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Cynopsis: DIGITAL

6/04/07

Good Morning, it’s Monday, June 4, 2007 and this is your first early morning digital briefing.

The feds are playing hardball now with personal users. The FBI filed a criminal complaint against a Chicago resident who admitted he had illegally uploaded the first four episodes of 24 to LiveDigital.com, eight days before the show premiered on Fox. News Corp. said it discovered the episodes – which also ended up on YouTube – on January 8, two days after the man began posting them. The company later subpoenaed the video sharing sites asking that they identify the culprit. Both replied with the request, according to reports. Uploader Jorge Romero could face up to three years in federal prison.

Microsoft announces the Ignition program today to promote music acts across the Xbox Live, Zune and MSN online communities. U.K. band Maximo Park is the first band signed to release a single in the program, available as a free exclusive Zune Marketplace download. The video for the song will also be available on Xbox Live Marketplace and streaming online via MSN video.
 
Mobile Virtual Network Operator Amp’d Mobile filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after burning through five rounds of funding, the last one coming in March for a hefty $107 million. Amp’d launched in December 2005 with seed funding from MTV Networks, Universal Music, Qualcomm, Intel and others as a mobile service provider with customizable handsets and an extensive selection of videos, music and games. Demand for advanced mobile entertainment services has lagged in the U.S., leading to the demise of other mobile content ventures such as Mobile ESPN. Amp’d says it has managed to cobble together about 200,000 subscribers to date.
 
Lionsgate is working on creating a movie download service with BestBuy and Blockbuster Video according to a brief comment made CEO Jon Feltheimer during an earnings call last week. Lionsgate films are already available for digital purchase through iTunes, WalMart.com and Amazon’s Unbox service. The company has generated 1.4 million downloads so far, according to President and COO Steve Beeks. Blockbuster has been reportedly looking into digital distribution for some time to compete with NetFlix’s Watch Now service. BestBuy currently operates a digital music store but hasn’t offered video content.
 
A video of the kidnapped BBC reporter Alan Johnson was posted on an Islamic militant website on Friday, the first time he has been seen since being abducted in Gaza City on March 12. He says he’s been treated well in the video and calls for a lifting of international sanctions against the Palestinian government.
 
Turner Sports New Media debuts rock band Hinder’s “Born to Be Wild” music video exclusively on Nascar.com today at 12 noon ET. The site is also hosting an auction of NASCAR-themed Gibson Guitars designed by Sam Bass to benefit Kyle Petty’s Victory Junction Gang Camp.
 
Stormhawks.com, the web component to the new Nerd Corps Entertainment show premiering on Cartoon Network tonight, allows users to create avatars and collect “crystal” points by playing games and performing assorted tasks on the site. The crystals can be used to buy things for your avatar or be redeemed for real world prizes and merchandise. Bitcasters is producing the casual games.
 
Paramount, Sony, and Warner Bros. Studios have joined NBCU in partnering with Music Choice to add their premiere movies to its ‘Music & Movies’ VOD category launching in June.  Features on demand movies include WB’s Music and Lyrics, Paramount’s Dreamgirls, and Sony’s Stomp The Yard.
 
The Star Wars Legacy Revealed program that aired on The History Channel on Memorial Day not only set a ratings mark for the network, it also drove more traffic to history.com than any other show this year, increasing traffic over the same day last year by 100%.
 
Discovery produced Greenspace is an eight-episode, made-for-mobile series giving viewers an insider’s glimpse of what everyday folks are doing to help the environment. Featured topics include making eco-fashion choices and purchasing organic beer and wine. Also Makeover Train debuts today, TLC‘s first broadband series that gives commuters a makeover while riding the “T” in Boston.
 
Confused about digital lingo? New this week on Cynopsis.com is the Cynopsis Digital Glossary featuring definitions of more than 50 digital media and web 2.0 terms.

Web, desktop and portable music service Slacker received $40 million in addition funding. The San Diego-based start up allows users to customize their own radio stations with content from Sony BMG, Universal Music and various independent labels to stream on or offline. Slacker is working on developing a personal music player for release later this year.
 
Waxfruit Arts Media launched a music licensing site FlickTracks to help independents artists place songs in movies and shows. The site’s user interface allows producers to input project parameters to help identify artists within their budget and allows them to license, download and pay for the tracks via credit card directly from the site. Artists keep the rights to their music but share a portion of licensing fees to keep the non-profit group running.
 
Online social network for high school sports Takkle.com, announced partnerships with womenslacrosse.com, Brine, and Madlax. Takkle will offer a rich media networking platform to help the lacrosse companies connect with high school athletes and coaches.

