===================================================
DIGITAL MEDIA WIRE -- September 20, 2002
===================================================
To Subscribe For Free: http://www.digitalmediawire.com
o Nintendo Sells Stake in U.K. Game Developer Rare Ltd.
o California Gov. Gray Davis Signs Law to Block Cell Phone Spam
o BBC: Despite Court Ruling, Greece Continues Crackdown on Gamers
o Liquid Audio, Shareholder Group Settle Litigation Over Pending Merger
o Microsoft to Launch Online Xbox Service in Japan Mid-January
> Digital Media Wire Event: "Interactive Marketing" | NYC | Oct. 15
> Featured Section: Streaming Media East
o Briefly Noted: IBM - Nintendo GameCube, Sirius Satellite Radio - Grand
Ole Opry - WSM-Radio, Blizzard Entertainment - "StarCraft: Ghost," VH1.com
- Jackson Browne, "Tomb Raider" movie sequel, Cringely - BayTSP
_____________________________________________
> Jobs: VP Product Mgmt., Senior Contract Mgr., VP of Media
> 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 Nintendo Sells Stake in U.K. Game Developer Rare Ltd.
London -- Video game company Nintendo announced on Friday that it has sold
its 49 percent stake in U.K.-based game developer Rare Ltd. to an
undisclosed party. A Nintendo spokesman told Dow Jones Business News the
company sold its shares back to Rare, and it was his "understanding" that
the entire company would then be acquired by Microsoft, confirming earlier
reports. Microsoft thus far has not announced a purchase of Rare, calling
the reports "rumors." "Nintendo had the ability to continue its exclusive
relationship with Rare, but in looking at the company's recent track
record, it became clear that its value to the future of Nintendo would be
limited," said Nintendo of America's executive vice president for sales
and marketing, Peter MacDougall. "In other words, we passed on this
opportunity for very good business reasons." The company said that Rare's
share of the Nintendo's total worldwide game sales declined from 9.5
percent in 2001 to just 1.5 percent this year. Nintendo will retain
exclusive rights for all original properties and franchises featured in
games developed by Rare, including "Donkey Kong," "Diddy Kong" and "Star
Fox."
http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/f_headline.cgi?day0/222630150&ticker=
http://biz.yahoo.com/djus/020920/1649000576_1.html
_____________________________________________
o California Gov. Gray Davis Signs Law to Block Cell Phone Spam
Sacramento -- California state governor Gray Davis signed a bill into law
on Thursday that bans unsolicited cell phone spam, as well as wireless ads
and fax advertisements. The law goes into affect in January. Davis said
the law is needed because of the proliferation of spam email. "These days,
telemarketers and advertisers are intruding on everything -- our home
phones, our cell phone, our fax machines and our pagers," said Davis.
"Today, California cuts the line on unsolicited faxes, phone calls and
text messages."
http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1105-958789.html
_____________________________________________
o BBC: Despite Court Ruling, Greece Continues Crackdown on Gamers
London -- The BBC reports that despite a court ruling declaring a recent
Greek law prohibiting all electronic games unconstitutional, Greek police
are continuing to raid public Internet cafes and seize computers. Several
owners of Internet cafes were acquitted on charges under the law --
originally intended to prohibit online gambling but written broadly enough
to encompass all electronic games -- but prosecutors have appealed the
ruling and continue to go after cafe operators. "The police are acting
like the Taleban, closing down businesses, seizing property and stopping
people enjoying themselves," one of the two owners awaiting a retrial,
Christos Iordanidis, told the BBC. An appeal against the video game ban
will be heard before the European Commission next month; game makers
including Sega, Namco and JVH will join Greek cafe owners and gamers there
to argue against the law.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/2271130.stm
_____________________________________________
o Liquid Audio, Shareholder Group Settle Litigation Over Pending Merger
Redwood City, Calif. -- Liquid Audio, a provider of digital music
distribution services, announced on Friday that it has settled a lawsuit
it filed against Steel Partners II, a group of its shareholders unhappy
with the company's pending merger with Alliance Entertainment. Liquid
Audio had accused Steel Partners of violating federal securities laws in
its attempt to take over control of the company, and of issuing
disparaging press releases to Liquid Audio shareholders. The terms of the
settlement essentially prohibit Steel Partners from issuing press releases
about Liquid Audio, provided no changes to the company's pending merger
are announced.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/020920/sff016_1.html
http://www.liquidaudio.com/company/press/2002/archive/08_21_02.asp
_____________________________________________
o Microsoft to Launch Online Xbox Service in Japan Mid-January
Tokyo -- Microsoft plans to launch an online game service for Japanese
owners of its Xbox video game console in mid-January, the company
announced on Friday. "Our goal is to make Xbox the most popular platform
to play online games," Hirohisa Ohura, Microsoft Japan's managing director
in charge of Xbox operations, told Reuters. "We believe the service will
likely encourage people to buy Xbox." The company plans to launch its
"Xbox Live" online games service in the U.S. on Nov. 15. The Japanese
version will cost gamers $56, which includes 12 months of access fees and
a wireless controller headset.
http://www.reuters.com/news_article.jhtml?type=search&StoryID=1474270
http://www.xbox.com
_____________________________________________
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
===================================
EVENT -- DIGITAL MEDIA WIRE Presents...
