A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM COOKIE JAR ENTERTAINMENT

Cynopsis: Kids!

04/07/08

Good morning. It’s Monday, April 7, 2008, and this is your first early morning briefing.

News from MIPTV 2008, which officially gets under way at the Palais Des Festivals in Cannes, France.

Chorion signs a deal with UK broadcaster Five for the 3d CGI animated series Olivia (52×11).  Animated by Brown Bag Films, the series is currently in production and will air as part of Five’s Milkshake! programming block beginning fall 2008.  Commissioned by Nick Jr. (US), is based on author/illustrator Ian Falconer’s Olivia books.  Additional new international pre-sales for the preschool series include deals with ABC (Australia), YLE (Finland), SVT (Sweden), NRK (Norway) and RUV (Iceland).

Spain’s Imira Entertainment inks a c0-development/production/finance deal with Korea’s Vooz Character Systems at MIPTV.  Under the deal Vooz and Imira are co-developing and co-financing a new 3D CGI animated series Myo & Ga: The Life of a Hero (78×7), which is takes place both on land and under water and features characters that look like vinyl figures.  Targeted to kids 6+, animation channel Tooniverse (Korea) has singed on as a co-production partner, with Imira and Vooz looking for further co-production partners and presales at the market this week.

Decode Entertainment inks a deal with Singapore animation house Scrawl Studios for the new mixed 2D/3D animated series RPG High (52×11).  Targeted to Kids/Tweens 8-12 and featuring a video game stylized look, distribution of RPG High will be split between the partners with Scrawl Studios handling Asia sales and Decode Enterprises, the distribution arm of DHX Media, covering the rest of the world.   Decode, Scrawl along with the Media Development Authority of Singapore recently co-produced the sci-fi comedy Clang Invasion (26×22 or 52×11) with Hong Kong’s Agogo Entertainment, which Decode is launching at MIPTV this week.

Portfolio Entertainment completes sales of six kid’s series at MIPTV including: Ares Media (Turkey) renews pay TV rights for season two of the teen series Spellz (26×15); Samanyolu TV (Turkey) acquires the free TV rights for The Big Comfy Couch (100×30) and Panda Bear Daycare (26×15); Sun Media (Korea) picks up both cable and satellite TV rights for the teen series Workforce (26×30); Jim Jam, a Division of Chellomedia UK, picks up the pay TV rights for the preschool series Igloo-Gloo (26×30) for the EMEA territories; RTM (Malaysia) acquires the free TV rights for Heads Up! (26×30), a kids/tween series about astronomy.

Cookie Jar completes sales for its series Magi-Nation and World of Quest in a pan-European agreement with Jetix Europe.  Under the deal both series will air on Jetix channel across Europe beginning this year.

NEW PRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT

Ay, Dave Thomas and Rick Moranis are headed back to the Great White North as Bob and Doug McKenzie in an animated adaptation of the sketch they made famous on the late night comedy sketch show SCTV, per the Canwest News Service.  Thomas and Moranis have signed a deal with Global TV for Doug and Bob, a 22-episode half-hour animated series, on which the two will serve as executive produces.  Produced by Animax Entertainment, Thomas will also serve as head-writer on the project

MORE KIDS STUFF

Disney Channel Worldwide acquires the stop-motion preschool animated series Timmy from Aardman Animations.  Timmy is slated to bow in 2009 on Playhouse Disney channels and programming block across North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific.  The series revolves around Timmy a 3-year-old lamb, first introduced in the Aardman and Nick Park series Shaun the Sheep that also airs on Disney Channel’s around the world.  In each episode Timmy, who lives not far from Shaun, learns something about himself and friends each episode.  This is Aardman’s first preschool-targeted effort.
This is Aardman’s first preschool-targeted effort.

