A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM SCRIPPS NETWORKS

Next Food Network Star Ranks #1 in Program Engagement with Upscale Audiences.
Next Food Network Star Anchors the Highest Rated Primetime Week in Our History.
HGTV Design Star Achieves Highest Premiere Ratings in Our History.
HGTV Design Star Ranks #5 in Program Engagement with Upscale W25-54.
Tune in Sunday, 8/3 at 9p ET for the Season Finale of HGTV Design Star.

Source: IAG and Nielsen Media Research. For details, visit http://scrippsnetworksadsales.com

Cynopsis: DIGITAL

07/29/08

Good morning, it’s Tuesday, July 29, 2008, and this is your first early morning digital briefing.

Livecasting service Mogulus raised an additional $10 million in funding from Gannett. The traditional media giant is also a Mogulus Pro customer and has been using the site’s tools to power live streaming events on its newspaper and TV station sites, such as a live Bill Clinton speech from Indiana University on IndyStar.com. The investment was announced as rival Belo Corp. came out with more bad earnings news at its newspaper subsidiary AH Belo. The Dallas Morning News publisher saw revenue drop 15% and sent out a letter to shareholders informing them of a voluntary severance plan to eliminate 500 jobs as the company seeks to “make our own luck in this fast-changing world.”
 

 
NBC Universal unveiled a detailed description of how its ambitious digital coverage of the Olympic games will play out online, on mobile devices, on VOD and via interactive television systems:

• NBCOlympics.com on MSN will be the hub for news, results, schedules and 2,200 hours of live streaming broadband coverage. Also look here for tutorials on how to connect to mobile, gaming, VOD and other outlets
• The Olympics will be a major coming out party for partner Microsoft‘s Silverlight 2 video platform, powering 20 different concurrent streams of 25 different sports. Functionality includes picture-in-picture and quad-screen viewing
• An online viewing guide will detail complete coverage across NBCU broadcast and cable outlets with localized listings and athlete news sourced by zip code
• A full complement of widgets will keep web surfers updated on news, video, athletes, metal counts, results and tune in schedules. (Digital agency partner 360i has been spreading the word about these across the blogosphere)
• Two-screen companion games will challenge viewers to answer trivia questions, polls and other games while watching the telecasts
• NBCU Olympics Mobile will offer on demand news, video coverage and breaking news alerts. A WAP site will feature a scaled down version of much of what’s on the main site
• Olympics content will be downloadable via Amazon’s Unbox and Microsoft’s Windows Media Center and Zune player

 
ESPNU will launch an HD simulcast network on Aug. 28 just in time for College Football season. The collegiate sports network, ESPN’s 4th HD net, expects to broadcast more than 70 live College Football games and over 200 overall events during its first year. Go to ESPNU.com for a schedule of this year’s televised football matchups beginning with Vandy at Miami (Ohio) on Aug 28.
 
With the digital transition just a few months away MGM threw its hat in ring as the latest turn-key digital subchannel solution for local broadcasters. The studio is partnering with Chicago-based Weigel Broadcasting to offer THIS TV, leveraging programming from MGM’s 4,000+ hour film and 10,000+ hour TV show library. EVP of Weigel Broadcasting Neal Sabin will oversee programming, and MGM Ad Sales SVP Kim Bryson will handle ad sales. Weigel’s Chicago, Milwaukee and South Bend stations have committed to carrying the network so far.
 
National Geographic Channel joined the booming casual games arena launching a branded gaming channel powered by Real Networks. Games like Habitat Rescue, developed by New York-based Rebel Monkey, are designed to dovetail with NGC programming genres including Animals & Nature, Science & Technology and History & Events.
 
Lifetime Games announced a new strategic partnership with Vivity Labs’ FitBrains.com to expand the online game offerings of myLifetime.com. Brain fitness games testing memory, concentration, language, logic, reasoning and visual-spatial skills are its specialty.
 
Nickelodeon is after more serious gamers with Avatar: Legends of the Arena, an upcoming global online multiplayer game that will serve as a prequel to the animated Avatar: The Last Airbender show. The 3D online arena game will take place simultaneously in 81 markets and 10 languages. In time-tested MTVN cross-promotion tradition, Nickelodeon will offer fans hints to the game if they tune into episodes of the show on Friday nights in Sep. and Oct.
 
