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 6, 2001
===================================================
To Subscribe For Free: http://www.digitalmediawire.com

o Vivendi's Gaming Site Flipside to Acquire Uproar for $140 Million
o Amazon Launches Online "Tip Jars" For Websites
o Wireless Games Developer Springtoys Raises $9.4 Million
o MTV2 Partners with ACTV to Deliver Interactive TV Programming
o Gaylord Entertainment Sells Christian Site Lightsource.com
o Briefly Noted: Warner Brothers Studio Facilities -
MoviePartners.com, MP3.com - Audio Electronics, LodgeNet - Nintendo,
Groove Alliance - Kpe, LocalBusiness.com, BroadStream,
InMotion Pictures
_____________________________________________

> 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 Vivendi's Gaming Site Flipside to Acquire Uproar for $140 Million

Berkeley, Calif. -- Online games company Flipside, Inc. announced on
Tuesday that it will acquire Uproar, Inc., an operator of
advertising-supported games sites. Berkeley-based Flipside, a subsidiary
of Vivendi Universal, will acquire all of Uproar's outstanding stock for
$3 a share in a transaction valued at about $140 million. Uproar CEO
Kenneth Cron will become CEO of Flipside, Inc., which will be
headquartered in New York City. The deal adds New York City-based Uproar's
network of games sites to Flipside's stable of online card games, board
games and other interactive entertainment. Uproar's network of sites
includes iwin.com and amused.com. The merged company expects to generate
revenues of $70 million in 2001. "This acquisition is consistent with
Vivendi Universal's overall strategy, as it gives us a worldwide
leadership position in a key content category," said Agnes Touraine, CEO
of Vivendi Universal Publishing. "I expect the combined entity to be
profitable by the end of the year."
http://www.flipside.com
http://www.uproar.com
_____________________________________________

o Amazon Launches Online "Tip Jars" For Websites

Seattle -- Amazon.com launched an online "tip jar" service on Tuesday, so
that users can tip their favorite websites, or pay for access to premium
content. The feature can be added to the websites of musicians, authors
and others who offer content that would otherwise be free. A template
guides website owners through the process of setting up an account and
adding a "click to give" button to their site. Tippers are not charged an
extra fee by Amazon; however, the company does collect 15 percent of the
total amount given to websites, plus a $0.15 fee per transaction. Other
sites, such as Fairtunes.com and PayPal.com offer similar services --
Fairtunes has even made its payment system compatible with the WinAmp and
FreeAmp audio players, so that users may tip as they listen. The
Canada-based company also collects only 3.5 percent of each tip from
artists.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/010206/wa_amazon_.html
http://www.amazon.com/honor
http://www.fairtunes.com
_____________________________________________

o Wireless Games Developer Springtoys Raises $9.4 Million

Helsinki -- Springtoys, a developer of games for wireless devices, has
announced the closing of its second round of financing, totaling $9.4
million. Wellington Partners led the investment round; previous investors
Eqvitec Partners and Sonera Corporation also participated. Helsinki-based
Springtoys develops content like interactive comics, puzzles, and
adventure and strategy games with both single and multiplayer capabilities
for wireless devices. The company will likely soon announce partnerships
with European wireless network providers KPN Mobile, Terra Mobile-iobox,
Orange and Zed to offer wireless entertainment products to their
customers.
http://www.springtoys.com/release3.htm
_____________________________________________

o MTV2 Partners with ACTV to Deliver Interactive TV Programming

New York -- MTV Networks announced on Tuesday that it has partnered with
interactive television developer ACTV to develop Fusion -- a program that
can be viewed on TV while interacting with complementary content online.
To participate, viewers must have a computer in the same vicinity as their
television, register at the website and download an ACTV plug-in. As
viewers watch videos, they can chat with others at MTV2.com, answer trivia
questions as they come across the screen, accrue points and compete with
other users to win prizes. They may also access biographical data, tour
itineraries and song lyrics pertinent to the videos being aired. The
Fusion program airs daily over a four-hour time slot on the more music
video-oriented MTV2 channel.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/010206/ny_actv_mt.html
http://www.mtv.com/mtv/tubescan/mtv2/box.jhtml
http://www.boxfusion.com
http://www.actv.com
_____________________________________________

