A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM VOOM HD

Cynopsis: DIGITAL

04/03/08

Good morning, it’s Thursday, April 3, 2008, and this is your first early morning digital briefing.
 
ITunes may finally meet its match. MySpace settled its copyright spat with Universal Music Group, clearing the way for Universal to join the social network’s planned online music shop, expected to launch in the coming days. The service is positioning itself to be a one-stop-shop for music fans, offering music streaming, MP3 downloads, concert tickets, ringtones and merchandise. Participating labels Universal, Warner Bros. Music and Sony-BMG will retain a small piece of the venture, as well as a revenue share of sales.

Premiering today: An unrated version of Ridley Scott’s American Gangster kicks off NBCU’s new “Gangster Movie” VOD offering with 18 minutes of additional footage and an alternative ending.

 
NBC Digital Entertainment is preparing a bevy of new original online content to complement NBC’s new summer and fall line-up. Look for new original webisodes built around Heroes, Chuck, The Office and 30 Rock. Web original Fears, Secrets and Lies will be the division’s first user-driven interactive series, inviting users to submit their deepest, darkest secrets via video blogs which the hosts of the show and celebrity guests will play upon. New NBC shows will also feature plenty of digital extensions, including an interactive adventure game built around Crusoe and interactive mobile events synched to the live broadcast of XIII. Many of the new shows will be streamed in their entirety on NBC.com.

Don’t forget to check out the 8-minute catch up reel of Battlestar Galactica on SciFi.com before the final season begins on Sc Fi on Friday night at 10 pm ET. It’s inspired, of course, by the 7 minute Sopranos.

Environmental journalist Simran Sethi, host of Sundance Channel’s multiplatform The Green initiative, has created a new web series set to launch on Earth Day (April 22) called The Good Fight, muckraking into local environmental issues. Also look for digital tie-ins to the new Elton John/Elvis Costello series Spectacle: Elvis Costello with …, including a partnership with Product RED to raise awareness and funds for The Global Fund.

Verizon Wireless added a couple of new MTVN networks to its on demand V Cast mobile video service – video game-themed GameTrailers and tween targeted The N. GameTrailers features video game trailers, interviews and reviews of new games. The N channel offers clips of shows such as Degrassi and Instant Star. MTVN streamed more than 26 million on demand videos to V Cast video customers in 2007, according to Verizon.

Verizon also picked up a TMZ TV offering, featuring commercial free video segments from the WBTG’s syndicated TMZ show.

Web-enabled mobile phone users can enjoy a much improved TV Guide WAP site this week, designed to bring many of the customizable features and much of the editorial content from TV Guide.com to mobile handsets. Highlights include breaking news, show previews and recaps of shows set by the users.

Program Partners’ Merv Griffin’s Crosswords was one of 5 new casual games released by EA Mobile yesterday, along with two games tied to EA’s The Sims franchise and mobile versions of Monopoly and Yahtzee. Crosswords also has trio of online games at Crosswords.tv, not to mention a Crosswords app on Facebook.

Gospel Music Channel will relaunch its VOD service on April 7 featuring new category titles and a more streamlined interface. GMC is also planning to launch a HD VOD channel in May.

Jessica Rose, no doubt lonely since her stint as LonelyGirl15 ended, landed another acting gig on a web thriller on the way from 60Frames called Blood Cell. It looks like what the Blair Witch Project might have been if David Cronenberg directed it.

DailyMotion is out to superserve cinema buffs with a new section of film-related content. Cinema Dailymotion features full-length indie films and documentaries, clips, interviews, trailers and related content from partners including Magnolia Pictures, IFC Films, Film Independent and Strand Releasing.

Social Networking community RiverWild is greening up its act with a selection of best-of-web environmental content including top-rated videos, award-winning games and articles from some of the web’s more talented writers, bloggers, photographers, videographers and filmmakers.

Revision3 will host the popular Diggnation web show live from The Next Web Conference in Amsterdam today at 12 noon ET and 9 a.m. PT. The question is will the Digg guys do more than swill beer this time?
       

 
Finally-a fast connection. Comcast rolls out its first DOCSIS 3.0 “wideband” internet service this week in Minneapolis-St. Paul, offering download speeds of up to 50 Mbps and uploads of 5 Mbps. A wideband connection requires a fatter wallet, however. It’s priced at $150/month. Comcast is offering lesser speeds in the market for less: 8 Mbps down runs $53/mo. and 6 Mbps down goes for $43/mo.

Yahoo unveiled a souped-up version of its mobile search service, speeding up text searches with improved relevancy results. The new oneSearch feature, now adopted by 29 carriers worldwide, also adds predictive text completion, contextual recommendations and personalized voice-enacted search, powered by voice recognition specialist Vlingo. Vlingo received a second round of funding this week led by Yahoo to go along with the deal.
 

Starcom USA conducted what may be considered the first HD Upfront, structuring a series of deals with Discovery HD Networks, HDNet, HDNet Movies and Universal HD tied to second-by-second measurement data from DirecTV and Charter set top boxes in LA.

