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June 24, 2004 -- About Us | Advertise | Events | Publications | Subscribe

Main Stories
o Appeals Court Throws Out FCC Media Ownership Deregulation
o Report: Microsoft to Request EC Antitrust Ruling Delay
o AOL to Buy Online Marketing Firm Advertising.com for $435 Million
o Viacom Bids to Acquire German Music Video Network VIVA
o Napster, Best Buy Partner on Retail Digital Music Promotion
o Content Aggregation Tools Provider NewsGator Raises Funding
o Mobile Entertainment Publisher Digital Chocolate Buys Developer Sumea

 > DMW Announcements:
 --Future of Television: Next Generation - November 19, 2004

 > Featured Advertisement:
 --Billboard Digital Entertainment Conference & Awards
 --Digital Media Law Report - Volume 3
 

o Briefly Noted: Virgin Digital - music service launch date, CD Baby - "Weed" distribution, Tapwave - CompUSA, Paddy Power - mFuse - mobile gambling service, Association of Independent Music - Crosswarp, BBC Motion Gallery, Telia - 3G Olympics streams, On Command - BettingCorp, Dwango - Rolling Stone, Capcom - "Mega Man Anniversary Collection," Digital World magazine, "On the Spot," Glastonbury Festival - free live webcasts _____________________________________________

 
> Job/Event/Marketplace Classifieds:
--No.1 Mobile Media Firm in U.S. is Looking For LA Sales Manager
--Financial Pricing/Modeling Analyst
--Senior Accountant - Online Resources
--Senior Account Executive - PR
--Wholesale Product Manager - Cavalier Telephone
--Director E-Business
--Financial Planning Analyst
--Data Architect
--Product Manager
--Account Executive
--PricewaterhouseCoopers' Entertainment and Media Outlook
--Executive Networking Meeting - Going International, July 20th
--Innovative Technologies to Link Project  
 


o Appeals Court Throws Out FCC Media Ownership Deregulation

Philadelphia -- The U.S. Court of Appeals on Thursday ruled that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) did not adequately make its case when it made the controversial decision to relax media ownership rules last year, and ruled in a 2-1 decision to rescind the FCC's new rules. The deregulation would have increased the number of radio and TV stations a single company may own in the same area, as well as lift prohibitions on certain cross-media ownerships. The court's original stay of the FCC's new rules will now remain in place until the FCC revises its stance to please the court. "It looks like the court agreed with us that preserving democracy is more important than helping big companies grow bigger," attorney Andrew Schwartzman, who filed the lawsuit against the FCC on behalf of the Prometheus Radio Project, told Reuters. FCC chairman Michael Powell said the organization would carefully consider its next step. "Today's decision perversely may make it dramatically more difficult for the Commission to protect against greater media consolidation," said Powell. "This is deeply troubling and hampers the flexibility of the agency to protect the American public, as this agency is charged to do."
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=5507878
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-248793A1.doc    
_____________________________________________

o Report: Microsoft to Request EC Antitrust Ruling Delay

London -- Microsoft is planning to ask the Court of First Instance in Luxembourg to postpone the European Commission's recent ruling against the U.S.-based software giant, the Financial Times reported on Thursday. In March, the Commission ordered Microsoft to pay a $602-million fine, share information with its European competitors and offer a version of Windows without its Media Player software. Microsoft will ask the court to postpone the ruling until the full appeal process, which could take up to five years, is complete. Separately, the Computer and Communications Industry Association (CCIA), one of Microsoft's most vocal critics, asked an EU court to hear its arguments against the request. By the time a suspension runs its course, the CCIA argues, Microsoft could have eliminated several of its rivals. "All the risk in suspension is to consumers and competitors, not Microsoft," the CCIA said. "If the Commission's ruling were suspended and the ubiquity of [Media Player] established ... it [would be] virtually impossible to reverse."
http://makeashorterlink.com/?I2AC643A8 
http://makeashorterlink.com/?M36C134A8  
____________________________________________

