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New Unapix Unit
LOS ANGELES, CA/ 6/10/98--Unapix Entertainment (ASE:UPX), making a significant commitment to the development and production of network and cable television programming for the U.S. and international marketplace, has formed Unapix Productions. Unapix Productions, the new network and cable programming production unit, will be headed by the veteran creativeteam of Jim Coane and Mike Fleiss. Both executives have reached an exclusive, long-term agreement with Unapix Entertainment. Coane has been named as President of Unapix Productions and Fleiss will serve as Executive Vice President. The new unit, which begins operations on July 6, will be headquartered in new offices in Culver City. In a related move, David M. Fox, CEO of Unapix Entertainment, also announced that the company will enter into the production of dramatic and children's series for the first time, while expanding its role as a leading producer and distributor of non-fiction programming. Unapix International will handle all non-U.S. distribution of these programs and Unapix North America will continue to handle domestic distribution. Said Fox, "The launch of Unapix Productions marks a significant benchmark in the expansion program of Unapix Entertainment. We greatly anticipate the creative contributions of Jim and Mike, and the direct positive impact they will have on the growth of the company as it forges ahead with its new television and Internet activities." Added Scott Hanock, Managing Director of Unapix International, "Now that non-U.S. networks have become as brand conscious as their American counterparts, it has become increasingly important for Unapix to be in a position to offer these networks a variety of original, first-run programming. The addition of Jim and Mike will greatly raise our ability to expand in this key international arena." Jim Coane was most recently based at Columbia TriStar Television, while Mike Fleiss created and produced network specials with Nash Entertainment during the last five years. Collectively, Coane and Fleiss have written, developed, produced and directed primetime network series and specials for ABC, NBC, FOX-TV, CBS, PBS, TNT, Discovery Channel, The Learning Channel, ReteItalia and SAT-1. They first worked together on such projects as the popular primetime FOX-TV series "Totally Hidden Video," and Discovery Channel's "Hollywood Stuntmakers" and "Hollywood F/X Masters." Currently, Coane is executive producing "Dragon Tales," an animated children's series which he created. The 40-episode, half-hour series, which is being co-produced with the Children's Television Workshop, won a $6.2 million grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. As part of the grant, Coane also created and will executive produce a 13-part parenting series for PBS. Fleiss co-created, wrote and produced the ABC special, "Before They Were Stars," which, based on its ratings success, was turned into a weekly series hosted by Scott Baio. The series was produced in association with Columbia TriStar Television and Katie Face Productions. For Nash Entertainment, Fleiss created, wrote and produced several highly successful network specials including "World's Worst Drivers - Caught on Tape," "World's Scariest Police Shootouts" and "Real Funny." His credits also include more than 25 specials which he has produced for all of the major networks. In addition to writing for FOX-TV's "Totally Hidden Video," Fleiss has written and produced non-fiction programming for The Discovery Channel and The Learning Channel. Prior to turning to television, Fleiss was a sports journalist and columnist for several daily newspapers. He has also written two humor books for Putnam Publishing. Unapix Entertainment, Inc. is a leading non-fiction studio developing and producing documentary, adventure, history, science, children's and educational multimedia properties for distribution to more than 100 countries through its Unapix International unit. The company's activities also include the production and distribution of: feature films (Unapix Films), entertainment video titles (A-PIX), and special interest home videos (Unapix/Miramar). Unapix Entertainment is headquartered in New York.
Two US Media Units
6/10/98—Two units of US Media Holdings—Stewart, Taboir & Chang, and Smithmark Publishers, have formed a joint venture imprint to be called S editions. Stewart, an illustrated book publisher, and Smithmark, which specializes in bargain books, will team to produce inspirational titles acquired by Smithmark. The new imprint will initially release about three titles per season. US Media also owns Golden Turtle Press. Marta Hallet, vice president and publisher of Smithmark Publishers, will supervise title acquisition, design and production for S Edition, and STC will handle sales, marketing and distribution . Both STC and Smithmark will continue to publish their own separate lists.
Magic Attic
NEW YORK, NY/ 6/10/98—The Magic Attic Press, which specializes in the book and doll market, has closed its New York office and has assigned ongoing production, marketing and sales of its book line to Millbrook Press. While Magic Attic will continue to share product development costs, Millbrook will assume financial responsibility for the line. Millbrook posted sales of abou $11.7 million as of April 30, 1998, an 18% increase over the previous year. The company had net income of $563,000, compared to a net loss of $693,000 in the same period in fiscal 1997. Gains were attributed to significant increases in trade, and to Millbrook’s recent acquisition of Twenty- First Century Books.
PRIMEDIA Acquires
NEW YORK, NY/6/7/98--William F. Reilly, chairman and chief executive officer of PRIMEDIA Inc. (NYSE:PRM) has today that PRIMEDIA has become the largest publisher in the equine enthusiast market by acquiring Fleet Street, of Gaithersburg, Md., publisher of EQUUS, Dressage Today, HorsePlay and Team Up With Your Horse. EQUUS has a circulation of 150,000, and is a leading equine enthusiast magazine focused on horse performance and care. Terms were not disclosed. With the addition of the Fleet Street titles, PRIMEDIA's equine group will have nearly two million readers. PRIMEDIA's equine group also includes Horse & Rider, Practical Horseman, Dressage & CT and Arabian Horse World. In addition to the equine group, PRIMEDIA's Specialty Consumer Magazines enthusiast publications include large presence in automotive, outdoor recreation, crafts and collecting, history, horses and healthy lifestyles. The Daily Racing Form, which is slated to be sold, is not part of the equine group. PRIMEDIA Inc., with 1997 sales from continuing businesses of $1.2 billion, is the authoritative source of specialized information in targeted media (specialty magazines, trade magazines, consumer and business information) and education (classroom and workplace learning). Some key brands include Seventeen, New York, Chicago, Soap Opera Digest, Soap Opera Weekly, Channel One, Weekly Reader, Horticulture, World Almanac, Modern Bride and American Baby.
