archives

o Vivendi Universal Executive Vice Chairman Edgar Bronfman, Jr. Steps Down
o XM Raises $113 Million from Stock Sale; Closes $66 Million Boeing Deal
o Network Commerce Files Patent Claim Against Liquid Audio
o Indie Label Matador Records Licenses Full Catalog to Napster
o Visionik Interactive TV Splits from Agency.com
o Sony Offers PS One Replacement Cables in the Netherlands
o Briefly Noted: Speakeasy.net - Valve Software, Wu-Tang Clan - Mobb Deep
- Zingy ringtones, Alpha Virtual - Oddcast, NYTimes.com - "Lord of the
Rings," AT&T - "bandwidth hogs," Filmmakers - interactive TV
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> Job Postings: Staff Writer, Online Ad Sales Mgr.

> Events/Services: "Third Annual Early Stage Capital Forum," "Marketing
and PR Courses Taught by Journalists," "Avail. for Hire," "Digital Media
Wire Directory," "Shortspan Film & Video Festival"

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

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o Vivendi Universal Executive Vice Chairman Edgar Bronfman, Jr. Steps Down

Paris -- Vivendi Universal announced on Thursday that executive vice
chairman Edgar Bronfman, Jr. has resigned from his executive position to
"seek new business opportunities." Bronfman will remain on the company's
board. "I deeply regret Edgar's decision, but fully understand his
wishes," said Vivendi Universal chairman and CEO Jean-Marie Messier.
Bronfman's family entered the entertainment industry when its Seagram Co.
bought Universal Studios in 1995. His departure means that Universal is no
longer represented in the upper tier at Vivendi Universal. Bronfman said
that despite his announcement, he and his family have no plans to sell
Vivendi Universal shares in 2002.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/011206/62006_1.html
http://www.vivendiuniversal.com
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o XM Raises $113 Million from Stock Sale; Closes $66 Million Boeing Deal

Washington, DC -- XM Satellite Radio, a recently launched satellite radio
subscription service, announced on Thursday that it has raised $112.5
million through a public offering of its stock. The company also closed a
previously announced $66 million funding package from Boeing, with which
it collaborated to build the satellites for its service. In the latter
half of 2001, technology-focused companies have had an extremely difficult
time raising funds through stock sales. XM said the moves should fund its
business plan into the fourth quarter of 2002. The company's
satellite-delivered digital radio service, which includes 100 channels of
music, news and other programming, has been available nationwide since
Nov. 12.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/011206/hsth016_1.html
http://www.xmradio.com
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o Network Commerce Files Patent Claim Against Liquid Audio

Seattle -- Network Commerce, a provider of technology services including
domain registration, hosting, e-commerce and online marketing services,
announced that it has filed a patent infringement claim against
downloadable music distributor Liquid Audio. Seattle-based Network
Commerce's patent covers technology that "allows users to conduct
electronic commerce by using separate servers and a download component to
coordinate the download of information for on-line transactions." The
company, which was delisted from the Nasdaq in August, is seeking
unspecified damages as well as an injunction to stop Liquid Audio from
distributing any software associated with its patent claim. "We needed to
take this action because, despite our notifying Liquid Audio and offering
to license the patent, Liquid Audio would not cease its unauthorized use
of the patented system," said Network Commerce CEO Dwayne Walker. Redwood City-based Liquid Audio provides software that enables websites to sell
downloadable songs.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/011205/sfw104_1.html
http://www.networkcommerce.com
http://www.liquidaudio.com
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o Indie Label Matador Records Licenses Full Catalog to Napster

