Tom Cruise Takes Manhattan
To understand the internet you have to be open to change.
CONTENT IS THE KING
Written by Joyce L Chow & William Hoehne May 2, 2006
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COMMENT ON DAY WITHOUT IMMIGRANTS:
It seems from all the info out today that this was the final findings.:
1. They have no clout as a voting base. They are concentrated in areas that already is Left Wing liberal and would give them amnesty even if they were living in Mexico City and flying in to work.
2. They only hurt themselves economically. They took the time off, they lost pay and it was mostly their businesses that got hurt.
3. It told you exactly where the illegals are concentrated at.
4. They just made those that want changes made in immigration more firm in their stances.
No amnesty, guess worker only, pay back taxes, learn English and become citizens.
5. When all things considered not a good day for the immigration rights movement.
EDITORIAL: Today they waved their Mexican Flags, they carried their signs written in Spanish, the Mayor of Los Angeles whom says he is the mayor of all the Citizens spoke to those in the streets in Spanish and many of those in the crowds spoke to reporters in Spanish ands were questioned in Spanish.
It was also pointed out quite often how they will bring this country to its knees as many times as is necessary to get their demand met.
They have made it very clear they will not leave under any circumstances, that they are here to stay no matter what the law says.
Not democracy at work but people that think they are indispensable and they call all the shots.
Threats have never gotten far with those that have made up our country.
What will happen is they will not get amnesty, will have guest worker program put into place be required to become citizens and learn English.
This is a fact that they will not accept and have said such repeatably today. Are we headed to wards another civil war as a result?
ENTERTAINMENT, ART, FASHION, TECHNOLOGY
Tom Cruise Takes Manhattan: U.S. Premiere of 'Mission: Impossible III' to Be Held at Tribeca Film Festival May 3
Monte Bubbles takes Best Of Breed Two days running and getting close to her Championship.
Michael Douglas & Friends Presented By Lexus Set for May 7 at Trump National Golf Club in Rancho Palos Verdes
Vivendi Universal Games Becomes 'Vivendi Games'
JERRY SPRINGER Talker Gets a Sandwich Named After Him at Carnegie Deli in New York
BetHoldem's Fearsome Foursome Ready to Battle Poker's Best in Las Vegas
Asia's Highly Acclaimed Actor Tony Leung Ka Fai to Ring the Opening Bell at American Stock Exchange
Tom Cruise, the most exciting and successful action star in the world, returns to one of his signature roles, Secret Agent Ethan Hunt, in the summer's most highly anticipated action thriller, "Mission: Impossible III" -
For Engelbert, Life Begins at 70
Shotoku Broadcast Systems Moves US Headquarters to More Accessible Location.
From the Computer Screen to the TV Screen: Home Made Simple Comes to TLC in New Original Series
Nielsen Report Shows VOD Ratings Small, And Leveling Off by Joe Mandese, Monday
NO LONGER WILL JUST WEIGHT-LOSS product companies with deceptive TV commercials
ALTHOUGH DOWN A LITTLE FROM a year ago, CBS still dominated the first night of the May sweeps
City Colleges of Chicago's WKKC-FM Prepares For Harsh Weather with Jampro Side Mount Antenna
Martha Stewart company's dark days appear to be receding.Walt Disney Co.'s ABC TV Network sent another signal that it's ready to embrace digital media delivery
Ruder Finn's Helen Shelton Awarded Ebony's 2006 Outstanding Woman in Communications
Texas Instruments and 'NUMB3RS' Unveil Winners of Texas Instruments 'Use 'NUMB3RS' Every Day for a Hollywood Get-Away' Sweepstakes
The Atlantic City Boardwalk Slated for Removal New Jersey's Response: 'Keep AC on the Board!
MobilePro Named Top U.S. Broadband Wireless ISP
PodTech.net Launches Marketing Voices(TM)
Virgin Megastores Will Now Offer Fashion and Accessories and Will Showcase the Clothes With a Rock N Roll Fashion Show at Hollywood Megastore
Media Moguls Risk Overpaying for Fickle Fans of Facebook, MySpace
How MTV Plans to Triple Digital Revenue
Syndicated Cartoonist and New York Adventure Journalist to Compete in The Nevada Passage Made-for-TV Adventure Program
Nancy Drew Helps Celebrate Project Sunshine Week
Nickelodeon Green-Lights Additional Episodes of TEENick's Drake & Josh for Hit Comedy Series' Fourth Season Launching This September
Disney Parks Will Welcome 2-Billionth Guest on Tuesday, May 2
Jessica Alba Announced as Leading Lady of the '2006 MTV Movie Awards'
TNR Entertainment Announces Agreement to Install DVD Rental Kiosks in A&P Stores Throughout the Northeast
Yahoo Launches First Product of New Business Model
Award winning 560B Fluid Monopod:
Rorke Data Collaborates with Fujitsu and Myricom to Set New Standard in Video Storage Cost-Performance
BBG, Incorporated, a Men's Lifestyle Company, Announces Launch of BeBetterGuys.com New On-Line Guide for the Contemporary Man
SPORTS & AUTOS
Mazda Partners With Google Earth for the Mazda CX-7 Earth Search Sweepstakes
Automaker First to Use Breakthrough Technology for Vehicle Launch Campaign
Denny's Takes America Bowling 'Great Bowling Game Giveaway' Benefits Bowlers Across the CountryNFL, NCAA Team Physicians & Athletic Trainers to Host Conference on Football Injury Risk and Prevention
Major League Baseball, The Major League Baseball Players Association and The American Academy of Dermatology Take a Swing at Skin Cancer to Protect Players and Fans
Subaru Rally Team USA Finishes One-Two at Rim of the World Rally; -- Travis Pastrana claims first rally victory --
MLB.com Launches New Daily Video Show 'MLB.com MIDDAY'
Soyuz-Victan to Sponsor USA National Hockey Team Strengthens Global Hockey Marketing PlatformKentucky Derby and Triple Crown Odds From PinnacleSports.com
Race and Sports Book Posts Odds on 2006 Triple Crown Winner and 132nd Run for the Roses
Velocity Sports Performance Provides NFL Hopefuls With the Opportunity to Succeed 21 Clients Preparing at National Sports Training Facility Selected in 2006 NFL DraftDOD
DoD Identifies Casualties
For the past two and a half years, veterans of wars past have been helping heal the latest generation of wounded troops every Friday in a basement steakhouse
Air Force Sergeants MIA from Vietnam War Identified
Iraq once supplied roughly 30 percent of the world's datesCivilian leaders returned here yesterday from a whirlwind trip through Southwest Asia with a fresh new perspective about U.S. military operations
When the USS James E. Williams sets sail from Norfolk, Va., tomorrow, it will be a special moment for the family of a top Army noncommissioned officer.
NEWS
Storey Retires From P&G Board
_______________________________________________
ENTERTAINMENT, ART, FASHION, TECHNOLOGY
Tom Cruise Takes Manhattan: U.S. Premiere of 'Mission: Impossible III' to Be Held at Tribeca Film Festival May 3
Tom Cruise, the most exciting and successful action star in the world, returns to one of his signature roles, Secret Agent Ethan Hunt, in the summer's most highly anticipated action thriller, "Mission: Impossible III" -- and Cruise will celebrate the U.S. premiere of the film on May 3 at the Tribeca Film Festival with a full day of screenings and events throughout Manhattan as part of "Mission: NYC." Bringing the film and Cruise directly to fans and filmgoers, "Mission: NYC" kicks off with Cruise appearing live on "TRL" in Times Square and culminates nearly six hours later with the U.S. premiere of the film at the Festival.
Cruise's mission -- "should he choose to accept it" -- will begin at 3:30 pm at MTV's "TRL" studios in Times Square. Traveling by motorcycle, speedboat, taxicab, helicopter, sports car, and subway, Cruise will crisscross the island, making his way to premieres in Tribeca and Harlem before heading to the U.S. premiere at the Ziegfeld Theatre (141 West 54th St.), hosted in conjunction with the Tribeca Film Festival.
Paramount Pictures is offering satellite coverage of "Mission: NYC" and the U.S. premiere.
To be attended by: Tom Cruise, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Michelle Monaghan,
Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Keri Russell, Maggie Q, Laurence Fishburne,
director J.J. Abrams, and producer Paula Wagner
5:30pm EDT /2:30pm PDT
Tom Cruise explains "Mission: NYC"
Tom Cruise returns as Special Agent Ethan Hunt, who faces the mission of his life in "Mission: Impossible III." Director J.J. Abrams ("Lost," "Alias") brings his unique blend of action and drama to the billion-dollar franchise.
Paramount Pictures presents a Cruise|Wagner production, "Mission: Impossible III." The film is directed by J.J. Abrams and produced by Tom Cruise and Paula Wagner from a screenplay written by Alex Kurtzman & Roberto Orci & J.J. Abrams, based on the television series created by Bruce Geller. The film stars Tom Cruise, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ving Rhames, Billy Crudup, Michelle Monaghan, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Keri Russell, Maggie Q, and Laurence Fishburne. The film is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of frenetic violence and menace, disturbing images, and brief sensuality.
Paramount Pictures is part of the entertainment operations of Viacom Inc., one of the leading global entertainment content companies, with prominent and respected brands in focused demographics across virtually all media.
Monte Bubbles Takes Best of Breed Two Days Running
Photos taken by Club Photographer all (C) him 2006
Michael Douglas & Friends Presented By Lexus Set for May 7 at Trump National Golf Club in Rancho Palos Verdes
Lexus, Trump National Golf Club, Dr Pepper and AOL Support Celebrity Golf Tournament for Motion Picture & Television Fund
The Eighth Annual Michael Douglas & Friends Presented by Lexus celebrity golf event will be held Sunday, May 7, 2006, at the Trump National Golf Club in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. The tournament will air on NBC Sports Saturday, June 10, 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. EDT. Proceeds of the golf event will help the Motion Picture & Television Fund (MPTF) continue to provide charitable health and community services to entertainment industry people in need.
Celebrities confirmed at this time to join Michael Douglas as 2006 tournament players include Don Cheadle, Josh Duhamel, Kenny G, Andy Garcia, Samuel L. Jackson, Cheryl Ladd, Heather Locklear, Haley Joel Osment, William Petersen, Martin Sheen and James Woods. The celebrities divide into foursomes and are guided by renowned golf coaches Butch Harmon, Jim McLean and Dean Reinmuth. The event will be hosted by Access Hollywood's Nancy O'Dell and NBC sportscaster Dan Hicks.
Spectator tickets for the May 7 Michael Douglas & Friends Presented by Lexus celebrity tournament are available through TicketWeb (www.ticketweb.com), at $30 per person plus any applicable service charges.
"We've raised more than $4 million to help maintain the 'safety net' of care provided by the Motion Picture & Television Fund since our first celebrity golf event in 1998," said Michael Douglas. "And we owe a good part of our success to the involvement of the celebrity players who donate their time, and our very loyal and supportive corporate event partners."
Lending support this year are presenting sponsor Lexus and associate sponsors Trump National Golf Club, Dr Pepper and AOL. "Lexus is pleased to be on the course once again as presenting sponsor of this year's tournament," said Deborah Meyer, Lexus vice president of marketing. "We are proud to work with Michael Douglas and support the Motion Picture & Television Fund for such a worthy cause."
Lexus is the tournament's presenting sponsor for the fifth year in a row, and for the second year will host the Lexus Celebrity Putting Challenge Benefiting the Motion Picture & Television Fund. The celebrities, broken up into four-person teams, will putt to win cash and a one-year lease of a Lexus GS 450h performance sedan on behalf of MPTF. The first player from each team will putt from a pre-designated 25-foot distance. A $10,000 prize is awarded for every putt holed in this round. The length of the putt is reduced in each of the remaining three rounds (15' & 10' & 5'), and the prize money is reduced as the putt gets shorter ($7,500 & $5,000 & $2,500). All twelve players will putt.
Located on the luxurious Palos Verdes Peninsula just thirty minutes south of Downtown Los Angeles, Trump National is perched high above the jagged California cliffs taking advantage of incredible views from every hole. The Donald J. Trump Signature Design course tempts golfers to take risks and rewards well-placed shots. The layout challenges experienced golfers and novices to the best of their abilities. Trump National truly stands as a testament to the greatness of golf.
About The Motion Picture & Television Fund
The non-profit Motion Picture & Television Fund, headquartered in Woodland Hills, CA, was founded in 1921 to provide "relief" for those in the film industry who had fallen on hard times. Today, 85 years later, MPTF is a major service provider supporting the health and well being of the entertainment community. Healthcare, childcare, retirement living and social/charitable services are offered with compassion and respect for the dignity of the whole person. Care is offered through the MPTF 250-bed hospital, five outpatient health centers, charitable financial assistance and community outreach programs, a full-scale retirement community and a children's day care center. More information is available at www.mptvfund.org.
About Lexus
Lexus has become synonymous with luxury since its introduction in 1989. By offering some of the finest quality luxury vehicles and providing benchmark customer service, Lexus has become the top-selling luxury nameplate in the United States for six years in a row. Lexus and its 218 dealers have repeatedly achieved high honors for both the products they sell and the customer service they provide as rated by the independent research firm of J.D. Power and Associates.
Source: Motion Picture & Television Fund
Web site: http://www.mptvfund.org/
Vivendi Universal Games Becomes 'Vivendi Games'
Vivendi Universal Games today announced its new name, Vivendi Games ("VG"). The name change follows the parent company's announcement on April 20 that "Vivendi Universal" has become "Vivendi." Under its new name, Vivendi Games will compete in all areas of the video games industry, developing and publishing the highest quality franchises for all gamers.
"This has been a time of renewal for our company and we have emerged as a leader in creativity and innovation," said Bruce Hack, CEO of Vivendi Games. "The adoption of the name 'Vivendi Games' marks a new chapter in our history, as we make Vivendi Games synonymous around the globe with top quality interactive entertainment."
Vivendi Games operates with four centers of creativity. Blizzard Entertainment publishes World of Warcraft(R) the world's most popular subscription-based massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) with over 6.5 million subscribers: its upcoming expansion, The Burning Crusade(TM); and the award winning Diablo(R), StarCraft(R), and Warcraft(R) franchises. Sierra Entertainment includes Radical Entertainment, Swordfish Studios, High Moon Studios, and Massive Entertainment, and has relationships with top external studios. It is the publisher of Scarface(TM): The World Is Yours, Eragon(TM), F.E.A.R.(TM) World in Conflict(TM), Crash Bandicoot(R), Spyro The Dragon(R), Timeshift(TM), 50 Cent: Bulletproof and Miami Vice(TM) The Game.
Vivendi Games also recently announced the formation of two new divisions: Vivendi Mobile Games which publishes games for the fast growing mobile market and Sierra Online which is dedicated to publishing casual games for online play and distribution on all platforms.
About Vivendi Games
Vivendi Games (www.vivendigames.com) is a global developer, publisher and distributor of multi-platform interactive entertainment. The company is the leader in the subscription-based massively multi-player online role-playing games (MMORPG) category, holds leading positions in the PC, console, handheld and mobile games markets, and is an emerging player in casual online games. Vivendi Games' two principal studios and publishing labels include Blizzard Entertainment, headquartered in Irvine, CA, the creator of World of Warcraft(R), Diablo(R), StarCraft(R), and Warcraft(R); and Sierra Entertainment, headquartered in Los Angeles, which includes Radical Entertainment, Swordfish Studios, High Moon Studios, and Massive Entertainment. Sierra's IPs include Crash Bandicoot(R), Spyro The Dragon(R), Empire Earth(R), SWAT(R), Darkwatch(TM), Timeshift(TM), Ground Control(R) and Leisure Suit Larry(R). Vivendi Games is also home to Vivendi Mobile Games, publishing games for the emerging mobile market, and Sierra Online, dedicated to publishing casual games for online play and distribution on all platforms. Vivendi Games maintains strategic relationships with industry leading content partners, including Universal Music Group, NBC Universal, Twentieth Century Fox, and Ludlum Entertainment. The company has 16 offices around the world conducting business in 75 countries.
Source: Vivendi Games
Web site: http://www.vivendigames.com/
JERRY SPRINGER Talker Gets a Sandwich Named After Him at Carnegie Deli in New York
WHO: Jerry Springer -- National Talk Show Host
Celebrating 15 Seasons and 3000 Shows!
WHAT: Join Jerry as the world famous Carnegie Deli names a sandwich in
his honor!
Come to Carnegie Deli ... Jerry may serve you himself!
Tune-in to Jerry Springer's 3000th episode on May 12
WHEN: Tuesday, May 2, 2006
2:00 PM ET
WHERE: Carnegie Deli
854 Seventh Ave
New York, NY
1
Source: NBC Universal
BetHoldem's Fearsome Foursome Ready to Battle Poker's Best in Las Vegas
The BetHoldem.com Fearsome Foursome will be back in action next week and they hope to continue the previous success of team member Brian Jensen when they invade Caesars Las Vegas for the latest WSOP Grand Circuit main event.
Jensen earned a fully sponsored spot on the team after winning almost a quarter of a million dollars for finishing second at the WSOP Grand Circuit main event in Atlantic City back in February. The 30 year-old stockbroker from Aalborg, Denmark, is hoping history will repeat itself in Vegas.
"Atlantic City was a really great experience," said Jensen. "I played some of the best poker I have ever played, made moves and got tells off people. But I can't stop thinking what I could have done differently heads-up, so that I would have been the winner. I'm really looking forward to going to Las Vegas."
Rounding out the rest of the foursome are Steve McGugan, Don Gatlin and BetHoldem Poker Room manager Alex Jagodik.
This will be the first-ever live tournament for McGugan, who has been playing poker online for about one-and-a-half years.
"What better place to start than at a WSOP Circuit event?" said McGugan, a native of North Carolina. "I'm really excited to be part of the team and am eager to see how my skill set matches up with the best."
McGugan said that he's really worked on his game at BetHoldem.com, and, after trying out a number of other poker rooms, it is his preferred place to play online.
"BetHoldem is a really good site," he said. "They've done a great job at improving it over the last year, putting together a great place that I can trust with my money. It's a great place to enjoy the poker experience and they've come a long way."
Las Vegas will be Don Gatlin's second major tournament as a part of the Fearsome Foursome and he's hoping for a better result than he achieved in Atlantic City.
"Atlantic City was a lot of fun even though I didn't make it past Day 1," said Gatlin. "The magnitude of poker talent at an event like that is huge, and I'm hoping to finish in the money in Vegas."
The Florida resident said he has been playing on BetHoldem for about 18 months and likes the opportunities that promotions like the Fearsome Foursome provide for up-and-coming poker players.
"BetHoldem is a real fun place to play," said Gatlin. "Promos like this are the best because for only $100 you can get into a major poker tournament without it costing you thousands of dollars. I might be able to afford to play a small WSOP tournament, but there's no way I could come up with $10,000 to buy into a main event on my own."
