Cynopsis: DIGITAL

03/27/08

Good morning, it’s Thursday, March 27, 2008, and this is your first early morning digital briefing.
 
Amazon‘s DRM-free music sales outlet Amazon MP3 overtook eMusic as the #2 online music outlet and is now second only to iTunes just 6 months after launching, reports USA Today. Amazon has deals in place with Warner Music, Sony/BMG and Universal, offering a catalog of about 4.5 million DRM free songs. Apple, which still controls 80% of the digital download market, offers about 2 million DRM free tracks, including EMI and indie labels, according to the article. eMusic CEO David Pakman disputes the findings in his company’s blog, 17dots.
 

 
USA is expanding its Character Arcade casual gaming site launched with Glow Interactive in November, adding 20+ new games with improved ad options and additional community features. A new affinity program will allow users to earn points for playing that can be redeemed to purchase coupons, advertisers’ products or USA merchandise.
 
April 1st marks the kick off of a new season of Sundance Channel‘s The Green block, but viewers can get a free sneak peek of the documentary series Big Ideas for a Small Planet on iTunes this week. Subsequent episodes go on sale for $1.99 a day after they air.
 
Guinness World Records TV, already available on YouTube and Joost, added channels on Dailymotion and Veoh this week. Plans include launching language specific channels with the platforms.
 
CALL FOR CONTENT: Current TV is accepting 3-10 minute non-fiction shorts to screen at the SILVERDOCS Film Festival, taking place June 16-23, 2008 in Washington D.C. A total of 5 films will be chosen for a theatrical screening. Deadline for entries is May 5. Contact Sarah Evershed at severshed @currentmedia.com or go to www.current.com/silverdocs for more info.
 

 
Relationship advice Q&A site Answerology.com was acquired by Heart Magazines. Site founder Matthew Milner will joint Heart’s digital media group as VP/Community and Social Media.
 
ROO Group signed a deal to integrate Viewdle‘s white-label facial recognition search software into its media player environment. The software will be able to search faces instead of just metadata tags.
 
Trendrr.com is a new web service from digital marketing agency Wiredset designed to track and compare online data trends. The sites APIs can be set to track anything from the number of Twitter friends a user has to the number of people who used a specific Facebook widget.
 
Men’s site CraveOnline is betting men crave hoops as much as they do cars, girls and comedy. The company added fan site HoopsVibe.com to its stable of like-minded brands.

 
Is it time for cable operators to offer a quadruple play? Comcast and Time Warner Cable are in talks to invest in a WiMax wireless high-speed internet network that on again/off again partners Sprint and Clearwire would operate, reports The Wall Street Journal. Intel, Google and #6 MSO Bright House Networks have also expressed interest in contributing to the venture.
 
Motorola decided to split into two publicly traded companies, separating its troubled mobile phone division from a Broadband & Mobility Solutions firm, which will handle wireless broadband, IP video, voice and data communications solutions.
 
Here we go again. Grand Theft Auto game publisher Take-Two Interactive recommended to its shareholders to reject Electronic Arts‘ $2 billion takeover offer, complaining it undervalues the company. Consensus is that Take-Two is trying to bide time until Grand Theft Auto IV hits stores on April 29; the gleefully violent first-person shooting game is one of the industry’s best selling titles.
 

 
Mercedes launched another new web show on its Mercedes-Benz.tv entertainment portal. The half-hour Mixed Tape Music magazine features videos, album reviews and profiles of “modern vintage” newcomers and established artists. Mercedes also partnered with private select social network A Small World this month to query potential well-heeled customers on what they’d like to see in its line of cars.
 
CBS Mobile is out to improve discovery and recommendation functionality on its network in order to extend behavioral targeting to marketers. New partner Aggregate Knowledge will allow users of wap.cbsnews.com to view and receive content recommendations based on what others with similar interests are viewing.
 

 
Online video views recovered in February, according to the latest Nielsen VideoCensus results. A total of 115.8 million users (down from 116.7 million in Jan.) watched 6.3 million streams (compared to 5.9 million last month.) YouTube increased its share of worldwide videos served on the web significantly. The sites were responsible for 2.9 million videos (48.5% of all videos, compared to 42.9% last month) and 70 million of the web’s 115.8 million unique video viewers. 
 
Top Brands by Video Streams for Feb. 2008
Name                                           Total Streams (000)    Unique Viewers (000)
YouTube                                            2,918,799                   70,222
Fox Interactive Media                             405,996                   21,028
Yahoo!                                                 244,784                   21,220
MSN/WindowsLive                                  163,812                    9,323
Nickelodeon Kids & Family                        155,961                    5,769
Google                                                 122,948                  18.638
Disney Online                                        121,933                    9,606
Turner Entertainment New Media                96,991                    6,850
ESPN                                                     84,053                    4,464
AOL Media Network                                  81,537                   11,469
Source: Nielsen Online VideoCensus
 

 
MediaCom’s Beyond Interaction digital division upped Kathleen Sheridan to Worldwide Managing Director, Activation and Measurement, overseeing media investments, tool development and optimization methods. Sloan Broderick will also join Beyond Interaction as Managing Director in the U.S.
 
