• by May 10, 2006

Word from the Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles is that Nintendo will introduce a new videogame console called Wii (pronounced "we") in the fourth quarter. The console will go head-to-head with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Microsoft's Xbox 360. Nintendo hopes to grab gamers with the next version in its "Zelda" franchise, "The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess," which will be available at Wii's launch.

Nintendo is expected to undercut Sony and Microsoft on pricing for Wii, which was not announced. Sony is the dominant player in the console market with its PlayStation 2. The PS3 debuts on Nov. 17 in North America for $499 and $599, while Microsoft's premium Xbox 360, which is already at retail, costs $399.

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Internet TV provider Brightcove inked a deal with TiVo that will allow TiVo subscribers to receive television-like programs via the Web. Brightcove enables cable and broadcast TV outlets syndicate programming across the Web.

Brightcove and TiVo say the deal will offer an automated method for almost any publisher of broadband video using Brightcove's Internet TV services to distribute content to TiVo subscribers and potentially make money through advertising, subscription plans, or pay-per-view. At launch, all content will be free to TiVo subscribers but it may include ads within the content.

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Yahoo and Telemundo are merging their U.S.-based Spanish language Web sites in an effort to mass this valuable audience. Telemundo.com, which is owned by General Electric's NBC Universal division, and Yahoo, will combine their staff and share advertising revenue, according to a report in The Wall Street Journal. NBC and Yahoo are likely to pursue similar deals if the arrangement pans out.

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And finally, there's a new marketing communications firm on the scene. Bari George, the former communications director for Planned Parenthood Federation and a veteran advertising director, launched By George & Company, Inc., a firm specializing in communications strategies for nonprofits.

By George & Company is a collective of award-winning writers, producers, artists, animators, event planners, public relations specialists, strategists, and executives who specialize in non-profit issues and causes. For more information, go to http://www.bygeorgeandcompany.com.

Editor's Note: Yesterday's Online Minute, "Puzzling Lawsuit Brings Down Agency," by Wendy Davis, might have created the impression that the ad agency WKPA has closed down. As far as we know, WKPA remains in business.