CBS's ROCK STAR
Written by Joyce L Chow & William Hoehne March 20 2006
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CBS's ROCK STAR
Car Care World Expo 2006:The size of it was amazing
Xytech Systems Corporation announced today that it will be introducing a number of new developments
Southwest Airlines
Academy to Present Centennial Salute to Janet Gaynor
NEW HUMMER H3x TO LAUNCH IN MID-2006
Superman Returns:400 licensing partners worldwide
Phishing Scam
Rod Pampling Wins
DOD Identifies Army Casualties
ROCK STAR
CBS's ROCK STAR (working title) TO SELECT LEAD SINGER FOR THE NEW BAND -- SUPERNOVA -- FORMED BY DRUMMER TOMMY LEE (Motley Crüe) WITH GUITARIST JASON NEWSTED (Metallica) AND GUITARIST GILBY CLARKE (Guns N' Roses)
CBS's ROCK STAR (working title) TO SELECT LEAD SINGER FOR THE NEW BAND -- -- FORMED BY DRUMMER TOMMY LEE () WITH GUITARIST JASON NEWSTED () AND GUITARIST GILBY CLARKE ()New Lead Singer To Be Chosen From 16 Hopefuls When The Second Edition Of CBS's ROCK STAR Returns Summer 2006 .New Album To Be Produced By Butch Walker (Rolling Stone Magazine's 2005 "Hot Producer Of The Year")
CBS and Mark Burnett Productions announced today that legendary musicians from some of the biggest American rock bands have joined forces to form a new band, Supernova, and will use CBS's ROCK STAR (working title) as the competition to determine the new lead singer. that legendary musicians from some of the biggest American rock bands have joined forces to form a new band, , and will use CBS's ROCK STAR (working title) as the competition to determine the new lead singer.
that legendary musicians from some of the biggest American rock bands have joined forces to form a new band, , and will use CBS's ROCK STAR (working title) as the competition to determine the new lead singer.Supernova will feature drummer Tommy Lee (Motley Crüe), Jason Newsted (Metallica) and Gilby Clarke (Guns N' Roses). The second edition of CBS's ROCK STAR will premiere on the Network this summer.will feature drummer Tommy Lee (), Jason Newsted () and Gilby Clarke (). The second edition of CBS's ROCK STAR will premiere on the Network this summer.
After the winning singer is selected on CBS's ROCK STAR, Supernova will record an original album, to be co-written and produced by Butch Walker (hit songwriter/producer for Avril Lavigne, Pink) that will be released in the fall before the band embarks on a world tour starting in early 2007.
"I've toured with both Gilby and Jason. They're incredible musicians and I've always wanted to play with them," said Tommy Lee. "Starting a new band with old friends on worldwide television is going to be a blast, and we're going to pull out all the stops to find the most charismatic and musically talented lead singer to front Supernova. I love breaking the rules."
Bassist Jason Newsted added, "This is a fantastic opportunity for me to play with guys I've respected for a long time. It gives us a chance to be innovators. This is a new thing. It's never been done before. We're going to break new ground musically and on television. The anticipation is building in me every day. This is a supergroup in the truest sense." added, " is a fantastic opportunity for me to play with guys I've respected for a long time. It gives us a chance to be innovators. This is a new thing. It's never been done before. We're going to break new ground musically and on television. The anticipation is building in me every day. This is a supergroup in the truest sense."Lead guitarist and co-writer Gilby Clarke proclaimed, "Rock n' Roll is so alive and I'm so excited to be a part of CBS's ROCK STAR. This is television history. Where else can you raid three historic bands to form one great band? I can't wait for the summer to begin." proclaimed," and I'mCBS's ROCK STAR. This is television history. band" proclaimed," and I'mCBS's ROCK STAR. This is television history. band" proclaimed," and I'mCBS's ROCK STAR. This is television history. band"
proclaimed," and I'mCBS's ROCK STAR. This is television history. band"Butch Walker will join the project as co-writer and producer of the new album. "Working with top-notch musicians from legendary bands who want to create terrific music is always an enjoyable experience. I'm looking forward to whoever the new lead singer is going to be so the guys can start corrupting their mind…!"
