CYNOPSISKIDS!
03.24.14 Good morning. It’s Monday, March 24, 2014, and this is your first early morning briefing.
Fox announced an upcoming slate of superhero movies, including a new Wolverine solo film in March 2017 and Fantastic Four 2 for summer 2017. A third Marvel movie release date was also announced: July 13, 2018, but the studio is keeping the title, plot and character focus under wraps for now.
Panelists at last week’s CynKids tablet webinar shared some terrific insights on best practices to expand brands into the tablet realm. Some highlights:
– Kids are finding their way to brand websites through tablet apps. As of March, PBS Kids is getting 13 million unique visitors a month, many directly from apps, said Abby Jenkins, director of content for PBS Kids Digital. "We like to show variety in our apps, different characters, different aspects of the curriculum" to attract a variety of kids and parents, she said.
– Discoverability remains a challenge. "This is the biggest issue when developing apps for tablets," said Caroline Fraser, VP, digital products and production, at Scholastic Media. Scholastic releases apps around big programming events and anniversaries, "so we have increased marketing muscle around them."
– When developing an app, don’t overlook the unique ergonomics of a 3-year old. "It’s very difficult for kids to move around with a heavy tablet," said Mindy Brooks, Sesame Workshop director of research and education. "We don’t allow for tilting and moving the tablet within apps." The other reason Sesame says no to tilting: "We don’t want the kids dropping and shattering mom’s iPad." Fair enough.
– Kids are interacting with content across multiple, emerging platforms. Keep up. "Technology is anything that was developed after you were born," said Graham Farrar, president of Cupcake Digital‘s iStoryTime. "You ignore a platform at your peril."
It’s switcheroo time on Disney Channel, when the net’s stars swap shows in a wacky weekend of escapades April 11-13. The "What the What?!?" weekend includes new eps featuring Sierra McCormick (A.N.T. Farm) and G Hannelius (Dog With A Blog) on Jessie, Leigh-Allyn Baker (Good Luck Charlie) on Dog With A Blog, Laura Marano (Austin & Ally) on Liv and Maddie, Peyton List (Jessie) on I Didn’t Do It and Grace Phipps (Teen Beach Movie) on Austin & Ally. Our heads are spinning already…
The fourth and final season of The Boondocks, which airs on Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim, will premiere on April 21. The last season of the show, which had been on hiatus since 2010, was not produced with creator Aaron McGruder, who has been working on a live-action comedy for the network, Black Jesus. The voice cast for the final season will include Snoop Dogg, CeeLo Green and Aisha Tyler.
Look for some ground-control promotional events around Sprout‘s launch in July of Astroblast, its new animated outer space adventure co-produced with Scholastic Media. Retail integrations are in the works that will "bring the space camp concept to key markets, and let kids and families interact with Afterblast characters and themes associated with the show," Sprout president Sandy Wax tells CynKids.
Though they aren’t revealing any specifics yet, at least two kids content companies–Scholastic Media and Sesame Workshop are looking to extend brands into the wearable market. "We haven’t announced it yet, but we are beginning to develop one property for wearables," Caroline Fraser, Scholastic VP, digital products and production, revealed at last week’s CynKids webinar. Sesame Workshop director of research and education Mindy Brooks echoed Sesame is "interested in wearables" too.
A new, digitally remastered Pokemon soundtrack from the Pokemon Diamond and Pokemon Pearl videogames is now available on iTunes. The Pokemon Company’s Pokemon Diamond & Pokemon Pearl: Super Music Collection features reorchestrated music originally composed by Junichi Masuda, Go Ichinose and Morikazu Aoki.
A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE
Did you miss the CYNOPSIS KIDS’ TABLET WEBINAR?
Don’t panic you can still access it On-Demand!
Featured Speakers:
Abby Jenkins – Director of Content {PBS KIDS Digital}
Graham Farrar – Co-Founder {IStoryTime}
Caroline Fraser – VP, Digital Products & Prod. {Scholastic Media}
Mindy Brooks Director, Education & Research {Sesame Workshop}
Click Here For More Webinar Information.
Animation studio Rainmaker Entertainment and indie producer Blockade Entertainment are at work on two new stereoscopic CG-animated feature films–Ratchet & Clank and Sly Cooper, both based Sony PlayStation game franchises. Both films will have the promotional and marketing support from PlayStation’s PSN (PlayStation Network), which reaches more than 100 million homes worldwide, and both have already notched international distribution deals courtesy of Cinema Management Group.
Don’t Miss Out… Hope to see you at Cynopsis Kids !magination + People Awards, June 11 in NYC. Hosted by Inside Edition’s Megan Alexander, The Awards honor the best children’s and family multiplatform programming and marketing, plus the outstanding execs in kids entertainment. This year, we will also be honoring an elite group of Animation Innovators. More information here.
ABC Family has dropped its recently-ordered drama pilot Alice in Arabia after an outcry from the Council on American-Islamic Relations, which objected to the plot. A show script had been leaked on the internet which described the series as being about an American teen "kidnapped by her extended royal Saudi Arabian family and forced to live with them."
