Cynopsis: DIGITAL
11/13/08
Good morning, it’s Thursday, November 13, 2008, and this is your first early morning digital briefing.
YouTube introduced a new Sponsored Video format to enable both independent producers and larger publishers to monetize their content with search-based ads from major advertisers. Automated tools allow advertisers to decide which videos they want to sponsor and which keywords they’d like to target. An auction system allows bids to be placed and daily spending limits to be set, similar to Google’s AdWords interface. YouTube then displays relevant videos alongside search results, clearly labeling “sponsored videos.” YouTube also set a date of Nov. 22 to kick off YouTube Live, its first live streaming event starring rapper Will.i.Am, guitarist Joe Satriani and homegrown YouTube talents such as LisaNova. The news didn’t seem to help Google on Wall Street, unfortunately, on a day when the markets took another tumble. Google closed on Wednesday at $291 – the first time it has traded below $300 since Oct. 2005.
China’s leading video site Youku.com obtained licenses from Chinese producers to stream more than 1,000 TV series on its site, reports THR, amounting to more than 40,000 episodes and 50,000 hours of content. Youku plans to showcase one programming genre at a time including Korean TV dramas, being profiled this month. The site is also partnering with Sina.com to produce a Chinese-language version of Sofia’s Diary, a confessional type web show featured on Bebo that appeared first in Portugal in 2003 – well before lonelygirl15 hit it big in the U.S.
Mobile video platform Transpera closed on a second-round of financing totaling $8.25 million with participation from new investors including Labrador Ventures, who joined the round led by Flybridge Capital Partners. The company has completed deals during the past month to deploy ad supported mobile video services with MTV Networks, Discovery, AccuWeather and Next New Networks, among others.
Community site SodaHead.com announced it has surpassed 1 million registered users since launching in September 2007 and recorded more than 5 million votes and 8 million comments. SodaHead asks users to post opinions on hot topics then connects them with like and not-so-like minded people.
Check out the new Primetime app on MySpace. It allows you to access premium video content from Hulu, Warner Bros., Sony as well as web shows that premiere on MySpace directly from your profile page. The Primtime video portal is also sporting a new look featuring much improved search functionality.
Pure Digital introduced its latest miniature video camera – the Flip MinoHD – the world’s smallest camcorder at just over 3 oz. It will retail for $229.99, contains 4 GB of internal memory and records up to 60 minutes of HD video in 720p. The best thing about these cameras, besides the cigarette package size, is the flip-out USB plug and the “FlipShare” software that comes with it. After you shoot simply plug the Mino into your PC, drag-and-drop the clips you like and publish them to YouTube, MySpace or AOL Video with a single click.
Google has refined the appearance of its search page for iPhone or iPod touch users. Results are now formatted to reveal the familiar blue navigation bar along with vertically-aligned text or imagery, eliminating the need to scroll side-to-side. Searches now automatically bring up maps, directions and phone call buttons, saving the extra step of having to navigate back to the numbers pad.
Here’s one way to bring broadband to the sticks. IBM has signed a contract with Huntsville, AL-based International Broadband Electric Communications to manage the installation of broadband systems to provide high-speed internet access to rural areas over the electrical grid. The contract is for an initial 13 cooperatives in 7 states according to the WSJ, with pricing set to start at $29.95/month. So-called Powerline carrier communications (PLC) has been successfully deployed in Japan but has failed to make much headway in the U.S., despite early industry efforts such as the HomePlug Powerline Alliance and endorsements from the FCC.
~ DIGITAL ADVERTISING ~
ConAgra launched an online sketch comedy series starring actors from Chicago’s The Second City troupe. The Working Lunch, now up on MSN, will promote Healthy Choice Fresh Mixers with a series of live improv “meetings” to be held daily between noon and 4 p.m., asking viewers to vote on what they’d like to see sketches on.
Ca to Institute scholar Timothy Lee weighed in on the Net Neutrality issue with a new position paper arguing for a market solution for to the problem. He acknowledges that the reason for the net’s remarkable growth is its “end-to-end” structure that requires ISPs to deliver generic packets regardless of who it comes from, but says legislating such a structure is problematic and premature at best.
