archives

o Study: 60% of Gamers Expect to Still Be Playing in Ten Years
o Original Kazaa Owners, Kazaa BV, Shutting Down Amid Legal Costs
o Report: Majority of Consumers Not Willing to Pay for Online Services
o Professional MPEG-4 Video Software Firm Envivio Raises $14 Million
o Hollings' Pressure Prompts FTC, DOJ to Revert Roles on Antitrust Reviews
o Activision Acquires Game Studio Z-Axis for $20.5 Million
o Webcasting Services Firm Loudeye Acquires Technology from Wonderhorse
o THQ Acquiring Assets of Value-Priced Game Developer ValuSoft
> Digital Media Wire Panel: "Digital Asia" | Los Angeles | June 5
> Featured Event/Company: Jupiter Plug.IN
o Briefly Noted: Motorola - Gameloft, Alanis Morissette - StubHub.com,
Sample Digital - Microsoft - "Sniper II," NGame - MobileGame Korea, Bam
Entertainment - overseas titles, Ubi Soft - Eidos - "Tomb Raider," Digital
Bridges - "Men in Black II"
_____________________________________________

> Jobs: Dir. of Product Management, Sr. Acct. Executive, Dir. of Public
Relations, Global Communications Mgr., Marketing Mgr., VP of Client
Services, Inside Sales Acct. Exec., VP Production & Programming, Sr.
Graphic Designer, Sales Director

> Events: AIM's Dinner Series

> Marketplace: Somedude's Website Design, Free Wine Tastings,
Bender/Helper Impact, Digital PCS Phone System, Digital Copying Machine

Full text of ads located beneath "Briefly Noted" section below.
To post a Classified Ad, contact David Peebler at
david@digitalmediawire.com
_____________________________________________

o Study: 60% of Gamers Expect to Still Be Playing in Ten Years

Los Angeles -- Six out of ten of today's computer and video game players
expect to still be playing games ten years from now, according to a report
released on Wednesday at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los
Angeles by the Interactive Digital Software Association (IDSA), an
industry trade group. Specifically, the data shows 56 percent of the most
frequent game players have been playing for six or more years and 60
percent expect to be playing ten years from now. Other findings from the
consumer survey include: 37 percent of Americans who own consoles or
computers report they also play games on mobile devices like handheld
systems, PDAs and cell phones, and 31 percent of game players say they
play games online, up from 24 percent last year and 18 percent in 1999.
Additionally, 72 percent of console game players are male, while 45
percent are under 18, 36 percent are 18 to 35, and 19 percent are over 36;
console owners also reported owning an average of 14 games.
http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/f_headline.cgi?day0/221420209&ticker=
http://www.idsa.com
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o Original Kazaa Owners, Kazaa BV, Shutting Down Amid Legal Costs

Los Angeles -- The Los Angeles Times reported on Wednesday that Kazaa BV,
the original owners of the Kazaa file-sharing network, will shut down amid
mounting legal costs from its defense in copyright infringement claims.
The company's lawyers have asked the U.S. entertainment companies suing it
for copyright infringement for their "terms of surrender," as they can no
longer afford legal costs. The "surrender" will likely mean millions in
damages against Kazaa BV, forcing the two-person company into bankruptcy.
However, Kazaa BV sold its file-sharing technology to Sharman Networks
several months ago, and that company has yet to be sued by Hollywood and
continues to operate Kazaa unfettered. The Times also reported that
lawyers for Streamcast Networks, which operates the Morpheus file-sharing
network, are resigning from the case because Tennessee-based Streamcast
cannot afford its legal bills.
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-000035993may22.story?coll=la%2Dheadlines%2Dbusiness
http://news.com.com/2100-1023-920557.html
http://www.kazaa.com
http://www.streamcastnetworks.com
_____________________________________________

o Report: Majority of Consumers Not Willing to Pay for Online Services

New York -- More than two-thirds of U.S. consumers would not pay for any
services on the Internet, including enhanced email, instant messaging or
file-sharing capabilities, according to a report released on Wednesday by
New York-based Internet audience measurement and analysis firm Jupiter
Media Metrix. The consumer survey found that resistance to paying for
online services (69 percent) is higher than paying for content (63
percent). The study also found that consumers who would pay for online
services would feel most comfortable with paying their ISP (47 percent) or
a portal (16 percent). "There is no obvious killer-app online service that
consumers would pay for," said Jupiter Research vice president and senior
analyst David Card. "Companies should bundle online services and price
them at less than 30 dollars per year. When transitioning from free to
fee, service aggregators must solicit early consumer feedback and promote
packages aggressively with email."
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/020522/nyw019_1.html
http://www.jmm.com
_____________________________________________

