A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM INSTITUTE FOR MEDIA AND ENTERTAINMENT

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Cynopsis: Classified Advantage

09.15.09

Good morning – it’s Tuesday, September 15, 2009, and this is your weekly issue of Cyn opsis: Classified Advantage!  This edition includes the top job listings in the Television, Media and Ad Agency markets, professional development advice from national experts, your Q & A’s with our experts, and a summary of executive moves among top companies.

In several of our past editions, I’ve mentioned the importance of networking. Once you’ve joined a social or business network, you should consider creating your own website – it’s cheap, fast and a great way to get people to read and interact with you and your ideas.

Those who work on an Apple already know the best/easiest way of creating a website is through a program called iWeb.

For the brave souls who still work on a PC, here are some very good options for website creation softwares.

Web Easy Pro – One of the most intuitive programs for website creation. A remarkably  large library of templates partnered with the ability to drag and drop most types of media, makes for one of the best all around packages. Major omissions: no spell check or Quicktime support.

Web Studio – Pricey and does not allow for a lot of creativity. But if you are looking to blog quickly and make a professional looking website, Web Studio is a solid choice. Major omissions: cannot crop images, does not support Quicktime.

Web Plus – A little more advanced than the other programs but has a wealth of tutorials that will assist novice and pro in creating professional looking websites. This program possesses the greatest agility but is more expensive than Web Easy Pro. Major omissions: none.

Inuit Website Creator 2009 – The easiest format, hundreds of templates, three steps and you’re done. One of the top programs, Inuit Website Creator 2009 is the only one that charges a monthly fee of $4.99. Major omissions: no spell check or Quicktime support.

Once you’ve created your website, here are a few things to remember to attract visitors.

Content must be compelling and updated constantly.

• The site must be well organized, attractive, and presented in a format that is easy to read. Use headlines and bullet points. Confusion or too much text on one page will reduce the number of repeat viewers.
• Use headlines and bullet points.
• Put keywords in bold type and

color .

• Keep paragraphs short
• Establish credibility through your content and expertise.
• Learn and include the jargon of your business. Be careful though, if you misuse the jargon, you’ll appear inexperienced.
• Create a forum for visitor feedback.
• Provide convenient links for other sites important to your industry.
• Don’t overload on graphics or video content. This will result in a slow loading site.
• Use keywords that are specific to your industry. This will help in raising your Google Search profile.

Next week: Negotiating your salary

Cyn opsis: Classified Advantage is a work in progress, designed with our readers in mind. We welcome your feedback and will try to incorporate any suggestions into our weekly coverage.  And if you have any specific questions or topics of particular interest you’d like our Experts to address, please let me know!  You can reach me – John Cox – directly at [email protected].

We are always on the look out for more Experts to advise our readers – if you’re a headhunter, job coach, career advisor, etc., and may be interested in contributing to this edition from time to time, please contact me at [email protected].

5 Tips for a Great Elevator Pitch
By Fred Silverman

In today’s business climate, getting people interested in what you do and who you are is essential.  So, you must arm yourself with an elevator pitch that grabs attention and makes you stand out.

A good elevator pitch will peak curiosity and entice a potential employer to learn more about what you have to offer.  In other words, it often changes the dynamic in the networking and selling process, so you can get in the door more quickly.  A well-targeted pitch will position you as someone who can help fill a need and the relationship goes right into how you can make that prospective employer happy.

Improving your pitch is an indispensable exercise to ensure you have the right message.  Here are 5 tips for a better elevator pitch:

1.  Be yourself – your pitch should accurately describe who you are and what you offer.  It must fit you.  It must come from your heart.  Otherwise, it won’t be credible.

2.  Be brief – everybody has a complicated job.  But your elevator pitch is not the place to be complicated.  Remember, you’re trying to make an impression that will lead to a more substantive conversation where you can get into the intricacies of what you do.  Break your job down to the essentials.

