Cynopsis: Kids!

11/08/07

Good morning. It’s Thursday, November 8, 2007, and this is your first early morning.

Microsoft unveils new parental control tools for its Xbox 360 console, as well as a new partnership with the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and NFL/Super Bowl star Jerry Rice to introduce PACT, a family contract that aims to encourage family discussions about how much time kids spend playing, and what they play, on their Xbox 360, all as part of the second year of its campaign, “Safety is no game. Is your family set?”  Microsoft will release the Xbox 360 Family Timer, which will allow parents to set a time-limit for the amount of gaming/entertainment on the Xbox 360 their kids can have on a daily or weekly basis.  The Xbox Family Timer, available for download next month via Xbox Live, will let gamers know that their session is running out, and when the appointed time comes will automatically shut off the game console.  The PTA will distribute information about and supporting the family PACT campaign to its members nationwide. ( www.xbox.com/isyourfamilyset)

MORE KIDS STUFF

BabyFirstTV, the baby/toddler/parent targeted 24/7 commercial free channel, has launched in Central America and the Caribbean under carriage agreements with CTV Telecom (Panama) and Columbus Communications Trinidad. The channel is available in English and Spanish with CTV taking the feed in Spanish and Columbus offering it in English.  BabyFirstTV is already distributed in the US and in Mexico where it airs on Sky Mexico, Cablevision, and PCTV, and in Puerto Rico on Onelink.  The channel’s recent launches include: Rogers Cable and Bell ExpressVu (Canada); Canal Sat (France); the BSkyB (UK); Korea Telecom; Hanaro (Korea); ChungHwa MOD (Taiwan); and Showtime Arabia (Middle East).

Decode Enterprises has inked a range of international deals for the stop-motion animated preschool series Poko.  In the US, Discovery Kids picks up the Spanish-language TV rights for all three seasons of Poko, while Discovery Kids Latin America takes the third season of the series in English, Spanish and Portuguese.  Additionally: RaiSat (Italy) has acquired the series, Polmedia’s Mini Mini cable and satellite channel takes the first 26 episodes; and digital broadcaster DigiTurk (Turkey) picks up season three as well as renewing its deal for the first two seasons of the show; ATV (Hong Kong) has committed to series two and three; digital satellite Skylife (Korea) has picked up series one and two for its Kids-Talk-Talk channel; and Pacific Bridge acquires the home video rights for Korea; and ABC2 (Australia) has signed up for season two.

PBS Kids launches a new website based on the new animated preschool series Super Why! (pbskids.org/superwhy)  Like the series, the Super Why website features research-based literacy content and is designed to be an interactive continuation of the program, offering games, activities, streaming video of the first episode, music videos and clips from the show, as well as printables.  Additionally, the site offers content specifically for parents and teachers including information about the series, activities, lesson plans, reading resources and tips.  Adults can also sign-up for a quarterly Super Why! Club newsletter and podcast. The Super Why! website was created by Out of the Blue Enterprises and Smashing ideas Inc., a web developer.

PorchLight Entertainment is looking for kid hosts to act as “emcees” on areas of its newly launched KidVideos.com, a family-friendly YouTube style site aimed at kids.  Additionally, they are also looking for “camcorder reporters” from all over the US, which they want to report on various topics and events.

MARKETING/LICENSING

Firefly Mobile, which offers pay-as-you-go mobile phone service for kids and tweens, debuts an MP3 store for users of its new tween-targeted flyPhone.  The “age appropriate” flyStore online music store will be powered by PassAlong Networks’ music distribution platform, StoreBlock.  The Firefly Mobile MP3 store will offer more than 2.1 million MP3s.

PBS has teamed with BitTorrent to make its programming available for purchase and download via the BitTorrent Entertainment Network, a content distribution platform.  Among the titles available under the pact are PBS Kids shows including Caillou and Teletubbies, and PBS shows, more for teens and older (episode topic depending), such as History Detectives, NOVA and Scientific American Frontiers.  Some local programming from PBS stations will also be available.  PBS also offers its programming for purchase via iTunes.

