A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM FUSE

Cyn opsis: DIGITAL

09/18/08

Good morning, it’s Thursday, September 18, 2008, and this is your first early morning digital briefing.

Technology is worming its way into the race for the White House in a variety of ways this week. First a short-lived brouhaha erupted over the McCain’s campaign’s latest gaffe – an assertion from the senator’s top economic advisor that the former Commerce Committee member actually helped create the BlackBerry. Then former HP CEO Carly Fiorina, a senior McCain adviser once on the VP short list, answered “no” on KTRS Radio in St. Louis to the question of whether or not Sarah Palin had the experience to run a major company. Finally allegations that Ms. Palin is using her personal Yahoo email account to conduct state business proved to be too much of a temptation for hackers. Assailants posted a number of her personal emails on WikiLeaks and Gawker yesterday. So winds the campaign trail in the digital age.

 
Broadcast networks’ web promotional strategies differ quite a bit this year as many networks are still not convinced that streaming full episodes of shows prior to their on air launch is a good idea. NBC, for one, won’t be shy this year, announcing an ambitious, multiplatform effort featuring full episodes of series and season premieres including Kath & Kim, Crusoe and Knight Rider. Looks for shows online (NBC.com, Hulu & partners, iTunes, Amazon, Yahoo); on VOD (Comcast, Cox, Charter, Dish, Fios); and on gaming/device platforms (Xbox Live, Zune). So far none of the other networks have offered up full episodes of their shows prior to their on air premieres, outside of CBS’ American Airlines sneak peeks of Worst Week and Gary Unmarried.
 
The cross pollination of platforms continues. Comedienne Bridget McManus’ confessional video blog featured on AfterEllen.com is being developed into a late night series on Logo beginning late Friday night at 2 am ET/PT. To give you an idea of her shtick, here’s a collection of Bridget’s “best bits.” 

 
Interactive live video streaming pioneer Stickam.com will stream comedian Adam Carolla’s Free FM radio show live tonight from the invite-only NBC Fall Premiere Party. Festivities kick off at 9p ET/6 p PT.
 

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM THE WEATHER CHANNEL

 
The UK Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) approved Phorm‘s plan to track UK Web users after Phorm took particular pains to demonstrate its user privacy protections. The company has been careful to demonstrate that it doesn’t collect personally identifiable data on individuals such as IP addresses, search terms or browsing histories. Phorm is planning to launch tracking services with several large ISPs in the UK including BT Group, TalkTalk and Virgin Media. U.S.-based ad tracking service NebuAd shut down tests last month after Congress launched an investigation into its privacy practices.  
 
Brett Favre should get a piece of this action. The New York Jets are auctioning off 2,000 of its best seats on eBay‘s StubHub to help pay for the team’s new stadium. Beginning the week of Oct. 19 fans can bid on seats in the so-called Coaches Club section. Winning bidders will be granted licenses enabling them to purchase season tickets in that spot for the life of the stadium.
 
Looking to bone up on cable’s tru2way interoperability initiative? CTAM launched a minisite explaining how it was developed, what it enables, whom it effects and how it can be best utilized.

 
A multidisciplinary team at McCann Worldgroup San Francisco launched a star-studded multiplatform branding campaign for Boys & Girls Clubs of America yesterday relying on donated media and centered around a new rich media website be-great.org. The site, designed to solicit donations and recognize donors, features innovative use of Flash video allowing Club alumni members to add their names to its “Wall of Greatness.”
 
A broadband ad has been awarded an Emmy for Outstanding Commercial for the first time.  Swear Jar took top commercial honors during the 2008 Creative Arts Emmy Awards, a 60-second viral ad created by DDB Chicago and directed by David Shane through Hungry Man.

 
The Olympics and the U.S. Presidential campaign were the main drivers of online activity during August, according to comScore, resulting in strong gains at politics, sports, news and humor sites. Politics was the hottest category, led by BarackObama.com with nearly 4 million visitors (up 113% from July.) Political satire also boosted traffic to entertainment sites; FunnyOrDie drew 2.4 million visitors (up 256% from July) as users dropped in to view videos like Paris Hilton’s mock response to “White Haired dude’s” celebrity critique of his opponent. (Expect an even bigger spike this month from the Sarah Palin feeding frenzy.) 
 
