Cynopsis: DIGITAL
04/29/10
Good morning, it’s Thursday, April 29, 2010, and this is your first early morning digital briefing.
Struggling smartphone maker Palm has been snapped up by computer and software giant Hewlett Packard in a cash and stock deal worth $1.2 billion. HP was attracted by Palm’s praised mobile webOS operating system and plans to utilize it to improve its line-up of connected mobile handsets and tablet devices. Palm’s current chairman and CEO Jon Rubinstein, widely criticized for Palm’s recent failings to capture more of a marketshare in the growing smartphone space, is expected to remain with the company. Both of Palm’s webOS devices, the Pre and the Pixi, were sold in the U.S. exclusively by Sprint until Verizon Wireless began offering enhanced versions in Jan.
National Geographic Digital Media is expanding its reach overseas launching an Italian-language version of nationalgeographic.com in May. The company is teaming with Gruppo Editoriale L’Espresso, publisher of the Italian edition of National Geographic magazine and distributor of Nat Geo Home Entertainment products, to create the site, which will include both translated content localized for the Italian audience and original locally produce fare. Gruppo Espresso will lead ad sales for the website and align local distribution partnerships.
FoodNetwork.com is gearing up for summer with the launch of Grilling Central on May 3, a BBQ destination site featuring menus and web exclusive videos. The Scripps site is also celebrating “Grilling Week” beginning May 30 with a number of special events including special online episodes of Food Network Challenge, Iron Chef American and Unwrapped.
Video ad network Tremor Media announced a massive $40 million round of equity financing led by Draper Fisher Jurvetson Growth Fund with participation from DFJ and Triangle Peak Partners. Tremor, which has rolled out a number of new products in the past few months including real time audience targeting and new interactive in-stream ad formats, reported reaching profitability in 2009 but sees 2010 as a “critical” moment in the development of online video.
A new exercise program created by “Body by Jake” Steinfeld’s ExerciseTV will be featured on PumpTop TV’s network of gas station video screens. A total of 10 30-second shorts outline exercise regimes in over 15 categories.
Video search engine Blinkx has added new behavioral targeting capabilities through the Blinkx “AdHoc” platform, a new system that will serve up ads in videos based on information collected in browser cookies and in ad tags embedded within videos themselves. Over time the contextual targeting system tracks video consumption patterns to help match ads with users’ interests and tastes. Advertisers can target based on nine Predefined Behavioral Profiles, or create a custom profile to reach a specific audience. The platform has run hundreds of campaigns with major brands including Coke and Microsoft during the past 3 years, according to the company.
Digital advertising technology company interCLICK unveiled an upgrade of the company’s Open Segment Manager audience targeting platform. Designed to empower agencies and marketers to apply 3rd party data on a large scale, the solution aggregates and analyzes facts across multiple data sources allowing agencies and marketers to execute on the data to achieve better results.
U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Mark Begich (D-Alaska), Al Franken (D-Minn.) and Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) joined the chorus of complaints against Facebook’s new policy changes on Tuesday. The four Senators outlined 3 areas of concern in a letter reprinted by the Washington Post:
- That users’ profile information such as current city, hometown, etc. is now publicly available through the expanded use of “connections”
- That third party advertisers will now be allowed to store data indefinitely instead of for 24 hours, as previously stipulated
- That Facebook should offer the ability for users to opt in to the site’s new “instant personalization” features rather than have to opt out
The newly restructured AOL reported a 58% drop in Q1 earnings, as net income dropped to $34.7 million from $82.7 million a year earlier. The company blamed the drop in ad sales revenue partly on reorganization efforts and the exit of some international markets. The company also announced an agreement to sell ICQ, an instant-messaging unit in Russia, Germany, Czech Republic and Israel, to Digital Sky Technologies for $187.5 million.
Top U.S. cable MSO Comcast continued to add internet and voice customers at a rapid rate during Q1 2010, helping the company increase profit by 12% during the quarter to $9.2 billion. Comcast lost 82,000 video customers in the quarter, compared with a loss of 78,000 during Q1 2009, but gained nearly 400k internet subs (ave. revenue $42.80) and 237k voice customers, (ave. bill $37.69.) The company, which continues to wait for Justice to approve its pending acquisition of NBC Universal, also reported a 24% jump in ad revenue during the quarter.