o AOL to Buy Online Marketing Firm Advertising.com for $435 Million

Dulles, Va. -- America Online announced on Thursday that it will acquire Baltimore-based Advertising.com, a provider of interactive marketing services, for $435 million in cash. Advertising.com, which has more than 300 employees, will remain in Baltimore and will be managed as a separate company. With the acquisition, expected to close late this summer, AOL will be able to increase the services it offers to its advertisers, adding more branding, paid placement and multimedia capabilities. Advertising.com, which works with more than 800 advertisers and 1,500 online publishers to optimize the performance of online marketing campaigns, had filed for a $100 million initial public offering (IPO) in April. The company earned $12.1 million on revenue of $132 last year.
http://www.advertising.com/Press/04Jun24.html  
____________________________________________

o Viacom Bids to Acquire German Music Video Network VIVA

Frankfurt, Germany -- Media conglomerate Viacom, which owns CBS, MTV Networks, Paramount Pictures and other media businesses, announced on Thursday that it has signed an agreement to acquire a 75.8% controlling interest in VIVA Media AG, a German operator of music video networks, for about $370.6 million. Viacom also offered to buy all the remaining outstanding shares in VIVA for $15.39 per share. Viacom's MTV Networks Europe would manage the combined business, which includes VIVA channels in Germany, Poland, Switzerland, Hungary and Holland. "The acquisition of VIVA is a significant strategic initiative that would dramatically expand our position in Germany -- the biggest multichannel TV ad market internationally and a key driver of MTV's European growth plans," said Viacom co-president and Tom Freston. "In bringing together MTV and VIVA as one family, our local management will create a more diverse and exciting program offer for German TV audiences, while also tapping into the unique advantages of being part of our global network."
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040624/nyth028_1.html
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/040624/viacom_music_channel_1.html 
http://www.mtv-viva.com 
http://www.vivamediaag.com    
____________________________________________

o Napster, Best Buy Partner on Retail Digital Music Promotion

Los Angeles -- Napster, the digital music service unit of Roxio, announced on Thursday a multi-year strategic marketing alliance with Best Buy, a retailer of consumer electronics, music and movies. Under the terms, Best Buy will receive up to $10 million in Roxio stock over the term of the deal, and the two companies will engage in jointly funded marketing activities. Best Buy will offer a co-branded version of Napster at BestBuy.com, in addition to promoting Napster through in-store marketing and in its print and broadcast ads. Best Buy will feature Napster products in physical store displays and interactive kiosks, and sales associates will "focus on showing customers how the Napster service can be part of their complete solution for digital music."
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040624/lath031_1.html 
http://www.napster.com 
http://www.bestbuy.com 
____________________________________________

o Content Aggregation Tools Provider NewsGator Raises Funding

Denver, Colo. -- NewsGator, a developer of online content aggregation tools and services, announced on Thursday that it has raised an undisclosed amount in its first round of funding. Denver-based NewsGator develops RSS tools, which allow Web users to automatically cull online content such as news from various websites and organize them for viewing on a variety of platforms, including on the Web, email or cell phones. The company is also developing a service that allows users to view syndicated multimedia content feeds on their TV using Microsoft's XP Media Center software. The funding will be used to accelerate product development, as well as for marketing and corporate sales.
http://www.newsgator.com/news/archive.aspx?post=40  
____________________________________________

o Mobile Entertainment Publisher Digital Chocolate Buys Developer Sumea

Helsinki -- Mobile entertainment publisher Digital Chocolate announced on Thursday that it acquired Sumea, a Finland-based publisher of games for mobile phones. Financial details for the deal were not disclosed. Digital Chocolate CEO Trip Hawkins, who previously founded games giant Electronic Arts, said the acquisition would give his company a foothold in Europe and provide it "with strong, established partnerships with major global carriers, broad geographic distribution and an entire catalogue of top-rated games".
http://www.sumea.com/press/040624_digitalchocolate.html 

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 > DMW Events:

Future of Television: Next Generation
November 19, 2004  |  New York City

www.televisionconference.com
Phone Registration Available Now
323-822-0936

OVERVIEW
Last year 370+ attended Future of Television Forum, which included keynotes from Mark Cuban (Chairman, HDNet / Owner, Dallas Mavericks), Joshua Sapan (President & CEO Rainbow Media Holdings, Inc.), and David Zaslav (President, NBC Cable). This year's event is scheduled for November 19, 2004 at NYU's Stern School of Business and will feature an impressive line-up of speakers and cutting-edge topics focused on the "Next Generation" of television.

