Cynopsis: DIGITAL

07/21/10

Good morning, it’s Wednesday, July 21, 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 .

Spending on digital downloads and VOD purchases are beginning to make up for dropping DVD sales, but not fast enough. A consortium of some 60 tech, retail and entertainment firms calling itself the Digital Entertainment Content Ecosystem (DECE) has introduced a new cloud-based DRM system that will enable movie and TV viewers to watch a piece of content interchangeably on a wide array of devices. The idea is to create an open standard that studios can write to, rather than lock buyers into proprietary formats controlled by Apple and others. The UltraViolet system, which will begin beta testing in the fall, will include a digital wallet that stores proofs of purchases of DVDs, movie downloads or season passes that allows you to watch content you”ve already paid for any device. Many giants are participating, including Sony, Warner Bros., Toshiba, Best Buy and Netflix, but Apple and Disney have opted out.
 

 
Syndicated shows have been using social media to help retain an audience around their shows. Now their turning to the platform to cast them. Twentieth Television is recruiting MySpace Karaoke as its official casting partner for its music-themed game show Don’t Forget the Lyrics! this fall. Wannabe participants are encouraged to upload their own renditions of songs on the Don’t Forget the Lyrics! community page including No Doubt’s “Don’t Speak,” Elton John’s “Bennie and the Jets,” Lady Gaga’s “Paparazzi” and The Stones’ “I Can’t Get No Satisfaction.” The integration comes on the heels of MySpace’s participation in the Glee Audition contest, which received over 34k submissions.
 

 
One worry among game developers who have tied their wagons to Facebook is that  Virtual currency platform Offerpal Media unveiled a new user acquisition and re-engagement solution at the Casual Connect conference in Seattle dubbed SocialKast that makes it easy for game developers to connect with multiple social channels and major media platforms. The idea is to be able to write once to interact with multiple platforms and portals (Facebook, Yahoo, etc.) to efficiently distribute invites, gifts, virtual goods and other messages to your entire audience. 
 
Blaze is a new e-commerce platform from casual game publisher Oberon that streamlines social and downloadable casual game distribution to multiple platforms. The solution leverages the social graph to help players locate the latest games and turn their friends on to them. Launch developer partners include Playdom, Evermore Media, Playrix, MetroGames and Backstage.

 
Gigantic voice over IP network Skype (560 million users) is dialing up a new Click & Call Advertising program with Seattle-based Marchex to help monetize calls made from Skype users. The solution, which is currently being trialed in front of 20k customers, enables sponsors to pick up the cost of inbound calls on a per call basis, allowing brands to include “Free Call” buttons on their site (viewable only by PC users who have the Skype plug-in installed). Dish Network and Extra Space Storage are two national advertisers currently trying out the service.
 

 
After striking a mostly positive and conciliatory tone toward the broadband industry, the FCC issued a more negative view of the state of affairs in the U.S. yesterday, reminding ISPs that between 14 million and 24 million Americans still don’t have high-speed access. The agency also (finally) redefined “broadband” as connections rates of 4 Mpbs down and 1 Mbps up, replacing outdated speed requirements that helped previous administrations tell a rosier tale. The report also includes a comprehensive list of underserved areas for the first time.
 
Thanks to brisk computer sales and better-than-dreamed of sales of the iPad and much-maligned iPhone 4, Apple reported record revenues for Q3 of FY 2010 (ending June 26) with revenue of $15.7 billion and net quarterly profit of $3.25 billion. Apple sold Apple sold 3.47 million Macs (up 33% y/y), 8.4 million iPhones (+61%), 9.41 million iPods (-8%) and 3.27 million iPads. During an earnings call with analysts, Apple COO Tim Cook maintained that there has been no slowdown in the demand for the iPhone 4 since “Antennagate.”
 
New York investment firm Harbinger Capital signed an eight-year, $7 billion deal with Nokia Siemens Networks to build and operate a satellite and mobile broadband network for wireless providers and other businesses. The deal is part of a contingency plan to meet FCC requirements attached to the purchase of the SkyTerra network. Billed as the “first truly open and net neutral wireless network,” the LightSquared network hopes to spur the development of new wireless devices, apps and services with plans to begin launching by the middle of next year and have blanket coverage of the U.S. (92% of users) by 2015.
 

