Cynopsis: DIGITAL
12/15/11

Good morning. It’s Thursday, December 15, 2011, and this is your first early morning digital briefing. If you would like to read this or any other Cynopsis editions online, click here.

Netflix has announced a slate of enhancements to its digital services. An update to the Netflix iPad app makes it “much more immersive and provides greater focus on [Netflix’s] growing catalogue by displaying twice as many titles than the previous interface.” In addition, the company also announced that subscribers in Latin America now have immediate access to unlimited streaming on all iOS devices, along with Apple TV. Finally, Netflix’s “Just for Kids” tab is now available on Apple TV. The tab provides easier navigation of age-appropriate titles for children ages 12 and under. The navigation on the tab is designed around characters, so when kids search for content, they can look for it via genres such as superheroes, dinosaurs, princesses, robots and more.

Sprint subscribers who are also NBA fans will be happy to know that, as part of a new multiyear marketing partnership, Sprint will offer a custom Sprint NBA Mobile app for the Android. Via the app, users will have access to in-game and post-game video highlights, radio broadcasts of every game, news, scores and stats, as well as direct access to live NBA games on ESPN via Sprint TV’s ESPN Channel. Sprint NBA Mobile will be available for Android phones by the start of the upcoming season. It will be free, with no additional costs, for any customer on the Everything Data Plan. For those looking for even more NBA content, NBA League Pass Mobile will be available for a 20% discount for Sprint customers only if purchased through the app. No financial terms were disclosed, nor any word on when an iOS version of the app will be available for Sprint customers.

NBCPolitics.com, a newly-launched digital home for NBC News’ multiplatform coverage of the upcoming U.S. election cycle, has partnered with Foursquare to reveal location data of candidates and reporters along the campaign trail. Starting in January 2012, users can track candidates’ and NBC reporters’ movement in real-time as the campaigns jump around the country. Other features on the site include videos from NBC political programs; breaking news and analysis from NBC News’ First Read political blog; an interactive map that lets users test potential electoral vote outcomes; a Voter Confidence Index that measures the public’s faith in the president at any given moment; and, of course, candidate profiles.

Regina King, star of TNT’s Southland, will serve as the social media ambassador for the 18th Screen Actors Guild Awards, which will air on TNT and TBS on Sunday, January 29. King will publish tweets and posts covering behind-the-scenes updates on presenters, fashion, rehearsals and the awards show in general, as well as providing her insights live from the red carpet before the ceremony.

The editorial staffs of CBS Local Digital Media and Examiner.com will collaborate to create original lifestyle content for local audiences. Editorial pieces from Examiner’s network of 85,000-plus contributors will be published on locally targeted CBS properties in 25 major markets across the country. Visitors will have access to local content such as “Best Of” guides and “Top Spots” lists from in-market writers beginning later this month, with plans to have all 25 sites of CBS Local’s websites feature exclusive content from Examiner’s network of contributors by the end of 1Q 2012. CBS Local Digital Media websites serve as local content hubs for all owned and operated CBS Television and Radio stations.

Sonic Notify is a new platform from NY-based digital agency Densebrain that can send sound-triggered, contextually relevant messages to a user’s mobile phone, according to a report in Adweek. Densebrain has developed “beacons” that can be attached to store shelves, or can simply overlay the audio code on an existing audio track. When consumers approach the shelf, or watch some piece of content on TV, an inaudible, high-frequency sound will automatically send messages (containing promotions, deals, etc.) to the user’s smartphone. Of course, it’s imperative that a user has downloaded an app integrated with the technology. Densebrain founder Jonathan Glanz tells Adweek that the agency is in discussions with retail chains and TV networks in regards to integrating Sonic Notify’s technological capabilities.

Content discovery platform Outbrain has closed a $35 million Series D round of funding led by Index Ventures, with additional contributions from existing investors Carmel Ventures and Lightspeed Venture Partners. This brings the start-up’s total financing amount to $64 million. The new financing will enable the company to accelerate its product and business development as it looks to expand in the online video and mobile web markets. In conjunction with the investment announcement, Index Ventures partner and former Yahoo! Europe CEO, Dominique Vidal, will join Outbrain’s Board of Directors. Outbrain’s content recommendations are viewed more than 3.5 billion times each month, generating more than 200 million clicks to various content across publisher partner sites such as CNN, Fox News, Hearst, Mashable, MSNBC, Slate and more.

