Village Gamer

Score Media Inc., home of ad-supported sports app ScoreMobile®, has announced the appointment of Lars Laakes, Director of Software Engineering, to its digital products team.

With over twenty years of industry experience, Lars has held various positions at Logitech, Microsoft and ADP and was a co-founder of ObjectArts Inc.  Through his various roles, he has garnered leadership experience in software development, business and technical architecture, process and delivery governance and team building.

Most recently, in his role at Logitech as Director of Software Engineering, he led the software services and client development teams in the Digital Home Group.  These teams developed the next generation Digital Home services platform enabling Logitech to deliver the latest line of Harmony Remote Controls and the first GoogleTV device – the Logitech Revue. His teams developed platform services that enable content based control, building on the convergence of entertainment on internet streaming content services, connected TVs and mobile devices.

“We are extremely pleased to be adding Lars to our team,” says Dale Fallon, Vice President, Digital Products, Score Media Inc.  “We will continue to work with our world-class development partners and by adding Lars we are well positioned to take our in-house engineering capabilities to a similar level.”

For the first time Thailand’s Software Industry Promotion Agency (SIPA), in cooperation with the Embassy of Canada in Thailand, will host the Thai-Canadian Collaborative Forum business partnership program. The main objective is to promote business opportunities and collaborations among Thai and Canadian companies within creative and digital content industry leaders including software, film, animation, game and mobile applications as well as eLearning, digital media, and training.

The collaboration between Canada and Thailand in partnerships such as joint-venture, co-investment, outsourcing, venture capital, knowledge and technology transfer, and other business deals are to be encouraged through this program. Canadian delegates will have access to first-hand information of Thailand’s creative and digital content industry as well as information concerning Thai companies.

Canadian companies, and related institutions who are engaged in the following industries: software, film, animation, gaming, mobile applications, digital media and other forms of digital content, as well as academic and professional organizations, are welcome to participate. Your company will get to meet selected Thai companies in software and digital content industries. Download the Forum PDF to get further information and to apply for this initiative.

There are four main activities at this event:

I. Thai-Canadian Collaboration Forum

• Introduction to Canadian digital industry by a Canadian representative.
• An overview of Thai digital content and software industry by SIPA representative.
• Foreign Investment opportunities and incentives for digital content and software industry.
• Thai representative will present Thai companies’ show reel and capabilities.
• Presentations by Canadian companies
• Special talk by a guest speaker

II. Business Matching Day

• Business Matching day by pre-scheduling (target at least 50 matches). An LCD monitor will be provided upon request.

III. Thai-Canadian Networking Reception

• An official dinner reception hosted by SIPA for participants and governments’ representatives.

IV. Studio/Campus Visit in Bangkok

• A half-day company/studio visit at a renowned Thai company is provided.

As of July 8th, these are the participating Thai Companies:

1. AMADIVA: animation production, film production, VFX, SFX, Post Production
Want to meet: production house, advertising agency
Intent: co-production, outsourcing service

2. ANYA Animation: animation production, film production
Want to meet: producer, VC/Investor
Intent: co-production, project development

3. Imagimax Studio: animation production, film production
Want to meet: producer, VC/Investor
Intent: co-production, project development

4. Digital Magig Effect House: animation production, film production, VFX, SFX, Post Production
Want to meet: production house, advertising agency
Intent: co-production, outsourcing service

5. G-Motif Production: animation production, film production, VFX, SFX, Post Production, film/animation producer, original IP
Want to meet: marketing/PR, distributor, producer, outsourcing agent, licensing & merchandising agency, right holder/seller/distributor, TV channel/cable/satellite
Intent: co-production, outsourcing service, IP licensing, need agent service

6. Kantana Animation Studios: animation production, VFX, SFX, Film/Animation Producer
Want to meet: distributor, outsourcing agent, VC/Investor, licensing/merchandising, right holder/seller/distributor, TV channel/cable/satellite
Intent: co-production, outsourcing service, content selling