Amid predictions that e-commerce will be down this year Nielsen Online notes online shopping has become very much a mainstream activity with 78% of all adult online consumers having used the web to make a purchase over the past 6 months. Online Travel lead all e-commerce categories. eBay was the most trafficked retail site with nearly 50 million uniques in Oct., followed by Amazon with 48.2 million and Wal-Mart with 25.3 million.
Top 10 Web Brands for October 2008 (U.S., Home and Work)
Brand Unique Audience (000) Time Per Person (hh:mm:ss)
1. Google 122,325 1:23:07
2. Yahoo! 116,078 3:23:29
3. MSN/Windows Live 102,494 2:23:27
4. Microsoft 92,348 0:45:54
5. AOL Media Network 88,028 3:34:41
6. YouTube 77,480 0:53:25
7. Fox Interactive Media 67,182 1:37:12
8. Wikipedia 56,896 0:20:07
9. Apple 49,340 0:58:34
10. eBay 49,213 1:47:26
Source: Nielsen Online
Average U.S. Internet Usage, Combined Home & Work, October 2008
Sessions/Visits per Person 59
Domains Visited per Person 105
Web Pages per Person 2,372
Duration of a Web Page Viewed 0:00:55
PC Time per Person 69:47:28
Active Digital Media Universe 163,556,056
Current Digital Media Universe Est. 224,808,795
Source: Nielsen Online
Multiplatform production studio Generate upped Andy Corren to VP/Talent. Andy works with Generate founding partners Kara Welker and Dave Rath to manage Generate’s roster of actors, comedians, writers, producers and directors.
Meredith Broadcasting hired Larence K. Oaks to serve as VP/Technology for the Meredith Broadcasting Group. Larence will oversee all technical operations for Meredith’s 12 television stations reporting to Paul Karpowicz, President of the group.
Transpera appointed Brian Monnin as Chief Product Officer, responsible for the product management, design, marketing and product strategy for the mobile services company. Brian joined the company from Brightcove, where he served as VP/Publishing Products.
Associated Content has added to its Ad Sales team through the addition of three new executives. Tim Kelly joins as Director, Ad Sales managing account in the Western U.S. from the company’s Denver office. Eric Bouris and Kerry Hay were hired as Account Executives, also to be based in Denver.
Troops deployed around the world received a wonderful Veteran’s Day surprise this week. A year and half after revoking their YouTube privileges (citing security and bandwidth concerns) the Dept. of Defense gave men and women in uniform TroopTube.tv, a video portal specifically built for military personnel. (General David Petraeus gives a little shout out here on the site.) Once again, armed forces folks can utilize web 2.0 technologies to stay in touch with their families back home. The site was put together by interactive agency Marion, Montgomery and is powered by Seattle-based video streaming platform Delve Networks. For Delve, the project has been a coup, according to CEO Alex Castro (not to be confused with the American Gladiators beefcake.) Troop.tv has not only put Delve on the map in terms of exposure but it has also given the company a chance to demonstrate the platform’s scalability in a surge few start-ups can simulate. “With all the attention we’ve gotten over the past 24 hours usage exceeded anything we could have remotely imagined, and there’s been absolutely no issues or no downtime,” according to Castro. Delve has been plugging away trying to convince publishers how elegant and easy-to-use its video interface is compared to its competitors. The company has indeed won well-deserved accolades for its UI. Now it can add the claim of being bulletproof to its pitch.
Correction: There was a typo in yesterday’s edition regarding new media start-up Agility Studios. Mantucket Capital is the name of the Denver-based private equity firm funding the studio, not Nantucket. Excuse a former New Englander for the mistake.
Housekeeping Note: The U.S. Unemployment Rate was just announced this morning (11/7/08) at 6.5%, up from 6.1% the previous month, and the highest number in 14 years. In an effort to help those who may find themselves out of work during these difficult economic times, Cynopsis is offering free Situation Wanted ads to all looking for work, for both new and returning clients, for the foreseeable future. To place an ad or for more information, email [email protected]. And lastly, to make sure even more people are seeing our classifieds, we are posting the full list of classifieds on our www.cynopsis.com homepage, updated daily. Be sure to check these listings regularly – some very talented people looking for work!
