Daily Marauder

ONLINE/INTERACTIVE MEDIA

Social broadcasting provider NowLive is doing its thing live from the Digital Hollywood conference this week to showcase its platform. Ester Goldberg (aka Michael Arrington) will host his popular That’s Estertainment podcast live from the show at 9 am PST all week, guest starring fellow NowLiver Adrianne Curry.

Google’s stock price barreled through $700 for the first time Wednesday, propelled by a belief that the Internet search leader will become even more profitable as it plans new products and services. Google is now worth more than Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway.  (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071031/ap_on_hi_te/google_stock 10/31)

MTV Networks Virtual Worlds and Metacafe are hosting a Virtual Music Video Contest calling on aspiring directors to create their own music videos. Users can utilize up-and-coming bands’ audio tracks, video clips and online editing tools found on MTV’s Virtual World Channel on Metacafe. Submissions will be ranked by users initially, then a panel of MTV judges will choose the winner among the top 10 finalists.

AOL chief Randy Ralco turned serious while being honored at the annual luncheon/roast held by the Center for Communication. “AOL is worth fighting for,” he says, “and me and my AOL colleagues are gonna fight.” Also: AOL is making aggressive moves in international expansion. (http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6495774.html 10/30)

(Below) This would be more helpful if the application was available to find through the Facebook application directory and not through an offline site.

Joost launched its P2P television player as a Facebook application. A plug in allows Facebook users view the most recent shows they have subscribed to directly from their profile page.

Current TV is sponsoring a contest with the Slamdance Film Festival inviting users to upload a short film about something relevant to them, their community or the world at large. Winning filmmakers will get their entries screened at the festival and will be given a chance to pitch Current TV ideas for a show.

CNN, YouTube and the Republican Party of Florida say the Republican debate will go forward after being delayed two months when candidates Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney balked at the format. The two candidates say they now plan to participate in the debate, set for Nov. 28. (http://publications.mediapost.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Articles.showArticleHomePage&art_aid=70027 10/30)

The House of Representatives voted unanimously to extend the ban on internet access taxes to 2014, two days before it was set to expire on Thursday. President Bush is expected to sign it into law quickly.

Pop star Prince asked YouTube to remove a clip of an infant boy dancing to his 1984 hit song “Let’s Go Crazy.” When the clip was pulled, the baby’s mother cried foul and filed a lawsuit seeking damages. The woman’s lawyers say the dancing-baby clip is “the poster child for fair use.” (http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9807555-7.html 10/30)

RealNetworks reported record revenues of $145.1 million during Q3, a 55% increase compared to the same period in 2006. Alliances with MTV Networks and Verizon improved Real’s subscription Rhapsody music business, with music revenue reaching $37.7 million for the quarter.