A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM DISNEY MEDIA ADVERTISING SALES AND MARKETING GROUP

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Source:  2006 MRI Kids and Teenmark Studies

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Cyn opsis: Kids!

2/19/07

Good morning. It’s Monday, February 19, 2007 and this is your first early morning Kids! briefing.

Walden Media and Disney have begun principle photography in New Zealand on the live-action/CGI animated movie adaptation of C.S. Lewis’, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.  This, the second book in the series to be adapted under this venture, will again be directed by New Zealander Andrew Adamson, from a screenplay he co-wrote with Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, who also co-wrote the first movie in the series, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, which was released in 2005.  Prince Caspian is scheduled for release on May 16, 2008.

The BBC plans to launch a teen-targeted online drama titled Signs of Life (8×20′ episodes).  The series was created by Endemol, and will be produced by Endemol’s interactive unit for a budget of upwards of $1.6 million.  Ashley Highfield, the BBC’s new media and technology head honcho has been describing the series as, “Buffy meets horoscopes.”  The BBC also plans to launch a companion website for Signs of Life.  The teen demo has been a waning one for the BBC of late, and Signs of Life will be the second teencentric online effort to help solve that problem.  Last month the BBC launched Wanabes, an interactive web-based drama, this one includes 14 short-form episodes and comes from Illumina Digital.

MORE KIDS STUFF

The N has given the green light to a third season of the teen focused drama, South of Nowhere.  Set to begin production this spring on 16×30′ new episodes, the new season will bow on the network in fall 2007.  The series is produced by The Tom Lynch Co.

We’ll get to see some young actors serving as presenters this weekend at the 79th Academy Awards ceremony.  The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science have announced that Jaden Christopher Syre Smith and Abigail Breslin with hand out a statue at the annual awards show, which by the way will air live on ABC beginning at 8p.

And speaking of Walden Media and Disney, for those who saw the new movie adaptation of Bridge to Terabithia, which opened this weekend, or if you have read the book, you might want to listen to an interesting interview with the book’s author Katherine Patterson and her son David Patterson, the latter who adapted the book for the big screen, that ran this weekend on NPR ( http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=7387562 ).

MARKETING/LICENSING

WGBH Boston Video will release Binky Goes Nuts, a special DVD on April 24, 2007.  The title features four episodes of the animated series Arthur all focusing on kid related health issues, which are designed to help kids, parents and teachers learn about specific kids health issues, including nut allergies and the importance of exercise.  The four episodes included on the release are: Binky Goes Nuts; Breezy Listening Blues; Arthur Weighs In; and The Law of the Jungle Gym.

Fantagraphics Books has acquired the rights to Walt Kelly’s classic POGO comic strip, starring Pogo Possum in stories that feature a mix of poetry, and political and social satire, which ran from 1949-1973.  Under the agreement Fantagraphics will publish a series of upwards of 12 volumes of Pogo books, with the first slated for release in October 2007.  Jeff Smith, cartoonist and creator of the Bone graphic novel, and devotee of Kelly’s work, will design each Pogo volume.  Pogo first appeared in Dell’s Animal Comics as a secondary character in the Albert the Alligator feature.  The Pogo comic strip began running in the New York Star from 1948-49.  When the newspaper folded, Pogo was picked up and syndicated by Hall Syndication.  In addition to Pogo, Kelly toiled for Disney on animated movies including Pinocchio, Dumbo and Fantasia.  Fantagraphics also publishes the work of classic newspaper strip cartoonists including George Herriman (Krazy Kat), Charles Schulz (Peanuts), E.C. Segar (Popeye), Hal Foster (Prince Valiant), Harold Gray (Little Orphan Annie), and Hank Ketcham (Dennis the Menace).

STONE SOUP

Weekend Box Office Estimates for kids/tweens/teens rated G, PG or PG-13; February 1618, 2007:
Ghost Rider (Sony / Columbia) PG-13                    Opening Weekend $44.5m
Bridge to Terabithia (Buena Vista) PG                    Opening Weekend $22.1m
Norbit (Paramount (DreamWorks)) PG-13              $16.8m-2 wk total $58.9m
Music and Lyrics (Warner Bros.) PG-13                  Opening Weekend $19.5m
Tyler Perry’s Daddy’s Little Girls (Lionsgate) PG-13 Opening Weekend $17.8m
Breach (Universal) PG-13                                     Opening Weekend $10.4m
Because I Said So (Universal) PG-13                     $4.9m-3 wk total $33.2m
The Messengers (Sony / Screen Gems) PG-13        $3.8m-3 wk total $30.5m
Night at the Museum (Fox) PG                              $3.7m-9 wk total $237.3m
The Queen (Miramax) PG-13                                $1.3m-21 wk total $51.0m
Source: Box Office Mojo