7. Right Beyond: film production, right holder/seller/distributor
Want to meet: producer, right holder/seller/distributor
Intent: production, IP rights execution

8. Shellhut Entertainment: film/animation producer
Want to meet: distributor, publisher, acquisition, licensing & merchandising agency, TV channel/cable/satellite
Intent: production, IP rights execution, project pitching for co-investment

9. The Monk Studios: animation production, film/animation producer
Want to meet: producer, VC investor
Intent: project pitching for co-investment and co-production

10. OpenDream: social enterprise, web application, solutions
Want to meet: VC investor, software solutions
Intent: developing software for social enterprise, solutions for NGOs projects

11. Debuz: online game developer, Browser/Social Game Developer, online game publisher
Want to meet: distributor, publisher, acquisition, VC/Investor, online game developer
Intent: publishing game, project development

12. GameMaker: mobile application, Browser/Social Game Developer, Game Publisher
Want to meet: distributor, publisher, acquisition, VC/Investor, App Store/Digital retailer, device manufacturer
Intent: application and game sale, joint-project
Target company: Research in Motion (RIM)

13. Ring Zero: console game developer (NDS, Wii, PC)
Want to meet: distributor, publisher
Intent: project pitching, project development

14. URBANICE: animation, web application, social media, licensing agency
Want to meet: distributor, publisher, producer, VC/investor
Intent: business development, project pitching, project development, agency service

15. SDM-School of Digital Media, SRIPATUM UNIVERSITY: undergrad program in animation, game, interactive, graphic design, film
Want to meet: Sheridan College or digital media institutions
Intent: business development, joint-program, student/staff exchange program

Marco Dodier has announced the appointments of Annie Levesque and Damien Lefebvre as Co-Presidents of digital consulting and development firm w.illi.am/. Following numerous successes since the creation of w.illi.am/in Montreal and Toronto, the new co-presidents’ responsibilities include ensuring the company’s continued growth and expansion in the Canadian market by leveraging its expertise and seizing new business opportunities. Annie Levesque and Damien Lefebvre succeed w.illi.am/ founder Dodier, who remains President of w.illi.am/ Group Management Company, as well as Chairman of the board of w.illi.am/.

“We have accomplished an enormous amount of work in recent years and the success of w.illi.am/ is largely attributable to the leadership of Annie and Damien and an extraordinary team,” Dodier said. “I am very proud of this appointment and fortunate to have been able to rely on the work and enthusiasm of these two great champions of the web for more than 10 years now. The dynamism and professionalism that they have instilled in the team will enable us to continue to develop and grow w.illi.am/ in the coming years.”

The two Co-Presidents each have more than a decade of experience in web strategy and development. They previously participated in the success of CESART, one of the fastest-growing companies in the web industry, which was acquired by Bell Canada in 2005. They also contributed to the creation and success of w.illi.am/ with the establishment of offices in Montreal and the acquisition of customers in Toronto, Ottawa, Dallas and Quebec City.

Weigl Educational Publishers Limited will be able to pursue new technology-related initiatives, thanks to an investment from the Government of Canada announced today by Deepak Obhrai,  the MP for Calgary East, on behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages. The publisher of educational books will use this funding to support a technology internship, an important step in the development of new jobs in Canada’s book publishing industry.

“Our Government received a strong mandate from Canadians to invest in important projects like those of Weigl Educational Publishers,” said Minister Moore. “By supporting these activities, our Government is delivering on its commitment to strengthen our communities and support arts, culture, and heritage.”

“Organizations such as Weigl Educational Publishers ensure that Canadians have access to quality Canadian educational books,” said Mr. Obhrai. “Our Government is proud to support and strengthen organizations like this one.”

“The Canada Book Fund is critical to the viability of the Canadian publishing industry and its ability to create quality Canadian content,” said Linda A. Weigl, President and Publisher, Weigl Educational Publishers.

