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XMOS 2004: Creative Imperatives, Sales Impact
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July 27, 2004 -- About Us | Advertise | Events | Publications | Subscribe

Main Stories
o Search Giant Google Sets Price Range for IPO
o RealNetworks Software Makes iPod Compatible With More Music Services
o Report: Digital Music Sales Will Hit $1.7 Billion in 2009, Won't Replace CDs
o Reuters: Microsoft Seeks Sale of Online Magazine Slate
o AOL to Air WB Pilot Online Before Broadcast Premiere
o Europe Urges More Action on Freeing Up Radio Spectrum

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

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

o Briefly Noted: Microsoft's Longhorn - HD DVD, Yahoo - Tiger Woods, MobiTV - NBC Universal - Fox Interactive, Brix Group - Streamer Boombox, Coding Technologies - AOL, Conspiracy Entertainment - Swing Media AG, Electronic Arts - "NBA Street V3" - Crytek, Democratic National Convention - media-credentialed bloggers
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> Job/Event/Marketplace Classifieds:
--Solutions Marketing Manager
--e-Business Product Analyst
--Program Manager
--Managing Editor
--Director of Public Relations
--Database Programmer
--VP of Sales - Web Hosting / Internetworking / Telecom Services
--Leverage the India Advantage -- For Your Data Needs 
--Strategy Firm Offers Customer Perception Study - $1,595 
 


o Search Giant Google Sets Price Range for IPO

Mountain View, Calif. -- Bringing one of the most highly anticipated initial public offerings a step closer to reality, Google on Monday said that it expects to price its shares at between $108 - $135 per share, bring the value of the IPO to between $2.7 - $3.3 billion. The Internet search giant said that it will sell 14.1 million shares -- netting proceeds in the neighborhood of $1.7 billion -- with current shareholders selling the remainder. Google also said that it plans to list its stock on the Nasdaq under the symbol "GOOG." In related news, the company disclosed that its vice president of corporate development, secretary and general counsel, David Drummond, will face a civil injunction by the SEC for an alleged violation of securities laws from when he previously served as the CFO of SmartForce. Google also faces an age-discrimination lawsuit filed last week by 54-year-old Brian Reid, the company's former director of operations, who says he was fired because of his age and ongoing health issues, CNET News.com reported. The lawsuit alleges that Google sidesteps labor discrimination laws to maintain a youthful work environment; it also states that Google's average employee age is under 30, and only 2% of its 1,600 employees are over 40.
http://makeashorterlink.com/?O24D525E8 
http://makeashorterlink.com/?O55D245E8 
http://makeashorterlink.com/?L20E125E8 
http://www.google.com       
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o RealNetworks Software Makes iPod Compatible With More Music Services

Seattle -- In a bid to solve the growing incompatibility problem between the leading digital music services and various portable music players, RealNetworks on Monday released Harmony, a digital rights management translation system that supports Real's Helix DRM, Apple's FairPlay and Microsoft's Windows Media Audio digital rights management. Among other things, the technology for the first time enables songs purchased from Real's music store to play on Apple's iPod. It's unclear whether Apple, which has thwarted past attempts to circumvent its proprietary digital rights management system, will welcome Harmony. RealNetworks said that a beta test of Harmony will be available in an updated version of its RealPlayer software released on Tuesday. "Before Harmony, consumers buying digital music got locked into a specific kind of portable player," said RealNetworks CEO Rob Glaser. "Thanks to Harmony, consumers don't have to worry about technology when buying music. Now anyone can buy music, move it to their favorite portable device, and it will just work, just like the way DVD and CDs work." Separately, Seattle-based RealNetworks on Monday announced that it added 100,000 new subscribers to its premium digital music services in the second quarter of 2004 and now counts a total of over 550,000 subscribers for its Rhapsody and RadioPass services.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040726/nym071a_1.html
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040726/nym072a_1.html
http://makeashorterlink.com/?J5B9225E8
http://biz.yahoo.com/rb/040726/media_realnetworks_4.html
http://www.real.com/harmony   
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o Report: Digital Music Sales Will Hit $1.7 Billion in 2009, Won't Replace CDs