3.  Be creative – your elevator pitch should not only peak curiosity it should be a little provocative.  When you meet someone, you want to be remembered.  Don’t be afraid to think creatively.  Do you think people want to meet “a transactional attorney” or someone who “closes deals?” 

4.  Be prepared – you must be able to adapt your elevator pitch for any situation.  If you offer your pitch and the person doesn’t appear interested, you must find another way of peaking their interest.

5.  Be curious – It’s about being a good interviewer and employing good listening skills. It’s absolutely essential to know how to ask questions that may help you understand what their needs are and then learn to listen effectively.   So, you’ll be able to tell someone about what you have to offer in a way that will relate specifically to his or her business.  It signals to that person that you heard what they were saying and could respond to it. Simple statements like, “Tell me about your business,” can often be the most effective.  You’re trying to get the person with whom you’re speaking to open up a bit about what they do.

Fred Silverman is a television producer who has pitched new programming ideas to television executives.  He now is a marketing communications expert who helps companies and individuals hone their branding and messaging efforts.   www.silvermanmediagroup.com

Next week: Researching the media industry online?  But what are you looking for?

If you have any specific questions you’d like our Experts to address, please email them to me, John Cox at [email protected].

I am a top radio Producer, comedy script writer, editor and researcher for a top national radio show. However I feel like I’ve reached the glass ceiling, not only in my company, but also in the industry. I’m fairly young, early 30’s and I would love to move to a career in television. Here’s the catch, I also have experience in news reporting and I’m pretty camera friendly. I love both sides of the camera. I’m basically stuck at which avenue would be the best for me to pursue in the television industry, behind the scenes or go straight for the reporting work. I have a pretty lucrative job and I don’t want to lose pay, but I’m afraid that i’ll have to start on the gopher level to move into television. Any advice?
 
So I see that among your many skills you are a researcher:  I recommend that you research, research, research. Seek out people who work in television – people on both sides of the camera – and ask them what their job is like.  Ask your friends to brainstorm who they can introduce you to who is doing a job you might be interested in.   Then get these contacts talking over a cup of coffee or a cocktail.  Ask them how they got their jobs and what is their growth path.  Tell them about your skills and ask them how these skills apply in their business and if they can see opportunities for you to parlay your skills into a lateral move, avoiding the gopher hole.  And surely one of the things that they will suggest if you want to be on camera is to make yourself a presentation reel.  Do some reporting that will wow people.  But all this is not just about research.  You will also be building a valuable network of professionals to contact when you have homed in on the route you eventually decide to take.  They will know you and hopefully like you and even feel vested in helping you to succeed.  At the research stage it is fine to be curious about the best way for you to go, but by the time you are better have decided on your preferred pathing is what you passionately want to do. 

Michael Pollock is President of Pollock Spark ( www.pollockspark.com ).

Have a question for our experts? Send it to [email protected]

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A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM CYNOPSIS MEDIA EVENTS

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JOB OF THE WEEK …

OTHER INDUSTRY JOBS OF INTEREST …

manage and develop the Media Distribution Services (MDS) technology platforms
Vice President, Distribution Technology   1086577
NBC Universal
NYC, NY
http://www.nbcunicareers.com /

contribute to the development and implementation of integrated ad sales marketing strategies for customers across all female oriented platforms
Manager, Integrated Sales Marketing – [email protected]   1081538
NBC Universal
NYC, NY
http://www.nbcunicareers.com /

make Syfy known as an innovative and client-focused partner
Vice President, Strategic Marketing, Syfy Channel   1085368
NBC Universal
NYC, NY
http://www.nbcunicareers.com /

oversee Post-production and technical delivery on productions and acquisitions for Focus Features International
VP International Post-Production   1085353
NBC Universal
NYC, NY
http://www.nbcunicareers.com /

be available 24/7 to manage several productions at once, around the globe
HBO Production Manager   114463BR
HBO
NYC, NY
http://www.turner.com/careers/

create and produce various interstitial elements for the network
Writer/Producer, tru TV – Creative Services   114319BR
Turner Broadcasting
NYC, NY
http://www.turner.com/careers/

