archives

o Entertainment Site and Industry Resource Ifilm Gets $10 Million
o Trademark Dispute May Delay Release of Microsoft Game Console
o Content Security Firm Verance Raises $23 Million in Second Round
o Princeton Video Image Raises $17.5 Million From Cablevision Systems
o Web Hosting and Streaming Media Firm NaviSite Lays Off 44 Employees
o Wireless Streaming Audio Firm XStreamVoice Closes First Round
o 3-D Video Software Developer Realviz Raises $9.4 Million
o Digital Surveillance Video Firm cVideo Raises $3 Million in Second Round
o Briefly Noted: Swaptor.com, EMusic.com - Hewlett-Packard, Infogrames -
PEANUTS, Enigma Digital - RadioWave.com, Liquid Audio - Jester Digital,
"Behind the Covers"
_____________________________________________

> Digital Media Wire Panel: "Interactive Gaming on the Internet"

Interactive gaming is a $6.5 billion market with sales rivaling those of
the motion picture box offices. Forrester Research forecasts that
interactive gaming will be a $26 billion market by 2005. Which
technologies and business models will drive this expanding market? Will
entertainment companies profit from gaming on the Internet? Digital Media
Wire will hold a dinner and panel discussion: "Interactive Gaming on the
Internet: Recent Developments and New Opportunities" on Thursday, February
15, 2001 at the Argyle Hotel in Los Angeles. Moderator: Victor Hwang, COO,
larta. Confirmed panelists: George Alexander, VP Media & Entertainment,
CAP Gemini Ernst & Young; Jim Charne, Attorney and former President,
Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences; Brian Dearth, CEO, Hollywood
Stock Exchange; Chris Kantrowitz, CEO, The Groove Alliance; Mark
Kapczynski, Principal Consultant, Microsoft Media & Entertainment Group.

For more information and to register:
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/panel1.html
_____________________________________________

> Job Postings: VP Biz Dev/Sales, Senior Web Designer, Tech Writer, Account
Exec./Sr. Account Exec.

> Events: "The DIY Convention," "Digital Media Outlook"

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 Entertainment Site and Industry Resource Ifilm Gets $10 Million

Los Angeles -- Ifilm, an entertainment and movie industry website,
announced on Monday that it has raised $10 million in its latest round of
funding. Investors in the round included Yahoo, Sony Pictures
Entertainment, Eastman Kodak, Vulcan Ventures, Axiom Ventures, Baroda
Ventures and several individual investors. The company also announced an
expanded partnership with Yahoo, whereby Ifilm content will be more easily
accessible to Yahoo users. Los Angeles-based Ifilm provides users with
movies, movie news and links to films on the Internet. It also developed
online resources for use by filmmakers and movie industry professionals,
which were recently acquired by Santa Monica-based Filmtrust. Ifilm CEO
Kevin Wendle told the Wall Street Journal that the funding will go toward
operations, and should sustain the company for about a year.
http://www.ifilm.com
_____________________________________________

o Trademark Dispute May Delay Release of Microsoft Game Console

Redmond, Wash. -- Due to a trademark dispute with a Florida company called
Xbox Technologies, Microsoft's entry into the interactive gaming market
with the release of its Xbox game console may face delays, the Financial
Times reported. The Florida company filed for the Xbox brand about seven
months before Microsoft. Neither side seems willing to give up the name:
Xbox Technologies executive John Van Leeuwen said his company has offered
to buy the name outright from Microsoft, which has spent $500 million to
market its Xbox video game console. However, releasing the game without
settling the dispute could leave Microsoft vulnerable to legal action,
perhaps provoking an injunction that would halt sales of the games.
http://news.ft.com/ft/gx.cgi/ftcpagename=View&c=Article&cid=FT3Q4GWXSIC&liv
e=true&useoverridetemplate=IXLZHNNP94C 
http://www.xboxtechnologies.com
http://www.xbox.com
_____________________________________________

o Content Security Firm Verance Raises $23 Million in Second Round

San Diego -- Verance, a developer of content security technologies,
announced on Monday the closing of its second round of venture funding for
$23 million. Constellation Ventures led the round; MMC Capital and
Qualcomm also participated. San Diego-based Verance develops watermarking
technologies that are used to prevent the unauthorized copying of digital
media files. The company's watermarks are one of six technologies still
under consideration by the struggling Secure Digital Music Initiative, a
consortium of companies working to develop a secure means of distributing
digital music. Verance also announced that it will launch ConfirMedia --
which will monitor virtually every local television, cable and radio
signal in the top 100 U.S. markets 24 hours a day -- in the second quarter
of 2001. Data collected will provide real-time broadcast airplay
information services and reports to broadcasters, advertisers and music
companies.
http://www.verance.com
_____________________________________________

