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July 8, 2004 --
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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
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
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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
_____________________________________________
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
____________________________________________
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
____________________________________________
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
____________________________________________
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
____________________________________________
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
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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.
_________________
> 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.
_________________
> 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
_________________
> 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
_________________
> 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
_________________
> 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
_________________
> 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
_________________
> 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
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Advertising & Sponsorship
Publications, Events & Information
Executive & Editorial Team
Chief Executive Officer: Ned Sherman
VP, Marketing & Events: Tinzar Than
Editor: Mark Hefflinger
Contact Us
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Copyright 2004 Digital Media Wire, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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