Monday, September 22nd, 2008

Cynopsis: DIGITAL

09/22/08

Good morning, it’s Monday, September 22, 2008, and this is your first early morning digital briefing.

Comcast fulfilled its obligation to disclose exactly how it manages broadband traffic for its 14 million internet customers and how future “congestion management” techniques will be deployed. The company will load new software onto its network beginning in December to determine if particular subscribers are hogging bandwidth and will temporarily give traffic from those subscribers a lower priority status. Subscribers who are assigned a lower status (less than 1% of users, predicts Comcast,) could suffer a slowdown if the network becomes congested.

~ MULTIPLATFORM CONTENT NEWS ~

 
NBC received huge traffic boosts from a trio of unrelated events on CNBC.com, NBC.com and iTunes, according to THR, sourcing Omniture data. The rollercoaster ride on Wall Street, the viral hit Sarah Palin/Hillary Clinton skit on SNL (which surpassed even “D-in a box” in terms of views) and the restoration of NBC shows on iTunes racked up record usage and download numbers for the company:

  • CNBC.com enjoyed 1 million uniques for the first time last Monday with 14.6 million page views
  • The Palin/Clinton skit has been viewed 4.5 million times on NBC.com alone, thanks in part to YouTube’s diligence in removing unauthorized uploads
  • NBCU has sold (or given away) more than 1 million downloads on iTunes since returning to the platform on Sept. 9; Heroes, The Office and SNL are among the top sellers

 
ABC.com launched a major update to its award-winning full-episode player. Enhancements include:

  • A new short form player providing users with the ability to send and share video links from full episodes with others through email or by embedding links on other sites
  • True full screen viewing
  • Enhanced navigation and video search capabilities allowing users to search for series graphically, alphabetically, by genre or popularity
  • Content recommendation functions
  • Parental ratings information for full episode content beginning this fall

Since launching in 2006, ABC says over 441 million episodes have been initiated through the ABC.com full-episode player, and over one billion ads have been served.
 
Music companies don’t seem to benefiting much from selling DRM-free tracks online, Warner Music CEO Edgar Bronfman Jr. admitted at a Goldman Sachs-sponsored conference on Thursday per Digital Music News. But digital sales are quickly accounting for a higher percentage of sales, particularly in the U.S. where the iPod is so ubiquitous. Nearly 1/3 of Warner’s recorded music revenue came from digital sales last quarter.
 
Check out this website launched to promote Tuesday’s release of Paramount’s The Godfather: The Coppola Restoration. There are previews of new featurettes looking at the restoration process of the films and their impact, an interactive timeline, a downloadable widget and a bunch of nice stills to use as wallpaper for your desktop.
 
Sneak peek previews of Starz‘ original series Crash, premiering Oct. 17, will be available on Fancast.com and Comcast’s VOD service beginning Oct. 1.
 

~ INNOVATORS & START-UPS ~

 
Blogging community Widgetbox launched the Widgetbox Blog Network, a federation of bloggers and online content publishers designed to foster connections through 29 vertical channels. The new channels purport to extend reach, drive traffic and increase brand awareness by exposing blogs to Widgetbox’s base of more than 200,000 blogs, 135,000 widgets and 64 million unique monthly viewers. 
 
Byron Allen’s Entertainment Studios announced a deal with Verizon giving its suite of 6 HD channels carriage on the FiOS platform later this year including Cars.tv, Pets.tv, Comedy.tv, travel-themed MyDestination.tv, entertainment news network Es.Tv and Recipe.tv.
 

~ GADGETS & APPS ~

 
Those looking for an alternative to the incumbent e-readers from Amazon and Sony have the iRex Digital Reader 1000 to look forward to. The iRex should be handier for business users as, unlike the Kindle and Sony Reader, it can display PDF files, HTML web pages or even Microsoft Office documents directly on its 10″ screen. The user interface utilizes a touch screen and stylus pen, and the device connects to your PC via USB or WiFi. However, expect to pay for the privilege – the base iRex Reader 1000 is expected to retail for $650, with the writable screen version jumping to $750 or $850 when WiFi, Bluetooth and 3G data capability are added. Ouch.
 
