Friday, February 29, 2008

February 29, 2008

BET

BET J invites record labels to attend St Lucia music awards


"The Caribbean is filled with exceptional talent. Some of the smaller islands have fewer avenues for artistes who want to be recognized internationally. We saw this event as a perfect opportunity to utilize our company's assets and our contacts in the US entertainment industry to make it an invaluable experience for St. Lucian musicians and performers," said St. Lucian national Cybelle Brown, BET J's Vice President of Sales and Business Development

http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/news-6310--20-20--.html

What impact will BET Have on UK Audience?

Today's UK launch of Black Entertainment Television has raised high expectations. Finally, the black community will have a main media outlet of its own. That can only be a good thing, can't it? Well, not necessarily. BET may be promising to deliver "black cultural content to the world", but the question is "of what kind?"

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/feb/29/television.race1

CBS

CBS Looks for Growth in New-Media Deals

CBS, reporting a 15% decline in fourth-quarter net income, is signaling a new acquisition push as it seeks new sources of growth to offset a slowdown in its mature broadcast businesses. Little growth in earnings is fanning concerns about the long-term prospects of traditional operations.

http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB120402857528893529.html

CBS punches up primetime

Mixed martial arts is a phenomenon in the sporting world, drawing a wide and growing audience for its blend of martial arts, boxing and wrestling in caged and open rings. CBS hopes to tap into the young audience and also revitalize a Saturday night schedule replete with low-rated repeats.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/television/news/e3i064ef4c02067f0c86b94e8b7b6079a49

FOX

MySpace drama's TV premiere flops

The TV debut of a drama that made its name on MySpace has failed to win over viewers in the US. The first episode of Quarterlife, created by the team behind 1990s hits Thirtysomething and My So-Called Life, attracted 3.1 million viewers.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7271227.stm

MySpace, Harvard Team for Web Safety

A task force is being formed in hopes of finding ways to protect children from predators online, spearheaded by News Corp.'s MySpace and headed by Harvard Law School's Berkman Center for Internet & Society. Also participating: Facebook, Google, Microsoft and Yahoo.

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20080228-harvard-myspace-spearhead-internet-safety-task-force.html

MySpace hosts dev Jam

In the spirit of Silicon Valley hackathons, iPhoneDevCamps and Facebook Developers Garages, MySpace is hosting its first developer's get together in San Francisco tomorrow.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfgate/detail?blogid=19&entry_id=24627

MySpaceTV Launches Hidden-Camera Series

MySpace is launching "Special Delivery," a non-scripted hidden-camera reality show produced in association with Avalon TV. MySpace users will also be able to become "friends" with the "Special Delivery" profile, allowing them to receive show updates and share episodes with friends.

http://www.worldscreen.com/newscurrent.php?filename=myspacetv022608.htm

MySpace, TMZ Team Up on Channel

Time Warner's TMZ.com is securing a partnership with News Corp.'s MySpace to bring the entertainment-news site's content to the online social network's video platform, MySpaceTV. TMZ will populate a branded channel on MySpaceTV, featuring select exclusive clips.

http://www.worldscreen.com/newscurrent.php?filename=tmz022707.htm

MTV

MTV Correspondent SuChin Pak to Lecture in Voices of Color Series

SuChin Pak, an MTV News Team correspondent, will speak at Hamilton College on MTV, Gen X and Multiculturalism on Thursday, March 6 in part of the college's Voices of Color Lecture Series. SuChin Pak has been a correspondent for the MTV News Team for seven years, and has interviewed numerous celebrities from the music industry.

http://www.hamilton.edu/news/more_news/display.cfm?ID=13571

Paris Hilton to Star in Reality Show

Paris Hilton will star in a new reality show for MTV where girls will compete to be her new best friend

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,333675,00.html

UNIVISION

Univision #4 Network in Primetime for Entire February Sweep Beating CBS and CW among All Adults 18-34

According to the Nielsen Television Index (NTI), Univision has also once again ranked as the 5th broadcast network in primetime among Adults 18-49, that’s for all viewers, not just Hispanic -- beating the other broadcast and cable networks to get there.

