April 10-12 archives
April 12, 2006
Latin DVD Conference 3
Written by Joyce L Chow & William Hoehne April 11 2006
MBN
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ENTERTAINMENT, ART, FASHION, TECHNOLOGY
Latin DVD 3 Conference
Latin DVD Awards
Paramount Pictures' First-of-Its-Kind Program With Xbox Integrates Movie Content Within the Gaming Environment
Today's Top-Selling Rock, Alternative & Hip-Hop Artists Deliver Radical New Hardcore Sounds on WWE: Wreckless Intent
New Website for Video Gamers Offers Competitive Skilled Wagering for Current and Future Online Home Console Games
'American Idol' Predictions Announced by Wynn Las Vegas
VH1 Soul Blooms in April With Original Programming Including Exclusive Amel Larrieux Album Release Party and World Premiere Videos
Beyond Belief Media Launches Preemptive Strike on Easter
Copies of Controversial Documentary Are Hidden in Churches Throughout U.S.
The 'Kids Are Back! Cabbage Patch Kids
Tim McGraw & Faith Hill's Soul2Soul II is 'Most Requested Event' for First Quarter 2006
MTV and VH1 will paint their respective broadband and mobile platforms "pink"
Move over MTV
Under-30 Crowd Will Drive Media Future
UPFRONT at ABC great
SPORTS & AUTOS
Oakland and Dodger baseball
CBS, Discovery Channel Descend on Hurley Waterfalls as Kayaker Plummets 110 Feet
Gatorade Sports Science Institute Issues Hydration Recommendations for Boston Marathon Runners
USA TODAY and NADA Name Winner of Dealer Innovation Award
The All-New Audi TT in Fashion in New York City
DOD
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
DoD Announces Winners of Annual Modeling and Simulation Awards
NEWS
'Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs' Brings an Estimated $150 Million to Fort Lauderdale During Its Four-Month Run
Hubble Finds 'Tenth Planet' Is Slightly Larger Than Pluto
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ENTERTAINMENT, ART, FASHION,
TECHNOLOGY
Latin DVD Conference 3
Today I attended the third annual Latin DVD conference held by Home Media Retailing.
Its moderator was Thomas K Arnold.
The conference was devided up in the following sessions:
Opening remarks about the industry from Univision Television group representative, Adriana Olvarez.
about the industry from Univision Television group representative, Adriana Olvarez.Generation Si:The evolving face of the market hosted by Mr. Arnold with panelists Ana Aguilar direcxtor of marketing Univision Home Entertainment, Elart Coello, present Laguna Productions, Greta Nodar, director of sales and Latin programming Image Entertainment, Julio Noriega director of the film division Venevision international and Antonio Sosa Vp of multicultural sales Warner Home Studio.
hosted by Mr. Arnold with panelists Ana Aguilar direcxtor of marketing Univision Home Entertainment, Elart Coello, present Laguna Productions, Greta Nodar, director of sales and Latin programming Image Entertainment, Julio Noriega director of the film division Venevision international and Antonio Sosa Vp of multicultural sales Warner Home Studio.This was followed by a networking break where I talked to otherrs there about the market.
Next was Latino Niches: Beyond The Basic Drama: The host was Stephanie Prange of Home Media Retailing. Panelists included Christ Lynch EVP and GM of Ventura Home Entertainment, Michael Rathauser VP marketing Lionsgate, Monica Ricardez national Latin product director Tower Records and Video,Leigh Savidge present Xenon Pictures, Soumya Sriraman Vp marketing & operations Visual Entertainment.
This was followed by lunch and the Latin DVD Awards hosted by Joey Madina a young Latin whose Latin Palooza DVD will be coming out July 18th, 2006.
After lunch was Talent Talk: The Latinos Behind the Films hosted by Angelique
Flores of Home Media Entertainment with panelists Julio Caro, producer,writer actor Rick Najera, and Leonard Villareal producer.
Much valuable information was given at the conference including clues as to why the fuss about immigration reform.
