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===================================================
DIGITAL MEDIA WIRE -- July 23, 2002
===================================================
Subscribe for free: http://www.digitalmediawire.com

o FCC: U.S. High-Speed Internet Subscribers Rose 80% in 2001
o Xbox, PlayStation 2 Sales Jump In Months Following Price Cuts
o Digital Media Delivery Firm Blue Falcon Networks Raises $8.5 Million
o Nvidia Acquires Graphics Rendering Software Firm Exluna
o Sony, Game Trade Group Laud Conviction of Canadian "Mod Chip" Seller
o Report: Widespread Digital Video Recorder Adoption Not Inevitable
> Digital Media Wire: "Mobile Entertainment" Panel | NYC | July 25
o Briefly Noted: Disney Consumer Products - Motorola, Activision - Tony
Hawk, Digimarc - Activated Content Corp., Web3D Consortium, XM Satellite
Radio, Roxio - Snapfish, Freeserve - Classical.com, Vivendi Universal
Publishing - 2015, Creative Nomad MuVo, Solarbaybies - Diesel-U-Music -
Sputnik7 - Pseudo.com
_____________________________________________

> Jobs: Manager, Internet Development, Client Strategy Mgr., VP Sales,
Financial Services, Dir. of Public Relations

> Events: "Career Power Seminar," "Wine Seminar Series," "NVTC's Titans of
Technology Breakfast," Free Event Listings

> Marketplace: Event Me!, Directory of Homeland Security, Bender/Helper
Impact, AlleyEvent

Full text of ads located beneath "Briefly Noted" section below.

To post a Classified Ad:
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/mainpostingpage.html
or contact David Peebler at david@digitalmediawire.com
_____________________________________________

o FCC: U.S. High-Speed Internet Subscribers Rose 80% in 2001

Washington -- The number of U.S. high-speed Internet subscribers rose 33
percent in the second half of 2001, to a total of 12.8 million
subscribers, according to figures released on Tuesday by the Federal
Communications Commission. The jump represents an 80.3 percent increase in
high-speed subscribers for the whole year. The report shows DSL
subscriptions rose 95 percent to 3.9 million subscribers at the end of
2001, up from 2.7 million in June 2001. Cable modem subscribers numbered
7.1 million at the end of 2001, up from 5.2 million last June.
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-224580A1.txt
http://biz.yahoo.com/ri/020723/tech_internet_fcc_1.html
_____________________________________________

o Xbox, PlayStation 2 Sales Jump In Months Following Price Cuts

Redmond, Wash. -- Sales of Microsoft's Xbox video game console and Sony's
PlayStation 2 console both rose by triple-digit figures following their
respective $100 price cuts in May, according to sales figures reported by
market research firm NPD. The Xbox posted a 131 percent increase in U.S.
sales, and PlayStation 2 a 118 percent increase in the two months
following the price cuts. Microsoft announced Tuesday that it will launch
sales of its Xbox in new territories this year, to include Korea, Hong
Kong, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore and Taiwan.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/020723/sftu053a_1.html
http://www.npd.com
_____________________________________________

o Digital Media Delivery Firm Blue Falcon Networks Raises $8.5 Million

Los Angeles -- Blue Falcon Networks, a provider of cost-effective digital
media delivery solutions, announced on Tuesday that it has raised $8.5
million in its third round of venture capital financing. Sprout Group led
the investment round; previous investors Draper Fisher Jurvetson, Zone
Ventures, and Wasatch Ventures also participated. Sprout Group's Josh
Goldman, former CEO of mySimon, will become Blue Falcon's new CEO; former
CEO Jay Haynes will assume the role of president and COO. Los
Angeles-based Blue Falcon provides customers including Radio Free Virgin
and Salem Communications with delivery infrastructure for live audio and
video streaming, on-demand music and movies, and large file and
application downloads.
http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/f_headline.cgi?day0/222040099&ticker=
http://www.bluefalcon.com
_____________________________________________