http://www.hispanicprwire.com/news.php?l=in&id=10794&cha=7

Univision Battle With Televisa Places Programs in Jeopardy

A long-running feud between Univision Communications and the Mexican broadcaster that provides most of its programming is headed for a showdown in a federal court in Los Angeles. If Univision loses, it could see many of its prime-time shows yanked.

http://www.labusinessjournal.com/article.asp?aID=62360389.8809757.1593046.282286.2574931.231&aID2=122533

Universal to buy Univision music division

Seeking to become el grande in the growing U.S. Latin music market, Universal Music Group on Thursday said it had agreed to buy Univision Communications Inc.'s record division.

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/music/la-fi-univision29feb29,1,6522926.story

VIACOM

Viacom CEO's Job Appears Safe for Now

Viacom "comfortably surpassed" CEO Philippe Dauman's goal to generate $500 million in digital revenue in 2007, the company says while reporting its quarterly results. Chairman Sumner Redstone dismissed former Viacom CEO Tom Freston for not expanding the company's online businesses.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601204&sid=al83QimVBOy4

Viacom profit rises on MTV and "Transformers"

Cable network and movie studio owner Viacom Inc said on Thursday fourth-quarter profit rose 16 percent on higher advertising sales at its MTV Networks and strong sales of its 'Rock Band' video game and "Transformers" DVDs.

http://www.reuters.com/article/industryNews/idUSN2861890920080229

AFRICA

Education Can Act As Second 'Vaccine' Against Aids

Researchers, who recently took part in the third Commonwealth teacher research symposium in Maputo, have highlighted the role that teachers are playing in combating HIV/AIDS.

http://allafrica.com/stories/200802260828.html

New Study Tests Effectiveness of Women-Focused HIV/AIDS Prevention Interventions in South Africa

As part of an effort to reduce HIV/AIDs transmission in South Africa, researchers at RTI International and the Medical Research Council of South Africa will conduct a study to test the effectiveness of combining voluntary counseling and HIV/AIDS testing with women-focused behavioral interventions to prevent the spread of the disease.

http://carolinanewswire.com/news/News.cgi?database=01news.db&command=viewone&id=1453&op=t

South Africa: Mass Market Reach With in-Game Ads

In-game ad placement - the placing of ads alongside or within online games - is poised to break through into the mass consumer market in South Africa. One of the country's foremost online games suppliers, SkillPod Media, has inked a deal with Brabys Ad Sales.

http://allafrica.com/stories/200802290634.html

CARIBBEAN

'Bs' explored at Global Reggae Conference

The fourth day of the 2008 Global Reggae Conference, hosted at the University of the West Indies, Mona, opened with presentations on some of the major themes within dancehall. All were summarised in one topic: 'Badman, Bad Gyal and Batty Bwoy; Gender, Sexuality and Dancehall in the Global South'.

http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20080224/ent/ent4.html

Home Grown Hip-Life Launched

A feature-length documentary that explores the history of hip-life music in Ghana with emphasis on the story of the one-time KORA Music award winners, Vision in Progress (V.I.P), has been launched in Accra.

http://ghanabase.com/news/2008/2040.asp

Realvibez Media CEO Presents At Global Reggae Conference

The presentation focused on basic online marketing tools, real-world cases and the new“push strategy” in regards to getting content to where people already are instead of the “pull strategy” of old. The entire presentation has been made available for free download

http://www.jamaicans.com/news/announcements/GlobalReggaeConference-02292008-08.shtml

Sexually transmitted infections in men

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are frequent complaints presented by men attending health care facilities. In the lifestyle survey (2000), one in three Jamaican men, aged 15 to 45 years, had a previous history of an STI. This problem affects young people in particular, with 25-per-cent of the 10 to 19 year olds reporting at least one previous STI.

http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20080227/health/health3.html

St. Kitts and Nevis Cabinet takes measures to secure a healthier society


According to the National Strategic Health Plan, the Environmental Health component will stress food safety and security, port surveillance and the monitoring of water quality, while the HIV/AIDS and Sexually-Transmitted Infections segment will target the prevention, treatment, care and support of the infected as well as research.

