Friday, December 10, 2010

ARIEL'S NIGHTMARES CAN'T CONTAIN THEMSELVES
Image Comics releases DARKCHYLDE collection in Janauary

Berkeley, CA - 10 December 2010 - In January 2011, fans old and new will be able to catch up with accursed teen Ariel Chylde in DARKCHYLDE VOL.1: LEGACY AND REDEMPTION from Image Comics.

Ariel Chylde is a sweet-tempered girl with a terrifying secret: She can become the horrendous creatures from her many recurring nightmares. In DARKCHYLDE VOL. 1, collecting for the first time the "Legacy" and "Redmpetion" storylines, Ariel seeks salvation and an end to her terrible curse.

"2011 marks the 15th Anniversary of Ariel Chylde," says creator and artist Randy Queen. "So, it is with great joy this rare collection of Darkchylde material is made available for the first time in America with Image. To ensure a truly dynamic package, we've added new pages of art, the poetic writings of Ariel Chylde, and many rare and unseen images. If you're an older fan or newer fan, you'll still find something fresh to discover in these haunted tales of the teen who can become the creatures from her nightmares!"

DARKCHYLDE VOL.1: LEGACY AND REDEMPTION (NOV100428), a 160-page full-color trade paperback collecting the "Legacy" and "Redemption" storylines of the hit series and featuring all new artwork and cover gallery, will be in stores on January 12, 2011, for $16.99.

A feature film is currently in development with John Carpenter attached to direct. Get the latest updates on Darkchylde at www.darkchylde.com.

Image Comics is a comic book and graphic novel publisher founded in 1992 by a collective of best-selling artists. Image has since gone on to become one of the largest comics publishers in the United States. Image currently has five partners: Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri and Jim Valentino. It consists of five major houses: Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline, Skybound and Image Central. Image publishes comics and graphic novels in nearly every genre, sub-genre, and style imaginable. It offers science fiction, romance, horror, crime fiction, historical fiction, humor and more by the finest artists and writers working in the medium today. For more information, visit www.imagecomics.com.

Thursday, December 09, 2010

TRON: Evolution Comes to PlayStation®Home



Safe House, Vehicles, Costumes and Arcade Mini Games Arrive on PlayStation 3 System



December 9, 2010 – TRON: Evolution, the video game, was released this week in North America on the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system. Players can now also experience the world of TRON in PlayStation Home. Disney Interactive Studios announced that TRON: Evolution items and a safe house are available today for PlayStation Home exclusively on the PlayStation 3 system.



The TRON safe house lets PS3 players experience life on the Grid from TRON: Evolution.



The safe house has a toy light tank, a classic light cycle, recognizers, a bit companion character and furniture from TRON: Evolution. Avatar costumes include those representing Flynn, Quorra, Clu and TRON. T-shirts for avatars include TRON, Encom, Flynn Lives and Space Paranoids. Also available are a classic TRON costume, Sark costume, classic TRON helmet and classic light disc.



The space also includes two classic arcade-style mini games.



TRON: Evolution is available now for all major video game platforms.



Presented in Disney Digital 3D™, Real D 3D and IMAX® 3D and scored by Grammy Award®–winning electronic music duo Daft Punk, “TRON: Legacy” hits theaters on December 17, 2010.
MARK WAID IS...
FREELANCE!

Mark Waid steps down as Chief Creative Officer

of BOOM! Studios

Waid will continue fan-favorite runs on

IRREDEEMABLE, INCORRUPTIBLE,

and STAN LEE'S THE TRAVELER


December 9th, 2010 – Los Angeles, CA – It is with a heavy heart but also with great warmth and fondness that BOOM! Studios bids adieu to one of its own: effective immediately, Mark Waid is stepping down from the responsibility of Chief Creative Officer at BOOM! Studios. Waid will continue his run on IRREDEEMABLE and INCORRUPTIBLE and his brand new break-out hit collaboration with Stan Lee, THE TRAVELER.

"Mark was key in BOOM!'s transition from a promising upstart to top tier publisher," Ross Richie, the Chief Executive Officer of BOOM! Studios remarked. "Now that we've reached this stage, Mark's made it clear to me that he's ready to take on new challenges. And we wish him the best!"

"I learned a lot in my time at BOOM! about the ever-evolving job of publishing comics in the 21st century, and it’s been an invaluable experience," Waid said. "But now that BOOM! is in a strong place with its best foothold ever in the market, it’s time for me to refocus my energies on writing and on creating. And maybe take one of these ‘vacation’ things that people are always talking about.”

At Comic-Con International in 2007, BOOM! Studios shocked the industry with the appointment of Mark Waid as Editor-in-Chief of BOOM! Studios. After three years as Editor-in-Chief, and writer of some of the bestselling BOOM! Studios titles like IRREDEEMABLE, INCORRUPTIBLE and most recently THE TRAVELER, Waid was promoted to Chief Creative Officer in the summer of 2010. Today, after a little over three years at the company, Waid leaves BOOM! Studios firmly entrenched as one of the top comic book companies in North America.

"Working day-to-day with a creator of Mark's caliber is an experience I'll never forget," said recently-minted Editor-in-Chief Matt Gagnon. "Thankfully, with IRREDEEMABLE, INCORRUPTIBLE, and THE TRAVELER going strong on the stands, I still get the pleasure of working day-in-and-day-out with Mark. He's one of the greats and I wish him the best in the next chapter of his influential career."

"Mark's such a phenomenal talent, but also a phenomenally good sport." Chip Mosher, Marketing Director added. "I'd like to publicly apologize that the tagline 'Mark Waid is Evil' will follow him the rest of his days! While Mark's presence on the BOOM! team will be missed, I look forward to reading what is next on all the BOOM! books he will continue to concentrate on."

While Mark Waid exits the executive team at BOOM! Studios, Waid will continue writing all three of his current BOOM! Studios titles. This December sees the release of IRREDEEMABLE #20 and INCORRUPTIBLE #13, in what continues to be one of the most successful launches of a new series in the past five years in the Direct Market. The success of the single issues for both series have been surpassed only by the massive trade paperback sales, with December also seeing blockbuster pre-orders for IRREDEEMABLE VOL. 5 and INCORRUPTIBLE VOL. 3 TPBs, that will be hitting store shelves later this month. Waid's collaboration with Stan Lee, THE TRAVELER #2, also tearing up the sales charts, hits store shelves later this month.

