Tuesday, January 13th, 2009

Cynopsis: DIGITAL

01/13/09

Good morning, it’s Tuesday, January 13, 2009, and this is your first early morning digital briefing.

The media industry is decidedly mixed on the proposal of delaying the digital transition. CEA President Gary Shapiro called for the Obama administration to move forward with the Feb. 17 analog cut-off date in an open letter to presidential transition team co-chair John Podesta. “A change in the date could engender skepticism, confusion and distrust the next time government asks the public to take specific actions around a specific event,” wrote Shapiro. Others point to the costs associated with a delay. Station owners that have already invested in preparing for and promoting the transition are looking forward to pulling the plugs on their analog transmitters. Yet not all broadcasters, nor wireless network providers for that matter, are opposed to the delay. All four major broadcast network groups as well as AT&T Inc. have expressed openness to the proposed delay, according to reports.
 

~ MULTIPLATFORM CONTENT NEWS ~
 

Turnkey mobile video platform provider Transpera is announcing today it has signed two more big content providers to its ranks. Transpera has signed deals to manage mobile video for Msnbc.com and The Weather Channel including hosting, delivery, ad insertion and ad tracking for the two mobile media brands. The Weather Channel has been providing video forecasts for 100+ U.S. cities to a majority of video-capable phones via the TWC’s WAP site and its new iPhone app. Msnbc.com, which will switch over to the Tranpera platform in late Feb. or early March, has also partnered with Transpera to adapt its own mobile site to the ad platform, which couples content with targeted ads including pre-roll video and display advertising.
 
CBS
is expanding its retransmission and carriage agreement with Verizon to include VOD and mobile rights for full episodes of several CBS prime time, daytime and news shows on the FiOS TV platform and Verizon Wireless’ VCast mobile video service. Features shows include including the CSI franchises and 60 Minutes. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
 
MTV is hosting its own “Youth Inaugural Ball” on January 20, 2009 at 10pm ET/7pm PT to help parlay the impressive youth turnout on election day into continued interest in national and local community service. The show, which will be broadcast live across all MTV platforms in the U.S. including MTV, MTV.com, MTV2, MTV Tr3s, mtvU, MTV Hits, MTV Jams and MTV Mobile, will feature live remarks from newly inaugurated President Obama as well as performances from an all-star cast of performance artists.
 
IPTV service AT&T U-verse added NHL Network and NHL Network HD to its channel lineup.
 
Discovery is expanding its portfolio of HD networks with the launch of Animal Planet HD. The network will roll out on the Canal Digital platform in Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland on February 3.
 

~ INNOVATORS & START-UPS ~

 
Many Congressmen and Congresswomen may not enjoy the star power of their Commander in Chief, but how could they not afford to take advantage of the world’s most watched video platform? The Senate and the House of Representatives each launched their own channels on YouTube yesterday to reach constituents the web 2.0 way. A useful Google map interface allows you to click on your own congressional district to pull up behind the scenes videos or post open questions.
 
Online video portal Balbelgum launched a new mobile TV service in the UK exclusively with Vodafone UK featuring on demand film, music, comedy, animation and non-fiction video clips. The application will allow users to share videos, take part in competitions, send videos by e-mail and post clips on Facebook. Babelgum Mobile will be offered to Vodafone 3G customers who subscribe to data bundles for no extra change on a 6-month trial basis and the company plans to expand the service to other markets such as the U.S. in the near future.
 
LA-based social media start-up SocialVibe closed on an $8 million round of series B financing led by JAFCO Ventures with participation from Series A investor Redpoint Ventures. SocialVibe espouses cause-based marketing allowing users to choose a cause to support then a major brand to sponsor their effort. Members can design their own embeddable widget “badge” then earn points every time someone sees it on their profile or blog. Points are then converted into donations by their sponsors.
 
New York public television website WNET.org launched a new station on the interactive BlogTalkRadio network to explore international news issues, hosted by veteran news correspondent Martin Savidge. Individuals can tune in live to the broadcast at the Worldfocus Radio minisite beginning today at 7:30 pm ET.
 
Call for Content: The Vodafone Americas Foundation issued a final call for applications to its Wireless Innovation Project, an initiative seeking to fund the best innovations using wireless related technology to address critical social issues around the world. Applications will be accepted online through Feb. 2, 2009.
 

~ DIGITAL ADVERTISING ~

 
Mergers, investment and acquisition deals dropped by 29% last year in the interactive ad space compared to 2007, according to a new study by Petsky Prunier cited in ClickZ. The volume of transactions weren’t the only thing falling – the dollar volume of deals during Q4 2008 decreased by 65% compared to Q4 2007. The company warns that M&A and investment activity in interactive advertising will be slow to recover, suggesting major players will remain selective until credit becomes more readily available. 
 
