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April 5, 2004 -- About Us | Advertise | Events | Publications | Subscribe

Main Stories
o Competition Pushes Aussie Music Download Price to $0.67
o Survey: U.S. Males Spend Increasing Share of Media Time on Games
o Google, Yahoo to Halt Online Casino Ads Amid Murky Legal Status
o Interactive Marketing Firm Advertising.com Files for $100 Million IPO
o Time Warner, Microsoft Buy Stakes in DRM Firm ContentGuard
o Music Choice to Offer Free Broadband 'Net Radio for Cable TV Partners


 > DMW Announcements
 --DMW Events
  
Games & Mobile Forum - Confirmed Speakers & Pre-Registration
 --Digital Media Law Report - Available Now - Volume 2 - February/March

 > Featured Advertisement:
 --PricewaterhouseCoopers' Entertainment and Media Outlook
 --Reach Federal Contractors Selling Technologies for Homeland Security
 

o Briefly Noted: Warner Bros. Online - Vodafone, Synacor - MLB.com, Nextel - NASCAR, Dwango - Rolling Stone, Sorrent - U.K. office, Creative - MuVo Slim MP3 player, Microsoft - "Halo"-branded Xbox, Electronic Arts - "Fight Night 2004," Atari - "Backyard Baseball 2005," "Final Fantasy XI"

 
> Job/Event/Marketplace Classifieds:
--AvcomEast - App Performance and Lifecycle Solutions Seeks Sales People
--Account Director - Direct
--PR Job Openings
--Media Director
--Advertising Sales Manager (Online/Print)
--National Account Executive
--Account Executive
--Business Development Directors
--Sales Executives 
--April 8 - 60 Employers Conducting Interviews at TECHEXPO Top Secret 
--Contracting with the Department of Homeland Security Forum - May 11-12
--IT Perm and Contract Placement Services 
 


o Competition Pushes Aussie Music Download Price to $0.67

Sydney -- Competition among online digital music retailers in Australia has resulted in the world's lowest prices for a digital song, with rival providers Telstra and Destra now offering downloads for $0.75 and $0.67, respectively. Both companies are offering the price points during April as promotions, but both also plan to offer at least part of their catalogs for $0.75 when the promotions end. By comparison, only Wal-Mart in the U.S. offers a cheaper download price ($0.88) than the current industry standard of $0.99 used by Apple's iTunes Store, Napster and others.
http://www.destra.com/investors.asp?action=media&mID=34
http://makeashorterlink.com/?Y647251F7 
_____________________________________________

o Survey: U.S. Males Spend Increasing Share of Media Time on Games

Menlo Park, Calif. -- U.S. males aged 18-34 now report spending a larger share of the time they spend each day with media playing video games (6%) than they do reading newspapers (3%), while U.S. male teenagers devote an even larger percentage of their media day playing video games (15%), according to a consumer survey conducted by Knowledge Networks/SRI's MultiMedia Mentor. Watching television still commands the lion's share of daily media use among 18-34 males (42%) and teenagers (45%), followed in each demographic by radio and the Internet. However, the survey only takes into account console video game usage, and does not include other gaming platforms such as the PC, Internet or cell phones. The new research also shows that, during evening hours (6PM to midnight), a growing number (5%) of men 18 to 34 say they play videogames while watching little or no television.
http://makeashorterlink.com/?E131211F7
_____________________________________________

o Google, Yahoo to Halt Online Casino Ads Amid Murky Legal Status

New York -- Online search giants Google and Yahoo have announced that they will no longer accept advertisements from foreign online casinos, in response to a murky legal environment for online gambling in the U.S. that includes a crackdown on those seen as "aiding and abetting" the casinos, The New York Times reported. Last year, the U.S. government launched a grand jury investigation into online gambling, issuing subpoenas to U.S. companies that place ads for online casinos. "There's been a general message sent to publishers from various agencies in the government that the legality of this advertising is unclear," Dakota Sullivan, vice president for marketing at search engine LookSmart, told The Times. While neither Google nor Yahoo would confirm to The Times that they had been subpoenaed, Jennifer Stephens, a spokeswoman for Yahoo subsidiary Overture, said that the decision to decline ads for online casinos comes from a "lack of clarity" in current U.S. law. In addition to Google and Yahoo, other sites where gambling ads will no longer appear include Microsoft's MSN and Lycos.
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/05/technology/05yahoo.html
____________________________________________