 
The cell phone is quickly becoming an electronic wallet in many international territories and several providers are working to push adoption of mobile purchases here in the U.S. Global Mobile Payments users are projected to exceed one billion by 2014 with over $1 Trillion in transactions taking place, according to new M-Commerce report by IE Market Research Corp. The forecast covers annual forecasts of mobile payment users; mobile payment transactions by technology (such as NFC, SMS, WAP, USSD); and mobile payment transactions by type of purchase, including merchandise, digital products, ticketing, mobile money transfers, bill payments, and pre-paid top-ups.
 

 
Further promoting the premiere of “The Pillars of the Earth” event this Friday, Starz unveiled a new iPad app presenting an Amplified Edition of Ken Follett’s novel developed with the Penguin Group. The $12.99 interactive edition, which is also launching for the iPhone/iPod Touch later his week, features a number of cool features including:

• An interactive Character Tree, housed in a virtual stained glass window, which grows as characters are introduced in the book
• Contextual video footage and still images blended into the eBook from corresponding section of the Starz series
• A multimedia diary of the shooting from author Ken Follett, as well as interviews and insights from the filmmakers
• Music selections from the series, including hymns, soundtrack themes, and battlefield scene scores

 
Syfy chose Comic-Con to unveil an update to its existing iPhone app as well as to introduce a new iPhone app around its Warehouse 13 series. The Syfy app now features hundreds of video clips and images, episodes guides, wallpapers and additional content around the network’s shows. The “Warehouse 13 Agent Profile Creator” iPhone app allows fans to create “agent” profiles they can share via Facebook, Twitter.
 
 

 
New York-based visual effects house UVPHACTORY added Executive Producer Paul Schneider and Creative Director Michael Darmanin to its ranks.
 

 
No one doubts that erecting a paywall will lead to a hemorrhaging of audiences; the only question is how many readers will you lose. A few weeks after Rupert Murdoch’s The Times of London made its move to take their content behind a pay wall, thetimes.co.uk lost two thirds of its market share since the pay wall was erected, according to a new analysis from Experian’s Hitwise. The Times site had an ave. market share of 4.29% in the News and Media/Print category before the paywall, and by the week ending July 10, 2010, the site’s market share plunged to 1.43%. The latest data for the week ending July 17 illustrates an even more precipitous drop, falling to 1.37% of the News and Media – Print category, with the rate of decline showing signs of stabilizing. The Times has retained a third of their online visits, and visitors are still spending an average of around 3 min./visit on the site, indicating that the one out of 3 users willing to pay are likely to remain loyal to the site.
 
Later — Wayne
Wayne Karrfalt for Cynopsis: Digital
[email protected]
07.21.10

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Mike Farina – Sr. Dir/Business Development & Sales – 203-218-6480 / [email protected]
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JOB OPENING: RESEARCH /MTV Networks/LA:   MTV Networks has a few openings in Research for both Nickelodeon and MTV/VH1. Please apply directly to www.mtvnetworkscareers.com to check out the specifics. EOE/M/F/D/AAP (7/28)

JOB OPENING: FREELANCE DIG. PROJ MGR/PASADENA/CA: 5-7 yrs front end PM exp mngng websites, banner & email prgrms. Must be adept at proj prioritization & process mngmnt. Apply: https://home.eease.com/recruit/?id=514663 .No recruiters (7/28)

JOB OPENING: PRODUCTION MGR/BET Networks-NY: Oversee Creative Services projects ensuring completion on time and on budget; project timelines, deliverables, assignments, and budgets (5 yrs exp)-submit resumes to: [email protected] (7/28)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR AD SALES MARKETING/Hallmark Channel/NY: direct & implement advertising, direct mail, upfront, events. Min 7 yrs exp. Full posting & apply at www.hallmarkchannel.com (7/28)

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH MGR/CNBC-Englewood Cliffs NJ:reporting/strategic insights for digital media properties; maintain accurate/consistent audience. 3-5 yr web analytics/media/ad/mkting rsrch. Apply @ www.nbcunicareers.com #1229758(7/27)

