Cynopsis: DIGITAL
5/22/07
Good Morning, it’s Tuesday, May 22, 2007 and this is your first early morning digital briefing.
Facebook will announce a new strategy this week to expand its social networking service to add content sharing features, reports The Wall Street Journal. Users will be able to recommend music, books, articles or shows to their network of friends, who in turn will be able to link to sponsored pages within the Facebook domain. Facebook has doubled its user base to 23 million in the past six months after dropping a requirement that all users have a high school or university email address, adding 100,000 new users a day according to the company. MySpace still dominates the space (see below), but Facebook is beginning to gain market share as complaints of spam and other annoyances on the News Corp.-owned site circulate around the web.
~ MULTIPLATFORM CONTENT NEWS ~
Digital cable network Concert.TV will add a broadband service this fall featuring searchable videos from “every genre and generation” of music, community networking features and user generated submissions allowing viewers add their own videos, photos and reviews. The linear version of Concert.TV is currently in over 17 million cable homes. The network has carriage deals with Comcast, Charter and Cox.
YouTube launched a “Sketchies” comedy contest with the help of Lazy Susan-creators The Lonely Island and sponsor Sierra Mist. Users must submit three comedic sketches from May 24 to be considered for prizes such as a meeting with a talent agency or tickets to the premiere of Hot Rod, The Lonely Island’s first feature film debuting this summer.
National Geographic Digital Media announced it will distribute short form video segments on extreme weather, environmental news and green living produced for NationalGeographic.com to YouTube.
Speaking of which, Sundance Channel‘s environmental expert judges have narrowed the field of entrants to its user-generated “What’s the Big Idea?” Eco-Contest down to 25 videos. Voting to pick the 5 finalists ends May 31.
Travel Channel acquired online tourism magazine World Hum, planning to integrate the site’s content onto TravelChannel.com.
Cartoon Network.com extended its year-long Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends Interactive Game for an additional six months, adding several new features in the process. Players will be able to perform adventures and duties, purchase goods, play games and watch movie clips in a new area on the site each month. Over 13 million users have registered to play so far, making it the network’s most popular game.
Scholastic News will expand an earlier partnership with NBC News to cover the 2008 Presidential elections, sending 10-14 year-old news reporters out in the field to interview candidates and journalists and occasionally sharing coverage on NBC News programs. MSNBC sponsored Scholastic Kids’ coverage of the last debates at South Carolina University and the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.
ABC’s World News webcast will be made available 2 1/2 hours earlier at 12:30 pm ET from this week. On demand viewing of the Charles Gibson-anchored telecast will be available shortly thereafter via iTunes, RSS readers and mobile phones.
~ INNOVATORS & START-UPS ~
JTN Productions launched JewishTVNetwork.com, a broadband network geared toward Jewish interests and sensibilities. Organized around a collection of 10 thematic channels, the site launched with over 250 video clips taken from JTN’s archive of entertainment, lifestyle, educational and news-related programming. Partnerships with Jewish dating site J-Date and a daily English language broadcast from Israel Broadcasting will be added to the site soon, according to JTN CEO Jay Sanderson, along with more content from the JTN catalog.
Mobile video provider MyCorner.com launched a mobile video user-generated content and social networking service. The ad-supported service requires no client download and enables users to upload, share and interact with videos on their mobile phone. It also enables users to upload videos from phone & PC, watch, rate and comment via their mobile phone and share them with their friends instantaneously. Access the network by entering the URL (m.mycorner.com) in the phone’s browser. Third Screen Media is MyCorner’s ad partner.
Brand management firm Character Arts LLC launched an online talent agency to handle TV, print, radio, outdoor and internet ad licensing requests for Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer.
~ TECHNOLOGY DEALS, MERGERS AND SKIRMISHES ~
MySpace unveiled a plan to cooperate with state attorneys general to provide data it has gathered on registered sex offenders through a partnership with identity verification firm Sentinel Tech Holding.