Look for a soup-to-nuts redesign of SesameStreet.org on Aug. 11, the premiere date of the show’s 39th season on PBS Kids, featuring the latest in web 2.0 bells and whistles including:

• Live action Muppet hosts to greet preschool users each school day with a new theme and interactive learning instructions
• A new PlaySafe feature will allow parents to lock kids in so they can’t stray from the site
• Over 3,000 videos, 400 Flash-based mini games and 90 full length games

Since its debut on iTunes on July 14, the full seasons of MOJO HD‘s Wall Street Warriors, seasons #1 and #2, have been the number one and number two most downloaded TV series on iTunes in the reality TV category. The series, which launched on MOJO HD in late 2006 and aired its second season earlier this year, is a behind-the-scenes look into the high pressure world of financial investors.

 
A husband and wife team – former Stanford search engine researcher Tom Costello and ex-Google engineer Anna Patterson – launched Cuil (pronounced “cool”), a new search engine hoping to gain traction with a fresh look and the promise to protect the privacy of its users. Unlike Google, the company pledges not to collect any personally identifiable data from users such as IP addresses or cookies. The Cuil interface presents results in 2 or 3 columns – a nice visual touch making it very easy to quickly scan a page of results. Massive traffic to the site yesterday led to widespread “failure” messages, but try it today.
 
Facebook introduced a subtle redesign last week to cut down on clutter and improve usability. The site’s chief interface “The Wall” is now located in a tab at the top of the page, allowing the user to log and quickly post messages to friends by answering the default question What are you doing now? Given how popular Twitter has become, it makes sense to put this front and center.
 

 
Green gadgets are the latest craze. Dell introduces a new mini desktop today inspired by the Mac Mini called the Studio Hybrid. It’s 80% smaller than a traditional tower desktop and consumes 70% less energy. Dell says its shell is made of recycled material and available in multiple colors. It will retail for $699 with a monitor and $499 without. D-Link also rolled out new line of Wi-Fi routers capable of saving up to 40% of power usage. Three models range in power and price from $149.99 for the DIR-655 to $239.99 for the DGL-4500.
 
Check out these cool embeddable election apps on the PBS Vote 2008 portal. “Select a Candidate” asks questions then directs you to a candidate who best matches your views. “Ballotvox” gathers UGC highlights and blogger comments from the campaign trail.
 

 
It looks as though The FCC is finally going to officially sanction Comcast for throttling peer-to-peer network traffic in a ruling expected to come down on Friday, according to reports. Tech companies and net neutrality advocates have continued to put pressure on the agency to penalize the MSO for its discriminatory actions as a way to set a legislative precedence for the open access policy. (However sanctioning the ISP is one thing – enforcing and policing subsequent violations are a different matter.)
 
Fox became the first studio to step up and help finance digital cinema upgrades with the 14,000 screen Digital Cinema Implementation Partners comprised of exhibitors Regal, Cinemark and AMC. The group says widescale upgrades can’t happen until three other studios agree to chip in, according to THR.
 

 
Tivo completed a new integration with Amazon last week allowing viewers to purchase items sold on Amazon.com from their broadband connected Tivo. Product Purchase links will be embedded in interactive ads and TV shows that discuss products available on the site. The items will also be accessible via Tivo’s Universal Swivel Search feature, allowing users to search for products as they relate to specific shows, movies, actors or directors. So far products related to Oprah Winfrey Show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Colbert Report and Burn Notice have been made available.
 
Meanwhile digital advertising technology developer Get Interactive is teaming with Gydget to distribute “shopable” widgets that will offer point-of purchase links to embed within online videos. Gydget’s widgets are now used by more than 1,500 recording artists to sell tickets, ringtones, music and merchandise on social networking sites.
 

 
Scripps Networks added Sarah Cottay as VP/Development, reporting directly to Deanna Brown, President of SN Digital. Sarah will be based in the New York office and focus on developing growth strategies for multiple Scripps sites including HGTV.com, FoodNetwork.com, DIYnetwork.com, FineLiving.com, GACTV.com, HGTVPro.com, Recipezaar.com and FrontDoor.com. 
 
