Cynopsis: Kids!

06/02/09

Good morning. It’s Tuesday, June 2, 2009, and this is your first early morning Kids briefing.

Disney Channel sets a director/choreographer for the new High School Musical TV movie and extends Handy Manny with a short form series.

• The network has tapped Jeffrey Hornaday to direct and choreograph High School Musical East Meets West, the fourth chapter in the Disney Channel Original Movie series.  Slated to premiere on the network in 2010, HSM East Meets West is being written by Peter Barsocchini, with Bill Borden and Barry Rosenbush serving as Executive Producers and Don Schain as Producer.
• The network commissions the new short-form animated preschool series, Handy Manny’s School for Tools (20 shorts), and two primetime Handy Manny specials.  The short-form series is based on Disney Playhouse’s Handy Manny series, which is currently in production on a third season (29 episodes) that will introduce a host of new tools.  Set to begin production this year Handy Manny’s School for Tools will bow in 2010.  Meanwhile, this fall the network will debut the first of two primetime specials, Handy Manny’s Motorcycle Adventure, which features four new songs performed by Los Lobos.

NEW PRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT

FitzRoy Media and Magic Lantern Entertainment enter into a joint venture to develop both animated and live action programming based on Heathcliff.  Targeted tweens, teens and adults the plan includes creating programming for theatrical, TV and direct-to-DVD release.  Additionally, FitzRoy Media is set to launch a licensing and merchandising campaign this year along with the release of a new Heathcliff animated special on DVD in 2011.  Heathcliff was created in 1973 by cartoonist George Gately and is now written and drawn by Gately’s nephew Peter Gallagher.

Universal Pictures inks a deal to acquire an unnamed Mattel toy property to develop as a live-action musical feature film that will be produced by Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, per Variety.  Zadan and Meron are looking to re-team with Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, the duo who composted the musical version for Hairspray, who are in talks to compose the score for the new project.  According to the report, the new Mattel product offers a “fresh twist to monster lore.”

Where’s Waldo?  Maybe really headed to the big screen this time?  Universal Studios has acquired the rights to Where’s Waldo? from Classic Media to produce a family-aimed live-action movie produced by Chris Meledandri’s (Horton Hears a Who!, Ice Age and Ice Age: The Meltdown) Illumination Entertainment, per The Hollywood Reporter.  Universal picks up the Where’s Waldo movie rights in turnaround from Paramount and Nickelodeon.  Illumination Entertainment is already at work on a series of family-targeted pictures including I Hop, Flanimals and Despicable Me.

MORE KIDS STUFF

Kindle Entertainment‘s preschool series, Big and Small, joins the CBeebies Radio programming line-up from September 2009.  Aimed at preschoolers, CBeebies Radio airs daily from 5a-8a and is part of the kid’s schedule on digital radio station BBC7.  Big and Small made its TV premiere in October 2008, and is currently airing daily on BBC2 at 8:30a and CBeebies at 3:40p.

Disney Channel orders up season of Hannah Montana and Sonny With A Chance.  Production wraps on season three of Hannah Montana this week and will start up again early next year on season four in Hollywood.  The season four storyline will introduce new characters to the series and will see the Stewarts struggling with saying goodbye to their beachfront home.

Nickelodeon‘s AddictingGames will host its first The AddictingGames Showdown, an awards event that will be featured on Nickelodeon and online in primetime on Saturday, June 27, 8-10p across Nickelodeon and AddictingGames.  And with that … AddictingGames has also unveiled the nominees across ten categories for the event, as voted on by gamers on AddictingGames, Fans can vote for their favorites in The AddictingGames Showdown June 3 through June 27 on http://www.addictinggames.com/showdown.  On June 27, between new episodes of iCarly and True Jackson, VP, the winners will be announced on AddictingGames and Nickelodeon through on-air segments hosted by iCarly’s Jerry Trainor.  Some of the categories and nominees include:

Most Addicting Game
Parking Lot
Stunt Dirt Bike
World Wars
Worlds Hardest Game

Best Performance by a Monkey
Bloons
Dance Monkey Dance
Monkey Go Happy
Pencil Racer XL

