Cynopsis: DIGITAL

04/09/08

Good morning, it’s Wednesday, April 9, 2008, and this is your first early morning digital briefing.

Two prominent media chieftains revealed a little of what keeps them up at night this week. NBCU‘s Jeff Zucker warned International Advertising Assoc. World Congress attendees how crippling an actors’ strike could be to the TV business, given the current state of the economy and “the future” on the broadcast side. (On a brighter note, NBCU’s future initiatives seem to be going well. Hulu.com‘s ad inventory is already sold out, according to Mr. Zucker, and NBC is still hopeful it can work out a flexible pricing model with Apple for content sales on iTunes.)  Disney CEO Bob Iger admitted at a Newhouse School Media Breakfast how much of a dogfight it has become in the digital news business. Without a cable network to help drive digital traffic, he said, ABCNews.com is at a disadvantage to counterparts such as CNN.com and MSNBC.com. Then there’s competition from online news entities such as Huffington Post.
 

 
ABC.com is expanding its widget offerings adding new embeddable widgets around primetime shows such as The Bachelor: London Calling, Brother’s & Sisters, Desperate Housewives, Grey’s Anatomy, Samantha Who? and Ugly Betty. The applications, which have been averaging 170,000 views/day for previously launched Lost and Dancing with the Stars versions according to ABC, allow viewers to embed and share video clips, photos, news alerts and mobile-optimized content. ABC also has a widget as part of the Start Fresh campaign, promising to plant one tree sapling for every ten videos viewed on the apps.
 
Moving beyond meteorology into lifestyle services, The Weather Channel Interactive relaunched its Desktop weather client with a bunch of new bells and whistles. Users can now change the look of the app with swappable skins (including MLB-themed ones) and take advantage of additional features including driving conditions, business travel forecasts, golf course conditions and allergy/pollen levels.
 
TNT is getting an early start promoting the 4th season of The Closer (not premiering until July) with a collection of exclusive interviews from the writers’ room on tnt.tv.
 
The hip-hop parade continues in the online video world. New York DJ Funkmaster Flex stars in  Funk Flex TV, a new channel on Ripe Digital’s Flow TV service available on demand on Time Warner, Comcast and Cablevision and online via flow.tv.
 
MGM announced it will launch an HD version of the MGM Channel this spring as part of the HD basic tier of Israeli’s YES DTH platform, the network’s third high-def launch in the last 18 months.
 
Call for votes: The 12th annual Webby Awards nominations are out in a slew of categories from Activism to Youth. (There’s far too many to congratulate, so please take a look.)  A site has been set up to tabulate votes through May 1 for the People’s Voice Award categories – best Website, best Online Film & Video, best Interactive Advertising and best Mobile Content. People’s Voice award winners will be announced on May 6, 2008 then honored at the star-studded Awards ceremonies in New York on June 9 & 10. One minor annoyance: the site requires you to register in order to keep click fraud at bay.
 

 
Yahoo’s photo sharing site Flickr added an option to upload short videos up to 90 seconds long and 150 MB in size.
 
The prestigious Youssou N’Dour is lending his name, music and pedigree to i-concerts Africa, a new live music portal in development from the Swiss-based VOD and broadband programmer. The service will focus on the wider distribution of African music across the i-concerts IPTV platforms as well as the launch of a new HDTV Channel.
 
Unknown Vector unveiled a new interface for sharing video collections across social networks called uvLayer. The browser-based application, based on a downloadable version released earlier, allows users to drag and drop videos, create playlists and push thumbnail stacks of content to friends’ profile pages in 13 different languages.
 
Call for content: Design-themed social networking site Momentofluxury.com, companion to the PBS television series premiering this month, is looking for designers to articulate how best to experience a “moment of luxury.” Entrants are asked to submit photos and videos of their designs from May 1 – July 31. The show’s host Bill Stubbs will personally select the winner, who will receive national exposure through a filmed webisode and possibly be featured on the television series.
 

