Tuesday, November 4th, 2008

Cynopsis: DIGITAL

11/04/08

Good morning, it’s Tuesday, November 4, 2008, and this is your first early morning digital briefing. Don’t forget to vote!
 
There’s a new way for video portals to benefit from user submissions of copyright protected clips on the fly. MySpace and online ad technology provider Auditude have signed a deal with MTV Networks to dynamically place pre and post-roll ads within clips of its shows such as Comedy Central’s The Daily Show and MTV’s The Hills uploaded to social networking site by fans. The agreement even gives MySpace users the right to upload full episodes to the portal. Auditude’s system also tags videos with an attribution overlay informing viewers of the show’s original airdate and a link back to where they can purchase a digital copy of the episode.
 

~ MULTIPLATFORM CONTENT NEWS ~

 
The New York Times announced an ambitious selection of multiplatform content covering the election. Times’ political correspondents will deliver video reports on nytimes.com at 30-minute intervals throughout the night beginning at 7 pm ET. A pop-up dashboard sponsored by Areva will provide an up-to-the-minute tally of electoral votes, breaking news updates and state-by-state results. The Times’ mobile site will offer video updates and breaking news alerts when key races are decided. The paper will also publish two special print supplements on Nov. 5 and 6 detailing the results of the presidential, Congressional and gubernatorial races.
 
Expanding on an initial offering of Peanuts classic specials, Warner Bros. Digital Distribution is launching a brand new animated series based on the Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the rest of the Charles Schultz gang, available exclusively on iTunes. The 4-minute Peanuts Motion Comics webisodes are produced by Studio B and culled from comic strips originally created in 1964. The first two selections, in which Linus runs for class president with Charlie Brown as his running mate, will offered for free. Subsequent shorts will sell for 99 cents for a bundle of two. A season pass of all 20 will go for $7.99.
 
Following its mission to bring power to the people, Current TV will cover today’s election integrating a full selection of user generated and user-edited content. Current’s on air Election All-nighter Live will feature real-time Digg headlines, tweets from Twitter and video commentary from 12seconds.tv and Current.com. The site will provide breaking news and data including state-by-state projections and Electoral College and popular vote scoreboards.


 

Call for Content: To promote its new Motherhood-themed channel Wetv.com is looking for pictures of tikes and toddlers for a new Cutest Baby Contest. The parents of the most popular bundle of joy will win $5,000 based on user votes and We.com judges’ findings.
 

~ INNOVATORS & START-UPS ~

 
Social Media widget and app creator RockYou secured an additional $17 million in C Round financing from Softbank (leading shareholder of Yahoo! Japan) and SK Telecom Ventures. When added to its initial $35 million C Round led by DCM, the investment round totals $52 million – bringing the company’s overall funding total to $67 million. As part of the deal RockYou and Softbank will launch a joint venture to create apps for the Asian PC and mobile markets. The company also plans to open new offices in New York, Los Angeles and Detroit.
 
Three was the magic number for two popular web services yesterday. Yahoo’s photo sharing site Flickr registered its 3 billionth photo, almost exactly a year after reaching its 2 billionth photo. Meanwhile online ad supported music streaming service SpiralFrog added its 3 millionth song to its catalog. Spiral Frog says it now has more than 2.3 million registered users. 
 
HD stock footage specialist FootageBank HD launched footagehead.com, a new royalty-free division offering publishers access to more than 10,000 new clips for distribution via online and mobile platforms. Each clip is offered in 16×9 format for a flat rate of $300 each.
 

~ GADGETS & APPS ~

 
Speaking avatar creator Oddcast has come up with a creepy app enabling film lovers to insert their image into scenes from classic movies. An initial Halloween-themed licensing agreement with Twentieth Century Fox and MGM Home Entertainment utilizes Oddcast’s 3D VideoStar technology to integrate user submitted photos into clips from 6 horror flicks including The Omen, Child’s Play and David Cronenberg’s The Fly as a viral way to promote DVD sales. Fox/MGM have signed on to run a similar promotion for a selection of holiday films.
 
Online music licensing platform YouLicense.com announced a new widget allowing music artists to offer licensing of their work via MySpace, Facebook, Bebo, blogger and wordpress.
 
CBS Interactive’s Last.fm launched a new application on Billboard.com allowing users to access the site’s ad supported streaming music service. The app highlights tracks of artists who have landed on Billboard’s special “All-Time Hot 100” chart including Mariah Carey, Chubby Checker, Usher, Santana and The Police.
 
 

~ TECHNOLOGY DEALS, MERGERS AND SKIRMISHES ~

 
The Screen Actors Guild is planning a major crack down on web shows beginning next year who employ SAG actors in front of the camera without an agreement in place with the union, per TV Week. For this reason web producers such as For Your Imagination are already beginning to refuse to work with SAG members because the economics of web video don’t yet support the extra costs involved. According to SAG, the signatory must pay about 6% of ad and subscription revenue earned to the union once a show is up online for 6 months or more. In addition, the producer must contribute 14.8% of all gross compensation to the SAG Producers Pension and Health Plans.
 
