Cynopsis: Kids!
03/03/08
Good morning. It’s Monday, March 3, 2008, and this is your first early morning briefing.
A collection of some 40 media companies (animation, gaming and digital entertainment, studios etc.) have officially expressed interest in taking part in India’s Animation and Gaming City (AKA Digital Entertainment City), a 100-acre site being proposed by the Indian government, that would be located in Hyderabad, according to a report at TheHindu.com. If the project moves forward, Animation and Gaming City could be the biggest animation and gaming center in South-East Asia. In addition to being a business hub, the animation and entertainment center would also be a place where students could be educated and trained. Similar entertainment industry based campuses currently exist in Dubai, Singapore and Korea.
MORE KIDS STUFF
Simon & Schuster signs a multi-book deal with author/screenwriter/director D.J. MacHale. Under the deal Aladdin, an imprint of S&S Children’s Publishing, will publish two trilogies, a four book series and two picture books from MacHale over the course of eight years:
- The Equinox Curiosity Shop an action/fantasy series for younger middle-grade readers (fall 2009)
- Morpheus Road a supernatural trilogy, for older middle-grade kids, about a 16-year-old boy who is hunted and haunted by ghosts (summer 2010)
- An untitled trilogy also for older middle-grade readers (summer 2013)
- The Monster Princess a picture book about an ugly monster girl living in a cave beneath a castle who dreams of becoming a beautiful princess. Publishing dates for this picture book, and its sequel, are to be determined.
The 9th and 10th and final title in MacHale’s current book series, Pendragon, will be published in summer 2008 and 2009 respectively. Additionally, MacHale will expand Pendragon with a year-round effort, www.thependragonadventure.com, where fans get the latest information on the series and writing process.
Animania HD, Rainbow Media’s HD animation channel, acquired the preschool series Bruno and The Banana Bunch (13 eps) from French distributor awol. Designed to inspire kids to explore and discover the world around them, Bruno and The Banana Bunch premiered on Saturday, March 1 at 9a.
The new anime series Blue Dragon from Viz Media is set to premiere on Cartoon Network in spring 2008. The publishing/animation/licensing company, and produced by Studio Pierrot (Naruto, Bleach), Blue Dragon is based on the Xbox 360 game of the same name, developed by Hironobu Sakaguchi (Final Fantasy) with characters designed by Akira Toriyama (Dragon Ball). Blue Dragon premiered in Japan on TV Tokyo in April 2007.
A new kid/parent/teacher targeted educational website, OneHen.org, launches. Based on author Katie Smith Milway’s book One Hen: How One Small Loan Made a Big Difference (Kids Can Press/February 2008), which is inspired by a real story, the site aims to educate kids about microfinancing and how it can help others in developing countries through games and activities. Sapient Interactive developed OneHen.org, with assistance from Bain & Company’s Opportunity International.
MARKETING/LICENSING
Today is the National Education Association’s 11th annual Read Across America Day. With some 45+ million people expected to participate across the country today, part of the NEA’s year-round literacy initiative that aims to get kids to read by making it fun, culminates each year on or around the birthday of Dr. Seuss (AKA Theodore Geisel). Events celebrating the effort include:
- Three Cat-A-Van tours, which will visit 18 cities, launched last week. The tour delivers books (some 12,000) and grants to public school libraries as part of a donation from NEA’s Books Across America.
- Throughout March a digital read-along version of Horton Hears a Who! is available for free to teachers nationwide at
www.kidthing.com/neasreadacrossamerica (now through March 21, 2008).
Elsewhere, kidthing, a web 2.0 platform, has inked a full content distribution partnership with Dr. Seuss Enterprises, under which digital versions of Dr. Seuss’s stories and games/activities based on them will be available. Dr. Seuss titles including, The Cat in the Hat, Horton Hatches the Egg, Green Eggs and Ham and Hop on Pop will be available in the kidthing online store this month, with additional titles to follow. From April, kidthing celebrates Earth Day, will feature Dr. Seuss’ book The Lorax, in conjunction with Dr. Seuss and the NEA. The kidthing service has no subscription fees and no ads.
