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November 19, 2004 -- About Us | Advertise | Events | Publications | Subscribe

Main Stories
o iPod Chipmaker PortalPlayer Raises $106 Million in IPO; Shares Climb 52%
o Video Rental Chain Movie Gallery Submits Rival Bid for Hollywood Video
o Google Shares Slip After Revenue Warning
o Yahoo Extends, Expands Relationship with SBC
o MP3 Player Maker Creative Technology Secures $175 Million Loan
o THQ Acquires Aussie Video Game Developer Blue Tongue
o Digital TV Developer Sofia Digital Acquires Interactive TV Firm Outer Rim

 > DMW Announcements:
 --Digital Music Forum - March 2, 2005  
 

o Briefly Noted: Copyright Royalty and Distribution Reform Act, SunnComm - CD kiosks, Tigon Studios - Bryan Singer - "Chronicles of Riddick" sequel, Crave Entertainment - "World Championship Poker," In-Fusio - "Tomb Raider," American Cancer Society - anti-smoking online game, White House dog video, Florida vote irregularities - e-voting machines
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> Job/Event/Marketplace Classifieds:
--Senior Legal Counsel
--Director - Account Management, AudioFeast, Mountain View, CA
--Business Analyst and Enterprise Systems Management Positions
--Sales Reps, Sales Engineers, and Sales Director
--Project Manager and Help Desk Positions
--Product Marketing Manager - SWsoft
--Sr. Acct Mgr, AAA Networks, (Data, Voice, Video Sales)
--The Heiden Group - Sales Reps, Sales Engineers, and Sales Director
--Channel Development Manager
--Product Marketing Manager - Trusted Computer Solutions
--Business Development Director
--Account Manager
--
Practice Leader, CMO Group
--Public Relations Specialist
--New Release: PwC Global Entertainment and Media Outlook: 2004-2008
 


o iPod Chipmaker PortalPlayer Raises $106 Million in IPO; Shares Climb 52%

Santa Clara, Calif. -- PortalPlayer, a maker of chips used in Apple's iPod, saw its shares climb 51.8% to $25.80 as it raised over $106 million in its initial public offering on Friday. The Santa Clara, Calif.-based company originally filed to sell its shares for between $11 and $13, but raised its expectations to $14 to $16 per share on Wednesday. The majority of PortalPlayer's revenue is tied to the success of Apple's iPod, for which it is the sole provider of MP3 decoder chips. The company plans to use proceeds from the offering to repay debt and for general purposes, including working capital.
http://www.portalplayer.com/news-and-events/IPO_111904.htm
http://makeashorterlink.com/?Y318253D9  
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o Video Rental Chain Movie Gallery Submits Rival Bid for Hollywood Video

Dohan, Ala. -- Movie Gallery, the nation's third-largest video store rental chain, announced on Friday that it has submitted its own bid to rival Blockbuster's offer for Hollywood Entertainment Corp., which owns the Hollywood Video rental chain. Alabama-based Movie Gallery, whose stores are prominent in rural and secondary markets, did not disclose how much it offered for Hollywood Entertainment, but it is believed that the company at least matched Blockbuster's $700 million bid for the company made earlier this week. A merger of Movie Gallery and Hollywood Entertainment would still figure as the second-largest rental chain, behind Blockbuster. Movie Gallery CEO Joe Malugen said he believes his company's proposal "presents almost no antitrust risk," adding that "Blockbuster's proposed acquisition would create a dominant player with significant competitive overlap in the vast majority of markets served by Blockbuster and Hollywood Entertainment."
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/041119/clf013_1.html
http://biz.yahoo.com/rb/041119/retail_hollywoodentertainment_3.html
http://www.hollywoodvideo.com 
http://www.moviegallery.com 
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o Google Shares Slip After Revenue Warning

Mountain View, Calif. -- Shares of Google slipped about 3% on Thursday after the search engine giant warned that its revenue growth is likely to slow in the fourth quarter. In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the company said that stiffer competition and an "inevitable" slowdown as the size of its business increases should keep its sequential growth rate below the 15.1% the company experienced from the second to the third quarter. Google also issued a similar warned earlier this week. Google's shares closed down $4.96 to $167.54.
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/041118/google_outlook_7.html 
http://biz.yahoo.com/rb/041118/tech_google_stocks_2.html 
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o Yahoo Extends, Expands Relationship with SBC

