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A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM COMCAST SPOTLIGHT Comcast Spotlight enables advertisers to demographically segment their markets through Adcopy. Adcopy lets you simultaneously run different commercials in the same market allowing you to talk to different people differently. And with Adcopy, advertisers can be more targeted than they could ever be on broadcast. Comcast Spotlight – Spot cable finally delivers. For more information click here. CYNTHIA TURNER’S
Good morning. It’s Thursday, April 7, 2005, and this is your first early morning briefing. Telemundo‘s top exec rung has seen a switch with President and CEO Jim McNamara stepping down and Don Browne stepping up. Don was previously COO and will now take on the daily managing of Telemundo’s broadcast, cable and studio operations and programming. With Jim’s contract expiration, he has decided to move on to pursue outside production initiatives. Don will report to Randy Falco, President of NBC Universal Television Networks Group. Last month a group of 22 Congressmen sent a letter to the Federal Trade Commission asking them to take a look at the questions surrounding Nielsen Media Research’s Local People Meters systems and various advocacy groups who suggest the system under counts minority groups. The FTC has basically said “not my table” and declined to step between the sparring partners. In a responding letter to lawmakers, the FTC said it found “no evidence that Nielsen has engaged in deceptive or unfair trade practices” nor that Nielsen has been “misrepresenting its ratings system or failing to disclose material facts about the system.” On the contrary, the FTC said it “…appears to the Commission that the self-regulatory approach is having a significant effect in attaining both extensive transparency and greater reliability in media ratings.” The letter also suggested the better arena for questions concerning Nielsen be directed to the Media Ratings Council. Not surprisingly, the Congress men and women were not happy with the response and urged the FTC to reconsider. The response from Don’t Count Us Out executive director Cynthia Jasso-Rotunno: “We are disappointed but not surprised by the FTC’s response. We remain confident that working with our allies in Congress, as well as community leaders and representatives of the media industry, we can achieve meaningful oversight of this industry.” Nielsen released a statement that read in part, “We believe the very small number of media companies who favor government regulation would do a real service to the TV industry if they’d drop their self-serving fight against Nielsen and work cooperatively with us.” Rumors abound that Byron Allen and his Entertainment Studios Corporation may put in a bid for Paxson Communications Corporation’s Paxson TV. With a supposed $2.2 billion cash offer on the table, the TV celeb/businessman’s plan is to take the struggling network and turn it into an African American-oriented network including some of the network’s current family-focused programming. The cash bid would definitely help Paxson pay off at least its $2 billion senior debt/preferred stock. ABC has renewed Alias, Boston Legal, Desperate Housewives and Lost for next year. I guess no duh in all that. Fox will air feature movies on Friday nights for seven consecutive weeks, beginning April 15. Titles/dates: April 15: Mr. Deeds; April 22: Maid in Manhattan; April 29: Spider Man; May 6: Rush Hour 2; May 13: X-Men; May 20: Shallow Hal; May 27: Me, Myself & Irene. * NEW ORDERS / DEVELOPMENT / PRODUCTION *
i.d.e.a.s. Entertainment has signed a first-look development deal with Conari Press, a deal which gives i.d.e.a.s. first dibs on Conair books/projects including Simple Pleasures and The Breakup Repair Kit. Based on the book by Marni Kamins and Janice Macleod, The Breakup Repair Kit: How to Heal Your Broken Heart is a 1/2 hour reality series. Each episode follows one person’s step-by-step healing process, featuring methods for getting over a broken heart, pulling together and getting back into life. Simple Pleasures will be a celebrity-hosted 1/2 hour series based on author Susannah Seton’s popular nine book series by the same title. * MORE GOOD STUFF *
