CYNTHIA TURNER’S
Cynopsis: Kids!
06/29/06
Good morning. It’s Thursday, June 29, 2006 and this is your first early morning Kids! briefing.
NEW PRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT
New Line Cinema will begin production on its $150 million feature film adaptation of The Golden Compass, the first book in author Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials book trilogy, this September 2006 in the UK. Helming the project is writer/director Chris Wietz (About a Boy, Antz). Having held open auditions across the England, Dakota Blue Richards has been cast in the lead role of Lyra Belacqua. The Golden Compass is being produced by Deborah Forte for Scholastic Entertainment and Weitz’s Depth of Field production company. Paul Weitz (About a Boy) and Andrew Miano will serve as executive producers on the film. Bill Carraro will also serve as a producer on the film.
The UK’s ITV has completed a deal with comedian Ricky Gervais, the brains/creator behind the TV series The Office and Extras, to develop his kid’s books Flanimals into a stop-motion animated series. Flanimals will be narrated by Gervais and the claymation will be produced in Bristol in the UK, with the initial season made up of 6 x 30 minute episodes. Targeted to everyone, the series will feature characters with names that make the Banana Splits characters names sound like Jane and John. The first two books, Flanimals and More Flanimals, will be followed by a third titled Falinmals of the Deep, which is slated to publish this October.
Moongate Films’ producer/founder Caroline Rowland and director Daryl Goodrich have inked a deal with Paramount/Nickelodeon to develop their three-minute promo film Inspiration into a full-length feature with the working title Legend of the Rings. This is Moongate’s first feature film. Designed to present London 2012’s Olympic Games and Paralympic Games vision to “inspire the youth of the world,” the short was screened for the International Olympic Committee last year as part of London’s bid to host the games. The movie will be released to coincide with the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
The Sci-Fi Channel and Stan Lee’s Pow! Entertainment announce a new project and bows a new series:
- Valcom, Inc., Pow! Entertainment and producer Jeff Franklin have unveiled the second of three upcoming films, a Stan Lee Sci-Fi picture entitled The Harpy, written by DeClan O’Brien and directed by Josh Becker. Scheduled to air on the Sci-Fi Channel in May 2007, The Harpy will star Steven Baldwin and Peter Jason, and will be shot at Valcom’s newly acquired Burbank Studios.
- Pow! Entertainment, the Sci-Fi Channel and Nash Entertainment have set July 27, 2006 as the launch date for Stan Lee and Pow’s new reality TV series, Who Wants to be a Superhero? The weekly series is comprised of six one-hour episodes, during which Lee will chose 11 finalists, who have created their own superhero, costume and chutzpah, from a cast of thousands. The final contestants will then be housed together in a secret lair where they will be tested for courage, integrity, self-sacrifice, compassion, and resourcefulness. Lee will serve as the judge.
MORE KIDS STUFF
It will be Johnny, Johnny, Johnny as Starz features Johnny Depp on the eve of the release of his new Disney movie, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest, set to open Friday, July 7. On July 6, Starz will air two movies starring the actor: Blow at 9p (not one for younger kids) and Finding Neverland at 11:15p (okay for everyone), followed on June 7, at 1a by a 30m making-of special Pirates of the Caribbean Secrets of the Dead Man’s Chest, hosted by pirates Pintel and Ragetti. The special will run on the channel through the end of July. This special and other talent wraps will air in conjunction with the “Starz on Stars” showcase of Depp.
Cartoon Network will premiere new episodes of its animated series Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends this summer beginning, Monday July 17 at 7p. New episodes of Foster’s will rollout Mondays-Thursdays at 7p, as part of the network’s special summer programming line-up. Mac and Bloo, two of the stars of Foster’s, will also serve as hosts of the channel’s primetime line-up throughout the summer, where they will be visited by other characters including Lazlo, Ben 10 and Billy and Mandy. Additionally, buddies Mac and Bloo will be feature in the new segments, Are You a Cartoon Network Kid?
The BBC has tapped Andy Akinwolere a new host for its kids series Blue Peter. He is the shows 32nd host, which airs on CBBC and BBC One. Akinwolere, who replaces Matt Baker who left the show last month, joins the existing hosting team of Konnie Hug, Z?e Salmon and Gethin Jones. When the Nigerian born 23-yr-old Akinwolere was asked to audition for the part he was working as a runner at CBBC, with plans to become a documentary filmmaker. This summer the four Blue Peter hosts will pay a visit to the Southern US, including a visit to New Orleans. The new season premiere on September 18, 2006.
EBS Korea has picked up 52 episodes of the preschool animated series The Koala Brothers from property rights holder Spellbound Entertainment Limited. This deal comes on the heels of sales of The Koala Brothers to Disney Channel in Japan, where the series airs daily as part of the Playhouse Disney block.