Magazine Publishing
NEW YORK, NY/ 6/11/98--In a representative sampling of magazine publishing industry senior executives and entrepreneurs, more than 82 percent revealed that they are contemplating a merger or acquisition within the next three years. The figure was reported earlier this month in the first annual Jordan, Edmiston Group Magazine Industry M&A Survey. Sixty-eight percent indicated they will undertake a merger or acquisition within the next year, while the remaining 14 percent plan to do so within the next two to three years. "These findings confirm that we can expect the increased pace of activity we have experienced during the first six months of 1998 to continue, as long as the capital markets remain strong," said Wilma Jordan, Chief Executive Officer. Nearly two-thirds of the survey respondents indicated that they are considering the acquisition of a trade show or event as part of their growth strategy. Nearly half (49%) of the respondents indicated they plan to launch a Web site over the next 12 months with the goal of eventually launching an offline magazine or media property. "Magazine publishers are using the Web as an efficient and cost-effective means to develop a community around a focused content area," noted Kent Hawryluk, Managing Director. Magazine industry executives ranked a successful meshing of cultures as the number one challenge they face in a merger or acquisition, followed by executing the necessary measures to create value for shareholders. The principal strategic goals of these acquisitions, according to three-quarters of the magazine industry executives, are to increase market share and create financial and operating synergies. Legal and tax exposure issues are of greatest concern to the majority of these executives when undertaking the due diligence for an acquisition. The Jordan, Edmiston Group, Inc. Magazine Industry M&A Survey was conducted in conjunction with the third annual Magazine Publishing Industry Mergers & Acquisitions Forum held at the Grand Hyatt in New York on June 8 and 9, 1998. The 62 respondents included owners, chief executive officers and senior level managers of magazine publishing industry companies. Founded in 1987, The Jordan, Edmiston Group, Inc. is the leading investment bank dedicated to serving the publishing, information and new media industries. To date in 1998, The Jordan, Edmiston Group has closed 12 transactions. In 1997, the aggregate value of the 21 transactions the firm completed exceeded $500 million. The Jordan, Edmiston Group enjoys long standing relationships with many leading media companies, including: The Economist Group; Mediatex Communications Corporation; The New York Times Company; Pearson plc; Plaza Communications; PRIMEDIA, Inc.; Quickfish Media; The Reader's Digest Association, Inc.; Reed Elsevier, plc; Rodale Press, Inc.; Young-Conway Publications, Inc.; and Ziff-Davis Inc. For more information on the Jordan Edmiston Group, visit the firm's Web site at www.jegi.com.
Wiesner Publishing
WESTBOROUGH, MASS/ 6/2/98--Wiesner Publishing has acquired Software Magazine, the leading monthly publication for senior information technology managers and professionals with enterprise software purchasing authority. Wiesner acquired the magazine from The Sentry Group, which was a consulting, research, and publishing company. The acquisition was official May 29, 1998. Software Magazine has been growing significantly during the past year. Current circulation increased to 110,000 from 67,500 and is audited by BPA. Advertising revenue has increased over 50% during the first six months of 1998 versus the same period last year. "This growth is a result of the unique and vital editorial we provide to senior information technology managers and professionals. This creates an intellectually engaged reader and a unique selling environment for advertisers. By focusing on strategic software solutions that drive business, we fill an important information gap that is not being served by the weeklies or more technical publications," said Mark McCourt, Publisher. Wiesner Publishing plans to accelerate Software Magazine's growth track with strategic enhancements to editorial, circulation, and softwaremag.com. Wiesner Publishing is a privately held company based in Denver. They have prior information technology publishing experience and currently publish thirteen magazines including Software Magazine, Trucking Times, and Atlanta Living.
DVD:MAGS Debuts
LOS ANGELES, CA/ 6/2/98--2014:DVD:MAGS, the premiere publisher of DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) magazines ("DVD MAGS"), has released its second magazine, Young Cinematographer ("YC"). Following the world's first DVD:MAG, SHORT cinema journal ("SHORT"), YC features award-winning films and animation from festivals around the world, by, for and about kids. YC is distributed by Polygram, and is in stores now. According to 2014:DVD:MAGS founder and CEO Ninan Kurien, the DVD format is a perfect vehicle to stimulate children's imaginations. "With YC, we educate kids about the wonders of film. We are giving them a video magazine that not only allows them to see some of the best cinema ever created for kids, it encourages them to actually make films themselves and have them seen by hundreds of thousands of their peers." Included in the first issue of YC are award winning films such as "Nonnie & Alex" (Special Jury Award, Sundance Film Festival, 1st Prize, Aspen Film Festival) and "The Cinema Ticket" (Best Fiction Film, International Children's Film Festival). Also included are 15 student animatied segments, and alternate video tracks to show viewers how the animations were made. Other performances include a short film created by Jesse James, star of "As Good As It Gets," and an interview segment with Kyla Pratt, star of the upcoming feature "Doctor Dolittle." 2014:DVD:MAGS is a media publishing house utilizing the DVD platform. The company was founded in 1996 by entrepreneur Ninan Kurien with the intent to revolutionize the publishing industry using the latest technology. 2014 Corporation currently publishes three other DVD MAGS: SHORT, which features short stories, poems and interviews captured on film featuring stars such as Billy Bob Thornton, Nicole Kidman and Henry Rollins; IR, which covers foreign films and culture; and DRAFT, featuring architectural design. SHORT was recently selected the first DVD to be film critic Roger Ebert's "Video Pick of the Week." Internet site: www.dvdmags.com.
Alliance Adds Four
TORONTO and LOS ANGELES/ 6/1/98-- Christine Shipton, Senior Vice President of Creative Affairs for Alliance Television, has announced that the company is further augmenting its fiscal '99 TV slate with four new Canadian TV movies. The company is owned by Alliance Communications (TSE:AAC.A.) (ME:AAC.A.) (TSE:AAC.B.) (ME:AAC.B.) (NASDAQ:ALLIF) The latest projects will be shot in a variety of locations across Canada. This is in addition to the previously announced 182 hours of television movies, series, miniseries and animation bringing the total for fiscal 1999 to 190 hours. This represents a 41 percent increase over fiscal 1998 (133 hours). The four new projects are:
Alliance Communications Corporation is a global producer, distributor and broadcaster of filmed entertainment. Headquartered in Toronto with offices in Montreal, Vancouver, London, Los Angeles, Paris and Shannon, Alliance trades in Toronto and Montreal under the symbol AAC and on NASDAQ under ALLIF. The Alliance web site is www. alliance.ca.
Barnes & Noble
NEW YORK, NY/6/1/98--Barnes & Noble, Inc. has signed a lease agreement to open a 28,000 square foot store in Miami, Florida. The store, expected to open in the fall of 1998, will be located at 5701 Sunset Drive in The Shoppes at Sunset Place. Barnes & Noble is the originator and premier operator of book "super"stores in America. Its flagship store on Fifth Avenue in New York has been widely recognized as the most authoritative bookstore in the country, and perhaps, the world. The new Miami Barnes & Noble superstore will carry more than 175,000 different book titles offering customers an extensive choice on every imaginable subject in a spacious and comfortable atmosphere. Additionally, the store will feature an extensive children's selection in a department designed especially for kids. Barnes & Noble, Inc., operates 481 Barnes & Noble bookstores and 520 B. Dalton bookstores. Barnes & Noble stores offer an authoritative selection of more than 150,000 titles from more than 10,000 publishers with an emphasis on small, independent publishers and university presses. Barnes & Noble is the world's largest bookseller on the World Wide Web www.barnesandnoble.com), and the exclusive bookseller on America Online's Marketplace (Keyword: BarnesandNoble). The company also publishes books under the Barnes & Noble imprint for exclusive sale through its retail stores and mail-order catalogs.