The History Channel will launch in the first half of 2006 a special event of enormous scale titled 10 DAYS THAT CHANGED AMERICA. The 10 part is 10 days in American history as envisioned through 10 powerful documentaries that will be written, produced and directed by 10 award-winning filmmakers. Some of those 10 days will be obvious ones, and the others not so obvious. Some may illustrate a single day event; some could be a day that triggered an event. Either way, the 10 are those days that represent the broad themes that ultimately shaped America’s people, culture and history. Canadian sketch comedy series Comedy Inc. will make its US debut on Spike TV starting Monday, April 18 at 1130p. Spike has picked up the show’s first two seasons, each consisting of 26 half hour eps. This sketch and parody series stars comedian/writer Roman Danylo and co-starring Second City alumni Aurora Browne and Jen Goodhue, comedians Terry McGurrin and Winston Spear with Gavin Stephens and Jenn Robertson. Attention Royal Junkies: WE: Women’s Entertainment has acquired the exclusive rights to air the BBC1 live coverage of the Royal Wedding of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles on Saturday, April 9. Coverage begins at 7a, continuing until 1030a. WE will carry the event commercial- free and live. Encore airing is scheduled for 4p. Then a primetime wrap-up at 9p with host CBS News Correspondent Mike Brzezinski, covering the fashion, protocol, gossip and history of the day and feature footage of the event. The primetime special also includes commentary by British royal watcher and Majesty Magazine editor, Ingrid Seward and best-selling author and journalist Diane Clehane. Couple of key dates coming up for Bravo – Project Runway season finale is scheduled for May 12 at 10p; Sports Kids Moms & Dads debuts on May 31 at 11p; and Blow Out makes its return series in June. On Sunday, April 17, NBC will air a backdoor pilot called Home Intervention (aka Design Intervention) with former Trading Spaces designer Vern Yip. Scheduled to air at 7p, it is described as designer Yip rescues a family who has lost all hope, becoming nearly bankrupt in their quest to build a home. The Rutledge family are living in a house with gaping holes, no bathroom doors and no kitchen. Yip arrives with his team of contractors and builders to help Rutledge finally finish the house of their dreams. Rutledge must still do the work — but now he has a much larger team supporting him. Okay, so there’s no Disney vacation, no limos, no ‘move that bus’ dramatics, and the homeowner has to help with the work, but otherwise, this sounds pretty familiar. MTV Networks will launch MTV Overdrive, a hybrid channel that will live on broadband with VOD capabilities, on April 25, 2005. MTVO will launch will debut with advertisers including Microsoft, Procter & Gamble and Sony Pictures. Jason Hirschhorn, SVP/Digital & Media, MTVN explained the need and importance for the broadband internet outlet and its content saying, “With an incredibly high percentage of young people using broadband, it seemed essential to create a new hybrid screen with its own content to complement MTV, MTV2, MTV.com and MTV.” MTV is building a new digital media studio at its Times Square NY HQ, where much content for MTVO will be produced. MTVO will be delivered via Windows Media Video and Windows Media DRM. MTV will soon release a version of MTVO optimized for Microsoft Media Center Edition PCs, as part of the networks recently announced partnership with Microsoft. Consumers can reach MTV Overdrive via http://www.MTV.com. MTVO content described as individual ‘channels’ will include:
Top 10 Broadcast Network Programs among A18-49 for the week of 3/28-4/3/05: If you haven’t seen or heard this in its entirety yet, this is Peter Jennings’ email to staffers on Tuesday:
