Cynopsis: DIGITAL

08/25/10

Good morning, it’s Wednesday, August 25, 2010, and this is your first early morning digital briefing.  If you would like to read this or any other Cynopsis edition online, click here. 

It’s not your grandpa’s cable company anymore. Comcast has finally launched remote DVR scheduling, a multi-room DVR and long awaited updates to its on screen programming guide in its Massachusetts and New Hampshire systems – part of an ongoing nationwide rollout. New interactive and IPG features include: the ability to switch to an HD feed with the push of a button (instead of having to memorize all those 3-digit HD channel numbers); the power to skip ahead in 5-minute increments when watching on demand programming; the ability to manipulate your DVR priority settings remotely via the web or the upcoming Comcast mobile iPhone or iPad app; and the ability to view your DVR viewing history and organize recordings into folders. The advances come not a moment too soon, after paid cable subscriptions fell for the first time ever in the U.S. during Q2, according to SNL Kagan research, which attributes cord cutting to the fact that viewers are relying more on video streaming and online services for their entertainment.
 

                                                                
Another report appeared in Bloomberg, citing talks between Apple and News Corp., claiming that Apple is looking to cut the price of TV shows in half to 99 cents on the iTunes store. The newly-priced shows will reportedly be available when Apple launches its update to its Apple TV set-top, designed to run on the same iOS that powers the iPhone, IPod Touch and the iPad.
 
Apple announced that its online educational archive iTunes U, used by over 800 global universities, has toped 300 million downloads. The iTunes U catalog now includes free access to over 350,000 audio and video lectures, lab demos and courses from educational institutions around the world.
 
Random House Children’s Books announced its first original eBook title by bestselling author Michael Scott: “The Death of Joan Of Arch: A Lost Story from the Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel,” part of a series that has sold more than 1 million hard copies to date.
 

 
Digital media services company Zeitbyte launched a self-provisioning webcast product that allows clients to stream live content 24/7 in a customizable player and archive it in a playlist player on their own site.
 

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Evolve Media is announcing of the formation of its branded entertainment division – Springboard Studios – slated to produce close to 1,000 original video segments this year distributed across Evolve-repped sites as well as sites owned by the company’s publishing arm, AtomicOnline (which oversees SheKnows, CraveOnline, GameRevolution, etc.) Recent Springboard branded entertainment shows include reality decorator series Home Stretch  and in-laws reality show Families Collide  for SheKnows and Fanboy Fun House for CraveOnline.
 
Online video ad network Tremor Media announced support of the Apple-preferred HTML5 format for its interactive video ad units, per MediaPost. Tremor has also been working with longtime partner Brightcove to integrate HTML5 into client’s web video platforms.
 

 
A group of Tech trade groups including The CTIA (The Wireless Association) and CEA (Consumer Electronics Association) signed a letter to the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the U.S. House and Senate Judiciary Committees opposing a discussed FM chip mandate proposed as part of performance royalty discussions between the NAB and RIAA. The proposed imposition of an FM chip mandate, which would require cell phones and mobile devices to include an FM radio chip, is not necessary for resolution of the dispute between performance artists and broadcasters and would lead to higher prices for consumers, they argued.
 
Sprint’s Virgin Mobile announced plans to introduce unlimited mobile pre-paid broadband packages priced at just $40 month, replacing metered plans ranging from $20-$60. The company is also offering a $10, 10-day package limiting usage to 100 MB, 5 hours of web browsing and 25 minutes of video viewed.
 
Sonic Solution’s Roxio brand has released a digital media PC software suite for capturing, editing, creating, and sharing personal 3D photos, videos, and other projects. (It ships with a pair of 3D glasses to allow you to enjoy your creations.) The basic version will retail for $100 is scheduled to ship in Sept.
 

 
Local online ad spending is expected to increase almost 18% to $16.1 billion in 2011, according to a new forecast from Borrell Associates. Spending on ads in streaming video will rise even more dramatically, by 60% y/y to $5.6 billion in 2011. Other ad projections include:

• Total online ad spending to increase 14% to $51.9 billion in 2011
• Local, targeted and social media-related ads will be the fastest growing sectors
• Total targeted display advertising (such as banner ads), will grow almost 60% in 2011, reaching $10.9 billion with Local targeted display reaching more than $2.3 billion in 2011
• The three markets expected to have the top growth rates for local online advertising, all at 22% or more, are 1. Monroe, LA – El Dorado, AR 2. Albany – Schenectady, NY and 3. Des Moines – Ames, IA
• The slowest-growth markets, each with increases of less than 14%, are: 1. Lafayette, IN 2. Fairbanks, AK 3. Ft. Smith – Fayetteville – Springdale – Rogers, AR

 
Social TV service Clicker.com‘s free iPhone companion is now live on the app store. A combination mobile TV guide and social networking service, the Clicker app allows you to do most of what the site does, including browse information about shows, check-in to the show you’re watching, rate shows and movies, earn badges and build playlists. The interface is adapted nicely to fit the iPhone’s smaller screen, with two buttons on top to allow you to alternate between what shows you’re friends are watching and what shows are “trending.”
 
