Cynopsis: DIGITAL

5/08/07

Good Morning, it’s Tuesday, May 8, 2007 and this is your first early morning digital briefing, coming to you from the Cable Show 2007 in Las Vegas.

MySpace agreed to acquire PhotoBucket for a reported $250 million in cash and bonuses. Photobucket, one of the darlings of the Web 2.0 phenomenon, is the web’s dominant photo sharing site with 41 million registered users. It was the 22nd most visited website for the week ending May 5, according to Hitwise, receiving nearly 40% of entertainment-photography category traffic. The deal is an interesting turn of events, as the two companies fenced off last month when MySpace accused PhotoBucket of encouraging users to include ads on slide shows they embedded on their personal pages. The News Corp. subsidiary blocked its users from accessing the site for nearly two weeks. On the other hand, Photobucket and MySpace have become symbiotic, with both sites driving traffic to the other.

Warner Bros. Television Group signed on to provide Joost with a pair of branded broadband channels. WBTV: Sci-Fi Fix will feature shows such as Aquaman, Babylon 5, Invasion and My Favorite Martian. WBTV: Before They Were Mega Stars includes shows highlighting cast members who went on to bigger and better things.  
 
DirecTV announced it will be the first distributor to launch The History Channel HD in September 2007. DirecTV will add A&E HD, which premiered during the fourth quarter of 2006, during the same month.
 
Scripps Networks Interactive announced two new social media outlets. DIYnetwork.com’s “My Projects” allows amateur handymen and handywomen to share stories of their work. FineLiving.com’s “We Live Here” spotlights inside views of individual cities and towns.
 
National Geographic Channel launched a new wildlife-themed broadband channel Wild!, programmed with one full-length show and more than 60 short-form videos that will be swapped out weekly. NGC also added two microsites to accompany the special Inside the Green Berets and the new season of Taboo. The sites will feature show previews, interviews, background programming and user generated content.
 
Bravo is teasing Shear Genius online and on mobile platforms with extensions such as celebrity blogs by Jaclyn Smith and Sally Hershberger on BravoTV.com and salon gossip and hair tips delivered weekly via text message.
 
Telemundo”s station group entered into a wireless content deal with mobile media and marketing company LSN to provide Spanish-language video content to cell phones and PDAs. Local station website content in the areas of news, weather, sports and entertainment will be featured in the “a la Mano” (on hand) service, launching in early May. Participating stations include KVEA in Los Angeles, WNJU in New York and WSCV in Miami.
 
Multiplatform service PBS KIDS Sprout announced a new interactive programming block premiering June 25 that encourages young viewers to participate online while watching on air. Kid-appropriate Q&A content was developed by The Association of Children’s Museums for shows such as The Let’s Go Show on SproutOnline.com.
 
VOD offering Anime Network signed subscription on demand deals with Suddenlink and CCSA, adding 500,000 new addressable households for the service.
 
Verizon signed a distribution agreement to carry ION‘s flagship network and its 4 24-hour digital networks qubo, ION Life, the Worship Network and iMetro for Fios TV subscribers.
 
WWE and Comcast‘s user generated site Ziddio.com are sponsoring an online video contest to determine whom in the U.S is WWE’s biggest fan. Ziddio users will vote to determine the top ten entrants, who will be flown to New York for WWE’s SummerSlam Weekend in August, with an additional five creators to be chosen from a panel of judges. The 15 finalists’ videos will also be featured on SVOD service WWE On Demand.
 

 
Online video portal and syndication service Brightcove named Tremor Media as its primary ad sales partner. Tremor advertisers will be offered banner ads and video spots alongside content hosted on Brightcove.com and distributed across its network of sites. Brightcove content will, in turn, be incorporated into Tremor’s network channels and sold on a category or custom channel basis, representing more than 400 publisher sites. The two companies also said they will, like NBC, limit video ads to 15 seconds in duration and work to address measurement and standards/practices issues facing the digital video industry.

 
CNET signed an agreement to syndicate it original video content through Broadband Enterprises‘ network of more than 1,800 affiliate websites.
 
Producer of the Saw franchise Twisted Pictures announced plans to produce “The Internet Killer,” an original online thriller to air in 30 separate installments on Break.com. The series will include a component to encourage users to create their own content for the show. 
 
Diva D Productions launched Cast This!, a made-for-the-web sitcom about scraping the bottom of the casting barrel to cast movies. The series will consist of 30-minute episodes cut into 8 to10 three-minute snippets, premiering every Tuesday and Thursday morning from today.
 

