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Search 2004: The New Branding Story
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July 29,
2004 --
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Main Stories
o FTC
Gives Antitrust Approval to Sony BMG Record Label Merger
o
French ISPs to Unplug File-Swappers Under
Government Anti-Piracy Plan
o Apple
"Stunned" Over RealNetworks "Hack," Investigating Legal Options
o U.K.
Retailer Pulls Violent "Manhunt" Video Game After Teen's Murder
o Contest Seeks Real-Life
Battleground Stories for Online War Game
o Mobile Entertainment Publisher
Sorrent Raises $20 Million
o Search Engine Marketing Firm
Fathom Online Raises $6 Million
>
DMW Announcements:
--Future of Television: Next Generation - November 19, 2004
> Featured
Advertisement:
--Sr Manager, Digital Media Portal Content - NEXTEL
--Billboard Digital Entertainment Conference & Awards - Nov.
4-5
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o
Briefly Noted: BBC Technology -
Siemens - union strike, XM Satellite Radio - Bob Edwards - public
radio channel, iVillage - Hearst Communications, RealNetworks,
Todito - Wave Systems, CSTV - Comcast, Midway Games - Epic Games,
Eidos - "Backyard Wrestling" soundtrack, In-Fusio, Atari - Epic
Games, "This Land Is Your Land" Web parody - Guthrie copyright suit?
_____________________________________________
>
Job/Event/Marketplace Classifieds:
--Sr Manager, Digital Media Portal Content - NEXTEL
--Major Account Manager
--Solutions Marketing Manager
--e-Business Product Analyst
--Program Manager
--Managing Editor
--Director of Public Relations
--Database Programmer
--Leverage the India Advantage -- For Your Data Needs
--VPTC Wireless Networking Symposium
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o FTC Gives Antitrust Approval to
Sony BMG Record Label Merger
Washington -- The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has concluded
its antitrust investigation into the proposed merger of two of the
world's five major record labels -- Sony Music and BMG -- and given
the merger the green-light. The FTC also worked with the European
Commission on that regulatory body's antitrust investigation into
the merger; the EC granted its approval of the deal last week. The
merger of Sony's and Bertelsmann's music businesses will create a
joint venture, Sony BMG, which will become the world's
second-largest record company, behind Universal. Opponents argued
further consolidation in the music industry, which in the past two
decades has seen a multitude of formerly independent labels
swallowed by what will now be the "big four," would harm artists in
the long run. "We now look forward to creating a global recorded
music company comprising many of the world's most successful artists
as well as a vast catalog of recordings," BMG said in a statement.
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2004/07/sonybmg.htm
_____________________________________________
o French ISPs
to Unplug File-Swappers Under Government Anti-Piracy Plan
Paris -- French Internet service providers Club-Internet, Free,
Noos, Tiscali France and Wanadoo have signed an agreement with the
French government that will allow the ISPs to pull the plug on
people who illegally download music. Under the terms of the
agreement, which enjoys the full support of several record labels
and musician's groups, the ISPs will begin to employ termination or
suspension clauses to cancel subscriptions of pirates caught in
flagrante delicto. The government's charter also calls on music
copyright holders to publicize by year's end targeted civil and
criminal court action against pirates. Hoping to head off criticism
of the agreement, Christine Levet, head of the local Association of
Internet Service Providers, told French news agency AFP that members
of her organization would send warning messages to customers upon
request from rights holders, emphasizing that Internet service would
be cut off "only upon the decision of a judge."
http://makeashorterlink.com/?L54121DE8
____________________________________________
o Apple
"Stunned" Over RealNetworks "Hack," Investigating Legal Options
Cupertino, Calif. -- In what could portend another lawsuit
testing controversial provisions of the Digital Millennium Copyright
Act (DMCA), Apple released a terse statement late Wednesday decrying
rival RealNetworks' recent release of software that makes its music
service compatible with Apple's iPod. On Tuesday, RealNetworks
released "Harmony," which in the process of making songs purchased
from Real's online store compatible with the iPod, may circumvent
Apple's security technology in a potential violation of the DMCA.