Predating the release of the Boxee Box and its keyboard-enhanced remote, Tivo introduced its own “Tivo Slide” remote featuring a full QWERTY keyboard for entering search terms and interacting with iTV apps. The remote, compatible with its Premiere, series 3 and series XL DVRs, is priced at a handsome $90 and is available online and at Best Buy stores from this weekend.
 
Dell released its first U.S. smartphone, the 3.5-inch touchscreen “ Aero,” running on Google’s Android OS. It features a 5 megapixel camera, weighs just 3.67 oz and sells for $100 with a 2-year AT&T contract (or $300 without.)
 
Verizon Wireless is teaming with digital media firm Extent to upgrade its Verizon Games portal and PC desktop app to include 3D games, prizes, micro-transactions and various virtual world features. Some 1,500 games are available as part of the subscription service, which is free for 14 days for news subs.
 
Online and mobile music service Pandora introduced a new option to create radio stations by selecting a musical genre. Until now, stations were only programmable by artist, song, or composer.
 

 
Sherman Oaks, CA-based direct response media buying agency Media Stream Direct has named Sean Bartyzel as VP/Business Development.
 
Meredith Corp.’s BIG Communications named Linda Jackson to the newly created position of Group Account Director for the West Coast.
 

 
Dish Network officially unveiled its online video portal in beta at DishOnline.com, in fact integrating it with Dish’s SlingLoaded DVR directly from the site to allow Dish subscribers to view what’s on their hard drives and add recordings to their playlists. (A good bit of content being tested right now is also available to non-subscribers, so feel free take it for a test spin.) The site is wonderful for sampling shows you haven’t gotten around to watching. Browse thumbnail images by genre, view clips and full episodes online or schedule upcoming TV airings on your Dish DVR from the site or the company’s handy iPhone and iPad app. DishOnline’s search engine combs each show, clip and movie’s metadata to pull up available content to watch or rent but it apparently doesn’t search for upcoming shows – too bad. There’s even a smattering of shows from a range of broadband producers, including Revision3, Wine Library TV and Vuguru. There are also a few recommendations listed on the home page, but the system appears to lack intuitive filters, personalization settings and the ability to learn what to push to you based on what you spend your time watching. Such TV Everywhere efforts won’t attract the kind of digital savvy viewers who are leaving Pay TV until such features are added and perfected.
 
Later — Wayne
Wayne Karrfalt for Cynopsis: Digital
[email protected]
08.25.10

Cynopsis Ad Sales:
Mike Farina – Sr. Dir/Business Development & Sales – 203-218-6480 / [email protected]
Classifieds – Trish Pihonak- 203-381-9096 / [email protected]

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Cyn opsis CLASSIFIEDS – For More classifieds, visit the Cynopsis.com classifieds page here .

ATTENTION JOB RECRUITERS FOR THE TELEVISION AND ADVERTISING INDUSTRY – send us your contact information so we can begin to build a database for referrals.  We get people all the time around the country asking us for names of local recruiters.  Help us out – send us your contact information, name, company, address, phone, email and fax.  NY and LA are great, but we also need names of firms in Chicago, Dallas, Miami, Atlanta, DC, and elsewhere.  We have people to send you!   Email your info to [email protected].

JOB OPENING: MARKETING ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT/Hallmark Channel/New York: 3 yrs exp supporting senior execs w MS Office proficiency. See full posting and apply @ www.hallmarkchannel.com (8/31)

JOB OPENING: BROADCAST OPERATIONS COORDINATOR – TEMPORARY/Hallmark Channel/Studio City: 3 yrs exp in broadcast network operations w MS Office proficiency. See full posting and apply @ www.hallmarkchannel.com/jobs (8/31)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR-OFFICE of PRES/DISNEY CHANNEL WW/BURBANK: Facilitates Pres vision/priorities via coord of info, comms, resources. Bridge btwn Pres & bus leaders. Min 5 yrs media exp; MA/MBA+ www.disneycareers.com Req 259638 (8/31)

