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September 25, 2003 -- About Us | Advertise | Events | Publications | Subscribe

Main Stories
o Following Rivals' Lead, Dell Moves Into Consumer Electronics Market
o SEC Freezes Vivendi CEO Messier's "Golden Parachute" Payment
o Sony to Release Tiny TV Tuner Chip for Cell Phones
o Technology Publication Red Herring Re-Launched Online by New Owners
o Broadcast.com Founders Mark Cuban, Todd Wagner Buy Landmark Theaters
o Google Says 150,000 Advertisers Now Using Its Online Ad Network
o EUniverse Consolidates Online Games Properties, Seeks Buyer
o Report: One-Fifth of U.S. to Own Commercial-Skipping PVRs by 2007


 > DMW Announcements:
 --Future of Television Forum - Agenda and Registration
 --DMW Publications

 > Featured Advertisement:
 -- The Micropayments Conference - $100 Special  DMW Registration
 

o Briefly Noted: AOL - WildTangent - IM gaming service, EU - digital TV transition, Sirius Satellite Radio - The Bottom Line, Xbox Japan, SunnComm - Razor & Tie, Electronic Arts - "Quidditch" game tournament, Rentrak - game publishers, PlayStation 2 Dual Play Tour, 989 Sports - NBA players, THQ - "Bob the Builder," Movie studios - P2P anti-piracy campaign

 
> Job/Event/Marketplace Classifieds:
 --AOL - Sr. Producer, Online Promotions
 --
Savvis Communications, Inside Sales / Major Accounts Rep
 --
Does Your Story Belong in BusWeek, WSJ, or InformationWeek?
 --Major Account Manager
 --
Westlake Internet Training, Mgr of Curriculum and Courseware Developer
 --
Vanward Technologies - .NET developer
 --
Streaming Media CA, October 14-16, 2003, Santa Clara CA
 

o Following Rivals' Lead, Dell Moves Into Consumer Electronics Market

Round Rock, Texas -- Following the lead of rivals Gateway and HP, PC maker Dell announced on Thursday new Dell consumer electronics products -- including a digital music player, online music service and multifunction LCD television -- that will be available from its online store in time for the holiday shopping season. The company said its online music store will be comparable to Apple's iTunes Store, and that pricing and additional details on the products will be released later. Dell also announced plans to release proprietary software that will turn its PCs into digital entertainment centers. The Dell Media Experience will facilitate playback of music files, adding music to photo slideshows, and watching DVDs video clips.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/030925/255413_1.html 
http://news.com.com/2100-1001_3-5082284.html
_____________________________________________

o SEC Freezes Vivendi CEO Messier's "Golden Parachute" Payment

New York -- The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has succeeded in convincing a New York court to freeze a $23-million "golden parachute" pay-out to former Vivendi Universal CEO Jean-Marie Messier. The payment, which has been the source of considerable controversy in both the U.S. and France, will be suspended pending an investigation into financial misconduct at the company during Messier's tenure. The SEC was able to make the move thanks largely to new powers granted it by the sweeping Sarbanes-Oxley Act, a law designed to help investors recoup losses from companies and individuals. The SEC now has 45 days to make its case against Messier.
http://makeashorterlink.com/?B4D821106
_____________________________________________

o Sony to Release Tiny TV Tuner Chip for Cell Phones

Tokyo -- Consumer electronics giant Sony has announced plans to release a tiny digital TV tuner in December that will be integrated into cell phones, Reuters reported. Sony said the device is smaller in size and uses far less power than other similar products. Cell phone maker NEC debuted a prototype TV phone, which it expects to go on sale in 2005 when Japan is slated to launch a digital broadcast signal designed specifically for mobile applications. The company expects TV phones to cost around $50 to $60 more than other high-end models.
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=3497604
_____________________________________________

