A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM CINEGROUPE

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Cynopsis: Kids!

09/25/06

Good morning. It’s Monday, September 25, 2006 and this is your first early morning Kids! briefing. 

MTV Networks has furthered its multiplatform agenda by inking an agreement to acquire Harmonix Music Systems, Inc., a developer of music based video game titles including Guitar Hero, in a cash deal valued at $175 million.  Prior to this MTVN teamed with Harmonix to feature the Guitar Hero game title in some of its TV programming and through promotions.  Published by RedOctane/Activision, Guitar Hero is among the top-selling PlayStation 2 games for 2006.  The follow-up game Guitar Hero II, also for PS2, is scheduled for release this fall.

Nickelodeon is set to debut three new shows in India, according IndianTelevision.com.  Two of the three series are targeted to preschoolers: Fetch the Vet is Cosgrove Hall’s stop-motion animated series a about a veterinarian who runs a clinic in a country town; and Kiri the Clown, also a stop-motion animation, is based on the books of the same name in which Kiri travels with her pals and perform in a small circus.  The final of the three series, Ninja Hattori, is for older kids and tells the story of a normal kid who makes friends with a extraordinary little ninja.

Atom Entertainment, Inc., which was recently acquired by Viacom, launched its new NewsGames channel at the AddictingGames website last Friday. ( www.addictinggames.com/newsgames.html ).  Atom will develop games based on current news headlines of all sorts as well as promoting user generated games that likewise reflect current news and pop culture topics.  The games will not likely be for kids – but I’d bet they’ll be funny.  In addition, Atom Entertainment has entered into a new deal with Persuasive Games, a developer/producer/distributor of electronic games. Under terms of their agreement, Persuasive will create game titles based on newsworthy themes and the games will be available exclusively at AddictingGames.com and Shockwave.com.

MARKETING/LICENSING

Price Stern Sloan, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers Group, will serve as the publishing partner for the new Mr. Bean movie, under a new license deal set up by the Sharpe Company, Inc.  Scheduled for release in March 2006, the new Mr. Bean film is being produced by Working Title Films in association with Tiger Aspect Productions.  Universal Pictures will release the film worldwide.  Sharpe is the US licensing agent for both the upcoming Mr. Bean movie and Bean  the Animated Series.  Bean – the Animated Series is slated to debut in the US on Nickelodeon in spring/summer 2007.

Media Molecule, a new indie video game studio, has entered into an exclusive deal with Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, to develop original games for PlayStation 3.  Based in the UK, Media Molecule was founded in January 2006 by Alex Evans, Mark Healey, Dave Smith and Kareem Ettouney, all of whom have worked for any number of well known game developers.

All signs point to “yes” as Mattel unveils its new licensing partnership with BBC International to produce a line of Magic 8 Ball branded shoes for kids.  When the new line debuts this November 2006, the two first products will be Magic 8 Ball shoes for boys and Magic 8 Ball Date Ball shoes for girls, both will come with a matching Magic 8 Ball digital watch.  The shoes will be available in kid sizes 5-3, exclusively at Kohl’s department stores.  This year marks the 60th anniversary of the Magic 8 Ball.

Elastic Rights, the rights management group, has inked a range of deals for the animated football (read: soccer) series Flash Kicker (180 x 30 min) in Iberia, where the series airs specifically in Spain on both TVE and pay-TV service Cartoon Network, and in Portugal on both SIC and pay-TV service Panda.  Developed as a manga comic strip in the 1980s, the Flash Kicker TV series is distributed by Enoki Films (Japan).

• In a newsstand DVD distribution deal, Salvat, which earlier this year released the first DVD of the series in Spain, is set to release an additional 52 episodes in there this fall 2006.  Salvat is also handling DVD distribution, with Lusomundo, in Portugal where it will release the first 128 episodes this fall.
• Other pacts for Flash Kicker include: Bandai – a branded table football game; a mobile content deal with Media Fusion, which bowed two months ago and has had 13,000+ downloads; a DVD retail deal with Selecta Vision; a deal with Spanish food company Nutrexpa and licensing outfit Panini, in which collectable football ‘kraks’ or tokens will be given away with a range of popular kids’ cakes called Phoskitos, in Spain and Portugal.  In the toy department: Italy’s Giochi Preziosi recently released Socca Sac, a ball game, and a selection of back-to-school products.