All of the members of the team credited the Fearsome Foursome with being a great vehicle to build one's poker knowledge by meeting and interacting with their fellow teammates.
"I think it's a great team," said Jensen. "You get a chance to talk about poker with some great players and there's a feeling of team spirit."
"These are really good guys," added McGugan. "I've played with them online, and I am really looking forward to meeting them. It should be lots of fun."
For more information on qualifying for the "The Fearsome Foursome," please visit http://www.betholdem.com/fearsome.asp .
About BetHoldem.com
Betholdem.com is a full-service online poker room, which operates on the PrimaPoker network, one of the largest online poker networks in the world. Fully licensed and regulated in St. John's, Antigua, BetHoldem.com offers a complete suite of poker games, including Texas Hold'em Poker, Omaha, Seven-Card Stud, Five-Card Stud and 1-On-1 Poker. BetHoldem.com has positioned itself in one of the fastest-growing markets in the gaming industry by providing an exceptional product, unparalleled 24/7 customer support and timely payouts.
BetHoldem.com is a proud member of the BetCorp Ltd., a public company traded on both the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) and the London Stock Exchange's Alternative Investment Market (AIM) under the ticker symbol 'BCL'. With over ten years of experience, the BetCorp Group offers a complete range of online gaming products and more than 150 betting options daily through its portfolio of companies and managed services -- BetHoldem.com, WagerOnSports.com, Cybersportsbook.com, BetBet.com, BetCasino.com and BetWWTS.com.
Web site: http://www.betholdem.com/
Web site: http://www.betwwts.com/
Asia's Highly Acclaimed Actor Tony Leung Ka Fai to Ring the Opening Bell at American Stock Exchange
Tony Leung Ka Fai will ring the opening bell at the American Stock Exchange on Tuesday, May 2, 2006. Mr. Leung is ringing the bell to kick off a theatre benefit on behalf of the New York Downtown Hospital, Chinese Community Partnership for Health (CCPH) and the Hong Kong Repertory Theatre.
WHEN: Tuesday, May 2, 2006
Opening Bell 9:30 a.m.
WHERE: American Stock Exchange
86 Trinity Place, NY, NY
BROADCAST: A feed of the Amex Opening Bell is available via fiber line
at Ascent Media/Waterfront loop # 6208 beginning at 9:05 a.m.
Source: American Stock Exchange
Web site: http://www.amex.com/
Tom Cruise, the most exciting and successful action star in the world, returns to one of his signature roles, Secret Agent Ethan Hunt, in the summer's most highly anticipated action thriller, "Mission: Impossible III" -
Cast and Cruise will celebrate the U.S. premiere of the film on May 3 at the Tribeca Film Festival with a full day of screenings and events throughout Manhattan as part of "Mission: NYC." Bringing the film and Cruise directly to fans and filmgoers, "Mission: NYC" kicks off with Cruise appearing live on "TRL" in Times Square and culminates nearly six hours later with the U.S. premiere of the film at the Festival. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19991206/PARLOGO) Cruise's mission -- "should he choose to accept it" -- will begin at 3:30 pm at MTV's "TRL" studios in Times Square. Traveling by motorcycle, speedboat, taxicab, helicopter, sports car, and subway, Cruise will crisscross the island, making his way to premieres in Tribeca and Harlem before heading to the U.S. premiere at the Ziegfeld Theatre (141 West 54th St.), hosted in conjunction with the Tribeca Film Festival. Paramount Pictures is offering satellite coverage of "Mission: NYC" and the U.S. premiere.
U.S. PREMIERE, NEW YORK Wednesday, May 3, 2006 To be attended by: Tom Cruise, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Michelle Monaghan, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Keri Russell, Maggie Q, Laurence Fishburne, director J.J. Abrams, and producer Paula Wagner 5:30pm EDT /2:30pm PDT Tom Cruise explains "Mission: NYC" Coverage of "Mission: NYC," beginning with Cruise appearance on "TRL" and continuing through his helicopter flight around the Battery 9:30pm EDT/6:30pm PDT All of the above, plus: Coverage of the U.S. premiere from New York Tom Cruise returns as Special Agent Ethan Hunt, who faces the mission of his life in "Mission: Impossible III." Director J.J. Abrams ("Lost," "Alias") brings his unique blend of action and drama to the billion-dollar franchise. Paramount Pictures presents a Cruise|Wagner production, "Mission: Impossible III."
The film is directed by J.J. Abrams and produced by Tom Cruise and Paula Wagner from a screenplay written by Alex Kurtzman & Roberto Orci & J.J. Abrams, based on the television series created by Bruce Geller. The film stars Tom Cruise, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ving Rhames, Billy Crudup, Michelle Monaghan, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Keri Russell, Maggie Q, and Laurence Fishburne. The film is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of frenetic violence and menace, disturbing images, and brief sensuality. Paramount Pictures is part of the entertainment operations of Viacom Inc., one of the leading global entertainment content companies, with prominent and respected brands in focused demographics across virtually all media.
For Engelbert, Life Begins at 70
When legendary superstar Engelbert Humperdinck walks off the plane at London Heathrow Airport on Tuesday, May 2, those in attendance will discover that there's finally one thing about him that's definitely "easy to forget" -- his age.
That's because while others of his generation are thinking about replacing theirs, the perennially youthful Engelbert, who will be celebrating his 70th birthday that day, is simply relocating his "hip."
The ever-handsome, ever-sexy, ever-dynamic romantic singer with the golden voice will be making an announcement to the press about his stepping into the second phase of his career. And with in excess of 150 million records sold, 72 gold albums, 23 platinum albums, four Grammy nominations, a Golden Globe Award and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame behind him, there's no doubt that he still has all the moves.
"I have no concept of time," Engelbert laughs about his career decision.
As well he shouldn't.
The year 2006 has already borne a full plate of new things for this still-ambitious acclaimed artist who first came on the international music scene in 1967 with his smash hit "Release Me." On January 27, he received an Honorary Doctorate of Music from the University of Leicester, in recognition of his contributions to the university and for putting his hometown of Leicester on the international map. Then, in March, he recorded the theme song for the Golden Globe-winning hit Showtime TV series "Weeds" (which airs in 130 countries). In April, he changed his artist representation agency, once again joining the ranks of William Morris.
This summer will see the release of a new DVD and CD, the latter of which promises some surprises. He will also be releasing a single from the DVD called "Columns of Gray," from which he will be donating all the proceeds to veterans and their dependents. The song, written by Mike Egan, was inspired, by the actual columns of gray located in Bastoigne, Belgium, on which a tribute to fallen soldiers is etched in gold. Plus, all this year, Engelbert is touring the globe with his "Totally Amazing World Tour," named for a song he co-wrote with his daughter, Louise, and Tony Tolliver.
"I'm really excited about what lies ahead," Engelbert enthuses. "I'm sure there's going to be a sequel to my autobiography that came out at the end of last year."
For today, he's looking forward to celebrating his three-score-and-ten birthday with family and friends. Of course, since he enjoys having his cake and eating it, too, he would like to invite the media to meet him at the airport at the arrival area for a question-and-answer session.
Engelbert will be arriving at 11 a.m. on Air New Zealand, Flight NZ22, Terminal 3.
No "last waltz" here.
Source: EH Productions
It’s all About Service!
Shotoku Broadcast Systems Moves US Headquarters to More Accessible Location.
Naoki Ebimoto, president of Shotoku Broadcast Systems, is committed to providing customers with the highest-level and fastest service possible, even if it means moving the entire US headquarters to a more accessible location. The manufacturer of camera support equipment and robotic control camera systems recently relocated from its former Irvine site to a new home in Torrance CA, just minutes to LAX Airport and convenient to all the shipping companies.
“We are growing quickly in the US and need to use air transportation very frequently,” said Ebimoto. “Being so close to the airport decreases time wasted traveling to and from airports and increases the time we can spend with our customers. It also improves our shipping capabilities and cuts down on delivery time.” Shotoku is also enjoying the advantages of increased space. “We are able to store more parts now which has increased our level of service,” Ebimoto added.
Shotoku Broadcast Systems new contact information:
About Shotoku Broadcast Systems
Shotoku Broadcast Systems is an international leader in the manufacture and marketing of a full range of camera support products with emphasis on pedestals and pan/tilt heads for the television broadcast industry. The Company also provides robotic camera systems capable of interfacing with other manufacturers equipment. Established in 1941 as an engineering design firm specializing in unique machines, Shotoku maintains headquarters in Japan and operates offices in Staines, UK and Torrance, CA. For further information: www. Shotoku.tv
From the Computer Screen to the TV Screen: Home Made Simple Comes to TLC in New Original Series
The Learning Channel (TLC) wants to spice up your Sunday afternoon by bringing the popular HOME MADE SIMPLE(TM)(R) brand and website to life as a new television series. Premiering Sunday, June 4 at 1 PM ET/PT, the 13-episode series is based on the easy home style principles featured on the popular homecare website,
www.homemadesimple.com, supported by The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE: PG). Traveling around the country to simplify, organize and improve the lives of homeowners everywhere, organizational expert June Saruwatari, master carpenter Scott McCray and a team of guest experts work with viewers who nominate a friend they feel is deserving of a visit from HOME MADE SIMPLE. From families dealing with triplets, to women returning to the work force, our HOME MADE SIMPLE mavens surprise families and show them how to organize their home, create simple meals and celebrate living.
Home Made Simple, launched in 2000, is an online information center and monthly interactive newsletter which provides simple solutions to help improve lives and create homes people love to live in. Subscribers to the free monthly e-newsletter are also among the first to know about innovative home projects and can even buy new products from sponsoring brands and companies months before they are available in stores.
Home Made Simple continues to provide innovative solution for member subscribers, adding music downloading in December 2005 via a partnership with PassAlong.
"TLC is a leader in the home programming category and we are pleased to bring a very respected source of home information from the web to daytime TV. We know that our viewers are eager to learn about ways to create a peaceful and streamlined home, and this original series provides the exact know-how to do so," said Discovery Networks Vice President, Production for Daytime and Fringe, Deborah Adler Myers.
Maurice Coffey, Marketing Director for Home Made Simple, said, "We are committed towards building upon the strong relationship and trust we have with our subscribers, by continuing to provide her the types of information and help she is looking for in her efforts to be everywhere, and do everything for everyone in her family and her home. She has told us she wants access to this information when and where it is most relevant and when she has time to consume it. We have worked with TLC in the past and have had great success, we are extremely excited and confident that TLC will do great things with the brand."
TLC's HOME MADE SIMPLE television series will travel the country identifying homeowners who are in need of some simple solutions to everyday or unusual problems. Nominated families include newly divorced moms challenged with starting over, a young new mother of twins that recently took on caring for her ailing mother, and a family with a spouse returning home from the military. In each episode, "organizing maniac" June Saruwatari leads the team to their goals and along the way, surprises our families with new appliances or general home improvements to make their lives simpler. Families are also treated to special visits from "surprise guests" along the way. After each episode, viewers can go online to homemadesimple.com to learn more valuable tips on how to create their own HOME MADE SIMPLE.
HOME MADE SIMPLE is produced for TLC by Discovery Production Group. Sara Kozak is executive producer for Discovery Production Group and Deborah Adler Myers is executive producer for TLC.
About TLC:
TLC is the only television network dedicated to lifelong learning for viewers who want to grow up, not old. Featuring programming that explores life's key transitions and turning points, TLC presents high-quality, relatable and authentic personal stories. TLC connects more than 94 million homes in North America to the human experience with life's lessons you can't learn from books. TLC is a property of Discovery Communications, the leading global real-world media and Entertainment Company. Discovery has grown from its core property, the Discovery Channel, first launched in the United States in 1985, to current global operations in more than 160 countries and territories with 1.3 billion cumulative subscribers. DCI's over 90 networks of distinctive programming represent 25 network entertainment brands. DCI's other properties consist of Discovery Education and Discovery Commerce, which operates 120 Discovery Channel Stores. DCI also distributes BBC America in the United States. DCI's ownership consists of four shareholders: Discovery Holding Company (Nasdaq: DISCA; DISCB), Cox Communications, Inc., Advance/Newhouse Communications and John S. Hendricks, the Company's Founder and Chairman.
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(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 and http://www.homemadesimple.com for the latest news and in-depth information about P&G and its brands.
SOURCE Procter & Gamble
Nielsen Report Shows VOD Ratings Small, And Leveling Off by Joe Mandese, Monday
AS IT PREPARES TO BEGIN integrating time-shifted ratings from video-on-demand services into its national and local TV audience estimates, Nielsen Media Research is encountering a surprising development: As VOD penetration grows, its relative contribution to TV viewing appears to have leveled off and may even be declining, according to a new report released to clients last week. While VOD ratings have grown a whopping 600 percent in the 28-months since Nielsen began tracking it - jumping from a 0.03 percent of U.S. TV usage in September 2003 to 0.21 percent in December 2005, the last month it has reported - the most recent rating is down from the summer when VOD usage hit a high of 0.23 percent of U.S. TV usage.
The report, one of two papers released last week on the effects of time-shifted viewing from VOD and digital video recorders, is a more detailed analysis of an updated provided to clients by Nielsen during a national meeting in Orlando in March. It concludes that much of the gain in the national VOD rating over the past 28 months can be "attributed to increased accessibility, but the increased and improved program offerings were likely a contributing factor."
The report also seems to suggest that VOD is a bigger factor in certain dayparts (such as late night and prime-time), during certain days of the week, and among specific demographics (especially children and young adults). The highest VOD - rating a 0.16 - occurs among adults 18-34 watching late night programming on weekdays. The next highest rating is among persons 12-17 in prime-time. Kids 2-11 averaged a 0.11 rating during prime access.
"Fourteen percent of VOD tuning came from 2- to 11-year-olds, but only 12 percent was from persons 55-plus. The older demo accounted for 32% percent of linear tuning," wrote Steve McGowan, senior vice president-client research initiatives, the Nielsen executive who authored the report. "In the key 18-34 demo, they accounted for 35 percent of all VOD minutes, but only 19 percent of linear minutes.
While most viewing in VOD households occurs in "linear" mode - meaning in real-time when viewers are unlikely to fast-forward through TV commercials - there is also some promising upside, because VOD users tend to watch more TV overall.
"For the last half of 2005, weekly VOD users averaged nearly 84 hours of linear use, far more than the 59 hours for VOD-accessible homes that did not use the service," wrote McGowan.
NO LONGER WILL JUST WEIGHT-LOSS product companies with deceptive TV commercials
have a lot to answer for--now the FTC will start naming names of broadcast and cable outlets that allow the practice to go on.
Federal Trade Commission Chairman Deborah Platt Majoras put broadcast and cable networks on notice--in a speech she gave in New York--that in FTC press releases, media outlets will be named when they run deceptive product commercials.
Many of these deceptive ads--and especially infomercials--tout quick-weight-loss products and other products that allege to cure diseases--for example, cancer.
She cited some recent claims, but not companies: "New Calorie-Busting Slimming Pill Forces You to Lose Weight Without Diet or Exercise" and "How I lost 41 Pounds in Less than 2 Months Without Dieting."
Much of the FTC's recent efforts have been geared toward self-regulation--and gains have been made during the last few years. Majoras did say that deceptive weight-loss ads have slowed down to 15 percent from 50 percent--those ads that are "red flagged" by the FTC. Companies such as Discovery, MTV, Lifetime, and ABC have made major noticeable improvements.
But now she warns that if broadcasters don't do a better job, the FTC will go after them as well. The FTC will try to get back the money obtained by deceptive ads in order to pay back consumers.
ALTHOUGH DOWN A LITTLE FROM a year ago, CBS still dominated the first night of the May sweeps
as its Thursday night lineup continued its season-long thrashing of the competition.
CBS posted wins in all major viewership categories; the most important was adults 18-49, in which it averaged a 6.7 rating/19 share for the night. Led by "Survivor: Panama--Exile Island," "CSI," and "Without a Trace," CBS was also first in households with a 13.2/21; viewers, with 20.85 million; adults 18-34, a 4.6/14; and adults 25-54, 8.4/21. "CSI" was the leading show of the night among 18-49 viewers, with an 8.7 rating/22 share.
CBS was down a little from the first sweeps night in May 2005, but was still heads over other networks: NBC, 4.0/11; Fox, 2.3/6; ABC, 2.1/6; WB, 1.7/5; and UPN, 1.0/3.
NBC actually fell farther behind CBS this May sweep. "Will & Grace" took in a 2.8/9 in viewers 18-49 and 7.5 million viewers overall; "My Name is Earl" just barely grabbed a 4.0 rating with a 4.1/11 in viewers 18-49 and 9 million viewers overall; "The Office" slipped a little behind "Earl" with a 3.8/10 in viewers 18-49 and 7.7 million viewers overall.
"ER" was at 5.2/14 in viewers 18-49 and 12.4 million viewers overall--more than 25 percent behind last year's numbers. This year, CBS' "Without a Trace" beat "ER" among 18-49 demos in the first night of the May sweeps. Fox couldn't muster much for "That '70s Show"--2.2/7 in 18-49 and 4.9 million viewers overall. "The OC" was a bit better with a 2.4/6 in viewers 18-49 and 5.4 million viewers overall.
ABC seemingly has lost steam with "American Inventor"--now down from its big numbers to a 3.0/8 in viewers 18-49 and 7.2 million viewers overall. Worse still, ABC's "Commander in Chief" hit a series low, with 1.9/5 in viewers 18-49 and 6.5 million viewers overall.
City Colleges of Chicago's WKKC-FM Prepares For Harsh Weather with Jampro Side Mount Antenna
WKKC-FM, a full-service station licensed to the Board of Trustees of Community College District 508 for the City Colleges of Chicago, has awarded a contract to Jampro Antenna / RF Systems of Sacramento, California for a JMPC FM side mount antenna. Broadcasting at 89.3 FM, WKKC-FM is known locally as the number one "hot spot" on the Southside of the city.
The JMPC’s rugged construction, durability and performance in tough weather conditions were among the prime reasons the Windy City station chose the antenna. Made of high quality marine brass and copper, the JMPC is designed to stand severe cold weather and high moisture conditions such as those produced by Lake Michigan's winter lake effect. The antenna has radomes - fiberglass coverings - to protect against environmental hazards, and deicers for winter weather. Standard round-leg tower mounting brackets were included in the WKKC order. Silver-plated, inner conductor connectors are used throughout the JMPC to ensure minimum contact life and minimum loss of power. Each antenna bay is DC grounded for protection against lightning. Galvanized steel mounted brackets support each antenna bay.
Before shipment to WKKC, the JMPC will be tested for directionality, and optimized for performance at Jampro's 7,000 foot, full field test range in California. The JMPC is also available for multiple frequencies. Its circular polarization offers excellent performance for HD, stereo and SCA operation.
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.
