Cynopsis: Kids!

11/29/07

Good morning. It’s Thursday, November 29, 2007, and this is your first early morning.

Magi-Nation: Battle for the Moonlands, a new role-playing game based on Cookie Jar Animation’s animated series Magi-Nation, is heading into beta testing this December.   The game goes live in 2008.  Would be early participants can sign up for a chance to take part in beta testing at www.magi-nation.com .  Magi-Nation: Battle for the Moonlands is a free-to-play, web-based game, which incorporates a micro-payment model, which allows players to upgrade.

Buddy G – My Two Moms and Me is a new 3D animated property from Us2 LLC.  With the first title in the series set for release on DVD this holiday season, you likely guessed from the title that the storyline for the kid-targeted animated series includes a kid named Buddy G and his same gender parents.  However, that isn’t what the program is solely about.  The series revolves around 5-year-old Buddy G, a science-loving kid who solves daily problems with his mobile computer Socrates.  Upcoming episodes will also include other same gender parents. ( www.buddyg.tv )

Casting : BE., a San Diego-based kid’s entertainment production and performance community, is currently casting locally for two new kid-targeted TV series.  The company produces the kids’ series Say What and Kids Unlimited, which air on The CW Network in the San Francisco market.  Be. can be reached at its new San Diego office: 8344 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. Ste. 202, San Diego, CA 92111.

Big Fish Games, an online games developer/distributor, has acquired Seattle’s Thinglefin, a developer of massively multiplayer online games (e.g. The Matrix Online).  Terms of the deal were not announced.

Korea’s Iconix Entertainment has completed broadcast deals for its animated kids series Pororo the Little Penguin in Italy, Spain, Mexico and the Middle East, per C21 Media.  Additionally, the series has also been acquired by Televisa (Mexico) and the Al-Jazeera Children’s Channel, with agreements for the Benelux and Brazil also in the works.

MARKETING/LICENSING

Big Tent Entertainment has signed several new license deals for the Japanese character Domo, available for holiday 2007, including: Dark Horse Comics (stationery, collectibles); Concept One (fashion accessories); Logotel, LLC (junior girls apparel, accessories); Rix Products, Inc. (stationery, novelty Items); and Toyolink Inc. (character coin banks). Additionally, Hot Property Merchandising expands its Domo license deal to include key rings, fuzzy dice, vinyl key chains, drink cozies.

STONE SOUP

The envelope please … Nine animated feature films, along with 194 live-action pictures, 120 TV series, 37 mini series/telefilms, among other specific categories, have qualified for The 65th Annual Golden Globe Awards, which will held on January 13, 2008 on NBC at 8p, live from The Beverly Hilton.  Produced by Dick Clark Productions in association with the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the nominees will be announced at 5a on Thursday, December 13, 2007.

Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation, Legacy Interactive and Animax Entertainment have launched The Tuttles Madcap Misadventures: Starlight Charity Challenge, a downloadable family-friendly casual adventure videogame.  A host of celebrities have lent their voices to the animated game including William Shatner, Bob Saget, Jamie Lee Curtis, Ashley Tisdale, Dominic Scott Kay, Dave Thomas and Dave Coulier. The Tuttles Madcap Misadventures follows the humorous adventures of an average family trying to bond on a road trip to see the Alamo.  The game can be sampled and then purchased ($19.99, $15 of which is donated to Starlight to support its work with seriously ill kids and their families) at ( http://www.tuttlesfamilygame.com).

EXECUTIVE MOVES

Atlantyca Entertainment taps Niccolo Sacchi as Production Manager.  First up for Sacchi, who will work on a range of projects, is Atlantyca’s animated TV series Geronimo Stilton, which is a co-product with Moonscoop.  Based in the company’s Milan headquarters, he will report to Executive Producer, Caterina Vacchi.  Most recently Sacchi was head of the animation department for Green Movie, where he worked on countless commercials.

In an effort to strengthen and expand its licensing and merchandising team in the Asia-Pacific markets, Twentieth Century Fox names Grant Kahn has been named VP/International Licensing, Licensing & Merchandising.  Prior to joining FOX L&M, Kahn served as Partner/Consultant/Principle for World Trade Consultants, Ltd.  A 13-year entertainment industry executive, Kahn’s previous life included serving as a member of the Israeli national water polo team.