 
The celebrated Tivo interface should gain traction abroad, thanks to a new international licensing deal with Gemstar-TV Guide, expanding upon the domestic relationship between the two companies. The deal includes patent license agreements in retail and limited service provider deployments.
 
The EU’s Article 29 data privacy group has determined that search engines should destroy users’ IP addresses after no longer than six months. Google routinely keeps users’ identities based on IP clicks for 24 months.
 

Fox’s web advertising company .Fox Networks is acquiring a 56% stake in UK-based video ad platform Utarget, which serves pre-rolls, contextual videos and other video ad products to 630 +publisher sites. The newly rebranded utarget.fox unit will work to enhance video advertising across the Fox Interactive Media Audience Network, and the company’s software products will be offered from .Fox’s 17 international offices.   
 
Chrysler will spend a record 29% of its budget on interactive media to launch the 2009 Dodge Journey SUV crossover, according to AdAge, including buys on portals, behavioral targeting sites and search engines.
 
Glam Media is partnering with Johnson & Johnson on a web 2.0 ad campaign from today for the Melt Away Stress skincare line. A microsite invites women to share their own stories, view video tips from Ugly Betty’s Ana Ortiz and complete a playful quiz to read their abilities to manage stress.
 

 
Online ad networks, launched to move unsold ad inventory across the web, face a number of challenges going forward, according to a new market research report from The Rubicom Project, published in support of its new Certified Ad Space certification program. With more than 600 ad networks launching in the past few years, these wholesalers face stiff competition; intrinsic conflict trying to serve both publisher partners and advertiser customers; and premature commoditization as networks are forced to compete on price.
 
Top 10 Third-Party Videogame Publishers/Developers, By Quarterly Revenue
Company            Revenue, most recent quarter           Notable Game
Electronic Arts      $1.503 billion                                 Madden NFL ’08
Activision             $1.42 billion                                   Guitar Hero 3
Square Enix         $1.125 billion                                  Final Fantasy XII
Namco Bandai    $1 billion                                           Soul Calibur IV
Ubisoft                 $708 million                                   Assassin’s Creed
Konami                $642 million                                   Metal Gear Solid 4
THQ                     $509 million                                   Saint’s Row
Capcom                $503 million                                   Resident Evil
Sega Sammy         $500 million                                  Sonic the Hedgehog
Take-Two Inter.     $240 million                                  Grand Theft Auto IV
Source: Forbes.com
 

 
Nickelodeon/MTVN Kids and Family Group upped Mark Taylor to SVP & GM of Nickelodeon Animation Studio, responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of Nickelodeon’s huge Burbank Animation Studio. He will report to Brown Johnson, President, Animation and Alison Dexter, EVP/Production, Nickelodeon & MTVN Kids and Family Group.
 

 
Perhaps there are benefits to getting bought by a major media company besides just bucket loads of cash. Popular gay blog afterelton.com, acquired in 2006 by MTV Network’s Logo, managed to get all 5 heads of entertainment of ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox and The CW on the record about the challenges of creating and presenting shows with gay characters in a two-part special report written by contributor James Hills. Organizations such as GLADD have been on the networks for years to present more gays in a three-dimensional manner. In part I of the piece, all 5 network execs put a positive spin on recent gains. Part II digs deeper into some of the mixed messages being sent to writers and showrunners such as Pushing Daisies’ Bryan Fuller.

Later — Wayne
Wayne Karrfalt for Cynopsis: Digital
04.09.08

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JOB OPENING:  SR. MGR, DISTRIBUTION/GSN/SANTA MONICA CA: Reports to VP. Resp. for subscriber acquisition, retention and related activities. BA + 3 yrs min exp in ent/mktg/sales, cable exp preferred. Res/cvr letter: [email protected] (4/16)

JOB OPENING:  MKTG DIR /VeggieTales/Nashville:Create/execute strategies & plans for VeggieTales & other Big Idea brands, dvlp & mng budgets. Exc leadership & presentation skills req’d. 5+ yrs exp. Apply: http://bigidea.com/jobs (4/16)

