CYNTHIA TURNER’S
Cynopsis: Kids!
06/15/06
Good morning. It’s Thursday, June 15, 2006 and this is your first early morning Kids! briefing.
Laika, Inc. has unveiled its plans to build a feature film animation studio and compound on 30 acres of land, recently purchased by Laika owner/Chairman Philip H. Knight, in Tualatin, Oregon just south of Portland and near Knight’s Nike headquarters. Scheduled to open in 2008, groundbreaking is planned for early 2007 with the first phase of the studio to include buildings specifically for CGI animation, stop motion animation and corporate offices. The studio will be good for the business of animation as well as the local economy with Laika Entertainment’s growing movie production schedule, and the company expects to grow its current staff of 200 to 600+ over the next two years. Knight purchased Laika, formerly known as Vinton Studios, in 2003. Laika is currently working on its first two animated features, Coraline and Jack and Ben’s Animated Adventure.
While footie players from around the world were doing there thing, fans let their fingers catch up on the news. comScore Networks reports that the official FIFA World Cup soccer tournament website at Fifaworldcup.yahoo.com had 5+ million unique visitors on Friday June 9, the first day of the tournament. As the opening weekend progressed the website saw the average daily visitors at 4.4+ million. Additionally, comScore reports the site supported some 400,000 video streams on Friday and averaged approximately 375,000 streams per day throughout the weekend. As for who was stopping by the site, which offers content in nine languages, the firm found that 57% of the page views over the weekend were in English, 14% were in Spanish, 6% of the pages viewed were in Japanese, 3% in Chinese, and 1% in Korean. On the opening day the BBC World Cup website received 1+ million worldwide visitors, including some 450,000 from those in the UK.
NEW PRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT
Indie film studio Lionsgate has signed Keke Palmer, the 12 year-old actress/singer and star of its movie Akeelah And The Bee, to a TV deal. The studio is developing TV projects for Palmer and may also cast her in ongoing Lionsgate series and long-form productions. Next the young actress will star in Jump (working title), a Disney Channel original movie. Palmer, who made her movie debut at 9 in Barbershop 2: Back in Business, was a featured player in Lionsgate’s movie Madea’s Family Reunion and has appeared in a number of TV series and TV movies. On the music side of her career, Palmer also co-wrote the song All My Girlz, which is a track on the Akeelah soundtrack. She recently inked a long-term recording deal with Atlantic Records.
Boaz Yakin has been tapped to write the script, and possibly direct, Warner Bros’. new movie adaptation of Conan the Barbarian, based on the comic book character created by Robert E. Howard, per Variety. Yakin wrote screenplays for movies including Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights, The Rookie and The Punisher, his directing credits include Uptown Girls, and Remember the Titans, he write and directed A Price Above Rubies. With production slated for early 2007, the Conan movie will be produced by Irving Azoff, Jon Jashni, Richard Alexander, and Akiva Goldsman. Serving as executive producers are Peter Sederowsky and Fredrik Malmberg of Paradox Entertainment, which has control of Howard’s estate. Howard, who died in 1936, debuted his character Conan the barbarian warrior in The Phoenix on the Sword in 1932.
MORE KIDS STUFF
Dish Network has added BabyFirstTV, the new 24/7 network for babies/toddlers/parents, to its channel line-up. BabyFirstTV can be previewed for free beginning today, June 15 through July 11 as part of Dish Network’s Preview Showroom (ch. 288). Viewers can subscribe to BabyFirstTV as an a la carte option ($9.99 per month).
MARKETING/LICENSING
Al Ovadia & Associates, Inc. has inked a deal with Spin Master Ltd., a toy developer/distributor, as the lead toy partner for Thumb Wrestling Federation: TWF, which airs on Nicktoons Network. Spin Master’s TWF licensing program will feature a collection of figures, collectibles, role play products and playsets targeted to kids/teens 6-16. Products in the TWF line are slated to be available in early 2007. Al Ovadia & Associates, Inc. is the global licensing agent for TWF, which is a creation of Larry Schwarz’s Animation Collective.