With every new business venture -- like the just released test issue of Blueprint, a magazine for young homeowners -- and each new quarter's financial results, Martha Stewart's company shows every sign of rebounding from the dark days of her imprisonment. But what if she had never been convicted, as she was in March 2004, for obstructing justice and lying to prosecutors?
Martha Stewart company's dark days appear to be receding.
Today Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia is collecting revenue from its Martha Stewart Living Radio channel on Sirius Satellite Radio, building up its Internet operations, casting eyes overseas, planning home accessories to sell in Macy's and, most recently, announcing a new line of Martha Stewart-branded rugs.
15-cent share loss estimated
Before today's release of first-quarter financials, analysts said they expected the company to show new improvement, even though their consensus estimate called for a loss of 15 cents per share, according to Thomson Financial. Last year's first quarter, after all, produced a 37-cent loss.
"The publishing division appears to have bounced off the inflection point, and could continue to post impressive advertising growth (double-digits) over the next 12 months, albeit off very depressed levels," said William Drewry, a Credit Suisse First Boston.
As expected, Martha Stewart's company reported a first-quarter loss this morning, but continued to show signs of improvements across many fronts, particularly the publishing unit.
When a smattering of recent, closely watched metrics are contrasted with past performance, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia seems to have some revival yet ahead.
Television Ratings: In the glory days of its 1996-97 season, Ms. Stewart's eponymous syndicated TV show pulled in viewers in nearly 4 million homes, according to Nielsen Media Research. Her post-incarceration version of this program is grabbing almost 2 million homes.
MSLO has just released the test issue for 'Blueprint,' a title for young homeowners.
Ad Pages: Martha Stewart Living has been on the warpath lately, notching about 138 ad pages during the first quarter of 2006, an 80.9% increase over the first quarter a year before, according to the Publishers Information Bureau. And for all of 2005, the magazine printed almost 659 ad pages, 38.2% more than in 2004. But pre-prison? The title ran 1,234 ad pages in 2003; 1,887 ad pages in 2002; and 1,790 in 2001. Then again, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia publishes magazines that didn't exist in the old days, and not just Blueprint. Now there's also Everyday Food, for example, which ran nearly 435 ad pages last year and looks likely to have plenty of growth ahead; its first-quarter ad pages this year doubled its ad pages in first-quarter 2005.
Income:By perhaps the most basic measure, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia definitely has ground to make up. One month before a jury found Ms. Stewart guilty, the company reported that it had lost $6.3 million during 2003 -- but discounting restructuring charges, its operating income would have totaled $27.7 million instead. Last year, it turned in a fourth-quarter profit of $2.9 million, breaking a red streak of seven quarterly losses that went all the way back to her conviction. For all of 2005, however, the company lost more than $78 million.
First-quarter report
First-quarter revenue at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia grew 60% to $61.8 million; its operating loss totaled $7.7 million, less than half the $19.8 million operating loss reported in first-quarter 2005. The loss per share was 13 cents for the first quarter of 2006, better than analysts' consensus of 15 cents, and much better than last year's first-quarter loss of 37 cents.
During a conference call today, President-CEO Susan Lyne said she believed Martha Stewart Living was taking share from Time Inc.'s Real Simple, Hearst Magazines' O, the Oprah Magazine and other home and lifestyle books. "This has been a relatively flat advertising quarter for the industry as a whole but it's been extremely robust for us," she said.
The publishing division, home to magazines such as Martha Stewart Living and Everyday Food, expanded revenue by 43% to reach $36.3 million. It reported an operating loss, but only barely: $100,000, even after investing $1.1 million to staff Blueprint. The first quarter of 2005, in contrast, produced an operating loss of $8.7 million.
Broadcasting turned in a similar performance, reporting revenue of $11.3 million, up from $800,000 in the first quarter last year on the addition of revenue from the "Martha" syndicated TV show and the Martha Stewart Living Radio channel on Sirius. The unit's operating loss was $300,000, better than a $2.3 million loss in the year-ago period.
The "Martha" show has not delivered the ratings that the company had expected, however, and is not a profit center either. Asked about improving the show's profitability, Ms. Lyne said some expenses have been cut and that she hoped the show would attract more viewers in its second year.
"But what is important is that it is a significant driver for the rest of our businesses," Ms. Lyne added, citing growing Web traffic and single-copy magazine sales as examples. Merchandising, which grew revenue and operating income, should benefit as well as it continues to expand.
The only division to report smaller revenue than it did in year-ago period was the Internet unit. But last year the Web business still included revenue from the company's online-retail model, which it has abandoned. The division broke even in terms of operating income, an improvement over a $1.5 million loss in the quarter a year before.
Looking ahead, the company said it expects significant year-over-year improvements in operating results in the second quarter and for the full year. It anticipates full-year revenue of $270 million to $280 million, up from last year's revenue of $209.5 million.
Walt Disney Co.'s ABC TV Network sent another signal that it's ready to embrace digital media delivery
yesterday when it announced a rights agreement with the various Hollywood guilds for mobisodes inspired by ABC's hit program "Lost" and designed for initial release on mobile platforms.
When ABC announced its plan to make its prime-time programming available for sale through iTunes, the various Hollywood labor unions cried foul, claiming ABC wasn't handling the residuals fairly.
It's the first union agreement to cover content to be delivered to the very small screen and could prove to be an important benchmark as other content creators extend their hit shows onto digital platforms.
The unions involved included Writers Guild of America, west, the Screen Actors Guild and the Directors Guild of America. Screen Actors Guild officials met with cast members in Hawaii, where the TV show is shot, late last year to garner support for the negotiation talks.
The agreement covers mobisodes -- original mini-episodes that are no more than five minutes in length and used on cellphones. The agreement calls for a residual formula once a mobisode has been in place for 13 weeks and that formula differs depending on whether the mobisode is consumer- or ad-supported. Use on ABC.com with neither of those revenue sources does not trigger a residual.
Negotiations with Hollywood unions just might prove to be one of the biggest hurdles for TV networks as they move toward more digital delivery options. When ABC announced its plan to make its prime-time programming available for sale through iTunes, the various Hollywood labor unions cried foul, claiming ABC wasn't handling the residuals fairly. Most of the industry contracts expire in 2007 and 2008.
The other major hurdle, observing the delivery rights of local TV stations, is beginning to sort itself out. Last week, just in time for the National Association of Broadcasters marketing conference in New York, Fox announced a deal with its affiliates that would share revenue from Internet-delivered programs, essentially allowing the network to fast track more digital deals. And NBC last week announced a joint venture with its affiliates that will look at ways to monetize their collective video inventory on digital delivery platforms.
Ruder Finn's Helen Shelton Awarded Ebony's 2006 Outstanding Woman in Communications
Ruder Finn announced today that Helen C. Shelton is the recipient of the Outstanding Woman in Communications Award in Public Relations by Ebony Magazine, the nation's leading news source for the African American community. Ms. Shelton will receive the award on Thursday, May 4 at an awards luncheon to be held in the Grand Ballroom of New York's Hilton Hotel.
Ms. Shelton is an Executive Vice President at Ruder Finn Arts & Communication Counselor, (RF A&CC), the nation's oldest and largest agency specializing in arts and entertainment marketing and public relations. As the first, youngest and only African American Executive Vice President in the 50- year history of RF A&CC, Ms. Shelton is a communications strategist responsible for the creation of national and international public relations and sponsorship programs for Fortune 500 companies, as well as non-profit cultural and social service organizations. A consummate and multi-faceted communications professional, Ms. Shelton has particular expertise in arts and entertainment marketing and promotion, sponsorship development, event planning, corporate communication, product publicity and public affairs.
At RF A&CC, Ms. Shelton has developed communications campaigns and sponsorship programs for leading brands in the spirits and wine industry, including Seagram's Gin, the award-winning Seagram's Vodka, Martell Cognac, Chivas Regal and the red wine portfolio of Robert Mondavi. Her work in the urban entertainment marketing and communications field includes managing and overseeing national public relations and promotions in support of the annual Seagram's Gin Live concert tour, which has presented artists such as Mary J. Blige, Jaheim, Tweet, Li'l Mo, Carl Thomas and many others over the last seven years. In this capacity, Ms. Shelton and her team have generated billions of media impressions in support of the tour and created successful strategic partnerships with several major broadcast and print media outlets. For General Motors, Helen developed a media relations campaign around GM's sponsorship of the landmark exhibition and multi-city tour of "The Wreck of the Henrietta Marie," a British slave ship that ran aground off the coast of Florida in the mid 19th-century. She also created a Black Music Month initiative for Target Stores; and national radio promotional campaigns for many other corporations.
Ms. Shelton also provides strategic communications counsel to many other corporations, having launched successful initiatives for KFC, The Chase Manhattan Corporation, UBS, Condé Nast Publications, Audi of America and Novartis. Among the major cultural institutions Ms. Shelton has developed media relations campaigns for are El Museo del Barrio in New York City; the Getty Center in Los Angeles; the Art Institute of Chicago; Millennium Park, also in Chicago; the Newseum, which opened in Washington, DC as the world's first interactive museum of news; and, the Japanese American National Museum, in Los Angeles.
In the area of public affairs, Ms. Shelton held an appointed position at the City of Chicago's Department of Cultural Affairs, where she worked closely with the Commissioner and Mayor to promote the city's vast civic program in support of the arts. She also served as Director of Public Affairs for the Human Resources Development Institute, Chicago's largest health and human services agency. Ms. Shelton has also held promotions and public relations positions at Seventeen Magazine and WRKS-FM Radio in New York.
"Ebony Magazine is the gold standard for us all, and I am so humbled and honored to be recognized by this stalwart and steadfast organization that has served our community for sixty years," says Ms. Shelton. "The legacy and vision of Mr. John H. Johnson is a constant source of inspiration and pride to me both professionally and personally. In times of challenge and triumph, I often look to that legacy and vision for both strength and guidance."
Helen Shelton began her career in public relations as an Executive Trainee at Ruder Finn. A graduate of Dartmouth College, where she double majored in art history and government, Ms. Shelton holds an M.S. degree in journalism and communication from Boston University's College of Communication, having received a full academic scholarship from RKO General, Inc.
A proponent of literacy and education, Ms. Shelton serves on the Board of Directors of ReadNet, Inc., the Board of Directors of The Support Network, Inc., and is a charter member of the Pi Theta chapter of the national social service sorority, Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. Ms. Shelton is a 2004 recipient of The Network Journal's "40 Under 40" Award. Fluent in Italian, Ms. Shelton resides in New York City, where she enjoys foreign films and language study.
About Ruder Finn
Ruder Finn is a leading independent communications, counseling and marketing services agency with 55 years' experience. The Ruder Finn Group maintains offices in Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Washington, London, Paris, Jerusalem, Asia/Pacific: Beijing, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore and Sydney, Australia. The agency also works with leading independent affiliates in major markets throughout North America, Europe and Latin America. The agency serves the global and local communications needs of 250 corporations and nonprofit organizations.
Source: Ruder FinnTexas Instruments and 'NUMB3RS' Unveil Winners of Texas Instruments 'Use 'NUMB3RS' Every Day for a Hollywood Get-Away' Sweepstakes
Grand Prize Winning Student and Teacher Receive Trip to Hollywood, Set Visit and Walk-on Role on 'NUMB3RS' Texas Instruments (TI), in partnership with "NUMB3RS," the CBS Paramount Network Television series, today announced the winners of the Texas Instruments "Use 'NUMB3RS' Every Day for a Hollywood Get-Away" Sweepstakes.
The sweepstakes is a component of TI's We All Use Math Every Day(TM) math initiative, a collaborative mathematics education program hosted by TI and the hit CBS TV show "NUMB3RS" and in association with the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM). Students entered the sweepstakes by registering online and nominating their math teachers, then earned extra credit by answering grade-appropriate math questions. The winning contestants were selected at random.
Oak Park River Forest High School ninth grader Kevin Binder of River Forest, Ill., is the grand prize winning student. He receives a four-day, three-night trip to Hollywood for him and his family including round-trip air transportation, hotel accommodations, a meet-and-greet with a "NUMB3RS" cast member and a visit to the show's filming location.
Binder nominated his math teacher Sheila Hardin, who will receive the grand prize trip to Hollywood for her and her family and a walk-on role on "NUMB3RS." Hardin teaches geometry and Advanced Placement calculus.
"I am thrilled that my students have taken such an interest in math by participating in the TI-'NUMB3RS' sweepstakes, which combines real life math with fun activities that engage them in and out of my classroom," said Hardin. "I'm looking forward to meeting the 'NUMB3RS' cast during my walk-on role and sharing my experiences to help students become even more interested in math."
TI also awarded $2,500 towards college costs to first place student winner Sean Carcaise, a ninth grader at Shenango High School in New Castle, Pennsylvania.
Second place winner Greg Damhorst, a senior at Larkin High School in Elgin, Ill., will receive $1,500 towards college costs.
TI will award 84 third prizes for students to receive a TI-84 Plus Silver Edition graphing calculator with an approximate retail value of $130.
"TI congratulates Kevin, Sean, Greg and all of the students around the nation who participated to recognize the work that teachers like Sheila Hardin are doing that inspires students to achieve more in math," said Melendy Lovett, president of Educational & Productivity Solutions, Texas Instruments. "We are showing students how math applies to their everyday lives and encouraging them to take as much as they can to help prepare for their future."
More than 25,000 educators, reaching approximately three million students across the nation, are participating in the We All Use Math Every Day program, which uses the math featured in the show to engage and interest students in math and help them see how it impacts their world and can help them be more successful. The program includes classroom activities created jointly by TI and the NCTM for teachers and students that are available for download at http://www.cbs.com/numb3rs .
About Texas Instruments
Educational & Productivity Solutions, a business of Texas Instruments, provides a wide range of advanced tools connecting the classroom experience with real-world applications and enabling students and teachers to explore math and science interactively. Designed with leading educators, Texas Instruments' educational technology and services are tested against recognized third-party research on effective instruction and improved student learning. Such research shows that use of graphing calculators and wireless collaborative technology in the classroom helps teachers implement instructional strategies that lead to higher student interest, engagement and achievement in mathematics.* For more than 15 years, TI has worked closely with educators and administrators to develop student-focused curricular and supplemental classroom materials, and it supports the world's largest professional development organization for the appropriate use of educational technology. More information is available at http://www.education.ti.com/ .
Texas Instruments Incorporated provides innovative DSP and analog technologies to meet our customers' real world signal processing requirements. In addition to Semiconductor, the company includes the Educational & Productivity Solutions business. TI is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and has manufacturing, design or sales operations in more than 25 countries.
Texas Instruments is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol TXN. More information is located on the World Wide Web at http://www.ti.com/ .
Handheld technology leadership measured in USA by Decision Analyst, Inc.
About "NUMB3RS"
Ridley Scott, Tony Scott, Barry Schindel, David W. Zucker, Nicolas Falacci, and Cheryl Heuton are executive producers of NUMB3RS, which was created by Cheryl Heuton and Nicolas Falacci. NUMB3RS is produced by Scott Free in association with CBS Paramount Network Television for CBS. CBS Paramount Network Television is a division of CBS Studios Inc.
About the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics is a public voice of mathematics education, providing vision, leadership, and professional development to support teachers in ensuring mathematics learning of the highest quality for all students. With 100,000 members and 240 Affiliates, NCTM is the world's largest organization dedicated to improving mathematics education in prekindergarten through grade 12. The Council's Principles and Standards for School Mathematics includes guidelines for excellence in mathematics education and issues a call for all students to engage in more challenging mathematics. More information is available at http://www.nctm.org/ .
Source: Texas Instruments Incorporated
david.sperber@tv.paramount.com
Web site: http://www.ti.com/
http://www.cbs.com/numb3rs
http://www.education.ti.com/
http://www.education.ti.com/research
http://www.nctm.org/
The Atlantic City Boardwalk Slated for Removal New Jersey's Response: 'Keep AC on the Board!'
After more than 70 years, Hasbro(R), the manufacturer of Monopoly(R), is launching a new "Here and Now' version of the game, which will feature streets, neighborhoods and national monuments from 22 U.S. cities.
While the original version will still be in production, the "Here and Now" version is expected to become the "flagship" Monopoly game, and will not include any of Atlantic City's famous icons.
That leaves Mr. Peanut, the Sopranos, New Jersey state residents and officials in an uproar and responding with a nation-wide online petition to "Help Keep Atlantic City on the Board."
If you want to join the statewide and national debate, here's how:
WHO: Jeffrey Vasser, Executive Director, Atlantic City Convention &
Visitors Authority
Maureen Siman, Vice President of Marketing, Atlantic City
Convention & Visitors Authority
WHAT: Live or taped phone interviews or on-site/in-studio from
Atlantic City
WHERE: From Atlantic City, New Jersey
WHEN: Daily from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
MobilePro Named Top U.S. Broadband Wireless ISP
MobilePro Corp. (BULLETIN BOARD: MOBL) announced today it has been named the No. 1 wireless Internet service provider in the United States by Broadband Wireless Exchange (BWE) Magazine. Following MobilePro was Clearwire Communications, a company backed by Craig McCaw, which was ranked No. 2 in the survey.
Jay Wright, chairman and CEO of MobilePro, said, "We continue to add new markets and customers in our existing markets. With hundreds of square miles of wireless network deployed and more under development, a superb wireless team led by Jerry Sullivan and a strengthening balance sheet, we believe the wind is definitely at our back."
The BWE research survey ranked wireless ISPs on the number of residential and business customers receiving high-speed wireless Internet access via fixed antennas mounted at customers' premises. For more information, visit http://www.bbwexchange.com/wireless_isp .
Jerry Sullivan, president and chief operating officer of MobilePro and CEO of MobilePro's wireless division, Kite Networks, said, "Our success to date is attributable to extensive focus on executing our business plan. Our primary goals are to deploy and operate superior broadband wireless networks throughout the country and provide the best customer experience possible, which in turn will provide and generate value growth to our shareholders. We have a significant customer base in major metropolitan cities such as Chicago, San Francisco, Houston, Denver and Phoenix, including the largest metro-Wi-Fi deployment in North America covering Tempe, Ariz. As previously announced, our plans include expanding into the Dallas, Boston and other MSAs with the same superior service."
About MobilePro Corp.
MobilePro Corp. is one of North America's leading wireless broadband companies, serving over 20,000 wireless broadband customers through its subsidiaries Kite Networks and Kite Broadband. Based in Bethesda, Md., the company is focused on creating shareholder value by acquiring and growing profitable telecommunications companies, developing innovative wireless technologies and forging strategic alliances with well-positioned companies in complementary product lines and industries. MobilePro serves more than 220,000 total customer lines throughout the United States with a broad array of telecommunications services.
Source: MobilePro Corp.