Unilever is launching a new retail platform, ViveMejor (Live Better), which is comprised of a free consumer magazine, a companion website and television segments.  Miami-based Mass Hispanic Marketing worked on the campaign.  ViveMejor magazine will combine English- and Spanish-language content in each issue and is being offered free at major grocery retailers.

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM POD SHOW

 
Google purchased podcast, blog and content distributor Feedburner for undisclosed amount, seeing the potential to monetize the site by integrating its RSS advertising model with Google’s AdSense network. Google CEO Eric Schmidt discussed some of the company’s plans to develop new mobile applications at last week’s All Things Digital conference, emphasizing they would have to run on a made-for-mobile operating system optimized for the slower network and smaller handheld screen.
 
MSN reactivated its Soapbox video player to the public after integrating digital fingerprinting technology from Audible Magic. The new filtering policy will allow content owners find and remove their own copyrighted materials. YouTube, Daily Motion, Eyespot and Grouper are also using the company’s fingerprinting system.
 
Major League Baseball sent another message to the makers of place shifting device Slingbox at a recent sports law symposium at Fordham University. The remark renews speculation that MLB might sue to protect the interests of its Extra Innings and MLB.TV service, which charges for viewing out-of-market games online.
 
Viacom CEO Philippe Dauman warned day-and-date releases of major motion pictures on video on demand will not happen for a “few years” at the All Things Digital conference last week, despite ongoing tests with Comcast.
 

 
Pure play local media sites are capturing a larger share of local ad revenues, cutting into the profits of local newspaper, magazine and yellow pages sites according to a preview of a new Borrell Associates report found on AR&D’s website. Pure play sites accounted for a 37.9% share of local online ad revenue in 2006, an increase of 22.6%, while newspaper sites’ share fell 8.3% to 35.8%. Local TV stations improved their lot but still only accounted for 7.1% of total revenue.
 
Males make up a much larger share of the podcasting audience than females with a split of 63%/37%, according to a comScore study sponsored by Ad Infuse. Younger folks (18-24) make up the largest audience portion at 29%, followed by 35-44 year olds (27%) and 45-54 year olds (23%).

 
Turner’s Gametap.com launched its free ad-supported game service, offering a rotating sample from its library of more than 900 games. There are 31 freebies up at the moment. The site also debuted an online retail store with more than 450 titles available as downloads to own. The newest Lara Croft Tom Raider game goes on sale tomorrow, the same day it hits retail stores, but Gametap is offering users a chance to play it for free (just until you get hooked on it!).
 
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.
 
Correction : Some confusion on Friday’s item about WBZTV.com‘s Sox/Yanks rivalry webcast. Wbz-TV.com is the website of the CBS O&O not the site of WBZ news radio 1030. The link provided was correct, but the reference to podcasts referred to radio podcasts on wbz.com. Same call letters, different medium!

Later — Wayne
Wayne Karrfalt for Cynopsis: Digitals
06.04.07

Cynopsis Ad Sales:  Mark Bohn- 203-583-1224 / [email protected]
Classifieds – Trish Pihonak- 203-926-9878 / [email protected]

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

JOB OPENING: SNR ACCT MGR AFFILIATE SALES/Oxygen Media/NY: Strong background in sales/mktng; min 5yrs exp in media sales & multi-media mrktng. Travel req’d. Please contact: [email protected] (6/9)

JOB OPENING: SR SALES RESEARCH ANALYST/CBS NETWORK SALES/NYC: Min 2 yrs agency planning &/or network research exp. Strong comp. skills/media research dbase exp req. Apply: www.CBSCareers.com , job #2103. Indicate salary & source. (6/9)

JOB OPENING: PRODUCTION/BUSINESS MGR: Develop production plans, manage/oversee in-house production for major cable network. 10yrs exp, NY Metro area Apply”Mgr Production Admin” at  www.aetn.com (6/8)

JOB OPENING: PROD ASSIST, DIGITAL MEDIA: To traffic dgtl assets & assist w/live-action prod-Flash content. Exp w/video & digital media. Rqd: Phtshp, Flash8, Illust, FinalCutPro & After Effects [email protected]. (6/8)

JOB OPENING: PRODUCTION DIRECTOR/Nickelodeon NY: 6 yrs online producer exp, solid undrstnd internet/related technologies/site architecture; drive new prod dev; proj mgmnt exp/supv sk pref; EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (6/8)

JOB OPENING: ONLINE MANAGING EDITOR/Nickelodeon NY: 5 yrs media exp; 2 yrs online exp a plus. Strong proofreading, copy editing, writing sk. Supervisory sk & knwldge Parenting preferred. EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (6/8)

JOB OPENING: MANAGER, ON-AIR PROMOS/Fox Sport Net/Pittsburgh: 2+yrs net/cable on-air promo exp/mgt of overall promo ops and planning; produce & schedule element; ensure execution. Submit CV’s via www.foxcareers.com /FNG6738 (6/7)

