A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE from ACADEMY OF TELEVISION ARTS & SCIENCES

Cynopsis: Kids!

04/27/09

Good morning. It’s Monday, April 27, 2009, and this is your first early morning Kids briefing.

Preschoolers get to do more than just dance and sing with The Wiggles as the group launches its first interactive online world WiggleTime .com.  The site is created specifically for preschoolers and their adults, and provides kids with an introduction to the internet in a safe environment and where they can play developmental games and watch video clips.  Parents can find parenting information and updates, including a monthly report about their child’s progress on the site.  The site can be played for free, but a premium service is also available with monthly subscription (about US$6, up to four kids per account), including a plan where $1.50/month is donated to UNICEF, which allows the sub access into a special area and game.

MORE KIDS STUFF

Japan’s Fuji TV launches its new weekday kid series We Can today (7:15a-7:30a), per Japan Today.  Hosted by model Tsubasa Masuwaka (23) and Miss Japan 2009 Marino Miyata (17), We Can is targeted to elementary school kids and features discussions on a range of topics including home, school and neighborhood events from a kid point-of-view.

MARKETING/LICENSING

Lisa Marks Associates (LMA) heads to Licensing International Expo in Las Vegas (June 2-4, 2009) with several new clients:

• LMA is appointed as the licensing agency for the national youth service organization, Do Something.  LMA will create a full licensing program, including developing strategic partnerships with manufacturers and retailers for back-to-school, fashion, gifts and stationery, and publishing programs, and products that are meaningful to young adults and that dovetail with the Do something mission.  LMA will also develop custom projects with select retailers leveraging Do Something’s relationship with the young adult market.  Do Something is aimed at people 25 and under.
• LMA has also inked a deal to represent guitar manufacturer C.F. Martin & Co.   LMA will develop Martin Guitar brand across key categories, including apparel and accessories, men’s fragrance, furniture and home decor, publishing and art, gifts and collectibles, and stationery.
• Additionally, you may recall that earlier this year Coolabi tapped LMA to rep the tween/teen-girl targeted Scarlett & Crimson property in North America.  Scarlett & Crimson is co-owned by Coolabi and designer Ged Backland.

Universal Studios Consumer Products Group will also be at the Licensing show where it will showcase a range of properties including the Curious George and The Wolfman.

• Universal extends the Curious George brand with the launch of Curious George: Curious Baby, a new infant-targeted line for boys and girls.  Based on a new publishing program by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Universal will create the infant line that will be design driven and feature upscale products that emphasize development.  Initial categories available for licensing in the Curious Baby collection include layette; early development toys; gifts; nursery decor; and bath, feeding, and daily care essentials.  The publishing will launch the Curious Baby program this year with Curious George’s first-ever infant books, including My Curious World (cloth book), My Little Boat (bath book and toy), Counting (board book with beads) and others. Universal will bring additional categories to market in 2010.  All merchandise will be based on the look of Curious George in the classic literary series. 
• Universal unveiled its roster of licensing partners for Universal Pictures’ upcoming The Wolfman (November 6, 2009), which is based on the classic Universal film.  Partners include: Mezco Toyz (collectible figures); Rock Rebel (apparel and accessories); and Rubie’s Costume Company (Halloween costumes).  With products set to be available at retail in fall 2009, the merchandise program will be aimed toward the collector and specialty markets.

Kidz Bop teams with McDonald’s for a music filled new Happy Meal promotion.  Kids will received one of eight different CDs, featuring five Kidz Bop songs (including one original track), when they purchase a Happy Meal now through May 21, 2009.  Each CD available via the promotion includes a code that kids can use to unlock a special song at the McWorld area accessible via HappyMeal .com.  Kids can also create original content and upload their videos on KidzBop.com.

