Cynopsis: DIGITAL

03/20/08

Good morning, it’s Thursday, March 20, 2008, and this is your first early morning digital briefing.

Apple is working on a new business model for its iTunes store akin to Nokia’s arrangement with Universal Music, getting mobile handset and service providers to subsidize music downloads that would in turn be offered to customers for free, according to the Financial Times. A subscription music plan for the iPhone is also in the works.
 

 
More March Digital Madness heading into today’s tip off:

• Verizon Fios customers can watch on demand highlights, game recaps, interviews and team press conferences, thanks to a partnership with CBS Sports
• In lieu of the lack of embedding capabilities for its On Demand player, CBSSports.com users will be able to create highlight mash-ups choosing from a collection of memorable moments
• Chumby users can catch highlights and live scores through the CBS “College Hoops” widget
• Crisp Wireless will power the AT&T Wireless March Madness video portal and Bracket Challenge for 3G enabled phones

 
Verizon’s FiOS TV service expanded its VOD offerings adding output deals with CBS, Discovery Channel, Smithsonian Channel and Ovation TV. Verizon has also said that it expects to increase its HD VOD titles to more than 1,000 by the end of the year.
 
Meanwhile Comcast says it delivered its 7 millionth VOD stream this month, constituting more than 1 billion hours of content watched since 2003.
 
The second Indian Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull trailer will launch later this week as an embeddable widget from Clearspring, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
 

 
In addition to launching subscription-based, kid safe browser Kidzui, Howard Schultz has Starbucks getting into the social networking craze as well. mystarbucks.com is a place where customers can leave their two cents about what they’d like to see changed in their favorite stores.
 
3D avatar creator Big Stage is powering a UGV application to promote Sony BMG‘s re-release of Michael Jackson’ Thriller. Users can create a photo-realistic avatar of themselves and insert it into the epic Thriller video. Registration is required to play along.
 
Both online ad network Federated Media and web-based IM service Meebo are in the midst of raising upwards of $30 million in capital based on valuations of $200-$300 million, reports VentureBeat.
 
Online video search and discovery site Mefeedia raised $250,000 in angel funding, reports NewTeeVee. The company takes more of a social and vertical approach to media search, indexing 15,000+ video websites then allowing the user to search by medium including video, podcast, music or TV show.
 
Platforms are made to mix and match, remember. Last.fm‘s Superbands widget is being used by Bebo this month to distribute the favorite songs of Sofia, heroine of its latest interactive drama Sofia’s Diary.
 
Fans of video search engine Blinkx can now search for content or create their own customized news channels or video walls by using a desktop application called blinkxbeat. So far it only works with Windows XP.

 
Steve Jobs got his wish. Adobe is developing a version of its Flash media player for the iPhone after all, utilizing the software developer tools Apple released for the device last month.
 
Remember that grand announcement from Verizon Wireless late last year that it was opening up its network? The company disclosed further details of how it plans to do this. Third party device makers who want access to Verizon’s 65 million customers can strike a direct deal with Verizon or buy wholesale minutes/data from the carrier and resell them under their own brand. Verizon has also released technical specs and best practices to guide application developers.
 
Tivo had done its part to help make podcasters of the world TV stars. The DVR maker launched a new program to allow Windows users to play podcasts though their Tivos by integrating with the Tivo Desktop application.
 
YouTube‘s decision to allow developers to distribute its videos on their own sites essentially transfers the burden of protecting producers’ copyrights to millions of individual sites while leaving the ad model in place, points out Mark Cuban in a Blog Maverick posting.
 
Leave it to Mr. Cuban to be in on FSN Southwest‘s broadcast of the first NBA regular season game in 3D HD. The March 25 the contest between Cuban’s Dallas Mavericks and the LA Clippers will be beamed to his Magnolia Theatre in Dallas, where an invitation-only audience will don special glasses provided by PACE Fusion 3D to view the action in 3D HD.
 
This year’s Promax/BDA conference will hold a symposium on the DTV Transition to help educate station GMs, marketers and promotion executives on how to describe the changeover to their viewers. The symposium takes place at Manhattan Hilton on Wednesday, June 18.
 

 
Interactive out-of-home advertising company Reactrix signed a deal with National CineMedia, holding company of motion picture exhibitors AMC, Cinemark, Regal and soon Leows, to place its ad viewing displays in the lobbies of their theaters across the country.
 
Digital video advertising service EyeWonder launched a new live streaming functionality designed to deliver live video to any of its online ad formats.
 
ContextWeb’s ADSDAQ online ad exchange launched a desktop application that will track how online ad campaigns are performing against more than 386 contextual categories of inventory.
 

 
VC investment in web 2.0 companies reached a record $3.34 billion in 2007 led by Microsoft‘s $300 million injection into Facebook, according to a report from Dow Jones VentureSource referenced by RedHerring. In terms of the number of deals, the market is actually cooling off a bit. The number of web 2.0 deals has doubled every year from 2002 to 2006 but only increased by 25% last year to 178.
 