Sunnyvale, Calif. -- SBC Communications, a provider of telephone and DSL Internet services, said on Thursday that it has signed a multi-year extension of its alliance with Yahoo to offer co-branded DSL and dial-up services. The companies also unveiled plans to extend the SBC Yahoo brand beyond the PC to home television and audio systems, Cingular wireless phones, SBC Wi-Fi and SBC home networking equipment. The deal will allow consumers to access personalized entertainment and communications content from multiple devices. The first new products developed as part of the expanded alliance will be available in 2005. SBC and Yahoo first announced their alliance in November 2001 and launched co-branded DSL and dial-up services less than a year later.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/041118/185368_1.html 
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o MP3 Player Maker Creative Technology Secures $175 Million Loan

Singapore -- Consumer electronics firm Creative Technology, which makes PC sound cards and a line of MP3 players, announced on Friday that it has secured a five-year, $175 million loan agreement with ten international banks. The company plans to use the proceeds to fund an anticipated growth in working capital requirements arising from the targeted growth in revenue. Creative CEO Sim Wong Hoo said earlier in the week that the company plans to spend $100 million in the near future to market its line of MP3 players. "The MP3 war has started and I am the one who has declared war. I'm planning to spend some serious money -- I intend to outmarket everyone," said Hoo. NPD data indicates Creative currently holds a 9.3% share of the portable digital audio player market, behind rivals Rio (10%) and Apple (41.9%).
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/041119/sff024_1.html
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/041119/creative_technology_loan_1.html
http://www.creative.com 
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o THQ Acquires Aussie Video Game Developer Blue Tongue

Calabasas Hills, Calif. -- Video game publisher THQ announced this week that it acquired Australia-based game developer Blue Tongue. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Blue Tongue developed a game for THQ based on the movie "The Polar Express," and is currently developing two multi-platform titles for release in 2005. The company has also created games based on the big-budget Hollywood films "Starship Troopers" and "Jurassic Park." "Consistent with THQ's strategic objective of utilizing internal development to improve product quality and operating margins, we are pleased to tap into the growing base of development talent in Australia as we continue to build our internal development capabilities," said Steve Dauterman, vice president of product development for THQ Asia Pacific. "Through the acquisition of Blue Tongue, we will now have studio operations in both Brisbane and Melbourne, making THQ the premiere video game developer in the region."
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/041116/166135_1.html 
http://www.bluetongue.com 
http://www.thq.com 
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o Digital TV Developer Sofia Digital Acquires Interactive TV Firm Outer Rim

Helsinki, Finland -- Sofia Digital, a Finland-based digital TV technology company, announced that it has acquired Outer Rim, a Finland-based interactive TV services firm. Financial terms were not disclosed. "Sofia Digital is the number one in Multimedia Home Platform based interactive TV application market," said Sofia Digital CEO Petri Martikainen. "Now we can offer interactive TV services which work on analog as well as digital platforms." The Finnish firm said Outer Rim would be incorporated into Sofia Digital as two separate units: SMS TV Products and Service Operations. Sofia Digital, which announced earlier this week that it closed an investment round with Sentica Partners, provides technologies for interactive TV services, SMS TV games and cross-media content management products for broadcasters, operators, receiver manufacturers and service providers.
http://www.sofiadigital.com/showitem.php?id=101 

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>DMW Events:

 

5th Annual Digital Music Forum
March 2, 2005 | New York City
www.digitalmusicforum.com

The Digital Music Forum has a strong history of attracting leading minds from both content and technology industries for a 1-day executive forum in NYC focused on deal-making and the future of music.  For more information click here.


To submit speakers for or request information about exhibiting or sponsoring at the 2005 conferences, please contact Tinzar Than, VP, Marketing & Events, Digital Media Wire, Inc. at: tinzar@digitalmediawire.com.
 

