Archives

Atari Names Jim Wilson as New CEO

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 31, 2008 - 1:07pm.

New York - Video game publisher Atari (NASD: ATAR) announced that it has named Jim Wilson as its CEO. He replaces Curtis G. Solsvig III, who has served as "chief restructuring officer" since October. Wilson has more than 15 years of executive management experience with video game and entertainment companies, including Vivendi Universal Games, Universal Interactive Studios, and Sony Wonder/Sony BMG.

tags: Games | Atari | Moves |

Microsoft to Debut Original Shows for Xbox Live This Summer

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 31, 2008 - 1:06pm.

Los Angeles - Microsoft (NASD: MSFT) will launch its first original programming for the Xbox 360 this summer, when it debuts six series produced by Safran Digital that can be downloaded to the game console via the online Xbox Live service, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Safran Digital CEO Peter Safran would not comment for THR on the titles or subject matter of the programs. "We had a very specific idea that we knew worked for a core audience. Xbox clearly has this exact same demographic," Safran told THR.

Alicia Keys' "No One" First "Gold" Certified Ringback Tone

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 31, 2008 - 1:04pm.

New York - Sony BMG's (NYSE: SNE) RCA Music Group announced on Monday that Alicia Keys' "No One" has become the first ringback tone to be certified "Gold," representing sales of over 500,000 copies. A ringback tone plays when a caller dials your cell phone number -- instead of the usual ringing. RCA added that the song has also sold over 2 million master recording ringtones, and that Keys has sold over 4.3 million mobile downloads since the end of last year.

Ad-supported SpiralFrog Signs Warner/Chappell Music

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 31, 2008 - 1:03pm.

New York - SpiralFrog, a free, ad-supported music download service, announced on Monday that it has signed a licensing deal with music publishing firm Warner/Chappell Music. In order to offer Warner Music Group (NYSE: WMG) songs, however, the company will need to secure a separate deal with the label itself.

Sony, AT&T to Debut Mobile Movie Channel

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 31, 2008 - 11:20am.

Los Angeles - Sony Pictures Television (NYSE: SNE) has signed a deal with wireless carrier AT&T (NYSE: T) and mobile TV firm MediaFLO USA, a unit of Qualcomm (NASD: QCOM), to launch the first linear mobile movie network in the U.S., according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Danish Telco Launches Free, Unlimited Music Downloads

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 31, 2008 - 11:02am.

London - Scandinavian telco TDC on Monday announced the launch of a free, unlimited music download service, with all costs to the recording industry to be picked up by the telco.

Yahoo Launches "Shine" Women's Site

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 31, 2008 - 10:00am.

Sunnyvale, Calif. - Yahoo (NASD: YHOO) on Monday launched Yahoo Shine, a new website focused on the daily lives of women. The site will feature content from publishers including Conde Nast and Hearst, as well as content from Yahoo's own Food, Astrology, Health and other sites.

Yahoo Shine

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 31, 2008 - 10:00am.
Yahoo Shine

Live Nation Signs 12-Year Deal with U2

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 31, 2008 - 9:02am.

Los Angeles - Concert promoter and live venue owner Live Nation (NYSE: LYV) announced on Monday that it has signed a 12-year contract to handle touring, merchandising and the website for Irish rock band U2. Unlike Live Nation's estimated $120 million, 10-year deal with Madonna, which covers touring as well as three albums, U2's longstanding relationship with Universal Music for recording and also publishing is not affected by the Live Nation deal.

tags: Deals | Music | Live Nation | U2 |

Live Nation logo

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 31, 2008 - 9:02am.
Live Nation logo

Capcom Buys "Tenchu" Developer K2, Acquires MotoGP Rights

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 31, 2008 - 8:41am.

Tokyo - Japanese video game publisher Capcom announced that it will acquire fellow game developer K2, creators of the "Tenchu" series.

Video Services Firm MediaXstream Secures $10 Million

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 31, 2008 - 8:27am.

San Jose, Calif. - MediaXstream, a new venture that provides "carrier-neutral, high-quality transport and managed network services for the production and broadcast industries," announced on Monday that it has closed a $10 million first round of funding, led by Constellation Ventures.

Reality Digital Lands $6.3 Million for Social Media Tools

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 31, 2008 - 8:18am.

San Francisco - Reality Digital, a provider of brand-focused social media services for businesses, announced on Monday that it has raised $6.3 million in its second round of venture funding from OpenView Venture Partners.

Web Video Producer For Your Imagination Raises $1 Million

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 31, 2008 - 8:07am.

New York - For Your Imagination, a New York-based developer of original Web video series and podcasts, announced that it has received an additional $1 million in seed funding from ConsensusOne Ventures, and will partner with the firm to raise its first round of venture capital.

Online Ad Network Undertone Gets Investment from JMI Equity

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 31, 2008 - 7:51am.

New York - Undertone Networks, a premium online advertising network and unit of Intercept Interactive, announced on Monday that it has received a strategic investment from JMI Equity.

Audio Mashup Firm Razz Receives $1.87 Million

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 31, 2008 - 7:36am.

San Francisco - Razz, a provider of audio mashup technology for the Web and mobile phones, has received $1.87 million of a $2.5 million second round of financing, PEHub.com reported.

Project Agape Gets $5 Million for Online Political/Social Activism

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 31, 2008 - 7:27am.

Berkeley, Calif. - Project Agape, which is developing "a platform for large-scale political and social activism on the Internet," has raised $5 million in its second round of venture capital financing, PEHub.com reported, citing a regulatory filing.

Publish2 Raises $2.75M for Online News Aggregation Site

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 31, 2008 - 7:14am.

Reston, Va. - Publish2, the developer of an online news aggregation platform, said on Monday that it has raised $2.75 million in its first round of funding from Velocity Interactive Group.

Game Developer Realtime Worlds Lands $50 Million

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 31, 2008 - 6:56am.

Dundee, Scotland - Scotland-based video game developer Realtime Worlds has raised a $50 million third round of financing led by Maverick Capital, TechCrunch reported, citing a source with knowledge of the deal.

Social Net Buzznet Raises Funds, Acquires Music Firm Qloud

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 31, 2008 - 6:42am.

Los Angeles - Buzznet, a music-focused social media site, has raised as much as $25 million in its third round of financing, from investors including Universal's Interscope Records, PaidContent reports.