Cynopsis: DIGITAL

07/22/10

Good morning, it’s Thursday, July 22, 2010, and this is your first early morning digital briefing.  If you would like to read this or any other Cynopsis edition online, click here. 

The attorneys general of 38 states have now joined in the investigation into Google‘s use of Wi-Fi-connected Street View vehicles, used to “accidentally” collect personal data from around the country and around the world. A letter put together by Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal asks the company whether it tested the Street View software before use and whether or not it has sold or otherwise used the data it collected.
 

 
Leading news site CNN.com saw traffic spike in June thanks to coverage of the oil spill disaster in the Gulf. The site served 13 million live video streams during the month, a 214% increase over the prior 6-month average, due in large part to a continuous live stream from an underwater camera submerged in the Gulf. CNN says its oil spill coverage generated more than 37 million page views, with users submitting nearly 3,000 iReports – more than 200 of which were vetted for use on CNN.
 
Just in time for Comic-Con, AMCtv.com launched its first digital comic episode of The Walking Dead, based on the first 13 1/2 pages of the original The Walking Dead comic, created and written by Robert Kirkman with art by Tony Moore. AMC has picked up 6 1-hour episodes of a live action series based on the zombie comic, slated to premiere this fall.
 
Discovery Communications‘ new MyDiscovery site presents an innovative interface with which to explore and share Tweets about Discovery programming. The site, a celebration of Discovery Channel’s 25th anniversary year, features trending text, photo and video “discoveries.”
 
Asian action distributor Tai Seng has licensed a number of titles for download on Sony’s PlayStation3 Network, including Donnie Yen starrer “Dragon Tiger Gate” and Manga adaptation “Initial D.”
 

 
Social gaming start-up Zattikka has raised $5.5 million through its parent company Expedite 5, Inc. in an investment led by Notion Capital and a group of private individuals including Harald Ludwig. The company will use the funding to invest in recruitment, marketing and R&D to broaden its portfolio of browser and mobile games.
 

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Yahoo‘s ad revenue recovery continues to plod along at a slow pace, as the company reported Q2 ad revenue of $1.6 billion, up just 2% from $1.57 billion a year ago. The company, which is hoping to get a boost from its soon-to-begin search partnership with Microsoft, expects similar revenues this quarter.
 
White label video ad platform AdGenesis LLC struck a partnership with InboxDollars to integrate the AdGenesis multiple media, real-time video advertising platform into the 10 million user InBox Dollars rewards-based website.
 

 
A lawyer working for Facebook told a Federal judge in Buffalo, N.Y. that she was “unsure” whether CEO Mark Zuckerberg signed a contract with a New York man who claims to have secured an 84% stake in the company, per Bloomberg. Paul Ceglia sued Facebook and Zuckerberg in state court June 30, claiming that a contract signed in April 2003 entitles him to ownership of most of the closely-held company.
 
WPP’s Kantar Video has partnered with online video tracking firm Anvato to help enforce copyright infringement of its clients on the web. Avanto’s “perceptual signature” technology creates a unique fingerprint to identify and track online content as it spreads across the web. The technology will be adapted as part of Kantar’s Track product, which provides video tracking and analytics even after it is syndicated to third-party sites.
 

 
AT&T’s decision to place mobile broadband caps on iPhone and iPad users (and charge subscribers for overages) spells trouble for streaming media and internet TV providers, according to a new iSuppli analysis. Going forward, the caps will make it difficult for any high-quality streaming application hoping to become a true TV substitute to get off the ground without the support of wireless operators, according to principle analyst William Kidd.
 
PC Game downloads are now selling at nearly the same rate as retail shrink-wrapped versions, according to the NPD Group. 21.3 million full-game PC digital downloads were purchased online in the U.S. in 2009, compared to 23.5 million physical units purchased at retail with physical sales showing signs of further decline this year. Both browser-based and social networking-focused game publishers fared well, particularly during the second half of the year.
 
