A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM INSTITUTE FOR MEDIA AND ENTERTAINMENT

---

---

Cynopsis: Classified Advantage

09.22.09

Good morning – it’s Tuesday, September 22, 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.

What to do when asked about salary.

Avoid

The best solution is to avoid giving a specific answer for as long as possible. This is the only time that you will have any leverage. Ideally, you want the company to offer a number first. This is beneficial in two ways:

1.  They’ve shown an interest prior to salary negotiations
2.  You’ve demonstrated your ability to handle a tough situations with poise and confidence

Deflect

If you cannot avoid the question at least try to deflect it. When asked how much you were paid in your last job, possible answers can be, “I was well paid, very competitively, in line with market conditions, indicative of my performance that exceeded the goals set for my position,” etc.

Or you can take another tack: “I understand that the salary I require must be comparable to the salary you offered. What is your range for this position?”

Or if you are applying for a position where rhetoric is not only required but desired, “There are many aspects of this job that interest me. I’d hope for a good fit with the company’s culture, enthusiasm of co-workers, respect of senior personnel, opportunity for advancement and, of course, an appropriate salary. Could we discuss them in order?” WOW.

Acquiesce

If you feel that you have to give an actual number, remember that the market rate isn’t based upon your last job, but rather, what it would cost the company to hire someone with your experience and expertise. A good place to start is www.salary.com .

Never low ball your number because you think the company is in trouble. If they are unable to compensate you satisfactorily through a paycheck, perhaps they can do so through other perks. Either way, you need to know.

When giving a specific number, aim high, but do so with a detailed account of what extras you will bring that are of value to the company.  Research the company extensively. Ask questions on LinkedIn. The more you know about a company, the more you can understand its nature and what it values.

Negotiate

See “Ask The Experts” below.

Next week: The Phone Interview

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].

The Other Side of the Equation
By Stephen M. Pollan and Mark Levine

Whenever the economy heads south and the job market gets rocky, everyone turns into a penny pincher. In response, the media dusts off stories about bargain hunting and contacts those long ignored experts on coupon clipping and eBay shopping. While all this thrift is helpful and virtuous, it’s only half the equation. When money is tight you should spend as much time and effort on boosting your income, than you do on cutting your spending.

In normal times, the easiest and quickest way to put more money in your pocket would be to launch a campaign to get a raise. But until the economy has spent at least a year in recovery, asking for a raise is out of the question. Your efforts on the job should focus on securing rather than boosting your stream of income. That leaves you three viable options: take on some freelance projects; launch a part time business; or moonlight at another job.

Freelancing is the reflexive choice since it’s doing what you’re already doing for your employer, just for someone else, who is probably already familiar with your skills and abilities. But those advantages are also real disadvantages. Most employers will be unhappy if they find out you’re plying your trade elsewhere, even if it’s not against the employee handbook or helping a competitor. Some will be furious. And don’t kid yourself, it will never remain a secret.

Starting a part time business–saying turning an avocation into a vocation–has the potential for the greatest impact long term. You might even be planting the seed for your future full time employment. But you’ll have two bosses, rather than one, and your new one will be even more demanding. And there are few things less predictable or reliable than a start up business. Odds are this could turn into a drain on rather than a supplement to your income.

Ironically, the option least considered and rarely chosen is actually the best choice: moonlighting. Sure, working an unrelated part time job in your off hours will be tough, won’t bring you a fortune, and has no potential long term benefits. But it’s probably the easiest option to pursue, presents the least risk to your full time income stream, and is the most predictable. You’ve got a choice: lose sleep from worry about money, or lose sleep because you’re holding down two jobs. I’d pick the latter every time.

Stephen M. Pollan is one of America’s most trusted and admired career and financial advisors and is the author of more than a dozen books including the national bestsellers Die Broke and Second Acts. Information about his practice and writing can be found at stephenpollan.com . Mark Levine ( gostryter.com ) has been Pollan’s collaborator for more than 20 years.

