Cynopsis: Kids!

04/02/09

Good morning. It’s Thursday, April 2, 2009, and this is your first early morning Kids briefing.

Entertainment Rights‘ (ER) principal US and UK kid-centric subsidiaries, Entertainment Rights, Big Idea and Classic Media, have been acquired by Boomerang Media, a new company set up by Eric Ellenbogen and John Engelman in partnership with private equity firm GTCR.  Ellenbogen and Engelman founded Classic Media, Inc. in 2000 and sold it to ER in 2007.  This is the first major deal for Boomerang Media, which was formed to acquire and manage intellectual property across all media.  The terms of the deal were not disclosed.  Boomerang Media and GTCR plan to invest up to $200 million in equity capital to build the franchises in its library of characters.

Disney Online inks a deal to acquire internet assets from Canadian-based Kaboose Inc. for approximately $18.4 million. The Kaboose assets, including Kaboose.com, Babyzone.com, AmazingMoms.com, Funschool.com and Zeeks.com, will be integrated into Disney Online’s line-up of web sites.  Additionally, in a separate deal, Kaboose sold its UK business, Bounty Group Ltd., to a company controlled by funds from Barclays Private Equity Ltd.

MORE KIDS STUFF

Family-targeted Discovery Familia will introduce Mundi, a new animated dragonfly character on Earth Day, April 22.  With the spirit of a five-year-old girl, Mundy will join the network’s existing character, Doki, as they take off on journeys to explore and discovery their world and environment.  Created in collaboration with Laboratoon, Mundi will be featured in interstitials on the network and online at DiscoveryFamilia.com in games and activities.  Discovery Familia is a fast growing Spanish-language cable channel that now reaches close to 2 million Cable+ Hispanic Homes nationwide.

Johnny Depp lends his voice to surfer guru Jack Kahuna Laguna on a new SpongeBob SquarePants special, SpongeBob vs. the Big One (1×30), premiering on Nickelodeon, Friday, April 17 at 8p.  The special is part of the network’s yearlong celebration of SpongeBob’s 10th anniversary.  Over at SpongeBob.com in addition to offering an instant replay of the special, the site will feature the launch the SpongeBob vs. The Big One Game of the Week and Gnarly Rip Curl, a new mini-game also based on the special, on Monday, April 13.  Additionally, viewers can grab a special code on-air that will unlock three “surfing shorts” on the site immediately following the premiere.

Disney Channel honors Earth Day (April 22) with green-themed episodes beginning Friday, April 17 -22.  On the online side, PlayhouseDisney.com launches its new Handy Manny Gets Handy with the Earth mini site, where kids can create an online garden beginning Friday, April 3.  Additionally, Disney.com will preview a new Handy Manny recycling episode from Saturday, April 11.

Playhouse Disney launched a new phone application offering customized phone messages for viewers from Special Agent Oso, a new show premiering this Saturday at 8a.  Actor Sean Astin recorded 1200 names for the personalized application, pulled from Social Security’s roster of the top names for kids 0-6 years old.  Parents can log on to PlayhouseDisney.com and register to receive personalized calls from Special Agent Oso after each new episode, or they can receive a one-time call from Special Agent Oso by texting OSO followed by their kid’s name to 347639 (DISNEY).

University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication announced the winners of the 68th Annual Peabody Awards yesterday.  The Peabody Awards will be handed out in a ceremony hosted by NBC’s Brian Williams on May 18 in New York City.  Among the 36 recipients for the best in electronic media for 2008 were two kid-targeted projects: Nickelodeon‘s animated series Avatar: The Last Air Bender; Jungle Fish a stylized slice of teen life at a competitive high school in South Korea – from the Korean Broadcasting System.

Correction: Cartoon Networks‘ upcoming live action movie, Tiger’s Apprentice, is based on the book by Laurence Yep, who will serve as executive producer/director on the project.  Jane Startz, who developed the script for the movie, will also serve as an executive producer.

MIPTV 2009

Cyber Group Studios acquires the rights for the audiovisual adaptation of Zou (ZEE), the cartoon book series published in France by l’Ecole des Loisirs.  Zou (Zee) creator, Michel Gay, will serve as artistic director on the project.  Targeted to preschoolers and parents, the series revolves around Zou, a 5-year-old zebra and her daily life and interaction with her family.

Cake Entertainment inks further deals for Fresh TV’s animated series Stoked (26×22) Canal+ and TPS Jeunesse.  Additionally, both Canal+ and TPS Jeunesse also acquire Fresh TV’s Total Drama Island and Total Drama Action. This comes on the heels of Cartoon Network USA acquiring Stoked.