o Nvidia Acquires Graphics Rendering Software Firm Exluna

Santa Clara, Calif. -- Nvidia, a developer of graphics chips used in PCs
and video game consoles, announced that it has acquired Exluna, a
developer of film-quality graphics rendering software. Financial terms of
the transaction were not disclosed, but Santa Clara-based Nvidia said the
acquisition is part of its strategy to bring cinematic quality to
real-time graphics and adds core engineering competency and intellectual
property to its recently announced "Cg" strategy. Separately, digital
animation production firm Pixar announced that it settled its outstanding
litigation against Berkeley, Calif.-based Exluna. Pixar sued Exluna in
March 2001 for misappropriation of trade secrets, copyright infringement
and patent infringement.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/020722/220161_1.html
http://www.nvidia.com
http://www.exluna.com
_____________________________________________

o Sony, Game Trade Group Laud Conviction of Canadian "Mod Chip" Seller

Foster City, Calif. -- Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) and the
Interactive Digital Software Association, a video game industry trade
group, on Tuesday heralded the first conviction in Canada for selling "mod
chips," or technology that can crack the security technology on its
PlayStation video game console and allow pirated games to be played.
Defendant Robert Garby pled guilty in the Ontario Court of Justice in
Ottawa to six counts of criminal code violation and copyright law
infringement, and was fined $17,000 and sentenced to twelve months
probation. "This is an important case of first impression in Canada," said
SCEA general counsel Riley Russell. "Sony Computer Entertainment America
has been fighting circumvention devices like these within U.S. borders for
years. We are pleased that our neighbor to the North has recognized the
illegitimacy of these devices under applicable law."
http://www.scea.com
http://www.idsa.org
_____________________________________________

o Report: Widespread Digital Video Recorder Adoption Not Inevitable

Winchester, Mass. -- The number of U.S. households with digital video
recorders (DVRs) will grow from a customer base of approximately 1 million
today to 15 million in five years -- a significant increase but one that
does not represent widespread consumer adoption -- according to a recent
report from market research firm Leichtman Research. The survey indicates
that while 25 percent of households are interested in getting programs
on-demand, only 5 percent said they were willing to both buy a DVR product
and pay a monthly fee for related services. Additionally, in the device's
three years of availability, about 350,000 stand-alone DVRs have been
sold, averaging less than one sale per available retail outlet per week.
"With limited demand for DVRs as a stand-alone product and service
offering, the potential growth for the category will be supply-side
driven, resting firmly on the shoulders of the cable operators who may not
be motivated to rapidly deploy DVR technology," said firm president Bruce
Leichtman.
http://www.leichtmanresearch.com/press/0722release.html
_____________________________________________

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DMW Presents "The Future of Mobile Entertainment" - July 25, New York

For more information and to register online:
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/wireless_NYC_072502/wireless_072502.htm

This discussion forum, to be held in New York on the evening of July 25,
features leaders from a broad spectrum of wireless-related industries who
will explore the future of mobile entertainment, technologies and
services. A cocktail and hors d'oeuvres reception concludes what is sure
to be a worthwhile event for those wishing to explore where the next
generation of wireless technologies is headed and what it means for
consumers.

There are a limited number of seats remaining.

David Brudnicki - Senior Director, Mobile Multimedia, AT&T Wireless
Anders Evju - Vice President & General Manager, Digital Bridges
Fabrice Grinda - Founder & CEO, Zingy, Inc.
Nicholas Lehman - Vice President, Interactive Business Development, MTV
McAdory Lipscomb Jr. - Marketing & Communications Lead, Accenture
Raviv Pablo - Sr. Dir., Product Technologies & Marketing, Emblaze Systems
Patrick M. Walsh - VP, Wireless Data Business Development, iBiquity
Digital
Joe Lazslo - Senior Analyst, Jupiter Media Metrix (moderator)

Sponsored by: Emblaze Systems (www.emblaze.com)
Technology Demonstration by: iBiquity (www.ibiquity.com)

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_____________________________________________

Briefly Noted:

(Burbank, Calif.) Disney Consumer Products announced on Tuesday that it
has partnered with mobile device maker Motorola to develop consumer
electronics for children ages 6-12. The first products introduced in North
America and the U.K. in fall 2002 will include a Disney-branded two-way
radio set and a 2.4 GHz cordless telephone, each to be priced at $60.
Disney said it plans to release additional consumer electronics devices
for children in the spring of 2003.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/020723/230057_1.html
http://www.motorola.com/radios/disney
http://www.motorola.com/cordless/disney

(Santa Monica, Calif.) Game developer Activision said on Tuesday that it
has extended its video game licensing agreement with professional
skateboarder Tony Hawk through 2015. Santa Monica-based Activision said
its "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater" game franchise has generated approximately
$500 million worldwide through March 31, 2002. The fourth installment in
the series is currently being developed at Woodland Hills, Calif.-based
Neversoft Entertainment for release in the fall.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/020723/latu101_1.html
http://www.activision.com/games/tonyhawk
http://www.neversoft.com

(Tualatin, Ore.) Digimarc, a developer of digital watermarking technology
for audio and video, announced that it has licensed its audio watermarking
technology to Burlingame, Calif.-based Activated Content Corp. The company
plans to use Digimarc's technology to develop a product that helps record
companies identify and track leaks of promotional music by embedding a
digital watermark into the audio content as a forensic identifier, as well
as link audio content to the most up-to-date promotional material for the
authorized recipient.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/020722/220013_1.html
http://www.digimarc.com

(San Antonio) The Web3D Consortium, a trade group developing and promoting
open standards to enable 3D Web and broadcast applications, announced on
Tuesday the availability of the final working draft version of the X3D, or
"Extensible 3D" specification. "The X3D Final Working Draft is the
culmination of four years of design, implementation and evaluation by
leaders in the Web3D industry," said Tony Parisi, president of Media
Machines and co-editor of the X3D specification. "X3D integrates the best
of proven 3D graphics technology with emerging Web and broadcast
technologies to provide a flexible, open platform for developing
compelling content."
http://www.web3d.org

(Washington) XM Satellite Radio, a provider of satellite-delivered digital
radio programming, said on Tuesday that, in response to listener feedback,
the company is re-shaping its 100-channel lineup. The company will add
stations like neo-soul, books and drama, old-time radio dramas, folk music
and easy listening. Washington-based XM's first premium channel featuring
adult entertainment, Playboy Radio, will be available for an extra $2.99
per month starting on Sept. 3. Separately, XM announced it has named
former Comcast executive Joseph J. Euteneuer as its new chief financial
officer.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/020723/dctu039_1.html
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/020723/dctu023_2.html
http://www.xmradio.com

(Santa Clara, Calif.) Roxio, a developer of digital media software,
announced that it has partnered with online photo service Snapfish to
create a co-branded service that allows customers to upload and store
digital photos, create online photo albums and order prints and special
products like greeting cards. Additionally, a link to the new service will
be embedded in new versions of Roxio's Easy CD Creator and PhotoSuite
software products.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/020723/sftu059_1.html
http://www.roxio.snapfish.com

(London) Freeserve, a division of European media company Wanadoo that
provides ISP services to 2.5 million users, announced that it has signed
an agreement with Classical.com to launch a classical music subscription
service for its subscribers. The service will offer access to 10,000
tracks in packages ranging from $6 to $17 per month, which include
unlimited streaming and the ability to download 10 unprotected tracks per
month.
http://classical.freeserve.com
http://www.classical.com

(Los Angeles) Vivendi Universal Publishing announced a worldwide
publishing agreement with Tulsa, Okla.-based 2015, the game studio
responsible for developing "Medal of Honor Allied Assault." Under the
terms, VU Games' Sierra Entertainment unit will publish, market and
distribute an upcoming action title from 2015.
http://www.vivendiuniversalpublishing.com/english_index.html
http://www.2015.com

(Milpitas, Calif.) Consumer electronics firm Creative plans to release
next month its Nomad MuVo, a small MP3 player with an adapter that
connects directly to a PC's USB port for downloading music. Small enough
to fit on a key chain, the $169.99 device holds 128MB of data on its flash
memory card, which can hold music as well as any other file type.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/020722/sfm097_1.html
http://www.nomadworld.com/products/muvo