PodTech.net Launches Marketing Voices(TM)
New PodTech Podcast Brand Focuses on Social Media's Impact on Marketing Show Created and Hosted by Marketing Aficionado Jennifer Jones
PodTech.net, Inc., a media company dedicated to podcasting and delivering Fresh Voices(TM) for the iPod generation, today announced the debut of a new podcast brand called Marketing Voices(TM) on the InfoTalk(TM) network. The show represents the second in a new series of podcasts launched by PodTech in the last two weeks.
Under the Marketing Voices(TM) brand, PodTech will feature the fresh voices of innovative provocative leaders examining, among other topics, how social media tools such as wikis, blogs, podcasts, and online videos are changing marketing throughout the world.
Marketing Voices(TM) will be hosted by industry veteran and known marketer, Jennifer Jones. Jones has counseled many of Silicon Valley's premier companies including Apple Computer, Goldman Sachs, and Mayfield venture capital during her more than two decades in the technology industry.
According to John Furrier, CEO of PodTech.net, "Marketing Voices(TM) is unique in the podcasting industry. There is no other show being offered today that has this type of guest or content. Offering fresh voices who are driving the new perspectives of marketing is key to the podcast's success. Given Jennifer's marketing savvy and strategic expertise in branding and marketing, her background in technology and broadcast news and love of communicating new concepts, I am certain the show will resonate with our podcast audience."
GUESTS ON MARKETING VOICES(TM) (MV)
The first guest on Marketing Voices is Steve King, Senior Counsel of Institute for the Future (ITF). King's focus at ITF is how new media technology is impacting consumers and marketing. Future MV guests include Ross Mayfield, CEO of Socialtext; Robert Scoble, recent author of the book, "Naked Conversations: How Blogs are Changing the Way Businesses Talk with Customers"; and Pete Blackshaw, Chief Marketing Officer of Nielsen Buzzmetrics.
ABOUT JENNIFER JONES
Jennifer Jones is a 25-year technology marketing veteran. Prior to PodTech, she was the first marketing partner at Mayfield, a premier venture capital fund based in Menlo Park. Jennifer worked with Mayfield and its portfolio companies, providing strategic marketing and branding expertise for more than 15 years. Before Mayfield, Jennifer was a former Senior Vice President and General Manager of Regis McKenna, Inc (RMI), where she counseled technology companies including Apple Computer, Intel and Tandem Computers. Jennifer was the first marketing expert to develop and host a television show focusing on technology, called High Tech Visions, which was broadcast in the Bay Area in 1988. Prior to RMI, Jennifer also spent numerous years developing advertising and public relations campaigns for consumer companies while a Vice President at Ketchum Communications in San Francisco. Jennifer started her career in broadcast journalism as a reporter and producer at local and national news organizations.
ABOUT PODTECH.NET
PodTech.net is a media company dedicated to podcasting and delivering Fresh Voices(TM) to the iPod generation. It is a producer, aggregator, and distributor of professional podcast content for audiences worldwide. Its media channels include PodTech News, PodTech InfoTalk(TM) Network, and PodTech Sponsorship Network. PodTech has more than 15 corporate clients including Intel, Polycom, Juniper, Yahoo, Barracuda Networks, and NVIDIA. The company was founded in 2005 and is based in Menlo Park, California. It is funded by US Venture Partners and Venrock Associates. For more information go to www.Podtech.net.
Source: PodTech.net, Inc.
Virgin Megastores Will Now Offer Fashion and Accessories and Will Showcase the Clothes With a Rock N Roll Fashion Show at Hollywood Megastore
Virgin Megastore Hollywood to Host Fashion Panel, Celebrity 'Girls Rock'
Fashion Show With Janice Dickinson and Live Concert
by Morningwood and The Colour
WHO: Virgin Megastore, located at the landmark Hollywood & Highland
center, will now be offering an expanded line of rock n roll
fashion from designers such as Mosquitohead Inc, Loop, Rock
Steady, Adeline Street, eggprojects and Dragonfly. As part of the
brand's launch into fashion they will host the Fashion Q&A Panel,
In-store concerts and a Celebrity GIRLS ROCK FASHION SHOW.
WHEN: Wednesday, May 3rd from 6 PM - 9PM
press check in: 6:00 PM Virgin Megastore Hollywood (Press Table
will be located on Hollywood Blvd at the Virgin Megastore front
door entrance)
ORDER OF MAY 3rd EVENTS:
PRESS CHECK IN/
COCKTAIL VIP RECEPTION: 6:00 PM
Live Concert by Morningwood: 6:45 PM
Fashion Q&A PRESS PANEL/DEBATE: 7:15 PM
Fashion Show: 8:15 PM
LIVE CONCERT BY THE COLOUR 8:30 PM
AFTERPARTY AT THE HIGHLANDS 9:00 PM
WHERE: Virgin Megastore/Hollywood
6801 Hollywood Blvd
Hollywood, CA 90028
WHAT: Join VIPS, fashion, music and entertainment industry leaders for a
Happy Hour Cocktail Reception, with live music from Morningwood,
followed by a Q&A Fashion Panel. Directly following the panel
discussion Virgin Megastore, Hollywood will present its first
fashion show, which will be hosted by the world's first
supermodel, Janice Dickinson, and will introduce models from her
new agency. The fashion show will also feature celebrities as
models including: Caroline D'Amore (Fox's The Simple Life);
Dominique Swain (Noble Things); Kaley Cuoco (Charmed/WB); Kiara
Bailey (Blowout/Bravo); Honey Labrador (Queer Eye for the Straight
Girl/Bravo); Wynter Kullman (Law and Order/NBC); Aimmie Lynn
Chadwick (What About Brian/ABC); Kimberly Caldwell (Host/TV Guide
Channel); Kaya Jones (former lead vocalist for the Pussycat
Dolls/ solo recording artist); Carrie Anne Inoba (Dancing With the
Stars/ABC). After the fashion show, press can be entertained by a
live performance by The Colour and then attend the invitation only
red-carpet after-party at the club The Highlands, located on the
fourth floor of the Hollywood and Highland Center.
Source: Virgin Entertainment Group
Media Moguls Risk Overpaying for Fickle Fans of Facebook, MySpace
-- Several million fickle teens + dozens of curious advertisers x reams of breathless press - some perverts = $2 billion, please.
Facebook and MySpace are just two of the hot new social networking properties that are attracting a frenzy of VC funds.
Before it locked down $25 million in venture capital a couple of weeks ago, that was the sort of the calculus Facebook was apparently working under. The ever heady combination of ballooning price tags, youth appeal and gauzy PR signaled to some a second-coming of the late-1990s Internet bubble forming in the fast-growing social-networking and media realm, where tens of millions of young consumers congregate -- and have turned sites like YouTube, MySpace and Xanga into hot new properties for VC firms and titans of old media. Just last week Viacom announced it has dropped $102 million in cash for Xfire, an online gaming community that will be part of MTV Networks.
While neither the power of consumer-generated content nor the marketing cachet of digital communities united around similar tastes is being questioned, there's a feeling that the exorbitant figures being tossed about for Facebook signal some fin-de-siecle exuberance about properties that, though successful at reaching large numbers of an elusive demographic, are untried over the long haul.
Facebook, launched just over two years ago by a Harvard University sophomore, reportedly turned down a $750 million offer in the hopes of fetching about $2 billion from rumored suitors ranging from Viacom to Google. That was way up from the $580 million commanded last year by the much larger MySpace, which went to News Corp. (In March, Facebook had 12.9 million unique visitors compared to MySpace's 41.9 million, according to ComScore Media Metrix.)
"It seems like a lot," said Debra Aho Williamson, senior analyst at eMarketer. "Facebook is much smaller and it doesn't make much sense that it would go for that much more. But then again, everyone's laser-focused on networks. Maybe in the long run it will just look like News Corp. got a great deal."
"The jury is still out on whether these are sustainable businesses," said David Cohen, U.S. director-digital communications, Universal McCann. "The audience is fickle."
A Facebook spokeswoman declined to comment.
There are stiff challenges facing these sites, largely brought on by their own popularity and success in luring the attention of marketers. First off, they have to deal with the already well-publicized reality that the plethora of photos and reams of personal information about teen users, including likes, dislikes and very intimate fare, is just so much chum in the water for sexual predators.
Second, they have to combat the negative effects of increased commercialization. "They're still trying to get how to remain cool while offering an appealing option to advertisers," said Mr. Cohen.
"The key issue for MySpace is figuring out more and more ways to offer easier functionality and more features to drive advertising revenue," said Richard Greenfield, media and entertainment analyst at Pali Research. "The critical aspect will be working with advertisers to explain how to use this creatively and also creating safer MySpace-programmed areas."
The future of Facebook and MySpace -- as well as any number of challengers -- rests on the continued enthusiasm of kids like Nikki Rennalls. To say she has a social-networking addiction would be an understatement. Rather than give up the usual college-girl fare for Lent -- chocolate, cigarettes, beer -- the 19-year-old Georgia Tech freshman stopped using Facebook. That meant she had to (gasp!) e-mail or (yikes!)pick up the phone and call her friends.
She's obviously a fanatic and loves improvements like the site's capacity to allow uploads of short music clips. But Facebook's attempt to widen its audience has already irked her: "My little brother can now check up on my schedule and my pictures whenever he wants. In addition, all of his little friends, who want as many college friends as possible, can friend me. ... It's like spam for Facebook."
And to her, a lot of the attraction is in the lack of commercial interference. "There isn't some corporate guy at Apple who started the 'I Can't Live Without My iPod' Facebook group," she wrote. "It is led by a group of kids who really cannot live without their iPod."
Um, yeah -- except for the fact that marketers are dying to find of ways of harnessing both the reach and targeted features of these sites through paid advertising and through more organic word-of-mouth appeal. Whether they can negotiate between the often brand-friendly but advertising-hostile nature of American youth and the needs of advertisers that provide their revenue is a big issue.
"We're all looking for the next big thing, and there's a lot of hype and sensationalism," said Mr. Cohen. "But this is a front-and-center issue for a lot of marketers. [Teens and young adults] are a tough audience to reach and both MySpace and Facebook do a great job of it."
How MTV Plans to Triple Digital Revenue
MTV Networks' upfront presentation has always been a star-studded affair, with the network group trotting out stars like Jon Stewart, Mariah Carey and the Black Eyed Peas. But this year, CEO Judy McGrath has decided the real star will be digital media. That should send a clear signal to Wall Street and Madison Avenue that Ms. McGrath is taking the 25-year-old company in a new direction.
As MTV Networks' global chief digital officer, Jason Hirschhorn has one of the most unique jobs in the business.
The man pulling all the digital strings is digital media chief Jason Hirschhorn -- an MTV veteran with buoyant enthusiasm for emerging media. He inhabits a rare space in the relatively small circle of major media conglomerates. Few other companies have a position as elevated as his with purview over domestic and international digital media. He oversees mobile, broadband and video-on-demand strategy -- he'll meet with Sprint one day and with Microsoft the next, and he has convinced his bosses of the importance of being everywhere the MTV viewer might want to be.
"We take our cues from audience," said Van Toffler, president, MTV Networks Music/Films/Logo Group, who recently delivered a keynote at the telecom industry's CTIA Wireless conference. "We're slaves to the audience and the fact is they're migrating to these digital platforms, so we need to go with them. ... Nothing is precious. Even TV."
As further evidence of the company's commitment to new media, MTV executives have popped up at all the major digital media and technology conferences. Last year, Ms. McGrath keynoted the Consumer Electronics Show.
Mr. Hirschhorn is the company's go-to guy when it comes to moving content across new distribution platforms. A self-professed fan of everything from Oprah to Arctic Monkeys -- "you can't pigeon-hole me," he says -- his dream was to run a record label. But while studying at NYU, he fell for a pre-Netscape Internet browser and was soon designing artist Web sites for Warner Bros.
He came to MTV six years ago to run Sonicnet, a unit of the former MTVi and one of the top-ranked online music sites of its time, and quickly progressed through the digital ranks managing the VH1, CMT and Comedy Central sites before taking on larger roles within the company.
"He's really the archetype of this next generation of media executives," said Trevor Kaufman, CEO of interactive firm Schematic, which has worked on digital interfaces with companies such as Microsoft, CNN, Disney and Viacom. "These executives live the digital-media lifestyle -- Jason goes home and plays video games. And they're saying 'here are all the places I like to spend my time; why isn't MTV there and how can we get it there?"'
One of Mr. Hirschhorn's challenges is changing the perception that MTV arrived late to the digital party. Yahoo, for example, touts that it streamed 4 billion music videos last year. MTV, by comparison, streamed about 100 million and estimates it might stream 1 billion this year. And then there's the ever-growing popularity of video sites such as YouTube.com and its clones, which are all stuffed with music video inventory.
And where Rupert Murdoch has captured buzz with a seemingly boundless amount of cash available for mega-Internet acquisitions such as IGN and MySpace, Viacom has been quiet, buying smaller niche properties like Gametrailers, Neopets, iFilm and, most recently, social-gaming site Xfire.
On the acquisition front, Mr. Hirschhorn isn't ruling out anything. The company is interested in small and medium acquisitions, but if the right opportunity -- at the right price -- came along and enabled the company to buy the right kind of scale, Viacom would look at it.
"If there was an acquisition where we didn't have to build anything and it could get us some scale, that's of interest to us," Mr. Hirschhorn said. "That doesn't preclude us from having dealings with other social networks. We don't believe in a walled garden."
Mr. Hirschhorn likes to describe himself and MTV Networks' other digital media executives -- VH1's Tina Imm, MTV's Ben White and wireless chief Greg Clayman -- as the kids who "used to sit in the closet with the dunce hats on." As recently as three or four years ago, digital media was not the department that put people on track for a top job. He recalls Ms. McGrath asking him, after a few years at MTV, "if he was ready for a channel job."
He's still not ready for a channel job, and that's just fine. MTV projects revenues from digital media will reach $500 million in the next three years, up from the current $150 million. (In last year's upfront, MTV Networks booked an estimated $1.5 billion.) MTV Networks has adopted a strategy that goes against the grain of tradition syndication: Mr. Hirschhorn calls the process "exporting an experience" -- whether it's Overdrive on Windows Media Center, a "Laguna Beach" MySpace profile or Urge, the Microsoft digital-music joint venture set to debut in mid-May.
On an international level, MTV Networks is arguably further along in the mobile space -- the network is the world's largest mobile content provider, Mr. Toffler boasted at CTIA -- but on U.S. soil its biggest advancement in the past year, especially in terms of ad-supported media, has been the suite of broadband sites that correspond to the network's various on-air channels. MTV Overdrive and Nickelodeon's Turbo-Nick have been joined by VH1's V Spot, Comedy Central's Motherload, MTV U's Uber. Soon, CMT's Loaded will be added to the mix.
The sites were fashioned from a similar framework, but each has its own operating style. Comedy Central, for example, tends to go heavy on original, made-for-Motherload content and its programmers use the site almost as an R&D lab. Uber, because it's geared toward college students who might be unplugged from traditional media altogether, plays the dual role of simulcasting MTVU content and coming up with non-TV broadband services such as games. And expect the company, hoping to exploit the Long Tail potential of its vast library of music and programming, to launch broadband channels that don't have an on-air sibling.
Despite all the activity, MTV Networks readily admits it isn't trying to be all things to everyone, like a major Internet portal. That said, don't be surprised to see it strike a major alliance with one or more portals for a deep content play -- and if it does, it will bring along its advertisers. To that end, they're happy to partner with a MySpace, Yahoo or AOL-type property.
"We can aggregate the audience not only on our destinations but other destinations in order to sell more inventory," Mr. Hirschhorn said. "Social networks are huge but starving for programming, and that's a very good thing for content companies, especially those that are on multiple screens and have the quality and scale of programming."
Schematic's Mr. Kaufman lauds the strategy of keeping the VH1 or MTV or Comedy Central experience intact. "We see a lot of clients who are broadcast or content companies. The ones who do it the best play to their strengths from both a capabilities and brand perspective." In MTV's case, he said, they focus on doing in digital media what they've done well in cable-taking a particular kind of relatively inexpensive content and providing the wrapper that makes that content cool or compelling to a certain type of audience.
MTV has been very aggressive with moving media to cellphones worldwide, averaging 2.5 million mobile video streams a month. A good example would be the network's latest mobile play -- Pocket VH1. It's essentially a mobile channel with a library of on-demand programming, much like Windows Media Center or a cable VOD experience. Ms. Imm recalls showing it off at CTIA, where someone paid it the highest possible compliment. "They told me, 'That's really Korean of you,"' she said.
Syndicated Cartoonist and New York Adventure Journalist to Compete in The Nevada Passage Made-for-TV Adventure Program
Jef Mallett, the Lansing, Mich., creator of the syndicated comic strip "Frazz," and Stefani Jackenthal, a high-profile adventure journalist from New York City, are slated to compete in the 2006 Nevada Passage made-for-television adventure competition May 8-13. The two athletes round out a field of 20 total competitors from 11 states.
Representing "team journalists," Mallett and Jackenthal will travel more than 1,000 miles across Nevada while taking part in a series of off-beat and traditional adventure sports that includes recumbent bicycling near Battle Mountain, a ranch-hand rodeo in Winnemucca, railroad handcar races in the historic mining town of Virginia City, mountain biking near Austin, autocross racing in Pahrump and Jet Skiing on the Colorado River in Laughlin. During their six-day adventure, the journalists will compete against nine other coed teams paired by profession, including last year's Nevada Passage champions, firefighters Brian Rothell of Richmond, Va., and Erin Price of Greensboro, N.C.
"The journalists' colorful personalities and intriguing backgrounds will be a wonderful addition to the show," Nevada Commission on Tourism Director Bruce Bommarito said. "Although they both have competed in their share of races, I think rural Nevada's ruggedly beautiful outback will be unlike anything they've experienced before."
Designed by the Nevada Commission on Tourism (NCOT) as a creative and entertaining way to brand the state as a premier outdoor adventure destination, the competition will be filmed for the hour-long "Nevada Passage" adventure reality show, which will air in syndication in more than 80 markets from August 2006 to February 2007. The show will reach approximately 2 million television viewers across the United States and is already confirmed in 34 markets, including New York, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Minneapolis, Minn., and Las Vegas. Adventure-seekers interested in watching "The Nevada Passage" on TV can find the syndication schedule at www.nevadapassage.com beginning in May.
Mallett's "Frazz" comic strip runs in 150 newspapers, including the Chicago Tribune, the Los Angeles Times and The Washington Post. The strip features Frazz, an elementary school janitor who enjoys outdoor adventures. Mallett, 44, plans to illustrate a pictorial of his adventures for The Washington Post Magazine and will also cover The Nevada Passage for Competitor Magazine.
As an ultra-runner, adventure racer, and former professional bicycle racer, Jackenthal, 39, has parlayed her athletic ability into a career as an adventure journalist. She writes for The New York Times, Shape, Runner's World and Women's Health, authored "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Rock Climbing" and has provided first-person reporting from athletic races around the world for print, radio and television.
