Cynopsis: DIGITAL

06/04/08

Good morning, it’s Wednesday, June 4, 2008, and this is your first early morning digital briefing.
 
After reading that unsealed Yahoo shareholder lawsuit billionaire investor Carl Ichan decided enough is enough, Mr. Ichan, who previously proposed replacing the entire Yahoo board, has now set his sites specifically on CEO Jerry Yang, lashing out against the embattled CEO in an interview with the WSJ.  If we know Carl at all, he won’t let up until the Yahoo co-founder is out of the picture.
 
Launching today on Digital Tiers:
Discovery’s Planet Green network, everywhere that Discovery Home was available
 

 
Operators of fantasy sports sites dodged a legal blitz this week when the Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal from Major League Baseball, seeking to require these businesses to acquire licenses from professional leagues or players’ unions. Fantasy sports is one the stickiest and fastest growing online content categories, with close to 20 million users participating in the U.S. and Canada, according to market research firm Ipsos. It’s been a nice money-maker for portals like Yahoo, which offers basic fantasy services for free then monetizes them by selling ads and charging for must have add-ons like a live stat tracker.
 
Upon learning the news, CBSSports.com announced it was opening up its Fantasy News and Information site to the general public to create a Fantasy Only Sports Network, sourcing relevant news and content from CBS Sports and CBS News entities. The site will include news and stats for 8 sports including the mack daddy genre – fantasy football. CBS introduced a new suite of fantasy football tools yesterday to commemorate the launch.

Microsoft and BermanBraun (the indie production venture led by former Paramount and Fox President Gail Berman and former ABC Entertainment chief turned Yahoo exec. Lloyd Braun) confirmed they have signed an agreement to co-create new entertainment content and premium integrated advertising/marketing solutions for MSN. 
 
If you’re already tired of the Tatum O’Neal crack bust story, you may want to check out a new Rescue Me web series starting June 24 on Sony’s Crackle.com, The Minisode Network and other outlets including mobile platform Sprint TV. They should actually be good. The 5-minute shorts were written by Dennis Leary, Peter Tolan and Evan Reilly and star the show’s regular cast members (unlike those awful 24 webisodes.) The idea is to keep fans’ interest peaked during the summer because the strike has pushed the 5th season back until next spring.  
 
Fashionistas may want to check out TVLand.com for a bunch of exclusives programmed around the network’s new reality series She’s Got The Look premiering tonight. Goodies include a video preview, interviews with the 4 contestants and footage of some of the funnier auditions.
 

 
Sony’s PlayStation division is producing its first monthly original video program covering the video gaming world. Qore, as one might expect, will focus entirely on new releases for the PlayStation, offering a sneak peek at what developers are up to. The show will be distributed in HD only through PS3’s online store for $2.99/episode chock full cool interactive features including multiple camera angles and picture-in-picture content.
 
Well-connected Veoh Networks secured an additional $30 million in series D financing led by Intel Capital, Adobe Systems Corp. and Gordon Crawford of Capital Research Global Investors, bringing the total it has raised to nearly $70 million. Some clarification on their international plans: Veoh has blocked access to only about 10-15 countries to focus on a total of 33 prominent markets. The move is part of a decision to devote more resources to bigger markets and new solutions, such as developing video content for multiple devices, according to a company spokesperson.
 
Ad supported music download service SpiralFrog added EMI Music as a supplier, allowing users access tracks from artists such as David Bowie, Miles Davis, Coldplay and Ole’ Blue Eyes. The company previously inked a deal with Universal before in launched last September. SpiralFrog songs can be listened to online or on Windows-compatible devices.
 

 
Pure Digital, the company that developed the popular $150 Flip camcorder releases a new model today that’s even smaller. The Flip Mino – about the size of a Blackberry Pearl – is equipped to record about 60 minutes of video stored on 2 GB of flash memory. For $180 it’s the perfect take along device for YouTubers who never want to be without a camera.
 
The latest version of the ubiquitous Adobe Acrobat software will allow users embed Flash video when they create PDF documents. The new suite, due out in July, will start at $299 for the full version and $99 for an update.

All of the four daily editions of Cynopsis are now available as RSS feeds – the subscribe/click options show up at the end of this email, and will daily from now on.  In the meantime and to move things along for you, here are the tags you’d need to subscribe to any of our daily editions:

Cyn Digital:  http://enews.cynopsis.com/RSS/58

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Computer peripherals manufacturer D-Link launched a how2 video portal to help their customers figure out how to install their latest products. It’s not exactly slickly produced, but there are some useful tutorials here, demonstrating such mysteries as how to set up a home network  to that pesky last-10-feet problem.

 
Google is under fire from premium advertisers for the all-too-common “piggybacking” practice, reports the WSJ. That’s when you search for a trademarked brand or slogan and a cheap imitation appears in the search results. Then they’re the sleazy practice of setting up sponsored links utilizing branded names without authorization. This has been going on for as long as search has been around, but as large companies divert more and more of their ad dollars online, the ad community figures its about time for the brilliant minds at Google to do something about it. Like copyright offenders on YouTube, the current system requires violated brands to request links to be removed themselves.
 