Cartoon Network Enterprises (CNE) and Nelvana Enterprises enter into a merchandising deal for the anime series Bakugan across Europe and Africa. Under the pact, CNE will serve as the Bakugan licensing agent for non-toy related categories in Europe and Africa. Based on the card game of the same name, Cartoon Network debuted Bakugan in the US last month, and will launch the series on the UK channel later this year, followed by EMEA territories. The Bakugan property is a co-production of Nelvana Enterprises, Spin Master, Sega Toys, TMs Entertainment, Japan Vistec and Sega Corporation, with animation by Vistec and TMS Entertainment. Spin Master is the master toy partner for Bakugan.
STONE SOUP
Weekend Box Office Estimates for kids/tweens/teens rated G, PG or PG-13; February 29 March 2, 2008:
Vantage Point (Sony / Columbia) PG-13 $13m-2 wk total $41.0m
The Spiderwick Chronicles (Paramount) PG $8.8m-3 wk total $55.1m
The Other Boleyn Girl (Sony / Columbia) PG-13 Opening Weekend $8.3m
Jumper (Fox) PG-13 $7.6m-3 wk total $66.8m
Step Up 2 the Streets (Buena Vista) PG-13 $5.7m-3 wk total $48.6m
Fool’s Gold (Warner Bros.) PG-13 $4.7m-4 wk total $59.1m
Penelope (Summit Entertainment) PG Opening Weekend $4.0m
Juno (Fox Searchlight) PG-13 $3.4m-13 wk total $135.1m
Definitely, Maybe (Universal) PG-13 $3.3m-3 wk total $26.5m
Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins (Universal) PG-13 $2.7m-4 wk total $39.2m
Source: Box Office Mojo
EXECUTIVE MOVES
Melissa Miller is appointed VP/Legal Affairs, Brash Entertainment, a video game company. Miller joins Brash from Fox Filmed Entertainment, where she handled legal affairs for domestic and global licensing and merchandising initiatives. Prior to that, she Miller practiced at Alschur Grossman Stein & Kahan, LLP.
RATINGS
Live + Same Day Ratings Kids Cable Network Averages (000) for Thursday, February 28, 2008, 6am-11pm, ranked by K2-11:
NICKELODEON: K2-11 1140; K6-11 541; TWEENS 9-14 399
DISNEY CHANNEL: K2-11 726; K6-11 427; TWEENS 9-14 388
CARTOON NETWORK: K2-11 550; K6-11 312; TWEENS 9-14 216
TOON DISNEY: K2-11 135; K6-11 59; TWEENS 9-14 36
Source: MTVN Research from Nielsen Media Research Data
Answer to Yesterday’s Trivia Question: On the animated series Jakers! The Adventures of Piggley Winks (PBS Kids), who is the voice of Wiley the sheep? MEL BROOKS Kudos to: Carin Greenberg/NY; Lindsay Martinez-HIT Entertainment/NY; Maura Kelly-Purple Mountain Films/NY; Kim Mullaney-WNET/THIRTEEN/NY; Dan Griggs-Media Revolution/CA; Chip Beaman-Soundelux Design Music Group/Hollywood; Liz Stahler-SupperTime Entertainment/Pacific Palisades, CA; Pat Brady-Cunningham*Escott*Slevin*Doherty/LA; Mitch Altman-Ryan Partnership/Canada
Today’s Trivia Question: : Which classic cartoon character frequently sang a poor rendition of the tune Oh My Darling, Clementine? ( 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!
