Cynopsis: DIGITAL
04.04.13

Good morning. It’s Thursday, April 4, 2013, and this is your first early morning digital briefing.

The three best ad models for tablets are: banner to full-page rich media, pre-roll with overlay, and rich media interstitial. This is according to The Pool, a 14-month long research initiative from VivaKi that featured participation from 26 major advertisers and publishers, including Bank of America, Coca-Cola, GM, ABC Television, Crackle, Scripps, Tremor, and Yahoo. The study uncovered that the three aforementioned ad models “significantly outperformed” their respective benchmarks on at least one of three behavioral metrics (engagement rate, click-through rate, or time spent), and those who engaged with the models saw lifts on all six attitudinal metrics (unaided awareness, aided awareness, mobile ad awareness, message association, brand favorability, and purchase intent). For example, pre-rolls with an overlay, which the study determined worked best with video content (obviously), generated a 3.3% increase in time spent when compared to a traditional pre-roll video.

There is an incredible amount of data within this study. If you’re interested, VivaKi has released The Pool – The Tablet Lane app for iOS and Android devices, which will let you peruse the findings, as well as check out ad executions from participating clients, review best practices, and access other tablet market data. The app was created by Melcher Media, the producers of Al Gore’s Our Choice app.

The three winning ad models are currently available via the study’s publisher partners. VivaKi says it eventually plans to rename the models under the “Q Unit” banner, all in order to standardize and scale them (the “Q” would signify that the unit has been tested and verified by The Pool). Tentatively, banner to full-page rich media would be renamed “EBq”; pre-roll with overlay would be renamed “VOq”; and rich media interstitials would be called “FSq.”

The Weather Company (TWC) is venturing into the web programming business: The network unveiled three new original web series, all of which will debut this summer. All three are under working titles, but as of right now: Brink (launches June 3) will follow “eco-heroes” as they try to save endangered species; The Bucket List (July 1) will show viewers the most stunning natural places on Earth; and The Explorers (August 5) will profile “the world’s toughest pioneers.” Each show will feature six, two-to-four minute episodes, with all six episodes being made available on the same day. All three series are co-produced by Emmy and Peabody Award-winning producer Shawn Efran (60 Minutes) and his company, Efran Films.

More from The Weather Company: It is teaming up with Twitter to create and embed video content inside tweets using the social network’s “Video Card” technology. This means that users won’t have to leave Twitter to watch clips of local forecasts, severe weather coverage, user-generated content, or even custom branded content from TWC. Marketers will be able to sponsor the content via pre-rolls as well as tap Twitter’s Promoted Tweets product in order to target users by location, interest, device, and more.

— In other words: For marketers, this could be a great opportunity to reach an audience when there is severe weather on the horizon. Twitter’s already widely used to get up-to-the-minute news and information. If you’re pushing a product that would be relevant during a major hurricane or snowstorm, why not get it in front of users when they’re most likely to be actively following The Weather Channel’s Twitter account?

Break Media’s weekly “infotainment” series For the Win is back, and with a big name sponsor in music streaming service Spotify to boot. The new season launches today and will be available on Break’s lifestyle platform MadeMan.com as well as Made Man’s YouTube channel. The goal of the show is to “teach men on how to win at life.” Spotify’s sponsorship includes an integration in episode four, which is titled “How to Use Spotify for Your Advantage.” In addition, Break Media will also be creating a “Definitive Digital Music Guide” on MadeMan.com. In the past, Break has done similar projects for Kahlua Midnight and Revel Resort & Casino, among other advertisers.

Simple.TV, the creator of a DVR box that allows users to record broadcast TV programming and then stream it via apps for iOS, Android, and Roku devices, has raised $5.7 million from New World Ventures, according to TechCrunch. The box, which is priced at $149, enables users to record individual episodes as well as full seasons via HD antennas. The new capital however will be used toward expanding the company’s products and services. Simple.TV’s Founder and CEO Mark Ely tells TechCrunch that the company is looking to expand its video discovery and access capabilities to include cable TV programming as well as content from OTT services like Netflix and Hulu. The company also wants to partner with device manufacturers to make it possible for users to watch content from the Simple.TV apps, without needing the Simple.TV box.

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE

Cynopsis Webinar:
Leveraging Social Media and TV Ads: Best Brand Strategies
Tuesday * April 30 * 1:30-3:00p.m. ET

Moderated by: Arthur Greenwald (President, Greenwald Media, Inc. + Contributing Editor, Cynopsis Media), along with:
Seth Shapiro, New Amsterdam Media
Karie Ford, Subway
Mike Freeman, Hallmark Channel & Crown Family Network

Register here: http://www.cynopsis.com/webinars/best-brand-strategies.

Nielsen is expanding its Online Campaign Ratings (OCR) solution beyond the US and UK and into four new markets, Australia, Canada, Germany, and Italy. “These six markets represent the majority of ad dollars spent online annually,” said Steve Hasker, Nielsen’s President/Global Product Leadership, in a statement. OCR is designed to provide advertisers with audience measures in the form of reach, frequency, GRP, as well as demographic data like age and gender. Per Nielsen, the product combines traditional Nielsen TV and online panel data with aggregated and anonymous demographic info from online data providers, which include Facebook.