The roster of confirmed athletes:
Accountants:
Linda Lindsay, 41, bookkeeper from Petaluma, Calif.
Nate Simonson, 28, credit analyst from Reno, Nev.
Developers:
Gina DeTolve, 37, project engineer from Valencia, Calif.
Ken Robins, 43, owner of a building renovation company from Cutchogue,
N.Y.
Entrepreneurs:
Stephanie Weisel, 43, owner of a golf and sports park from Paia, Hawaii,
on the north shore of Maui.
Casey Fannin, 45, owner of an auto parts recycling company from
Birmingham, Ala.
Financiers:
Rebecca Batizy, 30, financial adviser from Boulder, Colo.
Tim Sprague, 46, vice president of finance for a home building corporation
from Las Vegas (turns 47 before event begins)
Firefighters:
Erin Price, 29, firefighter from Greensboro, N.C.
Brian Rothell, 42, firefighter from Richmond, Va.
Journalists:
Stefani Jackenthal, 39, freelance adventure journalist from New York City.
Jef Mallett, 44, syndicated cartoonist from Lansing, Mich.
Medics:
Elizabeth Kollen, 25, registered nurse from Minneapolis, Minn.
Richard Costello, 38, emergency medical technician from Warmister, Pa.
(turns 39 before event begins)
Sheriffs:
Ana Maria Gill, 38, law enforcement officer from Long Beach, Calif.
Brian Atkinson, 29, law enforcement officer from Reno, Nev.
Teachers:
Laura Home, 32, sixth-grade science teacher from Santa Cruz, Calif.
Roger Villmow, 42, middle school math teacher from Colorado Springs, Colo.
(turns 43 before event begins)
Trainers:
Lynn Henderson, 46, personal fitness trainer from Reno, Nev.
Jay Hachadoorian, 33, personal fitness trainer from New York.
Honolulu-based event and television production company, TEAM Unlimited, in cooperation with R&R Partners, an integrated marketing communications firm based in Las Vegas, produces The Nevada Passage as well as the Nissan Xterra USA Championship Race at Lake Tahoe.
Source: Nevada Commission on Tourism
Web site: http://www.travelnevada.com/
http://www.nevadapassage.com/
Nancy Drew Helps Celebrate Project Sunshine Week
Nancy Drew, Girl Detective, star of an all-new series of graphic novels from Papercutz, appears as a volunteer for the real-life organization Project Sunshine in the just released, fifth Nancy Drew graphic novel, "The Fake Heir." Utilizing the appeal of graphic novels is a surprising way to help create greater awareness for Project Sunshine, the nonprofit organization, which provides many free programs and services to children with cancer, AIDS, and other life-threatening illnesses.
In a brief sequence, Nancy, along with her best friends Bess Marvin and George Fayne, appear at a local pediatric hospital in River Heights as Project Sunshine volunteers, wearing the organization's distinctive yellow T-shirts. In a comics panel, in which Nancy is making balloon animals, while George juggles, and Bess entertains as a clown, the classic Carolyn Keene character explains "once a month, we do a little act for all the children with serious illnesses, just to try to bring them, well, a little sunshine."
"It's just a little peek at the type of thing Nancy Drew does when she's not solving a mystery," Papercutz Editor-in-Chief Jim Salicrup says. "By not making too big a deal about it the scene is much more effective, and we hope encourages Nancy's fans to find out more about Project Sunshine."
Actually, Project Sunshine, which has volunteers all across America, is making a big deal about Project Sunshine Week -- May 8th to May 15th -- a special week nationally in which businesses collaborate to raise funds and awareness for Project Sunshine. The grand finale will be their Third Annual Gala on Monday, May 15th honoring Billy Macklowe, President of Macklowe Properties at the Waldorf=Astoria in New York City. Dionne Warwick is scheduled to perform with the Harlem Boys Choir at the Gala.
Companies participating in Project Sunshine Week donate a percentage of sales for the week in honor of Project Sunshine, a percentage of sales from a particular product in honor of Project Sunshine week, or a percentage of the proceeds from Fundraiser/Events for Project Sunshine Week.
Source: Papercutz
Web site: http://www.papercutz.com/
Nickelodeon Green-Lights Additional Episodes of TEENick's Drake & Josh for Hit Comedy Series' Fourth Season Launching This September
Co-Stars Drake Bell and Josh Peck Also Take Turns Behind the Camera to Make Directorial Debuts .
Kids across America, including those who voted Drake & Josh their Favorite TV Show last month at Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Awards, will cheer to hear that the hit series starring Drake Bell and Josh Peck has been picked up for an additional seven episodes, bringing its upcoming fourth season total to 20. The announcement about the buddy comedy that also ranks as TV's number-one rated live-action series with kids 2-11 was made today by Marjorie Cohn, Executive Vice President, Development and Original Programming, Nickelodeon. Each of the co-stars is also slated to take a turn behind the camera on one episode, both making their television directorial debuts.
The series resumed production in March after a six-week hiatus during which 2006 Kids' Choice Award winner Bell (Favorite TV Star) recovered from injuries suffered in a car accident. With the additional episode order, filming will extend through July.
"Kids adore Drake & Josh, because the guys, who are such gifted comedic actors, also have great chemistry and are completely relatable," said Cohn. "While these stepbrothers are polar opposites, underneath their comic conflict, they share a bond, and their coming together is the heart of the series. We're very excited to provide kids with more new episodes of this terrific show from our hit-maker, executive producer/creator Dan Schneider's Schneider's Bakery."
Drake & Josh scored instantly when it debuted in the network's popular TEENick block in January 2004, and it rocketed to the top of the Nielsen's with kids and tweens. The show first broke records as Nick's highest rated series premiere in almost 10 years. In the first week of 2006, the television movie Drake & Josh Go Hollywood ranked as the highest-rated TV movie with Kids 6-11 and Tweens 9-14 in Nickelodeon history, and was the highest-rated show on all of broadcast and cable television within its key demos.
Drake & Josh airs regularly with new episodes on Saturdays at 8:30 p.m. (ET/PT). In 2006 to date, the series is averaging a 5.8/1.2M tween 9-14 rating, up +14% vs. the same time period last year and a 5.7/1.8M rating with kids 2-11 and 6-11 7.1/1.4M. On average, 3.0 million total viewers have tuned in this year. (Source: Nielsen Media Research - 12/26/05 - 4/9/06)
Beyond the tube the series' popularity extends to Nick.com and TurboNick, Nickelodeon's broadband video platform available on Nick.com. Drake & Josh has garnered 1.5 million plus streams on TurboNick thus far in 2006. And the Drake & Josh message boards boast over 1.1 million page views in 2006 through 4/28/06.
Humor, heart and music by title heartthrob Bell pervade Drake & Josh. Charming, work-averse schemer Drake Parker (Bell), a singer-musician and ladies' man, pulls responsible, sensitive Josh Nichols into shenanigans that leave them both hanging off a figurative cliff. Shared antics cement a growing brotherly bond, while perennial teen issues and dilemmas come to light. Miranda Cosgrove (Yours, Mine & Ours, School of Rock) co-stars as Drake and Josh's sister, Megan, a mischievous 12-year-old with a penchant for practical jokes. Nancy Sullivan (The Amanda Show) and Jonathan Goldstein play their loving parents Audrey Parker and Walter Nichols.
Classic Nickelodeon success stories, Peck and Bell ascended from Nick's The Amanda Show ensemble to become series headliners and soon will segue to the big screen to star in recently announced action/comedy feature film from Nickelodeon Movies, written by Schneider and Steve Molaro.
Bell, who recently co-starred in Nick Movies/Paramount Pictures' Yours, Mine & Ours with Dennis Quaid and Rene Russo, taped his first commercial at age 5 and appeared soon after opposite Gena Rowlands in the feature film The Neon Bible. He grabbed attention in a featured role in Jerry Maguire and followed with a co-starring role -- and private music lessons -- with Roger Daltrey in Chasing Destiny. The experience inspired him to start his own band, and his music and vocals are featured in his album Telegraph and on the Drake & Josh soundtrack. Bell also appeared as John Cusack's son in the HBO feature The Jack Bull and played Cusack's character as a kid in High Fidelity.
Peck, who lends his voice to the hit animated feature film Ice Age 2: The Meltdown, started his acting career at age 7 and launched a stand-up comedy career at 9 by appearing in New York clubs including Catch a Rising Star and Stand Up, New York. He made his feature-film debut a few years later in the Nickelodeon/Paramount movie Snow Day, followed by Max Keeble's Big Move and Spun. He recently won critical acclaim, including an Independent Spirit Award, with the role of a bully who gets his comeuppance in the feature film Mean Creek and as a punk kid in Barbara Kopple's movie Havoc. Last year, Peck was inducted into the Friar's Club as its youngest member.
Schneider continues to carve a progressive niche in the world of kid and family entertainment currently as executive producer/creator of the Nickelodeon hits Zoey 101 and Drake & Josh. He also creatively ran Nickelodeon's All That for several years, serving as executive producer and show runner and created and executive produced The Amanda Show. His unique sense of kid-humor served as a natural launching pad for his feature-film endeavors including Good Burger a Paramount Pictures/Nickelodeon Movies film and Big Fat Liar from Universal Studios. His recent credits also include creating and executive producing the WB series What I Like About You. He received an Emmy(R) nomination for Nickelodeon's Zoey 101, starring Jamie Lynn Spears.
Nickelodeon, in its 27th year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books, magazines and feature films. Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in more than 89 million households and has been the number- one-rated basic cable network for more than ten consecutive years. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. Web site: http://www.nick.com/
Disney Parks Will Welcome 2-Billionth Guest on Tuesday, May 2
Summary
Disneyland Resort in Southern California will welcome the "Happiest
Guest on Earth" Tuesday, May 2, as Disney Parks around the world
celebrate their Honorary 2,000,000,000th Guest -- almost the combined
populations of China and India.
Source: Disneyland
Web site: http://www.disneyland.com/
Jessica Alba Announced as Leading Lady of the '2006 MTV Movie Awards'
Alba Lands Starring Role As Host Of MTV's Highly Anticipated Blockbuster
The '2006 MTV Movie Awards' Premieres To Audiences Nationwide On Thursday, June 8th at 9pm ET/PT
Ending the eager speculation of who will land the starring role, MTV today announced that Jessica Alba will take the spotlight as leading lady of the "2006 MTV Movie Awards." Star of both big screen and small, Alba will host the MTV ceremony, as well as star in its leading role as this year's show promises to be more than an award show, but a movie unto itself. Jessica Alba is also up for three nominations at this year's event including "Best Hero" and "Best On-Screen Team" for her performance in the "Fantastic Four" (20th Century Fox), along with "Sexiest Performance" for her role in "Sin City" (Dimension Films), a film also up for "Best Movie" honors. Filming June 3rd at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City, CA, the "2006 MTV Movie Awards" will premiere to audiences nationwide on Thursday, June 8th at 9pm ET/PT on MTV.
"The MTV Movie Awards is like a three-ring circus and I'm thrilled they asked me to be this year's ringmaster," said Jessica Alba.
"Talented, smart and funny, Jessica is one of Hollywood's hottest and most sought-after actresses, and the perfect leading lady for the Movie Awards," said Christina Norman, President, MTV. "This year's show promises to be anything but traditional, and Jessica is just the person to help mix things up."
The MTV Movie Awards is just the most recent addition to Jessica Alba's growing list of credits. In 2005 alone, Alba starred in three major motion pictures including the critically-acclaimed "Sin City," starring alongside Bruce Willis, Josh Hartnett, Elijah Wood and others; the Marvel Comics' franchise blockbuster "Fantastic Four" where she played the lead female character Sue Storm; and the underwater action-adventure "Into the Blue," starring alongside Paul Walker, Josh Brolin and Scott Caan. All achieving notable success, combined worldwide box offices for all three films generated over half a billion dollars. Audiences will also recognize Jessica from her stand out performance in the hit urban drama "Honey," as well as her role as the lead character in James Cameron's television series, "Dark Angel," among her multiple other credits. Upcoming projects in which Alba will star include sequels to the comic book adaptation to "Fantastic Four" and the acclaimed "Sin City," along with the psychological thriller, "Awake" opposite Hayden Christiansen set for release in early 2007.
Up for starring roles at the "2006 MTV Movie Awards" are the "40-Year Old Virgin" and "Wedding Crashers," each receiving five nominations. Also vying for the spotlight are "Batman Begins," "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire," "Hustle & Flow," "Sin City" and "Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge Of The Sith" with three nominations each. MTV will also celebrate the all new categories of "Best Hero," "Sexiest Performance" and the "mtvU Student Filmmaker Award" for the first time ever. Fans can vote for the entire nominated cast of the "2006 MTV Movie Awards" by visiting http://movieawards.mtv.com/ before May 19th. Fans can also vote from their mobile phone by texting "MOVIEAWARDS" to 91757 to receive a ballot. Voting is also available by dialing toll free to 1-877-MTV-VOTE where fans can support their favorite nominees with a different category available for voting each day.
For complete information on the "2006 MTV Movie Awards" including details on host Jessica Alba, to vote and watch performances from this year's nominees, and to learn more about this year's show, visit http://www.movieawards.mtv.com/.
Tenth Planet Productions will once again join MTV to produce the "2006 MTV Movie Awards." Joel Gallen will executive produce the show for the 12th consecutive year, and also direct the show. Salli Frattini is Executive Producer for MTV. Rick Austin is Producer and Kathy Flynn will serve as Event Producer.
Official sponsors of the "2006 MTV Movie Awards" are Dr Pepper and your local Dr Pepper Bottlers, Taco Bell(R), Dentyne, L'Oreal Paris, Neutrogena, Pontiac and Starburst(R).
The "2006 MTV Movie Awards" will be seen in 171 countries/territories via 50 music programming services, and in 23 languages in more than 479.5 million households.
MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:VIA.B) , is one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. MTV Networks, with more than 120 channels worldwide, owns and operates the following television programming services - MTV: MUSIC TELEVISION, MTV2, VH1, mtvU, NICKELODEON, NICK at NITE, COMEDY CENTRAL, TV LAND, SPIKE TV, CMT, NOGGIN, VH1 CLASSIC, LOGO, MTVN INTERNATIONAL and THE DIGITAL SUITE FROM MTV NETWORKS, a package of 13 digital services, all of these networks trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks connects with its audiences through its robust consumer products businesses and its more than 95 interactive properties worldwide, including online, broadband, wireless and interactive television services and also has licensing agreements, joint ventures, and syndication deals whereby all of its programming services can be seen worldwide.
Source: MTV
Web site: http://www.movieawards.mtv.com/
TNR Entertainment Announces Agreement to Install DVD Rental Kiosks in A&P Stores Throughout the Northeast
TNR Entertainment Corp. (The New Release), the nation's largest owner and operator of DVD rental kiosks in supermarkets and grocery stores, today announced that an agreement with the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Inc. (A&P) ) to provide The New Release automated DVD rental kiosks in 30 A&P and SuperFresh locations throughout Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware. The A&P kiosk installations are scheduled for completion in May 2006.
"We look forward to expanding our reach in the northeast with our newest partner, A&P, as we bring the fun, ease and convenience of automated DVD rentals to their customers," Tracy Walker, Executive Director of Sales and Marketing, TNR Entertainment Corp.
The New Release kiosks accept a credit or debit card to allow customers to begin browsing and selecting the latest DVD titles on The New Release's touch-screen at the rate of $1 day. In addition, rather than a rigid 24-hour rental period, customers have until midnight on the following day to return the rented DVD before incurring a second day's rental fee.
TNR serves nearly 1 million customers each month across its national network of kiosks currently deployed throughout Texas, North Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Colorado. TNR kiosks store up to 1,000 individual DVDs and up to 200 titles, including the latest movies released every Tuesday. The fully-automated kiosks operate on a wireless communications network and next-generation DVD kiosks operating system.
About A&P
Founded in 1859, A&P is one of the nation's first supermarket chains. The Company operates 407 stores in nine states and the District of Columbia under the following trade names: A&P, Waldbaum's, The Food Emporium, Super Foodmart, SuperFresh, Farmer Jack, Sav-A-Center and Food Basics.
About TNR Entertainment Corp.
TNR Entertainment is based in Houston, Texas. The company, which has rented more than 10 million DVDs since 2002, is currently planning an aggressive expansion of its retail locations in 2006 with the goal of quadrupling its kiosk network as it penetrates new markets. TNR is the industry's first DVD-only kiosk provider and pioneered the successful "$1-a-day" pricing structure.
Source: TNR Entertainment Corp.
Yahoo Launches First Product of New Business Model
Just two months after Yahoo media and entertainment chief Lloyd Braun abandoned his grandiose quest to bring an "I Love Lucy" moment to the Web, Yahoo is unveiling its first media product under the new content model, a formula of licensed-plus-user-generated-plus-original content.
The new Yahoo Tech is a consumer-electronics focused site with a content strategy something like epinions meets 'Consumer Reports.'
Yahoo Tech, when it goes live today, will be the media group's first major launch in five years since it re-branded Launch as Yahoo Music, and will serve as a model for content plays going forward. Tech is a consumer site focused on helping users figure out how to buy and use consumer electronics and software in their lives.
The concept, which has been six months in development, is built for a "big, broad audience," Elizabeth Harz, category development officer for Yahoo Media Sales' technology and telecommunications categories, said. "It's about making technology easier to understand -- choosing and using products."
Ms. Harz also hopes it will help marketers talk to a different constituent. The charter advertisers, who will have exclusivity for three weeks, include Verizon, Hewlett-Packard and Panasonic, which will mostly market its TVs. Yahoo Tech hopes to capture a large piece of the $953 million that consumer electronics, technology and telecomm companies spend online, according to TNS Media Intelligence.
With Tech, Yahoo has identified the three-part content strategy that includes aggregated, licensed content, user-generated content and original content -- the latter of which Mr. Braun has called the "salt and pepper on the meal" rather than the engine driving Yahoo.
"They've really listened to the last six months of what everybody's asking for in the online space," said Joel Lunenfeld, VP-media services at Moxie Interactive. He notes that professionally produced sites such as CNET or Salon have begun to add user-generated content through blogs and message boards while user-generated sites, such as MySpace and YouTube, are beginning to welcome more professionally produced content. Yahoo Tech is starting off with a mix of both types. Mr. Lunenfeld says it's a smart model for Web 2.0.
Yahoo, however, hasn't completely abandoned its original TV programming on the Web ambitions. A major Braun stamp is present on the weekly short-form video program, "Hook Me Up." The program is produced by Michael Davies, who worked with Mr. Braun at ABC on "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" and "Wife Swap." "Hook Me Up" is the first digital-only program out of Mr. Davies' new digital production shop in downtown Manhattan. The host, Becky Worley, is a regular contributor to ABC's "Good Morning America" and CNN. The program is a technology makeover show -- in the first episode a commuter who used to compose e-mails by hand while riding the train into work is equipped with a Palm LifeDrive, a compact keyboard and wireless headphones.
