Cynopsis: Kids!

7/10/07

Good morning. It’s Tuesday, July 10, 2007 and this is your first early morning briefing.  And a quick reminder – Cynopsis is on vacation all next week, no editions, no emails, no phone calls from us.  Can you imagine? But we’ll be back on the 23rd, just as if this little break never happened.

The Board of Directors for The Topps Company has advised the company’s shareholders to reject the cash bid from Upper Deck, its second offer, saying that the offer is not in the best interest of the company.  Topps also said that it will continue discussions with Upper Deck to see if a deal can be worked out that is better than Topps’ pending buyout deal, also cash, from private equity investors led by Michael Eisner, which was set in March 2007.  Sure the Upper Deck deal is about 9% higher than that from the private investors, but the Topps board says it has a host of concerns about the Upper Deck buyout bid, including the antitrust regulatory approval issues both domestic and foreign, as well as all of the various conditions of the deal. Upper Deck’s initial offer was rejected this spring over financing concern as well as the anti-trust trepidation.  There are certainly enough players here for a new trading card game, if Topps made such a game maybe it wouldn’t sell at all.

DC Comics has founded Zudacomics.com, a new web comic imprint, which is slated to launch October 2007, with the official tagline, “click here to continue.”  DC Comics plans to use the imprint to publish new concepts and characters.  Additionally, visitors to Zudacomics.com will be invited to view and vote on the content on the website.  DC Comics’ Director/Creative Services, Ron Perazza, and Online Editor, Kwanza Johnson, will handle editorial for Zudacomics.com.  Folks can send in submissions across a range of different genres.  Fans will be able to pre-register for Zudacomics.com later this month when a teaser website goes live in conjunction with the San Diego ComicCon.

NEW PRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT

BBC One’s modern retelling of Rapunzel, which is set in the world of competitive tennis, will star a cast of noted British actors including, Lee Ingleby, Charity Wakefield, Shaun Williamson and Geraldine James as well as Oliver Chris, Tony Way, Alex Jennings and tennis great Pat Cash.  Rapunzel is part of a modern anthology of fairy tales, scheduled to air later this year, to be produced by Hat Trick Productions in Northern Ireland for BBC One.  The other fairy tales in the anthology are Billy Goat, Cinderella and The Emperor’s New Clothes.

MORE KIDS STUFF

Nickelodeon will premiere two new original TV movies before summer is over, as well as a Drake & Josh marathon and early look at the new series iCarly.

• The Last Day of Summer will debut Friday, July 20, 8-9:30p.  The movie revolves around Luke, played by Jansen Panettiere, and his late-summer anxiety about starting middle school.  Like so many before him, Luke wishes that Labor Day would last forever.  And so it does, as the day repeats over and over and over. A Nickelodeon movie produced in association with Dolphin Entertainment and Jane Startz Productions, The Last Day of Summer is executive produced by the ever-popular Lauren Levine, Jane Startz, Bill O’Dowd, Michael Espensen, Sam Harper, Barry Tropp and Nickelodeon’s Marjorie Cohen.
• Drake & Josh: Really Big Shrimp, a new TV movie based on the series Drake & Josh, is set to bow Friday, August 3, 8-9.  The movie was directed in part by Drake Bell, making his directorial debut, with the series director Steve Hoefer.  The following morning, Saturday, August 4, Miranda Cosgrove, who plays Drake and Josh’s little sister on the show, will host Drake vs. Josh, an eight-hour marathon (12n-8p).  On Saturday Nickelodeon will also give viewers a sneak peek at Cosgrove’s new series, iCarly, at 9p.  iCarly is schedule to premiere this September.

Discovery Kids Canada will be free for the month of August for TV subscribers to Rogers, Star Choice and Bell ExpressVu.  During the free preview month the network will offer viewers a sneak peek at its upcoming fall 2007 programming.  On Saturday, August 25, Discovery Kids Canada will feature special airings of the new series Surprise! It’s Edible! Incredible!, Zula Patrol, Home On Their Own and Are We There Yet?  Additionally, Rogers subscribers will get an extra three days of the free preview, September 1-3, on Rogers Cable 1 and the analog channel 59, which will include the network premiere of the documentary Spellbound on September 1, 6p. Discovery Kids is owned by Corus Entertainment

AddictingGames, MTVN Kids and Family Group’s online game channel, has entered into a partnership with the teen targeted social networking site Habbo.  Under the pact AddictingGames is now the exclusive North American online games distribution partner for Habbo.  Consumers can access the Habbo site via the AddictingGames’ home page.