Comcast Spotlight has released an iPad app promoting its I+ initiative, a local market ad platform that enables advertisers to target ads to customers of television services such as Comcast’s Xfinity, Verizon’s FiOS, AT&T’s U-verse TV and DirecTV. Available in 33 local Comcast markets, the app is designed to let users to learn more about the benefits of the I+ initiative. Features of the app include the ability for users to:

• View a “snapshot” of each market, which includes info on available network partners, market penetration opportunities and market demographics.
• Have one-click access to info on available national and regional networks via that channel’s logo.
• Take quizzes on I+ and Comcast Spotlight markets, as well as watch videos about the initiative and the app itself.

An October survey from Nielsen reveals that streaming and VOD viewing per week on game consoles is up when compared to last year. Streaming now accounts for 15% of the time spent on a PS3, 14% of Xbox 360 time and 33% of Wii time. However, even though streaming is up across the board, according to Nielsen, each console still holds a unique usage characteristic: the Xbox 360 is notable for online gaming (33% of usage), while the PS3 is most notable for DVD/Blu-ray viewing (22% of usage) and the Wii for offline gaming (55% of usage).

The Digital Video Advertising Trends study from Break Media finds that 68% of advertisers will increase the share of online display ads devoted to video advertising in 2012. 32% of advertisers who are increasing video ad spend in 2012 say the dollars will come from television budgets, while 45% indicate that non-video display budgets will be the funding source that drives increased video ad spend. Furthermore, 90% of advertisers indicate to Break Media that they plan on using video ad networks in the coming year, increasing the share of spend directed towards video ad networks from 20% to 41% of total video dollars.

According to a new report from market research and consultancy firm IMS Research, 35 million Near Field Communications-enabled phones shipped in 2011 globally. And the firm forecasts that with new market events and opportunities on the horizon, the number of NFC-enabled phones shipped will increase to 80 million by the end of 2012. IMS cites several factors in the NFC-enabled phone boom, such as the introduction of Google Wallet in the U.S.; France funding NFC in numerous cities, including Paris, Toulouse and Nice; and the launch of a “Quick Tap” contactless payment solution in the U.K. from Orange U.K. and Barclaycard. In 2012, NFC will be available at Olympic Park during the 2012 London Olympics, with Telefonica UK, Visa Europe and Samsung among the companies participating in the project.

BreakingNews has launched a new version of its iOS app that delivers breaking news stories from hundreds of sources in real-time. Aside from a new design and faster display, enhancements to the app include the ability for consumers to create custom news feeds in order to follow stories they find relevant, locate breaking news on a map to see where it is occurring and set push alerts to keep track of ongoing news items (and set-up “quiet times” to ensure that push alerts aren’t being sent when a user does not want them). News stories can also be shared on Facebook and Twitter directly from the free app.

Current TV has named Bill Hartnett as its new Executive Vice President of Marketing and John Sollecito as the network’s new Senior Vice President of Cross Platform Research. Hartnett will be responsible for Current’s marketing and brand strategy for on-air and off-air traditional and digital platforms. He will also lead marketing efforts to support Current’s advertising and affiliate sales teams. Sollecito will oversee Current TV’s research initiatives across both linear and digital channels in an effort to “define the new news consumer for the new news network.” Both men will be based in New York.

Mojiva Inc., the parent company behind mobile ad network, Mojiva, and mobile ad serving platform, Mocean Mobile, has appointed Frank O’Donnell to be its new Chief Technology Officer. O’Donnell will lead the technology team at Mojiva as they strive to expand the company’s mobile ad offerings, which includes the enhancement of Mojiva’s mobile ad serving platform, as well as developing new ad buying and monetization services for advertisers and publishers on the media network. As part of the corporate shift, current CTO and Mojiva co-founder Krish Arvapally will become Chief Innovation Officer. He will focus on building and adding new technologies into the company’s current product lineup.

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM CABLEFAX

The mtvU Against Our Will Campaign taps into a student-led movement to end modern-day slavery by providing young people with information on the issue and easy ways to take a stand against it. The campaign was launched in September 2011 at the Clinton Global Initiative annual meeting in partnership with Free the Slaves, Girls Educational and Mentoring Services and The Polaris Project. Today at noon, the website is hosting a 30-minute special streaming on-demand that will feature interviews with survivors of human trafficking and active students and roundtable discussions on the matter with students. The special will also air a couple of music videos from musicians Lil Wayne and Rise Against. When you have the time, do check the site out. Ending a serious worldwide problem starts with awareness and then action, this website enables you to do both.