DG has introduced several new tools on its DG MediaMind platform to help advertisers manage multiscreen campaigns across mobile, video, and desktop. The new features are: HTML5 Factory, an authoring tool for HTML5 Rich Media ads; and Video Ad Designer, a WYSIWYG (what-you-see-is-what-you-get) tool to assemble interactive video ads compliant with DG’s IAB award-winning AdAPPter format. DG has also improved its Analytics product for video as well as its Smart Versioning solution for dynamic creative optimization.

Warner Bros. will soon form the Warner Bros. Digital Entertainment Group, a new, unified entity that will house all of the company’s digital sales operations, according to Adweek. The new Group will oversee all Warner Bros. digital properties, including Flixster.com, RottenTomatoes.com, TMZ.com, and DCComics.com. Christopher Lindquist will in charge of the Group in his new role as SVP/National Sales. “When advertisers want to reach entertainment lovers, they should think of us near the top of the list,” Lindquist told Adweek.

Ericsson is debuting its new Broadcast Services division at the NAB Show 2013 in Las Vegas this month. The division is designed to help broadcasters and content owners outsource operations related to multiscreen video delivery and media asset management. “Most broadcasters do not have the time, the scale, or the infrastructure to adapt effectively to today’s technical challenges such as media asset management, multiplatform multiscreen delivery, archiving, and disaster recovery,” said Thorsten Sauer, Head/Broadcast Services at Ericsson. “We will demonstrate how outsourcing technical and operation management is the natural answer to broadcasters’ challenges, enabling them to focus on engaging their viewers and delivering the TV experiences that consumers want.” The NAB Show begins on April 6 and runs through April 11.

If you’re attending the Discovery Upfront today, you might want to check out its new Ad Sales web app. Accessible online as well as via mobile devices, the app will let the audience follow along during the presentation, providing them with quick facts about Discovery shows and networks. The app will also enable clients and agency partners to mark their favorite programs and make notes for later review. It will be available through the year for Discovery’s clients and media-buyers, and will regularly feature updated information on Discovery shows and networks.

Tubetime has integrated Civolution’s SyncNow Ad Identification service into its companion TV app in Canada. With the integration, the Tubetime iOS app will be able to sync with on-air ads in real time, which means advertisers can tap this new capability to feed viewers additional content and promotions. Similar capabilities for Tubetime’s Android app will be available “shortly.”

Nickelodeon has named Jack Daley as its new VP/Consumer Marketing, the Nickeloden Group. Reporting to Jim Mollica, SVP/Consumer Marketing, Daley will oversee marketing strategies and ad planning for Nick series and special events. He will also lead acquisition efforts in support of Nick’s mobile app and digital gaming business.

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE

Discovery has launched Animal Planet L!ve (APL), a new 24/7 digital video service that offers live access to 11 different HD animal cameras. Available online and on select Samsung Smart TVs, the 11 different animal cams include a Puppy Cam, a Penguin Cam, a Kitten Cam, a freaking Beluga Cam (whales, people), a Pacific Reef Cam, and a Chick Cam. And for the weird ones among you, APL also has a Cockroach Cam and an Ant Cam. You can thank the Puppy Bowl and the successes of the Puppy and Kitten Cams for the launch of APL. You can also thank the internet’s unending fascination with cute animals for making this launch pretty much an inevitably. You can also thank Discovery — which I would like to do right now — because, come on, PUPPIES. APL, which also offers highlights from Animal Planet TV shows, will roll out on Roku and Xbox Live in the coming months.

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE

Later – Sahil
Sahil Patel, Associate Editor for Cynopsis Digital
04.04.13

Roberta Caploe: Editorial Director
Denise O’Connor: Group Publisher, Cynopsis Media
Diane K Schwartz: Senior Vice President, Media Communications Group

Cynopsis Ad Sales: Mike Farina | VP Sales & Marketing | 203-218-6480
Classifieds Sales: Trish Pihonak | Director of Operations & Content | 888-702-3858

To subscribe to any Cynopsis edition(s) click here.
To unsubscribe from this edition, click here.

