|
Connecting
People & Knowledge - Since May 2000 |
|
|
Today's Sponsor:
|
|
|
|
|
|
January 26, 2005 --
About Us |
Advertise |
Events |
Publications |
Subscribe
Main Stories
o
Sirius Satellite Radio CEO Denies Merger Talks With Rival XM
o
MPAA Files Second Wave of Lawsuits Against
Alleged Movie File-Swappers
o Yahoo
Opens L.A. Offices in Bid to Court Entertainment Industry
o
Nintendo Profits Down 43% on Weak GameCube Sales
o Google Hires Lead Programmer
of Firefox Browser
o Take-Two Acquires Rights to
Firaxis Games' "Civilization" Franchise
o Game Publisher Majesco Raises
$46 Million in Stock Offering
o
Mobile Entertainment Developer PhoneBites Raises $3 Million
o Report: U.K. Mobile Phone
Penetration Now Exceeds 100%
o
Briefly Noted: DualDisc format,
RCN - home monitoring service, Atari - Jamdat, Yeahronimo Media
Ventures - Commodore-branded media players, AOL - Infinity - WHFS
_____________________________________________
>
Job/Event/Marketplace Classifieds:
--Vice President of Business Development
--Search Thousands of Executive Contacts on TVSpy.com
--Sr. Product Marketing Manager - Services
--Online Traffic Coordinator - Charlestown, MA
--Strategic Account Manager - E-business and Games
--Director - Online Panel (Research)
--Web Consulting/Business Development Manager, iapps Division
--Senior Manager of Business Development
--Public Relations Account Manager - Andover, MA
--Senior Account Executive - Technology PR
--OSDL Enterprise Linux Summit - Jan. 31 - Feb. 2, 2005
--Tech Global Venture Congress 2005 - Jan. 27-28
--PwC Global Entertainment and Media Outlook:
2004-2008
|
|
o Sirius Satellite Radio CEO Denies
Merger Talks With Rival XM
New York -- Following a report in The New York Post that claimed
satellite radio providers Sirius and XM had entered merger
negotiations, Sirius Satellite Radio head Mel Karmazin denied the
rumors on Wednesday. "I have not met with the chairman or CEO [of XM],
so I have no idea where any of this came from," Karmazin told
reporters on a conference call. Analysts speculated that a proposed
merger between the two rival satellite radio firms would not pass
regulatory muster. Karmazin also denied that Sirius was trying to
buy out the remainder of shock jock Howard Stern's contract with
Viacom, so that he could shift to Sirius sooner than in 2006 as
planned. Sirius said on Wednesday that it experienced a wider loss
during the fourth quarter of 2004, as a result of high subscriber
acquisition costs and expensive licenses for sports programming. The
company did raise its subscriber forecast for 2005 to 2.5 million
subscribers.
http://www.nypost.com/business/38810.htm
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/050126/earns_sirius_satellite_radio_6.html
http://www.forbes.com/facesinthenews/2005/01/26/0126autofacescan04.html
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/050126/nyw059_1.html
http://www.xmradio.com
http://www.siriusradio.com
_____________________________________________
o MPAA Files
Second Wave of Lawsuits Against Alleged Movie File-Swappers
Los Angeles -- The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA),
which represents the major Hollywood movie studios, announced on
Wednesday that it has filed a second round of copyright infringement
lawsuits against an undisclosed number of alleged U.S. online movie
file-swappers. "We cannot allow people to steal our motion pictures
and other products online, and we will use all the options we have
available to encourage people to obey the law," said MPAA CEO Dan
Glickman. Following the example of the recording industry, which has
now sued over 7,000 individuals for online piracy, the MPAA filed
its first round of lawsuits against individual file-swappers in
November. The group then led an international effort to go after
operators of servers for file-sharing services like eDonkey and
BitTorrent, leading to arrests in several European countries. The
MPAA on Wednesday also released a software application, "Parent File
Scan," that can be used by parents to determine if file-sharing
software and copyrighted media files have been downloaded by their
children. The MPAA said the software doesn't collect or report any
information on users.
