A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM SONY PICTURES TELEVISION

Cynopsis: DIGITAL
06.13.13

Good morning. It’s Thursday, June 13, 2013, and this is your first early morning digital briefing.

Facebook is rolling out hashtags, allowing users to organize content and conversations by topics. Similar to how the feature functions on Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, and Pinterest, users will be able to click on hashtags on Facebook, which will then pull up a feed of posts from other people and pages about that event or topic. Users will also be able to search for a specific hashtag and click on hashtags that originate on another social network (Facebook allows for integrations with Twitter and Instagram).
— In other words: Facebook wants ad money from TV advertisers looking to reach TV viewers chatting about a certain show, event, or topic — the same ad money that Twitter has been going after.

Legendary B-movie filmmaker Roger Corman and his producer wife, Julie Corman, have officially launched their new Corman’s Drive-In paid channel on YouTube. The channel, which is available for $3.99/month after a 14-day free trial, will offer a rotating selection of 30 films from Corman’s 400-strong library. The launch slate of movies includes a couple of Jack Nicholson’s first features: The Crybaby Killer and Little Shop of Horrors. Other films showcase the talents of Ron Howard, Martin Sheen, David Carradine, Bill Pullman, and Christopher Plummer. Subscribers will also have access to sneak peeks at upcoming films, extended trailers, behind-the-scenes insights and trivia from the Cormans, and an interview with the special effects team from Dinocroc.

Time Warner Cable, Cablevision, DirecTV, and other pay TV operators now have contract provisions in place that could discourage media companies from selling their programming to digital MSOs (such as the one that is currently being built by Intel Media). According to multiple media reports, these clauses incentivize media companies not to cut deals with digital MSOs so they don’t have to offer the same terms and conditions to incumbent pay TV operators. That’s because some pay TV operators have the right to drop programming if they don’t receive the same terms, while other deals offer more money per subscriber if the media company withholds programming from digital MSOs.
— In other words: If true, this highlights a potential threat to the success of any future web-based pay TV service. Content providers have no problem selling their programming to web-based TV services, as long as the distributor is willing to pay a premium. Intel Media has already made it known that it will pay more to have access to programming bundles for its TV service, which is scheduled to launch later this year. But that won’t matter if the existing pay TV operators muscle companies like Intel out.

Nickelodeon recently launched its first-ever global animated shorts program after two successful bouts in the US. The global program is designed to identify and develop new animated properties, and has already received over 100 submissions from artists, designers, writers, directors, comedians, and other creative types from more than 20 countries across six continents. Add the 900+ submissions Nick received for its US-based shorts program and this means the network has 1,000+ pitches to sift through. Finalists from the international program will be announced later this summer. Fifteen will be chosen and developed into animated shorts, which will have the chance to air on TV as well as be available online and on mobile devices via the Nick App.

I was finally able to check out 10 on the Park at the Time Warner Center yesterday, and I am not going to lie, it has some pretty sweet views of Central Park. Not that I would want you to be focusing on that during next week’s BIG Monetization Summit, but, still, know that it’s there. If you haven’t registered yet, you can still do so here.

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE

At its Video Publisher Forum in NY yesterday, LiveRail unveiled a new crop of video ad management and optimization tools for publishers. Notably, LiveRail is integrating Nielsen’s Online Campaign Ratings metrics via two new features within its programmatic platform for publishers. The first feature is in-flight campaign reporting, which allows publishers to pull up Nielsen metrics on a nightly basis; the second feature is OCR Planner, which enables publishers to run diagnostics on their inventory to better understand their audience composition. Other features include:
– Checkpoint (a toolset that allows publishers to avoid direct sales channel conflicts as well as verify and block ads from undesired advertisers)
– Inspector (allows operations teams to view ad information like ad type, origin, runtime, and price in real-time)
– Mobile updates, including new iOS and Android in-app development tools that support core LiveRail platform features
–A new in-app SDK for FreeWheel users to access LiveRail’s programmatic platform

Brad Brinegar, the Chairman and CEO of McKinney, will serve as the Judging Panel Chair for the 2013 IAB MIXX Awards. He will oversee this year’s group of 31 judges, which consists of agency creatives, media executives, and marketers. The annual IAB MIXX Awards recognizes excellence in interactive advertising and marketing. This year brings seven new competitive categories into the mix (pun intended): Augmented Reality, Clicks-to-Bricks, Branded Utility, Content Marketing, Custom Mobile Rich Media Display, and IAB Standard Mobile Rich Media Display. Brinegar has been the recipient of two “Best in Show” IAB MIXX Awards.