The Digital Entertainment Group announced the creation of a 3D Working Group to promote developments and standardization efforts in 3D home entertainment. The Working
Group includes representatives from DEG members Microsoft, Panasonic, Samsung, Sony, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment and Warner Home Entertainment Group. The DEG will host a special 3D Forum on June 2 in Los Angeles to hash out factors affecting 3D development, distribution and deployment over a variety of consumer electronics and IT devices.
Panasonic‘s 2010 3D Blu-ray Disc players will be the first to embed the DivX Plus HD video player, enabling full 1080p DivX video playback including user-generated HD video. Europe will have first access to the initial model later this month, with a worldwide rollout to follow.
The FCC’s proposed plan to release an AllVid specification to create an open-standard for secure home video networking could spell an end to the MPEG-based pay TV set top market we currently have in the U.S., according a new report from IMS Research. The ban would effect more than 40 million set-top box shipments and $4.7 billion worth of sales annually, but the ruling could prove to be a boon for makers of no-new-wire networking interfaces, such as Broadcom (BRCM), Entropic Communications (ENTR), CopperGate Communications.
~ GADGETS & APPS ~
The Washington Post has finally launched an iPhone app that charges users $1.99/year despite featuring ads. It features a stripped-down interface with links to top stories in news, politics, opinions and sports.
Popular game app maker I-play has licensed the Fast & Furious name from Universal for a new $2.99 iPhone racing game dubbed “Fast & Furious: Adrenaline.” It features Wi-Fi and Bluetooth multiplayer functionality and accelerometer-based steering controls.
EVP and CFO of CBS Interactive Zander Lurie has been promoted to SVP/Strategic Development for parent co. CBS Corp. Zander will oversee CBS’s “next-generation” content initiatives, including oversight of authentication and other new methods of monetizing content, reporting to Joseph Ianniello, EVP and CFO of CBS Corp.
Discovery Communications tapped cable industry veteran Glenn Oakley as EVP/Media Technology, Production and Operations, replacing John Honeycutt, who recently took a new position as head of International Business Operations for Discovery Networks International, in London. Glenn reports to Peter Liguori, COO for Discovery, and is based at the company’s global Silver Spring headquarters.
Premium music video joint venture VEVO has appointed Holly Schomann to the newly-created position of VP/Programming and Artist Relations. Formerly head of talent and label relations for SiriusXM Satellite Radio, Holly will be based in VEVO’s New York headquarters and report to GM Fred Santarpia.
Former Buzz Media ad executive Andi Poch has been named to the post of SVP/Sales for Alloy Digital, the ad network division of Alloy Media + Marketing.
San Francisco-based online media company Betawave has hired Pete Auerbach in the newly created position of SVP/Sales.
A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM THE ACADEMY OF TELEVISION ARTS & SCIENCES ™
THE TELEVISION ACADEMY HONORS
May 5, 2010
Congratulates these television programs that made a difference:
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Coup De Grace * GLEE Wheels * Grandpa, Do You Know Who I Am? With Maria Shriver * Explorer: Inside Death Row * Private Practice Nothing to Fear * Taking Chance * Unlocking Autism * Vanguard: The OxyContin Express
Help honor television with a conscience. For Tickets, click here .
Celebrity Gossip sites have proved to be one of the fastest growing, if not one of the more sordid, genres of consumer sites on the web. Sites such as TMZ (17 million monthly uniques) and Gawker (4.5 million) pride themselves in digging up dirt and catching celebs at their weakest. A former child actor named R.J. Williams, who began by producing celebrity content for cable networks, is building a thriving new business on the web by offering stars a safe haven from “gotcha” online tabloids. YoungHollywood.com gains access to stars by both building trust and promising publicists the most bang for their buck, says Williams. And that means exposure via multiple touch points including TV (YH segments are regularly picked up by the leading magazine shows) partner sites and mobile platforms, (through a BlackBerry app, an upcoming AT&T MediaMall app and a partnership with GoTV.) Audiences seem to be responding to its kinder, gentler segments with the site claiming impressive engagement numbers; R.J. says 66% of the audience watches the average YH video through to completion. The start-up, which has been producing one video segment a day, plans to increase its output dramatically this year. YoungHollywood is now shooting 7 days a week on location and within its broadcast studio located on the grounds of the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills.
A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM ROVI
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Later – Wayne
Wayne Karrfalt for Cynopsis: Digital
[email protected]
04.29.10
Cynopsis Ad Sales:
Mike Farina – Sr. Dir/Business Development & Sales – 203-218-6480 / [email protected]
Classifieds – Trish Pihonak- 203-926-9878 / [email protected]
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Cyn opsis CLASSIFIEDS – For More classifieds, visit the Cynopsis.com classifieds page here .