The Government of Canada has provided funding of $20,000 through the Support for Organizations funding stream of the Canada Book Fund (CBF). The principal objective of the CBF is to ensure access to a diverse range of Canadian-authored books in Canada and abroad. The Fund seeks to achieve this objective by fostering a viable Canadian book industry that publishes and markets Canadian-authored books.

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has released the latest statistical and financial information on Canadian broadcasting distribution companies. Each year, the CRTC compiles financial data on the Canadian broadcasting and telecommunications industries to produce a series of reports. The CRTC’s report on Canadian broadcasting distribution companies includes data for non-programming services, such as Internet access and telephony services.

For the year ending on August 31, 2010, this sector of the broadcasting industry experienced strong growth as the combined revenues for cable, satellite and multipoint distribution companies rose from $11.4 billion to $12.5 billion.

The CRTC has published similar reports for Canadian radio services and television services. In the coming weeks, the CRTC will also publish its Communications Monitoring Report. These annual reports allow interested parties to stay informed about the state of the Canadian communications industry.

Total revenues generated by cable companies increased by 9.7% in 2010, from $9.2 billion to $10.1 billion, while operating expenses went up by 9%, from $5.1 billion to $5.5 billion. As a result, cable companies reported profits before interest and taxes (PBIT) of $2.5 billion and a PBIT margin of 25.3%. These were both higher than the 2009 results, which came in at $2.3 billion and 25.1%, respectively.

The number of Canadian households that obtained basic television service from a cable company rose by 2.2% to reach 8.3 million subscribers.

In 2010, cable companies employed 24,076 people and spent $1.8 billion on salaries, compared to employing 22,716 and spending $1.7 billion on salaries the previous year.

Total revenues for satellite and multipoint distribution companies increased from $2.2 billion in 2009 to $2.4 billion in 2010—an increase of 8.9% from the previous year. In addition, operating expenses went up by 4%, from $1.75 billion to $1.82 billion.

Over the last five years, these companies’ PBIT has improved significantly from a deficit of $32 million in 2006 to a profit of $163.9 million in 2010. The PBIT margin followed a similar trajectory during the same period, rising from a negative profit margin of -1.9% to a positive profit margin of 6.8%.

The number of Canadian households that obtained basic television service from satellite or multipoint distribution companies increased by 3.7% in 2010 to reach 2.9 million.

In 2010, these companies employed 2,704 people and paid $232.7 million in salaries. In comparison, they employed 2,982 people and paid $226.2 million in salaries the previous year.

In 2010, broadcasting distribution companies contributed $367.9 million to Canadian programming. Of this total, $189.1 million was directed to the Canadian Media Fund (formerly the Canadian Television Fund), $52.3 million to independent funds and $126.5 million to cable community channels and other sources of local expression.

These companies also contributed an additional $100.7 million to the Local Programming Improvement Fund. Launched in September 2009, this fund supports local news and local programming in non-metropolitan markets across Canada.

In 2010, cable companies paid $1.9 billion in wholesale fees to the pay and specialty services they distribute, an increase of 11.6% from the $1.7 billion paid the previous year. The fees paid by satellite companies rose by 4.5% in one year, going from $367.7 million to $384.2 million.

Spectators of the 2011 Kokanee Crankworx Freeride Mountain Bike Festival (at press time, the Festival’s website was not loading), the world renowned supercharged free ride festival taking place in Whistler this July 15th through 24th will be benefiting from a new mobile event app for smartphones. The new app will give spectators access to important festival information like event schedules, updated results, area maps and venue information.

David Snell, QuickMobile’s Chief Marketing Officer stated: “We are very excited to have been chosen to develop the Mobile Festival App for Kokanee Crankworx this year. Instead of having to carry around a paper Festival Guide during this 9-day sports event, athletes and spectators of this supercharged Mountain Bike Festival will now be able to access all their important festival information by simply downloading the Kokanee Crankworxs Mobile Festival App which was specifically designed to enhance the experience of the festival visitor while providing a greener solution for the event organizer.”