Redwood City, Calif. -- Napster announced on Thursday that independent
record label Matador Records has licensed its full catalog to the company
for use with its upcoming subscription-based file-sharing service.
Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed, although the deal
does include future Matador releases. Artists on the label whose songs
will be available when Napster re-launches include Belle and Sebastian,
Stephen Malkmus, Mogwai, Cat Power and Yo La Tengo. Matador also recently
licensed its catalog to EMusic to make songs available on that company's
subscription download service. Songs from artists on over 5,000
independent record labels will be available on Napster's new service,
slated to launch sometime next year.
http://search.prnmedia.com/servlet/pressroomsrv?pressid=243239&detail=story
http://www.matadorrecords.com
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o Visionik Interactive TV Splits from Agency.com

Copenhagen -- Visionik Interactive TV, a provider of interactive TV
software and integration services, announced on Thursday that it has split
from consulting firm Agency.com and re-established itself as an
independent company. Copenhagen-based Visionik was merged with Agency.com
in December 1999 and became a separate business unit of the company,
providing iTV services to its clients. As an independent, the company will
continue to design features such as enhanced TV, interactive ads, program
guides, portals and games for clients including Sky Active, Music Choice,
Showtime and DirecTV Latin America.
http://www.visionik.com
http://www.agency.com
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o Sony Offers PS One Replacement Cables in the Netherlands

Tokyo -- Sony will replace cables for 1.3 million PlayStation video game
consoles in the Netherlands, after a judge there ruled to block their sale
because they contained unacceptable levels of the toxic metal cadmium.
"Although we have reservations about the interpretation of the regulations
[by the Dutch authorities], we have begun replacing the cables," a Sony
representative told Reuters. The company also said it will not recall any
previously sold games, and that the cables in question only posed a health
risk if disposed of improperly. Cadmium has been shown to cause kidney
damage, in addition to lung and prostrate cancer in humans.
http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1006-200-8077809.html?tag=cd_mh
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o Briefly Noted:

(Seattle) Broadband access provider Speakeasy.net said on Thursday that it
has partnered with game developer Valve Software to offer a national
broadcast network of live video game coverage. The network's first
broadcast will be from the Counter-Strike World Championships, produced by
the Cyberathlete Professional League this week in Dallas, Texas. The
broadcasts will let up to 80,000 simultaneous users with a PC broadband
connection select matches and watch teams battle one another on their PCs
as if they were playing right alongside. "I think this event will
definitely get more people to recognize competitive gaming as a spectator
sport," said Edward Bender, director of online gaming for Speakeasy.net.
http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/f_headline.cgi?day0/213400182&ticker=
http://www.valvesoftware.com

(New York) Loud Records has partnered with cell phone ringtones and
graphics provider Zingy on a promotion for hip-hop artists Wu-Tang Clan
and Mobb Deep. Three tracks from Wu-Tang's new album "Iron Flag," due Dec.
18, will be made available before the album comes out; two tracks from
Mobb Deep's "Infamy," due Dec. 11, will also be available as ringtones
before consumers can buy the actual tracks at retail. "Technology is
advancing so fast in this day and age, there's no better way to get
involved than through the wireless networks," said Loud Records chairman
Steven Rifkind. "Cell phones are so widely used that ringtones are one of
the best ways to promote our music."
http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/f_headline.cgi?bw.120501/213390442
http://www.zingy.com
http://www.loud.com

(Los Angeles) Los Angeles-based Alpha Virtual, a provider of peer-to-peer
collaboration technology for the Internet, said on Thursday that it will
integrate its software with that of New York-based Oddcast. The
combination will allow users to collaborate with one another in real-time
while using Oddcast's online video mixing and karaoke products. Oddcast's
karaoke software on Vivendi Universal's GetMusic.com lets users download
an instrumental and record their own vocal track on a PC mic, then upload
the finished track for others to hear. "Alpha Virtual provides an added
value as a possible revenue generator enabling us to potentially assess
fees for a club membership which allows users to share experiences with
those of like-minded passions," said Oddcast CEO Adi Sideman.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/011206/lath036_1.html
http://www.alphavirtual.com
http://www.oddcast.com