JOB OPENING:  VP  RESEARCH/Fuse/NY:  Dvlps & directs all prim & scndry resrch supporting Pgrm, Mktg, Ad Sales & Sr Mgmt. Skg strong leader to expand understdg of viewer behave & awareness. Rez to: [email protected] “VPR” in subj  (4/16)

JOB OPENING: SALES PLANNER/Discovery/Atlanta: Supp AE’s dev. proposals/presentations. Strong comm.  Exp w/ rsrch, advrtsng, acct mgmnt. Nat’l Ad Sales exp via ad agency/cable TV vendor a must. Apply: www.discovery.com  Req#7806 (4/16)

JOB OPENING: ACCT MGR-DIRECT RESPONSE/BET-NY: CABLE SALESPERSON W/STRONG PRESENTATION SKILLS. COMFORTABLE W/MULTI-PLATFORM & INTEGRATED OPPS. SALES/AGENCY EXP. REQUIRED. EMAIL: [email protected] (4/16)

JOB OPENING:  RESEARCH DIRECTOR/TVB, New York City: Experience in media sales research/market research. Knowledge of Nielsen NTI & NSI, TNS, Polk, Scarborough, MRI, Excel/PowerPoint. Email resume to [email protected]. EOE (4/16)

JOB OPENING:  PR MGR/HIT ENTERTAINMENT/NYC: Handle full spectrum of PR programs/initiatives from creation through execution. Min 5 yrs in communications/media/public relations. Resume to [email protected]. EEO/M/F/V/H (4/16)

JOB OPENING:  PUBLICIST/VH1/NYC: BA/BS; 3-4 yrs PR exp. TV experience a must. Strong interpersonal and writing skills; ability to work on multiple tasks simultaneously. EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (4/15)

JOB OPENING: DIR OF MARKETING/LA entertainment research co: Implement marketing/PR to sell full line of prod/serv. Degree + min 5 yrs mktg mgmt w/PR exp Resume/salary hist to http://www.epollresearch.com/corp/aboutus/careers.view (4/15)

JOB OPENING:  DIR CLIENT DEVELOPMENT/Ent/Media research co/LA-based: Mng sales team, build new synd/custom biz. Min 3 yrs sales mgmt exp in mrkt resrch sales. http://www.epollresearch.com/corp/aboutus/careers.view (4/15)

JOB OPENING: MGR CLIENT DVLPMNT/Ent research co/LA-based: Mgr Client Development. Aggressively build new business. Proven track record w/3 yrs Mkt Rsrch sales exp essential. http://www.epollresearch.com/corp/aboutus/careers.view (4/15)

JOB OPENING:  ACCOUNT EXECT/Ent research co/LA-based: Aggressively sell full line of syndicated products. Min 2 years sales exp & ability to demonstrate sales success required.  http://www.epollresearch.com/corp/aboutus/careers.view (4/15)

JOB OPENING:   WEB PRODUCER/Sesame Workshop/NY: Come and play on Sesame Street. Run projects from conception to execution. 3+ years experience required. Apply [email protected] (4/15)

JOB OPENING:  ASST SALES MGR/ Rainbow Advertising Sales Corp / Litchfield, CT:  Min 3yrs ad sales exp.  Supervisory exp pref. Oversee AE’s. & support Staff. See full posting and apply to www.cablevision.jobs req id 5883BR (4/12)

JOB OPENING:  RESEARCH ANALYST/(The CW/New York): 1-2 years exp. Proficient w/Galaxy Explorer, NPower, Adviews MRI knowledge a +. Email:  [email protected] RE:UCTC/98308BR. (4/12)

JOB OPENING:  VP, SALES/ DELUXE VANCOUVER:Report to VP & GM. Lead external Vancouver sales agenda supporting film laboratory opps & an array of dig. srvcs in picture post prod mastering & dlvrbls. Reply:   [email protected] (4/12)

JOB OPENING:  ACCT EXEC/Metro Networks/NY: Unwired News Network seeks Nat’l Ad Sales Acct. Exec. w/ min 5 yrs Nat’l Sales and/or Agency exp, strong presentation skills. Resumes to: [email protected] (4/11)