o Professional MPEG-4 Video Software Firm Envivio Raises $14 Million

San Francisco -- Envivio, a provider of MPEG-4-based digital video
software and services, announced on Wednesday that it has raised $14
million in its second round of financing. Companies and venture funds
including Bertelsmann, France Telecom, Intel Capital, Harbinger Ventures,
Credit Lyonnais Venture Capital, Innovacom, Maton and Paradigm
participated in the investment round. The company also announced that
Jonathan Fram, former president and CEO of Evoice -- an AOL Time Warner
company -- has joined Envivio as its new CEO. San Francisco-based Envivio
develops technology that allows broadcasters, distribution network
operators and content developers to create, encode, protect and distribute
MPEG-4 video content. The company will use the funds to further develop
its MPEG-4 products, as well as to expand engineering, marketing and sales
channel and customer support capabilities.
http://www.envivio.com/pressroom/news/220502.pdf
_____________________________________________

o Hollings' Pressure Prompts FTC, DOJ to Revert Roles on Antitrust Reviews

Washington -- Bowing to pressure exerted by Senate Commerce Committee
Chairman Ernest "Fritz" Hollings (D-S.C.), the Federal Trade Commission
(FTC) has announced that it has voided its recently enacted plan to switch
roles with the Department of Justice, with respect to merger reviews of
entertainment and media companies, The Washington Post reported. The two
will revert back to their original structure for antitrust review of
mergers, a case-by-case basis where each case goes to the agency with the
most industry experience during the previous five years. Sen. Hollings
said publicly that he was considering budget cuts at both agencies in
protest of their plans to swap roles. Traditionally, the FTC has dealt
with mergers involving cable TV, video games and publishing while the
Dept. of Justice handled telecommunications, motion pictures, magazines
and broadcast TV.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A47459-2002May20.html
http://news.com.com/2100-1023-919920.html?tag=cd_mh
http://www.ftc.gov
http://www.usdoj.gov
_____________________________________________

o Activision Acquires Game Studio Z-Axis for $20.5 Million

Santa Monica, Calif. -- Game developer and publisher Activision announced
on Wednesday that it has acquired Hayward, Calif.-based game studio Z-Axis
for $20.5 million in cash and stock. Z-Axis is responsible for creating
the million-selling "Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX" action sports video game.
As part of the transaction, the Z-Axis management team and key employees
have signed long-term employment contracts with Activision. Z-Axis is
currently in development on "Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX 3" and "Aggressive
Inline." The transaction marks Santa Monica-based Activision's fourth
acquisition in seven months; other recent purchases include Treyarch, Grey
Matter Interactive and Shaba Games.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/020522/law054_1.html
http://www.z-axis.com
http://www.activision.com
_____________________________________________

o Webcasting Services Firm Loudeye Acquires Technology from Wonderhorse

Seattle -- Loudeye Technologies, a provider of webcasting and digital
media services, announced on Wednesday that it has acquired technology and
intellectual property from Seattle-based Wonderhorse, a provider of
real-time collaboration technology and applications. Financial terms of
the transaction were not disclosed. Loudeye will integrate Wonderhorse's
technology -- which allows groups participating in online meetings and
presentations to interact in real-time using voice, data or video -- into
its enterprise communications products.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/020522/sfw060_1.html
http://www.wonderhorse.com
http://www.loudeye.com
_____________________________________________

o THQ Acquiring Assets of Value-Priced Game Developer ValuSoft

Calabasas Hills, Calif. -- Game developer THQ announced on Wednesday that
it will acquire the assets of ValuSoft, a publisher and distributor of
value-priced interactive entertainment and productivity software.
Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Minneapolis-based
ValuSoft creates family entertainment, war games and home productivity
products for the PC in the $9.99 to $19.99 price range. Titles include
"CIA Operative," "WWII: Iwo Jima" and "Hunting Unlimited."
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/020522/220109_1.html
http://www.valusoft.com
http://www.thq.com
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DIGITAL MEDIA WIRE PRESENTS:
"Wired and Mobile: How Far Ahead is Asia?"
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/LAasia2.html

Asia has embraced mobile phones and broadband services with an enthusiasm
that perhaps no other region can match. With so many wired and mobile
consumers in Asia, there are tremendous opportunities for distribution of
digital entertainment. This panel, led by tech-entertainment personality,
Ken Rutkowski, and composed of executives and professionals from
Microsoft, E! Networks, Moviso, EastWest VentureGroup, UCLA and Jones Day
will examine recent developments in Asia and discuss, among other things,
opportunities for U.S.-based companies to distribute content through
mobile and broadband services in Asia. For more information, contact Ned
Sherman at ned@digitalmediawire.com.