Bertelsmann
BUENOS AIRES, 6/11/98—German media conglomerate (in the process of buying and merging Random House with Bantam Doubleday Dell), is in negotiations with publishers to expand its business in Latin America. A spokesman for the company said Bertelsmann has clearly defined that they want to expand in the region, but declined to identify specific publishers or countries being considered. However, the spokesperson indicated that Columbia is a likely site for expansion. Last year, Bertelsmann bought 60% of Argentina’s Sudamericana publishing group, and plans to double its revenues this year.
Torstar Completes
TORONTO, ONTARIO/6/12/98----Torstar Corporation and ITI Education Corporation have completed the previously announced investment By Torstar In ITI. ITI issued 2,055,000 common shares from treasury on a private placement basis to Torstar for $20,550,000 or $10.00 per share. In addition, Torstar acquired a total of 945,000 ITI common shares from five existing ITI shareholders for $9,450,000. Torstar was also granted pre-emptive rights in relation to future equity issues by ITI and rights of first refusal on future share sales by certain shareholders. Torstar has no specific plans to increase its 26 percent interest in ITI at this time, however Torstar intends to increase its ownership interest over time as opportunities present themselves such as the exercise of the aforementioned pre-emptive rights. ITI Education Corporation, through ITI Information Technology Institute, is Canada's leading postgraduate information technology education institution. Torstar Corporation is a broadly based publishing company. Its operations include The Toronto Star, Canada's largest daily newspaper; Metroland Printing, Publishing & Distributing, publishers of community newspapers and distributors of advertising materials; Harlequin Enterprises, the world's largest publisher of series romance fiction; the Children's Supplementary Educational Publishing Division, which publishes and produces educational products for teachers, parents and children under the Frank Schaffer, Tom Snyder Productions, Delta Education, Brighter Vision and Troll Communications names.
Scripps and Howard
CINCINNATI, OH/6/12/98-- The Edward W. Scripps Trust, controlling shareholder of the The E.W. Scripps Company (NYSE: SSP), and the Jack R. Howard Trust have begun a public offering of 5.5 million of the company's Class A Common Shares at $50 per share. The company will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the shares by the trusts. The offering is underwritten and managed by Merrill Lynch. A written prospectus may be obtained from the underwriters. Approximately 3.1 million of the shares to be sold are owned by The Edward W. Scripps Trust. The Scripps trust has advised the company that the decision to sell shares is in keeping with its long-term effort to diversify the trust's assets. The trust's most recent sale of Scripps shares was in late 1993. The remaining shares to be sold are owned by the Jack R. Howard Trust, which was established by Jack R. Howard, a retired chief executive officer of the company. Mr. Howard died in March 1998. The company's Class A Common Shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "SSP." There is no public market for the company's other class of common stock -- its Common Voting Shares. The E. W. Scripps Company's major operations include:
* United Media, a worldwide licensing and syndication company whose characters include PEANUTS and DILBERT; * Cinetel Productions, a leading producer of primarily non-fiction programming for the cable network industry. For additional information: www.scripps.com
Pearson To Buy
LONDON/6/12/98--Tussauds Group, a unit of Pearson plc, has purchased the Thorpe Park theme park from RMC Group Plc for an undisclosed amount. Tussauds owns Madame Tussaud's waxworks museum in London and the Alton Towers theme park in central England.
National Book
Deadline for entries in the Forty- Ninth National Book Foundation Awards competition is July 13, 1998, with the annual awards ceremony scheduled Wednesday, November 18, 1998 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City. Full-length books of fiction and general nonfiction published in the United States are eligible. Collections of short stories and essays by one author are eligible. Collected and selected poems by one author are also eligible. Authors must be US citizens, and works must have been scheduled for publication between December 1, 1997 and November 30, 1998. Those wishing to submit a book, can fax a written request on letterhead to The National Book Foundation at 212-213-6570 (ATTN: 1998 National Book Award Entry Form). Requests for entry forms will only be granted between the dates of June 1 and July 1. There are four panels of five judges each for Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, and Young People's Literature, each including a Chairperson, chosen by The National Book Foundation. The Foundation will announce a Finalist short-list of the five outstanding books submitted in each category of Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, and Young People's Literature on October 14, 1998. One Winner in each genre receives $10,000 for the best book chosen in Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, and Young People's Literature. Sixteen short-list prizes of $1,000 each will be awarded to the Finalists.
New Frontier Media,
BOULDER, COLO/6/1/98--New Frontier Media Inc. (NASDAQ:NOOF) announced today that it has signed a letter of intent with Metro Global Media Inc. (NASDAQ:MGMA), to distribute adult entertainment produced by Metro on New Frontier Media's cable and satellite broadcasting networks. Although final terms and conditions are to be reflected in a definitive agreement yet to be drafted, the letter of intent sets forth several points of agreement between New Frontier Media, the nation's largest publicly traded cable and satellite broadcaster of adult entertainment, and Metro Global Media Inc., a leading publicly traded adult entertainment producer. Colorado Satellite Broadcasting (CSB), a wholly-owned subsidiary of New Frontier Media Inc., will be launching "TeN: The Erotic Network" on a 24-hour basis on August 15, 1998 with an estimated pre-launch carriage of 2-3 million addressable households being broadcast throughout North and South America. New Frontier also owns the popular Extasy Networks, which consists of three 24-hour, direct-to-home satellite channels. As outlined in the agreement, Metro will produce films and videos on a continuing basis for New Frontier's TeN station and their Extasy channels. This multi-picture deal involves the licensing of Metro's extensive library, along with its new releases. Between Metro's vast video and film library containing many award winning titles never before shown on satellite or cable channels, and its scheduled blockbuster future releases, this should make TeN an immediate success story. Additional terms of the agreement have Metro supplying CSB with higher budgeted productions to be released on both networks on a pay-per-view, revenue sharing basis. Metro will receive a fixed guaranty on these titles, along with a 50% revenue share with CSB. The first two pay-per-view releases will be the internationally acclaimed, multi-award winner Zazel, directed by Philip Mond, along with Red Vibe Diaries from Metro's exclusive, award winning director, James Avalon. Further provisions of the agreement between the two companies include cross-promotion of Metro's complete product lines on New Frontier's networks, while Metro will promote the networks through it's distribution channels. Metro will be receiving the largest allocation of CSB's broadcast time of any adult feature producer. Commenting on the agreement, New Frontier's Chairman and CEO, Mark Kreloff, said, "This agreement represents an important milestone for the adult entertainment industry. It is a dynamic alliance between the industry's two leading publicly traded companies. New Frontier and Metro will make a great team in bringing a new generation of adult entertainment to a rapidly expanding market. The ancillary revenue which we expect to see generated from this alliance should be substantial." Metro Global Media, headquartered in Cranston, R.I., produces, markets and distributes a proprietary line of adult-themed videos,magazines, DVDs, and interactive CD-ROM titles through its distribution channels throughout the United States and Europe. Headquartered in Boulder, New Frontier Media Inc. is a diversified entertainment company that is primarily engaged in the electronic distribution of adult entertainment content through subscription/pay-per-view television, DVD and the Internet. The company is also engaged in the business of publishing family-oriented "edutainment" and reference CD-ROM software through Inroads Interactive, a majority-owned subsidiary.