Former Yahoo EVP of Global Sales Greg Coleman will take over LA-based internet advertising start-up NetSeer as President and CEO.
 
Viral Marketing firm Oddcast hired Dan Wald to head up its newly-expanded Media and Promotions division as EVP to help drive product innovation and client growth.
 
Jeffrey Katzenberg, CEO and Director of DreamWorks Animation; Todd Bradley, EVP/Personal Systems Group for HP; and Roger Enrico, Chairman of the Board for DreamWorks Animation, will discuss how creativity is driving technological advances and expanding the potential for new content in a keynote presentation on Monday, April 14 at NAB.
 

 
By eliminating several layers of bureaucracy Blogs have really broken down the barriers between celebrities and their fans. They’ve become a place where personalities can let down their guard and speak the truth. CNN’s Anderson Cooper demonstrated this beautifully in his 360 degree blog when he took time out of his busy schedule to let viewers know he had minor surgery on Monday to have a spot of skin cancer removed. He even managed to lighten the tone with humor – making reference to Charlie Rose’s shiner caused when Charlie took a spill in Manhattan this week and chose to protect his Apple Airbook instead of his face.

Later — Wayne
Wayne Karrfalt for Cynopsis: Digital
03.20.08

Cynopsis Digital Ad Sales: Jason Cesare 732-718-0629 / [email protected]
Classifieds – Trish Pihonak- 203-926-9878 / [email protected]

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

JOB OPENING: VP RIGHTS & CLEARANCES/ STANDARDS & PRACTICES LEGAL & BUS/A&E TV, NY: Mng tracking Rgts info to bus units. Dvlp S&P program, R&C initiatives – 7+ yrs R&C; mgmt, skills.  Resume w/salary: www.aetn.com/careers.html (3/27)

JOB OPENING:  TECH, STUDIO OPS/POST PROD/Rainbow Media/Bethpage NY: Min. 2 yrs Dub & QC exp. incl. editing, duplication, encoding. 12am to 8am shift. See full posting and apply to www.cablevision.jobs red id 5468BR (3/27)

JOB OPENING:  SALES PLANNER/Screenvision Cinema/NY: 2 yrs exp developing sales proposals. Asst in sales presentations and post analyses.Familiar w/ Nielsen, MRI, ADVIEWS and Redbook. Apply online at: www.screenvision.com   (3/27)

JOB OPENING: LICENSING MGR/Veggie Tales/Nashville TN: 3+ years exp, secure/manage licensees for Big Idea’s VeggieTales. Some travel req’d. Rpt to SVP of Marketing. Respond w/ resume: [email protected] (3/27)

JOB OPENING: PRODUCER /DISNEYCHANNEL: Degree, 6 yrs Dev/Deploy Net Content; Leader, meet deliverables, HTML/budget accountable. Visit: www.disneycareers.com (Req ID 91315) (3/27)

JOB OPENING: SALES ASSTS/Discovery/NY: Support Acct Execs with acct. maintenance. Strong cust. service skills. Exc communicator. Multitasker/Team Player. Attn to detail. Great PC skills. Apply: www.discovery.com/careers , Req#7512  (3/27)

JOB OPENING: SENIOR PM/NYC: “A” List Cable TV Network seeking Sr. PM for Ad Sales group. Exp. w/Ad Sales & vendor management required. PMP cert. a plus, not required.  Apply:  [email protected]    (3/27)

JOB OPENING: VP NONFICTION DEVELOPMENT/NY: Prod co seeks creative, ambitious, dev exec to create & develop hit non-fiction TV series. 7+ yrs exp in non-fiction. Strong writing skills & prod experience. Resume: [email protected]  (3/26)

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH ANALYST/National CineMedia/NY: Media research & sales support. MRI, Scarborough. Fast, deadline-driven. Strong analytic, computer skills. Bach deg, 1-2 yrs exp. Include salary req. [email protected] (3/26)

JOB OPENING: VP SALES/SE Multimedia Co: Merging traditional and internet media sales.  Vision, coaching skills, passion and ability to handle complexity paramount. $150-$200k 1st year, no caps. Reply to [email protected] (3/26)

JOB OPENING: NATL SLS ASST/UNIVISION COMM/NY: Provide support for AE’s, act as liaison w/ stations/clients. Highly orgnz’d, det oriented & proactive w/ exc comm. skills.  All MS & Donovan skills req’d. Res: [email protected]    (3/26)

JOB OPENING: ASSOC AE DIGITAL/History/A&E Chicago: Sell digital advertising solutions to clients/agencies. Dvlp new business. Client service & acct mgmt. 1 yr digital plng exp. Sales exp pref’d. Apply: www.aetn.com/careers.html (3/25)

JOB OPENING: DIR OF PROD/Sirens Media/DC: 5+ years Prod. Management experience.  Excellent personnel management, budgeting, scheduling skills. Key role at growing company. Send info/references to [email protected]   (3/25)

