A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM PRODUCERS GUILD OF AMERICA

Cynopsis: DIGITAL

05/14/09

Good morning, it’s Thursday, May 14, 2009, and this is your first early morning digital briefing. 

Fiercely independent (and famously altruistic) online classified service Craigslist announced it will remove its “erotic services” category from its U.S. website next week after receiving increased pressure from law enforcement agencies. It is replacing it with a new “adult services” category where listings must be manually approved by Craigslist staffers. In Nov. 2008, Craigslist and the attorney generals of over 40 States struck a deal to implement new screening policies requiring telephone and credit card verification before users were allowed to post erotic services listings. But things came to head for Craig Newmark and his small staff after the alleged murder of a masseuse by a BU medical student – who police say was found through her Craigslist ad. CEO Jim Buckmaster pointed to research that Craigslist classifieds are associated with far lower rates of violent crime than traditional print ads in blog posting explaining the decision.
 

 
Ashton Kutcher has found a way to leverage his newfound Twitter fame. He’s convinced CBS to develop a show around his sardonic, celebrity-obsessed web series Blah Girls, produced by Kutcher’s Katalyst Media and created by David & Goliath, Inc. The girls will begin by appearing in 1-minute interstitials on CBS Television Distribution’s celebrity news show The Insider (also to be featured on TheInsider.com.)
 
ITN’s archive footage site ITN Source has partnered with EMI’s music publishing site Play Production in a bid to create a one-stop-shop for clients wishing to license video clips and accompanying tracks at the same time. The agreement will provide users of archive content on the ITN Source site with access to 175,000 music tracks to preview alongside stock footage clips.
 
After years of political wrangling the 1.5 mile elevated railway along the west side of Manhattan is being transformed into a The High Line park and SundanceChannel.com is premiering a new web series on May 26 to document the process. Each of the ten episodes of High Line Stories, sponsored by ASICS, will feature a different personality who was involved in the process.
 
CBS Interactive became the latest broadcaster to experiment with 1080p online video streaming, offering a selection of CBS prime time shows including the CSIs, How I Met Your Mother and Survivor. Intel is sponsoring the offering with integrated skins, display advertisements and sponsorships. CBS’ TV.com portal also has a 1080p page.
 
Discovery Theater HD will launch on the Sky platform in Brazil later this month, the channel’s 30th carriage agreement and its first HD launch in Latin America.
 

 
eMarketer downwardly revised its social networking ad spending forecasts, blaming the problems at MySpace for the revision. MySpace captured nearly 50% of the category’s $1.18 billion revenue in 2008 but will see its share drop to 43.4% this year as overall social network ad spending declines to $1.14 billion. That’s quite a reversal from years past. Spending grew an estimated 33% in 2008 and 129% in 2007.
 
Worldwide Online Adverting Spending on MySpace and Facebook ’08 & ’09
Site                            2008(millions) 2009(millions)
MySpace U.S.                $585               $495
MySpace non-U.S.           $20                 $25
MySpace Worldwide        $605               $520 
Facebook U.S.               $210               $230
Facebook non-U.S.          $40                 $70
Facebook Wordwide        $250               $300
Source: eMarketer, May 2009
 
Online “retargeting” company FetchBack launched FIDO 2.0, a tech platform that hosts web analytics remotely. It enables users to access campaign reports, review and update their campaigns from an online control panel.
 
Telecom providers led the online display ad push in March, according to ComScore. AT&T ranked as the top display advertiser with nearly 6 billion ad views (a 1.8% market share), reaching 147 million uniques. Verizon followed with 5.7 billion ad views then Vonage with 4.3 billion ad views (1.3 percent).
 
Top 10 Online Display Advertisers – March 2009
                          Total Display       Share of      Advertising Exposed
                            Ad Views         Publisher Ad    Unique Visitors
                                  (MM)              Views            (000)
Total Internet            323,647            100.0%          184,002
AT&T, Inc.                    5,985              1.8%          147,133
Verizon                        5,695              1.8%          144,482
Vonage                        4,253              1.3%          139,786
Scottrade                     3,983              1.2%          101,102
Experian Interactive      3,320              1.0%          140,480
Sprint Nextel Corp.        3,247              1.0%          129,035
Bank of America            3,152              1.0%          124,883
eBay                            3,137              1.0%          140,089
Netflix.com                   3,016              0.9%          134,059
Nextag.com                  2,585              0.8%          126,943
Source: comScore Ad Metrix
Reflects display advertising only, both standard and non-standard IAB sizes; excludes house ads and small ads (<2,500 pixels in dimension)
 
Paid click advertising continues to diminish, according to Hitwise. In the four weeks to May 9, 2009, 7.25% of search engine traffic to All Categories of websites was from paid clicks. This compares to 9.84% in the same four-week period in 2008 – representing a 26% decline in the share of paid clicks.
 