About BOOM! Studios
BOOM! Studios (www.boom-studios.com) 2009 "Best Publisher" of the year, generates a wide-ranging catalog of multiple Eisner and Harvey Award-nominated comic books and graphic novels featuring some of the industry’s top talent, including Philip K. Dick's DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP?, 20th Century Fox's 28 DAYS LATER and DIE HARD, The Henson Company's FARSCAPE, and the original Mark Waid series IRREDEEMABLE. This fall sees BOOM! teaming up with the legendary Stan Lee, creator of Marvel Comics’ characters Spider-Man, The Hulk, and The X-Men for a line of original superhero series, the legend’s first new superhero creations in nearly 20 years. BOOM!'s youth imprint, BOOM Kids!, is an undisputed industry leader publishing Disney/Pixar's THE INCREDIBLES, CARS, and TOY STORY, as well as Disney's THE MUPPETS, DONALD DUCK, UNCLE SCROOGE and WALT DISNEY'S COMICS AND STORIES. This year, BOOM! Studios celebrates its fifth anniversary.
Where To Boldly Go This Holiday Season
Fan Vixens 2011 Calendar Release Party

(December 9, 2010 Los Angeles CA) Ink Pen Mutations announced today that on Friday December 10, 2010 they will be hosting a release party for their 2011 Fan Vixens calendar. From 8pm to midnight at the Hive Gallery at 729 S. Spring street in Downtown Los Angeles there will be free giveaways, a full bar, live DJ, amazing art and most importantly sexy babes. The models include Playboy Model Laya Bella, Rannie Rodil, Ranila Miyu, and the multi talented model/entrepreneur Ave Rose will be in attendance. Buy a calendar and get it signed!

FanVixens is a 13 month calendar packed with babes posing in highly romanticized images from many genres including sci-fi, gaming, comics, anime, and horror. If the hot chicks in cool scenarios don’t get you, it’s also packed full of interesting dates and events that could prove useful to those who dwell within the realm of all that is awesome. From sci-fi, cosplay, anime, and comic convention dates, to fun birth dates from George Takei to George Lucas. Hell, they even added dates that we thought were just plain neat, like the Roswell incident and cool movie release dates.

Buy the calendar online at www.fanvixens.com.

To join the Ink Pen Mutations mailing list email inkpenmutations@gmail.com.

Retailers should contact inkpenmutations@gmail.com for terms.

For more information about Ink Pen Mutations go to www.inkpenmutations.com

About Ink Pen Mutations: In 2005, founder of Ink Pen Mutations Ave Rose searched for an outlet that reflected her unique, no holds barred vision and found the world lacking and thus Ink Pen was born. Her business model was to partner with the best unconventional West Coast artists to create products that brought new ideas to established genres, formats and themes. In 2008, a permanent installation in the renowned Hive Gallery in Los Angeles was secured to give all Ink Pen artists a place to display their work. Primarily a West Coast business, Ink Pen is making the moves to go nationwide and put their avant-garde creations to the mainstream. Ink Pen Mutations:-Your underground storybook generator.

Wednesday, December 08, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Telltale Brings Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People to PlayStation Network for Holidays!
Game Based on HomestarRunner.com will release December 21 on PlayStation Network; also Coming Soon to Mac!

SAN RAFAEL, Calif. December 8, 2010 -- Pioneering digital publisher Telltale Games, today announced that the game series based on Strong Bad, the self-proclaimed coolest person ever, will release for PlayStation 3(R) Computer Entertainment System in North America December 21, and will be available on the PlayStation Network in Europe and Macintosh shortly thereafter.

Developed in partnership with HomeStarRunner.com creators Mike and Matt Chapman, Telltale's Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People (SBCG4AP) delivers all of the comedy and irreverence of the web cartoons that its legions of fans have come to love. SBCG4AP is a story-driven 5 episode series with a comic spin that's undeniably Strong Bad. The player uncovers each episode's comedic plot through character interaction, dialogue-based puzzles, and the use (and abuse) of inventory items. The storylines run the gamut from political struggles to rock 'n roll to the world of video games (of course). In addition, each episode is crammed with time-wasters to keep players poking around in the world, including Strong Bad emails to check, prank phone calls to place, and mini-games styled after the arcade games on the Homestarrunner.com website. SBCG4AP features the cast of characters and locations from the Homestarrunner.com cartoons, and the games are fully voice acted by Matt Ch apman and the rest of the original cast.

Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People is also currently available for PC at http://www.telltalegames.com and on Nintendo WiiWare.

About Homestarrunner.com

Homestar Runner was conceived in 1996 by Mike Chapman and friend Craig Zobel as an idea for a weird kids' book they would only make a few photocopies of for friends. In 2000, Mike and brother Matt dusted off the idea and launched Homestarrunner.com, featuring the Flash-animated exploits of the characters. Mike and Matt write and animate the cartoons with Matt and Missy Palmer providing voices for the characters. The site has been featured and mentioned in the New York Times, Wired Magazine, Entertainment Weekly, Time, The Wall Street Journal, and, most importantly, two songs from the site were featured in the Guitar Hero series.

About Telltale, Inc.

Telltale is a leading independent digital publisher of interactive stories playable on every major gaming platform. Telltale is also the pioneer of episodic delivery of content, developing games as series, and successfully releasing on a schedule to create a longer consumer engagement for each release. Founded in 2004 by LucasArts veterans with decades of experience, Telltale has quickly become an industry leader, establishing the model for downloadable game seasons and releasing more than 30 games to date. Telltale's reputation for quality has been established across more than 25 published releases that have cumulatively earned an average Metacritic score above 80%. Telltale's titles have won numerous awards including, "Adventure Game of the Year" accolades from publications such as IGN, PC Gamer, GameSpy, and Adventure Gamers, and have been recognized by mainstream outlets ranging from USA Today, to The New York Times to Variety. Telltale currently develops and publish es episodic series on iPad, PlayStation(R) 3, Mac, PC, Wii (TM), and Xbox 360 (TM).