o Princeton Video Image Raises $17.5 Million From Cablevision Systems

Lawrenceville, N.J. -- Princeton Video Image (PVI), a developer of virtual
advertising and digital effects, announced on Monday that it has received
a $17.5 million investment from Cablevision Systems. The company has also
licensed PVI's technology. In return, Cablevision Systems will take a 45
percent equity stake in the company. New Jersey-based Princeton Video
Image creates virtual advertising and digital effects such as the "first
down marker" seen in television football broadcasts. The company also
helped to develop EyeVision, the 270-degree camera angle that debuted
during this year's Super Bowl broadcast.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/010205/ny_cablevi.html
http://www.pvi-inc.com
http://www.cablevision.com
_____________________________________________

o Web Hosting and Streaming Media Firm NaviSite Lays Off 44 Employees

Andover, Mass. -- NaviSite, a provider of web hosting and streaming media
services, announced on Monday that it has laid off 44 employees, about 7
percent of its workforce. The company said the layoffs are part of a
cost-cutting measure due to changing market conditions. NaviSite will also
close two of its thirteen regional offices, where productivity was below
target levels. Massachusetts-based NaviSite provides streaming media
monitoring and distribution technology that was used in pop singer
Madonna's recent live webcast from London.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/010205/rpt_ma_nav.html
http://www.navisite.com
_____________________________________________

o Wireless Streaming Audio Firm XStreamVoice Closes First Round

Nashville, Tenn. -- XStreamVoice, a developer of streaming audio software
for wireless networks, announced on Monday that it has raised an
undisclosed amount of first round funding from private investor Robert J.
Cooney, chairman of Maximus Capital Holdings. Nashville-based
XstreamVoice's technology allows live audio streaming to WAP-enabled
cellular phones and other wireless devices. The company is currently
engaged in discussions with major carriers, content providers and device
manufacturers.
http://www.xstreamvoice.com
_____________________________________________

o 3-D Video Software Developer Realviz Raises $9.4 Million

Sophia-Antipolis, France -- Realviz, a developer of 3-D image processing
software, announced that it has raised $9.4 million in its third round of
venture funding. New investors Azeo Ventures, HPI, Intel Capital and the
LCF Rothschild Group participated in the round, joining previous investors
Business Angels and MVI, a private equity pool based in Sweden.
France-based Realviz develops software that can capture live-action video
in 3-D, speed up or slow down motion sequences and produce virtual 3-D
models from photo, video and cinematic images. The company will use the
funding for expansion into the U.S., Europe and Asia, and to fund its
Internet solutions business unit.
http://www.realviz.com/news/010131.htm
_____________________________________________

o Digital Surveillance Video Firm cVideo Raises $3 Million in Second Round

San Diego -- cVideo, a developer of hardware and software for networked
digital video surveillance systems, announced on Monday that it has raised
$3 million in its second round of venture capital financing. Several
private investors including senior executives from both Qualcomm and Leap
Wireless International participated in the round. San Diego-based cVideo's
products record and transmit video used in the surveillance and protection
of multi-site businesses. The company compresses video so that a greater
amount can be transmitted at a lower cost. cVideo will use the funding to
recruit strategic partners.
http://www.cvideo.com
_____________________________________________

o Briefly Noted:

(Nevis, West Indies) Swaptor, a centralized peer-to-peer file-sharing
exchange, announced on Monday its first beta release. The West
Indies-based company uses the same type of file-sharing network as
Napster, which houses a central database of available files that users
search before being connected to an individual user's computer to download
the file.
http://www.swaptor.com

(Redwood City, Calif.) Downloadable music retailer EMusic.com announced on
Monday a promotion with computer hardware maker Hewlett-Packard, where
consumers who purchase an HP Pavilion computer will receive a free trial
subscription to the company's EMusic Unlimited subscription download
service. Users will be able to download 25 free MP3 files of their
choosing from the Emusic.com site.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/010205/ca_emusic_.html
http://www.emusic.com
http://hp-at-home.com/hpPavilionHome/productHome.cfm

