|
Connecting
People & Knowledge - Since May 2000 |
|
|
May 10, 2004 --
About Us |
Advertise |
Events |
Publications |
Subscribe
Main Stories
o
Report: Number of U.K. Film/TV Downloaders Triples in 2003
o HP to
Sell Custom-Built Video Gaming PCs
o
Report: Video Game Accessories Sales Flat in 2003 at $1.2 Billion
o CNET
Re-Launches MP3.com As Digital Music Information Resource
o Infinium Plans Nov. 18 Launch
for Broadband PC Gaming Console
o Sprint: 3.5 Million Mobile
Games Sold So Far in 2004
o Report: Mobile Phones Add
$26.6 Billion to U.K. Coffers
o DVD Software Maker InterVideo
to Repurchase $10 Million in Shares
o Disney's Buena Vista
Interactive Announces E3 Expo Game Titles
o Discreet Acquires Character
Animation Software Firm Unreal Pictures
> DMW Announcements:
--Washington Digital Media Conference - June 18,
2004
> Featured
Advertisement:
--PricewaterhouseCoopers' Entertainment and Media Outlook
--Digital Media Law Report - Volume 3 - March/April
|
o
Briefly Noted: Orbison Records
- iTunes, Sega - "The Matrix Online," Midway Games - E3 titles,
Cingular - "Survivor," Sony Ericsson - Sorrent, Ubisoft - "Tom
Clancy's Splinter Cell 3," DivXNetworks - in-game cinematics, R0R3
Devices, Google - automated ad keyword generator, Apple iTunes -
label price hikes
>
Job/Event/Marketplace Classifieds:
--2-Day Workshop:"Developing Successful Products"
Philadelphia-May 26-27
--Account Manager: Technology Communications
--Director of Marketing & Communications - D.C.
--IT Perm and Contract Placement Services
--HireStrategy - Treasury Manager
--Account Executive
--Regional Manager, Business Development
--Director Business Development (DBD)
--Reach Federal Contractors Selling Technologies for Homeland
Security
--Advanced Selling for High Tech Professionals
--Supplier Diversity Summit at SUPERCOMM 2004, June 21, Chicago,
IL
|
|
o Report: Number of U.K. Film/TV
Downloaders Triples in 2003
London -- The number of U.K. Internet users downloading films and
TV programs has tripled over the past year to 1.67 million, compared
with the 570,000 people reported last year, according to figures
from the British Video Association (BVA). The report said that the
average U.K. film and TV downloader is a male (67%) under 35 who
lives in the South, where broadband access is more widespread. "The
potential threat to the video industry from downloading is clearly
enormous and there is no complacency about that," said BVA director
general Lavinia Carey. "The film, TV and video industries are
working closely to pre-empt the threat from online piracy. As long
as we can continue to make our traditional product attractive and
future online offers affordable and easy, we hope to avoid the worst
of the damage." In other U.K. industry news, the BVA reported a 61%
increase in DVD sales for 2003, and noted that the format now
commands 70% of the U.K. home video market.
http://www.bva.org.uk/content.asp?id=13002
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/film/3692999.stm
_____________________________________________
o HP to Sell
Custom-Built Video Gaming PCs
Los Angeles -- Looking to capitalize on the burgeoning video game
market, PC maker HP on Monday announced that it will begin selling
custom-built PCs for video game enthusiasts, with the most
heavily-equipped models selling for over $3,000. The company's
Compaq "X Gaming" machines will go on sale in June or July both
online and via custom configuration kiosks located in retail stores,
starting at around $1,599.
http://makeashorterlink.com/?Z5A713348
http://www.hp.com
____________________________________________
o
Report: Video Game Accessories Sales Flat in 2003 at $1.2 Billion
Port Washington, N.Y. -- Total U.S. sales of accessories for
console and portable video games in 2003 were flat over the previous
year with $1.2 billion in sales, while the first quarter of 2004 has
seen a 10% sales increase over the same period last year, according
to data from New York-based market research firm NPD Group. Products
included in the video game accessories category include specialty
controllers, modems and DVD remotes. NPD noted that the greatest
increase in dollar sales occurred among network adaptors and modems
-- devices that connect game consoles to the Internet for online
gaming -- which rose 155% in 2003. "Online gaming provides consumers
with the ability to experience entirely new ways of playing video
games, while the industry continues to see increased revenues
through this alternative to off-line gaming," said NPD senior
analyst Richard Ow.