Screenlife, LLC will introduce a new version of its Scene It? game and several other new games:
- Scene It? Nickelodeon Edition (August 2006, kids 8+/adult)
- Banzai — The DVD Betting Game, based on the cult classic TV series and will offer clips featuring strange stunts while players make as guess as to what will happen (September 2006, teens 16+/adults)
- DVD Blast! Survivor and DVD Blast! Family Guy, new games for trivia buffs and their TV remote control. These are the first two titles in the DVD Blast! line. (September 2006, teens 16+/adults)
- Screenlife has also just released an updated American Idol All Star Challenge DVD Game, featuring clips from all five seasons (kids 8+/adults).
Warner Home Video has set the DVD release of Harry and His Bucket Full of Dinosaurs Volume 1 for October 10, 2006. The DVD includes 5 x 11 minute episodes of the preschool targeted animated series, which is based on the book series of the same name. Harry and His Bucket Full of Dinosaurs in the US on Cartoon Network weekday preschool programming block. Additionally, a Harry and His Bucket Full of Dinosaurs based toy line (with DVD sampler) will launch this August.
Fiesta Toy, a plush toy manufacturer, will release two new Secret Elves this fall for Holiday 2006. For K3+ there is both a boy and a girl elf, each will be available in an 11.5 inch size, with a 36-inch version of the boy elf also available.
STONE SOUP
A website by any other name …
In addition to being the opening day of Shakespeare in the Park in New York City and Shakespeare festivals around the country, yesterday marked the launch of Google’s Shakespeare website (www.google.com/shakespeare). The site lets visitors search for famous lines, browse plays and for those looking to purchase one of the Bard’s works go to the All editions link and it will show every version in Google Book Search. There is also a virtual field trip of the Globe Theater in 3D. They couldn’t have launched the site a month ago when my kid was building a detailed version of the Globe out of Legos?
EXECUTIVE MOVES
Gary Chapman, President/CEO of Lin TV Corp. (LTVC), is retiring next month. The U.S./Puerto Rican local television station operator is still looking for a replacement. CFO Vincent Sadusky will act as interim CEO. Gary first began with the company in 1988 as president/TV at LTVC ‘s ex-parent company. Since Gary has headed up LTVC, it has increased its TV group from 7 to 30 stations.
Granada International, a division of ITV Worldwide, will open a new office in Asia, and has appointed James Ross to the new role of Regional Director Asia. Ross will be responsible for building a local presence for Granada International and ITV Worldwide throughout the Asia-Pacific region, and exploring business development opportunities. Prior to this Ross was Media Marketing/Distribution Director, Bloomberg Television, Hong Kong. Ross, who will remain based in the territory, joined Bloomberg TV in 1996 as a TV reporter and anchor in Tokyo, later becoming Program Manager and then shifting to the business side as Media Marketing Director, and eventually on to Hong Kong.
George Sakkalli, VP/International Sales Japan, Russia & Africa will continue to focus on Japan to build Granada International’s TV sales business and develop new media and format opportunities. Based at Granada’s London headquarters, he will also focus on two other developing territories, Russia and Africa.
Simon Danker has been appointed to the role of Director/Digital Media, BBC Worldwide, reporting to David Moody, Managing Director/Digital Media &Director of Strategy. Danker will be responsible for expanding the availability of programs through multiple platforms such as the internet and mobile phones and including the development of BBC Worldwide’s iPlayer, a commercial version of the BBC’s proposed iPlayer. Danker will also identify new commercial opportunities for BBC Worldwide’s music rights as well as working closely with record labels. Additionally, he will develop partnerships within the music and new media industry both domestically and internationally. Danker joined BBC Worldwide in 2000 and prior to his new appointment he was Director/UK and Ireland TV within BBC Worldwide’s Global TV Sales division.
Lisa Cfas will take over Danker previous job gradually over the next several months. Cfas is currently Head of Business Affairs in the Independents Unit and Children’s.
Framestore CFC has named Andy Lomas to the newly expanded post of Head of CG. In his new role Lomas oversee the company’s needs and practices including for commercials, to long-form TV, and as the Framestore moves into feature animated movie production. Lomas’ appointment marks his return to Framestore, where he had previously worked in the late 1990s as a Sr. Animator and eventually as Head of 3D animation. Over the last five year Lomas has worked on projects including Matrix: Revolutions, most recently, he was Head of Character Effects at DreamWorks.