Hitting the shelves this month is the new Monopoly: Planet Earth Edition, a new version of Monopoly that is based on the BBC’s Planet Earth series and features the earth’s natural resources, landscapes and animals.  The game is made by USAopoly under license from Hasbro and BBC America, the environmentally friendly edition of Monopoly features recycled, earth friendly money, deed cards, Chance, Community Chest cards. In addition, the game includes six collectible pewter tokens: the Snow Leopard, the Red Kangaroo, the Emperor Penguin, the Blue Whale, the Elephant and the Polar Bear.

Happiness Records/E1 Music will release Kidzapalooza, Vol. 1, on June 16, 2009.  The complication, a first for Kidzapalooza, features some family-friendly songs sung by family acts and indie groups including Lunch Money, Secret Agent 23 Skidoo, The Jimmies, Ralph Cover (Ralph’s World), Perry Farrell, and Lisa Loeb among many others.  Launched in 2005, Kidzapalooza is the family-centric stage of the annual Lollapalooza festival.

GoAnimate.com, an online platform that lets users create customizable animations, inks a licensing deal with CopCorp Licensing to add Jim Benton’s It’s Happy Bunny to its list of characters.  While not specifically aimed at kids, the site and property are fun to play with.  Once users have created an animation at GoAnimate, they can share them from the site via integration of both Gmail and Yahoo! Mail contacts, Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, Digg, Del.icio.us, StumbleUpon and Reddit.

Action Toys Inc. taps Ontario-based Unicorn Toys as its official wholesale distributor in Canada.  Although the initial inventory is being shipped from the Action Toys’ distribution center in Florida, future plans include direct shipments to Canada from Action’s factories overseas.

STONE SOUP

Weekend Box Office Estimates for kids/tweens/teens rated G, PG or PG-13; April 24-26, 2009:
Obsessed (Sony / Screen Gems) PG-13                   Opening Weekend $28.5m
17 Again (Warner Bros.) PG-13                              $11.7m-2 wk total $40.0m
The Soloist (Paramount (DreamWorks)) PG-13        Opening Weekend $9.7m
Earth (2009) (Buena Vista) G                                 Opening Weekend $14.2m
Monsters Vs. Aliens (Paramount (DreamWorks)) PG $8.5m-5 wk total $174.8m
State of Play (Universal) PG-13                              $6.9m-2 wk total $25.1m
Hannah Montana The Movie (Buena Vista) G           $6.4m-3 wk total $65.6m
Fast and Furious (Universal) PG-13                        $6.1m-4 wk total $145.2m
Knowing (Summit Entertainment) PG-13                $1.9m-6 wk total $76.8m
The Haunting in Connecticut (Lionsgate) PG-13       $1.5m-5 wk total $54.2m
Source: Rentrak ( www.rentrak.com )

EXECUTIVE MOVES

Patch Products appoints Bob Wann as CEO and Brian Maxwell as President.  Fran Patch (formerly CEO) and Bryce Patch (formerly President) will remain on the board of directors as Chairman and Vice Chairman, respectively.  A 35-year industry veteran, Wann has served as CMO, President and CEO with companies such as Hasbro, Playskool, Fisher Price and American Greetings.  He has also been actively involved with the Toy Industry Association.  Maxwell has been with this company for over 16 years, most recently serving as Corporate VP/Sales.

RATINGS

Live + Same Day Ratings Kids Cable Network Averages (000) for Thursday, April 23, 2009, 6am-11pm, ranked by K2-11:
Thursday, April 23, 2009
NICKELODEON:         K2-11 919; K6-11 389; TWEENS 9-14 271
DISNEY CHANNEL:     K2-11 923; K6-11 551; TWEENS 9-14 451
CARTOON NETWORK: K2-11 448; K6-11 269; TWEENS 9-14 181
DISNEY XD:               K2-11 110; K6-11   75; TWEENS 9-14   57
Source: MTVN Research from Nielsen Media Research Data

Answer to Yesterday’s Trivia Question:   Who lives on Third Earth?  THUNDERCATS  Kudos to: Daniel Errico-FreeChildrenStories.Com/New York; Vince Piotti-Nickelodeon/NYC; Darryl Gausten-Cartoon Network/Atlanta; Len Appel-Screenvision/NY