Metro Increases
CRANSTON, RI./6/8/98--Metro Global Media, Inc. (NASDAQ: MGMA), the only publicly traded adult entertainment company, posted record-breaking revenues of more than $6,000,000 for its fourth quarter of fiscal 1998, a 13% increase over the previous period. The company also announced it will launch a new magazine in July this year. The gain in fourth-quarter revenues, combined with the previous three quarters, will break another company record, making this year's revenue exceed $20,000,000, an increase of approximately 11% over revenues for the year-end of fiscal 1997. Metro also announced that Maxstone Media Group, a subsidiary of Metro, will publish a newly formatted magazine, entitled AMAZING, scheduled for a July release date. The new format will be printed in seven different languages, and distribution agreements have already been committed in all European countries, along with South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. North American distribution will be handled by Maxstone's sister company, Metro, Inc. Maxstone intends to increase publications to a total of three titles per month by November 1998. Each of the planned new publications will contain exclusive photos from Metro's extensive film and video library, in an effort to cross-promote the product line in countries where Metro's video products are currently distributed. Robert Maiello, President of Maxstone, said, "We believe this new publication will create impressive revenues both within North America, as well as the international marketplace. The agreements now in place allow for significant levels of distribution, and with the type of quality that we will offer to these markets, we believe that success is all but assured."
Playboy and Spice
CHICAGO, IL/6/1/98--Playboy Enterprises, Inc. (PLA:NYSE) and Spice Entertainment Companies, Inc. (SPZE:NASDAQ) have reached a definitive merger agreement embodying the terms of their previously announced deal. In that agreement, Playboy will acquire all of the outstanding shares of Spice for cash and Playboy stock. The total transaction value, including the assumption of debt, is expected to be approximately $100 million. Under the terms of the merger agreement, Spice's stockholders will retain ownership of Spice's digital operations center for video and Internet broadcasts, its option to acquire the outstanding stock or assets of Emerald Media, Inc., a leading provider of adult entertainment in the C-Band market, and certain rights to a library of adult films. Playboy TV and AdulTVision networks, which reached a total of 20.3 million U.S. cable and direct-to-home households as of March 31, 1998, reported revenues of $14.5 million for the quarter ended March 31. Spice's domestic networks, Spice and Adam & Eve, reached 21.5 million households and had revenues of $5.0 million for the same time periods. Completion of the merger remains subject to Spice stockholder approval and other customary closing conditions. Playboy and Spice intend to promptly begin preparation of a proxy statement/prospectus and obtain the approval of Spice's stockholders. Closing of the transaction is expected to occur during the third calendar quarter. Playboy Enterprises, Inc. is an international multimedia entertainment company that publishes editions of Playboy magazine in 16 countries; creates programming for Playboy TV networks and home video distribution around the world; operates a direct marketing business, including Critics' Choice Video, Collectors' Choice Music and Playboy catalogs and Web sites; markets Playboy-branded consumer products sold worldwide; operates Playboy Online, which includes the Playboy.com and Playboy Cyber Club Web sites; and plans to open the Playboy Casino & Beach Hotel on the Greek island of Rhodes. Spice Entertainment Companies is a leading provider of adult television entertainment throughout the world.
Time Warner CEO
LOS ANGELES,CA/6/11/98----Time Warner Inc. Chairman and CEO Gerald M. Levin urged his industry to recognize and act upon the special responsibilities provided by expanding global opportunities in the new digital era. In a wide-ranging address entitled Media Responsibility in a Wired Universe, given before the Los Angeles Town Hall, Levin said, "The media's responsibility for helping us see the world in all its complexity is greater than ever. Yet too often, we are left with a superficial impression of a global village that resembles an American suburb in which the values and viewpoints fit into familiar categories." Levin noted, "It's the responsibility of media organizations to insist on the independence of the journalistic process....Unfortunately, the phenomenon of 'tabloidization' is real, and it raises a basic question: If the standards of the tabloids become those of the entire industry-if the governing consideration of every story is, 'Will it sell?'-won't the eventual result be a level of public distrust every bit as corrosive as allowing media to serve as the mouthpiece of government?" On the entertainment side, he urged media companies to be willing to "accept the risks of creative expression which is intrinsic to entertainment and of enduring relevance to publicly held companies." Levin said that part of the ability of the media to honor its commitment to creative expression depends on its conscious pursuit of diversity. He added, "In media, diversity is as much a matter of fairness as competitiveness. The day has long passed when the media could have its success assured by reaching a mass homogeneous audience. Globalization has buried that assurance." Speaking of a responsibility that he described as shaping both the future of the media and the future of our society, Levin said, "We must face up to the effects that illiteracy is having on our society and find new ways to deal with it." A special part of this responsibility, Levin said, required the media to give added attention to the important role of teachers. "Certainly, given the attention we lavish on our country's celebrities and superstars, it is time for a concerted media focus on the single most crucial group in the struggle to achieve educational equality: our teachers." Time Warner Inc., the world's leading media and entertainment company, consists of four fundamental businesses: entertainment, cable networks, publishing and cable, with interests in filmed entertainment, television production, broadcasting, recorded music, music publishing, cable television programming, sports franchises, magazines, book publishing and cable television systems. Time Warner's corporate website: timewarner.com
MediaOne To Help
WOODBURY, NY/6/8/98--Throughout June MediaOne of Atlanta is partnering with The Independent Film Channel (IFC) to deliver broadband coverage of The 22nd Atlanta Film & Video Festival, it was announced by Joe Cantwell, Executive Vice President, Media Distribution and Development for the Bravo Networks. The coverage of the festival will be available exclusively to MediaOne Express subscribers at www.atl.mediaone.net through high-speed cable modem. The Independent Film Channel (IFC) is the first channel dedicated to independent film presented 24 hours a day, uncut and commercial-free. IFC reaches 14 million homes on a full-time basis and is the most widely distributed channel on television dedicated to independent film. The Independent Film Channel is available in Atlanta on MediaOne's Channel 67 on the new Broadband network available in certain MediaOne service areas. The Independent Film Channel and MediaOne, major sponsors of The 22nd Atlanta Film & Video Festival this year, have further committed to support of the region's independent film festival by making coverage accessible on MediaOne's new high-capacity cable internet service, MediaOne Express. The Independent Film Channel will create the content and produce the electronic packaging. MediaOne will deliver the regionally-customized event coverage to its subscribers. In addition, the partners have interlinked their web sites to provide the maximum available information about MediaOne's local cable modem Internet access (www.atl.mediaone.net), The 22nd Atlanta Film & Video Festival (www.imagefv.org) and The Independent Film Channel's cable television offerings on the world of independent film (www.ifctv.com). Although coverage can be accessed by traditional Internet dial-in, certain elements will be best accessed on high speed cable modem. The Independent Film Channel was scheduled to begin coverage June 10. Film festival schedule information will be available through the link to the festival producer's site (www.imagefv.org). Opening Night includes interviews with Christina Ricci, star of Opening Night's featured film, The Opposite of Sex, and writer/director Don Roos - both of whom will be in attendance at the festival. MediaOne is the nation's leading Broadband services company, providing entertainment, information, and communications services to more than 5.1 million customers in 17 states. MediaOne Group (NYSE:UMG), formerly US WEST Media Group, one of America's largest Broadband communications companies, is involved in domestic and international cable and telephone services, international wireless, and directory and information services. For 1997, the group had proportionate revenue of $7.8 billion, pro forma for the AirTouch merger. MediaOne Group is one of two major groups owned by parent company U S WEST, Inc. The other major group is U S WEST Communications, which provides telecommunications services in 14 western and midwestern states. U S WEST has proposed splitting the two groups into separate public companies. The split is anticipated by mid-1998, pending shareowner approval.
