Cynopsis: DIGITAL

03/17/08

Good morning, it’s Monday, March 17, 2008, and this is your first early morning digital briefing.

The United States is no longer the nation with the largest number of internet users. China overtook the US last month in users for the first time, according to the state-run China Internet Network Information Center. Researcher BDA China Ltd. estimates there are now over 220 million internet users in China, compared with 217.1 million in the U.S. Online ad revenue continues to lag in China, however, totaling $1.3 billion in 2007 compared to e-Marketer estimates of $21.4 billion in America.
 

 
The Rookie, one of the many web/mobile spinoffs based on Fox’s hit action serial 24, is back for another season of 3-5 minutes shorts on Fox.com, chronicling the further adventures of American Counter Terrorism agent Jason Blaine (played by Jeremy Valdez – who made a cameo in Season 5 of 24.) Producers MindShare Entertainment & Science + Fiction and sponsor Degree deodorant are increasing distribution efforts from today to include the web, mobile, Comcast On Demand and DirecTV.
 
ABC.com added a host of new features for the 6th season of Dancing with Stars (premiering tonight), one of the network’s more popular online entities. Fans can now upload their own dance moves in a UGV section, where the community can chime in and rate their performances. With judge Carrie Ann Inaba also contributing online tutorials this season, let’s hope the quality will be good.
 

 
Social media application provider KickApps could be the next acquisition target for Time Warner’s AOL, according to WSJ’s BoomTown blog. KickApps makes white label widgets for a variety of media players including Disney, The CW and Scripps Networks.
 
Curb Your Enthusiasm co-star Jeff Garlin says he made his last stand-up appearance this past weekend in Cleveland. Fans looking for their next “Curb” fix while the show is on hiatus can check out today’s Abigail’sTeenDiary posting for a riff from Richard Lewis.
 
Nine Inch Nail‘s Pay What You Can offering of the Ghosts I-IV album racked up $1.6 million in sales during the first week it was available, despite it being widely available on P2P sharing sites.

 
Local stations sites are finally starting to improve the video experience for their users. Internet Broadcasting introduced a new video player on the local sites of Hearst-Argyle, Meredith and McGraw-Hill stations. The player supports both Flash and Silverlight for on demand viewing, offering a full-screen option and 16×9, 640-pixel viewing format.
 
Independent Film & Television Alliance President Jean Prewitt expressed “astonishment” at MPAA Chairman Dan Glickman’s disparaging remarks against net neutrality on Friday. The IFTA sees the internet as a new channel of distribution for creators that must remain open and competitively accessible to all users. Regulation is required to insure that media giants “don’t impose their own version of private regulation” to the public’s detriment, Prewitt wrote in an open letter to Mr. Glickman.
 
IAC/InterActive Corp. Chairman Barry Diller concluded his testimony on Friday, arguing the new split structure of IAC into 5 companies makes it a more nimble competitor in the marketplace. The presiding Delaware judge promised a ruling by March 28 on the issue.
 
 

 
Microsoft continued its buying spree in the internet services realm, announcing plans to acquire San Francisco-based Rapt Inc. for an undisclosed amount. Rapt makes software for publishers and advertisers that aids in packaging and pricing of display ads.
 
Pernod Ricard USA, purveyors of Jameson’s Irish whiskey, is teamed with mobile marketing platform HipCricket to launch a text messaging contest offering 5 grand prize trips to label’s distillery in Dublin. Entries can be sent hourly through tonight by signing up at local bars and texting IRISH to 80782.
 

 
YouTube increased its lead over online video competitors in January, accounting for over a third of all views, according to the latest ComScore data, while overall video viewing dipped for the first time from 10.1 billion to 9.8 billion. More than 139 million U.S. Internet users spent an average of 206 minutes per person viewing online video in January. Google Sites also attracted the most viewers (80 million) and highest average minutes per viewer (109.9.)
 
