Cynopsis: DIGITAL
05/11/11
Good morning, it’s Wednesday, May 11, 2011, and this is your first early morning digital briefing. If you would like to read this or any other Cynopsis edition online, click here.
Microsoft announced its biggest acquisition to date acquiring online communications platform Skype for $8.5 billion in an all-cash deal. The consensus is that Skype’s video chat and conferencing technology could prove to be a wonderful complement to smartphones and social networking services such as Facebook if the technology is improved. Microsoft sees Skype as a toolkit with which to add chat, video and social networking-type features to Xbox, Kinect, Windows Phone and Outlook. Luxembourg-based Skype, sold by eBay to a group of investors for $2.75 billion in Sept. 2009, is still not profitable but it continues to attract attention because of its massive user base – 663 million worldwide at last count, 145 million of which log in monthly and 8 million of whom pay a monthly fee. In the meantime, founders Niklas Zennström and Janus Friis, investors Silver Lake, Andreessen Horowitz and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board; and eBay (which collects $2.5 billion for its remaining 30% stake) get richer.
On the heels of the launch of Amazon’s Cloud Drive service, Google has countered with its own cloud-based digital locker service called Music Beta, presumably Google Music when the beta tag is shed. The storage service allows you to upload your personal music collection from iTunes or other MP3 catalogues and access them from the web or any of the 100 million Android devices now active in the marketplace. One cool feature is a cache that stores the last few songs you played, for playback when you can’t connect to the web. The interface is visual and varied, giving you the option to view options by album cover art or grid.
The internet search giant also previewed a new program at its I/O developers conference called Android@Home, which will enable users to connect Android-based devices to home accessories such as light switches, thermostats and appliances. Special Android@Home light bulbs from Lighting Science Group will be available by the end of the year, the company said.
Move over iTunes. Google has also added movies to rent in the Android Market, accessible both from Android devices and the web. The selection looks suspiciously similar to YouTube’s new movie rental service, with supporting studios including Lionsgate, Starz, The Weinstein Co. and Magnolia Pictures and prices ranging from $1.99 for older titles to $3.99 for newer releases like The Tourist. Android 2.2 will get the update in the coming weeks.
Mobile check-in service Foursquare officially unveiled its new API to developers, featuring an entirely new leaderboard chock full of post-check-in information.
Social gamer Funzio (Crime City) announced that it secured $20 million in a Series A financing round led by IDG Ventures in the US and IDG Capital Partners in China. Phil Sanderson, IDG Ventures Managing Director, will join the board. Rick Thompson, Playdom Co-Founder and Former Chairman of the Playdom Board, also participated in this round and serves as Chairman of Funzio’s Board of Directors.
Lifestyle guru Lissa Coffey is the star of a new online video magazine show dubbed Coffey Buzz, produced by Bus Stop 31 Productions and Bamboo Entertainment. The show, capsulated infomercials about sponsoring venues, features a “hyperspot” technology allowing users to click on featured items to pull up links for purchase info.
New York-based video ad platform AdGenesis announced it is launching a new application programming interface (API) that, like Facebook, will allow web and mobile publishers to offer incentives to users who watch their ads. In exchange for the incentives, users will be asked what their future purchase intentions are, who they are and what they like to better target ads that are relevant to them. The company also announced that it has delivered 1.6 million viewed-and-verified videos in April, just four months after the launch of the platform.
Chicago-based digital music marketing firm VerveLife has acquired similar firm AppliedSB for an undisclosed amount. VerveLife’s core technology is a music platform called Rhymba, designed to enable social media brands, online retailers and brands to utilize music tracks to drive sales and engagement. Rhymba’s clients include IMVU, LiveNation/Musictoday and Dell.
Univision announced that Kmart, Sierra Mist Natural and State Farm have signed on to sponsor its upcoming original webnovela “No Me Hallo” (Finding Myself), premiering online and on Univision apps from May 16.
Executives from Apple and Google were questioned by lawmakers yesterday about the companies’ mobile data location practices, reports the NYTimes. Alan Davidson, the director of public policy for the Americas at Google, pointed to Android’s opt-in screens as a method the company had used to make choices clearer to consumers and claimed the company never intended to use location data collected.