Dave Navarro and Brooke Burke will return as hosts, with Burke returning to the stage for introductions and Navarro returning to the judges' couch for input and evaluations. "Last year, doing ROCK STAR: INXS was the greatest summer job of my life," Navarro affirmed. "This year, I'm on the couch with my friends Tommy Lee, Gilby Clarke and Jason Newstead as they choose Supernova's lead singer."
This summer's edition of CBS's ROCK STAR will also feature some format twists with a different music celebrity or rock legend each week. Said Navarro, "Friends of mine, like Slash, Macy Gray, Moby and Rob Zombie, will join us and throw in their two cents about who should stay and who should go."
In the first season of CBS's ROCK STAR, rock sensation INXS found their new lead singer in Canadian heartthrob J.D. Fortune. Since the show, INXS has taken to the studio and the road, releasing their massive hit single "Pretty Vegas" and selling out every concert in their North American tour. Their new CD, "Switch," debuted in the Billboard Top 20, and is currently going gold and platinum in countries around the world.
"Millions dream of becoming a rock star…our show actually makes that happen," said Mark Burnett, creator and executive producer of CBS's ROCK STAR. "The winner of CBS's ROCK STAR will not only play in huge stadiums before sold out crowds, they will do it alongside legendary musicians from three of America's biggest, all-time rock bands who have sold a combined total of a quarter of a billion albums: Motley Crüe, Guns N' Roses and Metallica. 'Fronting Supernova is the ultimate rock ‘n' roll dream and it's about to come true."
Tommy Lee rose to stardom as a founding member of Motley Crüe. One of the most successful rock bands in history, Motley Crüe has sold over 40 million albums while also becoming the poster boys of rock star decadence. Most recently, Lee released his third solo album, Tommyland: The Ride, and announced a documentary project with award-winning filmmaker Bruce Sinofsky. His candid 2004 memoir, Tommyland, landed on The New York Times best-seller list.
Jason Newsted is a six-time Grammy winner and was a longtime member of the legendary band Metallica, one of the most successful musical acts of all time (100 million albums sold worldwide). After his departure from Metallica, Newsted created the band Echobrain and, in 2003, he began touring with Ozzy Osbourne while also playing bass for the iconic techno-thrash band, Voivod.
Gilby Clarke was the guitarist for the iconic rock band, Guns N' Roses (90 million albums sold), traveling on their legendary and infamous three-year "Use Your Illusion" world tour. He also worked with Michael Jackson, Lenny Kravitz, Jeff Beck, MC5 and on the Freddy Mercury Tribute Concert. He was a recipient of the MTV Video Vanguard Award.
Butch Walker is best known as the songwriter, musician and producer behind hit songs for Avril Lavigne, Pink, Bowling for Soup and for Tommy Lee's recent solo album, Tommyland: The Ride. His song "My Happy Ending" went to Number One for Avril Lavigne and was the key track in her nine-time platinum album Under My Skin, leading to him being named by Rolling Stone magazine as "Hot Producer of the Year" in 2005. Pink's new album, I'm Not Dead, features two Butch Walker compositions.
CBS' ROCK STAR is produced by Mark Burnett Productions. Mark Burnett, David Goffin, Lisa Hennessy, Dave Navarro, Tommy Lee and Carl Stubner are executive producers. Conrad Riggs and Eden Gaha are co-executive producers
Car Care World Expo 2006:The size of it was amazing
My impressions of it was that I had no idea that car washing was such a large industry. We were graciously allowed into the show by its organizers and when I went into the buidling I saw a exo so grand hat you could not evebn see the end of he buidling.
There were displays the size of actual car washes in the building for demonstrating purposes.
The vendors were very friendly. Willing to answer any and all questions asked.
Following is some things we were told that you might find of interest, I did
The International Carwash Association is committed to providing Car Care World Expo 2006 attendees with the latest products and services on display, as well as unparalleled, face-to-face interaction with the vendor community in one convenient location.