The French Senate voted overwhelmingly in favor of a new “three strikes” system that would require ISPs to disconnect users from the internet who share copyright protected files upon a third offense, reports ArsTechnica. The measure runs counter to a vote taken earlier this year by the European Parliament, which rejected the idea of cutting off users’ connections. The French Assembly has yet to vote on the matter.
 
Lifetime Networks has selected Burlington, MA-based Signiant as its primary provider of digital media distribution technology. Signiant will manage and accelerate SD and HD content between the network’s East and West coast post production facilities.


~ DIGITAL ADVERTISING ~

 
In an effort to appease regulators Yahoo and Google have revised their search agreement adding new provisions to limit the scope of the deal, reports the WSJ.
 
Mobile services provider 3rd Dimension unveiled a new national mobile ad network in conjunction with NBC, which agreed to act as exclusive national ad sales partner. The Mobileyes Advertising Network will serve up ads in conjunction with the company’s live mobile video traffic feed currently up and running in 9 U.S. markets. Interactive ads appear during six to ten second intervals preceding the display of live traffic video. The ads are served in rotation and can be purchased for both specific day parts and locations.
 

~ TRENDS, RESEARCH, ETC.  ~

 
Oprah’s endorsement of Amazon’s e-reader Kindle on Oct. 24 had a palpable effect on interest in the device, according to a number of search, web and blog buzz measurements compiled by AdAge:

  • Visits to Amazon.com were up 6% on Oct. 24 from the previous Friday and up over 4% during the weekend, per Hitwise
  • Traffic to Oprah.com spiked by more than 5 times on Oct. 24 according to Compete
  • 80% of blog posts about the Kindle mentioned the Oprah endorsement, per BuzzLogic
  • Search traffic for the word “kindle” increased 479% on Oct. 24, per Google Insights

 

~ EXECUTIVE MOVES ~

 
George Kliavkoff, NBC Universal‘s first Chief Digital Officer and one of the leaders behind the Hulu launch, is leaving the company at the end of the year to pursue other interests, reports CNET.
 
Former MSN Media Network GM Jeff Dossett has joined Yahoo as SVP/U.S. Audience replacing former head of media operations Scott Moore who is leaving the company. Jeff will report to Hilary Schneider, EVP of Yahoo U.S.
 
Online video product tour creator SellPoint has tapped George Giatzis as its new VP of Sales. George will be responsible for overseeing sales the company’s video product tours with a particular focus on the advertising and marketing communities. He comes to SellPoint from Ecast and also held senior-level sales positions with Discovery, Oxygen and Premier Retail Networks.
 


~ WEBSITE OF THE DAY ~

 
The first web 2.0-powered election is upon us and it’s worth a look back at some trends in the space. Politics was the leading category gainer in August according to comScore, responsible for 14 million+ uniques during the month – a third more traffic than in Aug. 2007. Politically-themed sites such as Huffingtonpost.com, realclearpolitics.com and politico.com exploded onto the scene, establishing themselves as important resources users and established media brands have come to rely on. Mostly terrific online efforts by CNN, MTV, YouTube and other outlets have increased awareness immensely and are expected to help drive the best voter turn-out we’ve seen since the 1960’s. And, of course, the candidates themselves have relied on their perspective web sites to reach voters. If web traffic equates to votes then Obama would seem to be riding a wave. Unique visitors to BarackObama.com outpaced those to JohnMcCain.com nearly 2 to 1 in September, according to Nielsen Online. The unique audience at BarackObama.com went from 6.1 million in August to 7.9 million in September, almost double the 4.2 million visits to JohnMcCain.com. Finally some excellent resources have emerged to provide unbiased data to voters who still may not have made up their minds. Check out VoteSmart.com for a comprehensive database of information on candidates’ voting records, issue positions and public statements. OpenSecrets.com is a good a place to, in the words of Lester in The Wire, to “follow the money.”
 
Later — Wayne
 Wayne Karrfalt for Cynopsis: Digital
11.04.08

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Cyn opsis CLASSIFIEDSFor More classifieds, visit the Cynopsis.com classifieds page here    .


JOB OPENING: DIR, PROGRAM LICENSING & ACQUISITIONS/iN DEMAND/NYC: Oversee licensing/acquisitions, programming & packaging of content. Degree + 4-8 yrs exp in TV. Apply: [email protected] (11/11)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR, ANIMATION PROGRAM SALES: Resp for coordinating prgrm sales to domestic, internat’l free-TV & pay-TV broadcasters as well as home entertainment distributors. Resumes to: [email protected] (11/8)

JOB OPENING: DIR PRODUCTION OPERATIONS/National Geographic Television: Oversee the production management of documentary programs. To apply, visit www.nationalgeographic.com/jobs Job ID 3676. EOE (11/8)