03.03.08
Cynopsis Ad Sales: Jennifer Franko – 203-583-9796 / [email protected]
Classifieds – Trish Pihonak- 203-926-9878 / [email protected]
Cynopsis website – Video Resumes, Extended Classified Ads, Archives, and the Cynopsis Daily Video
CableU – Know Networks Better. Pitch Smarter. Click here
Cynopsis CLASSIFIEDS – For More classifieds, visit the Cynopsis.com classifieds page here
JOB OPENING: FREELANCE PROMOTION SALES REP/MerryMedia/LA: Freelance promotion sales rep w radio & TV exp for award winning ent. marketing co. (MerryMedia.net) apply w/ cover note to [email protected] or fax 818-760-1531 (3/8)
JOB OPENING: VIDEO PROD MGR/WE tv/NYC: 2+ yrs Video & Web production exp pref in entertainment/cable. Manage dig platform video content, special projects from start to finish. Rez to www.cablevision.jobs #5481BR (3/8)
JOB OPENING: RSRCH DIR/MGR/STRATEGIST/Discovery/NY: Media/mkt research ops. supporting Discovery’s AdSales team. Strong presentation/comm skls. Exp w/ media measurement tools, mkt knwldg. Apply: www.discovery.com/careers Req #7656 (3/8)
JOB OPENING: INTEGRATED MKTG/PROMOTION DIR/NYC: Dev/execute multi-platform, intg. programs for clients w/ b’cast ad sales team, write client proposal decks; MS PP. TV mktg exp. must. 6-7+ yrs. FT. [email protected] (3/8)
JOB OPENING: RESEARCH ANALYST/CNN DIGITAL/NY: Support sales across multiple digital platforms. BA, Strong media math, 1+ yrs. exp with Nielsen Online and web analytics products pref’d. Apply: [email protected] (3/8)
JOB OPENING: SUPERVISING WEB PRODUCER/SHOWS/MTV Digital/NYC: 5+yrs online prod. exp, Exp overseeing creative Web De v& Implement, Strng knwldge MTV Brand & Youthculture, HTML/DHTML/Flash/XML EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (3/8)
JOB OPENING: SENIOR WEB PRODUCER/SHOWS/MTV Digital/NYC: 4+yrs online prod. exp, Exp overseeing creative Web Dev&Implement, Strng knowldge MTV Brand&Youthculture, HTML/DHTML/Flash/XML EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (3/8)
JOB OPENING: EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT/Hallmark Channel/NY: Support EVP Ad Sales. 2 yrs exp. supporting high level exec. See full posting and apply at www.hallmarkchannel.com . Com (3/8)
JOB OPENING: ADMIN ASSISTANT/RECEPTIONIST/NY: 1-2 yrs exp. Should have media exp or interest. MS Office. Admin support/greet visitors/phones/mail/filing/supplies/etc. Apply: www.weather.com/careers Position VSA555 (3/7)
JOB OPENING: ACCT SPRVSR DIGITAL MEDIA & TECHNOLOGY/mPRm Public Relations/LA: 5 yrs exp & strong grasp of ent & tech industries, with high-level media relationships & mngmnt skills. Reply: [email protected] (3/7)
JOB OPENING: FREELANCE EDUCATIONAL CONSULTANT: P/T, review scripts for animated kid’s series to ensure appeal and age-appropriateness. Prior experience a plus. Send resume to [email protected]. (3/7)
JOB OPENING: SALES DIRECTOR/Adconion Media Group (formerly EuroClick)/Chicago: Min. 4+ years of Sales experience and generating monthly revenues above target goals. Email resume’s to: [email protected] (3/7)
JOB OPENING: TEMP MGR DIGITAL MEDIA/Sundance Ch/NY: Create RFPs, media plans & sales materials. Manage banner inventory via DFP & prepare weekly reports. Knowledge of Omniture web analytics. Res: [email protected] (3/7)
JOB OPENING: TEMP ASSOC PRODUCER DIGITAL MEDIA/Sundance Ch/NY: Website plng/prod. Edit/compress/syndicate video for multipltfrm delivery. Content entry via CMS. Develop widgets/blogs/digital apps. Res: [email protected]l.com (3/7)
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] (3/7)
JOB OPENING: RESEARCH MANAGER/Nickelodeon/NYC: Min 4 yrs exp. in primary research; Solid exp. in kids-oriented environment; BA in Psychology, Education, Child Development or Marketing req. EOE/M/F/D/AAP apply at www.mtvcareers.com (3/6)