Your Mom’s Favorite Game
Bubble Spinner
Daily Jigsaw
Let’s Get Cookin’
Sara’s Super Spa

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE

MARKETING/LICENSING

Scholastic Media and Amtrak partner to launch a nationwide summer promotion for Scholastic’s multimedia book series The 39 Clues.  Designed to capture the spirit of adventure and travel featured in the book series, the Get On Board For The Ride Of Your Life promotion will run July 1-August 31 and will feature two million branded ticket jackets and a range of on-train branding (e.g. seatback signage, dining car placements).  Additionally, counter cards promoting The 39 Clues Ride The Rails sweepstakes will be handed out in 90+ locations.  The promotion will also be featured on the39clues.com and on Amtrak.com.

SouthPeak Interactive Corporation and Asylum Entertainment enter into a deal to co-publish a video game based on the Horrid Henry books written by Francesca Simon and the TV series, produced by Novel Entertainment.  Developed by Asylum Entertainment, the Horrid Henry game is being developed for Wii, Nintendo DS and PC and will be available in the from this October.

Hyatt Hotels & Resorts teams with National Geographic Kids to re-launch its year-round Camp Hyatt program for K3-12 at Hyatt resorts in North America.  The new kids program kicks off with the debut of a Camp Hyatt-National Geographic Kids Web site at www.camphyatt.com . Also beginning this month, new Camp Hyatt program elements, including exclusive National Geographic Kids’ activities adapted to each participating resort location, will be available.  The website and Camp Hyatt programs aim to educate kids about animals, culture, recycling and water.

American Greetings Properties appoints Mind Works as the international licensing agent for its Popples brand in Japan.  Mind Works plans to introduce the brand first in apparel and specialty goods.  Created and owned by Those Characters From Cleveland, a subsidiary of American Greeting, Popples launched in the 1980s and became popular collectibles with an animal series, Costume Popples, Flower Popples, and Pillow Popples (among others) that all turned into a ball.

LICENSING INTERNATIONAL EXPO 2009

Mattel unveils its licensing, promotional and distribution partners to support the launch of its new original CGI animated series, Hot Wheels Battle Force 5, on Cartoon Network on Saturdays in late August 2009.  Hot Wheels Battle Force 5 will rollout internationally this, beginning with its debut on Teletoon (Canada) on September 6.  Additionally, full episodes of the new series will be available on DVD from Warner Home Video.

• Toys – available this fall is a line of Hot Wheels Battle Force 5 products, including a range of boy-aimed toys such as an assortment of vehicles (1:24 scale, 1:64 scale) and figures, and a trackset and vehicle two-packs with a DVD of the first episode.
• Video games – Activision Publishing will release a Hot Wheels battle Force 5 game for Wii and Nintendo DS in November 2009.
• Other consumer products – there are some 30 boy-targeted licensed products across 15 categories from partners set for release including: Creative Designs International (role play toys); Freeze (t-shirts), AME (sleepwear) and Handcraft (underwear); ACI International (footwear); Oregon Scientific (electronic learning aids); and publishing by Del Rey/Random House (graphic novels) and Firebrand Media (magazines); among others.
• Promotions – a promotional support effort for the series with McDonald’s is set for later this year and in 2010.  Additionally, beginning in late 2009, Royal Caribbean International will feature an exclusive Hot Wheels Battle Force 5 promotional program.

Nickelodeon and Viacom Consumer Products (NVCP) has signed two international consumer electronics licensing deals with The Linmark Group in Hong Kong and Sakar International based in the US.  These deals mark the first time NVCP has extended its consumer electronic lines outside the US.  The new consumer electronic ranges will be based on Nickelodeon’s properties including SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer, Go, Diego, Go!, Ni-Hao Kai-Lan and The Backyardigans (in Latin America only); as well as iCarly.  The lines will rollout across 59 territories around the world.

Chorion signs a number of licensing deals for The World of Eric Carle in the US and Europe and has appointed a new agent, CPLG, for the property in Benelux.

