Cynopsis: DIGITAL
12/04/08
Good morning, it’s Thursday, December 4, 2008, and this is your first early morning digital briefing.
Microsoft‘s in game ad unit Massive tried to drum up interest in the video game advertising medium by hosting New York’s first In Game Ad Upfront event yesterday. The biggest news to come from the event is a multi-year deal to serve ads for the newly joined Activision Blizzard (a merger that officially closed on Tuesday to create the industry’s biggest game publisher.) Massive announced two deals, actually. The company signed a multi-year extension to its in-game ad partnership with Activision spanning 18 games and franchises including Guitar Hero: World Tour and the Tony Hawk series. Massive also announced a new tie up to run ads on Blizzard’s websites and Battle.net portal, the online gamer’s first third-party ad deal. Expanded offerings including around-game ads, website sponsorships and other custom advertising opportunities are included in the deal.
MySpace unveiled a new ad-supported mobile video service allowing members to view video clips on compatible mobile devices including the BlackBerry Bold, Palm Centro, Motorola Q9, LG Voyager, Nokia N95 and Samsung Instinct. Users can view videos embedded on their profile pages or stream content from several MySpaceTV partners including TMZ, NHL, National Geographic and the Onion. Mobile video infrastructure provider RipCode is powering the service, accessible on the MySpace Mobile site m.myspace.com.
The College football game of the year is going to be available on multiple platforms. As part of its new deal with SEC, CBSSports.com and CBS Sports Mobile will provide live streaming video of the CBS Sports broadcast of the 2008 SEC Championship game between No. 1-ranked Alabama and No. 2-ranked Florida on Saturday, Dec. 6 at 4:00 PM, ET. MediaFLO subscribers can also view the game live and for free on CBS Sports Mobile.
Conde Nast is shutting down teen social networking service Flip.com on Dec. 16, according to an email sent out to users this week. The site was built as a place to come and share “flipbooks” of photos, videos and other content.
Univision.com is partnering with Endemol and Amistad Productions to produce the interactive webnovela Vidas Cruzadas (Crossed Lives). Created by Estela Sainz and produced by Carlos Sotomayor, it features the reunion of superstars Kate del Castillo and Guy Ecker who starred in the blockbuster novela La Mentira (The Lie). The 15-episode series, debuting in 2009, will feature videos, blogs, interactive elements and UGC initiatives.
Also on the Hispanic front Cablevision has launched Optimum Latino, a new web channel delivering high-quality Spanish-language content exclusively for Optimum Online customers. The service, which features news, entertainment, sports, and the 15-channel Terra TV platform, is accessible through Optimum Online’s consumer web portal, Optimum.net.
Widget syndication platform iWidgets rolled out a new version of its widgets publishing system, simplifying the process of creating content widgets to distribute out to Facebook, MySpace, Hi5, and iGoogle. iWidgets’ Social Syndication Platform offers drag-and-drop customization of widgets as well as native deployment into social networks. CBS was an early client, allowing social network users watch clips of CBS programming.
Popular online contractors listing service Angie’s List added another $7 million in debt financing from Chicago-based Prism Mezzanine Fund as well as $1 million in additional equity investment. The round follows a recent $18 million round of venturing funding.
Logo‘s campy new online and on air film series “Graveyard Shift” should be worth a few laughs. The weekly series, which celebrates that curious intersection between the gay and horror film genres, kicks off tonight at midnight ET/PT with The Gay Bed & Breakfast of Terror, which tells the story of five gay couples vacationing at the quaint but deadly Sahara Salvation Inn. Logo’s is also hosting a dance-themed webcast Unbuttoned Live this Saturday live from Ultra Suede in West Hollywood, hosted by Noah’s Arc star Wilson Cruz.
Funny or Die recruited a star-studded cast to weigh in on the Proposition 8 initiative in California: Prop 8 – The Musical, written by Marc Shaiman and directed by Adam Shankman.