JOB OPENING: WEB PRODUCER, SHOWS/VH1.Com/NYC: 4+ yrs Online/Web Prod exp, Strg multi task/time mgment skills, Strg Microsoft Word, Visio, Adobe skills. Knwldge of brand/digital prgrming. EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (3/6)
JOB OPENING: LINE PRODUCER/PRODUCTION DEVELOPMENT/MTV/NYC: 6+ yrs prod Mgmt Exp in TV, Excel writ/oral skills, Strong financial skills. Prod. bkground & tech awareness. College degree A+. EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (3/6)
JOB OPENING: SR DIRECTOR, DIGITAL MARKETING/MTV Digital/NYC: 6+ yrs Consumer Mktg exp, 3+yrs Digital Mktg w Ent Org. Strg analytic/oral skills. Provn fwd thinkg/strat skills. MBA A+ EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (3/6)
JOB OPENING: VP CREATIVE/Logo/NYC: 10+ yrs leading creative in TV/Adv/Entertainment, Strng strat thinker, brand skills, Strng mgmt bckgrd, Heavy workload, Pop culture/Diversity passionate EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (3/6)
JOB OPENING: SR DIGITAL PRODUCER/VH1.Com/NYC: 7+ yrs online/web production exp, Strg written/oral/creativity skills, Knwldge of VH1 prgming. Knwlge in SEO/multipltfm content/ HTML/Flash. EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (3/6)
JOB OPENING: ACCT EXEC, DIGITAL MEDIA/(WNBC NYC): 2+ yrs Online Ad sales exp. Strong sales, presenting, negot. skills. Creative thinker who can sell on both local& nat’l level as well as online agencies.Send [email protected] (3/6)
JOB OPENING: RESEARCH ANALYST/Comcast Networks/NY-Strong analytical & time mgt skills, Nielsen & MRI proficiency, and prior media experience req’d. Apply: www.comcast.com REQ61002BR (3/5). EEO/AA/drug free. (3/5)
JOB OPENING: SALES PLANNER/AETN, NY: Create Plans, steward accts, designate ADUs&recaps, coord make goods&post analysis prep. 2 yrs exp pln’g or buyer. Exc comm skills. Client service mindset. Apply: www.aetn.com/careers.html (3/5)
JOB OPENING: VP MKTG & PROMO/SANTA MONICA, CA/GSN, The Network for Games: Rep to EVP Mktg. 12+yrs exp in media mktg, pref TV, web and cable exp. BA/BS Business/Mktg. Send Res/Cov Letter: [email protected] (3/5)
JOB OPENING: MGR, PLNG & OPS/DIRECTV/NY: Will plan and conduct thorough, accurate analyses in support of company wide pricing and inventory initiatives. For immediate consideration, please send resume to: [email protected] (3/5)
JOB OPENING: VP, LEGAL AFFAIRS/ABC Studios/LA: Assist SVP in mgmt of all legal affairs; strong drafting, analytical, organizational, leadership skills; JD+ 10 yrs exp in studio/prod co. Apply: www.disneycareers.com Req ID #144088 (3/5)
JOB OPENING: ONLINE MEDIA PLANNER/Special Ops Media/NY: Coord planning/execution of online media buys-Negotiation, research, reporting and client/pub relationships. 1 yr exp interactive req’d. Apply: [email protected] (3/5)
JOB OPENING: DIGITAL MKTG MGR/Epic Records/NY: Help direct the digital mktg strategy for diverse roster of musical artists. Apply: https://myjobs-en.becruiter.net (enter 201767in Job-ID field and click Search). (3/5)
JOB OPENING: TV SYNDICATION EXEC/Eclipse TV: Seeking exper synd vet w/ major mrkt exper to clear sports and ent prog. Innovative comp – a great opp to work on development and sales. [email protected] (3/5)
JOB OPENING: AD SALES MARKETING COORDINATOR/Hallmark Channel/NY: Support Ad Sales Marketing dept. Min. 1 yr. exp in TV Marketing, Sales or Media. See full posting and apply at www.hallmarkchannel.com (3/5)
JOB OPENING: ACCT MGR/NAT’L SALES/BET/Chicago: Cable TV salesperson w/strong presentation skills. Sales/agency exp. & BA/BS degree req’d. Comfortable w/multi-platform & integrated opps . Email: [email protected] (3/5)
JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR, RESEARCH/BET/Chicago: BA/BS degree + 3-5 yrs. marketing & media research exp. w/proficiency in Nielsen systems req’d. Email: [email protected] (3/5)
JOB OPENING: WRITER/PROD /NYC: 5+yrs creating on-air promos; seeking brand savvy prod w/ strong conceptualization & writing skills, proven exp. w/ live action & design driven creative solutions EOE/M/F/D/AAP apply: www.mtvcareers.com (3/4)
JOB OPENING: MEDIA RSRCH SPRVSR/MEDIA PLAN’G SPRVSR/SEATTLE, WA: Work on a Top 15 US advertiser. Plan strategies across all Touchpoints from traditional, digital, events, stunts. www.optimedia-us.com [email protected] (3/4)
JOB OPENING: SVP IDEA DIRECTOR/SAN FRANCISCO, CA: Drive exploration of consumer insights – focus on the creation new, bleeding edge media ideas and approaches. [email protected] (3/4)
JOB OPENING: PLAN’G SPRVSR/OPTIMEDIA/NY: Never Settle, Never Stop. Various accts , incl. top airline. Exposure to all media. 4+ yrs media plan’g/buying exp. www.optimedia-us.com . Res/sal req to: [email protected] (3/4)
JOB OPENING: AD SALES TRAINER/AETN, NY: Responsible for training new AETN Ad Sales staff. Respond to user’s systems issues. 2yrs ad sales systems exp. MS Word & Excel. Customer svc a must. Apply: www.aetn.com/careers.html (3/4)
JOB OPENING: PUBLICITY DIRECTOR/TLC/LA: Create & execute national publicity campaigns/initiatives, develop press strategy, and pitch programming to press. 8 yrs media relations exp. Apply: www.discovery.com , #7704 (3/4)
JOB OPENING: PUBLICITY DIRECTOR/TLC/NY: Create & execute national publicity campaigns/initiatives, develop press strategy, and pitch programming to press. 8 yrs media relations exp. Apply: www.discovery.com , # 7706 (3/4)
JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR, PROGRAMMING/iN DEMAND/NYC: License programming for VOD, PPV. Bachelor’s + 5-7 yrs exp licensing & existing program supplier relationships. Apply: [email protected] (3/4)
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: MARKETING INTERN/NY: Opportunity to work with broadband TV network and website for collectors (comics, action figures, pez).Work on branding, community outreach, promotion. Send resume to [email protected] (3/6)
SPRING INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: LIVE ENHANCEMENT INTERN/NY: Keep track of all sponsorships, enhancements & all requested elements that require logging during a live event. For more info/submit resume, visit www.cablevision.jobs req ID 5500BR (3/4)
SITUATION WANTED ADS, POSTED BY THOSE LOOKING TO BE HIRED … Interested in posting your Video Resume? Contact [email protected] for more information ….
SITUATION WANTED: OFFSHORE ALTERNATIVE: Drilling for gold? Proven pro can help you write -or shoot- your way out of a corner -at reasonable rates. Visit: www.hankadoodledoo.com (3/8)
SITUATION WANTED: Creative, results-oriented MARKETING PROFESSIONAL seeks mktg. position. 10 yrs. exp w/Advertising, PR, events, print, web, copywriting & leadership. NY based. Contact Kelly: [email protected] (3/8)
SITUATION WANTED: Highly motivated/organized TV PRODUCER seeks Sr level producer position.More than12 years of experience in various formats such as talk, entertainment. Prefer employment in S Florida/LA area. [email protected] (3/5)
SITUATION WANTED: SR. PRODUCER/WRITER/FIELD DIRECTOR: 3 Emmy noms; NBC, Discovery, E!, CMT, TLC, VH-1; reality/ent/doc; LA based. [email protected] (3/4)
SITUATION WANTED: PRODUCTION ASSISTANT: 2 yr exp as exec asst to VP of Ad Sales. Versatile, outgoing, excellent communication skills. Seeking F/T position in a more
creative capacity. Exp’d w/ working on set. [email protected] (3/4)
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.
