A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM TAFFY ENTERTAINMENT and click here to see Dive Olly Dive in the Cynopsis Programmers’ Video Showcase!

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Quite possibly the most beautiful 3D animated series you’ve ever seen!!

Dive Olly Dive! (52 x 11) is the latest Award-Winning new animated kids’ series from Taffy Entertainment.  Already sold in the US, France, Germany, UK, Canada and more.

* Now Licensing in most categories *

It’s this week’s Video Showcase series:  DIVE OLLY DIVE!

Visit our website and contact us for more info on all our great brands!

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Cynopsis: Kids!

05/01/08

Good morning. It’s Thursday, May 1, 2008, and this is your first early morning briefing.

National Geographic (NG) established National Geographic Kids and Family Synergy Group, a new cross-media marketing unit, which aims to develop partnerships in the kid and family arena to support NG’s goal of inspiring folks to care about the planet.  Comprised of National Geographic Kids magazine, book publishing, digital media, entertainment, licensing, custom communications and mission programs, the new group will be supported by a full marketing and sales team helmed by Vincent Krsulich.

Infogrames Entertainment S.A. late yesterday announced plans to acquire the outstanding shares of Atari, Inc. for US$11 million.  Following the completion of the deal in Q3 2008, Atari will be a wholly owned subsidiary of Infogrames, which is currently the majority shareholder in Atari with about 51.4%.

NEW PRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT

The father and son team of Master P and Romeo (f/k/a Lil’ Romeo) are working on Gee Gee the Magical Giraffe a new educational preschool property.  Developed by Romeo, Gee Gee is designed to make learning fun for kids using music and dance.  The property is featured in a series of books, and will also star in an animated series slated to bow on DVD, and a movie that is expected in theaters in 2009.  The books will be written with the help of Romeo’s real life little sister Itali Miller, while artists Ryan Hutchinson and Olatokunbo Betiku will animate the property.  Romeo, a successful rapper, starred in Nickelodeon’s live-action series titled Romeo! (2003-6), and is going to star with his dad in a horror movie (as in not for kids) titled The Pig People.

MORE KIDS STUFF

PorchLight Home Entertainment picks up the US DVD distribution rights to the preschool animated series Boowa & Kwala from Granada International.  The Boowa & Kwala series, and website on which it is based, is designed to help preschoolers develop their imagination through music and songs.  The first US DVD will be available October 14, 2008.

National Geographic Kids Entertainment (NGKE) and Kidtoons have teamed to launch National Geographic Kids’ Big Screen Safari, an exclusive, nationwide, in-theater program that will feature a range of NGKE’s programming.  The promotion, aimed at parents and young kids, will showcase 70+ minutes of kid-targeted content at 100+ theaters over four consecutive weekends this June.  The program offers multi-platform marketing opportunities to sponsors, including include in-theater, online, print, event and radio extensions.

BabyFirst completes a deal in China with Shanghai Media Group’s BesTV, an IPTV platform available on Mainland China.  BabyFirstTV launches on BesTV this month.  BabyFirst recently completed carriage deals across Asia for the channel, including in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Korea.  Several more deals in Asia are currently in the works.

Portfolio Entertainment inks new broadcast deals for the tween-targeted animated series Carl2, which it produces and distributes:  Canal + (France) acquires the pay TV rights to a four seasons (65 episodes) of the program; Sorpresa TV (US) takes the first two seasons (39 episodes); while SW Television/Channel Four (Finland) will introduce the series to Scandinavia for the first time.

Casting: marblemedia and YTV (Canada) are looking for 120 teens 14-16 to participate as contestants in the second season of its teen-targeted action reality series The Adrenaline Project.  Audition applications are being accepted now through May 8, 2008 at www.theadrenalineproject.com/casting .  Competitors would need to be available for several days between June and October 2008 outside of Toronto.