MARKETING/LICENSING

Twentieth Century Fox Licensing and Merchandising and the US Postal Service (USPS) reveal plans to commemorate The Simpsons on $.44 First-Class Mail stamp this year.  Designed by series creator/executive producer, Matt Groening, the stamps will feature Home, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie Simpson.  The Simpsons animated TV series is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.  The USPS will offer a sneak peek at The Simpsons stamps on Thursday, April 9 at 8a at www.usps.com, when it will also announce the release date.

The Giddy Gander Company‘s Baby Wumbler will be featured on Sweet Mama Produce‘s watermelon bins.  Sweet Mama Produce is a grower/distributor of watermelon to East Coast supermarkets, including A&P, Price Chopper, and BiLo among others.

EXECUTIVE MOVES

MTV Networks International (MTVNI) names Steve Grieder as head of program sales, making him EVP/Nickelodeon and Program Sales, MTVNI.  In his new IPS role the fabulous Grieder will report to Pierluigi Gazzolo, COO/MTVNI as well as continuing to report to Cyma Zarghami, President/MTVN Kids & Family Group.  Grieder, who adds oversight of International Program Sales (IPS) for MTVNI to existing role with Nickelodeon, is responsible for working across all MTVN platforms and businesses to build program sales and distribution worldwide.  He is also in charge of developing new and original content in MTV Networks’ core areas for sale to third parties and oversees a team of sales executives around the world.  Cheers to you Steve!

RATINGS

Live + Same Day Ratings Kids Cable Network Averages (000) for Tuesday, March 31, 2009, 6am-11pm, ranked by K2-11:
NICKELODEON:         K2-11 1014; K6-11 437; TWEENS 9-14 290
DISNEY CHANNEL:     K2-11   772; K6-11 457; TWEENS 9-14 396
CARTOON NETWORK: K2-11   509; K6-11 335; TWEENS 9-14 225
DISNEY XD:               K2-11   160; K6-11   79; TWEENS 9-14   61
Source: MTVN Research from Nielsen Media Research Data

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Answer to Yesterday’s Trivia Question:  What show features the band Doctor Teeth and the Electric Mayhem?  THE MUPPETS  Kudos to: Danielle Larson-Hasbro/Pawtucket; Nancy Nally-WKRC/Cincinnati; Marj Kleinman-Mosaic Marj Media/Brooklyn; Ben Taylor-Hit Entertainment/NY; Tom Boyd-WGN/Chicago; LeNea Ricks/Idaho Falls; Bryan Varga-HRP/Detroit; Kurt Snibbe/Dana Point; Matthew C. Bergeron-Disney ABC Cable Networks Group/Burbank; Brook Chalmers-Cartoon Network/Burbank; Steve Clune-Disney Channel Standards & Practices/Burbank; Betsy Bozdech-Common Sense Media/San Francisco; Claire Wilmut-Boomstone Animation Inc./Ottawa; Michael Decsi-Wildeyed Pictures/Toronto

Today’s Trivia Question:  If you are Captain Horatio Huffenpuff, commander of the Leakin’ Lena, who are the two key characters you travel with?  (Email Cynthia@cynopsis.com 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.)

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A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE

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Later — Gwen
 Gwen Billings for Cynopsis Kids!
04.02.09

Cynopsis Kids Ad Sales:
Chuck Bolkcom, Pres/COO – 646-468-6180 / chuck@cynopsis.com
Classifieds – Trish Pihonak- 203-926-9878 / trish@cynopsis.com

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JOB OPENING: BRAND RESEARCH MANAGER/ DIY NETWORK/ Knoxville, TN: Develops, analyzes, & interprets research. 5 yrs exp in market research at a TV network/ studio. Nielsen exp required. www.scrippsnetworks.com, #388 (4/8)

JOB OPENING:  SR. DIR, CLIENT DVLPMNT/NY/PostHouse & Production Co.5+yrs. exp.Sales/mktg. Dvlp new/expand biz for Brdcst & Cable clients. Req’s: must have existing relationships in Brdcst & Cable Vertical.  jobs@creativebubble.com (4/4)

JOB OPENING: NTL SALES REP/ Documentary Channel/NYC: Immediate opening for Nat Sales Rep w/ deep contacts/exp. Pure commission at generous rate. Path to FT w/health bens. Emmy-winning net. Apply: NYC.AE@DocumentaryChannel.com (4/4)

JOB OPENING: ACCT EXEC/KSBI-TV/Oklahoma City/ the new THUNDER TV: Maximize relationships w/ existing clients, dvlp new bus., presentation writing, & involvement in promotional projects & commercial prod. Res: info@ksbitv.com (4/4)

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A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE

