A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM FUSE

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Cynopsis: DIGITAL

10/29/08

Good morning, it’s Wednesday, October 29, 2008, and this is your first early morning digital briefing.

The sudden scarcity of venture capital cash is beginning to threaten upstart online ad networks, notes the WSJ. Online ad networks, which assemble multiple websites across a single theme or demographic to offer advertisers a one-stop-shop in which to place their buys, seemed to launch almost daily during the past year. Redwood City, CA.-based JellyCloud and San Francisco-based Adzilla have already shuttered while San Francisco-based AdBrite recently laid off 40% of its staff.
 

 
Online video portal Hulu is in talks with BBC/ITV/Channel 4 VOD joint venture Project Kangaroo to launch a UK version of the site, reports C21 Media. The discussions have stalled due to the venture’s ongoing legal issues, according to Fox Digital Media President Dan Fawcett.
 
Disney-ABC Television Group signed a deal with Verizon to make primetime ABC shows such as Desperate Housewives and Lost available via FiOS TV’s video-on-demand service. The shows will be offered in HD for no charge one day after they premiere in the network with the ad-skipping feature disabled. ABC began testing its VOD service in Cox’s Orange County system last year.
 
SciFi.com launched a new social network built around its hit reality show Ghost Hunters, featuring weekly tutorials, ghost story swapping and Q&A’s with the show’s part-time adventurers. Go to SciFi.com on Halloween night to access a multi-camera online video feed, thermal imaging camera views and photos taken from The Ghost Hunters Live event at the historic Fort Delaware.
 
The folks at Glu Mobile have developed a mobile game for Fox Mobile Entertainment based on Fox’s Family Guy. Look for it in 2009.
 
Call for Content: Team Latin America walked away as winner of the Engine Room, an original, short-form series in which four teams of digital artists from around the world showcased their digital art skills in a bid to win $400,000 and programming control of MTV’s high-definition screen in Times Square for a night. The contest is currently accepting design submissions for the next leg of the competition; the winning design will be displayed on a HP notebook PC.
 

 
After its acquisition of social bookmarking application AddThis widget platform Clearspring jumped to the top of the worldwide widget provider list, according the ComScore’s latest numbers. To build on its lead ClearSpring added some features to its automated LaunchPad service, helping publishers push more popular widgets by prioritizing them on their site.
 
Social oriented casual game producer Playfish closed on a $17 million round of funding from Accel Partners and Index Ventures. The company, which claims a user base of 25 million registered players, recently released some of its more popular games on MySpace including Who Has the Biggest Brain and the new Bowling Buddies.
 
Global nonprofit One Economy Corp. has teamed with multimedia platform Good and Rock the Vote to launch an online video series asking musicians, actors and other notable figures what they’d do if they were President. The series will be featured on a new website 247townhall.org built to promote political activism. Mos Def, George Watsky, Wyclef and Danny Glover have agreed to participate.
 
Digital entertainment studio Worldwide Biggies has developed a casual game for girls and tweens for the Miss O & Friends portal. An exclusive browser version of the game is available on the Miss O site and the full version will be available for download at various gaming portals and for sale at retail outlets.
 
Call for Content: The Yankees may be out of the playoffs but mustaches are still in. Edge is sponsoring a ‘Stache Mash up contest on Atom.com – use the site’s tools to coif, trim and sculpt a ‘stache for a crack at $2,500 in cash. Hurry, the contest ends today.
 

 
Social media review site Living Social launched a free iPhone app allowing mobile users to access its catalog of nearly 100 million reviews covering movies, books, TV shows, albums, video games, restaurants and beer labels.
 
Msnbc.com unveiled its new embeddable Decision ’08 election widget that allows consumers to watch the presidential results unfold in real-time on November 4, 2008. The widget allows users to view the electoral vote count and the congressional balance of power via the national U.S. map or choose a state and see how individual counties are voting. It also provides the top political headlines of the day. 
 