Disney plans to switch online gaming site Toontown from a subscription model to an ad-supported one, according to Mediaweek. Disney Online has been charging users $9.95/month to access unlimited game titles since it launched 4 years ago. The company is currently negotiating with advertisers and is already beta testing a free version of the site.

TuTv Latino’s youth-focused entertainment and music channel, Telehit, adds three new shows to its lineup.  La Crema (60 min) a top ten countdown of English and Spanish current music videos, which airs weekdays at 5p/PST (except for Tuesdays).  Sesiones (30 min) featuring exclusive live music performances by bands (e.g. Kinky, Placebo), the series is hosted by Alejandro Franco and airs Mondays at 830p/PST.  An alternative rock centric series, Stereo Junkie (60 min) is hosted by Yatzil and airs Wednesdays at 8p/PST.

MARKETING/LICENSING

MLS W.O.R.K.S., Major League Soccer’s community outreach effort, has teamed with SeeMore’s Playhouse for a nationwide Safety Tour.   The Safety Tour kicked-off in Kansas City, MO last week and will also stop at stadiums in Houston, NY, Chicago, LA as well as in Denver for the MLS All-Star game on July 19.  Among the safety related messages delivered during the tour events are sun-safety guidelines, from the American Academy of Dermatology.  SeeMore’s Playhouse is co-produced by Safety4Kids and King Features Syndicate and airs on public TV. More info at http://seemoresplayhouse.com.

Disney’s Baby Einstein will release its new DVD release, Discovering Shapes, on July 24, 2007.  As you no doubt guessed from the title, the DVD encourages kids to learn to say and identify different shapes on their own and in everyday objects.  As with previous Baby Einstein DVD releases, Discovering Shapes provides viewers with the language option of English, Spanish and French.

FremantleMedia has entered into a licensing deal with Lyric Jeans, Inc., to create American Idol branded apparel line.  The initial line in Lyric Jeans’ American Idol collection will be targeted to girls and juniors, with plans to expand into other areas such as kid’s wear.  Lyric Jeans also has deals music brand deals with music companies including Warner Chappell, EMI, Universal, Sony/ATV and BMG, and has also licensed the rights to feature lyrics from performers like The Beatles, David Bowie, Marvin Gaye, The Bee Gees among others.

EXECUTIVE MOVES

Cynthia Augustine joins Scholastic Corporation as SVP/Human Resources and Employee Services.  Augustine will serve on the company’s Management Executive Committee and will report to EVP, CAO and CFO Maureen O’Connell.  Most recently, Augustine, who is also an attorney, was SVP/Talent Management, Time Warner.

VIZ Media Europe has named Pascal Bonnet as Director/Licensing and Brand Management and Isabelle Aghina as Director/TV & DVD Sales and Distribution.  Both will report to President, John Easum.  Bonnet will lead the licensing and brand strategies and efforts for VME’s new animated series.  He will also work with key European partners to grow VME’s consumer products business.  Most recently, Bonnet was US Director/Licensing Ubisoft; he previously oversaw brand management for Bandai France.  Aghina will oversee VME’s sales of TV and DVD properties across Europe, Africa and the Middle East.  Aghina joins the company from Marathon Group where she served as VP/International Sales.  Previously she toiled for Buena Vista International Television and Saban International.

Bob Pederson has been upped to SVP and Creative Director/On-Air Brand Creative.  Pederson will now be responsible for network broadcast design and cross channel promotion and radio advertising.  He will also be responsible for the in-house off-air video creative team supervising upfront projects and network presentations among others.  Pederson will also continue in his ongoing oversight of on-air brand creative and creative development of the network’s branded product integration.  Pederson reports to the illustrious Peter Risafi, SVP/Brand Marketing and Executive Creative Director.  He had been VP/On-Air for the network.

