Cynopsis: Kids!
02/21/08
Good morning. It’s Thursday, February 21, 2008, and this is your first early morning briefing.
Universal Pictures and Hasbro enter into a six-year partnership to produce at least four movies based on some of Hasbro’s brands, including Monopoly, Candy Land, Clue, Ouija, Battleship, Magic, The Gathering and Stretch Armstrong. According to the deal, Hasbro will team exclusively with Universal Pictures for feature films, except for existing toy/movie franchise Transformers (a sequel is in the works) and GI Joe (currently filming), which are with Paramount/DreamWorks and Paramount respectively. The first movie title under the new deal is slated for release in 2010 or 2011, with Universal expected to release a movie per year thereafter. The William Morris Agency brokered the deal on behalf of Hasbro. Hasbro recently named Lisa Licht as its new GM/Entertainment and Licensing. Hmmm, which to do first? While a Monopoly project has been talked about for some time, if it were my choice (and it isn’t) I’d say the timing is right for a movie based on Magic, The Gathering or Stretch Armstrong.
Director Gore Verbinski (the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, Mousehunt) is in development for his first animated feature film. Verbinski is teaming with producer Graham King (Blood Diamond, The Departed, The Aviator) for the project, and they are in discussions with screenwriter John Logan (Sweeney Todd, Gladiator, The Aviator) to pen the movie. Based on an idea developed by Verbinski’s production company, Blind Wink Productions and producer John B. Carls (Open Season, Where the Wild Things Are), the untitled film will be produced by GK Films and Blind Wink Productions, with Verbinski and Carls as producers.
CYNOPSIS KIDS GOES TO THE AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL TOY FAIR 2008 …
Folkmanis Puppets showcased its new line of Folkmanis WebWilds, which features life-like wildlife puppets that include a web component. What is particularly interesting about these web-tied critters is the online content, which is different from other web tie-in toys. Folkmanis has teamed with Globio, a non-profit kid-targeted website that is designed to encourage kids explore the world via animals and the environments where they live. In addition to providing a range of content about each WebWilds animal, and other animals, the site is easy to navigate through pictures and words and includes content for kids, teachers and parents (e.g. animals, Glossopedia, biodiversity, news, technology, earth/space and people/cultures etc).
Hasbro Inc.’s Playskool brand celebrates its 80th anniversary this year, which includes the introduction of new products from fall 2008, including: Kota the Triceratops, a life-size (40-inches long) baby dinosaur ($300); Dance Cam system, an interactive dance studio, which features three dance modes and is compatible with Mp3 and CD players; role play sets including the interactive Helmet Heroes each set features a helmet based on real rescue person (e.g. police) and related accessories (driving device, lights, sounds); Dream Town Sweet Lily Castle, a fantasy princess castle and accessories (e.g. vanity); and Glide 2 Ride Bike, a way to learn to ride a bike.
MORE KIDS STUFF
Here in the US, Cartoon Network is set to premiere the animated action series Chop Socky Chooks on Friday, March 7 at 9p. A co-production between Decode Entertainment and Aardman Animation, Chop Socky Chooks features a mix of CGI and 2D animation styles, featuring characters in full 3D models.
Novel Entertainment inks an international sales and distribution deal with Little Bird Rights for the 2D animated TV series Horrid Henry (52×11) around the world, excluding the UK. A CITV (UK) commission, Little Bird Rights will offer Horrid Henry at MIPTV 2008. Most recently, Horrid Henry has been acquired in broadcast deals with Disney Channel France, ZDF (Germany), RTE (Eire), RUV (Iceland), SVT (Sweden), NRK (Norway) and YLE (Finland). TV deals are currently under way for South Africa, Turkey and Portugal. The series is based on the Horrid Henry books by author, Francesca Simon and illustrated by Tony Ross), and published by Orion Children’s Books. Copyright Promotions represents licensing for the series.
STONE SOUP
Peanut Labs, a provider of Gen-Y (People 13-25) sample for market research, received $3.2 million in financing, led by venture capital firms Leapfrog Ventures and BV Capital. Peanut Labs intends to use the new funds for product development for its market research sampling technology (patent pending), as well as for other activities.
EXECUTIVE MOVES
Digital ad agency WonderGroup welcomes five new staffers. John Roush is named VP/Promotional Marketing. He is already at work on promotional marketing efforts for clients including Pepperidge Farms, Con Agra, The National Dairy Council among others. A 25-year veteran, for the last decade Roush served as President of a small boutique agency specializing in event, entertainment, field and viral marketing. Also taking on new positions are: Michael Christner becomes WonderGroup Administrator; he had been with the company’s accounting department; Eric Rohlman takes on the role of Application Developer, responsible for heading new product and brand development for clients; Margaret Shinn becomes Assistant Account Executive, as a member of the Kid Cuisine and Heifer International teams; and Allison Tracy is Account Manager, where she manages and develops new business opportunities and relationships.
RATINGS
Timmy, Cosmo, Wanda and Jorgen delivered more than a new family member with Nickelodeon’s Fairly OddParents’ President’s Day special, Fairly OddBaby (Monday, February 18, 8-9p) becoming the top entertainment program across broadcast and basic cable TV for the year to date, among all kid demos K2-11 (5.3 million/+96%), K6-11 4.2 million/+133%) and Tweens 9-14 (3.2 million/+165%). Additionally, Fairly OddBaby received the biggest audience ever for an episode of Fairly OddParents with an average 8.8 million Total Viewers as well as with all the kid demos. Nickelodeon also reports that the Nick.com Fairly OddParents show page received 1+ million visits since going live on February 7, 2008, and the episode specific online casual game, which bowed on the site February 14, generated 904,000 plays in its first four days. Meanwhile on TurboNick a Fairly OddParents video had 1.6 million streams.