Local online ad company Yodie.com completed a $10 million round of Series C funding led by JAFCO Ventures and joined by Draper Fisher Jurvetson Growth and existing investors Draper Fisher Jurvetson and Bessemer Venture Partners.
 
Australian brewer Fosters has signed on once again to sponsor two branded entertainment series on Heavy.com, running take-over ads and video skin placement for four episodes of the Heavy Hit List and for two episodes of the Burly Sports Show.
 
Interactive television advertising enabler BrightLine iTV announced revenue growth of more than 100% year-over-year in 2008 as the company saw renewed commitment from brands such as Unilever, currently working on dozens of iTV campaigns. BrightLine says 40% of last year’s revenue growth occurred in Q4 2008.
 

~ TECHNOLOGY DEALS, MERGERS AND SKIRMISHES ~

 
The National Safety Council launched a nationwide campaign yesterday calling on motorists to stop using cell phones and messaging devices while driving. The NSC is also writing to governors and legislators in all 50 states and the District of Columbia urging them to pass laws banning the use of mobile devices while driving. A study from the Harvard Center of Risk Analysis estimates that cell phone use while driving contributes to 6% of all crashes, which equates to 636,000 crashes, 330,000 injuries, 12,000 serious injuries and 2,600 deaths each year.
 
NATPE unveiled a new series of sessions for its annual confab drawn up to showcase the latest digital products and services designed to distribute and monetize content on multiple platforms. Each “What’s Next Tech Premiere” will be presented just prior to general conference sessions and will be repeated in a designated area adjacent to the “Tech & New Media Zone” on the show floor. Participating companies include Mobi TV, Lionsgate, Adobe, Microsoft TV, Rentrak, Teradata Corporation, Capgemini and Vimation.
 

~ TRENDS, RESEARCH, ETC.  ~

 
Google continued to increase its share of the U.S. Search ad market in Dec. 2008 according to Hitwise, increasing its market share by 14% year-over-year to 72% for the 4 weeks ending Dec. 27. Both MSN Search and Yahoo! Search saw increases of 2 percent and 1 percent, respectively, in December 2008 compared with November 2008 but lost market share from a year earlier.
 
Percentage of U.S. Searches Among Leading Search Engine Providers
Domain         Dec. 2007   Nov. 2008  Dec. 2008  Overall 2008
Google            65.98%     71.97%     72.07%     69.48%
Yahoo             20.88%     17.70%     17.79%     19.16%
MSN                7.04%       5.45%       5.56%        5.88%
Ask.com           4.14%      3.35%       3.15%         3.80%
Source: Hitwise

~ EXECUTIVE MOVES ~

 
The co-founders of Sling Media – CEO Blake Krikorian and his brother Jason, SVP/Business Development – are leaving the company along with Sling Media Entertainment Group President Jason Hirschhorn and Chief Creative Officer Ben White, reported paidcontent.org. The departures come a little over a year after EchoStar acquired the company for $380 million.
 
Brightcove hired former Acquia and Adobe VP/Marketing, Jeff Whatcott and former FAST Search & Transfer VP/Sales, Mike Quinn. Jeff will serve as SVP/Marketing and Mike will take the role of SVP/Sales for the Americas. In addition, Adobe executive, David Mendels and former CEO of BrassRing, Deb Besemer, have joined Brightcove’s board of directors.
 
Online advertising network Brand.net announced the appointment of Beth Soroken-Broun as Director of Sales for the East Region, based in New York, and Heather Oxer as Director of Sales for the Central Region, based in Chicago. Beth joins from Conde.net where she served as Executive Sales Director in the Beauty/CPG category. Heather ran the Central Region for Blue Lithium through the company’s acquisition by Yahoo! in Oct. 2007.
 


CYNOPSIS EVENTS AT NATPE 2009


Join Cynopsis and NATPE for “Coffee With” Q&A Sessions
Dana Walden & Gary Newman
Twentieth Century Fox Television Co-Chairmen
Wednesday, January 28, 8:00  9:00 am

and

Michael Steib
Director of TV Ads, Google
Thursday, January 29, 8:30am – 9:30 am
Register for NATPE, Promo Code ZERSN09, and save $500



~ WEBSITE OF THE DAY ~

 
What’s in a URL? CBS Interactive intends to find out as it repositions the TV listings site TV.com it got through its acquisition of CNET into a video viewing destination to rival the likes of Hulu, Fancast and Joost. CBS announced deals with Endemol USA, MGM, PBS, Showtime and Sony Pictures Television, each of which will contribute full ad-supported episodes of shows to the portal. Add these catalogs to the shows from the CBS vaults including classics such as Bewitched and T.J. Hooker and you have a portal to that is bound to attract attention. The problem is none of TV.com’s content is really exclusive. The site will have to distinguish itself by offering a superior user interface, interactive features and other resources not found elsewhere. The new TV.com looks very similar to Hulu at first glance, featuring lots of white space and a visual banner up top to highlight a rotating selection of shows. There’s already some nice interactive features here as well, including a microblogging discussion tool akin to Twitter. Users can also rate episodes, write reviews and cross reference cast and crew information from the TV.com database. It’s just so late in the game to try and carve out a loyal TV-centric user base.
 