JOB OPENING: REGN’L/NAT’L SALES MGR/KSBI-TVDT/OKC: Proven success record & 5+ yrs exp working regn’l /nat’l accts. Knwlg of Nielsen ratings & effective/creative pckgng strategies a must. Some travel required. Res: [email protected]   (3/25)

JOB OPENING: MARKETING MGR/MSNBC/NY: Must have BA & 5 yrs agency exp or 3 yrs in TV marketing;develop & execute sales initiated sponsorships & promo programs for MSNBC on-air, online& mobile. Apply: www.nbcunicareers.com #809277 (3/22)

JOB OPENING: INTERACTIVE AD SALES MKTG MGR/HGTV/NY: Concept convergent sponsorships for sales organizations. Implement online sponsorships. 4 yrs in field, deadline-oriented environment. Apply: www.scrippsnetworks.com (3/22)

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]  (3/22)

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]  (3/22)

JOB OPENING:  SALES/ Univision/TeleFutura National Spot Sales: Seeking dynamic Account Executive for NY HQ. Prior media sales experience required, broadcast experience preferred. Res to: [email protected] EOE (3/22)

JOB OPENING:  FREELANCE COORD/USA Strategic Marketing/NY: Support creation of client programs inc. sponsorships, finances, etc. 2+ yrs integrated mktg exp in TV or ad agency preferred.Resumes to [email protected]   (3/22)

JOB OPENING: ACCT MGR-DIRECT RESPONSE/ New York, NY: BET: Cable salesperson w/strong presentation skills. Comfortable w/multi-platform & integrated opps. Sales/agency exp. req’d. Email: [email protected] (3/22)

JOB OPENING: PROD MGR, PREMIUM BUSINESSES/MTV NETWORKS/NEOPETS/LA: Exp. w/subscription businesses, prod. mgmt, feature enhancements, etc. required. See full JD at www.mtvncareers.com or email [email protected] (3/21)

JOB OPENING: MGR. BRAND MKTG/MTV NETWORKS/NEOPETS/LA: Digital & viral campaigning exp. necessary. Grassroots/Guerilla a plus! Analytics exp. preferred. See full JD at www.mtvncareers.com or email [email protected] (3/21)

JOB OPENING: COUNSEL /iN DEMAND/NYC:  Contract management, copyright & trademark, standards & practices. JD plus 3 yrs cable/entertainment.  Reply:  [email protected]  (3/21)

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH METHODOLOGIST/Rentrak/Portland OR: Design & plan projects for a census level TV measurement product. Must have Nielsen TV Ratings and/or Nielsen Media Research Software exp. Send resume to [email protected] (3/21)

JOB OPENING: ART DIRECTOR/Sesame Workshop/NY: Oversee Digital Media visual production. 5+ yrs exp. reqd,w/ significant work in kids’ media and web. [email protected] (3/21)

SPACE AVAILABLE: TURN KEY PRODUCTION & POST PRODUCTION Space available immediately. Three Final Cut Edit Rooms,  Digitizing Stations, 8-10 desks in Prod. Pit,  Apple Computers, Phones, T1 line. TOTALLY TURN KEY. Call Travis:  212/242-1400 (3/21)

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] .

SUMMER INTERNSHIPS CREDITS ONLY:  Entertainment Production Co. in Armonk, NY seeks interns. Responsibilities: general office work, phones, mailings, research, errands. Email resume to [email protected]   (3/26)

SPRING INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY:TV/Film DUBBING/SUBTITLING/The Kitchen/Miami. Seeks spring intern to join active language production team. Bi-lingual a plus. Resume to [email protected] (3/25)

SUMMER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY:  Trylon SMR ( www.trylonSMR.com) is a NYC PR agency seeking a summer intern that has familiarity with the media industry and tech sector.4-5 days a week. [email protected] (3/25)

SUMMER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY:  PR/MKTG Internship/Shelton CT HQ: The Cynopsis Foundation seeks 2 highly organized, mature interns to work with planning/organizing summer gala. Great communications skills a must. Email: [email protected]    (3/25)

SUMMER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY:  MKTNG/ON-AIR Fox Reality Channel L.A. seeks summer intern to assist w/ & learn TV mktg and promo thru inner-workings of entertainment brand. Resume to [email protected] (3/22)

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

SITUATION WANTED: SR. H.R. PRO/NYC: 19 yrs exp seeking short/long-term/perm oppty in media field. Bkgrd incl: Employee Relations, O.D., Recruitment, Training. Call Ray Palen at (631)732-2926 or via email at: [email protected] (3/27)

SITUATION WANTED: PRODUCER: 7 years exp. writing, producing & directing. Specialize in documentary, editorial, biography, reality, & short form narrative. Also new media projects, viral web media, VOD, mobile. [email protected] (3/27)

SITUATION WANTED: CASTING DIRECTOR: Diversity casting in low-cost assignments for TV, film, comedy festivals and the net. Special interest in scripted comedy, sketch and indie films. [email protected] (3/21)

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.