Amazon.com has added a Customer Video Reviews feature to its website.  Pretty much what it sounds like, the new feature allows customers to share their opinions and demo products in the customer review section of items featured on Amazon.com.  This will likely be a popular feature for the holiday season.

STONE SOUP

It’s that time of year again — or that time every few years again — when Cynopsis conducts a quick 5-question survey to find out what you think about and use this daily, how you’d like to see it improved.  Honestly, this will take less than 30 seconds, it’s completely anonymous, and we’d really appreciate your input.  Click here to participate and thank you!

Cynopsis Weekender College Edition returns on November 15th!  Deadline for college student written essays on the topic of television is November 9th and they should be sent to me at [email protected], subject Weekender College Edition.  Top 4 essays are published in Weekender on Nov 15th, and authors are paid $350 each.  Students – be sure to include your name, age, college, college year, and major (if you know it), and how you can be contacted.  

And here’s something else — all students submitting essays can also submit  (free!) their Situation Wanted ad which will run in all editions for one week beginning Nov 15, and the first ten Video Resumes submitted will run on the www.cynopsis.com Video Resume page.  Check with Trish Pihonak at Cynopsis for added info.

EXECUTIVE MOVES

Wildbrain has appointed Bob Higgins as its Head of Creative.  Higgins will oversee Wildbrain’s TV and feature film development, production and acquisition efforts.  He will report to President and CEO Charles Rivkin.  Higgins, who most recently served as Cartoon Network’s SVP/Programming and Development, officially takes up his new position in January, working out of the NYC-based office of Kidrobot, which is a unit of Wildbrain.  Previously, Higgins was SVP and Executive Producer, Classic Media, Inc., SVP/Creative Affairs, Sony Pictures Family Entertainment, and VP/Creative Affairs, Columbia TriStar Television Children’s Programming.

Sony Pictures Animation names Alexa Amin as VP/Development.  The first projects she will work on include Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs, Hotel Transylvania, Big Alien Musical and Neanderthals (tentative title).  Amin will report to Nate Hopper, SVP/Development.  Amin joins Sony from New Regency Productions, where she served as VP/Production, working on movies including the upcoming Alvin and the Chipmunks and Fantastic Mr. Fox.  Previously, she worked for Spyglass Entertainment Group.

RATINGS

Nickelodeon’s primetime premiere of its new Dora the Explorer TV movie, Dora Saves the Mermaids, on Monday, November 7, 7-8p, drew an average 3.5 million total viewers, 1.3 million of which were preschoolers K2-5 making the program, up by +172% versus the same time period last year.  The special becomes the highest-rated Nick Jr. primetime TV movie since February 2003, and the series’ second highest-rated primetime TV special ever.  Additionally, the also tuning in to the debut of the TV movie was 2.2 million K2-11, up by +43% over last year.

Answer to Yesterday’s Trivia Question: In the animated Disney movie, The Rescuers, what was the name of the diamond that Medusa and Mr. Snoops wanted Penny to find for them?   THE DEVIL’S EYE   Kudos to:   Angeli Martinez-qubo/NY; Aaron H. Bynum-AnimationInsider.net/IL; Pat Brady-Cunningham*Escott*Slevin*Doherty/LA; Rebecca Rodriguez-Disney Channel/Burbank; Jordan Francke-Disney Channel/Burbank; Chip Beaman-Soundelux Design Music Group/Hollywood

Today’s Trivia Question: “______ gets you so clean your mother won’t know you”. This 1960’s ad slogan referred to what product?   ( 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!
11.07.07

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JOB OPENING: TEMP RSRCH POSITION (3 Mnths)/ABC/NY: Detail-oriented, ability to prioritize & multi-task; analyze ratings data & provide Sales & PR support.Knwldg of Galaxy & NPower.1-3 yrs exp.  Resume: [email protected]    (11/15)

JOB OPENING: ONLINE MEDIA MANAGER/iN DEMAND/ NY, NY:  Project lead for online storefront & product mgr.  BA in technology.  3-5 yrs exp in media/online/software.  Apply at:  [email protected] (11/15)