o Interactive Marketing Firm Advertising.com Files for $100 Million IPO

Baltimore -- On the heels of turning its first annual profit, Advertising.com, a Baltimore-based provider of interactive marketing services, said on Monday that it has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission to raise up to $100 million in an initial public offering (IPO). The company has yet to set such details as the date of the offering or price per share, but has registered to trade its shares on the Nasdaq under the symbol "ADCM." Goldman Sachs will serve as lead underwriter. Launched in 1998 by brothers Scott and John Ferber, Advertising.com turned its first profit, $18.7 million, in 2003. The company has developed software that uses complex mathematical algorithms to determine the optimal advertisement to place on available space. It's ad-serving software, which the company's also licenses to web site publishers, in March alone delivered more than 14 billion ads for clients.
http://biz.yahoo.com/iw/040405/065376.html
http://www.advertising.com/home.html
____________________________________________

o Time Warner, Microsoft Buy Stakes in DRM Firm ContentGuard

Bethesda, Md. -- Time Warner and Microsoft separately announced on Monday that they have made significant investments in Maryland-based ContentGuard, a privately held provider of digital rights management (DRM) technology. Terms of the deals of were not disclosed. As a result of the deal, Time Warner becomes a co-investor with Microsoft in ContentGuard, which licenses technologies that cover broad elements of digital rights management and distributed authorization. ContentGuard's technology originated at Xerox's Palo Alto Research Center.
http://biz.yahoo.com/iw/040405/065364.html
____________________________________________

o Music Choice to Offer Free Broadband 'Net Radio for Cable TV Partners

New York -- Music Choice, provider of a digital radio service offered by cable TV systems, announced on Monday that this month it will launch a free companion online music service for its cable TV partners' broadband Internet subscribers. The service will offer the 45 streaming music channels subscribers have access to on their cable TV systems, in addition to seven online-only channels, exclusive video and audio artist interviews, and the opportunity to download or purchase music. "The new broadband music service expands the reach of Music Choice beyond its existing television audience of 34 million homes, providing us with the opportunity to reach a much larger, more diverse audience," said Music Choice president and CEO David Del Beccaro.
http://www.musicchoice.com

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 > DMW Events:



2nd
Annual
GAMES & MOBILE FORUM

April 15
, 2004  |  New York City
www.gamesandmobile.com

OVERVIEW

Games & Mobile Forum is 1-day executive forum focused on business and technology developments impacting games and mobile entertainment.  In 2003, leading executives from entertainment and technology companies including, Yahoo! Games, AOL Games, Atari,  Acclaim, Warner Bros. Online, AtomShockwave, CNET, Creative Artists Agency (CAA), The Endeavor Agency, Mythic Entertainment and Digital Bridges participated in a series of panels on topics, including "Mobile Games: The Coming Wireless Revolution", "Developing Games Based on Film, Television & Music Properties and Visa-Versa"", and "Advergames: Recent Developments & Opportunities".

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Greg Ballard - CEO, Sorrent
John Welch - Chair, IGDA Online Games SIG, VP, AtomShockwave

 

CONFIRMED SPEAKERS
Eric Albert, Business Development Manager, Gameloft
Jeff Anderson - President & CEO, Turbine Entertainment
Matthew Bellows - VP, Mobile Entertainment, GameSpot
Matt Bromberg - GM, AOL Games
Gordon Bellamy - former Exec. Dir., Academy of Interactive Arts & Science
Mike Cartabiano - President, Sennari Mobile
Greg Costikyan -
Chief Creative Officer, Unplugged Inc.
Lee Crawford - Editor, IGDA Mobile Games whitepaper
Ron DiNicola - Pa
rtner, Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp LLP
Michael Dowling - VP, Business Development, Nielsen Entertainment
Andrew Elliott - Head of Bus. Dev. & Strategies,
Ent. & Media, Nokia Americas  
Keith Ferrazzi - CEO, YaYa Media
Mark Friedler - CEO,
Gigex, Inc./GameDAILY LLC
Minard Hamilton - SVP, Sales & Brand Partnerships, JAMDAT
Stewart Halpern - Managing Dir., Digital Ent. Research, RBC Capital Markets
Todd Herman - Streaming Evangelist, MSNBC.com
Mark Jacobstein - President & COO, Digital Chocolate
Daniel James - Founder & CEO, Three Rings Design

