archives

o Microsoft in Talks to Supply Digital Rights Management to Napster
o Disney, Viacom Exploring Video-on-Demand Partnership
o Microsoft Acquires "Age of Empires" Game Creator Ensemble Studios
o Edel Entertainment Using ViaTech to Secure Digital Downloads
o Streaming Media Firm Tellsoft Acquired by Rebar
> Digital Media Wire Seminar: The Future of Digital Entertainment - D.C.
> Digital Media Wire Seminar: E-Publishing - NYC
o Briefly Noted: Directrix - Vivid Entertainment Group, Cirrus Logic,
RealNetworks, Japanese video game market
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> Job Postings: PR Account Director, Desktop Publisher, Strategic Alliance
Manager, Copy Writing Project Coordinator

> Events/Services: "SpyWorm's SEX* Awards," "2001 Digital Content Conference"

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
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o Microsoft in Talks to Supply Digital Rights Management to Napster

Los Angeles -- Microsoft has been in talks with Napster to supply the
file-sharing service with technology to secure its planned subscription
service for downloading music, The Los Angeles Times reported on Friday.
Microsoft's digital rights management technology -- which helps prevent
unauthorized copying of media files -- has been endorsed by the recording
industry, and is currently being used to distribute major label songs on a
limited basis. Napster confirmed that it has been in discussions with
Microsoft; sources told the Times that Microsoft is seeking either
licensing fees or an equity stake in the company in exchange for use of
its copy-protected Windows Media software. Currently, Microsoft's digital
rights management software is being used in a beta test of the re-launched
Scour music and video file-sharing service, which was acquired by
Oregon-based CenterSpan.
http://www.latimes.com/business/cotown/20010504/t000037546.html
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o Disney, Viacom Exploring Video-on-Demand Partnership

New York -- Disney chief executive Michael Eisner said that his company
has been discussing the possibility of a joint video-on-demand venture
with Viacom, Bloomberg News reported on Friday. Eisner said that he is
interested in the technology's ability to "bypass the middleman" in film
distribution, meaning either movie theaters or video rental stores. Viacom
CEO Sumner Redstone said that Disney is one of three companies involved,
but declined to name the third. Viacom's Blockbuster unit recently
terminated what would have been a twenty-year deal with Enron Broadband to
deploy video-on-demand to consumers.
http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1005-200-5816131.html?tag=cd_mh
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o Microsoft Acquires "Age of Empires" Game Creator Ensemble Studios

Redmond, Wash. -- Microsoft announced on Friday that it has reached an
agreement to acquire game developer Ensemble Studios. Terms of the
transaction were not disclosed. Ensemble will continue to operate out of
its Dallas, Texas headquarters. The company's "Age of Empires" strategy
game for the PC -- which Microsoft helped the company develop over a
six-year period -- has sold 8.5 million units to date in the U.S.
Microsoft also announced that Ensemble will soon release "Age of
Mythology," which "puts players in those ancient civilizations where
praying for luck in battle, fighting Cyclopes or petitioning Zeus to call
down lightning bolts on the enemy are real occurrences," said Bruce
Shelley, co-founder and senior game designer for Ensemble Studios.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/010503/sfth051_2.html
http://www.ensemblestudios.com
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o Edel Entertainment Using ViaTech to Secure Digital Downloads

Natick, Mass. -- Digital rights management provider ViaTech said that
independent record label Edel Entertainment will use its technology to
distribute digital music on the Internet. Edel subsidiary Red Distribution
is the largest indie music distributor in the U.S., handling artists like
Xzibit, Fear Factory and Me First and the Gimme Gimmes. Natick-based
ViaTech's technology allows users to listen to downloads sent via email or
through a file-sharing service for a limited number of times before being
asked to purchase a CD or download. The downloads can then be transferred
to SDMI-compliant portable MP3 players and other devices. Edel will use
ViaTech's software to distribute music on Napster. The company also uses
Liquid Audio's technology to sell downloads.
http://www.elicense.com
http://www.edel.com
http://www.redmusic.com
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o Streaming Media Firm Tellsoft Acquired by Rebar

Colorado Springs, Colo. -- Tellsoft, a provider of streaming media
services, has been acquired by Rebar, a technology operating and holding
company. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Colorado
Springs-based Tellsoft provides streaming media content creation and
delivery software for businesses. The software allows the use of a phone
to create and publish voice content for webcasts, online presentations and
voice email messaging. Boulder-based Rebar invests in and manages mostly
companies that create marketing and other software for businesses.
http://www.tellsoft.com/news/press/pr010503.asp
http://www.rebarco.com
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> Digital Media Wire Seminar: The Future of Digital Entertainment - D.C.

"The Future of Digital Entertainment: What's Next After Napster?"