Car Care World Expo 2006 hosted more than 400 vendors, spanning more than 150,000 net square feet of exhibit space. At no other event will you get access to the breadth of products and services that your operation needs, regardless of whether you own or operate a car wash, detail business, fast lube, petroleum marketing, convenience store or are just getting into the industry.
More then 400 vendors
160,000 square feet of exhibit space
100 new products
80 first time exhibitors
According to the 2000 U.S. Census, 138 million registered automobiles drive the roads of America today. Counting buses and large trucks, there are 230 million vehicles in all. That's a lot of necessary washing!
Even though an estimated 100,000 professional car washes exist in North America, the fact is that most vehicles aren't kept as clean as they need to be, which results in the loss of billions of consumer dollars.
More than $24 billion a year is spent battling automobile corrosion damage, a cost absorbed by consumers in three ways: Funding auto manufacturer efforts to research corrosion-resistant paints and coatings, fixing damage caused by road or sea salt, or corrosion-related depreciation of cars.
Research shows that 52% of American car owners wash their cars less than once a month - and 15% never wash their cars. An estimated 37 million cars even smell because of interior garbage, according to a consumer survey conducted by the International Carwash Association (ICA).
Automatic and self-service car washes use water efficient equipment, such as computer controlled systems and high-pressure nozzles and pumps, to clean cars thoroughly while conserving water.
Professional car washes use an average of 32 gallons of water per vehicle. If this sounds like a lot of water, consider this: Washing your car at home can use up to twice this amount. In fact, some studies show that washing your car in the driveway can use up to 10 times more water than taking your car to a professional car wash.
The Clean Water Act, established by the government in 1972, mandates professional car washes to pipe dirty water to treatment facilities or into state-approved drainage facilities.
Quite the opposite, home car washes pollute the environment as soap and road grime (oil, tar, dirt) end up in storm sewers that flow into lakes, streams and rivers. Many North American cities have even banned driveway or parking lot charity car-washing events, which result in soapy discharge and wasted water. Increasingly, professional car washes are considered as better site options for such events.
One size does not fit all when it comes to professional car washes. Three options to get your car clean are Conveyor, In-Bay Automatic, and Self-Service.
When you think of professional car washes, conveyor car washes probably are what you envision. Once a conveyor belt catches the wheel, it pulls your car through a whirlwind of washing action - soft cloths swirl, water sprays, and a dryer may even slowly roll over the car before emerging from the car wash tunnel.
Full-service conveyor car washes involve interior cleaning, which means the driver waits outside the car - and may even get to watch the professional cleaning process if a viewing window is available. Detailing services such as waxing, polishing and extra vacuuming are also offered at full-service car washes.
involve interior cleaning, which means the driver waits outside the car - and may even get to watch the professional cleaning process if a viewing window is available. Detailing services such as waxing, polishing and extra vacuuming are also offered at full-service car washes.At exterior-only conveyor car washes, the driver sits in the car while the belt pulls it through the car wash tunnel. No interior services are offered. Two types of washing technologies can be offered: friction, which involves equipment touching the car to clean it, or frictionless, which relies upon high-pressure nozzles for a touch-free professional wash.
In-bay automatic car washes are mostly found at gas stations and coin-operated car washes. The driver pulls into the bay and parks the vehicle, which remains stationary while a machine moves back and forth over the vehicle to clean it. Most professional in-bay car washes today use frictionless methods to wash cars, although some use soft cloth other material.
are mostly found at gas stations and coin-operated car washes. The driver pulls into the bay and parks the vehicle, which remains stationary while a machine moves back and forth over the vehicle to clean it. Most professional in-bay car washes today use frictionless methods to wash cars, although some use soft cloth other material.Self-service car washes allow customers to wash cars themselves. An initial amount of wash time is purchased for minimum price, and a device dispenses water and cleanser at varying amounts and pressures. Often a low-pressure brush is available to use.
allow customers to wash cars themselves. An initial amount of wash time is purchased for minimum price, and a device dispenses water and cleanser at varying amounts and pressures. Often a low-pressure brush is available to use.Also, detailing services can restore virtually any car back to showroom quality, or close to it, even if your car has been exposed to a troop of messy kids for years. The interior is thoroughly scoured: carpets, floor mats and seats are cleaned, shampooed and deodorized, and panels and vents are dusted and conditioned. The exterior is hand washed and buffed to removes scratches. A wax and/or polish follows. An appointment can range from two hours to all day. To maintain the value of your car, professional details are recommended at least once a year, preferably twice.
