Good morning, it’s Thursday, September 23, 2010, and this is your first early morning digital briefing.  If you would like to read this or any other Cynopsis edition online, click here. 

The busy Games team at Facebook announced several enhancements to the site’s casual gaming platform to help drive engagement and encourage discovery. The changes also promise to give players more control over how their game play shows up in the their News Feed, finally offering the ability to block all game-related posts. People who do not play games will only see stories when a particular game is added by a group of friends, instead of ongoing News Feed stories. These “dedicated stories” will also show which friends are playing a game, making it easy to join in. Meanwhile, there as signs that Facebook’s advanced privacy settings are beginning to appease critics. Canada’s Privacy Commissioner said Wednesday that Facebook has resolved concerns she raised a year ago over third parties’ ability to obtain user data through the site.
 

 
Endemol is bringing a group of new “hybrid” program formats to MIPCOM this year, designed to combine traditional TV with social media elements. Headlining the line-up will be “The Money Drop,” the hit iTV-enabled Channel 4 UK show that enables viewers to play along at home to try and hold onto 1 million pounds in virtual currency. Other interactive format include:

• “Zoom” allows the public to follow contestants in a Big Brother-type home; the winner will be the player who receives the most buzz on Facebook and Twitter
• “Timeline” asks players questions about news events as well as about critical moments from their past
• “Stuck in a Game Show,” co-developed with French TV, crosses two popular reality and game formats in which players only win cash and prizes when they leave the show

 
The American Film Market has launched MyAFM, a social networking site enabling AFM attendees to send private messages, set up meetings and share profiles.
 
Call for Entries: National Geographic is accepting entries to the 2010 National Geographic Photography Contest. Online users will vote for their favorite entries each week and have the option to download entries to use as wallpapers or puzzle backgrounds. The grand-prize winner will take home $10k and see their image published in National Geographic magazine.
 

 
Live video streaming platform Ustream got to host one of the biggest news announcement of the fall TV season yesterday morning – the unveiling of the new judges on Fox‘s American Idol. Facebook and Twitter chat entries were scrolling a-mile-a-minute when Steven Tyler and J Lo were added to the cast, with a predictable mix of positive and negative comments from the peanut gallery.
 
TV viewing check-in site Philo and Starcom have teamed to activate TV viewers surrounding programs carrying spots for the upcoming Touchstone Pictures feature “You Again” in a bid to expand the reach of their ad buy. Shows such as Dancing With the Stars, Glee and Project Runway are currently airing promos for the movie – viewers tuning in via the Philo web or iPhone app win virtual prizes tied to the movie and are entered in to a sweepstakes for real-world prizes.
 

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM ROVI CORPORATION

Reach time-shifting, on-demand viewers before they start watching
With DVRs, on-demand, and online video, people are spending a lot less time watching live TV:

•    Only 52% of Americans’ viewing time is spent on live TV. 

(Morpace, 8/10)

•    86% of time-shifting viewers always fast-forward through ads.

(Deloitte, 7/10)

Rovi TV guides give you a DVR-proof way to reach engaged viewers in up to 15.8MM households …  before they make their viewing choice.

Download our media kit today:  http://www.roviadvertising.com.

 
Isn’t it a pain to have to place online video and TV spot buys separately? TV ad sales platform Invision has struck a partnership with video monetization firm FreeWheel that will integrate FreeWheel’s online video monetization/ad management technology with Invision’s offline ad planning software to enable clients to plan and manage ad sales across both TV and online video. Invision’s DealMaker platform managed the sale of more than $13 billion in TV inventory last year.
 
Social game developer RockYou is working with several game developers to integrate a “Deal of the Day” within their Facebook games – a brand-sponsored in-game ad unit that enables gamers to engage with an advertiser’s brand in exchange for virtual currency. The idea is to offer gamers the opportunity to engage with brands, such as watching 15- 30 second videos, completing short polls, or playing mini-games.
 
Media verification start-up DoubleVerify released its first-ever “Trust Index” this week, identifying best-in-class ad networks analyzing non-compliance, benchmarks for ad delivery and overall industry performance. Companies determined top performers included (listed alphabetically): AOL’s Advertising.com, AudienceScience, Burst Media, FOX Audience Network, interclick, Microsoft Media Network, Tribal Fusion and ValueClick Media.
 