Later – Sahil
Sahil Patel, Associate Reporter for Cynopsis Digital
12.15.11

Cynopsis Ad Sales:
Mike Farina – VP/Business Development & Sales – 203-218-6480 / [email protected]
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JOB OPENING: SALES ASSISTANT/LER/NY: Exp w/ Excel/Word/PowerPoint, DDS a +plus, work closely w/AE’s in all aspects of sales, Multi-tasker, Strong comm skills, Fluent in Spanish. Send resume to [email protected] (12/22)

JOB OPENING: MARKETING COORDINATOR/FOOD NETWORK/NYC: Assist 2 Marketing Managers w/all aspects of consumer/ brand partnerships marketing. 2+ yrs brand/media/entertainment industry exp req’d. Resumes: www.scrippsnetworks.com #2592 (12/22)

JOB OPENING: SOCIAL MEDIA COORD/The Hub/Burbank, CA: Temporary position. Salaried, no benefits. BA and writing samples req’d. This position will be the project coordinator for the network’s social media efforts. Apply: www.hubworld.com (12/22)

JOB OPENING: DIGITAL AE/BBC.com/NYC: Maintain/grow revenue on web/mobile proprties-BBC.com, BBC America.com, LonelyPlanet.com. 3+ yrs exp w/ client & agncy contcts. News exp, a +. www.bbcamerica.com/jobs & [email protected] (12/21)

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH DIRECTOR/SCREENVISION/NYC: 8+ yrs media exp req’d, TV pref. Exp w. MRI/Simmons, Nielsen (TV ratings, AdViews, Galaxy). Analytical, mgmt skills req’d. Prof. Excel. SPSS & (MR)Tables ideal. www.screenvision.com (12/20)

JOB OPENING: MGR-MARKETING & MEDIA/IFC /NYC: Oversee the planning and execution of consumer mkg campaigns across all platforms including On Air, Digital, OOH, Print, Radio, and Social. Resume to: [email protected] (12/20)

JOB OPENING: MANAGER/PR/TRAVELCHANNEL/NY: Develop & implement program publicity plans for programming & digital initiatives. Prior TV publicity exp. required. Full details, http://www.scrippsnetworks.com & select req 2768 (12/20)

JOB OPENING: TOP NOTCH SUPERVISING PRODUCER/EP (NYC): Proven superstar producer/exec to lead production/creative on mult web series. Starts Jan. Be highly creative, smart,level-headed. Resumes to: [email protected] (12/20)

JOB OPENING: ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE/CNBC/CHI: Responsible for revenue goals through growing existing business & developing new business. 5+ yrs exp. To apply, visit http://www.nbcunicareers.com/search_nbc/ Job# 3638BR (12/20)

JOB OPENING: AE/MSNBC & NBC NEWS/CHI: Responsible for revenue goals through servicing existing bus & developing new bus for MSNBC & NBC News. 3+ yrs exp. To apply, visit http://www.nbcunicareers.com/search_nbc/ Job# 3676BR (12/20)

JOB OPENING: SR ANALYST, NEWS RESEARCH/NY: Responsible for supporting the Research team by collecting & evaluating audience & market research data. 1+ yrs exp. To apply, visit http://www.nbcunicareers.com/search_nbc/ Job#3354BR (12/20)

JOB OPENING: SR. NEWS PRODUCER (WEEKENDS)/Westchester, NY: Excellent writing skills, supervisory and news producing experience. Res/cvr: [email protected] (12/16)

JOB OPENING: EXECUTIVE PRODUCER (NEWS)/Westchester, NY: Supervise writing, plan story selection, graphics selection, editing, production and execution of daily newscasts and special programming. Res/cvr: [email protected] (12/16)

JOB OPENING: LINE PRODUCER (NEWS)/Westchester, NY: Line and stack daily news broadcasts. Must have news experience. Res/cvr: [email protected] (12/16)

JOB OPENING: JR BROADCAST IT/TECHNICIAN/Westchester, NY: Knowledge of Windows XP/NT/2000/2003 server & workstation and troubleshoot and problem solve at the component level. Res/cvr: [email protected] (12/16)

