Cynopsis: DIGITAL
07/11/12

Good morning. It’s Wednesday, July 11, 2012, and this is your first early morning digital briefing. If you would like to read this or any other Cynopsis editions online, click here.

As first indicated by the 9to5Mac report from earlier this week, Twitter is rolling out a major update to its apps for  iOS and Android devices. While the apps more or less look the same, the micro-blogging site has added new features to its mobile products, some of which it has brought over from its web version:

• Expanded Tweets: Users can play a video and/or access other types of content (photos, article previews) from partner media sources by simply clicking on and expanding the tweet within the app. Twitter’s media partners include Kickstarter, MLB, CSPAN, and Vimeo, among others. It says this offering will roll out gradually to iPhone and Android users.
• Event Experiences: Twitter says this offering curates the best tweets and photos from specific events. As an example, it gives a shout-out to its custom page for NASCAR. It looks like this is only available for iOS devices at the moment.
• Update to Search: Includes improvements to search auto-complete so that users get more suggestions when they search for people.
• Push Notifications for Tweets: As it sounds, users can receive notifications when someone they follow tweets or retweets something.

 

The redesigned  Parents.com from Meredith Parents Network aims to provide a more personalized web experience across multiple screens. New features include “Recommended Just for You,” which targets content based on the age of the user’s children, along with the articles the user has read and the topics the user has searched for in the past. Meredith says the site incorporates responsive design technology in order to offer one site that is optimized for multiple devices. Beyond that, Parents.com has also expanded its video offering to include 500 new original videos, and intends to create, license, and curate 2,000 more within the next year. The videos are categorized under titles such as Maternity, Baby, Health, Manners, Cooking, Crafts, Gear, Fitness, Money, and Solutions. Visitors can also access content from other brands within the Meredith Parents Network and can share any and all content on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Tumblr.

To promote its Movies On Demand on Cable (MOD) platform for the second straight year during Comic Con, iN DEMAND is making a special, themed movie collection available on-demand across multiple VOD offerings from multiple cable operators, such as Comcast, Time Warner, Cox Communications, Bright House Networks, and more. The movies, which include blockbusters like Iron Man II, Alien, Star Trek, Wanted, and 300, are available under comic book-themed folders or a “Comic Con” category within the participating MSO’s respective VOD menu. iN DEMAND is also offering behind-the-scenes content from the films for Free On Demand (FOD) within the same folders. At the convention, iN DEMAND will interview actors and filmmakers and shoot other footage, which it will also make available for free within that folder. Other aspects of this promotional push include a “MOD Lounge” where editors and bloggers will be able to relax and also participate in press events; a special micro-site to promote the Comic Con folder and for users to stream the FOD content; a full site takeover of Crave Online for July 12; convention coverage via Twitter and Facebook; and TV spots on G4; and more.

HealthGuru, an online provider of health-related videos, has launched a new video package covering information on digestive disorders. The package includes 30 new videos and slideshows that feature “behind-the-scenes looks” at celebrities with digestive disorders and their treatment options. These include Tyra Banks, who suffers from irritable bowel syndrome; Matthew Perry, who has had issues with acute pancreatitis; and Jack Black, a victim of gallstones; among others. This package is complemented by a survey and a “Gut Check” quiz on digestive health. HealthGuru is the home to a library of more than 3,500 videos produced in-house and reaches 8.5 million unique viewers per month via its own website and syndicating partnerships with other health-related websites and YouTube.

Truli Media Group has launched Truli.net, a new Christian media content hub that provides access to sermons, family- and faith-friendly entertainment and educational programming. Founded by Michael Jay Solomon, former President of Warner Bros. International Television, Truli.net is free. Upon registration, users can view the hub’s entire catalogue of content. Truli Media says the cloud-based service can be accessed on desktop browsers, smartphones, tablets, and connected TVS, in addition to streaming platforms such as Roku and Google TV.

Join your colleagues in NYC on August 9 for the Cynopsis Sports Media Awards Breakfast! View finalists and register to attend here.

