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DIGITAL MEDIA WIRE -- January 9, 2001
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To Subscribe For Free: http://www.digitalmediawire.com

o 3D Animation Technology Firm Kaydara Raises $5 Million
o Report Finds Online Streaming Increased 215% in 2000
o Time Digital Magazine to Relaunch As "On," With Help From AOL
o Excite@Home Terminates Acquisition of Games Site Pogo.com
o Country Music Site CountryCool.com Will Shut Down
o Urban Lifestyle Sites Hookt.com, Platform.net Complete Merger
o Music Site Launch.com Lays Off 20 Employees
o Industry Standard Magazine Lays Off 36 Employees
> Digital Media Wire Networking Event: Future of Music Policy Summit
o Briefly Noted: MP3.com - Crows Nest Entertainment, PlayStation 2 vs.
Xbox, GAME Studios, Future of Music Policy Summit, Digital Bridges
_____________________________________________

> Job Postings: Sr. Copywriter, Account Executive/Sr. Account Executive,
SW & FPGA Engineers, Market Technology Manager, Account Manager

> Events: Master the Technology, Potomac Tech Wire Seminar Series, iHollywood Forum

Full Job/Event descriptions listed below "Briefly Noted" section or at
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/postings.html

To Post a Job: http://www.digitalmediawire.com/jobs.html
To Post an Event: http://www.digitalmediawire.com/events.html
_____________________________________________

o 3D Animation Technology Firm Kaydara Raises $5 Million

Montreal -- Kaydara, a developer of real-time 3D production systems for
film, television and games, announced that it has raised $5 million in its
first round of venture capital financing. Venture firm Investissement
Desjardins led the investment round. "Our mission is to build the software
needed for the widespread adoption of real-time 3D content in a seamless
mixed-media environment," said Michel Besner, president of Montreal-based
Kaydara. The company's technology enables features such as the ability to
translate real-world film action into computer code for the purpose of
animating computer-generated characters.
http://www.kaydara.com/Press/article/2001/january8_2001.htm
_____________________________________________

o Report Finds Online Streaming Increased 215% in 2000

San Diego -- A report published on Tuesday by San Diego-based DFC
Intelligence said that online streaming of audio and video increased by
215 percent in 2000, with over 900 million total streams accessed by
users. In addition, the report noted that 29 percent of all streams were
accessed by broadband users, and that 15 percent of all streams now
feature embedded advertising. "Expanding content availability, increasing
bandwidth, better promotion and program innovations really helped spur the
streaming video marketplace throughout 2000," said Paul Palumbo of DFC
Intelligence.
http://www.dfcint.com/news/prJAN092001.html
_____________________________________________

o Time Digital Magazine to Relaunch As "On," With Help From AOL

New York -- Time Warner will relaunch its Time Digital print magazine in
March under a new title -- "On" -- and receive marketing and advertising
support from America Online, The Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday.
The consumer technology publication, which currently has one million
subscribers, will be sent free to 300,000 new AOL subscribers in an effort
to take advantage of the two companies' impending merger, still under
review by the FCC. Time Warner hopes that AOL subscribers will eventually
buy a full subscription to the magazine. Its name was changed to "On"
after a survey given to AOL subscribers found many thought Time Digital
sounded too technical for the average consumer.
http://public.wsj.com/sn/y/SB979007085516968317.html
_____________________________________________

o Excite@Home Terminates Acquisition of Games Site Pogo.com

Redwood City, Calif. -- Broadband Internet service provider Excite@Home
announced that it has terminated its agreement to acquire Pogo.com, an
online games site. Redwood City-based Excite@Home said it will however
maintain its 10 percent equity stake in the company. San Francisco-based
Pogo.com will continue to provide games to Excite@Home users under the
companies' existing agreement.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/010108/ca_excite_.html
http://www.pogo.com
_____________________________________________

o Country Music Site CountryCool.com Will Shut Down

Fairfax, Va. -- CountryCool.com, a country music entertainment site,
announced that it will cease operating its website on Jan. 31. Unable to
complete its second round of financing for the past year, the company will
attempt to find a partner or sell its assets in the upcoming weeks.
Virginia-based CountryCool.com launched in 1996, offering streamed audio
interviews with artists as well as country music and merchandise. The
company announced layoffs in June, and noted it was aggressively seeking a
buyer. CountryCool.com received a $2 million seed investment in 1999, led
by Gaylord Entertainment.
http://www.countrycool.com/siteclose.html
_____________________________________________