As an industry driven membership association, International Carwash Association's primary mission is to serve the needs of the car wash and detailing industry's professionals and to represent their interests. To accomplish this mission, the International Carwash Association has created a number of beneficial programs designed to assist members with all aspects of running a successful professional car wash and detail shop. One annual dues payment covers all the information International Carwash Association provides to help you grow your business.
As the summer vacation season begins, a majority of U.S. families will get into their cars and embark on escapes that range from big cities and giant amusement parks to open skies and national parks. Indeed, if past trends persist, eight in 10 American families will motor to their vacation destination, adding 624 miles to their speedometer each way, estimates the U.S. government. AAA predicts that the number of motorists this summer will increase over last summer. "U.S. travelers will spend a lot of time inside their vehicles this summer," notes Mark Thorsby, executive director of the International Carwash Association. "While the entire family is packed in the car for a road trip, it's important to keep the car clean to make the trip even more enjoyable." According to a recent survey conducted by the International Carwash Association, half of all car owners wash their cars less than once a month and another 16 percent say they never wash their cars.
Those statistics, combined with the increased number of cars taking to the roads this summer on trips, can add up to a lot of dirty cars on America's roads. Thorsby offers five tips for keeping the car tidy this vacation season: 1. A Clean Start -- Begin your trip behind the wheel of a freshly washed car. Your vehicle's pre-trip checklist should include a trip to the local car wash, where a professional cleanup will take only a matter of minutes.
With the time saved by letting the pros wash the car, you have more time to pack clothes or snacks for the trip. 2. Take out the Trash -- A messy car interior can be an unsettling experience -- especially if it's untidy before the trip even begins! In fact, nearly two-thirds of Americans are embarrassed by the trash in their car. So while at the car wash, get the inside vacuumed thoroughly. 3. What's that Smell? -- Half of all car owners claim odors are the most embarrassing thing about their car. Riding in the car with several people for long stints can, well, cause a stink.
Ask the car wash professionals to spruce up the car with some air freshener spray. It might pay off to pack a small bottle of air freshener spray in the glove box should you need a mid-trip spritz. 4. Paper AND Plastic -- Keep small plastic trash bags and paper towels handy in the car. Keeping the trash in a small plastic bag makes it a snap to dispose of at rest stops or gas stations, and it helps contain any leaks from empty cans and bottles. Extra paper towels will wipe up those inevitable spills on clothing or on your car's interior. 5. Surveying the Battle Scene -- Family vacations are fun, but who wants to clean up after the long, exhausting road trip? The souvenir bugs from different states fused to the front grille and the medley of snack wrappers in the car's backseat can add up to a load of work to do alone. The simple solution: Visit the local car wash again and let the pros there do all of the dirty work to get your car spiffy clean again.
More car care information is available at http://www.carlove.org , an online resource devoted to educating consumers about the benefits of professional car washes. The site features a Car Wash Wizard that provides a "prescription" for professional car washes according to geographic region, and fun facts from a recent study conducted by the International Carwash Association. About the International Carwash Association The International Carwash Association (ICA) is a non-profit trade association serving 3,000 businesses in the United States, Canada and overseas. Membership includes car wash operators, equipment manufacturers, distributors, and related suppliers. ICA members represent approximately 25,000 car wash and car care locations in North America.
Xytech Systems Corporation announced today that it will be introducing a number of new developments
Xytech Systems Corporation, a leading provider of media asset and workflow management software, announced today that it will be introducing a number of new developments, within both products and the organisation, at NAB 2006. These will include Data Integration Services Department, as well as the unveiling of the new Shift Scheduling and Article Management modules within Enterprise, in conjunction with the official release of version 8.5 of Xytech’s Flagship product, Enterprise. Data Integration Services is a new integration resource, headed up by industry veteran Ted Alfino, to further aid the smooth blending of Xytech products with customer’s existing applications.
