Cynopsis: DIGITAL
12/19/11

Good morning. It’s Monday, December 19, 2011, and this is your first early morning digital briefing. If you would like to read this or any other Cynopsis editions online, click here .

After it sold 100 million shares at $10 a share to raise $1 billion in its initial public offering, Zynga shares fell 5% in its first day of trading as a public company. The stock initially rose to $11.50 before falling to as low as $9. The stock closed below the initial price of $10 (at $9.50), dropping the social gaming company’s valuation to $6.6 billion. While there is some cause for concern, Zynga chief operating officer John Schappert stressed to TechCrunch that the stock is here for a while and investors should gauge it according to its long-term potential. In the interview, Schappert briefly discussed how Zynga will invest in current and future games; expand to more countries (“now you can buy [virtual goods] in euros and pounds”); continue expansion onto mobile (“grow mobile by 10 times”); and seek out ad revenue growth (“partnered with DreamWorks for Kung Fu Panda”). 

HBO Go is coming to Time Warner Cable. HBO Go is the pay-TV channel’s web and mobile streaming extension, which is only available for subscribers of HBO through approved cable operator partners. Time Warner Cable and Time Warner, the media company that owns HBO, announced that the service will initially be available via a short beta trail to work out any kinks. It will then be offered to all subscribers of Time Warner Cable (who also subscribe to HBO) within the coming month.

Acorn TV is now streaming Playing Shakespeare and Man in a Suitcase. Shakespeare is a critically-acclaimed British series, starring Judi Dench, Patrick Stewart, Ben Kingsley and Ian McKellen, that provides a “master class” on how to play Shakespeare. Suitcase is a popular 1960s spy series starring Richard Bradford. The two new additions to Acorn’s lineup of streaming content join other, already available selections such as Above Suspicion (from the creator of Prime Suspect) and The Forsyte Saga (starring Damian Lewis from Showtime’s Homeland).

The iTunes Extras Edition of James Cameron’s Avatar, which is now available for pre-order, features an interactive, behind-the-scenes component to watching the blockbuster. Fans that purchase the digital special edition will be able to deconstruct the creative process behind the special effects in 17 scenes from the film. The feature will be available via a dual-screen so viewers can watch the final product on one side, while breaking down all the visual effects levels (all the way down to the original green screen footage) on the other side. Other special features include the film’s original screenplay, Cameron’s scriptment and a gallery of 1,700 images.

TVGuide.com’s new rich media mobile ad format helped A+E Network’s recently broadcast mini-series, Stephen King’s Bag of Bones, score record ratings. The ad campaign for the mini-series included a cross-platform morph overlay, in-app ads and a full-site branded takeover on TVGuide.com. TV Guide’s iOS and Android apps, which provide an interactive second-screen experience for users as they watch a TV show, have been downloaded a total of 5.5 million times. A+E was the launch partner for this new rich media mobile ad format, which helped push Bag of Bones to achieve the highest ratings since for a mini-series across all cable since Andromeda Strain, also from A+E, in 2008.

Facebook is said to be planning its first step into mobile advertising by the end of March, as it looks for an additional revenue boost ahead of a possible initial public offering, reports Bloomberg BusinessWeek. According to Bloomberg‘s unidentified sources, the mobile push might come in the shape of Sponsored Stories ads on the mobile news feed. Sponsored Stories are advertisements that put a spotlight on a user’s friends’ interactions with a brand on the site.

Verizon Wireless has agreed to buy airwave spectrum licenses from Cox Communications, which cover around 28 million people, for $315 million. The agreement also allows Cox and Verizon to market and sell each other’s services in their own outlets. It is a similar arrangement to a deal Verizon Wireless signed several weeks ago with Comcast, Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks.

The Carrier IQ saga isn’t over yet. Senator Al Franken, who recently sent mobile device manufacturers and wireless carriers a detailed questionnaire on their compliance with and usage of Carrier IQ, is not satisfied with their answers. “People have a fundamental right to control their private information,” Franken wrote on his site. “I’m still concerned that this right is not being respected.” Carrier IQ has faced the ire of the tech world after its software was exposed for tracking and recording every swipe and action a user performs on his or her mobile device. The software has been found in numerous devices from multiple manufacturers and wireless carriers. The answers to the questionnaire also revealed that wireless companies used Carrier IQ’s software for network and device diagnostic purposes. For what it’s worth, Sprint announced on Friday that it has stopped using the Carrier IQ software to collect data.