MARKETING/LICENSING
From the When is a marketing campaign more than a marketing campaign? Department ? about two weeks ago Cartoon Network launched a billboard and TV campaign around the country to support the debut of its new primetime lineup featuring all original programming. And it is specifically the billboards that have drawn more than their share of attention, confusion and conspiracy theories. In case you haven’t seen one of them, the billboards are all red with the first wave of boards serving as teasers for the campaign, featuring popular lines from the network’s characters in big white lettering such as “I Pooted” (Cheese from Foster’s), “Clowns hate tangelos” (Billy of Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy), and “I’m a hot toe picker” (Bloo from Foster’s) among others. The second set of billboards, slated to go up sometime in the next week, will reveal more information (logos, characters). And with that the internet is abuzz with photos, and confused adults asking questions and providing creative answers. Meanwhile, the network has gotten queries from adults/reporters, likely filled in by their kids, from all over the country. Some of my favorite stories include:
- A guy who pulled off the highway to take a photo of one of the billboards and was stopped mid-photo by police
- A reporter looking for a hidden meaning – perhaps if they were spelled backwards? (think Beatles and “I buried Paul”);
- And in an online forum where one guy adamantly refused to believe that the billboards had anything to do with the network, while the rest of the group tried to convince him.
Well, I think Rodney from Squirrel Boy said it best, “The hat sells the sandwich.” I think my Grandmother used to say that in Yiddish.
EXECUTIVE MOVES
National CineMedia (NCM) has tapped Former President/CEO Loews Cineplex Entertainment Travis Reid, to spearhead the crafting of its new business plan for the financing of digital cinema with the major studios. Upon completion of the plan, Reid, working with the financial partners and movie studios, will oversee the development of a financial structure to support the use of digital cinema equipment for NCM’s partners and other participating exhibitor screens. Reid is also currently a director of AMC Entertainment Inc. and Fandango.com, a member of the executive committee for the National Association of Theatre Owners and VP of the Will Rogers Memorial Fund. NCM is a joint venture of AMC Entertainment Inc., Cinemark USA, Inc. and Regal Entertainment Group.
John E. Pepper, Jr. (67), former Chairman/CEO, Procter & Gamble, has been elected by Disney’s Board of Directors to serve as non-executive Chairman of the Board, effective January 1, 2007. Pepper succeeds Senator George J. Mitchell, who has been Disney Chairman since March 2004, and who plans to retire from the board on December 31, 2006.
Stephanie Allen has been upped to EVP/Creative Advertising and New Media, Searchlight Pictures. Allen, who also oversees the company’s online content and design for its titles, will report to COO, Nancy Utley. Among the movies that she has created adverting for include, Sideways, I Heart Huckabees, Thank You For Smoking, Napoleon Dynamite, and Garden State among others.
Porchlight Entertainment has hired Karen Roberts to the new position of SVP/Acquisitions. Under her supervision, Karen and her team will identify and purchase finished feature films and other projects for the company’s development slate to expand its library of family-friendly, live action and animated offerings. Based in Los Angeles, she will report to Bruce Johnson, CEO and William Baumann, COO.
RATINGS
Correction:
The Cartoon Network numbers in the 2Q Year-to-Year Comparison: Total Day Rankings among K6-11 (000) chart presented here yesterday were incorrect. The Cartoon Network numbers should have read:
Network: (000) %diff
CARTOON: 444 -6%
Live + Same Day Ratings Kids Cable Network Averages (000) for Tuesday, June 27, 2006, 6am-11pm, ranked by K2-11:
NICKELODEON: K2-11 1332; K6-11 764; TWEENS 9-14 630
DISNEY CHANNEL: K2-11 989; K6-11 646; TWEENS 9-14 509
CARTOON NETWORK: K2-11 813; K6-11 603; TWEENS 9-14 412
TOON DISNEY: K2-11 184; K6-11 118; TWEENS 9-14 76
Source: MTVN Research from Nielsen Media Research Data
Answer to Yesterday’s trivia question: Who on TV use to refer to his/her dad as “not the mama?” BABY SINCLAIR ON THE DINOSAURS Kudos to: Matt Biscuiti-The Lippin Group/NY; Melanie Zachariades-Razor & Tie Records/NY; Hank Bordowitz-The Bordowitz Media Werx/Suffern NY; Bob Friedland-Toys “R” Us, Inc/NY; Izzy Neis-Star Farm Productions/Chicago; Terri A. Rodger-Noot Group/Boise Idaho; Bethany Scheuerman- RP Media/Chicago; Barb Throm-Creative LAB/St Louis; William ?Chip? Beaman-Soundelux Design Music Group/Hollywood CA;
Pat Brady-CESD Talent/LA; Korina L. Clements-THQ/Agoura Hills CA; Aaron Buckstein-Nelvana Limited/Toronto; Cherie Oldenburg-Alliance Atlantis Communications; Michelle Douglas-Marblemedia/Toronto
Today’s Trivia Question: On this cartoon, the speed of lint is apparently faster than the speed of light. What cartoon is this?( 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!