Date: Wednesday, June 5, 2002
Time: 8:30 am - 10:30 am
Location: Four Seasons, Beverly Hills (Doheny and Burton Way)
Sponsored by: Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue and Bender/Helper Impact
To register: http://www.digitalmediawire.com/LAasia2.html

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=================
FEATURED SECTION
=================

30 Reasons to Attend Jupiter Plug.IN -- July 8-9 - NYC

Reason #23: Leading device manufacturers present their solutions - which
may be your problems.
Consumer electronics and PC manufacturers are tempted to meet their
customers' demand with technology that facilitates playback of digitally
duplicated music, at the risk of provoking the ire of the RIAA. Gateway
and Apple have even built their marketing around this message. Will
positioning, policy or industry pressure carry the day?
**To register or for more info: http://www.jmm.com/plugin
**For all 30 reasons and $200 off, email PluginReasons@jmm.com

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______________________

o Briefly Noted:

(Los Angeles) Motorola announced on Wednesday that it has signed a
distribution agreement with Paris-based wireless game developer Gameloft.
Under the agreement, the company will make Gameloft color cell phone games
including "Siberian Strike" available later this year to owners of Java
technology-enabled Motorola phones.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/020522/cgw003_1.html
http://www.gameloft.com

(San Francisco) Recording artist Alanis Morissette has partnered with
online ticketing service StubHub.com, a subsidiary of San Francisco-based
Liquid Seats, to auction front row tickets to shows on her upcoming tour
to charity. Proceeds from the ticket auctions will benefit Equality Now,
an international organization working for the human rights of women and
girls.
http://www.alanis.com
http://www.liquidseats.com
http://www.equalitynow.org

(Santa Monica, Calif.) Sample Digital, a provider of digital production
services for the film industry, said on Wednesday that Columbia TriStar
Home Entertainment used its digital dailies system to streamline the
production process for its upcoming film, "Sniper II." Santa Monica-based
Sample Digital's system, which uses Microsoft's Windows Media Video and
digital rights management technologies, allows producers and others
involved in film productions to view the latest day's shooting footage
online rather than through the traditional process of duplicating and
sending tapes to interested parties.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/020522/sfw042a_1.html
http://www.sampledigital.com

(Cambridge, U.K.) NGame, an aggregator of wireless entertainment content,
said on Wednesday that it has signed a distribution agreement with Korean
wireless entertainment developer MobileGame Korea (Mogame). Under the
agreement, U.K.-based NGame will exclusively distribute Mogame's wireless
games for 3G and other platforms in North America and Europe.
http://www.ngame.com/press/20020522.html
http://www.mogame.co.kr

(Los Angeles) Game developer and publisher Bam Entertainment announced on
Wednesday that it will publish several European and Asian console titles
in North America. San Jose, Calif.-based Bam will publish Japan-based
Acquire's "Way of the Samauri" for PlayStation 2 in North America; as well
as Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Studio Liverpool's "WipEout Fusion;"
Sony Computer Entertainment Europe's Studio Camden's "Dropship: United
Peace Force;" Evolution Studios' "WRC: World Rally Championship" and
Japan-based Spike's "Riding Spirits"
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/020521/sftu099_1.html
http://www.bam4fun.com

(Los Angeles) Paris-based Ubi Soft, a developer of interactive
entertainment, announced on Wednesday that it has signed a two-year
agreement with game developer Eidos Interactive for the exclusive rights
to develop and distribute "Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Prophecy" for
Nintendo's Game Boy Advance. Since the first Tomb Raider game was released
in 1996, the series has gone on to sell more than 28 million copies
worldwide, and spawned a movie that starred Angelina Jolie as Lara Croft.
http://www.ubi.com
http://www.eidos.com

(Los Angeles) Wireless entertainment developer Digital Bridges said on
Wednesday that it has partnered with Columbia Pictures to create mobile
entertainment based on the upcoming movie "Men in Black II." London-based
Digital Bridges will create four wireless games in addition to ringtones,
icons, logos and voicemail features based on the sequel for cell phone
owners in Europe and Asia.
http://www.digitalbridges.com
______________________

