901am

New Media News Every Morning

Gaia Online, Warner Bros. ink deal to bring movies to millions of teens

By

gaia_matrix.pngGaia Online announced that Warner Bros.’ movies will be made available through Gaia’s virtual theater, the Gaia Cinemas, starting today. The more than 2.5 million teens who visit Gaia Online every month will be able to watch the legendary studio’s films with daily free screenings as well as pay-per-view screenings. Movie titles will include box office smashes such as “The Matrix” and “Batman Returns”; comedies including “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective”; “Caddyshack 2 & 3”; and classics including “Superman 2 & 3” and “Risky Business”.

Additional movies from Warner Bros.’ library will be added to the Gaia Cinema schedule every Monday. While select movies will be available for free, recent releases will operate on a pay-per-view basis at $1.99 per screening.

[Related post]

Originally posted on December 4, 2007 @ 3:33 pm

uWink launches real-time, multiplayer in-restaurant game platform

By

uwink.pnguWink, Inc., a developer of digital media entertainment software and an interactive restaurant concept, announced the launch of its real-time, multiplayer game platform, that allows for restaurant-wide, head-to-head and team game play, greatly enhancing customer interaction.

The first game to be featured on uWink’s new game platform, uWink Trivia Live, allows patrons throughout the restaurant to play a multiple-choice trivia game against one another in real-time (including real-time scoring), either head-to-head individually or in teams, using uWink’s proprietary tabletop touchscreen terminals. The game scoring and results are projected on the walls of the restaurant in real time, making the game a truly immersive experience.

Future games to be featured on the platform include uWink Scene Investigation (uWink’s riff on the popular CSI television series), Xingo (a mashup of bowling and bingo) and Picture Perfect, uWink’s popular “find the differences” game.

Originally posted on November 28, 2007 @ 11:30 am

Fanista.com launches of community-powered marketplace for entertainment enthusiasts

By

fanista.pngFanista.com, an online destination where people who are passionate about music, movies, video games and books can come together; champion their favorite artists, music, movies and other entertainment; buy those products; and be rewarded for being the entertainment fans they already are; officially launched today.

At Fanista.com, fans can share their opinions with a community of enthusiasts and discover new things to enjoy. They can purchase products, invite others to participate, and get rewarded for the value they create. Fanista.com rewards the members of its community through its unique “Common Interest Commerce” (or “CIC”) rewards program. Site users who become CIC members can earn up to 10% commission of their friends’ purchases. (There is no charge for joining the CIC rewards program.) Site users also can earn insider perks and achieve social status for establishing themselves as tastemakers and experts when they share their opinions with the Fanista.com community. Fanista.com features a deep and diverse catalogue of current releases, mainstream hits, indie darlings, up-and-comers, and classics, across a broad range of genres. The site also will include exclusive content available only at Fanista.com.

Fanista.com is founded by entertainment industry veteran Dan Adler, whose Hollywood career has been defined by his ability to integrate talent and technology. He has worked across the film, music, television and gaming industries, including two different stints at Creative Artists Agency, where he served as head of its New Media division. He also served as Vice President of Creative Development for Walt Disney Imagineering. Adler began his Hollywood career in classic fashion in the CAA mailroom.

Originally posted on November 20, 2007 @ 5:59 pm

Sony BMG, Yahoo to expand video on-demand pact

By

sonybmg.pngYahoo! has signed an agreement with Sony BMG to extend its video-on-demand license. In addition to expanding the existing relationship into additional territories around the world, the new worldwide deal adds a broad array of additional Sony BMG music videos to the Yahoo! Music catalog. As part of the agreement, Sony BMG music videos will be available for distribution across Yahoo! and off-network through a Yahoo-branded video player. The deal also enables Yahoo! users to utilize various Sony BMG audio recordings in user generated audiovisual content.

Originally posted on November 20, 2007 @ 1:30 pm

Moola.com unveils world’s first Massively Multiplayer Rewards Game

By

moola.pngMoola.com unveiled the world’s first Massively Multiplayer Rewards Game (MMRG), combining a multiplayer game environment with an ad-supported cash rewards program. Mooola enables anyone to win up to $10 million in cash by playing and winning head-to-head matches, interacting with video advertising, searching the web, referring their friends– and now by shopping online with the new BoosterBar browser companion. With over 175,000 registered members and millions of dollars up for grabs, Moola is leading the next evolution in the multi-billion dollar casual gaming industry.

The BoosterBar (which is available exclusively to Moola players) gives players the opportunity to collect and win Moola cash when they shop online and search the web. The BoosterBar makes shopping recommendations, displays available coupons and discounts at participating retailers, and ensures that players never miss an opportunity to collect rewards when shopping online.

Originally posted on November 19, 2007 @ 2:41 pm