 
Comcast is planning to commit more resources to new internet content services, video-on-demand features and other multiplatform innovations, according to COO Stephen Burke. He predicted more day-in-date movie releases (where DVDs and VOD movies are released the same day) and a time when all prime time programming would be made available on demand. Time Warner Cable CEO Glen Britt agreed cable was in the early innings of technological advances during the opening session of NCTA.
 
Digeo Inc. introduced the Moxi HD DVR and a Moxi for OpenCable Application Platform (OCAP) set top. Both are expected to be available for deployment during the 4^th quarter of 2007.
 
 

 
NBC Universal announced it will not accept video pre-roll ads longer than 15 seconds, officially severing ties to the 30-second spot that continues to define linear TV advertising. The move is an effort to improve the user experience, according to NBC sources. The change, set to go in effect July 1, could limit uptake of inventory on sites such as NBC.com, as a quarter of its current ads are delivered in 30-second increments. On the other hand, research has consistently shown less recall on longer online commercials. Separately, ABC.com has also found that advertisers who develop unique interactive commercial content for the web experience higher usage and better engagement, according to Disney ABC EVP/Digital Media Albert Cheng. 
 
ICTV and RGB Networks demonstrated a targeted advertising solution using overlay triggers for ActiveVideo Channels, replicating web-based interactive features and enabling direct links from linear channels to ad showcases with targeted, actionable prompts.
 
 

Nielsen/NetRatings introduced VideoCensus, a new online video measurement service combining panel and census methods to deliver demographic, engagement and audience size information. The tool is activated when video publishers attach a code to their existing video platform. Nielsen has been testing the service since January and plans to release a newly updated version to the general marketplace in October.
 
Young males are the most frequent viewers of video on devices other than a television according to a new study by E-Poll. More than a quarter of males 13-34 surveyed described themselves as frequent viewers of video on smaller devices such as iPods and cell phones. Three-quarters said they regularly view video on desktop computers, while 13% said they currently transfer video content from their PC to their TV.
 
Among all gamers, 62% report playing games online via PC, console or portable systems, according to NPD‘s online gaming report. Xbox 360 users reported the highest percentage of users among console gamers at 54%.
 
More than half of 237 researchers surveyed are concerned about the validity of online surveys due to declining cooperation rates, according to a new study by MarketReserachCareers. MRC says data released by ComScore, for instance, is based on a sample of only .25% of the online population. 
 

 
Investor Carl Icahn failed in his bid to win a seat on Motorola‘s board. The telecom/cable technology company said that stockholders have instead re-elected the company’s incumbent board of directors.
 
Contextual advertising firm ContextWeb named Marshall Cohen to its board of directors. Marshall, former SVP at AOL Time Warner who originated of the “I Want My MTV” campaign for MTV, is a member of New York-based private equity firm the Pilot Group.
 

 
Uber.com represents a new breed of social networking sites, giving digital artists a place to call home that looks as groovy as their work does. It serves as a place to upload art, music and style-related content and does an admirable job of displaying it and gently recommending the good stuff for casual users. A daily Top Ten list serves as a barometer for what’s happening. The recently-redesigned site was started by artist Glenn Kaino and former head of NBC Entertainment and CEO of Friendster.com Scott Sassa, who host their own personal pages on uber. It even has a humor page.
 
Thanks to: Dana Block mPRm Public Relations
 
Note: the wrong URL was given yesterday for Carson Daly’s new .tv site. Try here!
 
A new website will be featured here everyday for you to check out. Some are TV-centric, some creative, some just plain strange. Email me your suggestions at [email protected] 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
05.08.07

Cynopsis Ad Sales:  Mark Bohn- 203- 583-1224 / [email protected]
Classifieds – Trish Pihonak- 203-926-9878 / [email protected]

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

JOB OPENING: VP/DIRECTOR CONSUMER PRODUCTS/LICENSING SALES/4 Kids Ent/NY: 8+yrs mngmnt in New Biz/Sales/Marketing/Consumer with toy/game/gift and kids marketplace exp with ages 8-14. Res to: [email protected] ( 5/15)

JOB OPENING: ENTRY LEVEL JOB-ASST MEDIA BUYER/ABACUS MEDIA/SANTA MONICA. Learn media business. BA degree, PC prof, Good phone skills, Detail oriented, Web knowledge a plus. E-mail resume: [email protected] (5/15)

JOB OPENING: MKTG MGR/LIME/NYC: Handle branding/mktg/promo campaigns, events & outreach. 3yrs+ online/multi-platform exp. Strong writing/org. skills + interest in category a must. Flexible, team player is key. Apply: [email protected] (5/15)