In-stream/in-video advertising solution-provider AdoTube launched a new interactive ad product it calls the “Polite Pre-Roll.” Built to add interactivity to pre-rolls, the format hopes to drive user engagement by letting the user control their ad experience. A minimization button allows viewers to choose whether to momentarily close out of the ad (which is replaced by an overlay) or to watch through the spot.
 
TubeMogul’s PlayTime video ad network has grown like gangbusters since launching a little more than 6 months ago, and is now ranked second in terms of potential reach among advertisers, according to comScore‘s August Media Metrix rankings. Its potential reach of 206.7 million unique visitors (97% of online viewers) puts it second only to Brightroll in potential reach. TubeMogul says PlayTime has run over 180 major brand campaigns to date with clients in retail, tech, automotive and consumer products.
 

 
Video ad network VideoEgg has rebranded itself Say Media and acquired popular blogging platform Six Apart. The merger combines VideoEgg’s advanced video ad technology with Six Apart’s Movable Type and TypePad blogging software, which the company plans to use to build a new cross platform ad network that will appear on sites with a combined reach of 345 million users worldwide, according to the companies (including 73 million “social techies,” 25 million moms and 34 million sports fans.) VideoEgg CEO Matt Sanchez will run Say Media while Six Apart CEO Chris Alden is leaving the company.
 
Debt laded rick-and-mortar rental video chain Blockbuster may file for bankruptcy as early as this week, reports the WSJ, as creditors are only hung up on a few minor issues.
 

 
Nearly 75,000 Fashion Week-related Tweets were posted last week, according to social media analytics provider Trendrr, with things coming to a head on Friday Sept. 10 and the #nyfw hash tag becoming a Twitter trending topic. Last Friday was the single biggest day for Fashion Week tweets with 34,000+ tweets – 70% from female users, 50% positive and 17% tending to be negative in sentiment. Designers Diane von Furstenberg and Michael Kors were both big winners in terms of Twitter buzz, picking up 3k and 2k new followers, respectively, during the week. In terms of brands, Lacoste picked up roughly 1,300 mentions on Twitter in reaction to its Lincoln Center Theater presentation on Saturday, Sept. 11, resulting in a 117% lift in “Twitter conversation” around the brand.
 
ComScore has launched its MobiLens mobile measurement service in Japan, a platform which many Japanese rely on for email, surfing the web, social networking and even making electronic wallet purchases. In June, nearly 60 million mobile users in Japan accessed the browser on their mobile device, about 60% of country’s mobile audience, while more than 42.6 million users accessed a mobile app (42.3%). More than 60% took photos, 40% sent text messages and 22% watched TV and/or video.
 
Select Mobile Behaviors in Japan – June 2010
Total Japan Mobile Audience Age 13+
                                      Audience (000) Percent of Mobile Users
Total Audience: 13+ yrs old    100,900             100.0%
Took photos                            63,560               63.0%
Used browser                          59,848               59.3%
Used email (work or personal)  54,513               54.0%
Used application                      42,671               42.3%
Sent text message                   40,496               40.1%
Accessed weather                    34,369               34.1%
Accessed search                      33,312               33.0%
Watched TV and/or video         22,200               22.0%
Accessed news                        21,042               20.9%
Accessed sports information     20,959               20.8%
Accessed entertainment news  17,902                17.7%
Accessed social network, blog  17,173                17.0%
Played games                         16,397                16.3%
Accessed financial news/stocks 16,233               16.1%
Accessed maps                        15,806               15.7%
Accessed traffic reports            12,694               12.6%
Listened to music                     12,662               12.5%
Accessed tech news                   8,935                  8.9%
Accessed restaurant information 8,468                  8.4%
Accessed bank accounts             8,089                 8.0%
Source: comScore MobiLens
 

 
A new personal electronics shopping/info service dubbed Tecca will be the first venture to receive funding from a new partnership between Fuse Capital and Best Buy, struck to seed media and commerce start-ups. Launching yesterday as an iPhone and Android app (with mobile web, PC and tablet versions in the works), the app curates product info, pricing data and know how about gadgets and electronic gear. Users can search or scan barcodes of items to pull up reviews, images and price comparisons.
 
