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  • Paul Yanover appointed MD and EVP of Disney Online

    MUMBAI: Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Online (WDPRO) head Paul Yanover has been named executive vice president and managing director of Disney Online (DOL).


    DOL is the business unit of the Walt Disney Internet Group (WDIG) that produces the top entertainment destination for kids and families on the internet. The appointment was announced today by WDIG president Steve Wadsworth and is effective immediately.


    He will be succeeded at WDPRO by Edward Kummer, who previously served as vice president of creative development and production for that business.


    “Paul has been a driving force in digital media within our company for more than a decade, most recently with our Parks and Resorts group, building its website portfolio into a substantial e-commerce business. I‘ve worked closely with him for the past three years and know he brings a strong vision that will take our business to the next level during this time of great opportunity for Disney Online, when more and more consumers are turning to the Internet as a key source of entertainment,” said Wadsworth.
    In his new capacity, Yanover will assume responsibility for all of DOL‘s strategic, creative, technical and marketing initiatives surrounding the presence of the Disney brand on the internet, including flagship site www.disney.com, which will undergo a major redesign and strategic development initiative over the next several years; DOL‘s acclaimed suite of premium broadband products including online games; a large portfolio of divisional Web sites for The Walt Disney Company (TWDC); and Web sites www.familyfun.com, www.go.com and www.movies.com.


    Yanover will succeed Ken Goldstein, who is leaving Disney to pursue another opportunity. “Ken has made great contributions to WDIG over the past eight years. We wish him well in his next venture,” said Wadsworth.


    Yanover was responsible for developing and launching Virtual Magic Kingdom, Disney‘s online multi-player adventure game that allows Disney fans to experience the magic of Disney Theme Parks from their own home.

  • PBS and Discovery Education partner to distribute PBS programs to schools

    MUMBAI: PBS and Discovery Education have inked a major multi-year media partnership through which PBS has licensed hundreds of hours from its most acclaimed series and specials for distribution to schools through Discovery Education‘s digital learning services.


    PBS titles to be made available via Discovery Education include The Civil War and other Ken Burns documentaries; Freedom: A History of US; the complete CyberChase series; and selected episodes from Nova, American Experience, Frontline and others.


    A number of local PBS stations already partner with Discovery Education in delivering its flagship video-on-demand service and united streaming as part of their portfolio of local education offerings.


    “For both PBS and our local stations, this new partnership represents an important opportunity to bring PBS content to a growing audience of educators. PBS is entering into a number of new, non-exclusive licensing relationships to broaden the reach of our award-winning education resources, and we are pleased that the first of these new partnerships is with Discovery Education,” said PBS president and CEO Paula Kerger.


    Beginning this fall, schools nationwide will have the opportunity to receive the PBS library as a supplement to united streaming. As with all content delivered through united streaming, the PBS programs will be correlated to state curriculum standards, chaptered into content-specific video clips and offered for teachers to stream or download for instructional use.


    “This expansion of Discovery Education‘s relationship with PBS underscores the alignments of our values and missions. We‘re delighted that this arrangement will give teachers and students the opportunity to access these high-quality titles — on-demand — through our award-winning platform,” said Discovery Education president Steve Sidel.

  • Fox and Burger King bring hit shows to MySpace.com

    MUMBAI: News Corporation’s Fox Entertainment Group and Burger King Holdings, Inc. have teamed to offer hit Fox programming free of charge to the more than 75 million members of MySpace.com.


    MySpace.com is Fox Interactive Media’s popular online social networking site. This promotion marks the first time that network TV content is being made available on a series basis through MySpace, as well as MySpace’s entry into the ecommerce arena.


    The promotion launches 22 May, in conjunction with the season finale of the record-breaking fifth season of 24. MySpace users will be able to download-to-own two episodes of the Fox drama at no cost from a special ‘Have It Your Way‘ page provided by Burger King. Both the very first episode from 24’s first season and the first episode of the current season will be available. Also offered at launch will be an episode of Speed‘s Pinks and Fuel TV‘s FirstHand.


    In addition, MySpace will create a social network around 24, where users can interact with each other, create user generated content and download the entire first and fifth seasons of the top-rated drama for $1.99 per episode.


    “This is truly the perfect marriage of compelling content, an extremely creative advertising partner and the Internet’s leading site for young adults. It really exemplifies our overarching strategy of doing deals that make sense organically, and we have high hopes that MySpace users will find it an attractive offering,” said Fox Entertainment Group president digital media Peter Levinsohn.


    “It’s the ultimate ‘Have It Your Way’ experience. We’re giving consumers what they want with the choice of free shows – wherever and whenever they want to watch them – and the ability to talk about those shows in the social networking environment of MySpace,” said Burger King Holdings senior director media Gillian Smith.