Rather than just build outposts in existing virtual worlds, Nickelodeon is creating its own online environments for kids to play in. Beyond Nicktropolis, Nick has plans to add World of Neopia (working title) a virtual world based on its Neopets social media site set to launch in 2009; one is built around a massive multiplayer game Monkey World (working title) and one is based on the underwater world of SpongeBob SquarePants. Developed by Nickelodeon Kids and Family Group’s Virtual World Studios (f/k/a Neostudios), the sites will offer games, avatars and social networking features and operate under hybrid business models with ad-supported free sections as well as paid subscription options.  Over the next few months, Nicktropolis will add new area such as a comic book store, pirate ship themed area and another centered on the new Nick animated series The Mighty B.  A regionalized version of Nicktropolis will also launch in the UK this month.  In addition, Neopets will introduce PetPetPet Habitats, a new desktop application, deployed on Adobe AIR.

Echo Bridge Entertainment acquires distribution rights to Alliance Atlantis International Distribution’s library from Goldman Sachs Capital Partners.  Under the deal, the terms of which were not disclosed, Echo Bridge will distribute rights to first run and catalog programming from Alliance Atlantis Intl. Distribution around the world, excluding Canada, including kids/teen properties such as Degrassi: The Next Generation (143 episodes), Instant Star (52 episodes), and Lunar Jim (46×30).  The deal will add 7,500 titles (feature films, TV movies and series) to Echo Bridge library, for a total of 11,000+ titles.  Echo Bridge begins offering Alliance Atlantis programming to broadcasters this week at MIPTV, with Daniel March, EVP helming the effort.  The deal is expected to close later this month.

MARKETING/LICENSING

Shaftesbury Films finalizes a deal with Koch Vision to release its live-action series, Life with Derek, on DVD in North America for Q4 2008.  Koch will distribute the first three seasons  (52×30) of the series on DVD.  The deal was put together by Program Partners, Shaftesbury’s US representative on drama series, with Koch Vision.  Commissioned by The Family Channel (Canada), Life with Derek was created by Daphne Ballon and is produced by Shaftesbury Films, with Shaftesbury Sales Company handling international distribution.

Toei Animation Europe is streaming new trailers for a range of its animated series at the newly launched Toei corporate site.  Kids shows showcased on the site include, all of which are offered at MIPTV, Beet, Ayakashi, Flat Broker Sisters, Happy Lucky Bikkuriman, Lovely Complex, Yes! Pretty Cure 5, GeGeGe no KITARO 5, Ikkyu-san, Digimon Data Squad, and Dr.Slump.

Mustard Pancakes, Ion Television Network’s live-action/puppet preschool show, teams with Parenting Magazine for a range of cross-promotional efforts.  The initiative will feature Mustard Pancakes will be featured on www.ParentingExtras.com, Parenting’s promotion web site, and will offer the magazine’s advertisers opportunities to partner with the series on sponsorships, events and promotional programs.

Brainy Baby completes a distribution partnership with BabyCrazy.  According the deal, Brainy Baby’s educational products will be distributed by BabyCrazy sales reps through catalogs and in homes beginning May 1, including DVDs, books, games and so on.  Plans include expanding the products offered from fall 2008.

STONE SOUP

Weekend Box Office Estimates for kids/tweens/teens rated G, PG or PG-13; April 4-6, 2008:
21 (Sony / Columbia) PG-13                                 $15.1m02 wk total $46.5m
Leatherheads (Universal) PG-13                            Opening Weekend $13.5m
Nim’s Island (Fox) PG                                           Opening Weekend $13.3m
Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who! (Fox) G                $9.1m-4 wk total $131.1m
Superhero Movie (MGM (Weinstein)) PG-13            $5.4m-2 wk total $16.9m
Tyler Perry’s Meet the Browns (Lionsgate) PG-13    $3.5m-3 wk total $37.8m
Drillbit Taylor (Paramount) PG-13                          $3.5m-3 wk total $25.6m
Shutter (Fox) PG-13                                             $2.9m-3 wk total $23.2m
10,000 B.C. (Warner Bros.) PG-13                         $2.8m-5 wk total $89.3m
Under the Same Moon (Weinstein Company) PG-13 $1.7m-3 wk total $8.9m
Source: Box Office Mojo

