A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM CARTOON NETWORK

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Cyn opsis: Kids!

03/11/09

Good morning. It’s Wednesday, March 11, 2009, and this is your first early morning Kids briefing.

With the goal expanding its global business efforts, Marvel Entertainment has formed an International Advisory Board to help explore new opportunities overseas for Marvel and its key character brands, especially focusing on India and China initially.  The Advisory Board is chaired by James F. Halpin, a longtime Marvel director.  Simon Philips, President/Worldwide Consumer Products will serve as the primary company liaison to the Advisory Board.  Additionally, the Advisory Board is currently comprised of Peter Yip, Exec. Vice Chairman and CEO, CDC Corporation, and Bollywood film producer, Manmohan Shetty, former chairman, Adlabs Films Limited. Yip and Shetty represent China and India, respectively on the Board.  Marvel is in the process of filling two additional Advisory Board positions.

NEW PRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT

More kid books being optioned for the big screen to talk about including Mr. Popper’s Penguins and Dinotrux, per Variety:

• Fox picks up the feature film rights to Mr. Popper’s Penguins, an adaptation of Richard and Florence Atwater’s 1938 book, which originally featured illustrations by Robert Lawson.  Davis is producing the feature through his Davis Entertainment.  Sean Anders and John Morris are penning the screenplay.
• DreamWorks options to author/illustrator Chris Gall’s illustrated kids book Dinotrux.  Set in a fictional prehistoric era, the story is being developed as a CG-animated feature.

Disney shifts the release date for its new animated musical feature film The Princess and the Frog by two weeks, with the movie now premiering in NY and LA on November 25, followed by a wide open on December 11, 2009, reports Variety.  The movie had been slated to open on Christmas Day 2009, which is also the opening day for Fox’s Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakuel.

MORE KIDS STUFF

Cartoon Network hosts Ben 10 Week, March 23-27.  Each weekday after school that week the network will focus on Ben 10 Alien Force with a two-hour Best of Ben 10 block, 3-5p.  On Monday, March 23 at 8p, a special enhanced version of the live-action movie, Ben 10: Race Against Time will offer trivia and various facts about Ben 10.  On Tuesday, March 24 and Wednesday, March 25, the network premieres brand new episodes of Ben 10 Alien Force.  Ben 10 Week culminates that Friday in a special one-hour season finale, War of the Worlds, at 8p.

UK distributor DCD Rights (f/k/a NBDtv/DCD Media) will offer the full Richard Hammond’s Blast Lab (52×30) at MIPTV.  A co-production between September Films and Hammond’s Hamster’s Wheel Productions for BBC2/CBBC, Blast Lab marks Hammond and DCD-owned September Film’s first foray into kid-targeted programming.

Two online teen brands have joined at the hip. Fast growing Sweden-based virtual doll site Stardoll (27 million users/month) and its new sister site Paperdoll Heaven has merged with teen-targeted social network Piczo (which claims 30 million registered users -including long inactive ones – mostly in the UK and the US) The three sites will form the Stardoll network as a single platform for advertisers.

Knowledge Adventure‘s, which creates games for K3-10, educational virtual world JumpStart goes live.  The site has been in beta since December 2008 and during that time has attracted 1.5+ million sessions of about 45 minutes each.  Like its other properties, the JumpStart.com is aimed at K3-10, but also features Adventure Land, a sort of virtual world within the virtual world, which offers adventure/learning games including multi-player games, and is aimed at K5-8.  While JumpStart virtual world is free, subscriptions (month/$7.99) are also available and offer a range of member exclusives including downloadable game content, printable coloring sheets, movie and music videos, a rewards program.  For parents the membership offers the ability to create personalized messages, access expert tips among other features.

MARKETING/LICENSING

Coolabi appoints Gorian Consumer Products to represent its tween/teen-girl targeted Scarlett & Crimson property across Germany, Austria and Switzerland (GAS) and Benelux regions.  Coolabi recently named Lisa Marks & Associates (LMA) to rep the brand in North America.

