Cynopsis: DIGITAL
11/11/08
Good morning, it’s Tuesday, November 11, 2008, and this is your first early morning digital briefing.
MGM entered into a deal with YouTube to stream full-length TV shows and films from its catalog in exchange for ad revenue generated from the content. The first of several planned channels is Impact, featuring action films that Comcast has been rotating on its VOD service including Bulletproof Monk, Ronin and The Magnificent Seven, along with vintage shows such as American Gladiators. Part of the appeal for MGM is to provide a repository users can upload copyrighted clips to, which the studio can, for once, benefit from financially.
To encourage customers who may prefer digital downloads vs. hard copies, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (SPHE) is shipping the DVD and Blu-ray of Pineapple Express with a code consumers can redeem on iTunes for a free digital copy of the film. While some previous SPHE titles have included digital copies playable on a PC or PSP, Pineapple Express marks the first release to include a download on iTunes, viewable on the ubiquitous iPod device.
The MLB Network secured carriage on Verizon’s FiOS TV service as part of a multi-year agreement. Verizon will add MLB to its Essentials and Extreme HD package when it debuts on Jan. 1 2009. Verizon will also offer the MLB Extra Innings package of out-of-market games to its subscribers.
Meanwhile the MGM HD channel has secured carriage through AT&T’s U-verse IPTV system. U-verse TV customers can receive MGM HD as part of the service’s HD Premium package, a new tier which can be added to an HD service subscription for an additional $5/month.
Sesame Street is following young kids to digital platforms. The non-profit educational programmer announced new distribution points on iTunes, YouTube and Hulu: Twelve full-length episodes from Sesame Street’s record 35th season are now available on iTunes for $1.99/each; the show’s YouTube channel offers more than 100 clips; and a new channel on Hulu also offer 100+ clips including over 30 celebrity segments. In addition, the Workshop was awarded a Google Grant – a donation program awarding free AdWords advertising to select charitable organizations. When Google users search on keywords related to Sesame Workshop an ad will appear next to relevant search results.
When she wasn’t busy helping to elect a president or deciding on the fate of her syndicated show, Oprah found time to lend her name to a theOprahstore.com, a digital version of her outlet for Harpo Studios-branded apparel and other goodies.
Video search engine blinkx is adding celebrity news and red carpet interviews from People.com to its index, which now totals over 32 million hours of audio and video content. Blinkx reported strong revenue growth for the first half of its fiscal year ending Sept. 30, up 115% from the first half to $6.4 million. The company says unique visitors were up 106% year-on-year to 64 million and page views up 267% to 668 million in September 2008, citing ComScore numbers.
Apple fanboys have a new source for information. CNET unveiled Apple Byte, a new weekly podcast devoted to all things Apple hosted by CNET editor Brian Tong. The show will feature the latest news, how-to tips and insights into computers, devices and software launched by Steve Jobs and Co. Look for it on CNET TV.
That was fast. The iPhone 3G became the top cell phone in the U.S. during Q3 according to a survey from the NPD Group, surpassing Motorola’s RAZR, which held on to the top spot for 12 consecutive quarters. RIM’s BlackBerry Curve came in 3rd.
Troubled electronics retailer Circuit City announced it is filing for bankruptcy protection under Chapter 11 as it tries to work out a plan to pay the $898 million back it owes to creditors. The company is in the process of holding bankruptcy sales and closing 155 of its domestic stores. Lenders have agreed to loan Circuit City $1.1 billion to keep the doors of its other stores open through the holidays.
Lifetime is increasing its focus on casual gaming acquiring South Korean tween site Roiworld for an undisclosed amount, operator of the top digital dress-up site in Korea. The company will power a new Roiworld.com site for the U.S. in early 2009 and lend its expertise to the Lifetime Game Studios Korea to be headquartered in Seoul. The studio’s U.S. operations, based in San Francisco, will focus on business development, technology and sales. The studio also has plans to develop integrated advertising packages, social networking features and micro-purchase technology for its games. Kiseo Kim, the founder of Roiworld.com, will serve as the CEO of Lifetime Games Studio Korea, overseen by Kris Soumas, head of Lifetime Games.
