archives

 events
 about us
 resources
 privacy
 news tips
 contact us
 home

Sign up for our free daily email briefing

Past Editions

===================================================
DIGITAL MEDIA WIRE -- February 3, 2003
===================================================
To Subscribe For Free: http://www.digitalmediawire.com 

o Report: Fortune 500 Companies Advertising More Online 
o Microsoft Reports Quarterly Loss Doubled In Xbox Division
o Telewest to Build European Online Game Network for Sony PlayStation 2
o Texas Instruments Upgrades Multimedia Chips for Cell Phones  
o Online Ad Technology Firm 24/7 Real Media Sells Stake in IPromotions

> DMW Publications: January Law and Policy Report
> DMW Events: Digital Music Forum | NYC | March 3
> Featured: Game Developers Conference 

o Briefly Noted: Grammy.com - AOL, Speakeasy - Listen.com, Audible Magic -
Video Monitoring Services, Qualcomm - Sega Mobile, Encore - "Daredevil,"
Rainbow Studios - motocross game, Microsoft - digital rights management,
"Carson Daly Most Requested" - "voice tracking"
_____________________________________________

> Events: Games & Mobile Forum: April 28 | NYC, Global Entertainment &
Media Summit

> Marketplace: 2000 Honda Accord, Entertainment & Corporate Legal
Services, Game Industry Report, iTV Chronicle, Homeland Security
Directory, Interest-Based Navigation

Full Classifieds located beneath "Briefly Noted" section below.

To post a Classified Ad:
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/mainpostingpage.html
or contact Tinzar Than at tinzar@digitalmediawire.com
_____________________________________________

o Report: Fortune 500 Companies Advertising More Online 

New York -- A greater number of Fortune 500 companies advertised online
during the fourth quarter of 2002, signaling a possible break for the
struggling medium, according to a report released on Monday by New
York-based measurement firm Nielsen/NetRatings. A total of 286 Fortune 500
advertisers launched an online campaign during the last quarter of 2002,
as compared to 270 the year prior, showing a six percent year-over-year
increase. The most active Fortune 500 online advertisers for the period
were Amazon.com, Estee Lauder, USA Interactive, SBC Communications and
Barnes and Noble. "Fortune 500 advertising has grown steadily in the past
year, as large traditional advertisers are discovering how the online
medium can be used to reach desirable target audiences," said Charles
Buchwalter, vice president of client analytics for Nielsen//NetRatings.
"The stage is set for the Web's share of these companies' marketing
budgets to increase throughout 2003."
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/030203/sfm067_1.html 
http://www.netratings.com 
_____________________________________________

o Microsoft Reports Quarterly Loss Doubled In Xbox Division

Redmond, Wash. -- Microsoft said on Monday, as part of an SEC filing, that
the losses taken in by its Xbox video game console nearly doubled during
its most recent financial quarter. The company's Home and Entertainment
segment posted an operating loss of $348 million in the quarter on revenue
of $1.28 billion, compared with a loss of $180 million on revenue of $833
million in the same period a year earlier. Microsoft loses about $100 on
each $199 Xbox console, according to analyst estimates, so an increase in
hardware sales actually results in inflated losses for the company. In
addition to Xbox hardware and game software, Microsoft's Home and
Entertainment segment also includes the company's PC games unit and TV
platform division.
http://biz.yahoo.com/e/030131/msft10-q.html 
_____________________________________________

o Telewest to Build European Online Game Network for Sony PlayStation 2

London -- Telewest, a U.K.-based provider of broadband, cable TV and
telephone services, announced that it has signed an agreement with Sony
Computer Entertainment Europe, to jointly develop and implement
technologies to enhance the consumer experience for PlayStation 2
networked gaming. Telewest formed a new venture, Network Gaming Consulting
Ltd., to handle the consultancy and technology transfer agreement. The
company will work to launch the service this year, enabling networked
gaming across a number of European countries. Unlike rival Microsoft's
Xbox Live online game service -- set to launch in Europe on March 14 --
which will be operated by Microsoft, Sony has partnered with various firms
to launch individual networks for its PlayStation 2 online games. Sony and
Telewest also see the broadband connection as a gateway into consumers'
living rooms. "By the time you get to PlayStation 3, it becomes a platform
and a brand identity and opens up a host of possibilities for music and
video downloads. It's very exciting and more important than the future of
ITV," newly named head of Network Gaming Consulting David Docherty told
The Guardian.
http://www.telewest.co.uk/ourcompany/pressreleases/ngc.html 
http://media.guardian.co.uk/newmedia/story/0,7496,885378,00.html 
_____________________________________________