RATINGS

Live + Same Day Ratings Kids Cable Network Averages (000) for Thursday, April 3, 2008, 6am-11pm, ranked by K2-11:
NICKELODEON:          K2-11 1116; K6-11 485; TWEENS 9-14 351
DISNEY CHANNEL:     K2-11   767; K6-11 503; TWEENS 9-14 381
CARTOON NETWORK: K2-11   555; K6-11 306; TWEENS 9-14 224
TOON DISNEY:           K2-11   126; K6-11   69; TWEENS 9-14 38
Source: MTVN Research from Nielsen Media Research Data

Answer to Yesterday’s Trivia Question:  On the classic animated series Felix the Cat, what was the name of the Professor’s nephew? POINDEXTER   Kudos to:  Howard Rosenstein-Meredith Integrated Marketing/NY; Richard Quan-Imaginary Time/San Francisco; Pat Brady-Cunningham*Escott*Slevin*Doherty/LA

Today’s Trivia Question: Foodini, Pinhead and Jolo were characters from what classic (read: really old) children’s TV show? (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!
04.0708

Cynopsis Ad Sales: Jennifer Franko – 203-583-9796 / [email protected]
Classifieds – Trish Pihonak- 203-926-9878 / [email protected]

Cynopsis website – Video Resumes, Extended Classified Ads, Archives, and the Cynopsis Daily Video

CableU – Know Networks Better. Pitch Smarter. Click here

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM CYNOPSIS MEDIA: TOP TIER

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

JOB OPENING:  ASST SALES MGR/ Rainbow Advertising Sales Corp / Litchfield, CT:  Min 3yrs ad sales exp.  Supervisory exp pref. Oversee AE’s. & support Staff. See full posting and apply to www.cablevision.jobs req id 5883BR (4/12)

JOB OPENING:  RESEARCH ANALYST/(The CW/New York): 1-2 years exp. Proficient w/Galaxy Explorer, NPower, Adviews MRI knowledge a +. Email:  [email protected] RE:UCTC/98308BR. (4/12)

JOB OPENING:  VP, SALES/ DELUXE VANCOUVER:Report to VP & GM. Lead external Vancouver sales agenda supporting film laboratory opps & an array of dig. srvcs in picture post prod mastering & dlvrbls. Reply:   [email protected] (4/12)

JOB OPENING:  ACCT EXEC/Metro Networks/NY: Unwired News Network seeks Nat’l Ad Sales Acct. Exec. w/ min 5 yrs Nat’l Sales and/or Agency exp, strong presentation skills. Resumes to: [email protected] (4/11)

JOB OPENING:  MEDIA TRACKER/ASST/JBT Media/AZ:Tracking Media Accts. & asst’g Execs by tracking & uploading files; acct maint. Exc comm. , cust svc & PC skills. Detail orgnz’d/multi task. Med. Track exp a +. Apply: [email protected] (4/11)

JOB OPENING: CONTRACT RECRUITER/ MTV/NYC: 3+yrs recruiting/staffing exp, staffing exp w media/TV/ad agencies A+ Strg verbal/written skills, able to mutli task/ handle confidential info EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply [email protected]  (4/11)

JOB OPENING: CONTRACT RECRUITER/Harmonix/MTV/Boston: 3+yrs recruitment/staffing exp, Gaming/ digital/information tech industry A+ Strg verbal/written/multi-task skills EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply [email protected] (4/11)

JOB OPENING:  SR. PLANNER, DIGITAL MEDIA/Carat/NY: Strong digital planner with 2+ yrs of online exp. for a large integrated account. Please reply to: http://tbe.taleo.net/NA3/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=CARAT&cws=1&rid=510 (4/11)

JOB OPENING:  ACCT DIR, DIGITAL MEDIA/Carat/NY: Provide strategic media dir & understanding of client’s business as well as overall technology/competitive landscape. Reply: http://tbe.taleo.net/NA3/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=CARAT&cws=1&rid=382 (4/11)

JOB OPENING: SR PRODUCER/ABC Family: Degree, 3+ yrs exp. in internet advertising / sponsorship campaigns, strong web technology exp.Visit: www.disneycareers.com (Req ID 149630) (4/10)

JOB OPENING:  DIRECTOR, POST PRODUCTION-CURRENT TV (SF/LA, CA) www.current.com : Will oversee all aspects of post-production workflow and manage team of post supervisors, editors, & others. 5 yrs exp. [email protected] EOE (4/10)