Gracenote is opening up its video APIs to help developers create second-screen apps. The latest batch of APIs give developers access to TV listings data and imagery as well as the company’s automatic content recognition (ACR) technology, which enables smartphones and tablets to identify and sync with what’s airing on the TV screen. Gracenote will debut the video APIs at the TV of Tomorrow Hackathon in SF on June 22, and is offering a $2,000 prize for “the most innovative hack built using them.”

The latest data from Compete has no month-over-month change in the top 5 most-trafficked sites from April to May. While every site in the top 5 witnessed a small decline in unique visitors, it wasn’t much, and not enough to affect the rankings. Here are the May numbers:

• Google.com: 171.5 million unique visitors (-0.22%)
• Yahoo.com: 164.3 million (-0.19%)
• Facebook.com: 163.3 million (-0.49%)
• YouTube.com: 162.3 million (-0.32%)
• Bing.com: 158.1 million (-0.02%)

Collective Digital Studio (CDS) has hired Michele Fino as its new SVP/Sales & Branded Entertainment. In her new role, Fino will be responsible for all sales and branded entertainment efforts on the East Coast. She will be based in the YouTube multichannel network’s NY office and will report to CDS CRO Alex Angeledes.

Janet Scardino has been named Chief Operating Officer at Saban Brands. She will oversee the company’s media operations across television, digital, and games, as well as content distribution and ad sales for all properties worldwide. Scardino’s resume includes executive stops at companies like Disney, MTV, AOL, and Reuters.

Animation and transmedia studio FlickerLab has appointed Jordan Geary as its new Head of Production and Development. He will oversee all of the company’s projects and manage operations.

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE

Comcast has unveiled X2, a cloud-based entertainment platform that will allow Xfinity TV subscribers to access live and on-demand TV programming, web video, personalized movie and TV show recommendations, and an array of apps across PCs, smartphones, tablets, and TVs. The company has also upgraded its X1 platform to include a new “Send to TV” feature, which enables users to flick web content to their X1 set-top box in order to watch it on their TV screen. The X2 platform was previewed by Comcast CEO Brian L. Roberts at the NCTA Cable Show. X2 will be made available later this year

Later – Sahil
Sahil Patel, Editor for Cynopsis Digital
06.13.13

Roberta Caploe: Editorial Director
Denise O’Connor: Group Publisher, Cynopsis Media
Diane K Schwartz: Senior Vice President, Media Communications Group

Cynopsis Ad Sales: Mike Farina | VP Sales & Marketing | 203-218-6480
Classifieds Sales: Trish Pihonak | Director of Operations & Content | 888-702-3858

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

JOB OPENING: ASST/COORD/Santa Monica: Support Pres. & team @ boutique PR firm. Handle schedules, maint of acct/media databases & office systems. Strong comm, organizt’ll skills. MS Office & Photoshop. Prior PR/ent. exp. pref. Resumes: HERE (6/19)

JOB OPENING: PUBLICIST/Santa Monica: 3-5 yrs. exp. consumer, ent or TV. Work on variety of ent accts, srvce range of media rqsts.  Motivated, creative thinker w/strong writing, pitching/media relations, & organiz’l skills.  Resume: HERE  (6/19)

JOB OPENING: SHOWRUNNERS & PRODUCERS: needed for Philly-based prodco working across genres and platforms. Please put “TV” in subject line. [email protected]. (6/19)

JOB OPENING: DIR COMM/NBCUNIVERSAL/CA: 7+ yrs TV publicity exp w/unscripted series at cble nwtk or ent company. Exp interfacing w/high profile talent., execs, mgrs, producers & media. Apply: www.nbcunicareers.com (9407BR) (6/19)

JOB OPENING: EDITORIAL PROD/COMEDY CENTRAL/NY: Write/prod for dig. Platforms. Must have exc project mngt/comm skills & precise eye for detail. BA Deg 3+ yrs editorial/copy editing & web prod exp.  Apply/more details: HERE (6/19)

