Cynopsis: DIGITAL
11.21.12

Good morning. It’s Wednesday, November 21, 2012, and this is your first early morning digital briefing.

ESPN has launched its TV Everywhere product, WatchESPN, on the Xbox 360, allowing users to access live programming from ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, and other channels, as well as game highlights and a variety of on-demand content. The app is available to Xbox Live Gold members whose cable subscription includes ESPN’s lineup of channels. Current cable partners include Time Warner Cable, Bright House Networks, Verizon FiOS, Comcast’s Xfinity, and Midcontinent Communications. Among the app’s features, users have the ability to split their TV screen and watch two games at once, customize their home page based on their favorite sports and teams, and access a guide to see what’s currently airing. Like other TV Everywhere apps on the Xbox, WatchESPN allows for voice- and gesture-based commands via the Kinect.

AwesomenessTV, one of the 100-plus YouTube original programming channels, is airing the second season of its teen soap Runaways this Thanksgiving Day. New episodes will be available on the channel throughout the day. The show follows the mysterious disappearance of a prep school’s most controversial couple as well as the investigation surrounding a murder uncovered by the police. It is executive produced by Brian Robbins, Joe Davola, Clark Mathis, and Beth Szymkowski-Mathis, who also wrote the series.

Yahoo and CNBC’s Off the Cuff today brings in Jon Steinberg, the President and COO of BuzzFeed, for a one-on-one interview. He will dish on a variety of topics, from the day-to-day pressures of running a high-profile company to personal things such as what he cannot resist first thing in the morning and what is the most played song on his iPhone.

Disney has decided to shut down Disney Movies Online by December 31. According to a statement posted on the website, users will no longer be able to make new purchases but will be able to stream their existing movies until the day the site is shut down.

Open-source video platform start-up Kaltura has raised $25 million in funding from new investors Mitsui & Co. Global Investment and ORIX Ventures, with participation from existing investors Nexus Venture Partners, Intel Capital, .406 Ventures, and Avalon Ventures. In the announcement, Kaltura said it’s setting its sights on expanding into the Asia-Pacific region. “We intend to use this new funding to expand our product offering, and to grow into additional industries and geographies,” said the start-up’s Chairman and CEO, Ron Yekutiel. Kaltura also offers a suite of commercial video applications alongside its open-source development platform.

Digital video ad solutions provider YuMe has launched a portfolio of tablet-specific ad units. A part of the YuMe Ads suite, the company is offering brands and agencies a selection of ready-made and custom interactive video ad units, which can be delivered via targeted independent campaigns as well as a part of multiscreen video campaigns through YuMe’s Connected Audience Network. YuMe guarantees 100% of ads will run on premium publications and mobile apps, both in-app via the tablet SDK, and on the mobile web through the company’s HTML5 capabilities. Advertisers can target based on filters such as demographics, geography, day-part, ad content, device make and model, mobile operating system, device age, and more.

Glam Media, an online lifestyle media company with properties such as Glam.com and Foodie.com under its umbrella, has partnered with Rubicon Project to launch an invite-only premium marketplace. Powered by Rubicon’s real-time trading platform, REVV Connect, the private marketplace will offer advertisers access to custom contextual packages and audience targeting solutions. “We will be offering the ability for our top clients to buy both programmatically and branded content as part of the same deal,” said Alison Kennedy, SVP/Sales at Glam Media. Thanks to REVV Connect, Glam says it is now able to markup individual impressions with attributes in real-time through REVV APIs. These attributes will allow the company to classify impressions into various inventory segments, as well as execute multiple access, sales, and pricing strategies in order to ensure the highest possible yield for the inventory. Glam says it will incrementally add premium inventory for its best partners via this new private exchange.

ONCampus Media, a digital media company serving college campuses, has partnered with Barnes & Noble College Marketing to launch a new national digital TV network in Barnes & Noble College stores across North America. Spanning more than 800 screens at nearly 400 colleges and universities, this new in-store digital network will air programming and relevant promotions from brands, giving them the ability to reach over 4 million students across North America. “By adding digital entertainment screens throughout our network of stores, brands that partner with us not only are able to reach students at point of sale, but they are able to deliver a more expressive and captivating message,” said Marie Policastro, Senior Marketing Manager at Barnes & Noble College, in a statement.

