Cynopsis: DIGITAL

11/19/07

Good morning, it’s Monday, November 19, 2007 and this is your first early morning digital briefing. 

It looks as though Quarterlife creators Marshall Herskovitz and Edward Zwick have managed to get their show on the air after all. NBC picked up the rights to broadcast, sell on DVD and stream the show in the U.S. and internationally, planning to premier it on air sometime in February or March after it completes its initial 36 webisode run on Yahoo TV. The deal breaks mold in various ways. It is the first primetime show to debut online then secure a network spot. (Herskovitz and Zwick first pitched Quarterlife to ABC 3 years ago, but the network ultimately passed on it.) Although NBC will contribute to production and development costs, the two producers will retain ownership and creative control of the show, according to reports. Finally, the show may be strike proof as it’s primarily an independently-financed online venture not subject to the strike embargo.
 

 
Amazon.com plans to re-“Kindle” interest in digital books with a Wi-Fi equipped reader that can connect directly to Amazon’s site from any location. Amazon hopes it will succeed in a market that Sony has been trying to develop for years because of its wireless connectivity. The $399 Kindle works on a system called Whispernet, based on the EDVO network developed for wireless carriers. (Meaning users don’t have to be within a hot spot to connect to Amazon’s store or read constantly updated newsfeeds from The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.) Amazon is also trying to get publishers to offer eBooks for less according to Newsweek. New York Times bestsellers will go for $9.99 through Kindle while classics can be had for as little as $1.99.
 
Meanwhile, Ann Arbor-based bookstore Borders Group is planning to finally launch its own e-commerce site during the first quarter of 2008 and is looking to integrate video content from BordersMedia.com to help differentiate it, according to Content Strategist Doug Dubin. Borders is also partnering with visual network provider Ripple to install TV screens inside Borders stores featuring original content produced by Borders Media.

BBC shows such as Strictly Come Dancing and The Mighty Boosh and content based on BBC Worldwide and Greenlight Media‘s Earth natural history feature will be made available on social networking site Bebo.  Other broadcasters offering up free footage for viewing to subscribers are Channel 4, BSkyB, MTV, and smaller television producers such as Sumo.TV and Kontraband.  Each broadcaster adds footage to its own Bebo page, retaining copyright.  Bebo has 40 million members worldwide including 10.7 million in the U.K., mainly in the A13-24 range.
 
Program Partners and Merv Griffin Entertainment licensed the rights for Merv Griffin’s syndicated game show Crosswords to Hasbro in order to develop it as an at-home game.
 

 
YouTube is working on improving the quality of its video streaming, according to comments made by co-founder Steve Chen at last week’s NewTeeVee Live conference. The site is testing a new player that automatically detects the speed the user is connected at then chooses a bit rate to maximize the experience.
 
Music discovery site Last.fm launched an OpenSocial-compliant music application for the 122,000 social networking sites currently using the white label Ning platform.
 
Engadget founder Peter Rojas and Downtown Records launched a new music site called RCRD LBL, offering DRM-free ad supported streaming and downloadable digital tracks from emerging artists. 
 
Online video venture Vuze has petitioned the FCC to adopt net neutrality regulations to prevent internet service providers from interfering with P2P downloading activity. Vuze argues the FCC should use the internet traffic throttling issue to forge a workable solution fair to all.

Google is prepared to bid on its own for the wireless spectrum up for auction by the FCC beginning January 24, even as the price is expected to top $4.6 billion. With the company’s primary concern to insure more openness among networks; however, it may only participate in the auction just long enough to see the FCC’s minimum bid met – thus insuring that the open-access provision adopted the commission kicks in.
 
Trying to prove its retail stores still have value in the digital age, Blockbuster plans to launch digital kiosks in its stores allowing customers to download movies to portable players, flash drives or black DVDs.
 

 
Facebook is continuing to grow faster than MySpace according to the latest Nielsen Online figures. The social networking site added 1.5 million new members in October alone, 5 times more than the 300,000 users added by MySpace. Professional networking site Linkedin grew at even faster rate, up from 1.7 million users to nearly 5 million at the end of Oct. 2007.
 
Top 10 Social Networking Sites for October 2007 (U.S. Home & Work)”
                                          unique users           unique users         
  Site                                 Oct.’06 (000)          Oct. ’07 (000)       % +/-
 MySpace.com                  49,516                   58,843                19%
 Facebook.com                   8,682                   19,519               125%                 
 Classmates Online           13,564                    13,278                 -2%
 Windows Life Spaces         7,795                      10,261               32%
 AOL Hometown                 9,298                       7,923               -15%
 Linkedin                           1,705                       4,919              189% 
 AOL People Connection      5,849                       4,084               -30%
 Reunion.com                     4,723                      4,082               -14%
 Club Penguin                     1,512                      3,880               157%
 Buzznet.com                     1,104                       2,397              117%                           
Source: Nielsen Online
                     
African Americans are still lagging behind Whites in terms of internet connectivity and usage, according to eMarketer, with penetration rates hovering around 62% for non-Hispanic blacks compared to 73% for non-Hispanic whites.

