Cynopsis: DIGITAL
5/30/07
Good Morning, it’s Wednesday, May 30, 2007 and this is your first early morning digital briefing.
The changing of the guard at NBC Entertainment will also mean a shift in digital strategy. New co-chairmen Ben Silverman and Marc Graboff will take active roles in overseeing digital content, monetizing TV assets across new platforms including nbc.com and “new site” and making sure digital media efforts are fully integrated into the programming model from the beginning of the development process. Given Silverman’s experience launching independent production company Reveille Productions (Ugly Betty, The Office) he will play a particularly integral role. Jeff Gaspin, President of NBC Universal Cable and Digital Content, will now focus more on digital distribution and windowing. Vivi Zigler, EVP/NBC Digital Entertainment and New Media, will dual report to the two new entertainment co-chiefs and Gaspin.
ABC will test the hour-long user generated news show i-Caught for six weeks from August 6 in an attempt to get the YouTube generation interested in TV news. Amateur video submissions captured via camcorders and cell phones will form the backbone of the show, in the areas such as breaking news, celebrity scoops, investigative journalism and new media-flavored human interest. Good Morning America weekend co-anchor Bill Weir will host, and a companion website I-caught.com will be up and running on June 12 to begin collecting submissions.
TNT and TBS have negotiated for the rights to stream all seven of their original summer series on TNT.tv and TBS.com. Episodes of The Closer, Heartland, Saving Grace, The Company from TNT and House of Payne, The Bill Engvall Show, My Boys and The Frank Show will typically stream the day after they premier on air. Comcast and Time Warner will also offer the shows for four weeks on video-on-demand starting the day after their TV premieres, with the exception of the Fox-produced Saving Grace. The Closer, Bill Engvall, My Boys and The Frank Show episodes will also be available on iTunes.
Sony Pictures Television will launch the Jeopardy! Google Daily Challenge on June 4, a play-at-home game in which users log on to Jeopardy.com and use Google to search for an answer to a new question posted daily. Participants are automatically entered into a sweepstakes for a chance to win $100 daily or a $25,000 grand prize.
TV Guide Online signed agreements to syndicate its program listings grid to several companies including Inergize Digital Media, the New York Post.com and InfoSpace, Inc. Fox Sports, IGN Entertainment and Fox Television Stations signed similar deals with TV Guide Online last year.
BusinessWeek.com is considering launching a business-to-business online video site that would give would-be moguls a forum in which to pitch venture capitalists new ideas for companies. The company is also exploring a contest to promote the idea, rewarding the top-rated proposal with $500,000 in seed funding.
Action director John Woo is attached to direct and produce the feature film Ninja Gold for Fox Atomic, according to The Hollywood Reporter, based on a video game currently in development from Warren Spector, creator of games Deus Ex and System Shock. The story revolves around a centuries-old bloodline of Ninjas, the Yakuza, the Russian mob and stolen gold from South Africa.
Getty Images will provide Fox’s On the Lot filmmaker contestants with footage from its video archive to help round out their short film submissions each week. The filmmakers can go to the Getty site themselves to browse and license the footage. Fox has built a comprehensive site to showcase contestants’ works and foster a community around the show.
NBC Universal On Demand joins Music Choice to offer a ‘Music & Movies’ Video On Demand category featuring music artists starring in films premiering On Demand starting June 1. The line-up includes Justin Timberlake in Alpha Dog, Alicia Keys in Smokin’ Aces and Mandy Moore in Because I Said So.
Slate.com and washingtonpost.com have created politically-themed applications using Facebook‘s new developer’s platform. Slate’s “Political Futures” allows users to place a mock $500 wager on who they think will take the White House in 2008, showing how everyone in your network of friends placed their bets. Washingtonpost.com’s “The Compass” asks users questions to create a schematic of where you stand in the political spectrum.
Former Google engineers and product managers are quietly working on a new video start up called Ooyala currently in closed beta that has piqued the curiosity of Silicon Valley bloggers. Details are very sketchy so far, but the company seems to have had no problem attracting funding to hire software, video processing and Flash engineers in Mountain View and salespeople for planned offices in Los Angeles and New York.