o Urban Lifestyle Sites Hookt.com, Platform.net Complete Merger

New York -- Hookt.com, a hip-hop and urban lifestyle website, announced on
Tuesday that it has completed its merger with Platform.net. Terms of the
transaction were not disclosed, although layoffs are expected as the
companies consolidate their staffs and operations. Both websites will be
maintained, and offices will be located in Tribeca, New York. The merged
company expects that it will now be a "must buy" for advertisers seeking
to reach the urban youth marketplace online. The merger is expected to
make fulfillment operations, customer service, content production and web
development more efficient. Hookt.com, which received $5 million in its
third round of financing in December, includes musicians Puff Daddy and
Eminem among its strategic partners.
http://www.hookt.com
http://www.platform.net  _____________________________________________

o Music Site Launch.com Lays Off 20 Employees

Santa Monica, Calif. -- Launch.com, a streaming audio and video music
site, has laid off 20 employees, Webnoize reported on Tuesday. The layoffs
account for about 8 percent of the company's total workforce, and affect
employees in the company's New York and Santa Monica offices. No reasons
were given for the layoffs, according to the report.
http://news.webnoize.com
_____________________________________________

o Industry Standard Magazine Lays Off 36 Employees

New York -- The Industry Standard, an Internet economy magazine, has laid
off 36 employees -- or about 7 percent of its staff, The Wall Street
Journal reported on Tuesday. The slow advertising market for
technology-related publications was cited as reasoning for the layoffs.
The company also announced that Chris Patelis has been named president of
Industry Standard magazine. Patelis was formerly executive vice president,
print publishing and conferences.
http://www.thestandard.com
_____________________________________________

> Digital Media Wire Networking Event: Future of Music Policy Summit

Washington, D.C. -- Digital Media Wire will host its next networking event
on Wednesday, January 10, 2001 at the Future of Music Policy Summit in
Washington, D.C. The event will be for subscribers, conference attendees
and those interested in the convergence of entertainment, technology and
the Internet. Light hors d'oeuvres will be served and there will be a cash
bar.

Sponsors:
Morrison & Foerster, LLP
Coalition for the Future of Music

Date: Wednesday, January 10, 2001
Time: 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Location: Georgetown University Conference Center
3800 Reservoir Road, NW - Washington, D.C.

To register for the networking event:
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/dc.htm

To register for the Future of Music Policy Summit:
http://www.futureofmusic.org/events/summit0101/
_____________________________________________

o Briefly Noted:

(San Diego) MP3.com announced on Tuesday that it has partnered with Crows
Nest Entertainment (CNE), a retailer and installer of audio and video
systems. The companies will combine their sales efforts for MP3.com's
business services, which provide MP3-based background music with
advertising to businesses. CNE is expected to handle installation and
sales of the service nationwide.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/010109/ca_mp3_dea.html
http://mp3.com/retail
http://www.crowsnestentertainment.com

(San Francisco) Wired News ran a story on Tuesday about the current state
of high-end game consoles. Sony's PlayStation 2's are in short supply,
with more slated for arrival in March -- but Microsoft's Xbox is scheduled
to be released in the fall. The article says that it may be some time
before any highly popular PlayStation 2 games are released, simply because
it takes a long time to develop them. On the other hand, Microsoft has
acquired or partnered with over 100 game developers for its Xbox. "It just
actually looks like [Microsoft's] being sensible," said Kurt Squire,
editor of the gaming news site Joystick101.org. "They're throwing so much
into developer support -- and that's what makes the difference, if you
have great games for it."
http://www.wired.com/news/business/0,1367,41012,00.html

(Novato, Calif.) The Learning Company, a producer of educational games for
children, announced on Tuesday that its recently spun-off entertainment
division has been named GAME Studios. In addition, the company said that
GAME Studios will serve as a third-party and in-house development unit,
and will shift its focus from PC games to developing for consoles such as
Microsoft's Xbox. Novato-based GAME Studios has created PC-based games
including Myst and the Legend of Alon D'ar.
http://www.learningco.com

(New York) Inside.com ran a story on Tuesday about the increasing
prominence of Washington, D.C. in the digital music space and the Future
of Music Policy Summit, taking place Wednesday and Thursday in D.C. The
article states that changing copyright laws have become critically
important for musicians, Internet companies and record labels, and that
the event in Washington this week focuses on musicians' role in digital
music.
http://www.inside.com/jcs/Story?article_id=20238&pod_id=9
http://www.futureofmusic.com

(Edinburgh, England) Digital Bridges, a U.K.-based developer of games for
wireless devices, announced on Tuesday the opening of U.S. offices in New
York and San Francisco. The company said that even though the U.S.
operates on several different wireless standards, its software works
independent of these standards and protocols, and can operate throughout
the U.S. Digital Bridges hosts a game distribution and content channel,
Wirelessgames.com.
http://www.digitalbridges.com/press0018.htm
http://www.wirelessgames.com

===================================================
Job Postings:
===================================================
To Post Jobs: http://www.digitalmediawire.com/jobs.html

