CNM Update

April 21, 2004 Indication that nextMEDIA may go forwardA spokesperson for the Banff Television Foundation says new owners Achilles Partners LP are still considering their options for the ancillary festivals recently launched by the organization, including the nextMEDIA new media festival (CNM, April 16/04), as the foundation restructures and focuses efforts on the upcoming Banff Television Festival. The general manager of the Delta hotel in Charlottetown PE, where the nextMEDIA is slated to be held this fall, tells Canadian NEW MEDIA that he’s been assured by the festival organizers that the conference is a profitable one, and will be going ahead as planned, however. At press time, CNM was unable to reach Banff officials to confirm the private discussions have taken place. Further details will be provided as they become available. AOL Canada puts Wi-Fi box on store shelvesAOL Canada Inc. has negotiated a distribution agreement with Future Shop and Best Buy to put a new wireless home networking box and high-speed access software on store shelves. The new AOL High Speed Internet in a Box will sell for $99.99, and includes an ADSL router with four micro-filters, a power supply, wireless PCMCIA card and various cables. Access will cost $39.95 for the first 12 months, and $44.95 thereafter. A media release notes that the new wireless-in-a-box offering can save customers as much as $150 per year.Retail Council taps Fourth Wall for servicesThe Retail Council of Canada will install a network of interactive kiosks as well as launch a web site and e-marketing campaign for delegates to its STORE 2004 conference, with the technology all provided by Toronto-based Fourth Wall Media. The conference is expected to draw 700 attendees.Kids programming excellence nominees announcedThe Alliance for Children and Television has announced the nominees for its annual awards. Companies including DECODE Entertainment, Collideascope Digital Productions Inc., Minds Eye Pictures, Breakthrough Films & Television and Epitome Pictures have been nominated in various categories.MPs continue to push for WIPO ratificationLiberal MP and member of the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage Paul Bonwick says the potential roadblock to ratifying WIPO treaties represented by private copying concerns is a “red herring”. The committee continues this week to hear from parties both for and against changing Canada’s laws to bring it into compliance with new digital copyright treaties, including new laws to protect digital rights management, creating new rights for performers and others in digital products, among others. The committee has made no secret of its frustration at delays in moving ahead with ratification, including with the concern recently raised that the issue of national treatment for treaty members when it comes to the blank media levy could be a deal-wrecker. As anti-levy forces argue for dismantling the private copying regime, Parliamentarians seem steadfast in their efforts to bring the issue to a conclusion. Canadian NEW MEDIA will explore the latest developments in its next issue.Museum of Civilization to test mobile applicationThe Museum of Civilization in Gatineau QC will test a portable interactive guide from Ottawa-based Flick Software to teach visitors about its exhibits. The Flick handheld device uses Intel Centrino technology to display interactive information. A custom back-end to manage and distribute information between the device and the museum’s technology infrastructure was developed by TrueContext, also based in Ottawa. A media release provided no further details on the trial.Tucows makes acquisitionToronto-based Tucows Inc. has signed a definitive agreement to acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of privately held Boardtown Corp. Boardtown provides billing and customer care software products to ISPs and application service providers. Boardtown has over 700 active customers, has been profitable since 1997 and has no debt. The acquisition will be made with $3 million in cash and $1 million in unregistered Tucows shares. Performance milestones to be reached over the next three years will determine the disposition of $1.75 million of the purchase price. “Billing and back office solutions naturally complement our existing wholesale Internet services and will allow our customers to further rationalize their back office costs and focus on revenue generation. We expect that both companies will benefit from the significant cross-marketing opportunities created by this transaction,” said Tucows president and CEO Elliot Noss in a media release.SHRC joins digital literacy groupThe Software Human Resource Council (SHRC) has joined the Global Digital Literacy Council (GDLC), a “leadership and advocacy organization.” GDLC members work online to review and ratify standards, define best practices, and develop programs and position papers related to digital literacy. Membership is by invitation only.Ubisoft launches campaign to recruit B.C. workersVideo game company Ubisoft is looking to hire over 200 game creators in the coming months from the Vancouver talent pool and convince them to move to Montreal, according to a media release posted on the Canada Newswire that has apparently been pulled since this morning. The release had noted that at the upcoming International Game Developer Association’s meeting, Ubisoft producer Yannis Mallat would launch the campaign. Ubisoft has over 700 employees in its Montreal studio where it is in a staffing war with Electronic Arts.

CNM Update

Broadcast | April 21, 2004

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