    “MySpace is the largest video site on the web with more video uploaded every day than any other site on the Internet. Our members are avid fans of these shows and are consuming video at a rapid pace, making MySpace the perfect distribution channel for programmers looking to innovate new models,” said Fox Interactive Media president Ross Levinsohn.

  • Tri-Vision US V-chip patent licensed to Humax

    MUMBAI: Tri-Vision International Ltd has licensed its V-chip technology to Humax Co. Ltd. of Korea, which is a leading digital satellite set-top box manufacturer.


    The license is valid through the expiration of the patent in 2016.


    “We are delighted to award a US license to one of the world‘s leading digital satellite set-top box manufacturers. Humax is exporting an extensive array of diversified digital television products and will play an important role in North America‘s transition to digital television,” said Tri-Vision CEO Najmul Siddiqui.


    The Humax licensing agreement resulted from negotiations, similar to those that are currently ongoing with the some 20 other companies who have expressed their intent to acquire Tri-Vision‘s US V-chip license.


    As part of the transition to a digital television broadcast system in the United States, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has mandated new rules to ensure that the V-chip can respond to rating system changes in all digital television receiver products. Tri-Vision‘s open V-chip (also known as V-chip 2.0) is the only known, patented technology capable of accepting modified or new rating systems. The FCC rules took effect 15 March 2006.


    Companies which have acquired V-chip licenses for Tri-Vision‘s Canadian Patent No. 2,179,474 and/or U.S. Patent 5,828,402 include Sony, Hitachi, Sanyo, Philips, JVC, Matsushita, Sharp, Pioneer, Apex Digital, Samsung, LG Electronics, Funai, Orion, Toshiba, Eastech, Erae Electronics, Seiko Epson, Shenzhen KXD, Newlane, Xiamen, Konka, Optoma, Coretronic, TTE, Syntax-Brillian, Akai, Chunghwa, NEC, Viewsonic amongst others.

  • 9.2 million Indians to seek jobs online by 2006-07: IAMAI













    MUMBAI: The number of Indian online job seekers is expected to cross 9.2 million this year (2006-07) with the estimated market size of the Indian online recruitment industry reaching Rs 2.41 billion for 2006-2007 from Rs 1.45 billion for 2005-2006.


    The industry is also likely to maintain a year on year growth of over 60 per cent, according to a survey conducted by the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) recently.


    As per the findings, the number of Indians seeking jobs online reached 6.5 million in 2005-2006 recording a rise of 71 per cent over last year.

     

    The survey also found that junior, mid-level and senior executives accounted for more than 50 per cent of online job seekers. In addition, in keeping with the overall pattern of internet usage, among the states Maharashtra topped the list of online job seekers followed by Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and West Bengal.

     








    Fast facts of online job search


    — 43 per cent in the 26-35 age group
    —     72 per cent male and 28 per cent female


    Qualification:
    — 41 per cent have a Graduate / Post-Graduate General (BA, BSC. MSC, B.com etc.)
    — 40 per cent have a Graduate /Post Graduate Professional Degree.


    Occupation:
    — 25 per cent Mid Level Executives
    — 15 per cent Junior Executives
    — 13 per cent Students
    — 12 per cent Senior Executives


    Top five states:
    — 26 per cent Maharashtra
    — 17 per cent Delhi
    — 13 per cent Tamil Nadu
    — 8 per cent Karnataka
    — 6 per cent West Bengal


    Online Job Search is one of the top five online activities (e-mail, surfing, chatting, search and job search) that Indians indulge in on the internet.


    Fuelled by a rising internet penetration and 38.5 million users, e-recruitment is gaining ground as a preferred medium of hiring in India. For job seekers, the internet has opened up the world of job searching, turning it into a 24-hour-a-day marketplace. Internet is arguably the most immediate, convenient and comprehensive medium for employment seekers to research and prospect for jobs.


    Commenting on the findings of the survey, IAMAI president Dr Subho Ray said, “Online job search is a winner all the way. For job seekers it eliminates the disadvantages of location, cost and time. For recruiters, it provides easy access to the best talent at a competitive cost. Given the obvious advantages, this segment is set to grow at a scorching pace.”


    A growing economy, a thriving job market and increasingly net savvy users have converged to create the right environment for the online job search market to grow.


    To understand the exact demographics of the online job seekers as well as parallel activities they do online, IAMAI mandated a study in January 2006 with a base of 3269 respondents who seek jobs online. The survey was mandated by the IAMAI to online research firm Cross Tab Marketing Services, with the overall objective of obtaining data to understand and anticipate online job trends.

  • Hong Kong’s PCCW to broadcast real-time TV over 3G network

    MUMBAI: The Hong Kong-based PCCW Mobile announced it has become the world‘s first mobile provider to broadcast real-time TV over its 3G network, using Cell Multimedia Broadcast (CMB) technology.