ACTV Net
NEW YORK, NY/6/1/98--ACTV Net, the Internet division of ACTV, Inc. (NASDAQ: IATV) has unveiled version 2.0 of eSchool Online(TM) for the burgeoning K-12 education market. The new version of the Java-based software suite increases control of the interactive learning environment for both students and instructors, and greatly expands student assessment and reporting features. "With the release of eSchool Online 2.0, ACTV's internet business moves to a new plateau," said William Samuels, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, ACTV, Inc. "Our innovations in making the Internet a useful, effective resource for education will play an important role in the long-term growth of our company and the entire online learning industry." Samuels' comments were made while updating an audience of institutional investors about ACTV's Internet and entertainment businesses at the Neidiger/Tucker/Bruner Institutional Small Cap Conference in New York City. eSchool Online creates a virtual learning community by combining relevant Web material -- organized and automatically delivered to student desktops -- with moderated chat, and other media such as educational video, streamed audio, and video conferencing, in one simple interface. Educational content can be customized and updated to meet the individual needs of instructors. The eSchool content creation applet allows instructors to easily integrate into their curriculum the most current information published on the Web and automate its delivery to all student desktops through an easy-to-use interface. eSchool Online has been specifically designed for the online learning industry, which is exploding. Estimates are that approximately 80 percent of public schools in the United States have Internet access, up from approximately 30 percent one year ago. There are more than 100,000 public schools, more than three million teachers, and 55 million students in the K-12 market. Industry experts predict the total online learning market may reach three billion dollars by the year 2000. Based on this potential, the online learning industry has attracted the attention of well-known financial players, including Michael Milken, Larry Ellison and Paul Allen. "The online education market is expanding with incredible speed, and we're at the forefront of the industry," said Bruce Crowley, President, ACTV Net. "As schools across the country become connected to the Web, educators recognize the need for an application that can organize this mass of random content into a compelling educational experience, and that's exactly what eSchool Online accomplishes." Crowley's comments echo those made last week by Louis V. Gerstner, IBM's chairman and chief executive officer, while speaking to an audience at Harvard University's International Conference on Internet and Society. According to the Associated Press, Gerstner said that computers must be integrated into a school's curriculum and that having a computer on every child's desk is not going to improve the overall quality of schooling unless the machines are put into an educational context. Working within the framework of a school's existing curriculum, eSchool Online 2.0 provides easy-to-use, state-of-the-art programming to enhance the educational experience. New features include: - Breakthrough chat functionality designed especially for education. The instructor has more in-depth control of live online sessions -- controlling the students' ability to chat and send web pages. Instructors can even "silence" individual students. - User-friendly control of Web content. A clock and VCR-like controls of Web content (fast forward, rewind, pause) give students greater control of on-demand programs. - Moderated chat as an instructor mode. For the first time on the Internet, the same instructor software for managing live events can switch back-and-forth from moderated chat to un-moderated chat. This means the same interface can be used for any class size -- from one student to hundreds of students. - Elaborate new database functionality. Instructors can grade students, review or edit past class chats, design and print reports, even upload and download files. - A Java-based whiteboard designed specifically for education. Instructors can "call up" an individual student to the whiteboard (like a chalkboard), or enable any number of students to write or draw together. Then, the instructor can save the work for future review. Anyone equipped with a Java-enabled browser, Internet access, and a video source can receive eSchool Online programming. ESchool rogramming can be provided in real time or on-demand. eSchool Online's software suite is comprised of instructor, student and guest user applets, an authoring applet, and database assessment software. Based in New York, ACTV, Inc. creates state-of-the-art programming, driven by cutting-edge technology, for the emerging Internet and digital television platforms. ACTV Net and ACTV Entertainment are divisions of ACTV, Inc. The company's Web site can be found at http://www.actv.com.
America Online, Inc.
