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August 26, 2005 -- About Us | Advertise | Events | Subscribe | Unsubscribe

Main Stories

o D&M Holdings to Shutter MP3 Player Maker Rio Audio
o Atari Sells Humongous Game Studio to Infogrames for $10.3 Million
o Judge Finalizes Terms of iPod Battery Class Action Settlement
o Report: Global Internet Growth Set to Slow to 49% in 2005
o Shareholders of Adobe and Macromedia Approve Merger Agreement
o Reports: Internet Telephony Firm Vonage Planning $600 Million IPO
o Broadbus Technologies Raises $20 Million in Third Round
o Mobile Operators Must Provide New Services, Report Says

> DMW Announcements:
--2005 Digital Entertainment & Media Awards Submission Begins
-
-2006 Digital Entertainment & Media Directory - Submit Your Free Listing
 

o Briefly Noted: 3 Ireland - EMI Music Ireland, "Asheron's Call 2," Gravity, THQ - Sega, Sony Online Entertainment - Disney's "Toontown Online," Bandai Games - "Tamagotchi: Corner Shop," Warner Bros. Records - CD-free album, Jerry Falwell v. Fallwell.com
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> Job/Event/Marketplace Classifieds:
--Director, Business Development @ Simple Star!
--Brand Management Opportunities
--Email Marketing Expert/Consultant
--Sr. Account Executive
--Database Analyst
--Director, Business Development
--Senior Consultant/Project Manager
--Paid Search Analytics Manager
--Telecom/Network Sales Executives
--Research Analyst
--Integrated Marketing Account Manager
--Business Strategy Consultant - Telecom, Energy, Utilities
--eBay Marketing Executive
--Advertising And Marketing Position
 


o D&M Holdings to Shutter MP3 Player Maker Rio Audio

Tokyo -- Japanese consumer electronics firm D&M Holdings, whose brands include Denon, Marantz, ReplayTV and Rio, announced on Friday that it plans to exit the portable MP3 player market with the closure of its struggling Rio Audio business. The company agreed in July to sell the money-losing Rio's technology assets for $7 million, to chipmaker SigmaTel. D&M said it decided to close Rio, which it purchased in 2003, because "the mass-market portable digital audio player market was not a strong enough strategic fit with the company's core and profitable premium consumer electronics brands to warrant additional investment in the category," the company said in a statement, also citing "the costs required to effectively scale and compete in this sector, where competition has grown intense." The company expects to realize a loss of $25 million in shut-down related costs for the global Rio operations during its fiscal second quarter, in addition to a $22 million loss from discontinued operations at its U.S. Rio unit. "The digital audio market is evolving in such a way that our competitive advantage will be to focus on creating premium home network products that are designed for compatibility with a variety of client devices and services," said D&M Holdings president Vic Pacor.
http://www.dm-holdings.com/eng/media/press/2005/20050826.html 
http://tinyurl.com/852rx
http://www.rioaudio.com
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o Atari Sells Humongous Game Studio to Infogrames for $10.3 Million

New York -- Atari, the U.S. unit of French video game publisher Infogrames Entertainment, announced on Friday that it has sold its Humongous Entertainment development studio to Infogrames, for $10.3 million. As part of the deal, New York-based Atari was granted exclusive distribution rights for Humongous products in North America through March 2006. Humongous has developed numerous children's titles, including the "Backyard" sports series and titles based on children's TV shows like "Blue's Clues" and "Dora the Explorer." "We continue to execute our previously articulated strategic initiatives and strengthen Atari's financial position moving forward," said Atari chairman and CEO Bruno Bonnell. "This transaction substantially contributes to our resources for the launch of our largest titles in the holiday season and further enhances our capacity to develop new titles, ultimately enhancing shareholder value."
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/050826/nyf002.html?.v=15
http://www.atari.com/humongous
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o Judge Finalizes Terms of iPod Battery Class Action Settlement