Kidtoons will feature the new movie Barbie Presents Thumbelina, the sixth movie featuring Mattel’s Barbie, as part of its program this month at select theaters.  Simultaneously, Universal Studios Home Entertainment releases Barbie Presents Thumbelina on DVD on March 17, 2009.  Bonus features on the DVD include the Flying Fairy Recycling Game and Thumbelina’s Green Thumb Challenge.  Also on March 17, Barbie fans will be able to download Universal’s animated Barbie movies from select services including iTunes.

STONE SOUP

Sesame Workshop partners with the National WIC Association (NWA), a non-profit education and advocacy arm of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for high risk Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC), to launch a healthy habits educational campaign aimed at kids and families.  WIC Programs will offer new kid/family-friendly messages from the Sesame Street Muppets to help implement its new WIC food packages, which include for the first time fruits and vegetables, whole grain products, reduced-fat dairy options, and culturally appropriate food choices (e.g. tofu and soy beverages).  In addition, Sesame Street’s Healthy Habits for Life: Get Healthy Now multimedia outreach kits will be distributed to WIC families. ( www.nwica.org )

MIP TV Program Call: If your company will be attending and showcasing programming at MIP TV 2009 in Cannes, France, at the end of next month, Cynopsis will send out a special MIP TV Shopping Guide edition the Wednesday before the conference. To have your programming included, please send only the following info for your top 5 shows: title, availability date, number of episodes, length, type (i.e., movie, series, special, etc.), genre, your terms (barter, cash, etc.) and names and contact info of those attending from your company. If your company is interested in being included in this free guide, please send the details to lisa@cynopsis.com by Friday, March 20, 2009.

EXECUTIVE MOVES

Ed Crick is appointed MD, Bullseye Television Products, a unit of Zodiak Entertainment.  Crick replaces Jorg Roth who founded Bullseye and who will remain as Chairman of the company and will now focus fully on acquisitions and format sales for Zodiak Entertainment.  Formerly VP/Production and Development, Diverse Production and Zodiak Television, Crick will retain his existing creative and strategic role at Zodiak Entertainment, focusing on developing the entire group in the US.  Founded in 1998, Bullseye Productions was acquired by Zodiak Television in October 2007, and is now a part of the DeAgostini owned Zodiak Entertainment group.

Carise Yatter is named VP/Public Relations, Original Signal Recordings (OSR).  Based at the company’s headquarters in NYC, Yatter reports to OSR Co-Founder Lucas Mann.  Yatter was most recently VP/Media & Artist Relations, Razor & Tie Entertainment.  She previously toiled for RCA Records, Atlantic Records and Artemis Records and also studied classical voice at the Manhattan School of Music.  Congrats Carise.

RATINGS

Live + Same Day Ratings Kids Cable Network Averages (000) for Saturday, March 7, 2009, 6am-11pm, ranked by K2-11:
NICKELODEON:         K2-11 1551; K6-11 1036; TWEENS 9-14 802
DISNEY CHANNEL:     K2-11 1086; K6-11   690; TWEENS 9-14 506
CARTOON NETWORK: K2-11   577; K6-11   389; TWEENS 9-14 288
DISNEY XD:               K2-11   186; K6-11   128; TWEENS 9-14   88
Source: MTVN Research from Nielsen Media Research Data

Live + Same Day Ratings Kids Cable Network Averages (000) for Sunday, March 8, 2009, 6am-11pm, ranked by K2-11:
NICKELODEON:         K2-11 1172; K6-11 777; TWEENS 9-14 667
DISNEY CHANNEL:     K2-11 1150; K6-11 824; TWEENS 9-14 644
CARTOON NETWORK: K2-11   660; K6-11 414; TWEENS 9-14 249
DISNEY XD:               K2-11   146; K6-11   86; TWEENS 9-14   60
Source: MTVN Research from Nielsen Media Research Data