Dish Network reported another bad quarter losing about 10,000 subscribers to end the quarter with 13.78 million overall subs. The company’s Q3 net income was $92 million – down 54% from Q3 2007. Like its competitor DirecTV, Dish warned it is likely to suffer from the loss of AT&T as distribution partner net year. AT&T subs accounted for around 17% of its gross subscriber additions so far in 2008.
Conde Nast announced it will use Brightcove‘s video platform to serve and manage video content to its sites beginning with Wired.com, Portfolio.com, Glamour.com, Parade.com, and Self.com.
ION Media Networks completed two successful mobile DTV field trial demonstrations using the proposed Advanced Television Systems Committee Mobile DTV Standard. The trials were held with Chicago-based WCPX and KPXC, ION’s station serving the Denver market.
~ DIGITAL ADVERTISING ~
Microsoft inked a distribution deal with Sun Microsystems to help increase its shrinking share of web search traffic. Users who download Sun’s Java software, currently installed on over 800 PCs worldwide, will be prompted to add a Microsoft Live Search toolbar.
On a brighter note for EchoStar, Dish Network announced an agreement with INVIDI Technologies to use the company’s Advatar technology to deliver addressable, targeted national and local television advertising to subscribers. Dish’s more advanced receivers support targeted advertising delivery, dynamic commercial insertion and reporting on broadcast television and cable networks. WPP’s GroupM agency, which made a strategic investment in INVIDI in Dec. 2007, intends to help pioneer the use of INVIDI’s technology with program distributors.
AOL’s Platform-A is powering a web campaign promoting T-Mobile‘s G1 Android handheld this week it says will generate 1 billion impressions in two days and reach more than 90% of online consumers. The “T-Mobile Billion Block” is the largest-volume two-day ad buy in Platform-A’s history combining display, video, mobile, contextual, affiliate and search marketing components.
Online ad optimization technology provider AdMeld tapped former Fox Interactive Media executive Michael Barrett to become the company’s new CEO. AdMeld, which aims to leverage dynamic pricing and advanced targeting to route inventory at a higher revenue rate, is emerging from an 8-month beta period. Michael had been EVP, Chief Revenue Officer for FIM where he oversaw worldwide revenue for MySpace, IGN, FoxSports.com, Fox.com, AmericanIdol.com and Scout.com.
Worldwide Biggies Inc. appointed former IGA Worldwide marketer Steve Tucker as Chief Revenue Officer. In the newly created position, Steve will manage product revenue and business development. Biggies also announced two new board members: Edwin Schlossberg, founder and principle of ESI Design and Shawn Gold, CEO of SocialApproach and former CMO of MySpace.
JibJab Media hired Emmy Award-winning producer Vaughn Morrison as VP/Production. Vaughn will be responsible for overseeing all of JibJab’s digital entertainment production efforts, reporting to JibJab co-founders Evan and Gregg Spiridellis.
IAC‘s Consumer Applications & Portals division has created an in-house sales team to handle the media for 10 properties including Girlsense, Zwinky, Iwon, and Vimeo. Drew Berkowitz joins as VP/National Sales; Jeff Jacknis and Josh Kaufman have come on as Senior Account Executives in NY; Jeri Brown joins as Account Executive in NY; Diane Oen becomes Senior Account Executive for Mid-West Territory, Chris Celona joins as Senior Account Executive for West Coast; and Martha Negin and Deanna Hart were hired as Strategic Account Managers based in NY.
ESPN‘s subscription broadband service ESPN360.com, which offered 3,000+ hours of live football, basketball, soccer, golf and other sports this year, launched an upgraded video player in beta format featuring a cleaner interface and more social functionality. Using a new Conversations feature fans can now hold viewing parties, chatting and mulling over live stats with others in a closed environment. Enhanced “mosaic” capabilities allow users to view up to 5 games at once, one on the main screen and four in smaller thumbnail streams. Combining social features with fan-targeted video should provide a potent mix and point the way for two-way programming services of the future. What better way to improve engagement, add stickiness and differentiate your offering? It may even convince ESPN to make 360 available to the public at large. (So far ESPN 360.com is only available on college campuses and U.S. military bases, or as a free add-on for customers of Verizon, AT&T or a few other smaller players. ESPN wants you to contact your cable company directly to get them to add it for you – good luck with that.) At least we can all enjoy Kenny Mayne’s new web series Mayne Street, which debuts today. Think Curb Your Enthusiasm with different guest stars, including the Celts Ray Allen and Food Network’s Bobby Flay.