Past Events | Sponsorship Materials | Partners & Clients


 

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o Briefly Noted:

(Washington) The U.S. House on Thursday passed the Copyright Royalty and Distribution Reform Act (HR 1417), which will effectively eliminate the controversial Copyright Arbitration Royalty Panel (CARP) process for determining what rates websites should pay to record labels and artists for streaming music on the Internet. If the law is signed by President Bush, the U.S. Copyright Office will be charged with appointing a panel of three full-time copyright royalty judges who will determine royalty rates. The Digital Media Association, a group representing webcasters including AOL and Yahoo, praised the bill's passage. "The redesigned royalty arbitration process will be more efficient and produce more consistent decisions than did the old system. As a result, royalty rates will be more fair to all participants -- licensors and licensees," the group said in a statement.
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c108:H.R.1417:
http://www.cbo.gov/showdoc.cfm?index=5948&sequence=0
http://www.digmedia.org

(Phoenix, Ariz.) SunnComm International, a developer of CD copy-protection and other anti-piracy technologies, announced that it has designed technology intended to limit the copying of CDs created at self-service kiosks. Such kiosks are increasingly being deployed to allow customers to browse a digital music library contained on the devices and create mix CDs that are then burned for them on the spot.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/041118/185972_1.html 
http://www.sunncomm.com

(Los Angeles) Actor Vin Diesel's video game development firm Tigon Studios announced this week that it will partner with director Bryan Singer ("X-Men," "The Usual Suspects") on a new video game based that features a Secret Service agent assigned to protect the president, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Diesel also said this week that a sequel to the successful "Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay" video game is being developed, despite lackluster performance of a spin-off movie. Diesel did not provide other details or say whether Tigon, the game's main developer Starbreeze, or publisher Vivendi Universal Games are involved with the sequel.
http://makeashorterlink.com/?A119233D9
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=5539

(Los Angeles) Video game developer Crave Entertainment has released its "World Championship Poker" title for PlayStation 2 and Game Boy Advance. The game allows players to see and challenge each other online using the EyeToy USB camera accessory for PlayStation 2, while an Xbox version due out before the end of the year will enable players from 24 countries to play one another online via Xbox Live.
http://www.cravegames.com

(Bordeaux, France) French mobile game developer In-Fusio announced that it has signed a licensing deal with game developer Eidos to create a mobile version of the company's popular "Tomb Raider" title. Originally developed by Iomo, In-Fusio's version was produced by France-based BeTomorrow and is available for wireless platforms including ExEn, EGE, Java, Symbian, BREW, I-mode and Windows Mobile.
http://corporate.in-fusio.com/corpweb 
http://www.betomorrow.com

(Atlanta) The American Cancer Society this week launched an online game called "Smokeout Cafe," designed to encourage players to stop smoking. Designed by NetPlus Marketing and Singularity Design, the game was created to be offered as part of the Society's Great American Smokeout on Nov. 18.
http://www.netplusmarketing.com 
http://www.singularitydesign.com 
http://www.cancer.org/livefreesmokefree
http://www.nynjevents.org/site/PageServer?pagename=SmokeoutCafeGame

(San Francisco) CNET News.com on Friday reported on a tiff between the White House and online news publishers over the rights to feature the third annual holiday video featuring the President's dog, Barney. Last year, the tongue-in-cheek video drew 24 million visitors to the White House website, and publishers including The Washington Post have complained because the White House has forbidden news sites from posting the video while providing it freely to TV networks. The Post did not say whether it would post the taxpayer-funded video anyway, as copyright law does not protect videos created by an employee "of the United States government as part of that person's official duties."
http://makeashorterlink.com/?H147323D9 
http://www.whitehouse.gov/barney

(Berkeley, Calif.) Researchers at the University of California at Berkeley on Friday announced the results of a statistical analysis of irregular election results in Florida and e-voting machines, which indicates that President Bush may have received up to between 130,000 and 260,000 more votes than he should have received. Bush won Florida by over 350,000 votes. The study did not examine the machines themselves, but rather anomalies in vote tallies in counties using touch-screen machines compared with counties that did not, comparing them with past results from 2000 and 1996. "No matter how many factors and variables we took into consideration, the significant correlation in the votes for President Bush and electronic voting cannot be explained," wrote UC Berkeley sociology professor Michael Hout. The study essentially found that there is only a 1 in 1,000 chance that the vote count anomalies were not somehow related to e-voting machines, and encouraged election officials to look into the matter.
http://ucdata.berkeley.edu
http://www.wired.com/news/evote/0,2645,65757,00.html
http://makeashorterlink.com/?B5F6253D9 
 