Later — Wayne
Wayne Karrfalt for Cynopsis: Digital
11.13.08
Cynopsis Digital Ad Sales:
Chuck Bolkcom – 646-468-6180 / [email protected]
Mark Bohn- 203-583-1224 / mark@cynopsis. com
Classifieds – Trish Pihonak- 203-926-9878 / [email protected]
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JOB OPENING: CBS Television Distribution is seeking a RESEARCH DIRECTOR in Los Angeles: Position requires 6 years experience in the Television Research area. Please apply at: http://www.cbscorporation.com/careers (11/20)
JOB OPENING: SALES PLANNER/Outdoor Channel/Chicago: Create media plans, track delivery, coordinate make goods and prepare post analysis. Excellent communication skills required Send resume to: [email protected] (11/20)
JOB OPENING: RESEARCH MGR/DC: Must be able to mng all audience rsrch oper. For ABC affil. & 24 hr. local cable news chnl. 5+yrs exp. Quantitative rsrch tools & knwldg of Nielsen & Scarborough a must. Resume to: [email protected] (11/20)
JOB OPENING: MEDIA MANAGER/Atlanta: TV Network seeks experienced radio/all planner/buyer. Plan, execute, liaison with agencies and consumer & trade media. Negotiate barter; added value. Resume: [email protected] (11/20)
JOB OPENING: MGR, PRICING & INVENTORY/ONLINE ADVRTSNG SALES/Newtown CT: work with a cross-functional team to maximize digital media and sponsorship opportunities and revenue. Apply online at http://careers.taunton.com (11/19)
JOB OPENING: ACCT MGR, DIST. & FLD SALES/NY: Head region/division of 10 Distributors to Id. local rev., mkting and dist. opps. Exp. in Cable Sales, Mkting, & Acct Mgmt, 40-60% travel Rez: http://www.mylifetime.com/about-us/jobs (11/18)
JOB OPENING: AE/qubo/NY: Sell Nat’l on-air/line media. Gen new biz. Prsnt brand pos, mktg opportunities. Nat’l ad sales exp. required. Excl. interpersonal/org skills/MS Excel & PP. Apply: [email protected] (11/15)
JOB OPENING: SR RESEARCH ANALYST/DISCOVERY/MD: Resp for Brand Res, Ad & Media Effect./ROI, track metrics & success indicators for prog & initiatives. 2 yrs res exp. Client or supply mkt exp a must. Apply: www.discovery.com Req#8551 (11/15)
JOB OPENING: SUPERVISING PRODUCER/TLC/MD:Resp for writing/producing promos and mktg. projects for network;. 6+yrs. exp; proven writing/prod. skills, Avid Media Composure Exp. Apply: www.discovery.com Req#8553 (11/15)
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] .
WINTER/SPRING INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: INTERN, INTERACTIVE MEDIA/Scripps Networks/NY:Credit Only – work with & deploy prod. quality code.Help department update content,update documentation, minor editing of html/css. Apply at: www.scrippsnetworks.com (11/20)
WINTER/SPRING INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: PROG RESEARCH & ANALYSIS DEPT/Warner Bros. TV: Download overnight ratings from Nielsen, create/maintain various reports tracking series ratings & prgrm test scores.More info: www.warnerbroscareers.com & enter 105894BR (11/20)
WINTER/SPRING INTERNSHIP/CREDITS ONLY: ENTERTAINMENT/COMM INTERN/Cynopsis Media/Shelton CT: Asst various depts as needed in advrtsng sales, mktg, & rsrch. Highly orgnzd & reliable Sophomores/Jrs/Srs; Excellent MS Word/Excel skills. Contact: [email protected] (11/15)
WINTER/SPRING INTERNSHIP/CREDITS ONLY: NewFest, NYC’s premier LGBT film organization, seeks interns to help with the 2009 Film Festival. Please email your resume to [email protected] (11/15)
WINTER/SPRING INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: RESEARCH ANALYST/Trendrr (NYC): Analyze & produce reports work w/Mktg. Exp: Rsrch/data anlyst/stats/social media. Res: [email protected] (11/14)
SITUATION WANTED ADS, POSTED BY THOSE LOOKING TO BE HIRED … Interested in posting your Video Resume? Contact [email protected] for more information ….