Popular drawing game Line Rider is now available for the iPhone and iPod Touch for $2.99, an adaptation of the popular online game that has attracted million of players since launching in Sept. 2006. The game allows you to draw a landscape with a simple pencil tool, creating ramps, hills and jumps. Then you test out your landscape by sending a boy on a sled down the hill, until he wipes out. The iPhone version of the game will feature the ability to upload and download tracks on the Web, according to developer inXile.
 

~ TECHNOLOGY DEALS, MERGERS AND SKIRMISHES ~
 

eBay has retained Deutsche Bank to find a buyer for website recommendation service StumbleUpon, reports TechCrunch. StumbleUpon, a popular community portal now with over 6 million “stumblers,” was one of the online auction house’s more expensive acquisitions, purchased in May 2007 for $75 million.
 


~ WEBSITE OF THE DAY ~

 
We’ve all heard of Earth Day. Well, today is the third annual One Web Day, organized by media scholar Susan Crawford and fellow activists to celebrate the web’s impact on the world. Appropriately this year’s theme is participatory democracy. Visit the onewebday.org to read personal stories about how the web has changed lives or check out the OneWebDayWiki learn about both physical and virtual events occurring in your area. (Meetup is another way to find local One Web Day meetups.) New York City will serve as the real-world epicenter: go to Washington Square Park at noon to hear from some of the better known tech gurus including: Sree Sreenivasan from the School of Columbia Journalism & WNBC-TV; Tim Westergren, founder of Pandora; Prof. Lawrence Lessig of Stanford and Craig Newmark of Craigslist fame.

Later — Wayne
 Wayne Karrfalt for Cynopsis: Digital
09.22.08

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What would a year be without something new from Cyn opsis? Introducing …

Cynopsis Media: Top Tier
Executive Search Division

High level executive search, candidates fully screened and vetted, meeting precisely your criteria.

For more information, call Trish Pihonak 203.926.9878
if you’re looking to make an executive change, or are looking for a change of scenery yourself.
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Cyn opsis CLASSIFIEDSFor More classifieds, visit the Cynopsis.com classifieds page here    .


JOB OPENING:  EXEC ASST/AMC/NY: Provide direct admin/office support to busy mktg SVP. Proactive, highly organized professional needed w/3+ yrs relevant exp nec.MS Office + Ntwrk/TV exp pref. res: www.cablevision.jobs ref# 7068BR(9/27)

JOB OPENING: PRODUCTION ACCOUNTANT/Little Airplane Productions/NYC: Oversee all aspects of finance and payroll on several broadcast productions. Must have knowledge of Vista software: [email protected] (9/26)

JOB OPENING: EDITORIAL DIR/Bravo Digital/NBCU/NY: Lead execution of editorial aspects of BravoTV.com, develop content concepts, supervise writing & editing of copy. BA & 5 yrs editorial exp. www.nbcjobs.com , job# 847495 (9/26)

JOB OPENING: VP/DIRECTOR FP& A/MTVN/Harmonix: Responsible for the FP&A, reporting and analysis for MTV’s Harmonix division. Apply: www.mtvncareers.com EOE (9/26)

JOB OPENING: Busy NYC reality TV prod co seeks SR DEVEL EXEC to create/devel new shows. Reports to owners of company. 4+ yrs devel experience–ideally reality/unscripted–& proven track record. Send resumes to [email protected] (9/26)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR, PROJECT MNGMNT: Project Dir is needed for creative services dept. of Versus TV ntwrk in Philadelphia, PA. 5 yrs’ exp. and Bachelor’s degree req. Apply online: www.ecentralmetrics.com/url/?u=250554487-261 EOE (9/26)

JOB OPENING: CNS SALES PLANNER/ NY: Will create sales proposals & generate plan’g costs for TV ntwrks. 2 yrs exp. Agency Plan’g or Cable/Brdcst Ad Sales/Sales Support req. Apply: www.ecentralmetrics.com/url/?u=634054621-261 EOE (9/26)

