archives

o Companies Buy Back Own Stock in Show of Solidarity
o MPAA Head Valenti to Discuss Piracy with Silicon Valley Execs
o Search Engine Ask Jeeves Acquires Teoma Technologies
o Manhattan-Based Game Developer Take-Two Delays Games
> DMW Panel Discussion: Microsoft vs. AOL | Sept. 28 | Los Angeles
> DMW Panel Discussion: The State of Wireless | Oct. 10 | San Francisco
> Seminar: How Bush's Tech Policy Will Affect Your Business | McLean, VA
o Briefly Noted: Napster hire, Fall Internet World, ReplayTV - Dotcast,
E.Digital - DataPlay, Compression Science, "Lockjaw," Videoconferencing,
"The Rules of Humor Changed on Sept. 11"
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> Job Postings: Account Mgr., Marketing Associate, Sr. Level BizDev,
Research Asst., Sales Asst./International

> Events/Services: "Digital Media Revolution in the Americas," "SHORTSPAN
Film & Video Festival: SOUTHEAST Tour, August 24- Sept. 22"

Full Job/Event/Services descriptions listed below "Briefly Noted" section
or at http://www.digitalmediawire.com/postings.html

To Post a Job: http://www.digitalmediawire.com/jobs.html
To Post an Event/Service: http://www.digitalmediawire.com/events.html
_____________________________________________

o Companies Buy Back Own Stock in Show of Solidarity

New York -- Companies including Gemstar TV-Guide, Yahoo, Akamai, Primedia,
DoubleClick and Intel have announced that they will buy back large amounts
of their own stock in an effort to boost consumer confidence and show that
they have faith in the future performance of their companies. The
Securities and Exchange Commission last week eased restrictions on
corporate stock buybacks to help diminish fears about the U.S. economy
after the terrorist attacks. Today, Gemstar TV-Guide announced it will
repurchase up to $300 million of its own stock. On Monday, Yahoo
repurchased almost 5 million shares of its stock for about $55 million
from Softbank, its largest shareholder, while content delivery network
Akamai plans to repurchase up to $20 million of its stock in the next six
months. CNET featured an article on Wednesday questioning whether the
buybacks will have any real effect on these companies' bottom lines, or
whether their effect is purely psychological.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/010919/190200_1.html
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/010917/170406_1.html
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/010917/172225_1.html
http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1007-200-7218937.html?tag=mn_hd
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o MPAA Head Valenti to Discuss Piracy with Silicon Valley Execs

Washington, D.C. -- Jack Valenti, CEO of the Motion Picture Association of
America (MPAA), will travel to Silicon Valley on Thursday to discuss the
film industry's piracy concerns with technology executives as new outlets
such as video-on-demand begin to emerge, Daily Variety reported on
Wednesday. Specifically, Valenti will relay concerns from Disney and Fox,
which are wary of making their content libraries available if digital TV
signals can be transmitted over the Internet. A bill drafted by Sen.
Ernest Hollings, which has the support of Disney and other MPAA members,
could if passed give content companies unprecedented control over
distribution technologies in the form of government-approved security
imposed on almost all consumer electronics devices.
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/20010919/re/industry_valenti_dc_1.html
http://www.mpaa.org
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o Search Engine Ask Jeeves Acquires Teoma Technologies

Emeryville, Calif. -- Ask Jeeves, a search engine that lets users enter
searches using plain-English questions, announced that it has acquired
Teoma Technologies, a provider of Web search technologies.
Emeryville-based Ask Jeeves paid $1.7 million in cash and offered 2.5
million shares of its stock in the transaction. New Jersey-based Teoma's
technology divides the Web into natural communities and analyzes
topic-specific Web content to generate more relevant search results. Ask
Jeeves will incorporate Teoma's technology into its own search engine as
well as the search engine technology it provides to sites including
About.com, MSN and Lycos.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/010918/sftu022_1.html
http://www.teoma.com
http://www.askjeeves.com
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o Manhattan-Based Game Developer Take-Two Delays Games, Updates Guidance

New York -- Game developer Take-Two Interactive announced on Wednesday
that due to last week's terrorist attacks and the subsequent loss of
communications services in its downtown Manhattan offices, the company
must delay the release of several of its games. The company will make
changes to its "Grand Theft Auto 3" and "Smuggler's Run 2" PlayStation 2
games, which it said now contain "inappropriate" references to both New
York City and Afghanistan. The company's anticipated "Max Payne" for
PlayStation 2 will also be delayed, and is now scheduled to be released
early next year. Take-Two also announced updated guidance for its upcoming
fourth quarter 2001 earnings to reflect the delays, but said that the
changes will instead increase its predictions for 2002 earnings.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/010919/190151_1.html
http://www.take2games.com
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> Digital Media Wire Presents a Panel Discussion:
"Microsoft vs. AOL: The Battle of the Internet Titans"

Los Angeles | Friday, September 28th at the Four Seasons Hotel

This panel of journalists, legal experts and others will discuss the
increasing rivalry between these two monolithic companies -- and how their
competition will affect the development of the Internet for years to come.

