| Communications
Convergence RoundTable Luncheons - Current information is posted as soon
as it is available.
Sponsored by the new MCAI-MN Chapter Media Communications Association International
- Minnesota Chapter (formerly ITVA Twin Cities) MCAI is proud to announce a new series of monthly roundtable discussions on the topics that concern you and your career! If you’re involved in the creation
of programs covering training and education, entertainment and games,
advertising and promotion, sales and marketing, and how to maximize
their delivery using a variety of media, you should attend! This is your chance to learn about the latest techniques, hottest
new programs and tips and tricks providing effective and efficient solutions
to solve any problems you have encountered creating your projects. Experts
in the creation of interactive multimedia and traditional visual communications
programs will lead each discussion. When: 11:30 a.m.- 1:00 p.m., May 10,
2001, the second Thursday of the month. Where: Luther Seminary Olson Center Board Room,
2nd Floor (NEW LARGER ROOM!!!) DTV Table
(Digitally Enhanced TV, Interactive TV ads and Datacasting)- Mr. Jerry
Schlei continues his informative talks about this emerging technology.
He's putting together a reel of WebTV programs to show. WHEN: WHERE: COST: $10 (includes lunch) No advance registration is necessary! Map to meeting location:
Or contact:
The UK Independent Television Council (ITC) has formerly set down a series of “guidelines” broadcasters and ITV developers must consider when distributing interactive television content. On the brink of a rapidly developing ITV industry there, these regulations come at a curiously inconvenient or convenient time depending on one’s perspective. In contrast to the U.S. where regulation is anathema to corporate America, regulation in this context will heavily influence the evolution of ITV applications. The guidelines differentiate, for example, between an interactive service platform and interactive content in association with real-time broadcast programming. Services not regulated include virtual branded channels and Internet TV services, whereas enhanced TV programming, must not show branded “first click” icons for products or tcommerce services unrelated to that programming. Viewers must also be able to access non-commercial information before they reach product offers. Other types of content protected from tcommerce opportunities will be news, current affairs, and consumer advice programs. Children’s content, of course, cannot showcase any type of sales pitches. On the other hand, interactive advertising that comes between programs was not really discussed leading one to believe this is also off the radar. Ultimately, will such policies stifle investment, deter development, or aid in its acceptance by the general public? Nick Bryant, director of Advertising and Sales for Open… believes regulation is probably warranted. “Although, I think it’s highly paternalistic, it possibly makes sense. I don’t know how long they’ll be able to enforce it, though.” Product placement companies eager to get involved in ITV commerce may not have as an easy transition into this industry as they expected, once technology can support that kind of application. Further recommendations
from the ITC additionally ask for ongoing research into market developments,
the establishment of a forum for discussion, and research into viewers’
experiences and reactions to these services. PBS & Partners Prepare New Digital SyncTV Programming PBS has made partnership with a long-term developer of datacasting technology, WaveXpress, and a series of other partners (Triveni Digital, Chedd-Angier Production Company, Zenith, Agilent Technologies, Nielsen Media Research) to produce SyncTV broadcasts around the program “Scientific American Frontiers.” SyncTV is, of course, a type of interactive TV in which a synchronized broadcast works in association with a Web application. Here, viewers online will be able to chat, answer trivia questions, receive additional applications (because it will be broadcast via the digital terrestrial signal) and so on with “TVTonic” as this and other SyncTV-style applications have emerged from other companies such as ACTV’s HyperTV and Spiderdance. Here, however, some
viewers that live in participating public television markets (WETA–Washington
DC, OPB-Portland, Oregon, NJN - New Jersey, MPBC-Lewiston, Maine; TPT
Twin Cities Public Television- St.Paul/Minneapolis, WHYY-Philadelphia,
and KQED-San Francisco) will receive a digital TV receiver card for
their PC enabling a signal screen experience. Others will see the program
via ATVEF-compliant set-top boxes. Producers at PBS have experimented
many times and in many ways on the road towards digital broadcasting
to their credit - but nothing has stuck to date. Will this new project
and attendant partners lend direction and stability? Hosted by Alan
Alda, “Scientific American Frontiers” investigates real discoveries
and pop science topics – a perfect format and audience base that
will surely attract attention to the burgeoning new medium. Look
for the first program on March 27th.
