A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM DISNEY MEDIA SALES & MARKETING

Cynopsis: Kids!

04/17/08

Good morning. It’s Thursday, April 17, 2008, and this is your first early morning briefing.

Yip Yip!  Fans of Avatar: The Last Airbender, the Nickelodeon animated series, and M. Night Shyamalan get out your calendars.  OK, ready?  Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies will release the newly green-lit M. Night Shyamalan’s The Last Airbender, a live-action movie adaptation of the series, on Friday, July 2, 2010.  Shyamalan will direct and produce The Last Airbender from his own script.  The word “Avatar” was no doubt dropped from the feature film title to steer clear of confusion with director James Cameron 3D movie Avatar, which is set for release 8 months earlier in December 2009 and is not for kids.  Joining Shyamalan as producers on the project are Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall, Sam Mercer and Scott Aversano.  Additionally, Michael DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, creators of the animated Avatar: The Last Airbender series, wills serve as executive producers on the movie.  While Shyamalan’s movies are generally for adult audiences, The Last Airbender is targeted to moviegoers of all ages, with Shyamalan pointing to Hayao Miyazaki storytelling and movies as an inspiration.

NEW PRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT

BBC Worldwide enters into a development deal with US-based Star Farm Productions to develop the kids/teen fantasy book Kaimira into global property, including for TV, online, gaming (MMOG) and feature films.  This marks BBC Worldwide’s jump into the strategic 360-development process of multimedia properties with rights holders.  Written by Monk Ashland (a pseudonym for Chris Rettstatt, who works for Star Farm) and Nigel Ashland, the first title in the series, Kaimira: The Sky Village, Book One, will be published by Walker Books and Candlewick Press this July 2008 in the US, UK, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia.  Star Farm is already at work on kamiracode.com (currently up), a website where readers can decode information from the book, among other activities.

Blueprint Entertainment’s Blueprint Kids partners with Caring Kids TV (CKTV) to produce the preschool-targeted 2D animated educational series Doo-Its Show (26×30).  Based on the Dewey Doo-it books, by Brahm Wenger and Alan Green, the series features a mix of animation, puppets, stories, music, crafts and celebrities to provide life lessons through good deeds and role models.  Frank Saperstein, Blueprints’ SVP/Animation Children’s Programming, explains the series aims to educate by, “… empowering kids with the desire to make a difference.”  Oasis International, the distribution company of Blueprint Entertainment, will handle worldwide sales for the series; with CKTV managing the US broadcast rights.  The two companies will work together to manage worldwide ancillary products and licensing.

Stan Lee and his Pow! Entertainment, along with Brighton Partners have teamed with Rainmaker Entertainment, a producer of CG animation, to launch the new animated superhero story, Legion of 5 beginning with a series of CG animated movies.  The plan is to extend the property into electronic comics, games, merchandising as well as online and mobile content releases.  Rainmaker will develop the project and produce the feature length movie based on the Legion of 5 property, which is co-owned by Pow!, Brighton and Rainmaker.  Specifics about Legion of 5 are sketchy, so not sure just yet who the target audience is.

MORE KIDS STUFF

MTV Networks International (MTVNI) will launch Nickelodeon Poland on cable and digital on June 1, 2008.  Targeted to K2-11, the Polish-language network will feature programming content from nickelodeon as well as original local productions and acquisitions.  The network will also have a corresponding website www.nick.com.pl .  Nick shows that will air on Nickelodeon Poland including: Dora The Explorer and, Blue’s Clues, SpongeBob SquarePants, Drake and Josh, and Unfabulous, as well as The Kids’ Choice Awards.  Additionally, Nickelodeon Poland will work in tandem with Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products, which oversees an existing licensing business across the region, for Nickelodeon’s global franchises.

Animax Entertainment and Unplugged TV took the wraps off their new joint venture, Animax Unplugged ( www.animaxunplugged.com ), a Branded Entertainment division at the National Association of Broadcasters Show (NAB).  Animax Unplugged has a two-pronged goal, first to create original branded content, and secondly a focus on multi-platform distribution, including via interactive campaigns such as casual games, Facebook applications, iPhone applications, and widgets.  Not new to online branded content, including for kids, Animax Entertainment has developed and continues to support the Beanie Babies 2.0 and Ty Girlz virtual worlds.