o Gaylord Entertainment Sells Christian Site Lightsource.com

Nashville, Tenn. -- Gaylord Entertainment, a diversified entertainment and
hospitality company, announced on Tuesday the sale of its Christian-themed
entertainment site Lightsource.com to Virginia-based LifeAudio.com. Terms
of the transaction were not disclosed. Lightsource.com was part of Gaylord
Digital, the parent company's struggling online unit that it shut down in
December. Gaylord sold its Musicforce.com website to Christian Book
Distributors later that month. Gaylord Entertainment also owns and
operates the legendary country music venue the Grand Ole Opry.
http://www.lightsource.com
http://www.lifeaudio.com
http://www.gaylordentertainment.com
_____________________________________________

o Briefly Noted:

(Burbank, Calif.) Warner Brothers Studio Facilities announced on Tuesday
that it has partnered with MoviePartners.com to offer a free online
consultation service to independent filmmakers on production-related
topics. "Ask Us" will answer all questions submitted online about things
like art direction, lighting and grip, catering, sound production and set
construction. In exchange, North Hollywood-based MoviePartners.com will
promote and market Warner Brothers Studio Facilities' services on its
site.
http://www.moviepartners.com/wb
http://wbsf.warnerbros.com/

(San Diego) MP3.com announced a partnership on Tuesday with Audio
Electronics, an audio integration provider and reseller of sound systems.
Under the agreement, Texas-based Audio Electronics will market and sell
MP3.com's web-enabled music and advertising-delivery program to businesses
throughout the United States. San Diego-based MP3.com's retail division
offers programmable in-store background music that can be complemented
with audio advertising of a particular store's choosing.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/010206/ca_mppp_pa.html
http://www.mp3.com/retail
http://www.audioelectronics.com

(Sioux Falls, S.D.) LodgeNet, a provider of broadband and interactive
services to hoteliers, said that it has partnered with Nintendo to offer
the company's new game release, "Paper Mario," in hotel rooms the same day
it comes out in stores. Sioux Falls-based LodgeNet offers hotel guests in
the U.S. and Canada interactive television, video-on-demand and other
amenities such as Nintendo 64 game consoles in their rooms.
http://www.lodgenet.com/news/releases/010205.html
http://www.nintendo.com/n64/papermario/

(Los Angeles) Online games developer Groove Alliance announced on Tuesday
that it has partnered with Kpe, a provider of broadband production
services. Under the agreement, Los Angeles-based Groove Alliance will
provide Kpe's clients with the option to include interactive entertainment
on their websites. The first project under the partnership is the 3-D
browser-based online game "Otto's Killer Carvin' Snowboard," developed for
Nick.com
http://www.3dgroove.com
http://www.kpe.com
http://www.nick.com/games/nick_games/shock_1412.jhtml

(Ft. Lauderdale, Fl.) LocalBusiness.com, a provider of local news, tools
and resources for small businesses nationwide, announced that it has named
Jane Seagrave as the company's CEO. Previously, Seagrave was president of
Philadelphia-based publishing company Legal Communications. Former CEO
Thomas Maffettone resigned to pursue other opportunities.
http://www.localbusiness.com/Company/press/Releases/020501.htm

(Woodland Hills, Calif.) BroadStream, a provider of reporting and quality
assurance services for streaming media companies, announced on Tuesday
that Eric Shepcaro has been named CEO of the company. Previously, Shepcaro
led Digital Island's international content delivery and developed and
managed partners, alliances and channel programs worldwide.
http://www.broadstream.com

(San Francisco) CNET ran a story on Tuesday featuring InMotion Pictures, a
provider of portable DVD player rentals at airports for in-flight use.
Florida-based InMotion charges $10 per day to rent the player and one
movie, or $5 per five-day rental if you have your own player. The company
currently has rental kiosks placed at airports in Portland, Ore.,
Minneapolis, Atlanta, Cincinnati, Seattle, Denver, San Jose and San Diego.
http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1006-201-4731300-0.html?tag=mn_hd
http://www.inmotionpictures.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