http://www.npd.com
____________________________________________
o CNET
Re-Launches MP3.com As Digital Music Information Resource
San Francisco -- CNET Networks, a publisher of technology news and
information, announced on Monday the re-launch of MP3.com, a site
that once housed millions of MP3s from unsigned artists but will now
serve as a digital music discovery and content resource. The site
will offer a directory of legal digital music downloads and streams
across the major services, including 30-second clips of millions of
songs; an archive of artist and album information; a "music
discovery engine"; and a technology guide covering the different
available services, portable players and software. "Consumers have
never before had such an easy, intuitive way to navigate the rich,
diverse world of legal music content, technologies, and services,"
said Vince Broady, senior vice president of CNET Networks' games and
entertainment business. The new MP3.com also plans to add community
and personalization features later this year.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/040510/105703_1.html
http://www.cnetnetworks.com
http://www.mp3.com
____________________________________________
o Infinium
Plans Nov. 18 Launch for Broadband PC Gaming Console
Sarasota, Fla. -- Infinium Labs, which has been stealthily
developing a PC-based broadband video game console, announced on
Monday for the first time that its Phantom gaming console will go on
sale Nov. 18. The Phantom will cost $199 on its own, but will be
offered for free if consumers purchase a two-year subscription to
the $29.95 per month broadband gaming service. The device -- which
comes with a gamepad, a mouse and a custom keyboard -- will allow
subscribers to play a selection of free PC games included with their
subscription on any TV, as well as rent or purchase other game
titles. Florida-based Infinium said the device will be manufactured
in Taiwan by Biostar, and will feature a 40GB hard drive, an AMD
Athlon CPU, and Nvidia graphics processing units and platform
processors. Infinium Labs also said that its recently announced
first round of venture capital financing increased from $44 million
to $46 million following an additional commitment from Reich
Capital.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/040510/105360_1.html
http://biz.yahoo.com/rc/040510/tech_infiniumlabs_1.html
http://www.infiniumlabs.com
http://www.phatom.net
____________________________________________
o Sprint: 3.5
Million Mobile Games Sold So Far in 2004
Overland Park, Kan. -- Wireless network operator Sprint announced on
Monday that it has so far this year sold over 3.5 million mobile
games to its subscribers, bringing the total number of games the
company has sold since launching its Sprint PCS wireless division to
9.5 million. At the end of the first quarter, Sprint reported 4.2
million subscribers for its Sprint PCS Vision wireless content
service. "In 2002, Sprint announced its strategy to lead in the
mobile-gaming market. Last year, we announced more than 120 titles
and 17 partners, proving our success to that point," said Jeff
Hallock, vice president of consumer product marketing for Sprint.
"In 2003, Sprint had more than 5 million game purchases. We're on
track to exceed that number this year with more than 3.5 million
purchases in the first 4 months and the promise of more innovations
to come in the form of 3D games."
http://www.pcsvision.com
____________________________________________
o Report:
Mobile Phones Add $26.6 Billion to U.K. Coffers
London -- According to a new report conducted by the U.K. Centre for
Economic and Business Research and commissioned by local mobile
operator mmO2, England's mobile phone sector now contributes more
than $26.6 billion to the U.K. economy every year, putting the
industry on equal footing with oil and gas extraction in terms of
tax income (2.3%). "No one should underestimate the impact of the
mobile (sector) on economic prosperity," said mmO2 CEO Peter Erskine
in a statement. "This is a significant industry making a major
contribution to the economy and, given the right conditions, it is
set to increase its impact." The report also found that the U.K.
mobile industry employs more than 200,000 people who each account
for about $212,800 of revenue per year. Erskine said the mobile
industry in the U.K. had grown over the last 20 years from zero to
"something bigger than the whole of the print, paper and publishing
sector."