About Videlectrix

Since the beginning of organized time, or shortly thereafter, the 'Trix, as they are sometimes known, has been at all four fronts of the electronic video gaming industry, providing lo-res entertainment to parents and children alike. In the early years, The Big V, as they are other times known, got their start by typing numbers into calculators and then turning the calculators upside down to form words. In 2003, they partnered with Homestarrunner.com and released the arcade peasant-masher Trogdor! They've since followed up with hit after hit, including next-gen text adventure Peasant's Quest, side scrolling platformer Stinkoman 20X6, and the unforgettable Color Television Calibration Cartridge.
BOMBERMAN EXPLODES AGAIN IN BOMBERMAN LIVE: BATTLEFEST



Sequel to Wildly Popular Maze-Based Game is Out Now on Xbox LIVE Arcade



San Mateo, Calif. – December 8, 2010 – Bomberman is back and better than ever, with teams, avatars and online multiplayer, as the famed character makes his return to Xbox LIVE® Arcade for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft with Bomberman Live: Battlefest. Published by Hudson Entertainment, the North American publishing arm of HUDSON SOFT, Bomberman Live: Battlefest is now available for 800 Microsoft Points.



The sequel to the critically acclaimed and highly successful downloadable title Bomberman LIVE, which has sold more than 600,000 copies, Bomberman Live: Battlefest will feature the same frantic action that the series is known for. With 8-person online multiplayer, as well as a wealth of all-new features, including teams, new modes, new arenas, new power-ups, new costumes, and even the ability to use an avatar as a playable character, players will be running for cover. Additionally, downloadable content will be completed and made available after launch, with the first set available on December 29. Bomberman super-fans will also get to dress up their avatars as Bomberman with the actual Bomberman suit itself or t-shirts in separate content coming December 15.



“Bomberman is one of the most beloved figures in gaming and it’s a blast to continue the legacy of this fun and frenetic classic with Bomberman Live: Battlefest,” said Sabine Duvall, Vice President of Digital Download at Hudson Entertainment. “We’ve added a ton of features to the game that will bring a whole new level of fun to the Bomberman experience for all.”



Since winning ‘Best Overall Game’ and ‘Best Competitive Multiplayer Game’ in the Xbox LIVE Arcade Awards at GDC 2008, Bomberman LIVE reignited the fuses of Bomberman fans around the world. In Bomberman Live: Battlefest, players will be able to choose from more arenas than ever, including an Adventure Island-themed arena, a shape-shifting MultiMaze and a Pirate Ship crashing through the waves. With the all new team play feature, 2-4 players can join up per team, gather with up to 8 people online, and battle other teams and set the online world on fire!



Players will also be able to customize their own Bomberman by choosing from a plethora of new costumes, as they mix and match pieces of Napoleon Bombaparte, Chef Bombardee, Sir Bombalot and more. With five new power-ups like the cluster bomb, rocket bomb and laser bomb, and four new modes like VIP, Bankroll, Capture the Flag and Capture the Crown, Bomberman Live: Battlefest is sure to be a fiery addition to gaming libraries everywhere.



For more information on Bomberman Live: Battlefest, please visit the websites below.



Official Website: http://www.bombermanlivebattlefest.com
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/HudsonEntertainment
Twitter: HudsonEnt
Facebook: OfficialBomberman



###



About Bomberman

Originally launched in the US in 1987, the game captured gamers’ hearts with its simple yet challenging gameplay. With over 60 iterations on nearly all major consoles since then, and over 10 million units sold, winning accolades as the best multiplayer game of all time, this classic game has stood the test of time. Along the way, it also pioneered the “party game” genre, encouraging groups of 4 or more friends to duke it out in one room, and was the first series to contribute to Hudson’s reputation as the number one party game company.



Hudson Entertainment is the North and South American publishing arm of Hudson Soft, an international provider of games and entertainment content founded in 1973. Hudson Entertainment focuses on four key businesses: console retail games, digital download content, mobile games, and music. Hudson introduced best-selling videogame franchises including Bomberman, Bonk, Military Madness and Deca Sports. Hudson's mobile division is a leading supplier of games and personalized content. Through numerous partnerships with record labels, Hudson has become a leading provider of digital music and video content. For more information on Hudson Entertainment, please visit www.hudsonent.com.
‘Kung-Fu LIVE’ Unleashes Its Fury onto PlayStation® Network
Epic kung-fu adventure is now available for download!

Helsinki, Finland – December 8, 2010 – Virtual Air Guitar Company Ltd, a Helsinki–based independent game developer and computer vision specialist, announced today that Kung-Fu LIVE, its highly anticipated full-body motion fighting experience, has launched on PlayStation Network in North America and Europe. Transforming everyday gamers into real life kung-fu action heroes with Virtual Air Guitar Company’s advanced FreeMotion® technology, players can finally put themselves directly into the action when they download the game onto the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system.

“From the very beginning, we’ve set out to deliver some serious fun for people who don’t take themselves too seriously,” said Teemu Maki-Patola, CEO of Virtual Air Guitar Company Ltd. “Today is the day that we can finally share our vision with gamers across the world. It’s a vision that literally puts players inside of the epic action of the video game world with no controllers and no disconnect between their real life selves and an avatar on-screen. They are truly inside of the game. Every kick, punch, cartwheel, and power jump they can perform in front of their televisions is now an integral part of the gameplay experience, and the result is exactly the kind of ridiculous and physically challenging fun we’ve strived to create.”

Kung-Fu LIVE fuses players into a world of pulp action-comics with accurate real-time motion and image scanning, letting fans literally step inside the fight like never before. Using the PlayStation®Eye, Virtual Air Guitar Company’s patented Freemotion® technology has helped to create the first controller-free fighting game of its kind that transports players into the game world, challenging them to survive using a limitless array of free-style martial arts and acrobatic moves with their own bodies and without restrictions. Utilizing real-time background image removal combined with enormous interactive environments, a roster of impossible-made-possible power moves, and unique multiplayer components, Kung-Fu LIVE lets players star in the ultimate kung-fu comic adventure that will unleash the inner Bruce Lee in everyone!

Kung-Fu LIVE has been published independently by Virtual Air Guitar Company Ltd., and provides a fast, fun, and action packed experience while ushering in a new era of full-body motion gaming. Kung-Fu LIVE is available now on PlayStation Network for just $14.99 USD in North America, and only €13.99 EUR / £10.99 GBP in Europe.
TopWare Interactive taking TWO WORLDS II™ to the UK

Launch Date slated for January, 25th2011 for the UK and North America



Las Vegas, Nevada – December 8th, 2010

Happy Holidays from TopWare Interactive! We're proud to announce that Two Worlds II, the major turnaround sequel of the year, has recently broken the one million unit sales mark in Europe after just three weeks on the store shelves. And, the momentum doesn't appear to be slowing. More than sixty magazines have awarded or reviewed the game as being exceptional, and player feedback has been tremendous as well.

