A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM THE CYNOPSIS FOUNDATION, INC.

Cynopsis: Kids!

10/05/07

Good morning. It’s Friday, October 5, 2007, and this is your first early morning briefing. 

Yowza Animation and Cuppa Coffee Animation Studio are teaming with Star Farm Productions to produce the mixed animated series The Kinetics (26 episodes or 52×11).  Star Farm will be at MIPCOM Junior to introduce the new K3-6 targeted series.  Designed to get preschoolers up and dancing, featuring CG animated characters combined into a stop-motion animated backgrounds. Each episode (11-min) is comprised of two segments; a narrative story in which a superheroes’ dance moves save the day, and a 60-second live-action Dance Break during which kids are taught the featured dance.  Additionally, Star Farm has signed a 9-book publishing deal with Harcourt for The Kinetics.  The first three titles are slated for release in fall 2008.

In other Cuppa Coffee news, the animation studio will showcase its teen-targeted series Life’s A Zoo (13×30) at MIPCOM.  The series pokes fun at reality TV shows and will have a corresponding website.

Joost, the internet TV service has inked a deal with indie producer/distributor Off the Fence, to launch two new channels, Off the Fence Go Wild and Off the Fence Explore, on the Joost platform.  Initially, each channel will offer 15 titles, with The Go Wild channel featuring wildlife programming including Awesome Pawsome, Mountain Rivals, Animal Inventors, Wild & Weird and Young & Wild.  Fence Explore programming will focus on documentaries that sound great, but are not kid/family viewing fare.

Universal has picked up the rights to author Katherine Marsh’s young-adult fantasy novel, The Night Tourist, per entertainment Canmag.com.  The movie will be developed and animated by Chris Meledandri family-centric production company.  No writer for the movie yet, but it will be produced by Meledandri, Courtney Pledger and John Cohen.  Published by Hyperion Children’s in September, the story follows Jack, a ninth grade classics genius who lives with his father, who is sent to NYC to see a Doctor.  In NYC he befriends Euri, a girl who leads him to NYC’s mysterious Underworld (probably not the one you are thinking about right now), a place where people who died in NYC stay until it is time for them to move along.  There Jack hopes to see his mother who died eight-year ago.

MORE KIDS STUFF

Japan’s Adness Entertainment, a kid centric entertainment company, has acquired the North American and Asian licensing rights to the kid/teen brand, Crack & Bonky.  Created by Mexico’s Enrique Abe, Crack & Bonky debuted initially as a 3D animated cartoon on mobile phones about a year ago, and has since become popular across Mexico and Latin America through a range of licensed products (e.g. toys/figures, candy, stickers, office supplies, kid’s magazine, gifts).  The property follows the adventures of Crack & Bonky, two small friends from another dimension.  The duo arrives in our world after Crack learns how to travel between dimensions, but when he is hit in the head, he forgets how to get back home.  Bonky tries everything including hitting Crack on the head, but it doesn’t appear to work.  So, the two are stuck in our dimension, where they try to get along and copy human behavior and emotions.  Adness will showcase Crack & Bonky at MIPCOM.

Completely unconfirmed rumors on the internet have Crack & Bonky premiering on Cartoon Network in the US in 2008.  We shall see!

The search for new members of Menudo has began earlier this year, and now 15 bilingual male singers and dancers, teens 13-19, have been selected to move to the next step.  And with that MTV’s new reality TV series Making Menudo will premiere October 25, at 10:30p, following the fourth season debut of Run’s House.  The 10-episode series follows as the 15 finalists head to Menudo boot camp in Miami where the group will be whittled down to five winners.  The series will be re-broadcast on MTV Tr3s on Saturdays at 2p.