http://www.cebr.dk/researchtopmenu.aspx
http://www.mmo2.com/docs/media/press_releases.html
____________________________________________
o DVD Software
Maker InterVideo to Repurchase $10 Million in Shares
Fremont, Calif. -- InterVideo, a developer of DVD creation and
editing software, announced on Monday that its board of directors
has approved a $10 million stock repurchase program, which many
companies do when they believe their shares are currently being
undervalued on the market. Fremont, Calif.-based InterVideo recently
reported $71 million in cash and short term investments, and 13.5
million shares of common stock outstanding.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/040510/105364_1.html
http://www.intervideo.com
____________________________________________
o Disney's
Buena Vista Interactive Announces E3 Expo Game Titles
Los Angeles -- Buena Vista Interactive, the video games unit of The
Walt Disney Company, announced on Monday the roster of new titles it
will display at this week's Electronic Entertainment Expo trade show
in Los Angeles. The company will showcase a number of titles based
on Disney films, including "Chicken Little," "The Chronicles of
Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe," "TRON 2.0: Killer
App," "Disney/Pixar's The Incredibles," "King Arthur," "Tim Burton's
The Nightmare Before Christmas: Oogie's Revenge" and "Power Rangers
Dino Thunder." Buena Vista will also target the "tween" market with
titles based on Disney Channel TV properties, such as "Disney's Kim
Possible 2: Drakken's Demise," "Disney's Lizzie McGuire 2" and
"Disney's That's So Raven."
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040510/lam061_1.html
http://bvinteractive.go.com
____________________________________________
o Discreet
Acquires Character Animation Software Firm Unreal Pictures
Montreal -- Discreet, a division of Autodesk that develops animation
and other digital media creation software, announced on Monday that
it has acquired Unreal Pictures, developers of character animation
software. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.
Palo Alto, Calif.-based Unreal's Character Studio software is the
most widely used character animation application, with over 100,000
installs, the company said. "Ground-breaking character animation
technology is core to the future successes of stunning high-end 3D
animations in films, games and even visualizations," said Paul
Lypaczewski, general manager of Montreal-based Discreet. "This
acquisition positions Discreet to deliver unmatched value to our
customers with intuitive workflow, ease of use, and unmatched
motion-picture quality.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040510/sfm089_1.html
http://www.discreet.com
http://www.unrealpictures.com
Top
|
> DMW Events:
Washington
Digital Media
Conference
June 18,
2004
|
Washington, DC
www.digitalmediaconference.com
OVERVIEW
Media and entertainment companies are
going through a digital transformation, which is impacting
traditional business models and changing the way we distribute,
access and market media and entertainment.
Washington Digital Media Conference
brings
together decision-makers from the leading
media, entertainment and technology
companies in the Greater Washington, DC area
for a 1-day executive forum
focused on business, legal/policy and
technology
developments impacting digital media.
Get a unique view of the future of media and entertainment from
the inside. Gain insight into new business opportunities driving
the transformation of entertainment and media businesses. Take a
hard look at how traditional challenges to sustainable business
models are dissolving, only to be replaced by new obstacles, and
how we can prepare now to overcome them. Examine media and
entertainment-based technologies emerging today and explore how
these technologies are driving the transformation of the media
and entertainment industries.
How are traditional business models being
reinvented? What are the challenges and opportunities involving
digital media? What do you need to do to stay competitive in the
technology age? Be a part of this inaugural event, which brings
together the business and government leaders who are transforming
the Greater Washington, DC area into a center for digital media
innovation and development.
REGISTRATION
Early Bird Registration: $195 (until May
24th)
Pre-Registration: $295 (until June 11th)
Registration: $395 (after June 11th)
Online :
http://kb.digitalmediawire.com/register.php?eventid=1067
Phone: 323-822-0936
To submit speakers for
or request information about exhibiting or sponsoring at the 2004
conference, please contact Tinzar Than, VP, Marketing & Events,
Digital Media Wire, Inc. at:
tinzar@digitalmediawire.com.
Past Events
|
Sponsorship Materials
|
Partners & Clients
|
Top
> 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
Digital
Media Law Report
New Featured Section
- Volume
3 - 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.