===================
CLASSIFIEDS - JOBS
===================

Director Product Management - Sony Music Entertainment - New York, NY

Responsible For Development and Implementation of Marketing Campaigns for
Selected Artists; Management of All Marketing Expenditures; Supervision of
Package Development and Management of the Production Process; Scheduling &
Follow Through of Various Project Components; and Long-Term Artist
Development & Marketing Strategies; Development of Artist And Product
Promotion Strategies and Campaigns; 3-5 Years Hands-On Record Business
Experience, incl. Pop Marketing, Sales & Promotion. Submit cover letter,
resume and salary requirement to: elena_avila@sonymusic.com
_____________________________________________

Senior Account Executive - D'Arcy Advertising - Los Angeles, CA

D'Arcy Los Angeles has created a group that specializes in acquiring and
retaining customers through sophisticated direct and online marketing
techniques. We now need a Senior Account Executive to take day-to-day
responsibility for client and program management. You need to be
intimately familiar with direct and online marketing processes from
concept to delivery. You should also have 2-5 years experience, a healthy
obsession for results, and the ability to guide clients with a firm but
diplomatic hand. E-mail your resume to carol.cave@darcyww.com
_____________________________________________

Director of Public Relations - Walt Disney Consumer Products - Los
Angeles, CA

Reports directly to the VP Marketing. Responsible for managing development
of communications strategy to improve and enhance the company's image;
all communications materials; working with ad agencies; serving as
company's spokesperson and media contact; and developing presentations for
executive management. 8+ years of relevant experience required. Email
cp.careers@Disney.com with your resume and Job Code# 02-0001616-02 in the
body of the email. No attachments.
_____________________________________________

Manager, Global Communications & Synergy - Walt Disney Consumer Products -
Los Angeles, CA

Responsible for global business communications - a central point of
contact for regional/country offices; importer of regional/country
information & creative assets; facilitate product development on new film
& Pixar properties; oversee content for intranet & B2B extranet; maintain
marketing calendar; and supervise Asset Management department. 8 yrs.
experience in launching leading consumer brands. Email
cp.careers@Disney.com with your resume and Job Code# 02-0002003-02 in the
body of the email. No attachments.
_____________________________________________

Marketing Manager- West LA Music - Los Angeles, CA

Manage in-house marketing department for nationally known music retailer.
Includes implementing marketing plan to target markets with promotions,
direct mail, catalogs, print ads and events. Requires a BS in Business,
Communications, Music or related field and knowledge of music, audio and
recording products. Benefits include 401K, medical insurance, vacations,
employee purchase plan and more. $3,000 to $6,000 per month. Code: 51702E.
Send resume to: Jobs2@westlamusic.com.
_____________________________________________

Vice President of Client Services - Luxury Link, LLC - Los Angeles, CA

Luxury Link, the world's leading luxury travel Web site
(www.luxurylink.com), is seeking a Vice President of Client Services to
work in its offices near LAX. The position is responsible for managing
Client Services staff to meet departmental goals (no travel required).
Must have experience in account management, understanding of sales and
analytics, ability to meet deadlines and targets, and excellent "people
skills." Contact Phyllis Elliott at pelliott@commontech.com.
_____________________________________________

Account Executive, Inside Sales - ivacation.com - Los Angeles, CA

International Vacation Homes has been revolutionizing the vacation and
travel industry, by providing marketing solutions for vacation property
owners around the world. Working as an "Internet-Vacation Property
Consultant," you will be contacting qualified clients to provide proven
solutions for successfully marketing their property. International
Vacation Home's corporate headquarters is located near LAX with a second
location in North Hollywood. Email your resume and preferred location to
jobs@ivacation.com.
_____________________________________________

VP Production and Programming -- IFILM Network - Los Angeles, CA

Reporting to the EVP, Sales & Marketing, this person is an integral part
of building IFILM Network into the premiere provider of broadband
entertainment. Individual must be on the cutting edge of emerging
technologies and content delivery platforms -- producing original
programming that appeals to both consumers and marketers. A keen
content-programming sensibility - knowing what content will be popular,
while still being consistent with the IFILM brand (irreverent, humorous,
fun). Film and/or TV Production budget experience. Please send resume and
cover letter to programming@ifilm.com
_____________________________________________

Senior Graphic Designer - O'Melveny & Myers LLP - Los Angeles, CA

O'Melveny & Myers LLP, an international law firm located in downtown Los
Angeles, has an immediate opening for a Senior Graphic Designer. Qualified
candidate is responsible for maintaining firm's existing brand and
supporting and enhancing firm's brand equity. Handle concept, design and
pre-press for all marketing materials. Excellent salary and benefits
package. Resume to: O'Melveny & Myers LLP, 400 S. Hope Street, Suite 248,
Los Angeles, CA 90071. FAX: (213) 430-7857. Email resume to: HR@omm.com.
Visit us at: http://www.omm.com
_____________________________________________

