A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM VH1

Oh, it’s on.

From June’s star-studded 46664: A Concert for Nelson Mandela

  to this summer’s loudest event – Rock Honors: The Who – and 10 years of VH1 Save The Music,

we continue to deliver the music

that matters most – to the audience that matters most.

VH1 : You oughta know. Your consumers sure do.

Cyn opsis: DIGITAL

05/28/08

Good morning, it’s Wednesday, May 28, 2008, and this is your first early morning digital briefing.
 
This should be encouraging news for that support group of PCs in the latest Mac commercial. Microsoft’s Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer unveiled Windows 7 at the Dow Jones’ All Things Digital conference in Carlsbad, Ca. last night, designed to go beyond just improving upon the glitches and clunkiness of Vista. It utilizes Microsoft’s multi-touch technology the table top Surface is built around, enabling users to use all 10 fingers to manipulate the interface.

 
Starz Entertainment is making another go at broadband entertainment with Starz Play, a cheaper movie service that includes unlimited views of both library titles and major releases including Spider Man 3 and Ratatouille, as well as live streaming of the East Coast feed of Starz TV. Verizon has signed to offer it to its broadband customers for $5.99/month – a significant discount from Vongo‘s $9.99/month rate. Starz draws movies from existing deals with Disney and Sony.
 
Wetv.com is sporting a clean new look to go with a new focus on exclusive web video. Users can navigate the site by clicking on genre tabs designed to represent stages of a woman’s life including relationships, pets, style & health and fitness. Planned exclusive web series include Hot (as in studly) Coffee Break, Puppy Weddings and She Got Game.
 
Inspector Gadget, Madeline, Horseland and other popular DIC Entertainment kids properties will get a digital distribution boost in a new agreement with Vivendi Entertainment, covering  VOD, online and mobile.
 

 
Facebook is preparing to turn its year-old Facebook developers platform into a completely open source vehicle, reports TechCrunch. This has been expected for months as Google’s OpenSocial platform, adopted by Google, MySpace and Yahoo, draws talented developers away from proprietary Facebook platform.
 
Mobile search and ad content provider 4Info signed a deal with Yahoo to power a new ad supported opt-in mobile content service, says the WSJ, providing news updates, sports, weather and horoscopes to subscribers via text message. 4Info has struck similar deals with NBC Universal and Gannett, which owns a share of the start-up.
 
Educational finance publisher Minyanville has established a presence on AOL kids site KOL.com, providing content for its games & homework help sections. In addition, kids virtual world site MinyanLand will host “KOL Super Gliders,” KOL.com’s original, full-length, cartoon video series.
 

 
Do you use your Mac or PC as your jukebox at home but don’t have a remote to control the set up from your couch? Check out this app from Alloysoft. It enables you to browse, select, play, pause and set the volume of your music from your iPhone, iPod touch or Pocket PC device. It’s the perfect complement to Apple’s Air Tunes, which creates a wireless connection between a computer and a stereo via the Airport Express.
 
Amazon slashed the price of its digital reader The Kindle by $40 to $359, with free shipping of course. Our advice is keep going – the entry point has got to be cheaper if you expect to develop a mass market for the thing. Adopt the cell phone model; sell them at a loss then make it back by selling eBooks to loyal customers.
 

 
Sony finally came over to the Tru2way of looking at things, announcing an agreement with the six largest cable MSOs to license the Sun Microsystems’ Java-based platform for its televisions and electronic devices. This means subsequent Sony flat panel TVs will come truly cable ready, enabling interactive services such as VOD, DVR and IPG functionality without a set-top box. Sony and NCTA hope the deal will spur the development of long dreamt about “write once, run anywhere” applications that can take advantage of cable’s two-way architecture.

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM FX

 
CW marketers coined the term “cwingers” to describe an option it is pitching to advertisers this year, reports Ad Age. The network is offering advertisers the chance to attach ads to 2-minute biographical clips profiling stars of shows like Gossip Girl or the 90210 remake. To see the clip, viewers must first tune into the show on linear TV, watch the online clip, then return to the show for the punchline of the subplot.
 
Check out this cool online carbon offset calculator from Clear Sky Media. It helps determine the cost to offset the carbon footprint of a given online media campaign by measuring ad types, file sizes and total impressions.
 