There are currently 40 to 50 million Latinos in this country at the moment and growing. One out of every five children being born in this country are Latinos. They are fastest growing minority in this nation making up over 47 percent of the total population growth.
In Los Angeles county 72 percent of all those under the age of 30 are Latino and most are born in the USA. 28 percent of all under 30 in this country are Latin and 80 percent born here. They represent 30 percent of the box office in this country.
They like family entertainment and skew towards the types of family entertainment produced in the 40’s 50’s and 60’s by the major American production companies.
While the English speaking sales of records, CD’s and DVD’s have fallen or stalled the Latin market is up by 12 percent.
In this country as of last estimate they are a 700 billion dollar a year buying force and by 2025 will be a three trillion dollar a year force.
The younger Lations tend to speak Spanish more then do their parents.
Over 10 million own DVD players.
They tend to be more family oriented hence the desire to seek family entertainment out.
More to come tomorrow
William Hoehne
Latin DVD Awards
Cronicas," a thriller about a Miami TV reporter who investigates a string of gruesome child murders in Ecuador, won top honors at the second annual Latino DVD Awards, presented Tuesday in West Hollywood.
The film, directed by Sebastian Cordero was named best of show, beating more than 30 contenders that were entered into the annual contest, produced by trade publication Home Media Retailing magazine.
The film also won for best special features, with one judge calling the "Cronicas" DVD "a model for U.S. releases, with its well-crafted menu, detailed introductions to deleted scenes and shocking alternate ending." It was released by Palm Pictures and Visual Entertainment.
A panel of entertainment journalists judged the contest, in which Spanish-language DVDs
released domestically in 2005 competed in seven categories.
The other winners:
Best theatrical DVD: "The Sea Inside" (New Line Home Entertainment), director Alejandro Amenabar's true-life story of a Spanish man who fought a 30-year campaign in support of euthanasia.
Best nontheatrical DVD: "Flores De Otro Mundo" (Image Entertainment), about three women and three men whose lives connect at a bachelor party.
Best classic/catalog DVD: "The Mambo Kings Special Edition" (Warner Home Video), the 1992 film about two musician brothers who leave Cuba for the U.S. in the 1950s in the hopes of making it big in the booming Latino music scene.
Best U.S. production: "Carlito's Way: Ultimate Edition," (Universal Studios Home Entertainment), the Brian De Palma gangster film with Al Pacin as a Puerto Rican ex-con trying desperately to go straight.
Best children's DVD: "The Three Wise Men" (Buena Vista Home Entertainment), the tale of the Magi.
The second annual Latino DVD Awards were part of the third annual Latino DVD Conference
Paramount Pictures' First-of-Its-Kind Program With Xbox Integrates Movie Content Within the Gaming Environment
Campaign Launches With 'Mission: Impossible III' and 'Nacho Libre'
Paramount Pictures and Xbox have pioneered the first-ever Xbox Movie Showcase cross-platform marketing program between a movie studio and Microsoft's Xbox Live. Launching tomorrow (April 12, 2006), the Xbox Movie Showcase will feature free, high-definition, downloadable content from two of the most highly anticipated films of the summer: the action-thriller "Mission: Impossible III," starring Tom Cruise and directed by J.J. Abrams (the creator of "Lost" and "Alias"), hitting theaters May 5, and "Nacho Libre," a comedy starring Jack Black and directed by Jared Hess, the director of "Napoleon Dynamite," in theaters June 16.
The Xbox Movie Showcase content includes HD movie trailers, exclusive theme packs, and graphics allowing Xbox gamers to customize their gaming experiences, theming their Xbox Live experience to "M:i:III" and "Nacho Libre." In addition, as part of this first-of-its kind agreement, stars of Paramount films, including Jack Black, will participate in Xbox's "Game with Fame," where gamers can enter for a chance to play a game online against their favorite celebrities. Taking the program off-line, Paramount's DVDs will be featured in a Digital Entertainment Lifestyle video promoted across Xbox kiosks in 30,000 retail stores worldwide.