MARKETING/LICENSING

Wha wha wha wha wha wha, wha wha.  Which is to say, Warner Home Video has signed a multi-year, exclusive global home video distribution deal and United Media, Charles M. Schulz Creative Associates and Lee Mendelson Film Productions for Peanuts. WHV will release newly re-mastered and re-packaged DVD titles, including 50+ TV specials and TV series episodes, all of which were penned by Schulz, directed by Bill Melendez and executive produced by Lee Mendelson.  The deal also includes the potential production of original made-for-video titles and new short-form content based on Schulz’s work, for digital distribution on wireless, EST and VOD. Some of these projects will be produced in association with Mendelson /Melendez Productions.  The first titles to be released under the deal are deluxe editions of Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown, on January 15, 2008, and It’s the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown, on February 26, 2008.

As of this week consumers can download (PC and Mac) two new Nickelodeon-branded digital versions of classic Hasbro board games, Monopoly: SpongeBob SquarePants Edition and Candy Land: Dora The Explorer Edition.  Currently available at www.nickarcade.com , the games are set to be downloadable via game websites (e.g. shockwave).  CD Rom versions of the games will be released at retail on October 15, 2007.  Distributed through Nickelodeon’s partnerships with Activision, Navarre and RealNetworks, Monopoly: SpongeBob SquarePants Edition is aimed at K6-11 and rated E (everyone), while Candy Land: Dora The Explorer Edition is targeted to K2-5 and carries an EC (early childhood) rating, each title sells for $19.99.

The Care Bears are turning 25-years-old and head for Japan, for the first time, and Australia.  American Greetings Properties inks an exclusive deal for the property with Japanese licensing agent MindWorks Entertainment, and signs on a new Australian licensing agent, Wild Pumpkin, in conjunction with local company Hardy Marketing Solutions.  Care Bears is scheduled debut in Japan at the end of 2007, while in Australia the Care Bears’ CGI animated movie Oopsy Does It will debut in November, with a kids’ charity event with the Starlight Foundation.

Majesco Entertainment releases the new girl-targeted video game Holly Hobbie & Friends for Nintendo DS this week.  Developed by Frontline Studios, the game lets girls play along with Holly and her friends.  Holly Hobbie is owned by American Greetings.

EXECUTIVE MOVES

Drum roll please…  Dea Perez has been promoted to acting GM, Discovery Kids Media.  Perez, who had been VP/Programming, Animal Planet and Discovery Kids Media, will oversee the day-to-day operations of the Discovery Kids network.  She will remain NYC-based and continues to report to Marjorie Kaplan, President and GM, Animal Planet & Discovery Kids Media.  Previously, Perez served for five-years as VP/Programming and Acquisitions for Cartoon Network, and toiled for 10-years as Director/Acquisitions for Nickelodeon, Nick-at-Nite, and TV Land.  Cheers to you Dea!

RATINGS

Final K6-11 Ratings for Saturday, September 29, 2007 Broadcast Networks only (Live + SD Data):
Source: Disney Research from Nielsen Media Research Data
CW (Kids’ WB!) 1.3/7 Avg. (7a-12p)
Will & DeWitt 0.4/4; Magi Nation 0.6/4; Tom and Jerry Tales 1.4/7; Tom and Jerry Tales 1.8/8; Skunk Fu! 1.6/7; Shaggy Scooby-Doo Get A Clue 1.6/7; Eon Kid 1.6/7; Johnny Test 1.5/7; Legion of Super Heroes 1.7/9; The Batman 1.3/7
FOX (4Kids TV) 1.1/5 Avg. (8a-12n)
Adrenaline Project 0.4/2; Yu-Gi-Oh GX 0.7/3; Chaotic 1.2/5; Mutant Ninja Turtles Fast Forward 1.3/6; Mutant Ninja Turtles Fast Forward 1.5/6; Dinosaur King 1.6/7; Viva Pinata 1.1/5; Sonic X 1.1/5
ABC 0.8/4 Avg. (9a-1p)
The Emperor’s New School 0.6/3; The Replacements 0.6/2; That’s So Raven 0.7/3; That’s So Raven 0.9/4; Hannah Montana 1.1/5; Suite Life of Zack & Cody 1.0/5; Power Rangers Overdrive 0.7/4; Power Rangers Overdrive 0.7/5
CBS (KEWLopolis on CBS) 0.5/3 Avg. (7a-12p, 7a-7:30a/10:30a-12p*)
Care Bears 0.6/3; Strawberry Shortcake 0.5/2; Cake 0.7/3; Sabrina: The Animated Series 0.5/2; Horseland 0.7/3; Trollz 0.4/2
*Times vary from market to market
NBC (Qubo on NBC) Avg. 0.3/2 (7:30a-12p)
Babar 0.2/2; Dragon 0.3/2; 321 Penguins/Larryboy Adventures 0.2/1; Veggie Tales 0.4/2; remainder of the morning pre-empted for coverage of the PGA Tour Golf: Presidents Cup (12-6p)