o Texas Instruments Upgrades Multimedia Chips for Cell Phones  

Dallas -- Chipmaker Texas Instruments announced on Monday that it has
developed a new series of wireless chipsets for use in cell phones and
other devices, which will enable cell phone users to download movies and
songs, as well as surf the Internet at higher speeds. Dallas-based Texas
Instruments' new chips can increase the performance of graphics and
multimedia content by eight-fold while at the same time reducing the
amount of power needed for such functions, lengthening a battery's charge.
The company said it expects devices featuring the new chips to become
available to consumers by the 2003 holiday shopping season.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/030203/dam014_1.html 
_____________________________________________

o Online Ad Technology Firm 24/7 Real Media Sells Stake in IPromotions

New York -- 24/7 Real Media, a provider of Internet ad serving technology,
announced that it has sold its majority stake in IPromotions, a provider
of online marketing for travel-related companies, to a group of private
investors including employees. Financial terms of the deal were not
disclosed. New York-based 24/7 Real Media will retain a minority interest
in IPromotions. "After reviewing 24/7 Real Media's long term strategy as a
premier interactive media and technology company, we decided to divest the
operations of our online promotions business," said 24/7 chairman and CEO
David J. Moore. "This will help us focus on our core media business, while
expanding our successful WebSite Results search optimization unit and
enhancing our leading Open AdStream ad serving platform."
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/030131/312399_1.html 
http://www.ipromotions.com 
http://www.247realmedia.com 
_____________________________________________

|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

==========================================
DMW Publications: January Law & Policy Report
==========================================
Contact tinzar@digitalmediawire.com or call 323-464-0793 to order your
copies.
To purchase directly, go to:
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/marketplace.htm

Digital Media Law & Policy Report - New Issue
Must-read publication on legal and policy matters related to digital
media. 35+ pages of case summaries, news and analysis, policy updates,
court filings, and exclusive interviews with legal counsel and business
leaders.
Published monthly. January issue on sale now!
**Special Reduced Rates available for a limited time**   
Price:   $19.00 Per Issue   |   $195.00 Annual Subscription  
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/marketplace.htm

|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
_____________________________________________

|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

DIGITAL MUSIC FORUM 
March 3, 2003 | New York City | 9:00AM - 7:00 PM 
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/events/MusicForum_030303.htm
 
A full-day forum focusing on business & legal issues impacting the music
industry today. The agenda includes 2 keynote addresses, 4 moderated
panels and breakout sessions.
 
Sponsors:
Roxio (http://www.roxio.com)
Gateway (http://www.gateway.com)
Gray Cary (http://www.graycary.com)
BMI (http://www.bmi.com)
ASCAP (http://www.ascap.com)
Audible.com (http://www.audible.com)
Digital Media Law Report (http://www.digitalmedialawreport.com)
Global Entertainment and Media Summit
(http://www.globalentertainmentnetwork.com)

February registrations:  $200 until February 28
At the door:  $250.   
Pre-Register at: http://kb.digitalmediawire.com/register.php?eventid=1024

|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
_____________________________________________

|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 
==================
FEATURED SECTION
==================
Featured Section posting at:
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/featuredpostingpage.htm  

Make Better Games

Game Developers Conference
March 4-8, 2003, San Jose, CA

Join the world's leading developers to create the next generation of
games. Five days of more than 300 intensive sessions provide information
and inspiration in visual arts, game design, programming, audio, business
and legal, and production. Companies from around the world demonstrate the
most innovative tools and emerging technologies at the GDC Expo.

Save 30%: Register at http://www.gdconf.com by February 5 using Priority
Code DMWENL.

|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
_____________________________________________

Briefly Noted:

(Santa Monica, Calif.) The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences
on Monday announced the launch of its website for the 54th Grammy Awards
with hosting partner America Online. The site offers streaming radio
featuring nominees' songs, webcams with backstage coverage of Grammy
rehearsals and Grammy-themed merchandise. The Grammys will be broadcast on
CBS on Sunday, Feb. 23.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/030203/32143_1.html 
http://www.grammy.com  

(Seattle) Speakeasy, a provider of nationwide broadband Internet access,
announced on Monday that it will offer its subscribers one full year of
access to Listen.com's premium Internet radio service, Rhapsody Radio
Plus, for free. Normally $4.95 per month, the 128K streaming service lets
users program their own Internet radio stations or listen to 50
pre-programmed stations, skipping through songs they don't like.
http://www.listen.com 
http://www.speakeasy.net/rhapsody 

(Los Gatos, Calif.) Audible Magic, a provider of audio identification and
content management software, announced on Monday that Video Monitoring
Services of America (VMS) completed the initial phase of a nationwide
deployment of Audible Magic's broadcast radio ad detection system. Los
Gatos, Calif.-based Audible Magic said its system can accurately and
automatically identify a new radio spot and its location within an hour of
its initial appearance.
http://www.audiblemagic.com 
http://www.vmsinfo.com 