REGISTRATION
Early Bird: $195 (until August 31)
Pre-Registration: $295
(until November 12)
Registration: $395 (after November 12 & at Door)
Online Registration: http://kb.digitalmediawire.com/register.php?eventid=1074

Phone: 323-822-0936


To submit speakers for or request information about exhibiting or sponsoring at the 2004 conferences, 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: 

We are pleased to announce the launch of the first annual Billboard Digital Entertainment Conference & Awards, a partnership between Billboard and Digital Media Wire. For entry kit, rules and other details, please visit: www.digitalentertainmentawards.com


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
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Order
Volume 3 - Order
 

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o Briefly Noted:

(London) Virgin Digital, the digital music subscription service currently in development at Richard Branson's Virgin, will launch in the U.S. in August 2005 and in the U.K. a month later, U.K. news site TheRegister reported. TheRegister cited sources familiar with Virgin's plans as saying the company will offer both a la carte downloads and a subscription music offering, in addition to ringtones and other related services. The company created Virgin Digital in March and announced plans to launch online music services with the aid of partner MusicNet, a joint venture between major labels Sony, BMG and Warner that also has licenses from EMI, Universal, and a range of indie labels.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/06/23/virigin_digital_dates
http://www.virgin.com

(Seattle) CD Baby, an online CD retailer catering to unsigned and independent label artists, announced on Thursday that it has partnered with Seattle-based Shared Media Licensing (SML) to offer its 65,000 affiliated artists the option to distribute their songs in SML's Weed file format. Weed files may be freely shared over the Internet, and played three times in the Windows Media Player before payment is required. Artists earn 50% on each sale, and end users earn a 20% commission when their shared files are purchased by others.
http://www.cdbaby.com 
http://www.weedshare.com

(Mountain View, Calif.) Tapwave, developer of the Zodiac mobile entertainment console, announced on Thursday that the Zodiac is now available in all 227 CompUSA retail stores. The company is also selling the device at J&R Music World stores and from its own website. The Zodiac console is available in $299 (32MB RAM) and $399 (128MB RAM) models, with a slate of 60 to 75 game titles expected this year from publishers including Activision, Midway, id Software, Eidos, Atari and Sega. The device, which runs the Palm operating system, also plays music and video, offers wireless multiplayer gaming and can sync with personal organizer data.
http://www.tapwave.com

(Dublin) Paddy Power, the Ireland-based bookmaker, unveiled on Thursday what it claims to be the world's first Java-based mobile phone gambling system. mFuse, a U.K.-based mobile-gaming applications firm, developed the free program, which will work on any 2.5G mobile phone with Java in the U.K. and Ireland.
http://makeashorterlink.com/?F289513A8

(London) The Association of Independent Music (AIM), a consortium of U.K. independent record labels, said on Thursday that it has partnered with Japanese mobile content provider Crosswarp, to make master recording ringtones from U.K. indie artists available in Japan. The ringtones will be sell for about $0.93 each through Tower Records Japan's Tower Mobile unit, as well as from Crosswarp's Music 100 service.
http://www.musicindie.org 
http://www.crosswarp.com

(Burbank, Calif.) BBC Worldwide on Thursday announced the launch of BBC Motion Gallery, an online depository of licensable video clips from the BBC and CBS News archives. The site offers media professionals some 10,000 clips for use in corporate videos, new media, advertising, TV and feature films.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/commercial 
http://bbcmotiongallery.com

(Stockholm) Swedish wireless carrier Telia said on Thursday that it will offer live 3G broadcasts of the Summer Olympics in Athens for free. All subscribers to Telia's Go service who own 3G mobile handsets will be able to see the same live broadcasts that will be aired on public TV channel SVT. Subscribers will also be able to access a news archive of texts, images and video clips, and receive SMS or MMS news bulletins -- all free of charge, Telia said.
http://www.teliasonera.se/ts/teliasonera/home.do?tabId=4