Commenting on the announcement, Gerry Rich, president of worldwide motion picture marketing, said, "This ground-breaking agreement takes interactive marketing and digital entertainment to new heights, representing the perfect match between gamers and the summer movies they can't wait to see."
"Paramount shares our commitment to providing an entertaining and meaningful gaming experience for Xbox gamers," said Aaron Greenberg, Group Marketing Manager, Xbox Live. "We're excited to be starting out on this multi-picture campaign and look forward to continuing to provide compelling entertainment experiences to gamers everywhere."
Xbox Live momentum has accelerated since Xbox 360 was launched, with more than half of all Xbox 360 owners connecting with the online games and entertainment service, which boasts a worldwide community of more than 2 million members. Xbox Live has grown into a social community with 600,000 text messages sent every day between members and its Marketplace has reached over 10 million downloads.
Paramount's relationship with Xbox began in December with the unveiling of the HD teaser trailer for "Mission: Impossible III."
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 presents a Nickelodeon Movies and Black & White production of a Jared Hess film, "Nacho Libre," starring Jack Black. The film also stars Ana de la Reguera, Hector Jimenez, Richard Montoya, and Peter Stormare and is directed by Jared Hess. The screenplay is written by Jared Hess & Jerusha Hess & Mike White. "Nacho Libre" is produced by Mike White, Jack Black, Julia Pistor, and David Klawans. The executive producer is Steve Nicolaides. This film is not yet rated.
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.
Source: Paramount Pictures
Today's Top-Selling Rock, Alternative & Hip-Hop Artists Deliver Radical New Hardcore Sounds on WWE: Wreckless Intent
Scorching New Collection of WWE(R) Superstar Theme Music Features Head-Crunching Original Tracks by Saliva, P.O.D., Motorhead & Others Including First New Music From Three 6 Mafia Since Oscar Night
Available Tuesday, May 23
Columbia Records is set to release WWE: Wreckless Intent -- a knock-out compilation of World Wrestling Entertainment's Superstars' entrance theme music performed by today's hottest hardcore rock, alternative and hip-hop artists -- on Tuesday, May 23.
The songs on WWE: Wreckless Intent are the massively powerful wrestlers' themes heard during the WWE's enormously successful TV shows -- "SmackDown!(R)," "RAW(R)," "WrestleMania(R)," and "Saturday Night's Main Event(TM)" -- as performed by today's top-selling aggro-rock and rap artists. The album features the first new music -- "Some Bodies Gonna Get It" (as associated with the WWE talent Mark Henry(TM)) -- from Three 6 Mafia since the dirty south rappers took home the Academy Award for Best Original Song earlier this month.
"Once again, we've merged some of today's cutting edge musical acts along with the premiere sports entertainment company and the WWE Superstars that reach fans around the world," said Neil Lawi, General Manager WWE Music Group. "WWE: Wreckless Intent is filled with entrance themes from both RAW(R) and Friday Night SmackDown(R) Superstars as performed by some of today's hottest rock and hip-hop artists. This album will further push our brand into pop culture, and additionally solidify our commitment to working within the music industry and artists on a global basis."
WWE: Wreckless Intent
Artists - Tracks - WWE talent:
Saliva - "I Walk Alone" - Batista(TM)
Mercy Drive - "Burn In My Light" - Randy Orton(R)
Homebwoi - "Hard Hittin'" - Coach(TM)
Brand New Sin - "Crank It Up" - Big Show(R)
Desiree Jackson - "Holla" - Candice(TM)
Eleventh Hour - "A Girl Like That" - Torrie Wilson(R)
Kaballon - "Quien Soy Yo (Who I Am)" - Carlito(TM)
Theory of a Deadman - "Deadly Game"
Silkk the Shocker - "I'm Comin'"
Shadows Fall - "Fury Of The Storm" - Rob Van Dam(R)
Three 6 Mafia - "Some Bodies Gonna Get It" - Mark Henry
Zebrahead - "With Legs Like That" - Maria(TM)
Killswitch Engage - "This Fire Burns"
P.O.D. - "Booyaka 619" - Rey Mysterio(R)
Motorhead - "King of Kings" - Triple H(R)
Tracks on WWE: Wreckless Intent will be integrated into all aspects of World Wrestling Entertainment programming including syndicated television, Pay-Per-View, online initiatives, consumer products and live events including "WrestleMania," "RAW(R)," and "SmackDown!(R)" TV in the month of April.
