Disneyland Salutes 40th Anniversary of 'it's a small world'
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ENTERTAINMENT, ART, FASHION, TECHNOLOGY
Disneyland Salutes 40th Anniversary of 'it's a small world' and One of Pop Culture's Most Enduring (and Un-Ending) Song Hits Thanks to Disneyland, the Sun Never Sets on the Song 'It's A Small World (After All)'Miss America and Country Star Brad Paisley Announce MADD's Strides for Change Celebrity Virtual Walk Challenge
Production Begins on the Film 'Illegal Tender' Written and Directed by Franc. Reyes (Empire), the Latest Production by John Singleton
Starring Rick Gonzalez and Wanda de Jesus
Chamillionaire #1 on Billboard Hot 100 Chart!
'The Sound of Revenge' Certified Platinum
Nominated 'Best New Artist' 2006 BET Awards
'Ridin'' the #1 Single at Crossover Radio for 6 Consecutive Weeks
She Wants Revenge Has a New Video With Shirley Manson and Continues to Tour With Dates in the US And Europe
imstar*, The Popular Avatar-Based Instant Messaging Program for Teens, Announces Integration With AOL's Industry-Leading AIM Service
MySpace Presents the Bside Roadshow: A Touring Independent Film & Music Festival; Nine AMD-Sponsored June Shows Bring Indie Entertainment to the Nationwide MySpace Community
Imperia Entertainment Negotiates Landmark Deal with ROK Mobile Content Provider
``Saving Shiloh'' -- Third Film Based on Beloved Award-Winning Book Trilogy Debuts on DVD August 22nd From Warner Home Video
Hear The FUSIC(TM) by LG(R): Sprint and LG Electronics MobileComm Introduce a Mobile Phone Designed for the Mobile Music Lifestyle
Yahoo! Connects with iBasis for International Voice Services; iBasis is Among Suite of Providers Delivering International PC-to-Phone Calling for Yahoo! Messenger with Voice Customers
The President Is Supporting Our Troops on Memorial Day - Six Flags President Mark Shapiro, That Is
Six Flags Is Contributing $5 From Every Season Pass Sold During the Memorial Day Holiday Weekend to Buy Toys for the Children of Our Troops Overseas
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Positions ROO's Music Channel as a Leader in Hip Hop Culture
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_____________________________________________-
ENTERTAINMENT, ART, FASHION, TECHNOLOGY
Disneyland Salutes 40th Anniversary of 'it's a small world' and One of Pop Culture's Most Enduring (and Un-Ending) Song Hits
Thanks to Disneyland, the Sun Never Sets on the Song 'It's A Small World (After All)'
This Sunday, May 28, 2006, marks the 40th anniversary of the opening of the classic attraction "it's a small world" at "The Happiest Place on Earth." One of the most popular Disney attractions of all time, the show is a fun-filled and whimsical salute to the children of the world that conveys its message of peace and harmony through the international language of music.
The water-borne journey originally debuted on April 22, 1964, at the New York World's Fair, but it was its move to an elaborate new home at Disneyland that firmly cemented its place in pop culture and created, literally, an unforgettable theme song (much to the chagrin of many).
Although it was a hit with visitors to the fair, "it's a small world" did not gain widespread fame as a must-see Disney experience until after Walt Disney himself presided over its official opening ceremonies at Disneyland on May 28, 1966. The attraction's new address in Fantasyland provided a platform where millions of guests from around the world would be annually introduced to its visual charms and catchy title tune (by the Academy Award-winning songwriting team of Richard M. and Robert B. Sherman).
The new Disneyland version of the attraction, with its 900-foot long gleaming white, blue and gold facade, a fanciful 30-foot high chiming glockenspiel clock tower and over 300 singing and dancing Audio-Animatronics performers, became an instant favorite with park guests from around the globe. Through initial merchandise tie-ins (toys, records, music boxes, etc.) and the sheer popularity of its new incarnation, the attraction's theme song became an international sensation (performed by everyone from top-name performers to local school and church choirs), so much so that today it is purported to be one of the most performed and recognized songs in the world.
"Disneyland was the springboard for making our little tune a phenomenal hit," said songwriter Richard M. Sherman whose current projects include successful stage adaptations of his musicals "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" and "Mary Poppins," soon to debut on Broadway. "The song was originally written as a slow ballad and a prayer for peace and in 1966 the world was in a bad state of affairs so I think the song sparked and resonated even more ... highlighting that we're all together in this world and we're more alike than we are different."
Due to its popularity at Disneyland, "it's a small world" has been duplicated with similar success at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida (1971), Tokyo Disney Resort in Japan (1983) and Disneyland Paris Resort in France (1992), ensuring that during every minute of the day its happy anthem is playing somewhere on the planet. Since 1966 more than 100 million people have enjoyed the four different versions of the attraction around the world, resulting in numerous Internet articles citing its title tune as one of the greatest "earworms" (songs or melodies you just can't get out of your head) of all-time.
Inside the attraction the song and melody are repeatedly featured within a soundtrack loop. The loop is played, on average, 1200 times a day during a 16-hour operating day at each Disney Park. It is estimated that the song and melody are therefore played over 4,800 times around the world during any 24-hour period!
The song and attraction have even taken on a holiday motif through the years. On November 27, 1997, Disneyland unveiled "it's a small world holiday," a spectacular seasonal make-over of the attraction (exclusive to Disneyland) that celebrates the winter holidays around the world. Each year the attraction's famous facade is adorned with hundreds of thousands of holiday lights while the interior and its cast of international children receive a festive overlay. Even the familiar "it's a small world" soundtrack gets into the holiday spirit as the attraction's famed song becomes part of a medley featuring "Jingle Bells" and "Deck the Halls."
"Of the many great songs and scores created by the Sherman Brothers, for such classic films as 'Poppins,' 'The Jungle Book,' and 'The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh' to name a few, none have the gravitas of international fame as 'it's a small world,'" stated Jeff Kurtti, co-author of the book "Walt's Time: From Before to Beyond" (a biography of the Sherman Brothers). "From its start as a song for UNICEF at the New York World's Fair to a hit tune synonymous with Disneyland and the Disney parks, the song has become both a beloved and parodied pop culture song staple."
A mainstay of childhood music education, the song has become both cherished and derided. Disney itself has even parodied the song. In the hit 1994 animated feature "The Lion King," the villain, Scar, requests to be serenaded with a bouncy tune to improve his bad mood. His lackey Zazu begins to sing "It's a Small World (After All)," prompting Scar to shout in apparent agony, "No, No! ANYTHING but that!" The song is also playfully poked fun at during the madcap "MuppetVision 3D" attraction at Disney Parks in California and Florida.
"The song's perpetual cheery disposition may be grating on some nerves but there's no denying it's a catchy tune," adds Sherman, with a wink (who confides as an aside that his home doorbell also plays the first few bars of the song). "If this were the only song my brother Bob and I ever wrote we would be most grateful songwriters -- to have your song play virtually every minute of the day around the world with a message of peace, childhood hope, understanding between peoples and joy -- I don't think it gets any better than that!"
More information about the continuing Disneyland 50th anniversary celebration, and vacations at the Disneyland Resort, is available at www.disneyland.com, by calling (877) 700-DISNEY, or by visiting local travel agents. Additional insights can be found on the Official Disneyland Resort Podcast at www.disneyland.com/podcast.
Source: Disneyland
Miss America and Country Star Brad Paisley Announce MADD's Strides for Change Celebrity Virtual Walk Challenge
Miss America 2006 Jennifer Berry and award- winning country artist Brad Paisley have set the stage for Mothers Against Drunk Driving's (MADD) Strides for Change Celebrity Virtual Walk Team challenge. Miss America recently joined Paisley at his Santa Barbara, Calif., concert to kick off the campaign in support of MADD.
Dubbed the Walk of Fame, virtual teams have been formed by Berry, Paisley, country star Naomi Judd, and actor and TV personality Kelly Ripa. Web-based fans can get in step and support their favorite celebrity and a life-saving cause at the same time by joining a celebrity team online at http://www.stridesforchange.org/ .
Recounting the loss of a close friend in a drunk driving crash, Miss Berry said, "The fact remains that drunk driving is 100 percent preventable, yet it continues as a plague of human behavior that we as a society continue to tolerate." Nearly 17,000 people are killed and a half a million others are injured annually in alcohol-related traffic crashes.
Miss Berry promoted the celebrity challenge in Nashville, which will host its first ever Strides for Change 5K walk-aimed at raising awareness and money to save lives and prevent injuries due to drunk driving and underage drinking- on Saturday, June 24 at Centennial Park. Nissan North America, Inc., national presenting sponsor of Strides for Change, is helping MADD put on walks in 22 cities nationwide.
A portion of the proceeds raised by the celebrity teams will go back to the MADD state office of their choice. Judd, a long time supporter of MADD, and Paisley, whose uncle was killed to a drunk driver, chose MADD Tennessee. Berry, who has been a five-year volunteer for her home state chose MADD Oklahoma, and Ripa is dividing her proceeds between New York where she lives and New Jersey where her sister, who survived a drunk driving crash, resides. The celebrity virtual walk team challenge runs through September.
There are several ways the public can support MADD's Strides for Change walks: (1) Support a celebrity virtual walker by joining their virtual team online; (2) If you live in a host city, you can register to walk or form a team; (3) If you are unable to make the walk, you can sign up to raise money as a virtual walker, anywhere and anytime; or (4) Give a one-time donation to the walks. Please visit the Strides for Change Web site at http://www.stridesforchange.org/ to register, donate or get more information.
MADD's mission is to fight drunk driving, support the victims of this violent crime and prevent underage drinking. More than 300,000 lives have been saved since MADD's founding in 1980. For more information, visit http://www.madd.org/ .
The Miss America Organization is one of the nation's leading achievement programs and the world's largest provider of scholarship assistance for young women. Last year, the Miss America Organization and its state and local organizations made available more than $45 million in cash and scholarship assistance. For more information, go to http://www.missamerica.org/ .
Web site: http://www.madd.org/
http://www.stridesforchange.org/
http://www.missamerica.org/
Production Begins on the Film 'Illegal Tender' Written and Directed by Franc. Reyes (Empire), the Latest Production by John Singleton
Starring Rick Gonzalez and Wanda de Jesus
New Deal Entertainment announced today that principal photography will begin for the film "Illegal Tender" written and directed by Franc. Reyes (Empire) and the latest production by John Singleton, starring Rick Gonzalez and Wanda de Jesus.
The film tells the story of Latino college student Wilson Jr. (Rick Gonzalez) and his courageous mother Millie De Leon (Wanda de Jesus) fleeing from the thugs that killed his father (Manny Perez). After years of uncertainty about the true meaning behind their life on the run, Wilson Jr. and his love, Ana, (Dania Ramirez) find themselves in life-threatening danger. Wilson Jr. must return to Puerto Rico to unveil the dark secrets from his family's past.
The production will begin May 26th in New York City and continue through June 2006 with scenes being shot in Puerto Rico.
For the first time, Oscar-nominated director John Singleton, producer of "Shaft" and "Hustle & Flow" partners with Franc. Reyes, writer and director of "Empire" to bring to the screen an exciting and action-packed story of a mother and her son.
Franc. Reyes: "It's a thrill having John Singleton produce this film for me. We talked for a couple of years about working together which happens all the time in this business without it meaning much. But John is a man of his word. More importantly, he understood my desire not to just make movies for Latinos but to make movies with Latinos, to tell stories about Latinos in this country. Latin American films are finally having their day, but truly commercial American Latino films have been few and far between. I think that's changing now. I feel fortunate to be a part of it."
John Singleton: "It's exciting to begin the production of 'Illegal Tender' with talented writer and director Franc. Reyes. We have both been anticipating this for several years and it's thrilling to see it come to fruition. Even though Latinos drive the national box office every weekend (up to 18% of the market by some estimates), no studio is actively making cool commercial films for this huge audience. We have a great director telling a great story with a hot cast, plus plenty of cars, romance, adventure, action and music. I promise you: 'Illegal Tender' will bring the hotness, a full entertainment experience that Latinos and all young people will love."
The expected release is set for Spring 2007.
Deal Entertainment
Chamillionaire #1 on Billboard Hot 100 Chart!
'The Sound of Revenge' Certified Platinum
Nominated 'Best New Artist' 2006 BET Awards
'Ridin'' the #1 Single at Crossover Radio for 6 Consecutive Weeks
Houston's rapper and entrepreneur Chamillionaire is 3 for 3: He received a "Best New Artist" nomination for the 2006 BET Awards, his national debut album, The Sound Of Revenge, was Certified Platinum and his second hit single from "Ridin'," featuring Krayzie Bone, is the #1 Song on Billboard's Hot 100 Chart all in one week.
Within the last year Chamillionaire has become a prominent force on the music scene, his first hit single "Turn It Up," featuring Lil' Flip was top 10 at Crossover Radio. Not one to sit on his laurels, Chamillionaire's second single "Ridin'," was #1 at Crossover Radio for 6 consecutive weeks, while the video is in elite rotation on MTV 2 and heavy rotation on BET.
As if taking over radio and video airwaves wasn't enough, with the over 3.3 million profile views on MySpace, over 500,000 Digital Sales (out selling Nelly "Grillz," and T.I. "What You Know") and with 1.4 million Ringtone Sales, Chamillionaire's incredible success in the digital arena is commanding everyone's attention, proving that he is a force to be reckoned with.
The one-time regional rapper, who used to sell his mix-tapes out of the trunk of his car, has not only proven that he has arrived, but that he is here to stay. And if your still not a believer, check out USA Today which states, "Rapper ridin' hot on Shakira's heels," or his upcoming performance on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno on June 23rd.
Source: Universal Motown
Web site: http://www.universalrecords.com
She Wants Revenge Has a New Video With Shirley Manson and Continues to Tour With Dates in the US And Europe
She Wants Revenge recently shot a new music video for their new single "These Things" directed by Sophie Mueller. In the video the illustrious Garbage singer Shirley Manson plays a dominatrix who kidnaps the indie duo Justin Warfield and Adam 12. "The song is sick and a bit twisted, and I really like that," Manson said to MTV.com. "They sound like a lot of bands that I was into growing up in Scotland. There's elements of Joy Division and The Cure, and I love the way the guitars sound."
To date, SWR has sold close to 200,000 copies of their debut self titled album, released on Flawless/Geffen Records. Their offering of dark dance music, their incendiary live show, and their nationwide, grass roots fan base brought them to the attention of Depeche Mode who confirmed them as direct support for their current tour with current and completed dates in major cities in US, Canada and Mexico.
While on tour, the band made live appearances on Jimmy Kimmel Live, The Late Show with Dave Letterman, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, and will be performing on The Tonight Show with Leno on June 15th, 06.
With the successes of their performances at Coachella and Weenie Roast under their belts, She Wants Revenge will finish the tour with Depeche Mode and then break off with a headlining tour of their own with supporters Ok Go and Ima Robot. The tour will include a stop at Chicago's Brant Park for Lollapolloza in August 06.
She Wants Revenge will also be heading to Europe to play their first headlining shows in London and Paris including the big German festivals Rock Im Park & Rock Im Ring Festivals in early June 06 and then finishing up with the Ommer Sonic Festival in Japan in August 06.
She Wants Revenge Tour dates below:
(tour updates are available at SheWantsRevenge.com).
Friday, June 9th Chula Vista, CA Show - Coors Amph
91X Fest
Saturday, June 10th Mountain View, CA Show - Shoreline Amph
Sunday, June 11th Santa Barbara, CA Show - Santa Barbara Bowl
KJEE Summer
Tuesday, June 13th Los Angeles, CA Show - The Wiltern
Wednesday, June 14th Los Angeles, CA Show - The Wiltern
Friday, June 16th Anaheim, CA Show - The Grove
Monday, June 19th Cabazon, CA Show - The Key Club
Tuesday, June 27th Sacramento, CA Show - Empire
Wednesday, June 28th Portland, OR Show - Roseland Theatre
Thursday, June 29th Seattle, WA Show - The Premier
Friday, June 30th Victoria, BC Show - Victoria Curling Club
Saturday, July 1st Vancouver, BC Show - Croatian Cultural Cntr.
Monday, July 3rd Calgary, AB Show - The Whiskey
Tuesday, July 4th Edmonton, AB Show - The Starlite Room
Wednesday, July 5th Saskatoon, SAS Show - Louis' Pub
Thursday, July 6th Winnipeg, MAN Show - Pyramid Cabaret
Friday, July 7th Minneapolis, MN Show - First Avenue
Saturday, July 8th Lawrence, KS Show - Granada
Monday, July 10th Buffalo, NY Show - The Buffalo Icon
Tuesday, July 11th Lancaster, PA Show - Chameleon
Wednesday, July 12th Baltimore, MD Show - Sonar
Thursday, July 13th Philadelphia, PA Show - Theatre of Living Arts
Thursday, August 3rd Cuyahoga Falls, OH Show - Blossom Music Thtr.
Sunday, August 6th Chicago, IL Show - Lollapalooza
Source: Flawless/Geffen Records
Web site: http://shewantsrevenge.com/
imstar*, The Popular Avatar-Based Instant Messaging Program for Teens, Announces Integration With AOL's Industry-Leading AIM Service
Bandalong Entertainment, an interactive media company, today announced that it has formed an agreement with AOL to release an AIM(R) enabled version of imstar* built on the Open AIM(R) platform. With this release, imstar* (http://www.imstar.com/), the only lifelike, 3-D avatar-based instant messaging program for teens, becomes available to the more than 43 million AIM network users on AOL's instant messaging network.
As of today, imstar* members will log on to the program using their AIM(R) Screen Names and will have complete access to a customized version of their AOL(R) or AIM(R) Buddy List(R) feature that lets them customize, use and enjoy the popular imstar* 3-D avatars.
"We are thrilled to announce the imstar* integration with AOL's AIM service," said Bob Carter, founder of Bandalong Entertainment. "We are now able to offer the millions of teens on AIM a great way to showcase their creativity while chatting. Through imstar*, teens can decide how they wish to be seen on any given day."
imstar* is an avatar-based instant messaging program based on AOL's AIM platform that combines fashion, community, games and chat. Members receive a life-like 3D avatar (character) which they can customize by changing facial and body features, hairstyles and skin color. The imstar* virtual mall offers branded clothing, make-up and shoes, making possible an endless variety of "looks" from goth to cheerleader, diva to punk, princess to celebrity. imstar* is free and all items are "purchased" with points (imBUX(TM)) not real money. Members also experience interactive games, online community features, branded backgrounds and entertainment content created by and for them.
"We opened the AIM(R) platform to communities, companies and developers because we recognize and value the benefits that creative programs like imstar* can bring to our users," said Marcien Jenckes, vice president and general manager for AOL's AIM(R) service. The custom "imstar* client offers teens enhanced self expression with engaging avatars that bring a new level of excitement to instant messaging. We are very pleased to welcome imstar* users to the growing AIM community."
For complete online press kit and product information, please visit us at http://www.bandalong.com/.
About Bandalong Entertainment
Bandalong Entertainment (http://www.bandalong.com/) is the developer and distributor of imstar*, a 3D avatar creation, customization, and communications system targeted at the teen market. Using imstar*, users create highly-realistic 3D avatars, customize them with hundreds of fashion, makeup, and clothing choices, and then bring them to life for their peers over a built-in instant messaging platform. Bandalong serves business partners by incorporating their products into the imstar* user experience. As a result, they are able to reach targeted audiences with greater brand impact than could be achieved through typical online marketing techniques. Partners to date include fuse.tv, Baby Phat and Aeropostale, among others.
About the AIM(R) Service
The AIM(R) service (http://www.aim.com/) is at the center of one of the largest and most dynamic online and mobile communities. It provides developers with an open and modular platform for development and access to more than 43 million Americans at http://developer.aim.com/. The AIM service is a complete communications console that offers instant messaging, email and mobile text messaging as well as robust voice and video services. Features include a Plaxo-enabled AIM(R) Address Book and integrated access to the AIM(R) Pages, AIM(R) Phoneline, AIM(R) Phoneline Unlimited, AOL(R) Mail, AIM(R) Mail, AOL(R) Radio and AOL(R) Video services. The AIM service is owned and operated by AOL LLC (http://www.aol.com/), which is based in Dulles, Virginia and is a majority-owned subsidiary of Time Warner Inc.
All other trademarks or registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Source: Bandalong Entertainment
Web site: http://www.imstar.com/
http://www.bandalong.com/
http://www.aim.com/
http://developer.aim.com/
http://www.aol.com/
MySpace Presents the Bside Roadshow: A Touring Independent Film & Music Festival; Nine AMD-Sponsored June Shows Bring Indie Entertainment to the Nationwide MySpace Community
With the goal of bringing quality independent entertainment and programming to live audiences nationwide, MySpace has teamed with specialty independent film distributor Bside Entertainment and leading festival consultants Right Angle Studios to present the "Bside Roadshow." The touring film and music festival will kick off on June 4 with a large, free outdoor show in downtown Austin. "We're pleased to be working with MySpace and hope to help grow a film community as powerful as the one they've created for music," explains Bside CEO Chris Hyams. "We expect as many as 10,000 people to attend the June tour, many of whom will be new to the world of independent entertainment." The Roadshow is a major step in Bside's ongoing efforts to support alternative film distribution.
The Bside Roadshow will open up the indie genre to younger audiences -- namely college students and tastemakers in Austin, Ann Arbor, Minneapolis, Madison, Philadelphia, Boulder, Portland and Boston. In addition to presenting a short and feature film at each venue, the tour will showcase a series of regional MySpace bands whose sounds range from alternative to hip-hop, rock to reggae. Feature films participating in June's inaugural Bside Roadshow include:
-- "Before the Music Dies" - an eye-opening documentary exploring the music industry's abandonment of artists and fans in its single-minded pursuit of corporate profits. The film, which premiered to sold-out audiences at the South by Southwest Film Festival, presents interviews and performances by artists such as Dave Matthews, Erykah Badu, and Eric Clapton.
-- "Quality of Life" - an award-winning drama surrounding the relationship of two friends facing the prospect of doing hard time for graffiti writing in San Francisco. This film, currently in the midst of successful self-distribution, won the MySpace audience choice award and has set the bar for maximizing exposure on the site with unsurpassed graphics, blogging and outreach.