JOB OPENING:  MEDIA TRACKER/ASST/JBT Media/AZ:Tracking Media Accts. & asst’g Execs by tracking & uploading files; acct maint. Exc comm. , cust svc & PC skills. Detail orgnz’d/multi task. Med. Track exp a +. Apply: [email protected] (4/11)

JOB OPENING: CONTRACT RECRUITER/ MTV/NYC: 3+yrs recruiting/staffing exp, staffing exp w media/TV/ad agencies A+ Strg verbal/written skills, able to mutli task/ handle confidential info EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply [email protected]  (4/11)

JOB OPENING: CONTRACT RECRUITER/Harmonix/MTV/Boston: 3+yrs recruitment/staffing exp, Gaming/ digital/information tech industry A+ Strg verbal/written/multi-task skills EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply [email protected] (4/11)

JOB OPENING:  SR. PLANNER, DIGITAL MEDIA/Carat/NY: Strong digital planner with 2+ yrs of online exp. for a large integrated account. Please reply to: http://tbe.taleo.net/NA3/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=CARAT&cws=1&rid=510 (4/11)

JOB OPENING:  ACCT DIR, DIGITAL MEDIA/Carat/NY: Provide strategic media dir & understanding of client’s business as well as overall technology/competitive landscape. Reply: http://tbe.taleo.net/NA3/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=CARAT&cws=1&rid=382 (4/11)

JOB OPENING: SR PRODUCER/ABC Family: Degree, 3+ yrs exp. in internet advertising / sponsorship campaigns, strong web technology exp.Visit: www.disneycareers.com (Req ID 149630) (4/10)

JOB OPENING:  DIRECTOR, POST PRODUCTION-CURRENT TV (SF/LA, CA) www.current.com : Will oversee all aspects of post-production workflow and manage team of post supervisors, editors, & others. 5 yrs exp. [email protected] EOE (4/10)

JOB OPENING:  LOCAL AD SALES PERSON/MANAGER/NYC based media company: local visitors’ television network and website. Min. of 3 years experience and local ad contacts required.Send resume & cover letter to [email protected] (4/10)

JOB OPENING:  DR SALES COORDINATOR/New York, NY-GSN/ The Network for Games: Rep to VP Sales Op & DR AE for Ad Sales. Good Com/detail req.Send Res/Cov Letter:  [email protected]

JOB OPENING:  (2) MEDIA SALES PLANNERS/AMC/WE/NYC: Rainbow is growing! 2-4 yrs cable TV experience. Must have excellent analytical, research, verbal& presentation skills. Gabriel exp pref. Res to www.cablevision.jobs #5680BR/5681BR

JOB OPENING:  FREELANCE COORD/USA Strategic Marketing: Support creation of client programs inc. sponsorships, finances, etc. 2+ yrs integrated mktg exp in TV or ad agency preferred.Resumes to [email protected] (4/19)

SPRING AND 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: PUBLIC RELATIONS INTERN/NY/NY:  Interns will have the opportunity to learn the mechanics of a major cable network tv communications dept. For more info/submit resume, visit  www.cablevision.com  req ID 5913BR (4/15)

SUMMER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: INTERN for global event, Solstice Sing for Peace.  DUTIES: manage blog, upload a/v files, call sponsors & participants, organize. REQ: hi-speed internet, MS Word, Excel & HTML.  www.solsticesing.wordpress.com (4/12)

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

SITUATION WANTED: SR. H.R. PRO/NYC:19 yrs exp seeking short/long-term/perm oppty in media field. Bkgrd incl: Employee Relations, O.D., Recruitment, Training.Call Ray Palen at (631)732-2926 or via email at: [email protected] (4/11)

SITUATION WANTED: SR. PRODUCER/WRITER/FIELD DIRECTOR: 3 Emmy Noms; 12 yrs exp.; NBC, Discovery, E!, CMT, TLC, VH-1; Reality, Entertainment, Documentary, Talk; LA based; will Travel. [email protected]  (4/10)

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