archives

o MusicNet Stakeholder EMI Licenses Catalog to Rival Pressplay Service
o Internet Analyst and Measurement Firm Jupiter Lays Off 30% of Staff
o Personal Video Recorder Tech Developer Files Patent Claim Against TiVo
o Digital Entertainment Device Chipmaker Cirrus Logic Lays Off 300
o Primedia Digital Video Forms Joint Venture with HowStuffWorks
o Music Recommendation Firm AgentArts Raises New Funding
o Briefly Noted: NARM - IFPI, NSync CD - copy-protection, Internet
Streaming Media Alliance, Concurrent Computer Corp. - Mediacom, Zenith -
Triveni Digital - PBS, Plexifilm, MovieTickets.com - Yahoo, ECast -
Fonovisa, Google - Universo Online, Radio Free Virgin - ArtistDirect,
MP3.com
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> Job Postings: Dance Music Mktg/BizDev, General Mgr., Ad Sales Mgr.,
Online Editor, Marketing Associate

> Events/Services: "Silicon Alley Community Meeting," "SHORTSPAN Film
& Video Festival, Northern U.S./SoCal Tours, Oct. 10-23,"
"Digital Media Revolution in the Americas"

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 MusicNet Stakeholder EMI Licenses Catalog to Rival Pressplay Service

New York -- Major record company EMI Recorded Music said on Tuesday that
it has licensed its catalog of songs to Pressplay, a digital music
subscription service being created by Sony Music and Universal Music
Group. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. EMI also holds a
minority stake in and has licensed its songs to MusicNet, a rival service
developed by RealNetworks, America Online, Warner Music and BMG. The
agreement between EMI and Pressplay marks the first cross-licensing
between the two services, both of which are slated to launch within weeks.
"There is clearly huge demand for music delivered digitally and we want to
support as many innovative and competing online music services as
possible," said Jay Samit, senior vice president of new media for EMI
Recorded Music.
http://www.pressplay.com/pressrelease20011002.html
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o Internet Analyst and Measurement Firm Jupiter Lays Off 30% of Staff

New York -- Jupiter Media Metrix, an Internet analyst and measurement
firm, announced on Tuesday a restructuring plan that will result in the
company laying off 30 percent of its staff, or 180 of its 600 employees.
Jupiter did not indicate in which divisions or offices the layoffs would
fall. The company also announced that Kurt Abrahamson, previously group
president of the company's U.S. business, will now assume the role of
president of Jupiter Research. New York-based Jupiter said the changes
will "increase the company's customer focus, protect and leverage its core
assets, and lead the company to profitability." The restructuring is
expected to save the company an estimated $40 million annually.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/011002/nytu073_1.html
http://www.jmm.com
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o Personal Video Recorder Tech Developer Files Patent Claim Against TiVo

Boston, Mass. -- Pause Technology, a developer of personal video recorder
technology, announced that it has filed patent infringement claims against
TiVo, a manufacturer of personal video recorders -- devices that allow
viewers to pause and record live digital television. Boston-based Pause
Technology's patent, which was originally issued in 1995 and reissued in
2000, relates to a "Time Delayed Digital Video System Using Concurrent
Recording and Playback." The system "allows viewers to pause live TV,
replay portions of a program while it is being recorded, and fast-forward
through recorded segments to 'catch up' to a live broadcast being
recorded." Earlier this year, Motorola became the first company to license
Pause's technology through its licensing arm Gotuit Media, for use in its
forthcoming set-top boxes with built-in personal video recorder
functionality.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/011002/nytu026_1.html
http://www.pausetechnology.com/patent.html
http://www.tivo.com
_____________________________________________

o Digital Entertainment Device Chipmaker Cirrus Logic Lays Off 300

Austin, Texas -- Cirrus Logic, a developer and manufacturer of chips used
in digital entertainment devices, announced that it will lay off 30
percent of its staff, or 300 employees, as part of cost reduction efforts
the company says will save it $15 to $20 million a year. Austin-based
Cirrus Logic has recently shifted its focus to making chips used in
digital entertainment devices; the company formerly also designed chips
for hard disk drives. The company cited the "current market outlook" as
reasoning for its cost reduction plan.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/011001/11374_1.html
http://www.cirrus.com
_____________________________________________

o Primedia Digital Video Forms Joint Venture with HowStuffWorks

New York -- Primedia Digital Video, a unit of publishing company Primedia,
announced on Tuesday the formation of a joint venture with HowStuffWorks,
a producer of "how-to" videos related to computers, cars, science and
technology, health, entertainment, home repair and transportation. The
venture, called HSW Video, will produce programming for TV, the Internet
and other outlets from Primedia Productions' studios in Dallas, Texas.
"This new venture will enable us to create video programming for
television, cable, Internet, interactive TV, home video, corporate
training and videos and e-learning application," said Marshall Brain,
chairman and founder of HowStuffWorks.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/011002/20692_1.html
http://www.howstuffworks.com
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o Music Recommendation Firm AgentArts Raises New Funding