Today’s Trivia Question:  Collectively, Brittney, Jeanette, and Eleanor are better known as whom?  (Email [email protected] 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!
04.27.09

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JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR, ND&S/Hallmark Channel/Studio City: Increase distribution for Hallmark Channel & Movie Channel SD/HD. Min. 5 yrs. sales exp. See full posting & apply @ www.hallmarkchannel.com (5/2)

JOB OPENING: SALES COORDINATOR/LA/Ent-Media research co: Complete admin support to bus devel team. Strong multi-tasking/project mgmt skills a must.  Sales Force exp a plus. http://www.epollresearch.com/corp/aboutus/careers.view  (5/2)

JOB OPENING: SR MGR, INTEGRATED MKTG /DISCOVERY/LA: TLC: Dvlp, execute integrated on-air ad sales partnerships. Mng relationships w/clients & agencies. Must have 7+ yrs on-air mkt exp. Apply: http://corporate.discovery.com/careers/ #8919 (4/30)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR MKTG/The Sportsman Channel/NY, NY: Lead mktg team’s consumer awareness efforts & affiliate mktg. 5+ yrs exp in TV or digital media. Apply: [email protected] (4/30)

JOB OPENING: VP AFFILIATE SALES/MKTG/The Sportsman Channel/Denver, CO: Lead sales & retention efforts in Western territory. 5+ yrs exp in cable television industry. Apply: [email protected] (4/30)

JOB OPENING: DIR, OPERATIONS/TLC/LA: Strat/Ops/bus planning, dev. new business, partner w/CFO & execs., 5+ yrs bus. dev./tv prod. exp., MBA desired. Apply: http://corporate.discovery.com/careers/ #8836 (4/30)

JOB OPENING: SVP AD SALES (1) /NY-CGO-LA/ TV Network: 10+ Yrs Sales & Mgmt. Oversee all aspects of new, fast growing TV ntwrk ad sales effort. Emphasis on mgmt, new biz dev, growing existing biz. Med travel. [email protected] (4/30)

JOB OPENING: MGR, INTL MKTG/PROGRAMMING/RCN CORP./Herndon, VA: Mng/execute Int’l mktg strategy initiatives; negotiate Int’l mktg plans; 5+yrs exp /Int’l mktg exp. Pref’d. Apply www.rcn.com & send resume to: [email protected] (4/30)

JOB OPENING: INTERNET SALES DIR: Mng fast growing websites, mobile platforms. Train AE’s aspects of int. & dvlpmnt of results mktg campaigns. Proven track rec of int sales success media, mktg/sales. Ltr/res: [email protected] EOE (4/30)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR, OUT OF HOME DEVELOPMENT/mtvU/NYC: 5+yrs exp w/Digital Out of Home Sales, Strg OOH contacts w/agencies and clients, Successful track record in building partnerships EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (4/29)

JOB OPENING: REV ANALYST/Univision Ad Sales/NY: Strong analytical/comm/Excel skills.Asst dir w/collection of info & dissemination of sales forecasts & other reports.Work w/all levels Sales/Sales Mngmnt. EOE Res: [email protected] (4/29)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR, DIST MKTG/LA: Dvlp-exec mktg strats/campaigns/promo/materials. Work w/ nat’l accts, aff sales/ad sales/proj mgmt/Exp aff mktg. https://www.abso.com/jobboard/Default.aspx?JOBBOARDID=507&JobDetail=54196 (4/28)

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] .