~ DIGITAL ADVERTISING ~
Yahoo! is hot-to-trot to acquire social networking site Bebo, according to The Telegraph, offering as much as $1 billion for the site that is the U.K.’s top social network and has 25 million users worldwide. This would be Yahoo’s second pass at the company; a $1 billion offer made last year was rejected.
MediaSpan added an additional 75 newspaper and local television websites to its network of over 1,300 local website affiliates, including Freedom Communications, Jones Media and Select Alternatives properties. MediaSpan coordinates display ads, audio streaming, email and pre-roll video marketing options through a single point of contact for sales, management, tracking and delivery.
ValueClick disclosed it is under investigation by the Federal Trade Commission for its lead generation practices in a filing with the SEC, according to MediaPost. The online integrated marketing company, expected to be one of the next takeover targets in the internet ad space, was singled out in a report by RBC Capital Markets in late April for deceptive tactics such as using the word “free” when multiple purchases are required.
~ TRENDS, RESEARCH, ETC. ~
MySpace continues to dominate the social networking universe with 57 million U.S. visitors in April, according to Nielsen/Net Ratings. But Facebook is gaining fast with 14.4 million users last month, growing three times faster than its News Corp. rival in the past year. Hitwise estimates MySpace accounted for a quarter of all traffic to social networks in April, compared to 2.85% for Facebook.
Market Share of US Internet Visits to Top 20 Social Networking Sites in April, 2007:
Rank Site Market Share
1. MySpace 79.70%
2. Facebook 11.47%
3. Bebo 1.28%
4. Imeen 1.03%
5. BlackPlanet .087%
Source: Hitwise
Companies will spend $900 million in the US and $330 million outside the US on social network advertising in 2007, eMarketer estimates. Although the lead players, MySpace and Facebook, will continue their strong performance, hundreds of new social networking sites will give them competition. Search advertising is one area of growth for social nets. Nearly half of the search marketers surveyed this month by iProspect and Jupiter Research said they placed content on social network-themed sites to drive traffic, create brand awareness, sell directly and influence purchasing decisions.
~ WEBSITE OF THE DAY ~
The TV Writers Vault is a web-based TV industry project database used by major production companies and networks on the lookout for new show ideas, scripts and properties for production in all TV genres. For aspiring writers and producers it can be a digital doorway into the industry. Members can pitch ideas, treatments or scripts, monitor a project’s status in real time and follow “mandates and trends” of what’s selling in the industry. Each 30-day posting costs $39.95. TV Writers Vault was created and developed by Scott Manville, former lead Development Executive for Merv Griffin Entertainment.
Thanks to: Tim Centner, The Ingenuity Factory
A new website will be featured here everyday for you to check out. Some are TV-centric, some creative, some just plain strange, but all have something to do with this crazy business. Email me your suggestions at wayne@cynopsis.com and if I include the site you mention, your name, company and city will be credited. Only one mention per calendar week, to make it fair.