implement and manage a sales strategy to achieve aggressive sales goals
Sales Executive
Plum TV
NYC, NY
http://www.plumtv.com/jobs.html

driving digital (mobile, online, IPTV) products, sales strategies and programmes throughout EMEA
Senior Digital Marketing Manager
Babelgum
NYC, NY
http://jobs.babelgum.com/wd/plsql/wd_portal.show_page?p_web_site_id=1904&p_text_id=497

generating revenue by developing, closing, maintaining, and renewing client relationships
Regional Director of Business Development
Vmix Media
NYC, NY
http://www.vmix.com/careers.php

development and execution of marketing/promotion plans for on- and off-channel activities supporting fuse’s programming, live events and channel image
Director Consumer Marketing   2009-244
FUSE
NYC, NY
https://thegarden.igreentree.com/CSS_External/CSSPage_Welcome.asp

responsible for the day-to-day business and trade press, as well as some consumer press. Develops successful PR campaigns to garner publicity for the MSG Media group
Director Public Relations  2009-220
MSG Media
NYC, NY
https://thegarden.igreentree.com/CSS_External/CSSPage_Welcome.asp

lend their publicity expertise to initiatives across the spectrum of MSG Entertainment business, which includes concerts, award shows and events at MSG and all venues
Director Public Relations
MSG Entertainment
NYC, NY
https://thegarden.igreentree.com/CSS_External/CSSPage_Welcome.asp

manage daily efforts and development of an East Coast sales staff consisting of 6 Account Executives
Managing Director, East Coast Network Sales
Internet Broadcasting
NYC, NY
http://www.ibsys.com/about-us/careers/job-openings/

spearheads the strategy and development for integrated marketing initiatives across all channels that meet client marketing and business objectives
Associate Director, Marketing
Digitas
NYC, NY
http://www.digitas.com/careers.asp

primary client contact on day-to-day development, management, and execution of cross-channel marketing programs
Senior Associate
Digitas
NYC, NY
http://www.digitas.com/careers.asp

mentor, manager and motivator of a creative group
Assoc. Director, Creative
Digitas
NYC, NY
http://www.digitas.com/careers.asp

lead and develop a seasoned creative team
VP/Group Director, Creative
Digitas
NYC, NY
http://www.digitas.com/careers.asp

development of strategy and writing of media plans to meet client’s marketing objectives and the subsequent negotiation, implementation and performance analysis
VP/Director, Media
Digitas
NYC, NY
http://www.digitas.com/careers.asp

responsible for projects within a larger piece of business
Manager, Project Management
Digitas
NYC, NY
http://www.digitas.com/careers.asp

create actionable research that will primarily assist the advertising sales department
Senior Manager of Ad Sales
Ion Media
NYC, NY
http://www.ionmedia.tv/careers/

generating revenue by developing, closing, maintaining, and renewing client relationships
Regional Director of Business Development
Vmix Media
Boston MA
http://www.vmix.com/careers.php

m eet or exceed TV and web sales targets for territory
Senior Sales  and Marketing Manager
Plum TV
Martha’s Vineyard, MA
http://www.plumtv.com/jobs.html

m eet or exceed TV and web sales targets for territory
Director of Advertising Sales
Plum TV
New England
http://www.plumtv.com/jobs.html

defining and developing new features/functionality/opportunities to best monetize consumer-facing website
Principal Product Manager   114047BR
AOL
Dulles Virginia
http://www.turner.com/careers/

prepare Corporate collateral (PowerPoint presentations, DVD’s, website posting) for external use to investors, vendors and clients on behalf of Executive team
Corporate Marketing Coordinator
Ion Media
West Palm Beach FL
http://www.ionmedia.tv/careers/

deliver products and services that exceed our consumer’s expectations
Director of eCommerce   C1904
FW Media
Cincinnati OH, or Nationwide
http://www.fwmedia.com/career/C1904