Cartoon Network Enterprises has partnered with Activision Publishing, Inc. to create a game based on action-adventure series, Generator Rex. The untitled game is scheduled to be released in North America in fall 2011 for the Wii, PS3, Xbox 360, Nintendo DS, and PSP systems.
 

 
Adap.tv has tapped [x+1]’s former Chief Revenue Officer Jason Shulman as VP/Sales, responsible for the strategic planning and management of all partnership sales and business development operations.

The founder of Always Hungry blog Jeff Zalaznick has been hired to serve as the National Restaurant Editor for Spanfeller Media Group’s The Daily Meal.
 

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM WICT NY

 
Bizzy is a new location-based news service of sorts for local businesses that allows them to keep in touch with their loyal customers without having to place an expensive print ad or share the spoils from a special offer with the an online coupon company. (Couponing start-ups like Groupon are growing like wildfire but they’re not always good for the businesses they partner with – Groupon encourages offers of 50% off or more then takes half the revenue the company makes.) With Bizzy, the user controls which businesses make their “Bizzy List” and as the relationship between a place and a customer grows, a higher level of deals and offers can be given. A newly redesigned iPhone app allows you to sign in and share your findings with Facebook and easily map where you’re favorite haunts are in relation to your current location. The app thankfully allows you to access the chief “What’s Happening” feed of offers and cocktail deals without logging in. So far, Bizzy has only launched in New York, San Francisco and Dallas but we can see this service spreading quickly as a way for businesses to connect more intimately with their best customers.
 
Later — Wayne
Wayne Karrfalt for Cynopsis: Digital
[email protected]
09.23.10

Cynopsis Ad Sales:
Mike Farina – VP/Business Development & Sales – 203-218-6480 / [email protected]
Classifieds – Trish Pihonak- 203-381-9096 / [email protected]

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

ATTENTION JOB RECRUITERS FOR THE TELEVISION AND ADVERTISING INDUSTRY – send us your contact information so we can begin to build a database for referrals.  We get people all the time around the country asking us for names of local recruiters.  Help us out – send us your contact information, name, company, address, phone, email and fax.  NY and LA are great, but we also need names of firms in Chicago, Dallas, Miami, Atlanta, DC, and elsewhere.  We have people to send you!   Email your info to [email protected].

JOB OPENING: SR BRDCAST DESIGNER/NY:  Resp for on air design projects w/in the Mktg dept of USA Conceptualize, design, dvlp, execute & animate projs such as ID’s, show opens, animated banners & trailers www.nbcunicareers.com Req#1232656 (9/30)

JOB OPENING: CNBC- MGR STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS/NJ: Cultivate/shape alliances incl. concept, deal structure &financials. Maintain/mng relationships w/key partners & expand into new areas of opp. www.nbcunicareers.com Req# 1256058 (9/30)

JOB OPENING:  AD SALES EXEC/NYC-Midtown & Encino, LA office:  2yrs + television sales experience. 5 yrs+ advertising industry exp. DRTV Sales pref’d, Per Inquiry a plus. Send resume/salary requirements to [email protected] (9/30)

JOB OPENING:  PRODUCTION ATTY/NYC:  Temp Position Oct 2010  Feb 2011 ATTY post for LIVE syndicated show For preprod review, live on set work, clearance &  fair use transactional must send resume to [email protected] (9/30)

JOB OPENING:  WEB DEVELOPER/Hallmark Channel/Studio City: 3 years web develop. & database management. See full posting and apply @ www.hallmarkchannel.com (9/29)

JOB OPENING:  RESEARCH MGR/Comcast Networks/NYC: 5+ yrs exp in TV Rsrch, Support Ad Sales, create estimates. Nielsen, Star Media, MRI, Simmons; strong PC & interpersonal skills req. www.ecentralmetrics.com/url/?u=6149424085-264 (9/29)

JOB OPENING:  MKTG SOLUTIONS MANAGER/G4/LA:  Job respon. include ideation and execution of multi-platform integration/sponsorship programs. 3-4 yrs exp. in TV mktg/ad sales. Expert in PowerPoint. Apply  [email protected] (9/29)