Charter announced it has now deployed more than 1 million EBIF-enabled digital set tops in nearly all its systems utilizing Cisco set-top boxes. Charter has worked with Concurrent and FourthWall Media to roll out the iTV platform, being tested for advanced advertising, t-commerce and other interactive applications.
Cox has signed on with Comcast’s video publishing unit thePlatform to manage the back-end of its TV Everywhere initiative, Cox TV Online.
In a bid to save on expensive truck-rolls, Comcast began rolling out broadband self-installation kits for triple play customers in select markets. Design firm frog design created the kits.
Google announced some impressive milestones for the Android mobile platform at its Google I/O developer’s conference:
- There are now 100 million activated Android devices
- 400,000 new Android devices are activated every day
- There are now 200,000 free and paid applications available in Android Market
- 4.5 billion applications have been installed from Android Market overall
HBO‘s TV Everywhere service HBO GO launched a mobile app for iPhone and Android this week to quick uptake. (The app provides access to on demand titles offered on the authentication-required HBO GO website.) It has already been downloaded 1 million times, according to HBO Co-President Eric Kessler.
AT&T’s U-Verse TV launched a new app that allows users to select from up to 4 different camera angles during Chicago Cubs home games. The alternate camera angles are set up for each home game above home plate, third base, first base and center field.
Bravo Media has upped Holly Tang to CFO, effective immediately. She will report in New York to Frances Berwick, President, Bravo Media and Salil Mehta, COO/CFO, NBCUniversal Entertainment & Digital Networks and Integrated Media.
Sell-side mobile ad sales start-up PubMatic hired online publishing veteran Gianluca Carrera to lead International Sales, operations, and expansion. He will be based in the company’s London Office as it gears up to open several additional European offices.
Former ID Media SVP, Director of Digital Jeffrey L. Hinz was named Managing Partner, Digital Director for MediaCom U.S.
Meredith Integrated Marketing tapped Dan Rubin as Director, Digital Strategy, a new position. Dan will be responsible for developing digital marketing strategies across Meredith Integrated Marketing’s Customer Relationship Marketing (CRM) and Content portfolio of clients, reporting to David Brown, EVP & GM, Meredith Integrated Marketing.
Jorge Flo has been named PRISA Radio‘s Director of Music for America, overseeing both digital and analog platforms in the Americas. In his new position, Jorge will report to the Director of Music of PRISA Radio and will manage the implementation of the company’s musical formats in Latin America and the U.S.
Rapper-producer Pharrell Williams has been named Creative Director for the Karmaloop TV network slated to launch later this year, based on the online streetwear retailer.
A new live video streaming service with a reality TV flavor has launched in Gabcast.TV, founded by veteran TV producer and programming exec Fred Silverman and interactive TV guru Paul Wagner. (Former ABC Entertainment chief Lloyd Braun and former Disney CEO Michael Eisner are also advisors for the site.) Similar in function to Ustream or Justin.tv, the site features a simple interface that allows you to create your own reality channel you can invite friends to check out on a regular streaming schedule. The shows up now are interactive in nature and proven hits on the internet (dating shows, pet shows, shopping channels, etc.) and a variety of fun tools invite users to make video cards, greetings and birthday wishes.
