Monday, May 11th, 2009

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM THE WEATHER CHANNEL


The Weather Channel Mobile:
#1
content provider on the mobile web*
12M unique users per month*

The Weather Channel iPhone app:
3.6M+ downloads of iPhone app**
Top 20 most downloaded iPhone app of all-time**

Your customers are constantly on the move. Your message can go with them.
Visit www.twcmediakit.com/mobile for advertising information.
*Nielsen Mobile, Jan. 2009; **Apple App Store, April 2009


Cynopsis: DIGITAL

05/11/09

Good morning, it’s Monday, May 11, 2009, and this is your first early morning digital briefing. 

Analysts spent the weekend sifting through remarks made by Google CEO Eric Schmidt at a press briefing given late Thursday before the company’s annual shareholder meeting. The executive sought to address reports of antitrust concerns regarding Schmidt’s role on the board of Apple. Mr. Schmidt said he has no intention of stepping down because he doesn’t think the companies compete. He also welcomed scrutiny over Google’s effort to digitize millions of copyright-expired books, admitting that the company has learned to tread carefully when tackling such efforts. The most interesting news from a product standpoint came when he noted that Google was looking into ways to integrate micro-blogging (read: Twitter) functionality into search. The idea seems to be to mine micro-messaging data to glean larger trends, according to comments made by search products chief Marissa Mayer.
 

~ MULTIPLATFORM CONTENT NEWS ~

 
Disney and its digital animation studio Pixar are heading north of the border to launch a new animation studio in Vancouver, reports THR. The facility, to be run by Amir Nasrabadi, VP/Operations and Finance at DisneyToon Studio, will specialize in short-form computer animation for television, DVD, theme park and theatrical distribution.
 
After suffering through satellite launch problems, Dish Network has utilized increased capacity to add five new HD channels to its line up: FX, SPEED, Fashion TV (FTV), Logo and MavTV, increasing its national HD count to over 140 networks. Dish also unveiled a new remote DVR programming feature, a service offered (and aggressively promoted) by rival DirecTV for more than a year.
 
Viacom’s online film portal Atom.com and Comedy Central unveiled a new web series from studio Waverly Films. “The Fuzz,” a human and puppet send up of police procedurals, has been picked up for 5 online episodes with the hopes of it leading to on-air show. Waverly’s crudely drawn Stickman Exodus won two Webby’s this year.
 

~ INNOVATORS & START-UPS ~

 
Ground Control to Major Tom: NASA astronaut Mark Polansky is utilizing web video and social networking to share his experiences from outer space. He is soliciting questions from users via his Twitter account, selections from which will be addressed on videos featured on NASA TV and YouTube.
 
My Damn Channel
is enjoying quite a boost from its exclusive showings of the little-seen comedy series Pilot Season (the best thing to come from NBCU’s now defunct Trio network.) The first episodes of the mockumentary have been viewed more than 2 million times in the first two weeks since its premiere, contributing to triple-digit year-to-year growth in videos views from April 2008 to April 2009, according to the New York-based start-up.
 

~ DIGITAL ADVERTISING ~

 
Google launched one of its first big media pushes (including rare television spots) around its new Chrome web browser. Of course, the company is using Google TV to place the ads in front of Dish Network subscribers. The on-air campaign follows an online video promotion comprised of 11 short films demonstrating various Chrome features.
 

~ TECHNOLOGY DEALS, MERGERS AND SKIRMISHES ~

 
Advocacy group Consumer Watchdog kept up the offensive against Google regarding its openness and anti-competitive practices. The group marked up a recent presentation Google gave to the Justice Department in an attempt to separate “myth” from “reality,” calling attention to its dominant 30% share of all online ad revenue as well as its propensity to acquire best-of-breed technologies before the larger marketplace can benefit from them.
 
Satellite radio company Sirius XM struggled with massive debt and subscriber losses during Q1, undermining attempts to get costs under control. Subscriber acquisition costs decreased 48%, or $77,624 and also decreased as a percentage of revenue, but the service hemorrhaged 404,442 net subscribers.
 
Scripps Network Interactive reported a 10% drop in Q1 earnings, suffering from a slumping ad market and increased competition in the lifestyle space. The company’s interactive media division, which includes Shopzilla and uSwitch, posted a 35% drop in revenue.
 

~ TRENDS, RESEARCH, ETC.  ~

 
Facebook, Twitter and MLB.com all continued their meteoric rises during April racking up monthly visitor gains of 14%, 38% and 62% respectively, according to comparative research site Compete.
 
Comcast announced that the Twitter accounts for E! Online and Chelsea Lately have reached 500,000 followers each and now rank #5 and #6 respectively in the top TV twitters according to WeFollow. E! Online claims more Twitter followers than any other entertainment news source and ranks #9 among all News twitters with more followers than Good Morning America, Anderson Cooper, CBS News and Steven Colbert.
 