RATINGS
Nielsen Media Research will now provide integrated, all-electronic ratings for television wherever and whenever it is viewed. Anytime Anywhere Media Measurement (affectionately known as A2/M2) will measure the many ways consumers are watching TV, whether it is on the Internet, outside the home, via cell phones, iPods or other personal mobile devices. This new service acknowledges that we live in a multi-platform society and its key components include: Active/Passive metering technology; measurement of online streaming video content and the addition of Internet measurement in the company’s People Meter samples; Out-of-Home measurement in People Meter samples; roll out of electronic measurement for all local markets by 2011; the development of new meters to measure video content viewed on portable devices; and new research based on viewer engagement in TV programming.
Live + Same Day Ratings Kids Cable Network Averages (000) for Tuesday, June 13, 2006, 6am-11pm, ranked by K2-11:
NICKELODEON: K2-11 1272; K6-11 696; TWEENS 9-14 621
DISNEY CHANNEL: K2-11 908; K6-11 599; TWEENS 9-14 509
CARTOON NETWORK: K2-11 746; K6-11 507; TWEENS 9-14 399
TOON DISNEY: K2-11 236; K6-11 133; TWEENS 9-14 59
Source: MTVN Research from Nielsen Media Research Data
Answer to Yesterday’s trivia question: Fuzzy Wuzzy was a bear, but Fuzzy and Wuzzy are two and live under where?
THE TWO DUST BUNNIES WHO LIVED UNDER THE BIG COMFY COUCH Kudos to: Tamara H. Walker-double E Communications/NY; Greg Janover-Kingworld/NY; Katharine E. Heintz-Knowles, Ph.D-Children’s Media Research and Consulting/Falmouth, ME; Brian Gladman-Venture Licensing/Toronto
Today’s Trivia Question: Where can you find the club house known as The Red Caboose?( 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 Cynthia Turner’s Cynopsis Kids!
06.15.06 – 3:44a
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JOB OPENING: ACCT EXEC/ABC NEWS/NY: Dev, manage and serve client accts for stock footage sales arm of net. Apply at www.disneycareers.com (6/22)
JOB OPENING: SR RSCH ANALYST, NATL AD SALES/NY: Asst in devel of strategies, presentations& pertinent data in positioning in mrkt place.BA/BS +min 2-3 yrs tv rsrch exp, familiar w/ Nielsen, &MRI or SMRB. [email protected] (6/22)
JOB OPENING: MGR, COMM, Discovery, Bethesda, MD: Leads internal/external comm. for Discovery Education, contact w/media. 7+yrs comm./PR exp., campaign & people mgmt., travel req’d. Apply: www.discovery.com ; Job Req#3657 (6/22)
JOB OPENING: AD SALES RESEARCH F/T PAID INTERNSHIP/SPT/NY: Resp for res. TV landscape, preparing reports & presents, general support functions. Org, attention to detail, strong PC skills essential. Apply: www.sonypicturesjobs.com (6/22)
JOB OPENING: COORDINATOR, AFFIL. MKTING /Oxygen, NY: Creative, multi-tasker w/ exc. writing and presentation skills for promos, collateral, advertising! 1-2 yrs mkting exp pref. Resume: [email protected] ref job title in subj Ln (6/21)
JOB OPENING: SR WRITER PRODUCER/PBS KIDS/PHIL, PA: 3-5 yrs exp specifically in children’s mrkt. Creativity a must. Writing/producing/editing spots/prgrms for short & long form on-air promo. Apply: [email protected] (6/21)
JOB OPENING: DIR, INTERACTIVE MRKTNG/Oxygen/NY: Dev. content ideas & promo mktg plans/partnerships for online properties. Set goals & analyze ROI. 6 yrs+ rel. exp. Creativity a must, tech-knowledge a +. Email [email protected] (6/21)
JOB OPENING: RESEARCH MGR/AMC/NY: 5+ yrs media res. exp. Qual/Quan analysis of data for busy Ad Sales, Marketing, Programming groups.Exp w/Nielsen pref w/cable. [email protected] (6/20)
JOB OPENING: NATIONAL BROADCAST SUPERVISOR/ICON International/Stamford CT: 4-7 yrs buying exp in nat’l bcst w/major ad firm. Strong math, negotiating & comm. skills, detailed and comp. Proficient. Apply www.icon-intl.com EOE (6/20)