http://www.cuopm.com/newsitem.asp?articlenumber=1593

CHINA

MySpace China to be involved in interactive Olympics site

China Central Television has partnered with MySpace China and Tudou.com to run an interactive website for the Beijing Olympics in August, according to a Wall Street Journal report.

http://www.bizjournals.com/losangeles/stories/2008/02/25/daily33.html?jst=b_ln_hl

OTHER NEWS

Disney's ESPN Eyes More Internet Video

ESPN plans to get more ambitious in its use of Web video, with more Web-exclusive content and possibly long-form video. "We are going to launch a number of new, original shows only on ESPN.com," says network exec Ed Erhardt. "We think there's a huge opportunity."

http://www.forbes.com/business/2008/02/29/espn-web-video-biz-media-cx_lh_0229bizespn.html

Facebook Unveils Preview of New Redesign

Facebook first announced last year that it was working on a redesign of members' profiles. Now, the social-networking site is unveiling previews of its upcoming new look. Users won't be able to see a member's entire profile on one screen; personal data will be on one "tab."

http://www.news.com/8301-13577_3-9879858-36.html

Google Tries to Get More Clicks on Ads

Facing concerns about slowing growth, Google is quietly testing a new feature that will use up search marketers' unspent advertising budgets. The feature, called Automatic Matching, expands participating advertisers' list of keywords to include terms Google deems relevant.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/02282008/business/dollar_grab_99670.htm

More Americans Turning to Web for News

Nearly 70% of Americans believe traditional journalism is out of touch, and nearly half are turning to the Internet to get their news, according to a We Media/Zogby Interactive online poll. More than half of those age 18 to 29 get most of their news and information online.

http://www.reuters.com/article/internetNews/idUSN2824760420080229

Nielsen Shakes Up Its Media Properties

Nielsen Business Media is naming former Variety group publisher Gerry Byrne as head of the company's new entertainment group, which includes The Hollywood Reporter and Billboard. Nielsen is rumored to be mulling a sale of its trade titles, like rival Reed Elsevier.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/02282008/business/nielsen_shakes_up_with_new_publisher_99673.htm

Playboy Seeks Clothed 'Miss Mobile'

Playboy is inviting women 18 years and older to enter a Playboy Mobile competition. In a slight departure from Playboy's traditional pictorial spreads, the contest will accept and post only photos of clothed contestants, aiming to highlight "lifestyles and aspirations."

http://publications.mediapost.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Articles.showArticleHomePage&art_aid=77443

Time Warner CEO Makes His First Cuts

Time Warner new CEO Jeff Bewkes is showing Wall Street he means business about cost cutting. He just made his first big move: folding New Line Cinema into the main Warner Bros. movie studio, a cost-cutting measure that will likely result "in hundreds" of layoffs.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/23396229

Monday, February 25, 2008

February 25, 2008

CBS

Hard times hard on CBS

Advertising-dependent CBS is likely to suffer more than its peers in a recession, and Tuesday's earnings will only be the beginning. Given that the broader economy is slowing and possibly heading into recession, CBS (CBS, Fortune 500) isn't in a good position. "The outlook for CBS," says Merrill Lynch media analyst, Jessica Reif Cohen, "is challenging."

http://money.cnn.com/2008/02/25/news/companies/cbs_walkup.fortune/?postversion=2008022516

MEDIA REPORT: CBS Looks To 'book 'em' Online With Classic Shows

"Generally speaking there are younger demographics online, and we have to hit them with everything we've got," said Quincy Smith, president of CBS Interactive, in an interview. "We are absolutely using this to go out and find new eyeballs who might not otherwise have seen this."

http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/djf500/200802241948DOWJONESDJONLINE000376_FORTUNE5.htm

FOX

MySpace Sued Over 2006 Teen Suicide

The family of a 15-year-old girl who committed suicide following a sexual relationship with a 27-year-old man she met online is suing MySpace for allegedly facilitating communication between the two.