Scott Jensen - VP, Bus. Development, Media & Entertainment, Mforma Group
Scott Johnson - President, MENT (Mobility Entertainment)
Garry Kitchen - President/CEO, Skyworks Technologies, Inc.
Joseph Laszlo - Senior Analyst, Broadband & Wireless, Jupiter Research
Misha Lyalin - CEO, Reaxion Corp
Matt Railo - Partner, IP & Technology, Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp LLP

Brian Robbins - Editor, IGDA Downloadable Games whitepaper

Jason Rubinstein - GM, Ubi.com, Ubisoft
Don Ryan - Studio Manager, Microsoft's Zone.com
Mika Salmi, CEO, AtomShockwave  
Dan Scherlis - CEO, Etherplay
Mike Skagerlind - SVP & GM, Nickelodeon Online
Alex St. John - CEO & Co-Founder, Wild Tangent
Jeff Tunnell - Founder & Chief Creative Officer, GarageGames
Joseph Varet - Vice President, Groove Alliance

Gabe Zichermann - VP, Strategy & Communications, Trymedia Systems

REGISTRATION
Pre-Registration: $ 295 (until April 9)
Registration: $ 395 (after April 9)

Online :  http://kb.digitalmediawire.com/register.php?eventid=1060 
Phone: 323-822-0936

To submit speakers for the 2004 conferences, please send a bio and photo (optional) to Tinzar Than, VP, Marketing & Events, Digital Media Wire, Inc. at tinzar@digitalmediawire.com.


Digital Media Law Report
New Featured Section - Volume 2 - 2004

We are pleased to announce that we have added a "Featured Section" to Digital Media Law & Policy Report. We will use this section to provide in depth coverage of certain cases, events and policy developments each month.

This month's featured coverage includes reports on
the transcript of Ned Sherman's interview of RIAA General Counsel Steven Marks at Digital Music Forum in New York City on March 1.  

Subscriptions
-
Order
Volume 2 - February/March 2004 Report - 43 pages - Order

Past Events | Sponsorship Materials | Partners & Clients
 

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> Featured Advertisement: 

> PricewaterhouseCoopers' Entertainment and Media Outlook

Purchase the book every entertainment and media executive must have. The PricewaterhouseCoopers' Entertainment and Media Outlook: 2003-2007 analyzes key trends and forecasts spending in the U.S. and Canada across 14 industry segments, including a Global Overview that forecasts spending and analyzes trends worldwide (also sold separately). More Information
___________________ 

> Reach Federal Contractors Selling Technologies for Homeland Security

The 2003-2004 Directory of Homeland Security has complete listings for 532 companies selling technologies and services devoted to homeland defense. Nearly all major federal contractors are included in the section, which includes company names, key personnel, addresses, phone and fax numbers, urls, annual revenues, number of employees, business sector, general descriptions and homeland security relevance. To order the 2003-2004 edition, click here.
 

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o Briefly Noted:

(London) European wireless network operator Vodafone on Monday announced a distribution agreement with Warner Bros. Online, which will see games, screensavers, alerts and other mobile applications based on Warner brands made available to Vodafone subscribers in 16 countries. The companies will also collaborate on the development of other wireless entertainment content, including video.
http://www.warnerbros.com 
http://www.vodafone.com

(Buffalo, N.Y.) Synacor, a provider of services that allow Internet service providers to offer subscription-based premium entertainment content to their subscribers, announced on Monday that it has signed an agreement with Major League Baseball Advanced Media to add streaming baseball games to its offering. Buffalo, N.Y.-based Synacor's ISP customers include United Online (Juno, NetZero), Susquehanna Communications and FairPoint Communications.
http://www.mlb.com 
http://www.synacor.com