Next week: Knitting a Safety Net

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

---

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM CYNOPSIS MEDIA EVENTS

---

---

What should I do when offered a salary? If its within my range do I immediately accept or should I negotiate and if so, how?
 
I would first say thank you, and tell them that you are excited and honored that they are considering hiring you. I am assuming that you are a good match for the position and they are really interested in you, so then it is not unreasonable to ask politely if they can go to a somewhat higher number.  Name the number: say 10% or 15% higher than their offer.  If they say okay, then okay.  If they say “No this is all we have,” you can ask them if there are perks available instead: gym membership, or education allowance or whatever interests you, and see if they can do something which might come out of a different budget.   You don‘ t even have to give them a reason. They are not interested in your personal situation or your housing costs or your need to buy your spouse a new car.  The only thing they are considering is their need to fill the spot with the best person that they can afford with their budget.

Do it respectfully.  I do not encourage you to play hardball in this market, unless you are absolutely convinced that you have a better rock solid offer elsewhere, or else you are the only person in the world who could fill that spot, and they absolutely have to have you.

My question: is there a polite/PC way of handling the MASS EMAILING by hiring companies (Cybercoders, for example) where the email has your own name (an [insert name here] greeting) but has nothing personal about you, the job(s) available or is for the opposite side of the country.
 
Some of these emails have recruiter names and others just list a higher up in the company, such as owner or president.  Most of the emails have a MASS message, that they have SEEN your resume (somewhere).  They obviously haven’t though, when the positions offered have nothing to do with your field of expertise.  Most, for me, seem to be “Sales” positions, even though my career has never included sales.
 
There is also no frequency pattern to these emails (ie- not a list I subscribed to for updates).  I can go for weeks without one, but then get 6 in a week from the same company.
 
I want to trust these companies, as many are the ones filtering my applications!  But companies that are expecting un/under-employed people to hook them up are over-estimating their stressed-out audience.  Most of the emails read as a credentials pitch, yada yada (yawn) about their company.  Little or nothing is mentioned about JOB specs … as they are just fishing for any response. (ie- the bad marketing scenario of: throw it against the wall and see what sticks).  What sticks is a bad taste of these companies- a poor marketing job to marketing professionals!

If you don‘ t need to be doing business with these people, I suggest you hit unsubscribe.   And stop thinking about them, you have more important things to do.  But if you really feel that these companies might be of value to you and don’ t want to disconnect from them (though I suspect that no human will ever know if you unsubscribe) then you can filter these emails to your spam folder and you won’ t have to see them.

I don’ t suggest you waste any time trying to reform their marketing practices. But here is a thing to consider: if you think that the sales jobs are coming to you because they saw your resume, you should review the resumes you have out there on the web and check that they include the correct keywords. Check the keywords you picked on sites you registered with.  It is just possible that their spiders are picking up words that you didn’ t intend to be your descriptors.  
Michael Pollock is President of Pollock Spark ( www.pollockspark.com ).

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

---

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM ABC FAMILY

---

Source: The Nielsen Company. Click here for full source data.

---

JOB OF THE WEEK …

OTHER INDUSTRY JOBS OF INTEREST …

helping to assign news stories to reporters, photographers and editors on a daily basis to ensure timely and consistent coverage of local news
Assignment Editor   2421BR
WCBS- TV
NYC, NY
http://www.cbscorporation.com/careers/index.php

responsible for all stages of strategic development and creative execution of revenue generating, integrated marketing solutions for Syfy and Syfy.com
Director Strategic Marketing – Syfy Channel   1065520
NBC Universal
NYC, NY
http://www.nbcunicareers.com

responsible for growing revenue across NBC Local Media’s digital platforms through the development and sale of creative advertising solutions to clients
Account Executive   1079960
NBC Universal
NYC, NY
http://www.nbcunicareers.com

responsible for negotiating and marketing commercial airtime for WNJU the Telemundo station in New York
Lead Account Executive   1072939
NBC Universal
NYC, NY
http://www.nbcunicareers.com

