A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM SPROUT

Cynopsis: Kids!
04.22.13

Good morning. It’s Monday, April 22, 2013, and this is your first early morning briefing.

Today’s Top Headlines
We’ve got kids news covered for you daily during Upfront season…

With the release Friday of its first six original kids pilots for public consumption online, Amazon Studios director Roy Price tells CynKids he isn’t keen on the all-you-can-eat release strategy embraced by fellow digi-studio Netflix with its House of Cards premiere in February. “The only way to release all the episodes at once is to keep finished episodes in the closet for a number of months and delay their release. I don’t know about that from a customer choice point of view,” Price says. “Arguably, we might as well put the episodes out there and if [viewers] want to watch them individually as they come or wait, this gives them a lot of choice.” Price, a former Disney programming and development exec, acknowledges there’s a learning curve in the children’s programming space. “We have to think about the dynamic. Is it different in the preschool space? Is there a premium on having a certain amount of episodes available at launch?”

Amazon’s children’s pilots, all aimed at the preschool audience, include projects from J.J. Johnson and the Jim Henson Co. They will be available for free viewing for at least one month, according to Price. Based on audience feedback, the company will develop the best-loved shows into complete series, set to debut in early 2014 on subscription services Amazon Instant Video and Prime Instant Video in the States, Lovefilm UK and Lovefilm Germany. Is the company prepared to develop all six series if they get a collective thumbs up? “That’s a problem I hope to have,” Price says.

Here’s a brief description of the Amazon Kids pilots:

Annebots: Animated series about a young scientist and her three robot helpers who assist her in experiments using treasures found in her dad’s junkyard. Created by J.J. Johnson.

Creative Galaxy: An animated, interactive art-focused series designed to inspire creativity through crafts, story and music. Created by Angela Santomero, who developed Emmy-nominated Super Why!, and Blues Clues and Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood.

Oz Adventures: Problem-solving animated series that centers on Dorothy’s daughter Dot and her adventures with different characters based on L. Frank Baum’s beloved book.

Sara Solves It: Animated brother and sister duo Sara and Sam solve big mysteries based on the questions little kids encounter in their daily lives. Each mystery is a math-based puzzle viewers can solve along with the episode. Created by Emmy winner Carol Greenwald (Curious George, Arthur) and Angela Santomero.
 
Teeny Tiny Dogs: Puppets including Butch, Butterfly, Dinky and Polly help each other navigate the world despite their minuscule size. From the Jim Henson Co. and created by Howard Baker of Rugrats fame.

Tumbleleaf: Created by Drew Hodges and Bix Pix Studios and set in a whimsical land, the animated series features a small blue fox named Fig who discovers adventure and friendship in his everyday adventures.

LICENSING

Like other Frenchmen of distinction, Babar is dabbling in the realm of high fashion. As part of his gala 80th anniversary celebration this year, the King of the Elephants is collaborating with Opening Ceremony stores in New York and Los Angeles to offer the limited-edition the Babar Meets Soulland menswear collection from Danish designer/Soulland CEO Silas Alder. The clothing line comprises long and short-sleeve button down shirts, t-shirts, sweatshirts and shorts featuring vintage illustrations created by Babar author and illustrator Jean de Brunoff. The collection debuted earlier this month at Paris’ famed retailer Colette and had debuts at other high-end international retailers including London’s Goodhood, Brussels’ Hunting & Collecting and Berlin’s Soto et Voo before making its way to the States. Babar has appeared in more than 100 books in 17 languages, multiple TV series and specials and a feature-length film. 

Time flies. Radical Sheep Productions is feting the 20th anniversary of preschool series The Big Comfy Couch with a licensing deal with Segal Licensing, and a DVD/digital distribution deal with Fisher Klingenstein Ventures and the release of two music albums. All 100 episodes of the series will be available in the U.S. and Canada starting in June; CDs are available on CD Baby and iTunes.

NEW PRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT

DreamWorks Animation is developing a new film, working title Tibet Code, with sister Oriental DreamWorks’ and partners China Media Capital and Shanghai Alliance Investment Co. The action-adventure is based on the series of popular Chinese novels set in ninth century Tibet. In related news, DreamWorks Animation CEO Jeffery Katzenberg pocketed a compensation package in 2012 of $5.24 million, up 31% from $4 million the prior year, according to a Hollywood Reporter report based on an SEC statement from the company.

DIGITAL UPDATE

Tesco and the Walt Disney Co. U.K. are feeding the fan love for Marvel’s upcoming Iron Man 3 movie with the joint launch the Stark Armoury app. Available via iTunes, Google Play and at the Tesco Iron Man 3 website, the app enables users to photograph themselves, frame their likeness in the famed Mark II suit and share the photos via social media. Additional Stark Armoury fun can be unlocked at Tesco stores, where fans can scan Stark Armoury labeled displays with their device and unlock new app features.