~ GADGETS & APPS ~

                                                                                    
Some quality iPhone app updates were just released:

  • One of the leading Twitter app Twitterific 2.0 added a bunch of new features including the ability filter tweets for specific mentions; the ability to conduct searches by keyword, person or location; and the ability to follow, unfollow or block, expanded and condensed views, shrinkable text, and complete Twitter bios.
  • All-purpose movie and TV browsing app iTV expanded its TV listings grid to 3 hours, adding the ability to scroll downward without having to wait for the data to load. One of the coolest things about iTV app is its Netflix queue management and its remote Tivo programming feature (the only one offered for cable subscribers, by the way.)

 
Don’t forget that Tivo’s Desktop Software (PC only) suite can be used to transfer stored video to your PC, iPod, PSP or compatible portable device.
 

~ EXECUTIVE MOVES ~

 
Local television group Belo Corp. named Joe Darren Weir as GM of Interactive, in charge of overseeing the company’s local web sites and new media product launches from within Belo’s Television Operations group. He will report to Kathy Clements, SVP/Television Operations. Joe is currently director/Digital Media for WFAA-TV in Dallas/Fort Worth with oversight of interactive sales and news operations.
 


A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE


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To start reaching decision-makers directly, contact Chuck Bolkcom – [email protected] , 646.468.6180



~ WEBSITE OF THE DAY ~

 
Paramount‘s relaunch of the Star Trek franchise beamed up more than $72 million in ticket sales over the weekend (76.5 million including the Thursday midnight shows.) The challenge on this picture was to cultivate a new generation of fans and the studio turned to the web and various digital components to accomplish this. Paramount Digital’s StarTrekMovie.com website served as the centerpiece of an ambitious digital marketing strategy which included the now-standard Facebook and MySpace pages, and iPhone app, a Twitter account and even a pair of Rock Band promotions. The site is worth checking out if only for its production values. Users are swept through different bays of the ship as they navigate different activities. Download 360-degree interactive panoramas, wallpapers and the usual goodies. A co-sponsored Flash-powered app called Trek Yourself (powered by Oddcast) allows you to geek out by sending messages using a personalized identity from the movie. (Facebook Connect makes it easy to pull photos from your Facebook page.) The Photo Mosaic site builds cast profiles out of photos taken in Star Trek skinned photo booths across the U.S. Paramount even commissioned 25 artists from around the world to customize their own model Enterprise, which are now on display at the Arclight Cinemas in Sherman Oaks, the Alamo Drafthouse in Austin and the RAVE theater in Las Vegas. You don’t have to be a Trekkie to appreciate the energy here.

Later — Wayne
 Wayne Karrfalt for Cynopsis: Digital
05.11.09

Cynopsis Ad Sales:
Chuck Bolkcom, Pres/COO – 646-468-6180 / [email protected]
Classifieds – Trish Pihonak- 203-926-9878 / [email protected]

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Cyn opsis CLASSIFIEDSFor More classifieds, visit the Cynopsis.com classifieds page here    .

 

JOB OPENING: SHOW PRODUCTION DESIGNER/QVC/WEST CHESTER PA:Conceptualizes/designs/creates overall look & feel of show.Related degree,5+ yrs design exp in b’cast environ, AutoCad. Apply: www.qvc.com/careers (5/15)

JOB OPENING: MGR ONLINE AD SALES OPS/Lifetime TV: Dvlp, evaluate & approve deals to max profit generated by online inv. Demonstrated exp online media ind. BS req’d. Strong MS Excel & analytical skills. 
www.mylifetime.com/about-us/lifetime-networks-internship-program (5/14)

JOB OPENING: NEW MEDIA ASSET COORD/Hallmark Channel/Studio City: Support New Media assets thru online &offline tools. Exp. working w/photo images. Must have Photoshop/CS2/Bridge. See full posting & apply @ www.hallmarkchannel.com (5/14)

JOB OPENING: AE /BBC/LA: Motion Gallery, stock footage & clips. Grow biz w/advrtsng & corp clients who req moving imagery for commercials & corp videos. Biz dev cold calls, acct mngmnt. 2+yrs exp Res: www.bbcamerica.com/employment.jsp (5/14)

JOB OPENING: AD SALES PLAN’R/BBC/NY: sell ad space on BBC.com. Biz dev, lead gen, strong org & rsrch skills, dev spprt mat’ ls, prep sales mat’l, presentations & team for pitches Res: www.bbcamerica.com/employment.jsp (5/14)

JOB OPENING: DIR AUD DEV/BBC/NYC: Grow BBC.com news offering in US. Drive traffic, consumer mktg, prtnrshp mngmnt, 3rd party site outreach. Analyze traffic & usage. Mng all mktg & aud dev strat. Res: www.bbcamerica.com/employment.jsp (5/14)

JOB OPENING: SALES DIR/BBC/NYC: Mng sls team, media licensing exp pref. 5+ yrs mngng sls team, able to coach & direct sell. Implement sales strat, mng projected sales/rev, grow biz. Res: www.bbcamerica.com/employment.jsp (5/14)