STONE SOUP

Weekend Box Office Estimates for kids/tweens/teens rated G, PG or PG-13; September 2224, 2006:
Jet Li’s Fearless (Rogue Pictures) PG-13                 Opening Weekend $10.6m
Gridiron Gang (Sony / Columbia) PG-13                   $9.7m-2 wk total $27.2m
Flyboys (MGM) PG-13                                          Opening Weekend $6.0m
Everyone’s Hero (Fox) G                                       $4.8m-2 wk total $11.6m
All the King’s Men (Sony / Columbia) PG-13              Opening Weekend $3.8m
The Covenant (Sony / Screen Gems) PG-13             $3.3m-3 wk total $20.3m
The Illusionist (Yari Film Group Releasing) PG-13        $3.3m-6 wk total $27.5m
Invincible (Buena Vista) PG                                   $2.6m-5 wk total $54.8m
Barnyard: The Original Party Animals (Paramount) PG $1.3m-8 wk total $70.7m
Accepted (Universal) PG-13                                  $944,000-6 wk total $35.4m
Source: Box Office Mojo

EXECUTIVE MOVES

MarVista Entertainment has reorganized its senior executive team as its founder/CEO Joseph Szew steps down as CEO and passes the torch to his son, Fernando Szew, and Michael D. Jacobs, who will serve as CEO and President respectively.  The Sr. Szew will now take on the title of COO/CFO, and his partner George Port, EVP/MarVista and President, MarVista Home Entertainment Label.  Additional announcements include: Sue Reiner joins the company as Head of Television, she was most recently Reiner was SVP/Television, Avnet/Kerner; Carol Holdsworth has been appointed VP/Sales and Marketing, he has served as a consultant to the company for several years.  Holdsworth was previously, SVP/International Marketing and Communications, Fox Family Worldwide; Zac Reeder has been named Head of Acquisitions, he was previously with PorchLight.

Michael Lekes has stepped down as Jetix Europe’s SVP/Programming for personal reasons, according to the company.  Lekes, who has been with Jetix Europe for four years, will officially take his leave at the end of September 2006.  While searching for a replacement for Lekes, Jetix Europe’ CEO, Paul Taylor will work with the pan-European programming team, the local Jetix Channel programming heads and the company’s commercial partners.

Star Farm Productions has appointed Valerie Snow as its Sr. Brand Manager.  She will report to Maureen Dilger, Brand Director.  Snow will oversee marketing and brand management for all of the company’s original preschool properties.  Most recently, Snow was Product Manager, Fibre-Craft Materials Corporation.  Previously she was Product Manger/Product Development and Brand marketing for Learning Curve International. 

RATINGS

Live + Same Day Ratings Kids Cable Network Averages (000) for Thursday, September 21, 2006, 6am-11pm, ranked by K2-11:
NICKELODEON:         K2-11 914; K6-11 445; TWEENS 9-14 328
DISNEY CHANNEL:     K2-11 665; K6-11 403; TWEENS 9-14 330
CARTOON NETWORK: K2-11 526; K6-11 356; TWEENS 9-14 258
TOON DISNEY:          K2-11 122; K6-11   67; TWEENS 9-14   39
Source: MTVN Research from Nielsen Media Research Data

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Answer to Yesterday’s Trivia Question: While friends,  Muskrat, Ty Coon, and Vincent Van Gopher were no help, this guy would usually get chewed out by his boss for napping on the job.  Who was he? DEPUTY DAWG     Kudos to: Jon King-Educational Animations, Inc/Boston; Chris O’Reilly-ITN Networks/NY; Hank Bordowitz-Bordowitz Media Werx/Suffern NY; Marc J. Beck-Major League Baseball/NY; Joan Blake/Austin TX; Calvin Brown Jr-Just Jordan/N. Hollywood

Today’s Trivia Question: On Airwolf, what was the code name for Hawke’s contact with the agency?( 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 Cynthia Turner’s Cynopsis Kids!
09.25.06

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Cyn opsis CLASSIFIEDS – For more classifieds, visit the Cynopsis.com classifieds page here

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JOB OPENING: SUPERVISING PRODUCER/Scripps Networks/Knoxville, TN: Works w/ EP to manage prods for mjr lifestyle cable ntwks. 10 yrs TV prod & management exp req. Development exp a +. [email protected], job #5584-U (9/30)