• New deals in the US: Crayola (large format coloring book); JEM (tees for juniors and kids); Zoobies (3-in-1 plush, pillow, blanket concept); and Carson-Dellosa (classroom products including bulletin board sets, borders, cut-outs and work holders); Leapfrog Enterprises will produce the Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See? book for its Tag Junior system; and back again this summer, Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill and Bar will distribute a themed Family Activity Booklet throughout the Spring.
• In Europe, CPLG has signed its first deal with Interstat (stationery).
• In the UK: This month a new real garden, The Very Hungry Caterpillar Edible Garden, is set to open in St. Albans.  Part of the Butterfly World Project, families will be able to walk around the garden, which will also feature a large scale Caterpillar sculpture; Character World has been awarded the license to produce bedroom ranges (duvet covers, curtains, cushions, towels, blankets and rugs) and Trademark Collections will produce a range of kid’s bags.

Classic Media and Aykroyds & TDP ink a five-year license renewal to continue producing nightwear and swimwear lines for its newly refreshed Postman Pat SDS brand in the UK.  The five-year deal, which runs through to December 2013, is an extension of Aykroyds & TDP’s long term relationship with Postman Pat and includes PJ’s, shortie sets, briefs and vests, dressing gowns, and swimwear for Kids 12 months – 6 years.  The new Postman Pat SDS series debuted on CBeebies in fall 2008.

MGM celebrates 45th anniversary of The Pink Panther with a licensing program to support the animated Pink Panther & Pals series, which will debut on Cartoon Network in 2010.  At the Licensing Show this week, MGM will also feature a sneak peak at the new K4-8 aimed series.  Other Pink Panther related licensing news, more grown-up targeted, includes Avex Nation’s concert series “a-nation” where Pink Panther goes blue for 2009, Comme des Garcons, Cris Conf’s “Pinko” line and Thomas Pink’s high-end dress shirts efforts with Pink Panther.  Also at the show this week MGM will also showcase programs for the upcoming movie Fame releasing September 25, 2009, and SGU: Stargate Universe, the new season launches on Sci Fi Channel, BSKyB and other networks from October 2009.  MGM has inked new licensing partners for Fame, including with Blues Clothing, NTD Apparel, Jerry Leigh, and S. Goldberg & Co.

RATINGS

Live + Same Day Ratings Kids Cable Network Averages (000) for Thursday, May 28, 2009, 6am-11pm, ranked by K2-11:
DISNEY CHANNEL:    K2-11 1025; K6-11 680; TWEENS 9-14 519
NICKELODEON:         K2-11   970; K6-11 490; TWEENS 9-14 370
CARTOON NETWORK: K2-11   496; K6-11 299; TWEENS 9-14 207
DISNEY XD:               K2-11   160; K6-11   91; TWEENS 9-14   64
Source: MTVN Research from Nielsen Media Research Data

Live + Same Day Ratings Kids Cable Network Averages (000) for Friday, May 29, 2009, 6am-11pm, ranked by K2-11:
NICKELODEON:          K2-11 1145; K6-11 578; TWEENS 9-14 393
DISNEY CHANNEL:     K2-11   916; K6-11 633; TWEENS 9-14 533
CARTOON NETWORK: K2-11   513; K6-11 364; TWEENS 9-14 279
DISNEY XD:               K2-11   143; K6-11   95; TWEENS 9-14   64
Source: MTVN Research from Nielsen Media Research Data

Answer to Yesterday’s Trivia Question:   Who works for the United Biscuit Company?  KEEBLER ELVES  Kudos to: Christopher Byrne-TimetoPlayMag.com/NY; William “Chip” Beaman-Soundelux Design Music Group/Hollywood

Today’s Trivia Question:  The password “Bismark” will gain you access to what? (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.)

Later — Gwen
 Gwen Billings for Cynopsis Kids!
06.02.09

Cynopsis Ad Sales:
Chuck Bolkcom, Pres/COO – 646-468-6180 / [email protected]
Classifieds – Trish Pihonak- 203-926-9878 / [email protected]

To subscribe to any Cynopsis edition(s) click here . 
To unsubscribe , click here or click the button at the end of this email.

