Cynopsis: Kids!

7/02/08

Good morning. It’s Wednesday, July 2, 2008, and this is your first early morning Kids briefing.

The creators/founders of Neopets, Adam Powell and Donna Williams, are launching Meteor Games, a new interactive game development studio that is based in West Hollywood.  First up for the indie publisher is a project based on a new Powell and Williams’ new original intellectual property, which combines elements of social networking, casual web-based games and massively multiplayer online games.  Powell will serve as CEO and Creative Director for Meteor Games, with Williams taking on the roles of COO and President.  The two sold Neopets to MTV Networks for $160 million in 2005.

Enesco, LLC, a producer/distributor of gift, specialty, home and garden decor products, acquires all assets of GUND, the plush toy manufacturer.  The terms of the deal were not released.  Prior to this GUND has owned and operated by the same family for 110 years.  Enesco has also recently acquired a number of brands including, The Boyds Collection, Our Name is Mud, and Bob Olszewski’s Gallery of Light among others.  Enesco became a privately held company last year when it was acquired by Tinicum Capital Partners II, LLP, a private investment partnership.

NEW PRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT

The sequel to Fox’s Night at the Museum will now be titled Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian, according to The Hollywood Reporter.  Prior to this the title was Night at the Museum II: Escape from the Smithsonian.  Additionally, Christopher Guest has signed on to play Ivan the Terrible in the movie.  Other new cast members include Jon Bernthal as Al Capone, Bill Hader at Gen. George Armstrong Custer and French actor Alain Chabat as Napoleon.  The movie is slated for release in 2009.

Digital production company Sony Pictures Imageworks announces the slate six feature film projects currently in production at its facility.  The movies, beginning with the kid/family targeted titles, are: G-Force (family/adventure), a Jerry Bruckheimer Production for Walt Disney Pictures; Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (animated comedy) for Sony Pictures Animation and Columbia Pictures; Eagle Eye (action/thriller) for DreamWorks Pictures; Watchmen (mystery/adventure) for Warner Bros. Pictures; Valkyrie (suspense/thriller) for United Artists; and the Untitled Ridley Scott Film (dramatic/thriller) for Warner Bros. Pictures.

MORE KIDS STUFF

Cartoon Network New Media introduces Mini Match, a new social gaming virtual world.  At launch Mini Match offers four different game-play environments, Haunted Garden, Tower of Heroes, Underwater Lab and Alien Zoo.  On Mini Match kids can create avatars and take part with other kids in multiplayer games, “tag” battles, work together on solving puzzles and follow an unfolding mystery.  Kids can earn points while playing games, which can be used to customize their avatars and gain in-game abilities.

Habbo, the teen-targeted virtual world, is partnering with the Matthew Shepard Foundation, a non-profit group that encourages tolerance and respect among young people, to educate teens online users through discussions about a range of issues including bullying, discrimination and hate. Beginning July 7, the Foundation will lead discussions, as part of its Erase Hate project, twice a week in Habbo.com’s InfoBus, a virtual room designed as a safe environment for teens to discuss issues.  The Matthew Shepard Foundation was founded by Dennis and Judy Shepard to honor their, Matthew, who was murdered when he was 21 in an anti-gay hate crime.

MARKETING/LICENSING

Toys ‘R’ Us, US and Lucasfilm Ltd. team to support the August 15 theatrical release of Star Wars: The Clone Wars by creating an in-store Star Wars product boutiques and events at Toys ‘R’ Us stores nationwide and at www.toysrus.com .  The effort begins with the placement of in-store clocks counting down to July 26, the date when the largest selection of the Star Wars: The Clone Wars toys/accessories are set to be available exclusively at the retailer.  Launch events will be held at midnight on July 26 at 225+ Toys ‘R’ Us stores, with two of the biggest set for the Times Square (NYC) and the Mission Bay (San Diego) stores, featuring costume and trivia contests.  Additionally, during the two big events those making purchases will have the opportunity to receive bonus items including Hasbro’s Star Wars Holographic General Grievous action figure or a LEGO poster (while supplies last).