J OB OPENING: FREELANCER, AUD RSRCH/MTVNETWORKS/LA: TV rsrch analyst/mgr w/strong skills. Media Math & Nielsen/Star Media sftwr sys skills req’d. Proficiency-synd rsrch (esp. MRI) pref’d. 2+ yrs. exp. TV rsrch. [email protected] (5/14)

JOB OPENING: MGR CONSUMER ADV/A&E TV: Mng consumer directed comm in support of tune-in & branding goals for A&E, Bio & CI HD. 5+yrs mktg and/or promotions exp in tv/cable or brdcst. Please apply via www.aetn.com/careers/html (5/13)

JOB OPENING: DIR POST PROD OPS/NYC: 7 yrs exp. Tech savvy w/strong technical writing sk and knwldg graphical/editorial technology. Fluent in current HD/SD broadcast technology. EOE/M/F/D/AAP Apply www.mtvncareers.com (5/12)

JOB OPENING: PROD/OPERATIONS MGR/NY: Seeking Mgr with at least 3+ yrs prod exp; detail oriented multi-tasker; exp in studio, remote & post prod; solid budgeting/negotiation skills; strong work ethic; Resume: [email protected] (5/12)

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 CREDIT ONLY:  WEB INTERN/NJ: Assist w/ video streaming of TV news on company website. Open to Comm. majors. Must know HTML, Photoshop, Final Cut Pro, FrontPage, Flash. Email resume:  [email protected]  (5/16)

SUMMER INTERNSHIP CREDIT ONLY:  TV RESEARCH/Warner Bros.TV/Burbank:  Monitor Nielsen broadcast schedules, Prog. test scores; Attend focus groups, prep questionnaires/PC/Resumes: [email protected] include “NENT/112425BR” in subject    (5/16)

SUMMER INTERNSHIP CREDIT ONLY: MKTG INTERN/ATL: Assist w/ Consumer & Affiliate Mktg initiatives for The Weather Channel. Must have a basic understanding of Marketing; be creative & eager to learn. Please send resume to: [email protected] (5/15)

SUMMER INTERNSHIP CREDIT ONLY:  AD TRAFFIC Intern/The Hotel Networks, NY: Commercial data entry, updating show titles, copy/logs. Majors: Media/Comm, Mktg, Adv, Bus/Fin– Analytical, PC, Detailed, Customer Service. Resumes: [email protected] (5/14)

SUMMER INTERNSHIP CREDIT ONLY:  FLYP, a new media magazine, seeks a MARKETING & EDITORIAL intern in New York City to assist editors with all our marketing initiatives and do research for feature stories. Resume: [email protected]   (5/14)

SUMMER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: GRAPHIC DESIGN INTERN: Assist with designing and creating broadcast design and interactive media. Must know Photoshop, Illustrator and either Flash, A/E or Dreamweaver. [email protected] (5/12)

SUMMER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: Orchard Films, a documentary film production company/DUMBO, Brooklyn: Looking for summer interns to help with several projects. Email cover letter & resume to Amanda: [email protected]   (5/12)

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/DIRECTOR/PRODUCER  Exceptional and fast writer, client friendly, EPK’s and DVD bonus features, internet pods, video games for Disney, Universal, New Line etc. In LA. Contact Lisa at [email protected]   (5/15)

SITUATION WANTED: MARKETING & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT 10+ years film/TV experience, extensive production/post production contacts. [email protected]  (5/15)

SITUATION WANTED: RESEARCH DIRECTOR 20+ yrs Media, Nielsen, Hispanic, & Sales experience. National and Local. Email: [email protected] (5/15)

SITUATION WANTED: SHOOTER/EDITOR (LA): HDV and ENG cameras. 2 years News Photog experience. Own Final Cut Pro Suite. Also versed in Avid. Self starter, work on own batteries. [email protected] (5/13)

SITUATION WANTED: REALITY PRODUCER/WRITER/DIR : NBC, TLC, CMT, CNN, E!, Discovery, pilots, sales tapes, internet; I’ll write your reality show treatment and develop your ideas. LA Based; travels well; [email protected] (5/13)

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] (5/13)

SITUATION WANTED: 8+ years experience in TVB-cast & Cable Buying & Supervising (General, DR, and PP). Also, some experience in print, radio, and online.Will move for the right opportunity. [email protected] (5/13)

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] (5/13)

SITUATION WANTED: Atlanta sales and marketing professional with 10 years experience in cable and telecommunications industry.Expertise in both the content and affiliate distribution. Strategic team player. [email protected] (5/12)

SITUATION WANTED: EXPERIENCED GRAPHIC DESIGNER (LA) Reality-TV, Film, Commercial, Documentaries & Corporate. Creative & Flexible. Seeking Freelance or Staff Position, Remote or In-House. Reel & Contact Info: www.ChaztizedMedia.com (5/12)

SITUATION WANTED: FIELD PRODUCER/ DIRECTOR/LA: Docusoap, Lifestyle, Infotainment,Feature Doc + more. Resonant leader, keen writer, field/post, strong storyteller + showrunner. 8+ yrs. Will travel. [email protected] 917.716.7277 (5/12)

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

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

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