Later — Wayne
 Wayne Karrfalt for Cynopsis: Digital
01.13.09

Cynopsis Digital Ad Sales:
Chuck Bolkcom – 646-468-6180 / [email protected]
Mark Bohn- 203-583-1224 / mark@cynopsis. com
Classifieds – Trish Pihonak- 203-926-9878 / [email protected]

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Cyn opsis CLASSIFIEDSFor More classifieds, visit the Cynopsis.com classifieds page here    .


JOB OPENING: DIR MKT/RLTV/MD: Dev/execute affil mkt & media plans, set ROI and benchmarks, helps set creative & brand direction, dev cross-plat partnerships & mkt alliances, 7 + yrs exp w/strong bus skills. Resume: [email protected] (1/21)

JOB OPENING: SALES PLANNER/AETN/NY: Create TV & digital sales proposals, develop integrated ideas/build presentations. Min 2 years exp in sales or buying. Knowledge of Powerpoint & media math. Apply: www.aetn.com/careers.html (1/17)

JOB OPENING: ACCT EXEC/Radio Disney/NY:Sell local advrtsng, spnsrshps & events in NY mkt.2 yrs exp sales req, pref in children’s mktg/promos. Spec events or media sales a +. BA pref. Apply: www.disneycareers.com. Req ID 184566 (1/16)

JOB OPENING: REGIONAL NAT’L SALES DIRS/NY/CHI/LA: Meredith Broadcasting seeks 3. College or equiv. req’d. 5+ yrs in TV sales, incl 2+ yrs as Nat’l Sales Mgr for local station. Res/sal info: [email protected]. EOE (1/16)

JOB OPENING: DIR PROJ MGMT/Versus/PA: Mng mult TV promo/pckgng projects for busy mktg/creative services dept. Req. 5 yrs exp at ntwrk, post/design firm or ad agency. Apply online: www.ecentralmetrics.com/url/?u=573692462-7 . EOE (1/16)

JOB OPENING: SR. FINANCIAL ANALYST/DISCOVERY/NY: Work w/ ad sales on frcstng, reporting, variance analysis, id & comm of risks/oppts, ind & compet analysis, earning calls. 5+ yrs acct/fin. exp. Apply: www.discovery.com Req#8650 (1/14)

JOB OPENING: CNBC AUDIENCE DVLPMNT/Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Interpret/Analyze site traffic pattern/opps to improve. Dvlp email newsletter. Monitor monthly cost assoc. w/ email campaigns. 3-5 yrs online aud dvlpmnt req’d. [email protected] (1/14)

JOB OPENING: MGR/SR MGR, AFFILIATE FINANCE/MTVN/NY:oversee 50M of affil expenses/prepare LRP’s/Budgets/Forecast. Prepare mnthly close/variance analysis/Supv exp. rq’d. Apply: [email protected] EOE (1/14)

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] .

SPRING INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: LEAD DOG MARKETING GROUP/NY: a full-service event management and promotions agency is searching for Spring and Summer interns. Flexible schedule and transportation reimbursement. Contact: [email protected] (1/21)

SPRING INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: Oxygen/Bravo/DIGITAL RSRCH INTERN: Maintain ongoing analysis of digital properties, admin tasks, reports, presentations. Excel, PP & fast learner desired. 2-3 days, Reply: [email protected] w/ res/cover (1/17)

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:TONY NOM. B’WAY PROD/THEATRE CONSULT/ACQUIS. & DEV./NYC: 30+ yrs exp. in theatre. Superb theatre/film/TV contacts seeks FT or Consulting Position w/Studio/Prod Co. looking for properties. Contact: [email protected] (1/21)

SITUATION WANTED: CONSULTING PRODUCER/EDITOR w/ 18+ yrs exp. Seeks TV & new media projects. Credits: PBS (Buster, Fetch!, ZOOM, NOVA), History, CBS, NPR, BBC. CV, reels, contact info @: http://www.alangrazioso.com (1/21)

SITUATION WANTED: MARKETING & COMM. CONSULTANT: 17 yrs in ad copywriting, media planning/buying, collateral, promotions, and public relations. Access to affordable graphic designer for complete ad services. [email protected]   (1/21)                  

SITUATION WANTED: SR. CASTING PROD/DEPT HD Always Delivers! Netwrk shows/perfor/game have database 5K acts/Kid/Dance/Cirq/ Singers/Animal/Crazy & Top acts Celebbker Top indus. contacts/Talk bckgnd can book anything! [email protected] (1/21)