(New York) Solarbaybies, a New York-based multimedia production company,
said on Tuesday that it has partnered with entertainment site Sputnik7,
Diesel-U-Music and Pseudo, one of the first large-scale online
entertainment sites, to produce music videos for the Web. Diesel-U-Music
organizes a number of competitions that recognize unsigned musical talent
and offer prizes such as potential label releases, label and magazine
compilations, press, club gigs, tour spots, studio gear and now, music
videos. Winners' videos will be broadcast on Sputnik7; Diesel will also
sponsor a "making the video" program that will air on Pseudo in the fall.
http://www.diesel-u-music.com
http://www.solarbaybies.com 
http://www.sputnik7.com
http://www.pseudo.com
_____________________________________________

===================
CLASSIFIEDS - JOBS
===================
To Post Jobs: http://www.digitalmediawire.com/jobpostingpage.htm
Special Summer Discount: 5-day ad: $75; 10-day ad: $125

Manager, Internet Development - Network Telephone Services -
Woodland Hills, CA

Leading Telephony/Entertainment company is seeking a Manager of Internet
Development to coordinate, manage and implement the design, development
and completion of Internet projects and ensure they are completed with
minimum time and cost. Provide project management and coordination for the
full lifecycle of applications and projects. A min. of 5 years experience
in Internet related applications development within a client server
environment is required. Should have superior understanding of MS SQL
relational database systems. Submit resumes to: sjarett@nts.net
_____________________________________________

Client Strategy Manager - Sharpe Partners - New York, NY

Sharpe Partners is profitable and growing digital marketing services
company. We are looking for a Client Strategy Manager to develop marketing
plans, budgets and presentations for clients. Proactively identify and
pursue opportunities to expand client relationships. Oversee budgets,
billing and cost issues to clients. Manage and exceed clients'
expectations. 5 yrs. experience in advertising/marketing and 2 yrs.
account management at interactive agency or Internet professional services
co. working with a wide variety of clients including the Fortune 500.
Resume, cover letter and salary requirements to:
partners@sharpe-partners.com (reference: CS Manager). No phone calls.
_____________________________________________

VP Sales, Financial Services - Drumbeat Digital - New York, NY

Drumbeat Digital is a profitable, privately-owned Silicon Alley internet
services firm with blue chip clients, including Merck, Travelers and
MetLife. We need a top-flight sales person to expand existing
relationships and identify new business opportunities in financial
services. Create sales strategy and develop entry and penetration
strategies. Spend majority of time bringing in credible sales leads. Drive
rapid sales growth and meet aggressive revenue targets ($1.5 - $2
million/yr). 4+ yrs. sales for an e-business solutions company with
experience selling to Financial Services/Insurance industries. Resume as
MS Word attachment only to: jobs@drumbeatdigital.com.
_____________________________________________

Director of Public Relations - Salary: $130k + DOE - San Francisco, CA

One of my top consumer tech clients has created a big name for themselves.
The PR team has done a great job getting them into major publications, but
I'm looking for a very senior PR leader, who is both a strategic thinker
and excellent mentor - "The Master of Consumer Publicity"; someone who
loves media relations, but truly gets it when it comes to making these
happen in the world of building a BRAND. 16+ yrs PR experience (agency &
client) with major consumer brand/consumer tech. Proven track record of
consistently & proactively securing positive press coverage (print &
media). Resume to: heidij@ebizpeople.com
_____________________________________________

====================
CLASSIFIEDS - EVENTS
====================
To Post Events: http://www.digitalmediawire.com/eventpostingpage.htm
Special Summer Discount: 5-day ad: $75; 10-day ad: $125

"Career Power" Seminar -- learn what employers are looking for NOW!