o Technology Publication Red Herring Re-Launched Online by New Owners

Mountain View, Calif. -- After closing its doors and then being acquired by entrepreneur Alex Vieux in April, technology publication Red Herring was re-launched on Thursday, promising to deliver 90 new online stories each month, and research and events in the future. Former Business 2.0 editor-in-chief James Daly will lead the new editorial team, which will also include former Upside Magazine editor-in-chief Richard Brandt. Corporate sponsors for the publication's re-launch include Network Appliances, British Telecom, Logitech and Symantec; former Yahoo CEO Tim Koogle is among the company's directors. "When the previous owners announced they were closing the publication's doors in March, I felt strongly that losing the Herring would be a blow to the IT community," said Vieux. "We re-evaluated elements of the business that hadn't kept pace with today's economic realities and are now building on the brand's strong foundation to create a network of online content, research and events that offer a broader perspective on the global technology sector."
http://www.redherring.com
_____________________________________________

o Broadcast.com Founders Mark Cuban, Todd Wagner Buy Landmark Theaters

Los Angeles -- The two co-founders of webcaster Broadcast.com, which was sold to Yahoo for $5.7 billion in 1999, announced on Thursday that they have reunited to acquire Landmark Theaters, the nation's largest art-house theater chain. Production company 2929 Entertainment, which was co-founded by Broadcast.com co-founder Todd Wagner, and partner and former Broadcast.com CEO Mark Cuban, have purchased the financially struggling property from Oaktree Capital Management. "Our goal is to aggressively leverage our ability to produce our own films, promote and display them on [Mark Cuban-owned HDTV-based network] HDNet and HDNet Movies and exhibit them at Landmark," said Wagner. "We think this acquisition provides a unique opportunity to make a significant impact in the art and independent film, HDTV production and digital exhibition communities." The partners also plan to eventually introduce digital projection systems into Landmark Theater locations.
http://www.2929entertainment.com 
http://www.hd.net 
http://www.landmarktheatres.com
_____________________________________________

o Google Says 150,000 Advertisers Now Using Its Online Ad Network

Madrid -- Thanks to a new global growth strategy that now includes Spain, Web search engine company Google now boasts more than 150,000 advertisers worldwide. In addition to its Spanish Google.es site, the company also unveiled a new advertising-sales office in Madrid. Google attributed its success of having surpassed the milestone to its advertising strategy, which allows advertisers to bid for placement above or next to search results. "Google has been interested from day one in trying to serve the world's information to users," said advertising vice president Tim Armstrong. "We're now starting to serve the world's advertisers."
http://www.google.ie/press/pressrel/spain.html
_____________________________________________

o EUniverse Consolidates Online Games Properties, Seeks Buyer

Los Angeles -- EUniverse, a provider of entertainment-related websites and newsletters, said on Thursday it is forming a new company to consolidate its gaming interests, and has hired an investment bank to explore possible merger and acquisition opportunities for the unit. GameUniverse will include the company's SkillJam.com and CasesLadder.com fee-based game sites, as well as others that in total count 8 million registered users. "Recently we have been contacted by both private equity investment firms and existing partners that have initiated discussions of transactions ranging from direct investment to the outright acquisition of GameUniverse," said EUniverse chairman and CEO Brad Greenspan. Los Angeles-based EUniverse is currently embroiled in an investigation into its accounting practices; it has plans to re-file financial statements and is in danger of being delisted from the Nasdaq.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/030924/law108_1.html 
http://www.euniverse.com 
http://www.skilljam.com
_____________________________________________

o Report: One-Fifth of U.S. Homes to Own Commercial-Skipping PVRs by 2007

Boston -- Although only two percent of U.S. homes currently own one, personal video recorders (PVRs) will be in 19.1 million homes by 2007, giving one-fifth of the country the ability to skip through TV commercials, predicts Boston-based market research firm In-Stat/MDR. "This subversion of the ad-sponsored TV model eventually will disrupt the entire value chain for television," said Yankee Group analyst Adi Kishore. While advising that "guerilla branding initiatives" will become necessary from advertisers, In-Stat/MDR believes the 30-second spot will still be the most-used ad format for the next five years. Also, privacy will become a critical issue with emerging targeted advertising technologies. The firm forecasts the ad industry will feel the impact of PVRs by mid-to-late 2005, when they are in 10 million homes.
http://makeashorterlink.com/?U17C52006

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o Briefly Noted:

(Dulles, Va.) America Online, along with partner WildTangent, announced on Thursday the creation of a new instant messaging gaming service using AOL's Instant Messenger (AIM). The service, currently available in beta version, allows users to invite their buddies to play a selection of WildTangent games and to instant message during game play. The games offered will be both free demos of paid titles, and free sponsored games including two sponsored by 7UP off-shoot soft drink dnL. Redmond, Wash.-based WildTangent is providing games, backend systems, leader boards and billing for the AIM Games service.
http://media.aoltimewarner.com/media/press_view.cfm?release_num=55253418
http://www.wildtangent.com 
http://www.aim.com

(Brussels) Aiming to switch over to digital TV as soon as possible, the European Union has asked member governments to provide dates for switching from analogue to digital broadcasting, according to media reports. Currently, there is no common deadline among member states for the change over; all EU governments, however, have agreed to provide the deadlines by year's end.
http://makeashorterlink.com/?T10A12106

(New York) Sirius Satellite Radio, a provider of satellite-delivered digital radio programming, has announced plans to temporarily save one of New York's fabled live music venues, The Bottom Line in Greenwich Village, from closing its doors. The company will provide funds to keep the club operating for at least another month while it works to negotiate a new long-term lease for the venue. New York-based Sirius broadcasts a program called "Live From The Bottom Line" several times a week.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/030924/nyw161_1.html
http://www.siriusradio.com

(Tokyo) Microsoft announced on Thursday that it has named Yoshihiro Maruyama as the new general manager of its Xbox Division at Microsoft Japan. Most recently, Maruyama served as senior vice president and chief operating officer of Squaresoft, developer of the "Final Fantasy" video game franchise.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/030925/sfth035_1.html

(Phoenix, Ariz.) SunnComm, a provider of CD copy-protection technology, announced on Thursday that independent record label Razor & Tie will use the company's technology on its artist 40 Below Summer's upcoming album, "The Morning After," to be released on Oct. 28. In addition to securing the album's tracks from being uploaded to file-sharing services, the disc will contain secured tracks that may be transferred, as well as a number of interactive extras.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/030925/255323_1.html 
http://www.sunncomm.com 
http://www.razorandtie.com

(Redwood City, Calif.) Game developer Electronic Arts on Thursday announced plans for its "Harry Potter: Quidditch World Cup" videogame tournament event, where players of the video game based on the sport played in the "Harry Potter" novels will compete in an international tournament. Following the game's release on Oct. 31, eight players will be chosen to compete in U.S. finals held in mid-November, for the chance to represent the U.S. in the Quidditch World Cup International Grand Final. The final will be held on Dec. 21 in the U.K. and feature representatives from France, Germany, Spain, Australia, Japan, Italy, and the U.K. Separately, Redwood City, Calif.-based Electronic Arts announced the release of its "SimCity 4 Deluxe Edition" PC title in North America, which contains both the best-seller "SimCity 4" and its expansion pack, "SimCity 4 Rush Hour."
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/030925/255162_1.html
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/030925/255229_1.html  http://www.quidditchworldcup.com

(Portland, Ore.) Rentrak, a provider of information management software, announced on Thursday that video game publishers Encore and DreamCatcher Interactive will utilize its revenue-sharing program, where Rentrak's network of 6,000 retailers get a cut of revenue from games rented through their stores. The system utilizes Portland, Ore.-based Rentrak's Video Game Essentials software, which provides publishers, distributors and rental stores with tracking, analysis and reporting tools.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/030925/sfth013_1.html
http://www.encoreusa.com 
http://www.dreamcatchergames.com 
http://www.rentrak.com

(Foster City, Calif.) Sony Computer Entertainment America said on Thursday it has teamed with House of Blues on a third PlayStation 2 Dual Play Tour, which combines performances from popular DJs with a visual backdrop featuring PlayStation 2 games. Performers on the 17-city tour will include Germany's Timo Maas and Loco Dice, Netherlands's Ferry Corsten, and DJ Rap.
http://www.hob.com

(Foster City, Calif.) 989 Sports, the sports game development unit of Sony Computer Entertainment America, announced on Thursday that it has signed three NBA players as cover athletes and spokesmen for its "NBA ShootOut 2004" title for PlayStation 2 and Playstation. Orlando Magic guard Tracy McGrady and Los Angeles Lakers point guard Gary Payton both signed two-year deals, while previous cover athlete Ray Allen signed a two-year renewal. The game will be released in October.
http://www.989sports.com