San Mateo, Calif. -- A federal judge has finalized the terms of a class action settlement brought against Apple, by owners of iPods whose batteries died earlier than advertised. Under the terms, anyone who purchased a first- or second-generation iPod before May 31, 2004 is entitled to $25, or $50 in Apple store credit, while those who bought third-generation iPods before that date may either request the $50 credit, or send the device to Apple to have the battery -- or in some cases the entire device -- replaced. Those who already paid to have their iPod batteries replaced can also recoup half the cost of that service from Apple. "This is a very good settlement in that it gives consumers with defective batteries what they need -- to have the battery of their iPods replaced, and in some cases the whole player," said attorney Steve Williams, whose law firm handled the class action suit against Apple.
http://tinyurl.com/8fyf3
http://www.cpsmlaw.com/new_filings.shtml
http://www.appleipodsettlement.com
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o Report: Global Internet Growth Set to Slow to 49% in 2005

Paris -- A new report by consultancy firm Telegeography Research shows that the Internet is growing at a much slower pace than it has in recent years. The report estimated that the amount of Internet traffic on backbone cables between countries would grow by about 49% this year, compared to 104% growth last year. Telegeography attributed the slowing pace mostly to a global slowdown in the numbers of people signing up for high-speed Internet services. The consultancy firm also said that the Internet was maturing, in the sense that the number of people going online for the first time is slowing, while those already online are using the Internet as much as they are likely to. A stabilization in prices for Internet backbone access has also contributed to the drop-off, Telegeography said.
http://makeashorterlink.com/?E36B12EAB
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o Shareholders of Adobe and Macromedia Approve Merger Agreement

San Jose, Calif. -- The shareholders of both San Jose-based Adobe Systems and San Francisco-based Macromedia, Inc. have voted to approve Adobe's proposed $3.4 billion acquisition of Macromedia. Under the acquisition agreement, shareholders of Macromedia will receive 1.38 shares of Adobe for each share of Macromedia they own. Adobe launched the takeover of Macromedia in April.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/050824/245717.html?.v=1
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o Reports: Internet Telephony Firm Vonage Planning $600 Million IPO

Edison, N.J. -- Vonage, the New Jersey-based provider of Internet-based telephone service, is planning an initial public offering to raise up to $600 million, according to published reports on Thursday. The company has raised about $400 million in venture capital and currently has about 800,000 customers. It is the largest U.S. provider of Internet phone service, although it is facing growing competition from major telecom providers, as well as Microsoft and Yahoo, which are offering voice components to their instant messaging service. Vonage's IPO, if and when it occurs, would be considered an accurate measure of just how much investor appetite there is in the public markets for technology businesses.
http://VonageIPO.notlong.com
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o Broadbus Technologies Raises $20 Million in Third Round

Boxborough, Mass. -- Broadbus Technologies, a developer of video-on-demand servers for cable operators, has raised $20 million in its third round of venture capital. Investors in the deal include Battery Ventures, Charles River Ventures, Comcast Interactive Capital, Wolf Ventures and Cipio Partners. Founded in 1999, Broadbus plans to use the new funds largely for expansion in Europe and Asia.
http://www.broadbus.com/about1.html
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o Mobile Operators Must Provide New Services, Report Says

London -- A new report by market analysis firm the Yankee Group predicts that European mobile subscribers will increasingly base their choice of provider on the availability of sophisticated next-generation data services, as opposed to price, currently the top criterion. "Cost and coverage are the driving force for the European consumer now," said Yankee analyst Matt Hatton. "But that is all going to change … for future success, operators must improve customer service and offer compelling data services now if they want to grow or even retain their subscriber base." Yankee's report, which surveyed 2,800 mobile users in France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the U.K., found that services including TV and music were currently the most popular in Europe, but added that picture messaging was rapidly gaining acceptance.
http://makeashorterlink.com/?T28C34EAB

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> DMW Announcement:

> 2005 Digital Entertainment & Media Awards
  
DON'T MISS THE OPPORTUNITY TO SUBMIT YOUR ENTRIES
 
 

                

                                                      SPONSORS

                                 

                              

 

The Awards include 22 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.

The deadline for entries for the 2005 Awards is October 15. Submissions will be accepted online and will be judged on creative and business criteria.  For more information, or to submit a company for the Digital Entertainment & Media Awards, please visit www.digitalentertainmentawards.com

Winners will be announced at a gala ceremony at the Westin Century Plaza Hotel in the Los Angeles Ballroom on the evening of December 1.

Please contact info@digitalentertainmentawards.com or 323-822-0936 if you have any questions.  We look forward to seeing you in December.