http://tinyurl.com/422bz
http://www.respectcopyrights.org
http://dtecnet.purestatic.com
____________________________________________
o Yahoo Opens
L.A. Offices in Bid to Court Entertainment Industry
Sunnyvale, Calif. -- In a bid to strengthen its ties to the
entertainment business, web portal Yahoo will lease new facilities
in Los Angeles to house a newly formed Yahoo Media Group to be
headed by former ABC TV chairman Lloyd Braun. Yahoo Media Group will
oversee the company's news, sports, video games, movies and music
services. The Los Angeles Times called the estimated $100 million
lease of offices in Santa Monica one of the largest commercial real
estate deals in Los Angeles County in the last year. Yahoo will
maintain its Sunnyvale, Calif. headquarters, but will aggressively
hire in the Los Angeles area and relocate employees from its New
York and Sunnyvale operations to staff the new facilities. Following
the appointment of former Warner Bros. head Terry Semel as CEO in
2001, the company has sought to bolster the quality of its
entertainment and news offerings. It has since acquired online ad
purveyor Overture Services and online music services Launch and
Musicmatch, and hired Wall Street Journal Online founder Neil Budde
to head its online news division.
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-yahoo26jan26.story
http://tinyurl.com/6u2eh
____________________________________________
o Nintendo
Profits Down 43% on Weak GameCube Sales
Tokyo -- Japanese video game firm Nintendo's profits were down
43% for the last quarter, which the company attributed in part to
weak GameCube sales. and prompted a cut of more than 20% for its
sales forecast for the full year. Nintendo lowered its sales
forecast for the full year by 20%, and also revised projected sales
for the GameCube for the upcoming year downward by 12.5%, to 4
million units. The plunge in profits came in spite of strong sales
for its new DS handheld, which the company said has outperformed
expectations, selling 2.84 million units since launch. Nintendo
increased its sales forecast for the DS to 6 million units by March,
but at the same time cut its projections for DS game sales by
one-third. "DS software is not selling because users are playing the
pre-installed PictoChat game or Gameboy Advance games, which are
compatible," a spokesman for Nintendo told Reuters. "They buy one
game with their DS purchase, but they're not buying two or three."
http://tinyurl.com/3llf9
____________________________________________
o Google
Hires Lead Programmer of Firefox Browser
Mountain View, Calif. -- Fueling speculation that Google may be
gearing up to release its own web browser to compete against
Microsoft's Internet Explorer, the Internet search giant has
apparently hired Ben Goodger, the lead programmer of the alternative
Firefox browser. "As of January 10, 2005, my source of income
changed from The Mozilla Foundation to Google, Inc. of Mountain
View, California," said Goodger on his web site. "My role with
Firefox and the Mozilla project will remain largely unchanged… While
I will be spending more time at Google, I will work out of the
Mozilla Foundation offices regularly as the need arises." His exact
role at Google remains unclear. The Firefox browser, put out by
Mozilla, has rapidly gained in popularity in recent months due to
its numerous features and fewer occurrences of malicious attacks.
http://weblogs.mozillazine.org/ben
____________________________________________
o Take-Two
Acquires Rights to Firaxis Games' "Civilization" Franchise
New York -- Take-Two Interactive, publisher of the "Grand Theft
Auto" video game franchise, announced on Wednesday that it has
acquired the multi-million unit-selling "Civilization" game
franchise from Maryland-based Firaxis Games. Financial terms of the
deal were not disclosed. Take-Two also signed a long-term,
multi-title publishing agreement with Firaxis, which is home to
developer Sid Meier and has created games including "Pirates," "SimGolf"
and "Alpha Centauri." The first title to be published as a result of
the agreement will be "Sid Meier's Civilization IV" for PC, to be
released by Take-Two's newly formed 2K Games label in late 2005.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/050126/265227_1.html
http://www.take2games.com
____________________________________________
o Game
Publisher Majesco Raises $46 Million in Stock Offering
Edison, N.J. -- Video game publisher Majesco, a developer of games
including "BloodRayne" and "Advent Rising," announced on Wednesday
that it has priced a $75 million offering of 6 million of its
shares, issued by the company and its stockholders. New Jersey-based
Majesco said it would receive proceeds of about $46 million from the
offering. "This successful offering gives us the opportunity to
further develop and prove Majesco's growth strategies and management
team," said CEO Carl Yankowski. "These funds will help finance
working capital, accelerate product development, fuel more
marketing, and acquire new content, all of which will facilitate our
diverse planned growth and leverage our unique three-pronged digital
entertainment business model."