Chorion names NSR as the new global master toy licensee for Noddy with Spin Master appointed as the UK distributor and Lansay named for France and Benelux.  Product will begin rolling out at retail from spring 2009 across the UK, France, Portugal and Eastern Europe. These new appointments will not affect other current European distribution partnerships.  Concentra in Portugal and Epee in Eastern Europe will continue to distribute Noddy toys and will take NSR product in spring 2009.

This week marks the launch of Burger King Corp.‘s new nutrition focused Burger King Kids Meal, which is part of the company’s BK Positive Steps nutrition program that aims to encourage folks to eat and live well.  Looking to attract parents and kids, the new Kids Meal features Fresh Apple Fries with low-fat caramel dipping sauce, Kraft Macaroni & Cheese and Hershey’s 1% low fat white milk.  Additionally, this summer Burger King is a co-presenting sponsor of the Jonas Brothers’ Burning Up Tour this summer, during which it will offer samples of its Apple Fries, and beginning July 7 will also provide behind-the scene sneak peeks and sweepstakes at www.bkjonasbrothers.com .  Furthermore, Burger King debuts its new kid/tween-targeted website Club BK, a virtual world with games.

RATINGS

Monthly June 2008 Top Ten Basic Cable Ad Supported networks, Total Day and Primetime Rankings among K2-11 (000) 5/26-6/29/08 :
Total Day     (000)   Primetime       (000)
NICK°:           1245    DSNY*:             1225
DSNY*:            865    CARTOON:          759
CARTOON:        625    NAN**:              505
NAN**:            309    NOGGIN:            259
NOGGIN:          222    TOON DIS:         153
ADSM**:          209    NICKTOONS:      108
TOON DIS.:      125    BET:                    89
NICKTOONS:      82    DISCOVERY:         82
DISCOVERY:       50    ESPN:                  71
MTV:                  45    MTV:                   69
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.
°Nickelodeon Total Day 6a-11p

Monthly June 2008 Top Ten Basic Cable Ad Supported networks, Total Day and Primetime Rankings among K6-11 (000) 5/26-6/29/08 :
Total Day      (000)  Primetime       (000)
NICK°:             730    DSNY*:             970
DSNY*:            623    CARTOON:         527
CARTOON:        415    NAN**:             396
NAN**:            248    TOON DIS:          84
ADSM**:          141    NICKTOONS:       63
TOON DIS.:        70    DISCOVERY:        61
NICKTOONS:      51    BET:                    61
NOGGIN:            44    MTV:                   49
DISCOVERY:       37    ESPN:                  48
MTV:                  32    NOGGIN:             43
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.
°Nickelodeon Total Day 6a-11p

Monthly June 2008 Top Ten Basic Cable Ad Supported Networks, Total Day and Primetime Rankings among Tweens 9-14 (000) 5/26-6/29/08 :
Total Day  (000)   Primetime     (000)
NICK°:         555     DSNY*:            834
DSNY*:        538     NAN**:            477
NAN**:        357     CARTOON:        406
CARTOON:    303     MTV:                123
ADSM**:      193     BET:                 101
MTV:              88     COMEDY:            88
COMEDY:        55     DISCOVERY:       78
DISCOVERY:   55     ESPN:                 67
BET:               54     TLC:                   60
TOON DIS:      49     THE N:               54
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.
°Nickelodeon Total Day 6a-11p