AARP is offering a “Hot Deals” program for advertisers looking to reach consumers 50 and over with special savings during the holiday season. Beginning this Black Friday and through December, advertisers can highlight special offers by purchasing holiday-themed Hot Deals packages to run across AARP’s digital platforms. AARP says its website currently reaches 7 million unique visitors per month.

The top 10 savviest mobile shopping cities according to a new report from the IAB, its Mobile Marketing Center of Excellence, and Prosper Mobile Insights are, in the following order: Houston, Seattle-Tacoma, San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York City, Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Boston, and Philadelphia.The IAB says these rankings are determined by reviewing data about mobile usage patterns as well as the frequency of usage among mobile-savvy shoppers across major US cities. In addition, the report defines “mobile shopping” as both completing purchases via a phone or tablet and using those devices to research products that are later purchased online or from a physical retail location. Other findings from the report include:

• Over 80% of smartphone owners have accessed retailer websites or apps on their device.
• Smartphone shoppers are evenly split between males and females, and generally tend to be younger than those who shop on desktops.
• Over half of smartphone owners, and nearly 30% of tablet owners, have used their devices in the past three months while inside a store.

Video distribution company Rightster broke into comScore’s top 10 US YouTube channels rankings for the first time in October. Rightster generated more than 17 million views in the US in October, from over 7.5 million unique viewers, enough to land it at #9. Righster’s YouTube network encompasses over 300 channels across various publishers in the fields of news, sports, fashion, music, and entertainment. The company has also appointed John Dillon as its new VP/Marketing.

Nickelodeon has released an app for Windows 8. Optimized to the new operating system’s tile-based interface, the app brings over a wealth of content from Nick.com, including videos from Nick’s television franchises such as iCarly, Victorious, Big Time Rush, The Legend of Korra, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and, of course, SpongeBob SquarePants. Users also have access to photos and over 1,500 games. The app is available for free in the Windows Store.

City-guide apps developer My City Way has partnered with Macy’s for the second straight year around the retailer’s ever-popular Thanksgiving Day Parade. The expanded Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade app, which is available for free on iOS and Android devices, offers a comprehensive guide around the annual festivities in NY while also enabling users to follow the parade in real time. For example, the app will let users tap into traffic cameras along the route for a bird’s eye view. Another feature, Elf-o-matic will allow users to transform themselves into a virtual Elf balloon.

King.com has named Charity Sabater as its new Senior Director/Ad Sales. She will focus on brand sales solutions in the US as well as lead the site’s East Coast expansion. She will be based in NY.

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE

The following doesn’t really need any explanation beyond its title: Larry David’s Thanksgiving Special, brought to you by the great people over at Funny or Die. Give it a look, and have a wonderful Thanksgiving everybody.

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE

Later – Sahil
Sahil Patel, Associate Editor for Cynopsis Digital
11.21.12

Denise O’Connor: Group Publisher, Media Entertainment
Diane K Schwartz: Senior Vice President, Media Communications Group

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JOB OPENING: HBO ANALYST, AUDIENCE RESEARCH/NYC: tracks & reports performance of programming. Strong Kwldg of Nielsen system, Galaxy, Explorer, & NPower. Please apply @ http://bit.ly/Xtw54V (11/30)

JOB OPENING: RSRCH ANALYST/NCC RESEARCH/ATL: Mng rsch and sales department. BA deg req’d as well as media co., syndicate rsrch co. or advertising agency in a research-related position. [email protected] (11/29)

JOB OPENING: DEVELOPMENT EXECS (2 openings) NYC: For reality/non-fict TV. Extnsve rsrch for characters, subcultures, formats. Basic shoot/edit/cast & treatment writing. Res/Cov Ltr: [email protected]. 3+ yrs exp req’d (11/28)

JOB OPENING: SR MKTNG ANLST/COX MEDIA/AZ: 5+yrs exp preferred with extensive knowledge of media research and tools; analytic mind with strong comm skills; apply on WorkatCox.com JOB ID #42553 (11/28)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR STANDARDS & PRACTICES/Nickelodeon/NYC: BA, 7+ yrs exp children’s media/compliance. Strong comm/present sk. Deep knwldge regulatory/self-regul media aspects. Apply www.viacomcareers.com EOE/M/F/D/AAP (11/28)