New York -- Digital music sales will double in 2004, to $270 million, and grow to account for 12% of total consumer music spending in 2009, when they hit $1.7 billion, according to projections from Connecticut-based market research firm Jupitermedia. Revenues from subscription services are predicted to outpace individual download sales, which in the near-term will cater more to consumers looking to sample music before buying a CD. Jupiter projects that digital music will help the U.S. music industry to rebound after four years of sluggish sales, but will not replace CDs or bring the industry back to its 1999 sales peak. "The so-called celestial jukebox is in sight," said Jupiter Research senior analyst David Card. "But for now, it will appeal to music aficionados. The U.S. music industry must manage digital music as one of a series of incremental revenue streams, one that is in the same scale as licensing (e.g., ring tones, games and advertising)." Jupiter also predicts that U.S. shipments of MP3 players will grow over 50% in 2004 to well over 5 million, and will continue to grow almost 50% per year for the next several years.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/040726/265239_1.html 
http://www.jupitermedia.com     
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o Reuters: Microsoft Seeks Sale of Online Magazine Slate

Seattle -- Microsoft has begun talks with up to six potential buyers for its online magazine, Slate, with a deal to close possibly within weeks or months, a source close to the talks told Reuters. Launched in 1996 by former New Republic editor Michael Kinsley, Slate covers news, politics and culture. Microsoft has reportedly set as a condition that Slate remain affiliated with its MSN unit, which currently hosts the online magazine.
http://makeashorterlink.com/?K1DE355E8 
http://slate.msn.com 
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o AOL to Air WB Pilot Online Before Broadcast Premiere

Dulles, Va.-- Marking the first time that a network program will air in its entirety online before its broadcast premiere, America Online said on Monday that The WB and Warner Bros. Television will team up with AOL Television to offer an advanced sneak preview of the new series, "Jack & Bobby," to AOL for Broadband subscribers. In the first week of the two-week promotion, kicking off in late August, AOL's broadband and dial-up subscribers will be able to watch an extended trailer of the show. The following week, AOL's broadband subscribers will be able to view the entire pilot episode. The show, follows the life of a single mother raising two sons, one of whom becomes the President of the United States.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/040726/265716_1.html
http://www.thewb.com/Shows/Special/0,11116,171889%7C%7C,00.html  
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o Europe Urges More Action on Freeing Up Radio Spectrum

Brussels -- In its first-annual progress report on the EU radio-spectrum policy, the European Commission said on Monday that the bloc's efforts to free up parts of the radio spectrum for wireless technologies was "off to a good start". However, Enterprise and Information Society Commissioner Olli Rehn said EU member states, ministers and industry must make more of a sustained effort to allocate the radio spectrum more efficiently and expand the single market for new radio-based technologies. "It is only through solid cooperation and common work in this field, that we can ensure that Europe has a framework in place to allow major industrial breakthroughs to actually happen," Rehn said. Rehn went on to say that more must be done to resolve radio interference and regulatory enforcement problems slowing down the cross-border take-up of new wireless technologies.
http://makeashorterlink.com/?Z61A214E8 

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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:
 

The Billboard Digital Entertainment Awards honor this vision, along with innovation, entrepreneurship and brand development in digital entertainment.

With awards in 30 unique categories honoring achievements involving games, music and film, television and video, Billboard recognizes the cutting-edge developments and forward thinkers shaping the future of entertainment.

The Conference will feature provocative panel sessions on current digital entertainment issues. For a complete list of speakers, panel and keynote addresses, visit the site below. Early bird registration ends August 31st!

For more information, please call 323-822-0936 or visit www.digitalentertainmentawards.com

For online awards submissions, conference registrations and purchasing Awards Gala Dinner tickets, please click here.