JOB OPENING: SALES ASSISTANT/BET, NY: Detailed-oriented, organized, multi-tasker, exc comm & math skills.Prof w/excel, Bachelors degree req. Email resume: [email protected] (6/7)

JOB OPENING: SALES PLAN’R/BET, NY: Prepare Sales Plans, Mng mult Accts, 2 yrs exp in Cable Sales or buying a must.Detailed-oriented, org’d, multitasker, exc comm & math skills, BA req. Email resume: [email protected] (6/7)

JOB OPENING: NAT’L TV BUYING AMD/BUYERS (LA) /SUPERVISOR (NY): For major agencies. Exp with network, cable and syndication. Relo avail for LA positions. Resumes to: [email protected] (6/7)

JOB OPENING: SR MGR NA CONSUMER PROMOTIONS/HASBRO: 7+ yrs exp consumer promos for consumer products. Must have experience executing promos at retail. Agency exp a plus. Loc: East Longmeadow, MA. Apply at www.hasbro.com/careers (6/7)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR-TV INTEGRATIONS/LA: www.daviebrown.com . Oversee integration of brands in TV. Thorough knowledge of industry & prior exp essential. Res to: [email protected] (6/6)

JOB OPENING: SALES PLNR/NAT’L GEO/LA: Mng all deals, develop & create sales proposals. BA & strg written skills req. 1-2 yrs exp sales/cable adv. Apply www.FoxCareers.com FNG6882 (6/6)

JOB OPENING:  PROD ACCT/Rainbow Media/NYC: Track, report financial info for VOOM. Handle invoices & monitor expenses. BS/BA req’d. Acct exp a plus. To apply, visit www.cablevision.jobs and apply to job ID 3397BR (6/5)

JOB OPENING:  PUBLICIST/VERSUS/Stamford, CT: Support/contribute to publicity efforts of fast growing sports cable net.3+ yrs related exp.Apply at www.versus.com EOE (6/5)

JOB OPENING:  SR. RESEARCH ANALYST/Fox Sports/LA: 3+yrs cable/broadcast research. Nielsen systems exp. Strong knwldg of PhotoShop/Flash/Scarborough. Strong presentation /analytical/communication skills. Reply to www.foxcareers.com (6/5)

JOB OPENING: PLANNER /Oxygen/Chicago: Support 2 AEs in National Ad Sales w/ all aspects of sales. 2+ yr cable exp or advertising agency. Resume to:[email protected]. ref job title in subj ln. Go to www.oxygen.com for more info. (6/5)

JOB OPENING: SALES ACCT EXEC/BBC Motion Gallery/NYC: Mng adverts, corp & new media biz, grow assigned mkt, 4 yrs exp media related sales. Biz dvlpmnt, cld call, dirct cust acct mngmnt, sales targets. Res: [email protected] (6/5)

JOB OPENING: ASSISTANT/BBC Motion Gallery/NYC: College grad asst VP in ops, rsrch/biz projects. Comp skill, accounting assumptions. sum info, attn dtl, reliable. know media indstry/dig tech, vid contnt. Res: [email protected] (6/5)

JOB OPENING: OPRAH.COM PROD/HARPO/CHI: Work w/ The Oprah Winfrey Show & related franchises to expand/create/design/prod web content for Oprah.com. 5yrs+ prod’g web content w/ exceptional writing skills. Apply: www.HarpoCareers.com (6/5)

JOB OPENING: BROADCAST SOFTWARE IMPLEMENTORS/TRAINERS: Extensive US travel. 12 month + contracts. 5 yrs general media exp. BAs, trainers, and power users please apply. Email: [email protected] or call 860 632 3707.  (6/5)

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  [email protected] .

SUMMER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: LA Intern/Banyan Productions: Assist prod. team in ofc & in the field w/new 1hour docu-drama style series.Assist w/research,releases,casting,computer work & more.FT or PT, begin asap,work through summer. [email protected] (6/9)

SUMMER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: NYC dist co. seeks Media Biz Dev Intern to asst in strategic financial/mktg plan’g & implementation. Financial modeling exp & business background a must. Internship is unpaid. Res: [email protected]  (6/5)

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

SITUATION WANTED: ENTRY LEVEL/NYC. Smart/creative college grad. 2 yrs exp. interning in TV programming/research and 2+ yrs as admin asst. Hard
worker/quick learner/good attitude would be great dept/exec asst. [email protected] (6/9)

SITUATION WANTED: ASST/COORDINATOR/NYC: 4+ yrs freelance on independent films. Asst in ent industry. Excellent skills incl. computer, multitasking, communication. Available immediately. Contact: [email protected]   (6/6)

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.