Thursday, March 13th, 2008

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM NICKELODEON

RECORD BREAKING
Most fashions only last a season. Our pants never go out of style.

Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants has become an enduring, revolutionary pop icon, inspiring nautical nonsense in millions of people worldwide while generating record-breaking ratings and retail sales.

Go to nick.com/recordbreaking to download your own SpongeBob desktop widget.*

Cynopsis: Kids!

03/13/08

Good morning. It’s Thursday, March 13, 2008, and this is your first early morning briefing.

There are seven Harry Potter books, but there will be eight Harry Potter movies, per the LA Times. This confirms the unending rumors that Warner Bros. would produce the seventh and final book in J.K. Rowling’s HP series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, in a two-part movie, with the first set for release November 2010 followed by part two in May 2011. Titled Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows: Part I and then Part II, both will be directed by David Yates (he helmed Half-Blood Prince), with screenwriter Steve Kloves also returning. Both Yates and actor Daniel Radcliffe insist in the article that the two-part movie finale is creative one and will prevent the omissions that would have been necessary to adapt the book as a single picture. Though the two note many will see the move as a way for the studio to extend the franchise for another movie and another year.

Sony Pictures Digital’s President, Yair Landau, is set to egress the company next month to form his own games and animation company, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Landau will continue to serve as Executive Producer on the Sony Pictures Animation movie Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs (2009). A replacement for Landau is expected to be announced shortly.

NEW PRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT

Director/producer Sam Raimi and Paramount have acquired the feature film rights to Monster Zoo, an upcoming graphic novel by author Douglas TenNapel and published by Image Comics, per Variety. Raimi is set to produce the movie. The story revolves around a boy who discovers that the local zoo is home to beings that are a lot scarier than traditional zoo animals.

MORE KIDS STUFF

Aardman Animation and Digital Outlook Studios launch their co-developed/co-produced property JellyBeats on Bebo, the social networking site and the standalone www.jellybeats.com . Targeted to Teens 14-18, the JellyBeats are a collection of 16 CGI animated jellyfish, each representing a different music genre and corresponding attitude that is reflected in the character’s appearance, dance, speech and swim style. The launch campaign is focused on the Bebo site, which features an application called What’s Your Beat?, there visitors can select characters and feature it on their Bebo page, and an interactive profile that will include discussions boards, pools, photo gallery and skins that allow the characters to travel virally across Bebo. The initial online launch of the JellyBeats will be followed by further development of the property and characters both on and offline. The Bebo and JellyBeats site features videos, which come with a parental advisory. Additionally, JellyBeats.com offers free downloads and an iTunes live feed to each character’s top five songs in their respective music genre, among others things.

MarVista Entertainment acquires the international TV and DVD distribution rights for two new kid’s properties, which the company will debut at MIP-TV next month.

BJ’s Teddy Bear Club and Bible Stores (13×30, 1 Christmas special): The mixed live-action and animated series introduces preschoolers to colors, letters and numbers through Bible stories. The show also features original songs and music. An additional season of 13×30 episodes is currently in production. The series currently airs on the digital cable networks I-Life TV, INSP and INI, Inspirational Network International. First Look Home Entertainment released the DVDs in the US.
The Hidden Treasure of Wompkee Wood (1×60): This is the second CGI animated special about the elfin Wompkee characters, and is again been penned by Peter Hunziker and Cynthia Riddle, with Fred Newman again providing voice direction. Summer 2008 will see the launch of a Wompkee virtual world, followed in fall 2008 with a line of consumer products from Red Sky Entertainment.

Comedian Gilbert Gottfried and actor David Koechner (Anchorman) are guest stars on an episode on Hannah Montana, Friday, March 21 on Disney Channel (7p). In the episode Gottfried plays a ruthless music critic who is set to review Hannah Montana’s concert, which is complicated by the arrival of her uncle Early (Koechner) who declares his dream of becoming a rock star. Mayhem ensues.

MARKETING/LICENSING

Access Licensing Group is awarded the master licensing rights for the Korean animated series Pucca in the US and Canada by Pucca creators, Vooz Characters Systems. Under the deal, Access Licensing Group wills license, market and promote Pucca products across multiple categories in North America from fall 2008. The series airs in North America on Jetix.

S4C International and C&M Licensing have inked a deal to produce a line of clothing based on Hana’s Helpline (52×10), the preschool targeted stop-motion animated series from Welsh animation studio Calon. Slated to be available at retail from fall 2008, the line will feature kid’s (12 months and up) nightwear, socks and underwear. Hana’s Helpline is a co-production with Calon, S4C, Five and ZDF, with funding from the EU’s Media+ Programme and the Wales Creative IP Fund. The second season of 26 episodes is slated to air later this year.