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/050126/265323_1.html
http://www.majescogames.com
____________________________________________
o Mobile
Entertainment Developer PhoneBites Raises $3 Million
San Francisco -- PhoneBites, a mobile entertainment firm developing
sound clips that callers can inject into their cell phone
conversations, announced that it has raised $3 million in its first
round of venture capital financing. Investors participating in the
round included Garage Technology Ventures, Cardinal Venture Capital
and Siemens Mobile Acceleration. Founded in 2002, San
Francisco-based PhoneBites recently introduced its RAZZ technology,
which lets callers insert pre-recorded sound effects and voices --
such as the "Bushisms" examples offered on its website -- into live
conversations and voice mail messages. The company said it will use
the funds to expand its product portfolio, add global distribution
channels and increase infrastructure.
http://www.phonebites.com
____________________________________________
o Report: U.K.
Mobile Phone Penetration Now Exceeds 100%
London -- According the latest figures from the Mobile Data
Association (MDA) based on contract and pre-paid subscriptions,
mobile phone penetration in the U.K. now exceeds 100%. The MDA said
many U.K. customers now own more than one handset in order to
separate voice and e-mail applications or business and personal
communications. The 100% milestone was reached 11 years after
digital mobile services were first launched in the U.K., the MDA
said. With the news, the U.K. joins the likes of Italy, Iceland,
Portugal, Sweden and Luxembourg, which currently boasts a 133%
mobile penetration rate.
http://www.mda-mobiledata.org/mda
Top
|
>DMW Events:
5th Annual
Digital Music Forum
March 2, 2005 | New York City
www.digitalmusicforum.com
Digital Music Forum is the premier
event for music industry decision-makers focused on business
models and legal issues impacting music. The annual event
brings together decision-makers from records labels, music
publishers, producers and distributors, technology companies,
wireless companies, rights organizations, industry bodies, radio,
advertising, attorneys, artists investors and venture capitalists
to examine the role of digital technologies in the future of
music.
FEATURED INTERVIEW:
Shawn Fanning - Founder & Chief Strategy
Officer, Snocap
with
Chris Anderson - Editor-in-Chief, Wired
KEYNOTES:
Terry McBride - CEO, Nettwerk Productions
David Goldberg - VP & General Manager, Music, Yahoo!
Mike Conte - General Manager, MSN Marketplaces, Microsoft
PANELISTS:
Brad Duea - President, Napster
Jeffrey Bronikowski - VP, Bus. Dev., eLabs, Universal Music
Group
Ted Cohen - SVP, Digital Development & Distribution, EMI Music
Thomas Gewecke - SVP, Digital Business Group, Sony BMG
Mike Gaumond - VP & General Manager, Motorola Media
Solutions
Brian Garrity - Senior Editor, Billboard
Gerd Leonhard - Co-Author, "The Future of Music" /
Senior Advisor, Sony Net Services
Phil Corwin - Chief Lobbyist, Sharman Networks (owner of
Kazaa)
Martin J. Elgison - Partner, Intellectual Property, Alston &
Bird
Steve Marks - General Counsel, RIAA
Jonathan Potter - Executive Director, Digital Media
Association
Robert Acker - VP, RealPlayer & Music Services, Real Networks
Gary Cohen - President, MusicNow
Peter Diemer - VP Sales & Marketing, Musicrypt.com
David Card - VP & Senior Analyst, Jupiter Research
John Kilcullen - President & Publisher, Billboard
Ned Sherman - CEO, Digital Media Wire
Nancy Beaton - GM, Wireless Music & Personalization, Sprint
Ralph Simon - Chairman of Americas, Mobile Entertainment Forum
Additional speakers & keynoters to be announced
PANEL TOPICS INCLUDE:
- THE STATE OF THE DIGITAL
UNION: The Outlook for Online & Mobile Music Markets
- LAWYERS, GEEKS & MONEY: The
Clash Between Technology & Copyright Law
- THE ONLINE MUSIC MARKET:
Competition, Business Models & Courting Consumers in a
Crowded Market
- THE MOBILE MUSIC MARKET: What
Does the Future Hold for this Booming Market?