-- "The Outdoorsman: Blood, Sweat and Beers" - an outrageous docu-comedy that follows a group of friends in the Pacific Northwest who compete each year in an all-day event combining physical challenges with high-speed beer chugging. The first success of Bside's alternative distribution program, the film has played to packed audiences from Tribeca to Anchorage.
Tour sponsor AMD shares a vision with artists and producers who want to break free from barriers that inhibit the creation and delivery of their art. According to Charlie Boswell, director of Digital Media and Entertainment for AMD, "The films and artists of the Bside Roadshow and technology like AMD64 processors demonstrate that the small independent is now only limited by the imagination."
MySpace will promote the Bside Roadshow to projected audiences of over 30 million throughout June by linking to film trailers and downloads of the emerging artists to be showcased at each event, providing a marketing boost that will aid filmmakers in their distribution efforts. "With events such as the Roadshow, combined with Bside's festival community efforts, we look forward to building alternative distribution models for indie filmmakers. These films have proven themselves to selected audiences. They deserve a chance to reach a broader community," says Right Angle president Jon Fitzgerald.
About MySpace
MySpace is the premier lifestyle portal for connecting with friends and discovering popular culture. By integrating web profiles, blogs, instant messaging, e-mail, music streaming, music videos, photo galleries, classified listings, events, groups, college communities and user forums, MySpace has created a connected community. As the second ranked web domain in terms of page views, MySpace.com is the most widely-used and highly regarded site of its kind. With more than 70 million members, MySpace is committed to providing the highest quality user experience and will continue to innovate with new features that allow its users to express their creativity and share their lives, both online and off.
About Bside Entertainment
Bside Entertainment (http://www.bside.com) is a specialty distributor of independent films. Through a combination of unique event-based marketing, sophisticated use of technology, and strategic partnerships with MySpace, IFC, and over a dozen major film festivals, Bside is dedicated to connecting independent films to their audiences. Founded in 2005, Bside is led by a strong advisory board that includes writer/producer Steven Bochco, former Polygram Films president Andrew Fogelson, top entertainment attorney Barry Hirsch, and Slamdance co-founder Jon Fitzgerald.
About Right Angle Studios
Right Angle Studios (http://www.rightanglestudios.com) is an entertainment company based on a new model, distinct divisions working together to serve the independent film community through production, distribution and consulting services. The Company promotes independent projects using the best of traditional practices and cutting edge technological advances. In addition, they provide expert consulting services and online resources to emerging artists and film festivals, helping them to find their unique angle.
Event Website:
http://www.myspace.com/bsideroadshow
Imperia Entertainment Negotiates Landmark Deal with ROK Mobile Content Provider
Imperia Entertainment, Inc. (Pink Sheets:IPRE) announced today that President James Hergott has procured a distribution deal with mobile content provider ROK Entertainment Group US (http://www.rokcorp.com/) (http://www.rokent.com/). The deal calls for Imperia Entertainment to provide content to a potential 225 million mobile users around the world. As part of the deal, Imperia Entertainment will be one of approximately 25 content providers who will provide content to ROK Group US that could be utilized on several potential phone models available through Cingular wireless and T-Mobile plans in the US. The ROK US service will be launched July/Aug of this year. Additionally, Imperia Entertainment will provide content to ROK UK, which is already in operation, and ROK China, which has access to an additional 200 million potential mobile phone users in China.
Imperia Entertainment will provide its award winning "Autograph" series for streaming starting July/Aug of this year. The streaming of "Autograph" will be available through standard subscription, premium subscription and an on demand format. Consumers will be able to stream content directly onto their phone if they have certain models of phones available through Cingular wireless and T-Mobile carriers in the US. Imperia Entertainment will also provide its "Autograph" series and several of its current projects and movies through a ROK media store. Content can be downloaded from the media store directly onto memory cards within the cell phone. In this situation consumers will be able to download entire movies, as well as possible movie extras. This service will be available in the US starting Aug/Sept of this year and is already available in the UK.
Imperia Entertainment will charge approximately $9.99 to download an entire movie, with extras costing in the neighborhood of 99 cents. Streaming of content will cost subscribers approximately 99 cents to $1.49 a month. Premium streaming downloads will cost approximately $3.99 - $5.99 per purchase. In a profit sharing agreement, both parties will split sales in approximately 60/40 deals, with the larger portion going to Imperia Entertainment. ROK will be covering all related technical and promotion costs. The deal is non-exclusive, leaving Imperia Entertainment free to procure deals with additional mobile content providers and other distributors.
Imperia also has the option of providing content to all three available regions (UK, USA and China) or limiting each project to only select particular regions, depending on what is best for each individual project. Mr. Hergott comments: "As technology improves and information is delivered at increasing rates of speed, Imperia Entertainment wishes to be at the forefront of an on-demand society where people can see what they want, when they want, and where they want." Depending on which movies are provided as part of the deal, the deal is estimated to be worth $4-$6 million in additional revenue for Imperia Entertainment.
About Imperia Entertainment, Inc.
Imperia Entertainment, Inc. (http://www.imperiaentertainment.com) is a company which has emerged as a player in the area of independent film production and distribution, once monopolized by the major film studios. In conjunction with its distribution subsidiary, Imperia International Distribution, the company engages in investing in and producing and distributing full-length feature films. Along with its equity interest in the widely anticipated "All That I Need" (http://www.allthatineed.net), released in theaters last December and now on DVD, Imperia's film properties include its feature film "Say It In Russian," (http://www.sayitinrussianmovie.com) starring Faye Dunaway, Steven Brand, Rade Sherbedgia, Agata Gotova, Musetta Vander and Steven Berkoff, "Brothers," by Tarquin Gotch ("Home Alone"), its MMA movie, "Never Submit," and the award-winning "Autograph" television series (http://www.autograph.tv), which airs on the Colours Television Network. Through its subsidiary, Muller Media, Inc. (Pink Sheets:MLMD), the company also produces "Whiskers," by Jordan Klein ("Flipper," "Splash," "Cocoon").
http://www.imperiaentertainment.com
``Saving Shiloh'' -- Third Film Based on Beloved Award-Winning Book Trilogy Debuts on DVD August 22nd From Warner Home Video
Saving Shiloh" -- the third film based on the successful award-winning book trilogy by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor -- will make its DVD debut on August 22, perfectly timed for legions of fans headed back to school. An acknowledged phenomenon in the world of publishing and education, the Shiloh name has grown into a popular franchise that extends well beyond the printed page.
Said producer Carl Borack of the suspenseful mystery and heartwarming story of family, and the unbreakable bond between a boy and his dog, "The true gift of the Shiloh films is that while audiences are being entertained, they're also seeing films about very real ethical issues today's kids have to deal with."
"Saving Shiloh" -- currently being showcased with theatrical releases in such cities as New York, Los Angeles and Chicago -- is winning solid praise from theatrical critics. "Exciting, entertaining and fun. Thumbs up(R)," said Roger Ebert of "Ebert & Roeper."
"Saving Shiloh" recently won the Truly Moving Picture Award, which was also given this year to Oscar(R) winner "Tsotsi" and Oscar nominee "Sophie Scholl - the Final Days."
"Shiloh" debuted on the big screen in 1997 and "Shiloh Season" followed two years later. Both movies were very successful, with the first capturing the National Humane Society's Genesis Award, and both scoring with critics and at the box office. Video and DVD sales to date have totaled more than 4 million units worldwide and both movies have had successful airings on the Disney Channel and with ABC Family.
Honored with the book world's prestigious Newbery Medal, plus 25 state awards, "Shiloh" has captured the attention of educators, librarians and parents alike. Following its publication in 1991, Oprah Winfrey placed it on her "Kids Recommended Reading List" in 2001, where it remains today. Nearly 8 million books are currently in print. For more information on all the Shiloh films, visit http://www.ShilohFilm.com
"Saving Shiloh" will be available as a single disc and will sell for $19.97 SRP. The first two films in the series, "Shiloh" and "Shiloh Season," will also be available in new Amaray packaging for $12.97 SRP each. In addition, WHV will offer fans "The Complete Shiloh Film Collection," which includes all three DVDs and will be available for $28.98 SRP.
"Saving Shiloh" stars Scott Wilson, Gerald McRaney, Ann Dowd, Bonnie Bartlett, Jason Dolley, Taylor Momsen, Jordan Garrett, Kyle Chavarria and Kari the Beagle.
Hear The FUSIC(TM) by LG(R): Sprint and LG Electronics MobileComm Introduce a Mobile Phone Designed for the Mobile Music Lifestyle
The First Mobile Phone in the U.S. to Feature an FM Transmitter
for Listening to Music Through a Radio or Car Stereo
FUSIC (fyoo' zik) the fusion of fun and music all in one device
Sprint (NYSE:S) and LG Electronics MobileComm U.S.A., Inc. (LG Mobile Phones) introduce FUSIC, a trendsetting mobile phone with a progressive design and music and entertainment services delivered at broadband-like speeds via the Sprint Power Vision(SM) Network. This phone looks, feels, and plays like a portable music player with the convenience of instant access to the Sprint Music Store(SM) for downloading full songs over-the-air, an FM transmitter for playing music through a radio or car stereo, Bluetooth(R) Stereo support, and four changeable faceplates in blue, green, pink and black for personalization of the phone. FUSIC is exclusive to Sprint and will be available May 28th in Sprint Stores and online at http://www.sprint.com.
"Sprint is seeing significant growth in the demand for music on mobile phones. In fact, since launching the Sprint Music Store last fall more than three million songs have now been downloaded," said Danny Bowman, vice president of product marketing for Sprint. "FUSIC delivers the best in mobility and Sprint Power Vision services in a single device. It is designed to enhance the overall mobile entertainment experience for customers and offers a variety of personalization options."
"Without question, FUSIC is a testament to what is possible when mobile phone innovation and music meet," said Mr. Juno Cho, president, LG Electronics MobileComm, U.S.A., Inc. "In concert with the advanced features and pioneering functionality provided by LG, the Sprint Power Vision Network enables users to enjoy an unparalleled mobile music experience right at their fingertips. LG is proud to join Sprint at the forefront of the mobile phone and music evolution."
FUSIC by LG: A Perfect Musical Composition
Music enthusiasts welcome all the features FUSIC has to offer, including:
-- Sprint Music Store - Customers can choose from hundreds of thousands of songs in virtually every music genre. Each song purchased through the Sprint Music Store is $2.50, and customers receive two copies of the song - one for their phone and another for their PC. Customers can transfer additional audio files (MP3, WMA and AAC formats) as well as video files (3GPP, 3G2 and MP4 formats) to the phone via the included USB cable and removable memory storage which is increasable up to a gigabyte, giving customers the ability to determine how many songs they want with them on the go! Customers can also burn their music from their PC to a CD using Windows Media Player. To use the Sprint Music Store, a Sprint Power Vision phone is required and a data plan is recommended.
-- External Navigation Pad - Customers can quickly access their favorite music including MP3 files and other popular media formats right from the external navigation pad.
-- FM Transmitter - Customers can hear their music in stereo sound by using the FM Transmitter built into the Media Player as well as the Sprint Music Player to play music files loaded on the microSD card through a radio or car stereo.
-- Bluetooth Wireless Technology - Built-in radio technology allows for short-range wireless communication with select Bluetooth-capable devices such as headsets, hands-free car kits, handhelds, PC's, printers and wireless phones.
-- Ring Tone Composer - Customers can record custom ring tones by humming a tune into the phone's microphone or composing a tune in Keyboard or Score mode. Users can further customize their ring tone experience by adding various instrument accompaniment, rhythm, tempos and styles.
-- External Memory - Customers can store 64 megabytes of digital music on the microSD card that comes with the phone. Optional size microSD cards are available, enabling a customer to store up to a gigabyte of music (several hundred songs) on the phone.
-- Streaming Music - Sprint offers a broad selection of streaming music, including Sprint Radio, Music Choice, Rhapsody Radio, MTV Mobile, and VH1 Mobile. Streaming music channels provide customers access to a wide variety of music genres, the latest music headlines, and the latest video clips from popular artists.
-- Stereo Headset - Customers can listen to their music using the stereo headset that comes with the phone. Other premium audio accessories are sold separately.
-- Bluetooth Stereo - Customers can use an optional Bluetooth Stereo headset and enjoy their music wirelessly on the go (functional with non-DRM protected MP3, WMA, and AAC files).
FUSIC also features a 1.3 megapixel camera and camcorder, and with Sprint PCS Picture Mail(SM)(http://www.sprint.com/picturemail), customers can capture, share, print, preserve, create and display their camera phone pictures - such as using them to create unique gifts like mugs, postage stamps, and greeting cards. The phone also supports Themes, a way for customers to personalize menus, shortcuts and screen savers on the phone.
With the FUSIC by LG and Sprint Power Vision services customers have fast access to information with On Demand, Sprint TV(SM) boasting a combination of more than 50 live and on-demand channels with full-motion video and vivid sound, Sprint PCS Picture Mail, and the Web, in addition to the Sprint Music Store. With special Phone-as-Modem plans utilizing the included USB cable as well as Bluetooth Dial Up Networking (DUN) capability, customers can use FUSIC as a modem to quickly and easily access email and the Internet.
The Sprint Power Vision Network currently reaches over 150 million people and is expected to reach an estimated 190 million people nationwide and in Puerto Rico by the end of the year, making it the largest mobility network of its kind. Customers currently access various audio, video and data applications at average download speeds equivalent to DSL (400-700 kbps and peak speeds up to 2 Mbps).
FUSIC by LG is $329.99 or $179.99 after rebate with a two-year service agreement. For more information on Sprint Power Vision services, visit your nearest Sprint Store or go online to http://www.sprint.com/powervision. For more information on FUSIC by LG, go to http://www.sprint.com/mr or http://www.lgusa.com.
About Sprint Music
Sprint continually provides wireless data services that are first, better and unique, and Sprint's music offerings are a distinct example of this leadership. Sprint was the first U.S. mobile carrier to provide:
-- a service that allows full-length songs to be downloaded over the air via the Sprint Music Store, which became the first mobile music service to announce that customers had downloaded more than three million songs
-- live TV and exclusive video and audio of a full-length rock concert (Bon Jovi)
-- streaming music and continues to provide exclusive streaming music channels, including SIRIUS Music and Rhapsody Radio
-- video ringers, which play clips from music videos instead of a traditional ring,
-- ringers that sound like actual song recordings via Music Tones and to allow customers to create their own original ring tones via ToneMaker DJ
-- gold and platinum awards when artists' albums sell 500,000 and one million Music Tones respectively
About Sprint Nextel
Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of communications services bringing mobility to consumer, business and government customers. Sprint Nextel is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including two robust wireless networks offering industry leading mobile data services; instant national and international walkie-talkie capabilities; and an award-winning and global Tier 1 Internet backbone. For more information, visit http://www.sprint.com.
ABOUT LG ELECTRONICS, INC.
LG Electronics (KSE: 06657.KS) is a global leader in providing cutting-edge, convergent electronics, information and communications products designed to meet the diverse needs of fast-changing consumers. With consolidated sales of US$37.7 billion and overseas sales of US$ 32.6 billion (86% of total sales), LG Electronics employs more than 70,000 employees in 76 subsidiaries located in 39 countries and operates four business units including Mobile Communications, Digital Appliance, Digital Display and Digital Media.
LG Electronics' goal worldwide is to create and enable the intelligent networking of digital products that will make consumers' lives better than ever.
ABOUT LG ELECTRONICS MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY
LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company is the world's leading manufacturer of WCDMA (UMTS), CDMA. The company provides a total range of wireless solutions, and is rapidly establishing a global presence as it cultivates international market share in 3G handsets. For more information please visit http://www.lgusa.com.
Yahoo! Connects with iBasis for International Voice Services; iBasis is Among Suite of Providers Delivering International PC-to-Phone Calling for Yahoo! Messenger with Voice Customers
Basis, Inc. (OTCBB: IBSE), the global VoIP company(TM), and Yahoo! Inc, a leading global Internet company, announced today that iBasis is providing international call termination for the Yahoo! Messenger with Voice service. iBasis is among the suite of providers delivering high-quality termination services for calls from the U.S. to international markets. The interconnection with iBasis enables Yahoo! Messenger with Voice to offer its customers high quality PC-to-Phone calling over iBasis' global VoIP network at very competitive rates.
Yahoo! Messenger with Voice provides enhanced PC-based calling capabilities for both making and receiving phone calls, depending on the combination of services purchased, at some of the lowest rates in the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) industry. With the Phone Out feature, which leverages The iBasis Network for international calls, consumers in the U.S. can make VoIP PC-to-Phone calls by using their PC to place calls to traditional or mobile phones to more than 180 countries(1). Calls within the U.S. and to over 30 other countries can be made for two cents a minute or less(2).
The interconnection with iBasis includes use of iBasis' PremiumCertified(TM) international routing product, which is specifically designed to deliver the highest quality of service for retail traffic, and the company's DirectVoIP(TM) Broadband IP interconnection service.
"Like the Internet itself, Yahoo! is ubiquitous," said Ofer Gneezy, president and CEO of iBasis. "By delivering innovative services and compelling features to their enormous customer base, Yahoo! is playing a major role in the transformation of how people communicate. They did it with Yahoo! Messenger, and now they will do it with Yahoo! Messenger with Voice. We're very excited to be an integral part of the service."
About iBasis
Founded in 1996, iBasis (OTCBB: IBSE) is a leading wholesale carrier of international long distance telephone calls and a provider of retail prepaid calling services, including the Pingo(R) web-based offering (http://www.pingo.com) and disposable calling cards, which are sold through major distributors and available at retail stores throughout the U.S. iBasis customers include many of the largest telecommunications carriers in the world, including AT&T, Cable & Wireless, China Mobile, China Unicom, MCI, Sprint, Skype, and Telefonica. iBasis carried 7.8 billion minutes of international voice over IP (VoIP) traffic in 2005, and is one of the ten largest carriers of international voice traffic in the world. For four consecutive years service providers named iBasis the best international wholesale carrier in ATLANTIC-ACM's annual International Wholesale Carrier Report Card. iBasis was also ranked among the fastest-growing technology companies in New England in the 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005 Technology Fast 50 programs sponsored by Deloitte & Touche. The Company can be reached at its worldwide headquarters in Burlington, Massachusetts, USA at 781-505-7500 or on the Internet at http://www.ibasis.com.
(1) PLEASE NOTE: 911 and other emergency service numbers currently cannot be accessed through Yahoo! Messenger with Voice or Yahoo! Voice services. Users must use a traditional phone or mobile phone to access 911 or other emergency service numbers. Internet access and compatible PC required. Yahoo! Voice Phone Out and Phone In services must be purchased separately and require users to download Yahoo! Messenger with Voice version 7.5.
(2) Rates in the U.S. only. Calls to mobile phones or other wireless devices may be charged at higher rates than calls to traditional landline phones. All rates, promotional or otherwise, are subject to change at any time without notice. Call times are billed in one-minute increments.
iBasis, and Pingo are registered marks, and PremiumCertified and The iBasis Network are trademarks of iBasis, Inc. Yahoo! is a registered trademark of Yahoo! Inc. All other names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective owners. (C) 2006 iBasis, Inc., All rights reserved.
The President Is Supporting Our Troops on Memorial Day - Six Flags President Mark Shapiro, That Is
Six Flags Is Contributing $5 From Every Season Pass Sold During the Memorial Day Holiday Weekend to Buy Toys for the Children of Our Troops Overseas
The President announced today an initiative to support America's troops on Memorial Day -- Six Flags (NYSE:PKS) President Mark Shapiro, that is. In honor of America's armed forces, Six Flags will contribute $5 from every Six Flags season pass sold over the four-day holiday weekend to buy toys for the children of American troops overseas.
The promotion will begin Friday, May 26 and run through Monday, May 29. Guests can purchase a season pass at any Six Flags theme park, water park or online at SixFlags.com; the passes are good for entry all season long at any of Six Flags' thirteen parks.
"This weekend, we're giving our guests an opportunity to take advantage of the best value we provide -- a Season Pass -- and at the same time give back to the families of the men and women who defend and support our country," said Mark Shapiro, Six Flags President and CEO. "When guests buy a season pass, we'll contribute $5 from every pass to buy toys for the children of our troops overseas -- so a season of family fun at Six Flags can also mean a season of fun for our troops' families as well."
Six Flags is reinforcing this promotion with a full-page advertisement on Friday, May 26th, in USA Today and the New York Times:
"Our President is Supporting the Troops. This Memorial Day weekend Six Flags will donate $5 for every Season Pass purchased to buy toys for the children of our troops. 'Purchase a season of fun for your family and it buys a season of fun for all our families.'
Rules and Restrictions
Purchase a regular priced Season Pass at any US Six Flags Theme Park or Water Park ticket booth or at SixFlags.com between Friday May 26, 2006 and Monday May 29, 2006 and $5 per pass will be donated to purchase toys for the children of our troops. Not valid with other discounts or special offers. Operating schedules vary by Park. Please visit sixflags.com for up-to date operating schedules and ticket pricing.
About Six Flags
Six Flags, Inc. is the world's largest regional theme park company. Founded in 1961, Six Flags is celebrating its 45th Anniversary in 2006. It is a publicly-traded corporation headquartered in New York City.
Web site: http://www.sixflags.com/
We've Got Another Hot One, America! Cingular's Text Messaging Results Set New Record on the Fifth Season of Fox's 'American Idol'
Cingular Records more than 64.5 million "American Idol"-related Text Messages
Cingular Wireless announced today it has shattered its own record for wireless text messaging during the fifth season of "American Idol." Cingular recorded more than 64.5 million text messages throughout the show's season, breaking last year's record of 41.5 million text messages. Text messages include votes, trivia, sweepstakes entries, TXT chats, fan club and vote number reminder.
Another Great Season of Idol-themed Content
Cingular introduced a lot of great "American Idol"-themed content this season, but its newest offering, Live Idol Tones, stole the show. Cingular broke new ground in the music industry with the tones letting Cingular customers purchase and download ringtones and answer tones of select "American Idol" performances* just 24 hours after they were performed live on the show. Typically, traditional recorded music requires months to go from recording to distribution. Last week, Cingular's Live Idol Tones category of ringtones was one of the top sellers, and the company expects the same stellar performance again this week.
