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April 8, 2004 -- About Us | Advertise | Events | Publications | Subscribe

Main Stories
o Electronic Arts President John Riccitiello Resigns
o Activision, Nielsen to Measure Response to In-Game Advertising
o EarthLink Launches For-Pay Sports Service with NFL, NHL Content
o Take-Two Acquires U.K. Handheld Game Developer Mobius
o Calif. PTA Backs Bills Limiting Kids' Exposure to Violent Video Games
o Chipmaker Sand Video Acquired for $77.5 Million by Broadcom

o Note to Readers: Easter Holiday Publishing Schedule


 > DMW Announcements
 --DMW Events
  
Games & Mobile Forum - Pre-Registration ends April 9

 > Featured Advertisement:
 --Digital Media Law Report - Available Now - Volume 2 - February/March
 --PricewaterhouseCoopers' Entertainment and Media Outlook
 

o Briefly Noted: RealNetworks - European music service launch, Open eBook Forum - bestseller list, AOL - "The Startup," Microsoft - World DAB Forum, MLB.com - opening day traffic, Instant Live, XM Satellite Radio - Saab, SunnComm Technologies, Ubisoft - "Rocky Legends," MacPlay - "TRON 2.0," FCC - digital TV/audio copy-protections

 
> Job/Event/Marketplace Classifieds:
--Sr. Account Executives
--Financial Analyst/Data Guru
--Junior Contracts Administrator
--GuideStar.org Director, Business Development - New York, NY
--AvcomEast - App Performance and Lifecycle Solutions Seeks Sales People
--Account Director - Direct
--National Account Executive
--Business Development Directors
--IT Perm and Contract Placement Services
--Advanced Selling for High Tech Professionals
--2nd Annual BNA Contracting and Homeland Security Forum -- May 10-12
--Reach Federal Contractors Selling Technologies for Homeland Security
--Stay Ahead Of The Competition With The Kiplinger California Letter
 


o Electronic Arts President John Riccitiello Resigns

Redwood City, Calif. -- Video game developer Electronic Arts, responsible for the popular "Madden NFL" and "Battlefield 1942" game franchises, announced yesterday that company president and chief operating officer John Riccitiello has resigned to start a private equity business. Electronic Arts CEO Larry Probst will take on Riccitiello's duties until a replacement can be found.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/040407/75680_1.html 
http://www.ea.com
_____________________________________________

o Activision, Nielsen to Measure Response to In-Game Advertising

Santa Monica, Calif. -- Video game developer Activision said on Thursday that it has partnered with ratings firm Nielsen Entertainment to develop audience measurement metrics to help the industry assess the impact of in-game ad exposure. The companies also released details of a survey of the video game habits of 1,000 males in Nielsen TV households. The survey found that 75% of Nielsen TV households with a male between ages 8-34 own a video game system, and that TV viewership among male gamers aged 18-34 appears to be slightly less than the group in general. The survey found that more than one quarter (27%) of active male gamers noticed advertising in the last video game they played, with heavy (31%) and older (35%) gamers being the most likely to recall advertising. Over half (52%) said they like games to contain ads for real products, with a majority (70%) feeling that real products make a game more "genuine."
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040408/lath039_1.html 
http://www.activision.com 
http://www.nielsen.com/nielsen_entertainment.html
_____________________________________________

o EarthLink Launches For-Pay Sports Service with NFL, NHL Content

Atlanta -- Internet service provider EarthLink on Thursday launched a premium subscription sports service for its subscribers that will offer streaming audio and video of Major League Baseball, the National Hockey League, NASCAR and college sports. The company's $9.95 per month EarthLink Premium Sports service will be powered by New York-based Synacor, which enables ISPs to offer bundled premium media content through its deals with various providers. The service will also include a fantasy sports offering, and content from SportingNews.com and Motor Trend magazine.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040408/clth031_1.html 
http://www.synacor.com 
http://start.earthlink.net/channel/SPORTS
____________________________________________

o Take-Two Acquires U.K. Handheld Game Developer Mobius

New York -- Video game publisher Take-Two Interactive announced on Thursday its acquisition of Leeds, U.K.-based Mobius Entertainment, a developer of games for handheld platforms. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Founded in 1997, Mobius has developed titles such as the Game Boy Advance version of Take-Two subsidiary Rockstar Games' "Max Payne," and "Pop Idol" for publisher Codemasters. The Mobius team, currently at work on titles for Sony's forthcoming PSP handheld gaming device, will now be known as Rockstar Leeds.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/040408/85146_1.html 
http://www.take2games.com 
http://www.mobiusent.com
____________________________________________