http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2008/02/myspace-sued-ov.html

News Corp May Dump Google from MySpace

News Corp.'s Fox Interactive Media is rumored to be in negotiations with Microsoft take Google's place as the advertising partner on MySpace. Google co-founder Sergey Brin's recent thinly veiled "buyer's remorse" reportedly angered execs at News Corp.

http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/25/fox-exploring-termination-of-google-advertising-deal

News Corp Slapped with Indecency Fine

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission is imposing an indecency fine of $91,000 against News Corp.'s Fox Television over a 2003 episode of the reality show "Married by America," which aired scenes of nudity. The FCC says it would have fined News Corp. more had it been allowed.

http://www.smartmoney.com/bn/ON/index.cfm?story=ON-20080222-000833-1634

MTV

MTV creates a made-for-TV movie for an older crowd

MTV asks successful producers and choreographer to team up to create a made-for-TV movie for an older crowd. The producers dusted off a 10-year-old script they had purchased, added some songs and tweaked the story to come up with "The American Mall."

http://www.sltrib.com/tv/ci_8355601

MTV rapped for overrunning ads

MTV has been criticised by Ofcom for flouting rules limiting advertising to 12 minutes per hour by running, in one case, eight extra minutes of TV ads. Ofcom found that MTV exceeded the 12-minute rule on 15 occasions over a two month period last year, after the regulator monitored channels including MTV, MTV2, MTV Dance, MTV Base, MTV Hits and VH-1.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/feb/25/advertising.television?gusrc=rss&feed=media

Spanish-Language Stations Benefit From Focus on Hispanic Voters

The 2008 presidential campaign, which has fueled an unprecedented level of ad spending in the general media, now appears likely to do the same in the Spanish-language market as the Democratic candidates compete for the crucial Hispanic vote in Texas.

http://www.tvweek.com/news/2008/02/spanishlanguage_stations_benef.php

VIACOM

Google, Viacom Lawsuit Deadline Extended

A deadline for Google to turn over documents in Viacom's $1 billion copyright lawsuit against the Web search leader is being extended by two months by a federal judge. Google's attorneys say they are wading through 4.5 million documents: "It's a daunting task."

http://www.reuters.com/article/internetNews/idUSN2262726720080223

Viacom, Disney Win Big at Academy Awards

Viacom and Disney, which distributed best-picture winner "No Country for Old Men," won seven Oscars each at the 80th Academy Awards on Sunday night, the most of the major studios. Films from Universal won five, Time Warner won four and News Corp. won two. Sony Corp. took home one.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601204&sid=aqF3X8LdElDY

AFRICA

Anyware Mobile Solutions Helps Geneva Global Fight HIV/AIDS In Africa

Geneva Global, the world's leading international philanthropic adviser, has deployed mobile technologies from Anyware Mobile Solutions to improve the collection of demographic and behavioral data in the effort to improve HIV/AIDS care and prevention in Ethiopia and Ivory Coast. The project is funded under the President's Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), and as phase-one goals are achieved, Geneva Global will deploy mobile data collection in other African nations afflicted by HIV/AIDS.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/98422.php

Botswana: HIV/Aids Stories Must Be Clear, Nkala Tells Reporters

Reporters across the SADC region have been advised to write simplified stories on HIV/AIDS for the people to clearly understand the message being conveyed to them. The two-week training workshop, which started in Gaborone on Friday, is aimed at equipping journalists with the necessary HIV and AIDS reporting skills.

http://allafrica.com/stories/200802251934.html

Egypt takes aim at ignorance about HIV/AIDS

UNAIDS reveals many Egyptians including medical students lack knowledge about HIV/AIDS. Eight Egyptian men who were arrested and forced to undergo HIV tests, and the subsequent torture of the two who tested HIV-positive, has unleashed a storm of controversy in a country where people still know very little about the virus.

