Cynopsis: DIGITAL
6/18/07
Good Morning, it’s Monday, June 18, 2007 and this is your first early morning digital briefing.
Sony is pulling the plug on the music and video component of its Connect service in the next couple of months choosing instead to focus on the PlayStation group’s technical needs, according to paidContent.org. The online download service was introduced last year to provide content for the PSP and other Sony devices but never made much a dent in a market dominated by iTunes. The unit’s eBook division will remain intact, servicing the electronic Sony Reader.
~ MULTIPLATFORM CONTENT NEWS ~
Sony is happy with its acquisition of video sharing site Grouper, according to remarks made by Sony’s Welsh-born CEO Sir Howard Stringer in a Q&A with the Financial Times last week. Stringer expects Grouper to have more of an impact when the PlayStation 3 becomes networked to enable digital downloading. Grouper will get a new name and look when it re-launches next month with themed channels and mashable TV show material.
Meanwhile Sony’s Minisode Network will launch this week on MySpace. Now we can find out if you really can fit a full-hour of Charlie’s Angels into five minutes. At least the ads will be short too; 3-second billboards are expected to proceed 5-second pre-rolls for Honda‘s new subcompact the Fit. Honda will be the exclusive sponsor of the site.
Major League Baseball Advanced Media (BAM) is growing at a rate of over 30% from last year, nearing 50 million unique visitors a month including 1 million paying subscribers according to a profile in Newsweek. The venture, formed in 1999 when each Major League team invested $2.6 million in start up capital, is expected to earn $400 million in revenue this year.
The NBC Sports Olympics website will feature over 1,200 hours of live and archived full-screen video coverage of the Beijing Olympics next year. Coverage includes highlights and live streaming via wireless phones and on demand highlights and full events on the VOD destinations of NBC, CNBC, MSNBC, USA, Universal HD, USA HD and Telemundo.
NBC Universal President/CEO Jeff Zucker told analysts that slowing DVD sales were dragging on the studio’s bottom line, but that the transition to digital, when complete, would increase efficiencies and improve synergy. NBCU’s new online video joint venture with News Corp. is on track to launch in September, according to the company.
MTV‘s short-form mobile series Dances From Tha Hood spawned its first primetime special last night, incorporating user generated dance clips shot and submitted via the web or cell phone. The most watched routine “Pop, Lock and Drop it” has over 3,300 views. MTV also launched MySuperSweet16.com, a community site for teens to share the details about their 16th birthday parties. The site is MTV’s fourth stand-alone show extension launched since May.
Borders unveiled a new online video book club to promote the final Harry Potter book, inviting readers to connect with other fans and view podcasts from the Phoenix Rising Conference in New Orleans last month. The site’s co-producer the-leaky-cauldron.org is sponsoring a 23-top summer tour leading up to the book’s release next month.
~ INNOVATORS & START-UPS ~
Indie filmmakers must learn to use the internet’s video sharing and social networking sites to create a community of fans around their films, agreed a panel of digital distribution executives at the Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF) over the weekend. WithoutaBox provides online tools to help filmmakers submit films to film festivals, create a storefront on their own sites or even sell tickets to a screening at a local theater. IndieFlix has attracted a community of 10,000 filmmakers who are using the site to sell digital downloads. They get to keep 70% of the proceeds. Amazon.com’s Unbox has partnered with CustomFlix to enable filmmakers to upload and sell films on Amazon as downloads to own or downloads to rent. Real Network’s film.com streams shorts and feature-length films to help with exposure. The site is currently streaming 26 SIFF shorts including SIFF Future Wave audience award winner Laundry.
IM social networking service Twitter, community content site Digg and a web-based shopping list application called OneTrip have already launched versions of their software optimized for the iPhone. itweeter allows users to read their latest “tweets” and instant messages from friends. Digg allows users to simply drag and slide stories around. OneTrip ports your shopping list over to your iPhone.
YouTube launched Remixer, a new application to help users remix, title and add transitions, graphics, text and audio to their video submissions. The tool is powered by Adobe, which also built Photobucket‘s Remix tool.
VIDITalk Corporation launched the VIDI Interactive Publisher (VIP) System, enabling user-generated content to be added to corporate branded sites. VIP can be used for a host of applications including advertising, viral marketing campaigns and brand extension. It has been selected by the AFI/Discovery Channel-sponsored Silverdocs Documentary Film Festival to power user submissions.
~ TECHNOLOGY DEALS, MERGERS AND SKIRMISHES ~
DirecTV and Echostar have signed distribution agreements with wireless broadband provider Clearwire to begin offering bundled service packages. The news gave Clearwire’s stock a huge boost on Friday, pushing it back up close to its IPO price of $25/share.
Comcast Interactive invested $17 million in BroadLogic Network Technologies, with #6 MSO Advance/Newhouse joining in on the second-round financing. BroadLogic manufactures video processing chip-sets that recover bandwidth to help cable operators in their quest to improve delivery of video, voice data and gaming services.