"We are pleased to have played a role in what was another great season of 'American Idol'," said John Burbank, vice president of marketing, Cingular Wireless. "We knocked Idol-related text messaging out of the ballpark and added another home run with our Live Idol Tones which capitalized on the passion 'American Idol' fans have for their favorite contestants."
Cingular customers also had exclusive wireless access to "American Idol" throughout the season with services including TXT chats with Idol contestants, and convenient vote number reminders listing all of the "American Idol" contestants who performed that week. In addition, Cingular customers also connected to the show through the Idol Wireless Fan Club which let them keep up with the latest Idol news, play Idol Trivia on their wireless devices or download "American Idol"-related ringtones such as the show's theme song, or songs from former Idol winners and contestants. And on May 23, Cingular awarded Joanne Petrella from Tampa, Florida a $100,000 prize when she won the Cingular "American Idol" $100,000 Trivia Challenge in Los Angeles before the show's finale. Hosted by former Idol contestant Tamyra Gray, Petrella competed against 16 other contestants and answered the most correct questions about "American Idol" history, former Idol contestants and memorable moments from the show. Trivia contestants were selected through text entries and Cingular radio promotions held in different cities throughout the country.
*Pending clearance of music publisher
About Cingular Wireless
Cingular Wireless is the largest wireless carrier in the United States, serving 55.8 million customers. Cingular, a joint venture between AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) and BellSouth Corporation (NYSE:BLS) , has the largest digital voice and data network in the nation -- the ALLOVER(TM) network -- and the largest mobile-to-mobile community of any national wireless carrier. Cingular is a leader in third generation wireless technology. Its 3G network is the first widely available service in the world to use HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) technology. Cingular is the only U.S. wireless carrier to offer Rollover(R), the wireless plan that lets customers keep their unused monthly minutes.
About American Idol
Fourteen-time Emmy-nominated "American Idol" is created and executive- produced by Simon Fuller, founder of 19 Television; and executive-produced by Cecile Frot-Coutaz, Chief Operating Officer, Production, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.; Nigel Lythgoe, President, 19 Television; and Ken Warwick, Executive Producer, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.
About FremantleMedia
FremantleMedia Licensing Worldwide, Americas (FLW, Americas) is the licensing arm of FremantleMedia for North and South America. FremantleMedia one of the largest international creators and producers of program brands in the world, with leading prime time drama, serial drama, entertainment and factual entertainment programming in over 40 territories. FLW, Americas exploits FremantleMedia's many strong brands, including the award winning, American Idol, the world's longest running gameshow The Price Is Right, the ever-popular Family Feud, and other classic gameshows, across multiple off- screen platforms including merchandising campaigns, live events, sponsorship, interactive and wireless support, home entertainment and music publishing. FLW, Americas is also responsible for additional business diversification initiatives including 'Thumbdance', a pioneering wireless channel delivering original made-for-mobile video content on demand.
FLW, Americas is part of FremantleMedia North America (FMNA). FMNA is on the leading edge of global broadcast production, developing some of television's most innovative and watched new programming. Based in Santa Monica and with offices in New York, FMNA has produced such genre-bending shows as the musical/reality phenomenon American Idol. In 2005, FremantleMedia programs garnered 16 Emmy nominations, including six for American Idol. Other credits include The Price Is Right (CBS), the longest-running gameshow in television history, the daily syndicated gameshow Family Feud, the hotly debated reality series The Swan (Fox), the breakout hit lifestyle show How Clean Is Your House? (Lifetime), Distraction (Comedy Central), Property Ladder (TLC), American Inventor (ABC), the upcoming The Gameshow Marathon (CBS) and America's Got Talent (NBC).
FremantleMedia is the production arm of the RTL Group, Europe's largest television and radio broadcast company. With interests in 34 television channels and 30 radio stations in 10 countries, RTL Group is a division of leading integrated media and entertainment company Bertelsmann AG. For further information, visit www.fremantlemedia.com.
About 19 Entertainment
19 Entertainment, Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of CKX, Inc. (NASDAQ:CKXE) , was founded by Simon Fuller 21 years ago and acquired by CKX in March 2005. The company is recognized as a leading creator, provider and promoter of globally successful, music-based entertainment, or "Entertainment Brands."
Simon Fuller, who serves as Chief Executive Officer of 19 Entertainment, is the creator of AMERICAN IDOL in the United States, "Pop Idol" in the UK, as well as versions of the IDOL format in more than 30 countries around the world. Fuller is also the co-creator of SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE, which aired in the U.S. on FOX during summer 2005 and was the top-rated television show in its time slot.
Fuller has made music history in the UK and the U.S.A., producing a stream of No. 1 hits and managing multi-platinum-selling acts. Fuller recently became the world's most successful manager -- breaking a record set by the Beatles' manager Brian Epstein in the 1960s -- when three of his artists occupied the No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 positions on the U.S. single chart as well as the No. 1 position on the album chart.
American Idol(R) 19 TV Ltd. and FremantleMedia North America, Inc. Based on the television program "American Idol" produced by FremantleMedia North America, Inc. and 19 TV Ltd. Licensed by FremantleMedia Licensing Worldwide.
Source: Cingular Wireless
Web site: http://www.cingular.com/
Caesars Palace Las Vegas and GQ Announce Multi-Platform 'Modern Day Caesar' Search in Celebration of Caesars Palace 40th Anniversary
- Winner to Receive the Ultimate Caesars Palace Prize Package and a Starring Role in a Caesars Palace Advertisement Within GQ -
Caesars Palace, one of the world's best known resort-casinos, and GQ, the premier men's lifestyle magazine, announced today a multi-platform, multi-month search to find the "Modern Day Caesar." Searching for a man of unparalleled mental and physical agility, style and good looks, one lucky winner will be awarded a prize package that includes a fantasy getaway for four to Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. The "Modern Day Caesar" search is primarily being promoted in the pages of GQ magazine, on-location at Caesars Palace and online at www.gqconnects.com.
From May 23 to July 27, consumers can visit www.gqconnects.com and enter the "Modern Day Caesar" search by submitting a photo and taking the "Modern Day Caesar" quiz. At the conclusion of the entry period, a panel of judges -- comprised of representatives from GQ and Caesars Palace -- will choose the five finalists. These finalists will be featured in an advertisement within the September 2006 issue of GQ, where consumers will be called upon to vote online for their favorite man. Once the winner is determined, he will be flown to Caesars Palace for a photo shoot to be revealed in GQ's annual "Man of The Year" issue in December.
In addition to appearing within the pages of GQ, the "Modern Day Caesar" will win: a three-day, two-night stay in luxurious hotel accommodations at Caesars Palace for four, roundtrip airfare for four from a U.S. airport, VIP access to PURE nightclub, dinner for four at RESTAURANT GUY SAVOY Caesars Palace, four spa treatments at The Spa at Caesars Palace, four concert tickets, $500 worth of promotional chips, and a $2,500 gift certificate to The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace.
"Caesars Palace's worldwide search for the Modern Day Caesar offers the perfect opportunity to celebrate our 40th anniversary," said Caesars Palace President Gary Selesner. "Both GQ and Caesars Palace represent the ultimate in style and sophistication, and so we look forward to finding the man who embodies the same qualities to carry the title of Caesar. We will roll out the red carpet for the winner and his guests in order to provide them with an unforgettably luxurious and entertaining experience at Caesars Palace."
About Caesars Palace:
Caesars Palace, a Harrah's Entertainment resort, is one of the world's best known resort-casinos celebrating the glory that was Greece and the grandeur that was Rome, in an 85-acre destination location that sets the standard for entertainment, dining and luxury. Reigning at the heart of the Las Vegas Strip, Caesars Palace ranks among the world's top luxury resorts known for their originality and beauty and features 3,340 hotel guest rooms and suites, 26 unique restaurants and cafes, 4.5-acre Garden of the Gods pools and gardens, world-class health spa and salon services and 240,000 square feet of premium meeting and convention space. Its 4,100-seat Colosseum spotlights world-class entertainers such as Celine Dion, Elton John and Jerry Seinfeld, and sits just steps away from celebrity chef restaurants and The Forum Shops. For more information, visit www.caesarspalace.com or call (702) 731-7110 or (800) 634-6001. Journalists can download news releases and high-resolution photos at media.harrahs.com.
About GQ magazine:
GQ is America's premier men's lifestyle magazine with a monthly readership of more than 5.5 million readers. In addition to being the personal style authority for men, GQ has been widely recognized for reporting some of the most important news and pressing issues of the day. In 2005, Advertising Age honored GQ with a position on its annual "A List." The magazine is part of Conde Nast Publications, Inc.
Source: Caesars Palace
Web site: http://www.caesarspalace.com/
ROO Teams Up With The Real Hip Hop Network to Offer On-Demand Viewing of the Hottest Music Videos and Exclusive Interviews
Positions ROO's Music Channel as a Leader in Hip Hop Culture
ROO (BULLETIN BOARD: RGRP) , one of the leading online broadcast networks, today announced that The Real Hip Hop Network (RHN), a top destination for hip hop music, lifestyle and culture, will provide its premium music and cultural programming to ROO. As part of the deal, ROO will launch a new video portal on RHN's Web site, www.rhn.tv, and will sell advertising against the site's targeted video viewers. RHN will offer more than 100 hours of on-demand video segments devoted solely to the culture of hip hop, including exclusive interviews with leading hip hop artists and political figures, music videos and content focused on each element of the culture: DeeJaying, Emceeing, Breakdancing and Graffiti Art.
RHN content, including clips from hip hop giants such as Jay-Z, Kanye West, and LL Cool J, coverage of the Hip Hop Summit and ASCAP awards, and live performances from The Source Awards, will be available across the ROO global network of affiliate websites, including Verizon Broadband Beat, iWon, Excite, Bulldog Broadband (a Cable and Wireless company), News Interactive in Australia and many other targeted online destinations.
"The Real Hip Hop Network is a vital source of coverage of a culture that continues to grow and rapidly evolve. Not only does our involvement with RHN expand our already extensive library of music offerings, it will introduce ROO to new viewers and attract advertisers who are interested in reaching this audience," said ROO CEO Robert Petty.
"Using the power of hip hop, The Real Hip Hop Network and ROO are now positioned in the media and Internet space to dominate pop culture," says Atonn F. Muhammad, President and CEO of The Real Hip Hop Network.
The Real Hip Hop Network joins ROO's high-profile group of entertainment content providers and affiliates, which includes major record labels, film studios, cable networks and news organizations as well as a wide range of niche oriented lifestyle properties.
About ROO
ROO Group Inc. (BULLETIN BOARD: RGRP) ("ROO") is a global provider of online video broadcasting solutions that enables the activation, marketing and distribution of video content over the Internet and emerging broadcasting platforms such as set top boxes and wireless. ROO www.roo.com offers turn-key video solutions for businesses seeking to improve their web presence with video broadcasts or broadcast their own latest video clips. ROO helps businesses advertise their latest offering with interactive advertising solutions, 15-30 second video commercials with a linked call to action and played simultaneously with topical video content such as news and entertainment in a television style format over the Internet.
About Real Hip Hop Network
The Real Hip Hop Network is the first 24 hour cable channel geared toward real hip hop lifestyle & culture. RHN's core focus is on the 18-34 year old Hip Hop thrill seeker who embraces the excitement, adventure, and exhilaration embedded in the Hip Hop lifestyle. RHN will deliver not only the hottest commercial acts on the scene today, but also give you the pure power found in the essence of underground hip hop; featuring the best of the grass roots and the international music scene. RHN brings a side of Hip Hop ignored by the other music channels celebrating the elements and principles that launched hip hop's golden era: DeeJaying, Emceeing, Breakdancing and Graffiti Art.
This was a time when Hip Hop artist were the urban street correspondents, delivering soul stirring and thought provoking commentary on the issues of the day. Hip Hop became an outlet for the pain, struggles, and dreams of those who were apart of its experience. This is what can be defined as real hip hop. Hip Hop has been proven to have massive commercial appeal. RHN provides the world with an engaging, fresh alternative. The Real Hip Hop Network takes everything the world loves about hip hop and challenges the negative images media has made pervasive. RHN operates on a higher standard. We put the "Real" in Real Hip Hop and give the world a mature more gritty choice unavailable on any network before or since RHN. Hip Hop will be globally redefined the RHN Way
Certain statements in this document constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of ROO Group Inc ("the Company"), or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company's future operating results are dependent upon many factors, including but not limited to the Company's ability to: (i) obtain sufficient capital or a strategic business arrangement to fund its plan of operations when needed; (ii) build the management and human resources and infrastructure necessary to support the growth of its business; (iii) competitive factors and developments beyond the Company's control; and (iv) other risk factors discussed in the Company's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available for review at www.sec.gov.
Source: ROO Group Inc.
Web site: http://www.rhn.tv/
Web site: http://www.sec.gov/
Web site: http://www.roo.com/
Source: ROO Group Inc.
.
Media First as Hublot Launches Dedicated TV Channel at FT Business of Luxury Summit in Las Vegas and Becomes 'Official Timekeeper' of FT.com
Innovative Swiss luxury watchmaker, Hublot, is marking its diamond sponsorship of the FT's Business of Luxury Summit in Las Vegas with the worldwide launch of its television channel, Hublot TV.
The Hublot brand is to extend its current online presence by launching its own television channel - a world first in the luxury watchmaking sector. The channel will broadcast Hublot programs 24 hours a day, seven days a week from 5 June 2006. The launch of the global channel will be complemented by a significant global advertising campaign. This includes a 12 month 'jewel box' position on the home page of FT.com, which starts in June 2006, making Hublot "the official timekeeper" for the FT website.
In addition, the speech of Hublot CEO Jean-Claude Biver to delegates at the FT Business of Luxury Summit will be made available on the FT.com homepage during a two-day roadblock campaign from 7-8 June. Throughout this period, advertisements on the FT.com homepage will be fully dedicated to Hublot and the worldwide launch of Hublot TV. All advertising spots during that period will feature the Hublot/Hublot TV campaign.
Jean-Claude Biver, CEO, Hublot, said: "We are delighted and honored to be the diamond sponsor of the FT Business of Luxury Summit. Our relationship with the Financial Times is instrumental in reaching business leaders with an appreciation of the finer things in life. Hublot TV signals a new style of communication for the luxury industry and we are proud to be the pioneers in this field, just as we are the pioneers of truly innovative fusion watchmaking."
Ben Hughes, FT worldwide advertising director, said: "We're delighted that Hublot has chosen to launch its dedicated TV channel at the FT Business of Luxury Summit and is to become the official timekeeper for FT.com. This is a media first for us. The FT brand has become synonymous with luxury goods advertising, following our unrivalled editorial coverage on the luxury industry and the tremendous success of How To Spend It magazine and this deal is testament to that."
The second annual FT Business of Luxury Summit takes place from 5-6 June at the Ritz-Carlton Resort in Las Vegas. Some 350 people are expected to attend this year's meeting, including senior executives, luxury consultants, brand experts, fund managers, M&A specialists, and securities and retail analysts. The Summit will include discussion sessions on pricing, distribution channels, mass market competition, licensing practices and consumer demand measurement.
For more information on the programme for the FT Business of Luxury Summit, visit http://www.ftbusinessofluxury.com/. Media registration is also available via the website.
About Hublot
In 1980, Hublot unexpectedly teamed gold with rubber to give birth to a unique timepiece. Twenty five years later, the brand has reinterpreted its DNA with a fresh exploration of its guiding principles, the fusion. Jean- Claude Biver, CEO of Hublot, has masterminded the launch of Big Bang, the latest icon which brings a new dynamic to the company which echoes its Fusion concept. Big Bang is the first watch to feature lateral recognition and represent the fusion of materials such as red gold and ceramic, tantalum and rubber, magnesium and titanium, and the fusion of movements combining the Tradition of Swiss Horology with the visionary Art of 21st century watchmaking. Internationally acclaimed, the Big Bang chronograph won numerous international awards when it launched in 2005.
About the Financial Times Group
The Financial Times Group, one of the world's leading business information companies, aims to provide a broad range of business information and services to the growing audience of internationally minded business people. The FT Group includes:
1. The Financial Times, one of the world's leading business newspapers,
is recognised internationally for its authority, integrity and
accuracy. Providing extensive news, comment and analysis, the
newspaper is printed in 23 cities across the globe, has a daily
circulation of over 445,000 and a readership of more than 1.4 million
people worldwide.
2. FT.com is one of the world's leading business information websites,
and the internet partner of the FT newspaper. Since its relaunch in
May 2002, the website has continued to be the definitive home for
business intelligence on the web, providing an essential source of
news, comment, data and analysis for the global business community.
FT.com attracts 4.8 million unique monthly users (ABC electronic
figures Jan 06), generating 41 million page views and has 84,000
subscribers. FT.com broke even in December 2002.
3. The FT Group's pan-European network of national business newspapers
and online services including France's leading business newspaper and
website, Les Echos and lesechos.fr. In February 2000, the FT launched
a new German language newspaper, FT Deutschland, with a fully
integrated online business news and data service.
4. Through FT Interactive Data, the FT Group is one of the world's
leading sources of securities pricing and specialist financial
information to global institutional, professional and individual
investors. Its products include eSignal, an online realtime streaming
quotation service for brokers and active traders.
5. FT Business, which produces specialist information on the retail,
personal and institutional finance industries. It publishes the UK's
premier personal finance magazine, Investors Chronicle, and The
Banker, Money Management and Financial Adviser for professional
advisers.
6. The Financial Times Group also has a stake in a number of joint
ventures, including;
-FTSE International, a joint venture with the London Stock Exchange.
-Vedomosti, Russia's leading business newspaper and a partnership
venture with Dow Jones and Independent Media
-A 50% stake in BDFM, publishers of South Africa's leading financial
newspapers and websites.
-A 50% stake in The Economist Group, which publishes the world's
leading weekly business and current affairs journal.
-A 13.85% stake in Business Standard, one of India's leading financial
newspapers. The FT Group is part of Pearson plc, the international
media group.
Source: Financial Times
Web site: http://www.ft.com/
http://www.ftbusinessofluxury.com/
Atari Wins Fans, Honors and Accolades at E3 2006
- High Quality, Varied Line Up Attracts Critics' Praise at 2006 Electronic Entertainment Expo, Test Drive Unlimited Playable Demo Cleans Up on Xbox 360 Marketplace for E3 Week -
Following a successful showing at the 2006 Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), Atari, Inc. (NASDAQ:ATAR) received numerous accolades from key US websites and critics for its diverse line up. The full list of games on show and playable in Atari's arcade-style booth included Arthur and the Minimoys PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system, PSP(TM) (PlayStation(R)Portable) system, Nintendo DS(TM), Game Boy(R) Advance and Windows platform, BattleZone PSP system, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS(R): Tactics(TM) PSP system, Dragon Ball Z(R): Budokai Tenkaichi 2 PlayStation(R)2 and Wii(TM), Earthworm Jim PSP system, HOT PXL PSP system, Neverwinter Nights(TM) 2 Windows, Super DBZ(R) PlayStation(R)2, Test Drive(R) Unlimited Xbox360, PSP system and Windows, and Age of Elements (working title) PSP system.
Alone in the Dark*, the ground-breaking, upcoming action-survival title in development by Eden Studios, was shown by appointment only and earned the Best Adventure Game award from TeamXbox.com.
Away from the show floor, Microsoft's initiative, "E3: Bringing It Home," brought gamers closer to the E3 experience with an offer of a weeklong free Xbox Live(R) Gold membership and resulted in phenomenal consumer response. The Test Drive Unlimited Xbox 360 playable demo was downloaded close to 200,000 times from Xbox Live(R) Marketplace in one short week, bringing the demo in third place overall amongst all downloads during the promotion. Players can view global rankings and give feedback on the demo exclusively at http://www.testdriveunlimited.com/.
Atari's E3 2006 awards and nominations from key US websites are detailed below.
Alone in the Dark (Xbox 360, PlayStation(R)3 computer entertainment system, Windows)
Winner Team Xbox E3 2006 "Best Adventure Game" Award.
http://e3.teamxbox.com/2006/awards/
Arthur and the Minimoys (PlayStation(R)2, PSP system, Nintendo DS(TM), Game Boy(R) Advance and Windows)
Runner-Up for IGN E3 2006 "Best PS2 Surprise" Award.
http://ps2.ign.com/articles/709/709253p7.html
Dungeons & Dragons: Tactics (PSP system)
Runner-Up for IGN E3 2006 "Best PSP Role-Playing Game" Award.
http://psp.ign.com/articles/709/709254p3.html
Runner-Up for IGN E3 2006 "Best PSP Strategy Game" Award.
http://psp.ign.com/articles/709/709254p4.html
Dragonball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 (PlayStation(R)2)
Runner-Up for IGN E3 2006 "Best PS2 Fighting Game" Award.
http://ps2.ign.com/articles/709/709253p2.html
Nominated for 1up E3 2006 "Best Fighting Game" Award.
http://www.1up.com/do/feature?cId=3150431
Earthworm Jim (PSP system)
Nominated for IGN E3 2006 "Biggest PSP Surprise" Award.
http://psp.ign.com/articles/709/709254p7.html
Neverwinter Nights 2 (Windows)
Winner GameSpot E3 2006 "Best Role Playing" Award
http://www.gamespot.com/features/6151435/p-17.html
Finalist for GameSpot E3 2006 "Best Stage Demo" Award
http://www.gamespot.com/features/6151435/p-4.html
Runner-Up for IGN E3 2006 "Best PC RPG" Award.
http://pc.ign.com/articles/709/709220p2.html
Nominated for IGN E3 2006 "Best Role-Playing Game" Award.
http://games.ign.com/articles/709/709355p3.html
Nominated for Game Critics E3 2006 "Best RPG" Award
http://www.gamecriticsawards.com/nom.html
Honored for GameDaily E3 2006 Nod Awards
http://www.gamedaily.com/Specials/GameDaily-Nod/?page=7
Super DBZ (PlayStation(R)2)
Runner-Up for IGN E3 2006 "Best PS2 Fighting Game" Award.
http://ps2.ign.com/articles/709/709253p2.html
Honored for GameDaily E3 2006 Nod Awards
http://www.gamedaily.com/Specials/GameDaily-Nod/?page=7
Test Drive Unlimited (Xbox360, PSP system and Windows)
Winner of Game Trailers E3 2006 "Best Racing Game" Award.
http://www.gametrailers.com/e32k6bestof.php
Finalist for GameSpot E3 2006 "Best Racing Game" Award.
http://www.gamespot.com/features/6151435/p-16.html
Runner-Up for Team Xbox "Best Racing Game" Award.
http://e3.teamxbox.com/2006/awards/
Nominated for Game Critics "Best Racing Game" Award.
http://www.gamecriticsawards.com/nom.html
Honored for GameDaily E3 2006 Nod Awards
http://www.gamedaily.com/Specials/GameDaily-Nod/?page=7
Age of Elements (working title) (PSP system)
Nominated for IGN E3 2006 "Best PSP Fighting Game" Award.
http://psp.ign.com/articles/709/709254p1.html
For more information about Atari's entire product line up visit http://www.atari.com/.