The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences has announced nominees for the 35th Daytime Emmy awards including those in the kid categories.  The awards will be handed out during the live 35th Daytime Emmy Awards live from the Kodak Theater in Hollywood, on June 20, 2008 on ABC at 8p.  Key kid categories include:

Children’s Series

• Design Squad (PBS)
• Greatest Inventions with Bill Nye (Discovery Channel)
• Jack Hanna’s Into the Wild (Syndicated)
• Postcards from Buster (PBS)

Children’s Animated Series

• Arthur (PBS)
• Charlie and Lola Disney Channel)
• Curious George (PBS)
• Little Einsteins (Disney Channel)
• Peep and the Big Wide World (Discovery Kids)

Preschool Series

• Between the Lions (PBS)
• Blue’s Room (Nick Jr.)
• Jack’s Big Music Show (Noggin)
• Sesame Street (PBS)
• Super Why! (PBS)

Writing in a Children’s Series

• Between the Lions (PBS)
• Fetch! With Ruff Ruffman (PBS)
• Sesame Street (PBS)

Writing in Animation

• Arthur (PBS)
• Curious George (PBS)
• Jakers! the Adventures Of Piggley Winks (PBS)
• Peep And the Big Wide World (Discovery Kids)
• Wordgirl (PBS)

MARKETING/LICENSING

Disney Consumer Products shifts into the robotic toy market with its first line robotic products created with Pixar Animation Studios, Thinkway Toys and WowWee.  The first robot toys from Thinkway include iDance Wall E and Ultimate Wall E, based on the Disney/Pixar feature film Wall E, debut this summer and fall respectively.  Additionally, this fall WowWee release of a remote control flying Tinker Bell.

Fundex Games has signed a multi-year licensing deal with Sesame Workshop, under which Fundex will develop Sesame Street versions of its card game, Phase 10.  The first game will be available beginning fall 2008.

EXECUTIVE MOVES

MTV Networks International (MTVNI) promotes Bhavneet Sing to EVP and Managing Director/Emerging Markets Group.  Singh will continue to oversee MTVNI’s business across its music, kids and comedy brands in Central and Eastern Europe and the Middle East, as well as adding Russia to the mix.  He is charged with bolstering the company’s digital media offering and building a greater presence for Nickelodeon and Comedy Central in the region.  Singh reports to Alex Ferrari, COO/MTVNI.

Anthony Bazan is appointed EVP and COO, Mega Brands Inc.  He will report to Marc Bertrand, President and CEO.  Bazan joins Mega Brands from Jakks Pacific, where he served as VP/Global Manufacturing and Sourcing.

RATINGS

Live + Same Day Ratings Kids Cable Network Averages (000) for Tuesday, April 29, 2008, 6am-11pm, ranked by K2-11:
NICKELODEON:          K2-11 1093; K6-11 503; TWEENS 9-14 385
DISNEY CHANNEL:     K2-11   634; K6-11 369; TWEENS 9-14 302
CARTOON NETWORK: K2-11   583; K6-11 313; TWEENS 9-14 219
TOON DISNEY:           K2-11   170; K6-11   68; TWEENS 9-14   46
Source: MTVN Research from Nielsen Media Research Data

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Answer to Yesterday’s Trivia Question:  The TV series You Can’t Do That on Television was far more popular in the United States than in Canada, the country it was produced in. What was the name of bus driver on this show? SNAKE EYES   Kudos to just one :  Al Ovadia-Al Ovadia & Assoc./Hidden Hills, CA

Today’s Trivia Question: Mrs. Kersplatski, Croaky Frogini, Tater Spudinski and Maya Muscles are several of the characters from what children’s series?   (Email [email protected] 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!
05.01.08

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

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A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM CYNOPSIS MEDIA: TOP TIER

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

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JOB OPENING: MGR PUBLICITY/A&E TV NY:  Dev History Channel PR strategies on print/electronic & internet props. Mng  Public Affairs & Mktg prtnships. BA Comm/Eng & 3-4 yrs TV publ cable/b’cast/news.  Apply: www.aetn.com/careers.html   (5/8)

