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MEDIA RELEASE - 27 April, 2001
issue no 1095 Urban Cinefile merges with itv|world
By Ben Mckelveyn
Australian based interactive television player itv|world has bolstered its content clout this week with the announcement that it has merged with popular Australian Internet movie magazine and syndicator Urban Cinefile.
itv|world CEO Jason Romney says he believes the merger significantly enhances itv|world's position as Australia's leading interactive television developer.
"This merger is a perfect fit, Urban Cinefile brings experienced content creators and a culture that embraces innovation. itv|world can bring that together with new technologies for distribution and interactivity, with continued growth in profits and market share. Our combined strengths and deep customer relationships will fuel the development of new interactive services and enable tools that speed up the Australian iTV rollout."
The merged entity claims it will offer multi-voiced film reviews, exclusive broadband interviews with film and TV personalities, film and TV news and gossip and an electronic TV and Movie Guides.
"It is more important than ever to continue to innovate and offer new and exciting services and applications to the marketplace," said Andrew L. Urban, Editor of Urban Cinefile.
"itv|world's content management technology and broadband content offerings are the means to retain and build on Urban Cinefile's position as Australia's premier Internet movie site. Working together we can create better managed content solutions for our existing and new media and corporate clients. At the same time, it will enable Urban Cinefile to draw upon the technological support afforded by itv|world's advanced iTV and streaming digital broadband platform".
itv|world has recently secured a grant of AUD $1.4 million from AusIndustry to develop a multi-platform content and service management system.
Urban Cinefile will operate as a unit of itv|world, working closely with itv|world's existing team and extensive resources with Urban acting as itv|world's Creative Director and Louise Keller assuming the position of Editorial Operations Director.
Ben Mckelvey
For further information contact: Charlotte Faunce, itv|world
charlotte@itvworld.com
Phone: (02) 9288 4704
Mobile: 0407 009217
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