sell advertising time to and works with clients in an assigned territory; maintains and grows current business
Senior Sales Manager
ESPN
NYC, NY
https://disney.recruitmax.com/main/careerportal/Job_List.cfm?szSearchType=Advanced

lead development of sales strategy for our high school business, with emphasis on the female athlete and on digital media- web and mobile- within a cross-platform sell
Senior Director Digital Sales
ESPN
NYC, NY
https://disney.recruitmax.com/main/careerportal/Job_List.cfm?szSearchType=Advanced

developing and maintaining strategic advertising partnerships and sponsorship deals for FOXsports.com with assigned advertisers and advertising agencies throughout the New York and Boston territories
Account Executive   FNG17311
Fox Broadcasting Company
NYC, NY
http://www.foxcareers.com/jobSearch.html

develop and execute strategies for growing all key site metrics, including unique visitors, video streams, pageviews, pageviews/unique, repeat visits, etc
Director, Content & Programming/Digital Verticals
Nickelodeon
NYC, NY
https://jobhuntweb.viacom.com/jobhunt/main/jobhome.asp

creating and executing an overall programming plan for Nick.com based on traffic and revenue goals
Director, Content & Programming
Nickelodeon
NYC, NY
https://jobhuntweb.viacom.com/jobhunt/main/jobhome.asp

responsible for advertising sales to businesses in local markets
Ad Manager(North Jersey), Patch.com   114496BR
AOL
NYC, NY
http://www.turner.com/careers/

responsible for advertising sales to businesses in local markets
Ad Manager (North Jersey), Patch.com   114496BR
AOL
NYC, NY
http://www.turner.com/careers/

responsible for advertising sales to businesses in local markets
Ad Manager (Jersey), Patch.com   114494BR
AOL
NYC, NY
http://www.turner.com/careers/

responsible for advertising sales to businesses in local markets
Ad Manager (Westchester), Patch.com   114495BR
AOL
NYC, NY
http://www.turner.com/careers/

responsible for advertising sales to businesses in local markets
Ad Manager (Fairfield County), Patch.com   114493BR
AOL
NYC, NY
http://www.turner.com/careers/

be an advocate for the user, keeping his/her best interests in mind at all times
Product Manager   114429BR
AOL
NYC, NY
http://www.turner.com/careers/

own digital advertising strategy from conception to completion
Account Manager   113944BR
AOL
NYC, NY
http://www.turner.com/careers/

focused on generating revenue from non-standard sales
Account Director   114193BR
AOL
NYC, NY
http://www.turner.com/careers/

help educate clients and agencies regarding the power of the women’s blogosphere
Account Executive, Advertising Sales
BlogHer
NYC, NY
http://www.blogher.com/jobs#midwest

Work with Creative Services Director, Production Director and Account Executives to create works-of-art for clients
Producer/Editor   2422BR
CBS WBZ TV
Boston MA
http://www.cbscorporation.com/careers/index.php

assist Research Director in providing ratings and qualitative data for analysis and presentation
Research Analyst   2424BR
CBS WBZ TV
Boston MA
http://www.cbscorporation.com/careers/index.php

identify and develop new domestic and international partnership opportunities and target emerging businesses
Vice President, Business Development
WWE
Stamford CT
http://www.wwe-careers.com/wwe/JobBoard/JobDetails.aspx?__ID=*AC5F80BAD409E322

manage day to day activity for all client needs
Account Coordinator, Sponsorship Management
WWE
Stamford CT
http://www.wwe-careers.com/wwe/JobBoard/JobDetails.aspx?__ID=*AC5F80BAD409E322

work closely with Sales, Sales Marketing, Account Management, as well as direct with advertisers and agencies, to ensure fulfillment and optimize performance of advertising campaigns
Manager, Advertising Operations
WWE
Stamford CT
http://www.wwe-careers.com/wwe/JobBoard/JobDetails.aspx?__ID=*AC5F80BAD409E322