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

JOB OPENING: SR WEB DEVELOPER/ION/WPB, FL: Web developer & strategic tech. Build/expand website Content Mgmt Systems. Manage internal & external teams. Exp 5+ yrs; coding PHP, Windows IIS, MSSQL. Apply http://goo.gl/0XyuO. EOE (4/16)

JOB OPENING: DESIGNER/HGTV & DIY/Knoxville: Develops and executes on-air design concepts for network initiatives. Min 1-2 years in a production, animation, post-production or a broadcast environment. Apply (4/11)

JOB OPENING: DIR, STRATEGIC VIDEO PROD PERF/Bethpage, NY: Drive prod imprvmnts for Optimum TV, get feedback, work w/cross-func teams. 7+ yrs bus/mgmt./eng exp, process re-eng., analytical, STB exp a +. Resume to: [email protected] (4/11)

JOB OPENING: DEVELOPMENT EXEC/NYC: For reality/non-fict TV. Extnsve rsrch for characters, subcultures, formats. Strong cast, basic shoot/edit & treatment writing. Res/Cov Ltr: [email protected] 3+ yrs exp req’d  (4/10)

JOB OPENING: DIR OF ORIGINAL PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT/INSP Network/Indian Land SC: Dvlp/maintain prgrmng plans & strategies & possess a solid understanding of the ente dvlpmnt & prod. Process. Min 5yrs of TV dvlpmnt.  Apply here. (4/10)

JOB OPENING: SALES COORDINATOR/NY: All aspects of account maintenance, liaison with ad agencies. Must be detailed/ able to multi-task. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Apply-[email protected] (4/9)

JOB OPENING: TV PRODUCERS & ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS/LA/Nationally syndicated show: Must have court and/or talk show experience. Resumes to: [email protected] (4/9)

JOB OPENING: ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE/Discovery/NY: Manage accts and develop new biz for Discovery US Hispanic in the Midwest. 5+ yrs ad sales exp. preferably in TV w/ record of success. Apply: http://bit.ly/YqQyGr (4/9)

JOB OPENING: DIGITAL RESEARCH SR. ANALYST/SCRIPPS NETWORKS/NYC: comScore/Omniture/Nielsen/Experian tools and ad effectiveness experience preferred, must be passionate about digi media. 4+ yrs exp. Apply: http://bit.ly/QMAzjc (4/9)

JOB OPENING: MGR PRMNG ACQUISITION/Cablevision/Bethpage: Resp: licensed rights mngmnt of VOD, PPV & TV Everywhere (“TVE”) products. Strong knowledge of new media technologies & evolving industry landscape. Details/apply: here (4/6)

JOB OPENING: DIR, BRCAST DIST/MundoFox/LA: Enforce all contractual obligations, conduct sales pitches, maximize ratings. Cable Distribution exp & bilingual+.- http://goo.gl/16zzy (4/6)

JOB OPENING: MGR, STRATEGIC PLANNING/NBCUniversal/NYC: Track competitive research for programming schedules. Min 1 yr management exp. Research exp preferred. Apply: www.nbcunicareers.com (9462BR) (4/6)

JOB OPENING: ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE/MLB.com/Chicago: Digital sales for Midwestern region. Must have 3-5 yrs of digital sales exp. with proven track record. Apply here. (4/6)

JOB OPENING: VP, LEGAL & BUS AFFAIRS/LA: Leading TV prod co seeking attorney to structure/manage agreements, releases, employment, negotiations. JD + 5 yrs TV/film legal experience req’d. Apply: [email protected] (4/6)

JOB OPENING: PRESS MANAGER/NBCUniversal/NYC: 5+ yrs TV publicity exp. Dev & execute PR campaigns on new show launches & returning series. Strng written & vrbl communications skills required. Apply: www.nbcunicareers.com (9371BR) (4/6)

JOB OPENING: COUNSEL, BUS & LEGAL AFF/MLBNtwrk/NJ: Strong undrstndng of legal issues related to media & IP. Strong negotiation & drafting skills.Min 3 yrs exp in legal media/entrtnmnt reqrd. JD requird. Resume: [email protected] (4/6)

JOB OPENING: MNGR TECHNICAL SERVICES/HIT/NYC: Mng team servicing all programming content for broadcast, HE, Web, IP. Knowledge of post-prod, DVD, Dubbing, HE mastering. Strong mngt and budgeting skills. Mattel/careers.com (4/6)

JOB OPENING: MGR INTEGRATED MEDIA SALES/MRN/CHI: National network advertising sales for MRN -The Voice of NASCAR, generate new biz for audio, dig., and at-track large screen video, 3-5 yrs. nat. media exp. Info/Apply: http://iscmotorsports.teamworkonline.com/teamwork/r.cfm?i=53956 (4/6)

JOB OPENING: ACCT EXEC/West Nyack/Cablevision/Local ad sales: Min 3 yrs ad sales exp. pref cable tv, radio, e-media adv.  Valid NY DL.  See full posting and apply to www.optimumjobs.net req 20467BR (4/6)

JOB OPENING: RSRCH DIR/CLNT SRVS/Media Behavior Inst/NYC: USA TouchPoints client supp. Asst agncy & netwrk clients w/insght. Incl software supp. Asst rsch, sales, & mktg. 4+ yrs exp. Agncy/netwrk/MRI exp+ Res: [email protected] (4/6)

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].

E-mail [email protected] or call Trish Pihonak at 888.702.3858 for rates and specs for Job Openings.

Are you looking for a job? Post your Situation Wanted Ad here — Email [email protected] for specs.

Copyright Cynopsis 2013

All outgoing e-mails are scanned and sent out virus free. Copyright Cynopsis 2013