CYNTHIA TURNER’S
Cynopsis: Kids!

05/02/06

Good morning. It’s Tuesday, May 2, 2006 and this is your first early morning Kids! briefing.

Napster has launched the new Napster.com. It’s legal, interactive, ad-supported, free online music emporium of 2+ million songs that are available on-demand.  Napster.com lets users listen to a track five times before having to make a cash commitment ($.99).  And it includes two other features: NapsterLInks, lets people add links to free Napster music to emails, IMs, blogs and websites; Narchive, which will be launched in its Beta form soon, is a living community and archive where all are invited to contribute to the People’s History of Music with notes, stories, photos about bands, artists, songs, lyrics etc.  Participants can also feature free music on personal links via NapsterLinks.  In addition to the free ad-supported Napster.com service, Napster is also offering an ad-free subscription version of the service for a monthly fee of between $9.95-$14.95.

Vivendi Universal Games has changed its name to Vivendi Games.  The name change comes on the heels of Vivendi Universal’s name change to Vivendi last month.  Vivendi Games also recently announced the formation of two new divisions: Vivendi Mobile Games which publishes games for the mobile market and Sierra Online, which is publishes casual games for online play and distribution on all platforms.

NEW PRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT

Disney Channel has given the go-ahead for two new live action multi-camera pilots: The Amazing Hannigans and Housebroken, per Variety.  The Hannigans revolves around a teenage brother and sister team who live in NYC, and who also happen to be wizards.  Housebroken features Arwin the handyman character from The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, played by actor Brian Stepanek, and in this spin-off series Arwin has left his post at the Hotel Tipton and instead will help his sister take care of and raise her kids.

MORE KIDS STUFF

Nickelodeon programming news:

• What happens when you mix The Fairly OddParents and American Idol?  Easy, you get Fairy Idol, a new 1-hour special episode of The Fairly OddParents, which will premiere on Nickelodeon, May 19, at 8p.  Former American Idol contestant Diana DiGarmo is featured in the special as the singing voice of her biggest fan, Cosmo.
• The network has picked up an additional seven episodes of Drake & Josh, bringing the fourth season to a total of 20 new episodes.  In the new season both series stars, Drake Bell and Josh Peck, will direct an episode.

Nick Jr. and Noggin will both lead preschoolers in celebrating Mother’s Day next week.

• Nick Jr. honors Mom on Friday, May 12, 9a-2p with Mom-centric episodes of Dora the Explorer, Go, Diego, Go!, Blue’s Clues, and Miss Spider’s Sunny patch friends.  Additionally, NickJr.com will also feature special Mother’s Day content to go along with the themed episodes, including in the parenting area some homemade gift ideas, E-cards and printables.
• Noggin’s Mom celebration runs all day on Mother’s Day, Sunday May 14, 6a-6p, with Mom themed episodes of Oobi, Connie the Cow, Dora, Miffy and Friends, Blue’s, Little Bear and Franklin.  Similarly Noggin’s website is currently offering ideas on things to make for Mom (cards, activities etc.).  Additionally, a new music video titled, We are Family performed by Noggin hosts Moose A. Moose & Zee will make its debut on the website. 

2K Games is will publish Ghost Rider, a new third person action video game title featuring Marvel Comics’ motorcycle riding supernatural super hero, Ghost Rider.  The game is based on both, Marvel’s comic book series of the same name as well as the Columbia and Marvel Studios’ movie version of Ghost Rider, starring Nicolas Cage, Eva Mendes and Wes Bentley, which is slated for theatrical release in February 2007.  Ghost Rider is being developed for console and handheld systems by Climax Group and is scheduled for simultaneous release with the movie.  2K Games is a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.

Buena Vista Games, Inc. is creating and publishing a video game based on Spectrobes, its first game created around an original property.  Currently being developed by Jupiter Corporation in Kyoto, for release exclusively for Nintendo DS, Spectrobes is an anime-inspired action/role-playing-game in which two interplanetary junior Patrol officers find strange, prehistoric creators (Spectrobes) that have the power to defeating the evil Krawl that aims to destroy the galaxy.  There are 500+ different characters as well as customizable game elements and powers.  A release date for Spectrobes is TBA.