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

JOB OPENING: SALES PLANNER/TV One/NY: prepare post analysis, prepare advertiser’s scheds; create presentations; research; track liability schedules. Exp sales/plnnig preferred. Visit www.tvoneonline.com to apply. (6/6)

JOB OPENING: DIGITAL PRODUCTION COORDINATOR/NYC: Seeking FT with strong Excel skills, self-motivated, able to work in a fast-paced, evolving and dynamic environment, ent. industry experience required. Apply: [email protected] (6/6)

JOB OPENING: SR. MGR, RESEARCH/Music Choice: Support sales, mrktng& prgrmng initiatives across multiple platforms w/accurate & actionable research. BA/BS, plus 6-8 yrs relevant media research exp. required [email protected] (6/6)

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH ANALYST/Screenvision Cinema/NYC: 2-4 yrs exp; proficient w/Nielsen & Research systems. Ability to analyze data & execute for sales in fast pace environ. Apply at www.screenvision.com (6/5)

JOB OPENING: ENT CAREER COUNSELOR (LA temp FT thru Sep 09): Career support to grad students in young, unique Carnegie Mellon mgmt prog. Advise on career paths & job srch, dvlp ntwrks w/in ent industry. Info: heinz .cmu.edu/MEIMCS (6/5)

JOB OPENING: DIR DVLPMNT/2C MEDIA/LA or NYC: Creative, aggressive idea generator to oversee dev. Net or prod co dev exp a must w/demonstrated series picked up to air & casting exp a +. Res: [email protected]  2Cmedia.com (6/5)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR NAT ACCTS/Los Angeles: Dist ntwks/prdcts/srvcs aff cbl/sat/telco dist/srvc nat accts/neg carge/5+ yrs sles w/ cble/new media exp
https://www.abso.com/jobboard/Default.aspx?JOBBOARDID=507&JobDetail=58104 (6/4)

JOB OPENING: SR DIR COMMUNICATIONS/iVillage/NY: Develop & lead creative communications plans centered around editorial content/community stories/talent/business wins. Min 7 yrs exp.
www.nbcunicareers.com job#1058374 (6/4)

JOB OPENING: SR MGR MKTG/ABC Daytime/SOAPNet/LA: Mng/execute mktg strategy initiatives; lead devl of digital mktg/social netwk strat; 4+yrs enter /consumer mktg exp. Apply www.disneycareers.com , Req ID# 191605 (6/4)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR, OUT OF HOME DEVELOPMENT/mtvU/NYC: 5+ yrs exp w/Digital Out of Home Sales, Strg OOH contacts w/agencies and clients, Successful track record in building partnerships EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (6/3)

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 INTERNSHIP CREDIT ONLY: Looking for star students to intern for “The Dr. Oz Show” & Zo Co Productions in NYC! Students must be able to receive college credit. Send resumes and cover letters to [email protected] (6/5)

SUMMER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: RLR Associates Ltd. (NYC) seeks intern w/interest in Entertainment w/ strong creative, research & writing skills. Word, Excel, Powerpt. 4-5 days/wk Resume to Bella: [email protected] (6/4)

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: CELEBRITY TALENT BOOKER/RESEARCHER LA Looking for long-term freelance or staff position. Solid PR contacts, incredible research skills, great problem-solver. References on request. [email protected] (6/9)

SITUATION WANTED: EVENTS/PRODUCTION/TALENT BOOKING, COORD’N & MGMT NY – Produce high-profile int’l events/productions; corporate/non-profit; nat’l TV credits, superb contacts. Freelance or FT. Contact Jodi: [email protected] (6/9)

SITUATION WANTED: 3+ yrs as a dynamic, exp & results oriented sales professional w/ an extensive track record of creating new buz opportunities in North/Central America, Europe/Caribbean. MA graduate, email [email protected] (6/9)

SITUATION WANTED: EXPERIENCED GRAPHIC DESIGNER (LA) Reality-TV, Film, Commercial, Documentaries & Corporate. Creative & Flexible. Seeking Freelance or Staff Position, Remote or In-House. Reel & Contact Info: www.ChaztizedMedia.com (6/9)