San Francisco -- AgentArts, a developer of music recommendation software
based on user observation, announced that it has raised an undisclosed
amount in its latest financing round. Amtabity LLC led the investment;
Amphion Capital Management, Tinshed and Aegis Partners also participated.
San Francisco-based AgentArts' clients include EMusic, a subsidiary of
Vivendi Universal, music database provider Gracenote, and Asian
telecommunications firm Telstra. The funds will be used for further
product development and for marketing.
http://www.agentarts.com
_____________________________________________

o Briefly Noted:

(Marlton, N.J.) Newsbytes on Tuesday reported on the National Association
of Recording Merchandisers' (NARM) reaction to a recent claim that
computer-based CD piracy is to blame for a 5 percent drop in global
recorded music sales. The statement came from the International Federation
of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), an international version of the
Recording Industry Association of America. NARM -- a group of retailers
including Wal-Mart, Best Buy and Sam Goody -- argues that the record
labels have failed to offer consumers appealing alternatives to
file-sharing and "burning" CDs on their computers. "Instead of offering
either singles or downloads through legitimate retailers, they offer
neither, and simply increase the price on CDs," said NARM president Pamela
Horovitz. "Retailers could have been competing with CD-burning and file
sharing if they had been given the chance."
http://www.newsbytes.com/news/01/170698.html
http://www.narm.com

(London) Zomba Records has released versions of NSync's album "Celebrity"
with varying levels of copy-protection to prevent unauthorized duplication
of its tracks, NewScientist.com reported on Tuesday. The German release of
the CD features a sticker saying, "this CD is not playable on computers,"
with the U.S. version containing weaker protection and the U.K. version
none at all. The article goes on to describe which versions were playable
on a number of devices, including normal PCs, non-PC CD copiers,
SuperAudio CD players and normal CD players.
http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99991367

(Mountain View, Calif.) The Internet Streaming Media Alliance (ISMA), a
non-profit group of technology developers working on a common standard to
eliminate varying streaming media formats, announced on Tuesday the
release of its first specification, ISMA 1.0. One part of the
specification relates to streaming on wireless and narrow band networks to
devices that have limited viewing and audio capabilities, such as cell
phones or PDAs. The other addresses streaming over broadband networks to
set-top boxes and PCs. Members of the Mountain View-based ISMA include
Apple, IBM, Sun, Philips, AOL Time Warner, PacketVideo and Thomson
Multimedia.
http://ism-alliance.org/cgi-bin/phtm/prlist.pl?9986

(Atlanta, Ga.) Concurrent Computer Corp., a provider of video-on-demand
technology, announced on Tuesday that Mediacom, the nation's
eighth-largest cable TV operator, will use its technology to deploy
video-on-demand services to its subscribers. Atlanta-based Concurrent's
system is being deployed on Motorola DCT-2000 set-top boxes, and will be
made available to 2.6 million homes in 23 states.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/011002/20344_1.html
http://www.ccur.com
http://www.mediacomcc.com

(Lincolnshire, Ill.) Consumer electronics maker Zenith Electronics Corp.
and digital TV firm Triveni Digital have partnered with PBS (Public
Broadcasting Service) to offer a new interactive TV series over
terrestrial digital TV, cable and satellite. PBS will use Triveni
Digital's technology to insert interactive content into episodes of "Life
360." The programming will be delivered to homes supplied with Zenith
set-top boxes, built to the Advanced Television Enhancement Forum (ATVEF)
specification. Illinois-based Zenith is providing the devices to 100 homes
in Trenton, San Francisco, Milwaukee, Denver and Boston.
http://www.pbs.org/opb/life360/six_degrees/index.html
http://www.atvef.com
http://www.trivenidigital.com
http://www.zenith.com

(New York) Plexifilm, a New York-based DVD production and distribution
firm, on Tuesday announced the launch of the company. Plexifilm was
founded by former Salon.com vice president of broadband Gary Hustwit, and
is staffed by former employees of DVD publisher The Criterion Collection
and indie film producer The Shooting Gallery.
http://www.plexifilm.com

(Hollywood, Calif.) Online ticketing and information service
MovieTickets.com announced on Tuesday an agreement with Web portal Yahoo
to provide online ticket sales through Yahoo Movies. Hollywood-based
MovieTickets.com offers online ticket sales, and in some cases
print-at-home ticketing for theaters owned in the U.S. and Canada by AMC
Theatres, Famous Players, Hoyts Cinemas, Marcus Theatres, Muvico Theaters
and National Amusements.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/011002/fltu006_1.html
http://movies.yahoo.com
http://www.movietickets.com

