Coalition forces rescued three hostages
Written by Joyce L Chow & William Hoehne March 24 2006
MBN
www.montebubbles.com for more MBN news
MONTEBUBBLISM: Most are blind when it comes to change, they can only see the past never the future.
More and more people are turning to the internet first
Coalition forces rescued three hostages
TV advertising is less effective than it was two years ago
Olympic Museum in Turin: a real treasure hunt
DOD Identifies Army Casualty
JADOO POWER TO INTRODUCE FUEL CELL PRODUCTS FOR PROSUMERS
Patricia Neal to Attend NYC Screening of “Hud”
On eve of upfront, marketers unhappy
More buyers are looking to pay only for adsDOD Women have much to be proud of.
Kia Rio
More and more people are turning to the internet first
More and more people are turning to the internet first, and sometimes as their only resource, to get their news. A report released yesterday by the Pew Internet & American Life Project put some numbers behind the trend. Of 3,011 people whom the report surveyed in December, 23 percent of respondents get their news from the internet. That compares to 59 percent for local TV, 47 percent for national TV, 44 percent for radio and 38 percent for local papers.
The numbers add up to more than 100 because many people utilize multiple sources to get the news. Among broadband users, the percentage of people getting news from the internet rises sharply -- to 43 percent. That compares to 57 percent for local TV, 49 percent for both national TV and radio and 38 percent for local papers. Among "high-powered" internet users, which the report defines as broadband users who do more activities online than the median broadband user, 71 percent of respondents get news online during an average day. That compares with 59 percent for local TV, 53 percent for radio, 52 percent for national TV newscasts and 43 percent for local papers. The report attributes 25 percent of the growth of daily online news consumption since 2002 to the increased use of broadband connections in the home.
Coalition forces rescued three hostages
Coalition forces rescued three hostages held by terrorists in Iraq since November in an early morning raid today, a Multinational Force Iraq spokesman said. "Based on intelligence that we recovered over the last 36 hours, an operation was planned and conducted, and those three hostages were rescued," Army Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch said during a briefing from Baghdad. "I'm happy to report all three are in good condition." The hostages, Christian peace activists, have undergone medical screening and are anxious to be reunited with their families, Lynch said.
A fourth hostage, and the only American in the group, Tom Fox, was found dead about two weeks ago. The kidnappers were not present during the rescue that took place west of Baghdad, Lynch added. Despite Fox's killing and a car bomb that exploded in Baghdad today, the perception of an Iraq rife with violence is not accurate, Lynch said. "The idea that Baghdad is the center of gravity for the enemy's operations (is) indeed a valid idea," he said. "But the concern that all of Iraq is experiencing widespread violence is incorrect." Fifteen Iraq provinces average fewer than six attacks a day, and 12 of those provinces see fewer than two attacks a day, he said.
The other three provinces, Baghdad, Anbar and Salah Ad Din bear the brunt of the attacks, Lynch said. Though those three provinces account for 75 percent of all attacks in Iraq, incidents in Baghdad between March 11 and 17 were down 10 percent, the general told reporters. Car bombings also decreased 50 percent during that period, to eight from 17 the previous week, Lynch said. The enemy, however, continues to try to derail democracy and discredit the Iraqi government, he said. Insurgents couldn't stop elections or the drafting and ratification of the new constitution, Lynch said, so enemy fighters have refocused their efforts on inflaming sectarian violence.
Iraqi civilians are increasingly targets of this violence, accounting for 65 percent of casualties across the country, he said. "There is, indeed, a spike in what we term 'ethno-sectarian' incidences," he said. "During this reporting period (of) 12 to 19 March, we found across Iraq about 100 events that we would label as an ethno-sectarian incident." Lynch described "ethno-sectarian" events as attempts to inflame sectarian violence. These acts have been aimed at all sectors of the Iraqi population -- Shiite, Sunni and Kurd -- he said. Eighty-two incidents between March 12 and 19 are suspected of being ethno-sectarian in nature, Lynch said. In 58 incidents, individuals clearly were executed, he added. "The enemy's still out there," Lynch said. "We're in a specifically vulnerable period right now as the national unity government forms and (the enemy) continues to conduct operations and inflame sectarian violence and drive a wedge between the Iraqi population." A joint effort between Iraqi security and coalition forces is under way to ensure the enemy doesn't succeed, he said.
