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May 11, 2004 -- About Us | Advertise | Events | Publications | Subscribe

Main Stories
o Sony Cuts PlayStation 2 Price From $179 to $149
o Microsoft Previews E3 Lineup, Including EA Titles for Xbox Live
o Report: 2003 U.S. Spending on Online Content Up 18% to $1.6 Billion
o Japan Arrests P2P Software Developer on Copyright Charges
o Report: Portable Gamers to Number 43 Million by 2009
o Report: Boys Increasingly Shun Other Toys for Video Games
o Webcasting Software Developer ON24 Lands $3.3 Million in Funding

 > 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: Sony Vaio Pocket, Audible Magic, GoVideo - RealNetworks, Liberate Technologies - ntl, XM Satellite Radio - Cambridge SoundWorks, Netflix, Gotuit Media, Eidos, Square Enix - Sony Online Entertainment, LucasArts, Tapwave, Digital Bridges, IDG, Movielink, House Commerce Committee - DMCA hearing

 
> Job/Event/Marketplace Classifieds:
--Internet Marketing Manager
--2-Day Workshop:"Developing Successful Products" Philadelphia-May 26-27
--Account Manager: Technology Communications
--Director of Marketing & Communications - D.C.
--Communications and Writing Services for Early-Stage Cos.
--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 Sony Cuts PlayStation 2 Price From $179 to $149

Los Angeles -- Sony announced on Tuesday from the Electronic Entertainment Expo video game industry trade show in Los Angeles that it will slash the price of its market-leading PlayStation 2 video game console from $179 to $149. The move follows Microsoft's decision in March to lower the price of its rival Xbox console to $149. Sony said the new price will apply to its standalone PlayStation 2 and a formerly $199 bundle that also included its Network Adapter, which enables online gaming.
http://biz.yahoo.com/rc/040511/tech_sony_playstation_6.html
http://news.com.com/2100-1043_3-5210233.html?tag=nl 
_____________________________________________

o Microsoft Previews E3 Lineup, Including EA Titles for Xbox Live

Los Angeles -- Microsoft announced on Tuesday that independent game developer Electronic Arts has pledged to release versions of its popular titles supporting Microsoft's Xbox Live online gaming service starting this summer. The long-term agreement includes EA's top-selling sports titles like "Madden NFL," "NBA Live" and "FIFA Soccer," as well as "Need for Speed Underground 2" and "Battlefield." Microsoft reported that it has now sold 14 million Xbox consoles, and that there are currently nearly 1 million Xbox Live members in 24 countries. The company said it is developing a videoconferencing feature for Xbox Live, which will first launch in Japan later this year, as well as plans for Xbox Live Arcade, a service that will let Xbox Live users purchase and download games to the console's hard drive. Microsoft also announced a Nov. 9 release date for the anticipated "Halo 2" title for Xbox, as well as details on 12 other upcoming Xbox and Windows game titles it will display at E3 this week, including "Forza Motorsport," "Fable," "Jade Empire" "Unreal Championship 2: The Liandri Conflict" and "Vanguard: Saga of Heroes."
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040510/sfm146_1.html
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040510/sfm145_1.html
http://www.microsoft.com/games   ____________________________________________

o Report: 2003 U.S. Spending on Online Content Up 18% to $1.6 Billion

New York -- U.S. consumer spending on online content grew over 18% in 2003 to $1.6 billion, with personals sites, business-related sites and entertainment/lifestyle sites garnering 64% of total spending, according to a study conducted by ComScore Networks and the Online Publishers Association (OPA). U.S. consumers spent $449.5 million on personals and online dating site during 2003, up 48.8% from 2002 totals. "Paid content revenue growth continues to be driven by the acquisition of new customers to the category," said Online Publishers Association president Michael Zimbalist. "The number of Internet users who participate in eCommerce continues to be significantly larger than those who pay for content online. As a result, we believe there is still significant growth potential for this market." The report also found that the top five sites ranked by 2003 consumer content revenue were Yahoo.com, Real.com, Match.com, Classmates.com and WSJ.com. Subscriptions were found to be the dominant paid online content model, with monthly subscriptions now eclipsing annual subscriptions in popularity.
http://makeashorterlink.com/?W67524648 
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o Japan Arrests P2P Software Developer on Copyright Charges