WWE: Wreckless Intent is being released in conjunction with the "WrestleMania 22" DVD.
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is an integrated media and entertainment company, principally engaged in the development, production and marketing of television programming, pay-per-view programming and live events, and the licensing and sale of branded consumer products featuring the highly successful World Wrestling Entertainment brand. WWE is headquartered in Stamford, Conn., with offices in London, Los Angeles, New York and Toronto. WWE is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol WWE.
Founded by Vincent and Linda McMahon, World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. has been involved in the sports entertainment business for more than 20 years, developing into one of the most popular forms of entertainment today.
http://www.columbiarecords.com/wwe
Source: Columbia Records
New Website for Video Gamers Offers Competitive Skilled Wagering for Current and Future Online Home Console Games
The future of online gaming is now upon us with the launch of UGX1.com (Under Ground X-Change). The website is a breath of fresh air for the gambling public interested in skilled wagering for popular online home console video game tournaments.
With the release of online video games, gamers have logged hundreds of thousands of playing hours and counting. UGX1 provides a place for the world's best gamers to meet and bet against one another for cash in head-to-head or tournament style competitions 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This service was developed to give gamers a chance to improve game play and earn cash after every tournament, unlike LAN Tournaments, where only a few players reign as winners.
UGX1.com gamers play in the comfort of their own home, with fewer opponents, yielding greater statistical tournament results. Our members have real-time account adjustments and tournament ladders; they also set their own wager amounts, interact with other gamers in our chat rooms, and can easily set up potential four or eight person tournaments at their discretion.
"I usually play multiplayer games with my friends, and when I'm not working we play online tournaments. UGX1.com tournaments have brought Las Vegas to my home console controller," says Theo, a UGX1 member. With lightning quick payouts, the days of waiting weeks or months to receive tournament monies are extinct.
UGX1.com is revered as the supreme online gaming community, servicing adult video gamers across the globe. In a rapidly expanding gaming marketplace growing at a rate of 15% a year, video gamers are taking their skills to new levels, literally in their own hands, as tournaments have become an outlet for fierce competition.
UGX1.com honors Under Ground Gamers who now call UGX1.com home to all their skilled wagering needs. The time has come for Online Gamers to reap the rewards of their hard work, sleepless nights, sore hands and broken controllers. "It's not just for bragging rights anymore!"
Source: UGX1.com
Web site: http://www.ugx1.com/
'American Idol' Predictions Announced by Wynn Las Vegas
John Avello, Director of Race & Sports Operations, Releases His Weekly Odds for the Fox Reality Show All eyes -- and bets -- are on the Fox reality show "American Idol" to generate the most intense competition of the year, according to John Avello, director of race & sports operations for Wynn Las Vegas.
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Avello, whose purview normally covers all on-site sports bets and nationwide horse racing for the Las Vegas Strip venue, has assessed all "Idol" contestants since the launch of the show. He has a near perfect record, pegging advance #1 rankings to winners Ruben Studdard, Fantasia and Carrie Underwood weeks before their crowning.
As of today, Avello has given open odds to win the 2006 season of "Idol" as follows:
#8 Bucky: 35/1
#7 Taylor: 25/1
#6 Kellie: 15/1
#5 Elliott: 12/1
#4 Paris: 10/1
#3 Katharine: 8/1
#2 Ace: 5/1
and the best bet to win the fifth season of "American Idol":
#1 Chris: 4/1
"This competition is all about the voters at home, but they're not necessarily voting based on talent," says Avello, who has also supplemented his sports focus with other entertainment odds-making including the Oscars, Emmys and Grammys. Avello will update his "American Idol" odds each week until the series finale on May 24.
