Cynopsis: DIGITAL

03/09/09

Good morning, it’s Monday, March 9, 2009, and this is your first early morning digital briefing. 

The world’s oldest profession has no place in new media, according to a lawsuit filed by the law enforcement agency made famous in The Blues Brothers. The Cook County, Illinois sheriff’s department has set its sites on the “er*tic services” segment of Craigslist, claiming that the largest online classified service also facilitates “the largest single sources of prostit*tion in the nation.” The sheriff’s office maintains that Craigslist’s Chicago er*tic services section collects 300 new posts each day and benefits indirectly by being able to charge $75 for employment job openings due to the traffic it generates. Craigslist CEO Jim Buckmaster, who oversaw a deal with 40 state attorneys general last year to begin charging a fee for er*tic services ads (proceeds from which are given to charity,) claimed to be “mystified” by the suit.  (Editor’s note:  The asterisk was inserted into this story so certain words would not trip off your spam filters!)
 

 
Hearst’s Seattle Post Intelligencer has extended offers to some staff members to participate in an online-only version of the paper according to a report in the P-I, the print version of which may shut down as early as this week.
 
Liberal-leaning multiplatform publisher Air America Media launched Break Room Live with Maron & Seder, the radio network’s first foray into live online video programming since being acquired by New York real estate magnate Stephen Green and his brother Mark in 2007. The show, powered by UStream.tv, appears weekdays at 3:00 p.m. ET, and stars comedian Marc Maron – once a regular on Late Night with Conan O’Brien – and Sam Seder, former host of Trio’s Brilliant but Cancelled.
 
Starz Media and game publisher Merscom are teaming up to try and generate interest in the new Starz comedy series Party Down and Merscom’s sequel to its “Righteous Kill: The Game” title. DirecTV’s 101 interactive channel and 5 cable MSO On Demand and online portals are providing sneak peaks to the show as well as a free trial to the Sims-style Party Down causal game beginning March 13. Party Down from creator Rob Thomas (“Veronica Mars,” “Cupid”) premiers on Starz March 20.
 
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Software-based media center Boxee figured out a way to reinstate Hulu onto its service on Friday by installing a new built-in RSS reader optimized for video. But before you get too excited, Hulu immediately blocked the Boxee browser from accessing the Hulu feeds. (Apparently no means no over at Hulu.) The silver lining is that Boxee’s RSS reader will stay to access other public RSS feeds, part of a new update soon to include an “App Box” to simplify the addition of new in-house and third party applications. The company plans to have the latest release ready in time for this New York City meetup on March 24.
 
A new online shopping site Tibesti launched last week combining social networking with entrepreneurism. Tibesti aggregates product reviews from paid experts and provides incentives to potential recommenders by sharing commissions that result from direct-link purchases to participating outlets such as BestBuy and NewEgg.
 
Premiering today: Web series My Two Fans from MWG Entertainment, starring Barrett Swatek (Quarterlife) as Kate Maxwell, a single 20-something woman who turns to the help of two “fans” as she rebounds from a break up. MWG was founded by Max Goldenson, daughter of ABC network founder and TV pioneer Leonard Goldenson. Also look for the 16-episode show on MySpace Video, YouTube, iTunes, Koldcast.tv, Dailymotion, Joost, Vimeo and Sling.com.
 

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Liberty Media closed on its investment in debt-laden satellite radio service Sirius XM. Liberty loaned Sirius XM, a takeover target of EchoStar chairman Charlie Ergen, $250 million immediately as a part of a total $350 loan, in exchange for 12.5 million shares of new convertible preferred stock (convertible into 40% of the common stock of Sirius XM.)
 

 
Following up on a comment made last week by Yahoo CEO Carol Bartz about the central importance of Yahoo! Mail, Hitwise identified the Mail product as the portal’s most trafficked property receiving more than a third (36.71%) of visits to a custom category of 80 leading Yahoo! properties in February. Yahoo! held 56.46% market share of US visits among Email Services websites. MSN’s Windows Live Mail was #2 with 19.14% and Gmail was #3 with 10.82%. Yahoo Maps, which Bartz admitted she didn’t use, failed to make the top 10.
 