For more information and to register:
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/LAbattle.html

FEATURED SPEAKERS:
Bob Badal - Attorney | Heller Ehrman
Mark Frauenfelder - Editor | WIRED
Jon Goodman - Executive Director | EC2 Incubator Project @ USC
Jim Griffin - Co-founder | The 'Pho' Group
Dave Wilson - Technology Columnist | Los Angeles Times
***Additional Panelists TBA***

SPONSOR: Heller Ehrman

For more information and to register:
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/LAbattle.html
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> Digital Media Wire Presents a Panel Discussion:
"The State of Wireless: Delivering Content Across Today's Mobile
Landscape"

San Francisco | Wednesday, October 10th at The City Club

This panel of top wireless, content and technology executives and
professionals will discuss the necessary steps in streamlining an array of
applications in order to lay a workable infrastructure for the delivery of
emerging products.

For more information and to register:
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/SFwireless.html

FEATURED SPEAKERS:
Seamus McAteer - Sr. Analyst | Jupiter Media Metrix
Rick Onyon - Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer | fusionOne
John Trobough - Chief Executive Officer | Gravitate
***Additional Panelists TBA***

For more information and to register:
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/SFwireless.html
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> Potomac Tech Wire Seminar:
How Bush's Tech Policy Will Affect Your Business

Sponsors:
Womble Carlyle
National Journal's Technology Daily

Panelists:
-Wayne Crews, Director of Technology Policy, Cato Institute
-Kevin Jones, Attorney, Womble Carlyle
-John Palfoutas, Sr. VP Domestic Policy, American Electronics Association
-Ken Wasch, President, Software & Information Industry Association
-Bara Vaida, Senior Writer, National Journal's Tech Daily
Paul Sherman (moderator), Editor, Potomac Tech Wire

When: Wednesday, September 26, 2001
7:30 - 8 AM: Registration and Networking
8 - 9:30 AM: Breakfast, Panel, Q&A
Where: The Ritz Carlton, McLean, VA

For more information and to register for this event:
http://www.potomactechwire.com/seminar10.htm
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o Briefly Noted:

(Redwood City, Calif.) Napster announced on Wednesday that it has hired
Claire Hough as its new vice president of engineering. Hough is charged
with managing Napster's membership service and future projects. Most
recently, Hough served as VP and general manager of the directory and
security division of Netscape Communications. Redwood City-based Napster
also announced that the launch of its subscription service has been pushed
back to fall, as it works to implement new pieces to the system that will
"create more flexibility for artists, copyright holders, and Napster
members."
http://www.napster.com

(Darien, Conn.) Publisher Penton Media, which organizes the Internet World
and Streaming Media conferences, announced on Wednesday that it is
shortening as well as postponing its Internet World Fall 2001 from Oct.
1-5 to Dec. 10-13, and will combine the conference with its previously
announced Streaming Media East conference. The changes are due to last
week's terrorist attacks, and the fact that the venue for the events --
New York's Jacob Javits Convention Center -- is currently being used as
volunteer headquarters for the relief efforts.
http://www.penton.com/cgi-bin/news/display_news.pl?id=318
http://www.internetworld.com/events/fall2001

(Santa Clara, Calif.) Consumer electronics firm Sonicblue announced on
Wednesday that it has licensed its ReplayTV personal video recorder
technology to Dotcast, a provider of business and entertainment delivery
over the traditional TV broadcast spectrum. ReplayTV functionality --
which allows users to pause and record live television -- will be
integrated into Mountain View-based Dotcast's set-top boxes that the
company says will allow for the delivery of DVD-quality video, CD-quality
music, video games and other content.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/010919/192117_1.html
http://www.dotcast.com
http://www.replaytv.com

(San Diego) E.Digital, a designer of digital media consumer products, said
on Wednesday that it has partnered with DataPlay, a developer of storage
discs for digital media, to include support for DataPlay discs in its
device designs. Boulder, Colorado-based DataPlay recently announced it
would delay the release of its quarter-sized, 500 MB discs until the
beginning of next year.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/010919/190169_1.html
http://www.edig.com
http://www.dataplay.com

(Campbell, Calif.) Compression Science, a developer of digital video
encoding and decoding technologies, announced on Wednesday that it has
appointed Celso Azevedo as its new CEO. Most recently, Azevedo was CEO of
satellite-delivered Internet access firm Astrolink International, and also
was a senior vice president at DirecTV International.
http://www.compressionscience.com

(San Francisco) A group of devoted online game players who participated in
the conspiracy-themed game used to promote the film "A.I." have banded
together to create an online conspiracy game of their own called
"Lockjaw," Wired News reported on Wednesday. The game will focus on a
biotechnical company working on technology to halt the aging process, and
will likely mimic Electronic Arts' game "Majestic" in its use of faxes,
voicemails and emails to immerse its participants. Creators of the game
work on its design solely though email lists and IRC chats to maintain
secrecy.
http://www.wired.com/news/culture/0,1284,46672,00.html

(San Francisco) Wired News on Wednesday reported on how some firms are
looking to videoconferencing and Web-based collaboration as a way to
continue normal business operations in the wake of cancelled flights and
more fearful air travelers. "Since you can't guarantee that you can catch
the red-eye and be in California tomorrow, you need a backup plan," said
Peter Kastner, chief researcher at Boston-based consulting firm Aberdeen
Group.
http://www.wired.com/news/business/0,1367,46954,00.html