Odds to win attached are for wagering entertainment purposes only.
About Wynn Las Vegas
Wynn Resorts is traded on the NASDAQ stock exchange under the ticker symbol WYNN and, since December 2004, it has been part of the NASDAQ-100 Index. Wynn Las Vegas, a $2.7 billion luxury hotel and destination casino resort located on the Las Vegas Strip, opened to the public on April 28, 2005. Wynn Las Vegas features 2,716 luxurious guest rooms and suites; an 111,000 square foot casino; 22 food and beverage outlets; an on-site 18-hole golf course; approximately 223,000 square feet of meeting space; an on-site Ferrari and Maserati dealership; and approximately 76,000 square feet of retail space. For more information, visit www.wynnlasvegas.com.
Source: Wynn Las Vegas
VH1 Soul Blooms in April With Original Programming Including Exclusive Amel Larrieux Album Release Party and World Premiere Videos
Acclaimed Gospel Singer Kirk Franklin to Host "Inspirational Soul Show" on Easter Sunday, April 16 at 8:00 AM Coming off its recent re-launch, VH1 Soul continues its momentum by presenting a new episode of "Inspirational Soul Show" featuring famed soul and gospel artist Kirk Franklin, an Album Release Party for Amel Larrieux, and world premiere videos by new R&B artists Raheem Devaughn and Corinne Bailey Rae.
Famed gospel singer Kirk Franklin will host VH1 Soul's "Inspirational Soul Show" on Easter Sunday, April 16 at 8:00 AM. The hour-long program will showcase viewers' video requests and will also highlight some of Franklin's favorite inspirational videos. The program will re-air on April 16 at 4:00 PM and 12:00 midnight.
Then on Friday, April 21 through Tuesday, April 25, VH1 Soul will air an exclusive Album Release Party spotlighting Amel Larrieux's upcoming album, "Morning." The release party will include airing the new album in its entirety and a block of Amel Larrieux's music videos as well as exclusive interviews and live performances and concerts.
On Monday, April 17 at the top of every hour, VH1 Soul will World premiere Raheem Devaughn newest video "You" and on Monday, May 8 the network will debut Corinne Bailey Rae's newest video "Put Your Records On" at the top of each hour.
In addition, VH1 Soul continues to support R&B artists such as Anthony Hamilton and Heather Headley by presenting their current tours which includes promoting the concerts and ticket information on the channel and at the VH1 Soul web site (www.vh1soul.com). VH1 Soul has already presented tours by Leela James, Jaguar Wright, Kindred, the Family Soul and Floetry.
VH1 Soul re-launched on February 1 in nearly 20 million homes with its first-ever line-up of 10 separate themed music video program blocks that spotlight the top names and new faces in R&B music today. VH1 Soul programming blocks include The Soul Player," "Top 10: Best In Soul," "Soulphrodisiac" and "Speak Your Soul."
Launched in 1997, VH1 Soul is the 24-hour network that brings music lovers the hottest, soul, neo-soul an R&B hits from the 90s and today featuring core artists such as Alicia Keys, Jill Scott, Outkast, Mary J. Blige and Usher. VH1 Soul, the premier source for all R&B and soul music, is now seen in the Top 20 U.S. markets for African-Americans and is available in nearly 20 million U.S. households.
Web site: www.vh1soul.com
Beyond Belief Media Launches Preemptive Strike on Easter
Copies of Controversial Documentary Are Hidden in Churches Throughout U.S.
Declaring War on Easter, Beyond Belief Media has launched a preemptive attack on the Christian holiday, the company announced today. "Operation Easter Sanity" has already begun (www.waroneaster.org)
Using its documentary THE GOD WHO WASN'T THERE as the chief weapon, Beyond Belief Media is covertly planting DVDs of the film in churches throughout the United States. The popular movie, currently ranked #1 on Amazon.com's independent documentaries list, is critical of the irrational beliefs of Christians and asserts that Jesus Christ did not exist.