Final K6-11 Ratings for Saturday, September 29, 2007 Cable Networks only (Live + SD Data):
Source: Disney Research from Nielsen Media Research Data
DISNEY CHANNEL 5.4/28 Avg. (7a-1p)
Hannah Montana 3.1/35; Hannah Montana 3.7/31; Hannah Montana 4.5/28; Hannah Montana 5.8/29; Hannah Montana 6.1/26; Hannah Montana 6.1/25; Hannah Montana 5.4/24; Hannah Montana 5.2/23; Hannah Montana 5.3/26; Hannah Montana 5.5/26; Sky High (movie 105-minutes) 7.5/40
NICKELODEON 2.2/11 Avg. (7a-1p)
Jimmy Neutron 1.0/12; Jimmy Neutron 1.4/12; Fairly OddParents 2.2/14; Fairly OddParents 3.1/15; SpongeBob SquarePants 3.9/17; SpongeBob SquarePants 3.8/16; Tak and the Power of Juju 2.2/10; Tak and the Power of Juju 2.3/10; SpongeBob SquarePants 3.3/16; El Tigre 2.6/12; Nickelodeon went dark for three hours for its annual Worldwide Day of Play initiative (12-3p)
CARTOON NETWORK 1.9/10 Avg. (7:30a-1p)
Cartoon Cartoon Top 5 (60 min) 1.7/12; Out of Jimmy’s Head 2.1/10; Pokemon: Diamond & Pearl 1.9/8; Pokemon: Diamond & Pearl 2.2/9; Ben 10 2.4/10; Ben 10 2.7/12; Code Lyoko 1.6/8; Yu-Gi-Oh GX 1.4/7; Pokemon 1.8/10; Out of Jimmy’s Head 1.7/9; Out of Jimmy’s Head 1.6/9
TOON DISNEY (Jetix) 0.8/4 Avg. (7a-1p)
Legend of the Dragon 0.3/3; Jackie Chan Adventures 0.4/4; NASCAR Racers 0.4/3; Power Rangers S.P.D. 0.5/3; Spy Kids 3: Game Over (movie/100 minutes) 1.5/6; American Dragon shorts (15 minutes) 1.1/5; Aladdin 0.6/3; Aladdin 0.7/3; The Little Mermaid 0.6/3; The Little Mermaid 0.5/2

Live + Same Day Ratings Kids Cable Network Averages (000) for Monday, October 1, 2007, 6am-11pm, ranked by K2-11:
DISNEY CHANNEL:     K2-11 954; K6-11 619; TWEENS 9-14 497
NICKELODEON:          K2-11 912; K6-11 408; TWEENS 9-14 288
CARTOON NETWORK: K2-11 509; K6-11 325; TWEENS 9-14 260
TOON DISNEY:           K2-11 112; K6-11   62; TWEENS 9-14   45
Source: MTVN Research from Nielsen Media Research Data

Live + Same Day Ratings Kids Cable Network Averages (000) for Tuesday, October 2, 2007, 6am-11pm, ranked by K2-11:
NICKELODEON:         K2-11 981; K6-11 425; TWEENS 9-14 302
DISNEY CHANNEL:     K2-11 755; K6-11 492; TWEENS 9-14 367
CARTOON NETWORK: K2-11 422; K6-11 271; TWEENS 9-14 239
TOON DISNEY:           K2-11 176; K6-11   89; TWEENS 9-14   48
Source: MTVN Research from Nielsen Media Research Data

