archives

o Internet Broadcaster Radio Free Virgin Lays Off 58% of Staff
o TiVo Adds New Licensing Unit, Lays Off 40 Employees
o PacketSwitch.com Founder Arrested, Charged with Securities, Tax Fraud
o Report: Networks to Sue Sonicblue's ReplayTV for Copyright Infringement
o SportsLine.com Terminates Acquisition of Fantasy Sports Site Sandbox.com
o Online Ad Firm 24/7 Media to Acquire Rival Real Media
o Adobe Lays Off 5% of Workforce
o Briefly Noted: Electronic Arts - Todd McFarlane, HP Digital
Entertainment Center, Ucentric, Palm - CliffsNotes, Convera - National
Geographic Television, Major League Baseball - streaming video, Snopes.com
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> Job Postings: Online Ad Sales Mgr., Web Research Assistant,
Web Designer

> Events/Services: "CATO: 'Intellectual Property in the Digital
Age'," "Shortspan Film & Video Festival," "FREE Digital Asset Management
Seminar," "CTAM Broadband Opportunity Conference," "Office Space - L.A.,"
"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
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o Internet Broadcaster Radio Free Virgin Lays Off 58% of Staff

Los Angeles -- Radio Free Virgin, a provider of Web radio programming,
confirmed on Wednesday that last week it laid off 58 percent of its staff,
or 15 of its 26 employees. General manager Zack Zalon said that the
layoffs, which came mostly in its content programming department, were "in
response to a shift in current internal business needs." The company is
funded primarily through its parent company, Virgin. A source told Digital
Media Wire that the company's continued operation is based on its
ability to obtain additional outside investors, adding, "I guess a lot of
deals collapsed." The company said it may re-hire some of the laid
off employees on a contract basis, but in the meantime will add staff from
Virgin Entertainment Group. Los Angeles-based Radio Free Virgin joins a
growing list of Internet radio providers that have either laid off or
stopped streaming in recent weeks. Sonicnet.com ended its personalized
radio service last week, and recent shutdowns include NetRadio and
ClickRadio. Radio giant Clear Channel laid off most of its Internet
division, moving Web radio operations back to the individual radio
stations it owns, and independent firm Live 365 laid off about a third of
its staff to cut costs.
http://www.radiofreevirgin.com
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o TiVo Adds New Licensing Unit, Lays Off 40 Employees

San Jose, Calif. -- TiVo, a manufacturer of digital video recorder devices
that allow viewers to pause and record live television, announced on
Wednesday the creation of a new business unit whose focus will be
licensing the company's technology to third parties. The company also
announced it has restructured some of its other operations, resulting in
the laying off of 40 employees. San Jose-based TiVo appointed senior vice
president of engineering and service operations Ta-Wei Chien head of the
new Technology Business Unit. TiVo formed the unit as a result of deals
such as Sony's licensing of its technology earlier this month.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/011031/sfw038_1.html
http://www.tivo.com
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o PacketSwitch.com Founder Arrested, Charged with Securities, Tax Fraud

San Jose, Calif. -- Steven Ristau, the founder and former president of
wireless video delivery firm PacketSwitch.com, was arrested on Friday and
charged with securities and tax fraud, The San Jose Mercury News reported.
PacketSwitch.com was under investigation by the SEC, which alleged Ristau
and the company bilked 700 investors out of $3.7 million. Ristau allegedly
gave fraudulent demonstrations to potential investors of high-quality
video, supposedly transmitted wirelessly from 12 miles away; charges
indicate the signal came from a transmitter hidden in the ceiling. The
Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office has charged Ristau with nine
felony counts. If convicted, he could face 18 years in prison and $10
million in fines.
http://www.siliconvalley.com/docs/news/depth/pkt103001.htm
http://www.sec.gov/litigation/litreleases/lr17065.htm
http://www.packetswitch.com
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o Report: Networks to Sue Sonicblue's ReplayTV for Copyright Infringement

New York -- Major networks including CBS, ABC and NBC are planning to file
suit against personal video recorder manufacturer ReplayTV, according to a
report in trade publication Broadcasting and Cable. At issue is the
ReplayTV device's "30-second button" to skip through commercials, which
could affect advertisers, and a function on the newest version of the
device -- the ReplayTV 4000 -- that allows users to share recorded
programs with other ReplayTV 4000 owners across the Internet. Broadcasting
and Cable quoted insiders as saying a "multi-million dollar suit" will be
filed in a Los Angeles court by the end of the week.
http://www.tvinsite.com/broadcastingcable/index.asp?layout=story&doc_id=54083&display=breakingNews
http://www.replaytv.com/partners_products/replaytv.htm
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o SportsLine.com Terminates Acquisition of Fantasy Sports Site Sandbox.com