managing projects with complete accountability working with the business partners to deliver project on time, within budget and scope
Senior Project Manager
ESPN
Bristol CT
https://disney.recruitmax.com/main/careerportal/Job_List.cfm?szSearchType=Advanced

oversees the development and tracking of integrated project plans
Senior Program Manager
ESPN
Bristol CT
https://disney.recruitmax.com/main/careerportal/Job_List.cfm?szSearchType=Advanced

create global learning strategies that are aimed at building a stronger, more efficient cross-functional organization
VP Learning & Organizational Development
ESPN
Bristol CT
https://disney.recruitmax.com/main/careerportal/Job_List.cfm?szSearchType=Advanced

responsible for generating new business through traditional and non-traditional avenues
Account Executive Business Development   1076399
NBC Universal
Hartford CT
http://www.nbcunicareers.com

responsible for the overall coverage of assigned stories on all platforms throughout the day
Content Producer   1079737
NBC Universal
Washington DC
http://www.nbcunicareers.com

developing business for NBC4 through contact with local and regional ad agencies and clients
Account Executive   1080007
NBC Universal
Washington DC
http://www.nbcunicareers.com

consults with marketing, sales, advertising, and HR in order to project the corporate message to both external and internal mediums
Sr Communications Director   112331BR
AOL
Dulles VA
http://www.turner.com/careers/

ensure CNN standards for quality assurance are met as they pertain to journalistic, technical and cataloging protocols
Media Coordinator, Media Operations – Coordinators   113157BR
Turner Broadcasting
Atlanta GA
http://www.turner.com/careers/

collaborate with the marketing manager, Product Management, Multimedia, other CBSSports.com marketing teams, and external vendors to develop messaging and creative
Marketing Coordinator   2459BR
CBS Interactive
Fort Lauderdale FL
http://www.cbscorporation.com/careers/index.php

overseeing all Business Affairs matters for the international division of Telemundo
Director Business Affairs   1064485
NBC Universal
Hialeah FL
http://www.nbcunicareers.com

lead the strategy and execution of marketing plans for WTVJ/NBC 6 including TV, out of home, websites and mobile platforms
Director, Local Brand Marketing   1083373
NBC Universal
Miramar FL
http://www.nbcunicareers.com

plan, create, coordinate and execute promos, image IDs, interstitials, audiovisual projects, campaigns and productions for the news and sports franchise
Promotions Producer/Editor   1087185
NBC Universal
Hialeah FL
http://www.nbcunicareers.com

responsible for the strategic and operational leadership of WSNS-TV, Telemundo Chicago
President & GM WSNS   1089740
NBC Universal
Chicago IL
http://www.nbcunicareers.com

help educate clients and agencies regarding the power of the women’s blogosphere
Account Executive, Advertising Sales
BlogHer
Chicago IL
http://www.blogher.com/jobs#midwest

own digital advertising strategy from conception to completion
Account Manager, Sales   114445BR
AOL
Detroit Michigan
http://www.turner.com/careers/

oversees the NBC5 sales management team located in the 5th largest market as well as National Sales offices in Dallas and Atlanta
Vice President of Sales   1081537
NBC Universal
Ft. Worth TX
http://www.nbcunicareers.com

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

develop and drive BlogHer’s strategy and execution of product offerings around new research and customer insights and engagement products
Director, Marketing Research
BlogHer
Redwood City CA
http://www.blogher.com/jobs#midwest

primary contact with BlogHer’s external PR reps, working on all PR materials, such as press releases, speaking abstracts, media pitches, articles
Marketing Programs Manager
BlogHer
Redwood City CA
http://www.blogher.com/jobs#midwest

maintaining and building the territory’s advertising revenue and exceeding, where possible, revenue goals
Account Executive   2452BR
CBS Interactive
Irvine CA
http://www.cbscorporation.com/careers/index.php

analyze and provide spending reports to other divisions (i.e. Domestic & International Theatrical, home Entertainment, Focus Features, PPV/VOD
Senior Financial Analyst   1089330
NBC Universal
Universal City, CA
http://www.nbcunicareers.com