06.29.06
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JOB OPENING: PT / DIRECTOR, MEDIA SALES: Growing NYC based out-of home-media co. seeks ad sales pro w/ min. of 7yrs sales exp. in spot cable, b’cast or print a must w/ excellent comm. & orgzn. skills. Reply: [email protected] (7/8)
JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR MKTG & COMMUNICATIONS/NY: Non-profit seeks Dir Mktg & Communications to oversee mktg for association. Min 5 yrs exp. For full description & to apply: http://www.MyChoiceEngine.com/Role/24972 (7/8)
JOB OPENING: SR. MRKTNG MGR/Premiere Radio Ntwrks/NY: 5+ yrs Ad Sales Mktg & Client Solutions exp req’d, create sales tools, concept messaging for ad community, create mktg solutions for clients. www.premiereradio.com (7/8)
JOB OPENING: AD SALES COORD/DIC Online Ad Sales/LA: Excellent growth opp. 2-4 yrs exp ad sales support, planning, buying, MS Office req. Traffic, billing, planning, admin. Opp to move to sales. Apply: [email protected] (7/8)
JOB OPENING: LIVE TALK SHOW/Orlando: NBC needs ALL STAFF for new, LIVE daytime TV show w/studio audience. Exp. w/lifestyle programming, talk, line producing & local morning shows preferred. Check out www.nbcjobs.com for specifics (7/7)
JOB OPENING: MEDIA BUYER/Fox Broadcasting Co/LA: Work w/Dir Nat’l Media. Deg req’d + 2yr radio buying exp. Organizational and project mngmnt skills req’d. Resumes: www.foxcareers.com FNG2984 (7/7)
JOB OPENING: VP MEDIA RELATIONS/Disney Chnl, Bur,CA: Proactive, strategic exec, w/ strong media relations skills to implement tactics, direct others and balance multiple projects simultaneously. Apply on www.disneycareers.com (7/7)
JOB OPENING: SERVICING MGR/TAFFY ENTERTAINMENT: BA degree & 1-2yrs exp working in professional ent related business enviro. MS Outlook/Word/Excel & Act. [email protected] email res: [email protected] (7/7)
JOB OPENING: SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE/ WTIC/FOX61/Hartford: Seeking Sr. AE to take over established list. 3+ years sales/media experience; excellent negotiation skills; strong work ethic; Resume: [email protected] (7/6)
JOB OPENING: AD SALES ASSISTANT/MTVN/Santa Monica CA: w/1-2 yrs. admin. exp. pref. in ad sales; assist 2 acct. executives w/various office tasks. EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (7/6)
JOB OPENING: AFFILIATE SALES, COMCAST NETWORKS LA/Philadelphia: Positions require solid sales/marketing experience in cable industry. To view full description & apply, visit www.comcast.com , [email protected] (7/6)
JOB OPENING: RESEARCH COORDINATOR/HALLMARK CHANNEL/LA: Coordinate day to day admin. functions. 2 yrs. exp. See full ad and apply www.hallmarkchannel.com (7/6)
JOB OPENING: WEB WIZARD/TV PRGRM SALES & DVLPMNT/Norwalk, CT: Bright, aggressive web wiz w/ internet background & love of TV. Get our prgrms into new media; dev/design our websites & sales materials. Apply: [email protected] (7/1)
JOB OPENING: DOCUMENTARY EDITOR/FREELANCE/Lou Reda Productions/Easton, PA: Needs seasoned long form editor that possesses strong directorial, solid creative thinking in editorial process. Contact [email protected] (7/1)
JOB OPENING: GENERAL MANAGER/WRBJ/MS: oversee tv/radio ops in Jackson, MS. Must have track record with a extensive mngmnt and sales mngmnt exp. Respond to [email protected] (7/12)
JOB OPENING: SALES-LA, CHI or NY: Integration & sponsorship service seeks exp rep w/rolodex to brands/media agencies, TV/film/digital producers, sports & events. Sal+comm. Res: [email protected] P: 310-432-6380 (7/1)
JOB OPENING: SALES PRICING & PLANNING ANALYST/FOX CABLE NETWORKS/NY – inventory mgmt & clearance, resolv oversell, change notices/make goods, reporting analysis, media sls exper, Enterprise or Deal maker, apply at www.foxcareers.com (7/1)
JOB OPENING: SUPERVISOR, MRKTNG & ADVERTISING/IFC/NYC: Support Sr Mgmt w/ IFC print, TV, radio, online research & buys. Agency/TV/mrktg exp pref’d. Solid Excel/PP exp a must Quark/Photo/Adobe a +. Resumes: [email protected] (7/1)
JOB OPENING: PUBLICIST /Telepictures Prod/NY: Pub for Dr. Keith Ablow Show. Handle consumer PR/day-to-day activity. Pitch/secure stories in local & nat press. Interact w/ tal/prod staff.6-10 yrs exp. Res to: [email protected] (7/1)
JOB OPENING: PRODUCTION ACCOUNTANTS/ Black Entertainment Television/NY & DC: Send resumes to [email protected] (7/1)