VoiceBunny, which came out of beta this week, provides what the start-up describes as a “crowd-voicing” service that aims to connect voiceover talent with content companies, producers, really anyone who is in need of a professional voiceover. The service wants to cut out agents and talent directors out of the process of securing voice talent for projects. To that end, it already boasts over 100,000 professionals within its network and supports over 50 languages. Clients simply have to upload a script with directions on what they are looking for in the voiceover, as well as any other related information or media necessary to create a satisfactory audio file. The service will then provide the customer with a voiceover. In terms of pricing, VoiceBunny charges 50 cents-per-word for small, one-time projects and 3 cents-per-word for large, recurring projects. The service is free for talent and gives all money back (while still paying the talent) if the voiceover isn’t up to par. In addition to that, VoiceBunny also provides an API that can turn blogs and news articles into podcasts automatically and within minutes of being posted. It’s just one of the many ways this service can be used, says the company.

In the ongoing battle between Dish Network and broadcast networks that are suing it over its ad-skipping technology, Dish has been dealt the first blow. A federal judge in NY has ruled that NBC, CBS, and FOX can pursue their lawsuits against Dish over the legality of the ad-skipping service in California. Dish had tried to stop this from happening by filing a claim against those broadcasters in New York. “Dish’s filing was motivated by a fear of imminent legal action by the networks and was, thus, improperly anticipatory,” said US District Judge Laura Taylor Swain in her ruling. As a result, she is allowing the networks to fight their cause in California, while also allowing Dish’s breach of contract claims against the broadcasters to be heard in New York.

Chicago-based private equity firm Madison Dearborn Partners has agreed to buy a majority stake in QuickPlay Media, a provider of cloud-based video services, for approximately $100 million. Madison Dearborn has also agreed to fund QuickPlay’s continued expansion going forward. With the completion of this deal, Madison Dearborn and QuickPlay’s employees will own pretty much all of the eight year-old company, with a limited number of minority shareholders remaining on board as part of the ownership. QuickPlay has provided multiscreen video distribution services for several top-name companies, including AT&T U-Verse, Bell, RIM, Rogers Communications, and Verizon, among others. QuickPlay says its OpenVideo platform currently manages more than 1.5 million video assets from more than 3,000 content providers, allowing clients to deliver video to more than 300 different connected devices.

Cloud-based video management and licensing services provider T3Media has signed a deal to manage the US Soccer Federation’s video assets. As a result of the deal, companies and producers who want to license US Soccer content can do so through T3Media’s footage-licensing site. The US Soccer Collection features footage of the Men’s and Women’s National Teams and includes full-length broadcasts, fully-produced highlights, behind-the-scenes footage, and stadium establishing shots from US-based international friendlies and FIFA World Cup qualifying matches.

Buzzmedia has acquired well-known music journalism brand Spin Media to add to its wide-ranging network of music and music culture brands and services. Under the terms of the deal, Buzzmedia gains Spin.com, Spin’s print magazine, its Spin Play app for the iPad, and Spin’s established events business. Buzzmedia’s existing suite of music-related properties include Stereogum, Idolator, Hype Machine, Pure Volume, Brooklyn Vegan, AbsolutePunk, Buzznet, Concrete Loop, Gorilla vs. Bear, Pop Matters, Punk News, RCRD LBL, and the recently acquired XLR8R. With the property now under its belt, Buzzmedia says it will look to expand Spin’s editorial team and coverage areas in connection with extending digital distribution. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

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A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE

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Global spending on advertising is on the rise across almost all media types, says Nielsen via its quarterly Global AdView Pulse report. While TV, newspapers, radio, outdoor, the internet, and cinema all saw increases in ad spend in the beginning of 2012 when compared to last year, the two standouts seem to be TV, which continues to be the dominant media platform for ad dollars, and the internet, which saw the biggest increases in global ad spend (12.1% more in Q1 2012 than in Q1 2011). For internet ad spend, Nielsen says growth was particularly notable in Europe (12.1%), Latin America (31.8%), and the Middle East & Africa (35.2%).

2K Play and Comedy Central have launched Comedy Central’s Indecision Game for iOS and Android devices. The new app, which includes compatibility with Amazon’s Kindle Fire through the Amazon Appstore for Android, is a game of wits where players compete with friends to answer political questions. Correct answers earn players “Voters” that can be placed on map of the US in the game, all toward earning domination of a state. Players can also enlist “Political Aides” for help, which can include stealing a state from opponents or demanding a recount. Real-time results are shown in the game’s “Election Headquarters,” in order to determine which party is the smartest. It’s available for free via iTunes and Google Play.

Cablevision has updated its free Optimum TV app for the  iPhone and iPad, now featuring a revamped user interface and the ability to turn the app into a remote control. Most notably, the app now lets users rate TV shows so that it can then deliver program recommendations based on those ratings. Additional updates are listed on the app’s iTunes page.