IAG Research’s Top Ten Most Recalled New Ads and Top Ten Most Liked New Ads for new campaigns airing during the month of March (2/28/05-3/27/05). The list is ranked by viewers’ ability to recall the new ads (or how much they like them) and their associated products and brands. The Recall Score is the percentage of TV viewers who can recall within 24 hours the brand of an ad they were exposed to during the normal course of viewing TV. The Likeability Score is the percentage of TV viewers who report to like “a lot” an ad they were exposed to during the normal course of viewing TV (among those recalling the brand of the ad). For example, with a Likeability Index of 159, the top ranked ONDCP spot has proven 59% better-liked than the average new commercial during the past four-week period. The scores are then indexed against the mean score for all ads during the time period to create the Recall Index; 100 is Average. For example, with a Recall Index of 232, the top-ranked American Online spot was more than twice as memorable as the average new ad during the four week period. Top Ten Most Liked New Ads: Top Ten Most Recalled New Ads: * EXECUTIVE MOVES *
Chris Licht is joining MSNBC’s Scarborough Country as a Senior Producer. As part of his role, Chris will coordinate daily production of the show. Chris makes the move to MSNBC from the NBC O&O in San Francisco/San Jose. Gemstar-TV Guide International, Inc. has made the following announcement about its Affiliate Sales and Marketing Group: Patrick Dodd has been named SVP/National Accounts; Betsy Brightman was upped to SVP/Sales Operations; Sharon Metz has been named VP/Affiliate Marketing; Eric Rutter was elevated to VP/National Accounts; and Dan Yokich has been promoted to VP/National Accounts. NBC Universal has promoted Jennifer Skorlich to SVP/NBC Universal Cable Publicity and Late Night Publicity for NBC. The announcement was made by Rebecca Marks, EVP/NBC Universal Television Publicity and Jeff Gaspin, President, NBC Universal Cable Entertainment & Cross Network Strategy. Skorlich will continue to be in charge of overseeing all of the company’s cable entertainment publicity Jedd Gold has been upped to VP/Marketing, DIC Entertainment, reporting to Brad Brooks, President, DIC Ent. In his new post, Gold will oversee all marketing and promotional initiatives including marketing strategies for the company’s brand properties Strawberry Shortcake and Trollz. He will be responsible for creating and executing multi-layered retail and consumer campaigns, including advertising, promotions and publicity. Additionally, Gold will oversee the production of and ongoing support for the upcoming launch of www.trollz.com . SCI FI Channel has made a number of key promotions and appointments in its marketing division. Blake Callaway joins as VP/Brand Marketing and Gunilla DeSanto has been upped to VP/Production & Project Management. Both report to Adam Stotsky, SVP/SCI FI Marketing & Creative. Additionally, Tahira Bhatti-McClure has been promoted to VP/Marketing Operations, which expands her previous duties from SCI FI Channel to include USA Network, with a dual report to Stotsky and Chris McCumber, SVP/Marketing & Creative at USA Network. Los Angeles-based entertainment production and marketing firm The Hatchery, LLC, is expanding its business and program development ranks and has created two new key positions. David Haddad has been named EVP, focusing on new business development for the company. Sean Gorman has been named VP/Program Development. Announcement of the senior-level hires was made by The Hatchery founders and Co-CEOs Margaret Loesch and Bruce Stein. Mr. Haddad will report to both executives. Mr. Gorman will report to Dan Angel, a co-founding member of and Executive Producer for The Hatchery. Carolyn Bivens, President/COO of Initiative North America, announced media services executive Richard Alcott is joining the company to lead Western region client services, as EVP/Managing Director, based in the LA office. Richard will lead the day-to-day operation of Initiative’s west coast business, with an emphasis on the group’s strategic media planning offering. He will guide strategic direction of media planning assignments and work in close collaboration with the company’s strategic and tactical assets and, where appropriate, in association with a number of Interpublic communication agencies. He reports to Rich Simms, EVP/GM, Western and Southeastern regions. * RATINGS *