Answer to Yesterday’s trivia question: What is Oobi’s piano teacher’s name?  INKA on Noggin’s Oobi   Kudos to: David Stern-BARD Entertainment/NY; Al Ovadia-Al Ovadia & Associates, Inc./Calabasas, CA; Matt Kennedy- Liberation Entertainment/LA

Today’s Trivia Question:  Who is Scooby Doo’s cousin?   (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!
07.10.07

Cynopsis Ad Sales:  Jennifer Franko – 203-583-9796 / [email protected]
Classifieds – Trish Pihonak- 203-926-9878 / [email protected]

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

JOB OPENING: DIR DIGITAL MEDIA AD SALES-NBC UNI/NY: Assist and increase sales across NBC Universal properties. Degree w/ min 5 yrs related exp. www.nbcjobs.com keyword job#598623 (7/24)

JOB OPENING: DIR AD SALES MARKETING-NBC UNI/NY:Marketing and increasing multi-platform sales for Bravo. Degree w/ min 5 yrs related exp. www.nbcjobs.com   keyword job#608413 (7/24)

JOB OPENING: DIR, INTEGRATED MKTG & PROMOTIONS/ABC Family, Devlpmnt & execution of multi platform mktg programs, Mgmnt of RFP process & Promo Bdgt,BA, 5-7 Yrs Exp, MS Office, Photoshop, MRI & CMR www.disneycareers.com Req# 73810 (7/24)

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH FREELANCER/ LIFETIME TV NY: short-term engagement, 3-5 days per week. Must have 3+ years experience with Nielsen N-Power. Apply at: http://www.lifetimetv.com/about/jobs.html (7/24)

JOB OPENING: US DIR OF FINANCE & PROD ACCT’G/Chorion Silver Lining, Inc/NY: Oversee acct’g & reporting function in the US, prod accounting along w/corp oversight. Animation exp pref’d. Res/cvr ltr: [email protected] (7/14)

JOB OPENING: LINE PRODUCER/Chorion Silver Lining, Inc/NY: experienced line producer for animated children’s series. Email resume and cover letter to [email protected] (7/14)

JOB OPENING: MARATHON MEDIA/SANTA MONICA. For a PRINT MEDIA BUYER/PLANNER w/1-2 years exp. E-mail resume: [email protected] (7/14)

JOB OPENING: MARATHON MEDIA/SANTA MONICA. For an ONLINE BUYER/PLANNER w/1-2 years exp. E-mail resume: [email protected] (7/14)

JOB OPENING: ACCT EXEC/WorldLink NY: Sell Nat’l Cable advertising for general market, direct to clients/agencies and dvlp new business. Nat’l cable exp min 2+ yrs in sales. Resume: [email protected] (7/14)

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JOB OPENING: SPONSORSHIP SPECIALIST-DISCOVERY LA: Mge devel & fulfill of Ad Sales Sponsorships on TLC/DSC/HOME. Support Mgr in execution of integrated mktg Sponsor. 3-5 yrs mktg/agency/prod exp. Apply: www.Discovery.com (req #5464) (7/14)

JOB OPENING: GROUP BUYING DIR/Spot TV-Active Int’l /Pearl River NY (15 miles NYC): 10 Exp+. in Supervising/Buying TV. Strong negotiating, operations & team bldg skills req’d. [email protected] 845-732-8943 (7/28)

JOB OPENING: SR. NEGOTIATOR/National Broadcast/Pearl River NY(15 miles NYC): Exp in all areas of Nat’l Broadcast placement. Strong analytical & presentation skills req’d. Resume: [email protected] or call 845 732-8943 (7/28)

JOB OPENING: SALES PLANNER: CBS is looking for a Sales Planner in our W/C Sales office. Interested candidates should apply online at www.cbscareers.com and reference job 2120. CBS is EOE. (7/14)

JOB OPENING: MARKETING ANALYST/News/NY: Must have BA & 5 years exp. at agency; Responsibilities: Analyze spending patterns; develop/execute promotional concepts; run SMRB/MRI data. Apply: www.nbcunicareers.com #604969 (7/14)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR, DIGITAL MEDIA ASSET MGT/Stamford, CT: Create, drive, execute strategies for media inventory management. Exp with media flex preferred. Apply www.aetn.com (7/12)

