Cynopsis: Kids!
08/14/06
Good morning. It’s Monday, August 14, 2006 and this is your first early morning Kids! briefing. We’re baaack!
A federal judge of the Northern District of Illinois has ruled that the State of Illinois must pay the video game industry $510,000+ in attorney’s fees. The fees are reimbursement for the legal expenses incurred by the Entertainment Software Association, Video Software Dealers Association and Illinois Retail Merchants Association in suing the state over a law that banned sales of violent video games to minors, which was subsequently found to be unconstitutional.
Foreign cartoons have reportedly been banned from Chinese television from 5-8p as of September 1 in a move to hopefully help booster China’s struggling animation studios. Animated shows, particularly Japanese- and US-produced cartoons, are the most popular with the country’s 250 million kids.
NEW PRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT
Warner Bros. has slated the release of Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince for Thanksgiving, November 21, 2008. But, before that we can plan our calendar around the July 13, 2007 release of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
The screenplay for Marvel Studios feature film adaptation of The Avengers is being written by Zak Penn (The Incredible Hulk, X-Men: The Last Stand, X2: X-Men United).
The Weinstein Company has acquired the rights to produce an animated version of The Nutty Professor, which will be distributed direct-to-video by Genius Products Inc. Actor/comedian and original Nutty Professor, Jerry Lewis will lend his voice in the project, which he is executive producing along with Mainframe Entertainment’s Gregory R. Little and Rick Mischel. The new movie, being written by Evan Spiliotopoulos, is based on the original movie, which Lewis developed, directed and starred in, but this time around the focus of the story will be Julius Kelp’s college-aged nerdy grandson. Mainframe Entertainment is producing and animating the movie.
MORE KIDS STUFF
Doctor Who fans will be happy to know that Sci Fi Channel and BBC Worldwide Americas have entered into a licensing agreement providing the US network with the exclusive first-run rights for the second season of Doctor Who. The new season will bow on Sci Fi Channel on September 29, 2006 with a two-hour block that will include the Christmas Invasion special in which actor David Tennant (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire) was introduced as the tenth Doctor Who. BBC Video and SCI FI Channel will continue to work together on joint marketing promotions to support the Doctor Who brand in the US. Doctor Who is produced by the BBC in association with CBC in Canada. The new licensing deal was brokered by Lisa Hofer, Director/Co-Production & Sales, BBC Worldwide Americas.
MARKETING/LICENSING
DigiKidz, Inc., a producer/marketer of personalized DVDs, has sealed a licensing deal with Marvel Entertainment for the use of Spider-Man and related characters in its DVDs in the US. Under the deal DigiKidz will produce a DVDs featuring an animated adventure that can be customized to feature the purchaser’s kid as Spider-Man. DigiKidz says a distribution deal is currently under discussion and will include major retail chain outlets.
Zapf Creation AG, a European manufacturer of dolls, and MGA Entertainment Inc., have inked a 10-year deal for a long-term joint sales venture. Under the agreement MGA will have the exclusive sales rights for Zapf Creation’s products in North and South America. On the flip side, MGA’s products will be sold through Zapf Creation’s sales channels in Continental European markets. Additionally, Zapf Creation will also be able to use MGA for its brands in the non-toy sector to expand its product range and target groups. Zapf Creation and MGA Entertainment are also exploring other areas where they can work together. MGA Entertainment and others hold about a 20% stake in Zapf Creation. While MGA is know or its Bratz dolls, Zapf Creation most popular doll line in Europe is its Baby born brand.
Alliance Atlantis and Hudson’s Bay Company (Hbc), a general merchandise retailer, are teaming up to launch a promotion and marketing effort based on Alliance Atlantis’ stop motion animated preschool series Lunar Jim. Beginning today-October 14, 2006 the Lunar Jim Moon Meal will be available at participating Zellers restaurants across Canada. The meal features a choice of sandwiches, a drink and vegetables, and comes with one of four collectible Lunar Jim mini-viewfinders, highlighting characters from the series. Additionally, from September 9-October 14, select Zellers restaurants will host special in-restaurant breakfast events featuring Lunar Jim. The events will promoted in-stores and on Alliance Atlantis’ 12 networks over five weeks, on the series website and local newspapers. Information and tickets for the breakfasts can be found at www.lunarjim.com. Co-produced by The Halifax Film Company and Alliance Atlantis, Lunar Jim (26 X 30 or 52 X 11 minutes) airs in the UK, Latin America, Australia, Germany and of course in Canada.