Subscriptions
-
Order
Volume 3 - March/April 2004 Report
-
Order
|
|
Top
|
o Briefly Noted: ((Nashville,
Tenn.) Orbison Records, a label that offers recordings from the late
singer Roy Orbison, announced on Monday that it has signed an
agreement to offer its catalog through Apple's iTunes music download
store. The offering will include Orbison's recordings on Sun
Records, rare live recordings, his final recordings and tracks from
Orby Records.
http://www.royorbison.com
(Los Angeles) Video game developer Sega of America announced on
Monday that it has partnered with Warner Bros. Interactive
Entertainment to co-publish the company's upcoming massively
multiplayer online game based on its "Matrix" film trilogy. Under
the terms, Sega will manage distribution of "The Matrix Online,"
while Warner will oversee content development and manage live game
operations. The game is scheduled to launch in November 2004.
http://www.sega.com/usa
http://www.thematrixonline.com
(Chicago) Video game publisher Midway Games on Monday announced
the slate of new games it will display at this week's E3 video game
convention. The company plans to show six new titles, including
"Mortal Kombat: Deception," the latest title in the franchise that
has spawned several spin-off movies, as well as "Psi-Ops: The
Mindgate Conspiracy," "Area 51," "MLB Slugfest: Loaded," "Shadow
Hearts: Covenant" and "Midway Arcade Treasures 2."
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/040510/105034_1.html
http://www.midway.com
(Atlanta) Cingular Wireless said on Monday that it is sponsoring
the text message voting element for "America's Tribal Council," a
feature of CBS's "Survivor All-Stars" final that will enable viewers
to choose one of the 18 losing contestants to win a second $1
million cash prize. Results from the voting, which may also be done
via the CBS "Survivor" website, will be announced on Thursday.
http://www.cbs.com/primetime/survivor8/polls/viewers_choice/index.shtml
(Los Angeles) Cell phone maker Sony Ericsson announced on Monday
that it has partnered with mobile games developer Sorrent to offer
eleven of the company's titles on Sony Ericsson handsets. The
available titles will include San Mateo, Calif.-based Sorrent's
collaborations with Fox Sports, including "Yao Ming Basketball '04"
and "Fox Sports Soccer '04."
http://www.sonyericsson.com
http://www.sorrent.com
(Los Angeles) Video game publisher Ubisoft said on Monday that
its Montreal studio is currently developing "Tom Clancy's Splinter
Cell 3," the next installment in its six million unit-selling
franchise. The PC game is scheduled to launch in late 2004.
http://www.ubi.com/US/News/News_2004-05-10_splintercell3.htm
(San Diego) DivXNetworks, a developer of video compression
technology, said on Monday that its DivX video compression
technology has been used by a number of video game publishers to
include DVD-quality in-game cinematics. Titles utilizing San
Diego-based DivXNetworks' technology include Atari's "Enter the
Matrix" and "Unreal Tournament 2004," Activision's "Tony Hawk
Underground" and Electronic Arts' "James Bond 2004: Everything and
Nothing."
http://www.divxnetworks.com/solutions/gaming
(Danville, Calif.) Computer peripherals developer R0R3 Devices
announced on Monday that it is currently developing text and voice
communication for video game consoles, including a controller that
will be able to send and receive text and voice messages while games
are running. Danville, Calif.-based R0R3 said the technology will be
designed to support consoles that aren't online-capable, as well as
non-online game titles.
http://www.r0r3.com
(San Francisco) CNET News.com reported on Monday that search
engine giant Google plans to release tools that will automate the
creation of keyword combinations for its keyword advertisers, in the
hopes of boosting revenue derived from the lucrative service.
ComScore estimates that currently only 40-45% of the 120 million
daily Internet searches are linked to a keyword ad. Google's service
would allow large advertisers like Amazon.com -- which bids on
thousands of keywords -- to let Google's software automatically
search its pages and generate keywords for ads.
http://news.com.com/2100-1024_3-5208492.html
(New York) The New York Post reports that all five major record
labels have negotiated new song download pricing terms with Apple,
which will result in increases on both some singles and full albums
sold from the company's iTunes Store. The Post said that pricing for
some of the most popular singles will rise from $0.99 to $1.25.
Several albums have already been ratcheted up in price from the past
standard of $9.99 to $16.99, the comparable price for a new release
CD.
http://www.nypost.com/business/20309.htm
Top
|
>
Classifieds:
> 2-Day Workshop:"Developing Successful Products"
Philadelphia-May 26-27
Learn unique approach to creating, developing, & launching
products.
Includes: Market research, segmentation, value proposition,
positioning,
requirements writing, business case, working with development,
leading a
cross-functional product team, devising business cases, &
orchestrating a
successful product launch, & post-launch audit. CALL Sequent
Learning
Networks to register $995. Go to sequentlearning.com for FREE
prod
mgmt/mktg/templates. Send inquiries to
sjhaines@sequentlearning.com
___________________
> Account Manager: Technology Communications
Stanton Communications, The Holmes Report's 2003 Best Small
Agency, seeks a professional with a proven ability to develop
and retain media relationships, and can demonstrate success
preparing written materials such as by-lined articles and
speeches, and utilizing electronic tools for reaching the media.