JOB OPENING: SALES RESEARCH MANAGER/NBC UNIVERSAL/NYC: Support Sales positioning of USA and SCI FI. Knowledge of Nielsen Galaxy Explorer, NPOWER, IAG, Simmons and MRI: Excel/Ppt. Apply online at www.nbcunicareers.com (#814593) (5/8)

JOB OPENING: SALES ASST-DIRECT RESPONSE/Hallmark Channel/NY: Provide admin. & sales support to DR Dept. Entry level. See full posting and apply @ www.hallmarkchannel.com (5/8)

JOB OPENING: COORD, AFFILIATE SALES/AETN, NY: Support NE & Canadian Affiliate groups. Maintain budgets, contracts, premium program. Str communication & MS Office skills, cable industry exp. Apply: www.aetn.com/careers.html   (5/8)

JOB OPENING: ACCT DIR/GMR/NY: Seasoned new media exec to serve as the lead acct dir to  portfolio of high profile tech clients. Exp.w/ digital platforms, web mktg, branding & online mktg   [email protected]    (5/8)

JOB OPENING: ACCT EXEC/MediaPlace/NY: Out of Home TV, creative “out of box” thinking, media sales/planning exp. Please email res/cl to: [email protected]. “AE” in subj.  (5/8)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR: For animated CG preschool TV series. Creative oversight of design, voice records, storyboard, animatics, overseas animation and post production.  Resume to: [email protected] (5/8)

JOB OPENING: DR ONLINE ACCT EXECUTIVE/NY: Adsales Exec with Dir Response/Transactional sales exp; Promotional Marketing/Sponsorship exp. also desirable. For immediate consideration please send resume to: [email protected] (5/8)

JOB OPENING:  AD SALES DR ACCT EXEC/NY: Sales person with min. 2 yrs Nat’l TV Direct Response sales exp. PSS/Sales training is a plus. For immediate consideration please send resume to: [email protected] (5/8)

JOB OPENING:  MOBILE AD SALES EXEC/NY: Adsales Exec w/ 5 yrs+ Outside Media Sales exp & 2-4 yr’s exp in Internet Ad Sales preferred. Adv Agency bkgd/exp. highly pref’d.  Resume:  [email protected] (5/8)

JOB OPENING:  ACCOUNT EXEC/Ovation TV/New York: Immediate opening for 5yrs exp professional. Heavy client/planning selling; seek new business/create Mktg platforms tailored for client’s needs Apply: [email protected] (5/7)

JOB OPENING:  ASST MGR, CLIENT SERVICES/Redwood City CA:  Develop client media campaigns, create sales presentations, manage client relationship. Responsible for launch details, campaign Q/A. [email protected] (5/7)

JOB OPENING:  SEVERAL POSITIONS/SALES OPS/Comcast Networks (Versus)/ NY: Traffic Coord 59765BR, Sales Service (Inventory) Coord 62578BR. For more info and to apply visit:  www.comcast.com. EEO/AA/Drug Free (5/7)

JOB OPENING:  ACCT DIR/Screenvision Cinema/NY: 4+ yrs exp, proven media sales performer to dvlp, present & sell cinema advertising to nat’l clients, Bachelors req., regional travel req. Apply online: www.screenvision.com/careers (5/7)

JOB OPENING:  AE, ADVRTSNG SALES/BlogHer.com/NY: Contacts & exp. in the client & ad agency arena, incl’g planning and buying groups. Exc selling & presentation skills, able to dvlp leads for sales opps. Apply: [email protected] (5/7)

JOB OPENING:  MANAGER, AD SALES FINANCE/ Forecasting/Analysis/ NY: Oversee all forecasting & Ad revenue planning for top Networks. Apply: www.mtvncareers.com under Finance. EOE/M/F/D/AAP (5/7)