In other Lunar Jim news, master toy licensee Fisher-Price launches the first products of its Lunar Jim toy line in Canada this month, which will be followed next month by the debut of products in the UK. Meanwhile, BBC Worldwide, which holds the UK license for non-toy products for the property, has inked a number of merchandising deals with products set to begin rolling out this fall. BBC Worldwide deals include: Cohen and Wilks (apparel); Wesco (clocks/watches); Mookie (outdoor products); and Vogue (tableware) among others.
Sega has appointed Jetix Europe’s licensing division, JCP (Jetix Consumer Products), to manage merchandising rights to classic Sonic The Hedgehog video game titles and character across Europe: France, UK, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, Spain and Israel. The licensing program is targeted to people 15-30 yr-olds and will feature retro-styled products in a range of categories including apparel, apparel and housewares, stationery sets, bags and watches. Additionally, JCP is working in tandem Archie Comics, which originally published Sonic Comic in the US, to publish a new series of comics. The UK licensing plan gets underway this fall with a series of t-shirts, created by Trademark Products. This year marks the 15th anniversary of Sonic The Hedgehog. Under a previous agreement JCP also manages the licensing rights for Sonic X, the current incarnation of Classic Sonic The Hedgehog.
Her Interactive’s PC mystery/adventure game, Nancy Drew: Last Train to Blue Moon Canyon, has been launched as a digital download from Big Fish Games, a developer/distributor of casual games (www.bigfishgames.com).
STONE SOUP
Weekend Box Office Estimates for kids/tweens/teens rated G, PG or PG-13 – August 11-13, 2006:
Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (Sony) PG-13 $23.0m-2 wk total $91.2m
World Trade Center (Paramount) PG-13 Opening Weekend $26.8m
Barnyard: The Original Party Animals (Paramount) PG $10.1m-2 wk total $34.1m
Pulse (Dimension) PG-13 Opening Weekend $8.5m
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (Buena Vista) PG-13 $7.2m-6 wk total $392.4m
Zoom (Sony/Revolution) PG Opening Weekend $4.6m
Monster House (Sony) PG $3.3m-4 wk total $63.7m
John Tucker Must Die (Fox) PG-13 $2.9m-3 wk total $35.7m
The Devil Wears Prada (Fox) PG-13 $1.9m-7 wk total $116.6m
You, Me and Dupree (Universal) PG-13 $1.9m-5 wk total $70.8m
Source: Box Office Mojo
EXECUTIVE MOVES
The CW has tapped Jennifer Bresnan as its SVP/Alternative Programming. She will oversee the network’s current production on reality series, including America’s Next Top Model, Beauty and the Geek, and the midseason series The Search for the Next Pussycat Doll, as well as developing projects for the Network. Bresnan will report to Ghen Maynard, EVP/Alternative Programming & Entertainment Content for New Media, CBS Paramount Network Television Entertainment Group, who also oversees alternative programming for The CW. Prior to this Brenan served as producer on the first season of American Idol, supervising producer on The Apprentice: Martha Stewart and co-executive producer on The Swan.
Amity Entertainment, Inc. has upped Jason Elsky VP/Marketing. In his new role Elsky is responsible for overseeing marketing, advertising and public relations strategies for the company and he will head up station relations and coordinate marketing activities in the US and Canada for The Big Comfy Couch. Elsky had been Director/Marketing. Additionally, Emily Jones joins Amity as Manager/Station Relations. Prior to this Jones was an Account Executive for SmartDM.
Today’s Trivia Question: How does Rose exit Charlie and Allen’s apartment? (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 Cynthia Turner’s Cynopsis Kids!