A minimum of 3-5 years experience communicating about technology
products and services preferred. Agency experience a plus. Visit
http://www.stantoncomm.com
Send resumes to
pstanton@stantoncomm.com
_________________
> Director of Marketing & Communications - Washington, DC
This emerging homeland security company that provides
products and services to first responders is looking for an
experienced professional to build its marketing and
communications capabilities. The position entails building the
brand of the corporate parent and working with its subsidiaries
to organize trade shows, advertising campaigns, public
relations, marketing materials, and events. A min. of 10 years
experience required with a strong background in developing,
executing, and managing marketing strategies. Send resumes to:
ldorrow@globalsecureholdings.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.
___________________
> HireStrategy - Treasury Manager
Candidate will oversee a staff of two and will perform servicing
reports for 3 Lines of Credit, Cash allocations for the lines of
credit, forecast using a cash mgmt model, oversee wire
transfers/cash transfers, work with investment bankers and deal
teams, and handle business loan trusts. Qualified candidates will
have 4-7 years of exp. with an accounting foundation. Financial
services experience is preferred. Please send resume to
mmolinas@hirestrategy.com or visit
http://www.hirestrategy.com/quicklinks/hire185.asp
_________________
> Account Executive
Account Executive and Inside Sales position available for highly
motivated individuals with success selling software development
services to private sector customers. Since 1982, Information
Concepts (http://www.InfoConcepts.com) develops fixed-price,
custom web-based, mission critical, database applications.
Commissions based on gross sales with no limit on commission
earnings. Send resumes to
Resumes@InfoConcepts.com
_________________
> Regional Manager, Business Development
New Business Sales Executive needed by a Web training company
located in Washington, DC. Successful candidate will have the
ability to prospect, propose and close training and consulting
solutions with Fortune 1000 and technology companies.
Requirements include professionalism, strong communications
skills, knowledge of the internet, and a successful track record
of exceeding sales objectives. Competitive base plus incentives
and benefits. Send resumes to
lgant@westlake.com
____________________
> Director Business Development (DBD)
Major, Hagen & Africa is the world's largest attorney recruiting
firm with the top in-house and law firm placement record
globally. The DBD will be responsible for client sourcing
strategies and the relationship development process with C-level
executives, General Counsels, CFO's and VP's of HR. Minimum of
two years' consultative selling experience including knowledge of
the Bay Area business sectors, preferably within the bio-tech/pharma
industry; JD or advanced degree is a plus. Submit resume and
salary requirements. Send resumes to
jmckinlay@mhaglobal.com
____________________
> 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.
___________________
> Advanced Selling for High Tech Professionals
Are Sales Cycles getting longer? Are your discounts getting
larger? Do prospects keep you at arms length? The Sandler Sales
Institute of VA has a GUARANTEED program for High Tech
Professionals that will help you to solve these problems. Held at
Virginia's Center for Innovative Technology, May 13th and 14th,
8:30am- 4:30pm. Admission is $995.00. For more information visit:
http://www.sandlersalesguru.com or call 866-904-0600. Send
inquiries to
kevin@sandlersalesguru.com
___________________
> Supplier Diversity Summit at SUPERCOMM 2004, June 21, Chicago,
IL
The Supplier Diversity Summit at SUPERCOMM 2004 in Chicago is a
forum for MWDVBEs and corporate supplier diversity teams to stay
current on the latest business, political, regulatory and
technical activities in the telecommunications industry. For more
information on the summit, visit http://www.tiaonline.org/events/supplierdiv2004.cfm
Send inquiries to
lream@tiaonline.org
Top
|
|
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.
Advertising & Sponsorship
Publications, Events & Information
Executive & Editorial Team
Chief Executive Officer: Ned Sherman
VP, Marketing & Events: Tinzar Than
Editor: Mark Hefflinger
Contact Us
Questions, Comments & Suggestions
News Tips & Press Releases
UnsubscribeTop
Copyright 2004 Digital Media Wire, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
|
|
|
|
|
|