Grapevine: Beatle Mania for Guitar Hero? Subscription iPods?
Spring is in the air. It’s “March Madness,” the time for college basketball’s big tournament. Predicting the outcome has the odds-makers busy. If they can find some time, they might be equally challenged forecasting another unpredictable event that’s generating March Madness of its own: the digital licensing of the Beatles’ song catalog.
For more than a year the Beatles arrival at iTunes has been an imminent (and recurring) headline grabber. The prophesies began in January 2007 when Lovely Rita played during the announcement of the iPhone. They gained credibility when the trademark suit between the two Apples (Apple Inc. and Apple Records) was settled in February. In June, the speculation surfaced again with the phone’s launch. Again with new iPods introduced in September. Then in January, like Punxsutawney Phil it popped up for Mac World only to see its shadow and disappear anew.
Last week, the conclusion of Sir Paul McCartney’s tabloid-fodder divorce fueled a new round of rampant speculation. Several reports citing sources close to Sir Paul claimed a deal, possibly worth hundreds of millions, was imminent. Apple summarily dismissed the claims. "This is not news nor is it a scoop," said their spokesman.
Now there’s a new rumor, a new twist, and this one is much more plausible than the tabloid’s absurd suggestions Sir Paul was driving a deal to seek cash for the divorce settlement. Click to Read More
In game advertising, the idea of putting dynamic, changeable ads in the background graphics of video game is still an infant industry but it’s one endowed with high hopes (even as some fans cringe at the thought of ads taking over their play space). According to a recent eMarketer forecast, spending in the sector is poised to increase 133% over the next 5 years (through 2012). Yankee Group 
Over the course of a week there are always a few news items that don’t warrant front page attention but still merit a mention; things like new hires or deals that finally closed after being widely reported when first announced. This week with 
It’s often said that the entertainment industry, movies in particular, are recession resistant. When the economy gets bad and people start feeling their wallets grow thinner they seek comfort and escape in the movies. They also gravitate toward the lower cost, lower key form of entertainment. With the movies and gaming 
Take Two may be 
Earnings are down but forecasts are up. The pipeline is good but some big shareholders are selling. Some small shareholders are suing. There are new severance packages but nothing to fear. “All is well” is the tagline. 
Peter Lynch used to say, “the person that turns over the most rocks wins the game.” The revolving door of executive management changes sometimes seems to fit that sentiment. New strategies and new people come and go as individual and company both seek new challenges and new perspectives in the pursuit of their goals. Over the past couple of weeks, from 