Operation Scales of Justice is designed to counter the enemy's attempts to create a sectarian divide inside Baghdad, he said. The operation, started on March 12, brought in a total of 3,700 additional security forces, including a coalition battalion from Kuwait, Lynch said. This increase allows for 300 patrols -- 100 more than before -- in the city. Iraqi and coalition forces also are manning about 130 checkpoints, he said. The operation's goal is to keep car bombs and suicide attacks from occurring in the city.
That goal was achieved for the past five days, during which there were no attacks using those methods, he said. The reprieve was short-lived, however, as today's Baghdad car-bomb attack indicates, Lynch said. Another ongoing joint operation in Baghdad, Northern Lights, began March 21. It has resulted in the discovery of eight weapons caches and the detention of 18 suspects, including one considered a high-value target, Lynch said. Operation Swarmer, an Iraqi-led operation, began a week ago in Salah Ad Din province and has resulted in the detention of 95 suspected terrorists and the discovery of 24 weapons caches, he added. "What I continue to be amazed with is the number of operations, company level and above, that are planned and executed by the Iraqi security forces," Lynch said. "We're at a point now where a third of the operations during (March 11 to 17) were independent Iraqi security force operations." Between March 11 and 17, 512 operations were conducted across Iraq, he added.
The Iraqi forces that participated in Swarmer are a small portion of the 241,000 trained and equipped Iraqi security forces working operations across the country, Lynch said.
TV advertising is less effective than it was two years ago
TV advertising is less effective than it was two years ago, and the medium might take some hard knocks within the next two years in a market correction, according to a survey made public Wednesday at the annual Association of National Advertisers gathering here.
The ANA-Forrester Research study of 133 national advertisers found that 78% think TV advertising is less effective than it was two years ago. One major reason, according to Forrester vp Josh Bernoff, is digital video recorders, which allow users to skip commercials.
Despite a recent push by the Big Four networks to present research minimizing the impact of DVRs, Bernoff said the ANA-Forrester study finds that advertisers don't believe it. Sixty percent of respondents said that with a DVR "tipping point" of 30 million homes, they would spend less on conventional TV ads than they do today. Nearly a quarter of them will slice their spending 25% when that happens.
That's bad news for the television industry, which Bernoff predicts will see ad spending decline 5%-10% beginning in the 2007 season. But he said that it will not be a fatal blow to television or the tip of the iceberg to future declines: TV will adapt.
Advertisers are looking to find alternatives to the traditional TV spots, with the survey finding 61% interested in branded entertainment within shows, 55% looking at TV program sponsorships, 45% looking at online video ads and 44% for product placement.
"There's a gut feeling among advertisers that the 30-second spot is losing potency," Bernoff said. "Research aside, they're looking for alternatives."
Olympic Museum in Turin: a real treasure hunt
Last month, for the XX Olympic Winter Games in Turin, a delegation from the Olympic Museum moved to Piedmont. As is customary for each edition, it endeavours to enrich Olympic patrimony by collecting original items, some belonging to medallists, some evoking a story, and some quite simply representing the moments full of emotion, sadness or joy experienced by those who thrilled the whole world during the 16 days of competition.
Already a large haul
The Olympic Museum is soon going to present its recent acquisitions from champions and other individuals involved in these 2006 Winter Games. A big thank you to all these kind donors, whom the Olympic Museum looks forward to welcoming when they visit Lausanne, Olympic Capital.
Helmets, clothing and even a Ferrari nose!