"We are stunned that RealNetworks has adopted the tactics and ethics
of a hacker to break into the iPod, and we are investigating the
implications of their actions under the DMCA and other laws," the
company said in a statement. "We strongly caution Real and their
customers that when we update our iPod software from time to time it
is highly likely that Real's Harmony technology will cease to work
with current and future iPods." In a response to Apple's statement,
RealNetworks said Harmony "does not remove or disable any digital
rights management system," and in fact "follows in a
well-established tradition of fully legal, independently developed
paths to achieve compatibility," citing as precedent the first IBM
compatible PCs manufactured by Compaq.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040729/sfth037_1.html
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040729/sfth065_1.html
http://makeashorterlink.com/?F3F912DE8
http://biz.yahoo.com/rb/040729/tech_apple_3.html
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/040729/apple_realnetworks_ipod_3.html
____________________________________________
o U.K.
Retailer Pulls Violent "Manhunt" Video Game After Teen's Murder
London -- U.K. electronics retail chain Dixons has pulled video
game publisher Take-Two Interactive's violent "Manhunt" title from
shelves, after parents of a 14-year-old murdered by a 17-year-old
blamed the act on the game. Developed by Take-Two's Rockstar Games unit -- which also created the violent top-seller
"Grand Theft Auto" -- "Manhunt" takes place in a prison where players must
kill people in growingly more gruesome manners in order to progress
in the game. The title does feature an 18-plus label, and is not
intended for sale to minors. Warren Leblanc, 17, has pleaded guilty
to murdering Stefan Pakeerah, 14, via repeated blows with a claw
hammer and knife. "Stefan's murder compares to how the game is set
out, using weapons like hammers and knives. If games like this
influence kids, they should be taken off the shelves," Stefan's
father Patrick told Reuters. However, prosecutors in the case say
that Leblanc lured Pakeerah into a park in order to rob him over an
unpaid drug-related debt. A trade group of European video game
publishers denied any connection between the game and the murder.
"We reject any suggestion or association between the tragic events
in the Midlands and the sale of the video game Manhunt," the
Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers' Association (ELSPA)
said, in a statement.
http://makeashorterlink.com/?I44D12DE8
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content/ret/3890
http://www.elspa.com/about/pr/pr.asp?mode=view&t=1&id=463
____________________________________________
o Contest
Seeks Real-Life Battleground Stories for Online War Game
New York -- Online game developer Kuma Reality Games on Thursday
announced its "Stories From The Front" contest, which aims to find
the most compelling real battle story from a U.S. soldier, which
will then be re-created for the company's "Kuma\War" online game.
The company uses real world headlines as fodder for its military PC
game, which has recently featured levels such as "Uday and Qusay
Hussein's Last Stand in Mosul"; "Operation Anaconda in Afghanistan";
"Fallujah Abizaid Attack" and "Battle in Sadr City." "It's our
intention to create an interactive record of this war, and gaining
the personal involvement of soldiers who participated is essential,"
said Kuma CEO Keith Halper. The contest's winner and three buddies
will appear in the playable episode as 3D game characters. New
York-based Kuma Reality Games also said it is donating $1 of all
paid subscriptions from "Kuma\War" to The Intrepid Fallen Heroes
Fund, created to assist families of soldiers killed in the line of
duty. "We've already received a wide array of contest submissions
ranging from entries from soldiers fighting on the frontlines today,
to entries from soldiers who fought in wars from years past such as
Vietnam, who want their stories to be told," said Sarah Anderson,
Kuma's vice president of marketing.
http://www.kumawar.com/contest.php
____________________________________________
o Mobile
Entertainment Publisher Sorrent Raises $20 Million
San Mateo, Calif. -- Mobile entertainment publisher Sorrent
announced on Thursday that it has raised $20 million in its third
round of venture capital financing. BA Venture Partners led the
investment round; previous investors New Enterprise Associates,
Globespan Capital Partners and Sienna Ventures also participated.