JOB OPENING: SUPERVISOR, ONLINE MKTG/iN DEMAND/NYC: Manage and update all product websites. Contact for vendors, agencies etc. 4 yr degree + 3 yrs web mktg exp in TV/entertainment. Resume to: [email protected] EOE(5/15)

JOB OPENING: MARKETING MANAGER/iN DEMAND Networks, NYC: Develop marketing plans. Implement media planning and ad efforts. Min 5 yrs broadcast, cable, studio or agency. No relo. Apply at [email protected]. EOE. (5/15)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR DIGITAL MEDIA/IN DEMAND/NYC: Develop/launch new prgrmng concepts & mng on-line prgrmng initiatives. Must have BA, 3-5 yrs media exp & digital media platforms exp. Apply at [email protected]. No relo. (5/15)

JOB OPENING: MGR INTERNATIONAL LICENSEE COMPLIANCE/Nickelodeon NY: 35 yrs experience in licensing and royalty operations, customer relations; bilingual Spanish; strong Excel; B.A./B.S. EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (5/15)

JOB OPENING: AE, NEW MEDIA/Discovery/NY: Sell interactive ad solutions. Strong sales skills, able to position DCI’s interactive suite vs on-line/on-air. 5 yrs sales exp, min 2 years internet sales. Apply: www.discovery.com (#4715) (5/15)

JOB OPENING: VP, PROG. & SCHEDULING//Discovery/MD: Oversee scheduling/optimize ratings by leveraging prog. inventory and premieres. Develop/research/design long-term prog./scheduling strategy. Apply: www.discovery.com (#5225) 5/15)

JOB OPENING: MGR AD OPERATIONS DIGITAL MEDIA /NFL/NYC: Reports to Dir. Pricing & Planning, min5-8 yr of exp in digital media space.Mang. traffic, inventory, &ad campaigns,Proficient in DART. Resumes to: [email protected] (5/12)

JOB OPENING: MGR, INT’L RSCH & MEDIA/Burbank, CA: Exit Survey Coordination, tracking, ad-hoc rsch, data sys integration. 5 yrs exp, CPG exp. Email Resume: [email protected] & MUST ADD “UCTC/79216BR” in subject line (5/12)

JOB OPENING: MULTI-PLATFORM MARKETING MGR/Rainbow Media/NYC: Create online branding/marketing/promo campaigns for On Demand Networks. Manage web content/programming. Min 3 yrs online exp. [email protected] (5/11)

JOB OPENING: SR FINANCE ANALYST/NY: Coord budget/estimate process for NCP Hard Goods, Mktg & Retail. Collect/analyze rev projections from licensing partners on quarterly basis www.mtvncareers.com EOE/M/F/D/AAP (5/11)

JOB OPENING: SALES DIR/BBCWWA-Motion Glry/NY: Clip licensing div. of BBC. Motvt & mng sales team, dev. terr sales strat. 5+ yrs sales mgmt exp,media licnsing+, revenue drvn. Re: [email protected]. EOE (5/10)

JOB OPENING: ACCT EXEC/ Nielsen Media Research: Sales/client support for LA’s synd’n & ntwrk client base (prsnl acct rep), prospecting, & issue resolution.Req: 4 yr. deg, 4 yrs. in ind, & Nielsen data usage. Apply: www.nielsen.com (5/10)

JOB OPENING: DIR LEGAL & BUS/A&E TV, NY: Manage agreements for drama/real life/docu; prodn & intellectual props. JD & 5+ yrs entertainment law in cable/bcast/film prodn. Resume w/salary: www.aetn.com/careers.html (5/10)

JOB OPENING: CREATIVE DIR/SUNDANCE CHANNEL/NY: Lead small, busy team of designers. Min 5 yrs print/brdcst exp in TV or agency, juggle mult projs, intrnl/extrnl approvs, strng creative concepting/exec. Res: [email protected] (5/10)

JOB OPENING: MKTG DIR/Rainbow Media/NYC: Create & mng mrktng/promo strategy for Life skool On Demand TV Network. Min 7 yrs exp creating consumer mktg plans to drive awareness/viewership/revenue. [email protected]   (5/10)

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]   (5/10)

JOB OPENING: MNG, NEWS & SPORTS RES/ NY: Min 4 yrs degree, Min 3 yrs exp in media, exp MS Office, Nielsen, Galaxy & Marketbreaks, exp in News & Sports analysis for commercial min est. Apply at www.nbcunicareers.com Job # 594063 (5/9)

JOB OPENING: PUBLICIST NBCUni TV NET DIST & DIG/NY: Min 3 yrs PR/Corp Comm & ent/cable exp, mng press efforts, draft press releases, create pres, maintain affiliate site, Apply to www.nbcunicareers.com Job# 595317 (5/9)