2 Quarter 2008 Year-to-Year Comparison: Top Ten Total Day Rankings among K6-11 (000) 3/31-6/29/08 vs. 4/2-7/1/07, Cable Networks Only:
Network:                       (000)   % diff
NICK° :                         649       -1%
DSNY:                          516       -9%
CARTOON** :                358      -14%
NAN* :                          229      -3%
ADSM** :                     124       -36%
TOON DIS.:                    63       -17%
NICKTOONS:                  41       +21%
DISCOVERY:                  34        -23%
MTV:                             27        -23%
THE N:                          23        -4%
BET:                             23        -21%
°Nickelodeon Total Day 6a-11p
*NAN Total Day 9p-6a
**Cartoon Network & Adult Swim share channel space ADSM airs Sat.-Thurs. 11p-6a
The networks listed are mostly those cable networks that regularly appear on the K6-11 weekly ranking charts.
Source: Disney Research from Star Media Multitrak Reporting System Live+7 Blended with Live+SD from 10/16/2006 to date; Data prior to 12/26/2005 is based on Live Viewing

Live + Same Day Ratings Kids Cable Network Averages (000) for Saturday, June 28, 2008, 6am-11pm, ranked by K2-11:
NICKELODEON:         K2-11 1251; K6-11 772; TWEENS 9-14 524
DISNEY CHANNEL:     K2-11 1170; K6-11 811; TWEENS 9-14 697
CARTOON NETWORK: K2-11   539; K6-11 370; TWEENS 9-14 287
TOON DISNEY:           K2-11   112; K6-11   65; TWEENS 9-14   34
Source: MTVN Research from Nielsen Media Research Data

Live + Same Day Ratings Kids Cable Network Averages (000) for Sunday, June 29, 2008, 6am-11pm, ranked by K2-11:
NICKELODEON:          K2-11 1203; K6-11 752; TWEENS 9-14 559
DISNEY CHANNEL:     K2-11   849; K6-11 587; TWEENS 9-14 525
CARTOON NETWORK: K2-11   629; K6-11 438; TWEENS 9-14 324
TOON DISNEY:           K2-11   150; K6-11   82; TWEENS 9-14   49
Source: MTVN Research from Nielsen Media Research Data

Live + Same Day Ratings Kids Cable Network Averages (000) for Monday, June 30, 2008, 6am-11pm, ranked by K2-11:
NICKELODEON:         K2-11 1331; K6-11 704; TWEENS 9-14 480
DISNEY CHANNEL:     K2-11 1108; K6-11 846; TWEENS 9-14 685
CARTOON NETWORK: K2-11   766; K6-11 529; TWEENS 9-14 360
TOON DISNEY:           K2-11   178; K6-11 100; TWEENS 9-14   67
Source: MTVN Research from Nielsen Media Research Data

Answer to Yesterday’s Trivia Question: Along with the title character, Kiki the Frog and Zaza the Cat could be found on what children’s series of TV shorts that ran in the late ’60s – early ’70s?  HECTOR’S HOUSE Kudos to: Brenda Bowen-HarperCollins Children’s Books/NY; Christopher Byrne-Byrne Communications, Inc./The Toy Guy®/NY

Today’s Trivia Question: In the Disney movie Peter Pan who is Captain Hook’s chubby little right-hand man? (Email [email protected] 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 — Cyn
07.02.08

Cynopsis Kids Ad Sales:
Jennifer Franko – 203-583-9796 / [email protected]
Classifieds – Trish Pihonak- 203-926-9878 / [email protected]

Cynopsis website – Video Resumes, Extended Classified Ads, Archives, and the Cynopsis Daily Video

CableU – Know Networks Better. Pitch Smarter. Click here

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM CYNOPSIS MEDIA: TOP TIER

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

JOB OPENING: VP, BUSINESS PARTNERSHIPS/ Active Int’l in Pearl River, NY (15 miles from NYC): Min 12 yrs exp. Acct. Mgmt/Sales & team leadership. Resumes to: [email protected] or call 845-732-8943 (7/10)

JOB OPENING: ASSOC RESEARCHER/WGBH/Boston: Assisting in Gathering and analyzing research. BA in Communications, Business or Marketing. www.wgbh.org/careers Job Req # 4362 (7/10)

JOB OPENING : SALES/REPRESENTATION/EDITIONAL EFFECTS (EENYC)/ NYC: Production/Post-Production co. seeks representation/sales person. Company offers editorial, design, audio and production. Start ASAP. Resumes to: [email protected] (7/9)