Live + Same Day Ratings Kids Cable Network Averages (000) for Monday, March 9, 2009, 6am-11pm, ranked by K2-11:
NICKELODEON:         K2-11 1017; K6-11 414; TWEENS 9-14 289
DISNEY CHANNEL:     K2-11   807; K6-11 474; TWEENS 9-14 347
CARTOON NETWORK: K2-11   541; K6-11 335; TWEENS 9-14 191
DISNEY XD:               K2-11   170; K6-11   92; TWEENS 9-14   86
Source: MTVN Research from Nielsen Media Research Data

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Answer to Yesterday’s Trivia Question:  We were talking in the office the other day of girls names that begin with the letter “E” and what a nice name Elsie is, except of course it was also the name of a cow.  The question is, for what company was Elsie the Cow originally a spokes-moo?  BORDEN’S MILK  Kudos to: Jacque Alberta-Zondervan/Grand Rapids; Chris O’Reilly-ITN Networks/NY; Phyllis toss-MAXUS/NY; Pam Nedwetzky-Hasbro/Pawtucket; Rosemary Cunningham-MMT/Chicago; Squirrel Rippley-Dark Horse Media/Tucson; Lance Taylor-PDT; Diane Hansen-Konami Digital Ent/El Segundo; David McDermott-Venice CA; Randy Barrios/LA; Stephen Kelley-Toronto

Today’s Trivia Question:  What is Snuffleupagus’ first name?   (Email Cynthia@cynopsis.com 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 Cynopsis Kids!
03.11.09

Cynopsis Kids Ad Sales:
Chuck Bolkcom – 646-468-6180 / chuck@cynopsis.com
Mark Bohn- 203-583-1224 / mark@cynopsis.com
Classifieds – Trish Pihonak- 203-926-9878 / trish@cynopsis.com

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

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JOB OPENING: DEV EXEC/VA: Join team to create and pitch new TV programs, esp character-based. Must have exp in developing factual programs and knowledge of US cable net slates and players. Apply: developmtexec@gmail.com (3/17)

JOB OPENING: VP MARKETING/The Sportsman Channel/Milwaukee WI: Resp for building consumer awareness while overseeing affiliate marketing, media planning & promotions. 7+ yrs exp in TV or digital media. Apply: hr@thesportsmanchannel.com (3/14)

JOB OPENING: ReelzChannel/NYC/ SR TRAFFIC COORDINATOR: Daily log maintenance, prep & delivery 3+ yrs exp. TRAFFIC COORDINATOR: Ensures scheduling commercial materials are executed & trafficked. Both Apply: careers@reelzchannel.com (3/14)

JOB OPENING: PUBLICIST/SR PUBLICIST/MTV/NYC: 3+yrs exp. in TV PR including pitching/story placemnt, events, knwlg online press; Progrming focused; Strng writ/oral comm. skills, EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (3/13)

JOB OPENING: ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE/FISHKILL NY: Seeks AE for local ad sales.1-3 yrs ad sales exp. pref cable tv, radio, e-media adv. Valid NY DL. See full posting and apply to www.cablevision.jobs req 8247BR (3/13)

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 trish@cynopsis.com .

SUMMER INTERNSHIP/CREDITS ONLY: BLOGGER /Picture Earth/NY:Writer(s) sought for EarthFromAboveUSA.com‘s blog, launching April. Relevant degree or experience required. For school credit and/or bylines.Apply: contact@picture-earth.com (3/13)

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 trish@cynopsis.com

SITUATION WANTED: NON-FICTION PRODUCER/WRITER (STORY & FIELD).10+yrs exp. NBC, VH1, CMT, TLC, E!, Disney, CNN, etc.; reality, ent, news, talk, developmt; LA based, will travel. ophelial@earthlink.net (3/18)