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH OPPTYS/Discovery, NY: Growing Ad Sales Res team seeks mid & sr level candidates to support Natl Sales. Natl Cable Res. exp a must. Estimates exp a +. Apply www.discovery.com req #’s 4487,4296,4409,4262 (9/30)

JOB OPENING: CORPORATE DEVELOPMENT MGR/Oxygen NY: Analyze comp landscape/expansion ops. Financial bckgrnd req’d. Broadband/wireless/satellite knowledge a +. See description: www.oxygen.com/basics/jobs.aspx Resumes: [email protected] (10/7)

JOB OPENING: EXECUTIVE ADMIN ASSISTANT/Turner Broadcasting/ATL: 4+yrs exec support/3+yrs Ent industry/Bachelors Degree to support General Mgr Cartoon Network. Apply: www.turnerjobs.com (9/30)

JOB OPENING: DIR AFFIL MKTG/NYC: Development/production channel’s affiliate mrktg/advertising, promos, spots, trade events VOD exp a+ creative environment! 5/7+yrs cable/satellite mktg exp [email protected] (9/30)

JOB OPENING: DIR, MSO MKTG STRATEGY/TURNER BROADCASTING/ATL: (#63863BR):Develop strategic direction for affiliate marketing for Turner networks at corp offices & mkts;5+ yrs cable exp.Resume: [email protected]  (9/30)

JOB OPENING: SR DIR/ MKTG  &  BUS DEVEL/PBS KIDS SPROUT/Phila: Direct Affil & Integrated Mktg. Develop/execute B2B mktg partnerships & programs.  BA/BS and 7-10 yrs Network Affil Mktg exper.  Email: [email protected]  (9/30)

JOB OPENING:  DIR, PRODUCTION FINANCE/Court TV/NY: Prod Finance exp, ideally as Dir, in similar ntwrk environment: Deal w/external prod cos., original prod’s, daytime news like prgrmng. P’Soft & Hyperion a+.  [email protected] (9/29)

JOB OPENING:  CONTROLLER INDUSTRY EXP/Court TV NY: Industry experience in similar network environment. CPA & 10+ yrs Acctg. & Fin. exp., Implementation exp. desirable.  P’Soft & Hyperion. [email protected] (9/29)

JOB OPENING: FREELANCE SCHEDULER ON AIR PROMOTIONS/E! Networks/Los Angeles: Plan & maintain promo scheduling for E! & Style. Apply www.eentertainment.com/careers (Job category-On Air Promos) (9/29)

JOB OPENING: DOCUMENTARY EDITOR/FREELANCE/Lou Reda Productions/Easton, PA: Needs seasoned long form editor that possesses strong directorial, solid creative thinking in editorial process. Contact [email protected] (9/29)

JOB OPENING: WRITER, FREELANCE/Lou Reda Productions/Easton, PA: Should have proven track record writing non-fiction and documentaries. Contact [email protected] (9/29)

JOB OPENING: ACCOUNT SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE/Univision/NY: Generate upfront & scatter plans. Handle all aspects of ongoing deal maintenance & stewardship. Media experience & Spanish a plus. Apply: [email protected] EOE  (9/29)

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH ANALYST/NY:  Provide syndicated and primary research analysis for 2 biz magazines. Entry to 2 yrs. Wiz with Excel.  Email: [email protected] (9/29)

JOB OPENING: ASST MGR SALES ADMIN/NBC UNIVERSAL/CA: Supp Sales Admin group in mgmt of TV output deals worldwide. HS diploma/GED plus Excel and Word proficiency reqd. www.nbcunicareers.com job # 549129. (9/29)

JOB OPENING: ASST MGR SALES PLANNING & ADMIN/NBC UNIVERSAL/CA: Provides product availability reports for US TV licensing plus library research. HS diploma/GED plus Excel proficiency reqd. www.nbcunicareers.com job # 549161  (9/29)

JOB OPENING: SALES PLANNER/BUSINESSWEEK/NY: Sales Planner for BusinessWeek Weekend. Play important role in driving revenue for the show. 2 yrs experience minimum. Go to www.mcgraw-hill.com/careers for details.  (9/29)

JOB OPENING: SCHEDULING SUPERVISOR/AMC/LI: Maintain prog scheds & reports,help dev stunts & other program  ideas.Program exp & computer/analytical skills a must. BA Film pref. res to www.cablevision.jobs ref #1236  (9/29)

