Cynopsis: DIGITAL
08/11/11

Good morning, it’s Thursday, August 11, 2011, and this is your first early morning digital briefing.  If you would like to read this or any other Cynopsis edition online, click here. 
 
Digital movie service Vudu, purchased by Wal-Mart last year, is bringing its service to the iPad using a mobile-optimized website instead of a dedicated app. The move will enable Vudu to avoid paying Apple its 30% cut – becoming the first provider to directly compete with Apple’s iTunes store – but there are some sacrifices that had to be made. Movies from Disney, whose largest individual shareholder is Steve Jobs, will not be available for rental or download-to-own. Also, video delivery will be limited to standard definition.
 

 
As part of its evil plot to destroy the world, Hulu announced it will launch its first international expansion later this year – offering a localized subscription service available online and via over-the-top, mobile and tablet devices in Japan. Hulu SVP of International Johannes Larcher remarked on Japan’s high broadband, smartphone and connected-device penetration and claims that the company has already opened an office in Tokyo to prepare for the launch.
 
Top Chinese search engine Baidu announced it will shutter its Twitter-like microblogging site, Baidu Talk, later this month, presumably due to lack of interest. Competing sites Weibo and Tencent have captured a dominant share of the Chinese microblogging market, attracting 140 million and 160 million users, respectively.
 

 
SyFy‘s weekly series Haven has come up with a new way to integrate Twitter into the storyline of the show. Beginning with tomorrow night’s 10 pm episode, Viewers who follow newspaper editors Vince and Dave on Twitter (@VinceHaven, @DaveHaven) will see them interact with a mysterious Twitter user (@ColdInHaven,) who seems to have an uncanny knowledge of events. The on air show will direct viewers to check the Twitter feeds during the 7-episode arc via special promos.
 

 
Apple, officially the largest company in the world ($337 billion market capitalization) as of the close of the markets on Wed., won the first round of a legal skirmish against Samsung. A preliminary German court injunction will prevent the South Korean manufacturer from distributing its new Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet computer in all EU counties except the Netherlands. Apple is also seeking an injunction against Samsung to pull the tablet from U.S. shelves until a trial can be held.
 
The computer/gadget giant finds itself as a defendant in a new lawsuit brought by 5 of the 6 largest U.S. publishers, claiming that Apple is using its clout to illegally fix eBook prices. Hachette, Simon & Schuster, Macmillan, HarperCollins and Penguin allege that Apple has used its market power to raise prices by 30-50% above similar books published under the wholesale model.
 
FourthWall Media struck a deal with interactive communications and entertainment services provider Knology to deploy FourthWall’s EBIF platform to power Caller ID and other feature-rich  applications.
 

 
Pay TV companies have long refused to admit they are suffering from cord cutting – losing pay subscribers to streaming media options such as Netflix – but evidence to the contrary is beginning to mount. With the top 6 pay TV providers now finished reporting Q2 earnings, only DirecTV added new video subscribers. (Dish was the latest to report this week, losing 135k subs after adding 58k the previous quarter.) The reason they are leaving is less important than the defections themselves, notes Sanford C. Berstein’s Craig Moffett in a Bloomberg report. Job losses, stagnating wages, rising cable prices and new digital options are all contributing to steady losses.
 
The 2011 Beta Research Cable Network Interest Study asked a new question of its 3,759 member sample this year – which digital basic networks would be of most interest viewing on a smartphone or tablet device. Teens aged 12-17 expressed the most interest in the activity (43%), followed by adults 18-34 (39%).  This is how the top digital basic cable networks ranked:
 
Top-Ranked Digital Basic Networks – Index on interest in viewing TV on smartphone/tablet          
MTV Jams              213
Tennis Channel      211
Fuel TV                  208
PBS Kids Sprout     203
MTV Hits                197
Bloomberg TV        193
Nick Jr.                  186
Fuse                     183
Teen Nick              183
ESPNU                   182
Source: Beta Research
 
Nielsen has acquired Schaumburg, Ill-based Marketing Analytics, Inc., one of the pioneers of marketing mix modeling and a provider of analytics and advanced planning software. Nielsen is also preparing to roll out a new online TV-style ratings service next week to measure the effectiveness of online ad campaigns, per Adweek.
 