Later — Wayne
Wayne Karrfalt for Cynopsis: Digitals
05.22.07
Cynopsis Ad Sales: Mark Bohn- 203- 583-1224 / mark@cynopsis.com
Classifieds – Trish Pihonak- 203-926-9878 / trish@cynopsis.com
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Cyn opsis CLASSIFIEDS – For More classifieds, visit the Cynopsis.com classifieds page here
JOB OPENING: ADMIN ASST, PROGRAMMING/VERSUS/Stamford, CT: Asst VP and dept with day-to-day operations of busy, growing sports cable net Programming dept.Great entry-level opportunity.Apply at www.versus.com EOE (5/30)
JOB OPENING: FREELANCE MGR/MTV Integrated Marketing/Santa Monica, CA: 4+yrs exp. marketing at TV network or major ad agency. Must have strong bus. ethics & strong negotiation skills. Apply, www.mtvncareers.com EOE (5/30)
JOB OPENING: ACCT COORDINATOR/TNS MEDIA RESEARCH/NYC: 1+yrs research exp, Strong analytical/software/communication skills. Exp. in TV audience measurement or ad sales research a big plus!Res to: shawn.dilfield@tns-global.com (5/30)
JOB OPENING: ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS, PRODUCERS & FIELD PRODUCERS/NY based Nationally Syndicated TV show: All needed and each position must have experience in talk. RESUMES: TVTALKERS@AOL.COM (5/30)
JOB OPENING: INTEGRATED SALES & TRAFFIC COORD/LIME/NYC: Coordinating, executing & monitoring multi-platform advertising & sponsorship campaigns /Traffic process 2-3 yr media exp or advertising agency. Apply: jobs@lime.com (5/30)
JOB OPENING: PLANNER /Oxygen/NY: Support 2 AE’s in Direct Response w/ all aspects of sales. Must be detailed oriented w/strong comp skills and a team player. 2+ yr cable exp or advertising agency. Resume to: jobs@oxygen.com (5/30)
JOB OPENING: MARKETING MANAGER /Discovery Channel, Silver Spring, MD: Develop & manage strategic mktng & brand campaigns for the network. 5+ yrs advertising/mktng exp. TV exp preferred. Apply at www.discovery.com Req#5257 (5/26)
JOB OPENING: ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT/DISNEY * ABC DOMESTIC TV/NYC: Full admin. support to 3 sales execs. Professional/excellent interpersonal skills. Detail Oriented. Resumes: chad.lapp@disney.com (5/26)
JOB OPENING: SR SALES RESEARCH ANALYST/CBS NETWORK SALES/NYC: Min 3 yrs agency planning &/or network research exp. Strong comp. skills/media research dbase exp req. Apply: www.CBSCareers.com job #2103. Indicate salary & source (5/26)
JOB OPENING: ASST. DIRECTOR, CREATIVE SERVICES/KABC-TV: Exp news promo writing & producing a must. Excellent people skills required. Resume & reel: ABC7 LA, HR, Dept. ADC/CYN, 500 Circle Seven Drive, Glendale, CA 91201. EOE. (5/26)
JOB OPENING: SR DIR, DEV & PRGM/HISTORY CHANNEL/NY: Resp for dvlpmnt & piloting of prgrmng. Min 5yrs exp in prgmng at a cable,brdcst net or prod co. Strong knwldg of tv/film prod techniques. Apply: www.aetn.com click careers tab (5/26)
JOB OPENING: MKTG MGR/NBCU Strategic Mrktg/NY: Dev multi-platform, integ’d partnerships for clients, collaborate w/Res/Insights& Innov team. 4yrs+ exp mktg w/in ent& media co. Apply, www.nbcunicareers.com , Job # 581114 or 581116 (5/25)
JOB OPENING: MARKETING DIRECTOR/Rainbow/NYC: Create & manage marketing/promo strategy for Lifeskool On Demand TV Network. Min 7 yrs exp creating consumer mktg plans to drive awareness/viewership/revenue. hdnjobs@cablevision.com (5/25)
JOB OPENING: MULTI-PLATFORM MARKETING MGR/Rainbow Media/NYC: Create online branding/marketing/promo campaigns for Lifeskool & Sportskool on demand. Manage web content/programming. Min 3 yrs online exp. hdnjobs@cablevision.com (5/25)
JOB OPENING: CFO/iNDEMAND/NYC: Oversee all accounting/finance functions and business systems. Bus partner to CEO. CPA required, MBA a plus. Send resume: resume@indemand.com (5/25)
JOB OPENING: BROADCAST SALES/AMS PRODUCTION GROUP/DALLAS: www.amspg.com , 5yrs sales exp. landing and managing broadcast accounts and long form projects. Apply: jobs@amspg.com. (5/25)
