Cynopsis: DIGITAL
06/09/08
Good morning, it’s Monday, June 9, 2008, and this is your first early morning digital briefing.
After shutting down its online music store Wal-Mart is trying to insure there is still demand for its CDs. The chain signed an deal with AC/DC to become the exclusive CD retailer for its next album this fall, similar to agreements struck with The Eagles and Journey, according to the WSJ. The company also says it plans to reduce its inventory of CDs to focus more on blockbuster titles. The move will likely drive more consumers online to find niche, long tail content, even if they have to put up with occasional outages. (Amazon.com made headlines over the weekend when it went down for over 2 hours.)
MediaFLO’s FLO TV service will provide 30+ hours of US Open video coverage from Torrey Pines this week sourced from ESPN and NBC Sports. The service is available to AT&T Mobile TV and Verizon Wireless V Cast customers.
Cooler Facts, a new series of 38 animated shorts, will make its debut on DiscoveryChannel.ca on June 18 as the website’s first original commission. Over a period of 4 weeks, the 2-5 minute episodes will deal with cool science-related facts ranging from skyscrapers to outer space. Cooler Facts will also join Discovery HD‘s lineup in a 6×30-minute run starting on July 18 at 8p.
Universal Music Group and Destiny Media Technologies expanded their digital media distribution services agreement to include UMG’s affiliates in Canada and Mexico. Under the multi-year agreement, Destiny Media remains the primary platform for the global distribution of UMG’s pre-release digital media in North America.
Hulu rolled out a new video search function indexing not only its 50+ content providers but also videos embedded on blogs, social networking sites and a host of other online video outlets. Search results appear within the Hulu video interface, so you don’t have to leave the site to hunt for something Hulu doesn’t have. The better video portals can make their search tools, the thinking is, the less likely their users will have to go elsewhere to find what they’re looking for.
That said, TV Guide wants to make sure you can easily access its video content if you prefer to spend most of your time in a social networking environment. TV Guile Online officially launched its Video Guide widget as an embeddable extension of its popular online video guide.
Stephen Arnold Music has developed a new online search engine to allow producers to search for usable tracks from its own Music Vault as well as collections from Swiss/German H2U and U.S.-based 3Volution.
Leading Facebook app maker Slide says it will stop introducing new applications in order to concentrate on improving and monetizing its existing apps, reports Silicon Alley Insider.
Sony, Sharp and Panasonic are beginning to introduce high-end televisions that allow viewers to browse works from YouTube and other online publishers when plugged into a broadband connection. The technology was on display at this year’s CES.
- Sony is first to the punch with the Bravia Internet Video Link, which takes the form of a wireless module that plugs into the back of most 2007 and 2008 Bravia LCD TVs. Channels at launch include YouTube, CBS.com, Yahoo!, AOL, Sports Illustrated, blip.tv, CondeNet’s Style.com, Men.Style.com, Epicurious and Concierge.com channels, Crackle, The Minisode Network, FEARnet, Ford Models, SingingFool and Video Detective
- Panasonic’s Vieracast, available on 800-series Viera models, provides access to YouTube, Weather Channel sites, Bloomberg text-based news and photo sharing site Picasa without a separate device
- Sharp’s Aquos Net TVs, which also don’t require a device, provide configurable widgets that update viewers on weather, NASDAQ stock quotes, traffic and comic strips.
Comcast is seeking patents for two new devices designed to help subscribers watch video content on multiple screens and devices, reports Multichannel News. The AnyReach is described as a portable TV and video player used for recording and playing back audio and video. The XtraScreen is more of Slingbox-type device, porting TV content to PCs and mobile devices through a broadband connection.
SanDisk has mothballed its TakeTV project as well as its accompanying fanfare video portal. TakeTV was one of the countless attempts to solve the PC-to-TV dilemma by providing a small, portable USB drive users could walk over to their TV. CBS, Showtime, Jaman.com and TV Guide were among the content providers who participated in the device’s trials.