Housekeeping Note: The U.S. Unemployment Rate was just announced this morning (11/7/08) at 6.5%, up from 6.1% the previous month, and the highest number in 14 years. In an effort to help those who may find themselves out of work during these difficult economic times, Cynopsis is offering free Situation Wanted ads to all looking for work, for both new and returning clients, for the foreseeable future. To place an ad or for more information, email [email protected]. And lastly, to make sure even more people are seeing our classifieds, we are posting the full list of classifieds on our www.cynopsis.com homepage, updated daily.
Later — Wayne
Wayne Karrfalt for Cynopsis: Digital
11.11.08
Cynopsis Digital Ad Sales:
Chuck Bolkcom – 646-468-6180 / [email protected]
Mark Bohn- 203-583-1224 / mark@cynopsis. com
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: ACCT MGR, DIST. & FLD SALES/NY: Head region/division of 10 Distributors to Id. local rev., mkting and dist. opps. Exp. in Cable Sales, Mkting, & Acct Mgmt, 40-60% travel Rez: http://www.mylifetime.com/about-us/jobs (11/18)
JOB OPENING: AE/qubo/NY: Sell Nat’l on-air/line media. Gen new biz. Prsnt brand pos, mktg opportunities. Nat’l ad sales exp. required. Excl. interpersonal/org skills/MS Excel & PP. Apply: [email protected] (11/15)
JOB OPENING: SR RESEARCH ANALYST/DISCOVERY/MD: Resp for Brand Res, Ad & Media Effect./ROI, track metrics & success indicators for prog & initiatives. 2 yrs res exp. Client or supply mkt exp a must. Apply: www.discovery.com Req#8551 (11/15)
JOB OPENING: SUPERVISING PRODUCER/TLC/MD:Resp for writing/producing promos and mktg. projects for network;. 6+yrs. exp; proven writing/prod. skills, Avid Media Composure Exp. Apply: www.discovery.com Req#8553 (11/15)
JOB OPENING: SR. MGR-HARDLINES/Cookie Jar Ent/Burbank Min. 3-5 yrs Dom. License exp in Consumer Products industry with developed relationships. http://www.thecookiejarcompany.com (Careers). Send Res/CL: [email protected] (11/13)
JOB OPENING: PUBLICIST/Telepictures Prods/LA: Unit pub for synd TV show. News bkgd & exp on assign desk pref’d. Pitch/secure stories/content. Write/distrib releases.Fast paced enviro. 5-8yrs exp Res: [email protected] (11/13)
JOB OPENING: MKTG & SALES ASSOCIATE/IME-IESE Business School/NY: Min 3yrs exp in marketing education programs. Media/Entertainment background. Internet Marketing, lead generation, hands-on recruitment/sales. [email protected] jobC10 (11/13)
JOB OPENING: MGR CORP COMM/Rainbow/NY: Work across all Rainbow brands.Asst creating strat/write releases/pitch stories. 3+yrs media relat’s. Impeccable writing skills.strong media rltnshps, cbl exp a + www.cablevision.jobs ref#7483BR (11/12)
JOB OPENING: DIR CORP COMM/Rainbow/NY:Mng daily trade/business PR,work closely with Sr mgmt to dvlp/execute strat. 6-8 yrs PR exp, cable a +. Exc writing skills a must. Strong media relationships a +. www.cablevision.jobs ref#7486BR (11/12)
JOB OPENING: DIGITAL PRODUCER/CNN’s American Morning/NY: 5 yrs min major mkt tv news production exp, 1 yr min exp with web/interactive content, strong writer, leader. See full posting & apply to www.turner.jobs req# 108698BR (11/12)
JOB OPENING: CONTENT DESK EDITOR/WNBC: Conceive/execute news coverage, make front line editorial decisions on a story-by-story basis. Dvlp/monitor journalistic & editorial elements of news gathering. www.nbcunicareers.com #856232 (11/12)
JOB OPENING: SR DESK CONTENT DESK EDITOR/WNBC: Execute editorial vision of Content Desk across platforms;mng who will generate content from Content Desk Editors, Reporters, Field Crews to Content Prods. www.nbcunicareers.com #853930 (11/12)
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] .
