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Friday, May 14, 1999 Media Cynic | Forum | Advertising | Classifieds | Jobs CBS Productions and Reader's Digest Ink Deal to Develop Movies and Mini-series CBS Productions and Reader's Digest Association, Inc. have entered into a new multi-year agreement to develop television movies and mini-series based on the personal dramas chronicled in Reader's Digest magazine. The announcement was made today by Nancy Tellem, P resident, CBS Entertainment, and Christopher Willcox, Editor-in-Chief, worldwide Reader's Digest magazine and Senior Vice President, Reader's Digest Association. The Digest's trademark stories of ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances will be the basis for a new long-form franchise for CBS under the exclusive working banner of "From the pages of Reader's Digest" or "Reader's Digest Presents." Reader's Digest has made a large inventory of articles available for possible development. "The Reader's Digest name, alone, immediately conjures the idea of relatable and compelling personal dramas, told from a first-person point-of view," said Tellem. "That, coupled with the wealth of Reader's Digest stories, promises a long, successful partnership for us." "Reader's Digest is delighted to join with CBS in bringing our dramatic stories to television," said Willcox. "Our 50 million U.S. readers have learned they can depend on The Digest each month to bring them powerful narratives. We look forward to introducing our readers and others new to the magazine to Reader's Digest on television. Teaming up with CBS will both extend our reach and build on the bedrock strength of the Reader's Digest brand." As part of the agreement, CBS and Reader's Digest will also offer each other cross-promotional opportunities: Reader's Digest will advertise the telefilms in the magazine; CBS will offer spots at the end of each broadcast to market videocassettes of the presentation through direct response ads. CBSP, which is responsible for financing, developing and producing the movies, will retain the movie rights for domestic and international distribution, music and merchandising. Reader's Digest, which will designate an active executive producer for each project, will control print publication and video distribution rights. Metro Global Media Launches Teen Magazine Metro Global Media, Inc., a multimedia, mass-marketing enterprise, has announced the launch of Blast, a new consumer magazine from its celebrity/entertainment publishing company, Fanzine International, Inc. Blast is a glossy, 100 page monthly publication targeting female teens between the ages of 12 and 19. Blast features pin-ups, photos and profiles of teen actors, singers and heartthrobs, with additional editorial focusing on fashion, beauty and advice. Blast is distributed through newsstands, supermarkets, convenience stores, drug stores, discount/department stores and other mass merchandisers. In addition, Blast is distributed direct to all major bookstore chains. The initial print run for Blast exceeds 250,000 copies. "Blast is projected to create in excess of $2.5 million dollars in annual revenues for Fanzine International, Inc., helping the company on its rise as the fastest-growing publishing company in North America," said Robert Maiello, president of Fanzine International, Inc. Fanzine International, Inc. is a New York City-based publishing company that focuses on mass-market consumer lifestyle and celebrity-driven entertainment magazines. Other Fanzine International, Inc. publications include: Celebrity Style, Teen Celebrity, Gym, Burn, Celebrity Style 101 Hairstyles, and many more. CNET, Inc. Names Richard J. Marino President CNET, Inc. has named Richard J. Marino, President and CEO of PC World Communications, Inc., President of CNET, a newly-created position. The announcement was made today by Halsey Minor, CNET Chairman and CEO. Minor also announced that Shelby Bonnie, CNET co-founder and Chief Operating Officer, will become Vice Chairman of the organization. In his new role, Marino will oversee CNET's online publishing and television units, as well as sales and marketing and human resources. Minor stated, "Rich's appointment rounds out two years of building world-class management at CNET and gives our company one of the strongest management teams in the industry. We are looking forward to having such an experienced and well-respected industry figure unite our online, television, sales and marketing divisions and believe the entire company will enjoy the benefits of Rich's leadership." Marino spent nine years at PC World. Since joining as Associate Publisher in 1990, Marino moved up through the organization as Publisher, then President and Chief Operating Officer. He became CEO in September 1996. As chief executive, Marino oversaw the expansion of PC World Communications, Inc., including PC World Online, and ran the PC World Global Product Center, which supports more than 60 editions of PC World published around the world. Digital Age Magazine Launches Its First Issue TLS Media, LLC has announced the first issue of Digital Age Magazine, its computer