(Denver) On Command, a provider of broadband and video-on-demand services to hoteliers, said on Thursday that it has signed a multi-year agreement with BettingCorp, a unit of interactive TV firm OpenTV, to develop interactive games for On Command. London-based BettingCorp will initially provide Denver-based On Command with a slate of 15 casino and skill games in trivia, children's, arcade and other categories.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040623/daw028_1.html 
http://www.oncommand.com 
http://www.bettingcorp.com

(Seattle) Mobile entertainment publisher Dwango North America announced on Thursday it partnered with Rolling Stone to launch a mobile entertainment service called Rolling Stone Ringtones. In addition to ringtones, the service also provides access to current music reviews from Rolling Stone magazine. Seattle-based Dwango said the service is now available through AT&T Wireless, Cingular and Nextel, with additional carriers to be added in coming weeks.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/040624/245123_1.html 
http://www.rollingstone.com 
http://www.dwango.com

(Sunnyvale, Calif.) Game developer Capcom has released its "Mega Man Anniversary Collection" title for PlayStation 2 and GameCube. The "Mega Man" anthology includes the first eight installments of the game for various platforms, as well as versions of two arcade titles that have not yet been released in the U.S.
http://www.capcom.com/news/news.xpml?prid=450143

(San Francisco) PC World Communications, a unit of IDG that publishes PC World magazine, announced on Thursday plans to launch a new magazine called Digital World, which will cover the convergence of PC, consumer electronics, and mobile communications products. The bimonthly publication will launch in October with an initial estimated circulation of 125,000.
http://www.pcworld.com

(San Francisco) GameSpot, a unit of CNET Networks that offers video game information, announced that it will launch what it calls the Internet's first live weekly webcast show about gaming, called "On The Spot."
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/040623/235658_1.html 
http://www.gamespot.com

(Glastonbury, England) Organizers of the Glastonbury Festival, an annual summer music concert in England, announced that it will for the fourth year again provide live webcasts of many of the performances this weekend, along with partner PlayLouder. Artists whose sets will be webcast live include PJ Harvey, Franz Ferdinand, Belle & Sebastian, Muse and Basement Jaxx.
http://glastonbury.playlouder.com/webcasts/index.html
http://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk 
 
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> Classifieds -- Advertise

> No. 1 Mobile Media Firm in U.S. is Looking For LA Sales Manager

ipsh! (www.ipsh.com) is currently looking to bring on one (1) manager of media sales based in Los Angeles. We are seeking an aggressive individual with 'go-getting' startup attitude, combining outstanding people skills and excellent customer service, with experience in direct B2B television, theatrical studio and agency sales. Candidate must possess a proven sales track record & over achieving quota in new markets with new products. To apply send your resume and cover letter to careers@ipsh.com  with subject 'Manager of Media Sales'.
_________________

> Financial Pricing/Modeling Analyst

Create and analyze complex financial models of proposals. Collaborate with sales, operations, and finance to validate model assumptions. Provide recommendations to the sales, operations, and finance staff on financial models. Continually improve the standard pricing models. Analyze statements to update assumptions of cost structure. Prepare financial forecasts and budgets. Create operational plans for new business opportunities. Assemble potential operational costs into proposals to create solutions. Send resumes to timothy.r.smith@acs-inc.com
_________________

> Senior Accountant - Online Resources

The Sr. Accountant is responsible for preparing financial statements, reconciliations, journal entries and the general ledger, as well as maintaining fixed assets schedules, assisting with the month-end close and the monthly invoicing processes and completing special projects as required. Requirements: Either a Bachelors degree in acctg. with 3-5 years of accounting exp or an Associates degree with 5 plus years of accounting exp., solid knowledge of accounting principles, skill with Excel spreadsheets and excellent verbal and written communications skills, CPA is strongly desired. Great benefits, and competitive compensation. Send resumes to shahn@orcc.com  or wnewman@orcc.com
_________________

> Senior Account Executive - PR

mPRm Public Relations has an opening for an AE or a SAE in its Emerging Media and Technology practice. Candidates should have at least 3+ years PR experience in technology-related PR, proven media relationships and demonstrated competency in core PR skills, including writing, pitching trade and business press and client relations. SAEs should have the ability to manage their own accounts on a day-to-day basis. Agency experience a plus. Please send resume and cover letter to emtjobs@mprm.com.
_________________