JOB OPENING: RESEARCH DIR/ Discovery Channel/Silver Spring, MD: Exp’d media pro to provide analysis in support of prgrmng/schedg/mrktg strategies. Knwldg of primary res. & Nielsen. 7+yrs. exp. www.discovery.com , Job Req. #3894 (6/20)
JOB OPENING: WRITER PRODUCER, ON-AIR PROMO/OLN/NYC: Write/prod compelling promos that support ntwrk brand.Nat’l cable/TV exp, prior sports promo exp & short-form promo exp a must. See www.olntv.com Resume/Salary: [email protected] (6/20)
JOB OPENING: AD OPS MGR/Foxnews.com/NY: Lead traffickers& ad server migration. Mng online campaigns. 5+ yrs exp traffic/sales support working w/Eyeblaster/Pointroll/ Engage/DFP/Real Media/Atlas. FNC is an EOE. [email protected] (6/20)
JOB OPENING: DIR, CONSUMER & BUSINESS INSIGHTS/Scripps Networks/NY or Knoxville, TN: 8 yrs cable netwrk primary/secondary rsch exp prefd. Exc presentation & writing skills needed. [email protected] ; job# 5221-U (6/20)
JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR DGA/DC: The Washington bureau of ABC News is seeking an experienced director experienced in multiple cameras, lighting, control room, back timing, graphic and set design. Apply www.disneycareers.com (6/17)
JOB OPENING: SENIOR COPYWRITER/ Oxygen/NY: Creative & fun full-time copywriter needed for print ads/collateral. Must have 5 yrs. ad agency experience. Info at www.oxygen.com Send res to [email protected] reference job in subj. Ln (6/17)
JOB OPENING: VP, CREATIVE DIRECTOR/HGTV/ Knoxville: 10+ years experience in on-air marketing and promotional a cable/ tv network. Resume: [email protected] job #5379-U (6/17)
JOB OPENING: SALES PLANNER/Chicago: Generate Upfront & Scatter media plans that maximize the use of inventory while fulfilling agency/client req. Liaison w/ Sales Asst’s & Traffic Department: Apply www.gecareers.com Job # 526259 (6/17)
JOB OPENING: RESEARCH DIRECTOR/FX Network /NY: Ad Sales: 6-8 yrs cable/broadcast rsch exp pref’d. Exc presentation & writing skills. Apply at www.foxcareeers.com (6/17)
JOB OPENING: PROMOTION MGR/WWE/NY, NY:Duties: Mng In-Prgrm Elements, Online Sweepstakes, Promotion Dvlpmnt/Implementation. Req’s: 3 yrs promo exp, comp skills, exp w/ media. work some nights/wknds if needed www.wwe-careers.com (6/17)
JOB OPENING: RESEARCH MGR/LA: Handles International markets. 3+years research exp in television or media. Strong PC skills, familiar w/Nielsen Software a +. Apply: www.sonypicturesjobs.com under marketing EOE (6/17)
JOB OPENING: MANAGER NETWORK DISTRIBUTION & SERVICE/Hallmark Channel/Chicago: Grow distribution & revenue. See full posting & apply at www.hallmarkchannel.com (6/16)
JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR NETWORK DISTRIBUTION & SERVICE/Hallmark Channel/ Los Angeles CA. Increase distribution for Hallmark Channel & Hallmark Movie Channel. See full posting & apply at www.hallmarkchannel.com (6/16)
JOB OPENING: FIELD PRODUCER, ASSOCIATE PRODUCER (pref shooters w/drivers license), PRODUCTION COORDINATOR AND PA/Reality Show/NY: Immediate start. Email: [email protected] (6/16)
JOB OPENING: BUSINESS AFFAIRS ATTORNEY DEAL MAKER/ Crystal City, VA: Apply online at: http://www.pbs.org/jobs . J.D. or MBA reqd. 2 + yrs in entertainment negotiating, drafting, & administering prod & license agreements reqd. (6/16)
JOB OPENING: SERIES PRODUCER/WRITER/JWM PRODUCTIONS/DC: Seasoned writer and series producer for docu-soap series. Must have a proven track record in the docu-soap genre. Resumes: [email protected] (6/16)
JOB OPENING: CYBERCHASE PROJECT SUP/Thirteen/WNET/NYC: Facilitate communication between all depts, & coordinate needs of broadcast, marketing, and licensing. BA & 5-7 yrs exp. See full posting & apply at www.thirteen.org/jobs. (6/16)
JOB OPENING: MKT RESEARCH MGR/NY: Non-profit seeks mkt research mgr to oversee dev/prod of mkt research data/analysis to drive prgrms & advance mission in ind. 5-9yrs biz exp w emph on mkt res. Email [email protected] 4 more info (6/16)
