Coda

Call for SAG Strike Vote

Los Angeles — Following a rebuff of their entreaty for more talks with producers, negotiators for the Screen Actors Guild have recommended that the union’s national board seek a strike authorization from members.

The negotiators last week asked the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers to come back to the bargaining table, arguing that compromise on just three matters could yield a new contract agreement. At issue are compensation for new-media productions and residuals on made-for-the-Internet productions.

But the AMPTP retorted its long-held view that a contract offer made last June is its last, best offer.

“Not only is the business suffering from recent economic conditions, but if ever there was a time when Americans wanted the diversions of movies and television, it is now,” the producers’ union said in a statement.

The recommendation will go to a national board that is much different in composition from the one in charge when contract talks stalled. In August, part of a slate of pro-settlement moderates was elected, so a strike authorization vote appears to be no sure thing.

The board should meet on Oct. 18.

— Linda Haugsted

Writers Feel 'Payne’

Los Angeles — The Writers Guild of America West filed an unfair labor practice complaint against Tyler Perry’s production company, House of Payne LLC, alleging writers for his cable series were fired in retaliation for union activity.

The production company is responsible for the TBS series Tyler Perry’s House of Payne and the upcoming Meet the Browns.

The complaint, filed with the National Labor Relations Board, alleges four writers — head writer Kellie Griffin, Christopher Moore, Teri Brown-Jackson and Lamont Ferrell — were improperly fired. The union said the writers, who have created more than 100 episodes of the cable series, have been trying to organize since April. They were terminated Sept. 30, according to the union.

It also asserts that officials of the company bargained in bad faith with the guild, which is trying to negotiate a contract for the cable series.

— Linda Haugsted

Giving It All for a Cure

New York — Cablevision Systems and the Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research last week initiated “curePC,” a new public-awareness campaign in support of the fight against pancreatic cancer, America’s fourth-leading cause of cancer death.

Leveraging a host of Cablevision’s media assets, the new campaign is made possible through the cable company, which has committed to underwriting all of The Lustgarten Foundation’s administrative costs to ensure that every dollar donated to the organization will go directly to pancreatic-cancer research.

The Lustgarten Foundation, the nation’s largest private supporter of pancreatic research, was formed in 1998 and is named after Cablevision executive Marc Lustgarten.

“Pancreatic cancer is a highly aggressive and lethal disease that needs more attention, and we think Cablevision is in a unique position to help,” said Cablevision president and CEO James Dolan.

The curePC initiative includes public-service announcements on television and radio, print advertisements, and an online presence. All aspects of the campaign will point to www.curePC.org, which will serve as the primary Web site for people to learn more, to participate and to use as a resource for those affected by pancreatic cancer.

One of the initial 30-second spots, titled “Dan’s Pancreatic Cancer,” personifies the disease’s lethal and random nature. It was created by Gardner Nelson & Partners, the New York ad agency that also developed other elements of the campaign, including the curePC microsite, Web banners, posters and print ads.

The 253 movie screens of Cablevision’s Clearview Cinemas and the IFC Center will run the PSAs during movie trailers. Print ads are slated across the Newsday Media Group’s publications.

Cablevision plans to tap the Madison Square Garden marquees to run the campaign’s PSAs. The messages will also appear inside the Garden, as well as Radio City Music Hall and the Beacon Theatre.

Forty-seven Optimum customer-service centers in the tri-state area will also be outfitted with campaign messages.

Dish Gets Gravitas In On-Demand Pact

Englewood, Colo. — Dish Network has struck a deal to offer on-demand entertainment content from Gravitas Ventures, according to officials.

Gravitas already has agreements with AT&T, Charter Communications and Verizon Communications. The content distributor provides cable, satellite, and telco operators access to feature films, documentaries, music, alternative-sport and event specials from more than 50 independent producers.

With more than 2,500 hours of content, Gravitas offers two 10-hour video-on-demand packages each month: Gravitas Movies and Gravitas Events. Gravitas programming includes theatricals and world premieres made available to customers before or “day-and-date” with DVD releases.

“Our agreement extends our ability to offer more diverse VOD services and will help meet the growing excitement for quality home entertainment,” Andy Karofsky, Dish Network’s vice president of programming, said in a prepared statement.

— Linda Moss

ESPN, Quinnipiac Partner On Program

Bristol, Conn. — ESPN is tackling the issue of diversity by teaming with Connecticut-based Quinnipiac University to launch a mentoring program for the sports network.

The program will pair seven junior and senior students of color from Quinnipiac’s Asian, Latino, African and Native American (ALANA) program with ESPN managers in affiliate sales and marketing.

Disney and ESPN Media Networks executive vice president, affiliate sales and marketing, David Preschlack (pictured) said students will experience “a day-in-the-life” of the inner workings of ESPN.

— R. Thomas Umstead