08.14.06
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Cyn opsis CLASSIFIEDS – For more classifieds, visit the Cynopsis.com classifieds page here
JOB OPENING: VP MKTNG & PROM/Mag Rack & sportskool/NY: Drive brand awareness thru integrated campaigns for interactive cable networks encompassing all ops including aff sales, new media & prog. Execrec@cablevision.com (8/19)
JOB OPENING: EVENTS & PROMO COORD/OLN/Stamford, CT: Create/implement/execute net’s events and consumer promos. 3-5 years event mkting/plng exper req’d. Apply: http://www.olntv.com/htm/olnjobs.htm. EEO/AA/Drug Free (8/19)
JOB OPENING: PUBLICIST /OLN/Stamford, CT: Generate local and nat’l consumer press around OLN’s prgrmng initiatives. 3-5 yrs cable net PR and/or sports exper req’d.Apply: http://www.olntv.com/htm/olnjobs.htm. EEO/AA/Drug Free (8/19)
JOB OPENING:DIR, BUS DEV/OLN/Stamford, CT: Source/develop/execute new bus. around ntwrk’s niche genres. 5+yrs xp, strong fin’l background, knwldg/contacts w/in sports& media req’d. Apply: www.olntv.com (8/19)
JOB OPENING: RESEARCH MGR & STRATEGIST/Discovery Nets, NY: Proficiency in Nielsen systems and strong analytical/computer/presentation skills required. Estimate exp a plus. Apply: www.discovery.com . Job req #’s 4262/4296 (8/19)
JOB OPENING: DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR/NYC: Growing prod co needs writer/idea person; develop/research program ideas for network pitches. Strong computer skill set desired, including some graphics. Resumes to Intermatresumes@aol.com (8/19)
JOB OPENING: PR MGR, CONS MEDIA RELATIONS/WE TV/NY: Dev/Mng campaigns to support prgrm, mktg/sales teams. Build relations w/key members of press. 3+yrs exp in media rels, BA Comm/Mktg or related. Res: www.cablevision.com ref #1074BR (8/19)
JOB OPENING: WRITING ASSISTANT/NYC: Children’s Educational TV Show seeks college grad w/strong verbal & written communication skills/computer skills/high initiative/interest in writing; Fax cover letter/resume to 212-764-7275 (8/19)
JOB OPENING: OUTREACH MANAGER/NYC: Growing children’s entertainment co. seeks experienced outreach manager to perform outreach planning & execution for Children’s Educational TV Show; Fax cover letter & resume to 212.208.3011 (8/19)
JOB OPENING: Sr. AE/World Wrestling Entertainment/NYC/LA. Proven sales record! 3+yrs Internet Sales/ 5+yrs Gen. Exp. required. Ability to close deals and large rolodex needed. Travel required. BA/BS, Apply: www.wwe-careers.com (8/19)
JOB OPENING: DIR MEDIA RELATIONS/CABLEVISION, NY: Plan implement media campaigns for B2B & B2C products/services. Spokesperson when req, mng interaction w/ execs/media, 7+ yrs @ agency or corp PR. Send: Execrec@cablevision.com (8/19)
JOB OPENING: PRODUCERS/ASSOC PRODUCERS/Daytime Talk Show/NYC: Must have prior daytime talk show experience. Email cover letter and resume to: talkshownyc@hotmail.com (8/18)
JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR, PR, Court TV (A Turner Broadcasting Co.), NY: Daily media outreach for prgrmng, mng staff, dev’p media plans & strategies for key prgrmng & pitch key premieres. 7yrs TV PR exp.Res: Chrissy.eisert@turner.com (8/18)
JOB OPENING: NETWORK NEGOTIATING SUPVSR/LA: Ad agency. 10+ yrs’ exp. Will negotiate placement & pricing for national clients on broadcast, cable & network radio; requires exp in multi-platform deals. Apply www.rpa.com. EOE (8/18)
JOB OPENING: SR. PRODUCER, DISNEY/ABC LA: Develop, launch & manage content for Disney Channel.com. 5-8 yrs web production exp; Flash, HTML & video encoding req. Send resume: www.disneycareers.com (8/18)