About Atari
New York-based Atari, Inc. (NASDAQ:ATAR) develops interactive games for all platforms and is one of the largest third-party publishers of interactive entertainment software in the U.S. The Company's 1,000+ titles include hard- core, genre-defining franchises such as DRIVER(TM), The Matrix(TM) (Enter The Matrix and The Matrix: Path of Neo), and Test Drive(R); and mass-market and children's franchises such as Nickelodeon's Blue's Clues(TM) and Dora the Explorer(TM), and Dragon Ball Z(R). Atari, Inc. is a majority-owned subsidiary of France-based Infogrames Entertainment SA (Euronext - ISIN: FR-0000052573), the largest interactive games publisher in Europe.
For more information, visit http://www.atari.com/.
ATARI, the ATARI logo, and classic Atari game titles and logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of Atari Interactive, Inc. or its affiliates.
"PSP" is a trademark and "PlayStation" and the "PS" Family logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Memory Stick Duo(TM) may be required (sold separately).
(TM),(R), Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, and the Wii logo are trademarks of Nintendo.
Xbox, Xbox 360, and Xbox Live are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
Forgotten Realms, Dungeons & Dragons, Neverwinter Nights and Magic the Gathering are trademarks of Wizards of the Coast in the USA and other countries.
All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
* This title has not yet been concept approved by Sony Computer
Entertainment America.
Source: Atari, Inc.
Web site: http://www.atari.com/
http://www.testdriveunlimited.com/
Duracell(R) Launches New Rechargeable Cells; Introduces Powerful, Higher Capacity 2650 mAh NiMH Rechargeable Cells
--Duracell today announced the latest additions to its rechargeable battery line designed to meet the growing demands of high-drain devices like digital cameras. The new nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries, which include 2650 mAh AA and 1000 mAh AAA cells, are arriving on mass market, drug, grocery and electronic store shelves in May 2006.
The new batteries represent some of the highest capacity AA and AAA rechargeable cells available today. Ideal for consumers who frequently use high-drain devices like digital cameras, the 2650 mAh AA and 1000 mAh AAA cells offer both strong performance and value. The introduction builds upon Duracell's extensive line of rechargeable battery solutions, including the Duracell 15-minute charger, which was introduced earlier this year.
"With digital camera use skyrocketing, high-performing, rechargeable power options are in high demand," said Dan McCarthy, director of global marketing for Duracell Specialty Products. "Our latest introductions underscore our dedication to the rechargeable category and reinforce our commitment to providing dependable power for every type of digital camera user, whether an avid snap-shooter or an occasional user."
Duracell's rechargeable products offer strong value for frequent digital camera users, such as those who use their cameras at least once a week. According to research conducted by Duracell, this group represents just over one-quarter of digital camera users.
Duracell's rechargeable products are part of a portfolio of power solutions designed to accommodate the habits of every digital camera user. In addition to rechargeable batteries and chargers, the portfolio includes Duracell PowerPix(TM), a new disposable battery designed for moderate users who take from 21 to 80 pictures per month, and Duracell Ultra Digital, a premium alkaline battery for occasional digital camera users who take fewer than 20 pictures per month.
Duracell also introduced an educational digital imaging guide to help digital camera owners find the best battery power solution based on their typical photography habits. A recent survey, conducted by Opinion Research Corporation on behalf of Duracell, found that one-third of digital camera owners need help determining which battery to choose for their digital cameras. Duracell's new digital imaging guide will appear on product packaging and at select retail outlets.
A 4-pack of Duracell 2650 mAh AA NiMH batteries has a suggested retail price range of $9.99 to $12.99. The Duracell 15-minute charger, which comes with four 2400 mAh AA NiMH batteries, has a suggested retail price range of $27.99 to $39.99.
About P&G
Three billion times a day, P&G brands touch the lives of people around the world. The company has one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Pampers(R), Tide(R), Ariel(R), Always(R), Whisper(R), Pantene(R), Mach3(R), Bounty(R), Dawn(R), Pringles(R), Folgers(R), Charmin(R), Downy(R), Lenor(R), Iams(R), Crest(R), Oral-B(R), Actonel(R), Duracell(R), Olay(R), Head & Shoulders(R), Wella, Gillette(R) and Braun. The P&G community consists of almost 140,000 employees working in over 80 countries worldwide. Please visit http://www.pg.com for the latest news and in-depth information about P&G and its brands.
SOURCE: Duracell
Nintendo News: Nintendo Announces Wii Information, Worldwide Shipments
Following its overwhelming debut at E3 2006, Nintendo today announced the current fiscal year unit shipment forecast for its new home game system, Wii(TM). Nintendo also confirmed that the price of the Wii system, which incorporates unique freehand control, will not exceed $250 in America, or 25,000 yen in Japan. The company plans to ship 6 million systems to retailers around the world between its launch in the fourth quarter of 2006 and the end of its fiscal year on March 31, 2007.
The projections are part of a full-year financial forecast that sees growth of 18 percent in sales globally, based on anticipated continuing strong demand for the Nintendo DS(TM) portable game system, as well as a successful launch for Wii.
The company also said it expects to sell 17 million Wii games in the period. Exact launch dates, identification of the launch library of titles and details on the unique Virtual Console aspect of Wii will be announced soon.
Web site: http://www.nintendo.com/
Las Vegas Sands Announces Mobile Gaming Partnership With Cantor Gaming
Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE:LVS) today announced a long-term agreement with Cantor Gaming, an affiliate of the global financial services company Cantor Fitzgerald, to provide mobile gaming services to The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino and the currently under-construction Palazzo Resort Hotel Casino. The agreement provides that Cantor will be the exclusive provider of mobile gaming services to Las Vegas Sands properties in Nevada and in other jurisdictions where permitted by law.
Las Vegas Sands becomes the first Nevada casino operator to announce the use of mobile gaming technology. Last week, Cantor became the first company licensed by the Nevada Gaming Commission as a manufacturer, distributor and operator of a mobile gaming system.
"We continuously strive to provide our customers the best overall entertainment experience available and mobile gaming is the type of cutting edge trend we think will further enhance that experience for our customers," said Robert G. Goldstein, president of The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino. "Cantor Gaming literally created the market for mobile gaming, and we are pleased to partner with them to benefit from the evolution of gaming technology."
"We are excited to have entered into a long-term partnership with the Las Vegas Sands organization," said Cantor Gaming President Lee Amaitis. "They share our commitment to innovation and providing their customers an unparalleled gaming experience. Mobile gaming will add a new dimension to the player experience and provide increased revenues to casino operators. We look forward to introducing mobile gaming at The Venetian."
Cantor was instrumental in the Nevada legislature's adoption of Assembly Bill 471, which was signed into law by Gov. Kenny Guinn in June 2005. The bill permits wireless gaming on hand-held, mobile devices in public areas of a resort casino, such as restaurants, nightclubs and pool side. The devices will offer a full suite of casino-style games, including blackjack, roulette, video poker and slots.
Cantor's field trial for mobile gaming, as required by Nevada gaming regulations, will be conducted at The Venetian upon receipt of the required regulatory approvals, which is expected to occur in late 2006 or early 2007.
About Las Vegas Sands Corp.
Las Vegas Sands Corp. is a hotel, gaming, resort and exhibition/convention company headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. The company owns The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino and the Sands Expo and Convention Center, where it hosts exhibitions and conventions, in Las Vegas and the Sands Macao in the People's Republic of China Special Administrative Region of Macao. The company is also developing additional casino hotel resort properties, including The Palazzo Resort Hotel Casino in Las Vegas and The Venetian Macao Casino Resort in Macao.
About Cantor Gaming
Cantor Gaming is an affiliate of the global financial services company Cantor Fitzgerald. Cantor Fitzgerald, through its subsidiary, eSpeed, Inc., has unparalleled expertise in the real-time, reliable and secure execution of financial transactions. Cantor has long been committed to the utilization of cutting-edge technology and intellectual property. Cantor's mobile betting device, Cantor Mobile, was released in September 2003 and remains a world-leader.
"Doctor Zhivago" Is "Great To Be Nominated"
The 1965 Best Picture nominee, "Doctor Zhivago," will be screened as the next feature in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' "Great To Be Nominated" series on Monday, June 5, at 7:30 p.m. in the Academy's Samuel Goldwyn Theater. The film will be preceded by a brief discussion with its Oscar®-winning art director Terry Marsh.
Based on the novel by Boris Pasternak, the epic love story, set during the Bolshevik Revolution, centers around Yuri Zhivago, portrayed in the film by Omar Sharif. "Doctor Zhivago" earned 10 Academy Award® nominations and received five Oscars for Color Art Direction (Art Direction: John Box, Terry Marsh; Set Decoration: Dario Simoni), Color Cinematography (Freddie Young), Color Costume Design (Phyllis Dalton), Music Score – substantially original (Maurice Jarre) and Writing – Screenplay based on material from another medium (Robert Bolt). Other nominations for the film include Best Picture (Carlo Ponti, producer), Actor in a Supporting Role (Tom Courtenay), Directing (David Lean), Film Editing (Norman Savage) and Sound (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer British Studio Sound Department, A. W. Watkins, sound director; and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studio Sound Department, Franklin E. Milton, sound director).
A newly restored print from the Academy Film Archive of the Oscar-nominated live action short "Time Piece" (1965), produced by Jim Henson, will be shown prior to the feature.
Passes for "Great To Be Nominated" are still available at a cost of $30 for film buffs wishing to see the rest of the series. A $5 discount is available for those who wish to renew their passes from Parts One and/or Two of the series. Inclusive of "Doctor Zhivago" there are 13 screening dates remaining in Part Three.
Tickets for each individual screening may be purchased at a cost of $5 for the general public and $3 for Academy members and students with a valid I.D. Tickets may be purchased by mail, in person at the Academy during regular business hours or, depending on availability, on the night of the screening when the doors open at 6:30 p.m. Curtain time for all features is 7:30 p.m., and pre-show elements will begin at 7 p.m. The Academy is located at 8949 Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills. For more information, call (310) 247-3600.
# # #
©A.M.P.A.S.®
Eric Clapton Announces Fall 2006 U.S. Tour
Clapton Revives His Classics and Rocks European Shows, First Leg of U.S. Tour Focuses on Midwest and East Coast
Following a 14 country sold-out European tour with an impressive seven-night run at London's Royal Albert Hall and a historic show in Moscow's Red Square, Eric Clapton will travel to the U.S. for the first leg of an American tour. European fans have shown great enthusiasm for the varied set list featuring rarely played Derek And The Dominos masterpieces "Got To Get Better In A Little While," "Layla" and "Let It Rain" along with Clapton classics such as "Pretending," "I Shot The Sheriff" and "Cocaine" mixed with the newer soulful tunes from the latest Clapton album "Back Home." As the London Times headline read, "The guitar hero reawakens," and the Manchester Evening News review said, "Clapton's guitar playing just keeps getting better."
The U.S. tour will begin on September 15 in Minneapolis and will travel to 13 U.S. states plus two Canadian shows in Toronto and Ottawa, along with two nights at Madison Square Garden. Further news and show dates of this tour will be announced shortly.
Adding additional guitar power and excitement to the shows, Clapton has assembled an impressive band. The 2006 tour band will consist of: Eric Clapton, Guitar, as well as Doyle Bramhall II and Derek Trucks also on Guitar, Chris Stainton and Tim Carmon on Keyboards, Willie Weeks on Bass, Steve Jordan on Drums, The Kick Horns: Simon Clarke, Roddy Lorimer, and Tim Sanders on Brass, and backing vocals by Michelle John and Sharon White. The Robert Cray band will serve as the opening act for U.S. shows.
Ticket On-Sale Information
Tickets will be available via www.ticketmaster.com
CURRENT LIST OF U.S. TOUR DATES
September 16, 2006 (Sat) Minneapolis, MN Xcel Energy Center
September 18, 2006 (Mon) St. Louis, MO Savis Center
September 20, 2006 (Wed) Chicago, IL United Center
September 21, 2006 (Thur) Grand Rapids, MI Van Andel Arena
September 23, 2006 (Sat) Detroit, MI Palace
September 24, 2006 (Sun) Toronto, ON Air Canada Center
September 26, 2006 (Tue) Ottawa, ON Scotiabank Place
September 28, 2006 (Thur) New York, NY Madison Square Garden
September 29, 2006 (Fri) New York, NY Madison Square Garden
October 3, 2006 (Tue) Boston, MA Bank North Garden
October 6, 2006 (Fri) Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun
October 7, 2006 (Sat) Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun
October 9, 2006 (Mon) Philadelphia, PA Wachovia Center
October 10, 2006 (Tue) Washington, DC Verizon Center
October 12, 2006 (Thur) Charlottesville, VA Charlottesville Arena
October 14, 2006 (Sat) Duluth, GA Gwinnet Civic Center
October 15, 2006 (Sun) Raleigh, NC RBC Center
October 17, 2006 (Tue) Charlotte, NC New Charlotte Arena
October 18, 2006 (Wed) Birmingham, AL Birmingham-Jefferson Arena
October 20, 2006 (Fri) Orlando, FL TD Waterhouse Center
October 21, 2006 (Sat) Jacksonville, FL Veterans Memorial Arena
October 23, 2006 (Mon) Miami, FL American Airlines Arena
ALL TOUR PRESS CREDENTIAL REQUESTS:
Please go to www.KFPR.net/Clapton for the official credential form
SHOWSTOPPERS At The Home Electronic Show in Los Angeles
Studio Electric Industrial Art for Audiophiles
Machined from heavy gauge stainless steel and aircraft aluminum, The STUDIO ELECTRICTYPE ONE is a bold statement in industrial design. It is also a high fidelity loudspeaker thatprovides an almost magical listening experience. Recording studio monitor speakers wereused as a benchmark during development of the TYPE ONE. Also showing, the criticallyacclaimed ELECTRODYNE hybrid amplifier. The TYPE ONE can be found in Room 340.
Kimber Kable AnnouncesNew USB Type Cables
Yeah, that's right USB type cables from KIMBER KABLE. Audio devices that utilize USB data modesrequire a reliable transfer to data operate properly. In response, KIMBER KABLE went all out tocreate USB type cables unlike any others. Performance enhancing aspects include unusually largegauge copper conductors with thick (6.1%) silver plating, nitrogen infused polyethylene (PE) signaldielectrics and ferrite noise reduction beads. The Mini Bus is a USB A mini B type cable. The BBus is a USB A to B type cable. See Kimber Kable in Salon 112.
An industry-first "Powered Stand" Powered Stands L-3001 & L-3601
Tests indicate that many amplifiers built into the back of a speaker produce up to 15 percent secondand third-harmonic distortion. Lipinski Powered Stands feature the new L-301 power amplifier built intothe stand rather than the speaker, enabling short speaker cable length while allowing easier amplifiersetup, especially in a surround environment. Just as all Lipinski Sound products, the stands are stable,rigid, and of fine quality.You can find these stands in Salon 330.
Pioneer's EX Speaker Series
The new EX speaker series is a premium model for Pioneer, sharingmany of the technologies developed for the highly acclaimed flagshipTAD Model 1. Featuring a propriety beryllium tweeter mountedconcentrically within a magnesium midrange cone, these speakersshowcase Pioneer's knowledge and ability to create truly innovativeand outstanding products. The EX speakers have already receivednumerous outstanding reviews and awards throughout the world.Come and hear what everyone is talking about. In Salon 217.
Reference Series
The flagship product of the KEF lineup, the legendary Reference Seriespossesses a unique adaptability that provides for the most accurate soundreproduction available. As each new Reference model is developed, KEF'sengineers work to incorporate the latest, most sophisticated technologies. Thesethen become the 'Reference' to which every single production version mustconform to, assembled by a skilled craftsman who matches their performance toa tolerance of a mere 0.5dB. In the Santa Maria Room.
HP MediaSmart LCD TV
The HP MediaSmart LCD TV makes television personal by integrating a high-definitiontelevision into your wired or wireless home network. Now you can bring your favoritedigital photos, music, and videos from your computer to the television screen.Check out the latest in Gateway Salon 1.
6N-PC6100 Power Cable from Acrolink
The 6N-PC6100 Power Cable from Acrolink is the latest addition to Acrolink's lineup andis younger sibling to the famous 7N-PC7100 power cable. Both utilize the incomparableAcrolink Carbon fiber AC and IEC connectors made from polished deoxidized PhosphorBronse and plated with Gold and Palladium, and both share the same sophisticatedgeometry. The 6N-PC6100 is made from 100 strands of 0.26mm 6 nines pure(99.99997%) stress free copper surrounded by a new polymer of polyolefin dielectric, withinner EMI absorbing threads and an outer copper foil shield followed by a woven shield ofsilver wire. See the new Acrolink cable in Booth 30.
Kensho Power Cable from Pranawire
The Kensho Power Cable from PranaWire is made from 7gauge pure copper cabling fashioned in a proprietary noisecancelling weave. Oyaide Gold/Palladium plugs areemployed. The Kensho, as its name implies, will lead to newrealizations in the pursuit of ultimate hi-fi.See these in Booth 30.
Peak Consult"In Cognito X" Loudspeaker
A world-class, category-busting, floorstanding 2-way loudspeakerthat celebrates Peak Consult's 10th year making Denmark's finestloudspeakers. Gorgeous to see, stunning to hear, a privilege toown. Find these in Room 381.
Compact Pure Audio Preamplifier (PA-S1)
The best compact high precision preamplifier available? At about the size of a300 page hardback & weighing 8 lbs., Flying Mole's newly developed circuitrymaintains totally independent signal paths for each channel from input to output.PA-S1's Active Volume Control along with its Single-pole Amplifier guaranteesultra wideband, low noise, and highspeed performance. Drives up to 8amplifiers (6 unbalanced & 2 balanced) and has 3 inputs in gold plated RCApins. Brushed aluminum body, up to 10mm thick, rounds out this sleek package.See it in Room 314.
Sony XM Ready Shelf System
Stream your XM music into one compact, space saving system. Enjoy many musicformats- playback your favorite CD's, Cassettes and XM music on Sony'sCMT-HPR99XM Micro System. This 170W Micro System has a 5 Disc CD Changerwith CD Pop-Up Loading Mechanism, PC/Audio In for Digital Music or PC Input andplays Back CD-R/RW Discs. Additional features include 3-Way Speaker System,FM/AM Tuner with 30 presets and a Remote Control Commander.You can try this out in the Laguna Room.
Cisco Music
Following the hugely successful Misty and Midnight Sugar, Ciscobrings you two new Three Blind Mice 45-rpm, 180-gram LPs.Girl Talk by "Misty" pianist Tsuyoshi Yamamato Trio and Mari byMari Nakamoto and the Shoji Yokouchi Trio/Sextet continues ourtradition of peerless mastering, quiet surfaces and unparalleledsonic realism.These amazing records are available for a LimitedTime Only. To hear them stop by Booth 23.
VTF-3 HO
Using a myriad of new innovations, the VTF-3 HO continues the legacy of the awardwinning VTF-3 and VTF-3 MK 2. The VTF-3 HO uses a patent-pending 4-inch bent portdesign which minimizes air turbulence. The VTF-3 HO features another patent-pendingtechnology called the Turbocharger, which allows one subwoofer to reproduce thelow bass of two subwoofers. Finally, the VTF-3 HO woofer is completely redesigned,incorporating the XBL2 linear Bl motor from Adire Audio. Hear them in Room 435.
Pioneer Inno
Recording music and XM Satellite Radio programs has never been easier! XM2GOPioneer Inno is a Satellite Radio and MP3 player in one with live portable receptionon the go. Record and store up to 50 hours of music and XM programs, createinstant play lists, and mix XM racks with your own MP3s. You can try them outand register to take one home for free in Gateway Salon 2.
Bellagio Line: BG780, BG760, BG720
Bellagio Series Loudspeakers powered by Bolzano Villetri's own Round StreamTechnology which is based on the counter-aperture principle of sound distortion. Thatinvention allows 360 degree sound reproduction. This elegant design features twoseparate speaker cabinets with two contra-directional drivers mounted horizontally.Impeccable Italian finish on exotic wood veneers will make this speaker the jewel of anyinterior. You can hear these speakers in Room 469.
Yamaha XM Satellite Radio Receivers
Using XM's revolutionary Connect-and-Play technology, Yamaha,the innovator in home theater and digital audio reproduction, isrolling out new models of receivers, all of which are XM SatelliteRadio Ready. All you need to get the crystal clear digital soundof XM Satellite Radio is the Connect-and-Play antenna accessory.Hear them in Gateway Salon 2.
Art and Audio Fusion Technologies
Truly unique Home Entertainment Speaker system marketed underthe Picture Art System Brand. The system offers the owner a fivestep customization process that makes this system an expressionof personal design taste while delivering Hi Fidelity Audio for theHome Entertainment surround sound system.See these in Room 372.
Samsung Home Theater System
The XM Satellite Radio ready Samsung HT-Q45 Home Theater AudioSystem delivers 800 watts of audio power through 5.1 channels, enhancedby Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic and DTS decoders. The full featuredunit offers the convenience of a 5-disc changer, as well as improved USBHost Pay, which lets you plug and play your portable digital deviceswithout loading software–all enhanced by progressive scan technology.The HT-Q45 can be heard in Gateway Salon 2.
Tunami GPX–Power Cable from Oyaide
The Tunami GPX is a new award winning design from Oyaide made fromPCOCC-A a new form of single crystal copper that has been subjected to ahighly controlled heating and cooling process along with improved furnacemanagement that yields a mirror finish. It has a unique three layer shieldingprocess. The first layer absorbs the disorders of electromagnetic field formation;the second (carbon) layer is used to absorb the random movement of electronscaused by current fluctuations stored in insulating materials and a third copperfoil layer with a drain wire to protect from external noise sources. The drain wireis then connected to ground for perfect shielding. The Tunami GPX Power Cableis fitted with the world famous Oyaide P/C-046 Gold/Palladium plugs.See them in Booth 30.