NEW YORK, NY, May 8, 2000 - The Association of Internet Professionals (AIP) today announced that it has signed a letter of intent to merge the International Interactive Communications Society (IICS) into its existing structure. It is anticipated that the merger will be completed within the next several months, subject to regulatory approval, procedural votes as per state and federal laws, and the execution of a definitive agreement. The merger is a significant milestone in AIP's ongoing efforts to unify the Internet professional industry and to consolidate industry representation. The merged organization will be called AIP, and will be managed by a governing board made up of the existing AIP board plus two directors from the current IICS board. It will be managed out of the existing AIP New York City headquarters. Chapter directors from both organizations will combine to form the regional boards of directors. In those areas where chapters of both organizations exist, the elected AIP leadership will retain their elected positions, with the IICS leadership assuming other board positions. "AIP is extremely pleased to take what has been a productive relationship with IICS and transform it into an opportunity to serve the industry and our constituents with an even more impressive offering," said AIP Chair David Munaretto. "Combining the strengths of these two impressive organizations furthers our ability to sustain a leadership role in our industry, address the evolving needs of our constituents, and continue the unprecedented rate of growth that we've seen in the last year." Indeed, AIP and many of its chapters have nearly quadrupled in size in the last 12 months. Jason Brewster, President of the IICS, affirms the benefits of bringing these two organizations together. "This was the right move for both AIP and the IICS. Our combined strengths will allow us to better serve and support our members and industry. IICS was formed at the start of interactive media, and we are proud to continue to serve the community as part of the Association of Internet Professionals." AIP Executive Director Andrew Kraft said, "With the addition of IICS' 16 years of experience as the leading multimedia professional organization, as well as the relationships built over those 16 years, AIP will be stronger than ever, and in an even better position to move ahead as a single, unified voice in our industry's dealings with the media and as an advocate for our members in government and industry forums." About the Association of Internet Professionals (AIP) The Association of Internet Professionals (AIP) is the premier professional association for Internet professionals worldwide. AIP, founded in 1994, is the largest and fastest growing professional association in the industry. In order to unify, support and represent the global community of Internet professionals, AIP provides the benefits and programs that allow both its individual and corporate members to succeed in today's Internet/Intranet/Extranet marketplace. The organization also serves as the voice of Internet professionals and industry corporations before the public, press, and within the online community on issues shaping the future of the Internet. AIP's web site can be found at www.association.org. About the International Interactive Communications Society (IICS) The International Interactive Communications Society, founded in 1984, is the only organization for professionals from the full spectrum of new media disciplines. Its membership includes writers, artists, programmers, musicians, videographers, managers, executives, trainers, gamers, educators, marketers, and independent consultants. Since the early days of videodiscs, through the advent of CD-ROMs and DVDs, and now the Web, IICS has provided monthly meetings with very effective networking and cross-training opportunities. The IICS web site can be found at www.iics.org. ******************************** Seward Learning Systems, Inc. Wins 2000 Summit Creative Award Minneapolis, Minnesota, March 23, 2000-- Seward Learning Systems is a Silver winner in the 2000 Summit Creative Awards competition for its outstanding creative work on the "Sales Floor Olympics" CD-ROM for Target. This is Seward's third Summit Award, following a 1997 award for a Web-based Overview for Medtronic and a 1999 award for Target's Shipping CD-ROM. For the Sales Floor Olympics piece, Seward designed a series of multimedia training modules around the theme of an Olympic competition. Movies, graphics, sound effects and narratives lent the activities the "fun, fast and friendly" environment of the Target workplace, and gave Target exactly the solution it needed to meet the heavy training demand associated with high entry-level turnover. This year's panel of Summit judges included Andrew Swanson of Ogilvy Interactive (Darwin Digital), John Bamberger, Ed Catano, Hal Hodgson of The Marketing Deli and Jeff Minsky of Saatchi & Saatchi. Entries in 16 media categories were judged against a stringent set of standards. Judges looked for the most innovative and creative concepts, strong executions and a distinguished ability to communicate and persuade. The Summit Creative Awards is the only competition of its kind. It was created to recognize exceptional work by smaller multimedia firms, advertising agencies, video production companies and other creative groups with annual billings of $15 million or less. This year's competition saw a record number of entries-- over 3,000-- with participation from the United States, Canada, Europe and Australia. Seward Learning
Systems specializes in the design and development of custom e-learning
for a wide range of corporate, retail and educational clients. For further
information or editorial inquiries please contact:
********************************
Tracy Swedlow's In its 3rd year of existence, the annual AFI-Intel Enhanced TV Workshop had a lot to prove. The first year was the great experiment. The second was defining the "pie in the sky". This year everybody hoped for some good cooking. What came out of the oven were some tasty morsels, and in a couple of instances, perhaps some complete deserts. One thing was for sure, you could really smell the brown sugar. Starting at 10:30, Tuesday morning, attendees numbered about 100 (including participants, mentors, invited guests, and staff). In the lobby high above the L.A. city basin, everyone gathered for coffee, orange juice and a few breakfast items to get brains working. Here, everybody is always happy to greet each other like old friends. It's a unique atmosphere. The early session got off to a good start with cameras and mic booms recording all that was said. The mandate given to the producers was to develop projects multi-platform i.e. narrowband, broadband, ITV, and for wireless devices. Teams which formed around the projects were bigger this year. Lacking, though, was participation of established technology providers: e.g. Microsoft TV, WorldGate, PowerTV, Sun, and OpenTV. Liberate, to its credit, was, again, the only platform company to get their hands covered in flour. Their participation showed. Some say, that Microsoft, Liberate, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and OpenTV may begin funding the event as well. Those companies that do will have access to a talented smart group of producers and technologists who really understand what they're doing. Associating one's company with the AFI banner will also convey excellence. In general, the event was always a productive, intimate, and classy affair. Technology set ups (which included PCs, a set-top, projections, videos, laptops) ran smoothly. It's a great place to meet people and establish early-stage partnerships. Clouds hanging over the event, though, were the various layoffs in the industry including iXL, Razorfish, marchFIRST, and Replay. At the event there were a few people looking for jobs, while others had recently made a transitions to other ITV companies in the last 2 months. In the end, although there was a lot of enthusiasm for the work and the future, there was also the realization that something in the economy was changing. Yet, when speaking to Suzanne Stefanac, SVP Creative, of RespondTV, she said: "In the first year at AFI, it was all a little experiment. Today, all our clients want to do something right away. They can't wait to get started." Another announcement during a break in the presentations included one from Louis Barbash from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the parent company of PBS. Barbash announced to the crowd that CPB would now fund 20 prototypes within their Digital Content Creation Initiative featuring "Web originals, Web sites connected with TV programs, and enhanced TV-style ITV prototypes." Total monies for this program adds to $2 million. Part of the project is to lead Digital Roadshows across the nation to public stations as well. Barbash strongly hopes that the "dot com world will partner with good producers that really know how to tell a story." B=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=ad:JobListing=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= AdForce Director of ITV This person identifies and evaluates alliance partners, finalizing partner agreements and managing the ongoing relationships. In addition, influence ITV and traditional media strategy development, service and product definition. The preferred background includes a minimum 3 years of business or channel development experience, preferably with a wireless, television, software, Internet, or technology-intensive services company. AdForce is a leading provider of global advertising solutions. Please send resumes to Fran Kaspar at fkaspar@adforce.com Go to http://www.adforce.com *Say you read about this job on [itvt]. B=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=ad:JobListing=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Below are short descriptions and reviews in chronological order of the AFI-Intel 2000 work-in-progress project presentations. Name: "American Family" PBS airing 2001 Producer: Barbara Martinez Jitner, El Norte Productions Show: 1 hour drama about a Latino American family Technology: synchronized TV dual broadband/TV screen Partners: Razorfish, L.A., Georgia Institute, RespondTV Prototype: Backstories, gossip, jokes available online resulted in good work to get viewers to want to find out more about the storyline and characters. Needs greater development, but had interesting, sticky appeal to the curious viewer. Name: "The Roman Empire" PBS airing fall 2001 Producer: Lyn Goldfarb, Goldfarb and Koval Show: 4 hour documentary series on 1st Century Roman life Technology: set-top box Partners: marchFIRST, DNA, Carolyn May Prototype: Producers' dedication to providing differing perspectives on life at that time by request was very interesting. Also available were director's comments, chat, and 3D realizations of Roman interiors. Some aspects still beyond capability of high-end set-tops. May need DVR technology. Romanesque interactive control banner available on the top was a bit heavy, but overall an elegant solution. Name: "Blind Date" - on TV now Producer: Harley Tat, Universal Worldwide Television Show: 1/2 hour daily show about real life dates Technologies: narrowband, broadband, set-top box, wireless Partners: Spiderdance, DNA, PacketVideo, RespondTV, Steeplechase Prototype: Pop up cloud comments highly creative and funny, but not interactive yet. Broadband site used for outtakes, chat, voting on dates, etc. Popular community experience now on Excite.com. STB version focused on voting, tcommerce ("buy her dress"), and trivia only. This technology could be used to suggest pop ups interactively. Wireless ideas great, i.e. deals with restaurants & sneak preview promos. Name: "Music From the Inside Out" PBS Producer: Danny Anker, Anker Productions Show: Documentary about music & people of the Philadelphia Orchestra Technologies: set-top box, broadband Partners: PushyBroad, Liberate, Roundpeg, Team Audio, Beatnik, Mixed Signals Prototype: A project that generated a lot of excitement. Successfully able to engineer Liberate-based interactive karaoke jam session with on video musicians. Presented multi-camera views you control of musicians vs. director's view. Individual elements such as info on musicians and instruments and music also available. Broadband version explored musical creation with innovative color tools. Very conceptually consistent with thrust of project. Implementation was logical and elemental.
