Wednesday, August 2nd, 2006

 

CYNTHIA TURNER’S
Cynopsis: Kids!

08/02/06

Good morning. It’s Wednesday, August 2, 2006 and this is your first early morning Kids! briefing.

In Minnesota, Chief District Judge James Rosenbaum issued a permanent injunction stopping the implementation of a law fining minors for buying video games rated M (Mature) or AO (Adults Only).  Doug Lowenstein, President/Entertainment Software Association explained the Minnesota case is unique, “because lawmakers tried to skirt the First Amendment issue by fining minors themselves for buying the games, not retailers, as they have tried in other states.”  In his decision, Judge Rosenbaum wrote “there is no showing whatsoever that video games, in the absence of other violent media, cause even the slightest injury to children.”  Minnesota is the seventh state to overturn laws to ban the sale of violent video games to minors since 2001, calling them unconstitutional.

NEW PRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT

Thirteen/WNET New York and Unnatural Productions, Inc. have teamed up to co-produce Unnatural History (65 x 30 min), an educational 3D animated kid’s series.  The goal of the series is to get kids to appreciate technology and not take every day items for granted.  Unnatural History is about a group of kids who must thwart the efforts of an anti-technology faction that is constantly trying to interfere with the creation of modern inventions throughout history like pencils, iPods and peanut butter.  Unnatural Productions is a joint venture between Fluid, LLC, and Shyanne Entertainment, Inc, for the international production and financing of 3-D animated TV series and feature films.  Fluid is currently producing its original animated series Lucy for Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim.

Toei Animation and Disney will co-develop a new CG animated & live action series for Toon Disney’s Jetix programming block, reports Variety. The series, tentatively titled Robodeiz, is an action/adventure series about miniature robots.

Sony Pictures Animation is moving forward on its third movie, the CG animated feature film, Hotel Transylvania, per Variety.  Sony Pictures Animation’s first movie, Open Season, will open next month, followed by Surf’s Up in September 2007, and Hotel Transylvania currently slated for 2009.  Set in modern times, Hotel Transylvania is a comedy about some of the most classic monsters including Dracula, Frankenstein, the Mummy and the Werewolf, who are all living in a hotel near Transylvania, and believe they are outmoded by newer, younger and more technologically enhanced characters.

Christopher Nolan returns to direct Warner Bros.’ The Dark Knight, the follow-up movie to last year’s Batman BeginsChristian Bale will again play Bruce Wayne and Heath Ledger has been cast as The Joker.  Production on The Dark Knight is scheduled to begin in early 2007.

MORE KIDS STUFF

The Jetix programming block will move off the ABC Family schedule come September 1st, and will live exclusively on Toon Disney.  As a send-off ABC Family will host a marathon of Jetix shows the last weekend of the month.  The weekend send-off will include new episodes of W.I.T.C.H. and Oban Star Racers debuting on Sunday, August 27.  As of September 2, ABC Family will fill the time period with episodes of Full House, Boy Meets World, and The Dukes of Hazzard on the weekends and Family Matters and The Hogan Family on weekday mornings.

Cartoon Network, Adult Swim and CNN programming is now available at Apple’s iTunes Music Store.  Offerings include episodes from the first season of Cartoon Network’s series Johnny Bravo, Adult Swim’s Aqua Teen Hunger Force and from CNN, episodes of its series CNN Presents.  For the previous three months Adult Swim has been offering free video podcasts via iTunes and similarly CNN has offered podcasts of some of its content over the last month.

MARKETING/LICENSING

Disney Records is set to release the soundtrack to The Cheetah Girls 2, the sequel to Disney Channel’s movie Cheetah Girls, on August 15.  The album features 13 songs, in a range of genres including R&B, hip-hop, Latin, tango, and rock, all performed by the stars of movie Raven-Symone, Adrienne Bailon, Kiely Williams, Sabrina Bryan and Mexican recording artist/actress Belinda Peregrin.  The Cheetah Girls 2 will premiere on Disney Channel, August 25, 2006.

THQ Inc. releases the Barnyard video game this week to coincide with the release of the Paramount and Nickelodeon animated movie this Friday, August 4.  The Barnyard video game is available for PlayStation 2, Nintendo GameCube, Game Boy Advance and Windows PC, with the Wii version of the game slated to debut this fall.  The console and Windows PC versions of the game were developed by THQ’s Blue Tongue Entertainment studio, while the Game Boy Advance version was developed by Halfbrick Studios, both located in Australia.  Barnyard was written/produced/directed by Steve Oedekerk (Bruce Almighty, Ace Ventura, The Nutty Professor).