write, produce and edit news/feature and other content as assigned for Cox Television sites
Content Producer – Social Media (nights and weekends)
Internet Broadcasting
St. Paul MN
http://www.ibsys.com/about-us/careers/job-openings/

work with a broader Hearst Television dedicated content and production team to produce content for the benefit of the HTV group websites
Digital Content Producer
Internet Broadcasting
St. Paul MN
http://www.ibsys.com/about-us/careers/job-openings/

coordination and execution of commercial production, on-air promotions, and event coordination
Production and Promotions Specialist   1086402
NBC Universal
Denver Colorado
http://www.nbcunicareers.com /

generating revenue by developing, closing, maintaining, and renewing client relationships
Regional Director of Business Development
Vmix Media
Los Angeles CA
http://www.vmix.com/careers.php

liaison between Western Region Director/ Deputy Director & Senior VP of News Field Operations for all issues regarding NBC News bureau technical support & improvement
Director, Technical Operations Burbank Bureau   1085323
NBC Universal
Burbank CA
http://www.nbcunicareers.com /

support the worldwide consolidation of NBCU’s business units
Manager, Corporate Finance & Accounting   1075150
NBC Universal
Universal City, CA
http://www.nbcunicareers.com /

sell online only and the digital pieces for cross-platform advertising and promotions for Comedy Central, Digital Properties and Spike Digital Entertainment
Digital Ad Sales
Comedy Central/Spike
Santa Monica CA
https://jobhuntweb.viacom.com/jobhunt/main/jobhome.asp

oversee reporting on site metrics for the AddictingGames and Shockwave sites
Business Analyst
Addicting Games
San Francisco CA
https://jobhuntweb.viacom.com/jobhunt/main/jobhome.asp

lead, along with our top executives, the company’s strategic Internet ebusiness vision and objectives and continually incorporates new technologies into our existing business model
Chief eBusiness Officer
Bowtie Inc
Irvine CA
http://www.bowtieinc.com/bowtieinc/jobdetail.aspx?jobid=590

Cynopsis CLASSIFIEDS – For More classifieds, visit the Cynopsis.com classifieds page here – also check out our Facebook page where our classifieds are listed the night before the editions are published!

JOB OPENING: ACCOUNT MGR/The Hotel Networks/Chicago: 3+ yrs Ad Sales Exp, OOH/Digital-Place Based+++, Creative, Aggressive, Proven Sales Pro, Excel Communication Skills A Must, Self-Motivated, Email [email protected] (9/19)

JOB OPENING: SR PRODUCER/Soapnet.com/CA. Proj manage digt’l efforts, site dev initiatives incl; mob, community & viral digt’l mktg. Min 8yrs dev, bldg online prop. PM skills and HTML req. Visit www.disneyabcjobs.com ID 203730 (9/19)

JOB OPENING: ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE/Gaia Interactive/NYC: Seeks dynamic, strategic, savvy Media Salesperson. Resp. for generation & selling online ad/sponsorship. 2-4+ yrs online media sales. Resumes to: [email protected] (9/19)

JOB OPENING: DIR MKTG/PBS KIDS SPROUT/COMCAST/PA: dev & implement mktg plans/strong work ethic & mgmt skills? Req’d 10+ yrs exp. @ TV Ntwrk Mktg, kids prod & leading/managing advertising. Apply: www.COMCAST.com (9/18)

JOB OPENING: MGR OF PROMO MKTG/PBS KIDS SPROUT/COMCAST/PA: strong leading creative concept dev & project mgmt skills? Req’d 5+ yrs exp. @ TV Ntwrk Mktg, kids prod & brand/promo mktg. Apply: www.COMCAST.com (9/18)

JOB OPENING: COORDINATOR, INTEGRATED MARKETING/Nickelodeon/NYC. 2+yrs mrktg/sales exp. in mrkting/ad agency in Ent/Media, Fast paced/Strng multitasking skills, Strng Project/Time Mgmt skills EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (9/18)

