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Video Game Report Card: Big Retailers Get "A," Specialty Stores "F"

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on November 30, 2006 - 3:09pm.

Washington - The National Institute on Media and the Family (NIMF) has released its annual "Video Game Report Card," giving large retail stores like Wal-Mart and Best Buy an "A" grade for enforcing video game ratings, while specialty retailers -- which include stores like GameStop and Electronics Boutique -- were given a failing grade.

Sony Names Jack Tretton President of U.S. Game Unit

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on November 30, 2006 - 3:07pm.

Tokyo - Sony Computer Entertainment, the unit responsible for the PlayStation and the company's other video game products, announced on Thursday that it has named Jack Tretton as president and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment America, replacing Kaz Hirai, who has been named president and group chief operating officer of Sony Computer Entertainment.

Louisiana Judge Permanently Blocks Violent Video Game Law

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on November 30, 2006 - 3:03pm.

Washington - A federal judge in Louisiana has blocked implementation of a state law that would have banned the sale of violent video games to minors.

Yahoo Rebuffs Google Subpoena for Book-Scanning Project Data

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on November 30, 2006 - 2:59pm.

New York - Yahoo has refused to provide rival Google with information on its book-scanning project, which Google had subpoenaed in the course of its defense of a copyright lawsuit filed by publishers in connection with its own book-scanning project, Bloomberg reported.

Nvidia Takes $127 Million Charge After Stock Options Probe

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on November 30, 2006 - 2:57pm.

Santa Clara, Calif. - Graphics chipmaker Nvidia announced that it will take a $127 million charge over expenses related to an internal probe that revealed irregularities in its stock options granting practices.

Report: "Cyber Monday" Sales Set Single-Day E-Commerce Record

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on November 30, 2006 - 2:56pm.

Reston, Va. - Online retail sales on "Cyber Monday," the first Monday after Thanksgiving, came in better than expected this year, according to new figures from comScore Networks.

Yahoo Debuts Mobile Social Networking Service on Campuses

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on November 30, 2006 - 2:53pm.

Sunnyvale, Calif. - Yahoo has launched a mobile social networking service, allowing members to share photos, videos and text messages on their mobile phones, InformationWeek reported.

The Mixd service will initially be marketed on a number of college campuses, while the company tests the service and gathers feedback.

Electronic Arts Acquires Utah-based Developer Headgate Studios

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on November 30, 2006 - 2:52pm.

Redwood Shores, Calif. - Electronic Arts announced on Thursday that it has acquired Utah-based developer Headgate Studios. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. EA has worked with Headgate since 2000 on titles like "Tiger Woods PGA Tour" and "Madden NFL."

Report: One-Third of U.S. Adults Have Visited TV-Related Websites

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on November 30, 2006 - 2:49pm.

Orlando, Fla. - Broadcasters' and advertisers' efforts to send TV viewers to websites are yielding success, as more than one-third of adults have watched a TV show then engaged in some type of Web activity related to that programming, according to a report from the American Marketing Association.

Redbox Extends DVD Rental Kiosk Deal With McDonald's

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on November 30, 2006 - 2:47pm.

Oakbrook Terrace, Ill. - Redbox, a maker of automated DVD rental kiosks, announced on Thursday that it has signed an agreement to install its machines in McDonald's restaurants, following a successful two-year test.

AT&T Expands Reach of IPTV Service

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on November 30, 2006 - 2:44pm.

Houston - AT&T has expanded its Internet-based TV (IPTV) service U-verse into Houston, joining San Antonio as the second market of availability.

Sling Media Hires MTV Veterans to Run New Group

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on November 30, 2006 - 2:42pm.

San Mateo, Calif. - Sling Media, a developer of digital media products, on Thursday said that it has hired former MTV executives Jason Hirschhorn and Benjamin White to run its newly created Sling Media Entertainment Group.

HD Content Delivery Firm Swarmcast Raises $5 Million

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on November 30, 2006 - 2:39pm.

Minneapolis - Swarmcast, a developer of HD content distribution technology, announced on Thursday that it has raised $5 million in its latest round of venture capital financing, led by Bridge Capital Fund and Nippon Venture Capital.

Media Price Comparison Search Engine Biggerboat Raises $2.5 Million

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on November 30, 2006 - 2:37pm.

Los Angeles - BiggerBoat, the developer of a comparison shopping data search engine for music and movies, has raised more than $2.5 million in its second round of venture capital financing, SocalTech.com reported.

DEMMX: Carriers Move Towards Off-Deck Mobile Phone Content

Authored by Jay Baage on November 30, 2006 - 1:40pm.