As many know, the North American, Irish and UK release of the next installment in the Two Worlds franchise has been pushed back to January 25th, 2011. Contrary to an earlier December press release in Europe by TopWare's publishing partner: South Peak Games, has relinquished distribution rights in Ireland and the UK to TopWare in order to focus on their North American marketing campaign. The rights were not purchased back by TopWare, as was previously reported.

TopWare Interactive’s, managing director, James Seaman, had this to say: "Both TopWare and South Peak want our game to get the attention it deserves. South Peak wants to give the North American market 100% of their attention, and we're happy we were able to take some of the weight off their shoulders. Two Worlds II really is a labor of love, and after seeing how far the game has come, the fans are going to be blown away in January!"

TopWare also plans to open a UK office within the next six months that will support the press and all of the retail community in a positive and comprehensive fashion.



About TopWare Interactive

TopWare Interactive, headquartered in Karlsruhe, Germany, is an international interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1991, the company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software on most current gen gaming platforms including PC, Xbox 360®, PlayStation® 3, and Wii™. A privately held company, TopWare is the first German based company appointed as a licensed worldwide publisher for both Microsoft and Sony for their respective platforms, and has additional offices in Las Vegas, Nevada and Petaluma, California.

For additional information, please visit TopWare's website: www.topware.com



Microsoft, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox LIVE, and the Xbox logos are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies and are used under license from Microsoft. "PlayStation" is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi and Wii are trademarks of Nintendo. Other trademarks are the sole property of their respective owners.
Happy 30th Birthday, Bloom County

Berkeley Breathed’s Awarding-Winning Comic Strip Debuted on December 8, 1980

Cartoon Art Museum Hosts Special Exhibit Beginning in February 2011


[Opus draw Berkeley Breathed]San Diego, CA (December 8, 2010) – On December 8th, 1980, the first Bloom County comic strip was released in a handful of newspapers. Berkeley Breathed’s irreverent look at small town life and its memorable denizens rose from its modest beginnings to eventually appear in more than 1200 newspapers across the land. The first Bloom County collection, Loose Tails, sold more than one million copies. In 1989, and still at the top of the charts, Breathed turned off his studio light and walked away.

When reached at home for comment on this historic day, Breathed replied, “Oh, was that today?”

Celebrating the cultural impact of this remarkable comic strip, IDW Publishing has teamed up with Breathed for the first complete and chronological collection of Bloom County. The first three volumes of BLOOM COUNTY: THE COMPLTE LIBRARY are currently available at fine bookstores everywhere. BLOOM COUNTY: THE COMPLTE LIBRARY Volume Four will be released in April 2011. Each volume features the many quirky citizens of Bloom County—such as Opus, Bill the Cat, and Milo Bloom—while projecting Breathed’s uncanny ability to be both cynical and naïve, often at the same time.

“It’s a privilege to work on a project like this,” said series editor Scott Dunbier. “The strip is as fresh today as it was 30 years ago—thank you, Berkeley.”[Bloom County: The Complete Library Vol 3]

The Bloom County celebration continues in February at the Cartoon Art Museum of San Francisco with a special exhibit spotlighting many of Breathed’s different works, both from Bloom County and his children’s books. The show will from February through June, featuring art spanning his career and including several movie projects such as Secondhand Lions, Flawed Dogs and Mars Needs Moms. The Cartoon Art Museum will host a reception on April with Breathed.

In addition to the print books, IDW will also release a BLOOM COUNTY application for Apple’s iPad, starting with the inaugural year, 1980-81. The app is expected to launch before the holidays, and will offer each year as a separate volume.


BLOOM COUNTY: THE COMPLTE LIBRARY VOLUME ONE ($39.99, 288 pages, hard cover, full color) is now available in stores. Diamond order code AUG09 0908; ISBN 978-1600105319.

BLOOM COUNTY: THE COMPLTE LIBRARY VOLUME TWO ($39.99, 304 pages, hard cover, full color) is now available in stores. Diamond order code FEB10 1005; ISBN 978-1600105338.

BLOOM COUNTY: THE COMPLTE LIBRARY VOLUME THREE ($39.99, 272 pages, hard cover, full color) is now available in stores. Diamond order code AUG10 0373; ISBN 978-1600107559.

BLOOM COUNTY: THE COMPLTE LIBRARY VOLUME FOUR ($39.99, 272 pages, hard cover, full color) will be available in stores in April 2011. ISBN 978-1600108990.

BLOOM COUNTY: THE COMPLTE LIBRARY VOLUME ONE (iPad only, $7.99, December 8 1980 – December 31, 1981, full color) will be available through iTunes in December 2010.



Visit IDWPublishing.com to learn more about the company and its top-selling books.


About IDW Publishing
IDW is an award-winning publisher of comic books, graphic novels and trade paperbacks, based in San Diego, California. Renowned for its diverse catalog of licensed and independent titles, IDW publishes some of the most successful and popular titles in the industry, including: Hasbro's The Transformers and G.I. JOE, Paramount's Star Trek; HBO’s True Blood; the BBC's Doctor Who; and comics and trade collections based on novels by worldwide bestselling author, James Patterson. IDW is also home to the Library of American Comics imprint, which publishes classic comic reprints; Yoe! Books, a partnership with Yoe! Studios; and is the print publisher for EA Comics and ComicMix.

IDW's original horror series, 30 Days of Night, was launched as a major motion picture in October 2007 by Sony Pictures and was the #1 film in its first week of release. More information about the company can be found at IDWPublishing.com.



Apple, the Apple logo, iPhone, iPod touch, and iTunes are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. iPad is a trademark of Apple Inc. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. Content purchased from the iTunes Store is for personal lawful use only. Don’t steal music.
Trubies Have Spoken – They Love The
True Blood® Comic Series!

Due To Popular Demand
IDW & HBO® Announce the
Debut of the Comic Book Collection
& Second Series

Comic Collection – A Compilation of the First 6 Issues – Debuts on February 15th

Second Series Featuring An All-New Story Arc Debuts February 23rd

Show Star Michael McMillian Joins as Co-Writer


[TRUE BLOOD: Series 2 #1 cover]San Diego, CA (December 8, 2010) – IDW Publishing and HBO are pleased to announce the next step for the mega-hit comic series TRUE BLOOD. After record breaking sales, the TRUE BLOOD comic book series continues in February 2011 with a brand new story. Actor Michael McMillian, who plays Fellowship of the Sun leader Reverend Steve Newlin, will co-author the all-new six-issue arc with fan-favorite writer Marc Andreyko. Also in February, IDW will launch the hardcover collection of its first TRUE BLOOD story arc, ALL TOGETHER NOW. This compilation of all six issues from the first series of the comics will also feature bonus content, including original sketches and a cover gallery.