JOB OPENING: DIR, CREATIVE/NYC Adapt children’s books into animated TV shows & direct-to-DVD formats for pre-school aud. BA-Eng/Media Studies/Comm. 5yrs exp. in job or Creative Mgr/Prod. Coord. [email protected] (5/9)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR, SLS RESEARCH & MARKETING/Fox/NY: Dvlp unique analyses & sls positioning; create TV sls materials & cross platform content extensions; 10+yrs ad/media research; Nielsen syst; strong comm; www.foxcareers.com (5/9)

JOB OPENING: SR. BUYER/Job Share/SPOT TV/Active Int’l Pearl River NY (15 miles from NYC): 3 days-24hours total, 7 yrs+ agency Buying Spot TV exp a must; Resumes to: [email protected] or call 845-732-8943 (5/16)

JOB OPENING: SR. DIRECTOR, AD SALES RESEARCH/Hallmark Channel NY: 5 years exp. See full posting & apply at www.hallmarkchannel.com (5/9)

JOB OPENING: SR. RESEARCH ANALYST/A&E TV, NY: 3 + yrs cable/bcast research. Nielsen systems exp. req. MRI/SMRB know. a plus . Strong presentation/analytical/communication skills. Res: www.aetn.com/careers.html (5/9)

JOB OPENING: SUPERVISOR/SPOT TV GROUP/Pearl River NY(15 miles from NYC): Lead/train Media Buyers and Assistants. 5 yrs+ supervisor Spot TV & 10 yrs+ buying exp a must; Resumes: [email protected] or call 845-732-8943 (5/15)

JOB OPENING: SR. NEGOTIATOR/National Broadcast/Pearl River NY(15 miles NYC: Exp in all areas of Nat’l Brdcst placement. Strong analytical & presentation skills req’d. Resume: [email protected] or call 845 732-8943 (5/15)

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: Production house needs interns. POST PRODUCTION/GRAPHIC interest with good organizational/computer skills. Chance to learn Avid, Smoke, After Effects. Flexible hours. Credit only.Contact: [email protected] (5/12)

SUMMER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: Smithsonian Networks ( www.smithsoniannetworks.com ) is currently looking For a summer intern for the PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT. If interested please contact [email protected] for more information. (5/11)

SUMMER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: Trylon SMR www.trylonSMR.com is a NYC PR agency seeking an intern that has familiarity with the MEDIA INDUSTRY AND TECH SECTOR. This is a for-credit internship with flexible hours. [email protected] (5/9)

SITUATION WANTED ADS, POSTED BY THOSE LOOKING TO BE HIRED …

SITUATION WANTED: ENTRY LEVEL/NYC. Smart/creative college grad. 2 yrs exp. interning in TV programming/research and 2+ yrs as admin asst. Hard worker/quick learner/good attitude would be great dept/exec asst. [email protected] (5/15)

SITUATION WANTED: PRODUCTION ASSISTANT: LA area; Skilled, hard-working, detail-oriented. Willing to work long days with serious productions. Can work full-time June 22-August 5 [email protected] (5/15)

SITUATION WANTED: Cum Laude grad seeking an entry-level position in TALENT & ARTIST RELATIONS in NYC. Excellent interpersonal skills and willingness to work hard to achieve goals. Interned at MTV Summer ’07. [email protected] (5/12)

SITUATION WANTED: Dedicated, enthusiastic college grad with 1+yrs. experience seeking RESEARCH position. Strong communication/analytic skills. Proficient in Nielsen Galaxy/Marketbreaks/NPower/Excel/PP. Contact [email protected]. (5/11)

SITUATION WANTED: PRODUCER ASSISTANT/LA: Energetic, hardworking, and reliable assistant with 8yrs studio & production exp. seeks opportunity. Contact: Dermar Moses for resume, (818)406-2731, [email protected]   (5/11)

SITUATION WANTED: PhD student in Psych/Transformational TV looking for scholarship/mentor from sponsor in POSITIVE TV PRGRMNG. Exp’d in TV producing, hosting, news anchor, reporting & talk show host. www.tvproducer101.actorsite.com (5/10)

SITUATION WANTED: PROD ASST: Cheney, McCain, NBC & punk rock; I have experience with each (and much more!) Currently seeking employment with Wash, DC media as production assistant or similar position. Ready to work! [email protected] (5/10)

E-mail Trish Pihonak for rates and specs for Job Openings.

Are you looking for a job? Post your Situation Wanted Ad here — Email Trish Pihonak for specs.