Cynopsis: Kids!
12/13/07
Good morning. It’s Thursday, December 13, 2007, and this is your first early morning briefing.
Ofcom, basically the UK’s version of the FCC, has released its new guidelines for kids TV programming, specifically defined as those shows produced for viewers 18-years and under. Following research conducted with parents, kids and experts, Ofcom guidelines reflect a major concern about game-type shows and segments in which kid participants must perform and might lose. Ofcom wants producers to make clear to kids and their families that they might lose, as well as explaining they should pay close attention to the related emotional angst and stresses of performing and the various issues that go with that. Ofcom goes as far as to suggest that it may be useful to consult a child counselor or psychologist for advice, specifically for dealing with participants and their parents/guardians to make sure they understand the likely outcomes and related positives/negatives. The report comes after a number of high-profile game-related debacles in kids programming in the UK this year. Ofcom guideline recommendations to producers and broadcasters of kid-targeted programming to comply with the existing Broadcasting Code rules also include:
- Development of clear guidelines for production staff working with those under eighteen;
- Appropriate background checks on a participant’s social, family, health and educational circumstances and a thorough risk assessment if necessary;
- Where practicable, ensuring there is a single, consistent point of contact with whom the participant is able to liaise throughout the production to oversee the child’s welfare; and
- Careful consideration of the program format and its likely impact on the participant is recommended. For instance, springing high impact surprises on under eighteens in ‘live’ or ‘as live’ programs where conflict or highly emotional situations may be involved, could cause harm and/or distress. Similarly, in genres which involve young children in competition with others, performance anxieties and pressure to succeed may be issues.
UK-based indie TV producer, Impossible Pictures, expands its scope with the acquisition of the animation company, Firestep. With Firestep, Impossible Pictures will look to new opportunities including producing for the kid’s market, as well as exploring new approaches to both factual and dramatic programming. Firestep was founded by Steve Maher and Jonathan Doyle, which is best known for its work on The Infinite Quest, an animated Doctor Who series for the BBC. Maher and Doyle will both remain with the company
MORE KIDS STUFF
High School Musical: The Music In You, the half-hour documentary special produced by filmmaker Barbara Kopple (Harlan County, USA, American Dream) premieres, in association with The NAMM Foundation, on Sunday, January 20 at 8p on Disney Channel. The special follows the real experiences of a Fort Worth, Texas youth theater company, H2O Theater Company, as they audition, rehearse, develop relationships and ultimately put on their version of High School Musical: On Stage. The special culminates with opening night of their show. Since October 2007, Disney Channel has been airing a series of 12 interstitials that follow the preparation of the production since October 2007. The H2O production is presented in cooperation with Musical Theatre International and Disney Theatrical Productions. Produced and directed by Kopple, High School Musical: The Music In You is a production of Cabin Creek Films.
MTV Networks and AOL teamed to offer show clips from MTVN’s various channels, including kids and family content, for free via AOL Video (video.aol.com). From later this week, consumers will be able to view short-form video from, Nickelodeon, The N, MTV, MTV2, and Comedy Central among others. Nick content available includes iCarly, SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer, with content from The N’s shows Degrassi and Instant Star also viewable. Through AOL Video, users can find participating MTVN content, which will be viewable through MTVN’s broadband video player embedded on AOL pages.
Cake Distribution has inks a new deal for the animated kids series Skunk Fu (52×13) with Disney Channel Latin America. Created by Aidan Harte, Skunk Fu! is co-produced by Cartoon Saloon, Cake Entertainment and Telegael for TG4 (Ireland) and super RTL (Germany). Under a group of recent deals completed by Cake, the series will be available in Australia, Asia, Africa, Europe and North America.
Granada International prepares to head for NATPE next month where it will showcase a range of programs including those for kids and families including:
- The TV movie My Boy Jack (95 min), starring Daniel Radcliffe, is described as an intense family drama. Based on the true story of author Rudyard Kipling’s son Jack, the movie is co-production of Ecosse Films, WGBH Boston and Ingenious Broadcasting for ITV in association with Octagon Films and Granada International.
- Ballet Shoes (95 min), a family drama starring Emma Watson (Hermione of Harry Potter fame), is a Granada production for the BBC.
- Boowa & Kwala (52x5m) an HD preschool animated series produced by PMMP/UpToTen.com for Canal J and Radio Canada. The show features music filled stories about Boowa, a blue dog that likes to play, sing and laugh, and Kwala, a funny inquisitive yellow koala. Set to bow in 2008, Boowa & Kwala is already a popular kid website ( www.boowakwala.com ).
- Supernormal (52x11m) a new family-targeted HD animated series from Granada Kids and World Leaders Entertainment in association with Granada International. The show underlines the idea that you don’t have to be super to be a hero.