The Federal Trade Commission began a preliminary antitrust review of the proposed Google/DoubleClick merger, following concerns voiced by several consumer advocacy groups and Google competitors. The FTC has already asked Google for additional information on the deal, meaning this whole process is going to take a while.
Google acquired anti-virus toolmaker GreenBorder for an undisclosed sum. GreenBorder operates software that provides a constant protective layer around web browsing activity.
A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM POD SHOW
World’s Largest Podcasting Portal
THE #1 New Media Network
Over 100 Million Q1 Downloads
Top 50 comScore in Entertainment
Destination for Engaged, Motivated Audiences
See why more top brands want in on PodShow’s action!
Visit podshow.com
Contact Andrew Budkofsky at [email protected]
Internet display advertising grew by 17.3% last year accounting for 40% of all online ad dollars, according to TNS Media Intelligence. VOIP provider Vonage outspent all rivals with $186 million spend on banner and display ads, followed by AT&T, which spent $166 million in its effort to rebrand following the SBC, BellSouth and Cingular mergers.
Ad spending on newspaper web sites increased by 22.3% to $750 million in 2006 according to the Newspaper Association of America. Total ad expenditures for the newspaper industry as a whole was down 4.8% to $10.6 billion, with print ads down 6.4% from a year ago.
~ TRENDS, RESEARCH, ETC. ~
New series and seasons (full eps only) released online since 22 May 2007:
3rd Rock from the Sun (NBC; Unbox): seasons 1, 2 & 5
The Art of the Party (Fine Living; Unbox)
Cities of the Underworld (History; iTunes): current season
God the Devil and Bob (NBC; Unbox): entire series
Grounded for Life (Fox/WB; Unbox): seasons 1, 2, 3 & 4
Men Behaving Badly (NBC; Unbox): entire series
Reunited: The Real World (MTV; Unbox, iTunes): current season
Roseanne (ABC; Unbox): seasons 3, 5 & 6
Source: Trivial TV
Heather Pariseau has been named VP/Interactive Programming and Operations and Erin Franzman Director of Programming for MSG Interactive. Heather will manage programming for online, broadband, wireless, VOD and ITV and Erin will oversee digital media creative and production. MSG Interactive includes the interactive operations for Madison Square Garden, MSG Entertainment, including the WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall and the Beacon Theatre, MSG television network, the New York Knicks, Rangers and Liberty.
Mobile messaging service provider SinglePoint hired Michael Skoff and Tom Cast as CFO and VP/Engineering and Operations, respectively. Arthur Morton also joined as Director of Operations and Scott Shepherd as Director of Sales.
fmyi.com (which stands for “for my innovation”) is an online management tool for TV line producers and other production professionals trying to keep their crews “on the same page.” It provides a secure platform in which to read the latest scripts and access notes, budgets, photos, casting announcements, travel arrangements – you name it. Marketing veteran Seth Tayler originally created the template for Nike to reduce stress and help organize naturally unorganized creative types. The free or fee-based tool is now used by hundreds working on TV shows and in production houses, casting companies etc. The site is powered by Portland, Oregon-based Human Energy.
A new website will be featured here everyday for you to check out. Some are TV-centric, some creative, some just plain strange, but all have something to do with this crazy business. Email me your suggestions at [email protected] and if I include the site you mention, your name, company and city will be credited. Only one mention per calendar week, to make it fair.
Later — Wayne
Wayne Karrfalt for Cynopsis: Digitals
05.30.07
Cynopsis Ad Sales: Mark Bohn- 203-583-1224 / [email protected]
Classifieds – Trish Pihonak- 203-926-9878 / [email protected]
Features Available at Cynopsis Website: www.Cynopsis.com
Subscribe to the iTunes Video Podcast, or Audio Podcast
Cynopsis Daily Video and Cynopsis: Digital Audio Feed — both streaming (download option)
Extended Classified Ads
Subscribe a new address or change your email
Unsubscribe
Media Kits for all editions
Archives
Cynopsis Contact Info
To Unsubscribe from this edition or any Cynopsis editions, please click here
Cynopsis Audio on your Blackberry – click here for free Blackberry application
CableU – Know Networks Better. Pitch Smarter. Click here
All outgoing e-mails are scanned and sent out virus free.