JOB OPENING: MEDIA ANALYST/Billetts America/NYC: Analyze media plans on both a cost & quality basis. Front-line access to top clients; Be part of a great, growing team. Resume: [email protected] (9/17)

JOB OPENING: SR WRITER/PROD ON-AIR PROMOS/SOAPNet/LA: Write/prod/supervise edits/promos; develop innov strategies; strong knowledge of prod process; project mgmt. 5+ yrs exp in cable/netwk. Apply www.disneycareers.com ID #206284 (9/17)

JOB OPENING: DIRECT RESPONSE SALES PLAN/TV One/NY: Min 1-2 yrs DR/TV Sales Planner exp. Pref’d/BA required. Direct Response Agency Buying/Plan exp. a +. Familiar with rsrch tools MRI, Nielsen. Full description at tvoneonline .com (9/17)

JOB OPENING: VP DVLPMNT/TWO CATS PRODS/NY: Oversee reality/non-fiction dev for small prod-co moving from PBS docs to break into cable. Solid rolodex, ideas, exprnce selling to cable nets a must. Res/Cvr Ltr: [email protected] (9/16)

JOB OPENING: PROJ ENG MGR/ABC Burbank. Design, test, & commission tech systems; new/existing broadcast & media sys. Min 5yrs exp proj mgnt, design, & ops. Mgr exp, AutoCAD. Degree pref. Apply at: www.disneyabcjobs.com . ID 200087 (9/16)

JOB OPENING: PROGRAM ACQUISITIONS MANAGER/Films Media Group/Princeton, NJ: 3+ yrs exp in acq; strong knwlg of factual prgmng & distrib; solid industry contacts; self-starter & deal-maker. MA a +. Email [email protected] EOE (9/16)

JOB OPENING: INTEG MKTG MGR/Sundance/NY: Manage Dev & Fulfillment of all Sponsorship packages & Mktg initiatives to drive Ad Sales rev. 3+ yrs of related mktg exp pref in agency or network. res: www.cablevision.jobs ref# 9472BR (9/15)

JOB OPENING: SALES EXEC/Plum TV/NY: Creative, aggressive, strategic pro to grow new lifestyle media org (tv, web, social) focused on upscale market. 5+ yrs selling cable TV, or other nat’l media. See full posting plumtv .com (9/15)

JOB OPENING: DIR OF AD SALES/Plum TV/New Eng: Strategic mgr to oversee teams and generate rev for lifestyle mulitplat-media org focused on upscale market. 8+ yrs selling media, exp w/upscale market. Full posting plumtv .com (9/15)

Planet Green, a network under the Discovery Communications’ umbrella dedicated to the environment and sustainable living, appointed Jeff Hasler as SVP/Production and Development. Jeff is in charge of developing and producing original programming concepts and will manage the network’s on-air development slate. Jeff reports to Laura Michalchyshyn, President/GM, Planet Green.

NFL promoted Mark Waller to the position of CMO and recruited Keith Turner as SVP/Media Sales and Sponsorship. Mark will spearhead integrated marketing across all NFL platforms and properties, working closely with sponsors, network partners, advertisers and licensees to highlight the NFL brand. Mark will also continue to lead the NFL’s international business. Keith will lead advertising sales for NFL media platforms as well as national sponsorship programs. Previously, Keith was Vice Chairman of the direct-response advertising company Mercury Media. 
 
CNN hired Meredith Artley as VP/Managing Editor of CNN.com. Meredith will begin her new position with CNN next month, coming from The Los Angeles Times where she serves as Managing Editor/Online. At CNN, Meredith will head the online editorial strategy while based in Atlanta and reporting to KC Estenson, SVP/GM, CNN.com.
 
John Malkin is the new VP/Affiliate Distribution for NFL Network, joining from Fox News Channel and Fox Business Network where he has held various positions since 1997. In his new capacity, John will oversee the distribution of NFL Network and create strategies to increase the network’s subscriber base and subscriber revenue. He will report to Kim Williams, COO, NFL Network.
 
