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Past Editions

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DIGITAL MEDIA WIRE -- September 6, 2002
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Subscribe for free: http://www.digitalmediawire.com

o ReplayTV Maker Sonicblue to Lay Off 25% of Staff
o Napster Creditors Seek $6 Million for Company's Assets
o Streaming Video Network The FeedRoom Raises $5.4 Million in Third Round
o PlayNetwork Systems Raises $4.4 Million In Ongoing Round

> Featured Event: Streaming Media East

o Briefly Noted: RealNetworks - Major League Baseball, World Cyber Games,
Nokia 3650, SportsLine.com - Westwood One, Pop-up ads, Sen. George Allen -
Anticounterfeiting Amendments of 2002, RIAA - small webcaster
negotiations, PlayStation 3
_____________________________________________

> Jobs: Senior Contract Mgr., VP of Media, Sr. Public Relations Mgr., Dir.
of Client Strategy, VP of Promotions, Games Programmer

> Events

> Marketplace

Full Classifieds 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 ReplayTV Maker Sonicblue to Lay Off 25% of Staff

Santa Clara, Calif. -- Consumer electronics firm Sonicblue, which makes
the ReplayTV digital video recorder and Rio line of MP3 players, announced
that it will lay off 25 percent of its employees as part of a corporate
restructuring. Included in the cuts are the company's chief technology
officer and senior vice president of sales. Santa Clara, Calif.-based
Sonicblue will also consolidate part of its business in Scottsdale, Ariz.,
and Tigard, Ore., into its Santa Clara operations. "We are eliminating
redundancies and recognizing synergies within the organization wherever
possible, which we believe will allow us to significantly decrease our
cost structure," said interim Sonicblue CEO Greg Ballard. The company
fired former president and CEO Ken Potashner earlier this month.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/020905/50347_1.html
http://www.sonicblue.com
_____________________________________________

o Napster Creditors Seek $6 Million for Company's Assets

Costa Mesa, Calif. -- Following a court ruling earlier this week blocking
the sale of file-sharing service Napster's assets to German media
conglomerate Bertelsmann for $9 million, a company hired by Napster's
creditors has announced a reduced minimum asking bid of $6 million for all
of the company's assets and intellectual property. Costa Mesa,
Calif.-based investment bank Trenwith Securities expects to close on a
sale of Napster's assets -- which include file-sharing technology and
licenses the company negotiated with U.S., U.K. and European independent
record labels -- in the next 30 days. The company's website, which
yesterday read simply, "Napster was here," has been replaced with a new
graphic indicating a "work in progress" and a link to a page selling
Napster-branded merchandise.
http://www.trenwith.com
http://www.napster.com
_____________________________________________

o Streaming Video Network The FeedRoom Raises $5.4 Million in Third Round

New York -- The FeedRoom, a broadband network operating 70 streaming video
web sites for companies including Cisco, NBC, Tribune Company and Playboy,
announced that it has raised $5.4 million in its third round of funding.
New investor Circle T Partners participated in the round, along with
existing investors Warburg Pincus, Ridgewood Capital, Constellation
Ventures, Intel Capital, I-Hatch Ventures, the New York City Investment
Fund, Peter Lund, former CEO of CBS, and Ken Moelis, head of U.S.
investment banking for UBS Warburg. New York-based The FeedRoom says it
serves more than 14 million video clips per month to an audience of over 2
million unique users. The company will use the capital, which is expected
to take it beyond profitability in the next several quarters, to continue
expanding its customer base.
http://company.feedroom.com/media/press_invest_08212002.html
_____________________________________________

o PlayNetwork Systems Raises $4.4 Million In Ongoing Round

Redmond, Wash. -- PlayNetwork Systems, a provider of in-store sound and
video systems and content programming, announced on Friday that it has
raised $4.4 million in an ongoing round of venture capital financing.
Previous investors Chartwell Capital and Talon Opportunity Fund led the
round, which is expected to close by the end of the year. Redmond,
Wash.-based PlayNetwork Systems is licensed by all major record labels,
publishers and performance rights organizations, and can provide
programming on custom CD-ROMs or via network delivery. The company's
systems have been installed by retailers including Starbucks, TGI Friday's
and Levi Strauss & Co. The new funds will provide growth capital for the
company as it aims to fulfill increasing customer requests.
http://www.playnetwork.com/pressroom/pressrelease_detail.asp?pid=19
_____________________________________________

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==================
FEATURED SECTION
==================
Featured Section posting at:
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/featuredpostingpage.htm

STREAMING MEDIA EAST 2002
September 30 - October 3, Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, NY

Last day for the Early Bird Discount for the Streaming Media East 2002
Conference.