A total of 666 DVDs will be hidden like "Easter eggs" in sanctuaries, church yards and other holy areas by Beyond Belief Media's national team of volunteers. The DVDs will be slipped into hymnals and other locations where they are likely to be discovered by unsuspecting worshippers.
Some DVDs of THE GOD WHO WASN'T THERE will be planted by undercover operatives among actual Easter eggs at churches holding egg hunts on Easter Sunday.
"People go to churches to hide from the truth," explained Beyond Belief Media president Brian Flemming, a former Christian fundamentalist. "At no time is this more apparent than Easter, when Christians get together to convince each other that a man died, stayed dead three days, rose from the dead and then flew into the air above the clouds.
"Our nonviolent campaign sends the message that nowhere in the country is safe from the truth. Wherever Christian leaders are indoctrinating children with 2000-year-old fairy tales, the truth may just find its way there.
"Our 'War on Easter' is of course completely without violence of any kind. Christians believe that beating a man to a pulp and nailing him to a cross somehow solves all the world's problems. Beyond Belief Media does not."
A website offering more details, including "battle reports" from covert operatives, is on the web at: http://www.waroneaster.org/
Source: Beyond Belief Media
The 'Kids Are Back! Cabbage Patch Kids(R): The Patch Puppy Rescue Now Available for Game Boy(R) Advance From D3Publisher of America
Just in time for Spring, the Cabbage Patch Kids(R) are back on the scene and finding their way into the hands of Game Boy(R) Advance players. D3Publisher of America (D3PA), a publisher and developer of interactive entertainment software, announced today the release of Cabbage Patch Kids: The Patch Puppy Rescue for Game Boy(R) Advance, where players can help rescue the mischievous puppies that have escaped from the Babyland Playroom.
"Two generations later, Cabbage Patch Kids are still one of the most beloved and popular children's products of all time," said Careen Yapp, vice president of licensing and business development for D3PA. "We are proud to introduce a new generation of children to the fun and adventures of the 'Kids in a whole new way on Game Boy(R) Advance."
While seeking out the lost puppies, players may choose from a randomly generated selection and play as a unique Cabbage Patch Kid. Players will have the ability to help fellow 'Kids find their puppies, each into their own mischief, while encountering different events in town. By helping friends, players will be given hints to the whereabouts of the puppies. All environments and puppies are interactive and there is a variety of exciting, unlockable content, including hidden story elements, characters and cool mini games.
Since the birth of Cabbage Patch Kids in 1983, more than 100 million one-of-a-kind 'Kids have been "adopted" throughout the world. Now in the 21st century, this must-have toy of the 1980's has found a new home, inside a video game, the new trend of entertainment. Cabbage Patch Kids: The Patch Puppy Rescue for Game Boy(R) Advance is now available with an MSRP of $19.99.
About D3Publisher of America, Inc.
D3Publisher of America, Inc. is a subsidiary of D3Publisher, with headquarters in Tokyo. D3Publisher of America's strategic focus is on licensed and original titles from leading third-party developers that appeal to mass-market consumers or gaming enthusiasts. Based in Los Angeles, D3Publisher of America distributes and publishes software for personal computers and the major console platforms including Game Boy(R) Advance, Nintendo GameCube(TM), Nintendo DS(TM), PlayStation(R) game console, PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system, PSP(TM) portable entertainment system and the Xbox(R) video game system from Microsoft. For additional information on D3Publisher of America and its products, visit the website at http://www.d3publisher.us/
About Original Appalachian Artworks
Original Appalachian Artworks, Inc. (OAA) founded in 1978 by Cabbage Patch Kids creator, Xavier Roberts, is a privately held corporation located in Cleveland, Georgia. Owners of the world famous Cabbage Patch Kids brand and home to BabyLand General(R) Hospital, one of Georgia's top tourist attractions, OAA also manages a wide range of other projects, while continuing to deliver hand-stitched one-of-a-kind, soft-sculpture Cabbage Patch Kids. For more information visit www.cabbagepatchkids.com.
