Cynopsis: Sports
09.05.13

Good morning. It’s Thursday, September 5, 2013, and this is your first early morning Sports briefing. 

ESPN landed a new multiyear agreement for media rights to the Battle 4 Atlantis men’s college basketball tournament starting in 2014. The tournament, which is played in the Bahamas, will be held in late November on the Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of Thanksgiving week each year. The deal concludes with the 2016 tournament. Terms of the deal will see ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU combining to offer exclusive telecasts of six Battle 4 Atlantis matchups annually, including two quarterfinals, the semifinals, the third place game and championship.

On the Air

There will be several new elements in place when ESPN kicks off the 44th season of Monday Night Football with a doubleheader of Eagles/Redskins at 6:55p and Texans/Chargers at 10:15p. New this year, in addition to the previously announced MNF Open directed by Peter Berg, will be new music with musicians that include Amadeus,  Tobin Esperance, Los Lonely Boys, Brad Paisley, Patrick Stump that will be used throughout the games in highlights, graphics, bumps and more this season. Production is also adding new mobile units that are “fuel efficient, stronger and made of lighter materials than the MNF trucks used in previous years.” Of course, the MNF team of Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden and Lisa Salters will serve as commentators throughout the season.

The NFL revealed that 32 legends representing each team will count down to the 2013 NFL Kickoff Game on NBC tonight pitting the Ravens and Broncos. Just before kickoff, the athletes will countdown from 32 to 1. Athletes will include the likes of Kurt Warner, Deion Sanders, Ray Lewis and Jim Kelly for the Cardinals, Falcons, Ravens and Bills respectively.

ESPN is bringing in singer/songwriter Gretchen Wilson as the company gears up for the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, which begins with the Sunday, Sept. 15, event at Chicagoland Speedway. Wilson will be featured in ESPN telecasts where she will narrate and appear in the opening teases with each tease tailored to the racetrack hosting that week’s event. In addition, her music will be featured through the entire Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup on ESPN.

FOX International Channels locked in a 2-year agreement with NFL International to carry one NFL game per window in English across regions of Europe on FOX Sports channels, FOX Sports branded blocks, and FOX Sports services beginning this season. Through the deal, NFL fans in Europe will be able to watch Sunday games, Sunday Night Football, Monday Night Football, Thursday Night Football and all three U.S. Thanksgiving Day Games in English. FIC will also broadcast all NFL postseason games in English, including the Super Bowl. The new deal also gives FIC access to NFL programming including NFL Game Day, NFL Extra, Road to Playoffs and Road to Super Bowl, as well as select programs from the NFL Network.

With a new format in place, ESPN’s annual Play 4Kay women’s basketball initiative will carry seven games in a new format across ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU on Sunday, Feb. 16. In addition, a top five matchup between ACC rivals No. 5 Maryland at No. 2 Duke will air on Monday, Feb. 17, as part of ESPN2’s Big Monday Presented by Bud Light series at 7p. In its eighth year, Play 4Kay is in memory of former NC State head coach Kay Yow, who lost her battle with breast cancer. The new format will see two regionalized games within each of two ESPN2 telecast windows on Sunday at 1p and 3:30p. During each window, the network will alternate between the two games to showcase the best action for viewers in the majority of the nation.

BTN’s new series, Forever B1G, is slated to premiere Friday at 7:30p. The series reconnects with former Big Ten student-athletes to follow up on where life has taken them after their athletic careers have ended. The first episode will feature former Ohio State forward Brad Sellers and former Michigan State offensive lineman Tony Mandarich.

Now that Dial Global is officially known as WestwoodOne, the company announced plans for the NFL season starting today with the Kickoff Game. Overall, WestwoodOne Sports will carry complete coverage of 51 national regular season primetime matchups, as well as every post season game, including the AFC and NFC Championship Games and Super Bowl XLVIII. New to the WestwoodOne Sports NFL broadcast team this year is Hall of Fame defensive back Rod Woodson, while Kevin Kugler has been elevated to Sunday Night Football from Sunday afternoons.