MORE KIDS NEWS

Walt Disney Co. and News Corp. have hired investment bank Guggenheim Partners to help them find a buyer for Hulu, an interesting scenario given Guggenheim is considering putting in its own bid for the Internet streaming site.

BY THE NUMBERS

Weekend box office estimates for the 10 top-grossing kids/tween/teen movies rated G, PG or PG-13, provided by Rentrak for April 19-21, 2013:

Oblivion (Universal)  PG-13 $38.15 million (weekend)  $38.15 million (1-week cume)
42 (Warner Bros.)  PG-13  $18.03 million (weekend)  $54.06 million (2-week cume)
The Croods (20th Century Fox) PG $9.5 million (weekend)  $154.9 million (5-week cume)
Scary Movie 5 (The Weinstein Co.)  PG-13 $6.3 million (weekend)  $22.94 million (2-week cume)
GI Joe: Retaliation (Paramount) PG-13  $5.78 million (weekend) $111.21 (4-week cume)
Jurassic Park (Universal) PG-13  $4 million (weekend)  $38.48 million (3-week cume)
Oz the Great and Powerful (Disney) PG $3.05 million (weekend)  $223.77 million (7-week cume)
Home Run (IDP/Samuel Goldwyn) PG-13 $1.62 million (weekend)  $1.62 million (1-week cume)
The Host (Open Road) PG-13  $1 million (weekend)  $25.18 million (4-week cume)
Life of Pi (20th Century Fox) PG  $158,500 (weekend)  $124.52 million (22-week cume)

CYNKIDS SPOTLIGHT

Drop in, tune out: It’s almost time for National Screen Free Week, that bastion of in-the-moment non-virtual living that’s evolved from simply shutting off the television to powering down all devices whose screens suck us in. To sweeten the non-screen pot during the week of April 29-May 5, Random House Children’s Books is launching Random House Unplugs, a 14-city campaign inspired by Dan Yaccarino’s latest book Dog Unplugged. Noted children’s picture book creators including Yaccarino, Chris Raschka, Bob Staake and Tad Hills will participate in a national tour, school beautification projects, and other activities that encourage screen-free time. In select markets, the illustrators will create indoor and outdoor murals with students. During every stop on the tour, each author will also leave a piece of original artwork, created specifically for Screen Free Week. To support parents in their efforts to encourage Screen Free activities, Random House is providing a guide with book suggestions for all ages, activities and tips for screen-free entertaining on randomhousekidsunplugs.com.

EXECUTIVE MOVES

Brian Schwagerl joins NBCU as SVP of facilities operations, planning and services. He previously was at Hearst Corp.

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE

– – – S A V E   T H E   D A T E – – –

Answer to Yesterday’s Trivia Question: What is the name of Superman’s birth mother? Lara. Kudos to: Michael Ritz-BucStar Consulting/NYC; Sharaine Roberts-A+E Networks/NY; Barry Solomon-Retailability Inc/NY; Jeph Loeb-Marvel Television/Glendale CA.

Today’s Trivia Question: What year did Joe take over as host of Blue’s Clues? (Email [email protected] with your answer and be sure to include your name, company, city and time zone.)

Cheers — Cathy
[email protected] for Cynopsis Kids!
04.22.13

Roberta Caploe: Editorial Director
Denise O’Connor: Group Publisher, Cynopsis Media
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: MGR, DIG MKTG, USA Network/NYC: Dev & execute Digital/360 Ad Sales Mktg.Research Knwlge: ComScore, Neilsen, Omniture. Dig media plan/buy acumen. Adv PPT skls. 5+ yrs mktg TV/agncy exp www.nbcunicareers.com (9791BR) (4/27)

JOB OPENING: SALES DIR WO NETWORK/NY: Exp selling to large cable nets, solid understanding of plan’g/buying/stewardship & systems that support this. Sftware sales exp is a +. Must be in tri-state area. Apply here (4/27)

JOB OPENING: POST PROD SUPV/ PROMO PRODUCER/NY: Min 12 yrs TV Network exp. Support network programming/ Manage team Sports background a plus. Send res and cov ltr Attn: Rose to [email protected] (4/27)

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH ANALYST SR (TV/MEDIA RSCH)/OUTDOOR CHANNEL/TEMECULA,CA: Compile, anlyz ratings data; metrix/anlytx; make recomndtns; expert Excel; deg & 3-5 yrs resch exp TV/cbl/brdcst. Apply: www.outdoorchannel.com/Employment (4/27)

JOB OPENING: MGR-PARTICIPATION & RESIDUALS/IFC Films/NY: PT position, manage participation reports for all P&Ls, residual processing, primary guild contact, 4-7 yrs exp accounting. Click here (4/27)