Nicholas Ricci was hired by Forbes.com as GM/Sales for the Business and Financial Network, overseeing sales, marketing and promotion for the new Forbes Audience Network and Business and Finance Blog Network.
 
Cable and interactive television veteran Duncan Campbell was named VP/Business Development for Cable/IPTV solutions provider ICTV. Duncan reports to Michael Taylor, SVP/ Business Development.
 
Former Comcast executive Wayne Tuttle will join Wilen Media as VP/Major Accounts, in charge of key cable accounts and new business opportunities. He will report to Paul Caravello, SVP/sales.
 

 
Not all social networks are out to recruit millions of users. The UK-based Diamond Lounge is an exclusive online gated community of the well-to-do which only selects members who can bring “something special” to the club. (If you have to ask what that is, then perhaps you’re not suitable). A perusal of the members turned up investment bankers, socialites, models and high-level execs who use the service to network, flirt and hobnob with the right kind of people. Diamond Lounge founder Arya Marafie may be onto something – the latest Wealth Survey from The Luxury Institute found that the wealthy’s participation in social networks increased to 60% in 2008 from 27% last year. Anyone is free to apply. But remember what Groucho Marx said; “I don’t want to belong to any club that would accept me as member.”

Later — Wayne
Wayne Karrfalt for Cynopsis: Digital
03.27.08

Cynopsis Digital Ad Sales: Jason Cesare 732-718-0629 / [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: SR RESEARCH ANALYST/Fox Latin America Channels/NYC: Support Ad Sales, Programming, Marketing. 2+ years in managing quantitative and qualitative research. Email [email protected]   (4/3)

JOB OPENING: MGR, DIGITAL MEDIA AD OPS/AETN, NY: Manage trafficking & operations associated with Digital Media Sales of growing dept. Exp in Internet or Broadcast Ad Ops/Traffic dept. Apply: www.aetn.com/careers.html (4/3)

JOB OPENING: DIGITAL ASSOCIATE MEDIA DIR: 3-5+ Yrs digital media planning/buying exp, Develop POV’s, client location West Chester County. Competitive salary/benefits. Resume to: [email protected] (4/3)

JOB OPENING: ACCT EXEC/Gospel Music Channel/NY: Fast growing new ntwrk seeks dynamic nat’l ad sales acct exec. 2 yrs media sales exp; agency exp pref’d. Proven track rec w/ new bus dvlpmnt. Resume: [email protected] (4/3)

JOB OPENING: AFF. FINANCE ANALYST:  Cash application of MSO remittances and subscriber updating. Under grad degree Fin/Accting w/ 1-3 yrs of exp. Apply: www.mtvncareers.com EOE (4/2)

JOB OPENING: SALES PLANNER/Scripps Networks/HGTV:BA pref. 2+ yrs exp in advertising/buying/planning. Knowledge/exp in cable TV Ent. industry a+. Proficient in MS Office. Submit resume at http://scripps.com/ (4/2)

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH COORD/ANALYST/MANAGER at MTV Networks. Please apply at www.mtvncareers.com. EOE/M/F/D/AAP (4/2)

JOB OPENING: (2) SR MGR, PROMOS & SPONS/Cartoon Network/ATL: Oversee the dev & execution of CN and Adult Swim promotions & sponsorships across platforms. 10+ yrs mkt/sales/promos exp in the ent ind. www.turnerjobs.com #90643BR (4/2)

JOB OPENING: SR RESEARCH ANALYST/Fox Latin America Channels/NYC: Support Ad Sales, Programming, Marketing. 2+ years in managing quantitative and qualitative research. Email [email protected]   (4/2)

JOB OPENING: SR DIRECTOR FIELD SALES/ESPN/Burbank CA:  10+ yrs affiliate sales Local/region/Div exp. with 3 yrs people mgt .Email resume to:  [email protected]   (4/1)

JOB OPENING: INVENTORY ADMIN/New York Interconnect, Jericho NY:  Min 2 yrs in TV media traffic dept.  Exp. with STRATA system.  See full posting at www.cablevision.jobs and apply to 5723BR (4/1)

JOB OPENING: ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE/CABLEVISION/BROOKLYN NY:  Seeks AE for local ad sales.2+  yrs ad sales exp.  pref cable TV, radio,  internet adv.  Valid NY DL.  See full posting and apply to www.cablevision.jobs req 4802BR (4/1)

JOB OPENING: ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE CABLEVISION/NORWALK CT: Seeks AE for local ad sales.2+ yrs  ad sales exp. pref  cable TV, radio, internet adv.  Valid NY DL.  See full posting and apply to www.cablevision.jobs req 5057BR

JOB OPENING: TEMP CREATIVE SRVCS DIR/Sundance Ch/NY: 7+ yrs adv/mktg exp in brdcst/cable. Strong client serv/proj mgmt skills. Liaise betw internal clients & creative team on non-brdcst media. Res: [email protected]   (4/1)

JOB OPENING: BRAND MANAGER/HGTV.com/Knoxville TN: Ideal candidate has 5+ yrs exp online brand mgmt for overall creative and site programming, including selection of content and copywriting. www.scrippsnetworks.com (4/1)