JOB OPENING: MGR, NEW MEDIA INVENTORY/DISCOVERY/NY: Mng stewardship/optimization of dig. accts. Frcst inventories, analyze site activity, work closely w/ad sales client to guarantee deliverables. Apply: www.discovery.com Req#8394 (11/8)

JOB OPENING: DIR/PROG DEV/TLC/SS: Communicate/Coordinator w/Ind. Producers-Prod, other Companies/Depts outside of Discovery; serve as network liaison btw prod/dev. Apply: www.discovery.com Req#8335 (11/8)

JOB OPENING: SR RSRCH ANLYST/Lifetime (LA): Analyze & prdce reprts- daily ratings & compet perfmnce to guide Prgm, Mktg, & Aff Mktg strat. Exp TV Rsrch/data anlyst/Star Trak/Nielsen/math/stats. Res: [email protected] (11/8)

JOB OPENING: DIR NAT ACCTS/Lifetime/LA/Drive distr prds & srvcs w/aff cable, sat & telco distrs/Ensre cntrct cmplnce & negt/anlyz spec prfrm bnchmrks/Exp: 5+ yrs in sales/Ext trvl/BA,BS or equiv req/Res: [email protected] (11/7)

JOB OPENING: DIR RESEARCH/NY: Min 5 yrs exp in TV/Digital research, primary research(banners &tabs), exp w/Comscore, Nielsen’s, strong written & analytical skills, BA/BS or equiv exp, Rez: http://www.mylifetime.com/about-us/jobs (11/7)

JOB OPENING: SERIES PRODUCER/Chorion/NYC: Experienced show runner with children’s animation experience needed for upcoming TV series. Send resume to [email protected] Must be based in NY (11/6)

JOB OPENING: CLIENT SUPPORT SPECIALIST/NY: Liaison between clients & tech. suppt & dev. groups in co. for software defects, user q’s, tracking, advert. or media indust. exp. DealMaker exp. a + Resumes to: [email protected] (11/6)

JOB OPENING: PUBLICISTS/ANIMATION-WEB-MOBILE/ Beck Media & Marketing/L.A.: Seeks accomplished pros (5+ yrs) with Animation and/or Tech PR experience for web, tech, and toon clientele. Resume and cover letter to [email protected] (11/6)

JOB OPENING: SALES MKTG MGR/Univision Online/NY: Resp for creating/mngng mkt prgrms/materials that will enable Bus Dev to enlist new websites to Ad Ntwrk, in addition help sales close new client bus. [email protected] (11/5)

JOB OPENING: ACCOUNT EXEC/Fuse/LA: Sell national on-air media. Incr exst’ing clnts, gen new biz. Prsnt new prgm’ing, brand pos, mktg opps. Excl. interpers’l/org skills/MS Excel & PP. Send Rez to: [email protected] “AELA” in sub (11/5)

JOB OPENING: DIR, ON-AIR PROMO/LA: Resp for mngmnt of creative/graphics (internal & ext vendors), ops, ovrsee promo schdulng & mgmt. 5-7 yrs on-air mngmnt/ops exp req’d; brdcst &/or cable ntwrk a must. www.foxcareers.com FNG14268 (11/5)

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 CREDITS ONLY:  INTERNS /LA: Bright & passionate. Neal Stevens/Stevens & Assoc., prod 5 features films in past 6 yrs. Learn ropes from A-Z. Script coverage, dvlpmnt, possible assoc of credit for movies & much more.Email: [email protected] (11/11)

FALL INTERNSHIPS CREDITS ONLY: Fujisankei Communications Intl/ NY: Seeks INTERN for ATAKU CHANNEL, a mobile TV channel for anime broadcast on MobiTV & Sprint Live. Submit cover letters/resumes to [email protected]. More info: www.fci-ny.com (11/6)

FALL INTERNSHIPS CREDITS ONLY: SESAME WORKSHOP/NYC seeks INTERNS for Sesame Street & International Production, dept. for various projects. Knwlg of MS Word/Excel/ email Res: [email protected] Stipend offered (11/6)

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: Soapbox Studios: An Atlanta based Post-production, Music Engineering, and Creative Design Studio seeks winter 2008 interns. Please contact [email protected] (11/5)

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: The Research department at CBS Television Distribution, in Los Angeles is looking for qualified paid Interns for Fall 2008. Please send resume to [email protected] (11/5)

SITUATION WANTED ADS, POSTED BY THOSE LOOKING TO BE HIRED … Interested in posting your Video Resume? Contact [email protected] for more information ….

SITUATION WANTED: Passionate & creative market researcher with 12 years exp. seeks to share skills and knowledge w/ companies to grow in challenging consumer landscape. Most recently was VP w/ Top 20 research co. [email protected] (11/7)

SITUATION WANTED: Freelance event planner/mktg director with 8+ yrs of experience in the entertainment/media industry. Available to help w/ event plan’g, proposal writing or mktg prgrm dvlpmnt. [email protected] (11/6)

E-mail [email protected] for rates and specs for Job Openings.

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