By the end of 2007, US residential broadband subscriptions are expected to exceed 60 million HH, accounting for 55% of all US HH, according to Digital lifestyles: 2007 Outlook, a new study from Parks Associates.  The survey found that US residential subscriptions to broadband high-speed Internet services were up by +20% in 2006.  Additional findings include:

• Providers are delivering both broadband and TV services with a great emphasis on value-added services they enable versus just the services themselves.
• Over the last several years’ service providers have partnered more closely with equipment vendors as a way to strengthen their relationship with digital services and the end-user products that enable them (e.g. set-top boxes, home computers, home networks, gaming consoles, and other consumer electronic devices).
• With higher infiltration of broadband services in homes, there is a shift in the way “…companies are positioning their communications, entertainment, and information services as home technology solutions.”

EXECUTIVE MOVES

Brett Close has been appointed President, Green Monster Games, LLC, (GMG) an entertainment development company and producer of massively multiplayer online games.  An industry veteran, Close has worked for Midway, Electronic Arts, and VR1 Entertainment.  GMG has named Mary Kirchoff as its SVP/Marketing and Brand Development.  Kirchoff was responsible for branding, business development, and publishing for a range of titles at Hasbro and Wizards of the Coast.  An author in her own right, Kirchoff has penned 12 best-selling fantasy novels.  Also joining GMG is Chaz Sutherland as Art Director.  Most recently Sutherland was with Shiny Entertainment where he worked as a Visual Effects artist and animator on Matrix: Path of Neo, Medal of Honor: Rising Sun and GoldenEye 2, among others.  Boston Red Sox pitcher, Curt Shilling is Founder and CEO, GMG.  The company’s first game, currently in pre-production, comes from Todd McFarlane (Spawn) and author R. A. Salvatore (Drizzt Do’Urden, among others).

Betsy Roach has been named Director/Product Licensing, National Geographic.  In this role she will work out of Washington DC and oversee product licensing for TV and film properties.  Roach joins National Geographic from her Lisa Marks and Associates, the outside agency that had been managing the company’s TV and movie licensing business, prior to bringing the position in-house.  Previously, she was Licensing manager for the National Football League.

K’NEX has named three SVPs.

• Robert Haines has been upped to SVP/Finance and CFO.  In his new position, Mr. Haines is responsible for all treasury, cash management, financial budgeting, and credit functions.  Prior to this Haines was VP/Finance and CFO.  Previously he was Corporate Controller and Asst. Treasurer, Resco Priducts Inc.
• Joseph Smith moves up to SVP/Product Development.  He had been VP/Design. Smith is now responsible for overseeing the product development function, including product design, engineering, instruction, and packaging design.  Smith started in the toy industry as a kid toy tester for Kenner Toys in Cincinnati, Ohio.  After design school he went to work again for Kenner Toys, this time designing Nerf products, and Smith continued designing products for the company after Hasbro acquired it.
• Lowell Allen has been promoted to SVP/Manufacturing.  His new responsibilities include managing the company’s manufacturing arm and oversight of equipment purchases, hiring and training personnel, supply contracts, and production.  Allen has spent the better part of the last 32 years with The Rodon Group, a plastic injection-molding company, which is now a division of K’NEX.

RATINGS

Live + Same Day Ratings Kids Cable Network Averages (000) for Thursday, February 15, 2007, 6am-11pm, ranked by K2-11:
NICKELODEON:         K2-11 1256; K6-11 606; TWEENS 9-14 409
DISNEY CHANNEL:     K2-11   912; K6-11 576; TWEENS 9-14 483
CARTOON NETWORK: K2-11   631; K6-11 379; TWEENS 9-14 258
TOON DISNEY:           K2-11   159; K6-11   75; TWEENS 9-14   41
Source: MTVN Research from Nielsen Media Research Data

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Answer to Yesterday’s trivia question:  What show did Tom Bosley voice the character Harry Boyle?  WAIT ‘TIL YOUR FATHER GETS HOME.    Kudos to:   Gary M. Shinn-Metrovision Production Group/NY; George A. Klein-Wahoo! Creative/Atlanta; Jim Ryan-AETN/NY;  Chris O’Reilly-ITN Networks/NY; Rob Chatlin-FX Network/LA;  Julie Bricklin-C/A Inc/Studio City; Susan Arcidiacono-Frankie & Her Little Pals/Burbank; Lee Williams-Boomstone Entertainment Inc/Ottawa ON