Top 10 Yahoo! Properties in Feb. as % of overall visits to the portal’s sites
Website (80 returned)         Visits

0. Yahoo! Mail             36.71%
0. Yahoo!                    25.48%
0. Yahoo! Search         11.75%
0. My Yahoo!                 3.08%
0. Yahoo! News             2.61%
0. Yahoo! Address Book 2.16%
0. Yahoo! Finance         2.10%
0. Yahoo! Games          1.04%
0. Yahoo! Answers        1.03%
0. Yahoo Groups             .76%

Source: Hitwise
 
Cloud computing is perhaps more than just a buzzword. Worldwide IT spending on cloud computing services will grow almost threefold, reaching $42 billion by 2012 according to research firm IDC. Given that the cloud computing model offers a much cheaper way for businesses to acquire and use IT, its adoption is expected to be amplified as companies scramble to cut costs.
 

 
A new site distributing unauthorized applications for the iPhone called the Cydia Store is due to launch this week, per the WSJ. Founded by 27-year-old doctoral student Jay Freeman, the store is named after the developer’s Cycorder app rejected by Apple’s App Store that turns the iPhone into a camcorder. Disclaimer: running such apps requires users to unlock or “jailbreak” their phones, thus voiding the warranty.
 
Roku‘s $99 Netflix set-top box will soon add a plug-in providing access to Amazon‘s Video on Demand library – currently about 40,000 titles.
 

 
MTV Networks’ President of Global Digital Media Mike Salmi is leaving the company approximately two and half years after Viacom purchased his online video portal Atom Entertainment, according to memo acquired by paidcontent.org. He reported to MTVN Chairman and CEO Judy McGrath.
 
Dailymotion hired two new U.S.-based sales executives. Joining the online video sharing site are former Fox Interactive Media manager Andrew Freedman and Tamara Jones, who oversaw the east coast region for Gaia Interactive.
 

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TV fan site BuddyTV added a fantasy league geared toward reality TV junkies. Fans of American Idol, Survivor, The Amazing Race, America’s Next Top Model, Hell’s Kitchen, Rock of Love, Make Me a Supermodel and Dancing with the Stars can set up public or private leagues and score points by picking which candidates they think will be eliminated in the upcoming episode. BuddyTV is one of the largest TV fans sites with some 6 million monthly uniques – it will be interesting to see if they can get some traction with this. A Facebook fantasy widget or a partnership with a socially-oriented developer like Watercooler may make sense. Meanwhile geeks everywhere are gathering online to try and figure out how to marshal support for Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak in his quest to win on Dancing with the Stars, beginning tonight on ABC. Show your support for “The Woz” by buying a T-shirt here or here or by joining his official “Vote for Woz” Facebook group.
 
Later — Wayne
 Wayne Karrfalt for Cynopsis: Digital
03.09.09

Cynopsis Digital Ad Sales:
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Mark Bohn- 203-583-1224 / mark@cynopsis. com
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    .

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JOB OPENING: VP MARKETING/The Sportsman Channel/NYC: Resp for building consumer awareness while overseeing affiliate marketing, media planning & promotions. 7+ yrs exp in TV or digital media. Apply: [email protected] (3/14)

JOB OPENING: ReelzChannel/NYC/ SR TRAFFIC COORDINATOR: Daily log maintenance, prep & delivery 3+ yrs exp. TRAFFIC COORDINATOR: Ensures scheduling commercial materials are executed & trafficked. Both Apply: [email protected] (3/14)

JOB OPENING: PUBLICIST/SR PUBLICIST/MTV/NYC: 3+yrs exp. in TV PR including pitching/story placemnt, events, knwlg online press; Progrming focused; Strng writ/oral comm. skills, EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (3/13)

JOB OPENING: ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE/FISHKILL NY: Seeks AE for local ad sales.1-3 yrs ad sales exp. pref cable tv, radio, e-media adv. Valid NY DL. See full posting and apply to www.cablevision.jobs req 8247BR (3/13)

JOB OPENING: MGR INT’L FINANCE/A&E Television Networks/NY: Acctg & fin reporting, budgeting, forecast, analysis. BS/Acctg; CPA + 3 yrs Pub Acctg. Media 7 entertainment exp in multinational. Apply: www.aetn.com/careers.html (3/11)

JOB OPENING: HR RECRUITER/Flashpoint Academy/CHI: Seek employ opps nationwide; film/TV prod, video game dvlpmnt, animation/special effects, recording arts & science, & dig. mktg ind. Creative field exp pref’d. Res: [email protected] (3/10)

JOB OPENING: ONLINE MKTG MGR/MusicChoice/NY: Resp for mgmt of content/mktg assets on website. Create/execute online mktg plans. 5+ yrs online exp required. Prefer exp w/12-24 demo.  [email protected] (3/10)

