COMPANY TOWN ANNEX

BMG to Distribute Crystal Dynamics’ Multimedia: BMG International will make its first foray into multimedia distribution with interactive games produced by Crystal Dynamics, the two firms said. Under the deal, BMG will handle marketing and distribution for Crystal and for Star Interactive--a multimedia publishing start-up still in the planning stages which will have an exclusive distribution agreement with Crystal--in all markets outside of North America. BMG is one of several big players from the traditional entertainment arena that have announced plans to get into the distribution end of the rapidly expanding multimedia industry in recent weeks. Crystal is a Silicon Valley start-up run by former 20th Century Fox president Strauss Zelnick. Zelnick, who does consulting for BMG, denied the persistent rumors that he is planning to take an executive position at the media conglomerate.