JOB OPENING:  P.R. PROFESSIONAL/LA: Seeking a P.R. Professional to handle day-to-day publicity for two highly-rated nationally syndicated television newsmagazines. 10-15 years exp in TV Publicity. Resume: [email protected] (9/29)
 
JOB OPENING:  KVOA-TV/TUCSON: Looking for REGIONAL SALES MGR and strong ACCOUNT EXEC who want to join a dynamic team. 2-3 yrs sales/mngmnt exp’ is req’d & college deg’ pref’d. Email Resume: [email protected] and [email protected] (9/29)

JOB OPENING:  PRODUCER, DIGITAL MEDIA & MARKETING CREATIVE/Nickelodeon/NYC:  3+ yrs online producer or proj mngr exp./Strng org, detail-orientd, prblm slvr/Strng client mngmnt & comm skils.  EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (9/29)

JOB OPENING:  MANAGER, CAMPAIGN CONCEPTS/ Non-Nickelodeon-Branded Adv/NYC:  5+yrs adv or int mktg exp./Problem Solver/Strng listener & writer/Kwldge of pop culture, tv, & digi trends. EOE/M/F/D/AAP Apply www.mtvnetworkscareers.com (9/29)

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH DIR/CAFEMOM/NY: Res. studies for ad prgrms, update synd. res. reports, ad hoc reports for mgmt insight. 5 yrs exp; exp w/comScore or Nielsen NetRating data; Excel, PPoint. More at www.cafemom.com/about/jobs.php (9/28)

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH ANALYST/CAFEMOM/NY: Monitor & coordinate prop. res. studies; raw data into insights; 3 yrs exp; exp w/survey writing & analysis; Excel, PPoint, SPSS. More at www.cafemom.com/about/jobs.php (9/28)

JOB OPENING: TV SYND ACCT COORD/NYC: LOA’s/ Contracts/Signature Follow Up/Fully Executed. Prepare sales presentations TV & Cbl ntwrks. Strong PC/MS, verbal & written comm. skills. For more info & send resume: [email protected] (9/28)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR PRODUCTION COMPANY/NY & PA: 2+ yrs EXP in Promos and Commercials/ Pro. Co. looking for freelance Director with A+ reel & references, resumes to [email protected] (9/25)

JOB OPENING:  SR RSRCH MGR/Canoe Ventures/NYC: 7+ yrs. Primary/Consumer rsrch (a must). TV and/or Agency exp req’d .To apply and more job details go to: http://bit.ly/9QXL9X . Canoe voted #1 of the Top 10 places to work in Cable (9/25)

JOB OPENING: PR MGR/Turner/ATL: Req’s 8+yrs PR exp pref TV ntwrk, media co. or cable affil. Interact/support TNS leadership team; collaborate in dvlpmnt of core communication strategies/initiatives. Resume: [email protected] (9/24)

JOB OPENING: DIR PROG PLAN & STRAT/EPIX/NY: Mng prog sched, plann’g & strategy; Ovrsee content inventory mgmt, generate ratings, strat anal.  5+ yrs cable prog plan exp, premium cable, Excel exp. http://corp.epixhd.com/jobs/ EOE (9/24)

JOB OPENING:  VP, ACQ & STRATEGY/EPIX/NY: Resp for acqs (linear, VOD, &  brdbnd).Ovrsee prgrmng model, mng budget, neg film agreements. Dev/launch new prog offerings. 8+ yrs studio/ntwrk exp, MBA pref. http://corp.epixhd.com/jobs/ EOE (9/24)

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 INTERNS CREDIT ONLY:  PRODUCTION&POST/NY: Small co w/feature doc commission seeks interns to work closely w/ prod. and dir. on final touches of prod, and all of post. You will be an integral part of the process.Send resume: [email protected] (9/29)

FALL INTERNS CREDIT ONLY:  Corporate Product Rights Intern/CBS/LA:Should have knowledge of PHP Coding and MYSQL Database Development.For credit and must be a student.Apply: www.cbscareers.com and reference #6795BR (9/29)

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: MKTG INTERN/Fans Without Footprints/NYC: Interns will work on growth strategies for 3 early-stage green marketing platforms focusing on sports, film/production and fashion industries. Resume: [email protected] (9/28)