- In the wildlife programming arena, Granada offers Nick Baker’s Weird Creators (7x47m). Host and wildlife expert Nick Baker travels the world looking for the most bizarre and some of the ickiest creatures around. An Icon Films production for the UK’s five, Animal Planet in association with Granada International.
MARKETING/LICENSING
Cartoon Network and Smashing Ideas have partnered to develop and distribute a range of Cartoon Network mobile games, animated screensavers and wallpapers for mobile phones in North America. According to the deal, Smashing Ideas will distribute the co-created Cartoon Network based content through carriers supporting Flash Lite content. First up is a games channel comprised of two games, Codename: Kids Next Door – Flight of the Hamsters and Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends Mac’s Match-up launch this week on Smashing Idea’s Brew application. Verizon Wireless is the first of the mobile operators to offer the content.
EXECUTIVE MOVES
Scholastic’s Trade Publishing Division makes several executive moves, including the naming of Suzanne Murphy as VP and Publisher/Trade Publishing and Marketing, for the division. Murphy, who takes over for Ellie Berger who was upped to President of the Trade Publishing division in October, will oversee the division’s editorial, design and marketing departments. Murphy joined the company in 2005, most recently serving as VP/Marketing, Scholastic Trade, and is credited with overseeing all marketing and promotional efforts for the Trade book division, including the launch of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and campaigns for many other titles. In turn, Murphy announced the following appointments:
- David Saylor moves up to the new position of VP and Associate Publisher & Creative Director/Hardcover Books. Reporting to Murphy, Saylor will manage publishing and art direction of Scholastic’s hardcover imprints. Most recently, Saylor was Creative Director for the Trade division.
- Leslie Garych is named VP/Trade Marketing and the ever-popular Tracy van Straaten steps up to VP/Publicity & Educational Marketing, both will report to Murphy.
- David Levithan is upped to Executive Editorial Director/Scholastic Press Fiction, Multimedia Publishing, and PUSH. Reporting to Murphy, Levithan will lead an editorial team that acquires books for a various Scholastic Trade imprints as well as book projects to be published by meshing different forms of media around strong narrative properties. He will continue to manage and develop the fiction list of Scholastic Press and serve as editorial director of PUSH.
RATINGS
Live + Same Day Ratings Kids Cable Network Averages (000) for Monday, December 10, 2007, 6am-11pm, ranked by K2-11:
NICKELODEON: K2-11 1049; K6-11 484; TWEENS 9-14 343
DISNEY CHANNEL: K2-11 822; K6-11 526; TWEENS 9-14 442
CARTOON NETWORK: K2-11 465; K6-11 252; TWEENS 9-14 169
TOON DISNEY: K2-11 130; K6-11 74; TWEENS 9-14 60
Source: MTVN Research from Nielsen Media Research Data
Live + Same Day Ratings Kids Cable Network Averages (000) for Tuesday, December 11, 2007, 6am-11pm, ranked by K2-11:
NICKELODEON: K2-11 868; K6-11 367; TWEENS 9-14 286
DISNEY CHANNEL: K2-11 776; K6-11 495; TWEENS 9-14 420
CARTOON NETWORK: K2-11 488; K6-11 290; TWEENS 9-14 208
TOON DISNEY: K2-11 166; K6-11 82; TWEENS 9-14 54
Source: MTVN Research from Nielsen Media Research Data
Answer to Yesterday’s Trivia Question: Which Disney comedy originally starring Hayley Mills and Dean Jones was remade in 1997 with lead roles held by Christina Ricci and Doug E. Doug? THAT DARN CAT! Kudos to: Sonia Mendez-WCBD-NBC2/Charleston, SC; Bob Eisenstaedt-Granite Springs Productions/Tampa, FL; E.J. Offurum-Court TV/NY; Kathy Goldstein-TNS/Horsham, PA; Kurtis Humfeld-KMSP/WFTC/Eden Prairie, MN; Rosemary Cunningham-MMT/Chicago; Al Ovadia-Al Ovadia & Associates, Inc./Hidden Hills, CA; Pat Miller–Raleigh Film and Television Studios/Hollywood; Tricia Nelson-Herbalife International/Torrance, CA; Amanda Zolper-TOKYOPOP, Inc./LA
Today’s Trivia Question: : In the remake of Freaky Friday (2003) what do Anna (Lindsay Lohan) and Tess (Jamie Lee Curtis) get at the restaurant Thursday night that causes them to switch bodies? (Click here with your answer and be sure to include your name, company, city and time zone. Unofficial rules: Only the second four correct answers from each time zone will be mentioned; and once you’ve been mentioned in any of the Cynopsis editions, you can’t be mentioned again that calendar week.)
