A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE BBC AMERICA

Cyn opsis: DIGITAL

08/10/09

Good morning, it’s Monday, August 10 2009, and this is your first early morning digital briefing.
 
France-based ad conglomerate Publicis won the bidding war over Microsoft’s digital ad agency Razorfish (formerly Avenue A/Razorfish) to position itself as a leader in the growing internet ad business. Japan’s ad giant Dentsu actually came in with a higher offer, but Microsoft decided to sell to Publicis instead – the two also struck a “strategic alliance agreement” around the deal that will steer the agency’s clients toward Microsoft products such as display and Bing search ads. The cash and stock transaction, Publicis’ second biggest in the digital space following its $1.6 billion purchase of Digitas in 2006, is valued at approximately $530 million.

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE WESTDOC

 
Following Rupert Murdoch’s lead to start charging for online news, Boston Globe publisher P. Steven Ainsley announced plans to begin charging for the Globe’s Boston.com portal, according to a report in the rival The Boston Herald.
 
DirecTV is currently in talks with cable networks to launch its own authorized web video service, utilizing TV Everywhere standards to offer existing subscribers access to their favorite shows, according to AdAge.
 

 
Live TV specialist Livestation officially unveiled its white label turnkey solution to distribute live streaming feeds to the iPhone, the first vendor to deliver live TV to the device without requiring integration with a set-top box, a TV tuner or a PC software download. Livestation has been testing the app across several European territories this summer, delivering BBC World News telecasts at 96K via 3G networks or higher-quality 300K streams over Wi-Fi. Livestation also began offering an English language feed of Al Jazeera in the U.S. last month. Partners helping to power the service include CDN Akamai and mobile data solution provider weComm.
 
Apple and A&T pulled off the first live streamed event on the iPhone on Friday – a live concert in from UK techno band Underworld at the Fox Theatre in Oakland, CA. (Click on the “live broadcasts” link to listen to an archived video of the event.) The concert, which AT&T more or less kept under its hat to avoid traffic problems, utilized Apple’s new HTTP streaming protocol using adaptive bitrates technology to deliver a steady broadcast under varying network conditions, per NewTeeVee. Akamai and Inlet Technologies helped power the event.
 

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE HISTORY

 
Print ad revenues will stop declining and actually begin to rebound next year by as much as 2.4%, according to a new report from Borrell Associates – delivering a rare glimmer of hope to the ailing print business. What’s more, small singe digital increases are expected to continue through 2014. The turnaround will be due to improvements in geo targeting, redoubled efforts from sales and marketing teams, improved performance of online divisions and an overall rising economic tide.
 

 
Comcast is enjoying strong earnings amid the recession, reporting Q2 earnings of $967 million – up from $632 million from a year earlier. Subscriber gains slowed but remained in positive figures as the MSO added about 213,000 new phone customers, 65,000 new high speed internet subscribers and 250,000 new digital TV subs. The important average revenue/subscriber measure also rose last quarter. Ad sales didn’t fare as well, dropping overall by 19% y/y.
 
Global classified site OLX struck a partnership with social network hi5, providing classified users with the option of including display ads on users’ profile pages as well as friends’ profile pages. OLX also allows users to include videos and pictures in listings, comment on listings, post/view listings in over 39 languages and 90 countries, and access the site from a mobile phone.
 

 
MTV Network’s Spike conducted a comprehensive study into the network’s “hardcore gaming” demographic, defined at those who play 10+ hours a week, gravitate toward more complex games and paid for at least one game in the past month. (Other hard facts – 72% are male, 33 is the average age and that the ave. household income is $83,000.) The study came to 3 principle conclusions regarding the demo:

• Gamers are social animals: 75% play with others at least part of the time and view gaming as a central platform for sharing time together or creating events. Hardcore gamers view themselves as being “plugged in” to pop culture and music and are digital multitaskers, averaging 25 hrs./week online, 10 hrs./week watching TV/DVR and 8 hrs./week console gaming
• Gamers have powerful influence: Messages from core gamers travel with viral speed and widespread reach; 88% have a cell phone, 71% have a laptop and 42% have a smart phone.  They are constantly connected and thrive on digital interaction, and sharing extends past gaming. It’s very important to these gamers to be the first to try something new, and provide recommendations to their circles
• Gamers like advertising: They revere memorable gaming ads which can pique their game interest with unexpected, emotional elements.  Gamers pay attention to ads, including 53% of ads on TV, 48% of ads in magazines, 44% of ads on gaming sites, 43% in games and on websites and 40% on TV programming for gamers.