San Mateo, Calif.-based Sorrent develops games for cell phones, and
has partnerships with companies including Atari, Fox Sports
Interactive Media and Viacom. The company will use the funds to
expand its global reach and distribution. Separately, Sorrent
announced that it has signed a direct publishing agreement with
Korean telco SK Telecom.
http://www.sorrent.com
____________________________________________
o Search Engine
Marketing Firm Fathom Online Raises $6 Million
San Francisco -- Fathom Online, a San Francisco-based provider of
search engine marketing services, said that it has secured $6
million in its first round of private equity financing from
Constellation Ventures, a Bear Stearns Asset Management Venture
Capital Fund and private investors. Launched in 2002, Fathom
partners with brands such as Google, Yahoo, FindWhat, Business.com,
DoubleClick and Quigo Technologies to provide keyword marketing
services to online advertising clients. The company, which recently
opened additional offices in New York, said that it expects its 2004
sales to be about 450% higher than those a year ago.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040727/sftu081_1.html
http://www.fathomonline.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
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Partners & Clients
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>
Featured Advertisement: > Sr Manager, Digital Media Portal
Content - NEXTEL
Manage Internet content acquisition and launch for various
Digital Media products. Content may include WAP, JAVA, Ring
Tones, Screen Savers, Wallpaper, SMS, MMS, and Location Based
Services. Will coordinate with partners and Nextel Business
Development to obtain Digital Media Content for catalog.
Coordinate with marketing and partners for promotion of
Digital Media products. Requires directly related experience.
http://www.nextel.com/about/index.shtml
Contact:
chris.allison@nextel.com
> Billboard Digital Entertainment Conference & Awards,
November 4-5
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
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o Briefly Noted: ((London)
Members of the Bectu trade union on Thursday called off plans for
workers at BBC Technology to strike on July 30-31, the opening days
of the Olympic Games in Greece. The union had planned the strike to
protest BBC Technology's upcoming sale to Germany's Siemens Business
Services, which angered many workers when it proposed a number of
changes to pension plans and working terms and conditions. Earlier
this week, however, Siemens agreed to guarantee current terms for
three years and promised better pensions for some staff, leading
Bectu to call off the strike until union members could vote on
whether to accept the deal.
http://www.bectu.org.uk
(Washington) XM Satellite Radio, a provider of
satellite-delivered digital radio programming, on Thursday announced
plans to launch an XM Public Radio channel on Sept. 1. Content will
be provided by Public Radio International, American Public Media and
WBUR, and will include a news show hosted by former "Morning
Edition" host Bob Edwards in addition to programs such as "This
American Life," Michael Feldman's "Whad'Ya Know?" and Garrison
Keillor's "The Writer's Almanac."
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040729/dcth046_1.html
http://www.xmradio.com
(New York) IVillage, an Internet media company catering to women,
announced on Thursday that it has extended an agreement with
publisher Hearst Communications, where iVillage will provide hosting
and production services for Hearst magazine websites. Under the
terms of the three-year deal, Hearst will pay iVillage $12.5 million
to maintain sites for Cosmopolitan, Country Living, Good
Housekeeping, Redbook, House Beautiful, Marie Claire and Town &
Country. Hearst will also pay $4.15 million in fees during each year
of the agreement. IVillage will sell ads on the sites, sharing
revenue with Hearst, and also receive a commission on magazine sales
generated through iVillage site links.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040729/nyth092_1.html
http://www.hearstcorp.com
http://www.ivillage.com
(Seattle) Media delivery technology provider RealNetworks has
named former XM Satellite Radio vice president of marketing Robert
Acker as vice president of its RealPlayer software media player
business. Acker will oversee development, distribution and marketing
of the RealPlayer, which competes with Microsoft's Windows Media
Player, Apple's QuickTime and others.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040728/sfw081_1.html
http://www.realnetworks.com
(Mexico City) Todito, an ISP and portal for North American
Spanish speakers, announced on Thursday that it has launched a
premium broadband Internet video-on-demand service featuring New
York-based Wave Systems' Wavexpress delivery technology. Todito will
offer both free and subscription-based programming from Hispanic TV
network TV Azteca, which owns a stake in the company.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/040729/295045_1.html
http://www.wavexpress.com
http://www.todito.com
(New York) Cable TV network College Sports Television (CSTV)
announced on Thursday an agreement with cable TV operator Comcast,
that will result in carriage of the network and its video-on-demand
offering in all Comcast markets nationwide.