Access: Interactive TV & Mobile Games Knightsbridge, London February 19-21, 2001 Access Conferences International present an exploration of the world of iTV and mobile games. Cutting-edge case studies will be presented by AGENCY.COM, Datamonitor, EB Media, ntl: Interactive, Nokia, Two Way TV and many others. For further details call Hannah Sanders on +44 (0) 20 7840 2700, fax +44 (0) 20 7840 2701, email look@access-conf.com or visit our Web site http://www.access-conf.com/TV110. *Please say you saw this event on [itvt]! C=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=ad:EventListing=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Name: "This Far By Faith" PBS fall 2001 Producer: Jass Stewart, Invent Media Show: 6 hr. TV series about African-American spirituality Technology: set-top or broadband Partners: Blackside, Pittard Sullivan, Experiant, Carolyn May Prototype: More of a CD-ROM like presentation with timelines and interactive avenues for interactive exploration. Completed conceptual look. Has intentions to create rich community discussion about issues raised, but not available yet. Name: "The Perfect Crime" Wegelius Television, Denmark Producer: Henrik Hancke Nielsen Show: Dark game about "agents" infiltrating building for money Technology: Flash 3 and QuickTime for broadband. Going to Liberate Partners: Razorfish NY, Planet Theory, NBC Prototype: Highly produced program layered by beautiful complex graphical green interactive interface that provides viewers with intricate access to applications during show. "Viewsers" hack the game in community behind the scenes. Probably way beyond set-top capability, but great to look at. Name: "Extreme Rides 2000" Discovery Producer: Ron Romberger, Kiku Lani Iwata, Termite Art Show: Prime time series about roller coasters Technology: set-top, TiVo-DVR, broadband future Partners: Agency.com, RespondTV, Fox, Texas Instruments Team Audio, Animation Dynamics, Pace Video, Adobe Systems, Reality Check Prototype: Good combination of HTML interface pages, chat app, "pick a ride" clips, educational info about history for set-top box version. TiVo experiment featured stored videos of rides on-demand with multi-camera views including supporting data like biometric information on rider's experiences. In broadband version: interactive request 3D app to build your own rides. Most completely thought-out concept and project, so great to experience. Discovery may be putting money behind this one and so they should.
The work done at AFI added not only to everyone's mind of what was possible, but also to the development of our understanding of the creative process as far as building complex media structures for the new medium of ITV. Part of that process is asking pointed questions about real-world practicalities as did Maurice Jacobsen, producer of "Expedition 360 (a project from last year) or Nick DeMartino when he introduced the query about how actors or documentary subjects in these interactive programs felt about having viewers interact with their images or intended comments. Of course, who could not mention the always brightly vocal Brian Seth Hurst of PittardSullivan who reminded the audience about the importance of community development while asking presenters to consider how they planned to carry out that strategy. In general, questions from the audience were, perhaps, fewer this year, but more direct and tougher. It's interesting to note, in light of that last point, that participation in this kind of event attracted more companies and people from each company to the process than ever before. Clearly, these companies and individuals that dedicated their time for free were inspired by something or, perhaps, the knew they'd get something in return regardless of economic promise. At close of the event, although everyone wished there was greater opportunity to actually build these projects, get them funded, and work out their business models, they clearly acknowledged it was all invaluable experience and exposure.
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Revised: 24, September 2000
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