You know times are tough when Google is forced to cut back. This is precisely the case on the Google campus according to The WSJ, as CEO Eric Schmidt and new budgeting czar Francois Delepine continue to meet with executives to decide which programs to let go. (SearchMash, virtual world Lively and Google Page Creator have already been eliminated or merged into other products.) Despite its generous funding of pet projects, Google continues to receive 97% of its revenue from search advertising.
Meanwhile Google signed another cable network for its TV Ads system on EchoStar. Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movie Channel will now place ads thorough the self-serve platform, which provides targeting and measuring tools for serving spot ads to Dish Network subscribers on an auction basis.
Yahoo is teaming with CBS to help monetize its online streaming radio service LAUNCHcast. The service, which offers more than 150 stations of music, talk, news and sports, will be combined with CBS Radio’s 150+ stations with CBS Radio handling sales for the entire portfolio. Good news for Mac and Firefox users - a new CBS Radio player will be integrated onto the Yahoo site, which was previously only available to Internet Explorer users. The announcement follows Yahoo’s decision to shutter its subscription-based Music Unlimited service in February.
Cox Enterprises announced that its Cox Radio, Cox Television and Cox Newspapers businesses will be managed under one subsidiary structure and corporate group from January – the Cox Media Group. Cox will also continue to operate Adify Corp. and Kudzu.com out of its holding company structure. Cox Enterprises’ four major subsidiary groups will be:
- Cox Communications – cable TV, broadband, telephony, mobile and Travel Channel
- Cox Media Group – radio, newspaper and television station properties and ad rep firms in NYC
- Manheim – auto auction company and re-marketer of automobiles
- Cox Auto Trader – includes AutoTrader.com
Xanadu, the Jazz label founded by veteran producer Don Schlitten that recorded such luminaries as Charlie Parker, Clifford Brown, Billie Holiday and Thelonious Monk, has been acquired by digital music distributor The Orchard. The label is being reactivated and will release new jazz recordings and remastered titles from its classic catalog beginning in January 2009.
MobiTV announced its managed network for mobile television and radio has surpassed the five million subscriber mark. MobiTV is available on more than 350 handsets across 20 carrier networks including AT&T, Sprint and Alltel in the U.S.
E-Commerce sites fared OK over the holiday weekend after all. Cyber Monday saw $846 million in online spending, up 15% from the previous year according to ComScore. The four-day period from Black Friday through Cyber Monday saw e-commerce spending jump 13% as both weekend days and Monday all achieved double-digit gains.
Do you ever get impatient navigating through your dozens of apps on the iPhone to find what you’re looking for? Vlingo launched a new voice-enabled app for the device allowing users to search the web, use Google maps, dial phone numbers and update their Facebook and Twitter accounts by speaking into the device. It’s a wonderful time saver.
For a one-stop-shop for major league sports scores and data on the iPhone check out the Score Mobile App from Toronto-based Score Media. It features free up to the minute box scores, fantasy player stats and previews for the NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, NCAAB, NCAAF and CFL.
Former Xbox Live GM JJ Richards was named General Manager for Microsoft Advertising. He replaces Cory Van Arsdale, who is leaving the company.
Travel Ad Network (TAN) hired USNews.com sales executive Ron Bernstein as SVP/Sales, a newly created position.
Julian S. Millstein is joining Morrison & Foerster LLP‘s New York office as Senior Counselor in the firm’s Global Sourcing Group and Technology Transactions Group. Millstein has over 30 years experience negotiating and litigating complex outsourcing, e-commerce, and technology-related matters, across a range of industries. Prior to joining the firm, Julian was Chair of the Technology and Sourcing Group at Thelen LLP.
Comedy Central relaunched Jokes.com with a treasure trove of 12,000 text-based jokes and 5,000 standup performances from the network’s 10-year-old programming vault. It’s look is a bit pedestrian but the MTV Entertainment Digital team deserves points for building in as many touch points as humanly possible. Search the routines of comedians such as Dane Cook, Jeff Dunham and Jim Gaffigan or sort by most popular clips, comedian’s name, TV show or most recently added video. Look for jokes from 72 different categories. There are 770 jokes tagged in the pop culture category alone. The site will also function as the central hub for all Comedy Central stand-up events, tours, shows and live comedy entertainment. UGC content and more social tools are needed to make it a truly vibrant comedy portal but the depth of professional content on the site provides a terrific base to start with.