Later – Wayne
Wayne Karrfalt for Cynopsis: Digital
05.11.11
Cynopsis Ad Sales:
Mike Farina – VP/Business Development & Sales – 203-218-6480 / [email protected]
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JOB OPENING: HBO FREELANCE MGR OF ADMIN/HBO: Prepare short form contracts. Create/update HBO TV prgrm avail. 5 yrs exp req’d pref media/ent. Strong analytical skills, Excel profic. Res&C/L: http://bit.ly/m0e9WE or www.timewarner.com/careers (5/18)
JOB OPENING: CONTENT SALES MGR (2)/Thought Equity Motion/NY & LA: World leader in video rights mgmt. Expert ideation, consultative & relationship sales exp. More info: http://corporate.thoughtequity.com/ Res: [email protected] (5/18)
JOB OPENING: PHOTO MGR/National Geographic Channel/DC: Acquire/edit photography and CGI related to the publicity and marketing of National Geographic Channels’ programming. Apply www.nationalgeographic.com to Job ID 4585. EOE. (5/18)
JOB OPENING: DIR AFFILIATE MRKT/ATL: Min. 5 yrs exp. in affiliate marketing. MSO contacts, strategic & innovative, events exp req.See job posting at www.watchgmctv.com . Res: [email protected] (5/18)
JOB OPENING: MANAGER, INTEGRATED STRATEGIC MARKETING/NBCUniversal/NYC: Manager, Integrated Strategic Marketing in the Women at NBCU group. Please visit www.nbcunicareers.com for more information and go to Req#1714BR (5/18)
JOB OPENING: SALES PLANNER/20th TV/NY: Min 1yr sls support exp. Exp w/Excel/Word/PowerPoint req. Will work closely w/AE in all aspects of AD Sls process. For more info/apply: www.myfoxla.com Email: [email protected] (EOE) (5/18)
JOB OPENING: ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR-AFFILIATE RELATIONS/AT&T Advanced Ad Solutions/NY: 2+ analy/media sales/research tools. Apply- https://att.taleo.net/careersection/10161/jobdetail.ftl?lang=en&job=1119903&ctx=1 (5/18)
JOB OPENING: DIR DNI CONTENT RSRCH/DISCOVERY/SS: mng rsrch team for content/strategy; create/analyze/inform/disseminate strategic projects; exp dvlpment in media rsrch field. www.discovery.com # 3917 (5/18)
JOB OPENING: SR DIR ONLINE PR/ SOCIAL MEDIA/NY:5-7+yrs Online PR, Social Media experience. Client facing, team mgmt, budget dev and pitch exp. Entrtnmt exp a plus. [email protected] (5/18)
JOB OPENING: PROJECT MANAGER, IT/NEW YORK: Day-to-day Project Management of projects aligned to the business needs of Advertising Sales & Traffic https://www.abso.com/jobboard/Default.aspx?JOBBOARDID=618&JobDetail=94274 (5/17)
JOB OPENING: MARKETING MGR/ABC FAMILY/BURBANK: Manage development & execution of consumer mkting campaigns. Work with multiple agencies & vendors. Digital & trad. adv. exp. required. disneycareers.com REQ 283127 (5/17)
JOB OPENING: COORD MULTI-PLAT PROGRAM/DISNEY XD/BURBANK: Create and maintain schedules, metadata, VOD plat, airline plat. 1 yr tv program/sched exp needed. Digital media/multi-plat exp prefer disneycareers.com REQ 296702 (5/17)
JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR MEDIA/Food Network/NY: Establish comm strategy & positioning for netwk priorities. 8-10 yrs exp in agency and/or ent media exp pref’d. Exp managing multi-million dollar budgets. www.scrippsnetworks.com #2345. (5/21)
JOB OPENING: ENGINEER (Contract)/New York: Employ corrective measures to mitigate technical problems both internal and external to Avid Interplay. https://www.abso.com/jobboard/Default.aspx?JOBBOARDID=618&JobDetail=96242 (5/14)
JOB OPENING: VP, RESEARCH/WE tv/NY: 15+yrs media research exp in cable/online/VOD environments, implementing research strat, tracking competitive trends+digital / brand performance. Must know Nielsen systems. [email protected] (5/14)
JOB OPENING: SR WRITER/PROD/TBS Inc/The Cartoon Network /ATL: 5yrs exp at ntwrk/agency/design firm. Strong writer (comedy writing essential) & exceptional creative thinker.Must know way around all prod. Apply: http://bit.ly/mEO7LN (5/14)
JOB OPENING: DIGITAL SLS PLANNER/A&E/New York: Support Dig AE’s thru Planning Pricing & Inventory in efforts to max ad revenue for all web properties https://www.abso.com/jobboard/Default.aspx?JOBBOARDID=618&JobDetail=97475 (5/13)
JOB OPENING: MEDIA BUYER/WEST PALM, FL: In-house automotive agency. Bachelor’s degree, 2+ yrs. (auto preferred) exp.; SmartPlus; communicator & team player. Planning, buying, billing. Benefits, 401(k). [email protected] (5/13)