JOB OPENING: ONLINE AE /Stardoll.com: Min 2 yrs online ad sales; Gen rev by cold calls, marketing, relationships for girls fashion, entertainment, social network in LA. [email protected] (9/25)

JOB OPENING: DIR ONLINE SALES/Stardoll.com: Min 5 yrs online ad sales leader; drive team rev, estab territory, strat partners for girls fashion, entertain social network in NYC. [email protected] (9/25)

JOB OPENING: DIR, ONLINE BRAND/Stardoll.com: Min 3 yrs in brand mktg role in online media; prior kid entertainment exp. Dev, manage consumer mktg efforts for girls fashion, entertain, social network in LA. [email protected] (9/25)

JOB OPENING: VP LAW/ RAINBOW MEDIA/NY: Negotiate agreements between networks (e.g. AMC, IFC) and affiliates  e.g. Cable/Mobile Cos. Needs JD and exp. with affiliate agreements. Resume: [email protected] (9/25)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR, PRINT + DIGITAL PRODUCTION/BRAVO TV/NY: Manage dept, work flow, team, budget + planning.Strong comm + org skills. Work well under pressure. Previous Network exp req’d. Fill ASAP. Apply nbcjobs.com #846952 (9/23)

JOB OPENING: AFFILIATE RELATIONS MANAGER/iN DEMAND/NYC: Secure carriage, manage accts & relationships. Marketing bkgnd & min 4 yrs cable exp. 40% travel. Reply: [email protected] (9/23)

JOB OPENING: PROJECT MGR/AND COMPANY/LA: Entertainment adv agency seeks strong candidate to manage client comm, deadlines, creative dev. Industry exp req’d, sports mktg exp a plus. BS/BA+min 3-5 yrs exp. Resume to [email protected] (9/23)

JOB OPENING: MEDIA BUYER / WPB, FL: In-house automotive agency, Degree & min 5yrs exp. Knowledge of NSI, ARB, Scar & SmartPlus. Competitive salary & benefits. Resumes: [email protected] (9/23)

SUMMER/FALL 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] .

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY:  PROGRAM PLANNING/Bravo/Burbank: seeks smart, enthusiastic students w/ passion for entertainment TV. Familiarity w/Excel a must. Resume/cover letter w/availability to: [email protected] (9/27)

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: TV RESEARCH INTERN /LA/MGM TV: Work in Research dept. Opp to learn about domestic & Int’l TV distrib. Strong Comm skills, comfort with Microsoft Office tools req. Approx 12 hrs/wk. Res/cover to: [email protected]  (9/27)

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: AD SALES INTERN /Oxygen/NBCU:Assists ad sales dept w/researching prospective clients&sending out client materials.Great opportunity! Semester-long, unpaid, must receive credit.post [email protected] (9/26)

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: CNBC Research Intern : Provides reporting & strategic insights & supports internal functions, incl. prgrmng, editorial, mktg, & BD. Provide reporting & analysis. Semester-long, unpaid. [email protected] (9/24)

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: CNBC Intern: CNBC gives students real world exp & exposure to a world leader in business news. Enrolled in BS/MS w/ sophomore standing or above. Semester-long, unpaid, for-credit internship [email protected] (9/24)

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: Lightworks/NY: TV dist. co. needs contract admin intern. Focus on rights mgt, prod. agts, sales licensing agts. Know contract law. LAW STUDENTS ONLY! For credit. Send resume to [email protected] (9/24)

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

SITUATION WANTED:  EXEC. IN CHARGE OF PROD: Premium Cable & Ntwrk exp, Mult Emmy’s, Exec Prod, Exec in Charge, Coord Prod, Line Prod, Prod/Dir seeking sports, ent, event prod opportunities, LA/NY. E-mail: [email protected]  (9/27)

SITUATION WANTED: EXECUTIVE/ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT for 30 plus years. Worked in production for Exec. Producers, Writers, Directors and high level executives. Excellent skills … email [email protected] (9/26)

SITUATION WANTED: ADMIN OR ASST POSITION WANTED / NYC: 3+ yrs admin exp at well-known companies in exec assistance, licensing, prod development, marketing, with specialization in children’s TV. Creative & professional.  [email protected] (9/23)

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.

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