JOB OPENING: ASSOC DIRECTOR STRATEGIC COMM/hi profile Optimedia acct/Seattle:  Seeking creative thinker, analytic, acct mgmt skills, team approach. Send resume: [email protected] EOE (9/29)

JOB OPENING:  SVP STRATEGIC INSIGHTS/NY: Seeking curious mind w/10+ yrs consumer, adv, media research. Mgmt exp. Report into EVP/President. Send resume: [email protected] EOE (9/29)

JOB OPENING:  BROADCAST NEG/Irvine, CA:  Req. 2 + yrs local media exp, DDS preferred. [email protected] EOE (9/29)

JOB OPENING:  RESEARCH SUPERVISOR/Zenith/Torrance/El Segundo, CA:  4+ yrs exp (agency, buying service, rsrch. company, sales).  Nielsen exp pref’d. Send resume:  [email protected] EOE (9/29)

JOB OPENING:  RESEARCH ANALYST/Zenith/Torrance/El Segundo, CA:  2+ yrs exp (agency, buying service, rsrch. company, or sales.)  Nielsen exp pref’d. Send resume: talent@ zenithoptimedia-na.com EOE (9/29)

JOB OPENING: SR. MGR DISNEY COMMUNITY/North Hollywood, CA: Responsible for Development, launch & ongoing ops of new entertainment and community platform. MUST HAVE: 5-7 yrs exp. TO APPLY: www.disneycareers.com search JOB ID: 31863 (9/28)

JOB OPENING: SR ANALYST/Starz!/Denver: Analyze usage data from OD systems, recommend action to product & marketing teams. Refine metrics, normalize data and assimilate with linear ratings. Fax cvr ltr/resume to 720.852.5891 (9/28)

JOB OPENING: MKTNG ASST/OLN/Stamford CT: Support busy execs & participate in projects at growing/changing cable net.Mktg admin exp & interest in cable/sports pref’d. Apply: http://www.olntv.com Req# 33297BREEO/AA/Drug Free (9/28)

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH ANALYST/OLN/Stamford CT: Provide ongoing support for all OLN research initiatives. 1-2 yrs industry exp and exp w/Nielsen systems preferred.Apply: http://www.olntv.com Req#37250BREEO/AA/Drug Free (9/28)

JOB OPENING: ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE/OLN & G4 for Comcast Networks/Chicago: Seeking Account Executive to sell national advertising for networks. To apply visit www.comcast.com and reference requisition #30563BR (9/28)

JOB OPENING: ACCT EXEC/GALAVISION/NY: #1 SL cable net seeks highly-motivated pro w/exc. selling/presenting/media math skills & extensive agency/client rel’s.Resume/cover [email protected] (Subj: AE) or fax to 212-953-0191 (9/28)

JOB OPENING: ASSOC. MKT MGR /DISNEY/North Hollywood, CA: Manage all community activities, retention mkting for Toontown Online MUST HAVE: 2+ yrs retention mktg, community mgmt. TO APPLY: www.disneycareers.com search JOB ID: 37369  (9/28)

JOB OPENING: EXEC ASST TO PRESIDENT OF TV PROD & DISTR CO/Burbank: Must be organized, detailed, great on the phone, computer skills. TV ad or syndi sales exp a plus, f/t, Sal + bonus  [email protected] (9/28)

JOB OPENING: MEDIA PLANNING COORD/AMC/LI: Prepare daily logs & maint on-air invent database. 2+ yrs exp w/sched & progr.Industry exp a must, Gabriel a +. res to www.cablevision.com ref # 1462BR (9/28)

JOB OPENING: PROG COORD/Current TV-SF: Support team tasked with creating and acquiring compelling, smart content for 18-34 demo. Strong work ethic, good creative sensibilities. Email [email protected] “Prog. Coord.” as subj. EOE  (9/28)

JOB OPENING: ACCT MGR LICENSING/Discovery, MD: Manage sales, mktg, product devel for HV & other. Oversee trademark & interest for new programs. BS degree, 3-5 yrs acct mgmt exp. Apply www.discovery.com Req#4428 (9/27)

JOB OPENING: INTEGRATED SALES MGR/A & E TV NETS/NY: Create integrated ideas/proposals. Execute & mng after sales. BA Mktg/Bus 2 yr exp cable sales/mktg or program mgmt. Min 5 yr mktg exp. Apply: www.aetn.com/careers.html (9/27)