AccuWeather.com launched an advanced weather app for the BlackBerry providing up-to-date weather info., hourly and 10-day forecasts, severe weather alerts and radar images.
 
Identify Finder is marketing its online and retail-based application to parents of kids who spend a lot of time on P2P sharing networks as a way to guard against identity theft. The software searches for social security numbers, credit card numbers, passwords and other confidential information then helps securely delete the data or protect the information with encryption.
 

 
Microsoft unveiled Azure, a new Windows program envisioned as a “cloud computing” operating system for the internet. Azure will provide a platform for developers to build applications that will be accessible online in real time using existing Windows programming languages.
 
AOL announced a major deal with Content Delivery Network Brightcove to utilize the firm’s newly revamped video platform to power all the video on AOL. The Brightcove 3 player will be integrated with AOL’s Platform-A ad network to help expand video sponsorship opportunities for advertisers. The deal extends the relationship between the two companies, which began in 2006 when AOL became a minority stakeholder in Brightcove. 
 
LIN TV selected Critical Media‘s Syndicaster platform to add real-time broadcast-to-online video across its 29 TV station and local media sites. The platform allows LIN TV to create a searchable database of video clips for monetization via online distribution utilizing footage left on the cutting room floor.

 
In another sign that our world may soon resemble the one envisioned in Steven Spielberg’s Minority Report, the global market for digital signage is expected to continue its meteoric rise from 1.1 million displays in 2008 to nearly 2.3 million displays by 2012, according to a new market analysis by MultiMedia Intelligence. The integration of IP-based network management is simplifying the process of managing campaigns for advertisers, enabling dynamic control of text, video and graphics across hundreds of screens simultaneously.
 
On that note, out-of-home media network Access 360 Media raised an additional $8 million in Series B funding leg by Mission Ventures and joined by Bessemer Venture Partners.
 

 
Online advertising clutter is actually less pronounced for younger users than for older folks – particularly the 65 and older crowd – according to a new online advertising clutter metric developed by Nielsen Online. Much of the finding has to do with the fact that kids sites like Disney’s Better Business Bureau-approved Club Penguin have decided not to include ads. But even MySpace scored well in terms of ad clutter. 
 

 
Financial intelligence and entertainment media company Minyanville Media announced the formation of a new Board of Advisors including former CEO of Dreyfus Corporation and Scudder Investments Tom Eggers who will also serve as Minyanville’s COO. Also on the board are Bill Cella – CEO, The Cella Group and former CEO, Magna Global Worldwide; Wenda Harris Millard – President, Media and Co-CEO, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia; and Larry Kramer – Senior Advisor Polaris Venture Partners, Founder and former CEO of MarketWatch.
 
Ad agency SmithGifford has named Fred Krazeise to the post of Director Interactive Strategies. Fred will work on strategy, development and execution of direct marketing initiatives across all Web-based channels, working directly with President Matt Smith and his partner Bruce Gifford.
 
Julie Kimball Keating has been appointed to the newly created position of Northeast Sales Director for the Travel Ad Network. She will be based in Boston.
 
Matthew Breen has been named Executive Editor of The Advocate and Advocate.com. Matthew, who most recently served as the Executive Editor of Out magazine, will be based in The Advocate’s Los Angeles offices and will report directly to The Advocate Editor in Chief, Jon Barrett.
 