Philip Lynch has been promoted to SVP/Digital Networks & Games for Sony Pictures Television (SPOT). Reporting to Eric Berger, EVP/Digital Networks, Lynch is now responsible for negotiating distribution deals and managing relationships with partners on behalf of Crackle, the studio’s multiplatform video service, and for acquisitions and programming for Crackle’s English-language services in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia. Lynch will also oversee future expansion of Crackle into new territories. Additionally, he will supervise the game applications business for the studio’s shows, including Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune.

AOL has promoted Ran Craycraft to GM/AOL Entertainment, where he will oversee AOL Music and Moviefone. Since joining AOL, Craycraft has also focused on launching AOL Industry, the company’s trade media division comprised of AOL Energy, AOL Defense, and AOL Government. He will report to Jay Kirsch, SVP/Business, Technology, & Entertainment Group.

Ad tech company TruEffect has appointed Robert Rust to the position of VP/Engineering and has named Dane Elliott to be its new Director/Analytics. Rust will be responsible for product development and delivery across the entire organization. He reports directly to CEO, Ron Hill. Elliott is responsible for managing the company’s data-mining and reporting capabilities and will report to Martin Smith, SVP/Ad Platforms. Both Rust and Elliott are based in the company’s headquarters in Colorado.

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A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM CABLEFAX

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CableFAX Webinar:  
Taking Action: Capitalizing on
Cable’s Growing Latino Sports Market

Tuesday * July 17, 2012 * 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. ET

Strategies for programmers and distributors to reach
different segments in this rapidly growing sports market

Presented by:

Ruben Mendiola, VP and GM of Multicultural Video Services – Comcast  

Freddy Rolón, Jr., Vice President, Deportes Programming – ESPN  

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With HuffPost Live scheduled to launch on August 13, the Huffington Post Media Group has unveiled “HuffPost Live 3, 2, 1…” a new section that introduces users to the live streaming network, which as the media group says will use the entire HuffPost universe, including the stories, editors, reporters, bloggers, and community, as its real-time script. Prominent on the page is a countdown clock to the day the network is set to go live. However, that’s not the most interesting aspect of what is on the page. The Huffington Post is inviting users to record a video “sounding off” on what they are passionate about, what ticks them off, and what they think the network should cover. The section will publish the top submissions and invite those users to become regular guests on the streaming network. “One of our main goals with HuffPost Live is to make it the most social video experience possible — capitalizing on the ongoing shift from presentation to participation,” said Roy Sekoff, President of HuffPost Live, in the announcement. “People don’t want to be talked at any more; they want to be talked with. ‘HuffPost Live 3, 2, 1…’ will allow us to deeply connect with our users and have them be real partners in what we are building.” Aside from the countdown clock and the crowd-sourcing effort, the section will also feature behind-the-scenes footage of the production team, including a 24-hour live feed of the newsroom that is being built in NY.

Later – Sahil
Sahil Patel, Associate Editor for Cynopsis Digital
07.11.12

Cynopsis Ad Sales:
Mike Farina – VP/Sales and Marketing – 203-218-6480 / [email protected]
Classifieds – Trish Pihonak- 888-702-3858 / [email protected]

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

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JOB OPENING:  MGR AD SALES RESRCH/Discovery/NY: Have a strong understanding of Nielsen, MRI & Simmons and proven exp. developing sales positioning materials; 5+ yrs. of TV research exp.; http://careers.discovery.com/ #5769 (7/18)

JOB OPENING: SR MKTG MGR/AT&T/NYC: Plays key role in bringing to mkt innovative advrtsng products across AT&T’s U-verse IPTV platform & AdWorks TV Audience Ntwrk. BA-Marketing or Bus. pref. For a detailed job description click here (7/18)

JOB OPENING: MGR, DIG SCHEDULING/A+E Networks/NY: Responsible for all aspects of sched for A&E/BIO/CI dig platforms. Full Info/Apply: www.aenetworks.com/career.html  (7/18)

JOB OPENING: DISCOVERY KIDS FRANCHISE MGR/Miami: Partner w/AdSales, Licensing Bus Dev in creation of franchise strategy & bus obj for Dkids characters 5+ yrs exp in marketing/product/brand management exp- www.Discovery.com  (7/18)

