Cynopsis: DIGITAL
03.20.13
Good morning. It’s Wednesday, March 20, 2013, and this is your first early morning digital briefing.
Demand Media has acquired Creativebug, a provider of instructional online videos for arts and crafts for its how-to content hub, eHow. This acquisition will expand eHow’s library of videos, crucial in a category so in demand among eHow users. “We’ve seen interest in craft-related content grow more than 20% on average every year over the last three years,” said Dan Brian, EVP/Media, in a statement. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
A new sales and content deal between Turner Spots and Twitter will result in each company’s Twitter feed promoting March Madness highlights in real time. The goal is to drive tune-in for Turner’s live coverage of the entire NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball tournament on TBS, TNT, and truTV. Coke Zero and AT&T have signed on as launch sponsors.
Manolin Entertainment is launching a new reality series called R5 Sons Alaska on Hulu. The show documents the Perrins Family as they run the Rainy Pass Lodge in Alaska, which is only accessible by bush plane. Beginning this Friday, March 22, all 26 episodes from the show’s two seasons will be available on Hulu and Hulu Plus. From Manolin Entertainment and Rainy Pass Productions, the show’s Executive Producers are Cal Boyington, Steve Perrins, Tim Hiser, and Greg Gerosky.
CollegeHumor has launched a three-part web series parodying the popular children’s TV franchise Dora the Explorer. Starring Ariel Winter (Modern Family’s Alex Dunphy), Dora the Explorer and The Destiny Medallion is based on a hit parody trailer for a live-action film version of Dora the Explorer that CollegeHumor made last June, with Winter as Doara. The second episode will be available next Tuesday, March 26, with the third episode rolling out a week later on April 2.
Showtime Sports has unveiled its 100+ hours-long programming lineup to get boxing fans ready for May Day, a pay-per-view event on May 4 headlined by a championship bout between Floyd Mayweather and Robert Guerrero. Showtime will live stream the final press conference on May 1, as well as the official weigh-in on May 3, on Sho.com and Sports.Sho.com, as well as Showtime’s distribution partner sites; it will make classic fights featuring Mayweather and Guerrero available online in their entirety; and will also put the first episode of its documentary series, All Access: Mayweather vs. Guerrero, online following its television premiere.
BRB Internacional has redesigned BRBPlay.com, its bilingual site offering kids and families access to the company’s animated series, games and activities, and an online store. The new design features specific sections for parents, schools, and kindergartens, and is optimized for accessibility on computers, smartphones, tablets, and connected TVs.
NewsCred, a content marketing and syndication start-up that offers brands access to licensed video, articles, and images from sources like The New York Times, The Economist, and The Guardian, has raised $15 million in Series B funding led by Mayfield Fund. New investor Greycroft Partners as well as existing investors FirstMark Capital and IA Ventures also participated in the round. The new capital will be used to scale the development of NewsCred’s content marketing tools for its brand clients. NewsCred clients include the likes of Pepsi, General Electric, Johnson & Johnson, and Toyota, among others.
Twitter is now offering self-service advertisers the ability to target by interest and/or device. Advertisers will be able to reach users based on their similarity to users who follow a particular Twitter account, or via a list of over 350 interest categories ranging from auto-racing to bird watching. On the device-targeting front, advertisers can reach users on specific devices and platforms, including desktop/laptop computers, Twitter’s apps and mobile sites on iOS, Android, and BlackBerry devices, as well as Twitter’s mobile website on other devices. Twitter is also offering self-service advertisers the ability to access its advanced ad controls, which include detailed reporting and analytics and multi-campaign optimization. The self-service ad platform is currently available by invitation to US businesses.
While we’re on the topic of social networks, Facebook is also offering a new targeting option. The new tool, called Lookalike Audiences, is designed to help marketers reach users who share similar attributes, such as interests and demographics, to their existing customers. The product is based on a Facebook targeting feature called Custom Audiences, which allows marketers to take their lists of current customers and deliver ads to them on the social network.
A new report from DG MediaMind shows that in the US, overall engagement metrics were higher in 2012 for ads that included video elements. Click-through rates (CTRs) rose from 0.10% for standard banners to 0.14% for rich media ads and 1.11% for video ads. In addition, interaction rates were 156% higher for interactive in-stream video ads (6.4%) than they were for rich media ads (2.5%). DG analyzed 250 billion ads in the US alone in 2012, and says this trend was also replicated worldwide. Globally, DG says that digital video “took center stage” in 2012. On the DG MediaMind platform, the company served “a statistically measurable amount of in-stream impressions in more than 23 countries throughout the year, up 43.8% over 2011,” when it served a measurable amount of impressions in 16 countries.