(San Jose, Calif.) Interactive entertainment publisher Infogrames
announced on Monday that it has secured the exclusive rights from United
Media to develop game and software titles based on cartoonist Charles
Schultz's PEANUTS characters. San Jose-based Infogrames will develop games
for consoles including Sony Playstation 2, Microsoft Xbox and Nintendo's
GameCube and Game Boy.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/010205/ca_infogra.html
http://www.us.infogrames.com
http://www.snoopy.com

(Santa Monica, Calif.) Online media network Enigma Digital announced on
Monday that it will syndicate content from its streaming audio stations
KNAC.com and GrooveRadio.com to the RadioWave.com affiliate network. The
network includes sites such as MSN Chat, RollingStone.com and
ArtistDirect.com. Santa Monica-based Enigma Digital owns and operates
content sites that it then configures for different platforms, such as
wireless, and syndicates the sites to other providers.
http://www.enigmadigital.com
http://www.grooveradio.com
http://www.radiowave.com

(Redwood City, Calif.) Downloadable music distributor Liquid Audio said
Monday that virtual reality site Jester Digital will include the ability
for its users to purchase Liquid Audio's more than 120,000 audio track
downloads from its 3-D site.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/010205/fl_jesterd.html
http://www.jesterdigital.com
http://www.liquidaudio.com

(Chicago) Rollingstone.com is offering its users an audio-visual chronicle
of pop culture history called "Behind the Covers," which fuses historical
audio interviews and music with Rolling Stone magazine covers.
Chicago-based RadioWave.com developed, designed and programmed the
feature, along with the other radio programming on RollingStone.com.
http://www.rollingstone.com/radio
http://www.radiowave.com

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

> Sonata, Director/VP Biz. Dev./Sales - Wireless Internet - New York City

Venture-backed wireless company specializing in the next generation of
location-based applications and wireless advertising seeks executive to
initiate, negotiate and close deals. Cultivation of business contacts,
structuring deals, negotiation of contracts and being part of an effective
business development team will be essential. Familiarity with advertising,
high-tech software or Internet products. Must have a passion for
emerging technology. Send resumes to hr@sonatainc.com.
http://www.sonata.com
_____________________________________________

> Lucid Designs, Senior Web Designer - Los Angeles

This is an opportunity to join a young, growing company with established
high-profile clients. Should have a minimum of two years design
experience, and a thorough knowledge of web standard design software such
as Photoshop, Illustrator and Flash. Experience with Dreamweaver, DHTML,
CD-ROM or print production are pluses, but not required. Position includes
benefits and generous salary. Send resumes and examples of on-line work to
jobs@luciddesigns.com
http://www.luciddesigns.com
_____________________________________________

> Static, Tech Writer - Los Angeles

Software company that transforms the desktop into a peer-to-peer
distributed network for businesses and consumers seeks writer to document
cool software. Needs to have moderate programming/coding skills
(especially C/C++), as well as clear, concise and creative writing skills.
Experience with some sort of document layout software is needed. Send
resumes and tech-writing samples to cooljobs@static.com
http://www.static.com
_____________________________________________

> Ruder Finn, TECHNOLOGY-Account Exec./Sr. Account Exec. - San Francisco

Global independent public relations agency seeks executives to help handle
explosive new business growth in dynamic and fast-moving office. Requires
excellent written/oral communication, organizational and problem-solving
skills, as well as a passion for client service. Sr. level positions
require strong program planning, client counseling and staff mentoring
skills. Great accounts, smart programs, competitive compensation and
benefits. Send resumes to careers@ruderfinn.com
http://www.ruderfinn.com

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

> The DIY Convention - Do It Yourself in Film, Music & Books - Los Angeles

A one-day showcase examining the DIY Digital Revolution. The Convention
will educate attendees -- entertainment professionals, indie labels and
production companies, musicians and content creators -- on the steps
necessary to bring their vision to the worldwide audience. Panels will
address all the legal, business and creative steps needed to produce,
exploit and distribute books, music and film.
Registration: http://www.diyconvention.com
______________________

> Digital Media Outlook, April 2, 2001 - New York City

Don't miss a beat. In a world of limited bandwidth, companies are
pushing technology and services that mesh data with formats like MP3
and MPEG while employing edge serving and IP multicasting to clear
a path to the audience. At Digital Media Outlook, learn where
the future lies for rich media services and infrastructure companies.
http://www.digitalmediaoutlook.com/home.html?e=DMO01Dwire
______________________

To subscribe, go to:
http://www.digitalmediawire.com

Questions or comments? Send email to:
mark@digitalmediawire.com

News tips, press releases. Send email to:
editorial@digitalmediawire.com