JOB OPENING: PROMO SCHEDULING SUPERVISOR (E!/STYLE): Job respons. include overseeing scheduling of promo inventory for networks & managing two schedulers. Proficiency in VCI & GRiP-it is desired. Apply  [email protected] (8/31)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR COMM/Discovery Communications/SS: dvlp comm strtgy & oversee comm outreach & prgm publicity for Science Channel; 7+yrs media exp & mng high profile talent & execs, www.discovery.com Req#9914 (8/28)

JOB OPENING: INV ANALYST/BET, NY: Manage inventory and pricing.Detailed-oriented, org’d, multitasker, exc comm &knowledge of excel, BA req. Email resume: [email protected] (8/28)

JOB OPENING: MGR, DIST. STRATEGIES/Game Show Network/Santa Monica: 3+ yrs exp in Finance, Management & Analysis. BA req. Send Res & CL to [email protected]. (8/28)

JOB OPENING: BUSINESS AFFAIRS EXEC/Fuse/LA: Negotiate terms & deals for development & prod. 7+ yrs biz/legal affairs in entertainment, plus media rights/licensing, digital rights exp. Rez to: [email protected] “BAE” in subj (8/28)

JOB OPENING: DIGITAL ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE/Hearst/NYC: 5+ yrs exp in media ad sales. Digital exp required. Must us Dart Sales Manager and Sales Force. http://hearstcareers.silkroad.com/ (8/28)

JOB OPENING: INTERNAT’L LICENSING MGR/Brand Mgmt. & Prod Co/ W. LA: Int’l Licensing Mgr. 5yrs+ exp wkng for brand owner or studio or prod co w/ lg amt of global mgmt of rights & partners Email: [email protected] (8/28)

JOB OPENING: ACCOUNT MANAGER/Hearst/Chicago: 3+ yrs interactive media ad sales exp. Must know DART, Media Visor. http://hearstcareers.silkroad.com/ (8/28)

JOB OPENING: ONLINE SALES ACCT DIR/Hearst/Chicago: 7+ yrs exp in media ad sales, digital exp a must. Strong leadership and agency/client contacts. Use Media Metrix, Comscore, @ Plan, Omniture http://hearstcareers.silkroad.com/ (8/28)

JOB OPENING: P.R. PRACTITIONER/LA: Seeking an Experienced P.R. Practitioner to Handle Day-To-Day Publicity for High-Rated Syndicated Television Shows in LA office. Exp in Syndication Industry. Resume: [email protected]  (8/28)

JOB OPENING:  DIRECTOR, RESEARCH/PBS KIDS Sprout/Philly, PA: will manage the creation and implementation of all Nielsen television ratings activities to support the channel www.ecentralmetrics.com/url/?u=9980400254-230 (8/27)

JOB OPENING:  SR ACCT EXEC, STRAT. ALLIANCE MKTG/Bottle Rocket Mktg/NY: Mng client relations; solicit prtnrshps; neg deals; execute promo campaigns. 5 yrs related mktg exp & Bach deg. a must. Res: [email protected] (8/27)

JOB OPENING:    DIR BRAND MKT/noise/NYC: Manage brand marketing for top brands, develop strategic insights, more. Creative, inventive, and entrepreneurial environment. Mainly digital. Apply: http://noisenewyork.com/#/contact/careers (8/27)

JOB OPENING: VP, SALES STRATEGY & PLANNING/ABC Family/NY: 10+yrs exp in cable industry, strong media math skills, research knowledge and great technical skills. Apply online www.disneycareers.com req ID 260010 (8/26)

JOB OPENING: MANAGER OF BROADCAST SYSTEMS/NYC: perm. Exp w/Video Encoding, Master Control, Transmission and Automation systems required. Pro-Bel, Omneon and AutoCad exp. a plus.Resume to: [email protected] (8/26)

JOB OPENING: RSRCH DIR/MSNBC/NYC: 6+ yrs exp, TV rsrch. Nielsen systems essential. Strong analytical skills & spreadsheet, written & presentation skills. Interest in news prgrmng. Apply @ www.nbcunicareers.com req# 1240888 (8/26)

JOB OPENING: SR MANAGER AD SALES RESEARCH/DIRECTV NYC: 5+ yrs in national TV research working w/ sales, pricing & planning. Strong relationship with Nielsen. Apply online www.directv.com/careers search for req#1001150 (8/26)

JOB OPENING: MGR, STANDRD PRACTICES/RADIO DISNEY/BURBANK: Revw commercial copy & audio for policy compliance. review lyrics, video, sweepstakes, online. Knwldg kids issues, COPPA, CARU, FCC, radio www.disneycareers.com Req 257993 (8/26)

