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Myriad new opportunities for content creators
The Variety Entertainment &Technology Summit addressed the online digital world, and Mel Lambert reports on how content creators are grasping the opportunities.
Anthony Zuiker, creator of the CSI franchise and the new BlackBoxTV channels on YouTube, keynoted at the summit, which took place against a backdrop of recent change in the landscape of digital-delivery mechanisms that utilize the internet and other OTT topologies, and highlighted the myriad new opportunities that exist for content creators.
Volfoni gets Disney nod for new 3D system
French 3D equipment specialist, Volfoni, has announced the launch of its first full-scale passive 3D system, SmartCrystal Cinema, which was recently approved by Disney. “We are proud to have our products approved by Walt Disney Studios,” said Volfoni CEO Thierry Henkinet. “As a company, they are known for their strict adherence to quality and professionalism.” said Thierry Henkinet, CEO of Volfoni.
Continue reading »Key appointments for software security specialist
Arxan Technologies, a provider of software security solutions that protect applications from attack in distributed or un-trusted environments, has announced the appointments of two industry veterans to spearhead the company’s growth via strategic partnerships and Asia Pacific presence. Joining the company are Jukka Alanen, vice president of business development, and Rich Lord, vice president of Asia-Pacific (APAC) Sales. “We are pleased to have Jukka and Rich join the Arxan team as their leadership, expertise and experience will directly impact Arxan’s growth and global opportunities to protect the today’s diverse App Economy,” said Mike Dager, CEO and Chairman.
Continue reading »Fox contracts Civolution to help drive content distribution
Civolution, a provider of technology and solutions for identifying, managing and monetizing media content, has announced an agreement with Twentieth Century Fox Television Distribution, which will employ Civolution’s media monitoring service, Teletrax, to monitor the broadcast of its video content in the international marketplace. “As the broadcast marketplace evolves into increasingly complex business models and consumer demand pushes broadcasters to make their programming available on-the-go, it is important to monitor broadcasts around the world and track, near-real-time, performance ratings as we partner with our clients to meet the new demands in their marketplace,” said Scott Gregg, SVP Sales Operations, International Television Distribution.
Continue reading »Copyright body appoints executive director
Rovi and Sony multi-platform licence agreement
Rovi Corporation has announced the signing of an agreement with Sony Corporation, providing a licence under Rovi’s interactive program guide (IPG) patent portfolio and related product solutions to Sony Group’s products and services, including online content delivery services and a full range of home and mobile devices.
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Online movies increase but physical still rules
Americans will pay to consume more movies online in 2012 than they will on physical video formats, marking the first year that legal, internet-delivered movies will outstrip those of DVDs and Blu-ray discs combined. However, while analysts at IHS Screen Digest see this as the beginning of the end for movies on disc, physical movie consumption will still account for more viewing time, and for more revenue, at least for the next few years.
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UK’s GAME Group rescued
PwC, the administrators for UK’s hard up game retailer The GAME Group plc, and private investment firm OpCapita LLP have announced that they have reached agreement on the sale of GAME’s UK assets to Baker Acquisitions Limited, an entity advised by OpCapita. Following much speculation, the retail group had announced on March 21 that there was “no equity value left in the Group” leaving uncertain the future of over 300 retail outlets and over 3,000 employees.
Continue reading »Nintendo’s Lowe joins BBC Worldwide
BBC Worldwide has announced the appointment of Rob Lowe to its Consumer Products division as Marketing Director where will lead marketing plans across all areas of the Consumer Products business, which includes TV video and BBC licensed products. Among Lowe’s responsibilities will be developing the commercial potential of key Consumer Products brands and talent including, Doctor Who, Top Gear and Deadly 60.
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US disc rentals top $5.6 billion last year
The oldies but goodies topped last year’s bricks and mortar store US rental charts in both DVD and Blu-ray categories, according to figures released recently by Rentrak. RED, with Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich, and Helen Mirren, was the number one rental for both formats. By contrast, apart from Due Date and Unstoppable, the favourite rentals varied greatly by format. Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides was the second most popular Blu-ray rental, but didn’t make the top 10 DVD list.
Continue reading »Sony DADC UK back in action
Sony DADC has announced the building of new Enfield distribution centre in London, following the destruction by arson of its facility in last year’s summer riots. Chris Reiser, Executive VP at Sony DADC, spoke about the event in a fireside chat at the recent PEVE conference in London. While it was a horrific event, he said, there was some good that came out of it: proof of the efficiency of the company’s disaster recovery plans, and evidence that the industry will stand together in the face of crisis.
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Magazine Features
DOING IT IN DIGITAL - Repeating the physical success of home entertainment
Fireside chats, rock star moments, and consumer panels were the highlights of this year’s PEVE conference, and D2D reports on some of the many topics covered at the event.
Every conference has its rock star moment, and this year’s PEVE was no exception. Danny Kaye, keynote speaker on the first day, took to the stage to the rousing strains of Led Zeppelin’s Whole Lotta Love, which brought goofy smiles to just about everyone (at least everyone of a certain age) in the audience. Kaye, the EVP Global Research & Technology Strategy, Twentieth Century Fox, showed a video clip of some of Hollywood’s latest and greatest movie moments and declared, “It’s this kind of content that compels consumers to buy.”
Reducing seasonal susceptibility - The merger of two packaging giants
AGI Media was bought by Atlas Holdings last year, changed its name and identity and then merged with Shorewood. Tony Garnish, European CEO of AGI Shorewood, tells Elizabeth Toppin how the company has overcome various associated challenges – but isn’t yet ready to reveal a new name.
LINES OF DEMARCATION Old and new technology models at NAB
This year’s NAB event focused on looking forward to 3D, second screens, and Smart TV - whatever the heck that is, Dan Daley muses. New technologies offered a refreshing focus after a year spent on seemingly endless legal and legislative issues.
The NAB Show in Las Vegas (16th-19th April 2012) showed decent stats: exhibitor numbers rose slightly to just over 1,600 and they splayed out over more space (815,000 square feet versus 745,000 in 2011). Attendance was flat, though, at 91,932 from 151 countries, according to NAB’s preliminary figures, and substantially below the 108,000-plus who attended in 2007, just before the recession hit.
DIGITAL OR BUST IN VEGAS? The physical media market under scrutiny
A realization that maybe it’s time to figure out a way to jump on the digital bandwagon dominated the proceedings at Packaged Media & Beyond 2012, reports Larry Jaffee.
Maybe it was the Association of Independent Media Manufacturers Association (AIMMA) joining forces with the Media-Tech Association (MTA) and the Colonial Purchasing Co-operative to produce a US show like the latter did in the two previous years. Or maybe it was the zany Day Two keynote presentation by Troma co-founder Lloyd Kaufman whose oldest running US independent movie studio has been making independent, non-mainstream movies for nearly 40 years.
HOORAY FOR HOLLYWOOD - Paramount and Universal Turn 100
Two major studios celebrate their centenaries this year and a lot has changed since they were both founded. Jill Bilzi looks at how they are coping with box office fluctuations, changes in home entertainment delivery, and the increasing power of social media.