JOB OPENING:  VP, AD SALES FINANCE/NY: Lead a robust ad sales finance team to fully support/analyze all facets of MTVN Ad Sales revenue. Apply: www.mtvncareers.com under Finance. EOE/M/F/D/AAP  (5/7)

JOB OPENING:  COORDINATOR, GAMES/Nickelodeon/NYC: Coordination of product development and creative for assigned categories; Min. 2- 4 yrs licensing exp; B.A; MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint EOE/M/F/D/AAP apply:  www.mtvncareers.com (5/7)

JOB OPENING:  AD SALES APPLICATION SUPPORT/NY: Provide user support & testing for ad sales systems. DealMaker or VCI required. Exp w/ media or TV Advertising desired. Apply: www.weather.com/careers . Position VSA005 (5/7)

JOB OPENING:  MGR- AFFILIATE AD SALES & DISTR. MKTG/LIFETIME TV:  Seeking creative thinker to manage projects that support the distribution efforts for Lifetime/ Apply at: http://www.mylifetime.com/about/jobs.html (5/7)

JOB OPENING:  PUBLICIST /Telepictures Prods/NY: Unit pub for synd daytime talk show. Pitch/secure stories/content.  Write/distrib releases. Work w/exec/staff. 5-8yrs exp Res: [email protected] (5/7)

JOB OPENING: DIR CONSUMER MKTG/Fuse TV/NYC: Comm. mktg/promotion plans on & off channel activities which support fuse’s tv programming, live events and channel image. 10yrs. mktg. exp. Please send resume to [email protected]  (5/6)

JOB OPENING: DIR, MKTG SPECIAL PROJECTS/Cynopsis Top Tier (recruiter):  Oversee variety of special projects; 2-3+ yrs mktg/pr exp; highly creative thinker/executor – do things as never before. East Coast. Email Top Tier w/res:  [email protected] (5/6)

JOB OPENING: VP/DIGITAL SALES/Cynopsis Top Tier (recruiter): Multiplatform seller w/ creative out of the box thinking. Initiate new ideas for new era. Digital/multiplatform selling exp a must.  East coast.  Res: [email protected] (5/6)

JOB OPENING: VP DEVL/Buena Vista Prods/LA:  Extensive exp (min 8-10 yrs) in devlpment of non-scripted prgrmng incl talk, game, reality for netwk, 1st run, cable; Proven track record. APPLY www.disneycareers.com Req # 155219 (5/6)

JOB OPENING: SALES PLANNER/Comcast Nets/NY: Generate upf & scatter plans; deal maint & stwrdship; support sales team. Liason btwn AEs & agencies. 2 yrs exp sales/planning prfrd. www.comcast.com 63381BR EEO/AA/drug free (5/6)

JOB OPENING:   INDEPENDENT INTL’ SALES CONSULTANT: 5+ yr. exp. in international TV/film sales. Must have strong sales history and connections and be able to perform independently. Email resume [email protected] (5/6)

JOB OPENING: MGR, TALENT MGMT/Discovery/MD: Dev Strng Relationship w/Discovery Talent. 5+ yrs. exp. Must be energetic, thrive in high energy. High energy, high profile. 25-35% travel req. Apply here: discovery.jobs    (5/6)

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH STRATEGIST/Discovery/MD: Collect/analyze data to evaluate and dev. existing offerings. 3+ years research exp. Strong analytical skills. Travel up to 20%. Apply here: discovery.jobs   (5/6)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR, PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT/ MTV.com/NYC: 5+yrs exp with product development/wireframes, project mgmt, strong comm skills, webite stats, VISO, Knlge of social netsites EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (5/3)

JOB OPENING: SR. RESEARCH-MKTING ANALYST/NYC: Hispanic TV Sales Rep Firm. 1-2 years exp. Good analytical & writing skills. Nielsen-Galaxy Navigator, PowerPoint, Excel. Knowledge Qualitative a+. Email: [email protected]  (5/3)