Copyright Cynopsis 2007
Cyn opsis CLASSIFIEDS – For More classifieds, visit the Cynopsis.com classifieds page here
JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR-TV INTEGRATIONS/LA: www.daviebrown.com . Oversee integration of brands in TV. Thorough knowledge of industry & prior exp essential. Res to: [email protected] (6/6)
JOB OPENING: SALES PLNR/NAT’L GEO/LA: Mng all deals, develop & create sales proposals. BA & strg written skills req. 1-2 yrs exp sales/cable adv. Apply www.FoxCareers.com FNG6882 (6/6)
JOB OPENING: PROD ACCT/Rainbow Media/NYC: Track, report financial info for VOOM. Handle invoices & monitor expenses. BS/BA req’d. Acct exp a plus. To apply, visit www.cablevision.jobs and apply to job ID 3397BR (6/5)
JOB OPENING: PUBLICIST/VERSUS/Stamford, CT: Support/contribute to publicity efforts of fast growing sports cable net.3+ yrs related exp.Apply at www.versus.com EOE (6/5)
JOB OPENING: SR. RESEARCH ANALYST/Fox Sports/LA: 3+yrs cable/broadcast research. Nielsen systems exp. Strong knwldg of PhotoShop/Flash/Scarborough. Strong presentation /analytical/communication skills. Reply to www.foxcareers.com (6/5)
JOB OPENING: PLANNER /Oxygen/Chicago: Support 2 AEs in National Ad Sales w/ all aspects of sales. 2+ yr cable exp or advertising agency. Resume to:[email protected] ref job title in subj ln. Go to www.oxygen.com for more info. (6/5)
JOB OPENING: SALES ACCT EXEC/BBC Motion Gallery/NYC: Mng adverts, corp & new media biz, grow assigned mkt, 4 yrs exp media related sales. Biz dvlpmnt, cld call, dirct cust acct mngmnt, sales targets. Res: [email protected] (6/5)
JOB OPENING: ASSISTANT/BBC Motion Gallery/NYC: College grad asst VP in ops, rsrch/biz projects. Comp skill, accounting assumptions. sum info, attn dtl, reliable. know media indstry/dig tech, vid contnt. Res: [email protected] (6/5)
JOB OPENING: OPRAH.COM PROD/HARPO/CHI: Work w/ The Oprah Winfrey Show & related franchises to expand/create/design/prod web content for Oprah.com. 5yrs+ prod’g web content w/ exceptional writing skills. Apply: www.HarpoCareers.com (6/5)
JOB OPENING: BROADCAST SOFTWARE IMPLEMENTORS/TRAINERS: Extensive US travel. 12 month + contracts. 5 yrs general media exp. BAs, trainers, and power users please apply. Email: [email protected] or call 860 632 3705. (6/5)
JOB OPENING: SR WRITER PROD/Sundance Ch/NY: 5+ yrs exp. Concept & prod promos for all major on-air & off-channel campaigns. Support CD w/ proj mgmt. Shoot exp, great creative, Final Cut skills req’d. Res: [email protected] (6/2)
JOB OPENING: INTEGRATED SALES EXEC/Sundance Ch/NY: 5+yrs sales/mktg exp.Dev/sell/exec multi-platform, integ’d partnerships for “like minded” clients.Creative media mktg & savvy prof w/ proven rec.Res: [email protected] (6/2)
JOB OPENING: TRAFFIC SUPRVSR, NTWRK OPS/BBC Am/Silver Spring MD: Schdl, traffic, validate trans lgs & mtrls for bcast 2-4 yrs exp in traffic or ntwrk/bcast ops, Exp w/ traffic management systems. RES/CV: [email protected] (6/2)
JOB OPENING: MARKETING DIR/NAT GEO/WASH DC: Overseeing DVD/ digital prod development & mrktng initiatives for new releases/back titles, to deliver on strategic plans & financial goals. BA + 6 yrs apply at www.nationalgeographic.com (6/2)
SPACE AVAILABLE: Three Edit Rooms, Fully Functioning, and Production Pit available for rent June 1. Edit rooms have all equipment needed: Final Cut & multiple decks. Turn key situation (phone, T1, cleaning) Call Katie at 212.242.1400 (6/1)
JOB OPENING: SYNDICATION SALES. Seeking smart aggressive closer with creative touch and natural sales personality to round outTV distribution sales staff.Looking to groom new industry superstar.Resumes to: [email protected] (6/1)