A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM NATPE’s LATVFest
Hot Session at LATVF’s Digital Day (July 30): The Next Frontier: Alternate Reality Games and Adventures in Storytelling. Panel: Brian Seth Hurst-The Opportunity Management Company, Nuno Bernardo-beActive, John Couch-Digital Kitchen, Patrick Crowe-Xenophile Media, Inc, Christopher Sandberg-The company P, Matt Wolf-Double Twenty Productions.
REGISTER by June 9 for Priority Sign-up in sessions and Pitch Pit
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With Microsoft feigning to be no longer interested in a deal Carl Icahn has a price in mind for what Yahoo should offer itself up for sale to Microsoft. He figures $34.375/share or $49.5 billion is a fair price, as outlined in his latest strongly worded letter to the company’s board. This assumes Yahoo will remove its “poison pill” severance plan that proved to be the major obstacle the first time around.
The Weather Channel Interactive tapped BandCon for its Content Delivery Services via broadband and wireless.
The WGA strike conducted to help writers gain a share of new media earnings cost the state of California about $2.1 billion in lost output, according to a new report from the Milken Institute, with total personal wages and salaries projected to decline by $3.1 billion and $2.3 billion respectively. The foundation predicts that effects will continue to be felt for at least a couple of years. The local LA economy was hit particularly hard because the strike coincided with a major housing downturn.
More than 400 venture capital investments were made in social media companies during the past 15 months with the 341 disclosed investments totaling $2.76 billion, according to a new report from paidcontent.org. (Over $3 billion is estimated to have been invested overall.) On the acquisitions side a total of 131 deals were struck; 41 disclosed deals were valued at $13.4 billion. Media creation and sharing led all investment categories.
Major Social Media Investments Jan. 2007- Mar. 2008
Category % of total invested
Media Creation and Sharing 24%
Social Networking 23%
Services 17%
Mobile 11%
Content 11%
Tools & Software 10%
Experimental 4%
Source: paidcontent.org
GoFish Corp. named Tribal DDB Worldwide Founder Matt Freeman as CEO and Board Member. He succeeds Michael Downing who will leave the company.
Bennett HD/LA hired Susan Roberts as Senior Account Executive. She will be based in Los Angeles and report to Julie Volpe, VP of Post Production.
Good news from the folks at MyDamnChannel, who have a good track record at signing talented comedians and helping them develop stuff that plays well online. The site’s shows, more clever than silly, feature top-rate satire and tend to involve the audience in a way that makes them feel like they’re being let in on an inside joke. Fans can look forward to more of the Webby Award winning You Suck at Photoshop beginning Friday, June 27, produced Big Fat Brain’s Troy Hitch and Matt Bledsoe. It takes the form of DIY tutorial on how to use the software, but it’s really just a vehicle for its host to rant about what bugs him. The show has racked up 9 million + views no doubt appealing to web users’ more cynical nature. David Wain’s sad sack Wainy Days, which also won a Webby for best comedy series, has also been renewed for a third season. New episodes begin Monday, June 16.