http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=24504

CARIBBEAN

Gay Jamaican officer seeks asylum

A Jamaican police officer says he's living in fear after coming out as a gay man and hopes to come to Canada where he can safely speak up on behalf of other gay Jamaicans. Michael Hayden, who has been on the police force for four years, said other officers routinely attacked and abused him after becoming suspicious of his sexual orientation.

http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/306606

St. Maarten Cable TV, ECC staff enlightened about HIV/AIDS

St. Maarten Cable TV and East Caribbean Cellular (ECC) staff are now more knowledgeable about HIV/AIDS after taking part in a workshop facilitated by the HIV/AIDS Programme Management Team (PMT) on Wednesday. St. Maarten Cable TV Station Manager Davey Woods told participants that it was imperative that they know the facts about HIV and AIDS instead of getting information on the road.

http://www.thedailyherald.com/news/daily/k236/hiv236.html

HIV/AIDS NEWS

Elton John Foundation's Activist Works Behind Scenes at Oscars

Campbell was instrumental in the foundation's funding of the Caribbean Broadcast Media Partnership on HIV/AIDS, which uses newspapers and broadcasting to encourage people in that region to get AIDS tests. ``The purpose of it is to reduce the stigma of AIDS and to make people aware of the disease,'' Campbell said..

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601088&sid=a0fn8vpPGchM&refer=home

Elton John party raises $5.1M for charity

The 16th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards viewing party raised $5.1 million in Los Angeles Sunday night, the foundation announced Monday.
The Oscar night gala, which was held at the Pacific Design Center and co-sponsored by Chopard and VH1, was one of the evening's best attended parties, organizers said.

http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Entertainment/2008/02/25/elton_john_party_raises_51m_for_charity/8826/

Illinois Lottery Launches Game To Fund HIV/AIDS Awareness, Prevention

The Illinois Lottery on Friday launched a game that will raise money for HIV/AIDS prevention and education programs in the state, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. The game, called Red Ribbon Cash, will sell two-dollar tickets and have four top prizes of $20,000.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/98328.php

Microsoft pioneer gives $65 million for gay rights, HIV/AIDS groups

The Pride Foundation of Seattle, where Weiland served as a board member for several years, announced Sunday that the philanthropist's estate had established a fund at the organization that would give $46 million over the next eight years to 10 national gay rights and HIV/AIDS groups.

http://wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080225/NEWS03/885883373

Public Health Dept. To Sponsor Contest

The Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH) is sponsoring an essay contest challenging Kentucky teenagers to learn more about HIV/AIDS and the impact the disease has on their generation. The goal of the essay contest is to educate and inspire Kentucky’s minority youth to take action and help stop the increasing spread of HIV/AIDS among young people in minority populations.

http://www.kypost.com/content/news/commonwealth/story.aspx?content_id=9c748f9d-7594-4562-be6d-fb5744fbf9a7

MOBILE NEWS

Flat-Rate Plans Could Spur Mobile Growth

The move toward flat-rate, unlimited calling plans by three of the major U.S. wireless carriers this week could help spur the growth of mobile media and advertising, say industry analysts and mobile marketing executives.

http://publications.mediapost.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Articles.san&s=77010&Nid=39628&p=917272

Social Network LinkedIn Goes Mobile

The site's 19 million members can now search profiles with photos and bios, make introductions, and invite other professionals to join a network while on the go.

http://www.informationweek.com/news/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=206801781

OTHER MEDIA NEWS

Apollo Bites The Dust
After years of pitches and millions of dollars in development, Arbitron and Nielsen this morning pulled the plug on an ambitious single-source measurement venture. The companies have been collaborating on the venture, dubbed "Project Apollo," since early 2005, and convinced some major marketers and media outlets to participate in the test, but failed to sign any long-term commitments for the highly expensive research.

http://publications.mediapost.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Articles.san&s=77168&Nid=39678&p=917272

Britain Aims to Become Media World Leader

The United Kingdom is preparing a push to become a global leader in the arts, media and advertising through initiatives including the launch of a Davos-style world creative business conference. The government-backed move aims to make the U.K. economy "driven by creativity."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/feb/22/mediabusiness.advertising

Clear Channel TV Faces 'Buyer's Remorse'