Washington, D.C. | Sponsored by Katten Muchin Zavis
Wednesday, May 9th at The University Club

For more information and to register:
http://www.acteva.com/booking.cfm?bevaid=13850&Referrer_id=4074

MODERATOR:
- David Halberstadter, Attorney, Katten Muchin Zavis

PANELISTS:
- Fritz Attaway, Executive Vice President & Washington General Counsel,
Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA)
- Russell Frackman, Attorney, Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp LLP,
Lead counsel for the RIAA in their litigation vs. Napster
- Declan McCullagh, Washington Bureau Chief, Wired News
- Marybeth Peters, Register of Copyrights, U.S. Copyright Office
- Jonathan Potter, Executive Director, Digital Media Association (DiMA)
- Jenny Toomey, Executive Director, Coalition for the Future of Music
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> Digital Media Wire Seminar: E-Publishing - NYC

"E-Publishing: The Promise Of A New Book"

New York City | Tuesday, May 29th at The Cornell Club

For more information and to register:
http://www.acteva.com/booking.cfm?bevaid=14290&Referrer_id=4074

MODERATOR:
- M.J. Rose, Journalist - Wired News,
Author of 'How to Publish and Promote Online' and 'In Fidelity'

PANELISTS:
- Wendy Silbert, Vice President of Media Development, LiveREADS
- Claire Zion, Editorial Director, iPublish.com - Time Warner Books
***Additional panelists TBA***
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o Briefly Noted:

(Northvale, N.J.) Streaming media delivery services provider Directrix
announced on Friday that adult entertainment provider Vivid Entertainment
Group will use the company's technology to stream its video-on-demand
content to consumers. New Jersey-based Directrix's technology works on
Akamai's content-speeding network. The company has similar video-on-demand
partnerships with Playboy Entertainment Group and Pleasure Productions.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/010504/nyf032.html
http://www.directrix.com
http://www.vividvideo.com/

(San Francisco) CNET is currently featuring an article on the role that
chipmakers such as Cirrus Logic -- which makes chips for MP3 players and
home stereos that play digital music -- will play in which digital music
formats and security technologies gain industry acceptance. Despite the
availability of multiple audio codecs like MP3, Windows Media, AAC, ATRAC
and Ogg Vorbis, chipmakers want to support as few as possible to keep
costs low. Austin-based Cirrus Logic also wants to limit the number of
security technologies that it has to support.
http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1005-200-5813283.html?tag=mn_hd

(San Francisco) Business2.com reported on what could happen to
RealNetworks when Microsoft releases its Windows XP operating system,
which comes with its new Windows Media 8 media players tied into the
system. The move could make users less likely to try competing media
players, such as Real's. The article also explores the separate efforts of
RealNetworks, Microsoft, Yahoo and others to create a central
entertainment destination online.
http://www.business2.com/ebusiness/2001/05/realchallenge.htm

(Redmond, Wash.) MSNBC.com reported on Friday on the slow-down in games
sales among Japanese game manufacturers, and the state of the video game
industry in Japan. The article interviews several Japanese gaming
executives and also explores new technologies, such as games on cell
phones, which could spur new growth.
http://www.msnbc.com/news/568459.asp

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

> The Hoffman Agency, PR Account Director - New York City

Seeking senior-level PR professional w/ 8-12 yrs. high-tech PR exp.,
strong client management skills and proven media & analyst relationships.
Investor Relations experience a big "plus". Duties include: mentoring
account teams, communicating strategies to client & team, developing
'launch' strategies, product positioning, messaging & creative tactical
ideas.
Send resumes to resume@hoffman.com
http://www.hoffman.com
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> Dow Jones & Company, Desktop Publisher - Washington, D.C.

Seeking Desktop Publisher to produce the Dow Jones Newswires family of
Newsletters. Responsible for producing at least one 8-12 page newsletter
per day, combining text, graphics & data graphs exported from
spreadsheets. Must have 3+ yrs. exp. in daily publishing environment.
Knowledge of PageMaker, Acrobat, PhotoShop or Illustrator required.
Send resume to mary.pergament@dowjones.com
http://www.dj.com/careers
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> ClassMates.com, Strategic Alliance Manager - San Francisco

Seeking someone w/ 3+ yrs. strategic selling exp., specifically online
media products and sponsorships to join the Online Media Sales Team.
Proven ability to exceed quotas of $1M/yr. Strong sales, negotiation &
business presentation skills. Must have a 'Rolodex' of contacts. History
of building strategic relationships online & through traditional brick &
mortar channels.
Send resume to lnguyen@corp.classmates.com
http://www.classmates.com
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> Globix, Copy Writing Project Coordinator - New York City

The Project Coordinator will be an accomplished copywriter with talent for
writing original promotional, advertising, informational and technical
copy. Other duties include coordinating projects, dealing with graphic
designers & printers, securing estimates, follow-ups, trade show support,
proofreading & editing. Minimum 2 years copy writing experience.
Send resumes to xyz@globix.com
http://www.globix.com/jobs

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

> SpyWorm's SEX* Awards, September 13 - Los Angeles

SpyWorm, a webcasting production house based in Venice, CA, is recruiting
thirty filmmakers to each create a 5-minute "reality based" short on SEX.
Each filmmaker will be provided with DV gear, $100 lunch money and three
(3) days of postproduction services. The top fifteen (15) pieces, as
determined by a panel of esteemed judges, will screen at SpyWorm's SEX*
Awards on September 13, 2001, and compete for cash prizes: 1st Prize
$5,000; 2nd Prize $2,500; 3rd Prize $1,000. All interested filmmakers are
encouraged to e-mail their resumes & best short pitch about SEX* by June
15 to
pitches@spyworm.tv
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> 2001 Digital Content Conference, May 8&9 - New York City

This conference will explore opportunities for new revenue streams,
improved production workflows, faster cycles & lower costs - resulting
from digital content creation, management, packaging and distribution
through consumption. It is intended for established and emerging media,
entertainment, communications and consumer electronics companies.
For more info & to register:
http://www.conference-board.org/search/dconference.cfm?conferenceid=2001286 ______________________

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