CNM Short Takes

Three Pl@tform winners announcedThe most recent round of Ontario Media Development Corp. funding as part of its Pl@tform program (CNM, Nov. 21/03) sees three Ontario SMEs given $30,000 development grants, mentoring, and the eventual opportunity to be showcased on the Sympatico/MSN web portal. The winners are: The Learning Edge Corp.: NovICE: A Beginner’s Guide to Hockey - an interactive and entertaining learning site about Canada’s favorite game; Snoek Media: Global Kitchens – a delicious multicultural journey into the personal stories of four chefs and the savoury delicacies they create; The Wired Schoolhouse, Inc.: The Wine Dating Game – a revolutionary interactive game where you choose the "wine date" to match your mood and situation. The first round of judging was based on written proposals submitted by February 14. The jury then chose eight teams to pitch their products in person. The final decision was weighted on a combination of the results of these two processes. Teams were judged based not only on the quality of their projects, but also on their strategy for growing their company aound the creation of their own proprietary interactive content. In a media release, Ian Kelso, president of the New Media Business Alliance and administrator of the Pl@tform program, noted: "This year’s competition was highly competitive and it was a struggle for the jury to come to a final decision. The three teams that were chosen were excellent in their presentations both on paper and in person, but I’m sure that if more funds were available we could have easily picked three more." Russian MP3 web site to be charged for music theftThe Canadian Recording Industry Association (CRIA) has voiced its support for the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry’s (IFPI) statement of complaint lodged with Moscow prosecutors against Allofmp3.com. "There exists a great deal of confusion in the public mind about the legality and legitimacy of downloading music," said Canadian recording artist Loreena McKennitt in a CRIA media release, and added "though these businesses charge people for downloads and make a profit from the sale of that music, they do not share any of their income with rights holders such as myself." Allofmp3.com has not been licensed to distribute its members’ repertoire in Russia or internationally, IFPI maintains. "This is a business that brazenly operates without the permission of rights holders such as Ms. McKennitt," said CRIA president Graham Henderson. Kangaroo to introduce handheld to more sportsKangaroo Media is expanding its motorsports business following a Kangaroo.TV trial program run at seven NASCAR Craftsman Truck series in late 2004. Ongoing discussions have been made at introducing the service at additional NASCAR races this summer. Kangaroo president Marc Arseneau said in a media release, "our focus is creating a unique experience for fans, and the test demonstrated the popularity of our service." Sports and media executive Steven Roberts will be working with Kangaroo and its advisors at TWI Interactive to bring the company’s service to other sports, including golf, tennis, and baseball. "I have known Steven for several years and I could not think of a better person to assist Kangaroo with this diversification initiative. His unique expertise with new media in several sports, and his in-depth knowledge of the U.S. market, will help Kangaroo accelerate the implementation of its business plan," said Kangaroo Media executive VP corporate development Alain Charette. The media release further noted that the company also said it will launch Generation II in the summer of 2005. Gen II will deliver up to 10 live video channels allowing it to meet the content requirements of other sports, such as golf. "Gen II is the result of extensive field experience and user feedback," said chief technology officer Jean Arseneau. "It will implement state-of-the-art digital transmission in a fully redesigned and highly ergonomic handheld format," she said. British Columbia youngsters get their vote on with SMSThe Mobile MUSE (Media-rich urban shared experience) initiative has launched an SMS campaign to engage mobile users and young voters in the upcoming May 17 B.C. election dubbed Get Your Vote On. According to a press release, Get Your Vote On is a community and technology project to help improve the voter participation rate among young people using handheld wireless devices. Mobile Muse principal investigator David Vogt said Get Your Vote On will "appeal to and engage young people in the issues that are defining their culture and community." Get Your Vote On lead researcher Richard Smith said "mobile phones are increasingly being used in political situations and this project will provide key insights into the processes, preferences, concerns and conditions under which text messaging can be used to enhance, encourage, enliven and engage young people in the political process." Among a number of community agencies, Get Your Vote On is being developed with the support of Western Economic Diversification. Digital broadcast study findings out soonThe National Research Council’s (NRC) Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) will announce the findings of its study on Canada’s digital broadcasting enterprises on March 15 at the media club in Vancouver. The findings will reveal an industry with companies poised to exploit export markets and massive events such as the Beijing and Vancouver Olympics. NRC-IRAP executive