A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM RETIREMENT LIVING TV

Cynopsis: DIGITAL

05/20/08

Good morning, it’s Tuesday, May 20, 2008, and this is your first early morning digital briefing.

Apple is working behind the scenes to get major music labels to increase the catalog of songs available for download to the iPhone, reports The New York Times. The company wants to add more ringtones as well, and be able to offer downloads directly to the iPhone instead of making consumers upload them from their hard drive. Not surprisingly the music labels have their own list of demands. Direct downloads should cost more, they figure. And like NBC, they would like pricing flexibility – the ability to charge more for hits and less for library product. Universal Music Group wants Apple to build a system offering music downloads with an expiration date, but the two sides cannot agree on a price.

Univision unveiled the most extensive on demand library of Spanish-language content yet assembled on VOD. Scheduled to launch in Jan. 2009, the broadcaster promises more than 1,000 hours of sports, news, movies and entertainment offerings from Univision, TeleFutura and Galavision, including matches from the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

African American-targeted TVOne announced plans to launch a 24-hour HD simulcast channel before year-end.

Call for Content: myLifetime.com is asking fans to log on and create their own Lifetime Movie Mashups splicing together scenes from a collection of 15 full-length Lifetime originals. The gushy nature of Lifetime’s tearjerkers should provide plenty of grist for the mill. They’ve even created a clever tutorial to take you through how to use the mash up tool, powered by Gotuit.

Call for Content: Kids are invited to belt out their own renditions of a song from the High School Musical Movies for a chance to see their mugs on the Disney Channel‘s upcoming airings of the movies on Friday June 13.

Call for Content: Lifetime, CosmoGIRL! And Declare Yourself launched a video/written essay contest asking women entrants to answer the question, “What Would You Do If You Were President?” Sixteen winners, judged by a panel of distinguished women, win a trip to either National Convention to meet the country’s top women in politics.

Google launched an online Health portal, offering users a place to store their personal health records to make it easier for doctors to retrieve them. Google claims the normal privacy protection law that protects health records doesn’t apply to the service, but promises users will have complete control over which records they share. (Which begs the question, how is a doctor going to know if they’re seeing the whole truth?) The company discussed details of the service including such privacy issues during a factory tour yesterday.

Digital media creator ON Networks will begin to distribute a selection of its online shows to Verizon FiOS TV customers in HD format through the service’s VOD platform, including Backpack Picnic, Dinner with the Band and Proper Ollie.

WCSN.com announced it is developing a newly redesigned web platform with on demand web sports broadcaster JumpTV, featuring its “One Fan” customer relationship management (CRM) solution. The new platform, slated to launch later this spring, will include a broadband video channel, e-commerce applications, multiplatform content distribution and social networking capabilities.

How’s this for simple. JVC announced a handheld camcorder, the .6 lbs. GZ-MS100, that features one-button uploading to YouTube. Connect the camera to a Windows PC via USB or SD card and press the upload button and the application automatically uploads up to 10 minutes of video to YouTube.com. The JVC GZ-MS100 will be available in June for $349.99.

History and electricArtists launched the History Channel Widget powered by Clearspring, keeping users up to date on its latest series featuring photos, videos, “This Day in History” and special offers from the History online store.

Another strike could be looming. The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists warned members in an email not to expect a quick resolution to the thorny issue of consent for online use of its work. Like SAG, AFTRA is objecting to producers’ proposal to pay a flat fee for online distribution in return for not having to obtain artists’ consent. SAG held a town hall meeting last night in LA to update members on contract talks.

AOL closed on its $850 million acquisition of Bebo. The social networking site will form the centerpiece of AOL’s newly created People Networks unit to be run by Bebo CEO Joanna Shields, combining Bebo, AIM, ICQ and other online communities reaching a collective 80 million users worldwide. AOL’s Platform A will take over Bebo’s ad operations in Australia, Ireland and the UK once its current deal with Yahoo expires in Sept. 2009.