Tokyo -- A professor at the University of Tokyo has been arrested on charges of copyright infringement, for his role in developing the Winny encrypted peer-to-peer file-sharing software and offering media files for download, the Asahi Shimbun reported. The arrest of 33-year-old Isamu Kaneko is the first file-sharing software-related prosecution in Japan, and could result in three years in prison or a fine of up to $27,000. Two other Japanese men were arrested in November for using the Winny software to distribute copyrighted movies and games online.
http://www.asahi.com/english/nation/TKY200405110157.html
http://www.wired.com/news/infostructure/0,1377,63408,00.html 
http://winny.info
____________________________________________

o Report: Portable Gamers to Number 43 Million by 2009

New York -- The number of gamers playing on portable devices like Nintendo's Game Boy Advance, Sony's upcoming PSP and Nokia's N-Gage will grow from 23 million in 2003 to 43 million in 2009, with revenue growing from $1.6 billion in 2003 to $2.7 billion in 2009, according to a report from New York-based market research firm JupiterMedia. Additionally, a separate group made up of gamers who play more than five hours per week on their cell phones is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 16% through 2009. "Competition is the major driver of growth over the next five years. As device manufacturers and content developers cater to broader audiences, we will see some amazing things happen," said JupiterResearch vice president Michael Gartenberg.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/040511/115296_1.html 
http://www.jupitermedia.com 
____________________________________________

o Report: Boys Increasingly Shun Other Toys for Video Games

Port Washington, N.Y. -- Boys aged 5-12 spend more time on average each week playing video games (4.2 hours) than they do with any other traditional toy category, while girls the same age still play with other toys as much or more than video games, according to a report from New York-based market research firm NPD Group. The study also found that 32% of boys and 10% of girls report playing video games for more than six hours per week. Nearly half of the children from the study say they started playing video games between the ages of 4 and 5. "For toy manufacturers, determining how to leverage the 'power' of video games in order to take advantage of their popularity through different marketing tactics is essential," said NPD senior analyst Michael Redmond.
http://www.npd.com 
____________________________________________

o Webcasting Software Developer ON24 Lands $3.3 Million in Funding

San Francisco -- ON24, a San Francisco-based maker of webcast and multimedia communications software, said on Monday that it has secured $3.3 million in a new round of funding, co-led by U.S. Venture Partners, Canaan Partners and Rho Management. The company, which began turning a profit late last year, has now raised a total of about $40 million in private equity. ON24 said that it plans to use the capital, in part, to expand operations to support its growing customer base, as well as to develop new products. ON24 currently has more than 400 corporate clients, including Cardinal Health, Cisco Systems, Credit Suisse First Boston, Hewlett-Packard, Merrill Lynch, the NCAA, Philips and Sun Microsystems.
http://www.on24.com/press20040510.html

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 > 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
 

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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
 

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
 

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o Briefly Noted:

(Tokyo) Consumer electronics giant Sony announced on Tuesday that it will release its self-described "iPod killer" device -- the Vaio Pocket -- in Japan next month. The 20GB digital music player supports MP3, WMA, WAV and ATRAC3 formats, USB transfer and can also connect to a digital camera and display photos on its 2.2-inch color screen. The company did not announce U.S. or European launch dates for the Vaio Pocket.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040511/latu042_1.html 
http://news.com.com/2100-1041_3-5209917.html

(Los Gatos, Calif.) Audible Magic, a developer of anti-piracy technologies, announced on Tuesday the release of its CopySense Network Appliance 1.4, the latest version of its peer-to-peer network monitoring software, which now in addition to audio files also identifies movie, software and pornography filters. Los Gatos, Calif.-based Audible Magic's software has been touted by the Recording Industry Association of America as a possible means of filtering copyrighted songs on file-sharing networks. "The strategy we have developed, working with content owners to register and identify songs, is easily extended to other forms of content," said Audible Magic CEO Vance Ikezoye.
http://www.audiblemagic.com

(Scottsdale, Ariz.) Consumer electronics firm GoVideo said on Tuesday that it will release a networked DVD player capable of streaming songs from RealNetworks' Rhapsody digital music service. The device will allow users to view their personal Rhapsody library on a TV and listen to Internet radio stations on any connected stereo or home theater system.
http://www.govideo.com 
http://www.listen.com/govideo

(San Mateo, Calif.) Liberate Technologies, a provider of interactive TV software and services that recently filed for Ch. 11 bankruptcy, announced on Tuesday that it has signed a long-term licensing agreement with ntl, the largest cable TV operator in the U.K. The deal renews an existing relationship with ntl, which claims 2.9 million subscribers.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040510/sfm141_1.html 
http://www.ntl.com 
http://www.liberate.com

(Washington) XM Satellite Radio said on Tuesday that it has partnered with audio manufacturer Cambridge SoundWorks to produce the PlayDockXM, a portable audio system for the Delphi XM Roady satellite radio receiver. The $199 device is the first satellite radio receiver to sport a rechargeable battery.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040511/dctu007_1.html 
http://www.xmradio.com 
http://www.hifi.com

(Los Gatos, Calif.) Online DVD rental service Netflix on Tuesday announced the opening of a new shipping center in Louisville, which will serve residents of Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio. The company says it now reaches 80% of its subscribers with generally one-day delivery.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040511/sftu136_1.html 
http://www.netflix.com