DULLES, VA/6/8/98-- Significantly advancing its multiple-brand strategy, AmericaOnline, Inc. (NYSE: AOL) has acquired Mirabilis Ltd, an Israel-based company which has used its ICQ instant ommunications and chat technology to rapidly build a Web-based community of more than 12 million registered users worldwide. Under the terms of the acquisition completed June 5, 1998, America Online paid $287 million in cash to purchase 100% of Mirabilis's assets. Starting in its fiscal year 2001, AOL also will make contingent payments of up to $120 million over three years based on growth performance levels. A substantial portion of the $287 million purchase price is expected to be accounted for as in-process R&D in the Company's fourth quarter ending June 30, 1998. The Company said it does not expect the purchase of Mirabilis to have any negative effect on expected operating earnings. Mirabilis will continue to be based in Tel Aviv and operated by its founding team as a free Web-based service with its own brand identity. It will report to Ted Leonsis, President of AOL Studios. AOL will continue to develop the ICQ in-process technology to improve the service and establish its revenue-providing capabilities. "The acquisition of ICQ technology dramatically increases our presence on the Web," America Online Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Steve Case said. "Strategically, this is one of our most important initiatives for three reasons. First, the ICQ software dashboard stays on a user's screen all the time -- making it a natural starting point for content, context and community, and providing us with an unparalleled launch pad for a broader Web portal strategy.Second, ICQ has attracted one of the fastest growing and most loyal communities in cyberspace. And third, ICQ has a strong international reach, further accelerating our global expansion." America Online President and Chief Operating Officer Bob Pittman said: "Acquiring ICQ fits perfectly into our multiple-brand strategy. Like CompuServe, ICQ substantially broadens our reach in important markets not served by AOL-branded products. In addition to its international reach, ICQ has tremendous appeal among young, technically sophisticated Web users and there is remarkably little overlap with AOL." Launched in November 1996, ICQ's instant communication and chat technology informs users when family, friends and business colleagues are online and enables them to exchange messages in real-time to help its users build their own communities. ICQ also gives its users the ability to play games and exchange files and URLs. More than 12 million people have registered to use the technology, compared to 11 million just one month ago. The ICQ acquisition further builds AOL's international momentum, especially in Europe where the AOL and Bertelsmann AG joint venture is the leading provider of pan-European Internet online services. Approximately 60% of ICQ's users are based outside the US and nearly 40% are European. In addition to this acquisition, AOL continues to pursue its Web strategy with AOL- and CompuServe-branded Internet products as well as AOL's Digital City, the #1 local content and community guide on the Internet. Among the Company's wide range of Web products is AOL.COM, the world's number one Web site from home with 30% of its traffic coming from outside AOL, and AOL Instant Messenger(TM), AOL's instant messaging service that allows Internet users to communicate instantly via real-time, private, text messages. AOL Instant Messenger is part of the AOL Buddy List network with over 30 million registered users worldwide. ICQ is available - free of charge - to all Internet users through its Web site, www.icq.com. America Online, Inc., based in Dulles, Virginia, is the world's leader in branded interactive services and content. America Online operates two worldwide Internet online services: AOL Interactive Services, with more than 12 million members; and CompuServe, with approximately 2 million members. America Online also operates AOL Studios, the world's leading creator of original interactive content. Other branded Internet services operated by America Online include AOL.COM, the world's most accessed Web site from home; AOL NetFind, AOL's comprehensive guide to the Internet; and AOL Instant Messenger.
Award-winning Journalists
SEATTLE, WA/ 6/8/98--Underscoring its commitment to becoming the premier provider of health and wellness information over the Internet, IVI Publishing, Inc., soon to be renamed OnHealth Network Company, has announced that editorial staffing is now completed for OnHealth.com, with their efforts on view when the redesigned site launches in early Summer. The announcement was made by Robert Goodman, president and chief executive officer, (a) IVI Publishing Inc. (NASDAQ:IVIP). "With the superb editorial staff chosen by editor-in-chief Rebecca Farwell now in place," said Goodman, "we are focusing our efforts on the upcoming redesign and relaunch. This experienced team of industry professionals, drawn from the worlds of leading online media, technology and print journalism, has come together to secure our position as the number one brand on the Web for health and wellness information." The editorial team of OnHealth.com is comprised of: Rebecca Farwell, editor-in-chief, was the editorial director for Discovery Channel Online from its inception in 1994. Under her guidance, the Discovery Online staff created one of the most critically acclaimed and award-winning Web sites, capturing the 1996 Cool Site of the Year and the 1997 Milia d'Or for Best Worldwide Web Site. Farwell also directed Discovery Publishing, where she was responsible for both Discovery Channel and Learning Channel Magazines, as well as several book projects. Greg Hollobaugh, creative director, was creative director of ESPN Internet Ventures, a joint venture between ESPN and Starwave Corp. David Ansley, medical editor, was in charge of medical coverage for Consumer Reports magazine and was the Web editor at Consumer Reports Online. Kathleen Donnelly, healthy living editor, was an editor and reporter at the San Jose Mercury News for nine years. Jeff Black, managing editor, was the producer of the Science and Technology sections for BCNEWS.com; in addition, he produced the first live video and audio on the site. Katherine Inman, local editor, was a content editor at Microsoft. Katrina Woznicki, news editor, was previously a reporter at The Associated Press. Editor-in-chief Farwell said she chose her staff for their expertise in health and medical journalism and their experience in dealing with consumer issues. They also share, she believes, a keen understanding of the online environment and how to think multi-dimensionally. "I hired Greg Hollobaugh as creative director because he shares, and in fact leads the way, in our philosophy of creating a site that is intuitive, elegant and very fast. In addition to a large complement of editors and writers, OnHealth is assembling an active Medical Advisory Board made up of specialists from their condition center partner institutions. OnHealth.com is an award-winning Web site that is a resource to consumers looking for reliable information on health and wellness issues. The site delivers in-depth reports, as well as news and information from deep database and rich reference materials. It also provides personalized health services, local health information resources, as well as extensive community support and discussions. IVI Publishing, poised to become the number one brand for health-related channels over the Internet, recently announced that it plans to change its name to OnHealth Network Company, pending shareholder approval. IVI Publishing Inc., is an electronic publisher of interactive, multimedia health and wellness information. IVI delivers its content via the Web at and over America's Health Network. IVI's content alliances include Time Life and the Massachusetts Medical Society, publisher of The New England Journal of Medicine and HealthNews. In addition, IVI provides content and Q&A video clips featuring leading medical specialists for America's Health Network, a 24-hour health and medical cable network. (a) Note: The matter of IVI Publishing's name change will be submitted for a shareholder vote at the Company's annual meeting, scheduled for June 16. Upon completion of the name change, the Company's NASDAQ ticker symbol will become ONHN. Until then, investors will continue to find the Company listed as IVIP on NASDAQ.