RATINGS

Monthly Year-to-Year Comparison: Top 10 Total Day Rankings among K6-11 (000) 10/29-11/25/07 vs. 10/30-11/26/06, Cable Networks Only:
Network:                  (000)     %diff
NICK° :                        717       +1%
DSNY:                         609       +9%
CARTOON** :               383        -7%
NAN* :                         205        -7%
ADSM** :                     116      -30%
TOON DIS.:                    73     +26%
DISCOVERY:                  45      +41%
NICKTOONS:                  33        -3%
MTV:                             32        +7%
ESPN:                            27        -4%
°Nickelodeon Total Day 6a-11p
*NAN Total Day 9p-6a
**Cartoon Network & Adult Swim share channel space ADSM airs Sat.-Thurs. 11p-6a
***NOGGIN and THE N share channel space, NOGGIN 6a-6p, THE N 6p-6a daily.
Source: Disney Research from Star Media Multitrak Reporting System Live+7 Blended with Live+SD from 11/05/2007 to date; Data prior to 12/26/2005 is based on Live Viewing

Live + Same Day Ratings Kids Cable Network Averages (000) for Saturday, November 24, 2007, 6am-11pm, ranked by K2-11:
NICKELODEON:         K2-11 1389; K6-11 856; TWEENS 9-14 566
DISNEY CHANNEL:     K2-11 1034; K6-11 692; TWEENS 9-14 523
CARTOON NETWORK: K2-11   630; K6-11 456; TWEENS 9-14 324
TOON DISNEY:           K2-11   192; K6-11   91; TWEENS 9-14   50
Source: MTVN Research from Nielsen Media Research Data

Live + Same Day Ratings Kids Cable Network Averages (000) for Sunday, November 25, 2007, 6am-11pm, ranked by K2-11:
NICKELODEON:         K2-11 1428; K6-11 891; TWEENS 9-14 603
DISNEY CHANNEL:     K2-11 1141; K6-11 780; TWEENS 9-14 592
CARTOON NETWORK: K2-11   615; K6-11 437; TWEENS 9-14 283
TOON DISNEY:           K2-11   192; K6-11   90; TWEENS 9-14   49
Source: MTVN Research from Nielsen Media Research Data

Live + Same Day Ratings Kids Cable Network Averages (000) for Monday, November 26, 2007, 6am-11pm, ranked by K2-11:
NICKELODEON:         K2-11 1078; K6-11 514; TWEENS 9-14 362
DISNEY CHANNEL:     K2-11   976; K6-11 634; TWEENS 9-14 509
CARTOON NETWORK: K2-11   577; K6-11 323; TWEENS 9-14 220
TOON DISNEY:           K2-11   145; K6-11   75; TWEENS 9-14   56
Source: MTVN Research from Nielsen Media Research Data

Answer to Yesterday’s Trivia Question: : This boisterous Warner Bros./Looney Tunes animated character appeared in TV ads for both Oscar Meyer (1981) and KFC (1987). What character was this?  FOGHORN LEGHORN  Kudos to:  Jeff McSpadden-Freelance Composer/NY; Earl Dozier–Boardroom, Inc./Stamford, CT; Anjelika Kosanic-PBS/Arlington VA; Barbara Riehl-Adweek Custom Media/NY; Richard Quan-Imaginary Time/San Francisco; Tricia Nelson-Herbalife International/Torrance, CA; Greg Munro-Comcast Spotlight/CO; Lee Williams-Boomstone Animation Inc./Ottawa

Today’s Trivia Question: On the animated TV series The Godzilla Power Hour (1978-1980), what was the name of Godzilla’s little buddy who had the ability to fly?  ( Click here 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!
11.29.07

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JOB OPENING: COORDINATOR, PROGRAM PLANNING & ACQUISITIONS/E! Entertainment: See full job description and apply online http://tbe.taleo.net/NA6/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=ENETWORKS&cws=1&rid=171 (12/6)

