archives

o Sony, AOL Partner to Develop Online Element for PlayStation 2
o House Subcommittee to Hold Hearing on Music on the Internet
o Napster Seeking Users to Test Long-Awaited Paid Service
o UGO Networks Acquires Bla-Bla Entertainment Network
o Online Event Ticketer Hollywood Media Raises $7.25 Million
o Online Used CD and Games Exchange SwapIt Ceases Operations
o SportsLine.com to Re-Launch Defunct MVP.com
o GigaMedia Makes Investment in Chinese Music Company Rock Internet Corp.
o 3-D Content Firm Brilliant Digital to Raise $2.26 Million
o Briefly Noted: Loudeye Technologies - EMI Recorded Music, OpenTV -
Shanghai Cable Network, MuzeGames, Infogrames - "Men in Black," MP3.com -
Heineken
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> Job Postings: Senior Analyst, Media Analyst, Account Manager, Internet
Development Manager

> Events/Services: "Press Conference: Britney Spears/Interactive Entertainment,"
"Email Newsletter Tactics," "The SIBL Project Songwriting Contest,"
"SpyWorm's SEX* Awards," "Sensory Circus"

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 Sony, AOL Partner to Develop Online Element for Playstation 2

Foster City, Calif. -- Sony Computer Entertainment on Tuesday announced a
partnership with America Online, which will incorporate AOL's Internet
services into Sony's PlayStation 2 video game console. Users will be able
to purchase additional hardware that will enable them to use instant
messaging, chat and email on the PlayStation 2. The partnership gives Sony
a more direct connection to the Internet in order to compete with
Microsoft's Xbox, which will benefit from ties to the company's MSN
Internet service. Sony and AOL will also collaborate on other Internet
gaming ideas, like a special Netscape browser for the PlayStation 2.
http://media.aoltimewarner.com/media/press_view.cfm?release_num=55251928
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o House Subcommittee to Hold Hearing on Music on the Internet Thursday

Washington, D.C. -- The House of Representatives Subcommittee on Courts,
the Internet and Intellectual Property will hold a hearing on May 17
entitled "Music on the Internet." Represented will be music publishers,
record companies, and artists including Lyle Lovett, who will testify at
the hearing which will likely discuss the royalty payments that are due
various parties when music is distributed online. Record companies have
argued in the courts against Napster and MP3.com and are beginning to gain
compensation and assurances of future compensation for online
distribution. But instances like the National Music Publishers'
Association's lawsuit against Universal's Farmclub.com, arguing that the
service offers music without compensating songwriters, are evidence that
there are still major hurdles to putting music online.
http://www.house.gov/judiciary/schedule.htm
http://judaudio5.house.gov/2141b
http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1005-200-5921538.html?tag=cd_mh
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o Napster Seeking Users to Test Long-Awaited Paid Service

Redwood City, Calif. -- Napster is currently seeking users to try out a
test version of its long-awaited paid subscription service, which it has
been developing since October with partner and strategic investor
Bertelsmann. The testing will begin soon, but the company still has not
provided a firm date for the service's launch; previously Napster said the
service would launch this summer. Napster recently released a new version
of its software that incorporates "audio fingerprinting" technology from
Virginia-based Relatable. This technology -- which can more accurately
monitor and track which songs are being traded on the service -- is likely
a key component to implementing a paid service using music from the five
major labels. Only Bertelsmann's BMG Entertainment record label has thus
far agreed to offer music to the Napster subscription service, although
representatives from Warner/EMI/BMG's MusicNet online licensing
clearinghouse have said that MusicNet songs could be licensed to Napster.
http://www.napster.com
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o UGO Networks Acquires Bla-Bla Entertainment Network

New York -- UGO Networks, a network of entertainment sites targeting 18-34
year-old males, announced on Tuesday that it has acquired rival online
entertainment site Bla-Bla Entertainment Network. Under the terms of the
transaction, former Bla-Bla investors including Liberty View Equity
Partners and Hudson Partners will invest an undisclosed amount in UGO
Networks. New York-based UGO recently raised $23 million on its own, and
expects to reach profitability by the end of the year. Bla-Bla will
continue to provide its user-operated member sites with revenue through
advertising sales and business support, customizable software for their
sites and marketing to increase Web traffic.
http://www.ugo.com
http://www.bla-bla.com
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o Online Event Ticketer Hollywood Media Raises $7.25 Million