> FCB Interactive, Sr. Copywriter - Web - New York City

Understand business needs and translate them into artistic solutions,
which are consistent with the brand goals and deliver superior value to
the customer. Work with Art Director to develop concepts and then execute
all copy treatments. Oversee all copy of freelance writers. Present the
work to the client along with the Creative Director. Must be able to
think visually as well as verbally and work with little supervision. Send
resumes to KPicariello@fcb.com (attn: KP-Sr. Copy).
http://www.fcb.com
______________________

> GCI Group, Account Executive/Senior Account Executive - Los Angeles

GCI Group, a leading, global public relations firm, has a great
opportunity to work in our Los Angeles office as a member of the Consumer
Technology team. We are currently seeking an Account Executive and Senior
Account Executive with 2 to 3 years experience in public relations.
Excellent written and communication skills a must. Send resume, cover
letter and salary requirements to Jeri Gardner: jgardner@gcigroup.com
http://www.gcigroup.com
______________________

> Convergent Companies, Inc., SW & FPGA Engineers - Greenbelt, MD

We are developing break-through video compression technologies for the
Internet and are looking for FPGA and Software engineers with 1-8 yrs
experience. BSEE/CS familiarity with C++, image processing, object
programming. FPGA position, exp FPGA programming, DSP architectures esp
w/Xilinx. Check out Employment section of our website for details.
Send resumes to jobs@convergentcompanies.com
http://www.convergentcompanies.com
______________________

> Cambridge Technology Partners, Market Technology Manager - Los Angeles

If you're an experienced, team-oriented technical architect who has a
passion for providing leadership and mentorship to a talented technical
community, ensuring high quality project delivery and supporting business
development efforts, please send us your resume. Broad technical delivery
experience including client/server and Web architectures is required.
Send resumes to Joe Young: jyoung03@ctp.com
http://www.ctp.com
______________________

> pogo.com, Account Manager - Internet Sales - San Francisco

You will be selling Internet advertising and sponsorships on the company's
network of 13 family entertainment websites. Must be creative, motivated
and organized individual who loves to prospect and build long-lasting
business relationships. This position will be responsible for agency and
direct advertiser accounts. Must have 1 to 3 years interactive
advertising sales experience, with 1 to 5 years of other media sales
experience a plus. Send resume and cover letter to resumes@pogo.com
http://www.pogo.com

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Event Postings:
===================================================
To Post Events: http://www.digitalmediawire.com/events.html

> Master the Technology that is Changing the World - GW Virginia Campus

The George Washington University School of Engineering and Applied Science
will hold an informational session at the Virginia Campus in Ashburn from
6-8 p.m. on January 11th . This is a great opportunity to find out about
cutting edge graduate engineering degree programs including: Computer
Security and Information Assurance; Multimedia, Animation, Graphics and
User Interfaces; Software Engineering and Systems; Computer Architecture,
Networks, Parallel and Distributed Computing; Wireless and Mobile
Networks; Telecommunications and Computers. Contact: scason@va.gwu.edu
http://www.seasva.gwu.edu
______________________

> Potomac Tech Wire Seminar Series: Doing Business with Israel

Sponsor: Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue. On Thursday, Jan. 11, Potomac Tech
Wire and Jones Day will host a panel discussion on DC technology firms
doing business with Israel. Panelists include: Daniel Epstein, Executive
Director of US-Israeli Business Exchange; Emanuel Friedman, Chairman and
Co-CEO of Friedman, Billings & Ramsey; Philip Garfunkle, Former President
of Yazam; Stephan Mallenbaum, Partner, Jones Day (Moderator); Additional
Panelists To Be Determined. When: 7:30-8:00 a.m. - Registration and
Breakfast; 8:00-9:30 a.m. - Panel Discussion and Q&A; Where: McLean
Hilton.
To Register for this Event: http://www.potomactechwire.com/Israel.htm
______________________

> iHollywood Forum: How Adult Entertainment Profits From the Internet

Whatever one's attitude toward adult entertainment, one fact is
undeniable: it's the only segment of the entertainment industry that
consistently makes money on the Internet. Panelists include: Larry Flynt,
Publisher of Hustler Magazine; Gail Harris, CEO and President of Falcon
Foto; David Schlesinger, Vice President of Internet Marketing at Vivid
Video; Fred Lane, Author of "Obscene Profits: The Entrepreneurs of
Pornography in the Cyber Age" (Routledge 2000); Mike Rick, Co-founder of
Cybersynergism (Webmaster Superstore for Online Adult Entertainment) and
kSEXRadio.com. When: Wednesday January 17, 6:00 pm-10pm; Where: Santa
Monica Doubletree.
To Register: http://www.ihollywoodforum.com/new/events/jan17_2001.htm
______________________

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