JOB OPENING: RSCH DIRECTOR/TLC/SS or NYC: Temp assgn wrkg @Discovery thru agency: expert in Nielsen ratings & systems. Need analysis pro to supp VP & ntwrk’s day 2 day bus. strategies. contact: [email protected] (5/6)
JOB OPENING: DIR. PRGRMNG/HGTV/NY: Mng all aspects of commiss’d shows. Maintains & evolves ongoing series. Showrunning exp req’d along w/ 6 yrs cbl nets exp in prgrm prod or mngmnt w/sig. creative input. www.scrippsnetworks.com #1584 (5/6)
JOB OPENING: FREELANCE RSRCH ANALYST/CNBC/Englewood Cliffs NJ: Anlyz ratings, traff & aud data for CNBC TV & digital. Req’d: BA, 1-2 yrs media rsrch. Nielsen Galaxy Expl, NPower, MRI, Omniture. Apply: [email protected] Sub: Rsrch Anlyst (5/6)
JOB OPENING: SR MGR MKT RESEARCH/BET/NY: Must have Mkt research/Nielsen Ratings/Cable/Media (5-7) yrs. Send resumes to [email protected] (5/6)
JOB OPENING: EXEC ASST/BET/NY:2+yrs exp.strong orgnztnl/comm skills; detail oriented w/ability to multi-task in fast-paced enviro. Exc oral/written skills. Must be proficient in PP, MS Word & Excel. Res: [email protected] (5/6)
JOB OPENING: RSRCH MGRS (2) & RSRCH ANALYSTS (2)/MediaCo/NYC: (mgrs) Lead client rsrch needs across all media. 4-7yrs exp media rsrch ind. ad agency. Exc in Nielsen, MRI & other media rsrch. Apply: www.mediacomusa.com – careers (5/6)
JOB OPENING: RESEARCH ANALYST/DISNEY ABC/CA: min 1 yrs exp in TV research, apt at Nielsen, strong written & analytical skills, college degree pref. Apply at: www.disneyabcjobs.com (ID236692) (5/5)
JOB OPENING: AD SALES ACCT MANGERS/SIRIUS XM Radio/NYC: Responsible for business development and full sales cycle acct management. Visit www.sirius.com/careers , job 5006 for detailed JD and to apply. (5/5)
JOB OPENING: VP BIZ DEV/ Music Library/NYC: 7+ yrs exp selling licensed content/audio to producers. Must know prod process & have good TV/Content rolodex. No Relo. Great oppty for growth. Resume to: [email protected] (5/5)
JOB OPENING: P/T GRAPHICS TRAFFIC COORD/NNLP/NYC: Traffic & follow-up on all assigned graphic material dist. Track rec of success in trafficking graphic materials for major nat’l media agency or print pub. Resume: [email protected] (5/5)
JOB OPENING: MGR, WORLDWIDE PROGRAM STRATEGY/DISNEY/BURBANK: Devlp program strategy, region/local. Eval launch plans. Schdule and Acquisitions. Chldrn program 2+ yrs exp Intrnatl exp a + www.disneycareers.com REQ 244015 (5/5)
JOB OPENING: SUPR VIDEO DIST/Rainbow/NYC: SuppDigital Video initiatives for multi nets. Supv meta data prod & delivery. Exp w/XML & data mngmnt. Must be detail oriented. XML Knwlg & foreign lang a + res www.cablevision.jobs 10845BR (5/5)
JOB OPENING: BIZ DVLP/TPE/LA or NYC: Exp. Sales’n Mktg specialist for dvlping new & existing biz ptnershps. Strong sales leader. Cable exp req’d. Exclnt Opportunity LA pref’d. Rez: [email protected] Click here for details. (5/4)
JOB OPENING: MGR, AD SALES MARKETING/Nat Geo Channel/DC: Manages ad sales revenue generating ideas for on-air, online, and off-air sponsorship promotions; 3+ yrs exp in ad sales mktg.To apply: www.foxcareers.com, ref FNG18920 (5/4)
JOB OPENING: COORD, PRGM PLNG & SCHED/ABC Primetime, LA. Min 2+yrs related wk exper; high detail, organized; fast-paced, team env. Top comp skills incl proficiency w/Excel & PPT a Must. Apply www.disneycareers.com , Req# 244124 (5/1)
JOB OPENING: SR MANAGER DISTRIBUTION & AFFILIATE MARKETING/Tennis Channel/Santa Monica, CA: 2-4 years experience in Cable TV Distr. Marketing background pref’d. Strong Excel/P’point. Resumes to [email protected] (5/1)
JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR, PRICING & PLANNING/The Hub/NYC: Must have pricing and inventory management exp for broadcast net and/or major cable net. Apply at http://thehub.catsone.com/careers (5/1)
JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR, CONSUMER MARKETING/The Hub/LA: Must have consumer mktg exp for broadcast net and/or major cable net. Apply at http://thehub.catsone.com/careers (5/1)
JOB OPENING: ASSOC RSRCH ANALYST/NY: Ability to interpret/position data accurately for daily Sales support.Strong attention to detail in fast paced enviro. Knwldg of Microsoft office apps/Excel. BA degree. [email protected] (4/30)
JOB OPENING: DIGITAL MARKETING MANAGER/HBO/NY: Extensive social media experience. Apply here: https://careers.timewarner.com/en/asp/tg/cim_jobdetail.asp?partnerid=391&siteid=36&AReq=117410BR&Codes=UCTC (4/30)
JOB OPENING: MGR, BIZ DEV/AMC/WEtv/NYC: Support Dir & Sales team by generating rev from targeted categories.5+ yrs of Sales/Mktg/Biz Dev exp Int Sales/Mktg a plus. Strong Res, Presentation. rez: www.cablevision.jobs ref#10898BR (4/30)
JOB OPENING: EXECUTIVE PRODUCER/Primal Screen/Atlanta: 5+ years biz dev/acct. mgmt experience in a production environment. Full description: http://primalscreen.com/executive_producer_position.html (4/30)
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] .
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: EXEC ASST DEV/PRODUCTION/PR– LA and NY -TV experience in London, print, radio & advertising in NY. Highly organized, fast learner, & great connector. FT/PT/freelance. [email protected] (5/6)
SITUATION WANTED: EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT position film/TV (NY) 7 years experience: Interned for a President, Executive Assistant to SVP/VP/film director/celebrity [email protected] (5/6)
SITUATION WANTED: DIGITAL CONTENT WRITER/COPYWRITER: Bkgrd Radio, TV, Comedy, Quiz, Contests, Trivia. Photoshp, CMS, Exp. Seeks creative environment to work & thrive! Freelance/PT only– [email protected] (5/6)
SITUATION WANTED: Dedicated & Experienced ADV. SALES PLANNER. Sales proposals, resolving client discrepancies, quarterly post analysis, special sales service projects, expert computer skills. Contact- [email protected] (5/5)
SITUATION WANTED: DIGITAL MEDIA/TECHNOLOGY/CABLE ATTORNEY Broad in-house exp incontent prod& distribution, new media, technology, cable affiliate & ad sales. Avail for project/consultant/FT. Contact [email protected] (5/4)
SITUATION WANTED: MEDIA SALES/MARKETING MANAGER/LA: 15+ years experience in educational, documentary, advertising media sales,product,biz development True Closer!!!!! [email protected] (5/4)
SITUATION WANTED: ART/CREATIVE DIRECTOR (NYC) Concept through completion. Portfolio: www.baerdavis.com Email: [email protected] (5/1)
SITUATION WANTED: Hard working, organized PRODUCTION MANAGER (NY) with Field Producing and Post Supervisor experience seeks challenging new position. Past companies include HBO, MTV, A&E, Thirteen & Nat Geo. [email protected] (5/1)
SITUATION WANTED: PRODUCER/WRITER/DIRECTOR (NY) Ultra-creative, award winning, all formats, all genres, all major networks and major cable. Fast, frugal and fun! [email protected] (5/1)
SITUATION WANTED: E-NAMES SPECIALIST: Not enough time or manpower to enter schedules? Trouble meeting re-titling deadlines? E-names/program titling expert at your service.Reasonable rates. [email protected] (5/1)
SITUATION WANTED: MEDIA PLANNING/Los Angeles Full Time/Freelance; 10+ yrs exp. Experience-General Market and Hispanic. Works independently or manages staff. Large and small agency exp. [email protected] (5/1)
SITUATION WANTED: DIRECTOR/CREATIVE DEVELOPER: Animation. Dynamic, award-winning, fun-filled, 10+ years experience. Clients include Warner Brothers, ABC Family, Nick JR, HBO Family, MTV2, The Tornante Company. [email protected] (4/30)
E-mail [email protected] or call Trish Pihonak at 203.926.9878 for rates and specs for Job Openings.
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