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Something good actually did come from the writers strike. A group of professional scribes, producers and actors took time out from the picket line to come up with a scheme to create their own shows to distribute online – shows they would maintain ownership and creative control over. Strike.TV is the result, launching yesterday with 10 episodic shows created by a collection of seasoned pros including veterans of The Office, SNL, The Daily Show, Die Hard, The Wire and The Bob Newhart Show. (Bob himself actually writes and stars in the amusing, tangent-filled The Challenge.) The site streams short form shows in full-screen, HD quality powered by up-and-coming content delivery network BitGravity. (The site had trouble loading yesterday but that was likely due to first day overload.) Video publishing tool provider Episodic designed the player and is providing much of the back end support including crunching the numbers for advertisers. The shows, of course, are the thing and what’s up there now looks promising. Strike.TV founder and CEO Peter Hyoguchi (IFC’s First, Last and Deposit) says there are already 40 completed shows and over 200 webisodes in the can that will roll out gradually. Syndication deals are in place with YouTube, Joost and Tivo and community efforts are underway to promote the shows on the leading social networks. EMC Consulting veteran Terrence Coles is advising the company regarding ad sales. So the pieces seem to be in place here. Peter thinks professional quality fare has been the missing ingredient in creating a viable business around online video. “We’re in the Pre-Howdy Doody era in terms of online entertainment; in 1955 shows weren’t making money on TV yet because professional writers had yet to enter the fray,” he notes. We’ll see – there are lots of moving parts to the equation. It’s too bad E. Roger Muir didn’t live long enough to see the next medium really make money for creators. (The Howdy Doody Show creator died last week near in home in Wolfeboro, N.H.)
 

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Cynopsis Digital Glossary Entry:
 
Cloud Computing: A metaphor for internet-based services that allow users access IT-enabled services delivered and maintained via internet servers (“the cloud”). The idea is to provide a single point of access for all the computing needs of the user. The term entered the vernacular when Amazon.com began building massive cloud-based data centers to improve efficiencies in its online retail businesses.   (Click here to see the full Cynopsis Digital Glossary.)

Later — Wayne
 Wayne Karrfalt for Cynopsis: Digital
10.29.08

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A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM CYNOPSIS MEDIA: TOP TIER

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

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JOB OPENING: SALES MKTG MGR/Univision Online/NY: Resp for creating/mngng mkt prgrms/materials that will enable Bus Dev to enlist new websites to Ad Ntwrk, in addition help sales close new client bus. [email protected] (11/5)

JOB OPENING: ACCOUNT EXEC/Fuse/LA: Sell national on-air media. Incr exst’ing clnts, gen new biz. Prsnt new prgm’ing, brand pos, mktg opps. Excl. interpers’l/org skills/MS Excel & PP. Send Rez to: [email protected] “AELA” in sub (11/5)

JOB OPENING: DIR, ON-AIR PROMO/LA: Resp for mngmnt of creative/graphics (internal & ext vendors), ops, ovrsee promo schdulng & mgmt. 5-7 yrs on-air mngmnt/ops exp req’d; brdcst &/or cable ntwrk a must. www.foxcareers.com FNG14268 (11/5)

JOB OPENING: AE NATIONAL AD SALES/Comcast: Represent assigned ntwrks (E!, Style, G4, Versus) to customers; develop & maintain new & existing business. Nat’l ad sales exp. req’d. Apply: www.ecentralmetrics.com/url/?u=198871295-298 (11/4)

JOB OPENING: DIR MKT/RLTV/MD: Dev & execute affiliate mkt and media plans, set ROI and benchmarks, dev cross-plat partnerships and mkt alliances, 10+ yrs exper w/strong bus skills. Resume: [email protected] (11/4)

JOB OPENING: SR. COUNSEL/HIT Entertainment/NYC: Mid-level atty to draft and negotiate contracts & lic agreements. Exp kids ent, lic and/or branded products. Res: [email protected] (11/4)

JOB OPENING: ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE/Rainbow Advertising Sales Corp/ Bronx NY: 3 yrs min exp major market tv, radio sales exp at ad agency level. See full posting and apply to www.cablevision.jobs req id 6841BR (11/1)

JOB OPENING: PROD/DIRECTOR /Cablevision/Norwalk, CT: Min. 2 yrs exp all aspects of vid.prod. Writing/shooting/non linear editing. Must know AVID/ Final Cut Pro. See full posting and apply to www.cablevision.jobs req id 7053BR (11/1)

JOB OPENING: ONLINE MKTG SUPERVISOR/iN DEMAND/NYC: Savvy marketer wanted with online expertise to maximize web strategies. Deg + 3 years exp. Apply: [email protected] (11/1)

