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Future of Television Forum: Next Generation
November 19, 2004  |  New York City
www.televisionconference.com


July 8, 2004 -- About Us | Advertise | Events | Publications | Subscribe

Main Stories
o Vivendi Games Unit Sued for Denying Overtime Pay to Developers
o Los Angeles Enacts Curfews for Minors in Gaming Cybercafes
o U.S. Seeking Extradition of Aussie Leader of DrinkOrDie Piracy Ring
o MPAA's Valenti Resigns; Former U.S. Rep. Glickman to Succeed
o Broadband Video Delivery Firm Kasenna Raises $15 Million
o Digital Sheet Music Publisher Musicnotes Raises $2.3 Million

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

 > Featured Advertisement:
 --Billboard Digital Entertainment Conference & Awards - Nov. 4-5
 

o Briefly Noted: Kazaa - Aussie trial date, Apple iTunes - 100 million downloads promotion, Samsung - 3D Game Phone, Navarre - Digital Rights Agency, Mobileway - Warner Music Group, BMI - Rowe AMI, Coding Technologies - Nokia, Electronic Arts - "Madden NFL 2005" soundtrack, Majesco - "BloodRayne" comic, Vodafone - Square Enix, Vivendi Universal Games - NovaLogic, Nokia N-Gage QD - Fido, Mforma Group - China
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> Job/Event/Marketplace Classifieds:
--Senior Account Executive - PR
--VP - Ignition Strategic Communications
--NMS Imaging Seeing Sales Manager
--Financial Pricing/Modeling Analyst
--Senior Accountant - Online Resources
--Wholesale Product Manager - Cavalier Telephone
--Director E-Business
--Financial Planning Analyst
--Product Manager
--PricewaterhouseCoopers' Entertainment and Media Outlook
--Executive Networking Meeting - Going International, July 20th
--Audio Conference - Homeland Security Contracting - July 27
 


o Vivendi Games Unit Sued for Denying Overtime Pay to Developers

Los Angeles -- Vivendi Universal Games, the video game publishing unit of the Franco-American media conglomerate that recently cut about one-third of its staff, has been sued in California by a developer who claims the company has routinely falsified employee timesheets to avoid paying overtime to workers, Reuters reported. Neil Aitken, a programmer with VU Games' Knowledge Adventure division since February 2000, says in the claim that he and fellow developers work over 12 hours per day on average, but have been denied the time-and-a-half pay for hours over 40 hours per week. While long hours and marathon coding sessions are commonplace at smaller developers in the industry, California's labor laws are strict with regard to overtime pay. "Specifically, VUG managers have instructed NonexemptProgrammers to enter 8 hours for each workday regardless of the actual number of hours worked by an employee," Aitken alleges in the suit. In addition to payment of back overtime wages, Aitken will try to establish a class action against Vivendi on behalf of other employees.
http://biz.yahoo.com/rc/040629/media_vivendi_games_1.html
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?section_name=dev&aid=3715
http://www.vugames.com/studio.do?studioName=Knowledge_Adventure   
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o Los Angeles Enacts Curfews for Minors in Gaming Cybercafes

Los Angeles -- The Los Angeles City Council on Wednesday approved a city ordinance limiting the hours that minors can patronize Internet cafes and "PC baangs", citing school truancy and incidents of violence between teens playing video games. The law will also require cafes to install security cameras and obtain a police permit to operate. Under the new law, which will take effect by September, those under 18 will not be allowed in cybercafes on school days between 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., or after 10 p.m.
http://www.latimes.com/technology/la-me-cyber8jul08,1,2137421.story
http://makeashorterlink.com/?V5C4211C8       
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o U.S. Seeking Extradition of Aussie Leader of DrinkOrDie Piracy Ring