NBCU made three new appointments as part of its Women@NBCU female-targeted content and marketing initiative. Brian Katz has been named VP/Research, reporting directly to Cary Meyers, VP Strategic Research with a dotted line to Tony Cardinale, SVP/Research and Strategic Insights, Bravo and Oxygen. Michelle Spinale has joined the company as VP/Enterprise Marketing Solutions reporting to Debbie Reichig, SVP/Market Development, with a dotted line to President of Women and Lifestyle Entertainment Networks Lauren Zalaznick. Finally Hilary Smith adds Women@NBCU to her Corporate Communications role.
 
Forbes.com announced that Lisa Mogensen has joined the company as Chief Financial Officer overseeing financial operations for Forbes Digital. She will report to Jim Spanfeller, President and CEO of Forbes.com, and will be based in the NYC office.
 
McCann Worldgroup San Francisco hired Claudine Cheever as EVP/Executive Planning Director, overseeing the agency’s account planning department. She will report to Nils Peyron, EVP, GM, McCann Worldgroup San Francisco.
 
Omnicom digital marketing agency Critical Mass has named Erik Thrane as Group Account Director. Erik, former SVP, Interactive Business Director at Publicis, will work out of the company’s Toronto office.
 
Michelle Weisbaum has joined maniaTV.com as Manager of Comedy. Prior to being hired by maniaTV, Michelle worked for Broadway Video as VP/Development, overseeing NBC’s 30 Rock. CJ Arabia has also joined maniaTV.com as Comedy Producer and Development Executive. CJ’s credits include producing, writing and performing for NBC’s Talent Diversity Initiative, HBO’s Comedy ½ Hours and the show News Radio.
 
Hugh McGoran has joined semantic ad platform Peer39 in the newly created position of SVP/Advertising Sales. He will be based in the company’s New York headquarters.
 

 
One way the market will weed out the plethora of video entertainment sites is through innovative product differentiation. Online Video portal Metacafe is currently beta testing a new tool from PLYmedia that allows users to doodle on video clips submitted by others. (It goes beyond YouTube’s video annotation feature, which has proven very handy to producers like “TadManly ” who has used it brilliantly as a storytelling technique.) A pull down interface makes it easy to add images, text, thought bubbles, links or even videos. Updated videos actually get their own URL to pass around. Metacafe co-founder Eyal Hertzog sees the feature as way to improve engagement and give videos a powerful viral boost.

Later — Wayne
Wayne Karrfalt for Cynopsis: Digital
07.29.08

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JOB OPENING: MGR, AD SALES ADMINISTRATION, G4, Comcast Nets/NY: 4+ yrs exp, Resp for managing sales processes, stewardship, rev analysis and overseeing inventory, DealMaker exp a plus. EEO/AA/Drug Free Apply www.comcast.com (8/5)

JOB OPENING: DIR NATL AD SALES/LA/REELZCHANNEL: 10+ yrs cable media ad sales exp incl online & strategic integrated mktg solutions. Resp for ad sales of West Coast office. Send res: [email protected] (8/5)

JOB OPENING: ASSOC PROD: Nationally syndicated talk show is looking for expd AP. Applicant must have at least 2 yrs exp on a national talk show, court show or news program. Exc booking skills reqd. Resume: [email protected] (8/5)

JOB OPENING: PRODUCT MANAGER/Miller Pub Group/NY: Lead dev effort for sports website. Mng dev team on new features, as well as web 2.0, mobile, video apps. Distribute/mkt. Sports/media/mktg exp reqd. [email protected] (8/5)

JOB OPENING: MKTG PROD MGR/DISCOVERY/LA: Resp for overseeing elements for cross promotional opportunities for TLC. 3-5 yrs exp in on-air promo/mktg/ prod. Ad sales exp a +. Full posting and apply: www.discovery.com Job number 8109 (8/2)

JOB OPENING: SR ANALYST NICKELODEON FINANCE: Mnthly analysis for kids & family group. Report variances, monthly reporting incl. all P&L analysis. Apply via site: www.mtvncareers.com  E/O/E (8/2)

JOB OPENING: SR. RESEARCH ANALYST w/ABC-TV/NY: 1-2 years experience in Research,College degree {BA},experience with Nielsen systems. Contact: [email protected] (8/2)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR, MULTI PLATFORM PROGRAMMING/SOAPnet/ABC Burbank: BA, 7yrs TV, Nielsen Exp, SIMS scheduling, Digital media development, scheduling, manage teams, collaborate www.disneycareers.com (REQ id 170791) (8/2)