Monday – A18-49 Analysis: CBS scored the winning numbers on Monday night thanks to its coverage of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship game. CBS delivered an overall 6.1/16 A18-49 based on final numbers from Nielsen Media Research. Fox was #2 for the night with a 4.0/11, followed by NBC 3.4/9, ABC 3.2/8, WB 1.2/3, UPN 1.1/3. The 8p hour was led by Fox with Nanny 911 delivering a 3.4/10 in the demo, though CBS’ back to back repeats of 2-1/2 Men was a close #2 with a 9 share. The basketball game scored an 8.7/22 A18-49 rating from 9p-1131p. 24 on Fox delivered a 4.5/11 at 9p; and Supernanny at 10p on ABC earned a 4.0/10. FINAL HOUSEHOLD RATING: Monday, April 4, 2005, for all Networks – program averages. Source: Nielsen Media Research. CBS 11.5/18 2-1/2 Men [r] 6.5/12, 2-1/2 Men [r] 7.2/12, NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship (ended 1131p) 15.0/23 FOX 6.2/10 Nanny 911 5.6/9, 24 6.7/10 ABC 5.7/9 EM:HD How’d They Do That? 4.6/8, The Bachelor 5.6/8, Supernanny 6.8/10 NBC 5.3/8 Fear Factor [r] 4.7/8, NBC Movie: Behind the Camera: the Unauthorized Story of Mork & Mindy 5.6/8 WB 2.2/3 7th Heaven [r] 2.1/3, Summerland 2.3/3 UPN 1.8/3 One on One [r] 1.7/3, Cuts [r] 1.7/3, Girlfriends [r] 2.0/3, Half & Half [r] 1.8/3 A18-49 CBS 6.1/16, Fox 4.0/11, NBC 3.4/9, ABC 3.2/8, WB 1.2/3, UPN 1.1/3 Tuesday – A18-49 Analysis: Fox led on Tuesday night among A18-49 with an overall 7.8/21, according to fast affiliate ratings from Nielsen Media Research. CBS was second for the night with a 3.5/9, followed by NBC 2.8/8, ABC 2.7/7, WB 1.2/3, UPN 1.0/3. At 8p Fox’s American Idol delivered a strong 9.6/28, dusting the competition. The closest competition came from CBS with a 2.4/7 for NCIS. At 9p a repeat of Fox’s House won the hour with a 5.9/15, though this time CBS was much closer with Amazing Race’s 4.8/12. NBC’s The Office at 930p earned a 2.9/7, holding its full demo share lead-in, something it didn’t do last week. At 10p a repeat of Law & Order: SVU was on top with a 4.0/11, while ABC’s Blind Justice and CBS’ Judging Amy tied at 3.1/8. Fast Affiliate Ratings: Monday, April 5, 2005, for all Networks – time period averages. Source: Nielsen Media Research. FOX 12.0/19 American Idol 14.3/23, House [r] 9.6/15 CBS 7.3/12 NCIS [r] 7.0/11, Amazing Race 7.6/12, Judging Amy 7.4/12 ABC 4.9/8 My Wife & Kids [r] 3.8/6, George Lopez [r] 3.6/6, According to Jim [r] 5.3/8, Rodney 5.2/8, Blind Justice 5.7/9 NBC 4.7/7 Will & Grace [r] 3.0/5, Scrubs [r] 2.7/4, Scrubs 4.0/6, The Office 4.0/6, Law & Order: SVU [r] 7.2/12 WB 2.1/3 Gilmore Girls [r] 2.2/4, The Starlet [F] 1.9/3 UPN 1.8/3 All of Us [r]1.7/3, Eve [r] 1.8/3, Veronica Mars 1.9/3 A18-49 Fox 7.8/21, CBS 3.5/9, NBC 2.8/8, ABC 2.7/7, WB 1.2/3, UPN 1.0/3 The History Channel presents This Day in History: Answer to Tuesday’s Trivia Question: On the 1990 series H.E.L.P. starring David Caruso and Wesley Snipes, what did the title acronym stand for? HARLEM EASTSIDE LIFESAVING PROGRAM. Alas, the show lasted less than a season. Kudos to: Mike Bell-WDBJ/Roanoke; Eli Bailin-Coca Cola City-Mediavest/NY; Eric Litt-WGN/Chicago; Ed Zuckerman-Crazy/LA; Aaron Paquette-OTX: Online Testing Exchange/Hollywood. A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM COURT TV
Tonight, shortly before midnight, everybody will be seeing stars…
Celebrity Justice joins the Court TV: The Investigation Channel line-up Thursdays at 11:30 p.m. e/p.Check out www.courttvmediakit.com for a whole galaxy of advertising opportunities.
Later — Cyn To subscribe, unsubscribe, or change a subscription for any Cynopsis edition: www.cynopsis.com Archived Editions: www.Cynopsis.com Cyn opsis CLASSIFIEDS — SUMMER INTERNSHIP – SCHOOL CREDIT: Food Network, NY INTERN CONS. MKTG. Summer only, for college credit only. Proactive individual interested in TV adv, mktg and promos. More info: http://jobs.scripps.com/details.html?id=4301 (4/14) JOB OPENING: ACCOUNT MANAGER, MSA/NY. Must have media industry experience, client service, business development, project management, finance, contract negotiations, and technology implementation. Resume: JOB OPENING: EMERGING MEDIA AE/ Chicago – sell advertising on comcast.net, :30 spots & VOD. 4 years media exp. More info: www.comcast.com career section, key word: 18654BR or e-mail JOB OPENING: EDITOR/WRITER, BROADBAND VOD-Scripps Networks/Knoxville. 