San Francisco -- CNET News.com reports that U.S. authorities have succeeded in convincing Australian authorities that there is reason to extradite the alleged leader of DrinkOrDie -- a pirated games, movies, music and software ring -- to the U.S., overcoming an earlier ruling that found no extraditable offense. While several members of the group have been indicted and convicted in the U.S. and U.K., the group's Australian leader, Hew Raymond Griffiths, is the only member whom the U.S. is seeking to extradite. Griffiths would face a maximum sentence of five years in Australia if convicted, but up to ten years and a $500,000 fine if convicted in the U.S. "There is a feeling that he is being head-hunted by the U.S. authorities," Griffiths' attorney, Antony Townsden, told News.com. "I think it's good enough to say they might find it easier to get (a) prosecution if it's in another country."
http://makeashorterlink.com/?H3B2121C8 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DrinkOrDie 
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o MPAA's Valenti Resigns; Former U.S. Rep. Glickman to Succeed

Los Angeles -- Jack Valenti has announced his formal resignation as president and CEO of the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), the movie studio trade group, after holding the position for the past 38 years. The MPAA board of directors named Dan Glickman, former Secretary of Agriculture and Congressman from Kansas, as his replacement, effective Sept. 1. During his 18-year tenure in Congress, Glickman was also a member of the House Judiciary Committee, where he sat on the Copyright and Intellectual Property Subcommittee. Jack Valenti is credited with creating the industry's voluntary movie rating system in 1968, as well as launching the MPAA's anti-piracy division in 1975, seven years before he was famously quoted as saying that the VCR is to the American film producer and the American public as the Boston strangler is to the woman home alone. In recent years, Valenti has led the MPAA's actions against file-sharing networks, lobbied to increase federal penalties against pirates and "plug the analog hole," and succeeded in helping pass a law making it a crime to bring a camcorder into movie theaters.
http://www.mpaa.org/MPAAPress/2004/2004_07_01a.pdf
http://www.mpaa.org/MPAAPress/2004/2004_07_01c.pdf  
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o Broadband Video Delivery Firm Kasenna Raises $15 Million

Mountain View, Calif. -- Kasenna, a provider of broadband video delivery services for the telecom, cable, hospitality and other industries, announced on Thursday that it has raised $15 million in its latest round of venture capital financing. Key Ventures led the investment round; new investor AsiaTech Management, as well as previous investors US Venture Partners, Alloy Ventures, OM Technology Investments Partnership, Artiman Ventures, CIR Ventures and The Entrepreneurs' Fund also participated. Mountain View, Calif.-based Kasenna, which recently acquired rival ViewNow, provides IP video infrastructure, applications and video-on-demand programming for video services. The company said the new funds will take it well into profitability, as well as enable it to accelerate its expansion into cable and telco service provider markets around the world.
http://www.kasenna.com/news/pressreleases/index.jsp?id=82  
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o Digital Sheet Music Publisher Musicnotes Raises $2.3 Million

Madison, Wisc. -- Musicnotes, a publisher of digital sheet music, announced that it has raised $2.3 million through a debt financing transaction. The company said it will use $1 million to refinance existing debt and the rest to finance working capital needs and potential acquisitions. Wisconsin-based Musicnotes recently announced that musicians have now purchased and downloaded over 500,000 digital sheet music titles from its online store, which sells works controlled by major music publishers including Warner Bros. Publications, BMG, Zomba Music and Famous Music.
http://www.musicnotes.com    

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 > DMW Events:

Future of Television Forum: 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: 



www.digitalentertainmentawards.com

The Awards will include 30 market-leading categories honoring innovation, entrepreneurship and brand development in digital entertainment.  Judges are comprised of an elite group of industry executives and leaders hand picked from the digital entertainment industry, representing the creative community, major entertainment companies, academic institutions and the media. For more information,
or to submit a company for the Digital Entertainment Awards, please visit www.digitalentertainmentawards.com

Deadline for Submissions: September 15, 2004

Conference & Awards Show: November 4 and 5, 2004

AWARDS CATEGORIES
(click here for category descriptions)