"We're not about to compete with the broadcasters with a prime-time show we roll out online," said Scott Moore, VP-Yahoo Media Group. "But there is an opportunity to create original content, both text and video."
Like those prime-time broadcast shows, there will be opportunity for brands to integrate into the programming. The products used as part of the makeover won't be paid placements, although a shopping trip at a particular big box consumer electronics retailer or Ms. Worley using a Verizon Wireless phone would comply with Yahoo's editorial guidelines, executives said.
The aggregated content for Yahoo Tech will come from established media brands such as John Wiley's "For Dummies" book series, IDG's PC World, Ziff Davis' PC Magazine and McGraw-Hill publishing. The user-generated content will come primarily from Yahoo's shopping site, which has about 300,000 tech products each accompanied by dozens of user reviews, and Yahoo Answers, which will fuel a question-and-answer section in Yahoo Tech. Already Yahoo Groups has several million users posting to tech-related discussions.
Original content will come largely from a small group of bloggers, who are given titles like "The Mom" (Dory Devline, a freelance journalist with three kids), "The Working Guy" (Mobile PC magazine founder Christopher Null, who advises on office gear), "The Boomer" (USA Today columnist Robin Raskin) and "Techie Diva" (30-something Gina Hughes, who will focus on trendy gadgets).
Award winning 560B Fluid Monopod:
Only monopod with a fluid head for easier level panning
Incredibly priced at $150
Max weight capacity – XXX
Formatt offers five new filters
Geared to those shooting in HD –
HD Clear Soft Effects filters, HD Neutral Density filters, Clear UV HD filters and Circular Polarizer Filters.
G2180 Fluid Head
Features a curved handle that is fully adjustable to any angle for video applications
Can support payloads of up to 8.81 pounds.
521FN and 521CN remote controls for the Professional ENG lens market
Built onto to small clamps allowing them to be attached to any number of places, including tripods, monopods or even jib arms.
526 Pro Fluid Video Head
Built for the heavy-duty, high end ENG and EFP video market
Feature-packed fluid video head with the ability to support weight loads up to 16kg/35.3 pounds.
Fluid drag system, which is composed of three step settings for low to high drag levels
Protection Bag for Fig Rig support system.
Safely transport the Fig Rig and its clamps and accessories
Convenient carry handle and clasps for attaching an optional shoulder strap.
World’s first hydrostatic arms for the video market.
Incorporates a technically advanced ball locking mechanism using hydrostatic action that is based on principles of modern hydraulics
Available in four different lengths to accommodate any need
503,351MVB2K Pro Video Aluminium Kit
A top tandem leg section, mid-level spreader, a 75mm bowl topped with a smooth pro fluid video head that all folds down to a small, convenient size and comes with padded bag.
Kata has advanced its distinguished GDC line
Thermo-Shield-Technology (TST)
New organizer cases
HB-205 Backpacks
Compact Case (CC) series
HD Protective Collection
HD Protective cases specifically designed for the professional HD user
Professional Video Collection
New cases, gloves and accessories, all designed with the needs of the professional videographer in mind.
Reflecmedia and Ultimatte Corporation
Come together to offer the definitive keying solution for the DV market - Ultimatte DV.
Used as a pre-visual tool, giving directors and camera crews the ability to see what the final shot might look like
Unrivalled control over matte parameters, and operators can quickly compare the input signal, the matte and the composite output via a single monitor connection
Here is a brief overview on the products:
P+S TECHNIK introduces the SKATER Scope
First truly compact periscope lens system
Offers precision performance and unsurpassed creative flexibility.
P+S TECHNIK The SKATER Mini
Takes advantage of a friction tilt head on which tracking wheels are directly attached, optimized for an extremely low camera position.
The flattest camera dolly on the market
P+S TECHNIK Mini35 Digital Image Converter
Allows DV shooters to use 35mm film lenses on digital video camcorders, producing film quality images in MiniDV format
Available for the Canon XL1 and XL1s, the Sony DSR PD150, VX1000, and VX2000 and the Panasonic AG-DVX 100
Rorke Data Collaborates with Fujitsu and Myricom to Set New Standard in Video Storage Cost-Performance
Rorke’s Galaxy NAS Integrated with 10Gbit Ethernet Switch and NICs Creates
High-capacity Digital Video/Broadcast Server
For the first time, video/broadcast storage specialist Rorke Data, a subsidiary of San Jose-based Bell Microproducts, Inc. [NASDAQ:BELM], XG 10-Gigabit Ethernet switch manufacturer Fujitsu Computer Products of America, Inc. and high-performance computing pioneer Myricom, Inc. have collaborated to deliver a cost-effective 10Gbit Ethernet NAS solution. Based on Rorke Data’s Galaxy NAS, the new video storage solution leverages the Fujitsu XG700 10-Gigabit Ethernet switch and Myricom's Myri-10G Network Interface Cards (NICs) to deliver unprecedented cost-performance. Optimized for Digital Video (DV) and High Definition (HD) video applications, the combined solutions feature ultra-low-latency switching and low-cost scalable rack density up to 12TB in a single, compact unit.
The new HD-ready Galaxy NAS series can be scaled to accommodate four to 24 hard disk drives, and includes Intel® server components plus a cost-effective Embedded NAS operating system. The complete, turnkey Network Attached Storage / Storage Area Network (NAS/SAN) solution is integrated with the Fujitsu XG700 switch, an industry leading low latency (450ns fall-through), non-blocking single-chip 10Gb Ethernet switch. The Fujitsu XG700 sustains up to 240 Gbps throughput in a compact form factor, ensuring video professionals the performance necessary for HD content.
"The Fujitsu XG series is ideally suited for dynamic high bandwidth applications like the Rorke Data HD Video NAS solution and Fujitsu is thrilled to integrate with this innovative architecture," said Vic Herring, senior director, new products group, Fujitsu Computer Products of America, Inc. "The XG series' provides a cost-effective high-speed interface, 12-port non-blocking ASIC and 15K jumbo frame support, making it the ideal choice for DV applications."
The flexible connectivity offered by combining these three solutions enables the network architecture to be constructed according to each environment’s unique requirements. Myri-10G PCI-Express NICs deliver near-wire-speed user-level throughput greater than 9.6 Gigabits per second, versus comparable solutions offering no more than 7.5 Gb/s.
“Since we introduced our Myri-10G solutions, high-end storage-solution providers have been among the most proactive and aggressive customers in leveraging 10-Gigabit speeds and the latency advantages inherent in Myricom technology,” says Dr. Chuck Seitz, Myricom founder and CEO. “In developing a ‘best-of-breed’ solution targeting video storage, Rorke stands to establish a formidable lead in one of the most challenging sectors within storage networking.”
“Fujitsu and Myricom have solid, reputable names in the industry and the 10Gb solutions they offer are some of the best in the industry,” said Joe Rorke, VP of Marketing and Business Development for Rorke Data. “Combined with our Galaxy NAS solution, this collaboration of solutions will enable, scalable, cost effective deployments of DV, HD over IPTV, Cable, CDN's and Satellite for entertainment content owners, distributors and aggregators as well as for global service provider IP deployment.”
The Rorke solution also includes link aggregation, IGMP snooping and port security, which are key features to video content professionals. Rorke Data resellers will sell the product throughout North America, and be authorized to provide a range of service and support options as well.
Experience Rorke Data’s broad offering of storage solutions at NAB April 24-27, 2006, booth #SU236.
About Fujitsu Computer Products of America, Inc.
Fujitsu Computer Products of America, Inc. conducts engineering and marketing activities in Sunnyvale, CA and sales operations throughout the United States. Fujitsu Computer Products of America currently offers products and services including hard disk drives, scanners and scanner maintenance, Magneto-Optical drives, palm vein recognition technology and 10Gb Ethernet switches. Fujitsu Computer Products of America is located at 1255 East Arques Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA, 94085.
For more information, please see: http://www.fcpa.fujitsu.comAbout Myricom
Founded in 1994, Myricom, Inc., created Myrinet, the high-performance computing (HPC) interconnect technology used in thousands of computing clusters in more than 50 countries. With its next-generation Myri-10G solutions, Myricom achieves a convergence at 10-Gigabit data rates between its low-latency Myrinet technology and mainstream Ethernet. Myri-10G bridges the gap between the rigorous demands of traditional HPC and the growing need for affordable computing speed in enterprise data centers. Privately held and based in Arcadia, California, Myricom achieved and has sustained profitability since 1995 with eleven consecutive profitable years through 2005. (www.myri.com)
About Rorke Data
Rorke Data is an ISO 9001:2000 certified data storage-centric, end-to-end solutions provider with expertise in primary and tiered storage architecture, integrating RAID, NAS, SAN, DVD, tape and optical libraries. Rorke leverages certified expertise in Linux, Win and Mac platforms delivering high bandwidth storage and network solutions for fixed and content and rich media application environments. We back our products with comprehensive, global professional services. Founded in 1985, Rorke Data, is a subsidiary of Bell Microproducts, San Jose, CA, and is composed of four divisions: Healthcare & Diagnostic Imaging, Digital Video & Broadcast, Digital Prepress & Publishing, as well as a Technical & Professional Services division. More information about Rorke Data can be found at www.rorke.com. Rorke Data is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bell Microproducts, Inc. (Nasdaq: BELM).
BBG, Incorporated, a Men's Lifestyle Company, Announces Launch of BeBetterGuys.com New On-Line Guide for the Contemporary Man
Aims to Improve Men's Quality of Life WASHINGTON, May 1, 2006 -- A new online source of lifestyle counsel dedicated to the how-to basics of being a man in today's world is now available with the recent launch of BeBetterGuys.com
Aims to Improve Men's Quality of Life WASHINGTON, May 1, 2006 -- A new online source of lifestyle counsel dedicated to the how-to basics of being a man in today's world is now available with the recent launch of BeBetterGuys.com(http://www.BeBetterGuys.com). The cutting edge site is designed to give men a fresh, new resource to find answers about improving their quality of life in a contemporary era. The site will educate, enlighten, and entertain guys between the ages of 18-35 on ways to be a successful, respected man. BeBetterGuys.com covers issues ranging from how a suit should fit to trimming nose hair, from how to behave at the office to cooking a decent steak. Topics span the fundamentals of dressing, grooming, entertaining, etiquette, and cooking. Additional sections, including dating, work-life, fitness and health, travel, entertainment and other lifestyle pursuits are soon to be introduced. "We consider this information the stuff your Dad didn't teach you. Think of us like your older brothers without the beat downs," says BeBetterGuys.com co-creator Brian Joyner. The creators of the site, "The Guys", use regular "guy-speak" and supplement the useful base content with humorous personal anecdotes about their own travails as young men coming of age, illustrating the need for BeBetterGuys.com "Once a guy leaves home, the only way he learns how to do things the right way is by screwing up.
Hey, we screwed up a lot. And we have the stories to prove it," explains BeBetterGuys.com co-creator, David Boris. "A guy wouldn't ask another guy, 'What do I wear to an interview?' or 'Hey, do you use a hair product?' or 'Can you show me how to make a mean chili for my Final Four party?' We had questions like these when we were first on our own. We started BeBetterGuys.com so guys don't make the kinds of mistakes we made." A preview of some upcoming articles: - Building a Summer Wardrobe for Cheap - Facials: Not Just for the Basketball Court - 4th of July: Grill It, Don't Kill It - Proper Tipping Gets You Ahead - The Everyday Guy's Wine Primer BeBetterGuys.com gives men an anonymous place to ask potentially uncomfortable questions about improving their lives. Joyner adds, "We all know that guys will drive around lost for hours before asking for directions. BeBetterGuys.com gives guys an informative yet casual place to go, without the perceived embarrassment men attach to asking for help." BBG, Incorporated offers information and services to enable men to improve their quality of life and was created by David Boris and Brian Joyner, two working stiffs and married men, who were formerly successful musicians, bartenders, waiters, and single men.
For more information, visit http://www.BeBetterGuys.com.
SPORTS & AUTOS
Mazda Partners With Google Earth for the Mazda CX-7 Earth Search Sweepstakes
Automaker First to Use Breakthrough Technology for Vehicle Launch Campaign
Mazda North American Operations today announced that consumers will be able to search the globe online for a chance to win an all-new 2007 Mazda CX-7. Leveraging the popularity of Google Earth, a free software application run through Earth.Google.com that combines satellite imagery, maps and a powerful search engine, users will be able to use video clues to search all over the globe for a chance to win a brand new Mazda CX-7. Encouraging users to "Search for the SUV you Never Saw Coming," the online game will serve to breakthrough the automotive clutter and generate buzz and awareness for the all-new Mazda CX-7.
"This multi-tiered campaign is a great example of how Mazda has gone beyond basic marketing tactics to embrace emerging technologies in communicating to consumers," said Brian Colianni, senior vice president of sales and marketing, MNAO. "The Mazda CX-7 Earth Search Sweepstakes utilizes cutting edge technology to create a relevant and entertaining online experience for participants of the sweepstakes, an experience that we think will resonate with our target."
The Mazda CX-7 Earth Search Sweepstakes was developed collaboratively by Doner, Mazda's agency of record, Proxicom, and Sarkissian Mason, as part of the launch campaign for the vehicle. The sweepstakes running through June 27, 2006 will be housed at www.NeverSawItComing.com with print, online and search engine marketing components driving traffic to the site.
To play, a consumer will visit www.NeverSawItComing.com and log-in to view a short video that will include a hidden clue to the Mazda CX-7's location. The participant will utilize Google Earth to navigate to the location, which will be marked by the Mazda Sweepstakes Entry icon that the participant will click to enter to win. The clues will get harder and harder as participants move throughout the game. The first clue picks up where the Mazda CX-7 15 second pre-launch spots leave off.
The game will further serve to introduce the Mazda CX-7 to all participants by including a 3-D interactive tour of the vehicle. The tour will highlight the interior and exterior performance and design features.
About Mazda
Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., Mazda North American Operations oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States, Canada and Mexico through nearly 900 dealers. Operations in Canada are managed by Mazda Canada, Inc., located in Ontario, Canada, and in Mexico by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City.
Source: Mazda North American Operations
Denny's Takes America Bowling 'Great Bowling Game Giveaway' Benefits Bowlers Across the Country
Looking for a way to avoid high gas prices and congested lanes of traffic this summer? Try the bowling lanes instead. Thousands of lanes at bowling centers across the country will be busy thanks to Denny's and what might qualify as the biggest bowling game giveaway in U.S. history.
Whether you're an avid bowler or a beginner looking to try the sport for the first time, Denny's is the place to be this summer. To show its commitment to bowling, the nation's largest family dining chain and title sponsor of the 2006 Professional Bowlers Association Tour is giving away ten million passes for free bowling. That's ten million games of ten frames each.
"We're absolutely thrilled to extend our support for bowling into our restaurants," said Margaret Jenkins, Denny's chief marketing officer. "After all, dinner and a night of bowling are a perfect match, and now thanks to our partnership with Strike Ten centers, our guests can enjoy a great meal and one of America's classic recreation sports."
Starting May 1, guests who order a dinner entree at participating Denny's restaurants will receive a coupon good for one free game of bowling. Coupons are valid through September 30 and can be redeemed at any of the more than 2,200 participating Strike Ten-affiliated bowling centers across the country.
The promotion is launched in time for Denny's new American Dinner Classics(TM), including Texas Style Steak Tips, Crispy Creole Shrimp and Zesty Fiesta Chicken. Each dinner entree is served with a choice of two sides and our new buttery yeast rolls.
The bowling-pass giveaway is the second in a series of promotions featuring Denny's and Strike Ten, an affiliation organization representing 2,200 bowling centers across the country dedicated to promoting the sport of bowling.
"By joining forces, Denny's and our bowling centers gain a unique opportunity to pair good food and fun times with a valuable incentive for the consumer," said Frank DeSocio of Strike Ten Entertainment. DeSocio encourages consumers to visit Bowl.com to find a Strike Ten center in their area.
About Denny's
Denny's is America's largest full-service family restaurant chain, consisting of 543 company-owned units and 1,035 franchised and licensed units, with operations in the United States, Canada, Costa Rica, Guam, Mexico, New Zealand and Puerto Rico. For further information on Denny's, including news releases, links to SEC filings and other financial information, please visit our website at http://www.dennys.com/.
About Strike Ten
Headquartered in Arlington, Texas, Strike Ten Entertainment is the centralized marketing, management, television and licensing company for the bowling industry. STE is the "single source" provider of all corporate sponsorships creating a turnkey approach to marketing the sport of bowling to contemporary adults and children.
Source: Denny's
NFL, NCAA Team Physicians & Athletic Trainers to Host Conference on Football Injury Risk and Prevention
Media are invited to attend a major conference on football injuries and football-related health issues May 11-13 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Hollywood, FL. Top NFL officials and team physicians and athletic trainers representing 17 NFL and 5 NCAA teams will present the latest information on such topics as:
-- Use of anabolic agents and supplements
-- Sudden cardiac death and heatstroke
-- ACL injuries: Risk and rehabilitation
-- Sports psychology: Preparing for the big game
-- Ethics and the team physician
-- Latest trends in football equipment to reduce injury
-- Conditioning, nutrition, and asthma management in players
Featured speakers include:
-- John A. Lombardo MD, NFL Advisor on Policy and Procedures for Anabolic
Steroids and Related Substances
-- Elliot Pellman MD, NFL Medical Liaison and Chairman, NY Jets Medical
Department, with an update on traumatic brain injury
-- Lawrence L. Lamade Esq, Counsel to the NFL Management Council,
speaking on the effects of HIPAA law on disclosure of an athlete's
medical condition.
Former Miami Dolphins wide receiver Oronde Gadsden will be available Thurs., May 11 from 3 - 4:00 pm to answer press questions regarding injuries, rehabilitation and his experience with sports medicine professionals.
This conference is jointly sponsored by the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM), the National Football League Physicians Society, and the National Athletic Trainers' Association, and is supported by the National Football League.
Media registration is required. A press room with high-speed Internet access will be available and journalists will have the opportunity to interview speakers. Complimentary breakfast provided every morning to journalists. A media kit will be available one week before the event.
The American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, based in Rosemont, IL, is a membership organization of orthopaedic surgeons, athletic trainers, physical therapists and other health professionals who specialize in the care and treatment of athletes and active individuals. Over 90% of the Society's members serve as team physicians on the pro, collegiate or high school levels, and many serve as team physicians for Olympic sport teams.
Source: American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine
Web site: http://www.aossm.org/
Major League Baseball, The Major League Baseball Players Association and The American Academy of Dermatology Take a Swing at Skin Cancer to Protect Players and Fans
Major League Baseball (MLB) and the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) will team up with the American Academy of Dermatology (Academy) again this summer to protect players and fans from skin cancer, the most common form of cancer in the United States.