Later — Wayne
Wayne Karrfalt for Cynopsis: Digital
06.09.08
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JOB OPENING: SR. MRKT RSRCH ANALYST/DIRECTV/NY: Manage Ad-Hoc requests on day part analysis, ad spending, and psychographic information. For immediate consideration, please send resume to: [email protected] (6/14)
JOB OPENING: SALES PLANNER FOX SPORTS NET (FLORIDA): 2 yrs Sales Admin/Media Research Exp. Know Nielsen Galaxy, Rtgs, Custom Show, strong analytical skills, detail-oriented. Apply at www.foxcareers.com ref: FNG12415.(6/14)
JOB OPENING: SALES PLANNER FOX SPORTS NET (DETROIT): 2 yrs Sales Admin/Media Research Exp. Know Nielsen Galaxy, Rtgs, Custom Show, strong analytical skills, detail-oriented. Apply at www.foxcareers.com ref: FNG12375(6/14)
JOB OPENING: MGR. CONSUMER MKTNG/ABC FAMILY: Develop mkting campaigns for TV properties.Exp. w/ agency/vendor mgmt and creative dev. Must be multi-tasker w/ BS/BA + 3-5 yrs ent. mktg. exp. www.disneycareers.com (REQ id 163060)(6/14)
JOB OPENING: DIR., TALENT DEV/TLC/LA: Scout/identify on-air talent for TLC specials and series prog. 7 yrs. Exp., Well established self motivated indiv. BA pref. Fast paced envir. Apply: www.discovery.com , Req#8017 (6/14)
JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR, FINANCE/Rainbow Media Affiliate Sales: Budget/forecast for Affiliate revenue. Strategic analysis & guidance. Evaluate new opportunities thru ROI and MFN analysis. Apply to req ID 6273BR at www.cablevision.jobs (6/14)
JOB OPENING: SALES RELATIONS SUPERVISOR/WGN AMERICA/NY: Supervise & train staff of sales assts on systems, process, etc; 2 years exp. Knowledge of Dealmaker & traffic systems req. Apply @ [email protected] (6/14)
JOB OPENING: SR RESEARCH ANALYST/FOX SPORTS NET/ Los Angeles: 3-5 Yrs Exp. Strong analytical skills/strategic thinker, Quant/Qual Research, Computer Proficient, Strong Leadership, Nielsen Systems, www.foxcareers.com ref FNG12498 (6/14)
JOB OPENING: SR PROJECT MGR ENTERTAINMENT MARKETING RESEARCH/Turner/ATL: Design/analyze quant/qual mkt rsrch for entertainment programming/6-8 yrs TV exp a must /4 yr degree. Apply: [email protected] (6/13)
JOB OPENING: AE/DIRECT RESPONSE/GAC/NY: Develop & grow new and existing ad sales revenue for GAC, maintain and build client/agency relationships. At least 4 yrs ad sales experience. Apply at www.SCRIPPSNETWORKS.COM (6/13)
JOB OPENING: RSRCH DIR/FOX/NY: Mng daily aspects of Ad Sales Rsrch (tracks/trends & analysis) for channel. Formulate innovative concepts w/ regards to sales objectives/goals. 6-8 yrs exp media ind rsrch pref’d; www.foxcareers.com (6/13)
JOB OPENING: AD SLS PROD/NAT GEO/DC: Conceptualize, write & produce elements for ad sls mktg. BA/BS, 3+ yrs exp marketing, ad sales or on-air promo producing creative pref’d. www.foxcareers.com . (FNG12454) (6/13)
JOB OPENING: SR. MARKETING POSITION RAZOR & TIE ENTERTAINMENT/NYC: 5 + yrs exp in mrkt. Must have broad musical knowledge across many genres, proven track record & robust contact list. Resumes to [email protected] (6/13)
JOB OPENING: ADVANCED WRITER/ CNN’s AMERICAN MORNING/NYC:must have 5 yrs b’cast news writing/reporting exp., strong knowledge intl news & U.S. politics. Sched 1a-9a. Send CV+ 3 writ smpls to: [email protected] EOE (6/13)
JOB OPENING: WRITER/PRODUCER, VH1 ON-AIR PROMO/MTV/NYC: 3+ yrs writing/producing on-air promo or Ad Campaigns. Strg pre & post prod. skills, Knwldg of TV depts., Music & Pop Culture, plus. EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (6/12)
JOB OPENING: RESEARCH ANALYST/Fox/NY: Sales Research Fox Broadcast. 2+ yrs exp ad sales research. Exp w/ Startrak, NPOWER, MyEvents & Simmons, Str analytic sk. BS/BA. Please apply at www.foxcareers.com (FNG12403) (6/12)
