected] (10/11)

JOB OPENING: DIR MKTG & PROMO/Wang Theatre/Boston:  Dev & execute strategic tix sales, mktg/promo for concerts/shows. Pitch new biz & negotiate agreements. 8 yrs mktg exp w/ music/venues/ent. Rez:  [email protected]. “DMPB” in sub   (10/11)

JOB OPENING: MANAGER, DEVELOPMENT & PRODUCTION/NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC ENTERTAINMENT/Washington, DC: 5 yrs exp in film dvlpmnt/prod; giant screen film industry a +. EOE. Apply to JOB ID 3651 at http://www.nationalgeographic.com/jobs (10/11)

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] .

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: PROGRAMMING & DESIGN INTERN: Urtak.com. Collaborative Public Opinion. Assist in design, programming, & development of internet start-up. Ruby on rails experience required. Flexible hours. Contact [email protected] (10/17)

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY:  www.FunLittleMovies.com produces and distributes comedic mobile video on Sprint, iPhones, MSN, etc. Need interns with video producing, editing or business skills. [email protected] Stipend offered. (10/16)

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: NYC production company seeking a POST PRODUCTION INTERN to start ASAP. We need someone for cloning tapes, digitizing footage, transcribing and working closely with the producers. Email resume to [email protected] (10/16)

SITUATION WANTED ADS, POSTED BY THOSE LOOKING TO BE HIRED … Interested in posting your Video Resume? Contact [email protected] for more information ….

SITUATION WANTED: PRODUCER, LINE PROD, PROD MGR: Extensive experience in animation/VFX. Most recently produced live-action comedy series for Cartoon Netwrk. Looking for staff job with established company in NYC area. [email protected] (10/17)

E-mail [email protected] for rates and specs for Job Openings.

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