For more
information click
here.
To register
click here.
REGISTRATION
Pre-registration rate: $295 (until February 4th)
Registration rate: $395 (after February 4th)
Register online at
http://kb.digitalmediawire.com/register.php?eventid=1092
Phone registration: 323-822-0936
To submit speakers for or
request information about exhibiting or sponsoring at the 2005
conferences, please contact Tinzar Than, VP, Marketing &
Events, Digital Media Wire, Inc. at:
tinzar@digitalmediawire.com.
Past Events
|
Sponsorship Materials
|
Partners & Clients
|
Top
|
> Featured Advertisement:
>Billboard Music & Money
Symposium - March 3, 2005
The 4th annual Music &
Money Symposium will take place Thursday, March 3, at The St. Regis
Hotel in the heart of midtown Manhattan. As in past years, The
Symposium will attract thought leaders from the music, legal,
management and Wall Street communities for a thorough examination of
trends and opportunities in music and digital entertainment.
This year's Symposium will include a candid, one-on-one discussion
between Loeb & Loeb co-chairman John Frankenheimer and Sony BMG
Music Entertainment CEO Andrew Lack. These two giants of the biz
will explore the challenge of merging Sony and BMG, while providing
an aerial view of music's future. Additionally, the event will
feature all-star panel discussions that will explore a host of
crucial topics and networking opportunities such as a breakfast,
lunch and cocktail hour.
For more information and to register online, please visit:
www.billboardevents.com or contact Kelly at
kpeppers@billboard.com
or (646) 654-4643.
Attendees of the Digital Music Forum will receive 25% off the
registration rate for the Billboard Music & Money Symposium.
|
|
|
o Briefly Noted: (New York)
The 5.1 Entertainment Group, made of the world's major record
labels, announced on Wednesday that 25 new titles will be released
in February and March on the new DualDisc format, which features CD
content on one side and enhanced audio and video content on the
opposite DVD side of the disc. New DualDiscs will be released for
artists including Jennifer Lopez, Velvet Revolver, Usher and AC/DC.
The group said a Simple Plan album released on DualDisc format in
October has since sold over 1 million copies. While no new equipment
is needed to play a DualDisc, to take advantage of extra material
consumers will need a 5.1 channel surround sound system.
http://www.dualdisc.com
(Princeton, N.J.) RCN Corporation, a provider of bundled cable
TV, telephone and broadband Internet services in top U.S. markets,
on Wednesday announced the launch of a new Internet-based webcam
home monitoring service. RCN WebWatch, available for an extra $9.95
per month, includes a wireless camera and will allow subscribers to
remotely view real-time video of their home or business through any
PC with a high-speed connection.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/050126/phw025_1.html
http://www.rcn.com/webwatch
(Beverly, Mass.) Video game publisher Atari said on Wednesday
that it has extended a license agreement with mobile game publisher
Jamdat. Under the terms, Jamdat will publish wireless versions of
Atari titles based on Hasbro board games, including "Scrabble," "Yahtzee"
and "Boggle." Separately, the company announced it has retained
retired U.S. General Barry McCaffrey to consult on its "Act of War:
Direct Action" real-time military strategy PC game. Developed by
France-based Eugen Systems for an expected March release, the title
features a script penned by retired U.S. Air Force captain turned
New York Times bestselling author Dale Brown.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/050126/265314_1.html
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/050126/nyw007_1.html
http://www.jamdat.com
http://www.eugensystems.com
(Beverly Hills, Calif.) Yeahronimo Media Ventures, a California
firm that recently acquired the rights to the 1970s and '80s
Commodore home computer brand, announced on Wednesday the launch of
the first two mobile devices it will release under the Commodore
brand. Yeahronimo will release the $200 eVic Music Box, a 20GB
digital music player, and the $139 Mpet II Data and Music Player, a
flash memory-based player available in 256MB and 512MB capacities.