JOB OPENING:  DIR PROGRAMMING/GSN/Santa Monica: 5-7 yrs exp in non-fiction TV. Strong production and contacts. Pre-prod/studio prod, budgeting, digital programming initiatives, casting and dev. Send resume to [email protected] (7/18)

JOB OPENING: SR SALES PLANNER/HEALTH CLUB MEDIA/NY: Assist AEs in proposal gen, wrks w/ AEs & Sales Ops on media buys to ensure proper maint of all accts. 1+ media exp req. Send resumes [email protected] (7/17)

JOB OPENING: MGR, AD SALES RESEARCH/NBCUniversal/Syfy. NYC: Produce research for Syfy Natl Advtsing, on-air. Contract role. Min 3 yrs dvlping decks w syndicated research tools. Apply: [email protected] (7/17)

JOB OPENING: STORY PRODUCERS & WRITERS/20 West Productions/CHICAGO: Qualified story prods/writers w/ prior exp scripting reality & doc series. Must work out of Chicago office. Familiarity w/ Avid a plus. Res/credits: [email protected] (7/17)

JOB OPENING: MGR AD SALES RESRCH/Discovery/NY: Have a strong understanding of Nielsen, MRI & Simmons and proven exp. developing sales positioning materials; 5+ yrs. of TV research exp.; http://careers.discovery.com/ #5769 (7/17)

JOB OPENING: DIGITAL ARCHIVIST/NYC: 3-5yr exp digital archivist to update and manage existing digital archival system: proj based position possibly to perm BS in Lib/Info Science A + Apply: [email protected] (7/14)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR, DIST MARKETING/Fox Networks/LA: resp for distribution marketing efforts w/ focus on the sports networks.Bachelor’s degree req’d , 5-7 yrs exp. TV dist mkt’g. www.foxcareers.com FNG0001295 (7/14)

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH ANALYST/E! & G4/NBCUniversal/LA: Asst w/ research on network programs, brands, consumers and advertisers. 1 yr exp in media research and exp w/ Nielsen & MRI programs req. www.nbcunicareers.com Job#6164BR (7/14)

JOB OPENING: PROGRAM PLANNER/AMERICAN FORCES NETWORK/RIVERSIDE, CA: Experienced TV programmer to create & schedule Entertainment program schedules. Go to www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/318693600 for more details and to apply. (7/14)

JOB OPENING: PROMO PRODUCER/STRATEGIST/American Forces Network/CA: Create orig promos for AFN shows, brand/image spots. Do promo strategy for 8 channels. Job Announcement: http://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/319487900 (7/14)

JOB OPENING: SR RSRCH ANALYST/ATL: 3+ yrs TV rsrch brdcst/cable exp in data analysis & primary, secondary mkt. Kwldg of Star/Nielsen sys. BA deg req’d. To apply, contact: [email protected] (7/14)

JOB OPENING: MGR, MVPD CONTENT DISTRIBUTION/CBS CORP/NYC: 3-6 yrs digital or multi-platform content distribution exp; oversee VOD and Retrans operations; support MVPD partnerships. Apply www.cbscorporation.com/careers (#12095BR) (7/14)

JOB OPENING: DIST NEW MEDIA SPEC/A+E Nets/NY: Mng flow of info in support of new media initiatives. Create VOD metadata & comm VOD prgm scheds. 3+yrs proj mgmt. exp in TV/cable. Knwldg of Access. Apply: www.aenetworks.com/career.html (7/14)

JOB OPENING: MRG, SALES MKTG/NYC: Flixster seeks Mgr, Sales Mktg to execute mrkt strategies for Ad Sales team. Will prepare mktg programs/online media plans to support strategies. Deg & 3 yrs exp req. Apply: http://bit.ly/QlZQND (7/14)

JOB OPENING: PROMO CREATIVE DIR: needed for a daily, high prof, daytime synd show. Strong writer, producer, & editorial sensibilities. Prev 1st run daytime exp needed. Based in Chicago. Demo/res: [email protected] (7/14)

JOB OPENING: MEDIA BUYER/Chief Media/NYC: 1-2 yrs TV buying experience pref’d. Must be able to handle large station list, and have strong negotiation/analytical skills. Knowledge of CoreDirect a plus. Resume to: [email protected] (7/14)

JOB OPENING: DIRECT RESPONSE SALES EXECUTIVE/RNNTV/RYE BROOK NY: 5 years of short form sales experience preferred; excellent communication and presentation skills. Resume: [email protected]. (7/14)