The net neutrality debate returned to the front burner last week, following AT&T’s announcement that it would pay more attention to piracy occurring through its network. The FCC’s stated goal to “encourage broadband deployment and preserve and promote the open and interconnected nature of the public internet” invoked a response from the NCTA on Friday to leave good enough alone. Big media-funded think tank The Media Institute also filed comments opposing net neutrality legislation. Meanwhile, NBC Universal used the FCC net neutrality docket to push for regulation against piracy, calling for ISPs to take a more proactive role in policing their networks. Friday was the cutoff for filing comments on the issue.
Seven convicted s#x offenders have been arrested in Texas as a direct result of MySpace‘s cooperation identifying their use of the site to prey on children. The men were arrested during a two-week sting led by the Cyber Crimes and Fugitive units of the Texas Attorney General’s office.
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~ DIGITAL ADVERTISING ~
Publicis Groupe acquired Paris-based digital marketing shop Business Interactif in a deal worth $182.8 million in cash and shares. The acquisition is the agency’s latest move to strengthen its digital, interactive and mobile marketing operation centered around the acquisition of Digitas, acquired for $1.3 billion earlier this year. Business Interactif has offices in Paris, Tokyo and Shanghai, specializing in search engine optimization, email marketing and luxury product marketing.
Advertising executives suggested pre-roll video ads test the patience of most internet video users during Promax‘s “Future on Online Advertising” panel last week, particularly if they run beyond a few seconds. Targeting specific ads to users to achieve higher relevance and building in an opt-in option, allowing users the choice of pulling up an ad by moving their cursor over it, are up and coming trends.
~ TRENDS, RESEARCH, ETC. ~
ABC.com was ranked the top-visited entertainment site for May, according to Media Metrix and Nielsen/NetRatings, more than doubling its unique user base from a year ago to 14.6 million. The site had more than 7 million episode starts for the week of May 19 (The week of Lost and Dancing With the Stars season finales), its best week since the relaunch of the ABC video player last September.
NYTimes.com was the most visited newspaper site in May, according to Nielsen/NetRatings, increasing unique visitors by nearly 1 million over the previous month. Users spent an average of nearly 30 minutes on the site. Here are the top 10 paper sites:
Newspaper site Uniques (million) Avg min. spent per user
NYTimes.com 12.77 29:36
USAToday.com 9.52 12:39
Washingtonpost.com 8.61 18:43
LATimes.com 5.82 9:41
WallStreetJournal.com 4.35 14:46
Boston.com 4.04 18:31
NewYorkPost.com 3.91 6:01
SFGate.com 3.76 14:57
HoustonChronicle.com 3.42 25:44
ChicagoTribune.com 2.99 17:07
Source: Nielsen/NetRatings
~ EXECUTIVE MOVES ~
Independent digital marketing agency imc2 hired Alan Schulman as SVP/Executive Creative Director. Alan served most recently as Chief Creative Officer for Brand New World and has headed digital initiatives for brands including Johnson & Johnson, Coke and Verizon.
~ WEBSITE OF THE DAY ~
Last week we mentioned a couple of wine sites. Terry, Stevo and Scott are the three wine guys who like to DRINK and discuss wine. They produce a weekly podcast that’s available on iTunes and other podcasting portals including digg Podcasts. Their show has ranked in the iTunes Top 20 Food Category for the past 18 consecutive months. On PodcastAlley.com, an alternative to iTunes, the guys have been ranked #1 for the past eight consecutive months. If you don’t know much about wine, this is a good place to start.
Thanks to: Nina Keinberger, Spike & Comedy Central
A new website will be featured here everyday for you to check out. Some are TV-centric, some creative, some just plain strange, but all have something to do with this crazy business. Email me your suggestions at [email protected] and if I include the site you mention, your name, company and city will be credited. Only one mention per calendar week, to make it fair.