Top U.S. Online Video Properties by Videos Viewed – January 2008
Total U.S. – Home/Work/University Locations
Property                  Videos(000)    Share (%) of Videos
Total Internet           9,814,010           100.0%
Google Sites             3,363,335            34.3%
Fox Interactive Media   584,132             6.0%
Yahoo! Sites                315,001             3.2%
Microsoft Sites             199,288             2.0%
Viacom Digital             197,737             2.0%
AOL LLC                      118,033             1.2%
Disney Online                95,041             1.0%
Time Warner w/o AOL    85,467             0.9%
ESPN                            81,402             0.8%
ABC.COM                      49,017             0.5%
Source: comScore Video Metrix
 

 
Second Life-creator Philip Rosedale plans to step down as CEO of Second Life parent Linden Lab, reports Reuters. He will remain on as Chairman after the search for a new CEO is completed.
 
Hands On Mobile tapped Niccolo de Masi as its new President, overseeing US sales & marketing, business, corporate and new product development. Niccolo, former CEO of Monstermob Group PLC, will report to CEO David White.

Bob Osher is named President of the Digital Production division of Sony Pictures Entertainment, and Hannah Minghella becomes President/Production, Sony Pictures Animation.  Osher, who has been COO/Columbia Pictures Motion Picture Group, takes over the reigns from Yair Landau, who announced his departure last week to launch a new games and animation venture.  In addition to his new responsibilities, Osher will maintain his oversight of the Motion Picture Group.  The Digital Production division (f/k/a Sony Pictures Digital) is comprised of Imageworks and Sony Pictures Animation.  Additionally, it was announced that Sony Online Entertainment, once part of Sony Pictures Digital, would move to Sony Computer Entertainment.  Minghella is currently Director/Creative Affairs, working for Sony Pictures Co-Chairman Amy Pascal.
 
Kelly Roark joined Scripps Networks Interactive’s real estate site FrontDoor.com as VP/Interactive Sales and Development. She reports to Vikki Neil, VP/Real Estate for Scripps Networks.
 
Lifetime Networks hired former OMD Managing Director Debbie Richman to be the company’s new EVP/Ad Sales. Debbie will oversee all ad sales for Lifetime, LMN, Lifetime Real Women and Lifetime Digital, reporting to CEO Andrea Wong.
 

 
All eyes are on CBSSports.com this week to see how they handle the influx of traffic for its NCAA March Madness On Demand offering. Demand should skyrocket this year now that the CBS developer’s platform will give access to games from more than 200 different sites. (If you’re serious about catching games online, sign up for a preferred access VIP pass before it’s too late for a shorter wait in the “waiting room” on game day.) Meanwhile check out the array of March Madness widgets on Facebook. Even the nytimes.com is offering a handy tool to help record your tourney picks.

Later — Wayne
Wayne Karrfalt for Cynopsis: Digital
03.17.08

Cynopsis Digital Ad Sales: Jason Cesare 732-718-0629 / [email protected]
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JOB OPENING: MARKETING MGR/MSNBC/NY: Must have BA & 5 yrs agency exp or 3 yrs in TV marketing;develop & execute sales initiated sponsorships & promo programs for MSNBC on-air, online& mobile. Apply: www.nbcunicareers.com #809277 (3/22)

JOB OPENING: INTERACTIVE AD SALES MKTG MGR/HGTV/NY: Concept convergent sponsorships for sales organizations. Implement online sponsorships. 4 yrs in field, deadline-oriented environment. Apply: www.scrippsnetworks.com (3/22)

JOB OPENING: DR SALES COORDINATOR/New York, NY/GSN/The Network for Games: Rep to VP Sales Op & DR AE for Ad Sales. Good Com/detail req. Send Res/Cov Letter: [email protected]  (3/22)

JOB OPENING: MGR DISTRIBUTION/New York, NY/GSN/The Network for Games: Rep to VP Dist. BA/BS +3+ years exp in mrktg, sales, comm and/or bus. Send Res/Cov Letter: [email protected]  (3/22)

JOB OPENING:  SALES/ Univision/TeleFutura National Spot Sales: Seeking dynamic Account Executive for NY HQ. Prior media sales experience required, broadcast experience preferred. Res to: [email protected] EOE (3/22)

JOB OPENING:  FREELANCE COORD/USA Strategic Marketing/NY: Support creation of client programs inc. sponsorships, finances, etc. 2+ yrs integrated mktg exp in TV or ad agency preferred.Resumes to [email protected]   (3/22)