Here’s a cool ad-supported site that combines educational casual gaming with the charitable mission of feeding developing nations. Poverty.com sister site FreeRice will donate 10 grains of rice for each correct English vocabulary question answered.  The site began on October 7 and has already committed to giving away nearly 2.5 billion grains.
 
Later — Wayne
Wayne Karrfalt for Cynopsis: Digital
11.19.07

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JOB OPENING: WDCW Washington DC seeks BROADCAST SALES VETERAN with 4+ years of exp. Aggressive seller with successful agency and direct business exp. Stellar presentation and negotiating skills required.  [email protected] EOE (11/28)

JOB OPENING: Rainbow/NYC: PROD MGR, ONAIR PROMOS for VOD cable nets; create & oversee budgets & project mngmt for post-prod/shoots/gfx. 3+ yrs ent/media exp. Strong detail/org/comm skills. www.cablevision.jobs.com req 4856BR. (11/28)

JOB OPENING: Rainbow/NYC: ASSOC. PROD, ONAIR PROMOS for VOD cable nets; write/produce/edit promos on FCP. Writing test req. Oversee digital file mgmt. Apply to req 4780BR at www.cablevision.jobs.com (11/28)

JOB OPENING: VP CONSUMER/AFFILIATE MKTG/Fuse TV/NYC: Establishes strategic mktg, promos & ad campaigns for Fuse, drive awareness & promote brand attributes to the trade, press & consumer.  Please send resume to [email protected] (11/28)

JOB OPENING: COORDINATOR, PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT/NY: 2 yrs devo or agency exp to maintain databases, draft deal memos and conduct research for fastest growing ad-supported cable network. To apply go to www.turnerjobs.com  req# 90639 (11/28)

JOB OPENING: DIGITAL AE/History/A&E/LA: Sell digital advertising solutions to clients/agencies. Dvlp new business. Client service and acct mgmt. 4 yrs in sales -min 2 yrs digital sales. Apply: www.aetn.com/careers.html (11/28)

JOB OPENING: VP, PROGRAMMING & DEVELOPMENT/ EGO TV/LA: Scout, produce web and mobile video content for new Gen Y network. Must have strong talent agency relationships. 10+ yrs  exper. Resumes to [email protected] (11/28)

JOB OPENING: ON AIR TALENT/Web/NY:Looking for a 30-45 yr old female talent. To host a weekly prgrm on the latest in books, CD’s, DVD’s. Needs to appear knwldgble & authoritative, ditzy need not apply. Contact: [email protected] (11/28)

JOB OPENING: EXP’D CO-EP SHOW RUNNER/Powderhouse Productions: Develop and execute a stripped one-hour infotainment series for a major cable net. Science-tech background, web integration, a big plus. Resume to: [email protected] (11/28)

JOB OPENING: PR COOR/Classic Media/NYC: Min 2+ yrs PR exp; writing press materials, compiling press clips, handling media requests, pitching stories, some admin; Strong writing skills req’d; apply:  [email protected] (11/23)

JOB OPENING: MANAGER, PRICING (Telemundo) – NBC UNI/NY: Finance manager for sales properties. Lead and manage sales forecasting and analysis. Degree w/ min 4 yrs related exp. www.nbcjobs.com keyword job#744645. (11/23)

JOB OPENING: CREATIVE SERVICES DIRECTOR/CBS-3 Philadelphia: Direct the promotion, design & branding of CBS 3 and CW Philly. 5 yrs major market exp. req’d & degree pref’d. Visit www.cbs3.com/jobs for full details. EEO ADA M/F (11/23)

JOB OPENING: DIR RIGHTS & CLEARANCES/WE tv/NYC: Exp’d rights & clear to support all original dom/intl prod. TV/Music/Photo exp in tv prod, rights mgmt, clearance & new tech a must. Res to www.cablevision.jobs ref #4832BR (11/22)

JOB OPENING: CREATIVE DIRECTOR/Voom HD Networks/NY: Seeking on-air promotions and branding visionary with 10 plus years experience at a broadcast/cable network. Send reels & resumes to [email protected] (11/22)

JOB OPENING: MARKETING DIRECTOR/Lightworks (NYC): Manage company brand as well as pr, program catalogue and conventions. Strong writing skills. Int’l experience a plus. Email resume to [email protected] (11/22)

JOB OPENING: SALES EXEC/CableU/CT: Immed opening for outgoing, aggressive self-starter w/ solid knwldg of US cable ntwrks, ind organizations & ad agencies, to prospect & close new accts. Online sales exp pref’d. [email protected] (11/28)

JOB OPENING: SALES PLANNER/Comcast Ntwrks/NY: Generate upf & scatter plans; deal maint & stwrdship; support to sales team. Liason btwn AEs & agencies. 2yrs exp sales/planning pref’d. Contact [email protected] (11/21)