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. -- SportsLine.com, the publisher of TV network CBS's
CBS SportsLine.com, announced on Wednesday that it has terminated its
previously announced agreement to acquire Sandbox.com, a provider of
online fantasy sports games. Florida-based SportsLine.com said its
decision was based on Virginia-based Sandbox.com's "breach of certain
representations and covenants in the acquisition agreement."
SportsLine.com currently produces the fantasy sports games -- which allow
players to compete in hypothetical sports "seasons" based on real-life
player statistics -- for NFL.com, MLB.com, the AOL service and CNNSI.com,
in addition to those of CBS SportsLine.com.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/011030/fltu017_1.html
http://www.sandbox.com
http://www.sportsline.com
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o Online Ad Firm 24/7 Media to Acquire Rival Real Media

New York -- Internet marketing firm 24/7 Media announced that it will
acquire Real Media, another online ad firm, in an all-stock transaction
valued at approximately $1.9 million. The new company will be called 24/7
Real Media, and will be headquartered in New York. PubliGroupe, formerly
New York-based Real Media's largest shareholder, will own 15 percent of
the new company, and will commit an undisclosed amount of new financing to
24/7 Real Media. The company said the merger will create the largest
online ad network, and follows similar consolidation in the struggling
online advertising industry -- including DoubleClick's recent purchase of
the technology assets of L90.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/011030/302576_1.html
http://www.247media.com
http://www.realmedia.com/
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o Adobe Lays Off 5% of Workforce

San Jose, Calif. -- Adobe Systems, a provider of Web publishing, video
editing and e-book software, announced that it will lay off 150 employees
-- about 5 percent of its total workforce -- and lowered its projected
earnings for the fourth quarter of this year. "At this point in the
quarter, it is clear that the economic impact from events of the past two
months is having an adverse effect on Adobe's business," said Adobe CEO
Bruce R. Chizen." San Jose-based Adobe's products include design software
such as Photoshop and Illustrator, video editing programs including
Premiere and After Effects, and the PDF document rendering software
Acrobat.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/011030/300608_1.html
http://www.adobe.com
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o Briefly Noted:

(Redwood City, Calif.) Game developer Electronic Arts announced on
Wednesday that it has signed an agreement with Todd McFarlane, creator of
the "Spawn" comic book animated series, to create characters exclusively
for the latest version of Ultima Online, the company's massively
multiplayer online roleplaying game. Redwood City-based Electronic Arts
has also commissioned McFarlane to create two comic books based on the
Ultima Online, as well as six action figures through his McFarlane Toys
company.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/011031/310300_1.html
http://www.uo.com
http://www.spawn.com/mctoys_home.html

(Palo Alto, Calif.) Hewlett-Packard announced on Wednesday that it has
shipped its Digital Entertainment Center to retailers. The $999
Web-enabled device connects to a home stereo and/or television and can
download and burn MP3s to CD and also access Internet radio. The Digital
Entertainment Center will be sold at Best Buy and select Circuit City
stores.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/011031/310298_1.html
http://www.bestbuy.com/detail.asp?e=11082998&m=488&cat=0&scat=0

(Maynard, Mass.) Ucentric, a provider of home networking software,
announced that it has added personal video recorder technology to its
product offering. The company's software connects TVs, stereos, PCs and
telephones in the home to one another and to the Internet. The personal
video recorder technology integrated by Ucentric lets viewers record and
store digital copies of TV shows, and play them back with VCR-like
functionality. Massachusetts-based Ucentric's software is currently in
trials with cable TV operators Comcast and Rogers Cable.
http://www.ucentric.com/index.php?news/releases/23

(Santa Clara, Calif.) Palm, a developer of handheld computers, announced
on Wednesday the availability of the first e-book versions of CliffsNotes,
published by Hungry Minds. CliffsNotes offer a very abridged version of
the plots of classic literature, as well as test preparation texts. Palm
Digital Media released 30 titles on Wednesday and expects a total of 100
to be available in November. The e-book CliffsNotes will cost $4.95 and
can be downloaded to devices running Palm Reader software.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/011031/sfw046_1.html
http://www.palm.com/ebooks

(Vienna, Va.) Convera, a provider of digital asset management software and
services, said on Wednesday that National Geographic Television will use
its products to digitize and index its analog film library. In total,
about 4,000 hours of video from National Geographic's archives will be
accessible by employees for editing or re-purposing via a Web-based
interface. National Geographic will try to monetize its library by making
the searchable index available on its website.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/011031/312078_1.html
http://www.convera.com

(San Francisco) CNET published a feature article on Wednesday about Major
League Baseball's preparations to begin streaming live video of all of its
games on the Web next season. The webcasts will mark the first time that a
major sports league has offered an alternative to television for watching
games, which concerns many TV advertisers. "This protectionist stance is
misguided," said Forrester Research analyst Eric Scheirer. "Internet
distribution can effectively complement televised coverage -- and attract
its own audience and attendant revenues."
http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1005-200-7716497.html?tag=cd_pr
http://www.mlb.com

