DOT COMEDY
DOOBIE BABY ONE MORE TIME
Online entertainment provider Imix.com and the Doobie Brothers, along with AMFM interactive and record retailers (including CDNow, Wherehouse, Sam Goody/Musicland, Tower Records) have combined to create a record release campaign incorporating online and offline techniques. The "Click To Brick" promotion, as it's called, will mark the October release of "Sibling Rivalry," the Doobie's first studio recording in ten years. The newly-recorded greatest hits will premiere at imix.com on August 31st and timeout September 11 when consumers will be directed to retailers. Imix.com and retailers will make the 15 tracks and 4 new tracks available for both custom CD compilations and digital downloads. Imix.com expects the promotion will reach more than 100 million online viewers, 87 million of whom will get the munchies.
ALL THE WAY TO THE BANK
Digital media company Loudeye Technologies, Inc. will provide consulting and digital services to digital music provider musicbank, aiding in the launch of musicbank's new consumer site. The musicbank site will provide secure digital streaming to consumer's music collections, initially through the Internet and later through digital cable TV and wireless and satellite service networks. Loudeye will work with musicbank for the next few months through the launch of the site, directing digital encoding and management and providing donuts at brainstorming sessions.
SONY HOLDS HANDS
Sony Electronics introduced its entertainment-driven handheld device this week. The device, called the Sony CLIE (say it with me kids, KLEE-ay) Handheld, has digital imaging features in addition to the standard personal handheld organizer functions. The CLIE will be available in September, just in time for my birthday. Hint, hint.
ONE MAN'S TRASH IS ANOTHER MAN'S TREASURE
Collectible Concepts Group, Inc, a marketer of entertainment, music and sports collectibles launched its Web site, www.collectmusicart.com, which features a collection of music art and memorabilia. Authentic album art, lithographs, photographs and autographed pieces are available and the site also includes media clips and a classic rock newsletter. Surprisingly, however, the site does not feature any Mark Pollack items
YOU OUGHTA BE IN PICTURES
Looks like MP3.com is trying to create another lifeline. After its latest courtroom setback in its case with Seagram's Universal Music Group, the Internet music provider has announced its most recent project; a series of contests titled "Who Wants To Be On A Soundtrack." The contest will give up to six MP3.com artists the opportunity to be a part of a major motion picture soundtrack. Music supervisor Karyn Rachtman, who leads the selection committee, is impressed with the site's talents, but in avoiding Universal film and television projects, has found only the soundtrack to "Heidi Returns" to collaborate on.
