Add one more name to the long list of the dotcom dearly departed. Z.com has announced that on Friday, February 16, 2001 they will be closing their doors for good. This move comes only a week after Icebox.com closed down an entertainment site that was in talks to merge with Z.com. The entertainment Website had high-profile backers such as Basic Entertainment, 3 Arts Entertainment, IdeaLab!, producer Jerry Bruckheimer and Maverick Records partner Guy Oseary. The demise of the company is a result of declining ad revenue and a weak syndication market. Z.com said it will not file for bankruptcy and will now focus on selling its content to other mediums. CEO Joe DiNunzio told the DAILY VARIETY that the firm has sold its animated property PROM QUEENS, but wouldn't say to whom. In October, Z.com laid off half of its 100 person staff and then laid off another twenty in December. The site boasted top name talent like Chris Rock, whom the firm later filed suit against for not providing the content he promised. Soon after, Rock filed a counter suit claiming breach of contract. Both parties have since dropped their lawsuits.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