director for Pacific Asia Bruce Pidmore will discuss the report, providing an overview of the emerging technologies being used to deliver television and video content via digital and wireless networks. "China and other nations look to Canada for interactive technology leadership and solutions," Pidmore said in a media release, adding, "Our study showcases Canadian innovation, demonstrating our breadth and depth of expertise in the world." The study is based on 185 companies from across the country engaged in various aspects of interactive digital delivery, with a particular focus on proprietary technology and intellectual property. During interviews, 25 senior executives coming from start-ups to corporate institutions also contributed insight into today’s digital broadcasting landscape and major trends and predictions for 2010 (CNM June 9/04). MuchMusic intros "TrueTone" polyphonic ringsMuchMusic/CHUM Interactive says in a media release that it achieved record-breaking national sales with customized ringtones for wireless handsets through its web site, shop.muchmusic.com. Since launching one year ago, the site has seen over 1.5 million ringtone and graphics downloads. In the same release, CHUM also announced a new product called TrueTones where consumers may download polyphonic versions of their favourite music tracks to their compatible wireless handsets for use as ringtones. TrueTones were recently introduced in partnership with Sony BMG Music Canada and Universal Music Canada. The catalogue features over 800 licensed polyphonic tones, with 100 now on offer. Fan favourites includes Usher, Avril Lavigne, OutKast, 50 Cent and Snoop Dogg, with new titles being added weekly. "As mobile media becomes increasingly important to the MuchMusic audience, shop.muchmusic.com wanted to continue providing leading edge service and first-to-market offerings," VP of CHUM Interactive Roma Khanna said in a media release. The new products will be available to subscribers of all four national cell phone carriers. One-fifth of Canadians want satellite radio serviceAlmost one-fifth of Canadians would be interested in subscribing to a Canadian satellite radio service if it were to become available, according to a new Decima Research survey commissioned by two Canadian satellite radio applicants. Canadian Satellite Radio and Sirius Radio Canada estimate that should the CRTC approve satellite radio for sale in Canada, it would have an impact of $2 billion on the Canadian economy over the next decade. The survey is based on 2,005 adult Canadians, and it is intended for measuring awareness of satellite radio services in Canada. The survey found that a potential exists in the "grey market" for satellite radio in Canada, grey market being Canadian citizens who subscribe to satellite radio service using a U.S. address. Brian Levy, CEO of InterTan Canada, parent company to Radio Shack Canada noted in a media release announcing the survey results that Canadians buying new technology pushes potential customers away and that "forcing people into that situation isn’t right for consumers, and it deprives the nation of tax revenue, in addition to damaging Canadian retailers." SBS Interactive sells DVDs to DBCSBS Interactive sold eight DVD video titles in an overall contract that includes the company’s sale of 1,000 duo systems to Direct Broadcast Corp., according to a statement made in a media release by president and CEO of SBS Todd Gotllieb. Under the terms of agreement, DBC may purchase additional SBS duo titles as they become available in the future. "The content in these titles demonstrates some of the capabilities duo provides for the creation of entirely new categories of content for the multi-billion-dollar video marketplace," Gotlieb said, and added that SBS technology "has the potential to change the way content producers and consumers think of television and the nature and functions of video in a range of business and entertainment purposes." The duo-specific DVD will contain several titles, including dance and golf lessons, Pilates exercise and children’s entertainment. The company produced four of the duo titles, and the company holds licensed distribution rights for the remaining four from the independent producers that created them. The duo system plugs into standard television sets and enables interactive and immersive training, instruction and entertainment content (CNM, Feb. 17/05). Quebecers get "the Catch"Virgin Mobile Canada entered the Quebec wireless phone services marketplace March 2 with its "the Catch" campaign, using popular actress-singer Caroline Neron to help endorse the company in its launch. Virgin Mobile’s "the Catch" offers competitive rates, no contracts, and no hidden fees, according to a media release. Prior to breaking into the Canadian marketplace, it signed up 8.5 million customers in countries such as the UK, Australia and the US. "Our philosophy at Virgin is to break into markets where customers aren’t getting what they deserve and deliver a better service," said president and CEO of Virgin Mobile Richard Branson. Consumers can purchase Virgin Mobile Canada phones at more than 1,500 stores nationwide. Ubisoft buys Microids’ Montreal studioUbisoft will purchase, on undisclosed terms, the Montreal games studio of Microids Canada. The shop’s 50 employees and its development operations will be integrated into Ubisoft’s own operations.

CNM Short Takes

News | 03/14/2005 5:00 am EST

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