SUMMER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: DESIGN INTERN/NYC:  Opp to design branded apparel for an exciting, new on-demand website.  Strong Photoshop and Illustrator Skills req¹d. Contact: [email protected] (5/2)

SUMMER INTERNSHIP CREDIT ONLY: MARKETING INTERN/truTV, NY: Support marketing department (consumer, affiliate, & ad sales). Majors: Comm., Mktg, Adv. Skills: Writing, Computer, Phone, Rsrch. Apply Online: www.turnerjobs.com – Requisition # 112159BR (4/30)

SUMMER INTERNSHIP CREDIT ONLY: here! Networks ( www.regentmedia.com ) and Regent Studios ( www.regentstudios.com ) Westwood office. Qualified applicants will have a strong interest in Development for Film & TV. Email: [email protected] (4/30)

SUMMER INTERNSHIP CREDIT ONLY: MEDIA RSRCH /NY: Opp to work with media rsrch team. This professional opp will provide you w/ the hands-on exp, entail active assignments, & learn from the colleagues. Strong MS Office Skills req’d. Res: [email protected] (4/28)

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: Audience Warm-up Artist; AP/RESEARCHER . Network-level warm-up,all types of shows; Also have clip shows, pdcn & development bkgd w/ 6 projects in hands of major prod co.. LA/NY. Contact: Steve @ [email protected] (4/30)

SITUATION WANTED: College Student. NJ/NY/CT. A summer internship with hands on exp (paid or unpaid). Majoring in INTERNATIONAL BUS at Sacred Heart University, CT. Diligent; hard working; open to all industries. [email protected] (4/30)

SITUATION WANTED: 20+ yrs. experience in TV Broadcasting & Cable ACCOUNTING/FINANCE. Seeking FT, PT or Temporary position: immediate start. Please contact [email protected] (4/30)

SITUATION WANTED: SENIOR MEDIA BUYER (NYC): Experienced National Broadcast Senior Buyer, worked with diverse blue chip clients across all dayparts. Team player, organized and detail oriented. Contact at: [email protected] (4/30)

SITUATION WANTED: PA/COORD (NY) Prod/Admin experience. Team player, highly organized, detail oriented. Natural multi-tasker seeks FT, PT, freelance work in TV/Film prod. Email: [email protected] (4/30)

SITUATION WANTED: DOCUMENTARY. PRODUCER, DIRECTOR, WRITER in L.A. Credits: National Geo, PBS, Discovery, History CH, TLC and MSNBC. Contact email: [email protected] (4/30)

SITUATION WANTED: MARKETING EXECUTIVE in NYC area. View my web folio for resume and accomplishments: www.webprofile.info/jrayher/ (4/30)

SITUATION WANTED: MARKETING/PROMOTIONS/Boston: Marketing/promotions professional seeks television, web marketing, social networking focused position. Experienced in international markets. Creative + will travel. [email protected] (4/29)

SITUATION WANTED: EXPERIENCED GRAPHIC DESIGNER (LA) Reality-TV, Film, Commercial, Documentaries & Corporate. Creative & Flexible. Seeking Freelance or Staff Position, Remote or In-House. Reel & Contact Info: www.ChaztizedMedia.com (4/29)

SITUATION WANTED: FLYAWAY PRODUCER – 10 years experience: Available to consult, produce, fix or install your format any where in the world. Able to travel in 24 hours, based in Los Angeles, [email protected] (4/29)

SITUATION WANTED: CHILDREN’S WRITER with exp at various prod co’s & Kids’ CBC. Portfolio in educational & comedic works for kids.Exp. in development, creative consulting, editing. Freelance. Contact [email protected] (4/29)

SITUATION WANTED: PRODUCER/WRITER/DIRECTOR (NY) Ultra-creative, award winning, all formats, all genres, all major networks and major cable. Fast, frugal and fun! [email protected] (4/29)

SITUATION WANTED: PA/DIGITAL EDITOR/CONTENT PRODUCER Nonfiction media, project mgmt. BU grad. Fresh ideas. Corporate grooming. [email protected], http://screencast.com/users/MJRizocki . Will relocate at own expense (4/28)

SITUATION WANTED: College Student/NJ/NY/CT: Seeking an educational, hands-on summer internship. Business Management major at Sacred Heart University. Dedicated and strong work ethic. [email protected] (4/28)

E-mail [email protected] or call Trish Pihonak at 203.926.9878 for rates and specs for Job Openings.

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