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:

(Tokyo) Microsoft said on Monday that Longhorn, its next-generation operating system currently in development, will feature support for a blue-laser DVD technology from Toshiba and NEC called high-definition DVD, Reuters reported. Microsoft said it has not yet decided whether Longhorn will also support Blu-ray DVD, a competing blue-laser DVD format developed by firms including Sony and Philips.
http://makeashorterlink.com/?M26D315E8

(Sunnyvale, Calif.) Yahoo said on Monday that it has signed a multi-year agreement to provide editorial content and promotional consideration to pro golfer Tiger Woods' website. Under the deal, TigerWoods.com and Yahoo Sports will share editorial content, and Yahoo will sell ads on the site and split the revenue.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/040726/265484_1.html 
http://www.tigerwoods.com

(Berkeley, Calif.) MobiTV, developer of a streaming TV service for cell phones, announced on Monday that it has signed deals to feature video content on its service from NBC Universal, Fox Interactive and Comedy Time. NBC will provide programming from NBC News, while Fox will provide Fox Sports content and Comedy Time will offer footage of stand-up comedians. Berkeley, Calif.-based MobiTV's service is currently available for an extra $9.99 per month to subscribers of wireless carrier Sprint's PCS Vision service.
http://www.mobitv.com

(Campbell, Calif.) The Brix Group, a manufacturer of car audio products, said on Monday that its American Wireless division has released its Streamer Boombox, a portable satellite radio-capable stereo. The $99 stereo also requires a $99 receiver to capture programming from Sirius Satellite Radio. The Streamer Boombox will be sold at American Wireless and Pana-Pacific dealers.
http://www.americanwireless.com/stream.html

(New York) Coding Technologies, a developer of audio compression technology, announced on Monday that America Online has licensed its aacPlus v2 audio codec for use with AOL's media delivery platform. Coding Technologies claims the technology delivers streaming and downloadable 5.1 multichannel audio at 128 Kbps, near CD-quality stereo at 32 Kbps, and excellent quality stereo at 24 Kbps.
http://www.codingtechnologies.com

(Santa Monica, Calif.) Game developer Conspiracy Entertainment announced on Monday that it has reached an agreement with creditor Swing Media AG to eliminate $2.6 million of debt. Santa Monica, Calif.-based Conspiracy will also receive the U.S. and European publishing rights to a title which it "spent considerable time, money and effort in developing," said Conspiracy CEO Sirus Ahmadi.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/040726/265219_1.html 
http://www.swing-games.de 
http://www.conspiracygames.com

(Redwood City, Calif.) Video game developer Electronic Arts said on Monday that its "NBA Street V3" title for PlayStation 2, Xbox and GameCube is currently in development at its EA Canada studio. The game is scheduled for release in early 2005. Redwood City, Calif.-based Electronic Arts also recently announced an agreement with German game developer Crytek, creator of the PC shooter "Far Cry." Under the deal, Crytek will develop an original PC game which will then be published by Electronic Arts.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/040726/265257_1.html
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/040723/235438_1.html 
http://www.crytek.com

(New York) The New York Times on Monday reported on the acceptance, for the first time, of around three dozen bloggers as credentialed journalists at the Democratic National Convention. The decision to grant access to bloggers indicates their growing relevance and influence in American politics, and as a new form of online journalism. "Whomever they decide to let through the gate is now the press," Jay Rosen, a New York University journalism professor and DNC credentialed blogger, told The Times. "What the credential means to me is that someone just expanded the idea of the press a little bit." Others argue that blogs are not professional enough to be considered journalism. "I think that bloggers have put the issue of professionalism under attack," Thomas McPhail, professor of media studies at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, told The Times. "They have no pretense to objectivity. They don't cover both sides."
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/26/politics/campaign/26blog.html 
 
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> Classifieds -- Ad Postings