http://www.comcast.com
http://www.collegesports.com
(Chicago) Video game developer Midway Games announced that it has
signed a multi-year agreement with fellow developer Epic Games, to
publish three new titles based on Epic's popular "Unreal" franchise,
which has to date generated $200 million in revenue. Chicago-based
Midway obtained the publishing rights to "Unreal Championship 2" for
Xbox, due for release in 2005, as well as two future installments of
"Unreal Tournament" for PC and next-generation consoles.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/040728/285758_1.html
http://www.midway.com
http://www.epicgames.com
(San Francisco) U.K.-based game developer Eidos on Thursday
announced the roster of artists featured on the in-game soundtrack
for its "Backyard Wrestling 2: There Goes the Neighborhood" title
for PlayStation 2 and Xbox. The soundtrack will feature tracks from
Andrew WK, Hoobastank, Dizzee Rascal, Gwar, KRS-One, Kool Keith,
Insane Clown Posse and others. The title is currently in development
at Moorpark, Calif.-based Paradox Development for an October
release.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040728/sfw071_1.html
http://www.px.com
(Los Angeles) Mobile games publisher In-Fusio on Thursday
announced the launch of its "Shado Fighter" title, which is now
available for download from all major U.S. wireless carriers. Los
Angeles-based In-Fusio has also developed games based on licenses
from Microsoft, Comedy Central and Universal Studios.
http://www.in-fusio.com
(Los Angeles) Video game publisher Atari announced on Thursday
that it has partnered with Epic Games, developer of the multiplayer
shooter title "Unreal Tournament 2004," to release an expanded
version of the game in the fall. The "Editor's Choice Edition" will
include new maps, vehicles, characters and a selection of user-made
game modifications (mods) chosen by Epic's staff.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/040729/295454_1.html
http://www.epicgames.com
http://www.unrealtournament.com
(San Francisco) Wired News on Thursday reported that the makers
of the popular "This Land Is Your Land" Web parody featuring cartoon
versions of John Kerry and George W. Bush have been sent
cease-and-desist notices from owners of the copyright to the song,
which was originally penned in 1940 by Woody Guthrie. Paul LiCalsi,
an attorney for Ludlow Music, which owns the Guthrie copyright,
wrote JibJab Media demanding the parody be taken down and an
accounting of any income generated by it be made, or else they will
be sued for copyright infringement. JibJab believes the cartoon is
comfortably within copyright's "fair use" parameters, in that it is
a parody of the original song.
http://www.wired.com/news/culture/0,1284,64376,00.html
http://www.jibjab.com
http://www.eff.org/IP//20040727_jibjabthreat.pdf
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>
Classifieds --
Ad Postings
> Sr Manager, Digital Media Portal Content - NEXTEL
Manage Internet content acquisition and launch for various
Digital Media products. For more information, see
Featured Advertisement.
_________________
> Major Account Manager
Consultative sales of videoconferencing, multimedia
communications and network to commercial OR government
clients. Proven and consistent sales success ideally in the
conferencing industry - 2 years achieving quota of $1 mil+.
Sales and technical experience with network, data or similar
products. Excellent presentation skills and computer knowledge
a must. Send resumes to
bfleig@vsgi.com
_________________> 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
_________________
> 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
_________________
> 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
_________________
> 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
_________________
> 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).
_________________
> 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
_________________
> VPTC Wireless Networking Symposium
The Virginia Piedmont Technology Council (VPTC) is presenting
a wireless networking conference on September 15, 2004, at the
Doubletree Hotel in Charlottesville, VA. This one-day
statewide event offers information, demonstrations, keynotes,
and workshops dedicated to wireless networking technology -
the benefits, uses, deployment, and the future of the
technology. To register or reserve your exhibit space, visit
http://www.vptcfallsymposium.com Send inquiries to
events@vptc.org
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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.
Advertising & Sponsorship
Publications, Events & Information
Executive & Editorial Team
Chief Executive Officer: Ned Sherman
VP, Marketing & Events: Tinzar Than
Editor: Mark Hefflinger
Contact Us
Questions, Comments & Suggestions
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Copyright 2004 Digital Media Wire, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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