Live + Same Day Ratings Kids Cable Network Averages (000) for Wednesday, October 3, 2007, 6am-11pm, ranked by K2-11:
NICKELODEON:         K2-11 976; K6-11 415; TWEENS 9-14 270
DISNEY CHANNEL:     K2-11 810; K6-11 521; TWEENS 9-14 382
CARTOON NETWORK: K2-11 491; K6-11 324; TWEENS 9-14 270
TOON DISNEY:           K2-11 153; K6-11   72; TWEENS 9-14   45
Source: MTVN Research from Nielsen Media Research Data

Friday Fun Fact:  The game “Twister” was originally called “Pretzel”, and it was invented by Reyn Guyer, who also invented the Nerf Ball.

Answer to Yesterday’s Trivia Question: What was the name of the long-running children’s TV series featuring a weekly segment where a singing globe invited viewers to write letters to the show?  BIG BLUE MARBLE   Kudos to only one:  Susan Arcidiacono-Frankie & Her Little Pals/Burbank

Today’s Trivia Question: In the 1996 film, Matilda, what was the name of the school that Matilda attended? ( Click here with your answer and be sure to include your name, company, city and time zone. Unofficial rules: Only the second four correct answers from each time zone will be mentioned; and once you’ve been mentioned in any of the Cynopsis editions, you can’t be mentioned again that calendar week.)
 
Later — Gwen
Gwen Billings for Cynopsis: Kids!
10.05.07

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

JOB OPENING: DIR CONSUMER MEDIA MKTG/A&E TV/NY: Mng all consumer media mktg initiatives for THC & its sister ntwrks. BA/BS/ 7 yrs exp media w/strong knwldg of traditional & digital mktg/adv mngmnt.Apply: www.aetn.com/careers.html (10/13)

JOB OPENING: CREATIVE DIR/ON-AIR PROMO/A&E TV/NY: Create,execute & mng mktg campaigns for THC & its sister ntwrks. BA/BS deg/5 yrs exp in on-air promos w/ cable or brdcst net. Brand building a + Apply: www.aetn.com/careers.html (10/13)

JOB OPENING: MKT RSCH ANALYST/FREELANCE/MTV Networks/NY: Analyze primary & syndicated data on consumer behavior and attitudes for Spike TV. Degree & 1 year experience statistical analysis required. email: [email protected] (10/13)

JOB OPENING: MGRS & DIRECTORS, PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT/ MTV&VH1 Digital/NYC: Multi Openings. 5+yrs Prod Dev, Exp creating Digi PRDs Bldg Intractv Digi Prodct; Knwlg ActionScript 2.0, DOM, CSS. EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (10/13)

JOB OPENING:  SENIOR MANAGER, DIGITAL SALES RESEARCH:  ABC seeks a Sr Mgr for Digital Sales Research. Coordinate market research efforts around emerging content platforms. Please visit  www.disneycareers.com – reference job#113022 (10/13)

JOB OPENING:  DIRECTOR OF ONLINE PRODUCTION/Nickelodeon/The-N/NYC: 7+yrs web dev/production/PM; 3+ yrs. mgt exp; User Interface/Interface Architecture design skills. EOE/M/F/D/AAP apply www.mtvcareers.com (10/13)

JOB OPENING:  VP MEDIA PLANNING/Nickelodeon/NYC: 8+yrs exp. Media planning; 5+ yrs. mgt exp a must; Exp. media planning in an agency setting preferred. EOE/M/F/D/AAP apply www.mtvcareers.com (10/13)

JOB OPENING:  SR RESEARCH ANALYST TNT/TBS/COURT TV Ad Sales/NY: National research support/create sales positioning presentations. Strong analytical/data interpretation/writing skills. 3+ yrs exp. Apply: [email protected]   (10/13)

JOB OPENING: INTERACTIVE A/E/WPIX/CW11 NYC: 3+yrs online sales exp. well networked in online community, high interest in media, proven track record in online sales, pro-actively drive revenue, rush resume to www.cw11.com EOE (10/13)