Among the items already collected are the skeleton helmet worn by Gibson Duff (Canada), gold medallist; the all-in-one outfit and gloves of short-track speed skater Mathieu Turcotte (Canada), silver medallist; the team coat belonging to the skier Shailaja Narinder Kumar (India), who competed in the Calgary Games in 1988; the banner of the 1960 Olympic Games in Squaw Valley offered by the Association of Olympians who took part in these Games; or even more unusual, the “nose” of the Ferrari from the Opening Ceremony of the Turin Games offered by FIAT to the IOC.
…And much more
Even once the Games have ended, the collection continues in the form of reminders to the athletes who have made a promise to donate or who offered to come to the Olympic Museum in Lausanne to bring their equipment after the competitions in which they are still to take part. The season is often far from over for some!
DOD Identifies Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Spc. Antoine J. McKinzie, 25, of Indianapolis, Ind., died in Baghdad, Iraq, on March 21, when his HMMWV came under enemy small arms fire during combat operations. McKinzie was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 27th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Armored Division, Baumholder, Germany.
Two soldiers assigned to 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 28th Division, died due to enemy action yesterday while operating in Iraq's Anbar province, Multinational Force Iraq officials announced today. Officials provided no further details. The soldiers' names are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
Staff Sgt. Ricardo Barraza, 24, of Shafter, Calif., and Sgt. Dale G. Brehm, 23, of Turlock, Calif., died March 18 in Ramadi, Iraq, when they came under small-arms fire by enemy forces. Both soldiers were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Lewis, Wash. - Pfc. Amy A. Duerksen, 19, of Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., died March 11 in Baghdad from a noncombat related injury. Duerksen was assigned to the 4th Combat Support Battalion, 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.
JADOO POWER TO INTRODUCE FUEL CELL PRODUCTS FOR PROSUMERS
Jadoo Fuel Cells for First Responders, Hobbyists, Law Enforcement
and other "Off-Grid" Critical Power Situations
Jadoo Power Systems Inc. (http://www.jadoopower.com), the leading supplier of portable fuel cell power systems, announced that it will be introducing its line of fuel cell products for prosumers, such as first responders, hobbyists, and law enforcement.
the leading supplier of portable fuel cell power systems, announced that it will be introducing its line ofPrimarily shipping to the professional broadcasting market for the past two years, Jadoo Power will introduce the fuel cell power unit, N-Stor™ fuel canister and FillPoint™ refill stations for a variety of new applications, including field-ready laptops, emergency response radios and other equipment used in "off-grid" power situations, as well as professional broadcast cameras.
Advantages of the Jadoo fuel cell technology:
-Virtually infinite shelf-life compared to batteries
-Hot-Swap capable, so power never goes down like when replacing batteries
capable, so power never goes down like when replacing batteries-Rapid refill/recharge time with the FillPoint
with the FillPoint-Patented digital interface for State-of-Fill and other fuel management data
-Packaged in an easy-to-understand, easy-to-use solution.
"Commercialization has been priority number one for Jadoo and we are excited about bringing our tried and true technology to these new prosumer markets," said Jack Peterson, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Jadoo Power. "It is clear to Jadoo that the applications for a durable, reliable ‘off-grid’ fuel cell power source are many. That is why we are introducing the Jadoo fuel cell power unit, N-Stor fuel canister and FillPoint™ refill station to the prosumer market."
About Jadoo Power Systems
www.jadoopower.com
Jadoo Power Systems, Inc. is a market-focused company that develops and sells next-generation, portable energy storage and power generation products. Jadoo is financed by Mohr Davidow Ventures, Venrock Associates and Sinclair Ventures, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc.
For more information about Jadoo Power Systems, please contact:
Jadoo Power Systems, 181 Blue Ravine Road, Folsom, CA 956030
Phone: (916) 608-9044 Fax: (415) 532-1426 Email: info@jadoopower.com.
Patricia Neal to Attend NYC Screening of “Hud”
New York, NY — Oscar®-winning actress Patricia Neal will be the special guest when the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences screens “Hud” as part of the “Monday Nights with Oscar” series on Monday, April 10, at 7:30 p.m. at the Academy Theater at Lighthouse International in New York City.
