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Monday, November 16, 1998 Media Cynic | Forum | Advertising | Classifieds | Jobs Cox Interactive Media and LookSmart to Create Local Search Engine Network Cox Interactive Media (CIMedia) and LookSmart, an Internet search service, have introduced a local search engine network. "Our research consistently indicates that consumers want a local search engine to navigate through the exploding number of local Web sites in markets where they live," said Peter Winter, president of CIMedia. "LookSmart, with its unique, easy-to-use interface and attention to editorial excellence, emerged as the best choice." "We are thrilled that Cox Interactive Media has partnered with LookSmart to create a Web directory and search engine specifically for consumers in local markets," said Evan Thornley, LookSmart CEO and co-founder. "Complementing CIMedia's 25 major markets with a local LookSmart Web directory and search engine for the remaining top 40 markets in the U.S. is a natural step in the evolution of the Internet marketplace." The Learning Company's Mindscape Division Expands 'Blackstone Chronicles' Storyline The Learning Company, Inc.'s Mindscape division has shipped an adventure game that expands the storyline of the Blackstone Chronicles book series. John Saul's Blackstone Chronicles: An Adventure in Terror represents an emerging form of storytelling that uses complementary yet independent media platforms for more fulfilling entertainment. While this computer game is based upon the Blackstone book series, it expands the original story and stands alone to appeal to users who have not read the books. The Blackstone universe now encompasses a series of books, a computer game, three websites and a television miniseries to be aired next year on ABC. John Saul commented on the project: "I think the most exciting thing about the Blackstone game is that it represents a genuine breakthrough in storytelling, offering the creator of fiction an entirely new framework within which to construct a story. While the CD-ROM form offers a new set of opportunities for structuring a tale, it presents a new set of limitations as well -- I found the form to be not only very exciting, but incredibly challenging, and I am very much looking forward to working in it again." "The Blackstone Chronicles" book series was released in six separate installments in 1997. Since then the books have sold more than 10 million copies in 13 languages worldwide. Legend Entertainment Company developed the computer game for Mindscape. Like the book series, the setting for John Saul's Blackstone Chronicles: An Adventure in Terror is the fictional New England town of Blackstone, which has been haunted for generations by a mysterious evil spirit. The game takes place inside a 25-room asylum that has recently been renovated after being abandoned for more than 40 years. John Saul has published 27 New York Times paperback bestsellers, including his most recent novel, The Presence, which was released in 1997. Scoop Information Service Acquired by Solutions Corp. Solutions Corporation of America today announced it has completed its acquisition of Scoop!, a web-based business news and information research service. "Scoop! introduces a valuable new service for our large corporate clients while greatly extending our ability to serve corporate decision makers and individual business consumers," said Floyd W. Kephart, the CEO and chairman of Solutions Corporation of America. Scoop! joins a growing family of Internet-based business intelligence products published by NewSource Inc., the publishing division of Solutions Corporation. Scoop's proprietary Intellisearch technology offers users a way to find information and create custom information profiles that are automatically updated each day and can be e-mailed to the user each morning. In addition to keyword searches, Intellisearch offers company name and stock symbol look-ups with data on 20,000 public, private, national and international companies and corporations. An exclusive people search function tracks detailed information on hundreds of thousands of individuals. Web references and links are embedded in the files providing online access to references and sources. Gulf Live Website Launches The new website, Gulf Live, was launched as a new section of Alabama Live. This interactive online publication will include content from the Mobile Register and The Mississippi Press as well as other sources. Gulf Live offers visitors tourist information and news from Gulf Shores, Biloxi, Pascagoula and Gulf Port. Those who log on to www.gulflive.com during the next two weeks can enter to win a chance for a Gulf Live Getaway for two at the Casino Magic in Biloxi. "Gulf Live will serve as an online source for anyone who wants to get quick and easy information about happenings on the Gulf Coast. We're very excited about offering a wealth of travel information and news our visitors can use year round," said Cindy Martin, Gulf Live President/CEO. Alabama Live, based in Huntsville, Alabama is an affiliate of Advance Internet, Inc., a subsidiary of Advance Publications, owner of The Birmingham News, The Huntsville Times, the Mobile Register, and The Mississippi Press and daily newspapers in 19 other cities as well as Conde Nast magazines; CondeNet, producer of the online services Epicurious, Phys and Swoon; Parade Publications and react. Medical Economics Company Acquires CenterWatch Medical Economics Company has announced that it has acquired CenterWatch, a healthcare publisher and online innovator providing information to consumers, pharmaceutical companies, contract research organizations (CROs), research centers, and others involved in the clinical trials industry. CenterWatch plays a key role in pharmaceutical and medical research, bringing together all parties involved in clinical trials. This is accomplished through various publications including the company's CenterWatch newsletter. CenterWatch also publishes its Clinical Trials Listing Service on the Web. The site, which currently lists over 6,000 clinical trials for pharmaceuticals and medical treatments, receives more than 140,000 visits each month. "This acquisition offers both short and long-term benefits to Medical Economics," said Curtis B. Allen, president/CEO, Medical Economics. "We immediately gain an established presence in the burgeoning clinical trials market and create opportunities for future growth through expansion of the product line, exploration of new markets and extension into the global arena." Medical Economics Company is a leading provider of healthcare information products and services, including magazines, directories, newsletters, databases, and new media products and services. Medical Economics Company is part of the Thomson Healthcare Information Group, a division of The Thomson Corporation. Click here to return to the homepage of The Write NewsTM Click here to subscribe to our free weekly email newsletter.  www.writenews.com Copyright © 1997-2007 by Writers Write, Inc. All Rights Reserved. |
