(CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — VNU Business Media (Adweek Magazines, Billboard, and The Hollywood Reporter) has acquired Digital Media Wire's interest in the Billboard Digital Entertainment Conference & Awards (DECA). Digital Media Wire will work with VNU in the continuation of the event as the 2005 Digital Entertainment & Media Expo (DEMXPO) and DEMY Awards. The two-day event will take place November 30-December 1 at the Westin Century Plaza in Los Angeles.
Digital Media Wire created the conference and awards show in conjunction with VNU and Billboard in 2004. The Billboard Digital Entertainment Conference & Awards featured leaders in digital entertainment, including Mark Cuban, chairman of HDNet and owner of the Dallas Mavericks, singer, songwriter and producer Todd Rundgren and co-creator of the Xbox Game Platform, and CAA Agent, Seamus Blackley, among other industry figures. The conference culminated with an awards gala with live entertainment honoring achievements in digital music, film, gaming, and marketing.
"We are grateful for all the hard work Digital Media Wire put into making DECA an industry success last year and look forward to continuing to work with them as VNU dramatically expands DECA into the first ever comprehensive exposition, conference, and awards show bringing the buying power of the multi-billion dollar entertainment and media industries together in one place at one time, " said Howard Applebaum, vice president of licensing, VNU Business Media.
As part of an ongoing relationship, Digital Media Wire will provide sales, marketing and production support for VNU’s Digital Entertainment & Media Expo (DEMXPO) and the 2005 DEMY Awards (successor events to the Billboard Digital Entertainment Conference & Awards). Digital Media Wire’s CEO Ned Sherman will also hold the position of co-chair for the 2005 DEMY Awards at the DEMXPO.
"This is a great opportunity for us to continue working with the VNU properties as they expand their presence in the growing field of digital media,” said Sherman. “We are looking forward to growing our relationship with them as we build on the success of last year's event.”
More than 1,500 entertainment and media leaders are expected to attend the two-day exposition and conference. The conference will cover technological, strategic, legal, and marketing issues in four tracks, including Mobile Entertainment & Digital Gaming, Digital Film/TV and Alternative Distribution, Digital Music and Interactive Marketing.
Among Digital Media Wire's produced events within the mobile and digital entertainment industry are Digital Media Conference, Digital Music Forum, Games & Mobile Forum, Future of Television Forum, and Digital Commerce Summit. –Jane Cohen and Bob Grossweiner