Generation Z (ages 13-18) might just be the group that’s most plugged in. According to a new survey from Wikia and Ipsos Media CT, 100% of “GenZers” are connected to technology for at least an hour a day, with 46% connected for 10+ hours a day. What’s more, 25% of GenZers are actively connected within five minutes of waking up, while 73% are connected within an hour of waking up.
And Look at This: 93% of respondents said they visit YouTube at least once a week, and 54% reported that they visit the video site multiple times per day. 65% said they visit Facebook weekly and 38% visit the social network multiple times per day. Among the other social media services, 26% visit Twitter, 26% visit Google+, and 17% visit Instagram on a weekly basis.
The Hulu Plus app for Apple TV has received a facelift. The update includes new content categories across the top navigation bar. Inside each content category, Hulu offers lists of what’s new to the content library as well as specific shows the user already watches.
Redbox has appointed Kiera Hynninen as its new SVP/Marketing and Pamela Smith as its new SVP/Finance. Hynninen will report to Redbox President Anne Saunders, and will oversee the company’s marketing efforts. Smith will report to Galen Smith, the incoming CFO at Redbox’s parent company Coinstar. She will be responsible for managing financial planning and analysis, budgeting, financial strategy, and deal support for the Redbox business.
TechMediaNetwork (TMN) has made several C-level executive hires: Doug Llewellyn as Chief Operating Officer; Mike Kisseberth as Chief Revenue Officer; and John Potter as Chief Technology Officer. This new executive team will be responsible for pushing TMN to the next stage of growth, which will include a number of “strategic acquisitions.” In 2011, TMN raised $33 million in Series B financing from ABS Capital Partners. A three-time Webby winner, TMN’s portfolio of tech news brands reach more than 49 million visitors per month. The company has syndication deals in place with Yahoo, CBS News, AOL, Fox News, and NBCNews.com.
LA-based digital ad shop AvatarLabs has hired a new Creative Director, former Warner Bros. Online exec Anette Hughes. In her new role, Hughes will oversee the creative direction of digital campaigns spanning web and mobile. AvatarLabs has created digital campaigns for a number of high-profile entertainment properties, including Avatar, The Dark Knight, The Hunger Games, The Avengers, and several films in the Harry Potter and Pirates of the Caribbean franchises.
Catherine Dettloff is returning to Internet Broadcasting and will serve as the digital publishing tech provider’s new Director/Digital Agency.
Superfly Marketing Group (SMG), the entertainment marketing division of Superfly Presents (the creators of Bonnaroo), has acquired The Distillery, a digital creative and social media agency that focuses on creative strategy, IP development, and social management for entertainment and consumer brands. With the acquisition, The Distillery’s Founder PJ Loughran will join SMG as its new EVP and Executive Creative Director, based in SMG’s Chicago office. The deal is described as a way to strengthen SMG’s social and creative technology expertise, while also giving it a presence in the Midwest.
Marketing analytics platform Anametrix has added three new Sales Directors: Mark Evans, based in LA; Kelly Gibson, based in Denver; and Joe Wasco, based in NY.
A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE
Sports Luminaries To Be Honored at Cynopsis Sports Media Awards in April
Steve Bornstein (President and CEO) NFL Network + (EVP of Media) NFL
John Kosner (EVP & GM) ESPN Digital + Print Media
Scott Blackmun (CEO) US Olympic Committee
Scott McCune (VP, Global Partnerships & Experiential Marketing) The Coca-Cola Company
Cynopsis Sports Media Awards Breakfast
April 17 | 8-10a.m. | The Yale Club NY
Sponsored by: NFL
Last year’s event sold out Register here: http://www.cynopsis.com/events/sports-awards/.
With last week’s news that Comedy Central has picked up the Amy Poehler-produced Broad City for a full 10-episode season, it’s time to shine a spotlight on the web series that got all of this going. Created by and starring the incredibly funny duo of Abbi Jacobson and Ilana Glazer, the web series follows their characters’ antics in and around New York City. The TV show will do the same. While I’m interested in any instance of a show transitioning from the web to TV, this one is more special: I’ve been a fan of the show since before I began covering the space for Cynopsis Digital. The TV version will premiere in 2014.