Weekly Top Ten Basic Cable Ad Supported networks, Total Day and Primetime Rankings among K2-11 (000) 2/11-2/17/08 :
Total Day (000) Primetime (000)
NICK°: 1246 DSNY*: 1307
DSNY*: 825 CARTOON: 704
CARTOON: 558 NAN**: 428
NAN**: 244 NOGGIN: 260
ADSM**: 181 TOON DIS: 181
NOGGIN: 226 NICKTOONS: 101
TOON DIS.: 136 DISCOVERY: 80
NICKTOONS: 60 MTV: 79
DISCOVERY: 60 ANIMAL PLANET: 44
MTV: 48 TLC: 44
Source: Disney Research from Nielsen Media Research Data Live + SD Data
*Disney Channel is not an ad supported cable network, unlike the others in this listing.
**Denotes a network that broadcasts less than 51% of minutes in a 24hr day.
°Nickelodeon Total Day 6a-11p
Weekly Top Ten Basic Cable Ad Supported networks, Total Day and Primetime Rankings among K6-11 (000) 2/11-2/17/08 :
Total Day (000) Primetime (000)
NICK°: 697 DSNY*: 983
DSNY*: 533 CARTOON: 494
CARTOON: 353 NAN**: 335
NAN**: 185 TOON DIS: 85
ADSM**: 127 DISCOVERY: 63
TOON DIS.: 69 NICKTOONS: 56
NOGGIN: 47 MTV: 56
DISCOVERY: 45 NOGGIN: 54
NICKTOONS: 36 ANIMAL PLANET: 30
MTV: 31 TLC: 29
Source: Disney Research from Nielsen Media Research Data Live + SD Data
*Disney Channel is not an ad supported cable network, unlike the others in this listing.
**Denotes a network that broadcasts less than 51% of minutes in a 24hr day.
°Nickelodeon Total Day 6a-11p
Weekly Top Ten Basic Cable Ad Supported Networks, Total Day and Primetime Rankings among Tweens 9-14 (000) 2/11-2/17/08 :
Total Day (000) Primetime (000)
NICK°: 513 DSNY*: 814
DSNY*: 439 NAN**: 423
NAN**: 282 CARTOON: 397
CARTOON: 248 MTV: 115
ADSM**: 157 DISCOVERY: 102
MTV: 79 COMEDY: 85
DISCOVERY: 71 THE N: 50
ANIMAL PLANET: 49 BET: 50
COMEDY: 47 TOON DIS.: 42
TOON DIS.: 40 TLC: 40
Source: Disney Research from Nielsen Media Research Data Live + SD Data
*Disney Channel is not an ad supported cable network, unlike the others in this listing.
**Denotes a network that broadcasts less than 51% of minutes in a 24hr day.
°Nickelodeon Total Day 6a-11p
Live + Same Day Ratings Kids Cable Network Averages (000) for Saturday, February 16, 2008, 6am-11pm, ranked by K2-11:
NICKELODEON: K2-11 1485; K6-11 995; TWEENS 9-14 737
DISNEY CHANNEL: K2-11 1104; K6-11 717; TWEENS 9-14 555
CARTOON NETWORK: K2-11 612; K6-11 403; TWEENS 9-14 318
TOON DISNEY: K2-11 234; K6-11 125; TWEENS 9-14 64
Source: MTVN Research from Nielsen Media Research Data
Live + Same Day Ratings Kids Cable Network Averages (000) for Sunday, February 17, 2008, 6am-11pm, ranked by K2-11:
NICKELODEON: K2-11 1442; K6-11 989; TWEENS 9-14 723
DISNEY CHANNEL: K2-11 1004; K6-11 620; TWEENS 9-14 446
CARTOON NETWORK: K2-11 641; K6-11 445; TWEENS 9-14 306
TOON DISNEY: K2-11 186; K6-11 87; TWEENS 9-14 47
Source: MTVN Research from Nielsen Media Research Data
Answer to Yesterday’s Trivia Question: Camp Wazitayah was the setting for season one of what children’s TV series? BUG JUICE (Disney Channel) Kudos to: Vincent Steves-Scripps Networks/NY; Jim Salicrup-Papercutz/NY; Kimberly Keeley-Safety4Kids/Stamford, CT; Tara McGrath-Nicktoons Network/NY; Chris Waterman-Movieplus/LA; Derek Bartholomaus-Lewis Black’s Root Of All Evil/LA; Nicole Smolen/Valencia, CA; Claire Wilmut-Boomstone Animation, Inc./Ottawa
Today’s Trivia Question: On the long running series Sabrina the Teenage Witch, after Sabrina graduates from college, what is the name of the magazine she writes for in Season 7? ( 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!
02.21.08
Cynopsis Ad Sales: Jennifer Franko – 203-583-9796 / [email protected]
Classifieds – Trish Pihonak- 203-926-9878 / [email protected]
Cynopsis website – Video Resumes, Extended Classified Ads, Archives, and the Cynopsis Daily Video
CableU – Know Networks Better. Pitch Smarter. Click here
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.