(Andover, Mass.) Gotuit Media, a provider of video-on-demand delivery services, announced on Tuesday that it has partnered with Resort Sports Network (RSN) to launch a video-on-demand service for outdoor and extreme sports. Content covering golf, biking, hiking, rock climbing, fly-fishing and kayaking will be added to Massachusetts-based Gotuit's offering.
http://www.rsn.com 
http://www.gotuit.com

(San Francisco) U.K. game developer Eidos said on Tuesday that it partnered with video gaming destination IGN/GameSpy on a contest that will make the winner a fully-playable character in Eidos' "Backyard Wrestling 2: There Goes the Neighborhood." The company also said that it has partnered with Highway 1 Productions to publish developer Avalanche Software's "25 to Life" title for PlayStation 2 and Xbox in the spring of 2005.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040511/sftu058_1.html
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040511/sftu094_1.html
http://sweepstakes.ign.com/sweepstakes/2143.html 
http://www.bywgame.com 
http://www.avalanchesoftware.com

(Los Angeles) Japanese game developer Square Enix said on Tuesday that it will publish Sony Online Entertainment's upcoming "EverQuest II" massively multiplayer online roleplaying game in Japan in early 2005. The company, also responsible for the "Final Fantasy" franchise, will handle distribution, marketing, customer service and hosting of "EverQuest II" in Japan.
http://www.square-enix-usa.com 
http://everquest2.station.sony.com

(Los Angeles) Game developer LucasArts, a unit of director George Lucas' Lucasfilm, announced on Tuesday that it will preview five new game titles at the E3 Expo this week. The company will release "Star Wars Battlefront" for PC and consoles on the same day the Star Wars Trilogy DVD is released, on Sept. 21, and said it will ship "Star Wars Republic Commando" in conjunction with the release of "Star Wars: Episode III" movie trailers in the fall. Also on display will be "Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords," "Star Wars Galaxies: Jump to Lightspeed" and "Mercenaries."
http://www.lucasarts.com

(Mountain View, Calif.) Consumer electronics firm Tapwave announced on Tuesday that its Zodiac mobile entertainment console will go on sale in June at CompUSA stores. The $299 (32MB RAM) and $399 (128MB RAM) models will play recent games from developers including Activision, id, Atari and Sega, in addition to full versions of titles for the Sega Genesis, Atari 2600 and Commodore 64. The device also plays video and displays digital pictures.
http://www.tapwave.com

(London) Mobile game developer Digital Bridges on Tuesday announced an agreement with movie studio MGM to develop four titles based on its films for cell phones. The company also announced a deal to develop Vivendi Universal Games' "Crash Bandicoot" title for cell phones, and with 8bit Games and SCi Games to publish the mobile edition of their upcoming "Galleon" title.
http://www.digitalbridges.com

(Oakland, Calif.) IDG, a publisher of interactive entertainment-related websites and magazines, on Tuesday launched an online advertising network targeting early adopters of entertainment products. The IDGE Online Network includes IDG-owned sites like GamePro.com as well as third-party sites including 3DGamers.com and Lucasfilm's StarWars.com.
http://www.idg-entertainment.com

(Santa Monica, Calif.) Movielink, an Internet video-on-demand joint venture between a number of Hollywood movie studios, said on Tuesday that it has signed an agreement with National Geographic Television & Film, to offer National Geographic documentaries including "21 Days to Baghdad" and "Everest: 50 Years on the Mountain" on its service.
http://www.movielink.com

(Washington) The U.S. House Commerce Committee will hold a hearing on Wednesday on potential alterations to the controversial Digital Millennium Copyright Act. The hearing will focus in part on the Digital Media Consumers' Rights Act, introduced by Reps. Rick Boucher (D-V.) and John Doolittle (R-Calif.), which would change existing copyright law to allow digital copyright protections to be circumvented for "fair use" of media, rescind the ban on manufacture of devices that circumvent such protections, and compel the FTC to adequately label copy-protected CDs.
http://makeashorterlink.com/?Q10524648 

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> Classifieds:

> Internet Marketing Manager

You will be responsible for assisting the Web Strategy Department monitor industry trends with focus on search engines, evaluating new technologies, improving client performance, collecting and analyzing data, testing and implementing new internet strategies. Require 2-5 yrs exp. and ability to resolve challenges in a timely manner. Candidate should have strong knowledge of: html, web Analytical Software, Microsoft Office and Dreamweaver. Familiarity with: Search engine algorithms, Paid Search Engine Marketing. Send resume and cover letter detailing salary history to bbrown@thayerinteractive.com
___________________

> 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
_________________

> Communications and Writing Services for Early-Stage Cos. - DC Area

Exact Words provides experienced, affordable writing and strategic PR services to growing tech companies and nonprofits - Web site copy, press releases, case studies, bylined articles, media/analyst relations and PR planning. Exact Words specializes in helping organizations that are at critical stages in their development and need reliable communications guidance to reach target audiences effectively. Visit http://www.exactwordsinc.com for more information. Send inquiries to sbeller@exactwordsinc.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

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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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