JOB OPENING:  DIGITAL PLANNER/History/A&E Chicago: Create digital sales proposals, steward accts, service orders & client needs, acct maintenance, assist in presentations. 2 yrs digital plnng exp. Apply: www.aetn.com/careers.html (12/6)

JOB OPENING: MGR, SALES RESEARCH/Disney/N. Hollywood: 5 yrs + Media/Online research supporting online ad sales. Exp working w/ mult 3rd party rsrch tools. APPLY: www.disneycareers.com search for JOB ID: 132016 (12/6)

JOB OPENING:  MARKETING COORD/Int’l Networks, CA: Collaborate/execute ad efforts for affiliate launches, campaigns and trade shows. Prefer 2+ yrs exp. Strong communication skills; Foreign language pref. www.comcast.com # 57147BR (12/6)

JOB OPENING: FOX NEWS/BUSINESS SALES PLANNER/DFW location:  Generate upfront/scatter plans. Handle all aspects of ongoing deal maintenance/stewardship, multi-tasker, detail oriented. Power Point a +. Email [email protected] (12/6)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR, MARKETING/Redwood City, CA: Seasoned marketing exec (7-10 yrs), strong background in media, pref cable TV. Comfortable with new technology. Reports to VP Brand  Solutions. Resume to: [email protected] (12/5)

JOB OPENING: PROD/DIR/Cablevision/Oakland, NJ: 2 + yrs prod exp. Copywriting skills.  Knowledge of non-linear systems incl AVID/Final Cut Pro. Know. of adobe software. See full posting and apply to www.cablevsion.jobs req 4902BR (12/5)

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 (12/5)

JOB OPENING: PRESS MANAGER, COMM/NY/Bravo: Min 3-5 yrs exp/Communications support for Bravo programming and mktg initiatives. Must have consumer & trade PR exp. Strong press contacts. Apply to nbcunicareers .com job#759945. (12/5)

JOB OPENING: SR RESEARCH ANALYST TNT/TBS/COURT TV Ad Sales/NY: Research support/create sales positioning/presentations. Strong analytical/data interpretation/writing skills. 3+ yrs exp. Apply: [email protected] (12/5)

JOB OPENING: SUPERVISING PRODUCER/NYC: Oversee prod of a children’s animated series, inc. mngng day-to-day operations, guiding creative dir, & ensuring that project adheres to sched/budget. Apply:  [email protected] (12/5)

JOB OPENING: TRAFFIC COORD/SPT/NY: Responsible for commercial integration across all assigned syndicated properties. Must possess meticulous attention-to-detail to ensure proper scheduling of units. Res:  [email protected]  (12/5)

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH MNGR/ABC /Burbank: 3+ yrs exp. Syndicated research. Wrap Overnights/Sweeps/Galaxy Explr. Provide local sales pitches, ratings projections, and wide range of data/info. Apply at disneycareers.com REQ ID 118404 (12/5)

JOB OPENING:  ACCOUNT EXEC/ Ovation TV/New York: Immediate opening for 5+yrs exp professional. Heavy client/planning selling; seek new business/create marketing platforms tailored for client’s needs Apply: [email protected] (12/5)

JOB OPENING:  SALES EXEC/CableU/CT: Immed great opportunity for aggressive self-starter w/ knwldg of US cbl ntwrks, ind orgnzations & ad agencies. Prospect/close new accts. Online sales exp pref’d. Rewarding Comm. [email protected] (12/5)

JOB OPENING: ADMIN ASST/WE tv/NYC: Support programming execs & mgmt team with all admin needs. Handle phones, schedules,  travel, budgets, tape library, etc. Degree & Ent exp pref. res to www.cablevision.jobs ref #4860BR  (12/5)

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH DIR/Screenvision Cinema, NY: 8-10 yrs; Run sales research, strong know of resch resources, Nielsen exp req, prim resch exp plus, TV bkgnd pref, Mgmt Exp req. Submit resumes:  [email protected] (12/5)

JOB OPENING: SALES PLANNER/TV10s/NYC: For Closed Captioning & 10-second commercial sales: Create proposals, mkgds, manage adu, detail oriented. Power Point a +. Resume: [email protected] (12/5)