Electronics Arts extended the deadline of its unsolicited tender offer for Grand Theft Auto publisher Take-Two Interactive to June 16, saying it will give the FTC more time to review the merger. Take-Two remained unmoved, complaining the offer undervalues its “exceptional portfolio of intellectual property.” Presumably they’re talking about GTA IV, which racked up $500 million in sales during its first week on the market.

The NCTA and Tivo reported progress on switched digital external tuning adapters submitted for testing at CableLabs. The adapters will allow Tivo customers to access the increasing amount of digital cable channels delivered by using bandwidth-saving switched digital technology.

Online ad revenues increased by over 25% at the New York Times Co., after growing by a less robust 15.6% in April 2007. The About group, including About.com, ConsumerSearch.com, UCompareHealthCare.com and Calorie-Count.com saw a declining 14.2% bump. According to Nielsen Online, NYTimes.com had 17.9 million unique visitors in April versus 13.7 million in April 2007 – up about 30% – and remained the No. 1 newspaper site in the U.S.

Efforts are still underway in several smaller U.S. cities to use municipal funds to improve broadband infrastructure and speeds despite several high profile public Wi-Fi failures, according to the WSJ. Some 60 towns and cities have built fiber networks capable of faster connections than what the cable or telecom providers offer. Some, like Chattanooga, plan to use their network to deliver triple play (TV, internet, phone) services.

Danny Passman and John Schultz have joined Joost as Global Head of Programming Strategy and Director of Programming Strategy, respectively. The two former Dailymotion content gurus will work on developing programming strategies and increasing viewership of the platform.

Joe Damiano has been tapped as Director of the Southwest Region for TheStreet.com, coming from RealCities where he managed Southwest-area sales.  He will be based in the company’s new Los Angeles office. In addition, TheStreet.com, Inc. has hired Sally Zeman as the company’s Chicago-based Midwest Director.  Prior to joining the company, Sally spent three years at Bankrate.com where she managed sales across the Midwest.

Disney Online added former Nielsen Online executive James Smith as VP/Advertising Sales, Western Region. James is responsible for leading all western region media sales efforts for Disney Online and its flagship Web sites including Disney.com and Disney Family.com. He reports to Brad Davis, SVP & West Coast multimedia lead of the Media Advertising Sales and Marketing Group.

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM electricArtists

Big news for the easy to use, make-your-own Wiki site Wetpaint.com. Besides landing a cash injection of $25 million from DAG Ventures and another unnamed investor, the Seattle-based start-up unveiled a new embeddable version of its wiki generation tool. Now users can create their own ad supported interactive wikis that reside on their own site instead of Wetpaint’s, thus getting credit for the traffic. (An ad rev share will kick in after the first 100,000 visits.) Wikis continue to grow like wildfire on the web and by eliminating HTML code writing from the equation, Wetpaint has lowered the barrier of entry for the technically challenged. Entertainment brands such as Fox, Showtime, Travel Channel and Warner Bros. Telepictures have used the platform to build communities around their shows. Wetpaint Injected creates a new business model around the application that should benefit small and large publishers alike. Wetpaint founder/CEO Ben Elowitz says the platform’s secret weapon is its ability to entice community members to create content around a topic far more compelling than what professionals can turn out. “Users are a better source of original content than content producers because there are so many of them and their creativity is unbounded,” he said.

Later — Wayne
Wayne Karrfalt for Cynopsis: Digital
05.20.08

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A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM CYNOPSIS MEDIA: TOP TIER

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

JOB OPENING: ONLINE MEDIA PLANNER/NYC: 1+Online media planning/buying exp.; Proven ability managing multiple campaigns & client relationships; Entertainment industry client exp. a PLUS! Contact [email protected]  (5/27)

JOB OPENING: VP, WOMEN@NBCU RESEARCH/NBCU/NYC:  Dev. rsrch strategy incl ROI measurement. High visibility opp. Ext. cross-sectional analytic bckgrd req’d, incl cross-platform, primary, & sales rsrch Apply @ www.nbcunicareers.com  (815762)  (5/27)