JOB OPENING: COORDINATOR, PRICING & PLANNING/G4/NY: (temp)1+ yr industry exp; Resp for tracking inventory, monitoring liability, ad hoc projects & supporting sales staff; Excel & PP exp needed. [email protected] (5/13)
JOB OPENING: CREATIVE DIRECTOR/New York: Extensive agency and/or network experience, with a strong background in branded entertainment. https://www.abso.com/jobboard/Default.aspx?JOBBOARDID=618&JobDetail=97432 (5/13)
JOB OPENING: RESEARCH MANAGER/Nielsen TV/DC: Aid w/ primary projects for East Coast TV clients; Prepare deliverables & handle onsite client management. 2+ yrs research experience. TV experience preferred. http://bit.ly/jOCpng (5/13)
JOB OPENING: DIR SCHEDULING/IFC & SUNDANCE/NY: Oversee strategic planning & scheduling for IFC/SUNDANCE domestic linear and digital platforms.5+yrs exp brdcast/cble w/emergng platforms [email protected] (5/13)
JOB OPENING: SR. ANALYST, RSRCH/UNIVISION/LA: Analyze Nielsen data for O&O’s, Ad Sales, News, Aff Relations, PR/Mktg. Min 2 yrs rsrch exp w/ knowledge of NPOWER & local ratings systems [email protected] (5/12)
JOB OPENING: RESEARCH ANALYST/McKinsey & Company/NYC: Analyst w/Telecom, Media & High Tech (TMT) practice. Will cover the media domain. More info/apply: www.mckinsey.com/mediaresearch (5/12)
JOB OPENING: SUPERVISING PRODUCER/LA: Production company seeks supervising producer with experience overseeing scripts and post on documentary series. Send resume & credits list to [email protected] (5/12)
JOB OPENING: PRGRM ACQUISITIONS MGR/Films Media Group/NY: 3+yrs exp acquisi.; factual prgmng knwlg; solid ind contacts; exp: educ & learning; self-starter & deal-maker; BA/BS req, Spanish profic a+. Res: [email protected] EOE (5/12)
JOB OPENING: SR PUBLICIST/truTV/NY: 5 yrs+ PR exp. in ent. Ind. emphasis and interest in reality TV genre. Digital/social media proficiency, knowledge of media outlets and contacts req’d. Resume: [email protected] (5/12)
JOB OPENING: DIR PRODCTN, PLANNG & OPS/WEtv/NY: Ovrsee Creative Prodctn of On-Air Promo & Branding. Creative, resourceful, brand-knowldgble & budget-oriented. 10+yr prodctn/post prodctn exp in brdcast/cble. [email protected] (5/12)
JOB OPENING: Digital Media Sls Planner/DISCOVERY/NY: support frontline sls AE & mgrs in prospectng/dlvpmnt/proposal/maintenance & post analysis; 2+ yrs exp media ad sales experience. www.discovery.com # 3808 (5/12)
JOB OPENING: DIST MKTG MGR/A+E NETS/NY: Manage mktg projects that support Dist efforts across all brands & services. Min 5 yrs cable sales/mktg exp.To apply: www.aetn.com/careers.html (5/12)
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 [email protected].
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 [email protected]
SITUATION WANTED: Dedicated & Experienced ADV. SALES PLANNER (NYC) Sales proposals, resolving client discrepancies, quarterly post analysis, special sales service projects, expert computer skills. Contact- [email protected] (5/18)
SITUATION WANTED: POST PRODUCTION/NY: Recent Comm Arts grad with passion for children’s media seeking to asst entry-level positions for media or dist. co. Numerous experience. MS Off, Omniture ComScore inclined. [email protected] (5/17)
SITUATION WANTED: Looking for a STAR? LA-Based Media & Entertainment Partnerships Exec for Iconic Brands. Sales, Marketing & Branded Content pro w/Major Cable, Label, Agency, Digital, Non-Profit experience. MBA. [email protected] (5/17)
SITUATION WANTED: EXECUTIVE ASST: Smart, passionate, dedicated recent Columbia grad seeking to assist/entry-level positions in TV or film, 3 years of internship experience. NY based, willing to relocate/telecommute. Contact: [email protected] (5/13)
SITUATION WANTED: SALES/MARKETING/BUSINESS DVLPMNT/NY: Dynamic, passionate exec with 6+ yrs exp in sports & media selling integrated sports & ent sponsorships, building brands/mktg partnerships [email protected] (5/13)
SITUATION WANTED: CREATIVE MEDIA MIND: Seeking to assist, Entry- Junior level positions, B.A. & Communications/Media background, 3-5 years of experience domestically & internationally. NY based. Please contact, [email protected] (5/12)
E-mail [email protected] or call Trish Pihonak at 203.381.9096 for rates and specs for Job Openings.
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