JOB OPENING: DIR.PROGRAMMING /DIY Network/Knoxville: Ideal candidate has 5+ yrs strong writing/producing/development exp for docu-soaps/reality/documentaries airing on competitive broadcast/cable networks. www.scrippsnetworks.com (3/29)

JOB OPENING: MTVN SR RESCH ANALYST/NYC:  Support affil sales/mktg; BA; 3 yrs media, broadcast/cable. Understd Nielsen ratings; prof Navigator, Explorer; knwl MRI a plus. Str analytical/PC. EOE/M/F/D/AAP.  Apply www.mtvncareers.com (3/29)

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH SPECIALIST/New York: Media Sales & Planning experience A+. Proficient with Galaxy, NPower, Adviews, & MRI. Team player, ability to juggle many projects. Email: [email protected] RE: UCTC/98308BR. (3/29)

JOB OPENING: DIGITAL AD SALES MGR/NYC: Seeking hands on ad sales mgr resp for the full sales cycle in a well known web services firm.  Prior media sales exp req’d, digital and B2B exp pref’d. Apply: [email protected] (3/29)

JOB OPENING: INSTRUCTIONAL MEDIA SERVICES MGR: Bloomsburg University of PA, Bloomsburg, PA #03-7-169. Deadline for full consideration: Postmarked April 21, 2008. For full position description, visit www.bloomu.edu/jobs . AA/EEO. (3/29)

JOB OPENING: SR PROD GAMES/Nick Jr./NY: Min 4+yrs online game prod/ exp. w/mgt, design, plan’g, budget’g, staffing, tech, art, audio & QA; preschool knwlg (ages 2 to 6) games, both online/offline. EOE/M/F/D/AAP apply www.mtvncareers.com (3/28)

JOB OPENING: DIR BIZ DEV & OPERATIONS/MTV/NYC:  5+ yrs wrk exp; 3 yrs in top mngmt cnslt firm or ibank prior exp in M&A or biz dev. Strng analt/prob slv skills, strng proj mngmt & leadership EOE/M/F/D/AAP Apply www.mtvncareers.com (3/28)

JOB OPENING: MANAGER STRAT & BIZ DEV/ MTVN/NYC: 2 yrs min work exp, strg fin mdling, rsh skills, prior/mang wk under pressure, org/strg attn detail, media exp, mngmt cnslt/ibank bckgr. EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (3/28)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR OF MARKETING/MY SIMS (ELECTRONIC ARTS)/REDWOOD CITY CA:  Apply to this position, please click on this link: http://jobs.ea.com/pljb/ElectronicArts/United_States/applicant/jobClick.jsp?count=1&id=6569 (3/28)

JOB OPENING: DIR, CREATIVE MKTG/Discovery/MD: Lead on-air mktg. strat for launching ntwrk. BA, 8+yrs exp in creative dev & brand positioning in TV & print media a must. Apply: https://www.discovery.apply2jobs.com/index.cfm Req#7013 (3/28)

JOB OPENING: SVP, PROG/Discovery/MD: Resp for plan/dir./executing net prog. strat, inc. leveraging new media, budget & network sched. BA, 12+ yrs exp w/maj. media co. Apply: https://www.discovery.apply2jobs.com/index.cfm Req#7737  (3/28)

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH MANAGER/Fox/NY: Sales Research Fox Broadcast. 6+ yrs exp resrch/data  analy cable/brdcast. Exp w/ Nielsen systems, MRI, Simmons, Str analytic sk. BS/BA. Please apply at www.foxcareers.com . (3/28)

JOB OPENING: SR RESEARCH ANALYST/AD SALES/Sony Pictures TV:  3-5 yrs experience req. Nielsen software, Excel, PwrPnt proficiency req. Midtown Mnhtn. Apply: www.sonypicturesjobs.com (3/28)

JOB OPENING: REGIONAL MANAGER/Comcast: Regional Manager, Affiliate Relations – Comcast Networks : To view full job description please use this link – http://track.jobviper.com/ViewJob.asp?id=491804-1576-3561 (3/28)

JOB OPENING: VP, INTERNET STRATEGY AND DEVELOPMENT/Versus: To view full job description please use this link – http://track.jobviper.com/ViewJob.asp?id=492084-1576-1261 (3/28)

JOB OPENING: AD SALES– Account Manager/iSorpresa!/DFW Area: Minimum 3 yrs. exp. selling Hispanic cable network, must have BA/BS & exp. in one of these areas: Kids, Cable, or Hispanic Media. Send resume to: [email protected] (3/28)

JOB OPENING: VP, INTERNET STRATEGY AND DEVELOPMENT/Versus/PHL: To view full job description please use this link – http://track.jobviper.com/ViewJob.asp?id=492084-1576-1261 (3/28)

SPRING AND 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] .

SPRING/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] (4/2)

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]    (3/31)

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

SITUATION WANTED: TRAFFIC MANAGER/ with 12 years exp seeks position in Radio/TV/Entertainment or Traffic Software. NY Metro Area only.Experienced, Focused & Extremely detailed. [email protected] (4/1)

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.