EXECUTIVE MOVES

Bruce Stein is tapped as CEO, Mandalay Media, a new media distribution company. Stein, who was most recently Co-CEO, The Hatchery, LLC, has also served in senior management of Mattel, Sony Interactive Entertainment, and Kenner Products. Stein was key in Mandalay Media’s recent acquisition of Twistbox Entertainment, Inc., a mobile content and casual game distribution company. Mandalay Media’s directors include Peter Guber Chairman, CEO of Mandalay Entertainment, and Rob Ellin partner Trinad Capital.

Classic Media appoints Colin McLaughlin as Licensing Manager. McLaughlin, formerly Sr. Manager/Brand Licensing, Steve & Barry’s, will be responsible for building partnerships in North America with key licensees and retailers. Based in at the company’s headquarters in NY, McLaughlin will report to VP/Licensing, Karyn Schneider.

RATINGS

Live + Same Day Ratings Kids Cable Network Averages (000) for Tuesday, March 11, 2008, 6am-11pm, ranked by K2-11:
NICKELODEON:          K2-11 1143; K6-11 539; TWEENS 9-14 388
DISNEY CHANNEL:     K2-11   658; K6-11 390; TWEENS 9-14 326
CARTOON NETWORK: K2-11   501; K6-11 269; TWEENS 9-14 160
TOON DISNEY:           K2-11   120; K6-11   59; TWEENS 9-14   38
Source: MTVN Research from Nielsen Media Research Data

Answer to Yesterday’s Trivia Question: Critically acclaimed actor Morgan Freeman played a literacy-promoting character back in the ’70s on the children’s TV series The Electric Company. What was the name of his stretch suit-wearing character? EASY READER Kudos to: Dave Landesberg-SloaneVision Unlimited/NY; Cassel Kroll-The Lexicomm Group/NY; Wendy Louie-Lam- Cartoon Network/NY; Richard Oren–Target Entertainment Ltd./NY; Michael Hawkins-PromoDoctors/Irving, TX; Rachel Capata-Kauff McClain & McGuire LLP/LA; Beth Blenz-Clucas-Sugar Mountain PR/Portland, OR

Today’s Trivia Question: We’re on a roll … So who drove the Compact Pussycat and was the only female racer on the Wacky Racers? ( 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!
03.13.08

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: SALES PLANNER/Discovery Communications/Chicago: Support Account Execs developing proposals and presentations. Strong communicator. Exp w/research, advertising, acct mgmnt. Apply: www.discovery.com Req#7725 (3/20)

JOB OPENING: PROGRAM ACQUISITIONS MANAGER/VERSUS/PHILADELPHIA: Position will assist in strategic planning of the network and negotiations of program acquisition. Read more and apply (Req # 60729) at www.versus.com (3/20)

JOB OPENING: PROGRAM PLANNING & SCHEDULING MANAGER/VERSUS/PHILADELPHIA: Execute program scheduling plan for the network and assist with all aspects of planning and scheduling. Read more and apply (Req # 60727) at www.versus.com (3/20)

JOB OPENING: SVP FINANCE/NY: Ent/prod/dist co seeks proactive finance professional. Royalty acct., bookkeeping, A/R, AP, media exp. pref’d. Strength in corp. struct., working w/outside auditors, benefits exp. [email protected] (3/19)

JOB OPENING: WRITER PRODUCER ON-AIR PROMOS/ABC Daytime/LA: Write/produce/supv edits/promos for ABC soap OLTL, SOAPnet, abc.com. Must have 5-7 yrs exp. w/in cable or broadcast network. Apply: www.disneycareers.com Req ID #145721 (3/19)

JOB OPENING: SVP STRATEGIC RESEARCH/Disney*ABC Dom TV/Burbank: 10 yrs broad-based TV exp + 7+ yrs mgmt; leading edge exec w/proven ability to assess media trends/developments. APPLY www.disneycareers.com Req #137377 (3/19)

JOB OPENING: WRITER PRODUCER/ABC TV Network/LA: Conceptualize, write/produce On-Air Promos for alternative series. Must have demonstrated exp. within cable or broadcast network. Apply to: www.disneycareers.com Req ID #144085 (3/19)

JOB OPENING: ASST SPVSR/CBS Avid/Final Cut Pro Tech Support/LA: Tech. & ops support of Avids & Final Cut Promo. Must have yrs of post-prod exp & support non-tech personnel.(U) Res to: CBS OnAir Promo, 7800 Beverly Blvd.#15, LA, CA (3/19)