According to new data from IDC, third quarter tablet shipments were up 264.5% when compared to the same time period in 2010, reports Mobile Marketer. While Apple continued to lead the way in the worldwide market in terms of total devices shipped (11.1 million units in Q3 2011, up from 9.3 million units in Q2 2011), its share of the market actually fell from 63.3% in the second quarter to 61.5% in the third quarter. The study also forecasts a strong demand for tablets in the fourth quarter. The main reason for the prediction being the rise of alternative tablet options: “Looking beyond the third quarter, there is a market here beyond the iPad,” said Tom Mainelli, IDC’s research director for mobile connected devices. “We are seeing that the Kindle Fire and Nook Tablet are starting to gain traction in the fourth quarter and really growing the market because of their price points.”

Gwyneth Paltrow has entered the mobile app world. Her “Goop” email newsletter, which covers various lifestyle recommendations from the actress, now has a mobile version for the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch: Goop City. Available for $3.99 in the Apple App Store, the app currently only provides guides, recommendations and tips on places to go and things to do in Manhattan (and some adjacent areas). In an e-mail newsletter, the actress announced that the app will expand to other areas in the future.

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE

You ever see something about a movie and go “I need to check that out”? Of course you do. Well, now there’s a site for that. Watch It allows you to bookmark any movie you’re interested in, and also lets you know where it is available and notifies you of the different methods you can use to watch said film. Simply search for it, and the site will give you the option to “Watch It” or “Queue It,” regardless of how the movie is available: whether its in theaters, on DVD & Blu-ray, via On Demand or available online. The added cool thing is that it’s not just a standalone site. The company recently launched “Watch It” buttons on numerous websites, according to TechCrunch. Some partner sites include Variety, Tribecafilm.com, indiewire.com, filmmakermagazine.com and more. Considering I am miles behind on the list of movies I need to see that have come out in the last four months (I’m too ashamed to admit exactly which ones.)

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE

Later – Sahil
Sahil Patel, Associate Reporter for Cynopsis Digital
12.19.11

Cynopsis Ad Sales:
Mike Farina – VP/Business Development & Sales – 203-218-6480 / [email protected]
Classifieds – Trish Pihonak- 203-381-9096 / [email protected]

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

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR, MEDIA AD SALES RESEARCH/NY-Warner Bros. Media Sales: (Syndication) strong analytical and presentation writing skills. Adept w/Nielsen systems, MRI and Simmons. Email: [email protected] RE: UCTC/128416BR (12/24)

JOB OPENING: SR. RESEARCH ANALYST/nuvoTV/LA: Nielsen rating analysis, collect/evaluate audience & market research data, 3+ years TV media research experience, familiar w/American Latino market+, EOE/M/F/D/AAP [email protected] (12/24)

JOB OPENING: MANAGING DIRECTOR CONTENT ENTERPRISES/Owings Mills MD: Responsible for production, development, funding, distribution and marketing. BA/BS: Mass Comm. or related field. Email Resume and cover letter with the title to: [email protected] (12/24)

JOB OPENING: VP, BUS & LEGAL AFFAIRS/RHI Entertainment/NYC: Neg. & draft documentation for variety of TV program/content. Knowledge of TV dev, prod & distrib. transactions. J.D. & 10 + yrs exp in the entertainment industry. CV & cover to: [email protected] (12/24)

JOB OPENING: CLIENT SRVCS MGR/WN/Queens NY: Mng client prod launches; provide training, acct mgmt & strategic support for clients; 2-4 ys exp in client services, acct mgmnt, project mgt or sales support. Apply: [email protected] (12/23)

JOB OPENING: DIR, MULTICULTURAL DIG SALES/NBC News/NY: Lead Sales efforts on behalf of theGrio.com and our new English language Hispanic News Website 7 yrs exp. To apply, visit:  http://www.nbcunicareers.com/search_nbc/ Job#3250BR (12/23)

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH ANALYST/OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network/LA: 1-2 yrs exp in TV Research, detailed oriented, knowledge of Star & NPower required. Apply at:  http://careers.own.tv/ (12/23)

JOB OPENING:  DIG. RSRCH ANALYST/LAS VEGAS: Track/analyze perf of company’s official website & digital dist. Proficient w/ Google Analytics. Exp w/ content mngmnt system reporting tools a +. More info/Apply to: www.ufc.com/jobs (12/23)

JOB OPENING: SALES ASSISTANT/LER/NY: Exp w/ Excel/Word/PowerPoint, DDS a +plus, work closely w/AE’s in all aspects of sales, Multi-tasker, Strong comm skills, Fluent in Spanish. Send resume to: [email protected] (12/22)

JOB OPENING: MARKETING COORDINATOR/FOOD NETWORK/NYC: Assist 2 Marketing Managers w/all aspects of consumer/ brand partnerships marketing. 2+ yrs brand/media/entertainment industry exp req’d. Resumes: www.scrippsnetworks.com #2592 (12/22)