MARKETING/LICENSING

Electronic Arts and McGraw Hill Education have been named as title sponsors of the first annual Joan Ganz Cooney Center Symposium, which will be held in NYC on May 9, 2008.  The focus of this year’s symposium is, Logging into the Playground: How Digital Media are Shaping Children’s Learning.  The Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop ( www.joanganzcooneycenter.org) is an independent, not for profit research center established to look at the role of new technologies in learning and literacy development both in and out of school.

The Game Factory will publish the first Build-A-Bear Workshop video game for Wii under a newly extended worldwide licensing deal.  Titled Build-A-Bear Workshop A Friend Fur All Seasons, the game was developed by Neko Entertainment and will be available from Q4 2008.  The game follows the release last fall 2007 of the Build-A-Bear Workshop Game for Nintendo DS.

TC Digital Games releases Zenith of the Hive Booster Series, for the Chaotic Trading Card Game, in the US and Canada this week.  Additionally, launching this weekend during New York ComiCon is the new tournament program titled Chaotic Battledrome Events. The tournament will be held at a number of conventions throughout the year.  TC Digital Games is a unit of 4Kids Entertainment.

First came posters and products featuring fish-eye lens photos of dogs and cats, and next the Artlist International will introduce Artlist Collection: The Pig.  Represented by 4Kids Entertainment, Artlist Collection: The Pig will include a range of breeds of pigs that will be featured on various products.  4Kids is in discussions now with a number of licensees in various categories including plush, publishing, giftware, homewares, bedding, melamine, and stationery. Oink.

STONE SOUP

The Sims, an Electronic Arts label, announced it has sold 100 million units of The Sims franchise worldwide.  The company calculates that the milestone could be broken down into one out of seven homes in Europe and one out of three in the US would own a The Sims product. To celebrate, The Sims invited players to visit www.thesims2.com and download a complimentary exclusive outfit for their Sims.

RATINGS

Live + Same Day Ratings Kids Cable Network Averages (000) for Tuesday, April 15, 2008, 6am-11pm, ranked by K2-11:
NICKELODEON:          K2-11 1002; K6-11 419; TWEENS 9-14 311
DISNEY CHANNEL:     K2-11   639; K6-11 361; TWEENS 9-14 319
CARTOON NETWORK: K2-11   502; K6-11 273; TWEENS 9-14 209
TOON DISNEY:           K2-11   139; K6-11   57; TWEENS 9-14   29
Source: MTVN Research from Nielsen Media Research Data

Answer to Yesterday’s Trivia Question:  Henry and June were the hosts of what late ’90s animated show featuring cartoon “shorts?” KABLAM!   Kudos to:  Jeanne Holzknecht-Animation Collective/NY; Jennifer Treuting/Brooklyn, NY; Hadley Hudson-Radar Cartoons/LA; Alex Dale-Momentum Talent & Literary Agency/Studio City, CA; Richard Quan-Imaginary Time/San Francisco; Claire Wilmut-Boomstone Animation, Inc./Ottawa

Today’s Trivia Question: Dr. Gallio, Occy, Daffney Gillfin and Dimmy Finster are just some of the characters that were found on what animated children’s series? ( 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 Cynopsis: Kids!
04.17.08

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A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM CYNOPSIS MEDIA: TOP TIER

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

JOB OPENING:  DRTV MEDIA BUYER/Chicago area: Minimum 2-3 years experience and proficiency in COREMedia, MS Office/Access required. Understanding of media planning and Nielsen a plus -. Send resume to [email protected]  (4/24)

JOB OPENING:  CONSUMER PUBLICIST/Fuse/NY: Supprt PR Dept in brand/consumer publicity efforts to gen awareness of Fuse TV. Proven track record w/ TV/Ent., lifestyle media. 2yrs. publicity exp. Rez to: [email protected] “CP” in subj (4/24)

JOB OPENING:  TRADE PUBLICIST/Fuse/NY: Supprt PR Dept in publicity efforts to gen awareness for fuse brand. Execute strategic plans and write, pitch, present & promote synergy bet MSG & Fuse. Rez to: [email protected] “TP” in subj  (4/24)

JOB OPENING: SR INFORMATION ARCHITECT/VH1.com/NYC: 5+yrs exp with product development/wireframes, project mgmt, strong comm skills, website traffic stats, VISO, Knlge of social netsites EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (4/24)