JOB OPENING: MARKETING – PRODUCTION MGR/Discovery Nets/Silver Spring, MD: Business mgmt & cost control of promo production. 5 yrs prod exp, AICP bids exp, negotiation skills, cable/broadcast. Apply: www.discovery.com , Req#5221 (5/25)
JOB OPENING: RETAIL MARKETING MGR/VIZ Media/SF: *5 yrs retail or product dev exp, anime/manga, publishing, ent, home video, consumer prod, and/or channel marketing fields PREFERRED Apply: jobs@viz.com (5/25)
JOB OPENING: ASSOCIATE SALES DIRECTOR/IMS, New York: Sell IMS software to agency and media accounts. 5+years industry experience. Sales experience a must. IMS application/database experience a+. www.nielsen.com/careers #3292BR (5/25)
JOB OPENING: RESEARCH ANALYST/SCRIPPS NETWORKS/KNOXVILLE, TN: 2 yrs exp in media research or marketing pref’d. Exp with Nielsen & MRI systems a plus. Degree in related field req’d. Res: recruiter@scrippsnetworks.com job # 6064-U (5/25)
JOB OPENING: OPERATIONS ADMINISTRATOR/Weather Channel/NY: providing support of proposal, traffic, and sales systems to Cable Ad sales. Exp with Dealmaker and VCI. Please apply online at www.weather.com/careers ref VSA004. (5/24)
JOB OPENING: CONTRACT ADMIN/Rainbow/NYC area: Draft agreements, coord. Right clearances re film & TV product, keep databases. Exp in clearances, paralegal or contract admin in legal dept. Apply to req 2991 at www.cablevision.jobs (5/24)
JOB OPENING: SUPERVISING PROD/SHOWRUNNER/NY: Travel/Lifestyle/Food series -Significant food experience w/reel to match, excellent writing, editorial & mgmnt skills. Immediately. Resume to: productioninfonyc@gmail.com (5/24)
JOB OPENING: BS&P EDITOR/ABC TV Net/LA: Review scripts/rough cuts, alt series, work w/network & prod staff on location; detailed/critical thinking/writing; BA reqd; MA or JD & prod exp a plus. Visit www.disneycareers.com Req 64121 (5/23)
JOB OPENING: SALES PLANNER/MUSIC CHOICE/LOS ANGELES: Responsible for managing proposal process for Video/TV ad sales. Must have 2+ years in sales planning atad agency or network. jobs@musicchoice.com (5/23)
JOB OPENING: MANAGER, CORP. COMM/CMT/ Nashville: Dvlp & implement media campaigns for various channel prgrmng. Exc media contacts & TV exp. Min of 5-7 yrs of PR exp, with 2-5 yrs in a Mngmnt role. Apply at www.mtvncareers.com (5/23)
JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR BUS DEV INTEG MKTG/Nickelodeon/NY: BA; 5-7yr exp mktg/promo; Develop multi-platform, integ partnerships for non-endemic clients. Creative media mktg/sales savvy prof. EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (5/23)
JOB OPENING: DVD PRODUCTION ASST/Silver Spring, MD: Process & test products; Great PC, organization, comm. skills a must. Pref. B.A. & Mac. Fast-paced envir., great benefits. Resume, ltr, to HRManager@acornmedia.com EOE (5/23)
JOB OPENING: MGR/SR PUBLICIST, COMMUNICATIONS/MTV/NYC. 4+yrs PR exp, Corp Comm, PR & media relations, Strong media contacts, written & comm. skills, Knowledge of MTV brand EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (5/23)
JOB OPENING: ANALYST, AD SALES RESEARCH/MTV/NYC: 1+yrs research exp, Strong analytical/detail &org skills, Knowledge of TV/Tech/Nielsens & Strong PC Skills EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (5/23)
JOB OPENING: SENIOR MANAGER, RESEARCH/MTV/NYC. 5+yrs research exp, Strg analytical/detail & org skills, Knowledge of TV/Tech/Nielsens, Strong PC Skills & knowledge of MTV/pop-culture EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (5/23)
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 trish@cynopsis.com .
SUMMER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: INTERN NEEDED. We are a management/production company in Hollywood. Clients include rappers, singer, actors, and directors. Need someone to help with GENERAL OFFICE DUTIES. Contact Adam at adam@releve-ent.com. (5/24)
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