JOB OPENING: DIGITAL MEDIA DIRECTOR/National Geographic Channel International/DC: To learn more about this job, visit our website at www.nationalgeographic.com. EOE (8/17)
JOB OPENING: RESEARCH ANALYSTS– Discovery Nets, Silver Spring, MD: Mrktng, prod, programming research support. 1 yr exp, strong analytical skills & Excel.Media research, Nielsen a +. Apply at www.discovery.com ; Job Req#4148, 4149 (8/16)
JOB OPENING: SALES PLAN’R/BET/CHG: Act as liaison between agency & Acct Mgr. Work w/ Sales Asst & Traffic coord assigned to each account. BA req’d. Sales Planning or advertising agency buying/plan’g exp. kandice.askew@bet.net (8/16)
JOB OPENING: RESEARCH ANALYST/NY-XM Satellite Radio: Sales Research-creates presentations, generates requests & reports.Knwldg of nat’l ad sales and tools; Nielsen, Arbitron, TNS + Simmons preferred. 1+yr. exp. Apply Here (8/16)
JOB OPENING: JR PUBLICIST/LA: Need exp’d pitcher, idea generator, strong writer, w/ basic strategic plan’g exp. TV/ent publicity exp a must. List salary req’s/cover letter: info@swdpr.com (8/15)
JOB OPENING: MANAGER /Fox Broadcasting/LA: Lead the analytical functions of the audience res. dept. 5-7yrs tv res. exp. & BA Deg req’d.Advanced nat’l TV analysis and written/verbal skills. www.foxcareers.com (8/15)
JOB OPENING: SR. PRODUCER/DISNEY ONLINE/N. Hollywood CA: Track and coordinate the team’s projects, ensuring deliverables are met in a timely manner, oversee QA and report progress to management. www.disneycareers.com JOB # 28476 (8/15)
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 trish@cynopsis. com.
SUMMER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: RADIO DISNEY/NY: Needs internship applicants in ALL DEPARTMENTS. If you have an interest in working with the most recognized name in family entertainment email to: danielle.m.dellilo@abc.com or fax 212-615-3268 (8/15)
SUMMER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: OFFICE INTERNS/Life Balance Media, LIME, NY: Into Fall, Looking for energetic students eager to learn about TV/Radio prod. CV & Resumes subject intern to: jobs@lime.com (8/18)
SITUATION WANTED ADS, POSTED BY THOSE LOOKING TO BE HIRED —
SITUATION WANTED: TALENTED, EXPERIENCED FILM SCHOOL GRAD with more than enough PA experience seeking a transitional 2nd AD position. Have AD’d, AP’d and PA’d, looking for more! Email: dm2stewart@hotmail.com (8/19)
SITUATION WANTED: MARKETING/BUSINESS: Motivated Marketer/Entrepreneur. BA, MBA Experience in managing high profile accounts. Excellent knowledge of Brands/Entertainment Industry. A natural leader. 8 yrs exp. prince79ii@yahoo.com (8/19)
SITUATION WANTED: STORY ASSOCIATE/ASSOCIATE PRODUCER: Extensive experience on high profile documentary and reality series for major networks. Hardworking, intelligent, knows the industry. In NYC. Email EricLeven1@aol.com (8/18)
SITUATION WANTED: BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST: With 9 years exp. in post, compression, int’l licensing, home video seeking new opportunities in film or television in NYC. Extensive technical skills. hibiyalive@gmail.com (8/17)
SITUATION WANTED: TRAFFIC MANAGER with 12 years exp seeks position in Radio/TV/Entertainment Industry in NY Area only Summer200626@yahoo.com (8/15)
SITUATION WANTED: Passionate MARKETING, SALES & BUS DEV PROF w/proven expertise in managing relationships & creating innovative strategies to deliver exceptional results in the entertainment industry. Happy to send res sjkovac@yahoo.com (8/15)
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