comScore Top 10 Gaining Properties by % Change in Unique Visitors (U.S.)
Total Unique Visitors (000) – August 2008 vs. July 2008
                                            Jul-08      Aug-08     % Change   Rank by Uniques
BEIJING2008.CN                     459        5,832          1,171       193
Activision Blizzard                 1,174       4,566             289        249
NFL Internet Group               7,482     13,902               86          69
HotChalk Network                 3,622      6,239                72        176
Kohls Corporation                 7,568     13,016               72          75
Cablevision                           4,134      5,924               43        188
Mevio Network                      3,890      5,547               43        201
Symantec                             5,298      7,531               42        139
Sun-Times Media Group, Inc.  3,503     4,675               33        242
Buzznet                                 6,772     8,991               33        113
Total Internet Audience       189,134  188,937                0        N/A
Source: comScore Media Metrix: Ranking based on the top 250 properties in August 2008
 
comScore Top 10 Gaining Categories by % Change in Unique Visitors (U.S.)
Total Unique Visitors (000) – August 2008 vs. July 2008
                                       Jul-08          Aug-08        % Change
Politics                             10,576          14,040           33
Sports                              74,109          93,307           26
Humor                              23,542          26,464           12
Online Gambling                12,648          14,215           12
Retail – Music                    17,890          20,061           12
Online Gaming                   74,165          82,279           11
General News                     95,321         104,969         10
Consumer Goods                22,455          24,577            9
Education                           88,171          96,017           9
Gay/Lesbian                         2,526            2,748           9
Total Internet Audience     189,134         188,937           0
 
One if five U.S. phone households will rely on solely on their mobile phones for telecommunications by the end of 2008 as consumers look to eliminate superfluous expenses, according to a new study from Nielsen. U.S. “cord cutters” tend to have lower income levels, live in smaller households (1 or 2 residents) and tend to make the transition to living without a landline after a move or a job change.
 

 
FremantleMedia North America hired former Yahoo executive Howard Stein as SVP/Digital Development per Variety, in charge of working with Fremantle’s licensing arm to develop and produce new online formats and franchises.
 
Carol Hymowitz will be joining Forbes on October 1 as Editorial Director of the ForbesLife Executive Woman group, encompassing both print and online. In this new position Carol will have editorial responsibility for ForbesLife Executive Woman magazine and will be in charge of creating a ForbesLife Executive Woman Web site. 
 
Metacafe named former Platform A executive Jack Rotherham as SVP/Strategic Sales and Partnerships. In his new role, Jack will work on integrating brands into Metacafe’s online entertainment experience and employing social media as a marketing vehicle. 
 
Blinkx hired Jonathan Spira to serve as the video search engine’s new CFO, commencing September 29. He will assume financial duties currently managed by Matthew Service, who has served as both CFO and COO at blinkx since 2006. Matthew will continue in the role of COO.
 
Online news start-up Global News Enterprises hired former SVP/Tribune Interactive David Underhill to lead its content syndication efforts.
 
Divorce-themed social network First Wives World made three hires: Paramount executive Andrea Hein joined as EVP and Chief of Staff; Martha Stewart branding veteran Shelley Lewis Waln was named VP/Sales and Marketing and author Jill Brooke is the new Editor-At-Large. 
 
Josh Zieman joined digital media distributor Yangaroo as SVP/Business Development. 
He will work with Jon Klein, VP/Business Development, in New York as well as Drew Ferrante, VP/Business Development, who is based in Los Angeles.
 

One place full episodes of NBC shows are available prior to their premieres are on Amazon’s new YourFavoriteShowsStore portal meant to be a one-stop shop for all things related to your favorite TV shows including books, merchandise, DVDs and digital downloads from the Amazon VOD store. Click on a particular show such as Battlestar Galactica and dated episodes pop up for immediate download as single episodes or entire season. Amazon has also thrown up some video interviews of TV show creators and cast members, as well as a new TV-themed blog and a page dedicated to the Primetime Emmys. For years Amazon has had the same wordy interface and sloppy navigational tools. And for months its PC-only download store died on the vine as an also-ran to iTunes. These developments are a step in the right direction as the company tries to differentiate its service by combining resources from different divisions. Now what’s needed is a killer recommendation engine designed specifically for television consumption. 

Later — Wayne
 Wayne Karrfalt for Cynopsis: Digital
09.18.08

Cynopsis Digital Ad Sales:
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A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM CYNOPSIS MEDIA: TOP TIER

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

JOB OPENING: ONLINE AE /Stardoll.com: Min 2 yrs online ad sales; Gen rev by cold calls, marketing, relationships for girls fashion, entertainment, social network in LA. [email protected] (9/25)

JOB OPENING: DIR ONLINE SALES/Stardoll.com: Min 5 yrs online ad sales leader; drive team rev, estab territory, strat partners for girls fashion, entertain social network in NYC. [email protected] (9/25)

JOB OPENING: DIR, ONLINE BRAND/Stardoll.com: Min 3 yrs in brand mktg role in online media; prior kid entertainment exp. Dev, manage consumer mktg efforts for girls fashion, entertain, social network in LA. [email protected] (9/25)

JOB OPENING: DIR., PROGRAMMING ACQUISITION/CABLEVISION/NY: Evaluate/acquire high-value video programming (e.g, HDTV, PPV, VOD/SVOD). Needs analytic, negotiating and bus dev skills. Resume: [email protected] (9/25)