JOB OPENING: SR CLIENT ANALYST/MSA Media/NY: manage cable nets on Gabriel/other SW. Perform biz svcs, issue resolution, training, jr acct mgmt duties, prod planning. Must have tech knowledge. Send res/$ to: [email protected]   (4/24)

JOB OPENING:  DIR HR-Interactive/Major Broadcast co-Temp now-NYC – 2 perm-possible w.coast: 10yrs HR Recruitg exp TV-centric Web (social communs-games, tech staff-full project) exp  [email protected] (4/23)

JOB OPENING:   SENIOR SALES EXECUTIVE/ Invision, Inc. in mid-town NYC: Sell and deliver enterprise software w/ in the traditional media & digital advertising marketplace, please send resume to [email protected] (4/23)

JOB OPENING: SALES ASSIST/Invision, Inc. in mid-town NYC: Maintain databases, prepare demos and RFP responses, general admin., reporting, etc. please send resume and salary history to  [email protected] (4/23)

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH ASSISTANT/Sony Pictures TV:  Research & sales support, admin duties. Detail & organization. Strong computer skills. 3-5 yrs exp. Apply: www.sonypicturesjobs.com (4/23)

JOB OPENING: AE, ADVRTSNG SALES/BlogHer.com/NY: Contacts & exp. in the client & ad agency arena, incl’g planning and buying groups. Exc selling & presentation skills, able to dvlp leads for sales opps. Apply: [email protected] (4/23)

JOB OPENING: PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT MGR/LA Office of major cable company: 5 yrs+ exp Oversee & manage concepts in development, liase with internal Exec Prod & Prod Co. Apply at www.randstadjobs.com ref  0000001686  (4/23)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR, HUMAN RESOURCES/Harmonix-MTVN/Boston. 5+yrs HR Generalist exp, Strg ER exp, Strg interpersnl/org skills, Superior Customer Orientation, Exp/Knwldg of Gaming A+ EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (4/23)

JOB OPENING: ON-AIR GRAPHICS SCHEDULING COORDINATOR/(Freelance) VH1/NYC: 1+ yrs exp sked/TV, able to multi-task/detail oriented, comprehension of PTS/GABRIEL. EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply [email protected] (4/23)

JOB OPENING: AE/Fuse/NY: Sell dig media & multi-platform. Incr exst’ing clnts, gen new biz rev. Prsnt new prgm’ing, brand pos, mktg opps. Excl. interpers’l/org skills/MS Excel & PP. Send Rez to: [email protected] “AEDM” in sub (4/23)

JOB OPENING:  DIGITAL COORDINATOR/A&E Television/Stamford CT: Research & Schedule Digital Assets for websites, write promos on air bugs, 3+yrs exp online,tech comm. Apply to www.aetn.com posted as Enterprises Scheduling Coord  (4/22)

JOB OPENING:  DIR OF BOOKING/CNN/ATL: Seeking exp’d Booker to mng guest bookings & staff & provide support to all prgrms. Strong leadership exp req’d. Send res/cvr letter: [email protected]. Apply: www.turnerjobs.com , job id 98728BR  (4/22)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR, COMMUNICATIONS/ Nickelodeon/NYC: Min. 7yrs PR exp in TV, PR or media Relations; Exceptional writing skills; Strong interest in children’s TV and emerging media. EOE/M/F/D/AAP apply mtvncareers .com (4/22)

JOB OPENING:  MGR, CORPORATE COMM/ Univision/NY: BA/BS; 5+ exp in PR. Superior writing skills, media relations, project mngmnt, dev/execute pitches & mng media requests. Spanish and TV/media knwldg a plus.  [email protected]   (4/22)

JOB OPENING: DIR BIZ DEV/BBC/LA: expand production biz, increase reach of brand, negotiate deals, maintain relationships w/ execs & talent. Multi-task, innovative. Apply: http://www.recruitingcenter.net/clients/bbc/publicjobs (4/22)

JOB OPENING: DIGITAL AE/History/A&E Chicago: 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 (4/19)

JOB OPENING: VP, BUSINESS STRATEGY & DEV / LIFETIME TV/LA :  Structure deals that generate maximum revenue for Lifetime’s services (linear, new media &, potentially, mobile) Apply at: http://www.mylifetime.com/about/jobs.html (4/19)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR, DEVELOPMENT/Columbia, MD/ Retirement Living TV: Cable network catering to the 55+ demographic has immediate opening. Please visit www.rl.tv for full description (4/19)