Stella McCartney Kids will issue children’s clothing inspired by Disney’s upcoming film Maleficent, a retelling of the Sleeping Beauty fable that stars Angelina Jolie. Clothing will include princess dresses, sandals, T-shirts and sneakers for boys and girls aged 4-15. Maleficent opens on May 30.
Season nine of preschool series Fireman Sam launches on the UK’s Cartoonito on Saturday, April 5. The new season will explore new storylines and introduce a few new characters, including Joe Sparkes, a handy mechanic who has moved to Pontypandy with his wife and daughter. Fireman Sam draws a monthly audience of 1.5 million.
DreamWorks Animation has partnered with Chinese investors to build a $2.4 billion entertainment complex in Shanghai. The "DreamCenter" is due to open in 2017 and will reportedly have a 500-seat IMAX cinema to assist in hosting international film festivals and premiere events, plus bars, restaurants and performance venues. The 40-acre site, which will be built near the 2010 Shanghai Expo, will also include Oriental DreamWorks‘ headquarters.
Answer to yesterday’s Trivia Question: What color is the planet the Clangers live on? BLUE Kudos to: No correct guesses today. Better luck tomorrow!
Today’s Trivia Question: What was Gilligan’s first name on Gilligan’s Island? (Email [email protected] with your answer and be sure to include your name, company, city and time zone.)
Weekend box office estimates for the 10 top-grossing kids/tween/teen movies rated G, PG or PG-13, provided by Rentrak for March 21-23, 2014:
Divergent (Lionsgate) PG-13 $56 million (weekend)
Muppets Most Wanted (Disney) PG $16.51 (weekend)
Mr. Peabody & Sherman (20th Century Fox) PG $11.7 million (weekend) $81 million (3-week cume)
God’s Not Dead (Freestyle Releasing) PG $8.56 million (weekend)
Need For Speed (Disney) PG-13 $7.78 million (weekend) $30.4 million (2-week cume)
LEGO Movie (Warner Bros.) PG-13 $4.11 million (weekend) $243.35 million (7-week cume)
Son of God (20th Century Fox) PG-13 $2.65 million (weekend) $55.59 million (4-week cume)
Frozen (Disney) PG $734,000 (weekend) $397.74 million (18-week cume)
Ride Along (Universal) PG-13 $607,750 (weekend) $133.1 million (10-week cume)
Veronica Mars (Warner Bros.) PG-13 $490,000 million (weekend) $2.85 million (2-week cume)
A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE
Which describes you most:
A: I hate taking 5-minute surveys
B: I love extra money in my pocket.
If you answered "B" click here and you could win some extra cash!
Thank you in advance for providing your opinion so we can make
Cynopsis Classifieds even better!
Cheers — Cathy Applefeld Olson
[email protected] for Cynopsis Kids!
03.24.14
Roberta Caploe: Editorial Director @robertacaploe
Diane K Schwartz: Senior Vice President, Media Communications Group
Cynopsis Ad Sales: Mike Farina | VP Sales | 203-218-6480
Classifieds Sales: Trish Pihonak | Director of Operations | 203-899-8459
To subscribe to any Cynopsis edition(s) click here.
To unsubscribe from this edition, click here. Or for further assistance please email [email protected].
Cynopsis CLASSIFIEDS – For More classifieds, visit the Cynopsis.com classifieds page here.
JOB OPENING: BBCA/COORDINATOR; COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS/NYC: Build daily broadcast logs and/or manage copy accounts in a fast paced & deadline driven environment; 1-3 yrs exp, Broadway or traffic system exp a +. [email protected] (3/29)
JOB OPENING: DIR GLOBAL SPORTS SALES/NBCU/NY: Sports & Olympics Sales for NBC Sports Group & Telemundo. 5+ yrs exp w/2+ yrs in leadership role. Full info/APPLY: HERE (3/29)
JOB OPENING: DIR, TRADE MKTG/OXYGEN/NYC: Lead trade mktg strategy for Oxygen, incl. Upfronts, eblasts, events & presentations. 6+ years exp req’d in media/agency. Entertainment mktg exp pref’d. Full info/apply HERE (3/29)
JOB OPENING: MGR, DIGITAL INTEGRATED MKTG/Viacom/NYC: focus on dvlpng executing mktg prgrms w/advertising partners across all MTV screens with an emphasis on digital & mobile. 5 yrs mktg exp with major brands. Full info/apply: HERE (3/29)
JOB OPENING: ESPN/PROJECT-DIGITAL PLATFORM ANALYST/Seattle: Act as the ad system and technical integration expert for the Ad Operations, Site Technology and Product teams. Min 2 yrs experience. Project lasts 1 year. http://bit.ly/1djdHnD (3/29)
JOB OPENING: PROJECT MGR/IFC/NYC: Mng all assigned projects, obtain proper approval to ensure timely delivery of material. Project mng all phases of production for on-air integrated marketing promotions projects. Full info. Apply HERE (3/29)
JOB OPENNG: DIR, NTWK & TECHNICAL OPERATIONS/NESN/Watertown MA: Lead/mng network’s brdcst operations incl studio, master control, prod & remote operations, & media assets. 12+ yrs exp TV operations mngmnt. Full info/apply HERE (3/28)