The department will focus on services such as; Interfaces - synchronizing the data between two systems; Imports and Exports; Conversion - implementing Xytech Enterprise with data from a previous/current system and Consultation. Shift Scheduling provides many tools to mange personnel and associated facilities. It also contains a Shift Maintenance option which expands on these tools thus providing broadcast and production facilities with a completely integrated product that encompasses project and task (shift) based scheduling, time tracking, union and labor rules and payroll data. Article Management – ‘Articles’, within Xytech Enterprise, are chosen on the basis that they are aesthetic or creative as opposed to technical.
An article may also represent rented items which are often packaged together – e.g. cables, camera stands and bags and so do not need to be detailed on work orders. - more - Quality Control – QC is an option within the Xytech Enterprise MetaVault Library module and is defined within two parts; Main Quality Control records and specific issues pertaining to a single Master. This new application also has the ability for the user to create customized templates that can be stored in the system and attached to related library master records. Visitors to Xytech’s booth will also see the latest version of Xytech’s flagship product Enterprise V8.5 - the system of choice for media asset and human resource management, which is being used by renowned companies throughout the industry.
About Xytech Systems Xytech Systems helps media organisations maximise the utility and profitability of their media assets, human resources and facilities by providing highly integrated software solutions backed by superior customer support, training and consulting services. Xytech’s staff includes industry veterans with extensive experience in the studio, post-production and broadcasting environments, and Xytech solutions are currently installed in over 300 industry leading film, audio and video production, and post-production facilities around the world. The company’s headquarters are located in Burbank, California, with additional eastern regional offices in New York, New York. Xytech addresses the European market from its full service offices in London, England. For information on the company visit Xytech’s Web site at www.xytechsystems.com.
Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) celebrates 20 successful years serving the Nashville area. Mayor Bill Purcell, Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority, and Southwest Airlines participated in a ceremony to recognize this milestone. A St. Patrick's Day themed party complete with live Celtic music, shamrock cookies, green candy coins, refreshments, prizes, and decorations welcomed Customers flying into and out of Nashville.
"We are thrilled to celebrate 20 years of providing our legendary Customer Service, frequent flights, and low fares to our Nashville Customers," said Greg Wells, Southwest Airline's Senior Vice President of Ground Operations. "We are committed to the Nashville community, and we thank our Customers for 20 wonderful years. We look forward to many more years of growth." Southwest Airlines began service to the Nashville International Airport on March 18, 1986, with eight daily nonstop departures to two cities, Chicago Midway and Houston Hobby. Nashville was the 24th city to open in the Southwest system.
Today, Southwest operates 82 daily nonstop departures to 25 cities, with direct or connecting service to 29 additional cities, and since Southwest initiated service, it has grown to capture a 45.31 percent market share, which makes it number one in the market.
Other noteworthy Nashville statistics: * In the second quarter of 2005 (the latest information from the DOT), Southwest transported more than 878,000 Customers to or from Nashville International Airport. * Over the last year, Southwest handled more than 3.1 million Customers in the Nashville area. * Nashville ranks 11th largest in the Southwest system with 82 daily nonstop flights. * In second quarter 1995, Southwest carried 185,910 passengers at Nashville International Airport. A decade later, second quarter 2005, Southwest carried 878,680 passengers, an increase of 373 percent. * Since 1990, Southwest Airlines has grown 560 percent in Nashville. "Our growth in Nashville has been incredible, and our 348 local Employees deserve the credit," Wells said. "We know it's the power of our People that keep our Customers flying with us, and our Nashville Employees work hard every day to make that happen." Southwest Airlines, the nation's largest airline in terms of domestic Customers boarded, currently serves 62 cities in 32 states. Based in Dallas, Southwest Airlines currently operates more than 3,000 flights a day.