2006 marks the eighth year of the campaign and public service partnership between the Academy, MLB and the MLBPA to conduct skin cancer screenings for Major League Baseball teams across the country.
This season players, coaches, family members and front office staff also will participate in skin cancer screenings through the Play Smart When It Comes To The Sun(R) program, a public education campaign to raise awareness about skin cancer prevention and detection.
Local dermatologists are urging all fans to play it safe at home by conducting regular skin examinations of themselves and their children, using and reapplying sunscreen, wearing protective clothing and seeking shade during peak sun hours.
The many hours spent in the midday sun playing baseball or cheering for their favorite team puts both players and fans at risk for skin cancer, a potentially life-threatening condition that affects 1 in 5 Americans. No one knows this better than Boston Red Sox All-Star second baseman Mark Loretta. During a Play Smart screening two years ago, a dermatologist recommended that Loretta follow up on a suspicious mole on his chest. The mole turned out to be melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer. Loretta was successfully treated and is cancer free, but says he learned an important lesson.
"I spent too many years in the sun without protection and it caused a lot of damage," said Loretta. "Now, I make sure I always use sunscreen before taking the field, even on cloudy days. I also make sure my children are protected when going outside to play."
Like Loretta, MLB Commissioner Bud Selig also was successfully treated for a melanoma found during a routine exam.
"Whether you're playing Little League ball in a neighborhood park or Major League Baseball in a stadium, everyone needs to be careful in the sun," said Commissioner Selig. "Thanks to early detection, I'm healthy today. I hope all of our players, staff and fans take time to stay safe."
More than 1 million new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed each year. Of these cases, more than 111,900 are melanoma, a cancer that claims nearly 8,000 lives annually. During the past seven years, the Play Smart When It Comes To The Sun(R) program has screened almost 15,000 Major League Baseball players and staff members and has detected nearly 500 suspicious lesions.
"The baseball community has set a good example for sun-safe behavior," said dermatologist Stephen P. Stone, M.D., president of the Academy. "We encourage everyone to follow the players' lead and regularly conduct skin self-examinations to look for signs of skin cancer which can be very treatable if caught early."
Skin self-examinations consist of regularly looking over the entire body, including the back, scalp, soles of the feet, between the toes and on the palms of the hands. If there are any changes in the size, color, shape or texture of a mole, the development of a new mole or any other unusual changes in your skin, you should see your dermatologist immediately.
Sun exposure is the most preventable risk factor for skin cancer. You can have fun in the sun and Be Sun Smart(SM). Here's how to do it:
-- Generously apply sunscreen to all exposed skin using a Sun Protection
Factor (SPF) of at least 15 that provides broad-spectrum protection
from both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. Re-apply
every two hours, even on cloudy days, and after swimming or sweating.
-- Wear protective clothing, such as a long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-
brimmed hat and sunglasses, where possible.
-- Seek shade when appropriate, remembering that the sun's rays are
strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
-- Use extra caution near water, snow and sand as they reflect the
damaging rays of the sun which can increase your chance of sunburn.
-- Protect children from sun exposure by applying sunscreen.
-- Get vitamin D safely through a healthy diet that includes vitamin
supplements. Don't seek the sun.
-- Avoid tanning beds. Ultraviolet light from the sun and tanning beds
causes skin cancer and wrinkling. If you want to look like you've
been in the sun, consider using a sunless self-tanning product, but
continue to use sunscreen with it.
-- Check your birthday suit on your birthday. If you notice anything
changing, growing, or bleeding on your skin, see a dermatologist.
Skin cancer is very treatable when caught early.
The American Academy of Dermatology (Academy), founded in 1938, is the largest, most influential, and most representative of all dermatologic associations. With a membership of more than 15,000 physicians worldwide, the Academy is committed to: advancing the diagnosis and medical, surgical and cosmetic treatment of the skin, hair and nails; advocating high standards in clinical practice, education, and research in dermatology;
Study finds few fans sport hats
The American Academy of Dermatology is urging baseball fans to use their heads and wear a hat for sun protection.
More than 75 percent of skin cancer occurs on the head and neck and wearing a hat can reduce skin cancer risk. Yet, a recent study of fans attending baseball games found:
-- Fewer than half the fans sitting in the sun wore hats.
-- The number of fans who wore hats was the same for day and night games.
-- Fans were no more likely to wear hats even if they knew they would be
sitting in the sun or if they spent continuous time in the sun.
15 million fans attend outdoor daytime baseball games each year. The Academy's Play Smart When It Comes To The Sun(R) program wants them to protect their skin by sporting a hat.
Source: American Academy of Dermatology
Web site: http://www.aad.org/
Subaru Rally Team USA Finishes One-Two at Rim of the World Rally; -- Travis Pastrana claims first rally victory --
X Games and motocross phenom Travis Pastrana has now officially made his mark in professional rally racing by winning the Subaru Rim of the World Rally, held April 28-29, 2006.
The Subaru Rally Team USA driver won in convincing fashion, leading from the very first stage and driving faultlessly on nearly 100 treacherous miles of mountain roads within the Angeles National Forest outside of Los Angeles, California. Pastrana's teammate Ken Block was the only competitor to pressure Pastrana and finished in second place overall. Pastrana and Block were both at the wheel of identical 2006 Subaru Impreza WRX STI rally cars.
The Rim of the World Rally is a non-championship event for Subaru Rally Team USA. The team decided to enter the event simply to gain experience on the grueling mountainside roads that make up the event. The team believes that some of these same roads, or similar style roads, will be used in this summer's X Games Rally event, in which both Pastrana and Block are expected to compete.
Just two years ago, the 2004 Rim of the World Rally was Pastrana's first gravel rally, where the newcomer astounded rally insiders with a fourth overall finish.
"This is a dream come true," exclaimed Travis Pastrana, Subaru Rally Team USA driver. "We led right from the start and had to push to keep Ken (Block) behind us, so it was definitely hard-fought, but it's just such a great feeling to have my first rally win."
Pastrana was without regular co-driver Christian Edstrom, and instead sat with WRC veteran co-driver Jakke Honkanen.
Ken Block and co-driver Alex Gelsomino were the only squad able to match the pace of Pastrana, winning four of the thirteen competition stages (with Pastrana winning the other nine). The pair was unable to close up the early lead that their young teammate amassed.
"We were never far off from Travis, and when I attacked midway through the rally, Travis turned up his speed even more and kept us at bay," said Ken Block, Subaru Rally Team USA driver and Pastrana's teammate. "We had a good time fighting it out and the cars were perfect."
The conclusion of the Rim of the World Rally marks the end to a busy month on the west coast for Subaru Rally Team USA. The two-car Vermont-based team competed in the Oregon Trail Rally, Round 3 of the Rally America National Championship, just last weekend, where Pastrana and Block finished 2nd and 3rd,
respectively. The double podium result in Oregon helped Block remain atop the overall standings in the Rally America National Championship, with Pastrana moving up to 3rd overall. Round 4, the Pennsylvania-based Susquehannock Trail Rally is June 3, 2006.
Subaru Rally Team USA is proudly supported by DC Shoes, STI (Subaru Tecnica International), SPT (Subaru Performance Tuning), PIAA, RECARO, MOTUL, Alpinestars and Vermont SportsCar.
Source: Subaru Rally Team USA
Web site: http://www.subaru.com/
MLB.com Launches New Daily Video Show 'MLB.com MIDDAY'
MLB.com, the official website of Major League Baseball is now offering fans an alternative to the power lunch -- every weekday!
The company has just debuted a new free video webcast "MLB.com MIDDAY" -- a daily 12:30 p.m. ET show hosted by MLB.com host Casey Stern. It is the latest addition to an ever-growing lineup of original programming from MLB.com, accentuating all of those live Major League games that you are able to watch at the ballpark or at MLB.com with MLB.TV.
"This is basically a midday escape from work for any baseball fan," Stern said. "It will be a mixture of hardcore baseball, in-your-face analysis and some humor as well. Our goal is to give baseball fans the perfect way to procrastinate during work -- making them laugh, giving them some great information and showing them a behind-the-scenes look at their favorite players that they simply can't miss."
The show, broadcast from MLB.com's studios in New York City, is expected to become a fixture in the daily schedule for many fans, another reason for them to just bring lunch to have by the computer or order for delivery. For West Coast fans the show offers a great way to start the day.
Here are some of the highlights to expect:
* Phife Dawg, a baseball fan known to many for his music in "A Tribe
Called Quest," will be a weekly correspondent. His first interviews are
with Jimmy Rollins of the Phillies and Carl Crawford of the Devil Rays.
* Former Major Leaguer Brian McRae will do a weekly segment called
"Access Baseball." His first feature, which airs today, will include
playing mini-golf and talking baseball with Nick Swisher of the A's.
Watch for future episodes when he takes a tour of the new Busch Stadium
in St. Louis and sits down with Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn.
* "Going Pro with Justin Upton." MLB.com MIDDAY will follow him all
season as last year's No. 1 draft pick rises through the Diamondbacks
system.
* Get a chance to hang out with the King. Former Yankee Jim Leyritz, who
co-hosts the "Baseball Today" weekday show from 1:00-3 p.m. ET, will
have a few features at the outset.
* "First Pitch." It will be the opening monologue on each show, looking
at the biggest stories of the day and mostly focusing on baseball.
Watch the trailer for MLB.com MIDDAY, and then plan to get away from it all in the middle of a typical weekday. Spend a power lunch with Casey and friends. Available now at MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Web site: http://www.mlb.com/
Soyuz-Victan to Sponsor USA National Hockey Team Strengthens Global Hockey Marketing Platform
As part of its international sports marketing strategy, Soyuz-Victan, the world's fastest growing spirits marketer and third largest branded vodka producer, confirmed that its SV vodka brand has signed a five-year agreement to become an official sponsor of the U.S. National Men's Ice Hockey Team. The company will launch SV Supreme vodka in the U.S. later this year, as its first entry in the American market.
Soyuz-Victan will aggressively showcase its sponsorship of Team USA during the World Ice Hockey Championships, to be held in Riga, Latvia, May 5-21. The company is an official sponsor of the World Championships, as well as the Russian Hockey Federation, the Russian National Hockey Team and the Russian Hockey Championships.
"Ice hockey is a critical element in our marketing programs in Europe," said Yaroslav Bondarenko, Director of Export Marketing, "and we are pleased to be able to extend our sponsorships into the American market to support the impending launch of our products. The SV logo now will proudly be displayed on helmets and jerseys of two of the top contending teams (USA and Russia) in the world championship games."
In addition to hockey, Soyuz-Victan sponsors a wide range of sporting events in Eastern Europe, as well as international concerts by such leading artists as Moby, Depeche Mode, Pavarotti and the Scorpions.
Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) manages global activities related to ice hockey. The IIHF has member associations in 63 countries around the world, including Russia, United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Hong Kong and Japan.
ABOUT Soyuz-Victan Company
The Soyuz-Victan Company, the world's third-largest vodka supplier and fastest-growing spirits marketer, was founded in 1994. The company markets over 50 brands of alcoholic beverages, including three leading Russian vodka brands, SV, Medoff, and Mernaya, the Koktebel brands producing wines, and brandy, low-alcohol still juice-based drinks, and bottled waters. Soyuz-Victan products are available in more than 30 countries worldwide. Principal production facilities are located in Moscow, Russia, and in Kiev and Simferopol, Ukraine. SV Supreme vodka is imported into the U.S. by Soyuz-Victan USA, LLC, Manhasset, NY.
Source: Soyuz-Victan
Kentucky Derby and Triple Crown Odds From PinnacleSports.com
Race and Sports Book Posts Odds on 2006 Triple Crown Winner and 132nd Run for the Roses
With the 132nd Kentucky Derby taking place this Saturday at Churchill Downs, leading Internet race and sports book PinnacleSports.com has released odds on "The Run for the Roses," as well as odds on any horse completing the elusive Triple Crown. Now that early Derby favorites First Samurai and Stevie Wonderboy have withdrawn from the race, PinnacleSports.com has calculated odds on 21 potential entries for the first leg of the Triple Crown.
With speed again playing a key role in the race, PinnacleSports.com currently lists Arkansas Derby winner Lawyer Ron as a slight favorite at Churchill Downs paying $3.40 for every $1 bet (+340) over Santa Anita Derby champ Brother Derek, listed at +395. PinnacleSports.com also lists Sweetnorthernsaint, winner of the Illinois Derby, with the third best odds at +612 followed by Florida Derby champion Barbaro at +661.
Three-time Derby-winning trainer Bob Baffert again appears to have solid Kentucky contenders in Point Determined (+1060), Blue Grass champ Sinister Minister (+1117) and Wood Memorial winner Bob and John (+1234). Other horses that should compete for the first leg of the Triple Crown include: A.P. Warrior (+1774), Steppenwolfer (+2288), Jazil (+2563), Sharp Humor (+2874) and Sunriver (+3174). Those bettors looking to strike it rich with this year's Giacomo can wager on long shot Seaside Retreat that currently pays $100 for every $1 bet.
In addition to offering odds to win the Kentucky Derby, PinnacleSports.com is offering betting on any horse winning the Triple Crown for the first time in 28 years. Although horses have come close in recent years, the odds are heavily against any horse completing the elusive Triple Crown in 2006 at 1/9. Meanwhile, the odds that a horse will capture the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes this year are a 7/1 long shot. Bettors can also wager on PinnacleSports.com's unique race match-ups between contending horses at this year's Derby along with a wide variety of exclusive horse props.
Current Odds: *All odds subject to change*
Odds to Win 132nd Kentucky Derby
Lawyer Ron +340
Brother Derek +395
Sweetnorthernsaint +612
Barbaro +661
Point Determined +1060
Sinister Minister +1117
Bob And John +1234
A.P. Warrior +1774
Steppenwolfer +2288
Jazil +2563
Sharp Humor +2874
Sunriver +3174
Showing Up +3627
Keyed Entry +2957
Deputy Glitters +5000
Bluegrass Cat +5000
Cause To Believe +5000
Sacred Light +5000
Private Vow +5000
Flashy Bull +9000
Seaside Retreat +10000
Will any Horse Win the 2006 Triple Crown?
Yes 7/1
No 1/9
For a complete list of horseracing 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
Velocity Sports Performance Provides NFL Hopefuls With the Opportunity to Succeed 21 Clients Preparing at National Sports Training Facility Selected in 2006 NFL Draft
Over the last decade, the NFL Draft has become one of the most talked about and popular sporting events of the year. Velocity Sports Performance (http://www.velocitysp.com/ ) -- a national franchise of training centers for athletes of all ages and abilities -- today announced that 21 players selected in the 2006 NFL Draft prepared at Velocity Sports Performance centers across the county.
Of the 21 players selected, six were chosen in the first three rounds, including:
- Joe Klopfenstein, fourteenth pick in the second round, Tight End from
the University of Colorado was drafted by the St. Louis Rams;
- Cedric Griffen, sixteenth pick in the second round, Defensive Back from
the University of Texas was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings;
- Andrew Whitworth, twenty-third pick in the second round, Offensive
Tackle from Louisiana State University was drafted by the Cincinnati
Bengals;
- Chris Chester, twenty-fourth pick in the second round, Center from the
University of Oklahoma was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens;
- Charles Spencer, first pick in the third round, Offensive Tackle from
the University of Pittsburgh was drafted by the Houston Texans;
- Maurice Stovall, twenty-sixth pick in the third round, Wide Receiver
from the University of Notre Dame was drafted by the Tampa Bay
Buccaneers.
"We are extremely proud of all the prospects that prepared for the NFL Draft at Velocity Sports Performance centers this year," said Loren Seagrave, Chief Performance Officer of Velocity Sports Performance. "Athletes that prepare at Velocity Sports Performance perform at their peak because the cutting-edge programs implemented by our Sports Performance Directors and Performance Coaches across the country have been specifically designed to optimize the building blocks of athleticism: speed; power; and agility. These are measurable qualities that the NFL combine and scouts use to determine the likelihood of each prospect's success in the NFL."
Many athletes who are not selected during the draft are signed by NFL teams as free agents. Last year, 30 Velocity Sports Performance clients signed free-agent contracts with professional teams following the 2005 NFL Draft.
One of the more interesting free-agent candidates training at Velocity Sports Performance is Jai Lewis, a basketball player at George Mason University, who had a much shorter time period to prepare for the NFL after his team unexpectedly made it to the Final Four of the NCAA national basketball tournament. Lewis' situation is strikingly similar to that of Jeremy Bloom, a skier who represented the United States in the 2006 Winter Olympics, who also trained at Velocity Sports Performance and was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fifth round of the 2006 NFL Draft as a wide receiver. Both of these dynamic athletes had to overcome the challenge of training for a completely different sport in a dramatically shortened timeline.
Velocity Sports Performance teaches athletes how to be faster and improve their athletic ability using scientific programs to achieve better overall athleticism. The goal is to provide a safe, positive environment that promotes long-term psychological and physical development, leading to increased confidence, character and overall life success for athletes of all ages and abilities. Although individual training is available, athletes typically train in small semi-private groups that offer individualized coaching and close attention. Velocity Sports Performance currently has 63 centers open across the country.
** Chief Performance Officer Loren Seagrave of Velocity Sports Performance is available for interviews regarding all aspects of preparing for the NFL Draft and combines
About Velocity Sports Performance
Velocity Sports Performance, an advanced sports performance training program for athletes of all skills and ages, was founded in 1999 by world- renowned coach Loren Seagrave, who has coached Olympic athletes, NFL players and long distance runners. Headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia, Velocity Sports Performance is a fast-paced, exciting new sports business. The company offers worldwide franchise opportunities and provides world-class franchise training and ongoing support. Velocity Sports Performance has strategic relationships with national organizations such as IMG Academies, Collegiate Sports of America, and National Alliance for Youth Sports and Special Olympics. Visit http://www.velocitysp.com/ for more information on training programs and franchise opportunities.
Source: Velocity Sports Performance
Web site: http://www.velocitysp.com/
DOD
DoD Identifies Casualties
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Sgt. Matthew A. Webber, 23, of Kalamazoo, Mich., died on April 27, in the Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio, Texas, of injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV during combat operations in Habbaniyah, Iraq, on Nov.21, 2005. Webber was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 125th Infantry Regiment (Mechanized), Saginaw, Mich.
The Department of Defense announced today the death of two Marines, who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Cpl. Brandon M. Hardy, 25, of Cochranville, Pa. Sgt. Lea R. Mills, 21, of Brooksville, Fla. Both Marines died April 28 while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Al Anbar province, Iraq. They were both assigned to 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.