SITUATION WANTED: PRODCR-WRTR;TALENT-CASTNG EXEC/BOOKR/LA + track record ENT.PR/PROMO/MKTG/ADV. Great work ethic & references (see IMDb.com, Jane Shayne)eager for next challenge! FT/Project. Contact: [email protected] (1/21)

SITUATION WANTED:NY based PM associate seeking F/T or freelance production or PM position. Experience in coordinating production shoots and tracking show costs at cable TV network. Contact: [email protected] (1/21)

SITUATION WANTED: EP BUDGETING & SCHEDULING LA: Reasonable rates, short turn around. Knowledge of REBATES & INCENTIVE PROGRAMS including: NM, MI, IA and UT. Contact: [email protected] for samples & rates (1/21)

SITUATION WANTED: EXECUTIVE PRODUCER/ANIMATOR/EDITOR/LA: Meg Barbour – seeks work in top design studio. 5+ years experience as producer, motion graphic designer, editor, project manager, web 2.0 consultant. [email protected] (1/17)

SITUATION WANTED: OUTSOURCED MKTG-Emails to Events:Affil & ad sales mktg expert;cross-platform promotion pro. 12 yrs Sr staff mktr, 7 yrs consulting exp. Concept to implementation. Project or long term. Email: [email protected] (1/17)

SITUATION WANTED: Accomplished ADVERTISING, MARKETING, SALES PROMOTION AND DIRECT MARKETING EXECUTIVE experienced in developing advertising programs. Will consider Agency freelance, consulting assignments. Contact: [email protected] (1/16)

SITUATION WANTED: Experienced FIELD AND POST PRODUCER looking for work. Experience in television and documentary film. References available. Please e-mail [email protected] (1/16)

SITUATION WANTED: DOCUMENTARY PRODUCER, DIRECTOR, WRITER in L.A. Credits include National Geographic, PBS, Discovery, History Channel, TLC and MSNBC. Contact email: [email protected] (1/16)

SITUATION WANTED: SPORTS/ENTERTAINMENT PRODUCER (NY): Seeking F/T or Freelance. 10 years exp. w/major networks. Field, Segment, Writer, Talent Booker.  Contact: [email protected] (1/16)

SITUATION WANTED: FREELANCE or Full-time MEDIA BUYER w/ over 25 yrs of buying exp. is newly available. Seeking F/T or Freelance wk from your office or my home (New York based) Please contact me @ [email protected] (1/15)

SITUATION WANTED: ASSOCIATE PRODUCER or ASSOCIATE STORY PRODUCER (L.A.): 9+ yrs in all aspects of production, exp. in reality, inc. game, & scripted.. Valid passport – willing to travel. [email protected] (1/15)

SITUATION WANTED: SPONSORSHIP MARKETING/NY: Experience in evaluating and negotiating sponsorships and promotions. All media types- broadcast, outdoor, print, digital, mobile, hospitality, etc. Contact: [email protected] (1/15)

SITUATION WANTED: COMEDY WRITER: For samples, please visit www.msannthropic.com Contact: [email protected] (1/15)

SITUATION WANTED: PRODUCER/WRITER/DIRECTOR (NY) Ultra-creative, award winning, all formats, all genres, all major networks and major cable. Fast, frugal and fun! [email protected] (1/15)

SITUATION WANTED: SEASONED PRODUCER. Experience in talk/reality/game show genres. Produced shows overseas and on location. Hard working, detail oriented, motivated, ready to start today, will travel. Contact: [email protected] (1/14)

SITUATION WANTED: Celebrity Talent PROD with exp on both coasts.Will connect your synd, ntwrk or cable prgrm w/ quality & approp celebrity guests. Staff or freelance – visit www.elizabethwarner.tv or email [email protected] for free consultation. (1/14)

SITUATION WANTED: SR. SALES/DOS Chicago/NYC-Experienced, motivated online salesman. Huge rolodex and selling experience with many Fortune100’s. Uber-competitive, hardworking, persistent. Meets/exceeds goals. [email protected] (1/14)

SITUATION WANTED: FREELANCE MEDIA BUYER w/more than 8 yrs of buying exp. is avail. for work.Seeking PT or Freelance wk from your office or my home-locally or remotely.(Cincinnati bsd) Pls. contact me @ [email protected]. (1/14)

SITUATION WANTED: Experienced,Media Sales Marketing Research Professional, well-versed & superior in all analytic, presentation, oral & written communications areas withAd Agency, Rep & Consulting background. [email protected] (1/14)

SITUATION WANTED: PRODUCER/WRITER : Seven yrs experience in brdcst, cable & online media. Highly creative, tackles everything from conception to completion; comedy, sports, news and entertainment background; NYC. [email protected] (1/14)

E-mail [email protected] 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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