ESPN Radio bolstered its Sunday studio programming starting this weekend. Football Sunday on ESPN Radio will be broadcast Sundays in the fall from 1 – 7:30p with ESPN Radio host and SportsCenter anchor Jonathan Coachman hosting the entire show where he will be joined by analysts such as Eric Allen, Tim Hasselbeck  and Tom Waddle. The program will feature reports throughout the day from ESPN and local ESPN Radio affiliate reporters.

MSG Networks inked a multi-year deal with the New York Giants to keep MSG Networks as the official regional sports networks of the team. The new deal comprises four weekly programs, including live coverage of Head Coach Tom Coughlin’s Wednesday press conference and kicks off with the debut of the new hour-long show Giants: First & Ten tomorrow at 5p on MSG+.

Meanwhile, SNY laid out plans for its own coverage of the Jets season. Fresh this year will be the addition of former Jets fullback Tony Richardson who is joining the network as an analyst on Jets Extra Point and Jets Game Plan. His first appearance will be on Thursday, September 5th. Jets Game Plan, hosted by Jeane Coakley, kicks off the season today at 6p. On Sunday, Jets Post Game Live show will make its 2013 season debut immediately following the Jets/Buccaneers game.  

Comcast Hometown Network, covering Northern and Central California will carry 23 high schools games this season under the banner of Xfinity High School Sports. Programming begins Saturday at 7:30p with Granite Bay High School hosting Folsom High School.
 

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE

Sponsorship & Promotion

Time Warner Cable is beefing up its sponsorship with Hendrick Motorsports, adding more races backing Kasey Kahne over the next few years, according to NASCAR. The new deal will see TWC serve as the primary sponsor for Kahne for six races in 2013, as well as five races in both 2014 and 2015. Time Warner Cable also serves as the primary sponsor for Dale Earnhardt Jr. in five of the final 11 races this season.

The NBA is launching a new initiative in Canada designed to increase youth participation in basketball. The campaign includes the league’s first-ever central database for youth clubs, public service announcements (PSAs) featuring notable Canadian and Raptor basketball talent, and social media promotions. Launched in English and French, the site, NBA.com/playball features nearly 700 youth basketball clubs in 10 provinces and three territories. 

The NFL is partnering with Under Armour and GE for an open innovation challenge that will award up to $10 million for new innovations and materials that can protect the brain from traumatic injury or new tools that can track head impacts in real time. The challenge, dubbed Head Health Challenge II, will serve as a collaboration to help speed diagnosis and improve treatment for mild brain injuries. 

The U.S. Department of State and espnW are once again teaming up for the second year of their Global Sports Mentoring Program. The program was created in 2012 to support the global commitment to advance the rights and participation of women and girls around the world, with sports as the vehicle creating greater opportunity. For four weeks beginning September 8, American female executives will work side-by-side with emerging female leaders from around the world. This year’s mentors consist of executives from the following companies and organizations: The Coca-Cola Company; ESPN (2); Equinox; Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA); the National Hockey League (NHL); NCAA; New Balance; New York Road Runners; Procter & Gamble; The PGA of America; Saatchi and Saatchi (2); U.S. Olympic Committee; United States Golf Association (USGA); Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA); and Women’s Tennis Association (WTA).

Digital & Technology

IMG College announced a new way to listen to the game, partnering with AudioNow to allow fans to access live college football broadcasts on their phone and synchronize the local radio call to the telecast. This service launches this weekend for the Florida/Miami game on Saturday. Florida fans across the United States can dial (712) 432-7010 and listen to live broadcasts on the Gator IMG Sports Network where they can use telephone keypad buttons to adjust the timing of the radio call.