JOB OPENING: ACCT MGR-DIRECT RESPONSE/ New York, NY: BET: Cable salesperson w/strong presentation skills. Comfortable w/multi-platform & integrated opps. Sales/agency exp. req’d. Email: [email protected] (3/22)

JOB OPENING: PROD MGR, PREMIUM BUSINESSES/MTV NETWORKS/NEOPETS/LA: Exp. w/subscription businesses, prod. mgmt, feature enhancements, etc. required. See full JD at www.mtvncareers.com or email [email protected] (3/21)

JOB OPENING: MGR. BRAND MKTG/MTV NETWORKS/NEOPETS/LA: Digital & viral campaigning exp. necessary. Grassroots/Guerilla a plus! Analytics exp. preferred. See full JD at www.mtvncareers.com or email [email protected] (3/21)

JOB OPENING: COUNSEL /iN DEMAND/NYC:  Contract management, copyright & trademark, standards & practices. JD plus 3 yrs cable/entertainment.  Reply:  [email protected]  (3/21)

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH METHODOLOGIST/Rentrak/Portland OR: Design & plan projects for a census level TV measurement product. Must have Nielsen TV Ratings and/or Nielsen Media Research Software exp. Send resume to [email protected] (3/21)

JOB OPENING: ART DIRECTOR/Sesame Workshop/NY: Oversee Digital Media visual production. 5+ yrs exp. reqd,w/ significant work in kids’ media and web. [email protected] (3/21)

SPACE AVAILABLE: TURN KEY PRODUCTION & POST PRODUCTION Space available immediately. Three Final Cut Edit Rooms,  Digitizing Stations, 8-10 desks in Prod. Pit,  Apple Computers, Phones, T1 line. TOTALLY TURN KEY. Call Travis:  212/242-1400 (3/21)

JOB OPENING: SALES PLANNER/Discovery Communications/Chicago: Support Account Execs developing proposals and presentations. Strong communicator. Exp w/research, advertising, acct mgmnt. Apply: www.discovery.com Req#7725   (3/20)

JOB OPENING: PROGRAM ACQUISITIONS MANAGER/VERSUS/PHILADELPHIA: Position will assist in strategic planning of the network and negotiations of program acquisition. Read more and apply (Req # 60729) at www.versus.com (3/20)

JOB OPENING: PROGRAM PLANNING & SCHEDULING MANAGER/VERSUS/PHILADELPHIA: Execute program scheduling plan for the network and assist with all aspects of planning and scheduling. Read more and apply (Req # 60727) at www.versus.com (3/20)

JOB OPENING: SVP FINANCE/NY: Ent/prod/dist co seeks proactive finance professional. Royalty acct., bookkeeping, A/R, AP, media exp. pref’d. Strength in corp. struct., working w/outside auditors, benefits exp. [email protected]  (3/19)

JOB OPENING: WRITER PRODUCER ON-AIR PROMOS/ABC Daytime/LA: Write/produce/supv edits/promos for ABC soap OLTL, SOAPnet, abc.com. Must have 5-7 yrs exp. w/in cable or broadcast network. Apply: www.disneycareers.com Req ID #145721 (3/19)
 
JOB OPENING: SVP STRATEGIC RESEARCH/Disney*ABC Dom TV/Burbank: 10 yrs broad-based TV exp + 7+ yrs mgmt; leading edge exec w/proven ability to assess media trends/developments. APPLY www.disneycareers.com Req #137377  (3/19)

JOB OPENING: WRITER PRODUCER/ABC TV Network/LA: Conceptualize, write/produce On-Air Promos for alternative series. Must have demonstrated exp. within cable or broadcast network. Apply to: www.disneycareers.com Req ID #144085 (3/19)

JOB OPENING: ASST SPVSR/CBS Avid/Final Cut Pro Tech Support/LA: Tech. & ops support of Avids & Final Cut Promo. Must have yrs of post-prod exp & support non-tech personnel.(U) Res to: CBS OnAir Promo, 7800 Beverly Blvd.#15, LA, CA (3/19)