JOB OPENING: ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE/NESN/MA: Develop new business & existing accounts utilizing NESN and NESN.com’s brand position. 2+ years of TV or cable ad sales experience to include new media sales. www.nesn.com (7/27)

JOB OPENING: DIGITAL SALES MANAGER/NESN/MA: Develop and enhance a new media sales strategy and execute the strategy. 5+ years experience in media sales 3+ years of internet sales experience www.nesn.com (7/27)

JOB OPENING: EXEC ASST/DISH Network/NY: Support 2 VPs Nat’l AD Sales. Proficient in Microsoft office, travel/expenses/office mgmt.Detail orientated. College degree req, related exp a +. Resumes to: [email protected] (7/27)

JOB OPENING: SALES PLANNER/MUSIC CHOICE/NYC: Create integrated cross platform proposals,mng accts,update sales materials,identify & research prospects. 2+yrs of ntwrk or agency exp pref’d [email protected] (7/23)

JOB OPENING: PR FREELANCE/NYC: Seasoned professional for dvlpmnt/execution of PR plan for digital property needed ASAP. Project 3-4 mnths, full time focus req’d. Ability to deliver results a must. Resumes: [email protected] (7/23)

JOB OPENING: MGR AD SLS RSRCH/Discovery Communications/NY: Create sls estimates, dvlp sls positioning, produce custom sls materials. TV Rsrch exp & Nielsen proficiency a must. http://careers.discovery.com/: Req 9676 (7/23)

JOB OPENING: ADMIN ASST/ION/NY: Admin Asst to the Pres & SVP of Nat’l sales. Prof in all Microsoft office, support sales team. Detail orientated & good comm skills a must. College degree pref. EOE [email protected] (7/23)

JOB OPENING: SR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE/ ION Media Networks/NY: Seeks AE for network spot sales. 3-5 years exp preferred National TV Sales, est relationships & proven track record. Apply at [email protected] EOE (7/23)

JOB OPENING: SALES PLANNER/ION Media Networks/New York, NY: Seeks Planner for national tv sales. BA, 2 to 3 years network sales planning experience, works with AE & Sales Assistant. Apply at [email protected] EOE (7/23)

JOB OPENING: MEDIA ANALYST/Billetts America/NYC: Analyze media plans on both a cost & quality basis. 4-8 Yrs Media Buying/Planning Exp Req; Strong Excel and analytical skills req’d; resume: [email protected] (7/23)

JOB OPENING: FREELANCE PROD. OFFICE ASST/C2 Creative/NY: Self-starter to asst Exec Prod & team on integrated project July-Dec. Calendar, finance, travel, files and other; PC and TV/interactive exp. preferred. [email protected]   (7/23)

JOB OPENING: SENIOR PRODUCER/PARENTS & PRESCHOOL/ MTV Kids & Family/NYC. 4+yrs exp. in nxt generation web/digi media prod. Exp managing projects. Strng written & verbal com. skills. EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (7/23)

JOB OPENING: (1)-SR WRITER/PROD (1)-WRITER/PROD/NYC: Develop and execute film/video productions for BET Creative Services; writing/editing/producing, etc. send resumes to [email protected] (7/23)

JOB OPENING: TRAFFIC MGR/COORD/Beacon Media Group/Mahwah NJ: Leading kid media buying/planning agcy needs someone to clear TV Spots, input TV buys, issue traffic instruct. Great benefits. Send resumes to: [email protected] (7/22)

JOB OPENING: SALES PLANNER Sí TV/NY www.sitv.com/sitv-jobs: 3+yrs exp; Create & develop customized plans/presentations for reps, Exc media math skills, excel, pwrpoint req, Strong analytical skills. Bilingual/Spanish ++. EOE (7/22)

JOB OPENING: SR ANALYST DIGITAL RESEARCH/NBC Universal/USA & Syfy/NYC: 1-3 years digital analytics experience. Proficient with Omniture, ComScore, Nielsen. www.nbcunicareers.com (job # 1231595) (7/22)

JOB OPENING: MKTG COORD/IFC/NYC: Resp: day to day event, promo/sponsor mktg for ntwrk. Rsrch, dvlpmnt & execution. 1-2 yrs related exp w/Event & Proj mgmt. Strong org/comm/writing skills. Excel, PPT www.cablevision.jobs ref# 11500BR (7/22)