 
Online video search engine Blinkx is integrating with IPTV technology provider Miniweb to enable search, interactivity and targeted web-style advertising through a television. Under the terms of the agreement Miniweb will use blinkx’s software to power video search, syndication, recommendations, targeting and personalization as part of its online services platform. BSkyB iTV spin-off Miniweb raised a huge $32 million in funding last Sept. from a group of U.S. investors.
 
Local media-targeted content management provider Inergize unveiled a local news app template for the iPhone and iPod enabling local TV and radio stations, magazines and newspapers to distribute locally branded news, weather, sports, politics and entertainment content through the devices. Inergize’s model includes sharing revenue from two type of ads: one ad position per page view per category and one ad position overlaid on every video, which can be sold locally or filled with national ads sold by Inergize Digital. WOAI San Antonio, KTVX Salt Lake City and KLRT Little Rock are currently utilizing the Mobile Local News app.
 

 
An estimated 65 million households worldwide had the capability of viewing internet video on their television set at the end of 2008, according to a new IMS Research study, representing a growth of 134% over year-end 2007. Game console or proprietary device integrations comprised the vast majority of total internet TV households in 2007 and 2008. However, media center PCs and media extenders/digital media adapter (such as Boxee and the like) will see an 85% increase through 2013, reaching nearly 60 million households. Blu-ray players with IP connectivity and proprietary Internet TV devices are expected to surpass $1 billion in worldwide sales by the end of 2010. After that IMS figures that cable companies will finally have achieved internet functionality on their set tops.
 

 
The popular Twitter desktop client Seesmic Desktop (the company claims 1.5 million downloads to date) released a major upgrade featuring a cleaner look and feel and a bevy of new features.  The biggest improvements include full Facebook integration.
 
Turner Sports/NBA venture NBA Digital launched its first app for Google’s Android OS, powered by Orb Networks and Mobile CDN. “T-Mobile Close Up: NBA Eastern Conference Finals” will offer live coverage of the playoff games from 4 separate angles: the Action Cam captures the on-court action ; the Player Cam tracks individual athletes; the Arena Cam provides wide angle shots of the court; and the Host Cam features coverage from on-air announcers and reporters. It’s a nice complement to the NBA Game Time app, which provides all the numbers you need, including detailed real-time schedules, scoring summaries and stats.
 

 
Time Warner Cable‘s TV Everywhere initiative, which would allow subscribers to view programming via broadband and on mobile devices, has a chieftain. Former head of distribution for Andrew Heller has been named Vice Chairman of TBS Inc., charged with overseeing the plan. He will be charged with getting networks, distributors and advertisers on board with the measure.
 
In a Cynopsis exclusive, A&E Television Networks has announced that Seth Metsch has been promoted to Digital Media Counsel, from the position of Director, Legal & Business Affairs. In his new role, Seth is responsible for negotiating and drafting agreements for domestic and international digital media transactions, including video distribution over broadband and mobile platforms. He is also charged with leading negotiations on the digital media aspects of domestic cable television affiliate distribution agreements, working with AETN’s interactive and e-commerce groups.
 
Bresnan Communications announced today that Steve Brookstein will now take on the added title of Chief Operating Officer. Steve joined the MSO in 2003 as EVP of Operations and will continue to report to Jeff DeMond, Bresnan’s President.
 
Mike McCue, founder and GM of speech recognition company Tellme Networks that was acquired by Microsoft, will be leaving the company at the end of June, per AllThingsDigital. As part of the transition Microsoft veteran Zig Serafin will take over the voice services subsidiary and all the other related units.
 