Today’s Trivia Question: On the show Cory in the House, what is the President’s daughter’s first name?  (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!
2.19.07

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

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JOB OPENING:  NICK DAVIS PRODUCTIONS Seeks AP’s for Two Reality Series. One will travel to Texas; other to Canada, Florida, etc.  Experience on reality TV a plus.  Driver’s license a must. Email:  [email protected]  (2/24)

JOB OPENING:  GLOBAL BRAND MGR/DIC Entertainment/LA: 4+ yrs exp. Brand strategy, P&L, strong comm/present skills. Cons Prod Sales exp a+. [email protected]   (2/24)

JOB OPENING:  CONTRACT ADMINISTRATOR/VIZ Media Europe, SARL/Paris:  3+ years exp., bilingual ENG/FR, negotiating and drafting production, talent and license agreements, NO VISA SUPPORT/resume: [email protected]  NO ATTACHMENT   (2/24)

JOB OPENING:  ON-LINE SALES/TECHNORATI/NEW YORK: Leading blog search engine/ 2yrs+ exp/ self motivated, creative/excellent presentations skills/strong digital agency contacts required.  Submit resumes to [email protected]   (2/24)

JOB OPENING: MGR, MULTI-MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS/NY area: Hands-on mgr for all aspects of web, print, & video comm.. Working knwldg of developing trends in web & video prod w/ strong writing skills. Resumes: [email protected]  (2/23)

JOB OPENING: MGR BUSINESS DVLPMNT/Fortune 500 Media & Ent Co./NY, DC, TX or CO:  Focused, enthusiastic individual for sales/nat’l partnerships role w/ leading education/media co. Apply to Req # NY1821   scholastic.apply2jobs.com   (2/23) 

JOB OPENING: SPORT SALES COORD/CBS TV Network/NYC: Contact advertisers & agencies for comm’l in Sports program. BA/BS pref. Traffic exp req. Detailed w/exc comm skills. Late Fridays. www.CBSCareers.com (#1944), indicate salary. (2/22)

JOB OPENING: DIR, PROGRAM PLNG & BUDGET/NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC CHANNEL/ Washington, DC: Dvlp program strategy; ad sls pckgs, tie-ins & specials; manage budget; 5+ yrs programming cbl ntwk; strong comm, apply at www.foxcareers.com (2/22)

JOB OPENING:  ACCT SALES MGR/Eclipse Mrktng Services/NJ: 5 yrs exp sales/mktg/acct mngmnt in cable TV or advtsg. Direct Mail exp pref’d. Exc comm & project mngmnt skills. BA req’d. Ability to travel. Resume: [email protected]  (2/22)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR, FINANCE, & STRATEGIC PLANNING/VERSUS -Stamford, CT:Oversee/perform fin’l analysis, reporting & modeling projects for busy CFO.5+ yrs related exp.Apply at  www.versus.com EOE/AA/drug free (2/22)

JOB OPENING: VP, PROGRAMMING/VERSUS/Stamford, CT:Develop/execute acquisition and scheduling strategy, 7+ yrs programming, mgmt & sports experience. Apply at www.versus.com EOE/AA/drug free (2/22)

JOB OPENING: SVP, MKTG: THC/A&E TV NETS NY: Direct brand positioning, mktg, advrtsng, on-air promo strategies, strategic partnerships for The History Channel & sister nets. 10+yrs mktg exp at sr level. Apply: www.aetn.com/careers (2/22)

JOB OPENING: FREELANCE COORDINATOR/AETN INTN’L NY: Admin support to Intnl Prog&Sales group.D’base mgmt, reports, spec projs, client contact. Microsoft office/1-3 yr in TV sales or distribution. Apply: www.aetn.com/careers.html (2/22)

JOB OPENING: VP, BIZ DEV/Hidden Treasures/NY: Seek’n exp’ed acquisitions/sales exec for biz dev position in nonfiction prgmng biz. Min 5 yrs exp and significant industry bkgrd & cntacts req. Apply [email protected] (2/22)

JOB OPENING: MGR STRAT & ANALYSIS/Showtime Ntwrk/NY: 3+yr exp Design/exec/interpret analyses. Showtime/competitor/sale/mktg activities/industry trnd  Strng analytical/comm/organiz sklls/strategic thinkr [email protected] (2/22)