JOB OPENING : SR MOTION DESIGNER-MUSIC CHOICE-NY: Exp’d animator needed to develop high-energy motion graphics (After Effects, Maya) for original shows. BA/BS 3+ yrs prjct mgmt exp post-production environment. [email protected] (7/9)

JOB OPENING : ASSOC MNGR, BRAND MARKETING/MUSIC CHOICE-NY: Brand development & mktg promotion for Hispanic genre. Read,write Spanish. Prjct mgmt exp nec. BA/BS 4+ yrs cnsmr mktg exp w/12-24 Hispanic demo. [email protected] (7/9)

JOB OPENING : PRODUCTION MGR-DIGITAL MEDIA/Sesame Workshop/NYC: Handle all proj budgets/financials, assist w/ prod plan’g & mng prod trafficking issues. 3+ yrs web content prod exp req’d. [email protected] (7/9)

JOB OPENING : VP DIGITAL MEDIA MKTG/NYC/Bdcstg Co: Strong marketer! series websites, ecom, wireless, social networks, iTV, etc branding exp-Film a+ 6 figures +bonus Resume: [email protected] (7/8)

JOB OPENING : SCHEDULER/DISCOVERY/NY: Responsible for scheduling/tracking programs for network. 2-4yrs exp in scheduling, programming. No relo assistance provided. Apply: www.discovery.c om ID: 8095 (7/8)

JOB OPENING : VP BUS. AFFAIRS-LEGAL/DISCOVERY/LA: Prep offers to talent, handle negotiations, drafting docs for lead/supporting talent (e.g. hosts, experts, narrators, celebrities, etc. Apply: www.discovery.c om # 8052 (7/8)

JOB OPENING : DIGITAL AD SALES MKTG MGR/A&E TV Nets/NY: Work with Nat’l sales teams to dev & execute sponsorships for AETN digital properties. Min.3yrs exp Online/Media Mktg. TV/Mobile exp a +.Apply:  www.aetn.com/careers.ht ml (7/8)

JOB OPENING : DIRECTOR, CONTENT DVLPMNT/SPIN MASTER’S NEWLY LAUNCHED ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY/TORONTO: Manage the development slate. 3 yrs exp in similar role. Full job details on www.spinmaster.c om Resumes to: [email protected] (7/4)

JOB OPENING : RESEARCH ANALYST/Disney*ABC Dom TV/LA: Support synd/ABC Studios. 1 yr Broad/Cable TV or research intern, BA, strong writing/analytical skills. Knowledge of Nielsen software a +. Apply www.disneycareers.com (req.168214) (7/4)

JOB OPENING : SR SALES AE, TV Dir. Resp/NY: Dvlp/target leads in mult cust segs; Work w/Operations & Client Services Teams to deliver innovative solutions. 5+ yrs exp dvlpng relations in media. Pkg/6figs. Res: [email protected] (7/4)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR, PROGRAMMING/Sony Pictures/CA: Drive strategic planning of SPTI’s digital & mobile biz. 5-7 yrs in mobile/digital media; tv prod/acquisition exp preferred. Apply: www.sonypicturesjobs.c om ID: 10002 (7/3)

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] om.

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

SITUATION WANTED : ASSOCIATE/SEGMENT/FIELD PROD: 8 yrs exp in Film/Television/Commercials. Currently seeking challenging & rewarding position in NYC area. Resume & Graphics Portfolio available upon request. [email protected] (7/9)

SITUATION WANTED : PROMO, MKTG, TV PROF, 15 yrs exp. looking to work remotely for nat’l agency/TV/mktg co. Strategic, strong client exp. Great for companies seeking presence in SE [email protected] (7/3)

E-mail [email protected] om for rates and specs for Job Openings.

Interested in posting your Video Resume? Contact [email protected] om for more information ….

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

Cynopsis Media LLC
One Corporate Drive, Suite 724
Shelton, CT 06484
203.926.9878