JOB OPENING: ON-AIR MKTG DIRECTOR/Discovery/MD: Manage on-air dept & creative team. Employ strat, review cuts, copy. 5+ yrs exp broadcast/cable. Apply: discovery.com/careers Req# 7708 (3/19)

JOB OPENING: SALES/LATV Network/NY: Head office of bilingual, bicultural music & ent channel distributed nat’l. Join fastest-growing ntwrk in Hisp. space. 3yrs+ brdcst sales exp req’d. Ntwrk sales pref’d. Res to: [email protected] (3/19)

JOB OPENING: MEDIA MANAGEMENT TECH/ Rainbow Media, NYC: Min 3 yrs exp. post prod media transfers/Exp. dubbing of all formats, part HD/Hours 12am to 9am. To see full posting visit www.cablevision.jobs and apply to req id 5180BR (3/19)

JOB OPENING: SALES PLANNER/NBCU, TLMDNY: Generate planning cost w/AE, mentor & train sales assts, stewardship, sales mgmt reports, sales development. BA,1+ yrs exp as sales planner. www.nbcunicareers.com #760342 (3/19)

JOB OPENING: MARKETING SPECIALIST/NYC/National CineMedia: Support regional marketing needs, projects and events. BA/BS degree, preferably in marketing and/or communications. Res to: [email protected] (3/19)

JOB OPENING: NAT’L LONG FORM SALES/ION Media Networks/LA: Highly motivated and creative long form account executive with established relationships and proven track record. EOE. Apply to [email protected] (3/18)

JOB OPENING: CREATIVE DIRECTOR/CBS DAYTIME/LA: Must have strong background in Television Promotion with reel. Great conceptualizing, writing & management skills necessary. Daytime exp. a plus. Apply: www.cbscareers.com, job 2507 (3/18)

JOB OPENING: DR SALES COORDINATOR/New York, NY/GSN/The Network for Games: Rep to VP Sales Op & DR AE for Ad Sales. Good Com/detail req. Send Res/Cov Letter: [email protected] (3/15)

JOB OPENING: MGR DISTRIBUTION/New York, NY/GSN/The Network for Games: Rep to VP Dist. BA/BS +3+ years exp in mrktg, sales, comm and/or bus. Send Res/Cov Letter: [email protected] (3/15)

JOB OPENING: DIGITAL SALES PLANNER/(NY-Warner Bros.) plans, presentations, acct. stewarding, inventory management. Knowledge of ad serving, media math, DFP, ATLAS, MediaVisor. Email: [email protected] RE: UCTC/95567BR (3/15)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR OF INTEGRATED MARKETING/BusRadio/NY: Nations fastest growing youth network. Develop and execute multi-platform programs. 3 years experience in youth marketing space reqd. Apply [email protected] (3/15)

JOB OPENING: PROD DIR/Rainbow/NY: Dvlp/implement/maint of Delivery Platforms for Rainbow. Support our online presence, mainly main consumer-facing websites. 5-7 yrs related web exp. BA pref. Res: www.cablevision.jobs ref #5449BR (3/15)

JOB OPENING: COOR, CORP PARTNERSHIPS/NY JETS/NY: Dvlp/execute client sponsorship & advertising deliverables for TV, Radio, Evnt Mkting. Degree w/3-4 yrs exp in sports team, league or agency. Send res to: [email protected] (3/15)

JOB OPENING: DEVELOPMENT EXECUTIVE/NYC: Network funded production company, seeks executive with experience creating, developing & pitching scripted & non-scripted. Must know nets and studios. Resume to: [email protected] (3/15)

JOB OPENING: Experienced SPORTS RESEARCHER/SCRIPT WRITER for SportsNow! Inc. for 13, half-hour TV series of current international athletes in 13 different sport disciplines. Reply to [email protected] (3/15)

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH ANALYST/CNN DIGITAL/NY: Support sales across multiple digital platforms. BA, Strong media math, 1+ yrs. exp with Nielsen Online and web analytics products pref’d. Apply: [email protected] (3/15)

JOB OPENING: AFFILIATES MARKETING MGR/PHILA.: Work with Director, Consumer & Affiliate Marketing & Comcast Corporate to drive affiliate distribution & build value for Versus. http://track.jobviper.com/ViewJob.asp?id=484777-1576-7861 (3/15)

JOB OPENING: AFFILIATE MKTG COORD/PHILA.: Provide admin & project support for the Director & Manager of Consumer & Affiliate Marketing & help to drive affiliate distribution. http://track.jobviper.com/ViewJob.asp?id=484796-1576-9761 (3/15)