GPX Boombox
XM Ready WMA MP3 Portable CD Player with Digital Tune AM FMStereo Radio and Remote Control features top-load programmableCD/CDR/CDRW/MP3/WMA disc player, XM-ready digital tuneAM/FM stereo radio with station presets, unified LCD display forCD & radio with blue backlight and 5-preset EQ.Try it out in Gateway Salon 2.
Ferguson Hill Studios: FH007 "Mini" System
Get the iPods ready! The innovative FH007 "Mini" System is designed to work withall music player formats (including iPods, personal computers, and traditional audiosystems). Like its full-sized counterpart, the "Mini" system is visually captivating, musical,and dynamic. Bi-amped with separate bass level control, the "Mini" struts its audiophileroots producing a frequency response of 75Hz to 20KHz +/- 5db.In Room 446 & 448.
New nextgen Pole Terminal
Following the sensational success of the nextgen RCA plug, WBT launchesthe new nextgen pole terminal WBT-0710. This new and innovative binding postutilizes a highly pure copper or silver signal path. Pure copper and silver are the bestelectrical conductors for signal transmission yet their widespread use as signalconductors in connectors has been virtually impossible due to their inability towithstand mechanical stresses. Using nextgen technology, it is now possible for the firsttime to separate the functions of signal transfer and mechanical hardness from oneanother and thereby utilize the ideal materials for each application.Get the connection in Salon 112.Flying Mole
Flying Mole Electronics
Tube-like sound from a digital amplifier? Numerous reviewers haveconfirmed this fact about Flying Mole's proprietary Bi-Phase PWMAmplification. The CA-S3/S10 are advancements using this technologyin the realm of audiophile-class integrated amplification. A solidaluminum body, gold plated RCA Jacks and proprietary speakerterminals, high precision 27-level volume control, ultra wideband/lownoise/low distortion Single-pole Preamplifier are some of the attributesthat come with this package. With measurable distortion levels at0.05% at 50% power, these Integrated Amps exemplify the concept of"the straight wire with gain".See the CA-S3/S10 in Room 314.
ScreenUsed: Movie Props & Wardrobe
The interesting thing with our products is that they are not a single product, butinstead rare artifacts from movies. They are props and wardrobe used onscreen during the filming of major motion pictures by the actors(thus ScreenUsed). This has been a small hobby, even today, so ScreenUsed isbringing this to the Home Entertainment market for the first time. Instead ofputting nicely framed movie posters on the wall of your home theater, whynot have a real piece of the movie! Each of these pieces is painstakingauthenticated, and provided with signed documentation from ScreenUsed.See all the best props in Room 359.
MOON LP 5.3 Phono Preamplifier
Simaudio Ltd. proudly introduces the MOON LP 5.3 Phono Preamplifier, their newestaddition to the MOON Classic series of audio components. The LP 5.3 offers extensiveflexibility through various end-user adjustments that optimize its use with virtually any phonocartridge available today. The LP 5.3 delivers "audiophile" performance in a simple yet elegantand affordable package. Over twenty-five years of experience in the design and manufacturingof high-performance audio components have paved the way for the MOON LP 5.3.Go to the Moon in Salon 110.
Neotech Professional Instrument Cables
UP-OCC (Ultra Pure–Ohno Continuous Casting) Neotech Cables utilize specially developedcopper casting technology. This puts the copper conductor purity in the 99th percentile. Theprocess also creates huge crystals that can stretch the entire length of the cable creating adirect connection, free of boundaries that can degrade signal quality.Get connected in Room 441.
Sennheiser
PMX 100: The PMX 100 is an Open-Aire dynamic phone offering natural, transparent soundreproduction. It is the optimum partner for MP3, CD, MD and DVD players as well as formobile game consoles–the perfect companion for all mobile, fashion-conscious music fans.MX 75: The MX 75 Sport features the unique "Twist-to-Fit" design to keep the 'phonessecurely in place during even the toughest workouts. While the main "earbud" containingthe transducer nestles into the ear canal, a secondary stabilizing pad similarly surroundedwith soft-rubber padding rests against the outer ear; the wearer simply gently twists eachearpiece to find the most comfortable and secure position.LX 70: The LX 70 Sport employs an exclusive flexible, ultra-lightweight head-or-neck bandfor superb comfort and stability, and also includes soft-rubber ear adapters to ensure acomfortable fit; a cable-clip and compact carry case are also supplied.These headphones can be found in Salon 112.
The Zvox Mini
Until now, small transportable audio systems suffered from an almost universal drawbacklacklustersound. The new ZVOX Mini single-cabinet audio system changes all that by delivering incrediblyaccurate sound and surprising bass, from a single 13 x 9.5 x 3.3 console. The ZVOX Mini is availablein three finishes: silver, charcoal, or white.See the Zvox on the 3rd floor in the San Clemente Room, Booth 33.
Moscode 401HR
The 401HR delivers unparalleled sonics with the ability to handle difficult loads withconsummate ease, combining the best of tubes with the best of MOSFET technology.Moscode is in room 336.
Interpublic Loses $2 Billion but Top Executives Win Big Pay-to-Performance Tie Criticized by Some Investors
- Over the past five years, Interpublic has lost $2 billion, and its top five executives had a payday initially worth $107 million. Over the same five years, Omnicom Group made $3.2 billion, and top management earned $111 million.
Omnicom CEO John Wren and his cohorts were rewarded for handsome performance. Interpublic managers ended up making far less after factoring in stock losses, but they still enjoyed a rich payday for their contributions to the disastrous performance of a floundering giant during a period riddled with earnings restatements.
It's a point not lost on two activist shareholders who have submitted proposals -- to be voted on at Interpublic's May 25 annual meeting -- one of which asks the board, in the event of a restatement, to review all bonuses and other rewards received by senior executives in the restated period.
Since Interpublic's accounting and operating problems became apparent in 2002, the company has restated results for every year from 1997 to 2005. For those years, the top five executives received pay originally valued at $232 million, according to Ad Age's analysis of proxy disclosures.
Much of that prospective payout went up in smoke with Interpublic stock, which has plunged 78% since 2001. The $232 million included stock options initially valued at $61 million -- all now "underwater," according to Interpublic, and worth nothing unless the stock rebounds.
The total also included $74 million in so-called restricted stock that vests over time, but that stock now is worth only $27 million. How so? Chairman-CEO Michael Roth is unlikely to collect $6 million in restricted stock because the company hasn't met performance goals, and Interpublic indicated the rest of the restricted stock is paying out at only about 40% of the initial value at the time of the grant. Factoring in the share collapse, the top five executives received $124 million over the past nine years. (The top five ended up with $56 million over the past five years, not the $107 million originally envisioned.)
"All of the outstanding options have no current value, and the restricted stock awards are today worth a fraction of their value at grant," Interpublic said in a statement. "The large difference between the potential and realized value of past awards reflects the company's performance and is both appropriate and in keeping with the intent of incentive compensation."
In other words it appears to be Interpublic's feeling that the fact the top five executives ended up with $124 million after the share collapse, rather than the $232 million they might have anticipated, is proof that its pay-for-performance system works.
Yet long-suffering shareholders still may feel $124 million is too rich for their blood. It works out to an average of $2.8 million a year for each top executive -- nice pay for lousy results. And it includes $37 million in executive bonuses for years in which Interpublic later restated results.
At the annual meeting, stockholders will vote on a proposal to recoup some bonuses and incentive pay after a restatement. In the event of a restatement, the proposal asks the board to review "all bonuses and other awards ... made to senior executives on the basis of having met or exceeded performance targets during the period of the restatement" and to recoup "such bonuses or awards to the extent that these performance targets were not achieved."
Activist shareholders William and Kenneth Steiner submitted this and a second proposal that seeks to separate the jobs of chairman and CEO. Interpublic wants shareholders to reject both proposals, and they likely will; proposals from gadfly shareholders rarely pass.
"The (bonus) proposal adopts an overly rigid approach" requiring the board "to mechanistically recoup bonuses in inequitable circumstances and potentially violate Interpublic's existing contractual commitments," Interpublic said in a proxy rebuttal.
But Interpublic did take some recent action regarding bonuses during periods of restatement. Weeks before the proxy came out, the board adopted a policy that in the event of a future restatement, it would "review all bonuses that were made to executive officers of the company on the basis of having met or exceeded specific performance targets for performance periods beginning after Dec. 31, 2005."
"If such bonuses would have been lower had they been calculated based on such restated results," the new policy states, "the board will seek to recoup ... all such bonuses" from officers "whose fraud or misconduct resulted in such restatement, as determined by the board." Interpublic told Ad Age it voluntarily adopted the new policy "in keeping with best practices in corporate governance." Absent from the policy is any mention that Interpublic would review lucrative performance incentive awards such as restricted stock -- often far bigger than bonuses -- in the event of a restatement.
Three firms that advise institutional investors on proxies -- Institutional Shareholder Services, Proxy Governance and Glass, Lewis & Co. -- agreed shareholders should reject the bonus petition. Glass Lewis, however, recommended shareholders vote to split the chairman and CEO jobs, and it recommended investors withhold votes for five outside directors.
Glass Lewis also harshly criticized Interpublic for compensation, giving it an F for tying pay to performance. "For the past three years, Interpublic has consistently performed worse than its peers but either paid its top executives the same or more than its peers...," the proxy adviser said. "Interpublic's compensation practices have failed to effectively align pay with performance."
Interpublic argues that its board has strengthened the tie between pay and performance with advice from a compensation consultant, Hewitt Associates, hired in 2004. "Our new plans link equity awards to specific stretch performance targets," Interpublic said in a statement. "These plans are also linked to the goals we have set in our discussion of the turnaround with the financial community."
Interpublic notes that $6 million of Mr. Roth's $14 million pay package last year came in restricted stock that he'll get only if Interpublic meets revenue and profit goals.
Based on recent results, Mr. Roth, who took the top job in January '05, is unlikely to get that payout. But he should be OK; his $1.35 million cash bonus last year was the highest for an Interpublic CEO since 2000. Early this year, the board's compensation committee raised Mr. Roth's target annual bonus and incentive pay, so more money could be coming his way. Shareholders still are waiting for their reward; the stock has fallen 29% since Mr. Roth became CEO.
It's clear Interpublic executives have paid a price for the slumping stock. The top five executives netted just $267,102 from exercising options over the past five years before all options went underwater. Interpublic said average strike price for outstanding options is about $28, three times the current price, so it's questionable how many will pay out before expiration (generally 10 years from option grant).
Contrast that with Omnicom, where Mr. Wren cashed in nearly $20 million in options over that time -- and is sitting on $53 million more. Four of his colleagues cashed in $41 million in options and have another $53 million that are "in-the-money."
If the Interpublic board has its way, management will own lots more stock. At the annual meeting, shareholders will vote on a revised incentive plan authorizing the issuance of stock options, stock rights and other stock-based awards representing 9.5% of outstanding shares. Proxy adviser ISS recommended shareholders reject the plan; Glass Lewis and Proxy Governance recommended approval.
Compensation committee reports stress the need to align interests of shareholders and management. As the committee said in last month's proxy statement: "In 2005 we continued to place greater emphasis through the program on long-term stock ownership and performance."
For now, top management has comparatively little skin in the game: Officers and directors own or have exercisable options for just 1.2% of the company. That's the same stake just one executive, then-Chairman-CEO Philip H. Geier Jr., had 10 years ago, when officers and the board owned 3.2% of Interpublic. At Omnicom, officers and directors own or have options for 3.6% of the company, and stockholders at this point are happy to share the wealth.
Indonesia's TV-7 Commissions 14 New Jampro Analog/DVB-T Panel Antennas
Headquartered in Jakarta, and owned and operated by PT Duta Visual Nusantara Tivi Tujuh, TV-7 recently commissioned 14 UHF stations throughout Indonesia with new Jampro JUHD panel antennas. Jampro broadcast engineers supervised the projects and the Company’s technicians completed the turnkey antenna installations, which included Jampro's RCPU patch panels-power splitters and transmission lines.
TV-7 airs 18 UHF channels over their 15 stations. It also offers programming downlinked from the Telkom1 satellite at 4075 MHz. Indonesia has a population of nearly 242 million and the market area is almost three times the size of Texas, but spread over 6,000 populated islands. The size of market and interior mountains that reach 5,000 meters pose significant challenges to broadcasters. TV-7 chose Jampro's JUHD antennas because of a modular design that could be configured to specific azimuth and elevation patterns, and because beam tilt and null fill could be shaped for maximum coverage.
Depending on the TV-7 tower site, either the JUHD antennas were installed as side-mounts or top mounts. Antennas were delivered DVB-T/DTV ready for UHF bands IV and V with wide bandwidth for multiple channel operations such as TV-7. In a hot, humid climate with heavy tropical rainfalls, the durability of the equipment was an important factor in TV-7's purchase decision. JUHDs are ruggedly built with stainless steel, have fiberglass radomes for protection, and have performed reliably in some of the world's most hostile environments.
The Jampro JUHD broadband panel antenna has a feed system design that provides optimum performance regardless of the station's channel, and pattern variation over the band is minimized. Different configurations will produce various gains, weights and wind loads.
About Jampro
Jampro Antennas / RF Systems Inc., established to answer the need for quality broadcast systems at a reasonable price, is a leading supplier of antennas, combiners & filters and RF components for every application in the broadcast industry. Reputed for innovation and customization, Jampro builds each system to the specifications of the individual broadcaster. From the first system delivered in 1954 to those installed today, the Company is committed to consistent performance and quality founded on solid engineering. Today, over 15,000 broadcasters worldwide benefit from the quality and performance provided by Jampro systems.
Additional information on JAMPRO can be obtained at www.jampro.com.
Barefoot in the Park"to Stroll into NYC
Neil Simon, the four-time Academy Award® nominee and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, will be the special guest at the “Monday Nights with Oscar” screening of “Barefoot in the Park” (1967) on Monday, June 12, at 7:30 p.m. at the Academy Theater at Lighthouse International in New York City.
Directed by Gene Saks and adapted by Simon from his 1963 Broadway play of the same name, “Barefoot in the Park” was filmed in New York City, at such locales as Washington Square, Greenwich Village and the now-closed Plaza Hotel on Central Park.
Starring Jane Fonda and Robert Redford as newlyweds Corie and Paul Bratter, the comedy focuses in and around their fifth floor Greenwich Village walk-up where they cope with an out-of-order radiator, a broken skylight, an eccentric neighbor, Victor (Charles Boyer), and Corie’s mother, Ethel, portrayed by Mildred Natwick, who earned an Academy Award nomination for her performance.
“Monday Nights with Oscar” is a monthly series showcasing high-quality prints of films that have been nominated for or won Academy Awards.
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. Depending on availability, tickets may be purchased in person the night of the screening. Doors open at 7 p.m.
©A.M.P.A.S.®
HAI Adds to Awards Home Automation, Inc. (HAI), the premier manufacturer of home control products since 1985, has recently won several industry awards,
including the following: • HAI's President, Jay McLellan, received the 2006 Building Technologies CEO of the Year Award at Frost & Sullivan's 2006 Excellence in Industrial Technologies Awards Banquet held in Orlando, Florida on April 26, 2006 • HAI's OmniTouch With Video won the 2006 Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) Mark of Excellence Award in the Best Human Interface category • Continental Automated Buildings Association (CABA) Chairman's Pinnacle Award for Outstanding Company • Both TechLiving and Electronic House magazines named HAI Lighting Control (HLC) one of the Top Products of 2005 • CePro magazine named HAI as Innovator of the Year for 2005 “We are humbled and honored to receive so many prestigious accolades,” comments HAI President Jay McLellan. “We would like to thank all of the associations and publications involved in the awards for the recognition as well as our dealers, distributors and customers for their support.” Click on the following link to download a high res photo of HAI President & CEO Jay McLellan accepting the 2006 Building Technologies CEO of the Year Award at Frost & Sullivan's 2006 Excellence in Industrial Technologies Awards Banquet held in Orlando, Florida on April 26, 2006. Pictured from left to right are Sandeep Maheshwari, Vice President, Industrial Technologies for Frost & Sullivan and HAI President & CEO Jay McLellan.
HAI products are sold through a worldwide network of Distributors and installed by over 1000 trained dealers. For more information on HAI's award winning product line, please visit www.homeauto.com, or call (800) 229-7256. About HAI: HAI is a privately held manufacturer of integrated automation and security products for residential and commercial use based in New Orleans, LA. Incorporated in 1985, HAI has developed a full line of award-winning automation products, including home control systems, communicating programmable thermostats, smart light switches, and software that allows access and control of an automation system over the Internet. All products are sold through HAI's worldwide network of Distribution Partners and installed by over 1000 trained dealers
NewTek TriCaster™ Streams Live Webcast for Pat DiNizio of The Smithereens
Memorial Day Weekend Concerts Billed as “Ultimate Fanfest
NewTek, Inc., manufacturer of industry-leading video production and 3D animation products, today announced that TriCaster™, a portable, live presentation system, will be used to capture and stream Memorial Day weekend concerts, featuring Pat DiNizio, the singer/songwriter of The Smithereens. The concert is Saturday, May 27, from 7pm until 10pm Eastern time, at DiNizio’s New Jersey home.
The concert will be streamed with TriCaster and available as a LIVE web pay-per-view broadcast. Highlights will include the debut of DiNizio’s new release This is Pat DiNizio, plus live jamming with some very special guests. For more information, visit www.PatDiNizio.com.
“It’s definitely great to be able to bring this concert to the fans—both live at the gig, and live in ‘cyberspace’,” says DiNizio. “It couldn’t have happened without NewTek or TriCaster.”
Singer/songwriter Pat DiNizio, along with band members Dennis Diken (drums), Jim Babjak (guitar), and Mike Mesaros (bass) formed The Smithereens in the 1980s by gigging around New Jersey and New York. The band became a staple on college radio with early releases, and with their major label debut, Especially for You [Enigma]. College and MTV airplay led to a contract with Capitol and the 1988 release, Green Thoughts. The group retained a following through the 90s with 11, Blow Up, A Date With the Smithereens, hit packages Blown to Smithereens and Attack of the Smithereens. The group continued releasing albums throughout the '90s, including a 1998 best-of and 1999's God Save the Smithereens.
DiNizio released his solo debut Songs and Sounds in 1997, and made a bid for a New Jersey Senate seat in 2000. His candidacy became the subject of the documentary film Mr. Smithereen Goes to Washington. That same year, he developed the unique touring concept of driving his van to a fan's house, unloading his guitar and a keg of beer, and playing Smithereens requests to a private audience for a set price. DiNizio has also programmed for XM Satellite Radio, and continues to gig across the U.S.
“Events like this demonstrate the versatility of TriCaster,“ says Philip Nelson, NewTek Vice President of Sales and Video Marketing. “Whether you’re a pro, an amateur, or simply a fan—TriCaster opens up a world of possibilities.“
Awards
Since its launch in 2005, TriCaster has won the following industry awards: 2005 Technical Emmy® nomination; Government Video Salute 2005; NAB AIM Award; Computer Graphics World Editor’s Pick NAB 2005; Streaming Media Magazine Producer’s Pick; Church Media Hotlist NAB Best of Show; EventDV Editor’s Pick Best of 2005; Byte Media Labs Cold Dead Fingers Award; studio/monthly “Hot“ rating; DEMO@15 Producer’s Pick; 4Ever Group Product Innovation Award; Videomaker Magazine Best Products 2005; Videoguys Top 10.
Pricing and Availability
TriCaster is now available now starting at $4,995 US. For more information or to purchase, call NewTek Sales at 800-368-5441 or visit http://www.newtek.com
About NewTek
With headquarters in San Antonio, Texas, NewTek is a leading provider of full-featured video editing, live production, presentation and visual effects tools including TriCaster(TM), VT[5](TM), SpeedEDIT(TM), 3D Arsenal(TM) and LightWave 3D®.
Website: http://www.newtek.com/
LightWave and LightWave 3D are registered t rademarks of NewTek.
TriCaster, TriCaster PRO, SpeedEDIT, iVGA, TriCaster VM and 3D Arsenal are trademarks of NewTek, Inc.
All other products or brand names mentioned are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.
UNIBIND SHIPS AWARD-WINNING PHOTOBOOK CREATOR –
FIRST LOW-COST DO-IT-YOURSELF BOUND PHOTO ALBUMS
Announces Retail Partnerships with LexJet and Studio D
Unibind http://www.unibind.com, the leading binding, laminating, and presentation system company, announced today that it is now shipping the award-winning PhotoBook Creator, the first low-cost do-it-yourself complete photo binding system for consumers. PhotoBook Creator makes it easy to create instant hard-cover 8½” x 11” personalized photo albums in only a few seconds.
, the leading binding, laminating, and presentation system company, announced today that it is now shipping the award-winning PhotoBook Creator, the first low-cost do-it-yourself complete photo binding system for consumers. PhotoBook Creator makes it easy to create instant hard-cover 8½” x 11” personalized photo albums in only a few seconds.Winner of the PMA 2006 DIMA Innovation Award, Photobook Creator makes perfect photo albums for weddings, birthdays, graduations, vacations, baby showers, gifts, party mementos, and scrapbooking. Priced at only $99.99, PhotoBook Creator features a sturdy steel spine that creates a perfectly bound hardcover of up to 220 pages in a variety of colors and finishes. Albums are available with a window allowing the first photo to be viewed through the cover.
PhotoBook Creator Now Available through LexJet and Studio D
Unibind also announced today new retail partnerships to sell PhotoBook Creator through LexJet, a leading direct provider offering product solutions for businesses, government, and educational institutions producing large and small format digital color images; and Studio D, an Illinois-based technology and learning store focusing on digital content. PhotoBook Creator can also be purchased through Xpedx national retail stores, North America’s largest marketer and distributor of printing and graphics products; as well as through Unibind’s website at: http://www.unibind.com.
“We are excited to announce the shipment of PhotoBook Creator and our new partnerships with LexJet and Studio D. In addition to our partnership with Xpedx, these partnerships will bring the highly anticipated Photo Book technology to the public through respected retailers that can be trusted to carry only quality items,” said Brigitte Peleman, CEO, Unibind.