JOB OPENING: MGR DIG SCHED/New York: MGR, DIG PLATFORMS SCHED:AETN/NY:Respn for sched A&E’S dig media platforms. aetn.com/careers https://www.abso.com/jobboard/Default.aspx?JOBBOARDID=618&JobDetail=75641 (7/22)

JOB OPENING: COMMUNICATIONS DIR/ION/NY: Self-starter w/3-5 yrs TV PR exp. Strg contacts w/trade & consumer press. Write press releases; PR support for anncts, prog launches & press clippings. EOE [email protected] (7/22)

JOB OPENING: PROJECT LEADER/Latitude/BOS: Join innovative media & technology rsrch firm – rsrch expertise, project mg. skills, plan’g & execution, 4+ yrs relevant exp & 4 yr degree. See: http://www.latd.com/jobs/ Apply: [email protected] (7/22)

JOB OPENING: A.E. MARKET & MEDIA RESEARCH/NASCAR/Char NC: Sports ratings analysis, mkt/consumer rsrch, industry wide decision support. Nielsen NPOWER/Galaxy Explorer/Arianna a +; BS w/min 5 yrs. exp; www.employment.nascar.com EOE (7/22)

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:  PRODUCTION, FIELD, ART DESIGN INTERNS/Martha Stewart/NYC: Students MUST receive college credit; position is unpaid. Contact [email protected] (7/28) 

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: SALES INTERN/NYC: Work closely with AE’s; gain knowledge of maintaining detailed paperwork, support Assistants utilizing basic computer skills to process orders. Resume and cover letter to [email protected] (7/24)

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: RESEARCH INTERN/NYC: Research Intern: Gather research information, learn to read the rating books used for TV ad sales, attend meetings, complete audience tracking reports using Excel. Resume and cover letter to [email protected] (7/24)

SUMMER/FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: 13 WK INTERNSHIP/Geppetto Group/NYC: Youth-minded agency seeks art/design/ad students for BRANDING, DESIGN AND AD DEVELOPMENT. Start mid-Aug. Send samples and/or link to [email protected] (7/22)

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: EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT POSITION FILM/TV/NY: 7 years experience: Interned for a President, Executive Assistant to SVP/VP/film director/celebrity [email protected] (7/28)

SITUATION WANTED:  International Business Development Executive, with experience in sales, marketing, licensing, acquisitions, distribution, packaging, co-production finance. [email protected] (7/28)

SITUATION WANTED: Cross-genre WRITER/PRODUCER 10 years+. Hi-profile digital branding. Award-winning travel/inspirational writer. Mystery series creator. Contribute vision & storytelling talent to positive projects. [email protected] (7/27)

SITUATION WANTED:   STORY/POST PRODUCER (LA): Creative thinker/hard worker, 10+ years experience, all reality genres, many network & cable credits. Great at paper cuts, solid in edit bay, detail-oriented, fun. [email protected]   (7/23)

SITUATION WANTED:   DIRECTOR/CREATIVE DEVELOPER: Animation. Dynamic, award-winning, fun-filled…Past clients include Warner Brothers, ABC Family, Comedy Central, Nick JR, HBO Family, MTV2, The Tornante Company. [email protected] (7/23)

SITUATION WANTED:   DOCUMENTARY. PRODUCER, DIRECTOR, WRITER in L.A. Five prime time Emmys. Credits: National Geo, PBS, Discovery, History CH, TLC and MSNBC. Contact email: [email protected]   (7/23)

SITUATION WANTED: ADMIN OR ASST POSITION WANTED/NYC: 3+ yrs admin exp at well-known companies in exec assistance, licensing, prod development, marketing, with specialization in children’s TV. Creative & professional. [email protected] (7/22)

SITUATION WANTED: Dedicated & Experienced ADV. SALES PLANNER (NY) Sales proposals, resolving client discrepancies, quarterly post analysis, special sales service projects, expert computer skills. Contact- [email protected] (7/22)

E-mail [email protected] or call Trish Pihonak at 203.926.9878 for rates and specs for Job Openings.

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