Sales Director, Walt Disney Consumer Products, Los Angeles, CA

Support VP to attain fiscal year revenue and profitability goals. Develop
account and channel differentiated distribution plans, seasonal business
plans and budget. Grow softlines (apparel and accessories) revenue and
profitability. A minimum of 10 years specific apparel/accessories/footwear
brand management experience. Please email cp.careers@Disney.com, including
your resume, contact details, and Job Code 02-0001680-02 in the body of
your email. Do not send your resume as an attachment.
_____________________________________________

===================
CLASSIFIEDS - EVENTS
===================

AIM's Dinner & A Deal Spring Series - LA, May 21 and SF, May 22

Pre-dinner discussion panel: "Permission Marketing: Has It Lost Its Edge?"
Come meet with colleagues from the interactive community for tasty dinner,
intense discussions, and even better networking opportunities! Los
Angeles, Tues., May 21, 5:00pm. Speakers: Alexis Bonnell, CEO,
Wordsuccess; Josh Rose, SVP, iDeutsch; David Karnstedt, SVP, Overture. San
Francisco, Wed., May 22, 5:00pm. Speakers: Mark Evans, CEO, MarketItRight;
Lyn Chitow Oakes, CEO, Respond.com; Jon Brodeur, EVP Media & Acquisition
Services, @Once; Chris Bolte, VP, Overture. Upcoming: Boston on 6/5, New
York on 6/12. For more info and to register: www.interactivemarketing.org
(or call 212-790-1408).
_____________________________________________

==========================
CLASSIFIEDS - MARKETPLACE
==========================

Need a New Look? - Get A Website Facelift - Touch Your Customers In New
Ways!

Somedude's Website Design specializes in high impact and cost-effective
ways to bring your website up-to-date, whether its creating a new look and
feel; adding a simple, easy-to-use content management system or creating
applications that give your customers real value online. With a fraction
of the overhead that large web development companies have, we offer
customized solutions designed to meet your specific needs (and budget). We
work with a wide variety of companies, including Digital Media Wire, which
have directly benefited from our work. For more information, contact
mark@somedude.com
_____________________________________________

Free Beaulieu Vineyard Wine Tasting & Educational Seminars - LA & Orange
County

BV offers groups of 35 or more an easy and enjoyable way to enhance your
meeting and entertain your group. The seminar is available at No Cost to
your organization or anyone who attends. It provides a unique opportunity
to learn about the history, heritage and character of a true American
classic. For more information, please contact Suzanne Bultmeyer, BV Event
Coordinator, at sebult@onebox.com
_____________________________________________

Bender/Helper Impact - Public Relations Agency

Bender/Helper Impact is a full-service, mid-sized public relations agency
with offices in Los Angeles and New York. The agency, which was founded in
1986, offers strong expertise in the areas of digital entertainment and
convergence, new media, electronic gaming, technology and consumer
electronics. Current clients include: Dolby, 20th Century Fox, Konami,
DreamWorks, Marvel Enterprises, MGM and Warner Bros., among many others.
To find out how Bender/Helper can impact your business, contact Steve
Honig at: 310-473-4147 or steve_honig@bhimpact.com
_____________________________________________

Samsung DCS Digital Phone System - Complete - $4500

No office telephone system offers more for less. This system was
originally purchased new for $16,358.00 at the beginning of 2000. The
system comes complete with everything required to get your office
communications up and running immediately. The DCS is a modular,
future-proof telephone system, which gives unrivalled flexibility and
functionality and can be configured as a PABX, key system or any
combination of these, according to your specific requirements. For further
details contact djpeebs@aol.com.
_____________________________________________

Sharp AR-5132 Digital Copier - Excellent! - $899

Used for a year, this copier is in great shape and priced to sell.
Everything work fine - all internal mechanisms, paper feeders, trays, and
optional 20-bin sorter - and it produces clean, professional copies.
Instructions Manuals included. This workhorse was originally purchased for
$4800 and is offered for far less than you are likely to find it anywhere
else, especially when compared to used models selling for over $2200 on
the web. 110k/600k copies. Must pick-up or arrange delivery (LA). For
further details contact djpeebs@aol.com.
______________________

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Copyright 2002 Digital Media Wire