Roster Moves

WWE named David Bailey as General Manager of the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, FL.  Bailey previously served as General Manager of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Blue Unit at Feld Entertainment and will now oversee the day-to-day operations of the 26,000 square-foot facility, and will work with WWE senior executives to manage the development of the NXT Superstars training at the Center.
 
NASCAR appointed David Hart as Director, International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) Communications, and promoted Nate Siebens to Senior Manager, IMSA Communications. Hart will lead all communications efforts for IMSA following the conclusion of this year’s GRAND-AM Road Racing season.

The Main Event, the featured game of the day sponsored by Thuuz, real-time sports discovery for mobile & connected TV platforms
Ravens vs. Broncos Tonight at 8:30p. Thuuz rating: 90
Are you ready for some football? NFL season kicks off with two of the AFC’s best, as the Ravens set out to defend their title. On NBC.

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE

ON THIS DAY in 1987: John McEnroe is fined $17,500 for his actions at the US Open.

In The Know: Name four of the six NFL teams that don’t have cheerleaders. (Email [email protected] 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.)

Answer to Our Last Sports Trivia Question: From what school did the Eagles draft Brian Westbrook? Answer: Villanova. Kudos: Kevin McIntyre-Leverage Agency/NY; Christina Carestia-CBS Sports Network/NY; Christine Ecklund-WNET Public Media/NY; Jim Price-Oink Ink & Verbatim Studios/NY; Lance Henik-Leger The Research Intelligence Group/Fort Washington; Gregg Morriss-ESPN/Bristol; Jason Fleissner-Discovery Communications/Atlanta; Anthony Antonelli-Rogers Media/Toronto; Joe Lyons-Back Nine Productions/Dallas; Joe Haack-Time Warner/Lincoln; Michael Jaquet-U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association/Park City; Judie Henninger-Valentine Productions Inc./Santa Monica; Tom Moore-Kalt Productions/LA; David Westberg-SAG-AFTRA Los Angeles local/LA.

Later — Chris
Chris Pursell for Cynopsis | Sports
09.05.13

Roberta Caploe: Editorial Director
Diane K Schwartz: Senior Vice President, Media Communications Group

Cynopsis Ad Sales: Mike Farina | VP Sales & Marketing | 203-218-6480
Classifieds Sales: Trish Pihonak | Director of Operations & Content | 888-702-3858

To subscribe to any Cynopsis edition(s) click here.
To unsubscribe from this edition, click here. Or for further assistance please email [email protected].

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE

Just Announced! Cynopsis Digital Presents…

Next Generation Digital Programming Models Webinar
October 1 | 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Analyze and structure business models to successfully approach advertisers, and understand the critical criteria for effective branded content and integration. Develop expert packaging strategies including distribution to satisfy both viewers and advertisers

Register Now: http://www.cynopsis.com/webinars/next-generation-digital-programming-models/.

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

JOB OPENING: SALES ASST, AD SALES/Crown Media Family Networks/NY: Work with Acct Execs and Sales Planners to service/ maintain agencies and clients for Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movie Channel. BA deg req’d. Apply HERE (9/12)

JOB OPENING: SALES ASSOCIATE/WEATHER CHANNEL/NYC: support position to Acct Mgr. must be self-motivated, be driven and dedicated to work through projects from beginning to completion. Min 1-2 years Sales or Related Media Exp. Resume to: [email protected] (9/12)

JOB OPENING: AGENCY ACCT COORD/NYC: provides post-sales support to Acct Execs & Sales Planners & admin support, liaises as appropriate w/internal/external contacts & performs data entry duties.
Resume to: [email protected] (9/12)

JOB OPENING: MGR, INVENTORY/REELZ/NYC: Manage inv, approve plans, oversee stewardship, work with DR sales. Dealmaker/VCI exp a plus! APPLY: [email protected] (9/12)

JOB OPENING: COORD, DVLPMNT/LA: Provide creative support for Unscripted Dev. team. Strong writer/rsrcher, knwlg of current trends/prgrmng, detail-oriented, ability to multitask, team-player, at least 1-2 yr exp. Res/cvr: HERE (9/12)