(San Diego) Wireless technology developer Qualcomm announced on Monday a
list of wireless games that developer Sega has created for its BREW
platform for cell phones. Sega Mobile is offering wireless subscribers
classic games including "Flicky," "Pengo" and "Sega Fast Lane," as well as
the new title "Sega Snowboarding" for BREW-enabled handsets.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/030203/lam042_1.html 
http://www.qualcomm.com/brew 
http://www.us.segamobile.com 

(Los Angeles) Encore, a unit of Navarre Corp. that develops video games,
announced on Monday that its "Daredevil" title for Nintendo Game Boy
Advance, based on the Marvel Comics superhero, has shipped to retailers.
The New Regency/20th Century Fox/Marvel Studios movie "Daredevil"
premieres in theaters on Feb. 14.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/030203/30015_1.html 
http://www.encoreusa.com 
http://www.daredevilgame.com 

(Calabasas Hills, Calif.) Video game publisher THQ announced on Monday
that its Phoenix, Ariz.-based game development studio Rainbow Studios is
currently working on the next installment in its motocross game franchise.
The as-yet-untitled game will be released for PlayStation 2 and Xbox in
early 2004, in conjunction with the 2004 THQ World Supercross GP season.
Rainbow also developed "Motocross Madness" for the PC.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/030203/30010_1.html 
http://www.thq.com 
http://www.rainbowstudios.com 

(Mumbai, India) Wireless game developer Indiagames on Monday announced two
new games for color-screen cell phones. "Cricket 1day Series 2003" and
"Cricket Sports Round Up" will be available soon on various networks for
owners of cell phones and devices made by Nokia, Siemens, Motorola, Sharp
and others.
http://www.indiagames.com 

(San Francisco) CNET News.com on Monday featured an article on Microsoft's
plans for the digital rights management market. The company is currently
offering royalty-free licenses for its toolkit that adds copy-protection
to CDs and DVDs, as well as its Windows Media Audio format, in a bid for
market dominance. Although some Hollywood firms are weary of Microsoft's
motives, at least one record label is using the company's technology
because of the assurances that Microsoft will likely be around to support
and update programs into the future. "That was one thing we needed, to
make sure: that 10 years from now, you stick the CD in a machine and it
plays," Ted Cohen, vice president for new media at EMI Recorded Music,
told News.com.
http://news.com.com/2100-1023-983017.html 

(New York) The New York Times on Monday reported on MTV "TRL Live" host
Carson Daly's syndicated radio show, "Carson Daly Most Requested," which
uses digital editing technology to produce versions of the show for a
variety of "local" audiences without actually recording a separate version
for each market. This technology, along with the use of "voice tracking"
by radio giant Clear Channel, has been criticized for reducing the amount
of original on-air content offered at individual radio stations across the
country.
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/02/03/technology/03DALY.html 
http://www.cdmostrequested.com 
_____________________________________________

===================
CLASSIFIEDS - JOBS
===================
To Post Jobs: http://www.digitalmediawire.com/jobpostingpage.htm 

_____________________________________________

====================
CLASSIFIEDS - EVENTS
====================
To Post Events: http://www.digitalmediawire.com/eventpostingpage.htm 

Digital Media Wire Presents...Games & Mobile Forum
April 2003, New York City
 
Focusing on games and mobile entertainment opportunities and business
models. Panel topics will include "The Battle to Control the Living Room:
Is the Game Industry Winning?", "Mobile Games: Business Models & New
Opportunities",  "Legal & Policy Issues Impacting the Game Industry &
Mobile Entertainment", and "Home Networking: Technology for Modern Living
& Entertainment."

Door Tickets Price: $250. For Early Bird Specials, pre-register at:
http://kb.digitalmediawire.com/register.php?eventid=1025
_____________________________________________

Global Entertainment & Media Summit, February 28 - March 2, New York City

The Global Entertainment and Media Summit returns to New York City for a
productive three days of conferences, workshops and   keynotes all
dedicated to helping to facilitate the growth of our industries. Keynotes
include Danny Goldberg, Dave Marsh, Lee Abrams of XM Satellite Radio and
Jack Healey, of the Human Rights Action Center--formerly of Amnesty
International. The event will feature over 20 productive panel sessions
over the course of the three-day event.
Show dates are Friday, Saturday and Sunday, February 28, March 1 and March
2. Registration is $75 per person and includes admission to all events.
Details: http://www.globalentertainmentnetwork.com
Schedule: http://www.globalentertainmentnetwork.com/schedule.htm
Tickets: http://www.globalentertainmentnetwork.com/tickets.htm
_____________________________________________

