Cynopsis: DIGITAL

03/19/08

Good morning, it’s Wednesday, March 19, 2008, and this is your first early morning digital briefing.

Facebook took some major steps toward shoring up privacy concerns of its 67 million users and confirmed that a new chat application is in the works. New privacy controls, launching this morning, allow subcategories of friends to be created with separate filters set for each that limit their access to your content. Users can also choose to blacklist certain people or friends. Facebook Chat, planned to launch in the coming weeks, will act as an overlay that sits at the bottom of a user’s web browser enabling one-on-one Meebo-style chats.
 

 
Sci Fi Channel’s SciFi .com is out to further exploit the natural overlap it has with techies and gamers on the internet this year. The site, which averaged 3 million uniques/month in 2007, announced a number of new online video, gaming and social networking offerings planned for the coming year at the network’s upfront presentation last night:

• A Sci Fi game site will launch in mid-April as an expert blog and social hub for gamers
• An online game center will feature casual game classics like Asteroids
• The season premiere of the 4th and final Battlestar Galactica will stream on SciFi.com’s Rewind player on Friday April 4 at noon EST, 9 hours before its broadcast premiere 
• A 4th and final season of original Galactica webisodes are also forthcoming, along with original web serial Starcrossed starring Stargate Atlantis’ David Hewlett
• Galactica fans will have the chance to compete in a social gaming competition accruing points for either the Cylons or Humans through various online games and challenges 

 
In case you snoozed on the first batch, CBSSports.com issued an additional 250,000 VIP passes to help viewers get to the front of the line to watch NCAA March Madness on Demand. Go to NCAA.com to register.
 
Yahoo! Mobile is upping the ante on its coverage of the tournament this year as well as a way to promote its Yahoo! Go 3.0 flagship mobile offering. A Men’s College Hoops mobile widget and a dedicated mobile tournament website (http://m.yahoo.com/ncaa) are new this year.
 
As part of its exclusive rental rights agreement with The Weinstein Company, Blockbuster.com launched an online casual game for the Stephen King adaptation The Mist. Players who clear all three levels will get a sneak peak at an interview with King and director/screenwriter Frank Darabont, available in its entirety as an outtake on the DVD.
 
My avatar can whip your avatar with its hands tied behind its back. WWE will give users a chance to prove such boasts, launching a campaign on the virtual teen site Habbo on March 24, consisting of a maze of 7 themed rooms including one for each of the 5 upcoming WrestleMania matches.
 
Canada’s gay and lesbian-themed OutTV relaunched its website OUTtv.ca to feature more video outtakes of its programming. 

 
Adding its first local TV partner, Jacked.com developed a new webtop publishing solution designed to sync with live LA Lakers game broadcasts on CBS-owned KCAL 9. Sponsored by burger chain Carl’s Jr., a catalog of widgets can be dragged and dropped onto the KCAL9.com homepage to track player stats, watch video highlights, view Flickr fan photos, play trivia games and even chat with other users.
 
Dailymotion launched a new lineup of channels targeting niche demographics and interests including Latinos, Gays & Lesbians, Life & Style and College. Programming includes music videos, lifestyle vlogs, sketch comedy, film trailers, travel videos, web originals and Hollywood TV programs.
 
ROO signed a letter of intent to acquire content delivery software provider Kamera, which works with several international ISPs and mobile carriers delivering IPTV programming to mobile phones and online networks.

 
Yahoo outlined its case for why Microsoft’s $44 billion takeover bid is a lowball offer. The company argues its display inventory, tools, technology and personnel position if for unprecedented growth. An SEC filing projects Yahoo’s overall revenue to climb to $8.8 billion by 2010 – 24% higher than current Wall Street estimates – including positive cash flow of $3.7 billion and search revenue of $1.4 billion. Yahoo is also standing behind its guidance for the coming quarter, at a time when others in online advertising are beginning to backpedal.
 
Podcasting enabler Wizzard Software announced 2007 Q4 revenues of $1.54 million, an increase of 108% over Q4 2006.
 

 
Despite Yahoo’s rosy predictions, eMarketer cut its projections for U.S. online ad spending this year, revising its forecast downward from $27.5 billion to $25.8 billion, but noted that the online category should still grow by 23% for the year. Search will account for the largest portion of online ad spending in 2008, at 40%, but spending on rich media and video advertising is set to grow as an overall percentage, rising to 18.5% in 2012 from 10.2% in 2008.
 
Tech company 3M has signed on as title sponsor of Discovery’s Young Scientist Challenge for the next 3 years, a kind of online science fair for middle schoolers asking students to submit short videos demonstrating their understanding of a scientific concept. The competition, celebrating its tenth year in 2008, is the work of the Discovery Education outreach program.
 

 
Following up on the news that China is now #1 in online users, comScore released a “Digital World” report documenting rapid user growth in many international territories outside of the U.S. and Europe. The Asia Pacific region now has more than 300,000 internet users over 15 years old and is growing at nearly 3 times the rate of the U.S., which now accounts for about 21% of internet users worldwide.
 