JOB OPENNG: SR MANAGER, PROGRAM RESEARCH/CNBC/Englewood Cliffs NJ: Focus on network’s Primetime daypart. Expert on Nielsen suite of products, strong analytical background. 5+ years of relevant media experience. To apply http://www.nbcunicareers.com/view-job?id=207580 (3/28)
JOB OPENING: AFFILIATE MKTG COORD/BBC AMERICA/NYC: Trade, event & partnrshp mktg of BBCA w/affiliates. Knowldge of TV indstry, creative production & excellent comm/proj mgmt skills. Some travel req’d. [email protected] (3/27)
JOB OPENING: WRITER/PRODUCER ON-AIR PROMOS/CNN/ATL: Exp write/produce national and/or local news promos, writing for multiple genres and platforms. Topical Exp Pref. 2-3 yrs+ exp. To Apply: http://bit.ly/1h88sbZ (3/27)
JOB OPENING: AD SALES & SPONSORSHIP ACCT EXEC/PAC-12/San Francisco: AE for multimedia ad sales. Dvlp/coord dvlpmnt of sales presentations to existing & potential clients. 3+ yrs sales exp. Passion for College sports. Full info/apply HERE (3/27)
JOB OPENING: RESEARCH ANALYST/ABC Burbank: Knowledge of TV research and software, strong written, PC & analytical skills, college degree req. 1+ yr in media rsrch, or related fields. Exp with Nielsen. BA degree. Apply: HERE (3/27)
JOB OPENING: PMCM-TV, KJWP DTV 2 (PHL) & KVNV DTV 3 (NY) seeks PUBLIC AFFAIRS/NEWS DIR /Freehold NJ to be resp for prod’g wkly Public Affairs prgrmng for these mkts. Also seeking NEWS ANCHORS in Freehold NJ & DE. Res/demos HERE EOE (3/27)
JOB OPENING: MGR SPORTS RESEARCH/NY: 3-5+ yrs Turner TV rsrch brdcst/cable. Prof in basic media measurement and analysis. Exp w/rate cards & Nielsen rsrch software. Apply HERE (3/26)
JOB OPENING: COORDINATOR, TRAFFIC/Crown Media Family Networks/NY: Edit daily broadcast logs, execute agency traffic instructions, maintain commercial inventory for Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movie Channel. BA deg req’d. Apply HERE (3/26)
JOB OPENING: MGR, STANDRD PRACTICES/DISNEY/BURBANK: Suprvs approval of standrds edits for Int’l channel. Revw orgnl and acquired program. Update Int’l policy. Knwldg network standrd & practs needed. www.disneycareers.com REQ167236 (3/26)
JOB OPENING: MANAGER, MEDIA PLANNING/NBCU/NYC: Work directly with the Today Show, NBC News and msnbc media team. Create effective cross platform media plans & develop insights using rsch tools. Apply HERE (3/26)
JOB OPENING: MGR, BRAND MKTG/MSNBC/NYC: Responsible for guiding the promotion of msnbc programs and showcasing shows & talent within the broader context of the brand. Min 4 yrs exp in brand mktng reqd. Apply HERE (3/26)
JOB OPENING: FREELANCE BANNER DESIGNERS/NYC: Leading ent co is seeking. Design/prod animated banners in support of global campaigns. Advanced Flash skills & ability to work fast under deadlines while adhering to brands’ style guide a must. [email protected] (3/25)
IN SEARCH OF: PR AGENCY/LA: Looking to hire PR Agency for Promotion for new TV original series. TV & prgrmng exp a must. For full details visit www.myx.tv/PR and email [email protected] with credentials & proposal. Deadline 3/28. (3/27)
CASTING CALL: Companies can showcase their casting notices/casting calls here. For information on rates and specs for posting a casting notice, please email Trish at [email protected]
EXPERT SERVICES ADS: These ads are for companies or people who offer an expertise in the field of media by way of production, voice over artistry, writing, set development, etc. For information on rates and specs for posting an Expertise Service ad email Trish at [email protected]
EXPERT SERVICE: TV PRODUCTION: svcs available. Ghost & script writer, field prod, commercial acting as well as broadcasting career coach & more. Former LA TV news anchor & award winning reporter looking to work for you. Contact Terri: [email protected] (4/3)
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].
SPRING INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: MKTG INTERN/MYX TV/GLENDALE CA: Asst orgnztn in dvlpmnt & implementation of its mktg campaigns. Undergraduate or grad student majored in mktg/advrtsng/PR or bus admin. Exc verbal/comm skills. Full details http://linkd.in/1j2Yxp0 send resume [email protected] (3/27)
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: DEV & PROD COORD/NYC: Exp’d coordinator with agency & reality TV experience searching for a position at a TV Network. Email: [email protected] (3/29)
E-mail [email protected] or call Trish Pihonak at 203-899-8459 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 2014
All outgoing e-mails are scanned and sent out virus free. Copyright Cynopsis 2014