==========================
CLASSIFIEDS - MARKETPLACE
==========================
To Post Marketplace:
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/marketplacepostingpage.htm 

UCLA Extension Course: Digital Entertainment   
 
The definitive course on the intersection of entertainment and technology
is returning to UCLA Extension this January. Digital & Hollywood: How Do
We Pick Up The Pieces & Move Forward? begins Tuesday, January 28th @ 7pm.
This nine week program features informative, stimulating, and
free-wheeling discussions with the senior executives who are who are
creating the future of digital entertainment. Digital Media Wire
subscribers receive a special $45 discount off of the $430 list price. To
register and take advantage of this special offer, simply visit the UCLA
extension website (www.uclaextension.edu), click on the Quick Link tab and
enter the following special registration code: N8513
http://www.uclaextension.edu
_____________________________________________

2000 Honda Accord EX Coupe 2D

Take over Lease for 1 1/2 Year @ $330/Month or Buy for $17,700. Excellent
Condition, Low Miles (18,000 miles) and Fully Loaded - A/C, P/T, P/W, T/W,
Cruise Control, Power Seat, Moon Roof, Alloy Wheels, Cassette
player/Single CD/ 6 CD changer, Leather, ABS (4Wheel). Contact: MiMi 
310-292-1573.
_____________________________________________

Entertainment & Corporate Legal Services
 
Top Credentialed Attorney with 9 years of experience representing major
studios, entertainment start-ups, VCs, investment banks and other blue
chip clients provides legal and business consulting for exclusive
clientele at reasonable rates. Services include entity formation, private
equity financings, licensing (entertainment and software products),
trademark registration and disputes, copyright issues and other
transactional and contract law services. Qualified in California and
Texas. Retainer required to commence services. Tel. 323-363-3620.
_____________________________________________

Game Industry Law & Policy Report 

Special industry report covering law & policy matters impacting the game
industry. The 15-page report includes case summaries, news and analysis,
feature article and an exclusive interview with Doug Lowenstein,
President, Interactive Digital Software Association.  Price: $19.00
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/marketplace.htm
_____________________________________________

For those who believe in ITV - "Interactive TV: The Definitive Chronicle"
 
Covering the period 2000 to the present, this sourcebook presents a
complete history of the news and events that have shaped the business of
iTV since the beginning of the 21st Century. Culled from countless
sources, including the Digital Media Wire database, this 175 pages PDF (on
CD) covers all of the major players as well as the legal and financial
issues that helped shape the industry. Key research and industry
projections as well as a host of facts, figures, resources and thousands
of iTV-related links are included. Price: $ 55.00.
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/marketplace.htm
_____________________________________________

Directory of Homeland Security

This is your company's final chance to purchase the inaugural edition of
the Directory of Homeland Security: a 160-page book that lists all federal
and state agencies involved in homeland security. The directory includes
names of over 1,500 homeland security officials, profiles of 500 agencies
involved in homeland security, and a detailed list of technology companies
in this sector. The directory is sponsored by NETSEC, Greenberg Traurig,
AT&T and the Northern Virginia Technology Council.

To purchase the directory, go to: http://www.homeland-directory.com
_____________________________________________

Etronica helps you "Find the Good Stuff FAST!"

Etronica's unique software toolset enables "Interest Based Navigation" of
Digital Content. The Patent Pending software tools can be incorporated
directly into content websites and portals, installed in TV settop boxes
or integrated as OEM components. The tools drive the automatic tagging,
indexing, and categorization of text. A recommendation engine suggests
highly relevant new information to users as they interact. Personalized
advertising and commerce offerings can also be automatically served.
Contact us to learn more: info@etronica.com
http://www.etronica.com
_____________________________________________

Digital Media Wire, Inc. leverages its integrated media network to provide
exceptional value to individuals and companies determined to capitalize on
the convergence of media, entertainment and technology. Digital Media
Wire, the first in a series of business-intelligence publications,
delivers original daily briefings on the business, legal and financial
developments shaping digital media.

Digital Media Wire is part of the Tech Wire Media Group, an international
network of publications that includes 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 62,000 individuals from
over 70 countries worldwide each business day.

Upcoming publications, events & information at:
http://www.digitalmediawire.com 

Questions, Comments & Suggestions to:
tinzar@digitalmediawire.com 

News Tips, Scoops & Press Releases to:
editorial@digitalmediawire.com 
_____________________________________________

Editor: Mark Hefflinger
Chief Executive Officer: Ned Sherman
VP, Marketing and Events: Tinzar Than

Copyright 2003 Digital Media Wire, Inc. All Rights Reserved.