 
CBS.com climbed impressively in Hitwise‘s rankings of online visits among network sites during the 2007-08 season, increasing its market share by 41% to 21.5% overall. CBS also led in time spent, averaging 10 minutes and 24 seconds, a 39% increase over last season. ABC.com’s share declined slightly, but it remained the top broadcast destination with 27.14% share of visits.
 
Top Visited U.S. Broadcast Network TV sites Season Average based on Ave. Mkt. Share of Visits
Rank       Network        ’07-’08 Season     ’06-’07 Season   % Change
  1             ABC                  27.14%             29.89%             -9%
  2             NBC                  27.01%             32.89%            -18%
  3             CBS                  21.51%             15.24%              41%
  4             FOX*                17.54%             16.55%                6%
  5           The CW                 6.61%               5.20%              27%
  6        My Network TV         0.19%               0.24%              -22%
Source: Hitwise   *includes traffic from standalone Fox sites such as americanidol.com
 
Average U.S. Time Spent Among Television Broadcast Networks
Rank       Network        ’07-’08 Season     ’06-’07 Season   % Change
  1             CBS                  0:10:24             0:07:30             39%
  2             NBC                  0:10:07             0:11:27            -12%
  3           The CW               0:09:42             0:08:02              21%
  4             ABC                  0:08:21             0:06:35              27%
  5             FOX*                0:06:43             0:06:03               11%
  6        My Network TV       0:04:10             0:07:09              -42%
Source: Hitwise   *includes traffic from standalone Fox sites such as americanidol.com
 

 
Glam Media named former sheknows.com President and CEO Mike Meyers as VP & GM, heading Glam Family, a new vertical content network of 500+ family-oriented publishers scheduled to launch during Q3. The vertical will focus on parenting, pregnancy and baby-related themes.
 
Heavy.com appointed Jennifer Schefft and Tiffany Sparks Abbott to the newly created positions of Midwest Sales Directors.  Schefft, formerly a star of ABC’s The Bachelorette and an Account Supervisor for Weber Shandwick Worldwide, and Abbott, former Midwest Director of Sales for Stuff Magazine, will lead strategic sales for the men’s-oriented site.  Both will be based out of Heavy’s Chicago, Illinois, offices.
 

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM IFC.COM

 
Now that the writers’ strike is over, doing web shows is no longer considered slumming. From former That ’70s Show producers Chris Peterson and Bryan Moore. Dan’s Detour of Life, starring The Wire regular Michael Kostroff as a guy who moves in with his son after his wife leaves him. The online comedy is latest original from Christian Briggs’ Briggs Digital Media, launched in HD via the company’s online entertainment site Cinsay.com. All 5 shows including dramas Clone, Foul Play and The Acquirer and reality show Open 24 Hours feature fairly high production values for the web and are presented in a nice clean environment that puts the spotlight on the shows instead of a dozen other features. The problem is that there’s not nearly enough content up here to make it a regular destination. These shows need to be distributed widely if they’re going to get seen.
 
Later — Wayne
Wayne Karrfalt for Cynopsis: Digital
06.04.08

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JOB OPENING:  MGR, DIGITAL SPONSORSHIPS/Discovery/NY: Proj. manage and provide post-sales marketing supp. to all digital sponsorships, works across web, mobile, podcast and VOD Apply: www.discovery.com Req#7991 (6/11)

JOB OPENING:  RESEARCH ANALYST/WE tv/NY:  2+ yrs cable/digital res exp. Support programming w/data collection & analysis. Nielsen, MRI a +. Rez www.cablevision.jobs ref #5750BR (6/11)

JOB OPENING:  DIRECTOR NETWORK DISTRIBUTION & SERVICE/Hallmark Channel/NYC: Develop & implement strategies to increase distribution. Min 5 yrs exp. See full posting and apply at:   www.hallmarkchannel.com (6/11)

JOB OPENING:  SALES PLANNER/ BET Ad Sales CHICAGO: 1-2yrs exp.Sls Planning/media buyer perf’d. Det. oriented & ability to multi-task in fast paced envir. Dealmaker/VCI exp a +. Profic. in MS Word/Excel/PP. Resume: [email protected] (6/11)

JOB OPENING:  MEDIA BUSINESS ANALYST/NYC:  level 2Gabriel application support analyst. 4 month contract. End user support, and application troubleshooting. Exp. with MSA’s Gabriel software required. Apply to: [email protected].  (6/11)

JOB OPENING: MEDIA PLANNING SPVSR/N. Westchester location:  Embedded at client’s office 4 days/wk. NYC agency 1 day. Pharma Exp a plus. Exc. Benefit pkg.  Send Resume: [email protected] (6/11)

JOB OPENING:  ACCT MGR/The Hotel Networks/NY: Aggressive & creative. 3+yrs nat’l media sales exp. Exc media math, verbal & written comm skills, Exp in travel/finance/auto/hospitality ind. a + Res/cover: [email protected]   (6/11)

JOB OPENING: COORDINATING PRODUCER/NICKELODEON/NYC: Oversee audio & post prod, music, edits & delivery, for animated series, ensure project adheres to schedule. Sr. level need only apply. Fax resume to (212) 654-1083  (6/8)