 
Budget flat-screen TV maker Vizio has released its first tablet device, an 8-inch screen Wi-Fi model based on Android’s Gingerbread operating system that is selling for the pocketbook-friendly price of $299. The tablet offers access to the Vizio Internet Apps Plus platform developed for its TVs, along with the 400k+ apps available for Android. The device ships with a 1GHz processor, 512 MB of RAM, 4GB of storage and two cameras.
 
You can follow this weekend’s PGA Championship on Turner Sports‘ PGA iOS app, sponsored by Mercedes-Benz. The PGA becomes the first major to allow fans to bring their muted smartphones on the course this year, so attending fans can utilize the app to view video highlights, receive live updates and view up-to-the minute stats.
 

 
WiMax mobile broadband provider Clearwire Corp. has promoted Erik Prusch to President and CEO, kicking interm CEO John Stanton upstairs to become Executive Chairman. The changes follow the March departure of former CEO Bill Morrow and other executives.
 
E! Entertainment Television has upped two longtime execs, Cyndi McClellan and John Najarian.  Cyndi has been promoted to President, Network Strategy and E! News and adds oversight of E! News to her purview. John, EVP and GM, Digital and Business Development, adds strategy and oversight of E! Online to his ongoing management of E!’s mobile, broadband and VOD businesses.
 
Vicki Lyon was named Managing Director, SpotXchange Asia Pacific, heading up the video ad company’s new Australian office.
 

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM WICT NY

 
Amazon has also come up with a workaround to give iPad users access to Kindle books without having to give Apple its 30% cut. The company unveiled a new HTML5 Kindle mobile app for the iPad, the free Kindle Cloud Reader, providing access to Kindle books via a web browser that works on Google’s Chrome or Macs Safari browser for the Mac, PC or iPad. It pretty much mirror’s the native Kindle app for the iPad, with a few features such as passage highlighting missing. No download or additional installation is needed. This could be the beginning of a new renaissance in browser-based apps, as in addition to doing end-around Apple’s restrictive policies, they provide media companies with quick reach to multiple devices at once without having to launch a half-a-dozen separate apps.

Later – Wayne
Wayne Karrfalt for Cynopsis: Digital
08.11.11

Cynopsis Ad Sales:
Mike Farina – VP/Business Development & Sales – 203-218-6480 / [email protected]
Classifieds – Trish Pihonak- 203-381-9096 / [email protected]

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

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

JOB OPENING: DISTRIBUTION COORD/OTF/NY: Play meaningful role in all mktg initiatives to acquire & sell prgrmng across mult platforms in the US & Canada. Content sales & admin exp prfd. Res/cover: [email protected] (8/18)

JOB OPENING: ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE/CNBC/NY: Job#2583BR Responsible for revenue goals which include growing existing business as well as developing new business. To apply, please visit http://www.nbcunicareers.com/search_nbc/ (8/17)

JOB OPENING: SOCIAL MEDIA SPLST/NEW YORK: Execute social media-driven content & consumer engagement strategies various social media platforms https://www.abso.com/jobboard/Default.aspx?JOBBOARDID=618&JobDetail=105714 (8/16)

JOB OPENING: MGR CONTRACT ADMIN/AMC NETWORKS/NYC: Ovrsee rights mgmt systm. Prep/review standard forms/agreements for prod, promo sponsrshp, events for cable channls. 5+ yr exp, bar certfd paralegl preferd. [email protected] (8/16)

JOB OPENING: PRODUCER /TV talk show/NY: TV talk show looking for seasoned talk show Producer with strong leadership qualities, 5+yrs booking ex, exc rsrch, written & verbal comm. skills. Immed start. [email protected] (8/16)

JOB OPENING: ASSOC PROD/BOOKER/TV talk show/NY: 5 yrs of strong booking exp. Book personal and breaking news stories, prep guests for shows, strong rsrch/written & comm. skills. [email protected] (8/16)

JOB OPENING: DIR, STRATEGIC RESEARCH/NY: Provide in depth analysis of TV landscape(broadcast cable & alternative platforms) focus on issues impacting media business. 7+ yr exp. http://www.nbcunicareers.com/search_nbc/ job#2017BR (8/16)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR OF NETWORK OPERATIONS/NESN/MA: Responsibilities incl leading & overseeing the dvlpmnt of: an operations mngmnt team & staff, high quality and efficient technical operations, and safety programs. www.nesn.com (8/16)