Top 5 Frontline Digital Retailers -2009 (based on unit % share)
1.     Steampowered.com
2.     Direct2drive.com
3.     Blizzard.com
4.     EA.com
5.     Worldofwarcraft.com
Source: The NPD Group
 
Top 5 Casual Digital Retailers – 2009 (based on unit % share)
1.     Bigfishgames.com
2.     Pogo.com
3.     Gamehouse.com
4.     iWin.com
5.     Realarcade.com
Source: The NPD Group
 
The iPad is poised to takeover other mobile devices as the primary device to deliver a wealth of interactive content, according to a new report polling 400+ owners and intenders from LA-based Resolve Market Research. Some 60% of iPad owners/intenders say the device is the best available for playing games, yet 38% say they will not buy new portable gaming devices after owning an iPad. Another 50% say they will not buy an e-Reader after buying an iPad. Like the iPhone, the device is also acting as a gateway to other Apple products, as 37% of planned purchases say the iPad will be their first Apple product. The top reasons for wanting the iPad include:
 #1 (56%) — Entertainment
 #2 (42%) — Cool factor
 #3 (40%) — Convenience
 #4 (28%) — Brand (Apple)
 

 
Check out Flipboard, an elegant new iPad app that aggregates content that your Facebook and Twitter friends are reading and linking to. Adding something to the stream is easy with one click “like” buttons. The app also recommends content from various prominent sites and genres on the web. The Palo Alto start-up also announced that it has acquired web intelligence company Ellerdale to help improve its recommendation engine. Ellerdale indexes data from the social web to the tune of 70 million messages/day to determine relevancy.
 
ABC, whose entertainment app has won the hearts and minds of many iPad early adopters, released a new free ABC News iPad video app featuring an inventive interface that allows users to shake, spin and touch the device to scroll through videos, stories and photos. The free ad-supported app (sponsored by Jeep and Truvia at launch) supports HTML5 video to offer archive videos from several franchises, including Good Morning America, World News with Diane Sawyer, Nightline, 20/20 and This Week. ABC says the ABC full episode player app has been downloaded more than 928,000 times and delivered some 5.9 million episodes since launching a little over 3 months ago. (Use it to watch last night’s Diane Sawyer interview with Mark Zuckerberg.)
 
The cloud-based MOG music app, which signed an integration deal with Roku last month, has launched its first mobile apps for the iPhone and Android. The free apps deliver access to MOG’s $9.99/mo. 8 million song subscription music service, enabling customers to build customized downloadable playlists they can listen to when they’re not connected to a 3G signal or Wi-Fi network.
 

 
Sling Media co-founder Jason Krikorian has joined venture capital firm DCM as General Partner. The company also announced commitments of over $400 million to its DCM Fund VI, as well as the promotion of Tokyo-based senior investment professional Osuke Honda to Partner.
 
Rich media marketing start-up OGGIFINOGI hired former Babelgum EVP and Chief Revenue Officer Michael Rosen as its first President. Mike will oversee the company’s operations including sales and marketing, reporting to CEO Michael Hyman. 
 
Marketing tag management system TagMan named 4 new executives to its Board of Directors: former Managing Director of AOL’s Platform A, Brendan Condon; former President & CEO of Tumri, Calvin Lui; ClickTracks founder, John Marshall; and IAC VP, Tom Sipple.
 
Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jane Smiley is joining NBC Digital and P&G’s boomer-themed “Life Goes Strong” family vertical site “Family Goes Strong” as a guest blogger.
 

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When “The Social Network” poster popped up online last month – (“You Don’t Get To 500 Million Friends Without Making a Few Enemies”) – bloggers wondered if the Columbia Pictures marketing dept. might be jumping the gun. In a blog post announcing the new (self congratulatory) Facebook Stories app yesterday, Mark Zuckerberg announced that his baby has indeed surpassed the 500 million user mark around the globe. Although the social network’s growth is slowing in the U.S. (only 320k new members in June), the site continues to expand like gangbusters in overseas markets. At its current pace, Facebook will break 1 billion users by 2012, serving about 1 in every 7 people on earth. But something tells me that the next 500 million won’t be as easy to achieve. The Chinese government still blocks Facebook from reaching the most populous country, so that could be a sticking point. Mobile networking continues to evolve, and not all users have been satisfied with Facebook’s mobile apps. Finally, the company’s ever-changing privacy policies have given some influential users (and government officials) pause. It’s clear that young people don’t lose sleep over privacy issues, but these users will learn to care as they get a little older. Mr. Zuckerberg seemed to recognize this in his interview with Diane Sawyer last night, saying, “I think what people really want is control. And building tools to make it so that people have the control that they want, that’s our job, right. We work really hard to make it is as simple as possible.”
 