magazine targeted at non-geeks. The magazine is billed as a resource for normal, non-geek readers who want to take control of the technology in their lives. The magazine launches with a circulation of 175,000 copies and a newsstand price of $2.95. "Computers are supposed to make life easier, but for most of us they have created a lot of stress," said Michael Kelly, chairman and CEO of TLS Media, LLC, which publishes Digital Age Magazine. "And, the biggest problem is how technology gets presented. Why should I have to know about IRQ conflicts and SDRAM if I just want to hook up to the Internet? The bottom line is, I shouldn't have to know, and that's where Digital Age Magazine comes in. Rather than reporting on which computer processes data 10 milliseconds faster than the other, we provide valuable information about how to make computers and technology work for you." The magazine's premiere issue contains a wealth of examples to illustrate the point. Style maven Martha Stewart shows how she uses technology to run her far-flung business empire. Noted financial columnist Pimm Fox shares his online-trading secrets. "The Search and I" offers tips to help readers stop searching and start finding things online. Apollo Eleven astronaut Buzz Aldrin reveals his strategies for traveling light with technology. There's even a "Jargon Hall of Shame" for products that are needlessly confusing. "Digital Age is much more than a magazine. It's our passion, a movement to take back technology from those who would design complex products with poor instructions and then berate us for not getting it," wrote Kelly in a letter to readers that accompanied the magazine. Future issues will feature awards for products based on ease of use and customer service, guides to financial, travel and health information online, and profiles of celebrities who make smart use of technology, including author Tom Clancy, actor Martin Landau and director Francis Ford Coppola. Imagine Media Announces Launch of Sega Dreamcast Magazine Imagine Media has announced the launch of the Official Sega Dreamcast Magazine from the Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles. The magazine will be written for a new generation of gamers that will be created by Sega's powerful new Dreamcast videogame console. The magazine will also offer a Dreamcast demo CD-ROM. "The Official Sega Dreamcast Magazine offers readers the best of both worlds. Its official status gives us the highest level of access to news related to the Dreamcast console. Unlike any other games magazine in the U.S., the Official Sega Dreamcast Magazine will include a demo disc for the Dreamcast with both subscriber and newsstand copies," commented Jonathan Simpson-Bint, President of Imagine Media's Games Division. Medical Economics Co. Launches contobgyn.com The Medical Economics Company has announced that it has launched contobgyn.com, a website featuring full-text articles from over 30 issues of Contemporary OB/GYN magazine, as well as additional resources for obstetricians and gynecologists who want breaking news and expert advice to guide them in their practice. Contobgyn.com is part of the PDR.net wensite, which offers practicing physicians a rich library of relevant healthcare and medical information, including online access to the Physicians' Desk Reference(R) and other key resources and databases at no cost. "Contobgyn.com presents clear, practical and authoritative advice on OB/GYN practice in a dynamic new format," says editor-in-chief John T. Queenan, MD. "The site provides fast access to breaking news, medical updates and articles featuring expert advice on everything from surgical procedures to malpractice insurance." Infonautics Launches Job Sleuth Infonautics, Inc. has announced the launch of Job Sleuth, a free service that searches the Internet's top job sites and databases for job postings based on users profiles. The service, from the creator of the free business information service Company Sleuth, is designed to save users from the 'job-in-itself' task of searching the plethora of online job-related resources one by one. Job Sleuth users receive a daily e-mail containing job opportunities from over a dozen of the top job sites around the Internet, including HotJobs, Career Mosaic and Career Web, that match their career interests. Users can create as many as five different profiles based on more than 100 different job categories (from advertising sales to zoologist), geographic region and keyword. The Job Sleuth service caters to both the active job seeker and the passive, employed worker that wants to keep track of opportunities in the ever-changing job market. HR Advice.com Launched to Resolve Workplace Issues With the launch of HR Advice.com, business owners/managers, Human Resources professionals and consumers have an alternative to costly consultants and time-consuming research and seminars for their Human Resources needs. HR Advice.com has been formed as an online service to resolve Human Resources issues encountered in the workplace. Staffed by degreed professionals with a minimum of ten years Human Resources experience, HR Advice.com will