Cynopsis: DIGITAL

02/21/08

Good morning, it’s Thursday, February 21, 2008, and this is your first early morning digital briefing.

Google is planning to announce the details of its AdSense video ad solution this morning, which serves contextual InVideo overlay ads dynamically to a group of trial programming partners, including entertainment portals Revver, blip.tv and My Damn Channel as well as how-to-video sites BobVila.com and ExpertVillage.com. The system searches metadata embedded within each clip, then serves an appropriate overlay relating to the subject matter or theme. While this may not be the killer application for online video advertising, it should go a long way in helping to monetize goofy user generated video that spreads like wildfire around the web before a sponsor can be premeditatedly attached to it.

 
Reports have been circulating about a MySpace Music venture that will sign major labels to offer tracks on the site as free ad-supported downloads or as paid DRM-free download-to-own songs. MySpace has approached Warner Music, EMI, Sony BMG and Universal Music about the service, according to reports. MySpace PrimeTime is the television destination on MySpace, offering free downloads from Hulu.com.
 
Hearst Magazines became the latest mainstream publisher to launch video channels on YouTube, beginning with channels for Marie Claire, Seventeen and Good Housekeeping. Twelve more channels are planned.
 
Univision.com‘s coverage leading up to today’s Obama/Clinton debate will include user submitted questions, behind-the-scenes coverage, exclusive interviews and recap videos following the event. Univision will also provide coverage via its WAP-based mobile portal and mobile on demand video application.
 
VH1.com is encouraging music producers to submit original audio tracks for user consideration in the “Flavor of Love World” contest. The winning producer will get the chance to record and co-produce a track on Flavor Flav’s next single this spring.
 

CNET TV relaunched its online and cable-based Video on Demand network, improving aspects such as the layout, navigation and search optimization as well as adding closed captioning for the hearing impaired.
 
Mobile content company Flycell is partnering with the Island Def Jam Music Group to create a label-centric subscription content service called IDF Mobile, offering ringtones, graphics, games and text services, as well as label news, artist mobile blogs and sweepstakes.
 
Video search engine Blinkx.com signed a partnership to index reference, education and learning-themed video content from Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc’s Britannica.com.
 
Break.com reports that its new action oriented original series What Would Kimbo Do? starring Mixed Martial Artist Kimbo Slice had close to 900,000 views in its first week.
 
Bebo‘s interactive social networking series Kate Modern will go on the road this week shooting 7 episodes from 3 different locations in the UK as part of a brand integration with Toyota’s Aygo Platinum. The show has attracted over 5 million views during the first two weeks of its second season, according to Bebo.
 

 
Nintendo will launch new online service called WiiWare from mid-May that will allow third-party game developers to build games for the popular Wii platform. Users will be able to download games directly to their consoles, and titles will be available at a variety of price points, via cash or Wii Points. Not to be outdone, Microsoft also announced its 10 million user – strong Xbox 360 platform will also accommodate player-developed games beginning this spring. User/Developers must joint the XNA Creators Club for $99/year with the online community itself deciding which games are worthy. New creations are expected to double the size of its Xbox 360 game library to 1,000 titles before its first year anniversary rolls around this Christmastime.
 
Competition over heavy mobile users is heating up. Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile all rolled out new all-you-can gab plans priced at $99.99 a month.
 

 
Here’s another alternative to the CPM (cost per thousand impression) model. Video ad network VideoEgg is launching the AdFrames Brand Response Network that charges marketers only if users initiate an ad and spend a set amount of time with it. The AdFrames system distributes video or rich media overlay ads dynamically to a page, widget or online game then considers it activated only after users literally engage with the optional overlay. Meebo and Flixster have already signed on to participate, along with Microsoft in a long-form MS Office commercial starring Amy Sedaris.
 

 
Sixty-two percent of marketers believe TV advertising has become less effective in the past two years and close to half of advertisers surveyed admitted to experimenting with new formats to adapt to DVR and VOD platforms, according to a new study from the Association of National Advertisers. More than 65% of advertisers said they were eager to try online TV ads, followed by VOD ads (55%), interactive TV ads (43%) and set top menu ads (32%).
 