Later — Wayne
Wayne Karrfalt for Cynopsis: Digital
[email protected]
07.22.10

Cynopsis Ad Sales:
Mike Farina – Sr. Dir/Business Development & Sales – 203-218-6480 / [email protected]
Classifieds – Trish Pihonak- 203-381-9096 / [email protected]

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

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JOB OPENING: DIGITAL MEDIA/Sesame Workshop/NY: Seeking freelance producers, production assistants, interaction, viz designers, QA managers to work on various digital platform projects. [email protected]  (7/29)

JOB OPENING: DIR, CREATIVE SERVICES/Citadel Broad/NYC: 5+ yrs exp developing successful multi-media mktg campaigns. Oversee brand image strategy and mktg. materials execution. [email protected] ref. NY 154 EOE/AA (7/29)

JOB OPENING: TV One Vacancies (4) TV One/MD: DIR, AFFL. MRKTNG; 2 REGIONAL SALES MGR FOR NE/SE reg & W/MIDWEST reg:  Req’s. sales/mrkting exp; WEB DESIGNER: mng. crtve devlp of online consumer comm. Visit: www.tvoneonline.com (7/29)

JOB OPENING: SR. WRITER-PRODUCER/Fuse/NY: Write, produce and edit promos for on-and-off air. Lead Editorial Creative for Creative Services. Must know Final Cut Pro, AVID a plus. Rez to [email protected] “SWP” in subj. (7/29)

JOB OPENING:  SR RESEARCH ANALYST/ABC Burbank: Min 2 yrs exp in Digital & TV research and software, strong written, PC & analytical skills, college degree req. Apply at: www.disneyabcjobs.com (7/29)

JOB OPENING: TV Host: QVC/West Chester, PA: Experience in hosting TV, radio, trade shows, live events, product demos or web. Must be energetic, intelligent enthusiastic, curious, sincere and credible. [email protected]   (7/29)

JOB OPENING:  DVLPMNT MANAGER/RSRCHR/NYC: For reality/non-fict TV. Extnsve rsrch for characters, subcultures, formats for next big hit. Basic shoot/edit/cast & treatment writing. Res/Cov Ltr: [email protected]. 1+ yrs exp req’d (7/29)

JOB OPENING:  ACCT EXEC,DIGITAL SALES, NY,NY-WWE seeks experienced Digital AE w/ proven experience, established contacts, and excellent sales acumen. Competitive compensation & excellent benefits. Apply: http://wwe-careers.com/ (7/29)

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH /MTV Networks/LA:   MTV Networks has a few openings in Research for both Nickelodeon and MTV/VH1. Please apply directly to www.mtvnetworkscareers.com to check out the specifics. EOE/M/F/D/AAP (7/28)

JOB OPENING: FREELANCE DIG. PROJ MGR/PASADENA/CA: 5-7 yrs front end PM exp mngng websites, banner & email prgrms. Must be adept at proj prioritization & process mngmnt. Apply: https://home.eease.com/recruit/?id=514663 .No recruiters (7/28)

JOB OPENING: PRODUCTION MGR/BET Networks-NY: Oversee Creative Services projects ensuring completion on time and on budget; project timelines, deliverables, assignments, and budgets (5 yrs exp)-submit resumes to: [email protected] (7/28)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR AD SALES MARKETING/Hallmark Channel/NY: direct & implement advertising, direct mail, upfront, events. Min 7 yrs exp. Full posting & apply at www.hallmarkchannel.com (7/28)

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH MGR/CNBC-Englewood Cliffs NJ:reporting/strategic insights for digital media properties; maintain accurate/consistent audience. 3-5 yr web analytics/media/ad/mkting rsrch. Apply @ www.nbcunicareers.com #1229758(7/27)

JOB OPENING: ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE/NESN/MA: Develop new business & existing accounts utilizing NESN and NESN.com’s brand position. 2+ years of TV or cable ad sales experience to include new media sales. www.nesn.com (7/27)

JOB OPENING: DIGITAL SALES MANAGER/NESN/MA: Develop and enhance a new media sales strategy and execute the strategy. 5+ years experience in media sales 3+ years of internet sales experience www.nesn.com (7/27)

JOB OPENING: EXEC ASST/DISH Network/NY: Support 2 VPs Nat’l AD Sales. Proficient in Microsoft office, travel/expenses/office mgmt.Detail orientated. College degree req, related exp a +. Resumes to: [email protected] (7/27)

JOB OPENING:  SALES PLANNER/MUSIC CHOICE/NYC: Create integrated cross platform proposals,mng accts,update sales materials,identify & research prospects. 2+yrs of ntwrk or agency exp pref’d [email protected] (7/23)

JOB OPENING:  PR FREELANCE/NYC: Seasoned professional for dvlpmnt/execution of PR plan for digital property needed ASAP. Project 3-4 mnths, full time focus req’d. Ability to deliver results a must. Resumes: [email protected] (7/23)

JOB OPENING: MGR AD SLS RSRCH/Discovery Communications/NY: Create sls estimates, dvlp sls positioning, produce custom sls materials. TV Rsrch exp & Nielsen proficiency a must. http://careers.discovery.com/: Req 9676  (7/23)