> Solutions Marketing Manager

Software AG, a global leader in information integration, is seeking motivated marketing professionals to shape our go-to-market strategy. Define how our leading XML Business Integration portfolio can create business value for specific vertical market segments. Manage a cross-functional team, guiding its members toward successfully implementing and executing on your marketing plan. Experience in a solution marketing role with a technology company a plus. MBA a plus. Knowledge of XML, web services and/or service oriented integration a plus. Federal or State and Local Government experience a strong plus. Send resumes to maureen.brennan@softwareagusa.com
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> e-Business Product Analyst

Airlines Reporting Corporation - Arlington, VA is looking for a product-oriented individual to build and manage the user and business requirements for web-based applications, including a customer portal and other e-Business initiatives. Must have 4+ years product support experience. For consideration, send resume with salary requirements to jobs@arccorp.com
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> Program Manager

Seeking program manager with 15 plus years of progressive experience managing, directing and implementing IT projects in the government arena. Requires strong background in resource management and budget control. Excellent communication skills. Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science or Information Systems preferred. Send resumes to janej@cigital.com  Visit http://www.cigital.com/careers
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> Managing Editor

Respected, profitable, Fairfax-based consumer news & advocacy site seeks Managing Editor. The successful candidate has a journalism degree (or equivalent experience) and knows or can quickly learn basic HTML (no FrontPage, Dreamweaver, etc.). Excellent pay, benefits, future. E-mail resume to jim.hood@gmail.com
_________________

> Director of Public Relations

Vocus has an opening for a Director of Public Relations. Responsibilities include press releases, media interviews, pitching stories, speaking opportunities, and product launches. Vocus is the leading provider of on-demand software for public relations and government relations. Our products help thousands of customers to plan, execute and measure communications programs. Join a company with 12yrs success celebrating its 19th straight quarter of growth. Send resumes to cshilling@vocus.com
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> Database Programmer 

Judy Diamond Associates, a leading provider of employee benefits databases located near the McPherson Square Metro station, is looking for a database and Internet savvy programmer to assemble its products. Candidates must be able to learn quickly, self-start, and follow through on projects without supervision. Two years experience and proficiency with FoxPro, Microsoft Excel, and SQL preferred. Candidates must demonstrate excellent communication skills and a thorough knowledge of database and Internet technologies. Benefits include competitive salary, 401(k), and health. E-mail resume to dcole@judydiamond.com, or fax 202-728-0845 (no phone calls, please).
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> VP of Sales - Web Hosting / Internetworking / Telecom Services

XIF is an 8-year old Internetworking Solutions firm. We are a small firm with a start-up mentality, but with the luxury of having been a profitable entity since 1997 with a strong customer base and a stable source of revenue. We are currently seeking to hire a VP of Sales. We view this position as a critical component to our future growth, and are looking for a true equity partner. We are looking for someone with 8+ years experience in sales and sales management, preferably in Web Hosting and/or Telecom. Send inquiries to jobs@xif.com.
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> Leverage the India Advantage -- For Your Data Needs

DC-based outsourcing firm String Information Services offers online data collection & telephone verification solutions from its operations centers in India. String guarantees 30%-50% cost savings, world-class quality and quick turn-around. Our marquee client list includes firms from all over North America. To learn more, and to set up a free trial, contact Prashant Kothari at 1-888-3STRING, Box 702 or marketing@stringinfo.com
_________________

> Strategy Firm Offers Customer Perception Study - $1,595

How likely is it you will continue to purchase products/services from us? What can we do to earn more of your business? Would you recommend our products /services to a colleague? For a limited time, capture these and other critical customer perception indicators with Velociti Partners' Customer Perception Study for only $1,595 USD. This is not a canned service - Velociti will work directly with your team to develop the focus and methodology to capture important data that is currently slipping through the cracks. Contact sales@velocitipartners.com  today to discuss the opportunity with one of our consultants.
 
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