(Reston, Va.) Wireless network operator Nextel said on Monday that it has launched a series of wireless content applications and services related to auto racing across its network. Through deals with Digital Orchid and NASCAR.com, the "NASCAR To Go" subscription service will cost Nextel members an additional $9.99 per month. Content includes breaking news and features, results, series standings, driver updates and a live timing and leaderboard service.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/040405/55793_1.html 
http://www.nascar.com

(Seattle) Mobile entertainment developer and publisher Dwango North America announced on Monday a deal with publisher Wenner Media, to bring Rolling Stone-branded content to cell phones. Seattle-based Dwango will develop content including polyphonic ringtones and music-themed mobile games.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/040405/55397_1.html 
http://www.dwango.com

(London) U.S.-based mobile entertainment publisher Sorrent Inc. recently announced that it has opened a new office in London to deal with sales, marketing and operations in Europe -- including the development of licenses and products specifically designed for the region. "The European markets offer tremendous opportunities for Sorrent as a creator and publisher of original and third-party mobile entertainment content," said Sorrent President Ray Schaaf.
http://sorrent.com/company/press/pr_040401.jsp

(Milpitas, Calif.) Consumer electronics firm Creative Technology announced on Monday the release of its new Creative MuVo Slim 256MB MP3 player. The $199, flash memory-based device is no taller or wider than a credit card and is 0.3" thick. The player also features an FM tuner and recorder, in addition to the capacity to hold up to 4 hours of MP3 music.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040405/sfm082_1.html 
http://www.creative.com

(Redmond, Wash.) Microsoft announced that it will ship a special edition Xbox game console bundled with the popular game title "Halo" to U.S. retailers on April 13. The 200,000 limited edition green Halo-branded Xbox consoles, with the accompanying game, will sell for $169. The company added that "Halo 2" is scheduled for release in the fall.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040402/sff040_1.html

(Redwood City, Calif.) Game developer Electronic Arts on Monday shipped its "Fight Night 2004" title for PlayStation 2 and Xbox to retailers. Developed by EA Canada and EA Chicago, the game offers online play for PlayStation 2. In addition to boxing greats like Lennox Lewis, Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard as playable characters, the game features current Light Heavyweight Champion Roy Jones Jr. as its cover athlete.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/040405/55453_1.html 
http://www.fightnight2004.com

(Beverly, Mass.) Video game publisher Atari said on Monday that it has shipped its "Backyard Baseball 2005" title for PlayStation 2 to retailers. Developed by Atari's Humongous Entertainment studio, the game features New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez as its cover athlete. Atari said a PC version of the title will ship in June.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/040405/55241_1.html 
http://www.atari.com 
http://www.humongous.com

(San Francisco) Wired News on Monday reviewed the recently launched version of Japanese game developer Square Enix's "Final Fantasy XI" for PlayStation 2, which allows users to go online and join both PC gamers in the U.S. and Japanese PlayStation 2 players in the massively multiplayer online roleplaying game. The PS2 version of the game launched with Sony's new 40GB Hard Disk Drive accessory for the console. The review gives the online game high marks in community-building for rewarding players for being considerate and outgoing, while criticizing the lack of support for Japanese text input for North American players.
http://www.wired.com/news/games/0,2101,62910,00.html

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> Classifieds:

> AvcomEast - App Performance and Lifecycle Solutions Seeks Sales People

AvcomEast is a Solutions Provider focused on delivering Application Infrastructure Solutions to their customers. They are experiencing explosive growth and are expanding their presence in the Mid-Atlantic area. AvcomEast is seeking team players to grow with their profitable debt-free company. Immediate openings exists for inside and outside sales people to focus on and support their solution sales efforts. "box kickers" need not apply. Send resumes to jobs@avcomeast.com
___________________

> Account Director - Direct

A major DM marketing consulting firm is searching for an Account Director with a history of agency services and strong knowledge of running ROI management. The right candidate will have team management, business development within a noted direct marketing agency and a history of making recommendations for CRM solutions to blue chip clients. Salary: $100k+ Send resumes info@market-search.net
___________________