Later — Wayne
Wayne Karrfalt for Cynopsis: Digitals
06.18.07
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JOB OPENING: CREATIVE DEVELP: Assist, to manage dept. daily operations, file, track contracts, maintain database & assist in reviewing pitches. Req’d. Phtshp, Illust, Script& final draft. [email protected]. (6/23)
JOB OPENING: DIR LEGAL & BUS AFFAIRS/NatGeo/ Wash DC: Help guide our mission by leading a team w/ your JD + 5 yrs in TV, film or new media. Draft agreements & advise. Competitive salary & benes apply @ www.nationalgeographic.com (6/23)
JOB OPENING: PROJECT MGR, INNOVATIONS /INITIATIVE LA: (advertising). Dev creative, digital , and marketing ideas and presentations for clients. Req 3+ yrs + BA/BS, rel. exp +. Email [email protected] EOE M/F/D/ (6/23
JOB OPENING: MGR, DIGITAL MEDIA & CONSUMER MKTG/National Geo Channel/Washington, DC: develop digital media, mktg & promo strategies to support NGC’s tune-in & awareness; 5+ yrs promo/mktg w/in media/entertain; www.foxcareers.com 6/23)
JOB OPENING: NATIONAL CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP SALES/WGBH’s Sponsorship Group for Public Television: sell nat’l sponsorship of WGBH & partner productions as integrated media packages to F500 corps, 5+yrs sales exp. [email protected] (6/23)
JOB OPENING: PROGRAM ACQ-SCHED MGR/HD VOD/Marina del Rey: Assist SVP in content acq, prog rights mgmt, schedules/playlists, screen & eval, licensing, buy reports; 2+ yrs. exp. TV or new media, adv Excel; [email protected] (6/23)
JOB OPENING: RESEARCH ASSOCIATE/Silver Spring MD: Support rsrch initiatives. 2yrs Rsrch exp. in Brdcst/Media pref. Quantitative/Qualitative rsrch background. Excellent growth opp. Apply: discovery.com/careers Position 5407 (6/22)
JOB OPENING: MANAGER OF STANDARDS & PRACTICES/MTV Tr3s/NYC: Review on-air & digital content for MTV Tr3s. Knowledge of FCC regulations. Bi-lingual Spanish. 3 yrs related experience. EOE/M/F/D/AAP www.mtvncareers.com (6/22)
JOB OPENING: SALES ASST/Oxygen/NY: Support 2 AEs and Sales Planner w/ all aspects of sales process. Must be detailed oriented w/strong PC Skills and a team player. 1+ yr cable exp or advertising agency. Resume to: [email protected] (6/21)
JOB OPENING: VP MKTG/ Retirement Living TV, DC/Balto area: BA, 7 yrs Sr Mgmt exp, tv or media exp req/ oversee dev of mktg strategies & campaigns, create & implement mktg plan, short to long term strategy, apply @ www.rl.tv (6/21)
JOB OPENING: PRODUCERS, ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS & FIELD PRODUCERS/NY based Nationally Syndicated TV show. All needed and each position must have experience in talk. RESUMES: [email protected] (6/21)
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JOB OPENING: COORD, PROGRAMMING/VERSUS/Stamford, CT: Assist w/all aspects of scheduling for fast growing sports cable net.1-2 yrs prior exp, knwldg/interest in sports & strong computer skills req’d.EOE.Apply at www.versus.com (6/20)
JOB OPENING: CONTENT DVLPMNT/RIGHTS MGR for NY Metro Area leading cable ntwrk.Leveraging content assets across multi-platform.Prod & Rights clearance exp. Req’d.Contract negotiation skills a +. Apply [email protected] (6/20)
JOB OPENING: DR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE/Fox Cable/ NY:Establish & maintain relations w/nat’l Direct Response Advertisers & Agencies; identify avail inventory; 2+ yrs DR sls experience; strong comm & present skills; www.foxcareers.com (6/20)
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JOB OPENING: ACCOUNT MGR-AFFILIATE SALES/AETN, NY: Support the NE & SE regions in distribution, promotion and marketing of all the AETN networks. 2+ years
exp in Affiliate Sales. Apply: www.aetn.com/careers.html (6/19)
JOB OPENING: MEDIA SALES PLANNER/AMC/WE TV – LA: 2-4 yrs cable TV experience. Must have a minimum of 2 Upfronts and Gabriel exp pref. Resumes to www.cablevision.jobs #3628BR (6/19)
JOB OPENING: SR. BUYER/Job Share/SPOT TV/Active Int’l Pearl River NY(15 miles from NYC): 3 days-24hours total, 7 yrs+ agency Buying Spot TV exp a must; Resumes to: [email protected] or call 845-732-8943 (6/19)
JOB OPENING: SR. NEGOTIATOR/National Broadcast/Pearl River NY(15 miles NYC): Exp in all areas of Nat’l Broadcast placement. Strong analytical & presentation skills req’d. Resume: [email protected] or call 845 732-8943 (6/19)
JOB OPENING: GROUP BUYING DIR/Spot TV-Active Int’l /Pearl River NY (15 miles NYC): 10 Exp+. in Supervising/Buying TV. Strong negotiating, operations & team bldg skills req’d. [email protected] 845-732-8943 (6/19)
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SUMMER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: WE Public Relations, NY, NY opportunity to learn the mechanics of a major cable network tv comm dept by working w/ the publicists & participate in daily ops. Visit www.cablevision.jobs req Id 3694 for more details. (6/23)
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SITUATION WANTED: Teen drama seeks home on the Internet. Sized perfectly to fit the format. Great for branded entertainment. For more info contact [email protected] for link and password to pilot. Need to track all inquiries (6/23)
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SITUATION WANTED: SALES /NYC. Exp. professional with strong interest in media looking to transfer Wall Street sales & analytical skills to ent. industry. Seeks position in sales dept. w/ability to learn & grow. [email protected] (6/20)
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