Toronto’s XMG Studio has been very busy lately. The studio recently joined forces with toy manufacturer Spin Master Ltd. to deliver innovative mobile gaming to the newly announced App Blaster. The collaboration is bringing a new dimension of realism to shooter games everywhere, giving users a truly unique way to interact with their favourite XMG sniper game, Marine Sharpshooter, which is currently being optimized for the App Blaster. With over 5 million unique downloads, Sharpshooter has become one of the most popular sniping games, making it a perfect fit for the peripheral.

“Working with Spin Master on this has been really exciting”, says Ray Sharma, Founder and CEO of XMG Studio. “It’s a great opportunity to really expand the expectations of what people consider to be traditional mobile gaming.”

This partnership marks a major strategic alliance of these leaders in their respective industries. The concept of combining an out-of-game experience with an in-game effect and using an interactive, real world object is extremely cutting-edge. The App Blaster will revolutionize the way future first person shooter games for mobile devices are played – less button mashing, more strategic aiming. Now, with the innovative toy-making and consumer expertise of Spin Master, coupled with the mobile gaming savvy of XMG Studio, sniper-fans everywhere can have something incredible to look forward to with a far more intense game-play experience, bringing them closer than ever to the skill and precision of the real thing.

“What we have here with App Blaster is very cool and very innovative,” says Dave Colebrook, VP Marketing at Spin Master.  “Gamers haven’t yet seen this type of gaming, so we’re glad to be working with such a company as XMG to bring this to concept to life.  This is just the beginning of this kind of interactive gaming.”

In addition to some awesome updates to one my favourite game titles, Cow vs Aliens, XMG Studio has also recently two great new games in Apple’s App Store that you might be interested in checking out.

Degrassi: A story-driven game based on the hit TV series, it has already reached a #1 ranking in the App Store’s “Role Playing” category. As their first days of school unfold, players make important decisions, engage in meaningful conversations and play their way through classes, all in the ever-familiar locations of Degrassi. The player is free to forge his or her own pathway through the game, ultimately resulting in a different ending depending on which choices were made. Degrassi is the most watched drama on MuchMusic in Canada, and highly rated on TeenNick in the U.S. It’s an interactive role playing game that allows the user to build and maintain relationships with familiar characters from the popular TV series.

Louisville Slugger Homerun Challenge: There are plenty of baseball games, and even some home run derby apps, but Louisville Slugger distinguishes itself in a few ways in that it’s extremely accessible with simple, responsive swipe controls. The game has crisp hand-drawn artwork, multiple game modes, stadiums, and Louisville Slugger bats modeled after original Louisville Slugger models. (published by our partner mLamb Productions)

Electronic Arts Inc.  has announced that it intends to offer $550 million of Convertible Senior Notes due 2016 in a private placement. EA also expects to grant the initial purchasers in the proposed offering an option to purchase up to an additional $82.5 million aggregate principal amount of notes solely to cover overallotments. The notes are being offered only to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933.

The notes will be convertible into cash and shares of EA’s common stock, if any, based on a conversion rate to be determined. Interest on the notes will be payable semiannually in arrears on January 15 and July 15 of each year, beginning on January 15, 2012. The notes will mature on July 15, 2016, unless previously repurchased or converted in accordance with their terms prior to such date. The interest rate, conversion rate and other terms of the notes will be determined at the time of pricing of the offering.

In connection with the pricing of the notes, EA intends to enter into privately-negotiated convertible note hedge and warrant transactions with affiliates of one or more of the initial purchasers of the notes (the “option counterparties”). EA anticipates that the warrants will have an exercise price that is up to 75% higher than the closing price of EA’s common stock on the date the warrants are issued. The convertible note hedge transactions are expected to reduce the potential dilution with respect to EA’s common stock upon conversion of the notes. However, the warrant transactions could have a dilutive effect with respect to EA’s common stock to the extent that the price per share of EA’s common stock exceeds the strike price of the warrants. If the initial purchasers exercise their option to purchase additional notes, EA may enter into additional convertible note hedge and warrant transactions.