Activision Value Publishing, Inc., has inked a distribution agreement with Big Fish Games under which Activision will be the exclusive distributor of three titles for the PC CD-ROM.  Activision Value will distribute boxed versions of Fish Tycoon, Mystery Case Files: Huntsville and Mystery Case Files: Prime Suspects, all three of these games carry an ESRB rating of “E” for everyone.  Activision Value Publishing, Inc. is a subsidiary of Activision, Inc.

STONE SOUP

Correction: Disney Channel’s animated series The Replacements cast includes Nancy Cartwright, Frey Delisle, Kath Soucie, Daran Norris, and David McCallum, and not as listed here yesterday.

EXECUTIVE MOVES

NBC Universal has named George Kliavkoff as its first Chief Digital Officer.  Kliavkoff will be responsible for growing the company’s digital media strategy and developing new business models and markets.  Additionally, he will oversee the operations of new broadband and wireless entities as well as digital innovation and product development, portal and partner relationships, and the Digital Studios.  Based in New York, Kliavkoff will report to Beth Comstock, President/NBC Universal Digital Media and Market Development.  Kliavkoff joins NBC Universal from Major League Baseball Advance Media (MLBAM), where he was EVP/Business, responsible for MLBAM’s New Media licensing business and for all business development related to baseball’s interactive media unit.  Previously, he ran the business development group for RealNetworks’ consumer division.

Ted Kiesewetter, Founder/President, International Plaything Inc. (IPI), a subsidiary of Grand Toys International Ltd, announced he will retire on August 31, 2006.  Grand Toys International, Inc’s President, Roger Bildsten will assume responsibility for IPI in addition to his other duties.  Moving forward Kiesewetter will maintain involved with IPI on an advisory basis.  IPI was acquired by Grand Toys International, Inc. on March 1, 2005.

And a quick housekeeping note — Cynopsis will be on vacation (no editions) during the week of August 7th, but no worries – we’ll be back in full force on August 14th

RATINGS

July Monthly Top Ten Basic Cable Ad Supported networks, Total Day and Primetime Rankings among K2-11 (000) 6/26-7/30/06:
Total Day         (000)   Primetime       (000)
NICK:              1254   DSNY*:           1550
DSNY*:            1010   CARTOON:        893
CARTOON:         759   NAN**:             568
NAN**:             568   TOON DIS:         152
TOON DIS.:       175   BET:                  113
NOG/THE N:        93   MTV:                 103
MTV:                  86   DISCOVERY:        95
BET:                  70   ANIMAL PLANET:  89
NICKTOONS:       69   NICKTOONS:       76
ANIMAL PLANET:  68   ESPN:                67
Source: Disney Research from Nielsen Media Research Data Live + SD Data
*Disney Channel is not an ad supported cable network, unlike the others in this listing.
**Denotes a network that broadcasts less than 51% of minutes in a 24hr day.

July Monthly Top Ten Basic Cable Ad Supported networks, Total Day and Primetime Rankings among K6-11 (000) 6/26-7/30/06:
Total Day       (000)  Primetime       (000)
NICK:              753   DSNY*:           1170
DSNY*:            669   CARTOON:        669
CARTOON:        585   NAN**:            428
NAN**:            428   TOON DIS:         87
TOON DIS.:      104   MTV:                  77
MTV:                 67   BET:                  75
ANIMAL PLANET: 49   DISCOVERY:       63
BET:                 48   ANIMAL PLANET:  62
NICKTOONS:      39   ESPN:                43
DISCOVERY:      38   NICKTOONS:       40
                              COMEDY:           40
Source: Disney Research from Nielsen Media Research Data Live + SD Data
*Disney Channel is not an ad supported cable network, unlike the others in this listing.
**Denotes a network that broadcasts less than 51% of minutes in a 24hr day.

July, Monthly Top Ten Basic Cable Ad Supported Networks, Total Day and Primetime Rankings among Tweens 9-14 (000) 6/26-7/30/06:
Total Day   (000) Primetime         (000)
NICK:          566   DSNY*:             978
DSNY*:       543   CARTOON:         479
CARTOON:   396   NAN**:             442
NAN**:       442   MTV:                 198
MTV:           176   BET:                 121
BET:             90   COMEDY:            94
TOON DIS.:   64    DISCOVERY:       84
COMEDY:      58    ESPN:                57
DISCOVERY:  53   ANIMAL PLANET:  55
ESPN:           48   TOON DIS:          47
Source: Disney Research from Nielsen Media Research Data Live + SD Data
*Disney Channel is not an ad supported cable network, unlike the others in this listing.
**Denotes a network that broadcasts less than 51% of minutes in a 24hr day.