Academy to Present Centennial Salute to Janet Gaynor
Beverly Hills, CA — Janet Gaynor, the first recipient of the Best Actress Academy Award, will be the subject of a Centennial Salute at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Thursday, April 6, at 8 p.m., in the Academy’s Linwood Dunn Theater in Hollywood. The evening will feature a screening of a new print of “Street Angel,” in which Gaynor stars as Angela, and a discussion with Gaynor’s son, Robin Adrian, and her widower, Paul Gregory.
Gaynor started out as an extra in silent pictures before earning her break with a small but crucial part in “The Johnstown Flood” (1926). A long-term contract with Fox led to starring roles in several more studio movies, which brought her to the attention of directors F.W. Murnau and Frank Borzage. She made two films with Murnau, including “Sunrise” (1927), and three with Borzage, who first paired Gaynor with leading man Charles Farrell in “7th Heaven.” It was for her combined work in those films, along with her performance in the Borzage-directed “Street Angel,” that Gaynor won the very first Academy Award for Best Actress.
Gaynor and Farrell made twelve films together and crossed over successfully from silent pictures to the sound era. Indeed, the actress remained a top box-office draw well into the 1930s. Her career in talkies peaked with an Oscar-nominated performance in “A Star is Born” (1937), and she retired from show business shortly thereafter.
In “Street Angel,” Gaynor portrays a poor waif (Angela) who steals in order to get medicine for her sick mother. While hiding out with a circus, she meets Farrell (Gino), an artist who poses her for a portrait of the Madonna. Angela eventually gets caught for stealing, but after serving her jail term, ahe is reunited with Gino. In addition to the Oscar for Gaynor, the film also received Academy Award consideration for Art Direction (Harry Oliver) and Cinematography (Ernest Palmer, for his work in both “Street Angel” and “Four Devils”).
The Academy’s event launches a retrospective series of Gaynor-starring films at the James Bridges Theater at the UCLA Film and Television Archive, presented in association with the Louis B. Mayer Foundation. Sixteen titles will be presented between April 7 and April 28. For more information about the series, contact 310-206-FILM or www.cinema.ucla.edu.
Tickets for the Academy’s Centennial Salute to Janet Gaynor, featuring “Street Angel” are $5 for the general public and $3 for Academy members. They may be purchased in advance during regular business hours at the Academy’s headquarters in Beverly Hills (8949 Wilshire Blvd.), by mail, or on the night of the event, if still available, when the doors open at 7 p.m. The Linwood Dunn Theater is located at 1313 North Vine Street in Hollywood. For more information, call 310-247-3600.
NEW HUMMER H3x TO LAUNCH IN MID-2006
DETROIT – Less than a year after the H3 went on sale, HUMMER is unveiling a new model called the H3x. It is based on the H3 Street concept shown at the automotive industry’s annual Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in November.
The 2007 H3x, designed to appeal to buyers with an interest in a customized appearance, injects new energy into the HUMMER lineup, while delivering the brand’s trademark iconic bold design and unmatched off-road prowess.
“The H3x enables buyers to enjoy the appearance of a personalized, accessorized truck available directly from the factory,” said Susan Docherty, HUMMER general manager. “It’s intended for those who want to make a personal style statement and differentiate themselves from other H3 owners.”
The H3x begins with an H3 equipped with the Luxury package, chrome tube steps, chrome appearance package and chrome fuel door. The package also includes a body-color grille and spare tire cover, unique tires, wheels and center cap, and a brush guard. The interior features embroidered headrests.
Consumers can further personalize their H3x with any of the H3’s eight exterior colors and three leather interiors. The model is scheduled to arrive in dealerships in late summer of 2006. It will be available only in the United States and Canada.
* H3X was initially called the H3 Street .
# # #
Contact:
Dayna Hart
HUMMER Communications
Phone: 313-665-7718
E-mail: dayna.hart@gm.com
Superman Returns:400 licensing partners worldwide
“Superman Returns” has been in development for a number of years with a revolving door of filmmakers, writers and talent. Along the rocky route, the studio kept seeing sparks of interest in the property -- a 1997 animated show drew a steady following, “Smallville” took off on the WB, and new lines of product based on the iconic “S” shield sold well when they hit the market a few years ago. Leading up to the June 30 release of the film, the studio has signed 400 licensing partners worldwide.