JOB OPENING: DIR BRDBND VID/Lifetime/LA/: webst brdbnd vid prod; dev/prod webisde/vid cncpts/prog cntnt; mnge wrkflw vid creat/delvry. 5+ yrs vid prod; FinalCutPro; vid fr wbste; comprsn;stdrds; fld prdcng. Res: [email protected] (11/1)

JOB OPENING: EXEC SEC/IFC/NYC: Provide high level admin support to SVP of Orig Prog & Sr. staff. Highly org,detail orient prof w/2-4admin exp. Degree + related industry a +. rez: www.cablevision.jobs ref #7452BR (11/1)

JOB OPENING: SR GRAPHICS DESIGNER/Sundance/NYC: Design, concept &exec of branded ent& tent pole campaigns for off-air &Brdcst & Dig platforms.7+ yrs design/BC exp. Excel software skills. rez: www.cablevision.jobs ref #7258BR (11/1)

JOB OPENING: SUPRV-PROGRAM INVENT/Rainbow/LI: Resp for Orig Program Invent for AMC/IFC/WE/Sundance. Related exp a must. Data Analysis, database & PM nec. rez: www.cablevision.jobs ref #7366BR (11/1)

JOB OPENING: SR SALES COORDINATOR/TBS/TNT/truTV  Chicago: Support Nat’l sales teams. 2-4 yrs experience necessary. Analytical thinker. Send resumes: [email protected] (10/31)

JOB OPENING: CINEMA MEDIA BUYER/ICON Int’l/Stamford CT(across from Metro North): 5yrs+ nat’l movie buying exp w/major ad firm. Strong math/negotiating/comm. skills, detailed & comp. proficient. Res/sal req: [email protected]   (10/31)

JOB OPENING: TV RESEARCH FREELANCER/ABC Burbank: Min 1 year exp in TV research, exp w/ Nielsen analysis, primary research exp, strong written & analytical skills, BA/BS req or equiv exp, www.disneycareers.com (search Req ID-181968) (10/30)

JOB OPENING: DIR CREATIVE SRVCS: Oversee dvlp mktg solutions presentations. Coord staff/props/video. Trends/tech/creative resources knwlg. Exc strategic thinking/creative exec/writing skills. Rez: [email protected] “DCS” in sub (10/30)

JOB OPENING: VP MKTG SOL: Lead new dept & set creative vision for MSG sales initiatives. Bring “The MSG Exp” to life. Exp Brand/Creative Strategist. Exc lead./comm./creative/proj mngmt skills. Rez: [email protected] “VPMS” in sub (10/30)

JOB OPENING: DIR STRATEGIC PLANNING/NY: Min 5 yrs exp., generate selling estimates, preposts and ratings analysis. Send resumes to [email protected] (10/30)

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] .

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: Soapbox Studios: An Atlanta based Post-production, Music Engineering, and Creative Design Studio seeks winter 2008 interns. Please contact [email protected] (11/5)

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: The Research department at CBS Television Distribution, in Los Angeles is looking for qualified paid Interns for Fall 2008. Please send resume to [email protected] (11/5)

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: NYC based entertainment PR agency seeks fall 2008 intern. Please contact: [email protected] (10/31)

SITUATION WANTED ADS, POSTED BY THOSE LOOKING TO BE HIRED … Interested in posting your Video Resume? Contact [email protected] for more information ….

SITUATION WANTED: Freelance event planner/mktg director with 8+ yrs of experience in the entertainment/media industry. Available starting 1/1/09 to help w/ event plan’g, proposal writing or mktg prgrm dvlpmnt. [email protected] (11/4)

SITUATION WANTED: MKTG MGR: 13 years experience developing and implementing successful & innovative marketing plans that increase brand equity and sales. Email: [email protected]; Web: http://www.linkedin.com/in/scottkitchen (10/30)

E-mail [email protected] for rates and specs for Job Openings.

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Are you looking for a job? Post your Situation Wanted Ad here — Email [email protected] for specs.

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