JOB OPENING: COORD, PTNR MKTG/MTV Networks, NY: Channel Promo (LOGO), Local Ad Sales, Marketing Cmpgns, Liaise with LGBT Org., Point Person for Creative, 2-3yrs work exp, Apply on-line: www.mtvncareers.com   (11/15)

JOB OPENING: TEMP TRAFFIC SUP/VOOM HD/NYC: Liaison between Promo Planning & Creative Services. Detailed, able to prioritize & multi-task. Min of 3 yrs exp in promo planning & scheduling. Adv’d Excel a +.  [email protected]   (11/15)

JOB OPENING: ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE/Outdoor Channel, NYC: Immediate opening for seasoned, aggressive, self-starter Nat’l sales experience req. Heavy client/planning selling. Travel req. Pls send resume to: [email protected] (11/15)

JOB OPENING: SALES PLANNER/Outdoor Channel, NYC: Create proposals, mkgds, manage adu, 3+ yrs exp cable sales or buying, detailed oriented, media math skills. Dealmaker exp a +. Resume: [email protected] (11/15)

JOB OPENING:  SR. WRITER/PRODUCER/Discovery Communications/Silver Spring MD: Conceive, write, produce TV & radio campaigns for TLC Marketing. Apply: discovery.com/careers Req #5933  (11/15)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR OF PRODUCTION/Discovery communications/Silver Spring MD: Manage all aspects of marketing production. Apply: discovery.com/careers Req. #5981 (11/15)

JOB OPENING: DIGITAL MEDIA ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE/CBS-3 Philadelphia: Min 2 yrs online ad exp req’d. BS/BA deg. pref’d. Aggressively pursue digital media ad sales. Visit   www.cbs3.com/jobs   for full details. EEO ADA M/F (11/15)

JOB OPENING: SR. PRICING AND PLANNING ANALYST/FOX/NY: Inventory management & clearance; make goods, availability reports, ad hoc reporting.Media sls exper & knowledge of sls inventory mgmt syst pref. www.foxcareers.com (11/14)

JOB OPENING: TRAFFIC COORDINATOR/Hallmark Channel/NY: Edits daily broadcast logs; executes agency traffic instructions; maintains commercial inventory. See full posting and apply at www.hallmarkchannel.com (11/14)

JOB OPENING: ACCT MGR/HBO/ATL, GA: Oversee Comcast Southern Region acct, develop subscriber growth strategies, market new revenue & enhance products. Req: 6+ yrs sales/mktg exp, College Degree. Resume: [email protected] (11/14)

JOB OPENING: ON-LINE AD SALES MGR./Scholastic Inc., NY: Seeks smart, highly motivated salesp; Nat’l accts. 1.5 yrs on-line sales exp; & new biz dev exp a +; Excellent communication skills a must. www.scholastic.com #NY2797 EOE  (11/14)

JOB OPENING: COPYWRITER (Full Time Temp), Univision Online: 5+ yrs exp.Conceptualize and dvlp concepts & scripts in Spanish for on-air and online promotions. Must be able to multi-task. Apply [email protected] (11/14)

JOB OPENING:  FULL TIME TEMP SR PROD/COURT TV/NY: Overseeing both creative & oper’l aspects of a ntwrk wrap- around show. Mng staff of 4+. Serve as liaison between ad sales/creatives. Apply:  www.turnerjobs.com   req 90504BR  (11/14)

JOB OPENING: REGION DIR. SE/Scripps Networks/TN: Resp for MSO relations, network carriage and mkt programs. 5+ yrs affiliate sales exp. Apply to: www.scrippsnetworks.com (11/13)

JOB OPENING: DIR, CORP COMM/NHL/NYC: PR position w/10 yrs exp. Oversee corp. PR, incl. mktg, licensing, sponsorship sales, traditional & new media relationships. Email resume to [email protected] (subject: Dir., CC) (11/13)

JOB OPENING: SALES COORDINATOR: Support the Ad Sales staff for our Ad Sales Group in the New York office. To apply please visit our website at www.directv.com/careers and refer to job number 700654. (11/13)