JOB OPENING: NETWORK NEGOTIATOR/RPA:   3-4 yrs’ buying exp. Nat’l TV/radio buys/maintenance for multiple clients, including Honda. Will train/supervise assistants. Apply @ www.rpa.com . EOE (5/3)

JOB OPENING: MEDIA RESEARCH MANAGER/RPA:   5+ yrs’ in media research. Will generate data analyses, critical media info, POVs; supervise Analyst. Nielsen, Arbitron, MRI, Scarborough, DDS, Galaxy req’d. Apply @ www.rpa.com . EOE (5/3)

JOB OPENING: WRITER/PRODUCER/LIFETIME LA: Develops, Writes & Produces On-Air Promotions. Exp. in TV req’d. Apply to: [email protected] (5/3)

JOB OPENING: SR INFORMATION ARCHITECT/VH1.com/NYC: 5+yrs exp with product development/wireframes, project mgmt, strong comm skills, webite traffic stats, VISO, Knlge of social netsites EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (5/2)

JOB OPENING: SENIOR WEB PRODUCER/SHOWS/MTV Digital/NYC: 4+yrs online prod. exp, Exp overseeing creative Web Dev & Implement, Strng knowldge MTV Brand & Youthculture, HTML/DHTML/Flash/XML EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (5/2)

JOB OPENING: MGR, ADV & PROMO/HBO/NYC: 5-7 yrs brand mktg exp.  Manage dev & execution of consumer adv & promo plans for HBO’s prgms. TV/film industry exp highly preferred. Apply:  http://www.timewarner.com/corp/careers Req#100116 (5/2)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR, PUBLICITY/NBC UNI/New York, NY: Resp. for generating max positive press for Sci Fi programming, develop PR strategy & campaign plans. 7 years publicity experience. www.nbcjobs.com keyword #813464  (5/2)

JOB OPENING: POST PRODUCTION CONSULTANTS/Washington DC area: Multiple. 2 years experience. Final Cut Pro experience a plus.  6-12 month contracts.  Apply to: [email protected] 860 632 3707.  (5/2)

JOB OPENING: MGR CONTENT DISTRIBUTION/FUSE TV/LA: Plan/develop distribution & sales strategies. 3 yrs exp in sales acct mgmt in cable TV. Travel required. Rez to: [email protected] “MCD-LA” in sub.  (5/2)

JOB OPENING: SR COORDINATOR (2)/FUSE/NY & LA: Assist w/ sales, mktg & affiliate servicing. Frequent travel. 1-2 yrs exp in sales or mktg in cable TV. Database exp is pref’d. Rez to: [email protected] “SCCDNY”/”SCCDLA” in sub (5/2)

JOB OPENING: DIR CONTENT DIST/MSG/FUSE/NY: Dvlp/implement distrib strat & media/multi-plat content. Execute strategic dir of content sales/distrib. 5yrs cbl TV exp & negotiating ntl distrib deals. Rez: [email protected]  “DCDNY” /sub (5/2)

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] .

SUMMER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: PR INTERN/Priority PR/LA: Phones/outrch /writg/ editng/ typng / resrch / reprtng /website updtes. Strng comm skills & good attitude to asst boutique PR firm, begin ASAP. thru summer. Res/Cvr:  [email protected]    (5/7)

SUMMER INTERN CREDITS ONLY:  Eco Radio Show: Asst to ho st/pr o d – /writg / editng / typng / resrch/sched/website updtes/ wkly announce/listenr calls/email respnsd/blogging & sound edit +/begin @sap wrk summer/long  [email protected]   (5/3)

SUMMER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: Ongoing Internships avail at BOOM! Studios in the comic book depts. Send resume, cover letter, references, and availability to: [email protected]   Photoshop and html skills +. Diverse candidates encouraged. EOE. (5/2)

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