JOB OPENING:  ADMIN ASST/ION/NY: Admin Asst to the Pres & SVP of Nat’l sales. Prof in all Microsoft office, support sales team. Detail orientated & good comm skills a must. College degree pref. EOE [email protected] (7/23)

JOB OPENING:  SR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE/ ION Media Networks/NY: Seeks AE for network spot sales. 3-5 years exp preferred National TV Sales, est relationships & proven track record. Apply at [email protected] EOE  (7/23)

JOB OPENING: SALES PLANNER/ION Media Networks/New York, NY: Seeks Planner for national tv sales. BA, 2 to 3 years network sales planning experience, works with AE & Sales Assistant. Apply at [email protected] EOE (7/23)

JOB OPENING: MEDIA ANALYST/Billetts America/NYC: Analyze media plans on both a cost & quality basis. 4-8 Yrs Media Buying/Planning Exp Req; Strong Excel and analytical skills req’d; resume: [email protected] (7/23)

JOB OPENING:  FREELANCE PROD. OFFICE ASST/C2 Creative/NY: Self-starter to asst Exec Prod & team on integrated project July-Dec. Calendar, finance, travel, files and other; PC and TV/interactive exp. preferred. [email protected]   (7/23)

JOB OPENING:  SENIOR PRODUCER/PARENTS & PRESCHOOL/ MTV Kids & Family/NYC. 4+yrs exp. in nxt generation web/digi media prod. Exp managing projects. Strng written & verbal com. skills.  EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (7/23)

JOB OPENING: (1)-SR WRITER/PROD (1)-WRITER/PROD/NYC: Develop and execute film/video productions for BET Creative Services; writing/editing/producing, etc. send resumes to [email protected] (7/23)

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] .

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY:  PRODUCTION, FIELD, ART DESIGN INTERNS/Martha Stewart/NYC: Students MUST receive college credit; position is unpaid. Contact [email protected] (7/28) 

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: SALES INTERN/NYC: Work closely with AE’s; gain knowledge of maintaining detailed paperwork, support Assistants utilizing basic computer skills to process orders. Resume and cover letter to [email protected] (7/24)

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: RESEARCH INTERN/NYC: Research Intern: Gather research information, learn to read the rating books used for TV ad sales, attend meetings, complete audience tracking reports using Excel. Resume and cover letter to [email protected] (7/24)

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: DIGITAL MEDIA/ TECHNOLOGY/CABLE ATTORNEY Broad in-house exp incontent distribution, digital media, technology licensing,affiliate & ad sales. Avail for project/consultant/FT. Contact [email protected] (7/29)

SITUATION WANTED: MEDIA SALES/MARKETING MANAGER/LA: 15+ years experience in educational, documentary, advertising media sales , product, biz development   True Closer!!!!!  [email protected] (7/29)
 
SITUATION WANTED:  WEB/TV PRODUCER/EDITOR/MANAGER seeking full-time work. 14 years experience, based in L.A. willing to relocate. Contact: [email protected] (7/29)

SITUATION WANTED: EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT POSITION FILM/TV/NY: 7 years experience: Interned for a President, Executive Assistant to SVP/VP/film director/celebrity [email protected] (7/28)

SITUATION WANTED:  International Business Development Executive, with experience in sales, marketing, licensing, acquisitions, distribution, packaging, co-production finance. [email protected] (7/28)

SITUATION WANTED: Cross-genre WRITER/PRODUCER 10 years+. Hi-profile digital branding. Award-winning travel/inspirational writer. Mystery series creator. Contribute vision & storytelling talent to positive projects. [email protected] (7/27)

SITUATION WANTED:   STORY/POST PRODUCER (LA): Creative thinker/hard worker, 10+ years experience, all reality genres, many network & cable credits. Great at paper cuts, solid in edit bay, detail-oriented, fun. [email protected]   (7/23)

SITUATION WANTED:   DIRECTOR/CREATIVE DEVELOPER: Animation. Dynamic, award-winning, fun-filled…Past clients include Warner Brothers, ABC Family, Comedy Central, Nick JR, HBO Family, MTV2, The Tornante Company. [email protected] (7/23)

SITUATION WANTED:   DOCUMENTARY. PRODUCER, DIRECTOR, WRITER in L.A. Five prime time Emmys. Credits: National Geo, PBS, Discovery, History CH, TLC and MSNBC. Contact email: [email protected]   (7/23)

E-mail [email protected] or call Trish Pihonak at 203.926.9878 for rates and specs for Job Openings.

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

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