JOB OPENING: MANAGER, (FREELANCE) INTEGRATED/truTV/NYC: Development & execution of integrated advertiser marketing solutions across all platforms. 3-5 yrs, digital marketing exp. for broadcast/cable. Resume: [email protected] (9/12)

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH DIRECTOR/Discovery/NY: Strong leader to guide team in analyses of advertiser mtkg strategy & spending to find revenue growth opps. Devel insightful client presentations. 6+ yrs media rsrch exp req’d. HERE (9/11) 

JOB OPENING: MANAGER, DIGITAL RESEARCH/NBC Universal/NYC: 4+ yrs exp in online/other new media rsrch. Knwldge of Adobe/Omniture & ComScore. Passion for pop culture & unscripted TV. (11538BR) Apply HERE (9/11) 

JOB OPENING: DISCOVERY CHANNEL MKTG/Discovery/MD: Talented On-Air Sup. Prdcr and Wrtr-Prdcr to conceive/write/produce/oversee trailblazing promo spots for Discovery. 4-6+ yrs TV promo prod exp req’d. (Req. 6814+8162)  APPLY HERE (9/11)  

JOB OPENING: SALES SUPPORT/CBS-TV Group Sales/NYC: Create sales proposals, plan and manage media plans, monitor/steward accts. Strong MS Office skills a must! APPLY at www.cbscorporation.com/careers Job ID # 16002BR (9/11)

JOB OPENING: AD SALES EXEC/Captivate Network/LA: Min 3 yrs media sales in SCA or NCA. Need current contacts, ability to get client/agency meetings and drive revenue. Apply: HERE (9/11)

JOB OPENING: BROADCAST EXEC: Brdcst group dvlpng interactive shows seeks exec well-versed in social TV ecosystem w/5+ yrs of digital exp. Applicants should be exp’d building/mktg multi-screen experiences. Resume: [email protected] (9/10)

JOB OPENING: LOG EDITOR/REVOLT TV/LA: BA req’d. 2 yrs exp in TV ops & traffic pref’d. Mng on-air program log, playlist delivery & reconciliation. Exp with Wide Orbit a + Send resumes to: [email protected] (9/10)

JOB OPENING: ASSC. DIRECTOR OF ON-AIR PROMOTIONS/Atlanta, GA: Manage on-air promotions, drop-ins, live studio reads, handle promotion schedules. Req’d: Min 7 yrs exp, Wide Orbit/AVID Media Composer exp. Apply: http://goo.gl/ald535 (9/10)

JOB OPENING: VP OF NON FICTION PROG/LIFETIME/LA: More info/apply. https://secure.sterlingdirect.com/jobboard/Default.aspx?JOBBOARDID=618&JobDetail=170977 (9/10)

JOB OPENING: NON-LINEAR VIDEO EDITOR/Sportsman Channel/WI or NY: Seeking highly creative Final Cut/Premiere editor. 3+ yrs exp in brdcst/cbl or agency editorial exp. Apply: www.thesportsmanchannel.com (9/10)

JOB OPENING: MANAGER, (FREELANCE) INTEGRATED/truTV/NYC: Development & execution of integrated advertiser marketing solutions across all platforms. 3-5 yrs, solid linear & digital ad sales exp. Resume: [email protected] (9/10)

JOB OPENING: SR WRITER/PROD-ON-AIR PROMOS/YES Network/Stamford CT: 5 yrs exp. Highly-motivated sports enthusiast to dvlp concepts; prod spots/topicals; promotion; sales & mktg materials; oversee all pre/post prod. Res: HERE (9/10)

JOB OPENING: VP RETAIL SALES/NICKELODEON/Bentonville AR: Resp for overall bus. at Walmart & Sam’s to maximize revs. Work w/key licens’g partners. 10+ yrs exp retail sales, retail promos mktg or classic mktg. Details/apply: HERE (9/10) 