Later — Wayne
Wayne Karrfalt for Cynopsis: Digital
12.04.08
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JOB OPENING: AFFILIATE MKTG MGR/NY: Spanish-fluent mgr to dvlp affil materials incl. cross-channel, web, VOD, etc. Direct agencies, support sales staff, mng budget, US Hispanic mktg experience req. EOE [email protected] (12/11)
JOB OPENING: SR SCHED./Discovery/MD:Resp for sched daytime/manage acquisitions process. Min 3yrs exp in scheduling, programming, research. Apply: www.discovery.com #8386. No relo. (12/10)
JOB OPENING: SR DIRECTOR of SALES/Vancouver, Canada: Bus development & key account mngmnt; knwldg of LA Film business & North American post production communities. 10 yrs exp in sales/mktg. Apply to: [email protected] (12/10)
JOB OPENING: FREELANCE PROMO PROD/Rising sports TV network/Glendale: Head up its promo dept.Previous promo producing exp REQ’D, pref @ ntwrk level, & sports promo exp is advised. Res/reel link: [email protected] (12/6)
JOB OPENING: FREELANCE PROMO EDITOR/Rising sports TV network/Glendale: Master-class FCP skills, pref w/After Effects knwldg.Previous promo editing exp REQ’D, pref at ntwrk level & sports promo exp. Res/reel link: [email protected] (12/6)
JOB OPENING: FREELANCE POST SPRVSR/POST PROD/Rising sports TV network/Glendale:Knwldg Final Cut Pro hrdwr/sftwr systems a must.3yrs + of post sprvsng exp.Post coord doesn’t count.Res: [email protected] (12/6)
JOB OPENING: FREELANCE SR EDITOR/Rising sports TV network/Glendale: Knwldg of Final Cut Pro hrdwr/sftwre systems. Previous sports event editing exp REQ’D.res/reel link: [email protected] (12/6)
JOB OPENING: ACCOUNT MANAGER/SI KIDS/SF: #1 kid’s youth sports brand seeks a talented, aggressive multi-p/form AM to grow ad rev in the Northwest. Prior print or digital exp a must. Send resume to: [email protected] (12/5)
JOB OPENING: AE, ONLINE AD SALES/Comcast/LA: Rep. Comcast Nets (E! Online, MyStyle, Versus & G4tv) to external custmrs & develop/maintain new & existing business for ntwrks. Apply: www.ecentralmetrics.com/url/?u=862081768-330 . EOE (12/5)
JOB OPENING: 2 TEMP PROD ASST DIGITAL/Sundance/NY: Asst Digital Media team w/web prod projects. Mini site creation & maint, res, digital asset coord. Basic Edit, Photoshop, Squeeze a +. Res www.cablevision.jobs ref #7466BR & 7469BR (12/5)
JOB OPENING: MEDIA MANAGER/Atlanta: TV Network seeks experienced radio/all planner/buyer. Plan, execute, liaison with agencies and consumer & trade media. Negotiate barter; added value. Resume: [email protected] (12/5)
JOB OPENING: DIR MKT RSRCH/NY: Resp: rsrch support, relevant to sales/mktg Fox News/Bus platforms. BA deg & 6+ yrs TV/digital rsrch exp, expertise w/ Nielsen sftwr, strong analytcl, writing/comm skills. EOE [email protected] (12/5)
JOB OPENING: YIELD ANALYST/Fox News Digital/NYC: Work with Sales and Ops teams to maximize DR revenue, optimize inventory & monitor yield. 2-3 yrs Internet sales exp. EOE. [email protected] (12/5)
JOB OPENING: MGR, STANDARDS & PRACTICES/DISNEY/BURBANK: Review original and acquired programs and movies for S&P for ABC Family. S&P or related TV/family programming experience necessary. www.disneycareers.com, REQ ID: 183791 (12/5)
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] .