(San Francisco) ECast, a provider of content distribution services to
Internet-connected entertainment devices, announced on Tuesday that it has
partnered with Latin music label Fonovisa. The agreement will add Fonovisa
songs to the catalog available to businesses using San Francisco-based
ECast Internet-connected digital jukeboxes.
http://www.ecastinc.com
http://www.fonovisa.com

(Mountain View, Calif.) Search engine provider Google announced on Tuesday
that it has partnered with Latin American Internet service provider
Universo Online (UOL) to provide search capabilities to UOL users. UOL
claims over 1.1 million users in 200 Brazilian cities, with additional
operations in Argentina, Mexico, Venezuela and Colombia.
http://www.google.com
http://www.uol.com

(Los Angeles) Web radio programming provider Radio Free Virgin said on
Tuesday that it has partnered with Los Angeles-based ArtistDirect, a
provider of artist fan sites that provide a means of purchasing
merchandise and receiving information on bands. The agreement will allow
Radio Free Virgin listeners to click through and purchase goods on
ArtistDirect pages related to an artist they hear on Radio Free Virgin.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/011002/20541_1.html
http://www.artistdirect.com
http://www.radiofreevirgin.com

(San Diego) MP3.com, a subsidiary of Vivendi Universal, announced on
Tuesday that it has appointed former chief operating officer Derrick R.
Oien to the position of president of the company. Former MP3.com president
Robin Richards was promoted to CEO when Michael Robertson announced he
would step down to pursue a new start-up; Robertson still serves as a
"special adviser" to Vivendi Universal chairman and CEO Jean-Marie
Messier.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/011002/latu106_1.html

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

> Dance Music Marketing/Business Development Pioneer

Needed: BizDev trailblazer with experience in the independent electronic
music industry, to spearhead a unique and rapidly developing music
subscription service. Must understand what's new and good in the dance
music world, niche brand marketing, and why people still crave 12 inch
records. Please send a short bio (including last 5 CDs purchased) to
ajobforme@mindspring.com
______________________

> CyberRep, General Manager- Coos Bay, OR

Lead the activities associated with the management of all departments
within the Customer Interaction Center. This includes the analysis and
review of the day-to-day operations, risk assessment planning, P&L
management, and budget review.
Send resumes to pmadison@cyberrep.com
http://www.cyberrep.com
______________________

> FierceMarkets, Ad Sales Manager - Washington, DC

Fast-growing online publisher seeks smart, creative self-starters to drive
our ad sales effort. Candidates should have a proven sales track record
with at least two years of experience. Come join the fun! Send resumes to
jeff@fiercemarkets.com
http://www.fiercemarkets.com
______________________

> American Express Publishing, Online Editor - New York City

Leading travel magazine seeks an Online Editor responsible for all site
production, in addition to editing, writing and proofreading copy for
various areas of the site; working with magazine editors to create
customized online content; writing a weekly newsletter; scheduling and
conducting online chats with writers and editors; planning ways to enhance
site design & architecture, increasing traffic, facilitating e-commerce
and improving user experience. Send resumes to angelaaexp@aol.com
______________________

> 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 at
least 6 months exp. in Internet advertising/marketing.
Send resumes to: marketingjobs@bluefly.com
http://www.bluefly.com

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

> Silicon Alley Community Meeting, October 3, 2001 - New York City

In response to the recent terrorist attacks in New York City, The New York
Software Industry Association (NYSIA) is hosting a Silicon Alley Community
Meeting on "Relief, Recovery, and Rebuilding" for all displaced and
affected companies in New York's technology community. This meeting will
offer "one stop shopping" for displaced companies. For more information,
please contact: nchen@nysia.org
http://www.nysia.org/community_meeting.cfm
______________________

> SHORTSPAN Film & Video Festival, Northern U.S./SoCal Tours, Oct. 10-23

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.

CHICAGO, IL: Columbia College - Oct. 10 - 7PM
BOSTON, MA: Boston University - Oct. 10 - Call for times
BROOKLINE, MA: Coolidge Corner Theatre - Oct. 12-18
WASHINGTON, D.C.: The Lucky Bar - Oct. 23 - 8PM

HOLLYWOOD, CA: The American Cinematheque - Oct. 17 - 7:30PM
SAN DIEGO, CA: San Diego Museum of Art - Oct. 18 - 7:30PM

For more info: http://www.dreamspan.com/shortspan
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> 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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Copyright 2001 Digital Media Wire