CBS benefited from Nielsen’s new out-of-home measurement tracking service during the first rounds of the NCAA tournament, according to Ad Age, showing ratings 23% higher than the overnight figures in one instance. This should help make up for downward trend in the tourney’s conventional household ratings.
 

 
Bravo Media created a new high-level digital executive position, promoting Lisa Hsia to SVP/New Media and Digital Strategy. Lisa will continue to oversee Bravo’s new media team (including online, wireless, iTV, games, electronic sell-through and VOD) and add digital strategy and partnerships to her purview. Lisa reports directly to Bravo/Oxygen President Lauren Zalaznick.

Google will lay off about 300 people from the U.S. offices of DoubleClick, the first sizable job cuts in the company’s history.

A host of tech luminaries were inducted into the CEA hall of fame yesterday, including PlayStation founder Ken Kutaragi, DVD godfather Warren Lieberfarb and Dean Dunlavey, the late trial lawyer who successfully argued Sony’s Betamax case before the Supreme Court, establishing the fair use practice the home video business was built upon.

Forbes.com tapped Lawrence Kaplan as VP & Managing Director of the sites ForbesTraveler.com and ForbesAutos.com. He will oversee sales, marketing and promotion worldwide.

Broadband touchscreen media network Ecast added Erin Sullivan to head up its Los Angeles Sales office.

Jumpstar Automotive Media upped Joe Kyriakoza to VP/National Ad Solutions. The newly created position includes direction of national sales and product strategy.
 

Online video search provider Blinkx launched the umpteeth online P2P TV platform Blinkx Broadband TV. The service requires a client player to be downloaded to your desktop, a la the underwhelming Joost, which only works with Windows machines. Blinkx hopes the software’s ability to read the show’s transcript or search the net for related content while watching shows (such as actor bios) will help set it apart from competitors. The content looks thin so far, but the concept is interesting. There is certainly work to be done in this department to fulfill the promise of a truly interactive web TV experience.

Later — Wayne
Wayne Karrfalt for Cynopsis: Digital
04.03.08

Cynopsis Digital Ad Sales: Jason Cesare 732-718-0629 / [email protected]
Classifieds – Trish Pihonak- 203-926-9878 / [email protected]

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A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM CYNOPSIS MEDIA: TOP TIER

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

JOB OPENING: SR PRODUCER/ABC Family: Degree, 3+ yrs exp. in internet advertising / sponsorship campaigns, strong web technology exp.Visit: www.disneycareers.com (Req ID 149630) (4/10)

JOB OPENING:  DIRECTOR, POST PRODUCTION-CURRENT TV (SF/LA, CA) www.current.com:  Will oversee all aspects of post-production workflow and manage team of post supervisors, editors, & others. 5 yrs exp. [email protected] EOE (4/10)

JOB OPENING:  LOCAL AD SALES PERSON/MANAGER/NYC based media company: local visitors’ television network and website. Min. of 3 years experience and local ad contacts required.Send resume & cover letter to [email protected] (4/10)

JOB OPENING:  DR SALES COORDINATOR/New York, NY-GSN/ The Network for Games: Rep to VP Sales Op & DR AE for Ad Sales. Good Com/detail req.Send Res/Cov Letter:  [email protected]

JOB OPENING:  (2) MEDIA SALES PLANNERS/AMC/WE/NYC: Rainbow is growing! 2-4 yrs cable TV experience. Must have excellent analytical, research, verbal& presentation skills. Gabriel exp pref. Res to www.cablevision.jobs #5680BR/5681BR

JOB OPENING: ONLINE, PRODUCER, HEALTH CENTERS/Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Creates and package online content. Please apply at www.nbcunicareers.com reference job number 810271 (4/8)

JOB OPENING: ONLINE PRODUCER, DIET, FITNESS & WELLNESS/Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Writes, edits, and coordinates online content. Please apply at www.nbcunicareers.com reference job number 810273 (4/8)

JOB OPENING: AVID EDITOR/Versus/PHL: To view full job description please use this link – http://track.jobviper.com/ViewJob.asp?id=496382-1576-6861 (4/8)

JOB OPENING: TRADE PUBLICIST/Fuse/NY:   Supprt PR Dept in trade/business publicity efforts to gen awareness of Fuse offerings. Proven track record w/ trade media. Min 2-3 yr publicity exp. Rez to: [email protected] “TP” in subj (4/8)

JOB OPENING: TEMP (6 WKS) RATINGS ANALYST/Starz Entertainment/Englewood, CO:  Ad hoc analysis Nielsen MarketBreaks, Npower.1 yr with Nielsen natl ratings, 6 mo exp Nielsen MarketBreaks, Nielsen Npower. Fax resume to: 720.852.5891 (4/8)

JOB OPENING: MEDIA PLNER/ASSIST TO CEO/PRES/DYNAMIC NYC MEDIA BUYING/PLANNING AGENCY specializing in kids advertising:  Media Knowledge a must.Excel/Powerpoint skills preferred. Contact: [email protected]   (4/8)