Hosted by television host and film historian Robert Osborne, the evening will feature a discussion with Neal followed by a screening of “Hud,” the 1963 black-and-white drama directed by Academy Award® nominee Martin Ritt.
“Hud” stars Paul Newman (in his third Oscar-nominated performance) as Hud Bannon, the bitter, amoral son of a rancher, and Neal as Alma, a down-to-earth and soft-hearted housekeeper. The story weaves together family relationships, drunkenness and death.
Irving Ravetch and Harriet Frank, Jr. earned Oscar nominations for their screenplay based on the novel “Horseman, Pass By” by Academy Award-winning screenwriter Larry McMurtry (“Brokeback Mountain”).
“Hud” won Oscars for three of its seven nominations in 1963 – Leading Actress (Neal), Actor in a Supporting Role (Melvyn Douglas) and Cinematography (James Wong Howe). In addition to the nominations for Frank Jr., Newman, Ritt and Ravetch, “Hud” also received a nomination in the Art Direction category (Hal Pereira, Tambi Larsen; Set Decoration: Sam Comer, Robert Benton).
This screening of “Hud” will feature a 2005 restored print from the Academy Film Archive, and will be preceded by the 1963 Oscar-winning Short Subject Cartoon “The Critic,” with Mel Brooks.
“Monday Nights with Oscar” is a monthly series showcasing high-quality prints featuring Academy Award®-nominated and winning films.
The Academy Theater at Lighthouse International is located at 111 East 59th Street in New York City. Tickets for the screening are $5 for the general public and $3 for Academy members and students with a valid I.D.
Tickets may be reserved by calling (888) 778-7575. Pending availability, tickets may be purchased in person the night of the screening. Doors open at 7 p.m.
©A.M.P.A.S.®
On eve of upfront, marketers unhappy
Following a flat broadcast upfront last year, the feeling has been that things would perk up this spring, with some media analysts forecasting a 3 percent bump in network ad spending.
A new report, released just as the upfront season begins, suggests the broadcast networks could face a far tougher sell to the nation's advertisers, for this upfront and the next and the next.
Advertisers are fast losing confidence in TV advertising. And the 30-second spot, long endangered, is suddenly looking even more endangered. That's according to a report from the Association of National Advertisers (ANA) and Forrester Research that was presented yesterday before the Association of National Advertisers TV Ad Forum.
A chief finding: Some 78 percent of advertisers feel that traditional TV advertising has become less effective over the last two years.
“Television networks continue to publish research that traditional TV advertising is potent as ever," writes Josh Bernoff, vice president of Forrester Research, in a release of the study's findings. "But national advertisers aren’t buying it and are seeking alternatives to enhance their budgets and move them beyond the customary 30-second spot.”
Less clear from the study is just how soon this dissatisfaction will express itself in upfront ad sales. Will it be this year, or next, or the year after? But the sense is sooner rather than later, certainly by 2007.
The report, which will be issued in full by Forrester in a few weeks, was based on a survey of 133 national advertisers representing some $20 billion worth of advertising. Charles Schwab, Johnson & Johnson, Mattel, Pfizer and Verizon, among others, were questioned about their attitudes toward TV advertising.
Key to the survey were questions about what impact new technologies like digital video recorders and video-on-demand will have on their TV ad budgets.
A big impact, came back the reply. Some 70 percent of advertisers reported that DVRs and VOD will ultimately reduce or destroy the effectiveness of traditional 30-second TV commercials.
In fact, when DVRs have spread to 30 million homes, nearly 60 percent of advertisers say that they will spend less on conventional TV advertising. Of those, 24 percent will chop TV budgets by at least a quarter.
With DVRs currently in 10 million households in the U.S., that day is not yet here. However, Forrester predicts that in three years the number of households with this technology will hit the 30 million figure.
The survey also found that, while 55 percent of companies report that top executives are watching the changes in TV advertising, most advertisers have yet to jump in and experiment with advertising possibilities on DVRs (49 percent) or VOD (44 percent).