JOB OPENING: DIG. INTERACTIVE MGR/WZTV/Nashville: ensure that all digital objectives, incl’g Internet & Mobile, maintain or exceed co. rev growth goals. 3+ yrs media sales exp, w/dig. media strongly pref’d. Full info/apply: HERE (9/10) 

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR, SOCIAL MEDIA/LA: Oversee FX Networks social media presence & manage social media team on multiple services. Oversee development of content and applications. 6+ yrs media exp. Apply: http://goo.gl/JT5ppz (9/6)

JOB OPENING: SR RSRCH ANALYST/ESPN/NYC: Will report, track & provide analysis of nat’l & local TV ratings data for the ESPN networks and ESPN on ABC, as well as competitors. Min 1 year exp. Full info/apply: HERE (9/6)
 
JOB OPENING: VP, REMOTE OPS &ENGINEERING/CBS SPORTS/NY: Manage operations and engineering for remote events. 10+ yrs remote broadcast engineering exp. Apply
www.cbscorporation.com/careers ID 15827BR (9/6)

JOB OPENING: DIR, DEVEL/Discovery/MD or NY: Powerhouse devel mind to create/conceptualize high caliber Discovery Channel series/specials/stunts. Hip to trends in male genre nonfic space. Proven track record @prod comp req’d. HERE (9/6) 

JOB OPENING: SALES RESEARCH MANAGER/NYC: Manage sales research for USA. Expertise in Explorer, TVToolbox, Simmons/MRI, Excel, ppt. 4+ years research exp. Apply online HERE (9/6)

JOB OPENING: MGR MEDIA OPTIMIZATION (SR ANALYST +)/Weather Channel/NYC: Work w/advrtsng sales & pricing/plan’g leadership to dvlp new commercial optmztion methods leveraging new tech/data insights. 5 yrs media exp sales plan’g & media math. Resume: HERE (9/6)

JOB OPENING: MGR, CONSUMER MKTG/Nickelodeon/NYC: Support Dir in dvlpmnt of mktg launch plans from initial series positioning through prod. Agency acct exp pref’d. 5 yrs of relevant media exp. Full info/apply HERE (9/6)

JOB OPENING: PACKAGE/SEGMENT PRODUCER/Atlanta: Create, develop story ideas from conception to air including writing, coordination of assets, booking guests & overseeing all aspects of production. Resumes to [email protected] (9/6)

EXPERT SERVICES ADS: These ads are for companies or people who offer an expertise in the field of media by way of production, voice over artistry, writing, set development, etc. For information on rates and specs for posting an Expertise Service ad email Trish at [email protected]

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 /SPRING INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: PRODUCTION INTERN: Assist with all aspects of hit TV series entering its third season. Intern will be on location on a farm while filming in the Pittsburgh suburb. Immediate start. Resume: [email protected] (9/12)

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: Creative Services, NY: Asst w/all aspects of on-air promo prod. FT M-F needed, prior internship in Creative Services is a +. Must be enrolled in school – Jr/Sr & Grad students eligible. Resume: [email protected] (9/9)

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: SPORTS AND EVENT MARKETING EXPERT: Corporate Sponsorships, Event Activation and Retail Marketing programs for Fortune 500 brands; 3+ years w/Sports Agencies and Professional Teams; MBA; Contact: [email protected] (9/12)

SITUATION WANTED: Emmy-nominated TV Host. Experienced Producer & Writer available for Hosting & Reporting. Agency Represented. See juliandujarric.wix.com/JulianDujarric for resume, bio, and reel. Contact: [email protected] (9/11)

E-mail [email protected] or call Trish Pihonak at 888.702.3858 for rates and specs for Job Openings.

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

Copyright Cynopsis 2013

All outgoing e-mails are scanned and sent out virus free. Copyright Cynopsis 2013