 

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> DMW Announcement:
                                     
> 2006 Digital Entertainment & Media Directory - Submit Your Free Listing

                                     

With over 10,000 names and titles of entertainment, media and technology executives, the 2006 Digital Entertainment & Media Directory is the most comprehensive database of company listings exclusively covering the digital and mobile entertainment and media industries. We would like to take this opportunity to invite you to submit your free listing for inclusion in the 2006 directory. To submit your listing online now, please visit http://www.digitalentertainmentdirectory.com

The Directory is available for a limited time at the special introductory rate of $299 (Hard Copy). Also available on compact disk for $699 (Hard Copy and CD), the database is in Microsoft Excel format, easily exportable to Microsoft Access and other database programs. The Directory is a "must have" for companies working in the rapidly expanding digital entertainment and media industries and is a valuable tool for business development, mass mailings, sales leads, partnerships, market research, competitive analysis, event invitations and recruitment.
 

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o Briefly Noted:

(Dublin) 3 Ireland, the local mobile network subsidiary of Hong Kong-based Hutchison Whampoa, announced that it has signed a deal with EMI Music Ireland to supply full-length audio tracks directly to 3 customers. Under the terms of the agreement, 3's customers will be able to download music from EMI artists including the Thrills, Aslan, Coldplay, Kylie Minogue, Robbie Williams and Joss Stone, among others. Separately, the company announced that its 3G customers now total more than 9.4 million worldwide. 3 also said that it expects its Italian subsidiary to achieve EBITDA breakeven by this August and its U.K. subsidiary to do the same by year's end.
http://www.three.co.uk/news/index.omp 

(Westwood, Mass.) Video game developer Turbine Entertainment announced on Friday that it will shut down "Asheron's Call 2," its massively multiplayer online roleplaying game, due to lack of subscribers -- despite having launched a new expansion pack for the game in May. "In spite of our hard work and the launch of Legions, AC2 has reached the point where it no longer makes sense to continue the service," reads a note on the developer's website. Massachusetts-based Turbine has no plans to shutter its original "Asheron's Call" title; the company is currently working on new online games based on "Dungeons & Dragons" and "The Lord of the Rings."
http://ac2.turbine.com/index.php?page_id=384

(Seoul, South Korea) Korean online game developer Gravity announced on Friday that it plans to launch its "Ragnarok Online" massively multiplayer online roleplaying game in France and Belgium, through a licensing agreement with French partner, Mados, Inc. The game will launch in the new territories by the end of 2005. Separately, the company announced that it plans to spend about $30 million over the next three years to expand its global game publishing network, launching newly licensed titles in additional international markets.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/050826/nyf032.html?.v=20
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/050826/nyf031.html?.v=17
http://www.gravity.co.kr 

(Calabasas Hills, Calif.) Video game publisher THQ said on Friday that it has signed a co-publishing agreement with fellow game publisher Sega Europe, to release Sega's "Gunstar Future Heroes" for Nintendo Game Boy Advance in all territories expect North America and Asia. The deal is part of an existing multi-title publishing agreement between the companies.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/050826/laf003.html?.v=20
http://www.thq.com
http://www.sega.com 

(San Diego) Sony Online Entertainment announced on Friday that it has signed an agreement with Disney Online, to distribute a retail version of Disney's "Toontown Online" massively multiplayer online game for kids, which will ship in the fall. SOE's Platform Publishing also secured a license to create an online version of "Toontown" for video game consoles.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/050825/lath072.html?.v=22
http://www.platformpublishing.com
http://play.toontown.com/webHome.php?source=TT_1205 

(Cypress, Calif.) Japanese video game publisher Bandai Games said on Friday that it plans to publish "Tamagotchi: Corner Shop," a title based on the popular Japanese virtual pets that have sold over 40 million units, for the Nintendo DS in late 2005. The game will let players open specialty shops and serve customers through mini-games that utilize the touch-screen capability of the Nintendo DS.
http://www.bandaigames.com
http://www.tamagotchi.com 

(Washington) The Washington Post on Friday reported on an upcoming album from Warner Bros. artists the Sun, which will be released on DVD, online and vinyl LP, but not on CD. "It's a tip of the hat to the past and the tip of the hat to the future," Perry Watts-Russell, a senior vice president at Warner Bros. Records, told The Post. The band was given $50,000 to produce music videos for the DVD; the disc will also allow users to transfer songs to a portable player or burn them to CD. "I think the gestalt of having an album has been changing on its own, with or without this change," said Watts-Russell. "A few years from now, this is going to be exceedingly common. You can avoid the CD. It's on its way out. It's in no way out now, but the writing is on the wall."
http://tinyurl.com/b67a8