Not surprisingly, the internet looks set to benefit from the shifting of ad dollars. Some 80 percent of advertisers say they will spend more of their advertising budget on web advertising, and 68 percent of advertisers will look to search engine marketing.
But if the lure of the 30-second spot is diminishing, television is likely to remain an attractive advertising vehicle, with advertisers looking to find other ways to get their message across.
For instance advertisers said they intended to spend more of their advertising budgets on branded entertainment within TV programs (61 percent), TV program sponsorship (55 percent), interactive advertisements during TV programs (48 percent) and product placement (44 percent).
Some 45 percent also said they were looking at online video ads.
As the industry changes, advertisers believe the way TV is measured will also need to change. Some 97 percent of advertisers believe that reach and frequency will not be enough. Effective measurement of TV advertising will require new audience metrics to report commercial ratings, not just program ratings.
However while this survey may not paint a rosy picture for the TV industry, many expect the TV industry to be pushing to innovate in such a way that TV remains a large part of the marketing mix.
“As new and traditional media alternatives compete more aggressively for a share of the media pie, and marketers look to improve consumer targeting, reduce costs and enhance accountability, television is aggressively responding," writes Bob Liodice, president and CEO of the ANA, in a release.
“With technology-based advances in addressability, enhanced television options, internet convergence (IPTV), and branded entertainment opportunities, television is likely to continue as the dominant part of the marketing mix."
More buyers are looking to pay only for ads
Each year going into the upfront TV ad selling season, buyers and sellers jockey for dominance in negotiations by arguing for whatever market condition or new wrinkle in ratings or audience measurement will give them an upper hand.
This year it's all about redefining rating points, and the argument is over time-shifted versus minute-by-minute ratings.
The networks led by embracing Nielsen Media Research’s new time-shifted ratings for digital video recorders, advancing the argument that advertisers should be paying an additional cost for audiences that record a show but watch it at a later time. Nielsen now provides data on programs recorded on DVRs and viewed up to seven days later, and this new data is raising network ratings.
Media buyers have responded with a big no, as in no way. They say they'll refuse to pay additionally for DVR audiences during upfront negotiations for next year's primetime shows.
For their part, buyers are favoring an entirely different notion, one that's a radical departure: paying only for the audience that actually watches commercials, based on new minute-by-minute ratings, not for those watching the programming airing between.
Nielsen began issuing minute-by-minute ratings in October, and the sense among buyers is that their eventual use will be raised during this upfront's negotiations but won't become a full-scale point of contention until next year.
That's in part because it will take some time to analyze all the new data and to reprogram agencies' computer systems. Too, there are as yet only relatively few subscribers.
When minute-by-minute ratings do become an issue, they stand to cost the networks plenty. Based on agencies’ initial analyses, these ratings are expected to result in commercial audiences that on average are 2 percent to 10 percent lower than program audiences and in some cases perhaps more than 25 percent lower.
Bruce Goerlich, executive vice president and director of strategic resources at ZenithOptimedia, explains succintly the two sides of the debate, time-shifted versus minute-by-minute.
"What the networks are saying is that television is changing and they should be credited for different venues and different times," says Goerlich.
"We want a scaleable metric that matches these changes in television. Minute-by-minute does that because what we’re looking at is people being exposed to our commercials wherever they are."
Tellingly, none of the broadcast networks have yet subscribed to minute-by-minute ratings. The only cable network to subscribe is the Weather Channel.
But several media buying agencies have signed on, and others are lining up to do so.
Starcom MediaVest Group began receiving minute-by-minute data in December for all its agencies, including Starcom, MediaVest, GM Planworks and Tapestry. And ZenithOptimedia and Saatchi signed on two weeks ago, according to Nielsen.
Lower ratings aren’t likely to be the networks’ only headache with minute-by-minute ratings.
Some agencies are expected to also negotiate prices based on where a commercial falls within a program, or within a commercial break. This is already done, but with the new data it will become dramatically fine-tuned.