JOB OPENING: SR PROD/HISTORY Digital/A+E/NY: write/edit/prod plus out-sourcing feature and news articles for cross-platform distr.; 4+yrs writing exp/editing & prod for dig. Outlet. – BA/BA degree in History and/or English or related. Apply: here (4/26)

JOB OPENING: CREATIVE ART DIR/A+E/NY: Lead dig. design team to strategize, concept & oversee brand mngmnt, creative dir & redesigns. Mng all of phases of creative work. 8+yrs exp & portfolio showcasing web, mobile, social, app solutions. Apply: here (4/26)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS/NESN/Watertown, MA: Lead/mng the network’s brdcst operations including studio, master control, prod & remote operations, and media assets. To apply: https://home.eease.com/recruit/?id=4513951 (4/26)

JOB OPENING: DIR, MEDIA RELATIONS/CABLEVISION/BETHPAGE/NY: Background in conv./modern media rel, interest in tech, knowledge of cable industry. 5-7 yrs exp, strong writing skills. Apply here (4/26)

JOB OPENING: WRITER/PRODUCER/iN DEMAND/NYC: Write, rough edit & produce through post prod process promos & marketing campaigns. Bachelors & 2-3 yrs industry exp. Apply: [email protected] (4/26)

JOB OPENING: MGR Devel/PROD/Discovery/MD: Dynmc idea genratr, exp in biz of devel/deal mking process. Confid/effctve cmnctr, take pitches/rprsnt dept., dvl ntwk cont. Suprts EPs. 5 yrs agncy/ntwrk exp, strng indstry cntcts: Apply here (4/26)

JOB OPENING: MGR-DIGITAL MEDIA & TECH/Sundance/NY: 5-7+ yrs. exp web tech & PM. PM site dvt., knwlg WordPress, HTML, PHP & CSS. Res here (4/26)

JOB OPENING: SENIOR WRITER/PRODUCER/Sportsman Channel/NY: Highly creative/innovative thinker. Strong writer with a keen eye. 6+ yrs exp in TV promotions dept or agency. Apply here (4/26)

JOB OPENING: DIR MEDIA RELATIONS/FX/LA: Resp: planning & implementation of PR campaigns, launch of new shows, cultivate Media support & awareness.5+yrs Media/PR exp (Network/Studio) http://goo.gl/PK1Zu (4/26)

JOB OPENING: KIDS DEV & CURRENT EXEC/AMAZON STUDIOS/LA: Develop 11 & 22 min programs for online and traditional dist. Past dev/current experience required. Strong network of writers/artists pref. [email protected] (4/24)

JOB OPENING: DIR AD SALES OPS/TENNIS CHANNEL/LA: Lead/Mnge a staff resp for execution of ad sales ord, traffic, on-air promo sched’g/log creation. Live, sprts prog environ. BA & 7+yrs exp TV ad sales ops w/3+ yrs mgmt/sprvsry exp. [email protected] (4/24)

JOB OPENING: COUNSEL/IFC&SUN/NYC: Negotiate material deal terms, draft/finalize agreements relating to daily ops of IFC, Sundance for pilot/series agreements for script & non-script prgrmng, film, dig. Dist. etc. Submit res http://tinyurl.com/chmcnwh (4/24)

JOB OPENING:  MANAGER, PR/SUNDANCE/NYC: Develop, implement PR strategies, publicity campaigns, etc for Sundance. Handle programming, digital, mktng initiatives & events. 3+ yrs PR exp. Submit res http://tinyurl.com/blcdomx (4/24)

JOB OPENING: SUPERVISING PROD/Discovery/MD: Passionate inventive thinker/envelope pusher w/ new ideas to keep vetrn shows fresh, strng story/editorial chops. Thrives w/in a close creative team, gifted prblm solver, 6 yrs exp. Apply (4/24)

JOB OPENING: VP, SCHEDULING/FXX/LA: Develop programming & schedule strategies for new network. 7-10yrs exp. required. goo.gl/YQYTA (4/23)

JOB OPENING: SALES PLANNER/NYC/Midtown: Captivate Network – own presales & RFP process, plan campaigns, add cre8ive ideas. Need BS+2yrs advrtsng support+CRM exp – JOIN A GREAT TEAM!!! Apply now: [email protected] (4/23)

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].

INTERNSHIP AD CREDITS ONLY: PR/iN DEMAND/NYC: Supporting PR activities, research national media, tracking press coverage, follow bloggers, write press releases. Course credit only. Apply: [email protected] (4/23)

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: PRODUCER/FIELD PRODUCER/STORY PROD: in LA-10+ yrs. exp. prod for A&E, VH1, BBC, Sundance. Also, exp. prod EPK & Corp. Strong mng of crews, great interviewer w/celeb and non celeb talent. Contact email: [email protected] (4/23)

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 2013

All outgoing e-mails are scanned and sent out virus free. Copyright Cynopsis 2013