Adspace Digital Mall Network has promoted five employees: Peter Krieger has been promoted to EVP, COO; Marc Galiano, formerly the Executive Director of National Accounts, has been upped to National Sales Manager for the Southeast; John Wall is now directing external sales representatives in the Midwest as the National Sales Manager; Miriam Anania takes on the position of Director of Regional Sales and Sales Administration; and Bryan Ruiz has been promoted to Production and Scheduling Manager.
 

 
Reaching out to fans on social networks is the only way for most bands to survive these days but let’s face it – it can be a cumbersome task. Music discovery and download service iLike launched a handy new social integration service, allowing its 300,000 registered musicians publish simultaneously to the leading social platforms and devices including YouTube, MySpace, Twitter, hi5, Bebo and even the iPhone. The dashboard acts as a communication control panel. When bands post a new song or announce a new tour date, a tweet notifies fans with a link. New videos uploaded are simultaneously posted to their YouTube, Facebook, MySpace or even their own websites. Songs, photos or videos posted to the dashboard also integrate with the band’s Ticketmaster page, (which owns 25% of the start-up.) iLike’s iPhone turnkey system enables a band to set up their own promotional app; (if they’d like to charge for it, iLike will take a cut.)  There are so many great platforms for artists to reach their fans directly but it has become a full time job to develop content for these services and manage multiple accounts. More work needs to be done to simplify the process and iLike is filling a real niche here.
 
Clarification: Yesterday’s link to Gotham City’s charity-themed web series seems to be acting up. But you can find more info about the series at GothamCityFilms.com.
 
Later — Wayne
 Wayne Karrfalt for Cynopsis: Digital
05.14.09

Cynopsis Ad Sales:
Chuck Bolkcom, Pres/COO – 646-468-6180 / [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: SR PRODUCER/SOAPNet.com/Burbank: Lead site-wide development initiatives for mobile, community & viral digital mktg. 8yrs exp. web/entertainment www.disneycareers.com REQ 195331 (5/21)

JOB OPENING: ONLINE CONTENT MGR/Discovery/MD: Seeking Mgr w/ strong online prod exp. TV exp pref’d, proj mngmnt exp a must. Solid relationship building/negotiation skills; Int’l exp pref’d; Apply: www.discovery.com/careers job 8954 (5/20)

JOB OPENING: SENIOR ACCOUNTANT/WASH DC: Outgoing financial expert needed for financial statements, GL, budgets, payroll, cash flow, contracts, reporting. For descr. & to apply: www.teampeople.tv (5/20)

JOB OPENING: DIR, DEVELOPMENT/TLC/MD: Research/vet new prog. show ideas, Exec. writing skills, 7+ yrs broadcast exp., Strng. Resch. background Apply: http://corporate.discovery.com/careers/ #8935 (5/20)

JOB OPENING: DIR CASTING/DISNEY ABC/LA: Identify new tal, mng mult proj from producer casting session phase thru ntwk test & tal neg phase. Degree, min 5yrs cstg & min 3yrs mng cstg projects. Visit www.disneyabcjobs.com Req 196315 (5/19)

JOB OPENING: EXEC ASSISTANT, CONTENT DEVELOPMENT/MTV/NYC: 2+yrs exp. Exec Assist, Strg org/detail skills, Superior Cust. Service, Strng comm/comp skills, Able to prioritize/Meet deadlines EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (5/19)

JOB OPENING: SR MANAGER, INTEGRATED MARKETING/Nickelodeon/NYC: 5+yrs mrktng/sales exp. in mrktng/ad agency in Ent/Media, Strng Acct Mgmt exp, Stng Project Mgmt/Negotiating/Time Mgmt skills EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (5/19)

JOB OPENING: SHOW PRODUCTION DESIGNER/QVC/WEST CHESTER PA:Conceptualizes/designs/creates overall look & feel of show.Related degree,5+ yrs design exp in b’cast environ, AutoCad. Apply: www.qvc.com/careers (5/15)

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE

INTERNSHIPS – These positions are for credit only – nobody gets paid here. These ads are always 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 CREDIT ONLY: TV Clearance/Permissions/Warner Bros. TV/Burbank: Contact licensing boards & police to clear names, rsrch for artwork/props/set dress items, maint inv./PC/Resumes: [email protected] incl “NENT/112427BR” in subject (5/21)