People
KIRSH NAMED VP WARNER BROS: BURBANK, CA 5/28/98 –Pamela Kirsh has been promoted to vice president, associate general counsel in Warner Bros.' Theatrical Legal department. The announcement was made by David Sagal, senior vice president and general counsel, Warner Bros. Business and Legal Affairs. Kirsh continues to be responsible for managing the legal work pertaining to acquisition, development and production of feature films at Warner Bros., including serving as a legal liaison with such production entities as New Regency and the recently established Bel Air Entertainment. She reports to Sagal. Kirsh has been with Warner Bros. for 15 years. CARSON BECOMES WARNER THEATRICAL VP: BURBANK, Ca/ 6/10/98—Nancy Carson has been named Vice President, Warner Bros. International Theatrical Distribution from her previous position as Director of International Theatrical Distribution, it was announced by Veronika Kwan-Rubinek, Senior Vice President, Warner Bros. International Theatrical Distribution. In her new position Ms. Carson will be responsible for all matters pertaining to international rights, release dates and theatrical distribution issues for the Warner Bros. Partnership relationships, which include Castle Rock, Morgan Creek, Bel Air Entertainment, Village Roadshow and New Regency. Prior to joining Warner Bros. in June 1996, Ms. Carson was Director of International Distribution for Morgan Creek International, where she began her association with the company as Manager and Financial Analyst. MCPHERSON NAMED EXEC VP AT BUENA VISTA: BURBANK, Ca/ 6/10/98—Stephen McPherson, 33, has been appointed executive vice president, Network Television, it was announced by Lloyd Braun, chairman, Buena Vista Television Productions. In his new role, McPherson will work closely with Braun overseeing the development and production of the division's network primetime comedy series, dramas, miniseries and specials. McPherson arrives at Buena Vista from his position as senior vice president, Primetime Series at NBC where he helped oversee the development and production of such shows as "Just Shoot Me," "NewsRadio" and "The Pretender." BELO TV GROUP PICK PRESIDENT: DALLAS, TX/ 6/11/98--Belo (NYSE: BLC) has announced that Jack Sander will become president of the Company's Television Group, effective July 1, 1998, succeeding James M. Moroney, who is being promoted to executive vice president of the Company. Sander will report to Ward L. Huey, Jr., vice chairman and president of the Broadcast Division. He will have responsibility for Belo's 17 television stations as well as the four television stations Belo operates under local marketing agreements. Prior to joining Belo, Sander was president and general manager of Atlanta's WAGA-TV. PERRY DEPARTS BELO; NEW EXECS NAMED: DALLAS, TX/6//11/98--Belo (NYSE: BLC) said that Michael D. Perry, senior corporate vice president and chief financial officer, has decided to leave the Company on June 30, 1998 to pursue new professional opportunities with broad management potential. The Company also announced the promotion of four executives effective July 1, 1998 as part of a broader reorganization: Michael J. McCarthy, 53, currently senior corporate vice president, general counsel and secretary of the Company, will be one of two executive vice presidents of the Company and continue as general counsel, with enlarged responsibility for Belo's public policy activities. McCarthy will continue to report to Robert W. Decherd, chairman, president and chief executive officer; James M. Moroney, 41, currently president of Belo's Television Group, will be executive vice president of the Company with oversight of all financial, treasury, investor relations, investment banking and Board of Directors activities, reporting to Decherd; Dunia A. Shive, 37, currently senior vice president/corporate operations, will be chief financial officer of the Company and continue as senior vice president, reporting to Moroney; Marian Spitzberg, 49, currently vice president/deputy general counsel, will add the role of corporate secretary to her responsibilities and continue to report to McCarthy. Belo is one of the nation's largest media companies with a diversified group of television broadcasting, newspaper publishing, cable news and electronic media assets. MOST INFLUENTIAL HI TECH JOURNALIST: FRAMINGHAM, MASS/6/2/98--Network World, the leading newsweekly of enterprise network computing, has announce that senior vice president and editor-in-chief John Gallant has been named to Marketing Computers Magazine's list of the 25 most influential technology journalists (June 1998 issue). MC Magazine also compiled lists in various categories and Mr. Gallant was included as one of the top ten journalists in the "Trades" category. Under Gallant's editorial direction, Network World has won a number of awards, including: the 1998 Neal Award for Best single issue of a newspaper or tabloid, runner-up for the 1998 Grand Neal Award, two Neal Certificates of Merit, two Folio: Awards, two Computer Press Awards, and four American Society of Business Press Editors (ASBPE) Awards. Network World is a subsidiary of IDG (http://www.idg.com), the world's leading IT media, research and exposition company. IDG publishes more than 285 computer magazines and newspapers and 500 book titles and offers online users the largest network of technology specific sites around the world through IDG.net, which comprises more than 200 targeted Web sites in 52 countries. SEATTLE TIMES NAMES LABOR DIRECTOR: SEATTLE, wa/ 6/1/98--The Seattle Times Company has named Chris Biencourt director of labor relations. Biencourt will report to James Schafer, senior vice president/employee resources group. As director of labor relations, Biencourt will develop and implement labor relations strategies and processes at The Seattle Times and provide technical oversight to labor relations issues at The Times and subsidiary companies. Most recently, Biencourt served as manager of employee relations and safety for the Louisiana-Pacific Corporation in Portland, Oregon, where he was responsible for labor relations, non-union employee relations, workers' compensation management, safety management and all employment-related legal matters. The Seattle Times Company is a locally owned private corporation that has been doing business in Washington state since 1896. The Times is controlled by the Blethen Corporation, whose family shareholders represent the fourth generation of continuous family ownership. WILD HEADS ATLANTIC LEGAL AFFAIRS: NEW YORK, NY/ 6/1/98--Phil Wild has been promoted to Executive Vice President of Business and Legal Affairs for The Atlantic Group, based at the company's New York City headquarters. The announcement was made by Atlantic Group Co-Chairman/Co-CEO Val Azzoli. Wild, who has been with Atlantic since the fall of 1994, was most recently the company's Senior Vice President of Business and Legal Affairs. Prior to joining Atlantic Records, Phil Wild spent ten years with Arista Records, departing the company as Vice President of Business and Legal Affairs. The Atlantic Group is a Warner Music Group company. Warner Music Group, the world's leading music entertainment company, is a division of Time Warner Inc. 1998 marks the 50th Anniversary of Atlantic Records.
Disney Shareholders
BURBANK, CA/ 6/9/98--The Walt Disney Co. announced that holders of more than 70 percent of the company's common stock have approved an amendment clearing the way for the 3-for-1 split of its common stock announced on April 21. The company has set June 19 as the record date of the split. All holders of the company's common stock at the close of business on that day will be entitled to receive two newly issued shares for each share held. The new shares will be distributed as a special dividend on or about July 9, 1998. The amendment to the company's certificate of incorporation allows the company to increase the company's authorized common stock from 1.2 billion to 3.6 billion shares. Approval of the amendment was necessary to provide enough shares to permit consummation of the split. Upon completion of the split the company will have outstanding approximately 2 billion shares.
Thomas Nelson
NASHVILLE, TN/6/10/980--Thomas Nelson, Inc. (NYSE:TNM) today announced that the Company's Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of up to 3,000,000 shares, or approximately 18% of the Company's outstanding Common Stock and/or its Class B Common Stock, from time to time in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions. The amount and timing of any purchases will depend on market price and other market conditions and factors. Sam Moore, Thomas Nelson's Chairman and President, stated "We believe that the stock, at its current valuation, represents an attractive investment opportunity for the Company. The action by the Board reflects its confidence in the Company's future." Thomas Nelson, Inc. is a leading publisher, producer and distributor of books emphasizing Christian, inspirational and family value themes, and believes it is the largest publisher of Bibles and inspirational books in the English language. The Company also designs, manufactures and markets a broad line of gift and stationery products. Thomas Nelson's stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (TNM-NYSE).