Live + Same Day Ratings Kids Cable Network Averages (000) for Saturday, July 29, 2006, 6am-11pm, ranked by K2-11:
NICKELODEON:         K2-11 1126; K6-11 760; TWEENS 9-14 580
DISNEY CHANNEL:     K2-11 1012; K6-11 629; TWEENS 9-14 532
CARTOON NETWORK: K2-11  621; K6-11 458; TWEENS 9-14 307
TOON DISNEY:          K2-11  151; K6-11   83; TWEENS 9-14  48
Source: MTVN Research from Nielsen Media Research Data

Live + Same Day Ratings Kids Cable Network Averages (000) for Sunday, July 30, 2006, 6am-11pm, ranked by K2-11:
NICKELODEON:         K2-11 1148; K6-11 742; TWEENS 9-14 569
DISNEY CHANNEL:     K2-11  941; K6-11 606; TWEENS 9-14 494
CARTOON NETWORK: K2-11  691; K6-11 491; TWEENS 9-14 280
TOON DISNEY:          K2-11  140; K6-11   90; TWEENS 9-14   51
Source: MTVN Research from Nielsen Media Research Data

Live + Same Day Ratings Kids Cable Network Averages (000) for Monday, July 31, 2006, 6am-11pm, ranked by K2-11:
NICKELODEON:         K2-11 1457; K6-11 809; TWEENS 9-14 567
DISNEY CHANNEL:     K2-11 1145; K6-11 748; TWEENS 9-14 633
CARTOON NETWORK: K2-11 1001; K6-11 727; TWEENS 9-14 445
TOON DISNEY:          K2-11   171; K6-11 122; TWEENS 9-14  72
Source: MTVN Research from Nielsen Media Research Data



Answer to Yesterday’s trivia question
: Who was the first Mouseketeer on the Mickey Mouse Club?  THE NEW CLUB BRADEN DANNER; ON THE ORIGINAL, KAREN PENDLETON    Kudos to:  Awh Geez, nobody!  Let’s try another.
 
Today’s Trivia Question: Who were the co-hosts of “Wake Up San Francisco?”( click here with your answer and be sure to include your name, company, city and time zone. Unofficial rules: Only the second four correct answers from each time zone will be mentioned; and once you’ve been mentioned in any of the Cynopsis editions, you can’t be mentioned again that calendar week.)

Later — Gwen
Gwen Billings for Cynthia Turner’s Cynopsis Kids!
08.02.06

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


JOB OPENING: RESEARCH ANALYSTS– Discovery Nets, Silver Spring, MD: Mrktng, prod, programming research support. 1 yr exp, strong analytical skills & Excel.Media research, Nielsen a +. Apply at www.discovery.com ; Job Req#4148, 4149 (8/16)

JOB OPENING: SALES PLAN’R/BET/CHG: Act as liaison between agency & Acct Mgr. Work w/ Sales Asst & Traffic coord assigned to each account. BA req’d. Sales Planning or advertising agency buying/plan’g exp. [email protected] (8/16)

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH ANALYST/NY-XM Satellite Radio: Sales Research-creates presentations, generates requests & reports.Knwldg of nat’l ad sales and tools; Nielsen, Arbitron, TNS + Simmons preferred. 1+yr. exp. Apply Here (8/16)

JOB OPENING: COORD/JR PUBLICIST/Ent/Lifestyle PR agency/LA: Strong candidate w/ at least 1-2 yrs office exp (pr pref). Exp w/ Word/Excel/Adobe/PP, Pc’s, Mac a must.  List salary req’s/cover letter: [email protected] (8/15)

JOB OPENING: MANAGER /Fox Broadcasting/LA: Lead the analytical functions of the audience res. dept. 5-7yrs tv res. exp. & BA Deg req’d.Advanced nat’l TV analysis and written/verbal skills. www.foxcareers.com (8/15)

JOB OPENING: SR. PRODUCER/DISNEY ONLINE/N. Hollywood CA: Track and coordinate the team’s projects, ensuring deliverables are met in a timely manner, oversee QA and report progress to management. www.disneycareers.com JOB # 28476 (8/15)

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH ANALYST/National Geographic Channel/Washington, DC: 1+ yrs cable/broadcast rsch exp pref’d. Exc presentation & writing skills. Apply at www.foxcareers.com. (8/5)

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH /ABC Primetime/NY: We have 2 temp positions lasting for 3 months with amid Sept start date. Candidates should have Nielsen ratings experience & knowledge of Excel, Galaxy & Npower. Apply:  [email protected] (8/5)

JOB OPENING: ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE/NBCU/NY: Develop & negotiate adv. sales campaigns for CNBC Europe/Asia-Pacific. Negotiate advertising sales against CNBC Int’l sales & business development goals. Apply www.gecareers.com Job#535975 (8/5)