Later — Gwen
Gwen Billings for Cynopsis: Kids!
12.13.07
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JOB OPENING: ACCT EXEC/Documentary Channel/NYC: Immediate opening. Sr. AE – 5+yrs exp. Emmy winning ntwrk. Concept/integrated sell at client/senior agency level. Top incentive for top performer. Apply: [email protected] (12/20)
JOB OPENING: ASSOC. AD PRODUCER/Oprah.com/Chicago: Write and project-manage online splash pages, sweepstakes and microsites for our sponsors. See full posting & apply @ www.harpocareers.com (12/20)
JOB OPENING: ANALYST/Fox Brdcstng/LA: Aud Rsrch, Nat’l ratings processing.1-2yrs TV res. exp.& BA deg req’d. Familiarity w/Nielsen my EVNTS/Galaxy, strong org. & comm. skills essential. Reply: www.foxcareers.com / ref: FNG9880 (12/20)
JOB OPENING: ASSOC PRODUCER/Little Airplane Productions/NYC: Oversee all aspects of animated production; development through post. Manage multiple artists¹ inventory, workflow and deadlines: [email protected] (12/20)
JOB OPENING: PRODUCTION ACCOUNTANT/Little Airplane Productions/NYC: Oversee all aspects of finance and payroll on several broadcast productions. Must have knowledge of Vista software: [email protected] (12/20)
JOB OPENING: ASSOCIATE MARKETING MANAGER/Scholastic Inc/NYC: 3-5 years experience in book or audio book publishing. Apply online:
http://www.scholastic.apply2jobs.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=mExternal.showJob&RID=3446&CurrentPage=1 (12/20)
JOB OPENING: REGIONAL ACCT DIR /Screenvision Cinema, LA: 3-5 yrs exp, proven media sales performer to develop, present & sell cinema advertising to regional clients, Bachelors req., reg’l travel req. Apply: www.screenvision.com (12/20)
JOB OPENINGS: GREAT! MKTG COORDINATOR/Nashville & Atlanta: Passionate about radio, TV, event planning & promotion? Enjoy creative collaboration? Help WOW our GREAT! clients. 2+ yrs exp. Ask for Job description: [email protected] (12/19)
JOB OPENING: SR. DRTV Buyer/Active Int’l in Pearl River, NY (15 miles from NYC): Min 5 yrs exp. in planning, negotiating and buying DRTV req’d. Resumes to: [email protected] or call 845-732-8943 (1/3)
JOB OPENING: SALES EXEC/NYC: Sponsor multimedia content. Min. 3 years exp. Know how to prospect & close, superior communication and multitasking. Send cover letter & resume to: [email protected] (12/19)
JOB OPENING: CONTENT PRODUCER/Fisher-Price/NYC:BS Deg w/ 3-5 yrs exp in content development for toys, interactive games, software or children’s programming req’d. To apply, visit: Our Company/Career Page on fisher-price.com. (12/19)
JOB OPENING: ACCT EXEC/Documentary Channel/NYC: Immediate opening. Sr. AE – 5+yrs exp. Emmy winning ntwrk. Concept/integrated sell at client/senior agency level. Top incentive for top performer. Apply: [email protected] (12/19)
JOB OPENING: ASSOC. AD PRODUCER/Oprah.com/Chicago: Write and project-manage online splash pages, sweepstakes and microsites for our sponsors. See full posting & apply @ www.harpocareers.com (12/19)
JOB OPENING: ONLINE MEDIA SUPERVISOR/NYC: 3+Online media planning/buying exp.; Proven ability to manage an internal team of Media Planners; Entertainment industry client exp. a PLUS! Contact: [email protected] (12/18)
JOB OPENING: MGR/DIR /Brand Strategy Team: Dvlp original digital content experiences within the NBC portfolio site:NY/NJ & Burbank, CA: apply http://www.nbcunicareers.com job #784234, 784230, 784227 (12/18)
JOB OPENING: VP of THEATRICAL MARKETING/Screen Media Films/NYC: Develop/execute marketing plans; Monitor budgets; oversee all theatrical PR. Min 3 yrs experience. Send resume to [email protected] (12/18)
JOB OPENING: RECRUITMENT MGR/Discovery/NY: Recruiter/HR Gen to mng full life cycle efforts; identify/acquire talent for Ad & Affil Sales, Corp Dev, E commerce, Educ, TLC, Animal Planet Ntwrks. Apply: discovery.com/careers Req#6200 (12/18)
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JOB OPENING: Seeking top notch SR AE for Channel One News-NYC: Must have min. 7+ yrs consultative sales, proven Biz Dev exp; ideally in Broadcast/TV, and/or non-traditional space. see full desc and apply: [email protected] (12/18)
JOB OPENING: MEDIA PLANNER/Disney/N. Hollywood: BS in, Media or related field. 5 yrs + media or Exc PC Skills, Exp working w/ Atlas, DART ,Point Roll and Eye blaster pref’d. APPLY: www.disneycareers.com search for JOB ID: 133265 (12/15)