John Spiropoulos, vice president and group research director at MediaVest, found in an initial analysis that viewers watch some commercial breaks far more than others.
"What we have learned, taking the Opening Ceremonies in the Olympics as an example, is that we can see where viewers are interested in the content of the program," he says. "What we saw is that people wanted to see the U.S. team enter the stadium. [For] the commercial that preceded that, there was limited tune out. After the U.S. team entered, [NBC] went back to commercials and viewing dropped off."
This type of finding will certainly be raised during upfront negotiations.
And they will take place, says Liz Janneman, senior vice president of cable advertising sales at the Weather Channel.
"At the end of the day an advertiser wants to make sure their commercials are being seen and then remembered," she says. "This data is now holding the community to a higher level of accountability. I think it’s the currency of the future."
DOD Women have much to be proud of.
Women throughout history would be proud of what today's community of DoD women has accomplished, a top DoD personnel official said here March 21. DoD employees are among the nation's finest visionaries, dream makers and community builders, which coincides with this year's Women's History Month theme, "Women: Builders of Communities and Dreams," Marilee Fitzgerald, principal director of the Office of the Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Civilian Personnel Policy, said during the DoD observance of Women's History Month at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial here.
"Your distinguished military careers and exceptional federal civilian service are an inspiration to men and women around the nation," she said. That's particularly true, Fitzgerald said, for those "who are making incalculable sacrifices to preserve freedom and the democratic principles that underpin a peaceful, productive and dignified society." She said the ceremony honored "the spirit of possibility and the hope set in motion by generations of women in their creation of communities and encouragement of dreams." "These women worked to ensure an independent nation; they planted the fields, taught the children, wrote the books, gave the speeches, and insisted on an end to inequality," she said. "And they demanded liberty, the right to organize, the right to vote, and the right to share equally in the pursuit of happiness. "These are the women who stepped forward when needed," she added. Fitzgerald said women of the past would be proud of women like retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Wilma Vaught, the driving force behind building the women's memorial. "Her vision to build this memorial will not only ensure that women are forever recognized as a critical and historic part of the woven tapestry of military service, but will also inspire others to dream and realize new possibilities for generations to come," Fitzgerald noted.
Women have come a long way in government since 1933, when then President Franklin Delano Roosevelt -- at the strong urging of his wife, Eleanor -- appointed the first female cabinet secretary, Frances Perkins, as secretary of labor. Perkins was the champion for the national women's rights cause "Equal Pay for Equal Work," Fitzgerald noted. Fitzgerald said the hopes and dreams of women in DoD are realized every day by the contributions of more than 220,000 women serving in civilian positions. This number represents more than a third of the total DoD workforce and more than 200,000 women serving on active duty. "The great news in these numbers is that women are given the opportunity to achieve their dreams - and they are achieving 'firsts' in many areas," Fitzgerald said. DoD women serve in a remarkable array of positions -- teachers, firefighters, human resource specialists, air traffic controllers, tugboat captains, information technology specialists, scientists, engineers, prison guards, weapons system designers, and secretaries such as deputy undersecretaries, Fitzgerald said. For instance, Fitzgerald said, they include women like Patricia Bradshaw, undersecretary of defense for civilian personnel policy, who presides over the personnel practices and policies for more than 700,000 DoD civilians.
They also include women like Tina Jonas, undersecretary of defense (comptroller) and chief financial officer, who oversees DoD financial management activities including a budget of more than $400 billion dollars. Fitzgerald also pointed to Sheila Widnall's appointment as secretary of the Air Force in 1993, which made her the first woman to serve as an armed forces secretary. In 1998, Lillian Fishburne became the first African-American woman to put on the Navy star to become a rear admiral.