JOB OPENING: ONLINE AD SALES MGR/NYC: Growing multi-media co. looking for pro-active deal maker w/ media buyer contacts & ability to close deals for websites with traffic over 1 mill. Exp. req’d. Cvr/Resume: [email protected] (10/13)

JOB OPENING:  EDITOR /Portland OR: Great opportunity to prove you’re a motivated, brilliant spot and music video editor to a national TV audience. Write us: [email protected]  (10/12)

JOB OPENING: OFFICE MGR-ADMIN ASST/GSN/NY: Office mgmt & facilities duties. Report to SVP, Ad Sales. Outstanding comp. skills, problem solving, comm skills. 2 yrs. exp in ent/media. BS deg pref’d. Res/cvr letter:  [email protected]  (10/12)

JOB OPENING: VP MEDIA RELATIONS/ABC DAYTIME/LA: Seasoned publicity and corporate communications executive to oversee bi-coastal PR department for ABC Daytime and SOAPnet. www.disneycareers.com/no.110245 (10/12)

JOB OPENING: MARKETING /PorchLight Entertainment/LA: seeks mktg exec. to lead campaign for major new PBS series aimed at kids. Experience in all mrktng phases. Resume/salary history to Jeff Ircink: [email protected] (10/11)

JOB OPENING: MKTG & PROMO MGR/VIZ Media: For magazine division. Pref exp: Consumer Mktg (teen focused), creative copy writing, online promo exp & orig effective ideas. Res/sal req: [email protected] with Mktg Promo Mgr in subject line (10/11)

JOB OPENING:  ADV & PROMO MGR/ AMC/NYC:  Manage all mktg plans, cons adv campaigns & promos from start to finish. 2+ yrs creat mktg exp, pref TV/Cable. Budget Planning & PM exp a +. rez to www.cablevision.jobs ref #4460BR (10/11)

JOB OPENING: ACCT EXEC, BRANDING & ADVERTISING:  Assist in mngng media plan’g, trafficking & reporting; mng orgnztn & dist of brand identities; BA pref’d; min 3 yrs exp in mktg/advertising; media exp pref’d www.employment.nascar.com (10/11)

JOB OPENING: DIR KIDS PROGRAMMING/KidZui/San Diego: New online service seeks kids web content guru. Ensure freshest coolest content presented in ways sure to engage kids. Know Kid trends/interests/products? Apply [email protected] (10/11)

JOB OPENING:  SALES ASSISTANT/The Hotel Networks/NY: Work w/ AE’s & Planners to service agencies and clients on daily basis. PowerPoint & Excel a must. 1+ yrs media experience a plus. Send resume to [email protected]  (10/11)

JOB OPENING:  RESEARCH MGR/Music Choice: Support sales, mrktng& prgrmng initiatives across multiple platforms w/accurate & actionable research. BA/BS 4-6 yrs media rsrch exp. req./1 yr VOD rsrch strongly pref. [email protected] (10/11)

JOB OPENING: SALES ASST SPRVSR/UNIVISION/NY: Provide support for a team of 2 VPs & 10 AE’s. Highly orgzd, detailed oriented, proactive, exc comm skills a must. 2 yrs sprvs’g exp pref’d. MS skills. Res: [email protected] EOE (10/11)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR, PUBLIC RELATIONS/TURNER BROADCASTING/NYC: PR efforts for TNT/TBS/TCM. Premieres/junkets/screenings/spec events/talent appearances. Media contacts/8 yrs exp/4 yr degree. Apply: [email protected] (10/11)

JOB OPENING: OTX/NY: Leading market research firm seeks paid (or schl crdt) interns for media ent group. Mkt rsrch and/or media exp and intrst pref’d.Accepting resumes thru Oct 30. Send: [email protected] (10/10)

JOB OPENING: VP, HR/RETIREMENT LIVING/Columbia MD: Design, develop and implement effective strategies and tactics to improve the business and employee performance. Please visit www.rl.tv for full description (10/10)

JOB OPENING:  DIRECTOR, AFFILIATE SALES/Columbia MD: Manage distribution sales and affiliate relations efforts for RLTV within a multi-state or national region. Visit www.rl.tv for full description (10/10)