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: INTERNS Talent Agency Theatrical & Commercial Div /LA: 2+ days/wk. Ideal for Comm/Mktg/Film & TV majors. Exc orgnztl, mktg, comm/writing skills & PC knwlg pref’d.Send resume in body of email: [email protected] (9/25)

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: INTERNS /SnagFilms (PT & FT) : Help us as our bus. rapidly expands. If you love documentaries, this is a place for you to be. Visit website www.snagfilms.com for more info. Cvr letter/resume: [email protected] (9/25)

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY:  PRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT INTERNS: Reveille (The Office, The Biggest Loser), an independent production & distribution company, seeks fall interns. Unpaid. Must receive college credit. Send resumes to [email protected] (9/24)

SITUATION WANTED ADS, POSTED BY THOSE LOOKING TO BE HIRED …  There is no charge for placing your Situation Wanted ad … for more information contact Trish Pihonak at [email protected]

SITUATION WANTED: Dedicated & Experienced ADV. SALES PLANNER (NY) Sales proposals, resolving client discrepancies, quarterly post analysis, special sales service projects, expert computer skills. Contact- [email protected] (9/30)

SITUATION WANTED:  EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT/COORDINATOR: 2 years experience, full time job in NYC in the television industry. Degree in International Business, very enthusiastic and hard working, email [email protected] (9/30)

SITUATION WANTED: PRODUCTION MGR 20+ yr NYC exp-live ent/news/sports/talk/mag/docs: studio/remote- hands-on- bld/guide team.Cap+op bdgt/rept/fcast. Fmr CAM/LD/TD/P-D. Contact: [email protected] 206-715-4273 (9/29)

SITUATION WANTED:  AUDIO ENGINEER FOR AUDIO POST-PRODUCTION POSITIONS in N.Y.C. 10+ years of audio production experience; expert Pro Tools operator; detail-oriented with strong mixing skills. Contact email: [email protected] (9/29)

SITUATION WANTED:  Award winning creative with major cable and network experience in on air promo, branding and marketing available to help boost ratings and revenue. Reel and resume at SethBerkman.net (9/29)

SITUATION WANTED: MEDIA SALES/MARKETING MANAGER/LA: 15+ years experience in educational, documentary, advertising, media sales,product,biz development True Closer!!!!! [email protected] (9/28)

SITUATION WANTED: EIC/LINE PRODUCER with 10+ yrs exp. Variety, Docu-Reality, Game Show, Scripted, Competition/Elimination- Mngd biz of Prod. Co’s. for major TV & cable nets. Looking for next project. [email protected] (9/28)

SITUATION WANTED: CASTING ASSOCIATE PRODUCER: Indispensable researcher, interviewer. Fearless on phones. Comfortable on deadline. Wide array of contacts. NBC/ABC/NY1. News/ent/pop cult. Immed. avail. (NYC/LI) [email protected] (9/28)

SITUATION WANTED: DIGITAL MEDIA/TECHNOLOGY/CABLE ATTORNEY Broad in-house exp incontent distribution, digital media, technology licensing,affiliate & ad sales. Avail for project/consultant/FT. Contact [email protected] (9/25)

SITUATION WANTED: EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT position film/TV (NY) 10 years experience: Interned for a President, Executive Assistant to SVP/VP/film director/celebrity [email protected] (9/25)

SITUATION WANTED: PRIME TIME EMMY DOCUMETARY. PRODUCER, DIRECTOR, WRITER in L.A. Credits: National Geo, PBS, Discovery, History CH, TLC and MSNBC. Contact email: [email protected] (9/24)

SITUATION WANTED: PRODUCTION ASST (NYC/BK/LI): 6 yrs in PA & PM roles. Enthusiasm, humor, always ready to learn! Awesome w/ organizing & details. Deadlines always hit. TV, film, animation, print & web exp. Thanks! [email protected] (9/24)

SITUATION WANTED: 2009 EMMY-NOMINATED WRITER-PRODUCER  20+ yrs experience; PBS/CBS/Disney, etc.  Expert in bldg & leading creative development film/TV/radio/print/music/comedy. Entertainment historian.  [email protected] (9/24)

E-mail [email protected]  or call Trish Pihonak at 203.381.9096 for rates and specs for Job Openings.

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

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