JOB OPENING: RESEARCH ANALYST/LIFETIME TV NY: Support LFT Networks prgming and mkting functions; analyze LFT Networks ratings perf; BS/BA plus 1-2 yrs exp. using Nielsen Apply at: http://www.lifetimetv.com/about/jobs.html (6/1)
JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR, PROGRAM ENTERPRISES MARKETING/MTV/NYC: 7+yrs Cons.Prod Mrktg exp, Strng Leadership, Licensing/Retail/Mrkt rsrch exp, Strg interpersn’l/org skills, Home Ent exp/MBA A+ EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (6/1)
JOB OPENING: EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, ON-AIR PROMOS/NICK/NYC: 8+yrs On-Air Promos exp, Strg creative & writing skills, Strng Mgmt exp, Knwldge of pop-culture/kid’s demo/comedy EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (6/1)
JOB OPENING: RSRCH PROJECT MGR/CNN/NY: 3+ yrs TV rsrch/agency exp, Multi-tasker, strong analytical/problem solving skills, previous management skills preferred&proficient in Nielsen applications; info www.turnerjobs.com Res: [email protected] (6/1)
JOB OPENING: MOBILE VIDEO PROGRAMMER/VH1 MOBILE/NY: Resp for end-to-end programming of VH1’s mobile video srvcs. Work w/ other VH1 platforms to acquire content. 2 yrs mobile media exp required. Cover/CV to [email protected] (6/1)
JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR OF CASTING/ENDEMOL USA/LA, CA: Cast network non-scripted presentations, pilots and series. Deliver celebrities and undiscovered talent. Min. 5 yrs casting experience. Apply: [email protected] (6/1)
JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR, DOCU DEV & PRODUCTION 2spots, MTV/NYC: 5+yrs develpmnt/prod exp, Strg knwldg/Prod exp of Cinema Verita Docs, Knwldge of pop culture/MTV brand/News & Docs Progmng EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (6/1)
JOB OPENING: CLIENT SERVICE EXECUTIVE/Nielsen/NY: Sell Nielsen products/provide service to Nat’l Cable networks. 3+years research industry experience and sales experience. Nat’l Cable experience a+. www.nielsen.com/careers (5/31)
JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR, MARKET RESEARCH/Midtown Manhattan, NY- Sirius Satellite Radio: Supports org. w/ custom research. Need strong design/analysis skills. Media/Radio/Subscription based exp. req. Reply to: [email protected] (5/31)
JOB OPENING: DIR DIGITAL MEDIA AD SALES/NBC UNI/NY: Assist and increase sales across NBC Universal properties. Degree w/ min 5 yrs related exp. www.nbcjobs.com keyword job#598621 (5/31)
JOB OPENING: MANAGER DIGITAL MKTG/NICKELODEON/NY: BA; 4 yrs exp managing execution of online marketing campaigns. Strong analytical skills, exp w/ DART and Omniture. EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (5/31)
JOB OPENING: AVID EDITOR (FT)/Ventana Productions/Washington DC: Knowledge of After Effects & Photoshop is a plus; previous experience w/promos & political spots ideal; apply to Armando Almanza at [email protected] (5/31)
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 INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: NYC dist co. seeks Media Biz Dev Intern to asst in strategic financial/mktg plan’g & implementation. Financial modeling exp & business background a must. Internship is unpaid. Res: [email protected] (6/5)
SITUATION WANTED ADS, POSTED BY THOSE LOOKING TO BE HIRED …
SITUATION WANTED: ASST/COORDINATOR/NYC: 4+ yrs freelance on independent films. Asst in ent industry. Excellent skills incl. computer, multitasking, communication. Available immediately. Contact: [email protected] (6/6)
SITUATION WANTED: STRATEGIC RESEARCHER/NY: 15+ yrs exp. in syndication, cable, spot, newspapers.Detailed analysis, presentations, actionable recommendations that get results for your sales team. Please contact: [email protected] (5/31)
E-mail Trish Pihonak for rates and specs for Job Openings.
Are you looking for a job? Post your Situation Wanted Ad here — Email Trish Pihonak for specs.