JOB OPENING: MARKETING MANAGER/PHILA.: Work with Director, Consumer & Affiliate Marketing to plan, develop, & execute internal & external marketing campaigns. http://track.jobviper.com/ViewJob.asp?id=484809-1576-961 (3/15)

JOB OPENING: ADVERTISING MGR/PHILA.: Mng development, execution & maintenance of consumer + trade advertising. Mng & foster relationships w/external agencies & design firms. http://track.jobviper.com/ViewJob.asp?id=484839-1576-3961 (3/15)

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH ANALYST/TURNER ENTERTAINMENT NEW MEDIA/NY: Analysis of audience data, client/category pitches, prospecting/ad hoc research requests. BS/BA, 2+ yrs online/TV research exp, Apply: [email protected] (3/15)

JOB OPENING: SAP HR BUSINESS DEVELOPER/Discovery/MD: in 6 yrs IT exp SAP configuration in PA (w/benefits)/PD modules. Strong HR background, pref. in Global HR systems. Apply: www.discovery.com/careers req# 7564 (3/15)

JOB OPENING: PRODUCER /VIEWPOINT CREATIVE/LA: 4+ yrs as Prod w/ cable, network mktg & promo exp. Strong collaborative, interpersonal, client, post & design prod skill req. Resume & salary history to [email protected] (3/15)

JOB OPENING: PRINT DESIGNER/Hallmark Channel/Studio City: Develops creative design solutions for print and promotional projects. Min. 4 yrs exp. See full posting & apply at www.hallmarkchannel.com (3/15)

JOB OPENING: MGR RESEARCH/MTV Tr3s/NYC: BS/BA. 5+ yrs exp resrch/data analy for cable/brdcast. Exp w/ Nielsen (Explorer, NPower, MarketBreaks, StarTrak). Str analytic sk. Bi-ling Spanish a +. EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (3/15)

JOB OPENING: ADMIN ASST/Sundance Ch/NYC: Seeking stellar career Asst for LONG TERM TEMP assignm’t. Support high level exec/Hvy calendar & admin duties. Superb org & interpersonal skills a must. Apply: [email protected] (3/14)

JOB OPENING: ACCT MGR-DIRECT RESPONSE/New York,NY: BET Cable salesperson w/strong presentation skills. Comfortable w/multi-platform & integrated opps.Sales/agencyexp. req’d. Email: [email protected] (3/14)

JOB OPENING: ESPN/ SR RESEARCH ANALYST based in New York city. Supports research needs for ESPN Deportes . Bilingual a plus. Send resume to [email protected] (3/14)

JOB OPENING: ES PLANNER/NBCU,TLMD/Y: Generate planning cost w/AE, mentor & train sales assts, stewardship, sales mgmt reports, sales development. BA,1+ yrs exp as sales planner. www.nbcunicareers.com #760342 (3/14)

JOB OPENING: ESPN/ DIR OF SALES/Deportes/NY: 5 yrs exp in Hispanic Media, Agency Buying/Planning & Client contacts. Spanish a + apply: [email protected] (3/14)

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: Self motivated and organized individual to work in office & post-production. Interest in non-fiction filmmaking & reality TV production. Knowledge of Final Cut Pro helpful. Send resume: [email protected] (3/20)

SPRING INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: Internship (summer)/qubo/NYC: Team-oriented & hands-on. Get experience in a variety of fields: sales, marketing, & programming. Send resume or contact for more info: [email protected] (3/18)

SITUATION WANTED ADS, POSTED BY THOSE LOOKING TO BE HIRED … Interested in posting your Video Resume? Contact [email protected] for more information ….

SITUATION WANTED: JUNIOR ART DIR/CREATIVE ASST/NYC: Recent grad with agency exp in brdcst, production & creative departments. Excellent Adobe CS3 skills, great communicator, & portfolio avail. Contact Megan Murphy [email protected] (3/20)

SITUATION WANTED: SEEKING A FT OR FL BROADCAST TRAFFIC POSITION TO WORK FROM NEVADA HOME. DONOVAN, WORD, EXCEL. 25 YRS EXP., DRIVEN, EXCELLENT COMMUNICATION SKILLS, RESPONSIBLE. Contact Debbie: [email protected] (3/19)

SITUATION WANTED: HR POSITION or PERSONAL ASST in Entertainment Ind. Unique background in Agency/Corp Human Resources. Also Mgr/Producer in the Music/Film Ind.Consulted on a screenplay as well as Theater Prod. Contact: [email protected] (3/19)

SITUATION WANTED: SR CONTRACT RECRUITER: 15 years corporate, creative and entertainment recruiting experience. Avail. for short or long term contract or possible full time employment. Please contact me at: [email protected] (3/18)

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.