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> Classifieds -- Advertise

> Senior Legal Counsel

Role Participate as a member of the content acquisition negotiating team, thinking through all business and legal issues based on a minimum of ten (10) years experience with licensing and distribution of content. Skills/Experience: Previous experience at entertainment/media company specializing in licensing intellectual property. Ability and willingness to participate in identifying and thinking through diverse issues related to launching a new business. Team player with personal skills needed in initiating important new business relationships. Ability to grasp new and changing technology. Existing relationships with entertainment / media industry executives a plus. Additional Skills: Negotiating distribution agreements for programming content including: U.S. copyright licenses International licensing, U.S. and international law governing licensing, understanding of regulatory environment and implications of actions, issues related to licensing and sub-licensing content, rights grant, packaging, pricing, marketing, promotions (including design and registrations paperwork), reporting, advertising and sponsorships, music performance rights, other performance and talent issues (ex: BMI, SAG/Screen Actors Guild), wholesale and retail distribution issues, transmission, security, and transfer issues. Education Requirements: Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science, JD degree. Member of the California Bar. Qualcomm's requisition # D1643408. To apply, go to: http://jobs.qualcomm.com/staffing/Staffing.asp?page=search
Contact Info: Send inquiries to msexton@qualcomm.com
_________________

> Director - Account Management, AudioFeast, Mountain View, CA.

Your job is to assist AudioFeast's www.audiofeast.com worldwide CE partner ecosystem. The Account Manager will be responsible for building strong OEM partner relationships, managing new business opportunities with an understanding of partner's business objectives, and helping AudioFeast align its strategic goals to meet market demands. As the Account Manager you will be the primary person in charge of managing AudioFeast's Consumer Electronics partners and helping fulfill their product, marketing and business needs to build exciting new AudioFeast enabled consumer products. Please send all inquiries to: jobs@audiofeast.com
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> Business Analyst and Enterprise Systems Management Positions

StarTeks has client requirements for an Enterprise Systems Document Management Architect (J2EE)in Northern Virginia. We also seek a Senior IT Business Analyst - Finance (PeopleSoft) in D.C. performing the role of a business liaison for the IT Department. This organization provides a very competitive compensation package as well as excellent benefits. These are full time positions. Send resumes to Careers@Star-Teks.com
_________________

> Sales Reps, Sales Engineers, and Sales Director

The Heiden Group is a retained search and consulting firm that places top performing candidates within its premier technology client base. THG is seeking to place sales professionals with accomplished technology sales, sales engineering and sales mgmt backgrounds. Our clients are currently looking for revenue producers in the following positions: Regional Sales Dir. - Enterprise Software, Account Exec. - Managed Services and more. Please contact us at info@heidengroup.com or go to: http://www.heidengroup.com/highlightedsearches.html
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> Project Manager and Help Desk Positions

OpenAir Technologies, Inc. (http://www.openairtech.com), a nationwide provider of managed IP-PBX systems and advertising on hold solutions for the retail industry, has several Project Management as well as Helpdesk/Customer Service positions open. OpenAir Technologies, Inc. is looking for people with 1-2 years of relevant experience for our Headquarters in Reston, VA. Please send resumes to jobs@openairtech.com
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> Product Marketing Manager - SWsoft

SWsoft is the leading provider of automation and virtualization software for hosting providers, TELCOs/ISPs and enterprises worldwide. We are looking for a Product Marketing Manager to lead and drive the execution of marketing efforts for our hosting software products. Candidate must have a successful and verifiable track record of broad software marketing experience and talent/potential. Compensation package includes salary, quarterly bonus and stock options. Send resumes to: jobs@sw-soft.com (subject "Product Marketing Mgr")
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> Sr. Acct Mgr, AAA Networks, (Data, Voice, Video Sales)

Seeking highly motivated sales people with at least three years sales exp. and a track record of meeting sales objectives. Excellent communication, relationship-building, and presentation skills a must - with minimal supervision. Responsibilities include consultative and solution selling to medium and large companies. Our solutions include Cisco, Microsoft, EMC, NEC, Tandberg and Verizon. Candidate must be able to develop and leverage relationships with technology partners for lead generation and joint sales opportunities. Send resumes to careers@aaanetworks.net
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> The Heiden Group - Sales Reps, Sales Engineers, and Sales Director

The Heiden Group is a retained search and consulting firm that places top performing candidates within its premier technology client base. THG is seeking to place sales professionals with accomplished technology sales, sales engineering and sales mgmt backgrounds. Our clients are currently looking for revenue producers in the following positions: Regional Sales Dir. - Enterprise Software, Account Exec. - Managed Services and more. Please contact us at info@heidengroup.com or go to: http://www.heidengroup.com/highlightedsearches.html
_________________