SITUATION WANTED: PRODUCER, LINE PROD, PROD MGR: Extensive experience in animation/VFX. Most recently produced live-action comedy series for Cartoon Netwrk. Looking for staff job with established company in NYC area. [email protected] (11/20)
SITUATION WANTED: Creative COPYWRITER w/extensive exp writing broad array of print promotion for national cable nets. Expertise in clear, concise, compelling messaging. Seeks freelance or FT. Contact: [email protected] (11/20)
SITUATION WANTED: Emmy Winning PRODUCER seeking FT position in CT or NYC, experience with PBS, A&E, pre and post, script writing, web design, graphic design, final cut. [email protected] (11/20)
SITUATION WANTED: 360° INTEGRATED MARKETER Strategic/creative ideas + Get-it-done work ethic. Multi-pltfrm mktg prgrms for linear TV/VOD/Web. Adv./Promo./Digtl/Social/ Affil./ Ad Sales Mktg. Freelance/Perm. Contact: [email protected] (11/20)
SITUATION WANTED: FREELANCE MARKETING HELP(Advertising, Promotion, Publicity): Call NY-based former MTV Network VP Mktg for ANY projects, like writing, PR pitching, radio, ad sales, events, maternity fill [email protected] 914-409-5230 (11/20)
SITUATION WANTED: SPONSORSHIP MARKETING/NY: Experience in evaluating and negotiating sponsorships and promotions. All media types- broadcast, outdoor, print, digital, mobile, hospitality, etc. Contact: [email protected] (11/20)
SITUATION WANTED: Media/Cable/ INTERNET ATTORNEY Broad in-house experience in content production& distribution, operations, affiliate & ad sales. Available for project/consultant/full-time. Contact [email protected] (11/20)
SITUATION WANTED: EXPERIENCED FIELD AND POST PRODUCER looking for work. Has worked in all aspects of Non-Fiction and live programming. Please e-mail at [email protected] for my resume (11/20)
SITUATION WANTED: Seasoned MARKET RESEARCHER available for short-term or contract assignments. Integration of quant and qual for account planning in CPG, fin. svcs. and food/bev. a specialty. E-mail: [email protected] (11/20)
SITUATION WANTED: CREATIVE DIRECTOR, CONSULTANT/NY: Seeking project based or P/T work. 15+Yrs exp in Consumer Products/Off-air Mktg/3rd Party Promotions for TV entertainment brands. Email: [email protected] (11/20)
SITUATION WANTED: ADMIN OR ASST POSITION WANTED/NYC: 3+ yrs admin exp at well-known companies in exec assistance, licensing, prod development, marketing, with specialization in children’s TV. Creative & professional. [email protected] (11/20)
SITUATION WANTED: SUPERVISING CASTING PRODUCER: Reality/Unscripted/Comm Cast over 65 TV shows! NBC, ABC, FOX, BRAVO, MTV, DISC, SCIFI, TLC, LIFETIME, FUSE etc. ALL TYPES www.FSAentertainment.com LA or NYC [email protected] (11/20)
SITUATION WANTED: Exp’d MEDIA BUYER (Temp or Full-time) w/10+ yrs exp. negotiating local R/TV/Cable/Sponsorships/ some online [email protected] (11/20)
SITUATION WANTED: Talented WRITER AND PRODUCER (10 yrs exp) for freelance and staffing. Credits: WB., Nick, Disney, CN & European production companies. Contact: [email protected] (11/20)
SITUATION WANTED: TV PRODUCER (LA) professional w/ exp. field producing, casting, booking, writing and creating online content for HGTV, Fine Living, VegasHD, Fuse. Resume and reel at http://web.mac.com/shanmcmn (11/20)
SITUATION WANTED: NEXT GENERATION BRAND CREATIVE SF Former CD w/ 13 yrs exp & current focus on multi-platform branded exp seeks leadership role w/ forward thinking media company, agency, marketer, or prod.co. [email protected] (11/20)
SITUATION WANTED: EIC/LINE PRODUCER/PM: 15+ Ntwrk & cable exp ,Exec in Charge, Coord Prod, Line Prod, Prod Mgr seeking work in synd TV shows, sports, kids series, event prod opps, NY/NJ/CT. E-mail: [email protected] (11/19)