JOB OPENING: SOCIAL MEDIA COORD/The Hub/Burbank, CA: Temporary position. Salaried, no benefits. BA and writing samples req’d. This position will be the project coordinator for the network’s social media efforts. Apply: www.hubworld.com (12/22)

JOB OPENING: DIGITAL AE/BBC.com/NYC: Maintain/grow revenue on web/mobile proprties-BBC.com, BBC America.com, LonelyPlanet.com. 3+ yrs exp w/ client & agncy contcts. News exp, a +. www.bbcamerica.com/jobs & [email protected] (12/21)

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH DIRECTOR/SCREENVISION/NYC: 8+ yrs media exp req’d, TV pref. Exp w. MRI/Simmons, Nielsen (TV ratings, AdViews, Galaxy). Analytical, mgmt skills req’d. Prof. Excel. SPSS & (MR)Tables ideal. www.screenvision.com (12/20)

JOB OPENING: MGR-MARKETING & MEDIA/IFC /NYC: Oversee the planning and execution of consumer mkg campaigns across all platforms including On Air, Digital, OOH, Print, Radio, and Social. Resume to: [email protected] (12/20)

JOB OPENING: MANAGER/PR /TRAVELCHANNEL/NY: Develop & implement program publicity plans for programming & digital initiatives. Prior TV publicity exp. required. Full details, http://www.scrippsnetworks.com & select req 2768 (12/20)

JOB OPENING: TOP NOTCH SUPERVISING PRODUCER/EP (NYC): Proven superstar producer/exec to lead production/creative on mult web series. Starts Jan. Be highly creative, smart,level-headed. Resumes to: [email protected] (12/20)

JOB OPENING: ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE/CNBC/CHI: Responsible for revenue goals through growing existing business & developing new business. 5+ yrs exp. To apply, visit http://www.nbcunicareers.com/search_nbc/ Job# 3638BR (12/20)

JOB OPENING: AE /MSNBC & NBC NEWS/CHI: Responsible for revenue goals through servicing existing bus & developing new bus for MSNBC & NBC News. 3+ yrs exp. To apply, visit http://www.nbcunicareers.com/search_nbc/ Job# 3676BR (12/20)

JOB OPENING: SR ANALYST, NEWS RESEARCH/NY: Responsible for supporting the Research team by collecting & evaluating audience & market research data. 1+ yrs exp. To apply, visit http://www.nbcunicareers.com/search_nbc/ Job#3354BR (12/20)

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] .

SPRING INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY:  NON-FICTION TV DEV INTERNSHIP/NYC: Major TV Prod Co seeking creative interns interested in reality TV and motivated to research, write and develop new ideas for TV series. Res/cov let: [email protected]  (12/23)

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: Jeanne Intile Burns, VOICE-OVER ARTIST/VOICE COACH, Cell: 845-721-9681, E-Mail: [email protected] , Web Links: www.castingnetworks.com/jburns, http://jburns.voices.com, www.allegro-music.com (“American Biographies”) (12/24)

SITUATION WANTED: SUMMER, CREDIT 2012 INTERNSHIP TV/FILM HI-ENERGY & IN-PRODUCTION CO/LA: Syracuse Newhouse: Exp: HD Camera Shooting & Prod, FCP, & PA duties. In LA 12/19-01/13 [email protected]; linkedin.com/in/aaronmwfrank, 818.569.0678 (12/22)

SITUATION WANTED: AD SALES ASSISTANT: (CHICAGO) Interned at Comcast Sports Net in Ad Sales, Works as Sales Assistant at NBCUniversal. Has B.A. from DePaul in PR/Advertising. Resume upon request. Contact [email protected] (12/22)

SITUATION WANTED: On air guest for major TV shopping network available as your PITCHMAN FOR YOUR PRODUCT(S). NY based,will travel. 38/M, clean, high energy, articulate, also host a high profile radio show. 631-415-5013 [email protected] (12/22)

SITUATION WANTED: LITERARY AGENT in the children’s market, 5+ yrs exp., interested in development position in children’s TV with studio or production co. Please contact [email protected] (12/21)

SITUATION WANTED: I’M ALL YOURS N.Y. Seeking to Assist, Currently an E.A. to Chief of Dept. 5 Yrs. work exp. B.A. Mass Comm. Contact, [email protected] (12/21)

SITUATION WANTED: EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT position film/TV (NY) 10 years experience. Interned for a President, Executive Assistant to SVP/VP/film director/celebrity [email protected] (12/20)

SITUATION WANTED: VOICE OVER ARTIST/SINGER/CT BASED:- For dynamic commercials, characters, e-learning, corporate narrations and more. Home studio. Contact [email protected]. Site: www.lailaberzins.com (12/20)

E-mail [email protected] or call Trish Pihonak at 203.381.9096 for rates and specs for Job Openings.

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