There’s a plan in place, Mr. Globe said, to keep “Superman” fresh long after this summer’s movie leaves the multiplex. The studio already has announced another feature film with “Superman Returns” director Bryan Singer, likely for 2009, and possibly a direct-to-video movie in between the upcoming release and the 2009 offering. There will also be a steady stream of entertainment and product, directed by the studio’s global brand management team, which shepherds its franchise properties through every part of their life cycle.
“There are people solely focused on our three-to-five event properties a year,” said Gaetano Mastropasqua, senior VP-promotions of the studio’s global brand management division. “We nurture the franchises.”
Sean McGowan, analyst at Harris Nesbitt Gerard, doesn’t compare Superman’s potential to a phenomenon like “Star Wars” with its six movies and billion-dollar licensing programs over 20-plus years, but said there are positive indicators the property can succeed. He said consumer interest moves quickly. “Properties don’t last as long as they once did.”
Stu Seltzer, partner in Marketing on Demand, a licensing, marketing and valuation company, said studios are increasingly developing franchise films as a way to maximize profit. “The value spreads across the entire company,” he said. “If the movie’s a huge hit, it will affect their stock price. The performance of these kinds of projects ripples throughout the company, either positively or negatively.”
Stu Seltzer, partner in Marketing on Demand, a licensing, marketing and valuation company, said studios are increasingly developing franchise films as a way to maximize profit. “The value spreads across the entire company,” he said. “If the movie’s a huge hit, it will affect their stock price. The performance of these kinds of projects ripples throughout the company, either positively or negatively.”“Superman” has been a hit on the big screen before. Starting in the late '70s, the late Christopher Reeve starred in four films that pulled in more than $300 million domestically and double that worldwide. DVDs, merchandise, live action and animated TV series followed, and continue to the current day. There have been original “Superman” films or TV shows created in 22 of the past 25 years, according to DC Comics, and new media offerings -- books, comics, animated shows and so on -- created around the property in 52 of the past 66 years. There are 35 “Superman” titles on DVD, counting the classic TV show from the '50s, “Lois & Clark” and various animated shows.
“The property has worked in the widest range of media, from radio to newspaper comic strips to cartoons, TV and film,” said Paul Levitz, president and publisher of DC Comics. “That’s the most powerful indicator of how deeply he’s woven into the popular culture.”
Superman has shown his financial might in a number of ways. “Smallville,” which is produced by Warner Bros. TV and airs on the WB network, is having a renaissance in its fifth season, attracting an average of 5.5 million viewers, up 8% from a year ago. Its recent 100th episode pulled in more than 6 million viewers. It ranks first in its time period, season to date, with men 18-to-34. Warner Bros. reaps about $850,000 an episode by selling reruns of “Smallville” to cable channels. It also sells the show internationally.
“Superman Returns” launches into perhaps one of the most competitive years in film history, with big-budget, effects-laden, star-studded event movies stacked one on top of the other from May through July. Industry watchers say they’ve never seen as many tent poles staked in the ground in such a short period, with “X-Men III,” “Mission: Impossible III” and “Da Vinci Code” just a few.
“Superman Returns” launches into perhaps one of the most competitive years in film history, with big-budget, effects-laden, star-studded event movies stacked one on top of the other from May through July. Industry watchers say they’ve never seen as many tent poles staked in the ground in such a short period, with “X-Men III,” “Mission: Impossible III” and “Da Vinci Code” just a few.Warner Bros.’ movies, TV shows and home entertainment, which includes New Line Cinema, pulled in $11.9 billion in revenue for the fourth quarter of 2004 and the full year 2005, making up 27.3% of Time Warner’s bottom line.
To whip up interest in “Superman Returns,” Warner has gathered Pepsi-Cola Co., Burger King, PerfectMatch.com, Duracell and Quaker State as marketing partners. Toymakers are also counting on the man of steel to give the industry a lift.