In June 2005, Sgt. Ashley Pashley, of the Army Reserve's 40th Civil Affairs Battalion, was one of five soldiers awarded the first Combat Action Badge for her action during Operation Iraqi Freedom. "Last month, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld appointed Leslye A. Arsht as the deputy undersecretary of defense for military community and family policy," Fitzgerald noted. "Leslye is one of the first DoD civilian woman to have served as part of the Iraq reconstruction effort. She was the senior advisor to Iraq 's Ministry of Education. In June 2005, Ms. Arsht was chosen to receive the Good Housekeeping Award for Women in the Government." Noting that the percentage of woman serving in non- traditional occupations since 1995 has increased, Fitzgerald said, "In 2005, the ratio of female scientists has proportionally grown by about 20 percent and the ratio of engineers by about 45 percent since 1995." The percentage of women in grades GS-13 through senior executive service increased from 18.9 percent in 1995 to 28.1 percent in 2005. The ranks of the women in the SES positions grew by 62 percent since 1995, and women now hold 20 percent of DoD SES positions, Fitzgerald said.
"These achievements are possible because as a community we are better educated," Fitzgerald noted. "DoD civilian women have demonstrated an increase in the percentage of those holding bachelor's degrees or higher from 23 percent in 1995 to 32 percent in 2005, with 62 percent more women possessing masters degrees or above in 2005." However, Fitzgerald said, even though those numbers are encouraging and women's accomplishments in DoD are beacons for others to follow, there's much work to be done. "Women are underrepresented in science, technology, mathematics and engineering fields," she noted. "This challenge is exacerbated by the national shortage of women studying these disciplines at the university level and making careers in related fields."
And women still are underrepresented in DoD's senior executive service. Rumsfeld has asked his leadership team to "get more energy" into increasing the representation of women and minorities in general and flag officer positions and in senior executive service positions, Fitzgerald said. "Today," she told the audience, "we celebrate and give thanks for the community of DoD women who have and are forging paths and accomplished firsts for those of us in this room and for our daughters to come. We must be mindful that as a community of DoD women we are but one part of a greater whole necessary to accomplish the DoD mission. We're part of the total force, which is comprised of men and women in the military and civilian work force."
Kia Rio
When the Kia Rio first went on-sale in August 2000, it arrived under the premise that low-cost cars did not have to be dull. Reliable and affordable, the subcompact sedan spent much of its first four years as the lowest priced new vehicle in the U.S. and was the company’s best-selling nameplate in 2001, helping Kia grow in the U.S. market.
Now, the all-new 2006 Rio sedan and Rio5 five-door are raising the bar in the entry level segment by offering class-leading horsepower and interior volume, and six standard airbags, including full-length side-curtain airbags. New from the ground up, the Rio and Rio5’s longer wheelbase and increased width and height contribute to a best-in-class 92.2 cubic feet of passenger room and both body styles feature a long list of standard equipment that are sure to increase their appeal in the U.S. market.
In fact, the all-new Rio was named “Most Improved New Vehicle for 2006” by the editors of the respected automotive web site www.Autobytel.com.
Building on the success of the Spectra compact sedan and Spectra5 five-door, the 2006 Rio and Rio5 are the company’s latest vehicles designed specifically to attract a broader spectrum of American consumers to the Kia brand. In the past three years, Kia has aggressively expanded its product offerings to include new products such as the second-generation Sportage compact SUV, the Sorento mid-size SUV, the Sedona minivan and the Amanti large premium sedan.
The all-new Rio is available in three variations: Base and LX four-door sedan models as well as the Rio5 SX five-door.
Embodying Kia’s brand identity of “exciting and enabling,” the all-new Rio and Rio5’s European-influenced exterior design radiates a sporty and youthful personality through their bold look and dynamic profile.
Built on a new platform with a longer wheelbase (98.4-in.) and increased overall width (66.7-in.) and height (57.9-in.) compared to its predecessor and most of its competitors, the new Rio offers a spacious interior package.
With a total interior volume of 92.2 cubic feet, the all-new Rio and Rio5 have the roomiest cabins in their segment, and more interior space than the larger Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla.
The Rio sedan’s trunk capacity is significantly larger than ever before. At 11.9 cubic feet, the trunk volume represents a 29-percent improvement.