===================================
Interactive Marketing: Where Success Lies Now and in the Future
New York City | Tues. October 15 | 6:00-9:00 PM
Produced with the New York New Media Association, in association with the
Interactive Advertising Bureau.
Sponsors: KMZ Rosenman | NYNMA | IAB
This executive forum brings together leaders from companies such as MSN,
Google, About.com, GoldPocket Interactive and others that are succeeding
in online media. Hear firsthand the strategies, tactics and technologies
that are working today and get a glimpse what is in store for the future.
For more information and to register:
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/events/imarketing_101502.htm
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
_____________________________________________
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
==================
FEATURED SECTION
==================
Featured Section posting at:
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/featuredpostingpage.htm
STREAMING MEDIA EAST 2002: Javits Convention Center, NY
Conference: September 30 - October 3
Exhibition: October 1 - 3
***CONFERENCE*** Held over 4 fact-filled days, the Conference offers
industry-leading keynotes, world-class speakers, in-depth Conference
Sessions and a comprehensive Beginner's Seminar.
**EXHIBITION (FREE with pre-registration)*** Experience the tricks behind
the trade and find today's business solutions, as industry leading
companies showcase the latest in streaming and digital media advancements.
For full Conference information and your FREE Exhibition pass visit
http://www.streamingmedia.com/east
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
_____________________________________________
Briefly Noted:
(East Fishkill, N.Y.) IBM announced on Friday that it has shipped its 10
millionth PowerPC "Gekko" chip for use in Nintendo's GameCube video game
console. Nintendo said in its most recent financial statements that it
expects to sell 16 million GameCubes by the end of its fiscal year, in
March 2003. Rival Sony said this week it has sold 40 million of its
PlayStation 2 consoles worldwide. IBM is also currently working with Sony
and Toshiba on the chip that will power the PlayStation 3.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/020920/202041_1.html
(New York) Sirius Satellite Radio, a provider of satellite-delivered
digital radio programming in the U.S., announced on Friday a partnership
with Tennessee-based Gaylord Entertainment to create a country music
channel on Sirius Radio. "WSM Entertainment" will broadcast live
performances from the famed Grand Ole Opry venue, as well as programming
from country music station WSM-Radio.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/020920/202078_1.html
http://www.opry.com
http://www.wsmonline.com
http://www.siriusradio.com
(Makuhari, Japan) Game developer Blizzard Entertainment, a division of
Vivendi Universal Publishing, announced on Friday it will publish a
version of its popular "StarCraft" massively multiplayer PC title for
multiple console systems. Since 1988, the "StafCraft" series of games have
sold 6 million copies worldwide. Co-developed by Irvine, Calif.-based
Blizzard and Novato, Calif.-based Nihilistic Software, "StarCraft: Ghost"
is scheduled for release in late 2003.
http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/f_headline.cgi?day0/222630053&ticker=
http://www.blizzard.com/ghost
(New York) Cable TV music network VH1 said on Friday it will offer
pre-release online and on-air listens to singer Jackson Browne's upcoming
record on Monday, Sept. 23, in advance of the album's release on Tuesday.
"The Naked Ride Home" will be available for streaming on Vh1.com and will
be played in its entirety accompanied by visuals of the album's artwork on
the company's VH1 Classic channel.
http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/browne_jackson/artist.jhtml
(Hollywood) Paramount Pictures said on Friday that it has begun shooting
the sequel to its $300 million-grossing film based on game developer Eidos
Interactive's "Tomb Raider" franchise of video games. "Lara Croft and The
Cradle of Life: Tomb Raider 2" will once again feature actress Angelina
Jolie in the role of the video game's heroine, Lara Croft.
http://www.comingsoon.net/movies/c/tombraider2.php
(Washington) PBS.org recently featured an article from information
technology columnist Robert X. Cringely on BayTSP, a provider of services
that search file-sharing networks for infringing files and send "takedown"
notices to ISPs and users under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. The
company collects between $200 and $50,000 monthly from clients including
major movie studios, record labels and software developers for its
services.
http://www.pbs.org/cringely/pulpit/pulpit20020919.html
_____________________________________________
===================
CLASSIFIEDS - JOBS
===================
To Post Jobs: http://www.digitalmediawire.com/jobpostingpage.htm
VP Product Management - Key Management Team Member Needed
Seeking a VP of Product Management for new healthcare ASP venture. This
position will serve as the company's domain application expert and product
visionary. Extensive healthcare and claims adjudication knowledge is
required. Verbal, written, and presentation skills are key. The VP will
serve as the company's product champion, guiding all product enhancements
and new features based on market need and legislative requirements such as
HIPAA. VA based, equity opportunity. Send resumes and inquiries to
itoff@erols.com
_____________________________________________
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
_____________________________________________
====================
CLASSIFIEDS - EVENTS
====================
To Post Events: http://www.digitalmediawire.com/eventpostingpage.htm
_____________________________________________
==========================
CLASSIFIEDS - MARKETPLACE
==========================
To Post Marketplace:
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/marketplacepostingpage.htm
_____________________________________________
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, Bay Area Tech Wire and European 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.
|