AWARDS ENTRY FORM
(click here to download entry form)
 

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o Briefly Noted:

(Sydney) A tentative trial date of Nov. 29 has been set in the Australian copyright infringement case against Sharman Networks, operator of the Kazaa file-sharing network. The trial has been delayed due to legal wrangling between the company and Australian authorities, who raided the offices of Kazaa and its executives in February, over the evidence obtained during the controversial Anton Pillar search warrants. The two sides will be back in court on July 16 to discuss further procedural matters related to the case.
http://makeashorterlink.com/?O156251C8

(Cupertino, Calif.) Apple has launched a promotion surrounding the sale of the first 100 million songs from its iTunes Music Store that will feature giveaways of 50 iPods, in addition to a prize of a 17-inch PowerBook, 40GB iPod and 10,000 free songs for the person who purchases the 100 millionth song from iTunes. The store, which just launched European versions in the U.K., France and Germany, sold its 95 millionth song last week.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040701/sfth045_1.html 
http://www.apple.com/itunes

(Seoul) Korean consumer electronics firm Samsung has announced the introduction of a new 3D Game Phone that features a joystick, 32MB of memory, MP3 playback capability and a built-in digital camera. The handset, for which pricing and release details were not disclosed, will come bundled with three games, including "ZioGolf" and "Metalion."
http://makeashorterlink.com/?V378551C8 
http://www.samsungmobile.com

(Minneapolis) Navarre Corp., a publisher of video games and independent label music, said on Thursday that it has signed an agreement with Digital Rights Agency (DRA), to manage the licensing, digital delivery, royalty reporting and marketing of over 10,000 tracks from Navarre artists. DRA will provide such services for Navarre artists including Kenny Rogers, Patsy Cline and The Dead Kennedys; DRA also services tracks for independent labels including Barsuk, Tiger Style, Kill Rock Stars and Moonshine Music.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040707/cgw076_1.html 
http://www.navarre.com 
http://www.digitalrightsagency.com

(San Mateo, Calif.) Mobileway, a provider of mobile content and network services, announced on Thursday that Warner Music Group will use its services to incorporate wireless branding into its CD packaging and other marketing efforts. Five-digit "short codes" will be featured on CD packages, album posters, artist websites and online banner ads that let consumers access ringtones from Warner artists directly from their phones. Fans send a text-message to the short code and the $1.99 ringtone or $2.49 music tone is then charged to their phone bill.
http://www.wmg.com 
http://www.mobileway.com

(Grand Rapids, Mich.) Jukebox manufacturer Rowe AMI announced that it has licensed songs represented by performing rights organization BMI for playback on its line of digital jukeboxes. Rowe recently launched a new line of Internet-enabled digital jukeboxes, which will now have access to BMI's 4.5 million-song repertoire.
http://www.bmi.com/news/200406/20040629a.asp
http://www.roweinternational.com

(Nuremberg, Germany) Coding Technologies, a developer of audio compression technology, announced that it has signed a major licensing deal with cell phone maker Nokia, which will allow Nokia to incorporate the company's aacPlus audio codec in its handset models. The aacPlus codec has already been adopted by wireless carriers including SK Telecom, Vodafone and mmO2, for uses including music downloads, streaming and master recording ringtones.
http://www.codingtechnologies.com/news/index.htm#

(Redwood City, Calif.) Electronic Arts has announced the soundtrack line-up for its upcoming "Madden NFL 2005" title for PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, Game Boy Advance and the PC, due in stores on Aug. 12. In-game tracks will be contributed from artists including Franz Ferdinand, The Hives, Green Day, DJ Z-Trip and Ozomatli. The company also said on Thursday that it plans to release "Oddworld Stranger" for PlayStation 2 and Xbox in the spring of 2005. The game is the latest installment in the Oddworld franchise developed by San Luis Obispo, Calif.-based Oddworld Inhabitants.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/040701/15547_1.html
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/040708/85194_1.html 
http://www.oddworld.com