> PR Job Openings

Job responsibilities include keeping abreast of all current events related to industries served; working with team members to secure meetings for clients at trade shows and/or industry conferences; creating briefing books, confirmation letters and conducting follow-up for all client press/analyst interviews; handling client's press release distribution, i.e., Business Wire or PR Newswire, as well as tracking clips; and updating media lists. Candidates should have a B.S./B.A. or 1-2 years of exp. in PR or a related field. Please send your resume to PAN Human Resources Department at hr@pancomm.com
_________________ 

> Media Director

Our client, a known national creative shop, is seeking an experienced on-line Media Director. This position requires a candidate with ten plus years of agency experience working on national, on-line accounts. Traditional background is a plus as well. Strong history of making strategic recommendations to the clients is preferred. Strong team leadership experience is required. Send resumes to info@market-search.net  For more info, visit http://www.market-search.net
_________________ 

> Advertising Sales Manager (Online/Print) - Gantthead Media- Fairfax VA

Sell online advertising, email, direct mail lists, newsletters. You have 2 plus yrs exp. selling Internet advertising (req), BA/S degree, B2B agency/account contacts, you can identify, pursue, and close deals. Creative, autonomous work environment. Impressive client list just waiting to be expanded. Package: salary, commission, bonuses, benefits. Please send resume to dave@gantthead.com. EOE, M/F/V/D.
_________________

> National Account Executive

We are seeking quality sales professionals to join our winning team. This aggressive self-starter will possess: min 7 years sales experience, successful track record of quota achievement, prospecting skills, strong presentation, writing and proposal development skills, experience selling to C-level decision makers, solid understanding of strategic selling concepts. Don't tie up our sales lines with incoming calls - if you are the right person - email your resume and salary history to linda@boxwoodtech.com
_________________

> Account Executive

Communique Conferencing, Inc., a rapidly growing Audio and Web conferencing services provider, is seeking experienced sales executives to sell our award winning conferencing services to commercial businesses. Candidates should have 2-5 years B2B sales experience and able to effectively prospect, qualify and & close new sales opportunities. Visit http://www.communiqueconferencing.com  Send resumes to careers@ccimeet.com
_________________

> Business Development Directors

Multimax, a rapidly growing Federal IT services and solutions company, seeks multiple experienced, aggressive and ambitious business developers. Bring your successful track record and market savvy to our team in return for generous compensation, outstanding benefits, and a significant role in the company's continued growth. Work out of your home or our Maryland headquarters. Visit http://www.multimax.com  Send resumes in confidence to HRmd@multimax.com
___________________

> Sales Executives

Allied Telecom Group, a rapidly growing regional broadband and metro Ethernet provider, is seeking experienced sales executives to sell our Internet and transport solutions to organizations in the DC metropolitan area. Allied is a customer-focused company that values integrity and excellence in all that we do. We provide an aggressive compensation and benefits package. Please send resumes to excellence@alliedtelecom.net
___________________

> April 8 - 60 Employers Conducting Interviews at TECHEXPO Top Secret

Interview with Boeing, Titan, Lockheed Martin, AT+T, General Dynamics, L-3, Booz Allen & Hamilton, Northrop Grumman, DigitalNet, ITT, & 50 more on Thurs April 8, 10am-4pm at the BWI Marriott, 1743 W. Nursery Rd., Baltimore. Free Admission to the job fair. Security clearance required to attend. View job postings & register for the event (even if unable to attend) on http://www.TechExpoUSA.com Send inquiries to Marketing@TechExpoUSA.com
___________________

> Contracting with the Department of Homeland Security Forum - May 11-12

BNA's 2nd Annual Contracting with the Department of Homeland Security forum will feature the CIO from the Transportation Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security, and at least five other top officials at the Department on Homeland Security and more!
Last year's sold-out forum had an overwhelming response, so register today at: http://www.homeland-conference.com/
___________________ 

> IT Perm and Contract Placement Services

Technical Staffing Solutions specializes in recruiting the hard to find candidates with or without high level DoD security clearances. We can provide your firm with solutions ranging from 1 permanent employee to a team of technical consultants for the duration of your short or long term engagement. Send inquiries to Skip Kearnes at skearnes@techstaffsolutions.com  or call 703-451-3882 for more information.

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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. To subscribe for free, please click here.

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.

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

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