JOB OPENING: DIGITAL PRODUCER/NY, MTVNI: Produce content & services for websites, wap, mobile & social media. Project mgmt and digital exp req.  Apply: www.mtvnetworkscareers.com. An EOE/M/F/D/AAP  (8/26)

JOB OPENING: FREELANCE DIGITAL PRODUCER/NY:  European Music Award Show (MTVNI). Req: website content dev and prod, prod & project mgmt exp, site documentation. Apply: [email protected] . An EOE/M/F/D/AAP (8/26)

JOB OPENING: VP PROG & DEV/SUNDANCE CHANNEL-NYC/NY: To create, produce & mng groundbreaking new prgrms & genres (scripted & unscripted); needs 8+ yrs exp & successful track record on national level. Apply: [email protected] (8/26)

JOB OPENING:   SR MANAGER AD SALES RESEARCH/DIRECTV NYC:  5+ yrs in national TV research working w/ sales, pricing & planning. Strong relationship with Nielsen. Apply online www.directv.com/careers search for req#1001150  (8/26)

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: A fast-paced boutique ent PR firm/NYC: Seeks smart, hard-working & reliable self starter. Starts Sept thru fall semester &, possibly, beyond. Jr/Sr only. Resume/cover letter: [email protected] (9/1)

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: mPRm Public Relations /LA: Opportunity to learn film, TV, digital media, event and social media PR at fast-paced agency. Able to work 2-3 full days/week. Email: [email protected] (8/27)

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: Internship availability at Indie Record Label. We currently have internships in Marketing, New Media, Press, Children’s Media and Production.Email resume to [email protected]  (8/27)

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: PRODUCTION INTERNS/Martha Stewart Productions/NYC: Students MUST receive college credit; position is 5 days a week/ 3pm til 8pm. Contact [email protected] (8/27)

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: INSIDE EDITION/WEB INTERN/NYC: Tasks include: resizing photos, writing/editing photo captions, site content updates, previewing/logging footage for videos, blogs with correspondents. Email [email protected] (8/27)

SITUATION WANTED ADS, POSTED BY THOSE LOOKING TO BE HIRED …  There is no charge for placing your Situation Wanted ad … for more information contact Trish Pihonak at [email protected]

SITUATION WANTED: BRAND MARKETER/Chicago: 6+ years bilingual MBA experienced in brand, research, media, sales, Hispanic and consulting  Categories include CPG, HBA, Financial, QSR, Retail  will relocate [email protected] (8/31)

SITUATION WANTED: HIGHLY SKILLED PR PRACTITIONER AVAILABLE: 10+ yrs ent/consumer w/high-profile franchises/properties. Avail for freelance, projects or FT. Strategy, execution, press materials, outreach, etc. Contact [email protected] (8/31)

SITUATION WANTED: TALENT ASSISTANT to provide office and project support in Talent Relations department. Available for scheduling, database management, coordination, and special events support. [email protected] (8/31)

SITUATION WANTED: ACCOUNTING/FINANCE 20+ yrs. experience in TV Broadcasting & Cable.Seeking FT/PT or Temp-to-Perm position: [email protected] (8/28)

SITUATION WANTED: NON-FICTION MAGICIAN. PRODUCER/WRITER/DIR. NBC/CMT/Disc/TLC/VH1/E!; 3 Emmy noms; LA based, will travel. *also shoots. [email protected] (8/27)

SITUATION WANTED: CONTENT WRITER/PRODUCT NAMER/BRAINSTORMER: (LA): 15+ years in toy, kid products and licensing. Emphasis on healthy living. Let’s work! [email protected] (8/27)

SITUATION WANTED: EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT position film/TV (NY) 10 years experience: Interned for a President, Executive Assistant to SVP/VP/film director/celebrity [email protected] (8/27)

SITUATION WANTED:  POWERHOUSE VP of SALES in MEDIA, TV & FILM. 7+ years of Domestic and International experience in Film & TV sales with strong knowledge of contracts and strong Rolodex of clients, email [email protected] (8/27)

SITUATION WANTED:  DIRECTOR/CREATIVE DEVELOPER: Animation. Dynamic, award-winning, fun-filled. Clients include Warner Brothers, ABC Family, Comedy Central, Nick JR, HBO Family, MTV2, The Tornante Company. [email protected] (8/26)

SITUATION WANTED: FREE PRODUCTION EXEC +10 yrs exp  made the mistake of visiting family in LA for 3 weeks. I’ll be your hard working PA for my last week Aug 23  27, for on-set experience on a dramatic series. [email protected] (8/26)

E-mail [email protected] or call Trish Pihonak at 203.381.9096 for rates and specs for Job Openings.

Are you looking for a job? Post your Situation Wanted Ad here — Email [email protected] for specs.
 

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