WINTER/SPRING INTERNSHIP/CREDITS ONLY: ENTERTAINMENT/COMM INTERN/Cynopsis Media/Shelton CT: Asst various depts as needed in advrtsng sales, mktg, & rsrch. Highly orgnzd & reliable Sophomores/Jrs/Srs; Excellent MS Word/Excel skills. Contact: [email protected] (11/15)
WINTER/SPRING INTERNSHIP/CREDITS ONLY: NewFest, NYC’s premier LGBT film organization, seeks interns to help with the 2009 Film Festival. Please email your resume to [email protected] (11/15)
WINTER/SPRING INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: RESEARCH ANALYST/Trendrr (NYC): Analyze & produce reports work w/Mktg.
Exp: Rsrch/data anlyst/stats/social media. Res: [email protected] (11/14)
WINTER/SPRING INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: RoCart, Inc./LA:Seeks RESEARCH INTERN for new NICK JR. live-action preschool show; position to start in JANUARY ’09. Submit cover letters/resumes to [email protected] (11/12)
SITUATION WANTED ADS, POSTED BY THOSE LOOKING TO BE HIRED … Interested in posting your Video Resume? Contact [email protected] for more information ….
SITUATION WANTED: EXP’D MEDIA RESEARCHER available. Credits incl both advertising sales and ad agency buying rsrch. Work with both primary and secondary resources. Work individually or manage a staff. Please e-mail: [email protected] (11/18)
SITUATION WANTED: PASSIONATE & CREATIVE MKT RESEARCHER (Temp or permanent) w/12 yrs exp. seeks to share skills & knwldg w/ companies to grow in challenging consumer landscape. Recently was VP w/ Top 20 rsrch co. [email protected] (11/18)
SITUATION WANTED: PROD/WRITER Creative & versatile w/over 16 yrs exp. Wanted: Sprvsng, Series, Show prod. or writer role. Credits incl: synd., Discovery, TLC, Style, Hallmark, WE, A&E. Many genres. NY-based. [email protected] (11/18)
SITUATION WANTED: CASTING DIRECTOR/PRODUCER – Freelce or P/T real people& actors! Lots of exp! Reality FUSE-Redemption Song, Discv-CashCab, TLC etc Commercials-Iphone, NY Lottery,V8, Maxwell House etc-NYC/NJ [email protected] resume (11/18)
SITUATION WANTED: Ambitious, energetic COMM./MARKETING professional w/experience in music & film seeks opp. w/ agency/network/prod. company. Skills: Graphics, Web Dev, Event Prod., Sales & Sponsorship. Email: [email protected] (11/18)
SITUATION WANTED: EXPERIENCED PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT, MARKETING & LICENSING MANAGER with 8+ years seeks position in LA. Worked at Disney with Fisher-Price, Hasbro, MegaBloks on Pooh, Princess, more. Contact [email protected] (11/18)
SITUATION WANTED: TV PRODUCER w/ exp in prod/, writing, rsrchng, booking,new media & licensing/contracts. Past credits incl synd talk, educational, new media and Discovery prgrmng. Seeks FT in NY area. Contact: [email protected] (11/18)
SITUATION WANTED: Creative children’s TV producer/director w/ 18+ yrs hands-on exp. seeks web/TV projects/agent/team to join. Credits: PBS Kids (Buster, Fetch!, Zoom), History, CBS, BBC. Screen reel & CV @ http://www.alangrazioso.com (11/13)
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