Test marketed in Europe, the players will ship to retail in the
second quarter of 2005. Yeahronimo said it will also launch a
Commodoreworld website where consumers can download music tracks and
games.
http://www.yeahronimo.com
http://www.commodoreshop.com
(Washington) America Online and radio broadcaster Infinity have
announced that they will provide a new online home for legendary
D.C. alternative music radio station WHFS, which several weeks ago
switched to a Spanish-language pop music format after helping to
pioneer the "alternative" format in 1968. Radio@AOL will now offer a
stream of WHFS-programmed new music, as well as archived programs
and broadcasts of the station's live music festivals.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A4390-2005Jan12.html
http://music.channel.aol.com/internet_radio/whfs
Top
|
>
Classifieds --
Advertise
> Vice President Business Development
Movielink (www.movielink.com)
is a joint-venture that was created by Warner Brothers,
Paramount, Sony, MGM and Universal Studios to establish a
new channel of video distribution over new digital networks.
To date, Movielink has led industry efforts to create new
channels of IP distribution that leverage the benefits of
digital platforms through partnerships with companies such
as AOL, Bell South, Charter Communications, HP, Intel,
Microsoft, Real Networks, Road Runner/Time Warner Cable, SBC
and Verizon. Contact:
sonny.guraya@movielink.com
_________________
> Search Thousands of Executive Contacts on TVSpy.com
Looking for a job in television? Developing sales leads?
Click
here to search the TVSpy Executive Directory now! Find
phone numbers, faxes and even some e-mail addresses for
executives and managers in cable, broadcasting, broadband,
entertainment and more! Get connected. Start searching on
TVSpy.com
_________________
> Sr. Product Marketing Manager - Services
Wind River is seeking a self-motivated individual with
extensive product marketing experience to drive a successful
enterprise-level marketing plan for our Wind River Design
Services. Require: Min. 8 years of broad software or
technology marketing exp. and at least 2 yrs exp. in marketing
or business development for device software or enterprise
applications. Must excel in articulating complex value
propositions to sophisticated business customers; demonstrated
ability to open new markets and launch new products and
services. Must be self sufficient. Bachelors degree required;
Advanced degree desirable. Send resumes to
duncan.macmurdy@windriver.com
_________________
> Online Traffic Coordinator - Charlestown, MA
Smarter Living, Inc is an online travel publishing company
located in Boston. We are seeking hardworking, motivated, and
detail oriented Online Traffic Coordinator with 1-2 years of
ad trafficking experience. Understanding of ad- serving
technologies and knowledge of basic HTML are strongly
recommended, understanding of online media (CPM, CPC, and CPA
environment). Attention to detail, precision data input, often
under time pressure, is essential, strong interpersonal
skills, the traffic coordinator will interact extensively with
many group individuals within the company, Good analytical
skills, Bachelor's Degree. Send resumes to
careers@smarterliving.com
_________________
> Strategic Account Manager - E-business and Games
Boonty is an international company which develops and sells a
premium service video game downloading platform to major
Internet Access Providers and Portals. Your primary target:
increase sales on our partner's websites. In coordination with
the Sales director, you will work closely with our US partners
(ISP, portals) More info here.
_________________
> Director - Online Panel (Research)
The Director will lead a team of people who deliver many key
aspects of our ZoomPanel product. ZoomPanel is a MarketTools
proprietary online panel community. Require: 3-5 years Direct
Marketing background. Internet marketing, consumer promotions
or marketing research experience preferred. Some classical
brand management experience at major packaged goods companies
preferred. Creative problem solving skills a must.
International business experience and foreign language skills
a plus. Strong communication skills, oral and written,
required. Must have the ability to handle multiple projects
simultaneously. Bachelors degree required, MBA strongly
preferred. Please email your resume and salary
history/requirements to
hr@markettools.com
_________________
> Web Consulting/Business Development Manager, iapps Division
iapps is searching for a Web Consulting/Business Development
Manager for our Washington DC office. You will be responsible
for sales, cultivating new client opportunities and growing
our existing client base. Must be very experienced identifying
clients' web challenges and developing detailed written
technical specifications for pending client engagements.