JOB OPENING: MKTG DIRECTOR /Fox Cable/NYC: Develop strategies, leverage assets to generate revenue and maintain positive brand awareness in the ad sales community, 5+ yrs in mktg & ad sales in bcast/cbl env, www.foxcareers.com (6/30)
JOB OPENING: SR. RESEARCH & REVENUE ANALYST/ABC Family/NY: Develop & analyze audience projections. Monitor deliv vs estimates, Create/Update/Analyze reports. 2-3+ yrs Research exp. Rev planning a +. www.disneycareers.com. (6/30)
JOB OPENING: SHOW RUNNER NEEDED/NYC PRODUCTION CO: Seasoned reality show runner for cable reality series. Must have a proven track record. Send resumes to [email protected] (6/30)
JOB OPENING: VP AD SALES RESEARCH/CNN/NY: Sales strategist and advisor, prim res. projects, ident trends, present analyses. BA req’d;staff supervise/develop; software exp; multi-task.Contact [email protected] (6/30)
JOB OPENING: WPIX-TV/WB11 NYC seeks a NEW BUSINESS A/E and a BROADCAST SALES A/E. Must be highly motivated and well networked. Broadcast A/E must have proven track record: http://wb11.trb.com/about/station/jobs/?track=subnav EOE (6/30)
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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)
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SUMMER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: Virgin Megastore New York City seeks MARKETING INTERNS for events/PR/sales/design. Microsoft Office a must with Word/Excel. Year-round positions open. Email resume/cover letter to [email protected] (7/6)
SUMMER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: DIGITAL MEDIA INTERNS/ReelTimeTV.net/Seattle: Grd floor opp for Tech students w/int in New Media VOD: asst w/video editing, metadata/database mgmt, online research-PC & writing skills req: [email protected] (7/6)
SUMMER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: PUBLIC RELATIONS/Krupp Kommunications/NY: We are looking for eager-to-learn interns, who want to opportunity to learn from some of the top PR professionals in the field. Send resumes to: [email protected] (7/6)
SUMMER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: Menudo Entertainment/NY: Intern for the Menudo TALENT SEARCH. Working w/ our partners Yahoo, Sony Music, MTV & Reveille Studios, intern will assist in auditions, the website, pr, sales& promo.Email to [email protected] (7/1)
SITUATION WANTED ADS, POSTED BY THOSE LOOKING TO BE HIRED —
SITUATION WANTED: ASSISTANT/PR/Marketing/Personal: Recent graduate with 3 yrs experience in film industry. Hard work ethic with good Australian sense of humor! [email protected] (7/7)
SITUATION WANTED: MARKETING MANAGER/LA: MBA grad with 5 yrs exp in Promotions, Branding & PR seeks Management opportunity. Strengths include research, plan’g, execution, analysis, writing & presentation. Contact: [email protected] (7/7)
SITUATION WANTED: ENTRY LEVEL/ASSISTANT/COORDINATOR (NYC): 3+ yrs freelance on independent films. Asst in ent industry. Excellent skills incl. computer, multitasking, communication. Available immediately. Contact [email protected] (7/7)
SITUATION WANTED: PRODUCER/WRITER/CELEBRITY BOOKER: Amazing contacts, scripted/reality/news development experience, seeks to move from freelance to salaried spot at LA or NY prod. co.Contact: [email protected] (7/1)
SITUATION WANTED: MARKETING SUPERVISOR/MGR (NYC): MBA/MS grad currently seeking freelance or staff position. Solid mrktng/advertising/online media exp. Creative, organized, strategic thinker. Available ASAP. Email: [email protected] (7/1)
SITUATION WANTED: MRKTNG ASST/NYC: Dedicated, hard-working, & determined individual getting an MBA in Mrktng.Experience in TV Ad Sales at 20th Television Fox and Entry Level Marketing. Available to start Immediately. [email protected] (7/1)
SITUATION WANTED: ENTRY LEVEL POSITION ENTERTAINMENT IND/(Tri-state Area): Available to start immediately. Excellent organizational, administrative & communicative skills. Experience on a top ranked show. Contact: [email protected] (6/30)
SITUATION WANTED: RESEARCHER : 5 yrs. experience on a variety of shows. Can find anything or anyone. Hard worker. Excellent in finding footage and interview subjects. Contact: [email protected] (6/30)
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