JOB OPENING: TRAFFIC/CLEARANCE/DYNAMIC NYC MEDIA BUYING/PLANNING AGENCY: Handle all client commercial clearances & TV trafficking to networks. 1yr exp a plus, however, college applicants welcome. Contact: [email protected] (4/8)

JOB OPENING: SVP STRATEGIC RESEARCH/Disney*ABC Dom TV/Burbank: 10 yrs broad-based TV exp + 7+ yrs mgmt; leading edge exec w/proven ability to assess media trends/developments. APPLY www.disneycareers.com Req #137377  (4/5)

JOB OPENING: VP, PROMOTION MARKETING/Comedy Central/NYC: Min 8 yrs exp. promotion marketing at a television network/advertising agency; BA/BS, strong PC skills. EOE/M/F/D/AAP apply at www.mtvncareers.com (4/5)

JOB OPENING: DIGITAL RESEARCH MNGR/Bravo/Oxygen: Lead research analysis across Bravo/Oxygen properties. BA, Min 3 yrs exp, proficiency in Omniture & Media Metrix pref. Apply: www.nbcunicareers.com (job#812391) (4/5)

JOB OPENING: MGR- AFFILIATE AD SALES & DISTR. MKTG/LIFETIME TV:  Seeking creative thinker to manage projects that support the distribution efforts for Lifetime/ Apply at: http://www.lifetimetv.com/about/jobs.html (4/5)

JOB OPENING: ADMIN ASST/Hallmark Channel/LA: Support SVP Network Program Publicity. 2 yrs.  admin/exec. experience in TV publicity. See full posting and apply at www.hallmarkchannel.com (4/5)

JOB OPENING: MGR, AD SALES PLANNING/AETN/NY: Work to maximize rev across AETN through inventory mgmt, pricing & stewardship. Min 2 yrs ad sales cable exp as planner or in inventory/pricing group. Apply: www.aetn.com/careers.html (4/5)

JOB OPENING: ACCT EXEC, DIGITAL MEDIA/(WNBC NYC): 2+yrs Online Ad sales exp. Strong sales, presenting, negot. skills. Creative thinker who can sell on both local& nat’l level as well as online agencies. Post to: www.nbcunicareers.com job# 798183   (4/5)

JOB OPENING:  VP PROD & PACKAGING, WE tv/NY: Cable ntwrk noted for creating unique content for women seeks top creative, exp’d prod. exec. to dvlp all orig series, specials, pckgng & pilots.Resume: [email protected] (4/5)

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)

JOB OPENING:  ACCT EXEC/ BENNETT GROUP/LA:  RESPONSIBLE FOR BOOKING HI-DEF Mobile Prod System.  Strong comm. skills, live HD TV prod knwldg a must. Proven track record in prod sales. Res: [email protected]  (4/4)

JOB OPENING:  MKTG MGR/BBC/RI: Dvlp mrktng campaigns & strat, analyze mrkt, price trends, cr8 trade prod catalog. Track success campaigns to sales goals of company. 3-5 yrs exp. Apply: www.bbcamerica.com/employmnent.jsp (4/4)

JOB OPENING:  SR AR ADMIN/BBC/NYC: process invoices, mng cred contrl. Cash collectns/cred cntrl for ad sales of bbc.com. minimize debt outstanding. Attn detail, comm skilz. SAP. Apply: www.bbcamerica.com/employment.jsp (4/4)

JOB OPENING:  SR PUB MGR/BBC/NYC: Wrk w/ media contacts & talent to max chnl exposure. Cr8 campaigns to supprt BBCA & BBC.com. manage messge to consumers. Exp w/ online campaigns. Apply: www.bbcamerica.com/employment.jsp (4/4)

JOB OPENING:  DIG RSRCH MGR/BBC/NYC: maintain rsrch sls system, compile estimates, cr8 sales presentations. Track performance, monitor mrkt & industry trend. Comm w/ rsrch vendors. Apply: www.bbcamerica.com/employment.jsp (4/4)

JOB OPENING:  NTWRK OPPS COORD/BBC/MD: Coord BBCA trffc & ntwrk ops. Trfc logs, monitor transmission logs & delivery. Verify delivery sched materl. 1-2 yrs exp. Apply: http://www.recruitingcenter.net/clients/bbc/publicjobs (4/4)

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: SR. PRODUCER/WRITER/FIELD DIRECTOR: 3 Emmy Noms; 12 yrs exp.; NBC, Discovery, E!, CMT, TLC, VH-1; Reality, Entertainment, Documentary, Talk; LA based; will Travel. [email protected]  (4/10)

SITUATION WANTED: QUALITATIVE PROJECT MANAGER/DIRECTOR: 10 years exp. qualitative. Superior media researcher, writer (qual. textbook, book chapters, PowerPoint), Compelling verbal presentations.  [email protected]  (4/8)

SITUATION WANTED:  DIRECTOR/PRODUCER: 5 years exp. writing, producing & directing. Specializing in Promos, Short form, New Media: Virals, and Music Videos [email protected] (4/4)

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.