“Co-Writing the TRUE BLOOD comic is a dream come true both as a performer on the show and as longtime comic fan. It's a real privilege to build on the rapidly growing True Blood mythology,” said McMillian. Continued Andreyko: “Words can't express how excited I am to be writing this with Michael. We're doing our damndest to spin a tale that fans of the show, and comics readers, will drink up like blood!”

As with the first arc, IDW’s new TRUE BLOOD comic series will be based on the intriguing world of Bon Temps, offering fans an original story with their favorite characters. In this six-issue series, Jessica is exposed to contaminated bottles of Tru Blood, causing the lovely vampire to go berserk. It’s up to Sookie, Bill and the others to figure out who (or what) is behind the bad Blood. In addition to Jessica, several other Bon Temp residents are making their comic book debut including Hoyt, Terry, Arlene and Steve Newlin.

Joining McMillian and Andreyko is artist Joe Corroney, who will bring this latest head-turning series to life. Corroney, along with superstar artist, J. Scott Campbell, will provide covers.

Added McMillian, “Marc and I are working hard to make sure the series feels like an extension of the show. True Blood fans should expect lots of action, gore, sex, humor and of course, awesome cliffhangers!”

“We couldn’t be more pleased with the amazing success of the comics and are excited that the release of the comic collection will make the series even more accessible to fans,” stated show creator Alan Ball. “Michael and Marc have done an amazing job with the second series, crafting a thrilling story that will leave Trubies wanting more.”

IDW’s first TRUE BLOOD series, ALL TOGETHER NOW, will be offered in deluxe, hardcover form and available in bookstores nationwide. Featuring the same erotically-charged romance, wry humor, intriguing mystery and [TRUE BLOOD: ALL TOGETHER NOW cover]suspense the show has become known for, the story treats readers to new insights of their favorite characters. Developed with show creator Alan Ball, along with series writers Elisabeth Finch and Kate Barnow, ALL TOGETHER NOW was co-written by David Tischman and Mariah Huehner. The series was beautifully illustrated by top tier artist David Messina, with additional art by renowned artists J. Scott Campbell, Joe Corroney, and Andrew Currie.

In addition to the print editions, the comic collection and the second series will be available digitally through Sony’s Digital Comics Store and Apple’s iTunes Store.



TRUE BLOOD: ALL TOGETHER NOW ($24.99, 160 pages, hard cover, full color) will be available in stores in February 2011. Diamond order code DEC10 0370; ISBN 978-1600108686.

TRUE BLOOD: Series 2, Issue #1 ($3.99, 32 pages, full color) will be available in stores in February 2011. Diamond order code DEC10 0367.

TRUE BLOOD comics are available for the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch through the Apple iTunes store here.

TRUE BLOOD comics are available for the Sony PSP through the Sony Digital Comics store here.


Visit IDWPublishing.com to learn more about the company and its top-selling books.


About IDW Publishing
IDW is an award-winning publisher of comic books, graphic novels and trade paperbacks, based in San Diego, California. Renowned for its diverse catalog of licensed and independent titles, IDW publishes some of the most successful and popular titles in the industry, including: Hasbro's The Transformers and G.I. JOE, Paramount's Star Trek; HBO’s True Blood; the BBC's Doctor Who; and comics and trade collections based on novels by worldwide bestselling author, James Patterson. IDW is also home to the Library of American Comics imprint, which publishes classic comic reprints; Yoe! Books, a partnership with Yoe! Studios; and is the print publisher for EA Comics and ComicMix.

IDW's original horror series, 30 Days of Night, was launched as a major motion picture in October 2007 by Sony Pictures and was the #1 film in its first week of release. More information about the company can be found at IDWPublishing.com.

About HBO Licensing & Retail
HBO Licensing & Retail awards official HBO licenses throughout the world for the development and merchandising of innovative product lines which are inspired by the television broadcaster’s award-winning programs.

© 2010 Home Box Office, Inc. All Rights Reserved. HBO and related service marks are the property of Home Box Office, Inc.

Apple, the Apple logo, and iTunes are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. Content purchased from the iTunes Store is for personal lawful use only. Don’t steal music.

Tuesday, December 07, 2010

WELCOME TO THE GRID



TRON: Evolution Video Game is Now Available in North America



Game Highlighted by Film Talent, Daft Punk Music Tracks and Collaboration with “TRON: Legacy” Filmmakers





BURBANK, Calif. — (December 7, 2010) – The digital world of TRON is re-born this month in both the TRON: Evolution video game and Walt Disney Pictures’ “TRON: Legacy.” Disney Interactive Studios today announced that its TRON: Evolution video game is now available in North America. TRON: Evolution takes place between the original “TRON” film from 1982 and the highly anticipated 3D film “TRON: Legacy,” which will be released in theaters on December 17, 2010.



TRON: Evolution has a story set around a series of seismic events within the Grid of TRON. Players control a security program, Anon, who must protect the digital world from Abraxas, a dangerous computer virus. Players will witness unique moments that are referenced or shown as the backstory of the thrilling “TRON: Legacy” story. The game features the iconic TRON vehicles – light cycles, light tanks and recognizers – and has high mobility combat using light discs. The multiplayer modes enable up to 10 players to take on each other online in a variety of maps with on-foot combat, light cycles and light tanks.



TRON: Evolution is available for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, Games For Windows – LIVE, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system and the Nintendo DS™ family of hand-held systems. TRON: Evolution – Battle Grids is exclusive to the Wii™ console.



“TRON: Evolution is an experience that encompasses the great elements from the TRON franchise,” said Darren Hedges, game director, Propaganda Games. “The game takes players through the Grid and foretells some of the key events of the upcoming film. For both core and casual players, TRON: Evolution is a game that will challenge them to fight for the survival of the Grid.”



The development team working on the game collaborated with the filmmakers throughout the development process, including during principal photography in Vancouver, B.C., the location of the game development studio. Production information and assets were shared to ensure franchise consistency.



