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October 12, 2008 7:52:37 PM CDT

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Making a Marriage of Convergence

Posted Mar 3, 08 12:13 PM CST in Business,  Technology 

(Newser) – In an unusual partnership, a Hollywood talent agency is teaming up with two Silicon Valley venture capital firms and AT&T to invest in Southern California digital media startups. The William Morris Agency announced the fund on Monday, in which AT&T is a limited partner. The focus is online content and technology for social networking, mobile games, and advertising, reports the New York Times.

The two Silicon Valley firms involved are Accel Partners and Venrock. Hollywood and Silicon Valley have long circled around each other, but with little success, while some observers consider wireless carriers too controlling to join such partnerships. The fund partners hope their endeavor will open the door to better communication around their shared interests in media and technology convergence.

Source New York Times

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William Morris Agency chairman and CEO Jim Wiatt arrives for the annual Allen and Co.'s media conference Wednesday, July 11, 2007, in Sun Valley, Idaho. (AP Photo/Douglas C. Pizac)   (Associated Press)
The AT&T logo is seen on one of it's buildings in San Antonio, Monday, April 23, 2007. AT&T will be a limited partner in the new fund. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)   (Associated Press)
Graphic shows spending on advertising for mobile devices. AT&T is interested in better technology for mobile advertising.   (Associated Press)
The BlackBerry 8830 World Edition smartphone. The fund will focus on technology for social networking, mobile games and advertising.   (Associated Press)
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