(San Francisco) CNET News.com recently reported on the victory of a creator of a website that challenges the Rev. Jerry Falwell's anti-gay views, who was sued by Falwell for trademark infringement, false designation of origin, unfair competition and cybersquatting. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit reversed an earlier ruling against Christopher Lamparello and his Fallwell.com site, saying that the site did not create any confusion for consumers. Falwell's attorney John Midlen told News.com he would seek a re-hearing. "We said all along that he is entitled to say on his Web site whatever he wishes to say...Our basic contention is that the Internet surfer who misspells Dr. Falwell's name in looking for him on the Internet is unwittingly hijacked to the pro-gay site that is operated by Mr. Lamparello, and the public is deceived in that action," Midlen told News.com.
http://tinyurl.com/938yl
http://www.falwell.com
http://www.fallwell.com

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> Classifieds -- Advertise

> Director, Business Development @ Simple Star!

Dir, Business Development for consumer imaging software & services co. Responsibilities include identifying new opportunities for existing & future product lines (desktop software, online services, DVD service & mobile); building relationships & trust w/ partners; closing sensible deals w/ top-tier partners. Pls have an MBA or 5 yrs of relevant biz dev exp; passion for consumer products; phenomenal presentation skills; experience &/or interest in online photo communities, cable, photofinishing retail & wireless content.  Apply here (& more details at) http://www.simplestar.com/careers/description.php?position=18
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> Brand Management Opportunities

We currently have a rewarding career opportunity for an experienced Brand Manager to join our eMedia division. The Brand Manager would be responsible for identifying and executing online and new media business opportunities. The Brand Manager must also maintain industry marketplace knowledge, including history, current trends and competitive analysis. Qualifications: -Bachelors degree plus at least 3 years product/brand management, publishing and/or related experience. -Must have online marketing experience.  Send resumes to jobs@vnubusinessmedia.com
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> Email Marketing Expert/Consultant

Reporting to the Vice President of Marketing. Qualifications: 6-10 years marketing/strategy consulting exp., with at least 2 years in email marketing consulting a must, BA/BS degree. Experience in database and/or traditional direct marketing a plus, understanding of /experience in applying segmentation, RFM models and testing strategies. Ability to perform well under pressure and on schedule, extremely strong analytical and quantitative skills, understanding of HTML basics, adept at Word, PPT and Excel. Candidates are encouraged to submit a resume (pasted into the email) and cover letter to: marketingjobs@uptilt.com No attachments please.
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> Sr. Account Executive

Candidates should have min. 2-4 years agency PR exp., top-notch writing skills, including PR/marketing plan development and a demonstrated track record in national and regional media placement. We're looking for a strong AE-SAE with super media relations skills and experience generating business, consumer and trade media placements in magazines, newspapers, broadcast outlets and websites. Responsibilities include, but not limited to, day-to-day account management; developing and implementing strategic and creative national media relations campaigns; writing presentations, client memos and media materials. Please send your resume and cover letter with salary requirements to hrjobs@mww.com
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> Database Analyst Position - Oakland Downtown

This position explores results reporting, modeling and scoring consumer and business data for strategic marketing purposes. The ideal candidate has a B.S/B.A. in a quantitative field; 3 years experience with direct marketing or database marketing; strong planning/project management skills; and high proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint, Access. Mapping experience and knowledge of Claritas, and the geographic marketplace will be preferred. In addition to the cover letter and resume, please submit a one-paragraph Vision Statement describing your career aspirations. Send copies of your cover letter, resume and Vision Statement to: hr@angnewspapers.com
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> Director, Business Development - New York, NY

Build the company's channel program, integration partnerships, and licensing agreements. Secure 2 strategic partnerships within 6 months. Build revenue from licensing and channel sales in line with executive goals. Qualifications - have a strong resume, with multiple examples of strategic partnership development. Have 10-20 years exp. selling technology, building channel programs and cementing strategic partnership agreements. Send resumes to cdwyre@gridapp.com
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> Senior Consultant/Project Manager