 
Facing tough economic times, do-it-yourselfers are turning to the web in record numbers to save money and improve leisure activities, according to a new survey from NYTimes’ About.com search portal:

• People are spending more time on leisure activities around the house; 48% of the respondents are trying new recipes as a “leisure” activity
• People are less likely to cut back on: Prescription medications (70%), Vitamins/nutritional supplements (49%), Over-the-Counter (OTC) medications (47%) and organic / healthy foods (35%) while 70% of respondents are more likely to cut back on take-out and restaurant meals
• Although 50% of respondents are DIY’ing to help save money, 32% enjoy doing things themselves
• Cooking (79%) and gardening (56%) are the most popular DIY activities that people enjoy doing right now
• Over three quarters of the respondents are spending more time cooking at home due to economic conditions and over 40% are also spending more time doing their own home repair, cleaning and laundry.
• Although over half of the respondents are saving money for emergencies and 39% are saving for retirement, vacations are still important
• 44% are saving money for vacations (the trend is shifting to local vacations however)

 
Turner-managed PGA.com has launched a $1.99 iPhone app offering live video streaming of this week’s PGA Championship, sponsored by financial services provider ING. It’s first to utilize iPhone 3.0 OS upgrades, the app can be set to offer push notifications set to your favorite players.
 
Local broadcaster LIN TV partnered with News Over Wireless to launch a BlackBerry local news app in the local markets of WISH-TV, WAVY-TV, KRQE-TV, WANE-TV, WALA-TV and KXAN-TV. LIN TV, which has also launched iPhone apps in many of its markets, provides on demand news, sports, entertainment, weather, traffic and video highlights to mobile devices.
 

 
Publicis announced that Razorfish‘s management team, led by CEO Bob Lord, will remain unchanged following its acquisition of the Redmond, WA-based digital ad services firm.
 
Susan Sullivan has been named VP of News for NBC Local Media New York, effective Sept. 1. Susan joins WNBC from NBC sister station KNTV in San Jose/San Francisco where she was VP of News since Nov. 2007.
 
MySpace lost another key executive in Hedi Browning, SVP of Insights and Planning, according to Alley Insider.
 
Technology sales veteran Paul McGahen joined Orlando, FL-based ClearSky Mobile Media as VP/Sales.
 

 
iPhone app makers who have carved out huge followings on their own are starting to reach out to other app makers to add complementary services. Urbanspoon, that useful iPhone app that you shake to find a nearby restaurant, completed an integration with OpenTable here in Seattle, adding the ability to make reservations directly from the iPhone interface for a $1 charge. Urbanspoon gets over 1 million “shakes” a day and OpenTable books online reservations for more than 11,000 restaurants globally, so this is potentially a huge moneymaker. Other app makers should begin thinking about similar tie-ups. For instance movie listing service Showtimes should integrate with Comcast’s Fandango to allow ticket purchasing. Fandango has its own free app that does this but Showtimes has a better interface a rabid following.
 
Later — Wayne
 Wayne Karrfalt for Cynopsis: Digital
08.10.09

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A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE

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

JOB OPENING: DIR, PRGRMNG/KSBI/OKC: Mng all areas of prgrmng. Prgrmng acquisition, plan’g, Nielsen overnight. Strong knwlg of news media & brdcst sports. BA & 3+yrs exp TV prgmng &/or mktg req’d. [email protected] or fax 405-631-7367 (8/15)

JOB OPENING: VP, PROGRAM RESEARCH/NBC UNIVERSAL/NY: NBC Universal is hiring for a VP, Bravo Program Research. Please visit www.nbcunicareers.com for more information. Job# is 1076904 (8/15)

JOB OPENING: VICE PRESIDENT – CONTENT DISTRIBUTION/NYC: 7+ yrs affiliate sales & mktg exp. Manage accounts, dev strat, optimize revenue. Strong deal-negotiating/analytical/written & oral comm. skills. EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (8/15)

JOB OPENING: COMMERCIAL OPS SPECIALIST CMT/NYC: 1+ yr sked commercials exp. Strong multi-tasking, org and communication skill. Exp with Gabriel or similar sys. Prof in MS Office. EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (8/15)

JOB OPENING: INVENTORY ANALYST/Metro Traffic: Help maximize rev generated by MetroNetworks. Strong analytic, strategic problem-solving & decision-making skills. 2+ yrs relevant exp. Cvr, res & sal req: [email protected] (8/13)

JOB OPENING: AFFILIATE RELATIONS MANAGER/Beanstalk Marketing Group/LA: For CPA division. Must have 2+ yrs. experience in Ad Sales and Mgmt. Must live in the LA area. Resumes to: [email protected] (8/13)

JOB OPENING: PRODUCTION ASSISTANT (permalance)/NY: Cable television network looking for PA with network experience. Candidate should aspire to write and produce promos. Apply: [email protected] (8/12)

JOB OPENING: SR RESEARCH ANALYST/ABC Burbank: Min 2 yrs exp in TV/digital research, apt at Nielsen, strong written, PC & analytical skills, college degree req. Apply at: www.disneyabcjobs.com (8/12)

JOB OPENING: FRLNC CELEBRITY STYLE BLOGGER: For major network. Exp in celeb & fashion. Must have HTML & Photoshop & active blog w/avid audience. Apply: at http://www.mylifetime.com/about-us/welcome include writing sample (8/11)

JOB OPENING: LOCAL SALES MGR/KGTV/McGraw-Hill/San Diego: Lead/motivate Local Sales Team. Mng Team for both ABC and 10News.com. Exc analytical & comm skills & proven negotiating skills. www.mcgraw-hill.com/careers (8/11)

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] .