JOB OPENING: COORD, PROG PLAN/E! ( www.cegjobs.com )/LA: BS/BA deg req’d. 1 to 2 yrs prog or research exp. Fan of E! & comp to max rtgs via strat sched & anlys, work w/ mgmt to get and comm info. Resume: [email protected] (8/13)

JOB OPENING: BRDCST VIDEO AUTOMATION ENG/WRNN TV/RyeBrook NY: Strong knwldg Brdcst Auto Playout Systems. Strong IT skills must. MCP/MCSE pref’d. 2+yr hands on exp SDI-SD Dig Video & Final Cut Pro NLE Sys. Res/sal req: [email protected] (8/13)

JOB OPENING: SPONSORSHIP SALES PROFESSIONAL/WRNN-TV/Rye Brook NY: Drive new bus. Dev corp partnerships. 3-5 yrs brdcst sales mngmnt/sponsorship exp w/ a strong analytical, strategic & tactical background.Resume: [email protected] (8/13)

JOB OPENING: Dir, Strategic Mrk & Digital USA/NBCUniversal/NYC: 10 yrs mrk exp at a TV network/website with a large community; digital ad agency or client. Min 5 years in digital space. www.nbcunicareers.com (job#2562BR) (8/13)

JOB OPENING: TALENTED PRODUCERS, PA s & EDITORS/ WWE, Stamford, CT: Exp w/ editing long form programming. This is a unique oppty with a tremendous upside to work for a global entertainment juggernaut! Learn more: www.wwe.careers.com (8/12)

JOB OPENING: VP, PRIMARY RESEARCH USA/NBCUniversal/NYC: 10+ years exp in media/market research. Extensive exp in survey writing. Exp in managing project budgets. www.nbcunicareers.com (job#2545BR) (8/12)

JOB OPENING: SVP-SCHEDULING/MD: Contribute to channel’s prgm dvlpmnt initiatives; responsible for overall mngmnt of prgmmg; +12yrs of progressive, sr level prgmmg exp in major, commercial TV environment. www.discovery.com # 4364 (8/12)

JOB OPENING: VP SCHEDULING/MD: Dvlp/research/design long-term prgrm’ing & scheduling strgy; mng ntwrk relationships w/ad sls/prod/mrktg/dvlpmnt/comm/online; +8yrs exp in cable scheduling/prgrm’ing www.discovery.com # 4305 (8/12)

JOB OPENING: VP, AD SALES/Showtime/Smithsonian/NYC: Negotiate and sell adv for cable TV network and build national ad sales team. Must have 6-10 yrs of sale exp pref. for a cable network. Apply at www.sho.com (8/12)

JOB OPENING: MGR, SYSTEM SUPPORT/ABCFam/NY: Provide daily systems support & oversee software implementation & business improvement projects for ABC Family’s Sales/Research/Traffic depts. Apply @ www.disneycareers.com ID#318569 (8/12)

JOB OPENING: FULFILLMENT SPLST/NY: Negotiator between multiple parties w/end goal to fulfill orders promptly. www.aetn.com/careers.html https://secure.sterlingdirect.com/jobboard/Default.aspx?JOBBOARDID=618&JobDetail=104788 (8/12)

JOB OPENING: ANALYST/KATZ MARKETING SOLUTIONS/NYC: Researching a new position? Promote the benefits of Radio and more. To apply, visit Job Opportunities in the Career Section of www.katz-media.com (8/12)

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].

FALL INTERNSHIPS CREDITS ONLY: PR FALL INTERNSHIP/THE LIPPIN GROUP/NYC Seeking smart, creative self-starter to assist busy entertainment PR agency. Strong writing/research skills required. Resume and cover letter to [email protected] (8/18)

FALL INTERNSHIPS CREDITS ONLY: Media firm/Beijing: 40 hrs wkly. Unique/exciting media internship overseas.Includes RT flight to Beijing. Fluent Chinese reqd. Fluent English reqd. Apply: [email protected] (8/18)

FALL INTERNSHIPS CREDITS ONLY: FALL PROD INTERNS/SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE/NYC: completion of at least two yrs of college level courses related to field of interest is pref’d, good organizational skills a must. Email: [email protected] (8/18)

