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New Media News Every Morning

Singer/Songwriter Lisa Lavie gets 1 million hits in just 5 days

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nyf019.jpgPop Singer/Songwriter Lisa Lavie lets her talent speak for itself. After posting videos of her original compositions, word quickly spread through the internet community that there was a new and unique singer that needed to be heard. With no hype and no radio airplay, just a video featured by YouTube on its front page, “Angel,” Lisa’s breakthrough track, received over 1 million views in just 60 hours.

Discovered seemingly by chance by songwriter/producer Ben Margulies (3 number 1 hits with Mariah Carey), Ben was handed her demo while visiting a recording studio in Las Vegas 3 years ago. After just one listen, Ben recalls it was “like the first time I heard Mariah.” Calling her magical voice “one in a million,” he knew Lisa had everything it takes to record a hit album. Fortunately for her growing fanbase, they will not have to wait much longer.

Knowing the value of her fans, Lisa endeavored to respond to the more than 10,000 encouraging comments left on YouTube. The web page thought Lisa was a computer program and suspended her account. 48 hours later, she was back on YouTube after her fans started a petition to “Bring Lisa Back.”

Other Lisa Lavie songs “Falling For You” and “Save Your Breath” are also quickly racking up YouTube pageviews while showcasing her wide vocal range, pitch and ability, making an indelible impression for all listeners.

Originally posted on October 5, 2007 @ 9:54 am

Burger King extends gaming presence with entry to mobile entertainment

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burgerking.pngBurger King Corp. announced a licensing arrangement with Mobliss Inc. to create downloadable cell phone games featuring branded content, including the King.

The initial game currently in development will feature players vying for the role of the King’s protégé by facing challenges and progressing in the virtual world of a Burger King-themed city. As various tasks are completed successfully, points are earned, advanced levels are unlocked and gamers face more difficult challenges. The result is a unique gaming experience enhanced by the peer-to-peer interaction of the community.

Burger King Corp. plans to promote the games through in-restaurant signage and packaging. Customers will send a text message to download and purchase the games. The games are scheduled to launch in spring 2008. Mobliss has direct publishing agreements with national carriers, including Sprint, AT&T, U.S. Cellular, Verizon, Alltel and T-Mobile.

Burger King Corp. has a history in gaming, including the development of three branded XBOX games: “Pocketbike Racer,” “Big Bumpin’,” and “Sneak King,” as well as the integration of Burger King branded content into top-selling video games like “Fight Night,” “Need For Speed” and “NFL Street.”

Originally posted on October 8, 2007 @ 8:57 am

Record labels win $222,000 penalty against song sharer

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The New York Times reports that a federal jury found Jammie Thomas liable for copyright infringement for sharing 24 songs online. A $222,000 penalty was imposed in terms of damages.

The verdict brought an end to the first jury trial in the music industry’s fight against individual computer users, numbering about 30,000 since 2003. Many of those sued have settled their cases out of court for about $4,000 each. Thomas chose to face trial asserting that she did not share files on Kazaa.

[via NYTimes]

Originally posted on October 5, 2007 @ 9:45 am

Podfitness announces groundbreaking fitness technology for Microsoft HealthVault

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podfitness.pngPodfitness, provider of customized audio workout solutions, announced that it has entered into a strategic alliance with Microsoft Corp. to make its patented fitness application available on HealthVault, Microsoft’s newly launched consumer health platform.

Through the relationship, Podfitness customers can access an environment of new online services to search, store and connect people with their health information, helping put them in control of their health and wellness. Microsoft’s HealthVault users can apply their health information in creating customized workouts with Podfitness.

Podfitness provides consumers with access to elite fitness trainers through simple and easy to use personalized audio workouts that can be downloaded to Zune or other mp3 players.

Originally posted on October 5, 2007 @ 8:33 am

Microsoft Music Store goes DRM-Free

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Microsoft became the latest and largest music retailer to offer DRM-free digital music. The announcement comes less than two weeks after Amazon.com launched its own DRM-free digital music store. The Microsoft Music Store will offer consumers more than one million DRM-free songs.

“The industry standard has shifted in the past six months and the tide has turned in favor of consumers,” Maura Corbett, a spokesperson for the Digital Freedom Campaign said. “The number of digital music retailers offering DRM-free music will soon out number those that do not, and consumers will soon live in a world where they can listen to legally purchased music when, how, and where they want. We congratulate Microsoft for joining the growing number of retailers and labels that have realized the best way to increase the sales of digital music, is to listen to their customers.”

Originally posted on October 5, 2007 @ 11:55 pm