Boca Raton, Fla. -- Hollywood Media Corp., the parent company of
entertainment news and online ticketing sites Hollywood.com, Broadway.com
and MovieTickets.com, announced on Tuesday that it has raised $7.25
million in new funding from Viacom, Societe Generale and Velocity
Investment Partners. The investment comes in the form of a stock placement
along with $1.6 million in cash from Viacom. America Online recently made
a minority investment in MovieTickets.com, and combined its service with
AOL Moviefone to offer online ticketing to 85 percent of movie theater
screens in North America.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/010515/fltu010_2.html
http://www.hollywood.com
http://www.movietickets.com
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o Online Used CD and Games Exchange SwapIt Ceases Operations

Maynard, Mass. -- SwapIt, an online exchange where users could trade used
CDs and video games, has ceased operations, according to a note on the
company's website. The company recently announced that it would acquire
Web-based games technology provider ZapYou and used video game retailer
GameTrader, both subsidiaries of GTR Group. A spokesman for GTR Group told
VentureWire that "SwapIt is still alive," and that although the company
made layoffs, several members of management remain to assess alternatives.
Massachusetts-based SwapIt could not be reached for comment.
http://www.sawpit.com
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o SportsLine.com to Re-Launch Defunct MVP.com

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. -- SportsLine.com, a sports news site partnered with
TV network CBS, announced on Tuesday that it will re-launch the
memorabilia and sporting goods site MVP.com. Fort Lauderdale-based
SportsLine said it will closely integrate the items in the online store
with content on its CBS.SportsLine.com site, such as a New York Yankees
world championship cap promoted next to a story about the Yankees.
SportsLine terminated its prior relationship with MVP.com after the
company failed to follow through with provisions of their partnership that
included paying SportsLine $10 million per year. MVP.com was originally
launched in 1999 with $65 million in funding, and the support of athletes
including Michael Jordan, John Elway and Wayne Gretsky. It closed just
over a year later.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/010515/fltu007_2.html
http://cbs.sportsline.com
http://www.mvp.com
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o GigaMedia Makes Investment in Chinese Music Company Rock Internet Corp.

Taipei, Taiwan -- GigaMedia, a Chinese broadband Internet access provider
that recently announced a deal with EMI Music Asia to develop digital
music distribution, announced on Tuesday that it has taken a 5 percent
equity stake in Rock Internet Corp. The company is a subsidiary of Rock
Group, a large China-based music distributor. Under the terms, the
EMI/GigaMedia joint effort -- GigaMusic.com -- is granted a license to
distribute all of Rock's content, which accounts for roughly one-third of
Mandarin pop music. The site will also receive on and off-line promotion
from Rock and its artists.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/010515/hstu029_2.html
http://www.gigamusic.com
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o 3-D Content Firm Brilliant Digital to Raise $2.26 Million

Los Angeles -- Brilliant Digital Entertainment, a creator of 3-D content
for the Web and developer and licensor of software for 3-D content
creation, announced on Tuesday that it plans to raise $2.26 million in new
funding from investors including the company's CEO and president. The
company also said that its revenues increased during the last quarter.
Last week Brilliant Digital sold off assets of its subsidiary The Auction
Channel to Rainbow Media's Metro Channels. Los Angeles-based Brilliant
Digital's 3-D content includes Web-based music videos for artists
including Ludacris and KISS.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/010515/0099_2.html
http://www.b3d.com
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o Briefly Noted:

(Seattle) Loudeye Technologies, a provider of digitization and
distribution services for digital media content providers, said on Tuesday
that EMI Recorded Music has reached a licensing and services agreement
with the company. The company now has agreements with all five major
labels to provide streaming music samples of their artists' songs to
websites that sell CDs and downloads.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/010515/sftu037_2.html
http://www.loudeye.com

(Shanghai, China) Interactive television software developer OpenTV
announced on Tuesday that it will provide interactive television software
and services to China's largest cable network, Shanghai Cable Network Co.
The initial deployment will bring interactive television to about one
million cable subscribers in the city of Shanghai. The company plans to
launch the service later this year.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/010514/0517.html
http://www.opentv.com

(New York) Muze, a provider of entertainment-related informational
databases to websites and in-store retail kiosks, announced on Tuesday
that it has partnered with Pacific Games, LLC to create a new database for
video games. The database will contain information on all current consoles
and games, as well as the market for used older games like ColecoVision
and Atari, dating back to 1980. Features in the database include the
movie-like "trailers" that are designed for many of today's games, and
sample versions of the games to try online.
http://www.muze.com

(San Jose, Calif.) Game developer Infogrames announced on Tuesday that
Sony Pictures Consumer Products has chosen it to create video games based
on the "Men in Black" movie and animated series. A sequel for the film is
currently in development, for release sometime next year. San Jose-based
Infogrames said the first title will be for Sony PlayStation and will be
released in the fall. The company will also create titles for PS2,
Nintendo, Microsoft, the PC and arcade.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/010515/sftu086_2.html
http://www.infogrames.com