Strong presentation skills required. Knowledge of
philanthropic/non-profit sector helpful. Send resumes to
jobs@iapps.com
_________________
> Senior Manager of Business Development
Small but growing media software company, backed by leading
venture firms, seeks a business development manager to expand
the company's strategic software and technology partnerships
and develop new revenue opportunities. This person will
identify potential customers, present solutions to senior
media executives, and manage the BD process through contract
negotiation. Significant travel is required. MBA and 5 years
BD exp. preferred. Send resumes to
jobs@lightningcast.com
_________________
> Public Relations Account Manager - Andover, MA
PAN Communications is a full-service, independent public
relations agency dedicated to increasing its clients'
visibility, market share and profits. Based in Andover, MA,
this mid-size firm has a nationwide client base and
specializes in creating and executing public relations
programs for Technology, Professional Services, Trade Show and
Consumer clients. The ideal candidate will have 5 to 7 years
experience in high technology public relations preferably in
an agency setting and a B.S./B.A. or equivalent is required.
Proven managerial experience is a must. Please send your
resume to HR@pancomm.com.
Visit our website at
http://www.pancommunications.com
_________________
> Senior Account Executive - Technology PR
LaunchSquad, a tech-focused PR firm in San Francisco, is
seeking a high- energy, experienced media relations
professional to join our team. The senior account executive
will work directly with LaunchSquad's managing partners on
several of the company's clients. Duties will include writing,
media pitching, strategic planning, client relations, new
business activities, and other general client work. Require 3
to 7 years of tech PR exp., strong written and verbal
communications skills, strong media pitching skills, Analyst
relations exp., Client mgmt skills. Visit
http://www.launchsquad.com for more info. Please send a
resume and cover letter to
thesquad@launchsquad.com
_________________
> OSDL Enterprise Linux Summit
The OSDL Enterprise Linux Summit is the source of Linux
deployment information. This unique conference brings together
Linux system administrators and architects, corporate
developers, ISVs and vendors who want to explore practical
solutions for accelerating Linux deployment and increasing
Linux business across the enterprise. Jan 31- Feb 2, 2004,
Hyatt Hotel, Burlingame, California
http://www.osdllinuxsummit.org/btw
_________________
> Tech Global Venture Congress 2005 - Jan. 27-28
The Technology Global Venture Congress is a two-day conference
designed to address the venture capital landscape, identify
current trends in innovation, learn key technologies and
scientific discoveries and discover emerging Technology
companies. More than 35 participating VC speakers, 8 panel
discussions, VIP Cocktail reception and networking. Jan 27-
28, Madison Square Garden , NYC. Special discounted rate
($450) for Tech Wire subscribers. Register
here. Send inquiries to
tech@saeclub.com
_________________
> PwC Global Entertainment and Media Outlook:
2004-2008
PricewaterhouseCoopers Global Entertainment and Media
Outlook: 2004-2008 is the leading global entertainment and
media industry forecast, including in-depth global analyses
and five-year growth projections for 14 industry segments
covering every major global region. The complete 550-page
book, is available in print or electronic format. The 50 page
"Global Overview" (available in print or electronic format)or
any of the 14 individual industry segment chapters (electronic
format only) can be purchased separately for $95. For sample
content and to order,
click here.
_________________
Top
|
|
About Us
Digital Media Wire, Inc. is a news organization,
publisher and events company serving the digital media industry
since May 2000. Our daily newsletter delivers original briefings on
business, legal and financial developments shaping digital media and
read by over 30,000 executives and professionals.
Digital Media
Wire, Inc. is part of the Tech Wire Media Group, an international
network of publications that includes Digital Media Law Report,
Potomac Tech Wire, New England Tech Wire, Southeast Tech Wire, Bay
Area Tech Wire, Tri-state Tech Wire and European Tech Wire. The
network reaches more than 70,000 individuals from over 70 countries
each business day.
Advertising & Sponsorship
Publications, Events & Information
Executive & Editorial Team
Chief
Executive Officer: Ned Sherman
VP, Marketing & Events: Tinzar Than
Editor: Mark Hefflinger
Contact Us
Questions, Comments & Suggestions
News Tips & Press Releases
For a free
subscription to Digital Media Wire:
To
unsubscribe:
Top
Copyright 2005 Digital Media Wire, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
|
|
|
|
|
|