JOB OPENING: BIZ DEV EXEC/TMZ/LA: ID biz opps to expand TMZ digital brand. 5+yrs digital media deal experience. MBA pref’d. 25% travel. More info/apply: [email protected] (11/28)

JOB OPENING: DIGITAL PLANNER/NYC: devises strategies for Interactive media plans. 2-3 years of digital planning/buying at an agency experience required. http://tinyurl.com/bqo92do (11/28)

JOB OPENING: EXEC ASST/nuvoTV/LA: support 2 C-Level Execs and Mng LA Office Ops. 3-5 yrs sr. level admin exp. req. Highly visible position, strong comm. & interpersonal skills req. Industry exp +. Resume to: [email protected] EOE (11/28)

JOB OPENING: AD SLS MKTG MGR/Discovery/NY: Dvlp & execute multi-platform ad sls sponsorships; 5+yrs ad agency, media sls/mktg, client mktg exp; prod exp preferred; http://careers.discovery.com/#6742 (11/28)

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JOB OPENING: SR. MANAGER/FRANCHISE MANAGEMENT/DISNEY CHANNEL/BURBANK: Lead strategy for girls tweens incl brand plans, music, fashion, digital . 8 yrs exp in consumer prod, brand mgmt, licensing. www.disneycareers.com REQ 72607 (11/27)

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JOB OPENING: SR MKTG MGR/Discovery Communications/NY: Dvlp & execute TLC-centric multiplatform, integrated partnership deals for Ad Sls clients; 5+ yrs of relevant integrated mktg exp. http://careers.discovery.com/ #6771 (11/27)

JOB OPENING: DIR BUSINESS & LEGAL AFFAIRS/DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS/LA: Handles talent negotiations & drafting/review agreements for talent in reality programs; exp in entertainment law. http://careers.discovery.com/ #6753 (11/27)

JOB OPENING: COUNSEL CMT BUSINESS & LEGAL AFFAIRS/Santa Monica: Mng high vol deopent/prod. agreements emphasis on the unscripted/reality genre. 3-5 yrs exp w/ent law firm or studio/network. Apply: http://bit.ly/THqzFo (11/27)

JOB OPENING: TALENT MGR/CASTING PROD/NY: 8+ yrs exp. Skilled casting producer. Easily transition between office research and field work. Ability to shoot and edit. Final Cut exp. Apply: www.viacomcareers.com (11/27)

JOB OPENING: DIR., PRICING & PLANNING (FX, NYC): 7-10 yrs Media Ad Sales, Inventory Mgmt, reporting & forecasting for multiple networks. Strong exp. w/Ad Sales systems & Excel. Strong math & comm skills. http://bit.ly/Rk4ywe (11/27)

JOB OPENING: SALES ASSISTANT/New York City: Work with Ad Sales dept. to service and maintain agencies and clients on daily basis. More info & apply: http://www.hallmarkchannel.com/jobs (11/27)

JOB OPENING: CREATIVE SERVICES ASSISTANT/Studio City: Perform administrative duties & provides support to SVP and department. More info & apply: http://www.hallmarkchannel.com/jobs (11/27)

JOB OPENING:  DESIGN DIRECTOR/LOGO/NYC: 5+ yr exp. broadcast & print design; Illustrator, Photoshop req.; After Effects, Video Editing, Compositing systems, 3D Animation & OACIS a +; BFA req. Apply @ viacomcareers.com EEO/M/F/D/V (11/27)

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SITUATION WANTED: NYC, Ffld, Wstchstr. counties. Experienced sales, biz development pro seeking position in educational/home media, ad sales. Solid resume and excellent references. email: [email protected] (11/30)

SITUATION WANTED: AD SALES/NYC BASED or HOME OFFICE: Highly innovative & revenue results-driven. Proven track record. Digital, Social & Traditional Media. Looking to be a part of a new team. Contact: [email protected] (11/29)

SITUATION WANTED: Highly innovative results-driven ad sales executive. Proven track record. Digital, Social & Traditional Media. Looking to be a part of a new team. Based in NYC or Home Office. Contact: [email protected] (11/28)

SITUATION WANTED: DEVELOPMENT PRO/LA BASED: Reality/Docs long/short formats A&E; Bravo; Dis; E!; Fox21; Hist; Logo; MTV; Spike; TLC; VH1; Travel; solid showrunner/prodco/agency/network relationships, runs on batteries! [email protected] (11/22)

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