JOB OPENING: PRGRM COORD/ATL: Program Coordinator (ATL) Prepares/distrib program sched, listings, grids. TV exp pref. SIMS/prg database exp. req; Strong organizational skills. Attention to detail. Self-starter. Res: [email protected] (7/14)

JOB OPENING: LINE PRODUCER (NEWS)/RNN TV/Rye Brook, NY: Line and stack daily news broadcasts. Must have tv news producing experience. Res/cvr: [email protected] (7/14)

JOB OPENING: OPERATION SUPERVISOR/RNN TV/RYE BROOK NY: assist director of ops, supervise master control team and live events; manage schedules, implement policies and train news employees. Resume: [email protected] (7/14)

JOB OPENING: TV RESEARCH DIR/PHX: Want top 25 mkt? Sunshine? To do more than 1 sheets? If you can you take research from ordinary to extraordinary, Meredith wants you. http://www.meredith.com/meredith_corporate/careers.html (7/14)

JOB OPENING: SALES PLANNER/TV One/NY: prepare post analysis, prepare advertiser’s scheds; create presentations, research; track liability schedules. Exp sales/planning preferred. Visit www.tvone.tv (7/14)

JOB OPENING: VP, PRICING & PLANNING/nuvoTV/NY: 10+ yrs in cable/broadcast ad sales a must. VCI or other traffic system exp./dealmaker exp. strongly preferred. Strong math & analytical skills req. http://www.mynuvotv.com/jobs (7/13)

JOB OPENING: IN-HOUSE COUNSEL/VP, LEGAL & BUS AFFAIRS/LA: Attorney for TV prod co to manage agreements, releases, employment, negotiations. JD + 5 yrs TV/film legal experience req’d. Apply: [email protected] (7/12)

JOB OPENING: ACCOUNT DIR/GSTV/NEW YORK: Largest nat’l away from home TV network at the pump seeks an account director with strong exp in media sales. Apply at: http://gstv.iapplicants.com/ViewJob-321531.html (7/12)

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH DIR/Mobile-Pensacola: Create sales materials; coordinate avails data; create rtgs estimates; coordinate research efforts with nat’l rep. More info at www.fox10tv.com; Send resume to: [email protected] (7/12)

JOB OPENING:  DIGITAL DISTRIBUTION COORDINATOR/Screen Media/NYC: Digital Film Dist. Entry level. Skills: Computer, Social Media, Some Tech Skills. NOT production job! Apply: [email protected] (7/12)

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].

SUMMER INTERNSHIPS CREDITS ONLY: Entertainment firm/NYC: 40 hrs wkly. Interesting opportunity to contribute to media start-up. Apply: [email protected] (put “Internship” in subject). (7/14)

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: Experienced reality producer, researcher, writer and highly skilled interviewer. Investigative reporting, true crime, paranormal. I uncover amazing stories and can find almost anyone. Top references. [email protected] (7/18)

SITUATION WANTED:  Looking for a STAR? LA Media & Entertainment Partnerships Exec for Iconic Brands. Sales, Mktg & Branded Content pro – Major TV/Cable, Prod Co, Label, Agency, Digital, Docu, Non-Profit. MBA. [email protected] (7/18)

SITUATION WANTED: AWARD WINNING WRITER/PRODUCER: turned award winning performer w/25yrs exp. Consulting, Creative development, ad campaigns, scripting, humor punch up, pitch & presentation coaching, etc. NYC based – [email protected] (7/17)

SITUATION WANTED: EDUCATIONAL/CHILDREN’S MEDIA, FT position: 5 yrs in docs/edu/world film and digital distribution, former Sesame freelancer and Nick intern, strong writer/editor/researcher. [email protected] (7/17)

SITUATION WANTED: MARKETING/PR/MEDIA, (NJ/NY): MBA grad looking for career in sports & entertainment. Internship experience in professional sports w/an expertise in marketing, social media, PR, sales. Contact: [email protected] (7/17)

SITUATION WANTED: SUMMER INTERN (NYC/LI): Outgoing college sr.w/strong credentials. Comm. Major exp.TV editing, sports announce/writing. Seeks position w/possible career potential. Resume on request. [email protected] (7/17)

SITUATION WANTED: Looking for position in PR in TV/FILM: 10 yrs experience unit/international/corporate PR, social media, events & talent management. MA in Communications. Located: LA, CA. [email protected] (7/12)

E-mail [email protected] or call Trish Pihonak at 888.702.3858 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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