(New York) The New York Times and NYTimes.com announced on Thursday a new sponsored advertising section for New Line Cinema's upcoming "The Lord of
the Rings" trilogy of films. NYTimes.com will offer weekly-updated
features relating to the film, including the first chapters of J.R.R.
Tolkien's "The Hobbit" and "The Fellowship of the Ring," reviews of the
works from its archives from critics including W.H. Auden, and audio of
Tolkien reading from his works from recordings made in 1952. The online
campaign will be complemented by multiple page ads in certain sections of
the print edition.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/011206/62269_1.html
http://www.nytimes.com/specials/advertising/movies/tolkien/index.html

(San Francisco) CNET reported on Thursday on the "bandwidth hog" former
Excite@Home subscribers who are upset that their maximum bandwidth
allowances have dropped since they were switched to AT&T's high-speed
cable network. The bandwidth hogs or, "power users" as described by AT&T,
typically use their connections to upload many more MP3s or commercial
graphics files than typical users. The top download capacity for AT&T
customers is up to 1.5 Mbps, while former Excite@Home customers told CNET
that they used to be able to get up to 4 Mbps.
http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1004-200-8081284.html

(Los Angeles) The Los Angeles Times offered a feature story Thursday on
how filmmakers are slowly beginning to explore the creative potential of
interactive television features. The article centers on projects developed
for an iTV workshop hosted by the American Film Institute. One example is
a project developed for the PBS series "The New Americans," that would let
users determine the language of the soundtrack to the program directly
from their TV from options including Arabic and Vietnamese.
http://www.latimes.com/technology/custom/techtimes/la-000097014dec06.story?coll=la%2Dtechnology%2Dtech%5Ftimes
http://www.afionline.org/etv
http://www.pbs.org/kcet/newamericans

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

> Staff Writer - Forbes.com - NYC

Forbes.com, the online component of Forbes Magazine, seeks a junior
reporter who has experience covering the business world, and can handle
the daily deadline grind, turning out punchy, opinionated copy on a wide
range of business and financial subjects. Experience on a daily newspaper,
wire service or Web site is a plus, as is experience covering financial
services.
Send cover letter/resume/salary history to Michael Noer: mnoer@forbes.net
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> 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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Events/Services Postings:
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To Post Events/Services: http://www.digitalmediawire.com/events.html

> Third Annual Early Stage Capital Forum - January 31, 2002

Selection Committee is seeking executive summaries from technology
companies throughout the mid-Atlantic looking to raise $300,000 to
$5,000,000. Companies should submit their plans online. Hosted by DC
Technology Council in Partnership with Netpreneur, NVTC, HTM, GBTC and the
Mid-AtlanticVenture Association. To Submit plans go to:
http://www.dctechcouncil.org or Contact escf@wdctech.net
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> Marketing & PR Courses Taught by Journalists, 10% Discount - Worldwide

NEW courses: Ten Ways To Get Editors To Love Your Clients, Print Vs. Web
Publishing and How to Benefit, How To Write Press Releases For The Press
that get noticed, and The Anatomy Of Technical Publication Content - Learn
to influence IT publication content. Courses are taught by Journalists,
who share what caught their eye or made the difference! Contact
info@intellor.com or Visit
http://www.intellor.com/education/channels/?aid=8&source=ptw
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> AVAILABLE FOR HIRE: Latin America Business Dev. & Sales Executive

Senior, seasoned Tri-lingual (English, Spanish & Portuguese) Internet &
New Media business development executive -AVAILABLE FOR HIRE. Equally
competent in US & European market(s), as well as experienced in sales,
organization-building and management efforts, CRM deployment, and truly "a
door opener!"
For more information, contact rswerner@hotmail.com
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> Digital Media Wire Directory Launched

Digital Media Wire just launched the Digital Media Directory, an online
directory and RFP engine that facilitates the search and negotiation
process between buyers and sellers.

Register as a provider in the Digital Media Directory at
http://digitalmediawire.newmediary.com/dmw111301nl
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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:

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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