PorchLight Entertainment and Carrere Group have licensed the animated series Four Eyes (52 x 13 min) to Nickelodeon German, Cartoon Network Latin America, Afrique Fairmead, (Africa: free and pay TV, Video/DVD rights); Fore Entertainment (Australia and New Zealand); Medcom (Panama  Free TV); E-Junior (United Arab Emirates  free and pay TV); TTC (Middle East free and pay TV  excluding UAE).  Four Eyes is seen in 70+ countries.  Four Eyes is distributed worldwide through PorchLight and Carrere Group, and in Ireland through Telegael.

Video games publisher and developer Namco Bandai Games America Inc. will showcase a new line-up of next generation game titles at the 2006 Electronics Entertainment Expo (E3) next week in LA.  Namco Bandai Games America’s new publishing line-up includes titles from its signature franchises as well as new ones: Tekken 6 and Ridge Racer 7 both for PlayStation 3; while titles for Xbox 360 include, Mobile Ops: The One Year War and Culdcept Saga.  The latter being developed by Omiya Soft and will also feature an online battle for Xbox Live.  Games are not all intended for younger audiences.

MARKETING/LICENSING

Hasbro, Inc., has bottled childhood with its new limited-edition eau de Play-Doh, which is available beginning this week.  Really, no joke, it is part of the year-long celebration of Play-Doh’s 50th birthday.  The scent described by Hasbro as, “that fresh, just-out-of-the-can,” Play-Doh aroma.  Eau de Play-Doh was created and is distributed by Demeter Fragrance Library for Hasbro.  Play-Doh was invented in 1956 at Rainbow Crafts, a Cincinnati-based cleaning company that was working on developing a wallpaper cleaner and instead discovered a new compound, which went on to be introduced at the American International Toy Fair in NYC that year.

National Amusements, Inc. has launched Kidtoon Films, a series of family G-rated animated films every Saturday and Sunday 10a, in select US theatres.  Each month a new movie will be featured as part of the program. The program begins this month with She-Ra, Princess of Power in The Secret O the Sword.  Upcoming movies include Arthur in his first movie, Arthur’s Missing Pal, a CGI animated picture, The Strawberry Shortcake Sweet Dreams movie, a new CGI feature, and My Little Pony: The Runaway Rainbow.  Additionally, each month Dr. Donna Mitroff, a kid’s media expert, will offer reviews of the Kidtoon Films movies for parents providing them with information movie content as well as discussion guidelines for use with kids.  A monthly newsletter about the Kidtoon Films program and upcoming movie is also available (Kidtoonfilms.com).  Kidtoon Films is a subsidiary of Sabella Dern Entertainment, Inc. a property creation and animation studio.  National Amusements’ other family targeted programs include Bookworm Wednesdays and Baby Pictures.

EXECUTIVE MOVES

Sesame Workshop has upped Shari Rosenfeld to VP/Developing and Emerging Markets.  She will be responsible for Sesame Street co-productions in Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, South Africa and other markets.  Rosenfeld was recently involved with the project development of Galli Galli Sim Sim (Indian adaptation of Sesame Street) and educational outreach for Rechov Sumsum/Shara’a Simsim (first Israeli/Palestinian co-production).  In addition, she oversaw the Sesame Street project in Kosovo, Rruga Sesam (Albanian language) and Ulica Sezam (Serbian language).  Rosenfeld reports to Dan Victor, EVP/international Global Strategy.

Peter H. Bloom has been upped to VP/Finance, 4Kids Entertainment, Inc.  He will report to Bruce R. Foster, EVP/CFO.  For the last four years, Bloom has served as Corporate Controller 4Kids Entertainment, Inc. Prior to that, Bloom was an audit manager with Deloitte & Touche LLP.  Lisa Taliercio has been promoted to Corporate Controller.  She will report to Bloom.  Taliercio will oversee the day-to-day operations of the accounting and finance groups.  She joined the company in 2004 as Assistant Corporate Controller.