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH ANALYST/National CineMedia/NY: Media research & sales support. MRI, Scarborough. Deadline-driven, fast-paced. Strong analytic, computer skills. Bach deg, 1-2yrs exp. Include salary req. [email protected] (9/27)

JOB OPENING: ACCT EXEC/PRGRM SALES/Warner Bros. Syndication/Chicago: Prior Exp Prgrm sales and/or advrtsng sales is a +. Will be selling prgrms to stations in the 2nd 100 mrkts. Email: [email protected] Ref: UCTC/67404BR (9/27)

JOB OPENING: SR. RESEARCH MGR./TURNER CORP. STRATEGIC RESEARCH/ATL: Challenging position for seasoned/talented career researcher w/ exc creative & collaborative skills in a highly professn’l environ. Strong analytic, prjct mgt & team leadership skills. Support wide-ranging corp & ntwrk bus. initiatives as a strategic advisor & partner. Opp’s for profess’l & career growth. 6+yrs TV res. exp.req’d. Resume: [email protected] (9/27)

JOB OPENING: SALES LEADER/360KID/Boston/NYC: For Children’s content & tech co. To sell dev services, build, mng & follow-up client relationships. Strong writing & proven revenue generation. Some travel. Cover/res: [email protected]  (9/27)

JOB OPENING: MANAGER MULTIMEDIA COMMUNICATIONS/NY Area: Hands-on mgr for all aspects of video, web & print. Knowledge of video production, studios and developing video and written content for web site. Resumes: [email protected] (9/27)

JOB OPENING: PUBLICIST /PGP/NY:PR professional with 5+ years TV/movie exp. needed for 4-month freelance position starting ASAP. Send resume and salary req to: [email protected] (9/27)

JOB OPENING: PROD/EDTR /BBC AMRCA/NY: Refrmt intl prgrms for domstc cable & off air vrsns. Insrt commcls & grphcs, contnt rmvl, trckng edt admin. Req: Dgree in rltd field, edtng exp. Re: [email protected] (9/24)

JOB OPENING: MGR CLIENT DEVELOPMENT/ Entertainment Research Co/LA: Aggressively build new/existing business. Proven track record 3 years mrkt resrch/related sales exp esntil. Email resume/salary history to:  [email protected] (9/24)

JOB OPENING: DIR. CLIENT DEVELOPMENT/Entertainment Research Co/ NY: Aggressively build new/existing bus.  Proven track  record + 3 yrs market research/sales experience. Email resume/salary history to:  [email protected] (9/24)

JOB OPENING: DIR OF CLIENT DEVELOPMENT/Entertainment Research Co/LA: Build new/existing bus manage op of sales team. Proven record 3 yrs mrkt resrch/related sales/mgmt exp. Email resume/salary hist  to:  [email protected] (9/24)

JOB OPENING: MGR, PARTNER APPS & COMM, AFF MRKTNG/NY: Manage key communications vehicles, including mtvn.com, to support all partners & all platforms. Apply: www.mtvncareers.com EOE (9/24)

FALL 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].

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: MEDIA COMPANY (L A): Seeks intern 10 -20hrs/wk. FAST GROWING, CREATIVE TEAM. Asst to Pres . Computer skills. Attn to detail & passion for kids. Send resume: [email protected] (9/27)

FALL INTERNSHIP/CREDITS ONLY: MEDIA COMPANY (L A): Seeks intern 15-20hrs/wk. EDITOR needed for INTERACTIVE TV Series. Logging tapes and editing . Grt opty for ground floor position. Send resume: [email protected] (9/27)

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

SITUATION WANTED: EXPERIENCED CASTING ASST/ASSC: Seeking projects in the NY area.  Hard working, enthusiatic, w/ great references.  [email protected] (9/30)

SITUATION WANTED: ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE/NY-based Nat’l TV Sales Rep w/ 10+ years exp. in both b’cast & cable looking for a dynamic network & work environment. Strengths incl. generating new biz & client service. [email protected]  (9/27)

SITUATION WANTED: CAREER TV PRODUCER/AD AGENCY OWNER LOOKING TO REINVENT. 25 YEARS EXP IN AND AROUND TV AND FILM. DESIRE A SHOW DEVELOPMENT OR SHOW PRODUCTION SITUATION.
EMAIL: [email protected] (9/27)

E-mail Trish Pihonak for rates and specs for Job Openings.

Are you looking for a job? Post your Situation Wanted Ad here — Email Trish Pihonak for specs.