 
The number of ill-prepared TV households is dropping somewhat as America approaches the digital transition, according to an update from Nielsen. But over 30% of sample homes will have at least one set that won’t work after the Feb. 2009 transition date – that’s nearly 25 million homes. Milwaukee and Salt Lake City had the highest % of completely unready households, as of April 30, 2008. Click here for a full report.
 
Date Surveyed                        Completely Unprepared          Some Unprepared
                                                  (No digital ready sets)          (at least one unready set)
January 2008                                        10.2                                     23.6   
February 2008                                       10.0                                     23.1   
March 2008                                            9.9                                     22.8   
April 2008                                              9.5                                     22.3   
May 2008                                              9.4                                     22.0  
Source: Nielsen

 
Liz Jones, former VP/Digital Marketing at 20th Century Fox, has joined The Hyperfactory to lead the company’s Entertainment Division out of Los Angeles. She is charged with developing mobile strategies and campaigns for film and TV studios, record labels, video game developers and other players. The division was launched in the fall of 2007 with funding from a group of investors including Rich Frank, former President of Walt Disney Studios and Paramount Television Group.
 
Planetwide Media and MashON.com named Philippe Benoliel as its new CEO.
 
Globecomm Systems Inc. announced that former VP/Operations for Globecomm Services Maryland Stephen Wilson has been appointed VP/American Sales out of Globecomm’s home base in Hauppauge, New York. He will report to Bill Raney, SVP/Sales & Marketing.
 
Mobile search and advertising solutions provider JumpTap announced the opening of new offices in Stockholm, Sweden and Madrid, Spain.
 
Marblemedia hired Miklos “Mik” Perlus for the newly created position of Head of Content Development. Mik will grow and manage marblemedia’s development slate by sourcing and developing new projects for television, web and mobile.
 

 
The viral video sensation of the Memorial Day holiday appears to have been the new Pork & Beans music video from Weezer, racking up over 3.5 million views since Friday. How do you ensure viral success in an increasingly crowded space? Cast as many YouTube celebrities as you can get your hands on. They’re all here: Chris “Leave Britney Alone” Crocker, the Chocolate Rain guy, Mr. Numa Numa, the Star Wars kid, even the daffy Miss Teen South Carolina. The band is hoping viral video fame will translate into MP3 sales on Amazon and iTunes. The Pork & Beans single is already available and iTunes is accepting pre-orders for Weezer’s self-titled “Red Album,” due out June 3rd.
 
Correction: AT&T generated more than 78 million American Idol-related text messages this season but only a not all of them were votes. They included trivia, sweepstakes, chats, etc. Also, the previous record of 64.5 million messages was set in 2006, not 2007. We regret the error.
 
Later — Wayne
Wayne Karrfalt for Cynopsis: Digital
05.28.08

Cynopsis Digital Ad Sales: Jason Cesare 732-718-0629 / [email protected]
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A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM CYNOPSIS MEDIA: TOP TIER

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

JOB OPENING:  PR MGR (AUDIO)/Simon & Schuster/NY: On-line publicity; work w/ media sites to feature audiobook content; mng dist of S&S dig. mktg assets; independent role. 5 yrs publicity/mktg  exp. Resume: www.simonsays.com/careers/ (6/4)

JOB OPENING:  RESEARCH MANAGER-AD SALES (NYC): 3+ yrs Media Research Exp. Know. Nielsen Rtgs & Software, Media Math, Rsrch Resources Req. Strong analytical skills, detail-oriented, flexibility. Contact: [email protected] (6/4)

JOB OPENING:  MGR MTV AD SALES RESEARCH: 4+ yrs media/cable exp. Strng analytic sk; prof Nielsen (Galaxy, N*Power, MRI, Marketbreaks, Simmons, StarMedia). Exp AudienceWatch, IAG, primary resrch a +.  Apply:  www.mtvncareers.com   EOE  (6/4)

JOB OPENING: MGR. MKTNG  BS/BA 3-5yrs Entertainment Exp, vendor Mgmt, creative/strategic relationships builder, Visit  www.disneycareers.com (REQ id 163060)  (6/3)