According to the NPD Group, the U.S. toy industry was down 4% in 2005; retail sales declined to $21.3 billion from $22.1 billion the year before. There will be a raft of Superman products at major retailers like Wal-Mart, Toys ‘R’ Us and Target. Mattel, which is producing much of the Superman line, will put a heavy ad push behind its products from summer through fall.
Entertainment-licensed product, which has been flat in some spots and declining in others, could use a boost. “We need success stories,” said Gary Caplan, president of Gary Caplan, a licensing consultancy that has several clients involved in “Superman Returns.” “We know retailers are buying into this property, but we don’t know yet if consumers will.”
Time Warner is counting on it.
Phishing Scam
Participants, as well as some non-participants, in the Thrift Savings Plan are targets of a "phishing" scam, an official with the board administering the program said today. Tom Trabucco, director of external affairs for the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board, said phishing is an "attempt to get recipients of the unsolicited e-mail to compromise themselves by giving up their personal financial information." Thrift Savings Plan administrators would never request personal or financial information via e-mail, Trabucco said. "Do not respond to unsolicited e-mail, and never give out information of a personal nature (through) unsolicited e-mails," he said. The Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board alerted Thrift Savings Plan coordinators to the scam in a March 17 memo, the day after the scam was discovered. The memo described it as an unsolicited e-mail with a link to a bogus Web site appearing to be the thrift plan's account-access site.
The bogus site asks for a recipient's social security and Thrift Savings Plan personal identification numbers. Entering this information takes the user to another screen where they are asked for financial information, including a credit card number, he said, adding that this information can be used to steal an individual's identity. As long as participants have not responded to this scam e-mail, their accounts have not been compromised, investment board officials said in the memo.
Those who did respond should contact their financial institutions immediately for guidance. They should also call the Thrift Savings Plan at (877) 968-3778 and ask to have their account access blocked, according to the memo. Phishing e-mails generally appear to be from a business or organization the recipient may deal with, according to a Federal Trade Commission Consumer Alert issued in June 2005. It may request that the recipient update, validate or confirm account information, the alert said. Participants are encouraged not to attempt to access their accounts by clicking links offered in any e-mail, according to the memo.
Only by opening a new Internet browser and typing the Thrift Savings Plan's Web site into the address field can a participant be sure of accessing the authentic thrift plan Web site. The thrift plan is a retirement savings plan for 3.6 million federal civilians servicemembers, Trabucco said. Officials don't know how many plan participants the scam has affected, but the FBI is investigating, he added.
Rod Pampling Wins
The Australian becomes just the second international champion in tournament history at the Bay Hill Invitational, joining South African Ernie Els who won in 1998. * Victory comes in fifth start at Bay Hill Invitational. His previous best was a tie for 15th in 2002. * Earns second PGA TOUR victory in his 121st career start on the TOUR at the age of 36 years, 5 months and 26 days.
The check for $990,000 is the largest of his career, surpassing his check for $900,000 with his victory at the 2004 INTERNATIONAL in Colorado. * Earns third career worldwide victory - 1999 Canon Challenge on the PGA Tour of Australasia. * Career earnings on PGA TOUR now stand at $6,385,532 and earns 18th career TOUR top-10. * Earns a trip to the 2007 Mercedes Championships in Kapalua, Maui, Hawaii.
DoD Identifies Army Casualties
DoD Identifies Army Casualties The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died in Tikrit, Iraq, on Mar. 16, when a mortar round detonated. Killed were: Sgt. Amanda N. Pinson, 21, of St. Louis, Mo. Spc. Carlos M. Gonzalez, 22, of Middletown, N.Y. Pinson and Gonzalez were assigned to the 101st Military Intelligence Detachment, 501st Special Troops Battalion, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.
DoD Identifies Army Casualties The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died in Tikrit, Iraq, on Mar. 16, when a mortar round detonated. Killed were: Sgt. Amanda N. Pinson, 21, of St. Louis, Mo. Spc. Carlos M. Gonzalez, 22, of Middletown, N.Y. Pinson and Gonzalez were assigned to the 101st Military Intelligence Detachment, 501st Special Troops Battalion, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.PGA TOUR: Bay Hill
Bay Hill