Online News Readership is helping to offset the loss in print readers, according to a new Scarborough Research study. Looking at 88 newspapers in the top 50 market, the study found that newspapers’ website audience grew 14% from Aug. 2004 – March 2007, compared to print audience losses of 28% during the period. Younger readers (18-34) who only see the paper online grew by 21% during a similar time frame.
 
Arbitron conducted a study in a selection of shopping malls to test the effectiveness of Reactrix‘s digital out-of-home Stepscape ad solution, measuring “eyes on” and “opt in” results. Out of the 26 million plus mall-based consumers who had an opportunity to see an interactive Reactrix display, 92% noticed it, 84% stopped to both look at and engage with it and 70% actually took the time to interact with it. Reactrix screens are installed in 150 malls and 30 movie theaters across the country.
 

 
Disney Online formed Disney Online Studios, a group focusing on game, virtual world and social community development. Steve Parkis will oversee the group as SVP, reporting to Paul Yanover, EVP and Managing Director of Disney Online.
 
Facebook Chief Revenue Officer Owen Van Natta is resigning, the first high-profile executive to leave the company.
 
Online venture The Week Magazine hired former Time Inc. sales executive Peter Granath as Associate Publisher, charged with driving print and digital advertising revenue. Peter will be based The Week’s New York offices.
 
Minyanville Publishing and Multimedia named former Stuff editor Jordan Stein as Managing Editor. Jordan will lead day-to-day operations of Minyanville.com’s news desk.

 
How’s this as a foil to Quarterlife? MySpaceTV is giving prominent billing to On Skid Row, a new five-part video investigation into life in San Pedro LA, believed to contain a community of over 9,000 residents in various stages of homelessness. The raw, unflinching documentary is produced by GOOD’s Digital team and directed by journalist/actor/musician Sam Slovich, who wrote a series of cover stories for the LA Weekly about the 50 square block district. The production was made possible by support from Kenneth Cole Productions. The shoe retailer has made homelessness a priority for over a decade, offering customers a 20% discount for turning in their slightly warn shoes, which are in turn donated to homeless charity Help USA.
 
Correction : Online talent search Big Shot Live is produced by Madonna’s Maverick Television (The Riches), Madison Road Entertainment (Treasure Hunters) and James Bruce Productions (The Restaurant, Meet Mister Mom) and is distributed by CBS Television Distribution via their affiliate websites. Todd Glass is one of the show’s manager partners, helping the winners to secure talent deals.

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM DIGITAL MEDIA WIRE/ROGERS MUSICSTORE CANADIAN MUSIC WEEK

Later — Wayne
Wayne Karrfalt for Cynopsis: Digital
02.21.08

Cynopsis Digital Ad Sales: Jason Cesare 732-718-0629 / [email protected]
Classifieds – Trish Pihonak- 203-926-9878 / [email protected]

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

JOB OPENING:  ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE ONLINE / LIFETIME/NY: Sales Account Manager responsible for growing and managing media sales for Lifetimetv.com and LMN.tv Apply at: http://www.mylifetime.com/about/jobs.html   (2/28)

JOB OPENING:  DIGITAL SALES PLANNER/CBS TV Dist/NY: Take-charge person to manage online inventory. Communicate with ad agencies and execute clients tech needs. Knowledge and experience working with DART. Email: [email protected] (2/28)

JOB OPENING: ASST TO PRES/CEO/REALITY TV CO/LA: 3yrs exp working for senior-lvl exec. Detail oriented, computer skills, fast pace. Phones, sched mtgs, interact with agents/writers/producers. Res to: [email protected] (2/28)

JOB OPENING:  DIG PROD MGR/WE tv/NYC: 2-4 yrs exp Web tech/new media. Support Interactive content & mktg proj for digital platforms.Strong knwlg of client-side& web-based technologies, html. rez www.cablevision.jobs ref #5414BR (2/28)

JOB OPENING:  VP, PRODUCTION MGMT: Will oversee all aspects of production for VH1/Logo. Events, original series, pilots etc. Apply www.mtvncareers.com under Prod. Mgmnt. EOE (2/28)

JOB OPENING: KIDS DTV PRODUCER/CDA Productions/LA: Must have demonstrated exp. with live action kids productions. Infant/Toddler experience preferred. Apply to:  [email protected] (2/28)