JOB OPENING: MGR, FIN. REPORTING & PLANNING/LIFETIME TV/NY: Manage & coordinate financial planning & reporting processes (monthly fin. close, annual budget, year-end audits) Apply at: http://www.mylifetime.com/about/jobs.html (6/7)

JOB OPENING: STANDARDS & PRACTICES EDITOR/ABC TV Netwk/LA: Review scripts/rough cuts; alt series, wk w/network & prod staff on loc; detailed/critical thinking/writing; JD & prod exp a plus. Apply www.disneycareers.com Req 158299  (6/7)

JOB OPENING: VP BUSINESS DEV/Fuse/NY:  Identify, research, evaluate & develop, new biz opps. to max revenue & brand awareness. 8-10 yrs exp creating new strategy for biz models in media. Rez to: [email protected] “VPBD” in sub (6/6)

JOB OPENING: DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR/NYC production company: Big ideas, excellent writing skills & superior organization a must. Network exp a plus. Please send resume, cover letter, and writing sample to [email protected] (6/6)

JOB OPENING: ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE/Cablevision/West Nyack NY: Seeks AE for local ad sales.2+ yrs ad sales exp. pref cable tv, radio, e-media adv.  Valid NY DL.  See full posting and apply to www.cablevision.jobs req 6244BR (6/6)

JOB OPENING: SALES ASST/Cablevision/Oakland NJ:   2+ yrs exp in mrkt, adv or bus related field.  Assist  Sales team. Strong Excel and Powerpoint skills. See full posting and apply to www.cablevision.jobs req 6253BR (6/6)

JOB OPENING: ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE/Cablevision/Norwalk, CT:  Seeks AE for local ad sales.2+ yrs ad sales exp. pref cable tv, radio, e-media adv.  Valid CT DL.  See full posting and apply to www.cablevision.jobs req 5057BR (6/6)

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 (6/6)

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH MGR/ION/NY: Great opp w/developing media brand, 4+ yrs media research exp, strong analytic skills & strategic thinking essential, proficient in Galaxy/N Power/Marketbreaks/MRI req’d. [email protected] (6/6)

JOB OPENING: FREELANCE COORD/USA Strategic Marketing(NYC): Support creation of client programs inc. sponsorships, finances, etc. 2+ yrs integrated mktg exp in TV or ad agency pref.Resumes to [email protected]  (6/6)

JOB OPENING: PR COORD/IFC/NYC: 1+ yrs exp in ent/film/agency PR team. Support IFC publicity efforts for brand, orig prog, events & campaigns. Degree pref. Strong Admin, org & comm skills a must. Res: www.cablevision.jobs ref #5924BR  (6/6)

JOB OPENING    MGR. CONSUMER MKTNG/ABC FAMILY: Develop mkting campaigns for TV properties.Exp. w/ agency/vendor mgmt and creative dev. Must be multi-tasker w/ BS/BA + 3-5 yrs ent. mktg. exp. www.disneycareers.com (REQ id 163030)  (6/5)

JOB OPENING  SR RESEARCH ANALYST/Fox Latin America Channels/NYC: Support Ad Sales, Programming, Marketing. 2+ years in managing quantitative and qualitative research. Email  [email protected]   (6/5)

JOB OPENING  ACCOUNT EXEC/Fuse/LA: Sell national on-air media. Incr exst’ing clnts, gen new biz. Prsnt new prgm’ing, brand pos, mktg opps. Excl. interpers’l/org skills/MS Excel & PP. Send Rez to: [email protected] “AELA” in sub (6/5)

JOB OPENING:  ASSOC PROD/Little Airplane Productions/NY: Oversee all aspects of animated pre-school series. Mng. artists workflow & deadlines. Multi-task w/ ease & extremely orgnzd. Animation exp a plus.  [email protected]   (6/5)

JOB OPENING:  SALES COORD/Univision/NY: Highly motivated. Mng tasks/srvcng agencies/clients daily basis. Det. oriented/comm/PC & math skills.  1-2 Yrs Media Exp, Deal Maker exp a +, Spanish a +. EOE. Res:  [email protected]  (6/10)

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] .

SUMMER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY:  Green-Webstore /Los Angeles Valley: Phones/writg / editng / typng / resrch /website updtes. Strng comm skills & good attitude / Per asst CEO, begin ASAP. thru summer. Res/Cvr: [email protected]  (6/8)

SUMMER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: OFFICE INTERNSHIP/Burbank: Duties: Gen. office work in pre/post  prod. for nat’l cable series, Knwlg of Word, Excel, have car, be eager. Duties: rsrch locations, transc. scripts. Great intro to TV. [email protected]  (6/6)

SUMMER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: INT’L. DUBBING Co. INTERN/Miami: Join our int’l. language “team” and participate in the dubbing of your favorite TV shows and features. Bi-lingual a plus. Min. 20 hours per week. [email protected]  (6/6)

SUMMER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT INTERN/Food Network/NY/Unpaid/Summer: Research companies, innovations & new product development; business development coordination such as managing site operations. Apply at  www.Scrippsnetworks.com (6/6)

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