managing marketing projects & events, assisting SVP Int’l Marketing, and providing support to VP Communications, Director Marketing (LatAm, Asia) and Creative Services Manager
Coordinator Marketing and Communications
NBC Universal
Universal City CA
http://www.nbcunicareers.com

oversee, structure, negotiate and draft a wide variety of television-related deals in connection with the development and production of scripted television pilots and series
Director, Business Affairs   2049BR
CBS Studios
Studio City CA
http://www.cbscorporation.com/careers/index.php

overall responsibility for NBC Bay Area news gathering, production, news programming and presentation on air and online
VP of News   1080583
NBC Universal
San Jose CA
http://www.nbcunicareers.com

negotiating and maximizing sales revenue from new and existing clients for the station
Account Manager   1081179
NBC Universal
San Diego CA
http://www.nbcunicareers.com

orchestrating the creative execution, production, implementation, and tracking for CBS Interactive’s creative department
Creative Services Manager   2463BR
CBS Interactive
San Francisco CA
http://www.cbscorporation.com/careers/index.php

---

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM AMC

---

---

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: COMMERCIAL OPS SPECIALIST CMT/NYC: 1+ yr sked commercials exp. Strong multi-tasking, org and communication skill. Exp with Gabriel or similar sys. Prof in MS Office. EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvnetworkscareers.com (9/26)

JOB OPENING: SHOWRUNNER/Boston television Production Company: Must have network credit as showrunner. Live in Boston area or willing to relocate. Apply to [email protected] and put “SHOWRUNNER” in the subject field (9/26)

JOB OPENING: AD SALES TRAFFIC COPY COORD/ TV One/NY: BA Pref’d and/or 3 yrs exp in TV Ops. & Traffic. Wrk w/external agencies, planners + Ad Sales mgmt to secure commercial copy for network. More info: tvoneonline.com (9/26)

JOB OPENING: SR RESEARCH ANALYST/ABC Burbank: Min 2 yrs exp in TV/digital research, apt at Nielsen, strong written, PC & analytical skills, college degree req. Apply at: www.disneyabcjobs.com (9/25)

JOB OPENING: DIR PRICING & PLAN’G/TWC/NY: Resp for strategic dvlpmnt/operational mngmnt of TWC Cable Ad Sales pricing & plan’g group. 3+ yrs Sr mngmnt + cable pricing & plan’g exp. Resume: [email protected]    weather.com (9/25)

JOB OPENING: ASSISTANT /Endemol USA/LA: Detail-oriented professional for Head of Non-Scripted Development. 1 year exp on busy entertainment industry desk required. Salary/benefits/401k. Resume to: [email protected] (9/25)

JOB OPENING: ACCT EXEC DIR RESPONSE/ION/NY: Req’d 5 yrs TV ad sales & DR Sales, strong oral/written skills vital, duties pricing, creative selling & promo ideas. EOE full ad http://www.ionmedia.tv/careers/employment.cfm?id=1158 (9/25)

JOB OPENING: DIR DEVL & PROD SHORT FORM /DISNEY CHANNEL/LA: Oversee devlpmnt and execution of short form content for Disney Channel & Disney XD.  Min 5 yrs devlpmt exp; multiplatform a plus. Apply www.disneycareers.com Req #206058 (9/25)

JOB OPENING: VICE PRESIDENT/GENERAL MANAGER Meredith Corp. seeks VP/GM in Kansas City (KCTV/KSMO). Will develop the stations’ full potential for audience, revenue, and profits. More at www.meredith.com (9/24)

JOB OPENING: AD SALES TRAINING MGR/FOX CABLE NETWORKS/NYC: Seeking 2-4yrs training exp in Sales Operations; Cable exp needed; Highly organized & detailed; Integrated Sales systems a plus. Resumes to www.foxcareers.com FNG17312. (9/24)