o Calif. PTA Backs Bills Limiting Kids' Exposure to Violent Video Games

Los Angeles -- The California State Parent Teachers Association (PTA) on Thursday voiced its support for two proposed pieces of California state legislation that would restrict sales of violent video games to minors. The laws would require retailers to display "Mature"-rated games separately from other titles, and clearly display signs explaining game ratings, in addition to prohibiting sales or rental to minors. "AB 1792 will assist parents by prohibiting vendors from selling or renting harmful video games to children, and AB 1793 will assure parents that video games with excessive violence will be displayed in such a way as to protect children from easily viewing them in stores," said Pat Klotz, California State PTA vice president for community concerns.
http://www.capta.org
____________________________________________

o Chipmaker Sand Video Acquired for $77.5 Million by Broadcom

Andover, Mass. -- Three years after its founding, Sand Video, a venture capital-backed developer of video-related semiconductors for broadband communications, has agreed to be acquired for $77.5 million in cash and stock by California-based Broadcom, a provider of semiconductors for broadband communications and networking of voice, video and data services. Terms of the deal include $7.5 million in cash and about $70 million in Broadcom stock. Founded in 2001, Massachusetts-based Sand Video has raised $8 million in venture capital from Baker Capital, CommonAngels, and Navigator Technology Ventures.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040407/nyw152_1.html 
http://www.broadcom.com 
http://www.sandvideo.com
____________________________________________

o Note to Readers:

Digital Media Wire will not be published on Friday, April 9 or Monday, April 12, as we take a short break for the Easter holiday weekend. The next edition will arrive on Tuesday, April 13.

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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
Stephanie Boyle, Head of Partner Relations, Ericsson Mobility World
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, (M)forma 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
Marcus Matthews - CEO, Blue Heat Games
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 System

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.


Past Events | Sponsorship Materials | Partners & Clients
 

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> Featured Advertisement: 

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


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
 

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o Briefly Noted:

(Berlin) Media delivery technology firm RealNetworks plans to launch a European version of its Rhapsody digital music subscription service within a year, CEO Rob Glaser said on Thursday. "Six months to a year from now is realistic," Glaser told the Financial Times Deutschland. Other firms including Apple, Napster and Microsoft plan to enter the European market as well, which is currently dominated by digital music distributor OD2.
http://makeashorterlink.com/?O6B8239F7 
http://www.listen.com

(New York) The Open eBook Forum, an industry group of publishers and technology firms promoting e-book technology, announced on Thursday the formation of the first monthly e-book bestseller list. The first list covers unit sales for March 2004, with Dan Brown's "The Da Vinci Code" and four other titles by the author taking all but one of the slots in the list's top five.
http://www.openebook.org/bestseller/march04.htm

(Dulles, Va.) America Online on Thursday launched an online reality series for its members called "The Startup," which will chronicle the launches of four small businesses. The company partnered with Entrepreneur Magazine on the Web series, which will offer weekly video updates and blogs from the business owners, and monthly pieces contributed by Entrepreneur writers.
http://makeashorterlink.com/?P3CA429F7

(Redmond, Wash.) Microsoft on Thursday announced that it has joined the World DAB Forum, an international group of 80 organizations focused on developing Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) technology. The company said U.K. trials are currently underway using DAB with its Windows Media 9 Series to deliver 5.1-channel surround sound. Other firms working on the trial include Capital Radio, NTL Broadcast, RadioScape and Pure Digital and Imagination Technologies.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040408/sfth018_1.html
http://makeashorterlink.com/?Z30A129F7

(New York) Major League Baseball Advanced Media said that its MLB.com web site received more than 120 million page views on Monday, the league's official opening day. The website attracted more than 120 million page views, exceeding its previous record of 40 million page views set on October 15, 2003 for Game 6 of the Boston Red Sox/New York Yankee and Game 7 of the Chicago Cubs/Florida Marlins League Championship Series.
http://www.mlb.com

(Boston) Instant Live, a unit of radio giant Clear Channel that distributes live CD recordings of performances at the venue following the show, announced that it has been awarded a business method patent by the U.S. Patent Office for its "business method of creating and distributing digital concert recordings contemporaneously at events." The company recently announced it would record and sell limited edition CDs from performances on the upcoming Pixies reunion tour.
http://www.instantliveconcerts.com