“‘TRON: Legacy’ re-envisions a unique digital landscape that is perfectly suited to the video game world,” said Sean Bailey, producer for “TRON: Legacy” and Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures president of production. “TRON: Evolution is a natural extension of ‘TRON: Legacy,’ and I can’t wait for fans to see them both.”



TRON: Evolution stars film and TV star Olivia Wilde in her “TRON: Legacy” role as Quorra. Bruce Boxleitner, an actor who appears in both TRON films, also plays a major role in the game.



“Video game players will get an understanding of Quorra’s experiences before the ‘TRON: Legacy’ story by playing TRON: Evolution,” said Olivia Wilde. “As a person who played video games when I was growing up and from understanding fans’ excitement about the TRON digital world, I felt it was important to also voice the role in TRON: Evolution and ensure authenticity.”



The game includes two tracks from the “TRON: Legacy” score, original music which was composed by iconic and renowned French electronic duo, Daft Punk.



The PlayStation 3 system version includes a state-of-the-art stereoscopic 3D option for 3D-capable HDTVs and also supports the PlayStation®Move motion controller during light cycle gameplay in story mode.



Free downloadable content is available through a one-time-use retail code in the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 system and Games For Windows – LIVE versions of TRON: Evolution. The content includes two multiplayer maps available now and a Sam Flynn multiplayer character skin, available December 14, 2010. Additional premium downloadable content will be released in the future.



TRON: Evolution – Battle Grids for Wii features 15 minigames for as many as four players in the same room. Families and younger players can experience the story mode and track their results in the competitive arcade-style combat games.



TRON: Evolution is rated T for Teen by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 system and has a suggested retail price of $59.99. TRON: Evolution – Battle Grids, rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and Older, for Wii has a $49.99 suggested retail price. TRON: Evolution games (E10+) for the Nintendo DS family of hand-held systems and PSP system are $39.99. The Games For Windows – LIVE version (Teen) sells for $29.99. A Collector’s Edition for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 is priced at $129.99 and features the game, an exclusive collectible illuminated light cycle model, protective case and vouchers for “TRON: Legacy” film tickets.



For more information about the game, go to http://disney.com/tronvideogame.



Disney Mobile’s TRON app (www.itunes.com/app/tron) for the iPhone® and iPod® touch is free to download and features all-new versions of the classic Tanks and Light Cycles games from the TRON arcade. The app also features “TRON: Legacy” trailers, a streamed version of a Daft Punk track from “TRON: Legacy,” pre-sale order information for the TRON: Evolution game, and will continue to be updated leading up to the December film premiere.



The “TRON: Legacy” soundtrack is also available today. For the original motion picture soundtrack for “TRON: Legacy,” please visit http://disney.go.com/tron/index_flash.html#music, become a fan at Facebook.com/DisneyMusic or follow at Twitter.com/disneymusic.



About “TRON: Legacy”



“TRON: Legacy” is a 3D high-tech adventure set in a digital world that’s unlike anything ever captured on the big screen. Sam Flynn (Garrett Hedlund), the tech-savvy 27-year-old son of Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges), looks into his father’s disappearance and finds himself pulled into the digital world of TRON where his father has been living for 25 years. Along with Kevin’s loyal confidant Quorra (Olivia Wilde), father and son embark on a life-and-death journey of escape across a visually-stunning cyber universe that has become far more advanced and exceedingly dangerous. “TRON: Legacy” is directed by Joseph Kosinski and produced by Sean Bailey, Jeffrey Silver and Steven Lisberger. The story is by Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz; and Brian Klugman and Lee Sternthal, and the screenplay is by Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz, based on characters created by Steven Lisberger and Bonnie MacBird. Presented in Disney Digital 3D™, Real D 3D and IMAX® 3D and scored by Grammy Award®–winning electronic music duo Daft Punk, “TRON: Legacy” hits theaters on December 17, 2010.



About Disney Interactive Studios



Disney Interactive Studios, part of Disney Interactive Media Group, is the interactive entertainment affiliate of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS). Disney Interactive Studios self publishes and distributes a broad portfolio of multi-platform video games and interactive entertainment worldwide. The company also licenses properties and works directly with other interactive game publishers to bring products for all ages to market. Disney Interactive Studios is based in Glendale, California, and has internal development studios around the world. For more information, log on to http://www.disneyinteractivestudios.com.
Second Annual Fund-raising Drive against Human Trafficking

Comic Creators Participate in National Human Trafficking Awareness Day

(December 7, 2010, Columbus OH) Comic Creators Alliance announced today the launch of their second annual fund-raising drive to raise funds to fight against Human Trafficking. Last year's drive raised a staggering ten thousand dollars and had over eighty seven artists working together on a special image just for the event. This year they hope to top not only proceeds, but the number of artists working on the project. In the spirit of upping the odds, this year's drive will include a print version of the piece available for purchase as well as the digital download. Artists have until the end of the year to contact the creator of this project, Lora Innes, at comiccreatorsalliance@gmail.com to contribute artwork. The donation drive starts on National Human Trafficking A wareness Day which is January 11, 2011 and ends January 24, 2011. The official website for the drive ishttp://comicalliance.weebly.com/.

Comic artists currently participating are Adam Withers & Comfort Love (The Uniques), Crystal Yates (EarthSong), Lora Innes (The Dreamer), Billy Tucci (Shi), Scott Sava (Dreamland Chronicles) and Alan Evans (Rival Angels). As artists join the cause you can follow participants by visiting http://comicalliance.weebly.com/the-people.html. 100% of donations are being split between Love 146 (www.love146.org) and Grace Haven House (www.gracehavenhouse.org). To learn more about what you can do to end human trafficking visit http://comicalliance.weebly.com/links.html.

Innes organized the endeavor after being particularly moved at a seminar on the issue. Innes states “There are currently 27 million enslaved people worldwide- more than double the number of enslaved Africans during the trans-Atlantic slave trade. UNICEF estimates that 1.2 million children every year are sold into slavery, most of it sexual. The US Department of Justice estimates 16,000 victims of human trafficking are brought into the United States every year. With this many people being affected I just couldn’t sit there and not do something.”

SPREAD THE WORD TODAY!