SUMMER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: PROGRAMMING DEVELOPMENT INTERN/Los Angeles: a television production company is looking for summer interns to help with several projects; be creative, organized and eager to learn. Email resume: [email protected] (5/19)

SUMMER INTERNSHIP CREDIT ONLY:  WEB INTERN/NJ: Assist w/ video streaming of TV news on company website. Open to Comm. majors. Must know HTML, Photoshop, Final Cut Pro, FrontPage, Flash. Email resume:  [email protected]  (5/16)

SUMMER INTERNSHIP CREDIT ONLY:  TV RESEARCH/Warner Bros.TV/Burbank:  Monitor Nielsen broadcast schedules, Prog. test scores; Attend focus groups, prep questionnaires/PC/Resumes: [email protected] include “NENT/112425BR” in subject    (5/16)

SUMMER INTERNSHIP CREDIT ONLY: MKTG INTERN/ATL: Assist w/ Consumer & Affiliate Mktg initiatives for The Weather Channel. Must have a basic understanding of Marketing; be creative & eager to learn. Please send resume to: [email protected] (5/15)

SITUATION WANTED ADS, POSTED BY THOSE LOOKING TO BE HIRED …  There is no charge for placing your Situation Wanted ad … for more information contact Trish Pihonak at [email protected]

SITUATION WANTED: 20+ yrs. experience in TV Broadcasting & Cable ACCOUNTING/FINANCE . Seeking FT, PT or Temporary position: immediate start. Please contact [email protected] (5/21)

SITUATION WANTED: AVAILABLE NOW: 15-year LOS ANGELES Audio Post supervisor/editor/sound-designer/mixer CREATIVE with ProTools and series television, national radio, corporate and feature film credits. [email protected] (5/21)

SITUATION WANTED: EXECUTIVE/ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT for 30 plus years. Worked in Production for Executive Producers, Writers, Directors and high level executives. Excellent skills … email: [email protected] (5/20)

SITUATION WANTED: CREATIVE DIRECTOR/DESIGNER/ILLUSTRATOR/NYC: Experienced & unique. Concept through completion. Freelance or staff. Email: [email protected] (5/20)

SITUATION WANTED: EXPERIENCED GRAPHIC DESIGNER (LA) Reality-TV, Film, Commercial, Documentaries & Corporate. Creative & Flexible. Seeking Freelance or Staff Position, Remote or In-House. Reel & Contact Info: www.ChaztizedMedia.com (5/20)

SITUATION WANTED: WRITER’S ASSISTANT/PRODUCTION ASSIST/NYC: hardworking, proactive, self starter,strong work ethic, experience in writer’s room.contact email: [email protected] (5/20)

SITUATION WANTED: Business development, strategic planning, partnership MARKETING MANAGER; experience within film studios and advertising agencies; from concept through execution. [email protected] 646.719.1836 (5/20)

SITUATION WANTED: SR RSCH ANALYST from National Cable Communications, 8 yrs exp. Critical role on corporate research and industry driven projects. http://www.linkedin.com/in/keithlegaz Email [email protected] (5/20)

SITUATION WANTED: LINE PRODUCER/POST SUPERVISOR/NYC: Fluent in all platform prod/biz affairs deliverables; draft budgets, schedules, crew hire & post workflow, multiple net credits, very strong w/ clients. [email protected] (5/19)

SITUATION WANTED: PASSIONATE WELL-ROUNDED MKTG PRO seeking an opportunity to grow audience and revenue for the right company. Exp in agency, entertainment brands & general entertainment. E-mail [email protected] for a resume (5/19)

SITUATION WANTED:  WRITER/DIRECTOR/PRODUCER  Exceptional and fast writer, client friendly, EPK’s and DVD bonus features, internet pods, video games for Disney, Universal, New Line etc. In LA. Contact Lisa at [email protected]   (5/15)

SITUATION WANTED: MARKETING & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT 10+ years film/TV experience, extensive production/post production contacts. [email protected]  (5/15)

SITUATION WANTED: RESEARCH DIRECTOR 20+ yrs Media, Nielsen, Hispanic, & Sales experience. National and Local. Email: [email protected] (5/15)

E-mail [email protected] or call Trish Pihonak at 203.926.9878 for rates and specs for Job Openings.

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