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH ANALYST/VIACOM/NYC: provides a critical supporting analytic role, the backbone of the team in issuing recurring reports. 1-3 yrs exp (internships incl) data analysis, cbl/brcst TV pref’d.  More info apply HERE (6/19)

JOB OPENING: DIG. PRODUCT MGR, INT’L (2 OPENINGS)/VIACOM/NYC: BA deg w/5-8 years product mngmt expe, with a proven track record of shipping great consumer products. Expertise with wireframing tools of your choice.  More info/apply:  HERE (6/19)

JOB OPENING:  SR DESIGNER/Discovery/NYC: Conceptual thinker to craft the look and feel, user-interface, and responsive designs for content across our tv ntwrk digital assets. 5+ yrs dig design exp, in ent. indstry pref’d. Apply (6/19)

JOB OPENING: SR ASIGNMENT DESK EDITOR/Fox Sports 1/LA: Newsgathering for programming. Answer phones, book feeds & crews. Monitor wires, cut video, set up live events. Req 5+ yrs relevant exp. Apply: http://goo.gl/oPNWV (6/18)

JOB OPENING: SR MGR LICENSING/MATTEL/L.A.: Dvlp cons products strategies across brands & set global brand priorities. Partner w/ brand mktg to develop strategies. Min. 5-8 yrs. licensing exp req. Int’l exp pref’d. Apply to HERE (6/15)

JOB OPENING: TRAFFIC COORD/TV One/NY: Build daily comm. log within parameters to ensure accuracy. Wrk w/Ad Sales mgmt., traffic mgmt. and agencies. BA pref’d and/or 2 yrs of exp TV Ops & Traffic. More info: www.tvone.tv (6/15)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR, ACCT MANAGEMENT & STRATEGY/A+E Networks/NY: Manage day-to-day brand strategy copy & client mgmt. Full Info/Apply: http://www.aenetworks.com/careers (6/15)

JOB OPENING: NEW BIZ & INTGR MRKT MGR/NYC: Mng 360 mrktg efforts to drive rev + ratings, connect biz strat w/brand strat. Resp for mng partners, campaigns & EST relationships. 5+ yrs mrktg exp. Agency/CPG/brand exp +. Send resume HERE (6/15)

JOB OPENING: DIR, AD SALES & SPONSOR DVLPMNT/Location flexible: Sell advrtsing for avail over-the-air TV station, reg’l sports ntwrk & dig partner inventory for sports series. Min 5 yrs TV sales/media buying &/or selling exp. Info HERE (6/15)

JOB OPENING: MGR, SCHEDULING/AMC/NYC: Be part of the prog sched team behind The Walking Dead, Mad Men, and more. Submit res http://tinyurl.com/cxmr88z (6/15)

JOB OPENING: DIR CONTENT ACQ/ION/NYC: Resp for prospecting, analysis, diligence, acquisition of program content for network. 5+ yrs exp w/program acquisitions EEO Apply at [email protected] (6/15)

JOB OPENING: DIR DIGITAL YIELD MGMT, PRICING/INV/Weather Channel/NYC: Dvlp/implement strategy, systems & processes to dramatically improve pricing & rev mngmnt. BA deg req’d. 5+ yrs mngng personnel & complex activities. Resume HERE (6/14) 

JOB OPENING: MANAGER, INTEGRATED/truTV/NYC: Development & execution of integrated advertiser marketing solutions across all platforms. 3-5 yrs, solid linear & digital ad sales exp. Freelance. Email resume: [email protected] (6/14) 

JOB OPENING: DIR PARTNER MKTG/NBC/NJ:  8+ yrs cable mktg. Create 360 mktg materials/prgrms. Work closely w/MVPD strat, press, rsrch & ntwrk grps to dvlp accnt-spfc value props. Apply: www.nbcunicareers.com (9774BR) (6/14) 

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].

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].

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

Copyright Cynopsis 2013

All outgoing e-mails are scanned and sent out virus free. Copyright Cynopsis 2013

To subscribe to any Cynopsis edition(s) click here.
To unsubscribe from this edition, click here. Or for further assistance please email [email protected].