    The service was demonstrated today by PCCW executive director Alex Arena at a keynote address at the 2006 Broadband World Forum Asia, being held in Hong Kong.


    PCCW will begin broadcasting programming from its IPTV service, now TV, to its 3G mobile trial customer base, using the CMB technology. The technology, developed by Huawei Technologies, allows broadcasts of television programming to 3G phones, states an official release.


    The service is being progressively rolled out throughout Hong Kong, with deployment begun in Hong Kong‘s MTR underground railway system nearly complete. Deployment throughout Hong Kong will be completed by end-June, making mobile TV available to all 110,000 users on PCCW mobile‘s 3G trial, the release adds.


    “This is a significant innovation by PCCW, allowing us to leverage our extensive content line-up to more people, across more of our platforms, fixed and mobile,” PCCW executive director Alex Arena said. “We are excited to bring this groundbreaking 3G technology to our customers – another world first for us.”


    CMB technology allows continuous broadcast feeds of TV programming over the 3G mobile network, reaching many more people simultaneously than other current 3G technologies. The technology is ideal for high density urban areas, including underground railways and other forms of public transport. With broadcast technology, network capacity can support large numbers of concurrent users with minimal impact on the network loading, allowing for cost-effective delivery.


    Initial program offers over the mobile network will include now TV‘s Cantonese-language Business News Channel and other news and sports content. Other entertainment and infotainment programming will be added in time. Sports content from ESPN STAR Sports will be available in two weeks time, including ESPN‘s ever-popular SportsCenter news program. Sports event content from Sportev, including action, from next season‘s Barclays English Premier League (2006-07), will be available when the football season begins in August, the release informs.

  • ND SatCom forms JV with Grintex Communications Ltd

    ND SatCom forms JV with Grintex Communications Ltd

    MUMBAI: ND SatCom, a global supplier of satellite-based broadband VSAT, broadcast and defence communication network solutions has announced the formation of a 50-50 joint venture with Grintex India Ltd.

    ND SatCom-Grintex Communications Limited will offer the complete ND SatCom product portfolio and is based out of the multinational corporate hub at Gurgaon, just outside New Delhi, a location which will enable ND SatCom to optimally serve its local clients.

    The joint venture will boost activities on the Indian subcontinent to meet the growing demand for satellite communication as the region further realizes its economic potential. The main target markets are the government and broadcast sectors of India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka.

    ND Sat Com chairman & CEO Dr Karl Classen will also function as the chairman of ND SatCom-Grintex Communications Ltd. Hariharan Gautam heads the new Indian company as CEO and is supported by a highly qualified and experienced local sales and engineering team.

    “From a strategic point of view, the joint venture creates a future-oriented starting point to position ND SatCom-Grintex Communications Ltd. prominently in India and the South Asian region. It is a good platform to reach out to other markets in the region,” comments Gautam.

    Dr Karl Classen emphasizes, “The official opening of ND SatCom’s India joint venture represents our long term commitment to become a major provider of satellite communication solutions in this important emerging market.”

    Over the last three years, ND SatCom has successfully implemented its policy of establishing itself as a global company with strategic local representations.

    Headquartered in Germany, ND SatCom has subsidiaries in Abu Dhabi (UAE), Beijing (China), Dallas (USA) and Moscow (Russia). Furthermore, the company operates through its regional sales and service offices around the world, including Mexico City, Miami and Singapore.

  • Paul Yanover appointed MD and EVP of Disney Online

    Paul Yanover appointed MD and EVP of Disney Online

    MUMBAI: Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Online (WDPRO) head Paul Yanover has been named executive vice president and managing director of Disney Online (DOL).

    DOL is the business unit of the Walt Disney Internet Group (WDIG) that produces the top entertainment destination for kids and families on the internet. The appointment was announced today by WDIG president Steve Wadsworth and is effective immediately.

    He will be succeeded at WDPRO by Edward Kummer, who previously served as vice president of creative development and production for that business.

    “Paul has been a driving force in digital media within our company for more than a decade, most recently with our Parks and Resorts group, building its website portfolio into a substantial e-commerce business. I’ve worked closely with him for the past three years and know he brings a strong vision that will take our business to the next level during this time of great opportunity for Disney Online, when more and more consumers are turning to the Internet as a key source of entertainment,” said Wadsworth.

    In his new capacity, Yanover will assume responsibility for all of DOL’s strategic, creative, technical and marketing initiatives surrounding the presence of the Disney brand on the internet, including flagship site www.disney.com, which will undergo a major redesign and strategic development initiative over the next several years; DOL’s acclaimed suite of premium broadband products including online games; a large portfolio of divisional Web sites for The Walt Disney Company (TWDC); and Web sites www.familyfun.com, www.go.com and www.movies.com.