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SUMMER INTERNSHIP/CREDITS ONLY: COMEDY TALENT MANAGEMENT INTERN/NYC: Assist w/ office duties, covering shows, helping run live monthly show. For more info/submit resume, email celeste@oliviawingateartists.com  (4/9)

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SITUATION WANTED: MUSIC LICENSING (LA) 10+ Experience in Music Licensing. Clearance, Song Selection, Contracts. Resume on IMDb. Email Sean Fernald at: oranj@earthlink.net (4/9)

SITUATION WANTED: MARKETING/PROMOTIONS/Boston: Marketing/promotions professional seeks television, web marketing, social networking focused position. Experienced in international markets. Creative + will travel. mdpboston@gmail.com (4/9)

SITUATION WANTED: Fun, energetic, and media-savvy, licensed wellness/lifestyle coach looking for recurring expert spot or hosting job. View bio, reel, photos at www.jennifertumayoung.com Contact Jennifer: info@findbalanceinyou.com (4/9)

SITUATION WANTED: PROMOTIONS/COORDINATOR/ASST: Music & Ent. Industry exp. in radio & video promo at major labels. Searching for asst. position in ent.Ind.. Contact: amanda.suriani@gmail.com (4/9)

SITUATION WANTED: FREELANCE VJ: Video journalist, Creative Dir., & Preditor. New Show Development, Editing (FCP), Online Multimedia Promotions, Segment Prod, Host, Brand Mktg, Videographer. 5+ Yrs. Contact: renegadereporting@gmail.com (4/9)

SITUATION WANTED: FILM & TV EDITOR (LA): Major TV network editor would like to fill her hiatus by working on your pilot or small film/tv project. For pay only. Avid & Final Cut. Available. April 20  June 26. email: stinly@gmail.com (4/9)

SITUATION WANTED: MARKETING ANALYST (Dallas) 8+ years experience in marketing & research. Have worked with Nielsen, Scarborough, TNS and other systems, analyzing & interpreting data. For resume & more information: ateshack@yahoo.com (4/9)

SITUATION WANTED: Save my relationship! Writer with lots of TV & ad experience. But my girlfriend is acting in a Paul Rudd movie. I’m not as cute as he is. Need lit rep to take career to next level, thwart Rudd. wunderbar7000@yahoo.com (4/9)

SITUATION WANTED: STORY/FIELD PRODUCER: non-fiction magician. Reality, Docusoap, Unscripted; Docs.; Ent., Talk; 3 Emmy Noms; 12+years; LA based; will travel. ophelial@earthlink.net (4/9)

SITUATION WANTED: EXPERIENCED ASSOCIATE PRODUCER most recently with PBS seeks work at production company or network. Full-time or Freelance. cnardiello@gmail.com (4/7)

SITUATION WANTED: PRODUCER/WRITER/DIRECTOR: Network/cable exp. in reality, doc, talk, development, and acclaimed film trailers. Solid storyteller in field thru post, concept to delivery. Versatile, great attitude! longarmprd@aol.com (4/7)

SITUATION WANTED: LICENSING SHOW PR: Trades, consumer business stories, new property launches. 20 years corporate and agency consumer product/licensing experience. sara11@rcn.com (4/7)

SITUATION WANTED: Experienced Sponsorship/Events/Marketing: NYC based.4 + yrs experience in sponsorships & events at Madison Square Garden and CBS TV. Seeking FT position; immediate start. Please contact meghan.elliott@gmail.com (4/7)

SITUATION WANTED: Recent Harvard grad and FREELANCE WRITER will do pretty much anything involving words and writing them. Currently writing for a Gawker blog. Hard worker, strong writer, great bargain. (NYC) weinbloom@post.harvard.edu (4/7)

SITUATION WANTED: CONTRACT ADMINISTRATOR: 10 yrs exp.looking to work out of home office, or locally in Rochester, NY. Contact e-mail: henryrf@msn.com (4/7)

SITUATION WANTED: PROD ASST/COORDINATOR: Text bk editorial asst w/ TV & film intern exp & study; FCP, video, photo, admin, & complex coffee order skills. Great attitude & flexibility, creative problem solver, fast good work. jmr228@gmail.com (4/4)

SITUATION WANTED: Recent Harvard grad and FREELANCE WRITER will do pretty much anything involving words and writing them. Currently writing for a Gawker blog. Hard worker, strong writer, great bargain. (NYC) weinbloom@post.harvard.edu (4/4)

SITUATION WANTED: FREELANCE VIDEO EDITING (LA) Valley artist with 5 years web video experience, has MAC with Final Cut Suite. For resume and more information, email Steve Porus at sjporus@unlaccess.com (4/4)

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