Streaming Media East 2002 is the World's Largest Digital Media Technology
Event, featuring an extensive exhibition floor and an intensive four-day
Conference program. Join us in New York to conduct business, discover the
latest advancements in streaming and digital media and forge valuable
relationships!

For discounted conference packages or your FREE Exhibition pass visit
http://www.streamingmedia.com/east

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_____________________________________________

Briefly Noted:

(Seattle) RealNetworks, a provider of media delivery technology, announced
on Friday that it has partnered with Major League Baseball Advanced Media
to provide live audio streaming feeds of professional baseball games to
cell phones. The $19.95 per month service works for cell phones that can
send and receive Short Messaging Service (SMS) text-messages. In addition
to the live feeds, fans can also receive updates on other games via SMS.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/020906/sff018_1.html
http://www.realone.com/mlb

(New York) The United Cyber Games Association (UCGA) has announced details
for the U.S. leg of its second-annual World Cyber Games. Gamers skilled at
playing "Half-Life: Counter Strike," "Starcraft: Brood War" and "Quake
III: Arena" can compete in qualifying rounds held in Pleasanton, Calif.,
Lewisville, Texas and Southville, Ga. this month. Qualifiers move on to
U.S. finals in New York before competing in the worldwide finals,
beginning next month in Korea, where $300,000 in prize money will be
awarded.
http://us.worldcybergames.org

(Helsinki, Finland) Cell phone maker Nokia on Friday announced a new phone
model that integrates a high-resolution camera, camcorder, video player
and multimedia messaging (MMS) functionality, allowing users to send video
clips, images, text and sound to another compatible MMS-enabled phone or
to an e-mail address. The Nokia 3650 works on the international GSM
network, features 4MB of internal memory and is expected to ship early
next year.
http://press.nokia.com/PR/200209/872837_5.html
http://nds1.nokia.com/press/photo/phones/jpeg/3650_lores_04.jpg

(Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) SportsLine.com, an Internet sports media company,
has expanded its programming and promotional agreement with Westwood One,
the largest radio network in the U.S. Under the agreement, SportsLine.com
will produce sports feeds several times a day for Westwood, as well as a
combination of exclusive pre-game, halftime and post-game updates on NFL
football, NCAA football and basketball, boxing, and the U.S. Open and
Masters golf championships.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/020905/flth018_1.html

(San Francisco) Wired News on Friday reported on the growing number of
interstitial, or pop-up ads, which are deluging Web users. So far this
year, advertisers have served 11.3 billion pop-up and pop-under ads,
according to Nielsen//NetRatings. X10 Wireless Technology, Orbitz and
Providian Insurance account for the top three users of the format, which
is in fact used by only 9.2 percent of all online advertisers. Companies
including Panicware and InterMute have reported that downloads of their
pop-up blocking software have jumped in recent months.
http://www.wired.com/news/business/0,1367,54903,00.html

(San Francisco) CNET News.com reported that a key Republican senator has
withdrawn support for the Anticounterfeiting Amendments of 2002, an
anti-piracy bill that would outlaw distribution of counterfeit
authentication features, including digital watermarks. The bill did not
originally include a digital provision, but was later rewritten by the
Senate Judiciary Committee to include digital watermarks. "Opening this
legislation to the digital realm has caused the virtually unanimous
industry support behind it to evaporate, and it has raised a host of
troubling liability issues that cause substantial harm to Internet service
providers," said Sen. George Allen (R-Va.), in a statement.
http://news.com.com/2100-1023-956811.html?tag=fd_top

(Chicago) Radio and Internet Newsletter on Friday covered the ongoing
talks between the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and a
number of small webcasters looking to negotiate a voluntary license for
streaming music online. Webcasters including Beethoven.com and Radioio say
that the RIAA has not moved far from its original offer to license their
songs in exchange for 15 percent of the stations' annual revenues, a deal
many say would put them out of business. "We keep moving a little closer.
There are still some major divides, but we hope we can cross them and get
to a deal," said John Simson, executive director of major record label
licensing entity SoundExchange.
http://www.kurthanson.com
http://www.soundexchange.com

(Tokyo) Reuters on Friday provided some details on Sony's plans for its
next high-end video game console, PlayStation 3. Currently the focus is on
the chip that will power the device, rather than the actual box that will
house it. "We're not thinking about hardware," Sony Computer Entertainment
spokesman Kenichi Fukunaga told Reuters. "The ideal solution would be
having an operating system installed in various home appliances that could
run game programs." Sony, IBM and Toshiba are currently developing the
chip, codenamed "Cell," that will power the PlayStation 3.
http://www.reuters.com/news_article.jhtml?type=technologynews&StoryID=1417638
_____________________________________________