Monday, December 06, 2010

AMC’S THE WALKING DEAD IS THE MOST WATCHED DRAMA SERIES
AMONG ADULTS 18-49

IN BASIC CABLE HISTORY



SUNDAY FINALE ATTRACTS 4 MILLION ADULTS 18-49; GARNERS A 4.1 HH RATING WITH 6 MILLION

TOTAL VIEWERS



New York, NY – December 6, 2010 – Sunday night’s finale of AMC’s “The Walking Dead” attracted four million viewers in the Adult 18-49 demo. With a series average of 3.5 million Adults 18-49, “The Walking Dead” is the most watched drama series in basic cable history for the demo.* The finale was the most-watched episode of the season, garnering a 4.1 HH rating and attracting six million total viewers. The final episode ranks first for Adults 18-49 delivery among basic cable for a drama series.



*Source: NMR (1993-12/05/2010), Adults 18-49, program indicator general drama, ad supported cable networks.



Key Ratings Highlights for the finale of The Walking Dead:



* 10pm airing – 4.1 HH rating with more than 6 million total viewers;
* 10 pm, 11:00 pm and 1am airings – Gross audience to a 5.7 HH rating with 8.1 million total viewers;
* Adults 18-49 - 4 million viewers;
* Adults 25-54 – 3.5 million viewers.

Recently greenlit for a second season, “The Walking Dead” is AMC’s first wholly-owned production. Following its debut on AMC on Sunday, October 31, the series premiered globally in 120 countries and in 33 languages, through an unprecedented partnership between AMC and Fox International Channels. Following record breaking ratings for the international premiere, “The Walking Dead” has continued to deliver stellar ratings on Pay TV in all Fox International Channels’ markets, including the UK, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Mexico, Brazil and Argentina.



“The Walking Dead” is based on the comic book series written by Robert Kirkman and published by Image Comics. The series tells the story of the months and years that follow after a zombie apocalypse. It follows a group of survivors, led by police officer Rick Grimes, who travel in search of a safe and secure home. The comic goes on to explore the challenges of life in a world overrun by zombies who take a toll on the survivors, and sometimes the interpersonal conflicts present a greater danger to their continuing survival than the zombies that roam the country. Over time, the characters are changed by the constant exposure to death and some grow willing to do anything to survive.



“The Walking Dead” received rave reviews from countless critics, who heralded the series as “the best new show on TV" (Entertainment Weekly), “visually stunning…and daring in its artful use of silence” (TV Guide), “…breathtaking in its small moments, in which the pain and glory of being human are conveyed with only the flick of a filmmaking wrist." (Wall Street Journal), "...evocative, suspenseful" (Boston Globe) "...surprisingly scary and remarkably good" (The New York Times) "…a triumph of tone and mood" (Contra Costa Times) and “a real achievement for a horror show on a basic-cable network" (Rolling Stone). In addition, “The Walking Dead” received “4 Stars” from People and “3 Stars” from the New York Daily News and New York Post, among other outlets.



“The Walking Dead” premiered on Sunday, October 31st as part of AMC FEARFEST, the highly anticipated horror movie marathon of the Halloween season.





About AMC

AMC reigns as the only cable network in history to ever win the Emmy® Award for Outstanding Drama Series three years in a row, as well as the Golden Globe® Award for Best Television Series - Drama for three consecutive years. Whether commemorating favorite films from every genre and decade or creating acclaimed original programming, the AMC experience is an uncompromising celebration of great stories. AMC's original stories include the Emmy® Award-winning dramas Mad Men and Breaking Bad, and entertaining non-scripted programming such as AMC News. AMC further demonstrates its commitment to the art of storytelling with curated movie franchises like AMC Hollywood Icon and AMC Complete Collection. Available in more than 96 million homes (Source: Nielsen Media Research), AMC is a subsidiary of Rainbow Media Holdings LLC, which includes sister networks IFC, Sundance Channel, WE tv and Wedding Central. AMC is available across all platforms, including on-air, online, on demand and mobile. AMC: Story Matters HereSM.
EDI JUNKIES

Announces release of DVD and a

chance to win a CUSTOM LIGHTSABER!





Star Wars feature documentary, JEDI JUNKIES, is giving fans the chance to win their very own custom, steel lightsaber to celebrate the release of the DVD. To be entered to win, fans need only to LIKE the film’s Facebook fan page at http://www.facebook.com/Jedijunkies. A winner will be selected on Monday, December 21st.

Lightsaber.jpg



The film teamed with Advanced Light Weaponry to offer this very special promotion. As an added bonus, the winner will be able to select which side of the force they are on by choosing the saber’s color (blue for Jedi, red for Sith).

JEDI JUNKIES is a fun, affectionate documentary profiling some of the hardcore and passionate fans inspired by the multi-billion-dollar grossing deep space epic: from the creation of a full-size Millennium Falcon spacecraft in a fan’s backyard, to schools teaching light saber fighting techniques, to women who spend their spare time recreating Princess Leia in her slave bikini, this film tells the stories of Star Wars fans who will shock and delight you with how they redefine Star Wars fandom.

Also featuring the perspectives of celebrity insiders including Olivia Munn (Attack of the Show, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart), Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca), Jeremy Bulloch (Boba Fett), Phantom Menace actor Ray Park (Darth Maul), Celebrity Fit Club's Dr. Linda Papodopolis and Blair Witch Project director Ed Sanchez, JEDI JUNKIES will change the way you look at fandom forever!

A film made by Star Wars fans, for Star Wars fans, can now be purchased on DVD, iTunes, Amazon VOD and Playstation 3. The film is also available for rental on iTunes, Amazon VOD and Playstation 3.

For information on JEDI JUNKIES, please visit: www.JediJunkies.com





About JEDI JUNKIES:
Star Wars has its hundreds of millions of "Star Wars Fans," but there's another kind of fan, one whose appreciation goes well beyond mere admiration for the films and becomes a part of their everyday life. This film is a fun, affectionate look at the men and women who have dedicated their personal and professional lives to all things Star Wars - we call them the "Jedi Junkies".





About Advanced Light Weaponry

Advanced Light Weaponry’s goal is to make the science fiction/fantasy world a reality, by creating fantasy weaponry that is as close to the real thing as possible. Many of our props are made to be field stripped and reassembled like actual weapons. And just as in real weapons over the ages, ALW’s props are engineered on a foundation of artistry and ergonomics. www.advanced-light.com
INTERPRET LLC TO PRESENT LATEST 2010 SURVEY RESULTS ON CONSUMER MOBILE ADOPTION AND HABITS

AS PART OF FIRST ANNUAL LA MOBILE ENTERTAINMENT SUMMIT™



Two Day Conference, Presented In Association With Variety, Set For

December 7-8 in Los Angeles



(Los Angeles, CA and Milford, CT; December 6, 2010) – Interpret LLC, a leading entertainment, media and technology measurement and market research firm, will present its latest survey report on consumer mobile adoption and habits at the upcoming inaugural LA Mobile Entertainment Summit™, scheduled for Tuesday-Wednesday, December 7-8 at the Sheraton Universal Hotel in Universal City, CA.