JOB OPENING: SALES PLANNER, mid-town NYC: Excellent opp, Invision Inc., knwldg of sales plan’g product, pricing, demographics, inventory, relationship management. Must know DealMaker. Resume/salary history:   [email protected]   (6/3)

JOB OPENING: PRODUCERS & ASSOC. PRODUCERS/Scholastic/NY: Dvlp/prod interactive games for kids. Looking for creative & editorial talent  w/ strong project mgmt skills. Exp. software & kids media req’d. Res: [email protected]  (6/3)

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)

JOB OPENING:  FREELANCE, SR MGR INT’L DIGITAL MEDIA/AETN/NY: Mobile & website proj mgmt. Manage digital distribution deals. Estab program strategies.  Editorial & Mobile/digital proj mgmt req’d. Apply:  [email protected]   (6/4)

JOB OPENING:   DIRECTOR OF CELEBRITY TALENT/Nickelodeon, Santa Monica, CA: You’ll be responsible for implementing the celebrity talent agent for Nickelodeon Networks. For more information, please visit www.mtvncareers.com (5/31)

JOB OPENING:   ON AIR GRAPHIC DESIGNER/VERSUS/LITTLETON, CO: 2+yrs complex exp in ntwrk enviro, knwlg Miranda sys & on air master controls, profic in After effects, Photoshop, Illustrator. Info/apply: (req #62493BR) www.versus.com (5/31)

JOB OPENING:   SR MGR, DISTRIB/GSN the Network for Games/NY: Resp for affiliate relationships (subscriber acquisition/retention), marketing/promotions. BA/BS + 3 yrs min sales/marketing exper. Enter/cable a plus. [email protected]  (5/31)

JOB OPENING:   JR SALES REP / Silver Spring, MD: Support sales, grow into outside rep.  BA/BS, exc comm., org., computer skills, 1-4 yrs work exp., enthusiastic.  Resume & ltr to [email protected]    EOE (5/31)

JOB OPENING:   DEVELOPMENT EXEC/ Jr DEV EXEC needed ASAP at well-known NY-based prod co: Must be great multi-tasker w/2+ yrs exp & superb writing skills. Exp w/male 25-54 demo a plus. Pls send note & resume: [email protected]   (5/31)

JOB OPENING: EXEC PROD/WPIX/CW11- NYC: AM news 5-9a, strong creative/collaboration/people mgmt skills, resp. for overall editorial decisions/news content, 5+yrs EP exp. 4+yrs line prod/writer exp. Visit:  http://www.cw11.com/ EOE  (5/30)

JOB OPENING: ASSOCIATE PRODUCER/YES Network-Stamford CT:  Ability to create show packages & work with multiple graphic artists and producers; See full posting & apply: http://web.yesnetwork.com/about/careers.jsp (5/30)

JOB OPENING: FREELANCE SR RESEARCHER/LIFETIME TV/NY: Analyzing TV ratings & creating data to support press, schdling & mkting strategy/ proficient in Npower/Galaxy/Star Media Apply at: http://www.mylifetime.com/about/jobs.html (5/30)

JOB OPENING: CONTENT SYNDICATION MANAGER/Current TV -SF, CA: Oversee daily operations for online video content syndication program. Solid exp. required in tv prog., web-based media & web video .  [email protected] EOE (5/29)

JOB OPENING: MEDIA PROJECT MANAGERS & BUSINESS ANALYSTS/Multiple. NYC: Exp. w/content management or rights management required. Exp. w/requirements gathering and use case development a plus. Apply to: [email protected] (5/29)

JOB OPENING: Blogger, VH1 Digital, MTV/NYC: 2+yrs blogging exp, Strg Knwldg  of Entertainment/Pop Culture, Strg HTML/XML & Photoshop skills, Knwldg  of VH1 prgrmmng. On Camera exp a plus. EOE/M/F/D/AAP.  Apply www.mtvncareers.com (5/29)

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 INTERN CREDITS ONLY: PR INTERN/Priority PR/LA: Phones /outrch/ writg / editng / typng / resrch /reprtng / website updtes. Need strng comm skills & good attitude to asst boutique PR firm, begin ASAP & thru  summer. Res/Cvr:  [email protected]    (6/3)

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