Unibind PhotoBook Creator is available immediately in the retail channel priced at $99 SRP. It includes the PhotoBook Creator binding machine, 1 hardcover PhotoBook, and
software to layout pages. Additional covers will also be available for purchase. For more information, see Unibind’s website at: www.unibind.com.
About Unibind
Unibind manufactures binding, laminating and presentation products for a variety of industries and institutions, including financial, real estate, photography, government, educational, copy and print shops and large corporations. With over 25 years of research and development, Unibind specializes in the design, manufacture and distribution of products for presentations and the protection of printed documents. Unibind has a presence in over 100 countries and is known for their revolutionary easy-to-use super-fast binding, laminating and presentations systems that create the most professional looking finished documents on the market in just seconds.
Unibind’s products are sold through drugstores, super stores, office, grocery, electronics and photo specialty stores, art supply, direct consumers, kiosks, online suppliers, office equipment and supply distributors as well as through professional photographers. See www.unibind.com for more info.
About LexJet
LexJet is a leading direct provider offering proven product solutions for businesses as well as government and educational institutions engaged in producing large and small format digital color images. LexJet offers one-to-one relationships with highly trained, competent account managers; telephone and online purchasing; custom digital imaging product solutions; and same day shipping. See www.lexjet.com for info.
About Studio D
Studio D is an Illinois-based consumer electronics, digital imaging, and learning store that helps its customers select the right technology products and teaches them how to use them so they can record life’s moments. Offering electronics products, such as laptops, digital cameras, MP3 players, and cellphones, Studio D also teaches classes in everything from how to create an invitation to producing works of art from digital content. See http://www.studiodnaperville.com for more info.
AOL Latino Partners with National Council of La Raza (NCLR) as a Media Partner for the 2006 ALMA Awards
Exclusive Interviews with Cristina Saralegui, Andy Garcia, Daddy Yankee, Adam Rodriguez, Amaury Nolasco, Danny Pino, Michael Pena and More
AOL Latino announced today a partnership with the 2006 National Council of La Raza (NCLR) ALMA Awards, which recognizes outstanding Latino artistic achievement in television, film, and music. As a media partner, AOL Latino will feature exclusive video interviews with today's hottest Hispanic entertainers including TV show host Cristina Saralegui, Actor Andy Garcia, Daddy Yankee, CSI Miami's Adam Rodriguez, Prison Break's Amaury Nolasco, Cold Case's Danny Pino and Crash's Michael Pena, among many others.
will examine all the nominees through feature profiles, photo galleries and video clips from their TV and films; and extensive coverage of the event itself with exclusive red carpet photo galleries, interviews, highlights from the evening's greatest after parties, polling around the hits & misses and much more.
"AOL Latino prides itself in being the go-to destination for Hispanics looking to find the best Latin original entertainment content on the web," said Angel Sepulveda, Director of Original Programming, AOL Latino. "We are excited to team with NCLR to promote this exciting and prestigious event."
Users will also be able to watch the latest episode of the original entertainment program Acceso Total (Total Access) which will give viewers an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the award's ceremony, in-front and behind the camera.
The 2006 ALMA Awards programming package is available at AOL Latino Keyword: ALMA Awards. The awards ceremony will be televised on June 5, 2006 on ABC at 9:30PM (EDT).
About NCLR and the ALMA Awards
The National Council of La Raza (NCLR) - the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States - works to improve opportunities for Hispanic Americans. The ALMA Awards was created by NCLR in 1995 as part of it's strategy to promote fair, accurate and balanced portrayals of Latinos in the media and the enhancement of the Latino image in the entertainment industry. For more information, please visit http://www.nclr.org or http://www.almaawards.com
About AOL(R) Latino
AOL Latino, the only bilingual Internet service provider for U.S. Hispanics, offers comprehensive Spanish product features such as toolbar, menus, Parental Controls, and Homework Help. AOL Latino also provides Spanish language content including U.S. and Latin American news, financial tools, the latest in music, entertainment, personal finance, sports, fashion and beauty, as well as access to all the existing content available on the English language AOL service for no extra cost.
Radio Grupo FM Stations Achieve Difficult Coverage with Jampro JADP Cavity Panel Antennas
Grupo Radio Centro SA de CV, which owns 14 AM and FM radio stations in Mexico, today announced success in achieving difficult directional patterns for three of its FM stations: XHYZ, XHUZ and XHNO. In the competitive and busy central Mexican market, the precise directional pattern was accomplished with the installation of a new Jampro JAPD cavity-backed panel antenna.
Radio Grupo's Director General, Alfredo Rivas Godoy, praised the outstanding performance of the JAPDs and noted that the antennas will make it easier for the organization to add HD in the future. Since Radio Grupo uses a combination of 20 and 35 kW transmitters operating at multiple frequencies, the JAPD was the ideal choice to standardize the three stations. The antenna uses a wide-band element to excite a cavity resonator for maximum beam control and is far superior to most standard flat panel antennas. It also has a very low and flat VSWR, a uniform pattern and an axial ratio across a wide-band of frequencies. A JAPD feed system included dry air pressurized power dividers, feed baluns and flexible copper cables. Radio Grupo's balun and dipole feeders were enclosed with radomes. The JAPD-3-6-3(12) broadband array installations at XHYZ, XHUZ and XHNO also included Jampro's RCCC-643-2.OH combiners, and rigid transmission lines. Jampro technicians performed the field installations and system commissioning.
JAPD cavity-backed antennas can be easily adapted for multi-station use with either VHF or UHF and are also available with standard or custom directional patterns. Single or dual feed configurations are available. The JAPD is ruggedly constructed with marine brass and copper, radomes are optional.
About Jampro
Jampro Antennas / RF Systems Inc., established to answer the need for quality broadcast systems at a reasonable price, is a leading supplier of antennas, combiners & filters and RF components for every application in the broadcast industry. Reputed for innovation and customization, Jampro builds each system to the specifications of the individual broadcaster. From the first system delivered in 1954 to those installed today, the Company is committed to consistent performance and quality founded on solid engineering. Today, over 15,000 broadcasters worldwide benefit from the quality and performance provided by Jampro systems.
Additional information on JAMPRO can be obtained at www.jampro.com.
Record Additions to Broadband
According to Broadband Across the US, a recent report from the Leichtman Research Group, the twenty largest cable and DSL providers in the US, representing about 94% of the market, acquired a record 3.06 million net additional subscribers in the first quarter of 2006. The top broadband providers now account for nearly 46 million high-speed Internet subscribers, with cable having nearly 25.8 million broadband subscribers, and DSL having about 20.2 million subscribers.
Other key findings for the quarter include:
The top DSL providers added 1.66 million subscribers, representing 54% of the net broadband additions for the quarter versus cable
The top cable providers also had a record quarter with over 1.4 million subscribers added
DSL providers have added more broadband subscribers than cable providers in each of the last six quarters, but the top cable broadband providers maintain a 5.6 million subscriber advantage over DSL and have a 56% share of the US residential broadband market
ROO Teams Up With The Real Hip Hop Network to Offer On-Demand Viewing of the Hottest Music Videos and Exclusive Interviews
Positions ROO's Music Channel as a Leader in Hip Hop Culture
ROO (BULLETIN BOARD: RGRP) , one of the leading online broadcast networks, today announced that The Real Hip Hop Network (RHN), a top destination for hip hop music, lifestyle and culture, will provide its premium music and cultural programming to ROO. As part of the deal, ROO will launch a new video portal on RHN's Web site, www.rhn.tv, and will sell advertising against the site's targeted video viewers. RHN will offer more than 100 hours of on-demand video segments devoted solely to the culture of hip hop, including exclusive interviews with leading hip hop artists and political figures, music videos and content focused on each element of the culture: DeeJaying, Emceeing, Breakdancing and Graffiti Art.
RHN content, including clips from hip hop giants such as Jay-Z, Kanye West, and LL Cool J, coverage of the Hip Hop Summit and ASCAP awards, and live performances from The Source Awards, will be available across the ROO global network of affiliate websites, including Verizon Broadband Beat, iWon, Excite, Bulldog Broadband (a Cable and Wireless company), News Interactive in Australia and many other targeted online destinations.
"The Real Hip Hop Network is a vital source of coverage of a culture that continues to grow and rapidly evolve. Not only does our involvement with RHN expand our already extensive library of music offerings, it will introduce ROO to new viewers and attract advertisers who are interested in reaching this audience," said ROO CEO Robert Petty.
"Using the power of hip hop, The Real Hip Hop Network and ROO are now positioned in the media and Internet space to dominate pop culture," says Atonn F. Muhammad, President and CEO of The Real Hip Hop Network.
The Real Hip Hop Network joins ROO's high-profile group of entertainment content providers and affiliates, which includes major record labels, film studios, cable networks and news organizations as well as a wide range of niche oriented lifestyle properties.
About ROO
ROO Group Inc. (BULLETIN BOARD: RGRP) ("ROO") is a global provider of online video broadcasting solutions that enables the activation, marketing and distribution of video content over the Internet and emerging broadcasting platforms such as set top boxes and wireless. ROO www.roo.com offers turn-key video solutions for businesses seeking to improve their web presence with video broadcasts or broadcast their own latest video clips. ROO helps businesses advertise their latest offering with interactive advertising solutions, 15-30 second video commercials with a linked call to action and played simultaneously with topical video content such as news and entertainment in a television style format over the Internet.
About Real Hip Hop Network
The Real Hip Hop Network is the first 24 hour cable channel geared toward real hip hop lifestyle & culture. RHN's core focus is on the 18-34 year old Hip Hop thrill seeker who embraces the excitement, adventure, and exhilaration embedded in the Hip Hop lifestyle. RHN will deliver not only the hottest commercial acts on the scene today, but also give you the pure power found in the essence of underground hip hop; featuring the best of the grass roots and the international music scene. RHN brings a side of Hip Hop ignored by the other music channels celebrating the elements and principles that launched hip hop's golden era: DeeJaying, Emceeing, Breakdancing and Graffiti Art.
This was a time when Hip Hop artist were the urban street correspondents, delivering soul stirring and thought provoking commentary on the issues of the day. Hip Hop became an outlet for the pain, struggles, and dreams of those who were apart of its experience. This is what can be defined as real hip hop. Hip Hop has been proven to have massive commercial appeal. RHN provides the world with an engaging, fresh alternative. The Real Hip Hop Network takes everything the world loves about hip hop and challenges the negative images media has made pervasive. RHN operates on a higher standard. We put the "Real" in Real Hip Hop and give the world a mature more gritty choice unavailable on any network before or since RHN. Hip Hop will be globally redefined the RHN Way
Source: ROO Group Inc.
Web site: http://www.rhn.tv/
Web site: http://www.sec.gov/
Web site: http://www.roo.com/
SPORTS & AUTOS
Oakland 7, Texas 8 at Ameriquest Field in Arlington
Oakland Record: (22-25)
Texas Record: (24-23)
Winning pitcher - Akinori Otsuka (1-1)
Losing pitcher - Huston Street (1-2)
OAK HR - M. Kotsay (4) N. Swisher (14)
TEX HR - R. Barajas (4) I. Kinsler 2 (3) P. Nevin (8) M. Teixeira (5
Dunlop Drivers Cup 'Goes Hollywood' on MotorWeek TV
Dunlop USA's eventful journey from Phoenix, through Germany and to the finish line in southern California -- in the international Dunlop Drivers Cup -- will be told this weekend on MotorWeek, television's original automotive magazine series.
In six months, MotorWeek covered the U.S. Regionals, the German Off-Road Camp and the World Finals to capture the excitement of amateur drivers competing in motocross, all-terrain vehicle, off-road and on-track activities.
The Drivers Cup segment is scheduled to debut the week of May 27 on PBS stations. Program listings can be found at http://www.mpt.org/motorweek/stationlist.shtml. MotorWeek's "Over the Edge" segment, featuring the Drivers Cup, also will be shown on cable's SPEED television, the week of June 5.
Janice Consolacion, brand planning manager for Dunlop, said the show's airing comes at an opportune time. Consumers are now applying to compete in the upcoming regional event at Virginia International Raceway in September. Hopefuls have until July 15 to apply at http://www.dunloptires.com/driverscup.
"It will be exciting to see how MotorWeek captures this 'Ironman' of Driving. The TV program is uniquely qualified to tell this story, because they were with the U.S. teams virtually every step of the way," Consolacion said.
In other Drivers Cup news, Dunlop officials said the Sept. 11-15 regional competition in Danville, Va., will be expanded to include four tire dealers and 12 automotive journalists. The latter will compete in a separate class.
Dunlop is a global tire brand with an excellent reputation among performance car enthusiasts. Well known for its prestigious original- equipment fitments and sports car racing heritage, Dunlop is also a key supplier to sport compact enthusiasts featuring "tuner" tire sizes and race series sponsorships.
Web site: http://www.dunloptires.com/driverscup
http://www.mpt.org/motorweek/stationlist.shtml
Tim Herron won the Bank of America Colonial on Sunday
Won the tournament on the front nine this week. He was 13-under par on the outward nine and 1 over on the inward. First playoff winner at the tournament since Nick Price defeated Scott Simpson in 1994. Finished second in putting average (1.680). * Posted four rounds in the 60s on the way to his second TOUR win in the state of Texas (1997 LaCantera Texas Open). Records second top-10 in 10 starts at the Fort Worth tournament (T2 in 1999). Has made seven of 10 cuts. * Becomes fifth straight winner at Colonial Country Club to hold or share the third-round lead and win. * Seventh player in tournament history to earn $1 million in Fort Worth. Earns fourth PGA TOUR victory in 304th career TOUR start at the age of 36 years, 3 months and 15 days. * Earns a two-year exemption on the PGA TOUR which will carry him through the 2008 season. Also earns exemptions into the 2006 PGA Championship, World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational and the 2007 Mercedes Championships in Kapalua, Maui, Hawaii. First win on TOUR in seven years and two months (1999 Bay Hill Invitational) -- a span of 203 events. Wins for the fourth time in eight tries after holding or sharing the 54-hole lead. Playing his 11th season on TOUR, has now earned $13,262,746.
BorgWarner to Present Championship Driver's Trophy, Team Owner's Trophy at Indianapolis 500 Drivers Meeting Saturday
Dan Wheldon and Andretti Green Racing to be honored for 2005 victory
Last May, Dan Wheldon earned a place in auto racing history and on the base of the world- famous BorgWarner Indianapolis 500 Trophy as the winner of the 2005 Indianapolis 500. On Saturday, Wheldon will receive his own "Baby Borg" to mark the achievement. BorgWarner TorqTransfer Systems President and General Manager Cindy Niekamp will present the BorgWarner Championship Driver's Trophy to Wheldon at Saturday's 2006 Indianapolis 500 Drivers Meeting at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. She will also present Andretti Green Racing with the BorgWarner Team Owner's Trophy.
"Winning the Indianapolis 500 is one of the most coveted achievements in racing," Ms. Niekamp said. "BorgWarner is extremely proud this year to mark the 70th anniversary of the BorgWarner Trophy and our association with this legendary event, which began in 1936. Congratulations to Dan Wheldon and the Andretti Green team owners for their shared 2005 victory. We are delighted to present them with these tangible symbols of their memorable performance."
The BorgWarner Championship Driver's Trophy, a replica of the BorgWarner Indianapolis 500 Trophy, is awarded each year to the winner of the Indianapolis 500. The sterling silver trophy, referred to in the automotive racing world as the "Baby Borg," is 14 inches high and weighs 5 pounds. It rests on a 4-inch by 8-inch beveled black marble base. The base includes space for a hand-crafted, 2-inch, 3-dimensional sterling silver image of the winning driver's face, and also includes an inscription of the winning driver and year of victory. BorgWarner established the trophy in 1988, so that each winner of the Indianapolis 500 would have a lasting keepsake of the Speedway victory. (The BorgWarner Indianapolis 500 Trophy does not go home with the winner after it is presented in Victory Circle on race day; it stays on permanent display at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum.) The first Championship Driver's Trophy went to Rick Mears, winner of the 1988 Indianapolis 500.
In 1998, to mark the company's 70-year history as a pioneering innovator in the automotive industry, BorgWarner established the BorgWarner Team Owner's Trophy, a companion to the Championship Driver's Trophy. As its name reflects, the Team Owner's Trophy goes to the owner of the racing team that wins the Indianapolis 500, and recognizes the significance of the team owner's role in the Indy Racing League. Like the Championship Driver's Trophy, the Team Owner's Trophy is a replica of the Indianapolis 500 trophy, but features a band of art-deco racing cars accentuated in gold to symbolize the importance of teamwork in auto racing and the automotive business. Its first recipient was 1997 Indianapolis 500 winner Arie Luyendyk's team owner, Fred Treadway of Treadway Racing.
Auburn Hills, Michigan-based BorgWarner Inc. (NYSE:BWA) is a product leader in highly engineered components and systems for vehicle powertrain applications worldwide. The FORTUNE 500 company operates manufacturing and technical facilities in 62 locations in 17 countries. Customers include Ford, VW/Audi, DaimlerChrysler, General Motors, Toyota, Renault/Nissan, Hyundai/Kia, Honda, BMW, Caterpillar, Navistar International, and Peugeot. The Internet address for BorgWarner is: http://www.borgwarner.com/ .
Source: BorgWarner Inc.
Web site: http://www.borgwarner.com/
Ian Global Shipping to Sponsor #35 TPC Racing Porsche
Ian Global Shipping has announced that the company will sponsor the #35 TPC Racing Porsche GT3 competing in the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Special Reserve for the remainder of the 2006 season. The car is set to debut this weekend during the Rolex GT Series Challenge at Lime Rock Park in Lakeville, Connecticut. Ian Global Shipping is also a corporate sponsor in the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series and the official shipping provider of TPC Racing. Ian Global Shipping was founded in 1987 by Glenn Lobas of Baltimore, Maryland. The company offers comprehensive global shipping solutions by providing air and ocean freight forwarding, trucking, warehousing, and customs clearance services. Ian Global Shipping also specializes in domestic and international auto shipping, particularly of rare and exotic vehicles and race cars. Ian Global Shipping has built a reputation within the transportation industry for superior customer service and stress-free transactions. Customers know that one phone call to Ian means one provider and just one invoice for each job. TPC Racing, led by team owner and driver Michael Levitas, also from the Baltimore area, reached the pinnacle of success in sports car racing this past January by winning the GT class in the prestigious Rolex 24 at Daytona. TPC Racing also posted a third-place finish in class at Virginia International Raceway in April.
TPC Racing has competed in the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series since 2000, winning more than 20 times in class and claiming the 2004 SGS-class
championship. "Ian Global Shipping is extremely excited to be sponsoring the #35 TPC Racing Porsche," said Lobas. "Our company has been looking for the right opportunity for increased visibility. After meeting Michael and seeing his commitment to his sponsors and to winning, we were able to come on board for the remainder of TPC's races this season. Much of our business involves auto shipping, so we are expecting that our sponsorship of TPC Racing and our association with the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series will make beneficial relationships for us." "We are thrilled to have Ian Global Shipping join TPC Racing," said Levitas. "We're confident that we'll have the #35 Porsche GT3 running up front and providing a ton of exposure for Ian Global Shipping. TPC Racing is hoping that this is just the start of a long and successful partnership." TPC Racing drivers Spencer Pumpelly and Michael Levitas will pilot the #35 Ian Global Shipping Porsche GT3. The Rolex GT Series Challenge at Lime Rock Park is scheduled for Monday, May 29, and will be televised on SPEED Channel at 2:30 p.m. ET. Contact:
Despite Hot Start, Odds Are Against Pujols Winning Triple Crown
PinnacleSports.com Releases Odds on Cardinals Superstar Making Baseball History
The Cardinals Albert Pujols was already considered one of the best players in baseball today, but after his remarkable start to the 2006 season, he's now being compared to some of the game's all-time greats. Only 47 games into St. Louis' season, Pujols leads the Major League in homeruns with 23, RBIs with 57, while compiling an impressive .323 batting average. With Albert Pujols in position to join one of baseball's most exclusive clubs, PinnacleSports.com today announced odds on the St. Louis first baseman winning the National League Triple Crown.
The largest sports betting site on the Internet, PinnacleSports.com has created a unique betting option on Albert Pujols becoming the first player since Joe Medwick in 1937 to lead the National League in batting average, homeruns and RBIs in the same season. Although he currently leads the NL by a large margin in HRs and RBIs while being in contention in batting average, the oddsmakers believe it's a long shot Pujols will close the season leading all three categories, listing the chances of a Triple Crown occurring at 5/1 odds. Considering it's only May and the feat hasn't been accomplished in either league since Carl Yastrzemski in 1967, the much more likely scenario is that Pujols won't become the 13th player in league history to win the Triple Crown, which is listed at 2/13 odds. In addition to the Triple Crown betting option, PinnacleSports.com has also created odds on Pujols hitting 60 or more homeruns this season, currently listing the slugger at 5/4 to surpass the milestone.
"With Albert Pujols on pace for an unprecedented 81 homeruns and 200 RBI season, there's little doubt the Triple Crown watch will begin very soon," said Simon Noble of PinnacleSports.com. "While he's not currently leading the NL in batting average, his career average of .332 would put Pujols in the thick of the batting title race as well. Although history and the odds are against him, if any modern day player were going to capture the first Triple Crown in nearly 40 years, Pujols would be the best bet."
Current Odds: *All Odds Subject to Change*
Will Albert Pujols Win the NL Triple Crown?
Yes 5/1
No 2/13
Will Albert Pujols Hit 60 or more Homeruns?
Yes 5/4
No 5/7
For a complete list of odds, please visit http://www.pinnaclesports.com/ .
About PinnacleSports.com
PinnacleSports.com ( http://www.pinnaclesports.com/ ) is the Internet's largest sports betting site, serving customers in more than 80 countries worldwide. Founded in 1998, PinnacleSports.com was the first sports book to introduce reduced margin wagering, using a -105 pricing model that gives bettors up to 50% better value on wagers than traditional bookmakers. With low minimum bet requirements and the highest maximum limits on the web, PinnacleSports.com has earned an industry-leading reputation for providing consistent value to the player, professional customer service and the quickest payouts online. Fully licensed and regulated in Curacao, the company offers a secure environment for sports betting, racing and casino gaming.