(San Francisco) Online magazine Salon.com offered a feature story
Wednesday on Snopes.com, a website devoted to debunking urban legends
spread across the Internet. The site's owners, Barbara and David
Mikkelson, investigate rumors such as "Osama bin Laden owns Snapple" and
"Ironing your mail will kill any deadly anthrax spores lurking inside,"
and either confirms or denies them on their website.
http://www.salon.com/tech/feature/2001/10/31/snopes/index.html
http://www.snopes.com

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

> Internet Advertising Sales Manager, gantthead.com, Fairfax VA

Are you passionate about the Internet as a B2B advertising medium? We have
too many leads to pursue and need you if: you have 2+ yrs exp. selling
Internet advertising (required); BA/S degree; B2B agency/account contacts;
you can identify, pursue, and close deals. Creative, autonomous work
environment. Generous package: salary, commission, benefits.
Please send resume to: gina@gantthead.com. EOE, M/F/V/D.
For more information, see http://www.gantthead.com/Gantthead/jobs
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> Katrillion, Web Research Assistant - Fort Lee, New Jersey

CityConnect, the first national city event guide for teens available on
all web and wireless platforms, is looking for an events-locating
super-sleuth to find content for posting on the web. The ideal candidate
must be -- able to find current information that may not be readily
available, a recent college grad, and possess a passion for pop culture
and teen trends. Internet savvy plus strong writing skills are essential.
Send resume and salary requirements to: ccstaff@katrillion.com
http://www.katrillion.com/cityconnect.com
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> Bookspan, Web Designer - Long Island, New York

BOOKSPAN is seeking a Web Designer with preferably 1-2 years experience
for a freelance position (possible temp-to-hire). Work with a Sr. Designer
on the design of all-new web sites from top to bottom. PhotoShop,
Illustrator, hand-code HTML, and aptitude to learn proprietary
content-management software are an absolute must. Send resume in plain
text with URLs of your work, and list the three best-looking content or
e-commerce based sites you can find to: jgiannetti@booksonline.com
http://www.booksonline.com

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

> CATO CONFERENCE: Intellectual Property in the Information Age

Join the Cato Institute and Forbes ASAP for a comprehensive look at the
future of intellectual property in the digital economy. Speakers include
John Perry Barlow, Electronic Frontier Foundation; Rep. Rick Boucher
(D-Va.); and Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.). Wednesday, November 14, 2001 at
the Cato Institute in Washington, D.C. from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For
more information or to register, visit
http://www.cato.org/events/futureip
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> SHORTSPAN Film & Video Festival, FINAL DATES

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. The remaining dates on the tour include:

ATLANTA, GA: GSU Cinefest Theatre, Nov. 2-3, 10:00 PM
AUSTIN, TX: The Alamo Draft House, Downtown, Nov. 7-8, 9:30 PM
PITTSBURGH, PA: Pittsburgh Filmmakers, Nov. 16-18, Time TBA
NEW YORK CITY, NY: The Anthology Film Archives, Dec. 7-8, 9:30 PM
BIRMINGHAM, AL: WorkPlay, Dec. 20, 9:00 PM

More info: http://www.dreamspan.com/shortspan
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> FREE Seminar - A Foolproof Business and an Invincible Brand

A Digital Asset Management seminar introducing proven strategies for
strengthening global brands, improving productivity, enhancing
communication and increasing revenues. Artesia's experience with global
brands such as GM, AOL Time Warner and others has given us unprecedented
insight into how organizations can improve brand-building activities. For
more information: insidesales@artesia.com
http://www.artesia.com/seminar/
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> CTAM Broadband Opportunity Conference, Nov. 6-8 -- Tysons Corner, VA

Get the FYI on HSI and iTV at CTAM's Broadband Opportunity Conference Nov
6-8, Sheraton Premiere Tysons Corner. Keynote speakers: Maggie Bellville,
Incanta; Christopher P. Bogart, Time Warner Cable Ventures; Charles F.
Dolan, Cablevision Systems Corporation & Steve Wadsworth, The Walt Disney
Internet Group. Call CTAM at 703.549.4200. For more information contact:
tania@ctam.com
http://www.ctambroadband.com
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> Office Space For Rent - Los Angeles

Prime Sunset Boulevard location. Approx. 588 sq ft. Second floor, spacious
two + offices with private bathroom. Convenient parking. Recently
renovated. Quiet, nice work environment. Other tenants in building are
primarily entertainment and new media companies. DSL-ready. Rent is $1,175
per month.
For more information, please call 323-363-3620.
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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