JOB OPENING: ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE/TV 10s/NYC: For Closed Captioning & 10-second commercial sales. 2+yrs ad sales exp. pref. syndication TV, e-media or Ad Agency background. Good Presentation skills req’d. Apply: [email protected] (11/10)

JOB OPENING: ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE/Radio Disney, NY:Seeks aggressive AE for local radio sales. 2+ yrs outside sales, sponsorship sales & new biz dev exp. Excellent communication skills a must. www.disneycareers.com #80296 EOE (11/10)

JOB OPENING: PRODUCT MGR (SEASONED)/The ABC News Digital Media group/NY: Help take our web, video and mobile products to the next level. Please visit www.disneycareers.com and apply to Req 124614. EOE (11/10)

JOB OPENING: RIGHTS MANAGER/WGBH/BOS: Provide rights clearance support. Exp with licensing stills, stock footage, music, film research, program rights and production, talent clearances. Bachelors + 3-5 years Apply: www.wgbh.org (11/10)

JOB OPENING: MARKETING – PRODUCTION MGR/Discovery Nets/NY: Business mgmt & cost control of promo production. 5 yrs prod exp, AICP bids exp, negotiation skills, cable/broadcast. Apply: discovery.com/careers Req# 5844 (11/10)

JOB OPENING: ON-AIR PROMO/WRITER/PROD/EDITOR/WCIU-TV, Chicago:TV 5+ yrs exp in on-air promos; highly creative, team player; write/prod all aspects from concept to on-air. Non-linear editing/AVID exp a must Apply: www.wciu.com (11/10)

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH COORD/Collective Media/NY: 2+ yrs Ad Sales Rsrch req’d; proficient at PowerPoint; detail oriented; must be able to analyze standard reports on comScore and Nielsen databases. Apply at:  www.collective-media.com (11/10)

JOB OPENING: JR PUBLICIST TNT/TBS/TCM Original Programming/LA: Support all TNT/TBS/TCM PR efforts. Pitch press/event planning/talent relations/press lists/clippings. 4 yr Degree +3yrs ENT PR exp. Apply: [email protected]   (11/10)

JOB OPENING: AD SALES ASSISTANT/Columbia, MD: Assist with general support functions and account maintenance for the Account Executive and all others as directed by Sales Management. Please visit www.rl.tv for more info. (11/9)

JOB OPENING: DIR STRATEGY(NICK AD SALES), MTV Networks, New York: Budget Analysis, New Bus Dev, Create Mktg Cmpgns, Present to Sr. Mgmt., apply online www.mtvncareers.com (11/9)

JOB OPENING: TRAFFIC SPECIALIST/freelance/NYC: Work with sales and programming to create daily commercial logs for Mobile. Strong PC and organizational skills. EOE/M/F/D/AAP send resumes to [email protected]. (11/9)

JOB OPENING: MEDIA RESEARCH ANALYST/Outdoor Channel/CA: 2+ yrs research experience in a media, market research or agency setting. Resume to: [email protected] (11/9)

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: LEGAL BUSINESS AFFAIRS CONSULTANT:  Over 20 years diversified exp in cable, broadband, broadcast.  Effective, efficient, creative advice and deal making.  Contact:  [email protected]  (11/14)

SITUATION WANTED: Seasoned ASSISTANT/PROJECT MANAGER: Excellent Organizational skills, Flexible, Can solve any issue, Sense of humor, Create and maintain all aspects of Projects and Creative. contact: [email protected] (11/14)

SITUATION WANTED: WRITER/PRODUCER – LA: HBO Creative Services writer/producer recently relocated to LA looking for freelance or permanent gig. See resume and most recent work www.ostroviesky.com Contact: [email protected] (11/13)

SITUATION WANTED: Traffic Pro, Seasoned traffic pro with great attention to detail who works great under pressure looking for FT/PT or freelance position. Experience with Gabriel, BMS, Paradigm and VCI. [email protected] (11/13)

E-mail Trish Pihonak for rates and specs for Job Openings.  

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