Discovery Communications added Helen Fox Gladwell as VP/Business Affairs and Programming Legal based in London. Helen will supervise the company’s program acquisitions group throughout the UK and EMEA. Helen reports to Barbara Bellini, SVP/Business Affairs and Programming Legal.
 
Paul Greco was tapped as Senior Creative Director with independent music publisher, Spirit Music Group. Paul’s responsibility includes pitching Spirit’s song catalog for use in ad campaigns, in addition to working with agencies and consumer product companies to identify branding opportunities and design marketing plans for new clients. Paul will report to Peter Shane, VP/Creative Services.

Ed Hersh was named SVP/Strategic Planning for Investigation Discovery (ID). Ed will have oversight on the creation of long-range content, production, acquisition, marketing and promotion strategy on behalf of ID. Based at Discovery Communications’ New York office, Ed reports to Henry Schleiff, President/GM.

Beginning next Monday, Mark Weinberg joins Hearst Magazines Digital Media as VP/Programming and Product Strategy. Mark’s job duties covers developing strategies and implementation of programming on behalf of Hearst’s roster of digital sites and magazine brand sites in addition to creating online brands across the company’s network of sites. Mark will report to Chuck Cordray, SVP/GM, Hearst Magazines Digital Media.

International production and distribution company, Off the Fence (OTF) opened a new North American office in New York and has hired Adam Block as SVP for the US and Canada. In his new position, Adam will head new business opportunities in North America and work to position OTF in the arena of domestic and international distribution. He will also develop a sales strategy for the US and Canada for non-fiction programming and the acquisition of series from American and Canadian producers and broadcasters. OTF has production and distribution bases in Amsterdam, UK, South Africa and Singapore.

Liberman Broadcasting, Inc. (LBI Media) tapped Andrew Wallace as VP/Midwest National Sales and Marketing. Andrew will be based in Chicago and is charged with positioning LBI’s Estrella TV network scheduled to launch this month.

FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) named Mel Alcock as CEO for the EMEA region. Based in London, Mel will report to David Ellender, Global CEO of FremantleMedia Enterprises.

Louis Jones is the new CEO, North America at Maxus, one of four worldwide WPP media agency networks within GroupM. Effective immediately, Louis will supervise all Maxus efforts in the US and Canada. Based in New York, Louis will report to Kelly Clark, CEO, Maxus Worldwide. Additionally, current CEO Carla Loffredo becomes the first COO, North America for Maxus.

Cineflix named Stephen Tapp to the position of CEO/Cineflix Rights where he will be in charge of developing and overseeing growth strategy for using the company’s intellectual property worldwide. Stephen will be located at Cineflix’s Toronto office. Previously, Stephen served as CEO at Hercules Media Group.

Denise Bailey was named as Licensing Manager of PPC, the commercial unit of Picture Production Company Group.

Christina Miller advanced to SVP/Strategy, Marketing, Promotions with Turner Sports and Cartoon Network Enterprises. Under her new title, Christina will continue managing Cartoon Network’s Consumer Products and Home Video units in the US encompassing global licensing partnerships, merchandising goals and retail business development for Cartoon Network and Adult Swim brands. For Turner Sports, Christina will now supervise overall strategy, marketing and programming as well as relationships with league partners, Turner networks and digital products. Christina will move to Atlanta from New York and will continue to report jointly to David Levy, President/Sales, Distribution and Sports, Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. and Stuart Snyder, President/COO,Animation, Young Adults and Kids Media Group. In addition, Christina will report to Lenny Daniels, EVP/COO, Turner Sports.

WorldLink re-hired Daniel Casey as EVP/Sales and GM, following a three-year interval where he served as EVP/Sales and Marketing with Revenue Frontier and President/GM of KDOC/Los Angeles. At WorldLink, Daniel will oversee the company’s daily operations and report to Toni Knight, Founder/CEO.

Later — John
   John Cox for Cynopsis: Classified Advantage
[email protected]
09.15.09

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