JOB OPENING: ACCT MGR/BET Ad Sales NY: Cable Salesperson5+yrs exp.Strong presentation skills. Comfortable w/multi-platform & integrated opps.Sales/Agency exp. required. Email Resume: [email protected] (5/27)

JOB OPENING: ADMIN ASST/BET Ad Sales NY: 2-3yrs exp. Must be det. oriented & have ability to multi-task in fast paced environment. Proficient in MS Word/Excel/PP. Exc oral/written skills. Email Resume: [email protected] (5/27)

JOB OPENING: TRAFFIC/CLEARANCE/DYNAMIC NYC MEDIA BUYING/PLAN’G AGENCY:  Handle all client commercial clearances & TV trafficking to networks. 1yr exp a + but college appl welcome. Cptr skills needed. Contact: [email protected]   (5/27)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR, AD SALES/MUSIC CHOICE/NY: 5+ yrs nat’l ad sales exp with strong relationships, proven track record of success, exp selling multi-platform/integrated ops a +. [email protected] (5/27)

JOB OPENING: ASSOC RESEARCH ANALYST/CNN Digital/NY: Support sales & research across multiple digital platforms. BA, Strong analytical aptitude, relevant internships pref’d. Apply: [email protected]  EOE (5/27)

JOB OPENING: SR PRODUCER/Reach Media, Inc/Dallas:  Experienced for the nationally syndicated Tom Joyner Morning Show to impact audience of 8 million four hours daily. Send materials to [email protected]. EOE. (5/27)

JOB OPENING:  RESEARCH SPECIALIST/(The CW/New York): Sales Media Research Analyst experience. Proficient w/Galaxy,  NPower, Adviews & MRI. Team player, ability to juggle many projects.  Email:   [email protected] RE: UCTC/98308BR  (5/24)

JOB OPENING: SUPERSTAR SALES DIRECTOR: Needed For Tribeca Internet Company. Sell the CPM inventory at theU.com and partner sites. Must be aggressive and self motivated. Contact:  [email protected]  include your resume and sales history  (5/24)

JOB OPENING: VP, MKTG & LICENSING/NY, 4Kids Entertainment, Inc:  Brand Marketer, Client Services, Strategic, Creative, Team Oriented w/ exp in Toys & Games Mkting/Dev., min. of 10 yrs exp. BS req.  Resume to:  [email protected] (5/23)

JOB OPENING: MGR PLANNING & SCHEDULING/USA NETWORK/NYC: Manage all day-to-day on-air promo scheduling, including scheduling all on-air promotion in the traffic system. 3-4 yrs exp and BA degree req. Go to www.nbcjobs.com 820304 (5/23)

JOB OPENING: DEV ASST/LA:  Need long term temp to support VP of Devt at major cable network. Hard working,  highly organized/eager to help. Incredibly fast past paced office. Submit resumes to:  [email protected] (5/23)

JOB OPENING: TELEVISION PROGRAM ESTIMATOR/NYC:  2+ years exp estimating broadcast television programming for Upfront in a media/advertising agency. Freelance assignment  lasting approx. 3-4 wks.  Apply [email protected] (5/23)

JOB OPENING: MANAGER CONTENT DISTRIBUTION/FUSE/MSG Media-Santa Monica office:  3 yrs exp & travel required. For more info and to apply, go to www.thegarden.com and click on employment   (5/23)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR CONTENT DISTRIBUTION/FUSE/MSG Media-NY Office: 5 yrs related exp. required. For more info and to apply, go to www.thegarden.com and click on employment  (5/23)

JOB OPENING: AUDIO/POST PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR/NICKELODEON/NY: Sup & schedl audio for animated series, incld post SFX/mix/layback & delivery. Exp w/music, cast, direct, producing A+. Email:  [email protected]  (5/23)

JOB OPENING: PRODUCER, SHORT-FORM ORG. PROGRAMMING-LOGO/MTV/NYC: 4+yrs Programming exp, Strg editorial skills, Knwldge of content creation mobile/wireless. Knwldge of LOGO brands. EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (5/22)