LTU Technologies has developed groundbreaking image recognition technologies that can automatically analyze and describe the content of images. Our key markets include Homeland Security, Intelligence, IP, Media. LTU Technologies is based in Paris, France and Washington D.C, USA. Join an exciting company with a unique, exciting technology and a bright future. Visit http://www.ltutech.com/en/company.PS-Senior-Consultant-US.html
 Send resumes to jobs@ltutech.com, ref is "PS Senior Consultant DC"
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> Paid Search Analytics Manager

Requires demonstrated skills in fact-based analysis, presentation, and interpersonal interaction that refine the Internet Marketing business plan. Manage cross functional projects working with Product Mgmt, Information Management, and Finance. 5 -7 years of exp in managing highly quantitative and analytical projects, with extensive experience in the field of Data-Mining or Quantitative Analysis. BA/BS in Statistics, Economics, Business, or other related field. Masters or MBA preferred. Proficient using SAS, SQL, Business Objects, Microsoft Excel, Access, and PowerPoint. A passion for understanding and serving the unique community of eBay. Send resumes to R3845115104234@PostTrak.com
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> Telecom/Network Sales Executives

XIF Networks (http://www.xif.net) is a master agent for many of the top US carriers and provides telecom consulting services to area businesses and organizations. Full and part-time positions are available in inside sales, as well as subagent opportunities. We are seeking sales executives with 3-4 plus years experience selling network and carrier services to small and medium sized businesses. We are seeking aggressive sales people with an ability to target markets, reach decision makers, and generate quality leads through grass roots efforts, personal contacts, and assertive sales tactics. This position would be in direct support of the VP of Sales. Send your resume, interest (sales career or agent opportunity), and cover letter to jobs@xif.net. No recruiters.
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> Research Analyst

Join a rapidly growing Online and Full Service market research company. Privately held, profitable, Fortune 500 accounts. Require: 7-10 years marketing research exp., particularly on the supplier side, experience with Fortune 500 marketing research clients highly desirable, Client side marketing research experience desirable, prior experience with writing effective proposals, survey writing knowledge, Strong communication skills, oral and written, Able to handle multiple projects simultaneously, Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Quantitative Analysis or related field. MBA a strong plus. Compensation: $80-100K. Send resumes to ktaylor@talentplanet.com
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> Integrated Marketing Account Manager

Avenue A Razorfish has an immediate opening for an Integrated Marketing Analyst in our Atlanta or Fort Lauderdale office. Require: 4 plus years exp. working in the areas of marketing or analytics for a professional services company. At least 2 years exp. with online marketing analytics related to web site and media-based performance. Email marketing exp. a plus. Detail-oriented, with excellent writing and analysis skills. Familiarity with online analytics measures, terminology, benchmarks and tracking technology (Atlas desired), Proven skills with Access and Excel with strong presentation skills. Submit a resume, cover letter via email to: se.recruiting@avenuea-razorfish.com
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> Business Strategy Consultant - Telecom, Energy, Utilities

Fortune 1000 Firm/Qualified candidates must have experience and a prior background in Operations Strategy consulting to clients in the Energy or Utilities industry. Must have ability to work in a team environment. Salary 110,000 - 140,000 with Bonus Consulting experience to the Energy and Utilities industries (3-5 yrs for Consultant, 5-10 yrs for SR. Consultant) Tier 1 or top tier consulting firm experience highly preferred MBA. Send resumes to mark@allandavidrecruiters.com
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> eBay Marketing Executive

Entry level position in a growing e-commerce company. We are seeking a dynamic individual who can manage over 500 auctions per day on eBay. You will be provided with our customized software to manage the auctions. The software empowers you to run reports and analyze auction success. You will be trained well and work closely with our Marketing Manager for a month before you take complete responsibility on the project. Require good problem-solving skills, communications skills. Excellent time-management skills. Great team worker. Successful experience selling on eBay is a plus. Send resumes to jobscss@comcast.net
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> Advertising And Marketing Position

Morristown Agency Seeking Part-time/Full-time Employees in Advertising/Marketing Industry, Web Developer and Client Services Position with 1 to 2 years experience. Contact 201-486-7167 or send resumes to michelle.nelson@iideagroup.com
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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.

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Executive & Editorial Team
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Co-Founder & Executive Editor: Paul Sherman
VP, Marketing & Events: Tinzar Than Sherman
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Editor: Mark Hefflinger


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