===================
CLASSIFIEDS - JOBS
===================
To Post Jobs: http://www.digitalmediawire.com/jobpostingpage.htm

Senior Contract Manager - Google - Mountain View, CA

Google is seeking an experienced contract negotiator. Responsibilities
include daily review of standard contracts, limited authority to draft
contractual terms and conditions for licenses and advertising services
agreements, intensive in-house client interaction. Communicate company
policies and approval processes for contract changes to sales
professionals. 3-5 years of contract negotiation. Resume to
jobs@google.com or fax (650) 618-1796. Please include position.
_____________________________________________

VP Media - Mosaic - Marina Del Rey, CA

Mosaic Data Solutions is a Canadian Based Fortune 500 Marketing Firm and
the World's leading Email Marketing Firm and provider of consumer data
products. We seek a VP of Media who will be responsible for selling Mosaic
Data Solutions (CustomOffers) own proprietary products to consumers via
Banners, Pops and Keyword purchases strategically placed around the
Internet. For immediate consideration, contact Thomas Geraci at:
tgeraci@mosaicdatasolutions.com
_____________________________________________

Sr. Public Relations Manager - Infogrames - Santa Monica, CA

Infogrames, Inc., one of the world's largest publishers of interactive
games, is looking for a Sr. Public Relations Manager to develop,
coordinate and manage public relations activities on behalf of the Santa
Monica's growing line of interactive games for all platforms
(PlayStation2, Gamecube, and Xbox). 6-10 years of related PR work
experience with 2-3 years in the digital entertainment business. Resume
to: smjobs@us.infogrames.com
_____________________________________________

Director of Client Strategy - Sharpe Partners - New York, NY

Sharpe Partners is a digital marketing agency. Director of Client Strategy
oversees the development of client marketing plans, budgets and
presentations for clients, identifying and pursuing opportunities to
expand client relationships. 5 yrs. in advertising/marketing, plus 2 yrs.
at an interactive agency Resume to: marlena@sharpe-partners.com
(reference: CS Manager).
_____________________________________________

Vice President of Promotions - Virgin Mobile - Liberty Corner, New Jersey

The new Program and Promotions team will design, develop and deploy
channel specific programs to support and promote Virgin Mobile's product
and service offering. We are seeking VP level candidates to help us
develop retail, Internet, and other channel specific programs; develop and
maintain project planning and release roll-outs; and wireless accessory
strategy. 10+ yrs. in a marketing or brand management role. Resume to:
jobs@virginmobileusa.com
_____________________________________________

Games Programmer - Acclaim Entertainment - Austin, TX

Acclaim, one of the most successful game development and publishing groups
in the world, seeks a Video Game Programmer (C++, AI, 3D).
Responsibilities: Design, implement and debug segments of new and existing
code Requirements. A BS or equivalent work experience; 2 years of C/C++
and at least 1 year of software development experience. Only resumes
submitted through
http://careers.acclaim.com will be considered.
_____________________________________________

====================
CLASSIFIEDS - EVENTS
====================
To Post Events: http://www.digitalmediawire.com/eventpostingpage.htm

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CLASSIFIEDS - MARKETPLACE
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To Post Marketplace:
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/marketplacepostingpage.htm

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Digital Media Wire, Inc. leverages its integrated media network to provide
exceptional value for individuals and companies determined to capitalize
on the convergence of media, entertainment and technology. Digital Media
Wire, the first in a series of business-intelligence publications,
delivers original daily briefings on the business, legal and financial
developments shaping digital media.

Digital Media Wire is part of the Tech Wire Media Group, a nationwide
network of publications that includes Potomac Tech Wire, New England Tech
Wire, Southeast Tech Wire and Bay Area Tech Wire. The network reaches more
than 62,000 individuals from over 70 countries worldwide each business
day.

Upcoming publications, events & information at:
http://www.digitalmediawire.com

Questions, Comments & Suggestions to:
david@digitalmediawire.com

News Tips, Scoops & Press Releases to:
editorial@digitalmediawire.com
_____________________________________________

Editor: Mark Hefflinger
Executive Officer: Edward F. Sherman, Jr.
Operating Officer: David J. Peebler

Copyright 2002 Digital Media Wire, Inc. All Rights Reserved.