JOB OPENING: SALES RESEARCH MANAGER/NBC UNIVERSAL/NYC:Support Sales positioning of USA and SCI FI. Knowledge of Nielsen Galaxy Explorer, NPOWER, IAG, Simmons and MRI: Excel/PPT.Apply online at www.nbcunicareers.com (#814593) (4/19)

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH ANALYST/WE TV/NY: 2+ yrs cable res exp. Support Corp, Sales, Affil, Prog & Mktg team w/data collection & analysis. Nielsen, MRI a +. Res: www.cablevision.jobs ref #5750BR (4/19)

JOB OPENING: LINE PROD/AMC TV/NY:  Mng all phases of prod for non-scripted orig prog for network (stunts, series, fests etc). 5+ yrs exp production, budgets & schedules. Res: www.cablevision.jobs ref #5824BR (4/19)

JOB OPENING: MANAGER, PRODUCTION ACCOUNTING/VoomHD: Oversee Prod Acct process. Track expense v budget, etc. BS/BA req’d. 5+ yrs exp in production env pref’d. Apply to req 5179BR at www.cablevision.jobs . (4/19)

JOB OPENING: TRAFFIC COORDINATOR/Cablevision/Norwalk, CT: 2 yrs related work exp. Process/schedule orders for Ad time. See full posting and apply to 5896BR at www.cablevision.jobs (4/19)

JOB OPENING: SR WRITER/PRODUCER, CREATIVE SERVICES/MOJOHD/NY: Conceive, Write & Produce on-air promotions, campaigns & shoots for premiere HD ntwrk. 4 yrs exp in ntwrk/agency environment req’d.  Apply to:  [email protected] (4/19)

JOB OPENING: TRAINING COORD/The Nielsen Co./NY: Training for TV clients for all Nielsen products incl’g Ad*Views,Galaxy Explorer, NPOWER and Arianna. 4 yr deg, 2+ yrs of media exp. Res: [email protected] (4/19)

JOB OPENING: DRTV MEDIA BUYER/Chicago area: Minimum 2-3 years experience and proficiency in COREMedia, MS Office/Access required. Understanding of media planning and Nielsen a plus -. Send resume to [email protected] (4/18)

JOB OPENING: VP, NEW PRODUCT STRATEGY/MTVN Digital Ops/NYC: BA/BS; 10+yrs digital advrtsng exp. Resp for strat & implementation of new ad products; manage
new product lifecycles. EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (4/18)

JOB OPENING: VP, INT, MKTG/ABC Kids/NY: Lead mrktg teams on all cross-platform proposals from creative dev through execution provide guidance/leadership on strat,ideas presentation for integ proposals  disneycareers.com Req 135965 (4/18)

JOB OPENING:  DIRECTOR, MUSIC LICENSING/Current TV/LA, CA:  Oversee & manage music licensing, clearances, libraries, incl. international negotiation & licensing.  3-5 yrs. exp.  [email protected] , www.current.com . EOE (4/18)

JOB OPENING:  SR RSRCH DIR/Ent. Rsrch Co/LA: Mng end to end custom projects, proposals, methodology, survey design, analyze data/write reports. Knwldg of ent ind & vendor exp + http://www.epollresearch.com/corp/aboutus/careers.view (4/18)

JOB OPENING:  RSRCH MGR/Ent. Research Co/LA: Mng custom/synd. rsrch. Prepare proposals, questionnaires, banner & tab specs, sample, analysis & reports. Knwldg of ent ind. + http://www.epollresearch.com/corp/aboutus/careers.view (4/18)

JOB OPENING:  EMERGING MEDIA SALES MGR/Fox/NY: Fox Broadcast Ad Sales Team. Exp w/ digital & mobile sales. Exp w/ Mediavisor and Atlas a plus. BS/BA. Please apply at www.foxcareers.com (4/18)

JOB OPENING:  FREELANCE COORD/USA Strategic Marketing: Support creation of client programs inc. sponsorships, finances, etc. 2+ yrs integrated mktg exp in TV or ad agency preferred.Resumes to [email protected] (4/19)

SPRING AND SUMMER 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 … Interested in posting your Video Resume?  Contact [email protected] for more information ….

SITUATION WANTED: An opportunity to learn how you make kids TV in the USA! Young Australian director has received funding and is looking for a kids production company in LA for 1 week unpaid work. Email: [email protected] (4/23)

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.