If you're looking for a job, the "Career Power" seminar gives you specific
information and tested competitive strategies that can be used immediately
to help define, differentiate, and elevate yourself from the rest of
today's job-seeking crowd. Learn how to dramatically improve your chances
for getting a job in today's competitive environment. July 24, 2002, 6-8
pm, Lunaria Restaurant, Century City. Cost: $45. Info & registration:
http://www.lisacrane.com/careerpower.php For more info, contact
lisa@mediaventureadvisors.com.
_____________________________________________

Do you know your Reds vs. Whites? - Wine Seminar Series - Wash DC

The Washington Wine Academy is offering a special two-class seminar
series, the "ABC's of Wine" and our "Beyond the ABC's of Wine" presented
by Washington Post Wine Columnist - Michael Franz. Tasting series takes
place on July 25th and August 14th at the Grand Hyatt, Washington DC 7:00
PM, $65 for the series. Register and find event details online at
http://www.WashingtonWineAcademy.org
_____________________________________________

NVTC's Titans of Technology Breakfast: Connecting The Dots - McLean, VA

Homeland Security And Broadband Access featuring Alfred Mockett, Chairman
& CEO, AMS. Don't miss this chance to hear from this Titan of Technology!
Thursday, July 25, 2002, 7:00am Registration; 8:00 - 9:15am Program.
Hilton McLean, 7920 Jones Branch Drive, McLean, VA. $40 Members/$80
Non-Members. To register:
http://online.nvtc.org/calendar/geteventinfo.cfm?event=JUL25-TITA
_____________________________________________

FREE Listing - Events Calendar

Digital Media Wire has launched a Digital Media Events Calendar at
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/Calendar/MainCalendar.html. As a
value-added service, event listings are free, however limited cyberspace
means that major industry events and those organized by our partners will
receive priority listings. All other event listing requests are accepted
at the above URL and will be handled on a first-come basis. Enhanced
listings are available. For further information, contact David Peebler at:
david@digitalmediawire.com
_____________________________________________

==========================
CLASSIFIEDS - MARKETPLACE
==========================
To Post Marketplace:
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/marketplacepostingpage.htm
Special Summer Discount: 5-day ad: $75; 10-day ad: $125

Event Invitation Service - Event Me!

Get invited to the hottest professional and fun events in town:
http://www.EventMe.com EventMe! is a great new service in New York that
can match you up with activities and events. You can sign up for free to
get personal invites to special events of your interest. Event planners
can send their invitations to a targeted and highly responsive audience.
More info: http://www.EventMe.com
_____________________________________________

50% Classified Ad Discount - Digital Media Wire - Summer Special

From today through August 30, Classifed Ads in Digital Media Wire will be
sold at half price. 5-day ads in the Jobs, Events and Marketplace sections
of the newsletter will run $15 per day, while 10-day ads will run $12.50
per day. Digital Media Wire is a proven and extremely cost-effective way
to reach the most influential decision makers in digital media. Companies
and individuals achieve the greatest success by consistently using Digital
Media Wire to supplement their primary advertising and marketing channels.
Post your ad now and receive the special summer discount at:
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/mainpostingpage.html
_____________________________________________

Directory of Homeland Security

The Directory of Homeland Security is the most complete resource of
Homeland Security contacts available. A 160-page book that lists all
federal & state agencies involved in homeland security. The directory
includes names of over 1,500 homeland security officials, profiles of 500
agencies and a detailed list of technology companies in the sector. To
purchase the Directory with optional database CD, go to:
http://www.tech-directories.com/dmw.htm
_____________________________________________

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
_____________________________________________

AlleyEvent: The Source for Local Business Events

Want to find opportunities for local networking and professional
development? Digital Media Wire readers get a free subscription to
AlleyEvent's customized weekly newsletter at
http://www.alleyevent.com/signup. Would you like to Speak at events, trade
shows or conferences? Subscribe to AlleyEvent's Speaker Alert, a Speaking
Opportunity announcement service. For information, email us at
info@alleyevent.com. Want to promote your Company's Seminar? Corporate
Event Sponsorship? or Speaker(s)? We help companies raise their visibility
locally.
_____________________________________________

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Copyright 2002 Digital Media Wire