Cynopsis: DIGITAL

05/26/09

Good morning, it’s Tuesday, May 26, 2009, and this is your first early morning digital briefing. 

Microsoft plans to spend $80-$100 million to promote its new search engine that now has a name – “Bing,” per Ad Age. (This is a huge commitment considering the software giant’s entire ad budget was $25 million in 2008, according to TNS Media Intelligence.) Ad agency JWT has been hiring new creative executives to tackle the challenge. The campaign will be focused on convincing users that existing search engines just aren’t cutting it. 
 

 
A Russian investment group may become the next minority shareholder of Facebook, reports the WSJ. Digital Sky Technologies (DST) has offered to invest $200 million in the company, pegging its evaluation at $10 billion. As part of the deal, DST would buy between $100 million and $150 million common stock from employees looking to sell some of their shares. The investment would be Facebook’s first funding round since Microsoft acquired a 1.6% stake in the company for $240 million (an evaluation of $15 billion.)
 

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM PRODUCERS GUILD OF AMERICA

 
Google TV Ads began striking upfront marketing deals with agencies and advertisers for the first time this year, reports THR. The AdWords-based system enables targeted online buying across Dish Network homes as well as national spots on a growing list of cable networks by mining set-top box data for specific demographic information. Deutsch, Saatchi & Saatchi and Coldwell Banker have already committed to using the platform.
 
Online data analysis firm Webtrends released a beta version of its new Digital Marketing Maturity Model (DM3) solution last week, described as the first standardized model for determining the effectiveness of online marketing campaigns.
 

 
A federal judge responded to Craigslist‘s plea on Friday, temporarily blocking South Carolina attorney general from seeking to prosecute the classified website on prostitution and obscenity charges while the company prepares a lawsuit against the state. No trial date has yet been set.
 
Miami-based private equity firm H.I.G. Capital acquired production house PostWorks and its digital post-production facility subsidiary Orbit Digital.
 

 
As prosecutors continue to try and circle the wagons around Craigslist, the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project released some figures that indicate just how substantial the online classified market has become. Nearly half of online adults surveyed claimed to have visited online classified sites – up from just 22% in 2005. During the same three years, newspaper classified ad revenues have plummeted from $17.3 million in 2005 to $9.9 million in 2008. Craigslist is by far the online classified leader in the United States. In March 2009, classified sites averaged 53.8 million unique visitors – up 7% from February. Craigslist had 42.2 million unique visitors in the month of March.
 

 
The race to add video messaging functionality to Twitter is officially underway. San Francisco-based TwitVid.io has added a new way to upload webcam streams to your Twitter page with a click of a button, notes VentureBeat. Cross-town rival TwitVid.com has already matched the functionality, adding additional features including the ability to “retweet” and reply to video tweets directly from the site.
 

 
Former Microsoft and Crisp Wireless executive Michael Weaver has joined podcasting platform BlogTalkRadio as VP/Mobile Services and Strategy. Michael will be responsible for the development and promotion of BlogTalkRadio iPhone apps; CinchCast, the company’s newest product; and m.blogtalkradio.com, the company’s mobile site.
 

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE

 
One way for entertainment studios to limit the influence of Apple in digital distribution is to build vibrant sell-through portals of their own. Warner Bros. Entertainment‘s new WB.com is a slickly designed promotional and retail outlet that combines all the bells and whistles of a video sharing site with a comprehensive online store, WBShop.com. Immersive HD trailers showcase new theatrical, Blu-ray, DVD and game releases. The HD gallery and the browsing portal features cool visual interfaces – browse by category, title, genre or year. (Note: a Netflix-style recommendation engine may be helpful here in pointing users to titles they may not know about.) The site also organizes digital assets from the Warner catalog, archiving podcasts, wallpapers, screensavers, etc. The 3-D version of WB.com, powered by Exit Reality, allows users to create an avatar and meet friends to watch clips and trailers together. Marketers are working on creating events to drive traffic and sales, helping the huge push behind the latest Terminator release to hawk other goodies like the Terminator Salvation Funko Force Bobblehead. (No, I’m not making that up.) Best of all there’s no one telling you what you can and cannot charge. Unfortunately, digital downloads are formatted for PCs only as of now. And digital pricing is woefully unimaginative – download-to-own movies seem to be either $9.95 or $14.95. WBshop.com held a Memorial Day sale over the weekend offering more than 50 hard copy DVD titles for $6.95 each. Why not offer the same titles digitally for the same price?