SPRING INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: ACCOUNTING INTERN/Jericho, NY: Assist Sr Accts w/ invoices, T & E’s, year end accruals, balance sheet and other analysis. For more info/submit resume, visit www.cablevision.jobs req ID 7616BR (12/5)
WINTER/SPRING INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: RLR Associates Ltd. seeks intern w/interest in Sports & Ent with strong creative & writing skills. Rsch./writng/broadcast reels/website updates/mkting. 2-3 days/wk Resume to Bella: [email protected] (12/10)
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: TONY NOM. B’WAY PROD/THEATRE CONSULT/ACQUIS. & DEV./NYC 30+ yrs exp. in theatre. Superb theatre/film/TV contacts seeks FT or Consulting Position w/Studio/Prod Co. looking for properties. Contact: [email protected] (12/11)
SITUATION WANTED: ASSOCIATE PRODUCER/NY: With extensive experience in advertising, film, , and web. Proficient with Final Cut Pro, Photoshop, MS office. Will Travel. www.jlr-media.com (12/10)
SITUATION WANTED: ORIGINATIVE KIDS TV PRODUCER/DIRECTOR/EDITOR w/ 18+ yrs hands-on exp. Seeks agent & TV/new media projects. Credits: PBS Kids (Buster, Fetch!, Zoom), History, CBS, BBC. Screen reels & CV: http://www.alangrazioso.com (12/10)
SITUATION WANTED: FIELD PRODUCER/ DIRECTOR: Docusoap, Makeover, Lifestyle Infotainment,Feature Doc formats. Resonant leader, excellent director/ writer, strong storyteller and showrunner. 8+ yrs. Will travel. [email protected] (12/10)
SITUATION WANTED: MKTG/ADVERTISING/PROMOTIONS/NYC professional w/exp in entertainment & TV seeks opp. w/ agency/network/prod. company. Skills: Web Analytics, SEM, Event Prod., Premiums, Re-branding. Email: [email protected] (12/10)
SITUATION WANTED: UPFRONT FREELANCER/PROJ MGR with 15+ cable TV mktg experience. Can also help with ad sales, consumer and affil mktg related projects inc. promotions, sweeps, events, proposals, trade shows. [email protected] (12/10)
SITUATION WANTED: RESEARCH DIRECTOR, network experience (ad sales/prog/mktg), sales estimate expert, all Nielsen software, MRI, MS suite, supervisory exp., references. Full-time or consulting. [email protected] (12/10)
SITUATION WANTED: ASSOC MEDIA DIRECTOR 15+ years exp. with most media. Strong overall background particularly b-2-b and retail. Agency or client side, also consider vendor-side mktg position. [email protected] (12/10)
SITUATION WANTED: TRAFFIC MANAGER with over 12 years exp seeks position in Radio/TV/Entertainment or traffic software in NY/NJ Area only. [email protected] (12/9)
SITUATION WANTED: FILM/TV/ENT PR/NYC: Seeking F/T or Freelance opps. Write press releases/pitch to targeted print/online & brdcst media, track news clips, editorial calendar opps, build press lists w/Cision [email protected] (12/9)
SITUATION WANTED: SR OPERATING EXEC w/deep knowledge of media business ops, ad sales, finance, research, programming.Able to identify strategic and operating opportunities, recognize risks and take action. relo [email protected] (12/9)
SITUATION WANTED: Emmy Award-winning WRITER/PRODUCER short-form animation & digital content, available for freelance writing/producing work. Reel & resume: www.elliotblake.com or contact [email protected] (12/9)
SITUATION WANTED: FIELD PRODUCER/ DIRECTOR:Docusoap, Comedy, Makeover, Lifestyle Infotainment,Feature Doc formats. Resonant leader, excellent director/ writer, strong storyteller and showrunner. 8+ yrs. [email protected] (12/5)
SITUATION WANTED: SEASONED PRODUCER w/ A-list ent. relationships seeks FT or free lance position w/media co.Specialties: proj sprvsn, content generation,talent pkgng & brand integration. [email protected] or 310-451-1814 (12/5)
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