JOB OPENING:  RESEARCH ANALYST II/Discovery/MD:  Min. two yrs research exp pref. broadcast/media. Quantitative/Qualitative exp req. Strg proj. management & comp. skills Nielsen or SPSS. Apply: www.discovery.com   req# 7677   (2/28)

JOB OPENING:  ADV SALES MGR/NYPost.com/Pagesix.com/West Coast: 2+ yrs sales mgmt exp, 3-5 yrs online ad sales, knwlg budgets, online sales & motivating sales people. Focus on Ent. Media nat’l, retail.  Res to: [email protected]  (2/28)

JOB OPENING:  ACCT EXEC/NYPost/Pagesix.com/W. Coast: 2+ yrs Online, Ad sales, Exp w/ agencies/clients across nat’l, retail, ent/media, TV/video ad sales a +, Strong sales, presenting, negotiating skills. Res to: [email protected] (2/28)

JOB OPENING:  MGR DOMESTIC SALES ADMIN/NBC UNI/Universal City: resp. for the sales process and mngmnt of the domestic TV Basic Cable, TV (pay & free) & New Media deals. Degree or 2 yrs exp. www.nbcjobs.com   keyword #786681. (2/28)

JOB OPENING:  SW QA PROFESSIONAL/iTVX/Westchester NY: iTVX leader in Brander integration is seeking qualified QA Database experts to lead creation of new tools and services.  Resume to:  [email protected]  (2/28)

JOB OPENING:  SR. RESEARCH PROJECT MANAGER/CNN/ATL: Design/manage/present web analyses and primary research projects for CNN Digital businesses. 5+Yrs research/online analytics/Masters pref’d. Apply: [email protected] (2/28)

JOB OPENING: S&P & RIGHTS CLEARANCES MGR/PBS Sprout/PHILA: Knwldg of and/or exp w/legal or acquisitions & clearance procedures. Exp. w/children and/or cable prgrmng ind. BS/BA pref. legal/acquisitions. Apply: www.comcast.com (2/27)

JOB OPENING: COORD, PRICING & PLANNING, STYLE/Comcast Nets/NY: 1+ yr industry exp; Resp for tracking inventory, processing MSA posting, oversee EDI & supporting sales staff. Apply: www.comcast.com 60506BR EEO/AA/Drug Free (2/27)

JOB OPENING: MARKETING COORD/Hallmark Channel/LA: Support consumer marketing. 2 yrs admin. exp. See full posting & apply @ www.hallmarkchannel.com (2/27)

JOB OPENING: DIG CONTENT MGR/WE tv/NYC: 2-4 years web content or prod exp w/ent/web/cable. Video prod exp pref. Strong PM, comm & tech skills a must. rez to www.cablevision.jobs ref #5294BR (2/27)

JOB OPENING: MGR.ON-AIR PROMO PRODUCTION/LIFETIME TV/LA: Must have solid TV on-air promo exp. and knowledge of post-production technologies and digital file management. Apply to: [email protected]  (2/26)

JOB OPENING:  SR.WRITER PRODUCER/LIFETIME TV/LA: Conceptualize, write and produce on-air and radio promos. Must have demonstrated exp. within cable or broadcast network.   Apply to: [email protected] (2/26)

JOB OPENING:  CREATIVE DIRECTOR/LIFETIME TV/LA: Must have extensive exp. in on-air promos within cable or network and demonstrated editorial expertise. Apply to: [email protected] (2/26)

JOB OPENING:  PR COORDINATOR/FOODNETWORK/NY:  Work w/ PR Mgr to provide market press support for select primetime series; develop support materials & select show releases. 1-3 yrs exp PR/related. Apply at: www.scrippsnetworks.com (2/26)

JOB OPENING:  DIRECTOR & AE SALES POSITIONS (NY, LA, Chicago)/Arena Media Networks: Exciting opportunity to join quickly growing digital placed based media company in sports & entertainment arenas.Contact: [email protected] (2/23)

JOB OPENING: DIR OF PRODUCTION (ADMIN)/Wash D.C: Dir prod multiple TV series: schedules, budgets, crews, equip, deliverables. Upbeat /detail oriented. Exp w/ 3+ series, 5+ yrs prod mgmt. Ltr/ Res: [email protected] (2/23)