(Washington, D.C.) The Washington Post recently reported ("Not Funny: The
Rules of Humor Changed on Sept. 11") on how comedic content has been slow
to return to the U.S. since last week's terrorist attacks. The paper said
that the first feeble attempt at Internet humor related to the attacks
came over five days later. The article also chronicles how comedy
producers such as The New Yorker, which pulled its cartoons, and Comedy
Central's "The Daily Show," which has aired reruns since last week, are
reacting to the situation and their plans for returning to normal
business.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A47190-2001Sep17.html

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Job Postings:
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To Post Jobs: http://www.digitalmediawire.com/jobs.html

> Mamisi Digital Media Services, Account Manager - Los Angeles

New Co. - Position requires knowledge of film/tv production process with
solid understanding of Digital Media and Business Internet Functionality.
Solid sales background with the ability to contribute/implement sales
strategies. Entrepreneurial spirit, ability to manage accounts and desire
to grow career and lead. 5+ years. Send resumes to: pmking@mamisi.com
http://www.mamisi.com
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> Bluefly, Marketing Associate - New York City

Manage marketing relationships with online companies for leading retailer
of designer fashions at outlet prices. Traffic creative to advertising
partners, as well as track and evaluate creative performance. Implement
marketing promos and customer retention programs. Assist in implementing
an affiliate program, as well as email marketing initiatives. Must have
atleast 6 months exp. in Internet advertising/marketing. Send resumes to:
marketingjobs@bluefly.com
http://www.bluefly.com
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> Roxio, Sr.-Level Business Development Position - Silicon Valley

Hey... are you a closer? Do you like to win? If you answered yes to these
questions and you are an experienced dealmaker, we have an MBA's (or
ex-lawyer's) dream job waiting for you at Roxio, Inc., the leading digital
media company.
Send resumes to: elizabeth@cruelworld.com
http://www.roxio.com
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> VentureOne, Research Assistant - San Francisco

In this entry-level position you will perform secondary research through
web browsing, review of journals and other publications, plus primary
research through direct contact with venture capital firms and start-up
companies. Update profiles of venture capital firms and start-up
companies. Review company data, proofread, and enter data. Assist in
surveys, analyses and general administrative support. College degree.
European language skills a plus. Send resumes to: jobs@ventureone.com
http://www.ventureone.com
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> Canal+ (U.S.), Sales Asst./International - Los Angeles

Assist Senior VP & Director of International Sales w/ preparation of
markets, including making appointments with clients, arranging travel,
sending sales materials, & follow-up w/ clients. Other duties include:
answering phones, expense reports, availability checks on computer system,
coordinating deal memo process with support sales office in France,
updating client database and other administrative duties. A 4-year college
degree preferred. Knowledge of French language preferred - Spanish
helpful.
Send resumes to: shuddleston@cplus-us.com
http://www.cplus-us.com

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Events/Services Postings:
===================================================
To Post Events/Services: http://www.digitalmediawire.com/events.html

> Digital Media Revolution in the Americas, 11/29-12/01 -- Pasadena, CA

Presented by the Institute of the Americas and Annenberg School for
Communication, this 2 1/2 day forum will include Sr. Exec. Networking w/ a
special focus on Latin Americas & U.S. Hispanic markets, copyright, rights
mgmt., dist., infrastructure, digital film, iTV, streaming, device trends,
content financing. Early-bird 40% off till 9/30. Keynote Steven Bandel,
Pres. - The Cisneros Group. Sponsors: JP Morgan, Motorola, Global
Crossing, Walt Disney Company, Digital Media Wire, Cahners International
TV, iHollywood, Motion Picture Assoc., National Assoc. of TV Prog. Exec.,
National Assoc. of Theatre owners. For more information:
martin@iamericas.org
Register at: http://www.iamericas.org/events
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> SHORTSPAN Film & Video Festival, SOUTHEAST Tour, Aug. 24 - Sept. 22

SHORT MOVIES! Dreamspan presents the 9TH Annual Short Attention Span Film & Video Festival. Shortspan is a non-stop two hour program of ALL NEW
two-minute-or-shorter films, including ultra-short documentaries like
"Peekaboo Sunday," a story about raising miniature horses or "Exotic
World," an inside look at the lives of some of America's first burlesque
performers-- and 57 more shorts! The tour will travel to 30 North American
cities. Southeastern tour dates include:

ATLANTA, GA: The Atlanta Contemporary Arts Center - August 24th - 8PM
ATHENS, GA: The Georgia Museum of Art - September 5 th - 7:30PM
ATLANTA, GA: Cinefest Theatre- September 14th and 15th - 9PM/12PM
ATHENS, GA: The Georgia Theater - September 18th - 10PM
SAVANNAH, GA: Trustee's Theater - September 20th - 9PM
GAINSVILLE, FL: The University of Florida - September 22nd

More info: http://www.dreamspan.com/shortspan
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Copyright 2001 Digital Media Wire