JOB OPENING: VP LAW/ RAINBOW MEDIA/NY: Negotiate agreements between networks (e.g. AMC, IFC) and affiliates  e.g. Cable/Mobile Cos. Needs JD and exp. with affiliate agreements. Resume: [email protected] (9/25)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR, PRINT + DIGITAL PRODUCTION/BRAVO TV/NY: Manage dept, work flow, team, budget + planning.Strong comm + org skills. Work well under pressure. Previous Network exp req’d. Fill ASAP. Apply nbcjobs.com #846952 (9/23)

JOB OPENING: AFFILIATE RELATIONS MANAGER/iN DEMAND/NYC: Secure carriage, manage accts & relationships. Marketing bkgnd & min 4 yrs cable exp. 40% travel. Reply: [email protected] (9/23)

JOB OPENING: PROJECT MGR/AND COMPANY/LA: Entertainment adv agency seeks strong candidate to manage client comm, deadlines, creative dev. Industry exp req’d, sports mktg exp a plus. BS/BA+min 3-5 yrs exp. Resume to [email protected] (9/23)

JOB OPENING: MEDIA BUYER / WPB, FL: In-house automotive agency, Degree & min 5yrs exp. Knowledge of NSI, ARB, Scar & SmartPlus. Competitive salary & benefits. Resumes: [email protected] (9/23)

JOB OPENING: DIR. PARTNERSHIPS/LIFETIME TV/NY: resp. for utilizing Lifetime assets to lead the Part. division in the dev. & exec. of customized sponsorship packages Apply at: http://www.mylifetime.com/about/jobs.html (9/20)

JOB OPENING: NATL SLS ASST/UNIVISION COMM/NY: Provide support for AE’s, act as liaison w/ stations/clients. Highly orgnz’d, det oriented & proactive w/ exc comm. skills. All MS & Donovan skills req’d. Res: [email protected] (9/20)

JOB OPENING: MGR PR/AMC tv/NYC: Mng/exec media relations campaigns to support orig prgrmng, ad sales, affil sales & mktg goals.3+ yrs media relations exp. Strong relationship w/press. Res: www.cablevision.jobs ref# 7056BR (9/19)

JOB OPENING: DIR, TALENT/Discovery/SS: Prep offers, handle deal neg. etc. for Discovery’s Nets & internal bus/ creative units. Assume on-going deal mgmt for life of talent bus. relationship w/ DCL. Apply: www.discovery.com Req#8295 (9/19)

JOB OPENING: DEV EXEC/NY PROD CO proven track record in various genres & strong buyer contacts. Sr level prod credits a must. Network exp in a development capacity pref’d. Res/references/sal req’s to: [email protected] (9/19)

SUMMER/FALL 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] .

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: CNBC Research Intern : Provides reporting & strategic insights & supports internal functions, incl. prgrmng, editorial, mktg, & BD. Provide reporting & analysis. Semester-long, unpaid. [email protected] (9/24)

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: CNBC Intern: CNBC gives students real world exp & exposure to a world leader in business news. Enrolled in BS/MS w/ sophomore standing or above. Semester-long, unpaid, for-credit internship [email protected] (9/24)

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: Lightworks/NY: TV dist. co. needs contract admin intern. Focus on rights mgt, prod. agts, sales licensing agts. Know contract law. LAW STUDENTS ONLY! For credit. Send resume to [email protected] (9/24)

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: SOCIAL MEDIA/MARKETING INTERN/NYC: Need hard-working, web-savvy college student for assisting in the execution of online marketing programs for TVGuide.com. Res: [email protected] (9/20)

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: EDITORIAL/MARKETING INTERN/NYC: Need hard-working, web-savvy college student for assisting in the execution of online editorial and marketing initiatives for TVGuide.com. Res: [email protected] (9/20)

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: DEV/PROD INTERN/LA: Need hard-working, college student for Feature film & TV Distrib. Co. PC/MS Office lit; Script Coverage, admin., prod.-related duties. Attend meetings/pitches w/ exec. Res: [email protected] (9/19)

FALL INTERNSHIPS CREDITS ONLY : CREATIVE NETWORK VIDEO INTERN/NYC: Assist video team in planning & executing of projects. Duties: research, production coordination, set production assistance, admin & creative support. Non-paying internship. To apply visit: www.ketchum.com/careers (9/18)

SITUATION WANTED ADS, POSTED BY THOSE LOOKING TO BE HIRED … Interested in posting your Video Resume? Contact [email protected] for more information ….

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] (9/23)

SITUATION WANTED: AWARD WINNING NY based WRITER/PRODUCER/EDITOR seeks work in promos, sales tapes, sizzles, short form etc. Own Avid with 13+ years network exp. Email: [email protected]. www.bardsleyproductions.tv (9/19)

E-mail [email protected] for rates and specs for Job Openings.

Interested in posting your Video Resume? Contact [email protected] for more information ….

Are you looking for a job? Post your Situation Wanted Ad here — Email [email protected] for specs.

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