(Edison, N.J.) Video game publisher Majesco announced on Thursday that it has teamed with Echo 3 Worldwide to publish a comic book version of its "BloodRayne" game franchise. The first such quarterly one-shot comic will debut around Halloween in conjunction with the release of "BloodRayne 2" for PlayStation 2, Xbox and the PC. The BloodRayne comic is the first project for Echo 3, formed by writer/director Steven O'Connell to acquire video game rights for development into comics.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/040708/85061_1.html 
http://www.echo3worldwide.com 
http://www.bloodrayne2.com

(London) European wireless carrier Vodafone said on Thursday that it has partnered with Japanese game developer Square Enix to develop new mobile gaming content. Initial Square Enix titles available through Vodafone live will include "Alsete" and "Actraiser," which will debut in Germany in July, and in the U.K., Spain and Italy this summer. The company will also publish a mobile version of its "Drakengard" title for PlayStation 2 this summer.
http://www.vodafone.com 
http://www.square-enix-europe.com

(Los Angeles) Vivendi Universal Games said on Thursday that it has signed a multi-year distribution agreement with developer NovaLogic, to become the sole distributor of NovaLogic products in North America. The deal includes Calabasas, Calif.-based NovaLogic's recently released "Joint Operations: Typhoon Rising" and other titles including "Delta Force: Black Hawk Down."
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040707/law078_1.html 
http://www.vugames.com 
http://www.novalogic.com

(Montreal) Canadian wireless operator Fido, a unit of Microcell Solutions, said on Thursday that it will now offer Nokia's N-Gage QD game deck phone to its subscribers, bundled with Activision's "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater" title for the device. Fido will offer the N-Gage QD to subscribers for $150 with a Fido service agreement.
http://www.n-gage.com/qd 
http://www.fido.ca

(Kirkland, Wash.) Mobile entertainment publisher Mforma Group announced on Thursday the establishment of a Chinese subsidiary, which will be based in Shanghai and distribute mobile games and services directly to Chinese wireless carriers. The Kirkland, Wash.-based company also has offices in Korea and Europe.
http://www.mforma.com 
 
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> Classifieds -- Ad Postings

> 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.
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> VP - Ignition Strategic Communications

Ignition Strategic Communications is a fast-paced, fast-growing independently owned communications consulting firm with offices in Washington, D.C. and Austin, Texas. The firm has a reputation for delivering sophisticated, highly successful public relations and public affairs campaigns. Ignition seeks talented people with at least a decade of experience. Ideal candidates will have hands-on experience media relations and PR experience, management know-how and entrepreneurial expertise in growing a full-service agency. Journalism experience useful. Competitive salary and benefits. Send resumes to mediarelationsjob@hotmail.com.  No phone calls, please.
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> NMS Imaging Seeing Sales Manager

Sales Professional wanted to build and mentor B2B outside sales team of 12 covering NJ-VA. Ideal candidate has proven experience with office automation equipment sales or similar. Knowledge of selling applied solutions to line-of-business with ROI and business process improvement will make the difference. Seeking excellent presenting, speaking, and people skills with energy and professionalism. Send resume and compensation requirements. employment@nmsimaging.com
_________________

> 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
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> 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
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> 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
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> 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
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> 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
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> 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
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> 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
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> Audio Conference - Homeland Security Contracting - July 27

Spending on homeland security is growing at an unprecedented pace at state, local and federal levels. During its first year, the Department of Homeland Security signed over 18,500 contracts for goods and services from US companies of all sizes. Join the Institute of Management and Administration (IOMA) and our panel of contracting experts in this 90-minute audio telephone conference to find out how proper marketing and product strategy can make all the difference in your DHS bid. Click the link below for information and to register: http://www.homeland-directory.com/contracting.html

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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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Chief Executive Officer: Ned Sherman
VP, Marketing & Events: Tinzar Than
Editor: Mark Hefflinger

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