SITUATION WANTED: PRODUCER/ ASSOC. PRODUCER (LA) Out-of-the-box thinker, creative, award- winning, all formats, all genres. Budgets, schedules, breakdowns, crewing, casting, post and more. Over 20 yrs. exp. pointzeropictures@gmail.com (3/18)

SITUATION WANTED: Top-tier agency ACCOUNT MANAGER/SUPERVISOR seeks full-time employment in LA area. If your agency needs a professional w/ multi-platform technology, entertainment or interactive experience, e-mail jeff@hansensweb.com (3/18)

SITUATION WANTED: SR. MARKETING/BRAND MANAGER with home video, TV, animation and indie film experience is seeking a dynamic opportunity with a Los Angeles area studio or agency. E-Mail diane@wordaccomplice.com for a resume (3/18)

SITUATION WANTED: Award winning COMEDY WRITER/PRODUCER in L.A. Credits: WB, UPN, TBS, MTV, Discovery etc. Check out pilot, You’re Joking, Right? at www.justjokesentertainment.com Contact email: writeon44@earthlink.net (3/17)

SITUATION WANTED: WRITER. I’ll gladly write/re-write what you don’t want to write! Summaries; reports; proposals, human resource materials; updates; copy; web content; synopses; and more. Contact Bernie. contactus@janellproductions.com (3/17)

SITUATION WANTED: BRANDED ENTERTAINMENT EXPERT/TELEVISION PRODUCER seeks consulting work, long or short term. Over 15 years experience working with brands, multi-media/faceted talent. Contact: stannite40@gmail.com (3/17)

SITUATION WANTED: GROW YOUR BUS/MAKE IT THRIVE/NYC: MBA w/15yrs int’l exp: turnaround & startup mgmt, strategic partnerships, negotiating, fundraising. Proj/Consult/FT. Contact: rjesaitis@aol.com (3/17)

SITUATION WANTED: STORY DOCTOR: Are your scripts too weak to make it to the bay? Got a rough-cut on life support? 20+ years crafting nonfic series, specials, sizzles and web content. Contact: whatsyour.story@yahoo.com (LA) (3/17)

SITUATION WANTED: WRITER: Children’s writer with exp at various prod co’s & Kids’ CBC. Portfolio in educational & comedic works for kids. Exp. in development, creative consulting, editing. Freelance. Contact kristendawnmcgregor@gmail.com (3/14)

SITUATION WANTED: 5 PRIME TIME EMMYS/ DOC. PROD, DIR., WRITER in L.A. Credits: National Geo, PBS, Discovery, History CH, TLC and MSNBC. Contact email: Nyehouse@sbcglobal.net (3/13)

SITUATION WANTED: MEDIA/CABLE/INTERNET ATTORNEY: Broad in-house experience in content production& distribution, operations, affiliate & ad sales. Available for project/consultant/full-time. Contact lawyer.poet@yahoo.com (3/13)

SITUATION WANTED: MARKETING/PROMOTIONS/Boston: Marketing/promotions professional seeks television, web marketing, social networking focused position. Experienced in international markets. Creative + will travel. mdpboston@gmail.com (3/13)

SITUATION WANTED: PRODUCTION MAKEUP ARTIST (NY) Over 20 years experience including keying top-rated network and cable tv shows, print, and film. Creative, competitive rates. Email: michellecutler1@gmail.com (3/12)

SITUATION WANTED: DIR, STANDARDS & PRACTICES: Over 20 yrs exp of editing TV shows & theatricals for acceptable airing. Available on a FT basis and can also contract out to work project by project. E-mail: livingwholeness@gmail.com (3/12)

SITUATION WANTED: WRITER (LA, NY): Comedy writer with experience at MTV, SNL, VH1, Fox, The Onion. F/T, P/T, freelance. Contact words4dinner@yahoo.com (3/12)

E-mail Trish@cynopsis.com or call Trish Pihonak at 203.926.9878 for rates and specs for Job Openings.

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