SITUATION WANTED: ONLINE EXEC PRODUCER/NY: 14+Yrs Online Project Mgmt/strategy/creative/Mktg/PR/Viral/Soc Ntwrk/content/copywrtng/adv/mgmt/acct. for entertainment & consumer brands. Email: [email protected] (11/19)
SITUATION WANTED: Freelance MKTG PROFESSIONAL with over 15 yrs of cable television experience developing and managing ad sales, affiliate, consumer promotions & events. Resume & client references available [email protected] (11/19)
SITUATION WANTED: TV DEVELOPMENT EXEC: nonfiction programming, with hits airing now, seeks Manager/Director position at Prod. co. or Network. Most recently was Manager at a Prod. co. (LA based, but would relocate) [email protected] (11/19)
SITUATION WANTED: ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER (NY) Interactive and print ad sales leader avail FT. Versatile, revenue generator, specialization in consumer vehicles (5+ yrs industry experience) [email protected] (11/19)
SITUATION WANTED: Smart, enthusiastic professional seeks EXECUTIVE ASST. or COORD. position at network or media co. [email protected] (11/19)
SITUATION WANTED: Exp’d MEDIA BUYER (Temp or Full-time) w/ 20+ yrs exp. negotiating R/TV/Cable/Sponsorships/outdoor for Blue Chip clients in any US market. [email protected] (11/19)
SITUATION WANTED: Award-winning WRITER/PRODUCER , animation & new media, available for freelance writing work. Experienced with short-form digital content. Reel & CV: www.elliotblake.com or contact [email protected] (11/19)
SITUATION WANTED: EXPERIENCED PROGRAMMING EXEC Acquisitions, Scheduling, Channel Development. US and Int’l experience. Great track record w/all platforms, incl Discovery & Tribune. Contact [email protected] (11/19)
SITUATION WANTED: EXP’D MEDIA RESEARCHER available. Credits incl both advertising sales and ad agency buying rsrch. Work with both primary and secondary resources. Work individually or manage a staff. Please e-mail: [email protected] (11/18)
SITUATION WANTED: PASSIONATE & CREATIVE MKT RESEARCHER (Temp or permanent) w/12 yrs exp. seeks to share skills & knwldg w/ companies to grow in challenging consumer landscape. Recently was VP w/ Top 20 rsrch co. [email protected] (11/18)
SITUATION WANTED: PROD/WRITER Creative & versatile w/over 16 yrs exp. Wanted: Sprvsng, Series, Show prod. or writer role. Credits incl: synd., Discovery, TLC, Style, Hallmark, WE, A&E. Many genres. NY-based. [email protected] (11/18)
SITUATION WANTED: CASTING DIRECTOR/PRODUCER – Freelce or P/T real people& actors! Lots of exp! Reality FUSE-Redemption Song, Discv-CashCab, TLC etc Commercials-Iphone, NY Lottery,V8, Maxwell House etc-NYC/NJ [email protected] resume (11/18)
SITUATION WANTED: Ambitious, energetic COMM./MARKETING professional w/experience in music & film seeks opp. w/ agency/network/prod. company. Skills: Graphics, Web Dev, Event Prod., Sales & Sponsorship. Email: [email protected] (11/18)
SITUATION WANTED: EXPERIENCED PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT, MARKETING & LICENSING MANAGER with 8+ years seeks position in LA. Worked at Disney with Fisher-Price, Hasbro, MegaBloks on Pooh, Princess, more. Contact [email protected] (11/18)
SITUATION WANTED: TV PRODUCER w/ exp in prod/, writing, rsrchng, booking,new media & licensing/contracts. Past credits incl synd talk, educational, new media and Discovery prgrmng. Seeks FT in NY area. Contact: [email protected] (11/18)
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Interested in posting your Video Resume? Contact [email protected] for more information ….
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