Worldwide Internet Audience (000) January 2008 vs. January 2007
Total Worldwide, Age 15+ – Home and Work Locations
Region                     Jan-07       Jan-08    Percent Change
Worldwide               746,934      824,435        10.4%
Asia Pacific              271,192      308,817        13.9%
Europe                    218,063      232,866         6.8%
North America          173,839      183,823         5.7%
Latin America             50,641       59,025        16.6%
Middle East – Africa    33,199       39,904        20.2%
Source: comScore World Metrix
 
Reports arrived from the gaming console wars, courtesy of NPD research. Sony PlayStation 3 shipments (280,800) topped Microsoft Xbox 360 sales (254,600) in February, no doubt aided by the triumph of Blu-ray over HD-DVD. However, both continued to lag behind Nintendo, which shipped 432,000 Wiis during the month.
 
Here are some trends identified by Seattle-based Marchex Inc. in an internal report studying local online marketing tactics and behavior:

• The adoption rate of online advertising services by small- to medium-sized businesses will continue to rise, driven by local sales channels such as Yellow Pages providers 
• National advertisers will expand their focus on local online ad campaigns and increasingly utilize local geo-targeting and tactics to encourage & measure offline purchases 
• The local search experience will improve for consumers, delivering more accurate and actionable results that more effectively connect consumers with local businesses 

 
Michael DuPont was tapped as VP/ Advertising Sales for Oxygen Media, responsible for network sales across all platforms.  Michael reports to Steve Mandala, EVP/Cable Ad Sales for NBCU.
 
TitanTV promoted Laura van Straaten to GM and VP/Content. In addition to overseeing development and production for all original TitanTV video programming, she will add strategic planning for content and distribution partnerships, corporate development, communications and public relations to her list of responsibilities. Morgan Jones, who will continue to report to Laura, has also been upped to Director of Production.
 
Akimbo hired online industry veteran and independent filmmaker/instructor Phil Sakakihara as Chief Technology Officer. In addition, film and internet marketer Brant J. Smith has joined the company as Director of Marketing.
 
Out-of-home advertising company Titan Worldwide upped Natalie Tomasella to U.S. Marketing Strategy and Communications Manager and Ben Mumford to Head of Creative in the United Kingdom.

 
The 2004 German drama Der Untergang (The Downfall) starring Bruno Ganz as Adolf Hitler was well received as a realistic portrayal of what it must have been like in that Berlin bunker during the final days of the Third Reich. This hilarious mashup assumes Toshiba chief executive Atsutoshi Nishida may have taken the news of the HD-DVD format’s demise with similar dread.

Later — Wayne
Wayne Karrfalt for Cynopsis: Digital
03.19.08

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JOB OPENING: VP NONFICTION DEVELOPMENT/NY: Prod co seeks creative, ambitious, dev exec to create & develop hit non-fiction TV series. 7+ yrs exp in non-fiction. Strong writing skills & prod experience. Resume: [email protected]  (3/26)

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH ANALYST/National CineMedia/NY: Media research & sales support. MRI, Scarborough. Fast, deadline-driven. Strong analytic, computer skills. Bach deg, 1-2 yrs exp. Include salary req. [email protected] (3/26)

JOB OPENING: VP SALES/SE Multimedia Co: Merging traditional and internet media sales.  Vision, coaching skills, passion and ability to handle complexity paramount. $150-$200k 1st year, no caps. Reply to [email protected] (3/26)

JOB OPENING: NATL SLS ASST/UNIVISION COMM/NY: Provide support for AE’s, act as liaison w/ stations/clients. Highly orgnz’d, det oriented & proactive w/ exc comm. skills.  All MS & Donovan skills req’d. Res: [email protected]    (3/26)

JOB OPENING: ASSOC AE DIGITAL/History/A&E Chicago: Sell digital advertising solutions to clients/agencies. Dvlp new business. Client service & acct mgmt. 1 yr digital plng exp. Sales exp pref’d. Apply: www.aetn.com/careers.html (3/25)

JOB OPENING: DIR OF PROD/Sirens Media/DC: 5+ years Prod. Management experience.  Excellent personnel management, budgeting, scheduling skills. Key role at growing company. Send info/references to [email protected]   (3/25)

JOB OPENING: REGN’L/NAT’L SALES MGR/KSBI-TVDT/OKC: Proven success record & 5+ yrs exp working regn’l /nat’l accts. Knwlg of Nielsen ratings & effective/creative pckgng strategies a must. Some travel required. Res: [email protected]   (3/25)

JOB OPENING: MARKETING MGR/MSNBC/NY: Must have BA & 5 yrs agency exp or 3 yrs in TV marketing;develop & execute sales initiated sponsorships & promo programs for MSNBC on-air, online& mobile. Apply: www.nbcunicareers.com #809277 (3/22)

JOB OPENING: INTERACTIVE AD SALES MKTG MGR/HGTV/NY: Concept convergent sponsorships for sales organizations. Implement online sponsorships. 4 yrs in field, deadline-oriented environment. Apply: www.scrippsnetworks.com (3/22)

JOB OPENING: DR SALES COORDINATOR/New York, NY/GSN/The Network for Games: Rep to VP Sales Op & DR AE for Ad Sales. Good Com/detail req. Send Res/Cov Letter: [email protected]  (3/22)