From the DEMMX Conference: Today 70-80% of all mobile media revenues in the US is generated from the major carriers on-deck content. According to Anil Malhotra, SVP, Marketing at Bango, the carriers are now finally starting to open up for off-deck content: “Unofficial numbers show that already around 50% of mobile media revenues come from off-deck [content] on days when popular shows such as American Idol is on.”

Vice President, Engineering – Stealth Startup – Los Angeles, CA

Authored by dmw on November 30, 2006 - 12:23pm.

Exciting, fast-growing Los Angeles start-up is expanding its team! Founded by accomplished media and technology executives, this is your chance to join an innovative venture in creating a next-generation, cross-platform media programming service. This is a senior level Vice President, Engineering position that will help shape the company vision and allow you to express your skill, passion, and creativity. Role will encompass ownership and extension of existing 1.0 platform, software design, and some initial hands-on programming, in addition to growing, managing and coordinating the efforts of the engineering team.

Read more

Career Moves: November 30, 2006

Authored by dmw on November 30, 2006 - 11:59am.

Career Moves is made possible by @HIRE.
Sony Computer Entertainment (SCEI) today announced the appointment of Ken Kutaragi, President and Group CEO, as Chairman and Group CEO, and Kaz Hirai, President and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA), as President and Group COO of SCEI, effective December 1, 2006. The company also announced the appointment of Akira Sato, member of the board of directors, as Vice Chairman, and David Reeves, President and CEO and Co-COO of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE), as Deputy President of SCEI in addition to his current responsibility at SCEE, also effective December 1, 2006. Masaru Kato will remain in his current position as Deputy President and Group CFO.

tags: Sony | Career | Moves | Sling Media |

Morning Links: November 30, 2006

Authored by robert on November 30, 2006 - 6:24am.

Sony Game CEO Cedes Day-to-Day Running of Business Unit (AFP)
Sling Media Hires Two Former MTV Digital Execs (R)
On-Demand IPTV Firm Swarmcast Receives $5 Million in Funding
Entertainment Search Site Biggerboat Raises $2.5M in Second Round (SCT)
NFL Makes Play for Live Webcasts (R)
Yahoo Rebuffs Google on Digital Books (NYT)
Britain OKs Radio Transmitters for iPods (AP)
Intuit to Acquire On-Demand Banking Firm Digital Insight for $1.35B (NYT)
Nvidia Ends Options Probe, Takes $127 Million Charge (MacW)
"Saturday Night Live" Rehearsals may be Webcast (HR)
Gamers Test Better Than Textbook Students in History Experiment (USAT)
Regal Arms Moviegoers with Cellphone Busters (R)
Yahoo Quietly Launches Mobile Social-Networking Service (TW)
Battery Ventures Enters Indian Arena (NYT)
Disney: YouTube Needs to Fix Piracy Protections, Now (PCM)
Netflix: Movie Download Market Wide Open (R)
Cellphone Carriers Let Others Sell Mobile Content to Users (WSJ)
$150 Laptop Stirs a Big Debate in Third-World Education (NYT)
Study: Americans Feel Strongly About Online Social Ties, Too (CNET)
Technology Marketers Go Touchy-Feely to Lure New Customers (NYT)
YouTube Investor Buys Agassi’s $20M House After 4-Years on Market (NYT)

tags: Internet | Links |

Top Stories: November 30, 2006

Video Game Report Card: Big Retailers Get "A," Specialty Stores "F"

Sony Names Jack Tretton President of U.S. Game Unit

Louisiana Judge Permanently Blocks Violent Video Game Law

Yahoo Rebuffs Google Subpoena for Book-Scanning Project Data

Nvidia Takes $127 Million Charge After Stock Options Probe

Report: "Cyber Monday" Sales Set Single-Day E-Commerce Record

Yahoo Debuts Mobile Social Networking Service on Campuses

Electronic Arts Acquires Utah-based Developer Headgate Studios

Report: One-Third of U.S. Adults Have Visited TV-Related Websites

Redbox Extends DVD Rental Kiosk Deal With McDonald's

AT&T Expands Reach of IPTV Service

Sling Media Hires MTV Veterans to Run New Group

HD Content Delivery Firm Swarmcast Raises $5 Million

Media Price Comparison Search Engine Biggerboat Raises $2.5 Million

DEMMX: Carriers Move Towards Off-Deck Mobile Phone Content

Vice President, Engineering – Stealth Startup – Los Angeles, CA

Career Moves: November 30, 2006

Morning Links: November 30, 2006

Top Stories: November 29, 2006

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