JOB OPENING: SR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE/Nielsen/Dallas: Immediate opening for exp media sales professional.   Knowledge of Nielsen data/media background preferred. Apply:  www.nielsen.com , Careers, Req #5992  (11/21)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR, INTERNATIONAL SALES/GRB Entertainment/LA: 5+yrs exp w/ demonstrated success and strong understanding of contracts and TV rights for int’l distribution. Email resumes: [email protected] (11/21)

JOB OPENING: SALES PLANNER/TV10s/NYC: For Closed Captioning & 10-second commercial sales: Create proposals, mkgds, manage adu, detail oriented. Power Point a +. Resume: [email protected] (11/21)

JOB OPENING: ACCT MGR/HBO/NYC: Manage sales & mktg activities w/ key TELCO accts, develop acct strategies, manage budget, subscriber analysis. Req: Mgmt exp, 5-7 yrs cable sales & mktg industry exp. Res: [email protected] (11/21)

JOB OPENING: MEDIA SALES ASST/BROADCAST MEDIA CO./NYC MIDTOWN EAST:  Provides admin support to busy Sales Dept. MS Office, attn to detail, multitasking, great comm. Email:  [email protected] for complete job description (11/21)

JOB OPENING: CLIENT SERVICES EXEC/Nielsen Media Research/Dallas: Media-focused sales and client services profess’l. 3+ yrs exp w/strong analytical skills.Interested candidates can apply on line at www.nielsen.com position #5898. (11/21)

JOB OPENING: SR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE/Nielsen/Los Angeles: Immediate opening for exp media sales professional. Knowledge of Nielsen data/media background preferred. Apply: www.nielsen.com , Careers, Req #6055. (11/21)

JOB OPENING: FULL PROD STAFFS/ALL POSITIONS/Atlas Media Corp, NYC: Looking for skilled series producers, writers, prod, assoc producers, researchers and production assistants for several dif series. Apply [email protected]. (11/21)

JOB OPENING: DIGITAL PLANNER/History/A&E Chicago: Create digital sales proposals, steward accts, service orders&client needs, acct maintenance, assist in presentations. 2yrs digital plnng exp. Apply: www.aetn.com/careers.html (11/21)

JOB OPENING: DIR DIGITAL AD SALES MKTG/History/A&E NY: Strategize & create new pkgs & ad opps for AETN digital. Create decks & upfront pkg. Dev mktg strategy for AETN digital. 5+yr digital mktg exp Apply: www.aetn.com/careers.html (11/21)

JOB OPENING:  CREATIVE, OFF-AIR DIRECTOR/Discovery Communications/LA: Requires Creative Off-Air Director for the TLC network to oversee all on-air graphics, print design & show packaging. Apply: discovery.com/careers Req# 5930. (11/20)

JOB OPENING:  MARKETING LINE PRODUCER/Discovery Communications/LA: Requires Marketing Line Producer to handle all physical aspects of film, HD and print shoots for TLC marketing. Apply: discovery.com/careers Req# 5982. (11/20)

JOB OPENING:  ASSOC. DIR Research dept /PBS/Arlington VA: Provide customer support with research consultation and management of strategic research studies for the PBS Programming dept. To apply visit www.pbs.org/jobs (11/20)

JOB OPENING:  DIRECTOR, CONSUMER MKTG/VERSUS/Philly: Direct development/execution of consumer & affiliate/ad trade mktg campaigns for network programming and trade efforts. 10+ yrs  exper. EEO/AA/Drug Free.  Apply www.versus.com (11/20)

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] .

SITUATION WANTED ADS, POSTED BY THOSE LOOKING TO BE HIRED …

SITUATION WANTED:  RESEARCH/PROGRAMMING ASST: Fresh grad with exp in production, traffic, research, and programming. Highly motivated and enthusiastic. Great attention to detail, works well with others.  Email: [email protected]   (11/21)

SITUATION WANTED:  WRITER/WRITER’S ASST: College senior with experience as weekly contributor to the Onion and three years of comedy-oriented internship experience. Contact:
[email protected] (Available May) (11/21)

SITUATION WANTED:  Graduating Sr. degree in TELECOM MANG’T-enthusiastic, hardworking individual looking for exciting employment opportunity in NYC-completed multiple industry related internships-Contact: Stefanie [email protected]    (11/21)

SITUATION WANTED: EXP PROD./PUBLICITY/HOST GRAD: Interned Summ 2007 in NYC at SONY BMG/Columbia Publicity & MTV Networks in Prod. CREATIVE, PASSIONATE. Performer. Brdcst Major/Air Personality & T.V. Host.   LA/NYC. [email protected]     (11/21)

SITUATION WANTED: MEDIA MARKETING PRO, 25+ years net/local broadcast, cable, studio, agency experience seeks position or consultancy. Contact: [email protected] (11/20)

SITUATION WANTED: We will produce broadcast-quality short videos to elevate your business’s profile in the online community, particularly among consumers of edgy comedic content. http://acutepsychosis.wordpress.com (11/20)

E-mail Trish Pihonak 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 Trish Pihonak for specs.