> Channel Development Manager

An innovative software firm is seeking an experienced professional to develop new accounts with the objective of seeding indirect sales channels with strategic partners. To be a fit for this exciting new opportunity, you must be aggressive and have a track record of successfully creating and growing large revenue streams with Channel/OEM partners and re-sellers. You must be independent, self- motivated, and have demonstrated over-achievement in software sales, with domain experience in the systems performance management space (HP OpenView, NetIQ AppManager, BMC PATROL preferred). Please submit your resume to mmolinas@hirestrategy.com or view this position on the web: http://www.hirestrategy.com/quicklinks/hire226.asp
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> Product Marketing Manager - Trusted Computer Solutions

Responsible for managing the entire product line life cycle from strategic planning to tactical activities specifying market requirements for current and future products by conducting market research supported by on-going visits to customers and non-customers. Driving a solution set across development teams (primarily Development/Engineering, and Marketing Communications) through market requirements, product contract. Send resumes to dromano@trustedcs.com For more info, visit http://www.trustedcs.com
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> Business Development Director

Executes the overall business development strategy. Should possess knowledge of federal contract negotiations relative to the IT field, and be able to position IDC for bidding on large, multi-year opportunities. Will conceptualize and implement a plan to broaden our market base, diversify the business, and apply innovative strategies to increase profitability. Bachelor's degree and 10 yrs exp required. Please e-mail resumes to careers@idc.tv
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> Account Manager

The Account Manager will manage a geographic sales territory
(North-eastern US), based in the greater Washington DC area. He/she will be involved primarily with managing existing customers and new prospects and
selling HP NonStop systems mgmt. solutions to achieve quota results. The qualified candidate should have specific exp. selling software solutions for the
HP NonStop environment, be a highly successful sales rep., have formal
sales training and strong sales process skills and exp. and systems mgmt.
exp. (e.g. CA UniCenter, HP Open View, Tivoli, BMC). Please send resume to
mmolinas@hirestrategy.com or visit
http://www.hirestrategy.com/quicklinks/hire224.asp

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> Practice Leader, CMO Group

Forrester Research is seeking a highly motivated individual for the Practice Leader position in the Forrester Oval Program, The CMO Group, an exclusive executive membership program that offers a valuable combination of peer networking, dedicated analyst access, benchmark data, and member-directed research to select C-level marketing executives. Require: Master's or other advanced degree, Eight to 10 years of progressive work exp. within the marketing industry. Ability to manage a team of professionals in a fast-paced learning environment. Strong analytical, writing, and presentation skills. Experience managing departmental budgets. Please apply online http://www.forrester.com/CareerOpportunities
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> Public Relations Specialist

Public Relations Specialist Min. 5 years PR/management exp. PR
professional to maintain effective communications with media, serve as
main point of contact for PR activites, recommend PR strategy for high-
tech B2B clients, & lead PR account teams. Strong project management
& team-building skills required. Flexible personality desired to manage
clients & teams in an exciting, fast-paced environment. E-mail cover
letter and resume to hr@rmr.com
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> New Release: PwC Global Entertainment and Media Outlook: 2004-2008

PricewaterhouseCoopers Global Entertainment and Media Outlook: 2004-2008 is the leading global entertainment and media industry forecast, including in-depth global analyses and five-year growth projections for 14 industry segments covering every major global region. The complete 550-page book, is available in print or electronic format. The 50 page "Global Overview" (available in print or electronic format)or any of the 14 individual industry segment chapters (electronic format only) can be purchased separately for $95. For sample content and to order, click here.
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About Us
Digital Media Wire, Inc. is a news organization, publisher and events company serving the digital media industry since May 2000. Our daily newsletter delivers original briefings on business, legal and financial developments shaping digital media and read by over 30,000 executives and professionals.

Digital Media Wire, Inc. is part of the Tech Wire Media Group, an international network of publications that includes Digital Media Law Report, Potomac Tech Wire, New England Tech Wire, Southeast Tech Wire, Bay Area Tech Wire, Tri-state Tech Wire and European Tech Wire. The network reaches more than 70,000 individuals from over 70 countries each business day.

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Executive & Editorial Team
Chief Executive Officer: Ned Sherman
VP, Marketing & Events: Tinzar Than
Editor: Mark Hefflinger


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