JOB OPENING: DIGITAL RESEARCH YOH POSITION/NBC UNIVERSAL/NYC: Seeking recent college grad to support NBCU’s digital sales. BA/BS, strong writing & verbal skills & proficiency with MS Office. Apply to: [email protected] (6/12)
JOB OPENING: BRAND MGR/GLOBAL LICENSING/Playboy Enterprises NYC: Strat. Mktg, Acct. Mgmt for new & existing licensees. 3+ yrs exp-major brand pref. Apply at http://playboy.net-apply.com/13433 (6/12)
JOB OPENING: DOCUMENTARY EDITOR/PRODUCER/FREELANCE: Lou Reda Productions, Easton, Pa Needs seasoned long form editors that possess strong directorial, creative thinking. Send resume to [email protected] (6/12)
JOB OPENING: MGR, SEO, VH1.com, MTV/NY: 2+yrs SEO/Prod. exp.lrg website. Strg product dvlpmnt exp. in a database-driven envir. Strg JavaScipt, HTML,CSS skills, Knwldg: AJAX, JSP. EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (6/12)
JOB OPENING: COORD PROMO SCHED/Fuse/NY: Contribute to promo strategy for the network & research poten acquisitions for Fuse. 2 yrs Cable/network expl pref., Rez to: [email protected] “CPS” in subj (6/12)
JOB OPENING: DIR, LICENSING/Taffy Ent./PARIS: 5-8 yrs. Exp in lic/sales/retail for kids consumer prods. Develop new biz & maximize brand potential. Proven results. Eng/French fluency. [email protected] (6/12)
JOB OPENING: MEDIA BUYER/Boynton Bch, FL: 3-5 yrs media buying, negotiating, & analytical exp w/direct response short form on nat’l cable, syndication, and local broadcast. Exp w/ med buying software. [email protected] (6/12)
JOB OPENING: MGR, DIGITAL SPONSORSHIPS/Discovery/NY: Proj. manage and provide post-sales marketing supp. to all digital sponsorships, works across web, mobile, podcast and VOD Apply: www.discovery.com Req#7991 (6/11)
JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR NETWORK DISTRIBUTION & SERVICE/Hallmark Channel/NYC: Develop & implement strategies to increase distribution. Min 5 yrs exp. See full posting and apply at: www.hallmarkchannel.com (6/11)
JOB OPENING: SALES PLANNER/ BET Ad Sales CHICAGO: 1-2yrs exp.Sls Planning/media buyer perf’d. Det. oriented & ability to multi-task in fast paced envir. Dealmaker/VCI exp a +. Profic. in MS Word/Excel/PP. Resume: [email protected] (6/11)
JOB OPENING: MEDIA BUSINESS ANALYST/NYC: level 2Gabriel application support analyst. 4 month contract. End user support, and application troubleshooting. Exp. with MSA’s Gabriel software required. Apply to: [email protected]. (6/11)
JOB OPENING: MEDIA PLANNING SPVSR/N. Westchester location: Embedded at client’s office 4 days/wk. NYC agency 1 day. Pharma Exp a plus. Exc. Benefit pkg. Send Resume: [email protected] (6/11)
JOB OPENING: ACCT MGR/The Hotel Networks/NY: Aggressive & creative. 3+yrs nat’l media sales exp. Exc media math, verbal & written comm skills, Exp in travel/finance/auto/hospitality ind. a + Res/cover: [email protected] (6/11)
JOB OPENING: SALES COORD/Univision/NY: Highly motivated. Mng tasks/srvcng agencies/clients daily basis. Det. oriented/comm/PC & math skills. 1-2 Yrs Media Exp, Deal Maker exp a +, Spanish a +. EOE. Res: [email protected] (6/10)
SPRING AND 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] .
SITUATION WANTED ADS, POSTED BY THOSE LOOKING TO BE HIRED … Interested in posting your Video Resume? Contact [email protected] for more information ….
SITUATION WANTED: DC WRITER/PRODUCER Available: 15 year TV veteran available for writer / producer work in the DC area starting June 16th. Experienced in reality, documentary, entertainment, and talk formats. Contact: [email protected] (6/13)
SITUATION WANTED: PROMOTIONS SPECIALIST on the rise. Superior interpersonal skills & conceptual thinking ability. Looking for NYC position to reach full talent potential. Former “Cynopsis Weekender” columnist. [email protected] (6/14)
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Are you looking for a job? Post your Situation Wanted Ad here — Email [email protected] for specs.