JOB OPENING: PROJECT MGR/LIFETIME NY: Point person for multiple integrated campaigns and successful completion of all campaign components across divisions. Apply at: http://www.lifetimetv.com/about/jobs.html (2/21)

JOB OPENING: ASSOCIATE PRODUCER/NY based Nationally Syndicated Television Show: Must have at least 3 years experience RESUMES: [email protected] (2/21)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR, GSN INTERACTIVE SALES/GSN/NY: Responsible for developing revenue generating advertising opportunities for GSN interactive properties. 3-5 yrs. experience in TV/Interactive. Send resume to [email protected] (2/21)

JOB OPENING: PRODUCTION ARTIST/BURBANK: FT gen maintenance of art projects on website, various daily ad-hoc duties, work w/sr. artist, HTML programmer, PHP /ActionScript Web Developer & Managing Editor  [email protected] (2/21)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR, INTERACTIVE MARKETING/WWE, Stamford, CT Showcase your tech-savvy strategic skills by using the latest, most popular technology sources to market & promote WWE products/svces. 5+ yrs exper. www.wwe-careers.com  (2/21)

JOB OPENING: CONS PROMO COORD/COURT TV/NY: Support Mgr/Dir with grass roots mktg/promo plans & online/digital prgrms. 1-2 yrs promo exp; passion for TV; proactive; strong comm. skills; team player www.turnerjobs.com Req #74787 (2/21)

JOB OPENING: INTERNET MKTG MGR/KOCH Vision/Lorber Films, Long Island, NY: 3+ years in an entertainment-based internet mktg environment. For complete job desc. visit www.kochent.com (2/21)

JOB OPENING: MGR CONSUMER MARKETING/PROMO/EVENTS/NYC: –3yr+exp-guerilla , proj manage on-air TV elements-film buff on-site events  apply: [email protected] (2/21)

JOB OPENING:  PRODUCERS/APS/PHILLY AREA/HOME MAKE OVER SHOW: Applicant must be creative with excellent research and writing skills.5 yrs exp. Begin asap. Apply: [email protected] (2/20)

JOB OPENING: SALES PLANNER/Galavision/NY: Generate upfront/scatter plans. Handle all aspects of ongoing deal maintenance/stewardship. Dealmaker/VCI/media experience & Spanish a plus. Apply: [email protected]. EOE (2/20)

JOB OPENING: HTML/CSS PROGRAMMER/Burbank: FT mid-level HTML/CSS programmer. Maintenance  & ad-hoc duties. build and maintain photo galleries, etc.  [email protected] (2/20)

JOB OPENING: ACCT EXEC/SCREENVISION/NY: Report to VP Eastern Region Sales. Sell/Mrkt all Nat’l prod’s. Maintain’g existing client  relationships & dvlpmnt of new buz w/ clients @ advertising agencies. Res: [email protected] (2/20)

JOB OPENING:  RESEARCH DIRECTOR, PROGRAMMING/ HGTV/Knoxville: 8 yrs cable networks exp. Strong analytical skills & strategic thinker. Expertise: N-Power, other Nielsen and secondary tools. [email protected] # 5850-U (2/20)

SPRING 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] .

SPRING INTERNSHIPS CREDITS ONLY: TV PRGMNG INTERN/Firestone Communications/NY: Seek’n bi-lingual prgmng/devlpt intern for ¡SORPRESA! ntwrk. Knwlge of film/tv and strng written & oral skills req. Class credit provided. Apply: [email protected]    (2/22)

SITUATION WANTED ADS, POSTED BY THOSE LOOKING TO BE HIRED —

SITUATION WANTED: PROD /tri lingual, 15+yrs of exp creating promos, vignettes & commercials for Major Ntwrk & Cable TV, is seeking a
similar position in Cable TV or Major Ntwrk. Traveled/shot in diff countries. helciop @hotmail.com (2/22)

SITUATION WANTED: ON-AIR SCHEDULING MANAGER: 23+ years of experience scheduling promos for network, cable and affiliate; seeking a similar position. Email: [email protected] (2/20)

SITUATION WANTED: MEDIA RELATIONS EXPERT seeks freelance assignments for Major Ntwrk & Cable Television press. Strong national media contacts and great pitching skills. Work from home assignments only. Contact: [email protected] (2/20)

E-mail Trish Pihonak for rates and specs for Job Openings.

Are you looking for a job? Post your Situation Wanted Ad here — Email Trish Pihonak for specs.