(Calabasas Hills, Calif.) THQ, a developer and publisher of video games, on Thursday released "Bob the Builder: Bob's Castle Adventure," the company's third PC title based on the children's animated TV show and home video series.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/030925/255239_1.html  http://www.nickjr.com/kids/html_site/bob_the_builder

(New York) The New York Times on Thursday covered the movie industry's recent efforts to combat movie piracy on peer-to-peer networks. These have included equipping movie premiere security guards with night-vision goggles, to catch would-be pirates using banned camcorders in theaters, and a joint educational venture with Junior Achievement that aims to teach 900,000 school kids about copyright laws. "There is no issue in my life I take as seriously as this," News Corp. president Peter Chernin told The Times. "This is going to be with us for the rest of our careers. But if we remain focused on it, maybe it won't kill us and we won't have to panic."
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/25/business/media/25STUD.html

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> Classifieds:

> AOL - Sr. Producer, Online Promotions

AOL seeks creative experts to produce groundbreaking, industry defining
online promotions.  Requirements: 7+ years of online/offline experience at
television or cable network, track record of producing successful creative,
excellent writing skills, and the ability to advance and shelter a
developing brand.  America Online is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, marital status,
national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.
Send resume and cover letter to ariellsd@aol.com

____________________

> Savvis Communications, Inside Sales / Major Accounts Rep - Herndon, VA

 Are you absolutely convinced that your desire to succeed and your ability to understand and present emerging technology services will lead to the type of career opportunity you deserve? This is your opportunity to achieve the financial rewards commensurate with your ability to sell technology services. Send inquiries to bob.waddell@savvis.net  Visit http://www.savvis.net/company/jobs/jobdetails.cfm?jobID=234

__________________

> Does Your Story Belong in BusWeek, WSJ, or InformationWeek?

Or all (or none) of the above? Find out from someone who has been there, done that. Since 1991, Ed Bride's clients have achieved visibility in these and other trade and business media, and he can do the same for your company. With over 30 years' experience in editorial management (Computerworld, Software Magazine), corporate PR (HP) and independent consulting, Ed has managed and/or executed all facets of media relations. Call 413-442-7718 or write for a resume and list of engagements. Send inquiries to Ed@edbride-pr.com
____________________

> Major Account Manager

Industry leader is seeking candidates for consultative sales of conferencing and multimedia communications to federal or commercial clients. Candidates must have proven and consistent sales success with excellent presentation skills. Technical experience with conferencing or network/data products a plus. Send resumes to bfleig@vsgi.com  Visit http://www.vsgi.com

____________________ 

> Westlake Internet Training, Mgr of Curriculum and Courseware Developer

This is a technical position with leadership and management responsibilities. The Manger has responsibility for curriculum planning, course development; participate in the delivery of training services, pre-sales and technical support. Min. 5 yrs technical web development exp., superior writing, presentation, and interpersonal skills, exp. developing curriculums, training materials, exp. in Training/Instruction of technical courseware, excellent communication, customer relations and organization skills, computer Science degree is preferred. Hands on Java and/or .NET development experience a strong plus. To apply, send cover letter (reqd.) and resume to: fschlanger@westlake.com

____________________

> Vanward Technologies - .NET developer

 Northern VA We seek confident, self-starters who have solid industry experience with the .NET framework (C#, VB.NET, ASP.NET, ADO.NET, etc). Strong OO skills, familiarity with testing frameworks (JUnit, NUnit, various xUnits), Test Driven Development, Aspect Oriented programming, and Iterative Software Development are a must. US Citizenship is required. Send resumes to dotnet-techwire@vanwardtechnologies.com
____________________

> Streaming Media CA, October 14-16, 2003, Santa Clara CA

This October top business leaders from all over the world will gather at Streaming Media CA to learn about and explore the latest trends, products, and services in streaming and digital media technologies. This cutting-edge event features an intensive, 4-day conference program with industry leading keynotes and the brightest minds in the business. Don't miss out! For more information, or to register, go to: http://www.streamingmedia.com/CA


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