SITUATION WANTED: PRODUCER/WRITER/DIR. All things non-fiction. Vh1, NBC, TLC, CMT, CNN, E!.; field and post; reality treatments and sales tapes.
3 Emmy noms. [email protected] LA based, can travel. (6/9)

SITUATION WANTED: RESEARCH DIRECTOR 20+ yrs media, Nielsen, Hispanic, research & sales experience. Save money over a FT director. Let’s talk.Email: [email protected] (6/9)

SITUATION WANTED: SCRIPT DOCTOR/PROD w 16 yrs as Brdcst exec can consult/edit/polish your TV/film/web pitch/bible/screenplay. Credits inc. DeGrassi, DaVinci, Dragon Boys. Exp w/ convergence models No freebies. Contact: [email protected] (6/6)

SITUATION WANTED: PROD/DIR/DEV: strong work ethic, able to communicate & utilize creative outside the box thinking.Live action& animation exp. in Film/TV/Web w/credits.LA based, will relocate. [email protected] (6/6)

SITUATION WANTED: Highly experienced HR/Talent Acquisition Specialist with 10+ years of experience within the creative, finance and IT spaces seeks a contract and/or full-time opportunity. Please contact via [email protected]. (6/6)

SITUATION WANTED: Recent Hofstra Grad with strong ad sales/media buying background looking for SALES ASSISTANT position, contact [email protected] for more information. (6/6)

SITUATION WANTED: Director of RESEARCH in LA at TV network shifting to synd looking for Freelance or Perm opps. 10 yrs exp. Vast knowledge of nat’l & local utilities (Nielsen/WRAP/Simmons/Scarborough/TNS-MI/comScore). [email protected] (6/5)

SITUATION WANTED: SALES PRO with 15+ years broadcast sales, broadcast management, and cable sales experience is looking for a Senior Sales Position. I am willing to relocate.  Email: [email protected] (6/5)

SITUATION WANTED: 20 + yrs. experience in TV Broadcasting & Cable ACCOUNTING/FINANCE. Seeking FT, PT or Temporary position: immediate start. Please contact [email protected] (6/5)

SITUATION WANTED: WRITER/ PRODUCER -TV producer w/ 15 yrs exp producing long& short form prgrmng. Directed studio shoots & field pieces. Enjoys ‘telling a good story!’ Available FT or freelance. Contact: [email protected] (6/5)

SITUATION WANTED: AWARD-WINNING REALITY PRODUCER/DIRECTOR/WRITER/TALENT. Versatile, Dependable and Indefatigable! References and Samples available. Contact email: [email protected] (6/5)

SITUATION WANTED: 5 PRIME TIME EMMYS/ DOC. PROD, DIR., WRITER in L.A. Credits: National Geo, PBS, Discovery, History CH, TLC and MSNBC. Contact email: [email protected] (6/4)

SITUATION WANTED: Brand & Business Dev. Consultant —15+ yrs of profitable TV, media, corporate branding/mngmnt exp. Able to creatively pckg & strategically mkt you, your exp or business successfully. contact: [email protected] (6/4)

SITUATION WANTED: Media sales position wanted: 10yr veteran with onair, online and at event sales, planning, strategy and communication experience. British ex-pat based in California. [email protected] (6/4)

SITUATION WANTED: College Student. NJ/NY/CT. A summer internship with hands on exp (paid or unpaid). Majoring in Internat’l Business at Sacred Heart University, CT. Diligent; hard working; open to all industries. [email protected]   (6/4)

SITUATION WANTED: SALES PRO/NYC with 10+ years cable experience is looking for a sales position. Email: [email protected] (6/4)

SITUATION WANTED: CONTRACT ADMINISTRATOR/MANAGER: 10 yrs exp.in Contract/Sales Admin, avails, reporting, etc., looking to work out of home office, or locally in Rochester, NY. Contact e-mail: [email protected] (6/3)

E-mail [email protected] or call Trish Pihonak at 203.926.9878 for rates and specs for Job Openings.

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

Cynopsis Media LLC
One Corporate Drive, Suite 724
Shelton, CT 06484
203.926.9878

All outgoing e-mails are scanned and sent out virus free. Copyright Cynopsis 2009