> Wholesale Product Manager - Cavalier Telephone

Candidate should have deep understanding of the Carrier market including traditional circuit based transport/switched providers and VO/IP backbone providers. Experience in FCC Type I special access circuit pricing and Carrier/Cap provider pricing structures. Require: 5 plus years marketing and strategic development mgmt exp. targeted at the Wholesale/Carrier local, national, and international marketplace. 4-Year Business/Marketing degree, MBA. Technical certifications in telecom systems a plus. Great benefits, rewarding compensation program, medical and dental, 401K. Please email resumes and salary requirements to humres@cavtel.com
_________________

> Director E-Business

Immediate opening for a Director, eBusiness to direct, manage and be accountable for the Company's eBusiness P&L. Key Responsibilities: Manages eBusiness P&L, Build eBusiness through stages including small order transition, customer integrations, customized extranets and organic growth. Require: Degree or equivalent experience in Business, Marketing, or related field of study. 7 to 10 yrs of related exp. in eBusiness, Min 5 yrs of mgmt exp reqd. Proven leadership abilities. Land base to e-commerce experience, launching stand alone second commerce. Send inquiries to melon.yeshoalul@gtsi.com
_________________

> Financial Planning Analyst

This position will provide in-house support to the CFO and CEO for financial analysis, actuarial studies and financial forecasting, support premium rate studies, reserve valuations, reinsurance administration and financial projections and ensure that all documentation complies with Company policy and professional standards. Responsibilities: working with the CFO, prepare financial modeling and forecasts. Conduct financial analysis projects and special statistical studies as needed to support projection; support the Consulting Actuary. Please send resume to kstephens@hirestrategy.com  or visit http://www.hirestrategy.com/quicklinks/hire198.asp
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> Product Manager

This Product Manager position will be responsible for specifying the requirements and overseeing development of new trusted data exchange applications on an innovative infrastructure for carrier-class deployment in the mobile environment. Require: Exp. in mobile carrier application product development, exp. in User Interface development and evaluation, 5yrs software engineering and development background reqd, knowledge of carrier billing and class of service, Ability to manage product development program reqd, Excellent writing and presentation skills required, Must be able to travel. Please send resumes to amy.ashker@epok.net
_________________

> Data Architect

Project entails building an integrated data mart housing financial data. The ideal candidates will have a minimum 10 to 20 years of experience in business analysis, data modeling to enterprise architecture in secondary mortgage, financial services or insurance industry. Initial focus is heavy on analysis, then modeling, validation and physical design. Excellent communication skill is a must. Send inquiries to lauri.lieberman@prolinkservices.com
_________________
 
> Account Executive

The Account Executive will join GetActive's talented Sales Team and will primarily be focused on sales opportunities in the nonprofit marketplace. Responsible for qualifying leads, strategizing on accounts, presenting to prospective clients, and following-up with prospective clients. This person will also work closely with a Senior Manager of Business Development to close accounts, but will not be directly responsible for closing accounts or producing revenue on his own. For the right, resourceful self-starter, the position represents a challenging and rewarding opportunity. Send resumes to salesmanager@getactive.com
_________________

> 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
_________________
 
> Executive Networking Meeting - Going International, July 20th

Going International too late can cause you to miss the boat on great opportunities - are your competitors already making headway in some of these markets? Perhaps without your knowledge? But going International too early can also cause a company to lose focus if it's not ready to do so yet. If you're already executing on an International strategy, this session will help you make sure you get the most out of it. And if you haven't yet defined an International strategy, this session will help you shape it. http://www.netsea.org/events_info.shtml
_________________

> Innovative Technologies to Link Project

Mgmt. with Project Accounting Learn how you can use shared data to enable project teams to accurately estimate and manage jobs, and in accordance, allow accounting to efficiently control costs and account for budgets. Attend our web seminar from the comfort of your own office! Register online at http://www.ssiconsulting.com/events/pma.html  or call 1-800-886-3369 x4618. Send inquiries to jd@ssiconsulting.com


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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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