    Yanover will succeed Ken Goldstein, who is leaving Disney to pursue another opportunity. “Ken has made great contributions to WDIG over the past eight years. We wish him well in his next venture,” said Wadsworth.

    Yanover was responsible for developing and launching Virtual Magic Kingdom, Disney’s online multi-player adventure game that allows Disney fans to experience the magic of Disney Theme Parks from their own home.

  • 9.2 million Indians to seek jobs online by 2006-07: IAMAI

    9.2 million Indians to seek jobs online by 2006-07: IAMAI

    MUMBAI: The number of Indian online job seekers is expected to cross 9.2 million this year (2006-07) with the estimated market size of the Indian online recruitment industry reaching Rs 2.41 billion for 2006-2007 from Rs 1.45 billion for 2005-2006.

    The industry is also likely to maintain a year on year growth of over 60 per cent, according to a survey conducted by the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) recently.

    As per the findings, the number of Indians seeking jobs online reached 6.5 million in 2005-2006 recording a rise of 71 per cent over last year.

    The survey also found that junior, mid-level and senior executives accounted for more than 50 per cent of online job seekers. In addition, in keeping with the overall pattern of internet usage, among the states Maharashtra topped the list of online job seekers followed by Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and West Bengal.

    Fast facts of online job search

    — 43 per cent in the 26-35 age group
    — 72 per cent male and 28 per cent female

    Qualification:
    — 41 per cent have a Graduate / Post-Graduate General (BA, BSC. MSC, B.com etc.)
    — 40 per cent have a Graduate /Post Graduate Professional Degree.

    Occupation:
    — 25 per cent Mid Level Executives
    — 15 per cent Junior Executives
    — 13 per cent Students
    — 12 per cent Senior Executives

    Top five states:
    — 26 per cent Maharashtra
    — 17 per cent Delhi
    — 13 per cent Tamil Nadu
    — 8 per cent Karnataka
    — 6 per cent West Bengal

    Online Job Search is one of the top five online activities (e-mail, surfing, chatting, search and job search) that Indians indulge in on the internet.

    Fuelled by a rising internet penetration and 38.5 million users, e-recruitment is gaining ground as a preferred medium of hiring in India. For job seekers, the internet has opened up the world of job searching, turning it into a 24-hour-a-day marketplace. Internet is arguably the most immediate, convenient and comprehensive medium for employment seekers to research and prospect for jobs.

    Commenting on the findings of the survey, IAMAI president Dr Subho Ray said, “Online job search is a winner all the way. For job seekers it eliminates the disadvantages of location, cost and time. For recruiters, it provides easy access to the best talent at a competitive cost. Given the obvious advantages, this segment is set to grow at a scorching pace.”

    A growing economy, a thriving job market and increasingly net savvy users have converged to create the right environment for the online job search market to grow.

    To understand the exact demographics of the online job seekers as well as parallel activities they do online, IAMAI mandated a study in January 2006 with a base of 3269 respondents who seek jobs online. The survey was mandated by the IAMAI to online research firm Cross Tab Marketing Services, with the overall objective of obtaining data to understand and anticipate online job trends.

  • Tri-Vision US V-chip patent licensed to Humax

    Tri-Vision US V-chip patent licensed to Humax

    MUMBAI: Tri-Vision International Ltd has licensed its V-chip technology to Humax Co. Ltd. of Korea, which is a leading digital satellite set-top box manufacturer.

    The license is valid through the expiration of the patent in 2016.

    “We are delighted to award a US license to one of the world’s leading digital satellite set-top box manufacturers. Humax is exporting an extensive array of diversified digital television products and will play an important role in North America’s transition to digital television,” said Tri-Vision CEO Najmul Siddiqui.

    The Humax licensing agreement resulted from negotiations, similar to those that are currently ongoing with the some 20 other companies who have expressed their intent to acquire Tri-Vision’s US V-chip license.

    As part of the transition to a digital television broadcast system in the United States, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has mandated new rules to ensure that the V-chip can respond to rating system changes in all digital television receiver products. Tri-Vision’s open V-chip (also known as V-chip 2.0) is the only known, patented technology capable of accepting modified or new rating systems. The FCC rules took effect 15 March 2006.

    Companies which have acquired V-chip licenses for Tri-Vision’s Canadian Patent No. 2,179,474 and/or U.S. Patent 5,828,402 include Sony, Hitachi, Sanyo, Philips, JVC, Matsushita, Sharp, Pioneer, Apex Digital, Samsung, LG Electronics, Funai, Orion, Toshiba, Eastech, Erae Electronics, Seiko Epson, Shenzhen KXD, Newlane, Xiamen, Konka, Optoma, Coretronic, TTE, Syntax-Brillian, Akai, Chunghwa, NEC, Viewsonic amongst others.