(San Diego) MP3.com announced on Tuesday that it has partnered with
Heineken to sponsor a summer tour of alternative and Latin musical acts
that have posted their music on MP3.com. Acts will be chosen based on
their popularity on MP3.com and "the dynamics of [their] live show
performances." The tour will visit 50 cities and will feature local bands
from each city.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/010515/latu062_3.html
http://www.mp3.com/heineken

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

> Universal Music Group, Senior Analyst - Los Angeles

eLabs, the strategy and R&D center for Universal Music Group, is looking
to fill a junior business development position. Ideal candidate will
have1-2 yrs exp. in I-banking, Management Consulting or strategy/bizdev
for top entertainment or media company. Must have solid analytical and
comm. skills, and a strong interest in music. Industry exp. or technology
background a plus. Send resumes to roy.kosuge@umusic.com
http://www.umusic.com
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> Circle.com, Media Analyst - New York City

Circle.com, a leading Internet solutions provider to Fortune 1000
companies, is currently seeking a Media Analyst to develop sophisticated
reports & recommendations for a top 10 advertiser, based on cost per
acquisition in media placements & creative ad units. Must have online
media planning & DART experience, as well as Excel, Access & AdKnowledge,
etc. Send resumes to nyjobs@circle.com
http://www.circle.com
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> Globix, Account Manager - New York City

Top-tier Internet solutions provider seeks Acct. Mgr. with 1-3 yrs.
outside sales exp. in a broadband, ISP or telco envioronment. Must be able
to maintain a high level of prospecting and have the service skills to
retain a business base. Team players only! Excellent time management &
communication skills. BS/ BA Degree prefered.
Send resumes to abc@globix.com
http://www.globix.com
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> WWZZ Radio, Internet Development Manager - Washington, D.C.

Produce & manage the daily tasks necessary to continue the outward growth
of Z104's web site. This will include daily, weekly & monthly updating of
the site, reporting statistics & coordination of sales projects w/ sales
people. Also responsible for updating databases. Minimum 2 yrs. Internet
design exp. DreamWeaver, PhotoShop, Fireworks & Flash a must. Send resumes
to ccruz@thez.com
http://www.thez.com

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

> Press Conference: Britney Spears/Interactive Entertainment - Los Angeles

Press conference to announce Britney Spears' first foray into the
interactive entertainment industry. Thursday, May 17 at 10 a.m.; E3 Expo,
Los Angeles Convention Center, West Hall Room 501A. Who: Paul Cha,
Enroute; Johnny Wright, co-manager, Britney Spears; Mark Steverson,
Rudolph and Beer. Credentialed press only.
Contact: Jonalyn Morris, Bender/Helper Impact, 310-473-4147.
jonalyn_morris@bhimpact.com
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> E-mail Newsletter Tactics, June 14-15th - Reston, VA

Learn how to profit from e-mail newsletters! If you already produce one or
several e-mail newsletters, or are thinking about launching one, E-mail
Newsletter Tactics is a must-attend event. For an agenda, go to:
http://seminars.internet.com/email/va01/index.html. Special offer for
DigitalMediaWire subscribers -- SAVE 15% off the full conference price.
For details and to sign up, call 203-662-2857
or email aalessio@internet.com
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> The SIBL Project Songwriting Contest, May 1 - August 8

The SIBL Project launches a national and international songwriting contest
on May 1st 2001. If you've written a song inspired by a book, poem or
play, submit it to The SIBL Project Songwriting Competition. Deadline for
entries is September 8, 2001. All proceeds benefit adult literacy
programs.
For more information: annie@mentlmusic.com
http://www.siblproject.org
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> 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
http://www.spyworm.tv
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> Sensory Circus, June 9 - Los Angeles

Art, fashion, music, technology and film come together for the debut of
Sensory Circus on June 9, 2001 at the Wyndham Bel Age Hotel in West
Hollywood. This electric and sophisticated event will extend throughout
every ballroom, terrace and rooftop showcasing new bands and DJ's, the
latest fashions, and visual, technological and sculpture artists.
Sponsors include The Wyndham Bel Age Hotel, Digital Media Wire, SpyWorm,
DreamSpan, Lisa Kline, Otto Models and Green Galactic. Artists are invited
to submit works for consideration. To submit an artistic work, inquire
about sponsorship or register for the event, please visit
http://www.sensorycircus.com
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