Later – Sahil
Sahil Patel, Associate Editor for Cynopsis Digital
03.20.13
Roberta Caploe: Editorial Director
Denise O’Connor: Group Publisher, Cynopsis Media
Diane K Schwartz: Senior Vice President, Media Communications Group
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JOB OPENING: MGR RSCH/NYC NY: Mgr, Rsch/FX/NYC/ 3+ yrs exp in media rsrch, cable/ad sales exp required, Agency exp a plus, Nielsen exp req, estimates exp strongly pref’d. Apply: http://tinyurl.com/bp3h2tg (FNG0001922) (3/27)
JOB OPENING: DIG. MEDIA SALES EXEC/NCC/NYC: Prospect/dvlp/close sales for Digl Media prod lines – NCC Media. Self starter, able to execute w/in all phases of sales cycle . 5+ yrs dig media sales exp. Resume: [email protected] (3/27)
JOB OPENING: MARKETING COORDINATOR/Adult Swim,Cartoon Network truTV/LA: Degree & 2+ yrs exp at a Network or in Acct Mgmt at an Agency. Must have passion for mktg, excellent communication skills and knowledge of the brands. Apply here. (3/27)
JOB OPENING: SR. IT BUSINESS ANALYST – DATA WAREHOUSING/BI SYSTEMS/LOS ANGELES CA: Computer and Information Systems Manager Apply: http://tinyurl.com/cqrdwwp (FFE0001562) (3/27)
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JOB OPENING: EXECUTIVE PRODUCER/THE WEATHER CHANNEL/ATL: 8+ yrs live TV/copy edit/write/produce. 2 opngs: 1.Oversee morning programming/Network Exp a must. 3am-12pm 2. Wknd EP/cable or ntwrk bckgrnd. Apply: www.weather.com/careers (3/26)
JOB OPENING: VP BRAND MKT/COMEDY CENTRAL/NYC: Oversee off-channel mktg & dvlp strategic/innovative/creative mktg plans for key launches. 10-15 yrs mktg exp + BA deg. Dig mktg background a must. More info/apply here. (3/23)
JOB OPENING: VP, AD SALES OPERATIONS/TVONE/NY or MD Base TBD: BA req’d. Min 10 yrs exp TV Sales Ops & min 3 yrs exp Sales Ops Mgmt. Strategic & Tact Mgmt. Resp for execution of ad sales orders. Mng/oversee traffic sys. Visit www.TVONEjobs.com (3/23)
JOB OPENING: MGR, BRAND MKTG/NASCAR/Daytona Beach: Asst w/ dvlpmnt & implementation of the annual Brand mktg & Comm Plan. BA degree five (5) + yrs exp Brand/Advertising/Marketing/Sports Mktg. Apply http://employment.nascar.com (3/23)
JOB OPENING: VP DIGITAL/VIACOM INT’L/NYC or LONDON based: Mng overall central Y&M Prod Portfolio, Content & Creative dir. BA deg w/10-15 yrs of functional exp Brand or Product Mngmnt. Full info/apply: viacomcareers.com (3/23)
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JOB OPENING: SR MGR PRODUCTION/Lifetime Mktg/A+E Networks/NY: Oversee projects from conception to delivery for Lifetime Brand Creative marketing team. Full Info/Apply: http://www.aenetworks.com/careers (3/23)
JOB OPENING: COUNSEL, BUS & LEGAL AFF/MLBNtwrk/NJ: Strong undrstndng of legal issues related to media & IP. Strong negotiation & drafting skills.Min 3 yrs exp in legal media/entrtnmnt reqrd. JD requird. Resume: [email protected] (3/23)
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JOB OPENING: MGR AD SALES OPS/Taxi Magic/Alexandria, VA: Mng sales ops for in-taxi video provider. Resp all sales ops, rep interface, agency reptg. Exp in ad sales ops req’d, pref’bly in DOOH. Apply here: https://taximagic.com/en_US/about/careers (3/22)
JOB OPENING: DIGITAL ACCT EXECUTIVE/A+E Networks/NY: Sell A+E Networks suite of multi-platform advertising opportunities within assigned territory to agencies/clients. Full Info/Apply: http://www.aenetworks.com/careers (3/22)
JOB OPENING: DIR, AD OPS/AMC/NYC: Drive Digital Ad Ops strategy, yield mgmt, identify/build dig sales platforms partners. Technical & marketplace knwldg of Dig/Advd Platform ad products. Submit res @ http://tinyurl.com/cmq799m (3/21)
JOB OPENING MGR, CLIENT SOLUTIONS/USATODAY/NY: Develop integrated marketing solutions for USATODAY. Must be creative, with big ideas, digital. Resume to: [email protected] (3/21)
JOB OPENING REGIONAL SALES MGR/Santa Monica: Self-starter who can jump in, learn the business, work collaboratively w/the team, own key relationships and start closing deals. Details & to apply: http://www.Click2Apply.net/q27bhkw (3/21)
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SITUATION WANTED: SENIOR MARKETING EXEC with 15+ years experience; 8 in the digital space. Seeks Director or VP Marketing opportunity, F/T or freelance. [email protected] (3/23)
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