JOB OPENING: SALES PLANR/SCREENVISION/NY: Mng Eastern region biz accts. Prep proposals & copy writing tasks. Interact w/ mult depts.& clients on daily basis. 2-4 yrs agency &/or media exp. Email res: [email protected] EOE (6/15)
JOB OPENING: COORD, PRGRM MGMT & DIGITAL MEDIA/BBC WORLDWIDE AMERICAS-NY: Coord all activity of sales of BBC programs to channel & Digital Media clients. 2+ exp in media. Res + Cov lett: [email protected] (6/16)
JOB OPENING: BUDGET COORDINATOR/ LIFETIME TV NY: Track daily prod. expenses for our Advt and Promo area; reconcile dept budget tracking books; handle inquiries from vendors Apply at http://www.lifetimetv.com/about/jobs.html (6/16)
JOB OPENING: VP ONLINE AD SALES/ABC Family.com/NY: Manage the sales efforts for ABC Family.com. Apply www.disney.com/careers search “V.P. Online Ad Sales/ABC Family.com (6/30)
JOB OPENING: INTERNET ACCT EXEC/BVTV/NY: Dev. & maintain ad accts & deals for BVT Internet properties, forecast revenue, sell benefits & features of new apps, VOD and other digital oppty. 3+ yrs online sales exp. [email protected] (6/30)
JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR, PROGRAMMING/GAC/Nashville: Manage all aspects of commissioned productions & acquisitions. Experience: 7 yrs TV prod or 3 yrs network program development. [email protected] & ref job # 5249-U (6/16)
JOB OPENING: Yahoo! Inc. AD SALES RESEARCH/INSIGHTS, ASSOC DIRs & MGRs LA, Chicago, Detroit, Dallas, NY: Tradl Media Rsch or Internet Ad Sales Rsch exp w/syndicated DBs (MRI,CMR,MMX) reqd. Primary rsch a +. [email protected] (6/16)
SUMMER 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].
SUMMER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: BUSINESS INTERN/Tej Media Networks/NY: Consulting, research, analysis, and business planning for sports and entertainment projects. MBA preferred. Boston ok.[email protected] (6/21)
SUMMER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: TECHNOLOGY INTERN/Tej Media Networks/NY: Build websites, user interfaces, demos and prototypes. Some support and on-call assistance. Remote ok. [email protected] (6/21)
SUMMER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: CONTENT INTERN/Tej Media Networks/NY:Script writing/screening, concept generation, interactive production/editing, and business planning. LA ok. MFA preferred. [email protected] (6/21)
SUMMER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: PR & MRKTNG INTERN/ Miami: Performing Arts Center. Exciting summer & fall positions for dedicated, hard-working college students w/ int in the arts, special events, and media relations. Resume: [email protected] (6/21)
SITUATION WANTED ADS, POSTED BY THOSE LOOKING TO BE HIRED —
SITUATION WANTED: CELEBRITY BOOKER &REALITY/NON-FICTION CASTING DIRECTOR: Thousands of contacts to celebrities/experts/authors/real people/show hosts, etc. Extensive exp w/TV Talk Shows & Reality Shows. Contact: [email protected] (7/5)
SITUATION WANTED:ONLINE MEDIA BUYER/ and or ACCT MGR POSITION Purchased media on all pricing models & optimized campaigns for effectiveness. Seeking opp to continue thriving in interactive arena. Contact email at [email protected] (6/21)
SITUATION WANTED. EDITOR/PrEditor/NYC: AVID Final Cut Pro – Great rates, access to many studios. 12 years experience in NYC features, docs, corporate, industrials, news magazine, music video, you name it! Resume and reel on request [email protected] (6/20)
SITUATION WANTED: PRODUCER/WRITER/FIELD DIRECTOR: AVAILABLE. Experienced in reality; entertainment; news; magazine format; excellent story teller. Three-time Emmy nominee. LA based, willing to travel. [email protected] (6/20)
E-mail [email protected] for rates and specs for Job Openings.
Are you looking for a job? Post your Situation Wanted Ad here — Email [email protected] for specs.