JOB OPENING: GROUP SALES & MKTG DIRS/ Tribune Broadcasting/E & W Coast seek self-starter to develop new business across brdcst/cable stations/web sites; See ad @ www.TribJobs.com keywords16666/16664; Apply by 10/12 EOE  (10/10)

JOB OPENING: ASST. SALES PLANNER/ Oxygen Media/ NY: Candidate must be detail oriented and possess excellent communication skills. Will report to two AE’s. Resume & cover letter to [email protected], ref job title in subject line (10/10)

JOB OPENING: SALES PLANNER/ Oxygen Media/ NY: Support two AE’s, 2-3 yrs exp. buying or planning. Must be detail oriented and possess excellent comm and math skills. Resume/cover letter to [email protected], ref job title in subject (10/10)

JOB OPENING:  ONLINE ACCT EXEC/Discovery Networks/NY: Sell National online advertising on IMedia Ad Sales Team, strong sales skills, 5 yrs sales exp, min 2 yrs internet sales. Apply: www.discovery.com (#5868)   (10/6)

JOB OPENING:  SALES ASSISTANT/Hallmark Channel/NY: -Work w/ AE’s & Planners to service and maintain agencies and clients on daily basis. See full posting and apply at www.hallmarkchannel.com (10/6)

JOB OPENING:  TRAFFIC COORDINATOR/Hallmark Channel/NY:  Edits daily broadcast logs; executes agency traffic instructions; maintains commercial inventory. See full posting and apply at www.hallmarkchannel.com (10/6)

JOB OPENING:  MGR WRITTEN COMM/WB WW TV PUBL/CA: Create, write, edit and/or proofread all consumer publicity, bus comm, mktg, advertising/sales materials of WB TV Group. 5 yrs exp. Email: [email protected]    re: 88523BR_UCTC (10/6)

JOB OPENING:  FINANCE/BUS INTELLIGENCE SR ANALYST/MAXIM DIGITAL/NY: Support Maxim Digital Ops: fin modeling, web analytics; Strong system skills desired; Online exp pref’d; 2+ yrs exp fin / analytics; email res: [email protected]  (10/6)

JOB OPENING:  MANAGER AD SALES MKTG/TV Land/MTVN NY: BA; 5 yrs marketing exp. Creative thinker w/ strong proj mgmnt sk; highly organized. Understands brand mgmnt, advtg, promos, resrch. EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (10/6)

JOB OPENING:  NEW MEDIA EXEC PROD/Atlanta:   Exp in online Product Mngmt & Product delivery.Resp for content strategy, funding launch, ad sales strategy, writing business plans. Strategic role.  [email protected] (860) 632 3707 (10/6)

SUMMER or FALL 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  [email protected] .

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: Production Company/Baltimore: Looking for fall and Spring interns for documentary. Will get experience in research, logging and all aspects of production and post production. Apply [email protected]  (10/6)

SITUATION WANTED ADS, POSTED BY THOSE LOOKING TO BE HIRED …

SITUATION WANTED: EVENT/MEETING PLANNER/NYC: 3 + years exp. in corp./special events and PR. Excellent references. email: [email protected] (10/12)

SITUATION WANTED: Creative Emmy Winner/L.A. Experience in competition, docu-soap and soft-scripted, looking for senior producer position. Strong credits, strong references, great attitude. Contact [email protected] (10/12)

SITUATION WANTED: PRODUCTION/FINANCE MANAGER/NYC: 4+ yrs exp. in non-fiction prod.; budgets, cost reports, overages, contracts, staffing and staff/crew management. Bilingual, resourceful, and w/excellent references. [email protected] (10/11)

SITUATION WANTED: PROD. COORD./ASSOC. PROD/L.A. area:  4+ yrs exp. in TV/Ent: Mobile/Digital Content producer/talent coordinator/ PA. Diligent, teamplayer, great comm./org. skills. Email [email protected]  (10/6)

E-mail Trish Pihonak for rates and specs for Job Openings.  

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