EA has been advised that, in connection with establishing their initial hedge positions with respect to the convertible note hedge transactions and the warrant transactions, the option counterparties and/or their respective affiliates will enter into various cash-settled over-the-counter derivative transactions with respect to EA’s common stock and/or purchase shares of EA’s common stock concurrently with, or shortly following, the pricing of the notes, and may unwind any such cash-settled over-the-counter derivative transactions and purchase shares of EA’s common stock in open market transactions following the pricing of the notes. These activities could have the effect of increasing, or preventing a decline in, the market price of EA’s common stock concurrently with or following the pricing of the notes.

In addition, the option counterparties and/or their respective affiliates will modify their hedge positions with respect to the convertible note hedge transactions and warrant transactions from time to time after the pricing of the notes, and are likely to do so during any observation period related to a conversion of notes, by purchasing or selling shares of EA’s common stock or the notes in privately-negotiated transactions and/or open market transactions or by entering into and/or unwinding various over-the-counter derivative transactions with respect to EA’s common stock. The effect, if any, of these activities on the market price of EA’s common stock or the trading price of the notes will depend on a variety of factors, including market conditions, and cannot be ascertained at this time. Any of these activities could, however, adversely affect the market price of EA’s common stock and the trading price of the notes, which could affect the ability to convert the notes and, to the extent these activities occur during the observation period related to a conversion of notes, could affect the amount and/or value of the consideration that holders receive upon conversion of the notes. Read the rest of this entry »

One of the world’s most prestigious and advanced conferences will come to Toronto next July as Microsoft Corporation announced today that its Worldwide Partner Conference will meet in Toronto in 2012.

More than 15,000 people are expected to attend the Toronto conference, representing technology companies in 130 countries. While the main hubs of the action will be the Metro Toronto Convention Centre and the Air Canada Centre, many other venues will be involved as 500+ events take place during the conference and at least 32 hotels across the Toronto region will host delegates.

“Winning a prestigious meeting, for such a widely admired company, is not only a boost to the local economy but a testament to Toronto’s ability to host major events,” said David Whitaker, President and CEO of Tourism Toronto, which submitted the winning bid along with provincial and local partners.

“Microsoft Corporation’s annual Worldwide Partner Conference attracts more than 15,000 delegates,” said Eric Gales, General Manager, Microsoft Canada. “The four-day event celebrates the accomplishments of the company’s 640,000 global technology partners. Microsoft Canada is thrilled that next year’s event will be hosted in the city of Toronto and excited by the opportunity for the city to showcase its diverse culture, entertainment, and world-renowned hospitality.”

From July 9 through 13, 2012, Worldwide Partner Conference is a must-attend conference for the technology industry that attracts delegates, vendors and suppliers from around the world. It is an opportunity to showcase Toronto as a destination as well as Toronto and Ontario’s innovative information technology businesses.

“Our government is thrilled that Toronto has been chosen to host next year’s Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference and we’re proud of our support to help bring it here,” said Laura Albanese, MPP York South-Weston. “This is a major win for the GTA and Ontario – it will put us front and centre on the world map, while boosting support for jobs, the economy and increased tourism.”

Tourism Toronto has committed to create a scholarship program to assist international students participating in the 2012 conference, with more details on this initiative to be shared in the coming months. Tourism Toronto will also provide opportunities for students in Ontario’s tourism and hospitality programs to gain valuable experience in event management through a marquee international conference.

“We are confident this will prove to be the most inspiring and technically advanced Worldwide Partner Conference ever for Microsoft, and will highlight our ability to come together as a tourism community to host large and sophisticated global corporate events,” said Mr. Whitaker.