RATINGS

Live + Same Day Ratings Kids Cable Network Averages (000) for Friday, April 28, 2006, 6am-11pm, ranked by K2-11:
NICKELODEON:            K2-11 1236; K6-11 531; TWEENS 9-14 379
DISNEY CHANNEL:       K2-11   832; K6-11 488; TWEENS 9-14 361
CARTOON NETWORK: K2-11   588; K6-11 392; TWEENS 9-14 264
TOON DISNEY:            K2-11   137; K6-11   81; TWEENS 9-14   48
Source: MTVN Research from Nielsen Media Research Data

Answer to Yesterday’s trivia question: What game show did you have to be a pretty good artist and draw on a large sketch pad to communicate an idea to your partner?  WIN, LOSE OR DRAW      Kudos to: Jim Salicrup-Papercutz/NY;  Alicia Lordi-NBC Universal/NY; Howard Leib-BrainCamp/NY; Rich Thomas-Disney Press/NY; Kerri Huyck-KIDK/Idaho Falls ID; Justin Meadows- Disney/ABC Cable Networks/Burbank; Sandra Mueller-KTLA/LA; Karen Bolt-Carrie Productions/LA

Today’s Trivia Question: What was the name of the island where Wonder Woman came from? (click here 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 Cynthia Turner’s Cynopsis Kids!
05.02.06 – 3:44a

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JOB OPENING: RESEARCH COORDINATOR/NY-XM Satellite Radio: Sales Research-creates presentations, generates requests & rprts. Knwldg of natl ad sales and tools; Nielsen, Arbitron, TNS + Simmons preferred. 1+yr. exp. Apply Here (5/9)

JOB OPENING: PHOTO MANAGER/HALLMARK CHANNEL/LA: Create, manage, preserve, archive & store all image assets. 3 yrs. exp. producing shoots. See full ad and apply www.hallmarkchannel.com (5/9)

JOB OPENING: VP, MARKETING & SALES/Los Angeles based entertainment research company seeking candidate that possesses dynamic personality, minimum of3 yrs sales exp.TELEVISION BACKGROUND A PLUS! Send resume to [email protected] (5/9)

JOB OPENING: PR MGR/NYC: Resp for the development & execution of IFCs consumer publicity campaigns for programming & talent.  3+ yrs media relations exp, strong writing & pitching skills reqd. 17332 [email protected] (5/9)

JOB OPENING: MEDIA SALES PLANNER/FUSE TV  CHI:  2-4yrs cable TV exp.Must have a minimum of 2 Upfronts and Gabriel Traffic exp. Resumes to [email protected] (5/9)

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JOB OPENING: AD SALES ASSISTANT/MTVN – w/1-2 yrs. admin. exp. pref. in ad sales; assist 2 acct. executives w/various office tasks.  Santa Monica, CA EOE/M/F/D/AAP.  Apply www.mtvncareers.com (5/6)

JOB OPENING: AVID EDITOR /Sports Prod. Co./Las Vegas: 5+yrs exp editing sports and entert. shows; very creative with features. Must be After Effects savvy. Prods for live, post, DVD and web. Apply [email protected] (5/6)

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JOB OPENING: VICE PRESIDENT, COMMUNICATIONS, MTV/NYC: 8+yrs corp. comm/PR/media relations, Strg interpersonal/org/comm skills, Knwldg of digital music services/VOD/wireless preferred EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (5/5)

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JOB OPENING: MANAGER, COMMUNICATIONS, MTV/NYC: 5+yrs PR exp. in corp comm/PR/media relations, Strg Comm/Org skills, Exp. of public aff/politics/pro-socials preferred EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (5/5)