Clear Channel is said to be in talks with Providence Equity Partners about revising a deal to sell its 56 television stations. Clear Channel sued Providence Feb. 15 over the planned station buyout after Providence expressed "buyer's remorse" and began seeking a reduced price.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aW_QdyBXY9Yg

Facebook In Search for New Top Executive

Facebook is said to be mulling the appointment of a well-known exec to top management, as perhaps a second-in-charge to CEO Mark Zuckerberg. The 23-year-old founder of the social networking phenom is seen to lack needed experience in marketing, advertising and operations.

http://kara.allthingsd.com/20080222/facebooks-next-management-moves-the-un-zuckerberg

Financial Times Opens Online Social Network

The Financial Times is launching a social network aimed at senior business people from the media and technology sectors. Members of the pay-based forum will be offered standard networking tools. Similar networks for the property and luxury goods sectors are in the pipeline.

http://www.nma.co.uk/Articles/36997/FT+opens+social+network+for+senior+execs.html

Former UPN Chief Launches Comedy.com

Veteran media exec Dean Valentine is unveiling Comedy.com, a new comedy Web site that promises to house the largest jokes database on the Internet, as well as a slate of original stand-up comedy performances. The site is being funded by the San Francisco-based Walden VC.

http://www.worldscreen.com/newscurrent.php?filename=UPN022208.htm

Nielsen Funds Most Ambitious Ethnographic Study Ever, Will Benchmark How People Actually Use Media
In what is likely the most ambitious ethnographic study ever observing how people actually consume media, Nielsen Media Research is funding a highly regarded academic research group with $3.5 million to follow hundreds of people around to see how they use both traditional and emerging video platforms inside and outside their homes

http://publications.mediapost.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Articles.san&s=77167&Nid=39678&p=917272

Rolling Stone, Glamour Launch In India

Wenner Media's Rolling Stone and Conde Nast's Glamour are among the dozen-odd global players planning to launch editions in India. Indian media laws, which restrict foreign equity to 26% in the news segment, allow 100% foreign equity in non-news specialty magazines.

http://www.livemint.com/2008/02/25004542/Global-players-zero-in-on-Indi.html

TV/Net Show 'Big Shot' Gets Big Traction
"Big Shot Live," the Internet/local TV talent contest show, is only two weeks old--and clicking with viewers. With only 45 TV stations up and running, the five- to-seven-minute-long daily Internet/local TV show is averaging 350,000 users a week and 5 million page views. CBS TV has distributed the show to a total 197 TV stations.

http://publications.mediapost.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Articles.san&s=77125&Nid=39678&p=917272

United Way Expands ALTERNATIVE SPRING BREAK

United Way of America announced today that young adult leadership has helped to multiply the effects of ALTERNATIVE SPRING BREAK (ASB) in 2008, bringing young adults from across the country to communities along the Gulf Coast and in Detroit, Michigan, and resulting in ongoing community involvement beyond the event.

http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/marketwire/0365856.htm

YouTube Blocked for Offensive Content

Pakistan is blocking access to YouTube because of content deemed offensive to Islam. Reports say the content included Danish cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad. Other countries that have temporarily blocked access to YouTube include Turkey and Thailand.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7261727.stm


Thursday, February 21, 2008

February 21, 2008

FOX

Facebook, MySpace See Drop in Traffic

Facebook is suffering its first ever drop in unique users after 17 months of growth. New figures from Nielsen Online reveal a 5% drop in U.K. numbers between December 2007 and January 2008. Rival social network MySpace also saw a drop, which some blame on the holiday season.

http://www.nma.co.uk/Articles/36983/Facebook+users+fall+over+Christmas.html

MTV

MTV Preps Launch of Jackassworld.com

Viacom's MTV is allowing the boys of "Jackass" to take over the network for 24 hours straight, starting Saturday at noon ET. The special is intended to drum up interest in the launch of Jackassworld.com, where the "Jackass" gang will take the act full-time with "uncensored" video clips.