JOB OPENING:  LOCAL AD SALES PERSON/MANAGER/NYC based media company: local visitors’ television network and website. Min. of 3 years experience and local ad contacts required.Send resume & cover letter to [email protected] (4/10)

JOB OPENING:  DR SALES COORDINATOR/New York, NY-GSN/ The Network for Games: Rep to VP Sales Op & DR AE for Ad Sales. Good Com/detail req.Send Res/Cov Letter:  [email protected]

JOB OPENING:  (2) MEDIA SALES PLANNERS/AMC/WE/NYC: Rainbow is growing! 2-4 yrs cable TV experience. Must have excellent analytical, research, verbal& presentation skills. Gabriel exp pref. Res to www.cablevision.jobs #5680BR/5681BR

JOB OPENING: ONLINE, PRODUCER, HEALTH CENTERS/Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Creates and package online content. Please apply at www.nbcunicareers.com reference job number 810271 (4/8)

JOB OPENING: ONLINE PRODUCER, DIET, FITNESS & WELLNESS/Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Writes, edits, and coordinates online content. Please apply at www.nbcunicareers.com reference job number 810273 (4/8)

JOB OPENING: AVID EDITOR/Versus/PHL: To view full job description please use this link – http://track.jobviper.com/ViewJob.asp?id=496382-1576-6861 (4/8)

JOB OPENING: TRADE PUBLICIST/Fuse/NY:   Supprt PR Dept in trade/business publicity efforts to gen awareness of Fuse offerings. Proven track record w/ trade media. Min 2-3 yr publicity exp. Rez to: [email protected] “TP” in subj (4/8)

JOB OPENING: TEMP (6 WKS) RATINGS ANALYST/Starz Entertainment/Englewood, CO:  Ad hoc analysis Nielsen MarketBreaks, Npower.1 yr with Nielsen natl ratings, 6 mo exp Nielsen MarketBreaks, Nielsen Npower. Fax resume to: 720.852.5891 (4/8)

JOB OPENING: MEDIA PLNER/ASSIST TO CEO/PRES/DYNAMIC NYC MEDIA BUYING/PLANNING AGENCY specializing in kids advertising:  Media Knowledge a must.Excel/Powerpoint skills preferred. Contact: [email protected]   (4/8)

JOB OPENING: TRAFFIC/CLEARANCE/DYNAMIC NYC MEDIA BUYING/PLANNING AGENCY: Handle all client commercial clearances & TV trafficking to networks. 1yr exp a plus, however, college applicants welcome. Contact: [email protected] (4/8)

JOB OPENING:  FREELANCE COORD/USA Strategic Marketing: Support creation of client programs inc. sponsorships, finances, etc. 2+ yrs integrated mktg exp in TV or ad agency preferred.Resumes to [email protected] (4/19)

SPRING AND SUMMER 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] .

SUMMER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: INTERN for global event, Solstice Sing for Peace.  DUTIES: manage blog, upload a/v files, call sponsors & participants, organize. REQ: hi-speed internet, MS Word, Excel & HTML.  www.solsticesing.wordpress.com (4/12)

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

SITUATION WANTED: SR. H.R. PRO/NYC:19 yrs exp seeking short/long-term/perm oppty in media field. Bkgrd incl: Employee Relations, O.D., Recruitment, Training.Call Ray Palen at (631)732-2926 or via email at: [email protected] (4/11)

SITUATION WANTED: SR. PRODUCER/WRITER/FIELD DIRECTOR: 3 Emmy Noms; 12 yrs exp.; NBC, Discovery, E!, CMT, TLC, VH-1; Reality, Entertainment, Documentary, Talk; LA based; will Travel. [email protected]  (4/10)

SITUATION WANTED: QUALITATIVE PROJECT MANAGER/DIRECTOR: 10 years exp. qualitative. Superior media researcher, writer (qual. textbook, book chapters, PowerPoint), Compelling verbal presentations.  [email protected]  (4/8)

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

Interested in posting your Video Resume?  Contact [email protected] for more information ….

Are you looking for a job? Post your Situation Wanted Ad here — Email [email protected] for specs.