Source: PinnacleSports.com
Web site: http://www.pinnaclesports.com/
Large Majority Says Car Companies Not Moving Fast Enough to Build Cars That
Consume Less Gas. 4 Out of Ten Driversto cut back on driving.
As the summer driving seasonkicks off with the Memorial Day weekend exodus, 44 percent of car ownerssay they have cut back on products or services in order to compensate for the rising costs of gasoline. Not surprisingly, those with lower incomes
are more likely than those with higher incomes to say they are cutting
back, but even 37 percent of those car owners who earn $75,000 or more say
they have cut back on products or spending. Specifically, three in 10 of
these car owners say they are dining out less (29%) and reducing their
driving (29%) while about one quarter (24%) say they are cutting back on
groceries in order to pay for gasoline.
These are some of the results of a Harris Poll of 2,085 U.S. adults
ages 18 and older surveyed online by Harris Interactive(R) between May 9
and 16, 2006.
American auto companies get some of the blame for people spending more
on gas. Three-quarters (74%) of adults say that American car companies are
not moving as quickly as they should to build automobiles that consume less
gasoline. Only nine percent say the auto companies are moving as quickly as
they should. Young adults are more likely thank their older counterparts to
have faith in the car companies - 15 percent of Echo Boomers (ages 18 - 29
years) say the companies are moving as quickly as they should as compared
to seven percent of Baby Boomers (ages 42 - 60 years).
Two in five (39%) adults think that the profits of the oil and natural
gas industry have the greatest influence on rising gas prices. Just over
one- quarter (27%) say the greatest influence is from world crude oil
prices; smaller numbers say it is due to instability in oil producing areas
(7%) and federal and state taxes (6%). Lingering refinery outages from last
year's hurricanes is cited by five percent as the greatest influence on
rising prices, while upcoming changes in fuel requirements (2%) and other
refining costs (2%) were also cited as having the greatest influence.
Regionally, those in the West are more likely to say industry profits are
the greatest influence (47%) while those in the South are more likely to be
split between profits (35%) and world crude prices (31%).
When asked who can best stop these rising gas prices, one-third (34%)
of adults think the oil and gas industry can do so while 29 percent believe
the federal government has that ability. One in five (22%) think consumers
can best stop rising gas prices while very small numbers say state and
local governments (3%) or the automotive industry (3%) can stop the rise of
gas prices. Generationally, two in five (40%) Gen Xers (ages 30 - 41 years)
think the oil and gas industry can stop the rising prices, followed by 27
percent who think the federal government can do so. Only 16 percent of Gen
Xers say consumers have the control. Baby Boomers are more split. About
one-third say the federal government (32%) can stop the rise in gasoline
prices followed by the oil and gas industry (31%) and consumers (25%).
Looking ahead, three-quarters of adults think that gas prices will be
higher on Labor Day than they are today. Almost one-third (31%) say that
the prices will be much higher. Few (7%) say prices will be lower on Labor
Day, while 17 percent say gas prices will be the same.
A large majority (81%) of adults also think that heating prices this
winter will be higher when compared to those costs last winter. Over
one-third (35%) say that heating costs will be much higher this winter;
only three percent think costs will be lower and 15 percent say heating
prices will be the same as last winter.
TABLE 1
CUTTING BACK ON PRODUCTS OR SERVICES
"Have you cut back on any products or services in order to pay the increased
price of gasoline?"
Base: Owns a vehicle
Income
Less $15K- $25k- $35K- $50K- $75K
Total than $24.9K 34.9K $49.9K 74.9K and
$15K over
% % % % % % %
Yes 44 49 65 55 45 41 37
No 56 51 35 45 55 59 63
TABLE 2
PRODUCTS OR SERVICES CUT BACK
"What products or services have you cut back on?"
Base: Cut back on products or services
Total
%
Dining Out 29
Reduce driving/stay home more 29
Groceries 24
Entertainment 18
Weekend trips/travel 18
Clothing 11
Shopping 9
Reduce extras, leisure or luxury items 9
Movies 8
Vacations 4
Personal grooming (hair cuts, manicures) 4
Discontinued services 3
Gasoline 3
Fast food/junk food 3
Auto repairs/upkeep 3
Utilities 3
Note: Open-ended question, multiple responses allowed.
Note: Responses of 3% or higher shown here.
TABLE 3
CAR COMPANIES AND NEW AUTOS
"Do you think that American automobile companies are moving as quickly as they
should to build automobiles that consume less gasoline?"
Base: All adults
Total Echo Gen Xer Baby Mature
Boomer Boomer
% % % % %
Yes, they are moving as
quickly as they should 9 15 9 7 8
No, they're not moving
as quickly as they should 74 67 70 77 79
Not Sure 17 17 21 16 13
Decline to answer 1 1 1 1 *
Note: Percentages may not add up exactly to 100% due to rounding.
TABLE 4
INFLUENCES ON RISING GAS PRICES
"Which one of the following has had the greatest influence on rising gasoline
prices?"
Base: All adults
Region
Total East Midwest South West
% % % % %
U.S. oil and natural gas
industry profits 39 37 41 35 47
World crude oil prices 27 27 24 31 25
Instability in oil
producing areas such
as Nigeria 7 6 7 9 6
Federal and state taxes 6 7 5 5 5
Lingering refinery
outages from last fall's
hurricanes 5 6 3 5 4
Upcoming changes in fuel
requirements (such as the
addition of ethanol
into gasoline) 2 1 1 3 2
Other refining costs 2 2 3 2 1
Others 12 14 15 10 9
Note: Percentages may not add up exactly to 100% due to rounding.
TABLE 5
WHO/WHAT CAN STOP RISING GAS PRICES
"In your opinion, who can best stop rising gasoline prices?"
Base: All adults
Generation
Total Echo Gen X Baby
Boomers Boomers Matures
% % % % %
Oil and gas industry 34 34 40 31 34
The federal
government 29 25 27 32 28
Consumers 22 21 16 25 24
State and local
governments 3 2 6 2 2
Automotive industry 3 3 2 2 4
Not sure 9 14 10 8 7
Note: Percentages may not add up exactly to 100% due to rounding.
TABLE 6
GAS PRICES BY LABOR DAY
"Thinking ahead to the end of summer, how do you think gas prices on Labor Day
in September will compare with gas prices now?"
Base: All adults
%
Total Higher 75
Much Higher 31
Somewhat Higher 45
About the same 17
Somewhat Lower 6
Much lower 1
Total Lower 7
Note: Percentages may not add up exactly to 100% due to rounding.
TABLE 7
HEATING PRICES THIS COMING WINTER
"Thinking ahead to this coming winter, how do you think heating prices will
compare to prices last winter?"
Base: All adults
%
Total Higher 81
Much Higher 35
Somewhat Higher 46
About the same 15
Somewhat Lower 3
Much lower *
Total Lower 3
Note: Percentages may not add up exactly to 100% due to rounding.
Methodology
This Harris Poll was conducted online within the United States between
May 9 and 16, 2006 among 2,085 adults (aged 18 and over). Figures for age,
sex, race/ethnicity, education, region and household income were weighted
where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in
the population. Propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for
respondents' propensity to be online.
All surveys are subject to several sources of error. These include:
sampling error (because only a sample of a population is interviewed);
measurement error due to question wording and/or question order,
deliberately or unintentionally inaccurate responses, nonresponse
(including refusals), interviewer effects (when live interviewers are used)
and weighting.
With one exception (sampling error) the magnitude of the errors that
result cannot be estimated. There is, therefore, no way to calculate a
finite "margin of error" for any survey and the use of these words should
be avoided.
With pure probability samples, with 100 percent response rates, it is
possible to calculate the probability that the sampling error (but not
other sources of error) is not greater than some number. With a pure
probability sample of 3,979 adults one could say with a 95 percent
probability that the overall results have a sampling error of +/- 2
percentage points. However that does not take other sources of error into
account. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and
therefore no theoretical sampling error can be calculated.
These statements conform to the principles of disclosure of the
National Council on Public Polls.
J27799
Q905, 915, 917, 920, 925, 930, 935
The Harris Poll(R) #42, May 25, 2006
By Regina Corso, Research Director, Issues and Industry Research,
Harris Interactive(R)
About Harris Interactive(R)
Harris Interactive, the 13th largest and fastest-growing market
research firm in the world, provides clients with research-driven insights
and strategic advice to help them make more confident decisions, leading to
measurable and enduring improvements in performance.
Widely known for The Harris Poll(R) and for pioneering online market
research methods, Harris Interactive serves clients worldwide through its
United States (http://www.harrisinteractive.com), Europe
(http://www.harrisinteractive.com/europe), and Asia offices and is supported by
), and Asia offices and is supported byits a wholly-owned subsidiary Novatris (http://www.novatris.com) in Paris and an
independent global network of affiliate market research companies. Harris
Interactive is headquartered in Rochester, New York, and Europe operations
are based in London.
To become a member of the Harris Poll Online(SM) and be invited to
participate in online surveys, go to http://www.harrispollonline.com. EOE M/F/D/V
SOURCE Harris Interactive
National 'Click It or Ticket' Safety Belt Campaign to Be Featured at the World Premiere of Disney/Pixar's 'CARS' May 26th
Disney/Pixar and the Department of Transportation will launch a new partnership to promote highway safety during the World Premiere of the movie "CARS" this Friday, May 26, 2006 at Lowe's Motor Speedway near Charlotte, NC.
As part of this partnership, the "CARS" World Premiere will include a new safety public service announcement developed for the Department's "Click It or Ticket" campaign. The ad contains a strong safety message about the need for families to wear safety belts, and will be distributed to the Department of Transportation's national, state and local highway safety partners.
"Too many highway deaths could easily have been prevented with the simple click of a safety belt," said Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta, who is expected to attend the premiere. "Working with companies like Disney and Pixar helps us make sure families across the country get the word we all need to buckle up."
Commenting on their participation, Lylle Breier, Senior Vice President, Worldwide Special Events, said, "We're thrilled to have 'Click It or Ticket' on board as a Premiere Partner for this exciting event. The connection between Disney/Pixar's 'CARS' and the Department of Transportation in support of highway safety is perfect."
According to the Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 33,000 passenger vehicle occupants died in traffic crashes during 2005 -- and 55 percent of those killed were NOT wearing their safety belts at the time of the crash. Law enforcement agencies throughout the nation are conducting stepped-up enforcement and awareness activities during late May's national "Click It or Ticket" mobilization to remind all drivers and passengers to always remember to wear their safety belts.
"Click It or Ticket" is the national highway safety campaign that each May unites more than 12,000 state and local law enforcement agencies in a national crackdown on safety belt violators to help save more lives on our highways.
"CARS," directed by Academy Award(R)-winning filmmaker John Lasseter, will be shown on four giant custom-built outdoor movie screens (115-feet wide and 50-feet tall) at Turn #2 of the famed superspeedway. With the first-ever multi-screen outdoor digital projection, utilizing twelve DLP Cinema(R) projectors from Barco, Christie and NEC, and state-of-the-art sound, the film will look and sound its very best. The Disney/Pixar film "CARS" is set to open at theatres everywhere on June 9th.
Source: Walt Disney Studios
DOD
Radio Interview with Gen. Bell on the Rusty Humphries Show Wednesday, May, 24,
2006
- 00:00 AM EDT MR. HUMPHRIES: General B.B. Bell, it is an honor to have you on "The Rusty Humphries Show." Thank you for dropping by today. I appreciate it. GEN. BELL: Thank you, Rusty. I'm glad to be here. MR. HUMPHRIES: Now, you've got one of those really, really long but important titles. Let me see if I have it right. It's commander, United Nations Command/Combined Forces Command/United States Forces Korea. What does that mean? GEN. BELL: Well, Rusty, I admit that's a mouthful, and I'm still figuring it out myself a little bit. But what it fundamentally means is that we've got a United States command over there, a joint command, and that's U.S. Forces Korea. We've also got a combined command, and that means we are fully integrated with our Republic of Korea ally and that's the Combined Forces Command, and I also command that in wartime. And then, on top of all that, we have the United Nations Command, which was the command during the Korean War, that fundamentally fought the war and remains today to ensure the armistice along the DMZ is enforced. So there's three commands. They support one another.
And in fact, I've got three staffs and only me. So I keep all three of those staffs going in the right direction. MR. HUMPHRIES: Now, we have been in Korea a long time. As a matter of fact, my father joined the military at 14, snuck in and was in Korea when he was 15 years old. We've been there for a long, long time, haven't we? GEN. BELL: Rusty, we have been there for a long time and for all the right reasons. And first, you mentioned your father, I read your bio, and God bless him and the service that he gave our country. And I know that you lost your father during the Vietnam War, and we're all very grateful for his service. So thank you for that, and thank you for what you do. MR. HUMPHRIES: Thank you. GEN. BELL: You know, why are we in Korea? And I appreciate you giving me that introduction because it's vital, in my view, to our national interests. If I might just real quickly put this in a context of the battle for ideas and the battle of ideals that the United States of America is in right now and this global war on terror, and then you try to relate it to something like the Korean war, which was another time, another place, et cetera, et cetera. And oddly enough, in my view, there is a direct, an important correlation that we all ought to think about. You know, Korea is a wonderful example of democracy in action rising from the rubble of war caused by a broken idea -- in those days, communism -- which we and the Korean people stood up against, fought against and overcame.
And it's taken us 50 or more years, as an alliance with our Republic of Korea ally, to, one, help build the 10th-largest economy in the world, the Republic of Korea; a fully functioning democracy where the people elect the leadership; a democracy where diversity is accepted; spiritual diversity is the norm; gender equality is real, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera, in an area of the world that just four or five decades ago, everyone assumed would be -- would not work out well, a lot of deaths, tremendous turmoil, et cetera, et cetera. So Korea to me today is a model of partnership in alliance between a free people, the Republic of Korea people, and the United States staying together for the long haul. And now in that area of the world, Northeast Asia, along with our allies in Japan, we see our largest trading partner outside the NAFTA region. A lot of our economy and a lot of the goodness that we achieve in our own nation is a function of our ability to trade with that area of the world. So the list just goes on and on and on.
And so for -- MR. HUMPHRIES: And this is just another model, General. This is just another model to show that Iraq will -- we'll succeed in Iraq, won't we? GEN. BELL: Well, it sure is a model that says there is a path to success, and if you stick with it, you can see success. And in the end, people relish democracy. They relish freedom. It's the normal state of the human endeavor, and given a chance, it will grow and grow strong. MR. HUMPHRIES: Yeah, I've heard a lot of the people who are antiwar come out and say, "Well, gosh, why didn't we go after Kim Jong Il first? Why'd we go after Saddam?" Well, the reason why -- and you tell me if I'm wrong -- he's already got the bomb. I mean, kind of -- we're in nuclear blackmail there, and that's one of the reasons we wanted to stop Saddam and we want to stop Iran. GEN. BELL: Well, there's certainly lines of logic for that. Kim Jong Il and the North Korean regime is a problem. I will tell you this -- the notion of containment, deterrence and steadfast confrontation by the allies -- the Republic of Korea and the United States -- gives North Korea -- has kept them in their box properly for a long, long time, and we'll continue to do that.
That same model has application worldwide as we look at places in the world where democracy is sprouting and has an opportunity to grow and take care of the people in those regions. So I think there's a correlation. I'm convinced of it, and I know for a small investment day to day that we reap enormous benefits through our alliance with the Republic of Korea. MR. HUMPHRIES: We know Kim Jong Il and North Korea have -- announced they have nuclear weapons. We're pretty sure they do. What other weapons and concerns do we have coming out of that region, and why are we there protecting ourselves from them? GEN. BELL: Well, we are concerned about it. The notion of the six-party talks, where we've tried to bring together a coalition of like-minded nations to confront the North Koreans, bring them into the peaceful group of countries in the world, allow them and give them an opportunity for their people to raise their kids and their grandkids in peace and prosperity -- all those things are normal to me and you, but they're not normal to the North Koreans. They have decided as a strategy to proliferate weapons of mass destruction, it would appear. They decided as a strategy to make missile technology and other technologies for sale on the world market to the highest bidder. So they are a problem for a free people everywhere in the world, and it's appropriate, for those of us who cherish freedom and those of us who cherish our way of life, to confront the North Koreans.
And that's exactly what we're doing, and we're going to do it through a coalition of like-minded nations until such time as the North Koreans can better see a path to a future for their people other than one of the path of confrontation that they've chosen this day and age, and that is making weapons of mass destruction, having them in their inventory, and being proliferators of technology. MR. HUMPHRIES: The other thing I heard is they're counterfeiting our money and trying to flood the market with it. GEN. BELL: Well, I'll tell you there's evidence of that. Of course, they are a cash-strapped country. They don't have a free-market enterprise. If they would just simply go for free-market enterprise, their people and their capabilities would reap the benefits of democracy, et cetera. But being cash-strapped, they're just making it. And part of it certainly confronts us, because our money and our monetary system depends on the proper financial institutions worldwide functioning normally and not having these kinds of counterfeit operations going on.
And so we're confronting that, and we are taking the appropriate measures worldwide, so that money that is counterfeited by the North is not allowed to get into the stream -- monetary stream worldwide. And that's the right policy, and our nation's going to continue to do that. But yes, there's evidence they've been counterfeiting money. They've been counterfeiting goods and services. And they're doing just about anything they can to make money to stay in power and to continue their ways that -- the ways that we've seen over the last 10 years or so. MR. HUMPHRIES: That Korean peninsula is the perfect example of the differences between capitalism and communism, isn't it? GEN. BELL: Rusty, it's a(n) absolute perfect example. When you look at any kind of photography -- commercial photographer or whatever, you see in the South a 47 million population, a wonderful democracy, free-market enterprise, worldwide trade going on, and the people with good schools, good medical care, terrific job opportunities. The kids' health is good. I mean. it's just a thing of beauty. And then you just look right across the border.
The same people, the same traditions and history, the same culture over the centuries, and they're being deprived, they're being put in a position of inability to further their own needs at the expense of the regime. So the difference is profound. And the opportunity for us to remind the world that this is a model -- the South Korean approach to governance is a model for free people everywhere -- and that what the North is pursuing is not a model at all but is something that's abnormal and something that free people everywhere ought to stand up against. MR. HUMPHRIES: Colonel (sic) Bell, I know you've got a lot of people you want to talk to. And I could talk to you for hours, and I appreciate you taking time. Before I let you go, though, Memorial Day coming up on Monday. People are going to be thinking about our troops, think about those that lost their lives. But you have a lot of people under your command, and a lot of their loved ones may be listening to this program right now. What would you like to say to the families? GEN. BELL: Thanks, Rusty. I would like to just say something real quick.
Of course I've got a lot of Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine service members under my command. Most of them have served in the global war on terror, either in Iraq or Afghanistan, and so they've been away from home once or more times. And in many cases, they are again now in Korea. We have -- most of our personnel over there are on unaccompanied tours, a long way from home. And they're serving selflessly, as great patriots and great volunteers for their nation. And my word to their families is, one, thank you for allowing us to serve with your sons and daughters in defense of freedom and in defense of our Constitution. And second, I want all them to know that service to nation is one of the most fundamental obligations that citizens have, but it's also a fundamental trust that military leaders have with respect to these young men and women.
And we'll do everything in our power to take care of them, make certain that they have opportunity to succeed and, when their tours are up, to send them home to their moms and dads or their loved ones in good order, so they can continue to be great citizens of the United States of America. MR. HUMPHRIES: Well, General B.B. Bell, things have been very quiet over in the Korean peninsula lately, and I think a lot of it would have to do with your leadership. Thank you very much for your service to our country, and thank you being on "The Rusty Humphries Show." I really appreciate it. Thank you, sir. GEN. BELL: Thank you, Rusty. I greatly appreciate the opportunity.
DoD Works to Further Reduce Military Suicides
Suicide rates within the military are about half those in the general military-aged population, but the Defense Department is reaching out to its members to help further reduce the incidence of suicide within the ranks, a top military doctor said. The suicide rate for military members during 2005 was 11 per 100,000, Dr. David Tornberg, deputy assistant secretary of defense for clinical and program policy, told American Forces Press Service. That compares to about 19.5 per 100,000, the national average for Americans in the 20- to 44-year age group.
And experts say this rate may actually be 40 or 50 percent higher than reported, Tornberg said. "We have substantially fewer suicides in the services," he said. Yet in-depth investigations into every military death and extensive publicity associated with military suicides often give the American public the opposite impression, he acknowledged. In fact, the suicide rate within the military has remained "remarkably steady" over the past decade, through peacetime and war, Tornberg said. And while there's no indication that combat deployments increase the likelihood of suicide, Tornberg said it's clear that they add yet another stressor to the troops. "There's a precipitating reason for every suicide. And in general, it is a response to some life event that has dire consequences to the individual at the time," Tornberg said. "During high-stress situations such as deployments, relationship, financial and other problems may worsen." Another contributing factor may be the ready availability of weapons. DoD has long recognized military service as a high-stress occupation, and offers a full array of programs to help servicemembers cope with that stress. "Ours is high-stress work, and we recognize that and have really robust programs in place for addressing this issue," Tornberg said. "The way we see it, one single loss of life is a problem." The key is making mental health services more available, removing the stigma often associated with seeking care, and teaching troops to recognize when they or a fellow servicemember may need help. Each of the services has its own suicide prevention program tailored to its force. But despite subtle differences, all the programs make mental health support and suicide prevention available to servicemembers before, during and after deployment. Medical screenings that include mental health factors, given before and after deployments, help identify people in distress. During deployments, mental -health-support teams and chaplains provide support. Unit leaders are trained to recognize telltale signs and steer their troops to the services they need. Servicemembers often form the first line of defense, looking out for each other.
When they're concerned that a buddy's in trouble, Tornberg advises the direct approach. "If you see someone undergoing difficulties in this area, ask them if they are considering taking their life and encourage them to seek counseling and assistance," he said. If that doesn't work, Tornberg urges people to go to their unit leaders, chaplains or mental health professionals with their concerns. "If there's a concern about suicide, we encourage them not to keep that confidential until after the fact," he said. Much of DoD's suicide-prevention effort is directed at educating servicemembers to recognize when they need help and where to go to get it. "We strive to train our servicemembers about risk factors for suicide and the warning signs and to encourage them to seek help if they're in a stressful situation," Tornberg said. Troops returning from deployments go through a reintegration process that includes briefings about difficulties they may encounter reentering society and communicating with their families and friends. They receive warnings about the dangers of abusing alcohol, a factor often associated with suicide. With the wide availability of mental health services, one of DoD's big challenges is getting people to take advantage of them. Although there's less resistance now than in the past to seeking help, "we can't ignore the fact that broadly in society there's still a stigma associated with mental health concerns and seeking help," Tornberg said. "And we are working actively through our leadership to try to break those barriers down."