JOB OPENING:  2 SALES PLANNERS/Galavision/NY: Generate upfront/scatter plans. Handle all aspects of ongoing deal maintenance/stewardship. Dealmaker/VCI/media experience & Spanish a plus. Apply: [email protected]. EOE   (12/1)

JOB OPENING:  PROJECT MANAGER,AD SALES RES (Syn/Digital/NY-Warner Bros.) strong math and pres. writing skills. Adept w/Nielsen,digital measurements, Galaxy, Npower, Adviews, MRI. Email: [email protected] RE: UCTC/91155BR    (12/1)

JOB OPENING:  DIR OF PROGRAMMING/Rainbow/NYC: Develop & supervise production of Sportskool programming; oversee integration of branded content; assist in creating scheduling strategy. Apply to req 4926BR at www.cablevision.jobs   (12/1)

JOB OPENING: SR CLIENT ANALYST/MSA Media/NY: Manage cable nets on Gabriel/other SW. Perform biz svcs, issue resolution, training, Jr Acct mgmt duties, prod planning. Must have tech knowledge. Send res & $ req to [email protected]     (12/1)

JOB OPENING:  MTV EXEC PROD/NYC: 8+ yrs exp in TV production incl Sr and/or Supervising Producer exp. Extensive knwldge US market/pop culture. Strong mngmt exp; travel and work late hours. EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com     (12/1)

JOB OPENING:  VP RESEARCH MTVTr3s/NYC: 10-15 yrs media/market research exp. Strong analy sk + broad range qual/quant methodologies; Knwldge re key issues US Hispanic advertising industry. EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com   (12/1)

JOB OPENING:   PROMOTIONS & MARKETING MANAGER/Cartoon Network/[adult swim], NY:  Must have 3-5 yrs of exp in promos/mkting, advertising. Strong project mgmt, client service. Apply online via www.turnerjobs.com , Req# 90869    (12/1)

JOB OPENING:  SALES ASST/TV/DVD Dist. Co. in Norwalk, CT: Seeks energetic multi-tasker. Proficient in all MS Office apps. Accounting software knwldg  a +. Terrific hands-on experience! Send resume to: [email protected]     (12/1)

JOB OPENING:  MANAGER, PROGRAM PLANNING/MTV/NYC: 4+yrs TV prgm scheduling exp, Strg interpersnl & Excel skills, Knwldge of MTV brand /prgming/TV ratings & Entertainment industry. EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (12/1)

JOB OPENING: TV ACQUISITIONS MGR/Orange, CA: Research, screen, select and schedule content for inflight entertainment. Experience of global TV markets, negotiation, planning and attention to detail are musts. [email protected]  (11/30)

JOB OPENING: SALES PLANNER/Gorilla Nation Media/NYC: – Support sales team in managing proposals & campaign management. 1-2 yrs online sales & planning experience; Microsoft office exp. Apply at [email protected] (11/30)

JOB OPENING: VP CREATIVE DIR/Fuse TV/NY: Responsible for the overall dir, conception, creation, dvlpmnt & implementation of all On-Air promotions and packaging for all marketing platforms. Please send resume to [email protected]. (11/30)

JOB OPENING: WRITER/PRODUCER/Discovery Communications/LA: Conceive, write & produce TV & Radio campaigns for TLC On-Air promotions & mktg. Please apply online at www.discovery.com/corporate to job opening number 5931. EOE M/F/V/D (11/30)

JOB OPENING: NETWORK CABLE BUSINESS ANALYST/NY: Exp. With VCI software required. Background in Traffic & Ad Sales. Strong documentation & training skills needed.  [email protected] (11/30)

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] .

SITUATION WANTED ADS, POSTED BY THOSE LOOKING TO BE HIRED …

SITUATION WANTED: JACK OF MEDIA TRADES/Over 10 yrs of hands on film & video exp varying from prod and post-prod to national spot sales. Willing to relocate to lrg or moderate mrkts in US or abroad.  Email:  [email protected] (12/4)

SITUATION WANTED:  Script Coordinator with previous work experience in animation industry seeks script or production coordinator position in Vancouver, BC. [email protected] (11/30)

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