JOB OPENING: DIR NAT ACCTS/LA/Lifetime: Dist products & services w/aff cable/sat/telco/max dist to ntwrk & ntwrk media. 5+ yrs sles/cbl & new media sales pref’d. http://www.mylifetime.com/about-us/apply-jobs (3/10)

JOB OPENING: ON AIR MEDIA COORD/LA/Lifetime: Asst developing/sched’g, media plans/prfcnt onair pro, etc/liaison btw groups/BA, BS, equiv. http://www.mylifetime.com/about-us/apply-jobs (3/10)

JOB OPENING:   PROD/DIR /Jupiter Entertainment /Knoxville: Conceptualize, prd/dir a hosted pilot. Strong point of view; exp working w/ talent in challenging envir. Deliver high qual prgrmng on cable budget. Reel/res: [email protected]   (3/10)

INTERNSHIPS – These positions are for credit only – nobody gets paid here. These ads are always 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: BLOGGER /Picture Earth/NY:Writer(s) sought for EarthFromAboveUSA.com‘s blog, launching April. Relevant degree or experience required. For school credit and/or bylines.Apply: [email protected] (3/13)

SITUATION WANTED ADS, POSTED BY THOSE LOOKING TO BE HIRED …  There is no charge for placing your Situation Wanted ad … for more information contact Trish Pihonak at [email protected]

SITUATION WANTED: WRITER: Children’s writer with exp at various prod co’s & Kids’ CBC. Portfolio in educational & comedic works for kids. Exp. in development, creative consulting, editing. Freelance. Contact [email protected] (3/14)

SITUATION WANTED: 5 PRIME TIME EMMYS/ DOC. PROD, DIR., WRITER in L.A. Credits: National Geo, PBS, Discovery, History CH, TLC and MSNBC. Contact email: [email protected] (3/13)

SITUATION WANTED: MEDIA/CABLE/INTERNET ATTORNEY: Broad in-house experience in content production& distribution, operations, affiliate & ad sales. Available for project/consultant/full-time. Contact [email protected] (3/13)

SITUATION WANTED: MARKETING/PROMOTIONS/Boston: Marketing/promotions professional seeks television, web marketing, social networking focused position. Experienced in international markets. Creative + will travel. [email protected] (3/13)

SITUATION WANTED: PRODUCTION MAKEUP ARTIST (NY) Over 20 years experience including keying top-rated network and cable tv shows, print, and film. Creative, competitive rates. Email: [email protected] (3/12)

SITUATION WANTED: DIR, STANDARDS & PRACTICES: Over 20 yrs exp of editing TV shows & theatricals for acceptable airing. Available on a FT basis and can also contract out to work project by project. E-mail: [email protected] (3/12)

SITUATION WANTED: WRITER (LA, NY): Comedy writer with experience at MTV, SNL, VH1, Fox, The Onion. F/T, P/T, freelance. Contact [email protected] (3/12)

SITUATION WANTED: MEDIA BUYER/LA Based: 14+ years exp, seeking full time permanent/freelance projects. Radio and tv experience. Experience includes entertainment, retail, auto, fast food, supermarket. Email: [email protected] (3/11)

SITUATION WANTED: TONY NOM. B’WAY PROD/THEATRE CONSULT/ACQUIS. & DEV./NYC: 30+ yrs exp. in theatre. Superb theatre/film/TV contacts seeks FT or Consulting Position w/Studio/Prod Co. looking for properties. Contact: [email protected] (3/11)

SITUATION WANTED: EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Extensive creative directing experience in cross platform integrated marketing/advertising, television promotion, and digital production. Will travel. Fly Me!! [email protected] (3/11)

SITUATION WANTED: SALES MANAGER/BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT (Chicago): 24 yrs experience w/broadcast & cable seeks digital, OOH, emerging opportunities. Great communicator, solid relationships. Innovative & creative! [email protected] (3/11)

SITUATION WANTED: BUSINESS CONTINUITY/CRISIS MANAGEMENT/NYC: 5yrs production exp, 2yrs BCP exp. Crisis management for ent. industry, masters degree educated. F/T, P/T, freelance. Contact: [email protected] (3/11)

SITUATION WANTED: FREELANCE PUBLICIST 27 years experience in entertainment, personality, business PR creating & delivering campaigns on a range of clients. Will travel. Contact: [email protected] (3/10)

SITUATION WANTED: FREELANCE or Full-time MEDIA BUYER w/ over 25 yrs of buying exp. is newly available. Seeking F/T or Freelance wk from your office or my home (New York based) Please contact me @ [email protected]  (3/10)

E-mail [email protected] or call Trish Pihonak at 203.926.9878 for rates and specs for Job Openings.

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