NEWS
RD2, Inc., a Dallas-based web design and development agency, and Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) have teamed up to launch the first-ever official corporate weblog (blog) in the airline industry. "Nuts About Southwest", at http://blogsouthwest.com
features regular posts from Southwest employees at all levels of operations and management. The goal of a blog on any business website is to attract an audience of users educated on subjects familiar to the company or its industry. The ultimate result is a community of users who perceive that business' site to be an authoritative, rich source of knowledge that is constantly being refreshed with up-to-date, pertinent information. "Southwest's interest in corporate blogging is a testament to its forward thinking in business and culture," noted Chris Ronan, President of RD2, Inc. "Southwest Airlines now joins other blogging Fortune 500 innovators like IBM and General Motors in providing their customers a platform to create a community around their brand." Readers have the opportunity to respond to posts made by Southwest employees, creating rich interactive dialogues and forming unique customer relationships. "We're very excited about this new way to bring the Southwest Airlines culture to our customers," said Angela Vargo of Southwest Airlines. "The 'Nuts About Southwest' blog will give Southwest customers another peek into our operations, daily work life, and people." "Nuts About Southwest" highlights design that embodies the Southwest spirit of fun, friendliness, warmth, and efficiency. Behind the design lies cutting edge technology in HTML, CSS, and content management. "We chose open source content management system WordPress to power the RD2 blog because of its emphasis on reliability, adaptability, and usability," stated Ronan. "It is important that the tool running the blog be easy to use for all authors." RD2, Inc. previously collaborated with Southwest Airlines to launch a blog for Southwest's innovative "Adopt-A-Pilot" program, where pilots in the program author posts geared towards fifth-grade students in the program. Pilot authors contribute stories from their flights, aviation-related lessons, and inside information on Southwest Airlines.
The Adopt-A-Pilot blog is located at http://adoptapilot.blogs.com . A blog is a web site with regular, dated entries which are displayed in reverse chronological order. Blog entries could be thought of as conversation starters. When posting to the blog, the conversation does not stop. Readers can contribute their thoughts on the entry. About RD2, Inc. RD2, Inc. (http://www.rd2inc.com ) is a next generation studio of innovators and artists offering strategic web, print and integrated marketing communications. The RD2 approach of Research, Design and Develop, integrates objective research with aesthetics to develop compelling brand solutions that position RD2 clients as industry leaders. Clients include Entrust, First Franklin, Hotels.com, LogLogic, Rough Creek Lodge, Southwest Airlines, Trammell Crow and Verizon. /Web site: http://www.southwest.com http://blogsouthwest.com http://adoptapilot.blogs.com http://www.rd2inc.com / (LUV) CO: Southwest Airlines; RD2, Inc. ST: Texas
Dayanara Torres Co-Authors Children's Book Exclusively for Crest Healthy Smiles
Program Bi-lingual Book Delivers Positive Oral Health Message and is Available To Consumers for Free for a Limited Time
-- Actress and former Miss Universe, Dayanara Torres, will release her first children's book exclusively for Crest Healthy Smiles, a national oral health outreach program, that will help educate young children and their families about the importance of proper oral care. The book, written in English and Spanish, chronicles the experiences of a brother and sister as they take their first trip to the dentist. It will be released in limited quantity for free beginning May 23, 2006 through July 29th, just in time for summer reading. Consumers can order their free copy by calling toll-free 1-866-989-9968 or by logging onto www.cresthealthysmiles.com for details.
"As a Mom of two young boys, I know it's difficult for parents to get children excited about brushing their teeth and going to the dentist," says Dayanara Torres. "This book, titled Ricky and Andrea's Healthy Beautiful Smiles is a great way for children to prepare for a trip to the dentist and learn how to care for their teeth in a fun and engaging way that really speaks to them. I am really proud of its message and so happy to be partnering with Crest Healthy Smiles again to help spread oral health education to families nationwide."
"One of the biggest impediments to combating the oral health epidemic is a lack of awareness and education on how to prevent tooth decay - the single most chronic childhood disease," said Dr. Ivan Lugo, 2005 president of the Hispanic Dental Association. "It is necessary that we continue to introduce educational tools such as this book to help children and parents understand the importance of preventative care."
A US Surgeon General report revealed that forty-seven percent of all low- income Hispanics living in the US have untreated tooth decay. An alarming twenty-five percent of low-income children have not visited a dentist before entering kindergarten. Crest Healthy Smiles strives to provide educational materials within these communities to effect real change in the oral health of children and families in need.
Torres, who was an aspiring orthodontist, has worked with various charitable organizations that benefit children. She believes that starting children on an oral hygiene regimen when they are young will help ensure that they grow up with healthy teeth and gums. This month, Torres will host a book reading session at the Hank Kline Boys & Girls Club in Miami to help promote oral health awareness among America's youth. As part of the program's continued commitment to helping children achieve and maintain healthy, beautiful smiles, Crest Healthy Smiles will donate copies of the book to Boys & Girls Clubs in Miami, FL and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Crest Healthy Smiles in the Community
Since its inception in 2000, Crest Healthy Smiles has worked with Boys & Girls Clubs of America to bring Club children low or no-cost dental care, access to dental professionals, oral health education and toothbrushes and toothpaste. Eight fully-operational Crest Smile Shoppes exist in Clubs throughout the country, and Clubs also run a specially designed curriculum, the Cavity-Free Zone, several times each year. Two additional Crest Smile Shoppes are also located at the Fitzsimons Air Force Base in Denver, CO and at the Tri County Community Dental Clinic in Appleton, WI.
Crest Healthy Smiles brings oral care to children in underserved communities through partnerships with dental schools, mobile dental vans, and through grassroots and community events. Crest Healthy Smiles also reaches 90 percent of first-graders through its in-school oral health education programs.
For more information on Crest Healthy Smiles, log onto www.cresthealthysmiles.com.
About Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG)
Three billion times a day, P&G brands touch the lives of people around the world. The company has one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Pampers(R), Tide(R), Ariel(R), Always(R), Whisper(R), Pantene(R), Mach3(R), Bounty(R), Dawn(R), Pringles(R), Folgers(R), Charmin(R), Downy(R), Lenor(R), Iams(R), Crest(R), Oral-B(R), Actonel(R), Duracell(R), Olay(R), Head & Shoulders(R), Wella, Gillette(R), and Braun. The P&G community consists of almost 140,000 employees working in over 80 countries worldwide. Please visit http://www.pg.com for the latest news and in-depth information about P&G and its brands.
About Dayanara Torres
Discovered in her hometown of Toa Alta, Puerto Rico, at 17, Dayanara Torres has enjoyed a rewarding international career as a model, television, movie and music star, and most importantly, as the mother of two children. As Miss Universe, Dayanara's humanitarian work focused on disadvantaged and poverty-stricken children throughout the world. She became an international ambassador for UNICEF and endowed the Dayanara Torres Foundation which provided aid and scholarships to destitute families in the Philippines. More recently, she was featured in a national breast cancer awareness campaign and a domestic violence prevention campaign. Dayanara has now partnered with Crest to educate children and their parents about oral health through the Crest Healthy Smiles national program.
SOURCE Procter & Gamble
P&G Announces Management Changes
The Board of Directors of The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG) today announced the following management changes effective July 1, 2006.
In the Gillette business:
James M. Kilts, (58), currently vice chairman of the board - Gillette, will step down as head of the Gillette business unit to devote his full attention to the Gillette integration and a smooth business transition, until his planned, and previously announced retirement on October 1, 2006. He will continue to report to A. G. Lafley, chairman of the board, president and chief executive.
Mark M. Leckie (52), currently president - global Duracell and Braun, has been elected group president-Gillette global business unit, assuming Mr. Kilts' day-to-day responsibilities for the Gillette business. Mr. Leckie will report to Mr. Lafley.
Joseph F. Dooley (52), currently president-commercial operations, North America, has been elected president-Duracell, reporting to Mr. Leckie.
"We appreciate the leadership Jim Kilts has provided to the Gillette business," said Mr. Lafley. "Mark Leckie's appointment now to lead the Gillette business is part of our planned succession to ensure a smooth business transition. Mark's breadth and depth of experience, and strong track record of results make him well-qualified for this role."
In the beauty business:
Christopher de Lapuente (43), currently president - global hair care, has been elected group president - global professional and retail hair care continuing to report to Susan E. Arnold, vice chairman - P&G Beauty & Health. Carsten Fischer (43), president - global professional care, will now report to Mr. de Lapuente.
Marc S. Pritchard (46), currently president - global cosmetics and hair colorants, has been elected president - global strategy, reporting to Mr. Lafley and to Clayton C. Daley Jr., chief financial officer.
Paolo De Cesare (45), currently president - global skin care, personal cleansing and deodorants, will now focus exclusively on the skin care business with his election as president-global skin care. He will continue to report to Ms. Arnold.
Mary Ann Pesce (51), currently president-new business development, will assume Mr. De Cesare's responsibilities in deodorants and male personal care and personal cleansing, with her election as president - new business development, deodorants/male personal care and personal cleansing. She will continue to report to Ms. Arnold.
About Procter & Gamble
Three billion times a day, P&G brands touch the lives of people around the world. The company has one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Pampers®, Tide®, Ariel®, Always®, Whisper®, Pantene®, Mach3®, Bounty®, Dawn®, Pringles®, Folgers®, Charmin®, Downy®, Lenor®, Iams®, Crest®, Oral-B®, Actonel®, Duracell®, Olay®, Head & Shoulders®, Wella, Gillette®, and Braun. The P&G community consists of almost 140,000 employees working in over 80 countries worldwide. Please visit http://www.pg.com for the latest news and in-depth information about P&G and its brands.
Big Apple to Host World Ice Cream Eating Championship
Top Eaters to Compete at Goldenpalace.net World Ice Cream Eating Championship
Competitive eaters, a growing and increasingly celebrated breed of American athlete, will gather at the Water Club in Manhattan on Friday, May 26 to compete for the title of World Ice Cream Eating Champion.
Headlining the event will be New York natives 'Crazy Legs' Conti and 'Eater X' Tim Janus. Conti, currently ranked twelfth on the IFOCE circuit, is coming off a victory in the Nathan's Famous Florida Hot Dog Eating Championship. Janus, ranked sixth, recently captured the same title in Connecticut. A dozen other competitive eaters will join them as they attempt to break Ed 'Cookie' Jarvis' existing ice cream eating record of 1 gallon, 9 ounces in 12 minutes.
The contest, to be held Friday, May 26, at 1:00 p.m., marks the first ever Goldenpalace.net Ice Cream Eating World Championship. Anyone who wishes to learn more about events sanctioned by the IFOCE can visit www.ifoce.com.
Cast Your Vote for MaggieMoo's Next Fresh Star
Customers Can Vote for Their Favorite MaggieMoo's Fresh Escape and Win Prizes
MaggieMoo's International is kicking off the start of summer with Fresh Star, a national contest for the taste buds. Beginning May 24 through Sept. 15, customers can go online and vote for their favorite MaggieMoo's Fresh Escape ice cream creation and be automatically registered to win prizes such as iPods and iTunes gift cards.
"For those of you who will be experiencing the post-American Idol blues, here is another opportunity where your vote will decide the fate of the next up-and-coming 'star,'" said Jon Jameson, CEO of MaggieMoo's. "That 'star' just happens to be ice cream."
MaggieMoo's, with mascot Maggie, are rolling out the red carpet for the ice cream voting competition that allows customers to cast their vote online at www.maggiemoos.com for their favorite Fresh Escape, and win prizes. The grand, first and runner-up prizewinner drawings will be held Sept. 15. One grand prize winner will receive a video iPod, MaggieMoo's $100 gift card, $100 iTunes gift card and a Fresh Star t-shirt; 10 first-place winners will receive an iPod Shuffle and a $50 MaggieMoo's gift card; and 100 runner-up winners will receive a $5 MaggieMoo's gift card and Fresh Star t-shirt. Each month, during the contest -- June, July and August -- 10 winners will be chosen to receive a Fresh Star t-shirt and a $5 MaggieMoo's gift card.
Fresh Escapes are one-of-a-kind ice cream creations that include MaggieMoo's award-wining ice creams, paired with mix-ins such as cookie dough or Butterfinger®. MaggieMoo's is introducing seven new Fresh Escapes this summer to be contenders in the Fresh Star contest. The new and creative combinations include Peanut Butter Galaxy™ (chocolate ice cream, Reese Peanut Butter Cups®, Reese Pieces® and peanut butter topping), S'more Fun than a Campfire™ (chocolate ice cream, mini marshmallows and Teddy Grahams®), Better Batter Boogie Board™ (Better Batter® ice cream, rainbow sprinkles, brownies and fudge), Raspberry Roller Coaster™ (Udderly Cream® ice cream, raspberries, chocolate flakes and fudge), Vanilla Cookie Dough Yo-Yo™ (vanilla ice cream, cookie dough, Oreos® and fudge), Berry Cheesecake Lake™ (cheesecake ice cream, strawberries, raspberries and strawberry sauce), Let's Play PB&J™ (peanut butter ice cream, Teddy Grahams®, strawberry sauce and peanut butter), and Udderly Butter Bebopper™ (Udderly Cream® ice cream, Butterfinger®, chocolate flakes and caramel).
"Before America starts voting, I highly suggest ice cream lovers visit a local MaggieMoo's and sample several of our new and existing Fresh Escapes, just to be sure of their favorite. After all, America, you are voting for the next Fresh Star," said Jameson.
MaggieMoo's currently operates more than 180 Treateries across the nation. Each location features a menu of freshly made premium ice creams, mix-ins, smoothies, ice cream cupcakes and custom ice cream cakes.
For further information on MaggieMoo's and its products, and the Fresh Star contest, log onto www.maggiemoos.com.
About MaggieMoo's Ice Cream and Treatery
Based in Columbia, Md., MaggieMoo's currently operates more than 180 Treateries across the nation. Each location features a menu of freshly made super-premium ice creams, mix-ins, smoothies, the country's first ice cream cupcakes and custom ice cream cakes. MaggieMoo's chocolate, dark chocolate, vanilla, vanilla bean and strawberry ice cream flavors all have been awarded The National Ice Cream Retailers Association's prestigious Blue Ribbon Award, for taste, texture and overall appearance for eight years running. MaggieMoo's is the only national retail concept to win all five awards.
Embattled SBA Administrator Leaves Agency in Shambles, Says American Small Business League
The five year reign of outgoing SBA Administrator Hector Barreto has left the agency a gutted shell of what it was when he took office in 2001. The SBA's dismal performance under Barreto's leadership has been chronicled in ten Federal investigations and two private studies that uncovered fraud, abuse, and lack of proper oversight in virtually every major SBA program. And, as Barreto allowed the SBA's operating budget and staff to be cut every year, a government-wide survey showed that the morale of SBA employees plummeted to the lowest level of any Federal agency. Barreto has drawn the ire of both houses of Congress and from Republicans and Democrats alike. The small business committees in both the House and Senate have grown accustomed to the false and misleading information he delivers on SBA performance.
New York Representative Nydia Velasquez was so angered by Barreto's attempts to mislead Congress that she publicly accused him of "being dishonest" in a Congressional hearing last year. A 2003 Government Accountability Office investigation found that Mr. Barreto had allowed Federal small business statistics to be inflated by reporting billions of dollars in contracts to large companies as small business awards. After a subsequent Congressional hearing on the matter, the SBA was forced to remove the names of 600 large businesses from its PRO-NET database, which at that time was the main source for government procurement officers to find small business contractors. A 2004 report commissioned by the SBA Office of Advocacy found Barreto had permitted awards to firms such as Hewlett-Packard, Oracle, Raytheon, and Northrop Grumman to be reported as small business contracts. The same report found "vendor deception"- another word for fraud - was one reason for the illegal contracting activity.
To date, Barreto has refused to take any action to address the abuses. In 2005, the SBA's own Office of Inspector General issued four reports that documented continuing cases of fraud and abuse. Report 5-15 stated that, "One of the most important challenges facing the Small Business Administration and the entire Federal government today is that large businesses are receiving small business procurement awards and agencies are receiving credit for these awards." Still, Barreto refused to take any action to address the problems. Report 5-14 found that during Barreto's tenure, the SBA had falsified their own small business contracting statistics by reporting millions in awards to large businesses as small business contracts. In one instance, the SBA reported a large contract to Buhrmann NV-a Dutch firm with 18,000 employees worldwide-as a small business award. Report 5-16 found Barreto had allowed large businesses to receive millions in Federal small business contracts through "false certifications". Report 5-20 found that under Barreto's guidance, the SBA had failed to properly monitor major federal "bundled" contracts to allow small companies a more equitable opportunity to compete for government business.
In a failed attempt to protect the SBA's dubious small business contracting statistics, Barreto directed SBA attorneys to fight Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests that could prove the SBA had intentionally manipulated the numbers. The SBA lost two FOIA cases to the American Small Business League and; in both instances, they were forced to release information that proved the agency had extensive knowledge of fraud and abuse in the system. Barreto's refusal to implement the women's procurement program that Congress enacted in 2000 has cost women entrepreneurs well over $33 billion in lost contracting opportunities. Frustrated with his lack of action, the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce successfully sued the SBA in order to compel Mr. Barreto to take action. A September 12, 2005 story by the Associated Press reported that the 9/11 disaster-recovery loan program had been completely mishandled and that less than 11% of the loans approved had actually gone to firms in New York. In 2006, the SBA Office of Inspector General issued report 6-15 that revealed the SBA has mismanaged the 8(a) contracting program to the point where it is rife with fraud and abuse.
The Government Accountability Office released an additional report on abuse by Alaska Native Corporations in the 8(a) program that the SBA allowed through a significant lack of oversight. Budget cuts and staff layoffs during Barreto's term resulted in a dramatic loss of knowledgeable and experienced staff. After the Gulf hurricanes last year, the SBA was forced to take on thousands of temporary workers to compensate for the severe lack of experienced employees. Furthermore, the Gulf loan program has been so poorly handled that thousands of small business owners have been forced into bankruptcy because they have been unable to get timely financial help. While Barreto has frequently touted record numbers of loans approved for hurricane victims, the reality is that only a small percentage of the loans have actually been dispersed.
The New Orleans Times Picayune cited a recent study by a post-Katrina advocacy group that found only about 21% of small businesses had received any assistance. A recent article in Inc. magazine labeled Barreto "the disappointment" in the Bush Administration. SBA insiders have acknowledged that he was forced to resign after the White House determined Barreto's handling of the SBA was a public relations nightmare and an embarrassment to President Bush. Barreto's removal as head of a Federal agency to run a small and obscure Hispanic lobbying group marks a dismal end to his troubled political career. About the ASBL The American Small Business League was formed to promote and advocate policies that provide the greatest opportunity for small businesses - the 98% of U.S. companies with less than 100 employees. The ASBL is founded on the principle that small businesses, the backbone of a vital American economy, should receive the fair treatment promised by the Small Business Act of 1953. Representing small businesses in all fields and industries throughout the United States, the ASBL monitors existing policies and proposed policy changes by the Small Business Administration and other federal agencies that affect its members.
WALK NOW Chicago Raises $1 Million for Autism Research
Thousands Walk for Cure Autism Now in Chicago
The third-annual WALK NOW Chicago hosted more than 7,500 people and will have raised more than $1 million for Cure Autism Now once all donations are in. The event was held May 21 at Soldier Field and more than 500 teams walked in support of loved ones affected by autism. WALK NOW (www.walknow.org) is a 5K walk and autism community resource fair that benefits Cure Autism Now, funding research, education and outreach programs.
"A child is diagnosed with autism every 21 minutes," said Cure Autism Now CEO Peter Bell. "The diagnosis sends each family on a journey that they never expected and couldn't possibly prepare for. The support of family, friends and the larger community is critical to the well-being of affected families, and especially to the children. The Chicago chapter of Cure Autism Now is an inspiring example of parent advocates that have created a community of support for affected families. The success of WALK NOW Chicago is a reflection of their commitment to finding a cure."
During the event, Cure Autism Now received two tremendous donations from community-minded members of the auto industry. General Motors presented a check for $20,000 over and above their national partnership with CAN, as a result of Autism Awareness Month activities during April including a donation in honor of Jason McElwain during CBS' broadcast of the NCAA Final Four and Chevy Racing's NASCAR events in Phoenix, Martinsville and Texas. Wolf Automotive Group presented a check for $32,000, the total amount raised from the Dealer Group's Drive for a Cure promotion in April. Danny Wolf, of the Dan Wolf Automotive Group, originated the fundraiser five years ago in honor of his nephew Jack, who is affected by autism. The Dan Wolf Automotive Group is also a founding sponsor of WALK NOW Chicago.
WALK NOW events each feature a non-competitive 5K walk and autism community resource fair. The Chicago walk hosted more than 50 therapists, schools and recreational organizations providing information and services for families affected by autism. The event also featured musical performances by Spectrum Connections, Scottie Long and Mistaken Identity. Children were also treated to exhibitions by A Zoo to You petting zoo, the Jesse White Tumbling Team and the martial-arts based SideSwipe Performance Team.
Cure Autism Now has hosted four WALK NOW events so far in 2006, raising more than $2.3 million to date. Thirteen additional WALK NOW events will be held this year: Dallas/Fort Worth (June 3); San Francisco (June 10); Honolulu (June 17); New England (June 17); Philadelphia (Sept. 30); Seattle (Sept. 30); Orange County, Calif. (Oct. 14); Houston (Oct. 28); San Diego (Nov. 4); Washington, DC (Oct. 21); New York (Oct. 22); Orlando (Nov. 18); and Phoenix (Nov. 19). WALK NOW is sponsored nationally by Chevrolet, CBS Outdoor, Spectrum Publications and Event Mover. Register to walk, volunteer or donate at www.walknow.org.
Source: Cure Autism Now
www.cureautismnow.org
Source: Cure Autism Now
Web site: http://www.cureautismnow.org/
http://www.walknow.org/