For the past two and a half years, veterans of wars past have been helping heal the latest generation of wounded troops every Friday in a basement steakhouse
here. Fran O'Brien's, a low-lit, sports-themed place with red leather chairs, wood paneling and hundreds of signed photos lining the walls, has become a source of healing for many troops as they convalesce in nearby military hospitals. The restaurant closed this weekend, but its owners, Hal Koster and Marty O'Brien, have vowed to keep putting on their free steak dinners at other locations. Some troops have been coming to steak night since it began in October 2003. "We call them seniors," said Koster, a Vietnam veteran. "They're mentors to the newly injured; they have a job other than just drinking all my beer." One of those soldiers, Army Sgt. Wasim Khan, lost both legs in Baghdad during the invasion in 2003. "I was one of the first ones to come here," he said. "When I was in the hospital, I didn't talk to anybody at all," Khan said. "I was worried, angry, mad, upset, depressed. But once I started getting out here, I saw the changes in me. I started talking to people, socializing with my own people, military people." Khan said he continues to find valuable therapy in talking with veterans from the Vietnam and Korean wars. "They told us their stories about when they came back home," he said. "Those 'Nam vets are doing their best to give us the best possible care and facilities out there." Having attention and support from all over America makes him feel very lucky, Khan said, but he knows it took work to change America's attitude: "They don't want us to go through what they went through. ...
The older vets, they said, 'This is not going to happen to this generation of veterans.'" Army Staff Sgt. Chris Bain, another of the "seniors," suffered severe arm injuries in April 2004. He said he comes to steak night every week and does his best to pass his good attitude on to the new guys: "I still can't cut my food, so you know what? I purposely sit next to somebody who doesn't have legs. You know why? Because I'm all, look, you got two great arms and great hands. ... You cut my steak. I'll get your food. That's what it's all about." When he doesn't have physical therapy, Bain said he tries to give back to the older veterans, especially the owners of Fran O'Brien's. "I come down and ask Hal if he needs any help: 'Hal what can I do for you? You give so much to the troops, and it means so much to us and me.' ... Hal and Marty both are just the greatest individuals I've ever met." At his restaurant's final Friday dinner, April 28, Koster said a change of location would be a difficult thing for some troops because his restaurant kept them from feeling out of place. "The regular customers that we have are accustomed to seeing people without legs and arms, some of the things that maybe the general public isn't," he said. For the next month, the dinners will be held at a hotel in downtown Washington, except on May 19, when the Italian embassy will take a turn. "I think the troops would enjoy that," Koster said. "We're trying to set up something nice for them, and if they like it, great.
If they don't, we'll change it because the dinners are for them." Koster talked to several reporters April 28 as he and his staff made final preparations to receive young people in wheelchairs and prosthetics. The restaurant's bar filled with regulars, including veterans and members of troop support organizations such as Rolling Thunder and Disabled American Veterans. When the wounded troops arrived, carefully negotiating the stairs into the basement, reporters were given some time to chat with them. Then everyone but the troops and their families were asked to leave the dining area, and the doors to the room were closed. Koster said in March 2004 he stopped letting reporters view the dinners "because the troops don't want that. They're here to relax." The dinners began in October 2003, soon after the conflict in Iraq started, he said. Jim Meyer, a veteran wounded in Vietnam, came to Koster and said he thought troops would heal better if they could get a night away from the hospital. Buying some dinners for the troops and their families seemed like a great thing to do. Koster said he's seen some incredible recoveries happen between the time troops arrive for their first dinner and the weeks following. "We have a young man now, Brian Anderson, who's only been down here twice," he said. "He lost both legs and an arm, and he's up walking.
He's got his two prosthetic legs, and his one prosthetic arm, he's got a pair of crutches, and he's out getting around. Just absolutely outstanding in that short a period of time." Collaboration with local troop support groups has been a great help to the weekly events, Koster said. Some rent busses and provide other logistical support, while others get the word out to troops at Walter Reed Army Medical Center here and the National Naval Medical Center in nearby Bethesda, Md. Koster said he will do his best to help provide the same welcoming atmosphere as always when the weekly dinners move to new places, hopefully allowing troops to become relaxed in the new environment. "What we're trying to do is get the new guys that aren't that comfortable with their amputations or their face disfigurations or whatever their injury is, and they don't have the strength necessarily to get out and go to a regular place," he said. "First time out of the hospital, they're not strong yet, but they're determined, and that's important."
A U.S. soldier was injured after his helicopter experienced a hard landing yesterday in Zabul province, Afghanistan, U.S. military officials reported. The cause of the incident was mechanical failure, officials said. The injured soldier was evacuated to a nearby U.S. medical facility for treatment. His injury was not reported as serious. U.S. forces are at the scene of the incident providing security as recovery operations are under way. Also in Afghanistan, Afghan and coalition forces uncovered weapons caches in Paktika and Ghazni provinces April 25. The caches included a rocket-propelled-grenade launcher, rocket-propelled-grenade rounds, 82 mm mortars, mortar fuses, 107 mm rockets, a 122 mm rocket, and machine gun and rifle ammunition. Coalition explosive ordnance disposal teams destroyed the weapons at forward operating bases in southeastern Afghanistan. "Recovering and disposing of these weapons increases the safety and security of Afghans," Army Lt. Col. Paul Fitzpatrick, a Combined Joint Task Force 76 spokesman, said. "It also reduces the danger in the area posed by criminals and insurgents who might use those munitions indiscriminately to cause harm to the Afghan people, Afghan security forces, or coalition forces."
Air Force Sergeants MIA from Vietnam War Identified
The Department of Defense POW/ Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) announced today that the remains of two servicemen, missing in action from the Vietnam War, have been identified. They are Tech. Sgt. Donald R. Hoskins, Madison, Ind. and Staff Sgt. Calvin C. Cooke, Washington, D.C. A third person from the crew, Maj. Harry A. Amesbury, has been previously identified. The funeral for Cooke will be at Arlington National Cemetery, near Washington D.C. on June 20, with full military honors. On April 26, 1972, Amesbury was piloting a C-130E Hercules to An Loc City, South Vietnam for an emergency resupply mission. Hoskins and Cooke were among those aboard the aircraft when it was hit by enemy fire and crashed. Enemy activity prevented any recovery attempts until three years later in 1975 when a Vietnamese search team recovered artifacts and remains that were later identified as belonging to another crewman. In 1988, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (S.R.V.) confiscated remains from a Vietnamese national in Ho Chi Minh City and returned them to the U.S. custody. The Vietnamese attributed the remains to Cooke.
In April 1989, a Vietnamese woman living in Thailand told U.S. interviewers that she witnessed the crash of a C-130 in 1972 near An Loc City. She was a schoolteacher at the time of the incident but moved due to hostilities in the area. She told interviewers that two of her former students found the complete remains of one of the crewmen, a uniform, identification tags and other items they were keeping at one of their homes. The students gave her a bone fragment and information from the identification tag of Amesbury, both of which she turned over to the interviewers. The S.R.V. repatriated additional remains to the United States in June 1989, and January and November of 1991 that were attributed to Cooke and Amesbury. In 1992, a joint U.S.-S.R.V. team, led by the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC), interviewed several Vietnamese nationals who claimed to have recovered remains from a C-130 crash site near An Loc.
The villagers recalled finding a flight suit and almost the complete skeletal remains of one of the crewmen. One of them led the joint team to the crash site and another turned over several small fragments of bone and an identification tag rubbing for Amesbury. Another joint team returned to the crash site for excavation in 1993 where they recovered additional remains, personal effects and crew related artifacts. The National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia contacted JPAC officials in 1998 about a woman living in Georgia who had remains and personal artifacts attributed to Amesbury. Those were turned over to JPAC as part of the evidence associated with this case. JPAC scientists and Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (AFDIL) specialists used mitochondrial DNA as one of the forensic tools to help identify the remains. Laboratory analysis of dental remains also confirmed their identifications. Of those Americans unaccounted for from all conflicts, 1,805 are from the Vietnam War. Another 841 Americans have been accounted for in Southeast Asia since the end of the war, with 601 of those from Vietnam.
Iraq once supplied roughly 30 percent of the world's dates
an estimated 600,000 tons. But with fewer than 15 million date palm trees left in Iraq, production has dropped to only about 250,000 tons of the fruit annually. To control the progressive loss of the crop and regenerate the industry, the Iraqi Ministry of Agriculture and coalition forces have teamed up to combat the problem by conducting aerial spraying in April and May. Officials from the Najaf, Karbala and Babil provincial agriculture departments met with coalition forces representatives April 27 at the regional embassy office in Hillah to discuss "Operation Harvest Light," an operation to spray date palm trees with insecticide to eliminate insects that threaten to obliterate the crop. Iraq dates were once considered top quality because of their high sugar content, superb flavor and texture. Drought, security issues and insect infestation have contributed to reduced yields in recent years. In addition, Iraq's small crop-dusting helicopter fleet was destroyed during the conflict, and the agriculture ministry's pesticides were looted in the chaos following the collapse of Saddam Hussein's regime. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization had carried out previous aerial spraying during the sanctions period before the war under the auspices of the Oil For Food Program. No large-scale aerial spraying has been conducted since 2002. Army Maj. Jeff Smith, civil affairs officer, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, spearheaded the meeting, bringing the group together to discuss the schedule and solicit the representative's expertise.
Together, they reviewed maps of the provinces, along with past statistics on insect hatch rates and palm tree density, to develop a plan of attack. "In recent years, ground spraying has been used, but (has) proven to be less and less effective against the insects," Smith said. Due to the structure of the date palm tree and the way it is infected, aerial spraying is most effective, Smith said. "In addition, spraying at this time will pay off, because the bugs are at a stage where they have hatched but are not mature, meaning their bodies are still soft and will absorb the chemical, killing them." Coalition forces, in conjunction with the Ministry of Agriculture, contracted a company to conduct the spraying. Iraqi security and coalition forces will provide security measures for protecting the pesticides, fuel, equipment, crew and aircraft prior to and during the spraying operation. Army Master Sgt. Ronald Wegner, operations sergeant, 490th Civil Affairs Battalion, 4th Infantry Division, assisted in the meeting and emphasized that the Iraqi government and Iraq's Ministry of Agriculture are in the lead in this operation. "Every one of you sitting here are the experts, and we are here to assist in any way we can," he said. One of the main concerns was spraying priorities.
Imad Lefta, Hillah's mayor, said milder weather in southern Iraq caused the insects to hatch sooner in some areas, requiring earlier spraying than in other areas. The group took this into consideration, and concluded the meeting by developing a prioritization of spraying by province and geographic area inside each province. The scheduled crop dusting is part of a larger Iraqi government program, which will provide jobs in farming, packaging, and the date industry. The program also focuses on the distribution of dates on the global market. (Army Maj. Anna Friederich is the public affairs officer for the 4th Infantry Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team.)
Civilian leaders returned here yesterday from a whirlwind trip through Southwest Asia with a fresh new perspective about U.S. military operations
under way and the caliber of the men in women serving the country in uniform. The 47 business, academic, civic and organizational leaders, all participants in the Joint Civilian Orientation Conference, agreed that it's one thing to draw conclusions based on what they read in newspapers and see on TV, but quite another to draw their own firsthand conclusions. The group members visited Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar to observe ongoing operations. They met with soldiers and Marines who train troops how to conduct road maneuvers and confront improvised explosive devices before moving forward into Iraq, and Coast Guardsmen who pull security for Iraq's offshore oil terminals and are teaching Iraq's marines to eventually take over the mission.
They flew aboard USS Ronald Reagan, the United States' newest and largest aircraft carrier, to meet sailors providing a critical show of force in the region and supporting troops on the ground. Later, they met airmen who transport troops in and around the theater, keep them supplied and provide life-saving close-air support when it's needed. Over the course of seven days, the group members traveled thousands of miles aboard an Air Force C-17 cargo plane, Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, Navy MH-53 Sea Stallion helicopters, Army armored Humvee vehicles, and a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, among other transportation modes. They earned the "tailhooker" label after flying aboard or catapulting off the Reagan in a carrier onboard-delivery aircraft, commonly called a COD. They also got to "kick the tires" of Air Force F-15E fighter jets and other aircraft supporting troops on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan and to tour Coast Guard cutters that patrol the Persian Gulf. In addition to observing U.S. servicemembers at work, the group members got to try their own hands at some operations. They made a tactical movement with Marines through a counter-improvised explosive device training course, conducted close-quarter marksmanship and live-fire training with Army trainers, practiced ship-boarding techniques with a Coast Guard team and fired paintball rounds at notional insurgents in a demonstration run by Air Force security forces.
While wowed by all they saw and did, the group members agreed that nothing struck them so overwhelmingly as the servicemembers they met throughout their trip. Bruce Simon, president of Omaha Steaks, based in Omaha, Neb., said he was impressed across the board by the quality of the troops he observed and talked with. They're "extraordinarily motivated men and women, who are all volunteers, working under unbelievably difficult conditions," he said. "These are first-class kids. Meeting them and seeing what they do really makes you proud to be an American." After going through the counter-IED training course, Dr. Marshall Bouldin, a professor at Mississippi Medical Center, said he got a fresh perspective of "how deadly serious this is." It's something "that never full comes across when you're home, watching CNN or reading the papers," he said. "But you can really see how well-trained these people are. They're trained so that everything becomes a reflex." Steve Schulz, senior strategy consultant for the Gallup Organization, said the common theme he witnessed at every stop on the trip was the quality of the people. "They're well-trained and articulate.
They understand their roles and responsibilities, and they're extremely professional," he said. "Everyone knows that (our troops) are working hard and doing wonderful things," Schultz said. "But when you ride in their equipment and meet them and see firsthand what they do, you really get an appreciation." John Fox, vice president for Royal Caribbean Cruises, said the JCOC experience left him impressed, not just with military capabilities, but also with the troops' commitment to their mission and each other. "I'm impressed with the professionalism with which these men and women go about their jobs, and impressed with the three-stars (generals and admirals) and how they care about their people," he said. Cathy Ann Paige, vice president of Manpower Inc.'s Northeast U.S. Division, said she was "stunned by the level of education and breadth of knowledge of the leadership over here." "These are all CEO-quality people who could be making a million dollars a year," she said. "It's obvious they're not in this for the money. They're getting their rewards in other ways.
You can see that they believe in understand the importance of what they're doing." Similarly, Paige said she was impressed by the level of responsibility junior servicemembers are entrusted with so early in their careers and how well they carry out their missions. "You see how dedicated they are to what they do, and they're out there, doing it every day," she said. "You can't help but be impressed." Larry Oney, chief executive officer for Hammerman & Gainer International, said he wishes his own organization ran as smoothly as the military units he observed during the JCOC trip. "I didn't realize how strong an organization the military was, or the quality of the people from the bottom to the top," he said. "This is like what you see in corporate America. You train your people and keep them sharp. "I'm just overall very, very impressed," Oney said. "I think the military has it together." "This is a very important time for you to come and see your armed forces," Navy Vice Adm. David C. Nichols Jr., deputy commander of U.S. Central Command, who accompanied the group during the trip, told the participants. "This is your armed forces.
And I would ask you to take back what you saw and what you learned from talking to the troops," he said. "Because, after all, they are the true litmus test of how things are going here." The JCOC program gives civilian opinion leaders an introduction to military operations so they can gain a better understanding of how they're conducted and an appreciation of the people who serve in uniform. The latest trip was the first to the Middle East since the Defense Department started the program in 1948.
When the USS James E. Williams sets sail from Norfolk, Va., tomorrow, it will be a special moment for the family of a top Army noncommissioned officer.
.Medal of Honor recipient James E. Williams was a first cousin of Army Command Sgt. Maj. William J. "Joe" Gainey, senior enlisted advisor to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Williams was the most decorated sailor in the history of the Navy. In addition to the Medal of Honor he received in 1968 for service as a river patrol boat commander in Vietnam, he earned a Navy Cross, two Silver Star Medals, a Legion of Merit with Combat "V," two Navy and Marine Corp Medals, and three Bronze Star Medals. Elliott, as his family knew him, was a large presence in Gainey's early life. "He's one of the ones that I give credit to for prioritizing my life," Gainey told American Forces Press Service. "He always told us, 'In order to know where you're going, you've got to know where you've been.'"
This is a theme Gainey often expounds on as he visits with young servicemembers. "I tell people, 'How do you know who you are if you don't know where you came from?'" In his current position, Gainey advises Joint Chiefs Chairman Marine Gen. Peter Pace on issues affecting or concerning enlisted servicemembers. He often speaks to sailors on his visits to various commands, and he always refers to his cousin, who is something of a legend in Navy lore. During a visit to U.S. Southern Command in November, he asked several young sailors who the most decorated sailor in the Navy was. None of them knew the answer, but one enterprising young man researched the information and e-mailed Gainey with the answer an hour later.
The sergeant major saw to it that the sailor received one of his challenge coins. During an April visit to the USS Ronald Reagan in the Persian Gulf, a sailor told Gainey he was impressed that an Army NCO knew so much about the Navy. Gainey later said he took that as a supreme compliment, and attributed all he knows about the sea service to Williams' influence on his early life. Gainey has lobbied Navy enlisted leaders to begin a recognition program for sailors modeled after the Army's Sgt. Audie Murphy Club, which recognizes top-notch soldiers and is named after the World War II hero and Medal of Honor recipient of the 3rd Infantry Division. Gainey said he believes it would be fitting to name such a Navy honor after Williams. The sergeant major was serving in Iraq when the ship was christened, but said he was touched by the reception he and his wife received during a brief visit to the ship earlier this year. Gainey was in a meeting during an official visit to U.S. Joint Forces Command in Norfolk when his wife, Cindy, asked her escorts if the James E. Williams was in port.
Gainey chuckled as he told of being pulled out of his meeting and told: "Your wife has commandeered the USS James E. Williams and won't let it sail until you get there." An hour and a half later, they had seen the ship from top to bottom and came away impressed at the crew's professionalism. Gainey said he particularly enjoyed seeing a portrait of his cousin in the ship's galley. He recalled with pride that the ship's skipper told him: "As a blood relative of James E. Williams, you are part of this ship. Any time this ship is in dock, you are welcome." The USS James E. Williams sets sail tomorrow to participate in maritime security operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations, which encompasses about 7.5 million square miles and includes the Arabian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman and parts of the Indian Ocean. Gainey said his cousin, who died of a heart attack at age 68 in 1999, would approve of a ship named for him taking part in the war on terrorism. "James would be very proud of what that ship is doing," he said
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Storey Retires From P&G Board
The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE: PG) announced today that Robert D. Storey is retiring from the P&G board of directors effective immediately. Mr. Storey has reached the customary age (70) for retirement from the board.
"Bob Storey has served P&G with distinction as a director, and as chair of the Board's Governance & Public Responsibility Committee and member of the Finance Committee," said A. G. Lafley, chairman, president and chief executive. "Bob's insight and experience over more than 18 years have been invaluable."
Mr. Storey is a retired partner in the law firm of Thompson Hine, L.L.P., Cleveland, Ohio. He is also a director of Verizon Communications.
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(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 The Procter & Gamble Company