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/2008/02/21/2008-02-21_jackass_dislocating_mtv_sked_for_a_day.html

AFRICA

Anyware Mobile Solutions Helps Geneva Global Fight HIV/AIDS in Africa

Geneva Global, the world’s leading international philanthropic adviser, has deployed mobile technologies from Anyware Mobile Solutions to improve the collection of demographic and behavioral data in the effort to improve HIV/AIDS care and prevention in Ethiopia and Ivory Coast.

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/anyware-mobile-solutions-helps-geneva-global-fight-hivaids-in-africa,288171.shtml

Botswana: Get the HIV-Aids Facts Right MP

The MP for Selebi Phikwe East, Nonofo Molefhi, officially opening the media workshop on HIV/AIDS reporting held at Crystal Palace Hotel yesterday, has implored the media to be more careful when reporting on issues of HIV/AIDS pandemic because the subject is complex and needs cautiousness.

http://allafrica.com/stories/200802211077.html

RWANDA: Cutting Edge HIV/AIDS Prevention Presents Challenges

ertain medical workers in Rwanda have expressed concern about the country's campaign to promote male circumcision as a means of curbing the spread of HIV. They fear that in a country with low levels of knowledge about sexual health, people could mistakenly believe the procedure offers complete protection against the virus.

http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=41301

SAfrica Announces Increase in AIDS Funds

South Africa's finance minister said Wednesday the government will spend more than a quarter of a billion dollars over the next three years to double the number of people receiving AIDS medication.

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gKk_swr1LFFcSE4cJD5E7T2UDYZgD8UUEU2G0

ASIA

Asian health officials warn TB must be tackled alongside HIV

Health officials from nine Asian countries on Wednesday met to discuss ways of curbing the high and increasing toll of tuberculosis (TB) for people living with HIV/AIDS. In conjunction with the World Health Organization (WHO) the participants voted to implement measures including increasing the rates of HIV testing among TB patients, TB screening among HIV patients and early access to antiretroviral therapy.

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/187012,asian-health-officials-warn-tb-must-be-tackled-alongside-hiv.html

CARIBBEAN

A Caribbean daughter in the finals of American Idol

Amongst some 100.000 contestants from across the country and even the world, a daughter of the Caribbean, Joanne Borgella, 25, is one of the 12 female final contestants.

http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/news-6192--6-6--.html

First Caribbean's 'Unsung Hero' gives back to Cayman community

Jacqueline Ebanks, one of the finalists in First Caribbean International Bank’s (FCIB) 2007 Unsung Heroes programme, donated her prize money of $5,000 to the Save Our Youth Foundation

http://www.caymannetnews.com/news-5491--1-1--.html

Newly formed group to take Caribbean tour

TWO musical forces in St. Kitts have met, blended and created a hit Duo called Unity and have set out to make a splash in the music industry.

http://www.sknvibes.com/Entertainment/News.cfm/831

MOBILE NEWS

T-Mobile Wants Into Home Phone Market
T-Mobile USA is launching a test of an Internet calling plan designed to replace home phone service in two markets today--Seattle and Dallas. Available only to its cell phone customers, participants must buy a $50 Internet router from T-Mobile and pay $10 a month for unlimited local and long-distance domestic calling. They can connect any home phone to the router via a traditional phone cord.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120355981816281903-email.html

OTHER MEDIA NEWS

ABC Oscar Show Attracts Big Ad Dollars

In the aftermath of the Hollywood writers strike, advertisers are counting on television-starved viewers to make Sunday's Academy Awards show on ABC a ratings winner. Marketers are paying an average of $1.8 million for a 30-second spot, up from $1.7 million last year.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/02212008/business/award_waiting_98658.htm

'Baltimore Sun' Launches Youth-Oriented 'b'
The Baltimore Sun is planning to launch a new free tabloid targeting younger readers called "b." The first daily issue is set to appear on April 14. With a mix of typical tabloid fare and lifestyle content, the newspaper plans to freshen its pages by inviting readers to submit their own stories, photos and video to the newspaper and its Web site.

http://publications.mediapost.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Articles.san&s=76851&Nid=39588&p=917272