JOB OPENING: MANAGER, CONSUMER INSIGHTS/AUDIENCE RESEARCH/ MTV/NYC: 5-7yrs media/market research exp, Strng analy/numerical skills, Strng writ/oral skills, Knwldg Nielsen/Youth culture A+ EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (5/5)

JOB OPENING: MANAGER, LICENSING/MTV/NYC: 3+yrs licensing exp w/consumer prod in media/entertainment, Strng Word/PPt/Excel skills, Strng fin/acct skills, org skills & highly detailed EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (5/5)

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JOB OPENING: RESEARCH ANALYST/TV Guide/NY: Hands-on manipulation of media research databases to provide analysis to sales team. Magazine exp. required. Email resume: [email protected] (5/5)

JOB OPENING: MEDIA SUPERVISOR/Chicago: Local Investment Grp Implement local TV & network Radio plans. Degree, 2+ yrs exp in media buying & mgmt, & strong negotiation skills. Apply at: http://www.smvgroup.com/careers.as p NO CALLS/EMAILS (5/5)

JOB OPENING: DIR AFFILIATE MKTG/LI/Rainbow: Dir develop & exec of all affil mktg for IFC &VOD srvcs. 7+ ind exp. res to [email protected] (5/4)

JOB OPENING:  VP, INTEGRATED SALES & MKTG/Fox Cable/NYC: Seek Ad Sls thru intgrtd mktg techs, result in media commits, dvlps branded cont opps & enhanced valu promos, 5+ yrs in mktg & ad sales in bcast/cbl env, www.foxcareers.com (5/4)

JOB OPENING: ACCOUNT SUPERVISOR/Carat USA/NY: Manage prep, development and execution of media plans. Establish strong partnership with brand marketing team and client. Manage Planner and Asst Planner. Apply: [email protected] (5/4)

JOB OPENING: MEDIA SUPERVISOR/LA/Mendelsohn Zien Advertising: Independent, strategic thinker with a passion for media to play a vital role in developing media plans for several new accounts.  E-mail resumes to [email protected] (5/3)

JOB OPENING: SALES COORD/TV One/NY: Maintain sales agreements; prepare/deliver mthly flowcharts; mng wkly allocations; maintain added value campaigns; negotiate make goods. 2yrs exp. Ad Sales Traffic. Apply: [email protected] (5/3)

JOB OPENING: ASSOC PRODUCER/Current TV/SF: Program Development/Field Production/Post-Prod of 18-34 yrs demo-specific nonfiction content for on-air. Strong preditor skill set essential. Full-time commitment. [email protected] EOE (5/3)

JOB OPENING: DIR, BUSINESS AFFAIRS/ HBO/ NYC: Negotiate distribution & program deals (pay TV &rights acq, home video, licensing). JD&5 yrs. exp. in pay TV or top law firm req’d.Apply at http://www.timewarner.com/careers (5/3)

JOB OPENING: STRATEGIC PLAN’G AND MKTG/G4TV/LA: Oversee promotion & media planning & allocation of promo’s, & interface w/ depts to ensure priorities are met. Go to www.g4tv.com for full job desc. & submit resumes [email protected] (5/3)

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].

SITUATION WANTED: RESEARCH DIRECTOR–10 yrs extensive exp in television markets; film; youth media. Expert in developing proactive client relations; research methods textbook author; Ph.D./Communication. Contact: [email protected] (5/4)

SITUATION WANTED: FIELD/STORY PRODUCER-4 years experience working for major cable and network shows. writing, directing crews, conducting celebrity interviews and producing field segments are my expertise. [email protected] (5/4)

SITUATION WANTED: MARKETING PROFESSIONAL. 10 years experience in Affiliate Sales and Marketing, Sports Branding, Mobile Marketing and New Business Development. Managed staff and multi-million dollar budget. Contact: [email protected]   (5/3)

SITUATION WANTED: ASSOC PRODUCER 2 Yrs experience at major cable news channel for #1 show. Field, studio, graphics, tape, editing, research, writing, office management and booking are my expertise. Passion forTV [email protected] (5/3)

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