Cynopsis: DIGITAL

07/01/08

Good morning, it’s Tuesday, July 1, 2008, and this is your first early morning digital briefing.

RealNetworks threw its hat into the DRM-free ring launching an online music store supplied by all 4 major music labels with Verizon and iLike as partners. As part of its “Music Without Limits” initiative, 5 million Rhapsody tracks will now be available a la carte to VCast customers as well as Facebook, MySpace, Hi5, Orkut and Bebo visitors via an iLike widget. Rhapsody has been quietly spreading its promotional and distribution tentacles on multiple platforms in recent months, integrating with partners such as Tivo and furiously adding tracks to its subscription service ($12.99 for unlimited streaming, $14.99 to add portability.) Rhapsody is hoping to win more converts to the service signing new partnerships with MTV Networks and Yahoo, which will offer full-song playback of 25 tracks per month as a free sampling. Rhapsody is giving an MP3 album to everyone who registers (for free) before July 4 to promote the new a la carte store.
 

 
CBS completed its expensive $1.8 billion acquisition of CNET Networks, resulting in a newly expanded CBS Interactive business unit and web network that ranks #8 in terms of unique users, according to ComScore. CBS Interactive will be subdivided into 5 fiefdoms:

• The Technology group will house CNET.com, the web top computer and consumer electronics site
• Entertainment includes CBS.com, the CBS Audience Network, Last.fm, TV.com and other related properties
• Sports includes the lucrative NCAA.com, CBSSports.com, CBSCollegeSports.com and MaxPreps.com
• News brings together the assets of CBSNews.com and CNET’s News.com
• Finally the Business division includes BNET.com, ZDNet, TechRepublic and other related sites.

 
VH1 is launching a promotion with leading social networking app designer Slide allowing users to send VH1-branded “SuperPokes” to friends via Facebook or MySpace. ( SuperPokes are little animated sentiments sent between friends.) During a 4-day marathon of Rock of Love, I Love New York and Flavor of Love starting Thursday, viewers’ SuperPokes will be randomly selected to air on VH1. Go to ILoveMoney.VH1.com on Wednesday to download the “I Love Money SuperPokeFest” application or browse the 30-odd sentiments.

Yahoo launched a suite of new Olympics-themed content including a new website from Yahoo Sports, a new mobile web site (m.yahoo.com/2008games) and a special search feature providing shortcuts to help users find Olympics schedules, news, metal tallies and scoring.
 

 
Digg is rolling out a new recommendation engine this week to help users discover content from like-minded individuals amid the clutter of popular stories (16,000 stories are submitted to the site on average each day). Sort of a take off on the classic Amazon.com formula, the application analyzes your previous diggs then lets you know what other users with similar tastes have recommended. Digg execs Kevin Rose and Anton Kast go into detail about how it works on the Digg blog.
 
Online video platform Vidshadow became the latest syndication partner of Next New Networks, agreeing to syndicate content on both affiliate sites as well as owned destinations such as Vidshadow.tv.
 
Call for Votes: The Third Screen Film Festival is once again underway, a film festival that relies on users to determine the best entries via internet or mobile phone. A&E IndieFilms is sponsoring a satellite site as well as a WAP site (mobile.aetv.com.) 
 

 
NBC completed a redesign of its commercial e-commerce site nbcuniversalstore.com with partner Delivery Agent just in time for the Olympics and Comic-Con. Dedicated geeks can buy anything from a current/future two-headed Hiro Bobblehead to a “very limited edition” Battlestar Galactica Cylon Toaster. (Toaster is human slang for Cylon.) You can browse by show or property. NBC is also offering a full line up of digital products including wallpapers and subscriptions. Delivery Agent powers auctions and direct click-on video purchasing on SeenOn.com.
 

 
Yahoo filed a detailed presentation with the SEC outlining why it fumbled the Microsoft acquisition (it was Microsoft’s fault, really, for misrepresenting its offer) and how valuable its acquisitions, partners and reach continue to be. There’s also an interesting attack here on Carl Icahn’s position, including a rundown of his recent involvements with other public companies.
 
Online video service JumpTV announced it is following through with plans to be acquired by soup-to-nuts IPTV platform NeuLion, turning down a rival offer from MySpace co-founder Brad Greenspan to merge with his LiveTime group of entertainment sites.
 