FALL INTERNSHIPS CREDITS ONLY:. START ASAP: RESEARCH INTERNS/TWO CATS PRODUCTIONS/NYC: Interns wanted to research and develop new TV show ideas. Please send resumes [email protected] (8/18)

FALL INTERNSHIPS CREDITS ONLY: Bergen County non-profit, Shelter Our Sister is seeking an intern (currently enrolled in school) to assist the Director of Development and PR. Hours/Days are flexible. Please send resumes to [email protected] (8/18)

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: SALES/MARKETING FALL INTERNSHIP/PLUM NTWRK/NYC:Gain practical experience in the communications industry by working with a top-notch sales & marketing team at a multi-platform media company. Resume to [email protected] (8/17)

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: Kirkstall Road Enterprises/NYC: immediately seeking interns for various departments for The Jeremy Kyle Show. Apply @ [email protected] (8/16)

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: Scholastic is looking for fall/spring interns (for credit only) to work in the CORP COMM department. The interns will work on a variety of PR and internal communications activities. Res/cover: [email protected] (8/12)

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: PRODUCER, FIELD PROD & CREATIVE WRITER: 9+ yrs exp on TV for MTV, Mun2 & others. Strong Mng, people skills, ethics, talent, artists & celebs intvs Eng/Spanish FCP, Photosh, Mini DV Cam. [email protected] 3102540131 (8/18)

SITUATION WANTED: SCRIPT DOCTOR w 16 yrs Broadcast Exec/ Story Editor can consult/edit/polish your TV or film pitch/bible/screenplay. 8500+ scripts eval’d. Credits include DeGrassi, DaVinci & Dragon Boys. Exp. w convergence [email protected] (8/18)

SITUATION WANTED: PRIME TIME EMMY DOCUMETARY. PRODUCER, DIRECTOR, WRITER in L.A. Credits: National Geo, PBS, Discovery, History CH, TLC and MSNBC. Contact email: [email protected] (8/18)

SITUATION WANTED: I’ve written a 1-hour dramedy entitled, Tree House, which is loosely based on my life story. It’s, ” A Contemporary, Edgy, Multiplatform Show “. I’m looking for studio executive assistance. [email protected]   (8/17)

SITUATION WANTED: HOST/SPOKES – Complete package personality seeks TV show/online series or corp spokes role. Exp in TV, online, radio, live. Career as life coach, motiv spkr, pub. author, producer. Email [email protected] (8/16)

SITUATION WANTED: Dedicated & Experienced ADV. SALES PLANNER/NYC: Sales proposals, resolving client discrepancies, quarterly post analysis, special sales service projects, expert computer skills. Contact- [email protected] (8/16)

SITUATION WANTED: NEED A BUDGET DONE?? LINE PROD/EIC – 10+ yrs.exp- Budgets done for all formats TV, feature, & 3D. Very accurate, Reasonable rates, fast turn around-30 days unlimited revisions. Email: [email protected] (8/16)

SITUATION WANTED: COMEDIC HOST/VJ & PRODUCER(LA)Seeking on-air position. Exp’d in dev. & writing, red carpet, studio, man on street reporting, variety & game show seg. production. StephenSeidel.Tumblr.com [email protected] (8/13)

SITUATION WANTED: Seeking ASSIST POSITION ENTERTAINMENT LAW FIRM exp/Television production background, 10+years of experience NY based. Available NOW! Please contact [email protected] or www.linkedin.com/pub/malanda-mungin/1a/9bb/4b6 (8/13)

SITUATION WANTED: Insanely Creative EDITOR/POST-PRODUCER/NY: 9+ Years experience(Avid and FCP) Credits include MTV, FUSE, PBS. Experienced in Magazine Style Prgrmmng and On-Air-Promotions. Bilingual: English/Spanish. [email protected] (8/12)

E-mail [email protected] or call Trish Pihonak at 203.381.9096 for rates and specs for Job Openings.

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

Cynopsis Media LLC
65 Lantern Road
Stratford, CT 06614
Ph: 203.381.9096
Fx: 203.386.8855

All outgoing e-mails are scanned and sent out virus free. Copyright Cynopsis 2011

To unsubscribe from just this Cynopsis Digital email, please click here.