5+ yrs exp ed. creative incl writing/editing. Familiar w/video prod; kwldg of web-based interactivity. Resume/cvr ltr: JOB OPENING: Norwalk,CT, no relo: ONLINE BUYER: all online campaigns. CABLE BUYER: sport or network &/or cable exp; STRATA A+. Mid-level Media Planner: broadcast, print,outdoor, alt. media exp. Email: JOB OPENING: SR RESEARCH ANALYST, TBS/TNT Pgming Research-ATL.3-5 yrs Nat’lTV exp; strong analytical skills, ability to interpret/position data;exc. comm skills; info www.turnerjobs.com #38452BR; Resume JOB OPENING: SR LOCAL TV MEDIA BUYER/NY Area. 5+ yrs agency exp; retail exp a +. Strong neg & comm skills; exc relationships in media community; proven ability to manage high profile accts. Resume: JOB OPENING: ON-AIR SUPERVISING PRODUCER, BBC America/NY; 5-6 yrs cbl/bcst net exp; exp w/ process/project mgmt & detailed knwldge of promo production process; resumes/salary: JOB OPENING: MGR, PROMO SCHEDULING, BBC America/NY; to develop on-air promo strategies & manage non-program air-time; 3-4 yrs exp w/ promo schedules & creating promo strategies; resume/salary: JOB OPENING: SR. RESEARCH ANALYST, MTV/VH1 – NYC. Quantitative programming research. Strong data analysis and TV research background. 2-3 yrs experience. Please apply at www.mtvncareers.com . EOE (4/13) JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR AD SALES MKTG/Hallmark Channel-NY: Direct/implement adv, direct mail, sales collateral, event related pgms. Min.7 yrs exp. See full posting at www.hallmarkchannel.com . Resumes: JOB OPENING: AFFILIATE MKTG MGR/Jericho, NY. Strategic mktg support for the Rainbow Networks affil sales dept. Client service, project mgmt, comm skills exp/skills w/knowledge of cable industry.Apply: JOB OPENING: SR. COORDINATOR AD SALES MARKETING /Hallmark Channel NY: Support day to day activities and projects. Must have min. 2 yrs exp. See full posting at www.hallmarkchannel.com . Send resumes: JOB OPENING: MGR-INT’L CONSUMER PRODUCTS (Home Video/Audio/Interactive)/NY. Day-to-day resp. for Int’l Video/Interactive/Audio Businesses. 3-4 yrs consumer prod, mktg, project mgmt, account mgmt exp req. Apply: www.mtvncareers.com. (4/12) JOB OPENING: MGR SALES PROMOTIONS – NCC, NY or LA. Seeks mktg/promo expert to dvlp strategic solutions for cable advertisers. 5+ yrs exp in mktg, sales & media pref. Travel req. Email: JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR-AD SALES/THE U, NY. Startup developing DVD mag. with 2 MM circ. seeks sales leader! 3-5 yrs ad sales,youth oriented OOH media exp. Resume/sal req: JOB OPENING: MANAGER, RESEARCH, FOX Broadcasting/NY. 4+ yrs res exp, w/cable or broadcast net. Strong analytical/strategic thinker; exc comm/writing; qual+quant ; knowledge of Nielsen, Galaxy, etc. Apply: www.foxcareers.com. (4/9) JOB OPENING: ASSOCIATE RESEARCH DIRECTOR -MediaVest/NY. Strong analytical & comm skills, knwldg of syndicated media research systems. Managerial & client mgmt exp a must. 8+ yrs needed. Resume: JOB OPENING: PRODUCER-Hand Held Kids Games/Disney Buena Vista, Glendale. 5-10 yrs exp in PC Console games; exp w/educ PC or console products; exc mgmt skills, int in kids’ products. Resume: SITUATION WANTED ADS, POSTED BY THOSE LOOKING TO BE HIRED — SITUATION WANTED: REALITY WRITER/PRODUCER:Seeks position on network/cable show. Experienced in scripted and non-scripted. Story edit/supervisory skills.Very creative. L.A./NY-based. SITUATION WANTED: NY/NJ TV PRODUCER with 11 years experience looking for TV producer job. Good person with experience on news shows, reality shows, court shows, fashion and entertainment shows. Email SITUATION WANTED: NYC-Talented SMOKE EDITOR/COMPOSITOR seeks creative Co. in TV/film post prod. Has over 11yrs exp working w/top ad agencies. Knowledge includes Avid,After Effects,Photoshop & FinalCut. Email: framefunk SITUATION WANTED: PRODUCER/AP/PROJECT MGR-NYC/LI 8+ yrs TV experience: PBS Docs, live/studio shows, field shoots, intvs, special events. Hard working, A+ references. Seeks permanent position. Avail immed. Contact: SITUATION WANTED: PRODUCTION MANAGER, LA Based with 4 years of experience and great contacts. Background in Film and TV. Email SITUATION WANTED: NYC FIELD/LINE PRODUCER/UPM. 10+ yrs exp. FOOD NETWORK, CTW, NICK, Corporate (reality, long form & commercials). Produced recent HBO pilot. Freelance OK. Contact: E-mail Are you looking for a job? Post your Situation Wanted Ad here — Email WHAT’S ON TONIGHT: APRIL 7, 2005:
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