JOB OPENING: SR ANLYST TV RSRCH/Disney*ABC/LA: Pgm analysis and syndie research. 2+ yrs. exp. at a studio/distributor. Knwldg Galaxy Explorer, WRAP Overnights/Sweeps, Word Excel PowerPoint. Apply www.disneycareers.com REQ 94668 (7/12)

JOB OPENING: PROD ASST/NY: Inside Edition, NY based nationally syndicated newsmagazine seeks orgz’d, outgoing PA w/opp to grow. FT position to assist daily operations of the on-air promotion dept. Apply: [email protected] (7/12)

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JOB OPENING: PROMO EDITOR/Rachael Ray/NY: Syn talk show seeks exp avid editor w/ 5-10 yrs in TV.Ideal cand. is creative, conscientious, team player, works well under pressure, & has a good ear for music. [email protected]   (7/12)

JOB OPENING: NEW BUSINESS SALES/ WRNN-TV in NY: needs salesperson 4 new business initiatives 4 both tv & online.Must have exp. selling media to agencies & direct business.E-mail resume AND SALARY REQ. to [email protected]. (7/12)

JOB OPENING: DIGITAL AE/History/A&E Chicago: Sell digital advertising solutions to clients/agencies. Dvlp new business. Client service and acct mgmt. 4 yrs in sales -min 2 yrs digital sales. Apply: www.aetn.com/careers.html (7/12)

JOB OPENING: REGN’L ACCT DIR/Screenvision/Chicago: Dvlp/present/sell integrated in-theatre advrtsng & media prgrm campaigns to regn’l clients. 3+yrs selling media advrtsng exp. BA equiv work exp. Apply at www.screenvision.com (7/11)

JOB OPENING: ACCT MGR-Nat’l Sales/Detroit, MI: BET-Cable salesperson w/strong presentation skills. Comfortable w/multi-platform & integrated opps. Sales/agency exp. req’d. Email: [email protected] (7/11)

JOB OPENING: VP, AFF. FINANCE/MTVN/NY: Lead a large team responsible for managing affiliate revenue recognition, A/R & subscriber reconciliation. 10+ yrs required & Degree in Finance/Accting. www.mtvncareers.com . EOE/M/F/D/AAP (7/11)

JOB OPENING: SR MGR/SpikeTV-Research & Planning/NYC: Gather/interpret ratings data & assemble research findings. 4-5yrs TV exp. Strong analytical/numeric skills & knowledge of Nielsen systems. EOE/M/F/D/AAP www.mtvncareers.com (7/11)

JOB OPENING: DIGITAL MEDIA AE/WCCO-TV/Mpls, MN: Sell digital advertising to clients/agencies, dvlp new business for CBS O&O. Client service and acct mgmt for online/wireless/all media. 2+ yrs online exp. Apply www.wcco.com/jobs (7/11)

SUMMER 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] .

SUMMER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: SALES ASST, ADV SALES DEPT, ELMSFORD NY: Input orders for Acct Execs, search cable network websites for prog & promo info, power point presentations. If interested please email resume to [email protected] (7/24)

SUMMER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: NY INTERCONNECT-TRAFFIC COORD/JERICHO NY: Intern will learn the fundamental aspects involved w/ trafficking TV commercials. Visit www.cablevision.jobs req id 3189 for more details. (7/24)

SITUATION WANTED ADS, POSTED BY THOSE LOOKING TO BE HIRED …

SITUATION WANTED: FILM APOC or POC– 10+ yrs exp. as TV Line Producer/Prod Mgr. switching to film seeks APOC or POC position. Recent work on major studio feature film. LA based. Please contact: [email protected] (7/14)

SITUATION WANTED: PRODUCER   LA: Former NBC producer avail. for freelance or staff basis. 5+ yrs of Entertainment Industry exp, including field/studio directing, writing, daily live-brdcst, & reality. Contact: [email protected] (7/13)

SITUATION WANTED: MEDIA PLANNING/Los Angeles Full Time/Freelance: 10+ yrs exp.  Experience-General Market and Hispanic.  Works independently or manages staff.  Large and small agency exp.  [email protected] (7/11)

SITUATION WANTED: TV DEVELOPMENT/CREATIVE/PRODUCER/Los Angeles: seeking consulting or staff position. 15 yrs experience in show development, promo/trailer/EPK producing. www.daviddaigle.com
[email protected] (7/11)

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