(Washington) XM Satellite Radio said on Thursday that automaker Saab will begin offering XM receivers in its vehicle models, beginning with the new 2005 Saab 9-7X sport utility vehicle in the first quarter of 2005.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040408/dcth002a_1.html 
http://www.xmradio.com

(Phoenix, Az.) SunnComm Technologies, a provider of CD copy-protection technology, said on Thursday that over 2 million CD albums utilizing its anti-copying technology have now been sold in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The company added that at least two recent releases using the technology are expected to achieve "Gold" or "Platinum" sales status in the second quarter.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/040408/85358_1.html 
http://www.sunncomm.com

(San Francisco) Video game publisher Ubisoft will release another game based on the "Rocky" boxing films in the fall. Currently in development at Venom Games, "Rocky Legends" for PlayStation 2 and Xbox will feature characters including Apollo Creed and Clubber Lang, and online bouts for the Xbox via Xbox Live.
http://www.ubisoft.com

(Dallas) Mac game developer MacPlay said on Thursday that it will develop a version of "TRON 2.0" on behalf of publisher Buena Vista Interactive for release in May. The game was originally developed by Monolith Productions and is based on the classic Disney sci-fi film.
http://www.macplay.com 
http://www.tron20.net

(San Francisco) CNET News.com recently reported on two current battles brewing between copyright holders, consumer groups and consumer electronics firms, over what kind of copy-protection should be installed on new TVs and radios that accept digital broadcasts, and whether or not the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) should mandate the security technologies. The first article discusses negotiations over the "broadcast flag," which would allow Hollywood to regulate how digital TV shows and movies can be shuffled between TVs, digital video recorders and PCs. The second story focuses on a letter sent by several consumers groups to the FCC, urging them to delay any regulation of the nascent digital radio broadcasting industry until a "strict review of technical costs and benefits" can be conducted.
http://news.com.com/2100-1025-5186881.html 
http://news.com.com/2100-1027-5186980.html

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> Sr. Account Executives

You will be the primary person on our new accounts, and direct and execute our programs. You will contribute to strategy, and be responsible for media relations, analyst programs, industry outreach, as well as customer profiles. Successful candidates will have at least 4 years of agency or relevant industry experience. You will have excellent track records with PR programs, superior placements in business and technology press, top-notch writing and pitching know-how and a strong grasp of technology markets. Please send your cover letter and resume to jobs@corporateink.com The pitch should tell us why you're the person we're seeking. For more visit http://www.corporateink.com
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Looking for financial analyst/associate(s) from a consumer finance institution possessing hands-on, operational experience in/with customer loan portfolio optimization, customer acquisition and retention, and financial analysis around funding and/or marketing decisioning. Ideal candidates will possess 4 -7 years' experience with loan portfolio analysis and data mining. All correspondence is handled on completely confidential basis. Send resumes to lyamson@ctnet.com
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Seeking a hands-on person to perform day-to-day activities that includes monitoring and ensuring compliance with contract terms, processing amendments and modifications and other contract related actions. AA/BS degree, 1-2 yrs experience in government contracting environment. Knowledge of FARs and GSA Schedule desirable. Strong communication skills, knowledge of MS Office. Law degree a plus. Competitive benefits program. Salary $40K-$45K. Submit salary history with resume. Send resume to aalexis@hazmed.com
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> GuideStar.org Director, Business Development - New York, NY

We seek an ambitious Dir, Bus. Development to market our products & services in the Northeast. Required: Excellent organizational & communication skills, 5+ years exp. in sales & marketing, BA degree or equiv. in Business or Marketing, proven record of achieving sales goals, proficiency in MS Office & ACT! (or similar CRM software). Work from a N.Y. City home office with frequent travel in the Northeast U.S. Send cover letter & resume to businessjobs@guidestar.org, fax 757-229-3482. Visit http://www.guidestar.org  EEO
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> 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
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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
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> 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
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> 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
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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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> 2nd Annual BNA Contracting and Homeland Security Forum -- May 10-12

Homeland security forum speakers from the Department of Homeland Security:
include Steven Cooper, CIO; Josh Filler, Director of the Office of State
and Local Government Coordination; David Bolka, Director of HSARPA;
Gregory Rothwell, Chief Procurement Officer; Kevin Boshears, Director,
Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization; Hugo Teufel,
Associate General Counsel for General Law; and Patrick Schambach, CIO,
Transportation Security Administration. Info/Registration:
http://www.homeland-conference.com/
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> 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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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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Editor: Mark Hefflinger

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