EMI has sued online video ad network VideoEgg and Hi5.com for copyright infringement, reports TechCrunch. The beef is over steaming music videos on the social networking site. EMI claims Hi5 has profited by embedding ads within unauthorized clips. The suit was filed despite the fact that EMI never formally issued a takedown notice to Hi5 or that VideoEgg and Hi5 are no longer partners. The parties had apparently been negotiating for over a year to avoid litigation.
 

 
To entice more third party developers to use Advertising.com’s Widgnet Advertising Network AOL announced guaranteed CPMs on ads served on Facebook and Bebo across approved applications. (Undisclosed CPMs are at least guaranteed for the first 3 impressions for each unique U.S. user who visits the approved application.)

 
Television viewers are turning to the internet for a variety of reasons – catching up on episodes they missed, reading up on their favorite personalities, even viewing a show’s bloopers or deleted scenes – according to a survey jointly conducted by Nielsen and CTAM. But both groups wanted the industry to know online viewing is no way replacing linear TV viewing; 94% of cable or satellite subscribers surveyed said they still prefer watching shows the old fashioned way. Here some likes and dislikes that came up in the study, along with some general trends:

• About 35% of adult broadband users surveyed have watched a full episode online
• Of those who went online looking for TV content, 87% turned to a network website
• The most popular forms were movie trailers (53%), UGV (45%), music videos & news (37%), comedy (31%) and sports clips (31%)
• A small but growing percentage of users are watching shows on their desktop PCs (14%), laptops (9%), video-enabled mobile phones (6%) and other portable devices (5%)

 
Online ad spending will continue to grow at double-digit rates through 2013 despite economic conditions, according to a new report from JupiterResearch cited in CNET. Online ad spending is expected to increase 19% this year in the U.S. to $23.8 billion with search continuing to be the dominant category. Video advertising is projected to quadruple to $5.1 billion by 2013.
 

 
Quincy Smith will take on the role of CEO of the newly organized CBS Interactive. Former CNET CEO Neil Ashe will become President, reporting to Quincy.
 
Vivi Zigler was upped from EVP to President of NBC Universal Digital Entertainment, the network announced yesterday. Vivi will continue to oversee the NBC Universal Digital Studio and NBC Digital Entertainment, including NBC.com, as well as the development of PC download service NBC Direct. She will continue to report to Marc Graboff and Ben Silverman, Co-Chairmen, NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios and Jeff Gaspin, President and Chief Operating Officer, Universal Television Group, to whom she will report.

 
This is a perfect tool for a generation addicted to pop culture. A new online service called PopTok launched in private beta providing movie and TV clips to use as communication tools through email and instant messaging. The idea is to express anger, love, jealousy, whatever by compiling famous outtakes (called “Toks”) from movies and shows. Using the IM interface (so far compatible with only AIM and MSN Instant Messenger) keeps the exchange going with a simple to use interface that sends Toks with a single click. The site, founded by Illi Edry and run by internet and media veteran Scott Kauffman, has already signed deals with CBS, Paramount, Warner Bros., Universal, Lionsgate and Sony BMG to contribute video clips.

Later — Wayne
Wayne Karrfalt for Cynopsis: Digital
07.01.08

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JOB OPENING: SALES/REPRESENTATION/EDITIONAL EFFECTS (EENYC)/ NYC: Production/Post-Production co. seeks representation/sales person. Company offers editorial, design, audio and production. Start ASAP. Resumes to: [email protected] (7/9)

JOB OPENING: SR MOTION DESIGNER-MUSIC CHOICE-NY: Exp’d animator needed to develop high-energy motion graphics (After Effects, Maya) for original shows. BA/BS 3+ yrs prjct mgmt exp post-production environment. [email protected] (7/9)

JOB OPENING: ASSOC MNGR, BRAND MARKETING/MUSIC CHOICE-NY: Brand development & mktg promotion for Hispanic genre. Read,write Spanish. Prjct mgmt exp nec. BA/BS 4+ yrs cnsmr mktg exp w/12-24 Hispanic demo. [email protected] (7/9)

JOB OPENING: PRODUCTION MGR-DIGITAL MEDIA/Sesame Workshop/NYC: Handle all proj budgets/financials, assist w/ prod plan’g & mng prod trafficking issues. 3+ yrs web content prod exp req’d. [email protected] (7/9)

JOB OPENING: VP DIGITAL MEDIA MKTG/NYC/Bdcstg Co: Strong marketer! series websites, ecom, wireless, social networks, iTV, etc branding exp-Film a+ 6 figures +bonus Resume: [email protected] (7/8)