JOB OPENING:  ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE/CABLEVISION/WOODBURY NY:  Seeks AE for local ad sales.2+ yrs ad sales exp. pref cable tv, radio, internet adv.  Valid NY DL.  See full posting and apply to www.cablevision.jobs req 4047BR (2/23)

JOB OPENING:  ONLINE REVENUE MGR/Discovery Communications /Miami:  Mgmt of online ad campaign, SEO exp req’d, Lat Am mkt knwldg, ROI Analysis, campaign budgets, media plans, staff mgmt. Resume to: [email protected]  (2/23)

JOB OPENING: AD SALES RSCH ANALYST/Oxygen/NYC: 2+ yrs data analysis exp using Nielsen softwares and other sales tools. Att to detail a must. . www.nbcunicareers.com #803511 (2/23)

JOB OPENING: REGIONAL NAT’L SALES MGR/KSBI-TVDT, OKC: Proven success record & 5+yrs exp working regn’l /nat’l accts. Knwlg of Nielsen ratings & effective/creative pckgng strategies a must. Some travel req’d. Res to: [email protected] (2/22)

JOB OPENING: SR SYSTEM ANALYST: Act as Sales liaison for sys reqments, issues & support, EDI, troubleshoot, train, test, proj mgmt, EDI coord, & wk w Donovan for VAN (Value Added Ntwrk). Apply: www.disneycareers.com Req 135147 EOE (2/22)

JOB OPENING: ACCT MGR-NAT’L SALES/BET/New York,NY: Cable salesperson w/strong presentation skills. Comfortable w/multi-platform & integrated opps.Sales/agencyexp. req’d. Email: [email protected] (2/22)

JOB OPENING: SALES PLAN’R/BET/NY: Prepare Sales Plans, Mng mult Accts, 2 yrs exp in Cable Sales or buying a must.Detailed-oriented, org’d, multitasker, exc comm & math skills, BA req. Email resume: [email protected] (2/22)

JOB OPENING: EXEC DIR PROD/ GSN, The Network for Games/ SANTA MONICA: Report to VP Prog. 10 yrs. exp in Prod incl 5 yrs exp Line Prod. BA/BS degree in related field. Send Res/Cov Letter: [email protected] (2/22)

JOB OPENING: ACCOUNT EXEC/ Ovation TV/New York: Immediate opening for 5+yrs exp professional. Heavy client/planning selling; seek new business/create marketing platforms tailored for client’s needs Apply: [email protected] (2/22)

JOB OPENING:  SALES PLANNER/OvationTV/1NYC/1LA:   Prep/update client proposals. Asst establishing TV/media orders. Rsch client spending/brand analysis Process orders, handle fin. credit process. BA/BS resume: [email protected] (2/22)

JOB OPENING: TV PROD MGR/Chi: Produce creative programming for TV & other platforms. Creative problem solving & mgmt ability within fast moving, multi-tasking station group that breaks the mold every day. [email protected] (2/22)

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] .

SPRING INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY:  POLITICAL AD SALES INTERN/NY, NY: An understanding & interest in the political process is required.  Preferred Majors: Poly Sci & Communications.  Excellent communication skills.  Send resume to:  [email protected] (2/28)

SPRING INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: SUMMER INTERNSHIPS AVAIL/News Channel 8/MyTV9-New Haven. CT: Now hiring interns for 5 depts, news, sports, mktg/community, mktg rsch and web prod. Deadline to apply is April 1st. Contact [email protected] (2/26)

SPRING INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: RESEARCH INTERNSHIP/Hallmark Channel/LA: Avail immed. Learn about cable television, ratings and programming. Must take for class credit. Available now! Email resume to [email protected] (2/23)

SITUATION WANTED ADS, POSTED BY THOSE LOOKING TO BE HIRED … Interested in posting your Video Resume?  Contact [email protected] for more information ….

SITUATION WANTED:  MKTG/ACCT MGMT/PROMOTION/EVENTS: 10 yrs exp in cable, publishing, advertising. Versatile, creative, resourceful, detailed, outgoing personality. Seeking F/T role in similar capacity. [email protected] (2/28)

E-mail  [email protected] for rates and specs for Job Openings. 

Interested in posting your Video Resume?  Contact [email protected] for more information ….

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