JOB OPENING: MGR DISTRIBUTION/New York, NY/GSN/The Network for Games: Rep to VP Dist. BA/BS +3+ years exp in mrktg, sales, comm and/or bus. Send Res/Cov Letter: [email protected]  (3/22)

JOB OPENING:  SALES/ Univision/TeleFutura National Spot Sales: Seeking dynamic Account Executive for NY HQ. Prior media sales experience required, broadcast experience preferred. Res to: [email protected] EOE (3/22)

JOB OPENING:  FREELANCE COORD/USA Strategic Marketing/NY: Support creation of client programs inc. sponsorships, finances, etc. 2+ yrs integrated mktg exp in TV or ad agency preferred.Resumes to [email protected]   (3/22)

JOB OPENING: ACCT MGR-DIRECT RESPONSE/ New York, NY: BET: Cable salesperson w/strong presentation skills. Comfortable w/multi-platform & integrated opps. Sales/agency exp. req’d. Email: [email protected] (3/22)

JOB OPENING: PROD MGR, PREMIUM BUSINESSES/MTV NETWORKS/NEOPETS/LA: Exp. w/subscription businesses, prod. mgmt, feature enhancements, etc. required. See full JD at www.mtvncareers.com or email [email protected] (3/21)

JOB OPENING: MGR. BRAND MKTG/MTV NETWORKS/NEOPETS/LA: Digital & viral campaigning exp. necessary. Grassroots/Guerilla a plus! Analytics exp. preferred. See full JD at www.mtvncareers.com or email [email protected] (3/21)

JOB OPENING: COUNSEL /iN DEMAND/NYC:  Contract management, copyright & trademark, standards & practices. JD plus 3 yrs cable/entertainment.  Reply:  [email protected]  (3/21)

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH METHODOLOGIST/Rentrak/Portland OR: Design & plan projects for a census level TV measurement product. Must have Nielsen TV Ratings and/or Nielsen Media Research Software exp. Send resume to [email protected] (3/21)

JOB OPENING: ART DIRECTOR/Sesame Workshop/NY: Oversee Digital Media visual production. 5+ yrs exp. reqd,w/ significant work in kids’ media and web. [email protected] (3/21)

SPACE AVAILABLE: TURN KEY PRODUCTION & POST PRODUCTION Space available immediately. Three Final Cut Edit Rooms,  Digitizing Stations, 8-10 desks in Prod. Pit,  Apple Computers, Phones, T1 line. TOTALLY TURN KEY. Call Travis:  212/242-1400 (3/21)

JOB OPENING: SALES PLANNER/Discovery Communications/Chicago: Support Account Execs developing proposals and presentations. Strong communicator. Exp w/research, advertising, acct mgmnt. Apply: www.discovery.com Req#7725   (3/20)

JOB OPENING: PROGRAM ACQUISITIONS MANAGER/VERSUS/PHILADELPHIA: Position will assist in strategic planning of the network and negotiations of program acquisition. Read more and apply (Req # 60729) at www.versus.com (3/20)

JOB OPENING: PROGRAM PLANNING & SCHEDULING MANAGER/VERSUS/PHILADELPHIA: Execute program scheduling plan for the network and assist with all aspects of planning and scheduling. Read more and apply (Req # 60727) at www.versus.com (3/20)

WINTER AND SPRING 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 INTERNSHIPS CREDITS ONLY:  Entertainment Production Co. in Armonk, NY seeks interns. Responsibilities: general office work, phones, mailings, research, errands. Email resume to [email protected]   (3/26)

SPRING INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY:TV/Film DUBBING/SUBTITLING/The Kitchen/Miami. Seeks spring intern to join active language production team. Bi-lingual a plus. Resume to [email protected] (3/25)

SUMMER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY:  Trylon SMR ( www.trylonSMR.com) is a NYC PR agency seeking a summer intern that has familiarity with the media industry and tech sector.4-5 days a week. [email protected] (3/25)

SUMMER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY:  PR/MKTG Internship/Shelton CT HQ: The Cynopsis Foundation seeks 2 highly organized, mature interns to work with planning/organizing summer gala. Great communications skills a must. Email: [email protected]    (3/25)

SUMMER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY:  MKTNG/ON-AIR Fox Reality Channel L.A. seeks summer intern to assist w/ & learn TV mktg and promo thru inner-workings of entertainment brand. Resume to [email protected] (3/22)

SPRING INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY:  Self motivated and organized individual to work in office & post-production. Interest in non-fiction filmmaking & reality TV production. Knowledge of Final Cut Pro helpful.  Send resume:   [email protected]   (3/20)

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SITUATION WANTED: CASTING DIRECTOR: Diversity casting in low-cost assignments for TV, film, comedy festivals and the net. Special interest in scripted comedy, sketch and indie films. [email protected] (3/21)

SITUATION WANTED:  JUNIOR ART DIR/CREATIVE ASST/NYC: Recent grad with agency exp in brdcst, production & creative departments. Excellent Adobe CS3 skills, great communicator, & portfolio avail. Contact Megan Murphy [email protected] (3/20)

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