JOB OPENING: SR. RESEARCH PROJECT MANAGER/CNN/ATL: Design/manage/present web analyses and primary research projects for CNN Digital businesses. 5+Yrs research/online analytics/Masters pref’d. Apply: [email protected] (8/2)

JOB OPENING: MNGR INTEGRATED MKTG/Fuse/NY: Write proposals. Develop & execute multi-platform opp’s for Ad Sales clients. 5 yrs exp in digital/promos/integrated mktg. Rez to: [email protected] “Intg Mktg Mngr” in sub (8/1)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR ON-AIR PROMO/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.mtvncareers.com (8/1)

JOB OPENING: PROMO COORD w/ USA Network- NBC UNI/NY: Min 1 year in Mrk/Promo. BA in Comm/Film/TV or related exp. www.nbcunicareers.com keyword job #835194 (8/1)

JOB OPENING: TRADE MKTG COORD/WE tv/NYC: Provide day-day oper & org support to Ad/Affiliate Mktg team on Ad Sales sponsorship. 1-3 yrs Admin/ops exp in trade/Ad Sales mktg, advtg, prod, creative. res www.cablevision.jobs ref #6682BR (8/1)

JOB OPENING: AD SALES ACCT EXEC/NYC/iaTV, America’s first 24/7 Asian Pop Culture TV network: will be responsible for generating advertising revenue for iaMedia properties. Min 2 yrs sales exp required. www.iaei.tv/v2/careers.php (7/31)

JOB OPENING: SALES PLANNER/Hallmark Channel/NY: 2 yrs exp in Sales planning or buying; or 3 yrs Sales Asst exp. See full posting and apply at www.hallmarkchannel.com (7/31)

JOB OPENING: Seeking freelance FINAL CUT PRO EDITORS for short term/ongoing day shifts. 5+ years experience. Please send resume and reel to [email protected] Must be willing to work in Stamford, CT (7/31)

JOB OPENING: PROGRAMMING ACQUISITION ANALYST/DIRECTV/El Segundo/CA: Negotiate, analyze, administer, and track programming acquisitions contracts for PPV/VOD content, with all major studios. Send resume to: [email protected] (7/31)

JOB OPENING: CONTENT DIRECTOR, SCI FI/NBC Universal/NY: Devel content strategy for expanding SciFi brand. Integrate content on new & existing sites. BA degree w/ 5 yrs exp. www.nbcjobs.com #827774 (7/31)

JOB OPENING: MGR, MEDIA RELS/Disney Channel/LA: U.S. press liaison for kids/tweens TV progrmng; pitch, secure press coverage; top writing skills; 5+ years publ exper; rapport w/TV press. Apply www.disneycareers.com Req #170422. (7/30)

JOB OPENING: MEDIA PLAN’G COORD/SOAPnet/Burbank: PLAN’G/SCHED’G ON-AIR PROMO; 2+ yrs exp brdcst/cable mktg/adv. Detail-oriented a must; strategic thinker. Encoda, Grip-it! Filemkr Pro a +. Apply www.disneycareers.com Req # 168063 (7/30)

JOB OPENING: INTERACTIVE PROD MGR/Taunton/Newtown-CT: Lead cross-functional team to develop online social networking tools & distributed media capabilities for various digital efforts. Apply: careers.taunton.com (7/30)

JOB OPENING: SR RESEARCH ANALYST/Scripps/Knox TN: in support of interactive 4 all Scripps sites. to apply direct: http://www2.recruitingcenter.net/Clients/scripps/PublicJobs/controller.cfm?jbaction=JobProfile&Job_Id=10227&esid=az
or www.scrippsnetworks.com (7/30)

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SUMMER/FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: Art Design & Mkting Intern/Big Tent Ent, NY: exp with digital photo editing, mkt research, MS Office, Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator; good computer skills. Email: [email protected] (8/5)

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SITUATION WANTED: Organized, responsible and enthusiastic Admin./Coordinator with over 10 years of experience and writing, research and production skills seeks Exec. Asst. or Coord. position at network or prod. co. [email protected] (8/1)

SITUATION WANTED: Baltimore Bound with Mkting/Product Dev/Event Planning experience. Manage advertising & mktg comm. efforts; direct catalog photography/act as stylist; oversee event budgets/timelines/logistics. [email protected] (7/30)

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