JOB OPENING: ASSOC SALES MGR/HBO/NYC : Sell and market HBO orig prog in non-theatrical ancillary mrkts, incl airline, hotel, and home ppv, military and educational accts. For info www.timewarner.com , req#61297 (8/5)

JOB OPENING: DEVELOPMENT DIR/Banyan Prod/Philadelphia: Create strong show treatments & pitch at highest network level. Strong writing skills, Knwldg of prod. budgets & network connections a must. 3 yrs exp @ dir level. [email protected] (8/5)

JOB OPENING: SR RESEARCH MGR/TURNER CORP STRATEGIC RESEARCH/ATL: Chal position for seasoned career researcher w/exc creative & collaborative skills in highly profess’l enviro. Strong analytic, proj mgt & team leader skills. Support wide-ranging corp & ntwrk bus. initiatives as strategic advisor & partner. Opps for profess’l & career growth: TBS portfolio of news, ent, & animation. 6+yrs TV res. exp. Req’d. Res: [email protected] (8/5)

JOB OPENING: DIR RESEARCH, The Golf Channel/ORLANDO. Winters in Florida ! Expert with NPOWER; Market Breaks; Star Trak; forecasting; post-buys. High Golf IQ a +. EOE. M/F/D/V. Details at www.thegolfchannel.com. Click on EMPLOYMENT (8/3)

JOB OPENING: EXEC DIR OF PROGRAM & PROMOTION PLAN’G/SCHEDULING/STARZ ENT GROUP/ENGLEWOOD CO: To organize, direct, support all program planning, scheduling activities for 7 channels.Apply at www.starz.com No calls please.EOE (8/4)

JOB OPENING: ASSOC GRAPHIC PROD/DESIGN CO/NYC: 2+ yrs exp broadcast design; exc. written/verbal skills; prof w/MS Off; basics of After Effects, Photoshop, Illustrator, 3D, video & post prod; designproducer#@yahoo.com (8/4)

JOB OPENING: CHARACTER PROP AND BG DESIGNERS for exciting CG animation series in NYC: Experienced. Send resume, sample images, website. Contact: [email protected] (8/3)

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH DIRECTOR/E-POLL MARKET RESEARCH/LA – Manage end to end custom research projects. Proposals, methodology, survey design, analyze data/write reports. Knwldg of ent industry & vendor exp a plus. [email protected] (8/3)

JOB OPENING: MGR INTEGRATED MRKTNG/AFFILIATE PROMOTION/ABC Family: Work w/ ad sales dept.& on-air promo to mng integrated mrktng components for ABC Family. 3-5 yrs mrktg & on-air promo experience. Apply: www.disneycareers.com (8/3)

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 trish@cynopsis. com.

SUMMER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: RADIO DISNEY/NY: Needs internship applicants in ALL DEPARTMENTS.  If you have an interest in working with the most recognized name in family entertainment email to: [email protected] or fax 212-615-3268 (8/15)

SUMMER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: OFFICE INTERNS/Sam Brick Ent & The Learning Channel/Hollywood CA: Educational pilot. Looking for energetic students eager to learn about TV and/or film prod. Cover and resumes to: [email protected] (8/3)

SITUATION WANTED ADS, POSTED BY THOSE LOOKING TO BE HIRED

SITUATION WANTED: TRAFFIC MANAGER with 12 years exp seeks position in Radio/TV/Entertainment Industry in NY Area only [email protected] (8/15)

SITUATION WANTED: Passionate MARKETING, SALES & BUS DEV PROF w/proven expertise in managing relationships & creating innovative strategies to deliver exceptional results in the entertainment industry. Happy to send res [email protected] (8/15)

SITUATION WANTED: ENTREPRENEURIAL OPERATIONS EXEC: Seeks company to manage/run/grow. If you’re looking for a leader’s leader, let’s talk. 20 yrs entertainment experience, MBA. [email protected] (8/4)

SITUATION WANTED: MARKETING/PR PRO: Outgoing, detail-oriented go getter with 3+ years film/tv experience. Press release writing, pitching, & press database building. [email protected] (8/4)

SITUATION WANTED: BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST: Available to bring growth & new business opportunities to high-end creative & content company (LA area). 10+ yrs exp, self-starter, hard working, team player. [email protected] (8/4)

SITUATION WANTED: MARKETING/PR ASSISTANT: Marketing Graduate with 2 years experience  in film industry, team player, enthusiastic, friendly and outgoing personality.  [email protected] (8/3)

E-mail Trish Pihonak for rates and specs for Job Openings.

Are you looking for a job? Post your Situation Wanted Ad here — Email Trish Pihonak for specs.

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