JOB OPENING: SALES ASST-DR/SUPERSTATION WGN/NY: Provide admin. & sales support to DR Dept; order entry, confirmations, pre & post logs to clients, etc. Apply @ [email protected] (5/22)

JOB OPENING:  PRODUCER/SCRIPPS NETWORKS (HGTV/DIY/Food/FL/GAC) Knox: 5+ yrs prod exp long/short form Lifestyle TV/taped live/Online exp A+/exlent interpersonal skills. Full job descrip/apply at  www.scrippsnetworks.com Knoxville Based  (5/22)

JOB OPENING:  PR COORDINATOR/HGTV/New York: manage press inquiries, requests & events, liaison w/ HGTV talent & production companies, provide Admin support to PR team. 1-3 yrs PR exp. Full details & apply  www.scrippsnetworks.com (5/22)

JOB OPENING:  DIR PRODUCTION/LA: Mng movie prod for Disney Chl/ABC Family/Jetix; frm decision-mkg/budgt/prod to post. 7-10yrs TV, movie prod exp. Knowldg in guild and union agreemnts. Apply at: www.disneycareers.com Req# 162325  (5/22)

JOB OPENING: DIG ASSET & CONTENT MGR/Starzmedia/NYC: 3+yrs dig asst mgmt & databas, vid/aud & techncl format knowldg. Mang dig cont assets(lng/shrt-form vids/trlrs/clips/imgs/sound)for co. Dig Media div. Apply:  [email protected]  (5/21)

JOB OPENING: EXEC ASST to PRES/CEO TV prod/Burbank: Manage daily schedule & travel/roll& track calls/excellent oral & written skills/well organized. 2-4 yrs exp. MAC, Word, Excel, Filemaker, Entourage.  Apply: [email protected]    (5/21)

JOB OPENING: DIGITAL SALES PLANNER/AETN, NY: Create Proposals, steward accts, servicing orders. 2yrs exp in advertising or sales research. Exc comm skills. Apply: www.aetn.com/careers.html (5/21)

JOB OPENING: FREELANCE JUNKET WRITER-PRODUCER/HALLMARK CHANNEL/LA: Create 30 minute hosted entertainment pieces. 3-5 yrs. experience. See full posting and apply at www.hallmarkchannel.com (5/21)

JOB OPENING: GRAPHIC DESIGNER/WEB MASTER/Charles Drew University/LA, CA: Provide high-volume desktop publishing design for print, media, and marketing materials, website postings and updates. See full posting at www.cdrewu.edu (5/21)

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] .

SUMMER INTERNSHIP/CREDITS ONLY:  Film Prod. company and financier is looking for self starters. Learn all aspects of film production. Strng comm skills & good attitude, begin ASAP. thru summer. [email protected]  (5/23)

SUMMER INTERNSHIP/CREDITS ONLY:  MKTG/ON-AIR: Fox Reality Channel-LA – summer intern for mktg & on-air production. 30-40 hrs/wk. Majors: Mktg, Adv, PR/Comm, TV/Film. Skills: Writing & computer; On-Air Pro/Avid a plus. [email protected] (5/23)

SUMMER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY:  DIG MEDIA INTERN/Starzmedia/NYC: Undergrads/3.0+ GPA/currently enrolled in univ., 20-35 hrs/wk. Work on several chllnging projects (i.e. viral distrib and Broadband Channel comp. review) Apply: [email protected] (5/21)

SITUATION WANTED ADS, POSTED BY THOSE LOOKING TO BE HIRED … Interested in posting your Video Resume?  Contact [email protected] for more information ….

SITUATION WANTED: NY SHOW RUNNER/DIRECTOR: Accomplished 12 yr tv veteran exp’d in developing & producing all different formats:hidden camera, talk, sports, game show, sketch comedy & music perf.Contact: [email protected]  (5/27)

E-mail  [email protected] for rates and specs for Job Openings.

Interested in posting your Video Resume?  Contact [email protected] for more information ….

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