JOB OPENING: MANAGER AD SALES TRADE MKTG- TV LAND/MTVN-NY: BA; 5 yrs mktg exp. Creative thinker w/ strong proj mgmnt sk; highly organized. Understands brand mgmnt, advtg, promos, resrch. EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (12/15)
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JOB OPENING: SENIOR W/P CSTV/NYC: Conceptualize, W/P & Direct on air promo campaigns to launch & support prog., games & ntwk initiatives. 5- 7+ yrs on air exp. College sports enthusiast & creative thinker a must. Res: [email protected] (12/15)
JOB OPENING: SALES ASSISTANT/Hallmark Channel/LA: Work w/ VP & AE to service and maintain agencies and clients on daily basis. See full posting and apply at www.hallmarkchannel.com (12/15)
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JOB OPENING: TRAFFIC COORDINATOR/Hallmark Channel/NY: Edits daily broadcast logs; executes agency traffic instructions; maintains commercial inventory. See full posting and apply at www.hallmarkchannel.com (12/15)
JOB OPENING: DIR OF CONTRACTS/CBS TV DIST/NY: Mng ad sales admin w/ staff of 4 from order thru reconciliation. Finc’l background w/strong Excel, mngrl, & analytical skills pref’d 5+ yrs exp. Res/salary req: [email protected] (12/15)
JOB OPENING: SALES EXEC/NeuLion/LI: (www.neulion.com) new media sales experience preferred. Must be able to prospect, qualify and close new opportunities. Content Delivery Network (CDN) exp a plus. Email Res to [email protected] (12/15)
JOB OPENING: DIR, OPS/ LIFETIME/LA: Oversee tech, creative, client srvc, & admin ops for Post Prod facility. Post prod exp w/ mgmnt/proj plan’g skills. Asst client proj, & liaison to NY & Eng Dept.Apply: [email protected] (12/14)
JOB OPENING: RESEARCH ANALYST/MTV Tr3s/NYC: BS/BA. 1+ yrs exp resrch/data analy cable/brdcast. Exp w/ Nielsen (Explorer, NPower, MarketBreaks, etc). Str analytic sk. Bi-ling Spanish a +. EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (12/14)
JOB OPENING: ACCT REP/RSRCH ANALYST/LA: Role uses Return Path Data (RPD) for TV audience ratings for interactive svcs. RPD is the cutting edge of audience analysis allowing second-by-second reporting. Apply at TNS-US.com (12/14)
JOB OPENING: ASST, RSRCH/Comcast Networks/NY: Media ind exp pref; Asst in creating reports, maintain Nielsen prog names, retrieve audience data, maintain rsrch library, maintain dept calendars/sched. Contact [email protected] (12/14)
JOB OPENING: PRODUCER, SHOWS/VH1.Com/NYC: 4+yrs prod online media exp, Strg multi task/time mgment skills, Strg Microsoft Word, Visio, Adobe skills. Knwldge of brand/digital prgrming. EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (12/14)
JOB OPENING: MANAGER OF DEVELOPMENT for TV host and his prod co/LA: Must identify commercial ideas & talent. Strong contacts. Previous development exp a must. Hands-on production exp preferred. Email: [email protected] (12/14)
JOB OPENING: BRAND MGR/CNN (NY): 5-7+ yrs exp in brand mgmt; MBA preferred. Will research market/consumer trends, analyze client brand strategies, develop strategic positioning. Apply online via www.turnerjobs.com , Req# 91872. EOE (12/14)
WINTER AND SPRING 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] .
WINTER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: ADV & PROMO INTERN/LIFETIME, NY: Cable net mktg dept & prod. Rsch, logging, assist post, and runs. Strong MS Office skills, comm. bkgrd, and good written/oral skills. Min 2-3 days/wk. Email [email protected] (12/19)
WINTER INTERNSHIPS CREDITS ONLY: TALENT AGENCY INTERN/LA: For those interested in learning more about the inner workings of a talent agency. Min or 15/hrs/week. Email cover letter & resume to: [email protected] (12/15)
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SITUATION WANTED: Seeking agent or representative for new children’s brand, The Lunchbox Bunch. Please visit www.lunchboxbunch.com for more details. Contact Kathy with inquiries at [email protected] (12/19)
SITUATION WANTED: 11 yr old boy-actor looking for part in TV show. Exp’d dedicated, remember lines in a second, work well under pressure, living in NY but can travel on moments notice. Plz visit me at www.matthewglaser.com my web site (12/18)
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