Later — Wayne
 Wayne Karrfalt for Cynopsis: Digital
05.26.09

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: MGR NEW BIZ DVLPMNT/KIDZ BOP/NY: Resp for new biz outreach consumer goods licensing, tech, sponsorship, touring, kids’ TV& films, dig. & mobile apps. Exc written/oral skills/PPT/Excel/P&L’s. Apply: [email protected] (6/2)

JOB OPENING: SR DIR, DRTV MEDIA BUYER/Razor & Tie/NYC: Resp for set up & execution of successful DRTV campaign. Min 5 yrs exp. Req biz to biz sales exp in advert/ent/media. Must have TV/DRTV exp.Apply: [email protected] (6/2)

JOB OPENING: MANAGER, MEDIA PLANNING/LA: Develop/implement media plans/anlyz off-air media campaign/comp activity/rtngs/ROI/Mng vendors/identify ad concepts/products.   https://www.abso.com/jobboard/Default.aspx?JOBBOARDID=507&JobDetail=58020 (6/2)

JOB OPENING: NEW MEDIA SPECIALIST/AETN/NY:Asst ops AETN VOD & other new media initiatives. Strong proj mngmt exp within brdcst/cbl ind. Emerging media & VOD mktplace exp a +. Prof database apps a must. Apply: www.aetn.com/careers.html (6/2)

JOB OPENING: PR MANAGER/NY RANGERS: Obtain non-traditional and “off the ice” media coverage w/ focus on celebrity outreach. 5 yrs exp in ent. w/ established contacts. Rez to: [email protected] “PRNYR” in sub (5/30)

JOB OPENING: SR RSRCH ANALYST, AD SALES/ AETN/NYC: Strong analytical, strategic thinking/sales positioning/2+ yrs nat’l TV research exp, network/ad agency. Prof in Nielsen systems/MRI pref. Apply: www.aetn.com/careers.html (5/30)

JOB OPENING: ADMIN FOR THE DIST DEPT/GSN/CHICAGO: Report to Exec Dir. 2 yrs exp in telecommunications and/or cable TV. Research, presentations, event coordination. Word, Excel, Powerpt. Send resume and C/L to [email protected] (5/29)

JOB OPENING: SUPERVISOR/Univision NAT’L TV Sales /NY: Prior Brdcst exp req’d, Exe Asst exp pref’d. Detail-oriented, strong comm & orgnztnal skills, fluency in MS Office. 4 yr BA degree pref’d. Email: [email protected] EOE (5/29)

JOB OPENING: SVP CORP RSRCH/Discovery/MD: Proven leadership & rsrch exp, creative problem solver & strat thinker. Masters deg pref’d & 15 yrs exp Strong background new media/emerging tech. Apply: www.discovery.com/careers Job 8977 (5/28)

JOB OPENING: PRODUCERS/AP’S : LA based syndicated medical talk show. Experience in talk and/or medical required. Apply to: [email protected] (5/28)

JOB OPENING: MGR COMMUNICATIONS/LOGO/NYC: 5+ yrs PR exp. in TV programming media relations; media relations, executive and talent preparation, story placement B.A. related field. EOE/M/F/D/AAP www.mtvncareers.com (5/28)

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. Send resumes to: [email protected] (5/27)

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE

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:  Interns sought for MSLO Production’s live show “MARTHA” in NYC! Interns MUST be able to receive college credit. Candidates should send their resume to [email protected] w/ “Fall Internship” as the subject (6/2)

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: 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] (6/2)

SITUATION WANTED:  Recent Harvard grad and FREELANCE WRITER will do pretty much anything involving words and writing them. Currently writing for a Gawker blog. Hard worker, strong writer, great bargain. (NYC) [email protected] (5/30)

SITUATION WANTED: TV/PRINT/RADIO/ONLINE/EVENTS MRKTG/PRODUCTION EXPERT NY: Cost cutting, well rounded,client services expert who can get the job done. Fantastic references. Freelance or FT. [email protected] (5/30)

SITUATION WANTED: AWARD-WINNING FREELANCE CD/ WRITER/ PRODUCER Former Creative Director for international cable network ready for freelance project work. Visit www.ryancraigadams.com for samples and contact info. (5/29)

SITUATION WANTED: Dynamic, experienced and results oriented sales professional with an extensive track record of creating new business opportunities. Email [email protected] for more details (5/29)

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 (5/29)

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 (5/28)

SITUATION WANTED: ACE PRODUCER/DIR/WRITER: all things non-fiction: news, ent, talk, and docs; NBC, TLC, Discovery, E!, CMT, CNN, Disney, etc.  LA based, will travel. [email protected] (5/27)

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