Columbia Pictures
CULVER CITY, CA/6/2/98-- Columbia Pictures has optioned the film rights to Iain Pears historical thriller, "An Instance Of The Fingerpost," it has been announced by Sony Pictures Entertainment Vice President of Creative Affairs Diana Hawkins. "We are delighted to have acquired the rights to this exciting project," said Hawkins. "This is further confirmation of the company's commitment to sourcing European talent." Since the studio established a new London-based office ten months ago, Hawkins has been instrumental in developing special projects and exploring financing opportunities from within the European market. She recently played a key role in the acquisition of the comedy "Still Crazy" for the studio, starring Stephen Rea and Billy Connolly. Since being published in the United States in March 1998, "An Instance Of The Fingerpost" has been hailed as a triumphant, ingenious tour-de-force inviting comparison to the works of John Fowles and Umberto Eco. The book spent six weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, and rights have been sold in 14 territories including record sales in Germany, France, Japan, and Italy. The book is already a bestseller in France, Holland, and Britain. The story involves the suspicious death of an Oxford don In 17th century England. A young woman is accused of his murder, and the incident is recalled from the point of view of four witnesses: an Italian physician, the son of an alleged Royalist traitor, a master cryptographer, and a renowned Oxford antiquarian. Each tells his own version of what happened, but only one reveals the extraordinary truth. Columbia Pictures, part of the Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, is a Sony Pictures Entertainment company. Sony Pictures global operations encompass motion picture production and distribution, television programming and syndication, home video acquisition and distribution, operation of studio facilities, development of new entertainment products, services, and technologies, and distribution of filmed entertainment in 67 countries. Sony Pictures Entertainment can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.spe.sony.com.
Rights Acquired
LONDON and FRANKFURT, GERMANY/6/5/98--Media Arts Corporation, a 50% owned subsidiary of Immediate Entertainment Group, Inc., has acquired the rights to the following film projects: "The Sound Hunter" - an international psycho-thriller feature film set in the dance floor/party milieu. The project has already generated interest with TV networks and film production companies. "Closet Queen" - a musical-comedy feature film based on the hilarious adventures of a "Queen" tribute band. It will be an English/German co-production with London based Joseph May Productions. The budget for this project, which has huge international appeal, is currently being prepared. "Ashes to Ashes" - a German language disaster TV-movie drama. Negotiations are currently taking place with Frankfurt based production company U5 Filmproduktion for Channel PRO7 Movie of the Week. Contracts have not yet been signed. "Babylon Blues" - a 90 minute German language film - Girl meets Guru - "young love" story set in Berlin. This project is the work of up and coming writer/director Daniel Speck. Strong interest has been expressed by Bioskop Films, a Munich based film production company which has produced more than 50 international films. The projects are currently in the development phase and negotiations are in progress with major German and British TV networks together with European and US film production companies for their realization. Commenting Geraldine Blecker, MD of Media Arts Corp, said: "These projects have been selected for their strong international appeal and marketing potential including film soundtracks, multi-media marketing and sponsorship opportunities." Micky Berresheim, CEO of Immediate Entertainment Group said: "The acquisition of these film rights gives Media Arts the unique advantage of being able to utilise all the in-house facilities and synergies provided by IEG and its associate companies. We will be looking to secure further scripts, together with rights to existing films, film music scores and film music publishing." Media Arts is a US based film and soundtrack company specializing in of films, film soundtracks and film script development. Immediate Entertainment holds 50% of the equity in Media Arts. Media Arts also undertakes specific projects for commercial videos from initial concept through composition, recording, production and where necessary, post production for distribution and broadcast. Media Arts (European Division) is managed by Geraldine Blecker, who has expertise in the UK and Germany in both film and music industries as screenplay author, script editor, publisher and producer. Immediate Entertainment Group now has the following divisions: Record, CD and CD-ROM, music production and distribution TV and film project development and recording with state-of-the-art equipment Worldwide artist and talent management in association with Metropolitan agencies in the world. An associate company dealing with funding for media projects is available as a tax efficient investment only to investors in Germany.
Noted Filmmaker
NEW YORK, NY 6/2/98--Allison Anders, the well-known independent filmmaker, will be guest curator for Sundance Channel's July lineup of rock-and-roll documentaries, coined "Docs That Rock." In addition to helping make programming selections for the month, Anders will appear on the channel throughout July to discuss the films that will be shown and to conduct interviews with the artists that contributed to them. Anders, a recipient of the prestigious MacArthur "Genius" grant, is best known for writing and directing Grace of My Heart, Mi Vidda Loca (aka My Crazy Life) and Gas Food Lodging. She also executive produced Lover Girl. Receiving its world television premiere in July is Border Radio, Anders' first feature which she co-directed and co-wrote (with Kurt Voss and Dean Lent) while attending the UCLA film school. The drama -- starring Dave Alvin of The Blasters, John Doe of X, Chris Shearer and Luanna Anders -- follows the plight of three musicians who take money that is owed them from a job, and flee to Mexico. The film was produced by Marcus DeLeon. "'Docs That Rocks' embodies Sundance Channel's mission of giving filmmakers a wider audience for their work, and, through its programming, connecting with independent film fans in original, intelligent and unpredictable ways," said Tom Harbeck, Sundance Channel's Executive Vice President, Programming and Creative Director. "In addition, Allison Anders' passion for filmmaking, as well as music, makes her the ideal curator of 'Docs That Rock.'" Allison will also interview Karyn Rachtman, music supervisor on Pulp Fiction, Bulworth and Grace of My Heart; Rodney Bingenheimer, music pioneer and host of LA-based KROQ's "Rodney on the Roq"; and Rolling Stone reporter, journalist and novelist Mikal Gilmore. Remarked Liz Manne, Senior Vice President, Programming and Creative Marketing, Sundance Channel, "From her first feature, Border Radio, to last year's Grace of My Heart, Allison has threaded music storylines into her work and fused them with totally original characters. Her perspective and love of film will really add context to an amazing lineup of music documentaries on Sundance Channel in July." "Docs That Rock" will premiere on July 4, beginning at 4 p.m. and Border Radio will debut on July 2 at 9 p.m. In addition, "Docs That Rock" will air July 6-10, beginning at 12 p.m.; July 12 beginning at 2:30 p.m.; July 20-24, beginning at 9 p.m.; and July 27-31, beginning at 1 a.m. (All times are ET/PT). Sundance Channel is the 24-hour, commercial-free premium movie service bringing the film festival experience to television viewer nationwide. It represents a carefully-selected range of the best in new independent film including features, documentaries, shorts, animation and international cinema, under the creative guidance of Robert Redford. Sundance Channel is a venture among Robert Redford, Showtime Networks Inc. and PolyGram Filmed Entertainment. Sundance Channel's website address is www.sundancechannel.com. Sundance Channel operates independently of the non-profit Sundance Institute and the Institute's Sundance Film Festival, but shares the Sundance mission of supporting independent artists and providing them with wider opportunities to present their work to audiences. | |
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