JOB OPENING: AD SALES ACCOUNT EXEC/Cynopsis Media/NJ office. Sales Exec needed with 5+ years of ad sales/TV industry exp & record of budget beating sales success.  Send cover ltr/Resume to [email protected]  (9/22)

JOB OPENING: NEW MEDIA MKTG MGR/Scripps/Knox-TN: Dev VOD Promos & mktg strategies; dev processes, content package & agreements w/ On Demand affiliates. Analyze distrib models for tech reqs. To apply: www.scrippsnetworks.com (9/22)

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH ANALYST/Univision NY: Support advertising and affiliate sales. 1-2 years Nielsen ratings experience. Program tracking and analysis; create sales materials. Please e-mail resume to [email protected] (9/22)

---

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM DISNEY ONLINE

---

---

Max Gousse was named SVP/A&R with the Island Def Jam Music Group where he will identify and sign new talent to the company and its associated labels. Based in Los Angeles, Max will report to Antonio “L.A.” Reid, Chairman, Island Def Jam Music Group.

PromaxBDA Board of Directors renewed the contract of current President Jonathan Block-Verke and also expanded his duties to include the position of CEO.

Trevor Gooch was hired as a full time Gaffer and Production Electrician with Lighting Design Group. Previously, Trevor worked freelance in these positions on such projects as the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing and the 2008 Election Plaza at Rockefeller Center in New York City.

CBS Studios International named Reed Manville to the newly created position as EVP/International Channels where he will provide oversight of CBS’ international channel strategy. Based in Los Angeles, Reed will report to Armando Nunez, President, CBS Studios International. Additionally, Reed will be part of the new board established based on the new joint venture between CBS Studios International and Chello Zone to develop CBS branded platforms in the UK. Furthermore, Reed will supervise CBS’ involvement in its two Australian channels, TV1 and Sci Fi.

Dee Forbes was appointed Managing Director/EVP of Discovery Networks UK where she will oversee Discovery’s UK/Ireland unit. Dee begins her new position in January 2010 and comes from Turner Broadcasting Europe where she served as SVP/GM, Turner Broadcasting System, UK/Ireland.

Maria Brennan was tapped as President/CEO of Women in Cable Telecommunications where she will succeed Benita Fitzgerald Mosley who departed in June to take on a new role with USA Track and Field. Maria, who is the current President of American Women in Radio and Television, joins WICT starting October 19.

Effective immediately, Dick Cook, Chairman of the Walt Disney Studios is departing the company after 38 years. Disney has not named Cook’s successor. Under Dick’s leadership, Disney made a distribution deal with DreamWorks, purchased Marvel Entertainment in a move to attract more young boys and upgraded its cartoon unit under John Lasseter of Pixar among other accomplishments.

Gordon Smith will become the new President of the National Association of Broadcasters, officially starting November 1 though he will be introduced next week during the Radio Show in Philadelphia. Gordon, a former two-term Oregon Senator, joins from the Covington & Burling law firm. He succeeds David Rehr who resigned from the position last May. Current NAB COO Janet McGregor has filled the role as acting president in the interim.

Bill Lord was elevated to Station Manager of WJLA and NewsChannel 8 where he will manage the daily operations of both the ABC affiliate and the 24-hour cable news channel in the Washington, D.C. area owned by Allbritton Communications Company. Bill will also be in charge of sales and marketing in addition to news, promotions and technical aspects of both stations.

Independent production company specializing in non-fiction programming, Atlas Media Corp. named Royd Chung as Director/Programming. Royd joined Atlas Media two years ago and works at the company’s New York base where he reports to Cheryl Miller Houser, EVP/Programming.

Later — John
   John Cox for Cynopsis: Classified Advantage
[email protected]
09.22.09

Cynopsis Media Facebook Page here

Cynopsis Kids Ad Sales:
Chuck Bolkcom, Pres/COO – 646-468-6180 / [email protected]
Classifieds – Trish Pihonak- 203-926-9878 / [email protected]

To subscribe to any Cynopsis edition(s) click here . 
To unsubscribe , click here or click the button at the end of this email.