The announcement was made today by conference co-producers Bob Dowling, President of The Bob Dowling Group, John Golicz, CEO of Unicomm LLC, a leading event management company, and Michael Cai, VP research, Interpret LLC. (Cai's presentation, "Research: Trends and Insights of the Public's Consumption of Entertainment on Mobile Devices," will be on day one at 8:40 am.)



"The mobile entertainment ecosystem is experiencing dramatic, ongoing change," said Unicomm's John Golicz. "In our role as the definitive source of info on current mobile trends, we have again invited Interpret to formally present its current findings at the LA Mobile Entertainment Summit in order to provide the most up-to-date measurements of this constantly shifting landscape to our attendees."



Interpret presented a major updated report, "3D State of Union: Are Consumers Ready?," at Unicomm's sold-out 3D Entertainment Summit™ presented in association with Variety in September. Highlights of Interpret's current report on mobile entertainment, based on New Media Measure data from the first quarter of 2010 through the third quarter, include the following:



· Even with the influx of multimedia and smartphones available to the US public, almost half of all cell phone owners (48%) own basic, voice-centric phones.



· The change in which smartphone operating systems were being used from Q1 through Q3 reveals industry leaders Blackberry (28% to 26%) and iPhone (21% to 23%), though still growing in number of users, are relatively flat, with Android phones increasing market share from 11% to 19% from Q1 to Q3.



· Mobile app users download six times more free applications than paid apps.



“The continuous growth of smartphone adoption will open the floodgate for mobile entertainment,” said Michael Cai, VP of Research at Interpret LLC. “Our data shows that, remarkably, smartphone users are twelve times more likely than non-smartphone users to have watched videos on their handsets."



Headlining the LA Mobile Entertainment Summit™ event will be: Peter Guber, Chairman and CEO of Mandalay Entertainment; John Kosner, Senior Vice President & General Manager of ESPN Digital Media; David Hill, Chairman & CEO of Fox Sports Television Group; Tim Kring, Executive Producer Heroes and Tim Kring's Conspiracy For Good, and Brian Seth Hurst, CEO of Opportunity Management Company.



Throughout two days of in-depth discussions, industry luminaries from studios, content providers, startups, brands, manufacturers, media outlets and technology companies will join leading market analysts to share best practices and provide a unique and thorough understanding of the exploding intersection of the mobile and entertainment worlds.



Official Sponsors of the LA Mobile Entertainment Summit™ include The Weather Channel, ESPN, Mocospace, GetJar, Millennial Media, Webtrends, Flycell, Apptera, Waterfall Mobile, Ericsson and AUGME Technologies, Urban Airship, [x] cube labs, Rovi, Extreme Labs, DTS and Animation Development Company. Industry and media partners include Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), Mobilized TV, Fierce Mobile Content, Fierce Wireless, Fierce Developer, Mashable, Mobile Monday LA, Interactive Television Alliance, Screen Digest, ReadWriteWeb, Interpret LLC , UCLA School of Management, Parks & Associates, Gamerlive.tv and others.

Additional event supporters include The Mobile Excellence Awards, the most influential and coveted awards program in the industry, honoring the best of the best in mobile entertainment, technology, marketing and media. The MEA take place on Monday, December 6th, 2010 at the legendary Paramount Studios. More information on the Mobile Excellence Awards can be found at http://www.mobilexawards.com.”

For more information about speaking submissions, exhibiting, and sponsor opportunities, please visit: www.lamobilesummit.com or contact Gloria Lombardo, Sales Director, Mobile Entertainment Group at 203-878-2577 (x105) or glombardo@unicomm.org.

Unicomm LLC is an independent business-to-business communications company specializing in originating and managing world class trade shows and conferences in underserved and nascent markets. Founded in 1998 in Milford, CT, Unicomm enjoys an impressive track record of dozens of successful show launches and hundreds of event productions. Unicomm’s properties include the 3D Entertainment Summit™ and the 3D Gaming Summit™, both presented in association with Variety; the Los Angeles Times Travel & Adventure Show; the Adventures in Travel Expo in New York, Chicago, Washington, D.C. and Seattle, and the Green Travel Summit. For more information: www.unicomm.org.

The Bob Dowling Group - For 17 years through 2007, Bob Dowling was editor-in-chief and publisher of The Hollywood Reporter and president of the VNU Business Media Film and Performing Arts Group. During Dowling's tenure, The Reporter launched numerous new products, including the HollywoodReporter.com Web site, e-mail edition, weekly edition, THR East, Literary Hollywood, Festival de Cannes dailies and the Oscar Screening Guide, as well as many annual events such as the Women in Entertainment Power 100 stand-alone issue and its related breakfast event, the Next Generation ranking of prominent young executives, the Film and TV Music Conference and the reorganized Key Art Awards. Dowling recently started his own information and consulting firm, the Bob Dowling Group, to serve clients looking to navigate the converging worlds of entertainment and technology.

Variety - Variety is the leading publication for business entertainment news, recognized and respected throughout the world of show business. The Variety Group – Daily Variety, Daily Variety Gotham, Weekly Variety and Variety.com – are all owned by Reed Business Information (RBI), the largest business publisher in the U.S. RBI is a member of the Reed Elsevier Group plc (NYSE: RUK and ENL).

The 3D Entertainment SummitTM in association with Variety is the definitive conference devoted to examining and analyzing the burgeoning confluence of 3D and entertainment. The event attracts over 800 attendees representing a “who’s who” in 3D from top brands and all aspects of the entertainment community, draws international media coverage and boasts industry-leading sponsors. For more information on the event, please visit: www.3d-summit.com.

The 3D Gaming SummitTM in association with Variety, the most recent addition to the entertainment industry series of events produced by The Bob Dowling Group and Unicomm, LLC, featured an all-star speaker roster of industry leaders this past April. Keynotes included producer Jon Landau (Avatar), director Paul W.S. Anderson (Resident Evil), and executives Phil Eisler (NVIDIA) and Josh Greer (RealD). For more information: www.3dgamingsummit.com.