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JOB OPENING: DIGITAL AD SALES MKTG MGR/A&E TV Nets/NY:Work with Nat’l sales teams to dev & execute sponsorships for AETN digital properties. Min.3yrs exp Online/Media Mktg. TV/Mobile exp a +.Apply: www.aetn.com/careers.html (7/8)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR, CONTENT DVLPMNT/SPIN MASTER’S NEWLY LAUNCHED ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY/TORONTO: Manage the development slate. 3 yrs exp in similar role. Full job details on www.spinmaster.com Resumes to: [email protected] (7/4)

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH ANALYST/ Disney*ABC Dom TV/LA: Support synd/ABC Studios. 1 yr Broad/Cable TV or research intern, BA, strong writing/analytical skills. Knowledge of Nielsen software a +. Apply www.disneycareers.com (req.168214) (7/4)

JOB OPENING: SR SALES AE, TV Dir. Resp/NY: Dvlp/target leads in mult cust segs; Work w/Operations & Client Services Teams to deliver innovative solutions. 5+ yrs exp dvlpng relations in media. Pkg/6figs. Res: [email protected] (7/4)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR, PROGRAMMING/Sony Pictures/CA: Drive strategic planning of SPTI’s digital & mobile biz. 5-7 yrs in mobile/digital media; tv prod/acquisition exp preferred. Apply: www.sonypicturesjobs.com ID: 10002 (7/3)

JOB OPENING: PROJECT COORD/Discovery/MD: Assist Marketing Mgrs in developing and executing marketing campaigns. 1-3 yrs mark/adv exp. Bachelor degree required. No relo assistance available. www.discovery.com Req#8014 (7/2)

JOB OPENING: SUPERVISING PRODUCER/Nickelodeon/NYC: 10+ yrs exp. producing on-air promos for a network; Exp. in multi modes of production: clip, design & live action; Solid mgt. exp. a must. EOE/M/F/D/AAP apply www.mtvcareers.com (7/2)

JOB OPENING: PROD SUPR/WE tv/NYC: Resp for all original prod contractual deliverables & scheduling. 2+ yrs in TV prod & ops. Exp w/contracts, budgets & tv tech a must.resumes to www.cablevision.jobs ref#6465BR (7/2)

JOB OPENING: PRODUCTION COORDINATOR/HISTORY/A&E Television Networks/NY, NY: Producer support, rights and clearances and general administrative support. Approx. start date: 7/28/08Apply [email protected] (7/2)

JOB OPENING: POST-PROD COORD/HISTORY/A&ETV Networks/NY:Support activity in mult FCP rooms.Will incl: digitizing, duplication, posting digital files, proj clean-up. Approx start date:7/28/08Apply [email protected] (7/2)

JOB OPENING: PRODUCER /HISTORY/A&ETV Networks/Stamford, CT:Seeking exp’d producers w/ both long form prgrmng & promo experience. Strong background in graphics production. Apply [email protected] (7/2)

JOB OPENING: VP, RSRCH & MKTG/The Hotel Networks/NY: Media rsrch & ad sales mktg pro. Proven track record. Super bright self-starter. Exc verbal/written comm skills, 8+yrs exp Cbl , OOH, VOD, Interactive. [email protected] (7/2)

JOB OPENING: ACCT EXEC/AETN/LA: Sell ad time to assigned linear & digital agencies. Inc sales to clients & dev new clients. Heavy client contact. 2+yrs sales exp w/min 2 yrs selling digital req’d. Apply: www.aetn.com/careers.html (7/2)

JOB OPENING: SR MGR,VIDEO PROGRAMMING/MUSIC CHOICE/NY: Oversee dvlpmnt & daily prgrmg of Interactive Video Channel. Implmnt prgrmg strategy. Multi format/Selector/Proj mgmt exp. BA 6-8 yrs music video prgrmg. [email protected] (7/2)

SPRING AND 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] .

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SITUATION WANTED: Associate/Segment/Field Prod: 8 yrs exp in Film/Television/Commercials. Currently seeking challenging & rewarding position in NYC area. Resume & Graphics Portfolio available upon request. [email protected] (7/9)

SITUATION WANTED: PROMO, MKTG, TV prof, 15 yrs exp. looking to work remotely for nat’l agency/TV/mktg co. Strategic, strong client exp. Great for companies seeking presence in SE [email protected] (7/3)

SITUATION WANTED: Experienced Music Production Team, specializing in Children’s Media, looking for freelance work. Song writing, Music for video, sound FX, VO etc. Visit www.32central.com or Contact Dan at [email protected] (7/2)

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