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: PUBLICIST INTERN: needed for Manhattan based PR firm in the Music Industry. Interns will be working directly with media, artist mngmnt, & publicists. Email cover letter and resume to: [email protected]  (8/14)

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: FINANCE INTERN – Working w/Theatrical & TV ultimates in asst. budgets/forecasts, & long range plans.  Excel (macros, pivot tables & V lookups) & Access. Email: [email protected] RE: UCTC/#113855BR (8/14)

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: Bravo Network/Oxygen Media/ iVillage.com –seeking Fall 09 interns in NYC. Positions available for ALL DEPARTMENTS. Digital, Design, PR, Marketing, OnAir Promos, Developmt, Programming. [email protected] (8/13)

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: Trylon SMR ( www.trylonSMR.com), a NYC PR agency, is seeking a Fallintern that has familiarity with the media industry and tech sector, and strong internet skills. [email protected] (8/13)

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: Boutique Los Angeles PR Firm has an opening for an INTERN this fall. School credit only. Writing, pitching, client contact. Email writing sample, letter and resume to [email protected]   www.amylevypr.com (8/13)

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: TV AD SALES/Katz Media/NY: a leading rep firm, is seeking go-getter interns for13 week NYC fall program. Learn TV Ad Sales working with Sales Assistants and Account Execs. Please contact [email protected] (8/12)

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: TV SALES RSRCH/Katz Media/NY: a leading rep firm, is seeking go-getter interns for13 wk NYC fall program. Analyze & interpret TV sales research, create rsrch materials. contact [email protected] (8/12)

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: Alexandria VA Tourism Assoc has an opening for a MEDIA RELATIONS INTERN this fall. School credit only. Go to http://visitalexandriava.com/media-pr/media-contact/job-opportunities for details. (8/11)

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: Live daily talk show seeking fall 09 interns. Positions available and wanted for ALL DEPARTMENTS. Script, control room, audience, talent, production mgmt. & more. [email protected] (8/11)

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: Award-Winning Entertainment MARKETING STRATEGIST; 4+ years experience Television and Theatre; seeking FT opportunity in NYC; Passion for Arts and all Media contact [email protected] (8/14)

SITUATION WANTED: TV/FILM EDITOR: 10 yrs+ exp, Emmy-nominated, clients incl’d HBO, NBC, MTV, FOX, SONY, MGM. Seeking F/T or Freelance scripted/non projects in NY.  Avid & FCP reel at www.InnunedoInc.com Pls contact [email protected] (8/13)

SITUATION WANTED: BROADCAST BUYER/SUPERVISOR with 10+ yrs of exp seeks full time, part time or freelance position in NY area. I specialize in the entertainment category & have excellent references. contact [email protected] (8/13)

SITUATION WANTED: SENIOR COPYWRITER/NY: Package goods writer with over 25 years experience.Testimonial advertising a specialty. View my reel! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PC3iZW8o48 … &can produce own work! [email protected] (8/13)

SITUATION WANTED: Professional poised for transition to Producer. Int’l Prog/Proj Mng exp, creative, organized, strong work ethic, self-starter. [email protected] (8/12)

SITUATION WANTED: Experienced Freelance REPORTER/PHOTOG looking for work in newspaper/internet/magazines. Email [email protected] (8/12)

SITUATION WANTED: NY-based, seasoned,special sales pro, (background in children’s books) seeks opp with media company. Proprietary sales, content licensing, brand management, new biz development. [email protected] (8/12)

SITUATION WANTED:  DIGITAL MEDIA/CABLE/BUSINESS AFFAIRS ATTORNEY Broad in-house exp in content prod & distribution, new media, operations, cable affiliate & ad sales. Avail for project/consultant/FT. Contact [email protected] (8/11)

SITUATION WANTED:  WEB DESIGNER (LA): Designer/Entrepreneur seeks partner to take social network web site to next level. WWW.Tagmyspace.tv . Contact  Randy – [email protected] (8/11)

SITUATION WANTED:  DOCUMENTARY. PRODUCER, DIRECTOR, WRITER A.C.E. in L.A. Credits: National Geo, PBS, Discovery, History CH, TLC and MSNBC. Contact email: [email protected] (8/11)

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

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