JOB OPENING: ON-AIR MKTG DIRECTOR/Discovery/MD: Manage on-air dept & creative team. Employ strat, review cuts, copy. 5+ yrs exp broadcast/cable. Apply: discovery.com/careers   Req# 7708   (3/19)

JOB OPENING: SALES/LATV Network/NY: Head office of bilingual, bicultural music & ent channel distributed nat’l. Join fastest-growing ntwrk in Hisp. space. 3yrs+ brdcst sales exp req’d. Ntwrk sales pref’d. Res to: [email protected] (3/19)

JOB OPENING: MEDIA MANAGEMENT TECH/ Rainbow Media, NYC: Min 3 yrs exp. post prod media transfers/Exp. dubbing of all formats, part HD/Hours 12am to 9am. To see full posting visit www.cablevision.jobs and apply to req id 5180BR (3/19)

JOB OPENING:  SALES PLANNER/NBCU, TLMDNY: Generate planning cost w/AE, mentor & train sales assts, stewardship, sales mgmt reports, sales development. BA,1+ yrs exp as sales planner. www.nbcunicareers.com #760342 (3/19)

JOB OPENING:  MARKETING SPECIALIST/NYC/National CineMedia: Support regional marketing needs, projects and events. BA/BS degree, preferably in marketing and/or communications. Res to: [email protected] (3/19)

JOB OPENING: NAT’L LONG FORM SALES/ION Media Networks/LA:  Highly motivated and creative long form account executive with established relationships and proven track record. EOE. Apply to [email protected]  (3/18)

JOB OPENING: CREATIVE DIRECTOR/CBS DAYTIME/LA: Must have strong background in Television Promotion with reel. Great conceptualizing, writing & management skills necessary. Daytime exp. a plus. Apply: www.cbscareers.com, job 2507 (3/18)

WINTER AND 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 INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY:  MKTNG/ON-AIR Fox Reality Channel L.A. seeks summer intern to assist w/ & learn TV mktg and promo thru inner-workings of entertainment brand. Resume to [email protected] (3/22)

SPRING INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY:  Self motivated and organized individual to work in office & post-production. Interest in non-fiction filmmaking & reality TV production. Knowledge of Final Cut Pro helpful.  Send resume:   [email protected]   (3/20)

SPRING INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: Internship (summer)/qubo/NYC: Team-oriented & hands-on. Get experience in a variety of fields: sales, marketing, & programming. Send resume or contact for more info: [email protected] (3/18)

SITUATION WANTED ADS, POSTED BY THOSE LOOKING TO BE HIRED … Interested in posting your Video Resume?  Contact [email protected] for more information ….

SITUATION WANTED: CASTING DIRECTOR: Diversity casting in low-cost assignments for TV, film, comedy festivals and the net. Special interest in scripted comedy, sketch and indie films. [email protected] (3/21)

SITUATION WANTED:  JUNIOR ART DIR/CREATIVE ASST/NYC: Recent grad with agency exp in brdcst, production & creative departments. Excellent Adobe CS3 skills, great communicator, & portfolio avail. Contact Megan Murphy [email protected] (3/20)

SITUATION WANTED:  SEEKING A FT OR FL BROADCAST TRAFFIC POSITION TO WORK FROM NEVADA HOME.   DONOVAN, WORD, EXCEL.  25 YRS EXP., DRIVEN, EXCELLENT COMMUNICATION SKILLS,  RESPONSIBLE.  Contact Debbie: [email protected] (3/19)

SITUATION WANTED: HR POSITION or PERSONAL ASST in Entertainment Ind. Unique background in Agency/Corp Human Resources. Also Mgr/Producer in the Music/Film Ind.Consulted on a screenplay as well as Theater Prod. Contact: [email protected] (3/19)

SITUATION WANTED:  SR CONTRACT RECRUITER: 15 years corporate, creative and entertainment recruiting experience. Avail. for short or long term contract or possible full time employment. Please contact me at:   [email protected] (3/18)

E-mail  [email protected] for rates and specs for Job Openings. 

Interested in posting your Video Resume?  Contact [email protected] for more information ….

Are you looking for a job? Post your Situation Wanted Ad here — Email [email protected] for specs.