JOB OPENING: WEB EDITOR/Westchester, NY: overnight shift posting video & maintaining content on site/social media. Final Cut Express, Drupal, HTML. Apply: [email protected] (12/16)

JOB OPENING: WEB DEVELOPER/Westchester, NY: Perform maintenance updates, troubleshooting. Database programming, XML, Java, Drupal, Adobe skills required. Resume: [email protected] (12/16)

JOB OPENING: SPONSORSHIP SALES MANAGER/Westchester, 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] (12/16)

JOB OPENING:  RADIO PRODUCER/Martha Stewart/NYC: seeking a producer for a live daily 2 hr radio show; will air M-F, 6-8PM. Involved w/all aspects of pre/post prod. https://careers.mslo.com/Pages/JobDescription.aspx?postid=317 (12/16)

JOB OPENING:  AD SALES RSRCH MGR/FOXSports.com/LA: Provide anlys & insights to FOXSports.com sales teams. Rsrch trends w/in Internet, advts’g & sports ind.BA + 3+ yrs online rsrch/mktg new media. www.foxcareers.com (12/16)

JOB OPENING:  MSN SALES MGR/FOX Sports Interactive Media/NY: ID sales opps for Fox Sports. Provide creative & op support on proposals & gen. media plans. BA/BS. 3+ yrs exp in dig. as sales exp req’d. Mgmnt exp req. www.foxcareers.com (12/16)

JOB OPENING:  SALES MANAGER OF LONG FORM/DISH Network/Denver: Responsible for selling full & part time long form avails. 3+ yrs. related exp req. Apply: [email protected]  (12/16)

JOB OPENING:  VP, CONTENT DIST/MTV/NY: Mnge selected content dist opps (new deals, renewals) from strt to finish. At least 6 yrs TV/online industry in bus dev, content distribution, strtgy, or corp dev. www.mtvnetworkscareers.com (12/16)

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]

SITUATION WANTED: SUMMER, CREDIT 2012 INTERNSHIP TV/FILM HI-ENERGY & IN-PRODUCTION CO/LA: Syracuse Newhouse: Exp: HD Camera Shooting & Prod, FCP, & PA duties. In LA 12/19-01/13 [email protected]; linkedin.com/in/aaronmwfrank, 818.569.0678 (12/22)

SITUATION WANTED: AD SALES ASSISTANT: (CHICAGO) Interned at Comcast Sports Net in Ad Sales, Works as Sales Assistant at NBCUniversal. Has B.A. from DePaul in PR/Advertising. Resume upon request. Contact [email protected] (12/22)

SITUATION WANTED: On air guest for major TV shopping network available as your PITCHMAN FOR YOUR PRODUCT(S). NY based,will travel. 38/M, clean, high energy, articulate, also host a high profile radio show. 631-415-5013 [email protected] (12/22)

SITUATION WANTED: LITERARY AGENT in the children’s market, 5+ yrs exp., interested in development position in children’s TV with studio or production co. Please contact [email protected] (12/21)

SITUATION WANTED: I’M ALL YOURS N.Y. Seeking to Assist, Currently an E.A. to Chief of Dept. 5 Yrs. work exp. B.A. Mass Comm. Contact, [email protected] (12/21)

SITUATION WANTED: EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT position film/TV (NY) 10 years experience. Interned for a President, Executive Assistant to SVP/VP/film director/celebrity [email protected] (12/20)

SITUATION WANTED: VOICE OVER ARTIST/SINGER/CT BASED:- For dynamic commercials, characters, e-learning, corporate narrations and more. Home studio. Contact [email protected]. Site: www.lailaberzins.com (12/20)

SITUATION WANTED: TOPICAL JOKE WRITER. As seen in The Onion, Huffington Post and more. Jonas Polsky writes smart, funny topical material. Contact for rates. [email protected] (12/16)

SITUATION WANTED: Jeanne Intile Burns, VOICE-OVER ARTIST/VOICE COACH, Cell: 845-721-9681, E-Mail: [email protected], Web Links: www.castingnetworks.com/jburns, http://jburns.voices.com, www.allegro-music.com, (“American Biographies”) (12/16)

SITUATION WANTED:  FIELD PRODUCER w/ ENG Vans – 35′-70′ Telescoping Mast Cams w/360′ pan-tilt control, mobile editing and live webcasting – Covered Cannes, BHFilm Fests, Red Carpets & Product Launches. [email protected]  (12/16)

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