guide company and individual decisions through personalized, interactive information and advice. Specializing in the areas of Employee Relations, Business Planning and Strategy, Recruiting, Human Resources Policy, Compensation & Benefits, Training, Development and Performance systems, HR Advice.com will provide answers within minutes of a request. "The need for value-added service providers is an evolution of the Internet business model," according to Bob Hoffman, Principal and CEO of HR Advice.com. Fast, reliable, personalized Human Resources information is the core HR Advice.com service. Regardless of whether the issues are as complex as creating a strategic business plan, or as targeted as the best way to handle an employee complaint, HR advice professionals will be there to offer real time customized guidance. "We should leverage the available technology and give people the information they need to achieve success on the job," added Hoffman. In addition to fee-for-service problem resolution and strategic solutions, HR Advice will offer professionals and managers daily tips, Human Resources news, and information. Students, researchers, and HR practitioners will have a special area of the site to display and catalogue independent research efforts and best practice information. Los Angeles Times Names Book Prizes Winners John Sanford was awarded the Los Angeles Times Book Prizes' prestigious Robert Kirsch Award last night at this year's Times Book Prizes ceremony. Sanford, 95, has written 24 works of fiction, history, memoir, poetry and collected letters over the past 60 years. For 19 years, the Los Angeles Times Book Prizes have honored the literary achievements of the world's greatest authors. The Book Prizes, which were first awarded in 1980, presented prizes in eight categories, including the Young Adult Fiction category, which debuted this year. Complete details on all prizes can be found on the Los Angeles Times website. The Robert Kirsch Award is presented each year to a living author who resided in the West or whose work focuses on the region and whose contribution to American letters deserves recognition. The Kirsch Award is named after The Times' late book critic, who died in 1980 following a 25-year career as a novelist, editor and teacher as well as one of the nation's foremost reviewers. The 1998 Book Prize winners are: The Robert Kirsch Award: John Sanford Biography: Lindbergh, by A. Scott Berg (G.P. Putnam's Sons) Current Interest: We Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed With Our Families: Stories from Rwanda, by Philip Gourevitch (Farrar, Straus and Giroux) Fiction: The Rings of Saturn, by W.G. Sebald (Michael Hulse, Translator) (New Directions) History: The Greatest Benefit to Mankind: A Medical History of Humanity, by Roy S. Porter (W.W. Norton) Poetry: Mysteries of Small Houses, by Alice Notley (Penguin Books) Science and Technology: Blood: An Epic History of Medicine and Commerce, by Douglas Starr (Alfred A. Knopf) Young Adult Fiction: Rules of the Road, by Joan Bauer (G.P. Putnam's Sons) The Art Seidenbaum Award for First Fiction: Kalimantaan, by C.S. Godshalk (Henry Holt) Wiley Acquires College Titles From Pearson William J. Pesce, President & Chief Executive Officer of John Wiley & Sons, Inc., has announced that Wiley has acquired certain publishing assets from Pearson Education including college textbooks and instructional packages in biology/anatomy and physiology, engineering, mathematics, economics/finance and teacher education. r. "This acquisition is a rare opportunity to acquire a list of highly regarded titles that complements our college publishing program. The acquisition will accelerate the profitable growth of our college business and strengthen our position in several key markets," said Mr. Pesce. This transaction, which closed on May 10, is an outgrowth of Pearson's acquisition of the Simon & Schuster education, reference, and business and professional operations last year. As a result of its review of that acquisition, Pearson and the Department of Justice entered into a consent decree requiring Pearson to divest certain titles. Bill Communications, Inc. Acquires Inside Technology Training Bill Communications, Inc., a subsidiary of VNU-USA, has acquired Inside Technology Training from Ziff-Davis, Inc. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. Inside Technology Training is a comprehensive resource devoted to the exploration of information technology, both as the subject of training and as a means of delivering training. The announcement was made by John Wickersham, president and chief executive officer of Bill Communications. According to Mr. Wickersham, "Our plans target acquisitions of business media and events that strengthen and enhance Bill Communications' market focus in specific growth categories. This acquisition is entirely in keeping with our key investments, including recent acquisitions and startups in the burgeoning corporate training market. Inside Technology Training will be an important addition to Bill Communications' leadership in that market." 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