The Rio5’s 15.8 cubic feet of cargo space is larger than that of its two primary competitors, the Chevrolet Aveo five-door and the Scion xA.
Inside, all Rio models feature significant improvements in interior material quality and fit-and-finish, with a standard full cloth interior that incorporates a sporty-looking mesh fabric and an eight-way adjustable driver’s seat with a fold-down armrest for maximum comfort.
In addition to the user-friendly ergonomics of the interior, there are also several thoughtful touches throughout the cabin, including numerous storage areas for cell phones and PDAs, a slot in the center stack for parking passes or toll tickets, dual 12v power outlets and a convenient shopping bag hook on the back of the front passenger seat.
Following in the footsteps of recently introduced new vehicles from Kia, the all-new Rio and Rio5 are the latest realization of the company’s efforts to offer an unprecedented level of standard safety equipment in all of its vehicles.
The all-new Rio and Rio5 are equipped with six standard air bags, including dual advanced front air bags, front seat-mounted side air bags, and full-length side curtain air bags. Sensors controlling the front supplemental restraints determine the position of the seat, whether the seat belt is buckled, whether the front passenger seat is occupied, and the severity of a frontal impact before deployment.
The Rio four-door sedan replaces the Kia Spectra as the lowest priced car in the U.S. to offer full-length side curtain airbags as standard equipment.
The 2006 Rio and Rio5 are equipped with standard front-wheel disc brakes. Anti-lock brakes (ABS) with four-wheel disc brakes are available as optional equipment for the Rio LX and Rio5 SX models.
The 2006 Rio and Rio5 offer more horsepower and torque and a significant increase in fuel efficiency from the previous generation Rio. In fact, the new Rio and Rio5 offer more standard horsepower than any vehicle in the subcompact category.
A new 1.6-liter DOHC engine incorporates Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) to produce 110-horsepower and 107 lb.-ft. of torque. In addition to being more powerful, this new engine delivers 20-percent better fuel economy, including up to 38 mpg on the highway. As a result, the maximum range for the Rio jumps from less than 370 miles to more than 450 miles – an increase of almost 22-percent.
Fuel economy ratings are 32 mpg city/35 mpg highway with the manual transmission and 29 mpg city/38 mpg highway with the A/T.
One of the contributing factors in the Rio’s improvement in fuel economy is the vehicle’s lighter weight. Thanks to careful engineering, the new Rio is larger and more powerful but weighs less than its predecessor. Besides improved fuel economy, this weight reduction aids acceleration, braking and handling.
Rio’s new engine can be mated to either a five-speed manual with improved shift linkage for a firmer feel, or an optional electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission with improved shift quality (available for Rio LX and Rio5 SX).
All Rio and Rio5 models feature improved braking performance with standard power-assisted vented front-wheel disc brakes that are more than one-inch larger than those on the previous generation vehicle. Four-wheel disc brakes are available as an option with ABS on the Rio LX and Rio5 SX, the first time rear disc brakes have been offered for Rio.
The 2006 Rio and Rio5 feature an independent front suspension and semi-independent rear suspension for responsive, athletic handling and long-travel ride comfort. Using MacPherson struts with gas shocks and coil springs in the front, and a torsion beam axle with coil springs in the rear, Rio’s suspension was carefully tuned to be fun-to-drive while offering maximum comfort.
A front stabilizer bar is standard on all Rio models , and a precise rack-and-pinion steering system, equipped with engine-speed-sensitive power assist* aids in handling. With its wider track and improved suspension and steering systems providing better handling characteristics and improved performance, the new Rio’s longer wheelbase helped designers carve out more space for rear seat passengers while enhancing ride comfort.
The Base 4-door sedan is equipped with 14-inch steel wheels and 175/70R14 tires, while the LX sedan features 14-inch wheels with full wheel covers and larger 185/65R14 tires. The Rio5 SX is equipped with 15-inch alloy wheels with 195/55R15 tires.
The four-door Rio sedan is available in two trim levels: Base and LX.
Although the interior design is focused on functionality and versatility,