Facebook Fights Application Spam

RESPONDING TO WIDESPREAD COMPLAINTS, FACEBOOK is now allowing users to directly block unwanted application invites. The measure is intended to ban applications on Facebook that force members to invite friends as a condition of use.

http://publications.mediapost.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Articles.san&s=76922&Nid=39586&p=917272

Google Expands AdSense For Video, Sets Deals With Tremor, YouMe, Others
In a bid to accelerate its role in the burgeoning online video advertising marketplace, search giant Google this morning is announcing a slew of deals expanding its AdSense for video beta.

http://publications.mediapost.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Articles.san&s=76941&Nid=39586&p=917272

Mags Dizzy With Digital Deals
It's all about online now for magazines. This week, Hearst, Conde Nast, Time Inc., the Bonnier Corp. and Hachette Filipacchi announced new partnerships with Internet media companies, reflecting the growing awareness that online partners can help magazines create new forms of digital content, reach a wider audience and scale up ad revenue.

http://publications.mediapost.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Articles.san&s=76912&Nid=39588&p=917272

NBC Looking For Good Programming

FOR ITS UPFRONT SEASON, NBC want to develop some good vintage grapes. NBC, by all accounts, will look for fertile ground, offering up its fall schedule with solid programming weeks before any other network.

http://blogs.mediapost.com/tv_watch/?p=886#comments

Newspaper Web Sites Draw Younger Audiences
Newspaper Web sites are reaching elusive younger readers, a new analysis by Scarborough Research indicates, giving a much-needed boost to the ailing newspaper business. The growth in online audiences is offsetting losses in print readership, at least somewhat.

http://publications.mediapost.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Articles.san&s=76916&Nid=39588&p=917272

New WildTangent PC Platform Connects Advertisers With Core Gamers
Advertisers will have a new platform to target the core 18- to-34-year-old male gamer in the coming months, as WildTangent launches WildTangent Orb, a PC-based application offering premium games. Sprint is the first major sponsor.

http://publications.mediapost.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Articles.san&s=76919&Nid=39586&p=917272

ONESite Acquires Social Platform, Aims To Increase Presence In Entertainment And Tech
Seeking new talent and a larger sales force, ONEsite, a white-label social networking platform, has acquired rival software provider Social Platform. With the deal, ONEsite is aiming to extend its footprint in the West Coast and increase its presence in the entertainment and technology sectors.

http://publications.mediapost.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Articles.san&s=76917&Nid=39586&p=917272

Rochester Ranks #1 in Local Print and Web Newspaper Penetration

According to The Scarborough Newspaper Penetration Report, highlighting newspaper audience ratings for newspapers and their websites across the 81 local markets measured by the company in 2007, the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle ranks number one in local market adult penetration for print audience and Integrated Newspaper Audience (the weekly net unduplicated audience of the printed newspaper and its website).

http://blogs.mediapost.com/research_brief/?p=1645#comments

TV Ads Are Less Effective, Survey Says

A majority of marketers believe that television advertising has become less effective, says a survey from the National Association of Advertisers and Forrester Research. Over 50% of marketers report that when half of all TV households use DVRs, they will cut spending on TV advertising.

http://www.adweek.com/aw/content_display/news/media/e3ica0ebb59d5d28e8ccae6ffe141014d55

TV ADVERTISING HIT BY DIGITAL COMPETITION

TV advertising isn't as potent as it once was--especially in the last two years. A recent survey by the Association of National Advertisers and Forrester Research says 62% of marketers believe TV is less effective since 2006. Not surprisingly, many TV marketers are interested in exploring new digital platforms for video commercials.

http://publications.mediapost.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Articles.san&s=76900&Nid=39588&p=917272

Widgets As Branding Vehicles
Marketers would love to live to see the day when consumers proudly wear brands like badges on their social-networking profile pages. Widgets, those little embeddable software programs you see all over sites like Facebook, provide a means to do that (sort of).

http://gigaom.com/2008/02/21/companies-can-make-money-with-widget-ads/