About 4Kids Entertainment, Inc.
Headquartered in New York City with international offices in London, 4Kids Entertainment, Inc. is a global provider of children's entertainment and merchandise licensing. 4Kids, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, provides domestic and international merchandise licensing; television, film, music and home video production and distribution; media planning and buying; product development and Web site development. 4Kids represents all merchandise licensing rights for the Cabbage Patch Kids. For further information, please visit the Company's Web sites at www.4KidsEntertainment.com and www.4Kids.TV.
(C)2006 Original Appalachian Artworks Inc., All Rights Reserved.
Source: D3Publisher of America, Inc.
Web site: http://www.cabbagepatchkids.com/
Web site: http://www.4kidsentertainment.com/
Web site: http://www.4kids.tv/
Web site: http://www.d3publisher.us/
Tim McGraw & Faith Hill's Soul2Soul II is 'Most Requested Event' for First Quarter 2006
Billy Joel and Jimmy Buffett Rank 2nd and 3rd on Ticketmaster Chart
The "Soul2Soul II" blockbuster concert tour, featuring husband & wife Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, was the "most requested event" in the first quarter of 2006 according to Ticketmaster, the world's leading ticketing company. Following closely behind on the chart ranked by online page views, information requests, and ticket sales from 1/1/06 - 3/31/06 were Billy Joel and Jimmy Buffett.
"The public has clearly embraced Tim McGraw and Faith Hill's Soul2Soul II tour," said Ticketmaster's David Goldberg. "Jimmy Buffett, Billy Joel, and David Gilmour also proved that their long time fans continue to be both loyal and enthusiastic."
Following are the Most Requested Events for the first quarter of 2006:
Q1 2006 Number of Number of
RANK MOST REQUESTED EVENTS Events Markets
1 SOUL2SOUL II WITH TIM MCGRAW AND FAITH HILL 71 32
2 BILLY JOEL 37 10
3 JIMMY BUFFETT 20 14
4 DAVID GILMOUR 13 4
5 BON JOVI 29 17
6 COLDPLAY 35 17
7 KENNY CHESNEY 44 21
8 MICHAEL BUBLE 27 20
9 GEORGE STRAIT 21 14
10 FALL OUT BOY 45 30
Ticketmaster's ranking of the nation's most requested events is based on online page views, information requests, and ticket sales through Ticketmaster sales channels (1/1/06 - 3/31/06).
MTV and VH1 will paint their respective broadband and mobile platforms "pink"
with content from an exclusive flashmob concert in New York City with platinum-selling LaFace/Zomba artist Pink. The concert footage features music from Pink's latest album, "I'm Not Dead."
The "flashmob" concert was the result of a contest launched last fall in conjunction with Honda and its advertising agency RPA to promote the launch of the 2006 Honda Civic. MTV and VH1 worked with Honda to develop the extensive 12-week "Honda Civic Under The Hood" campaign featuring a unique series of music-based interstitials that drove viewers to various media platforms to enter their zip codes, giving the region with the most entries a "flashmob" concert by a national music artist. VH1 and MTV joined forces for the first time ever in creating a cross-channel multiplatform campaign that amplified the reach of the networks' live music franchises to support the launch of the 2006 Honda Civic.
On April 5, text messages and emails went out to contest entrants informing them of the Pink "flashmob" concert in New York that evening. The first 200 to respond to the message won access to the event at Crobar.
Beginning April 13, footage from the exclusive concert, including full songs from Pink's performance will be available on VH1 and MTV's broadband channels VSPOT (http://vspot.vh1.com/) and Overdrive (http://overdrive.mtv.com/).
Fans will also be able to enjoy video clips of the concert on MTV Mobile and VH1 Mobile cross-carrier.
Pink appeared on MTV's "Total Request Live" the day of the concert and upon her exit took a few of the members of the audience and escorted them to the show. In addition, a half-hour version of the concert will air on MTV on Friday, April 14 at 5:30 P.M. ET.
VH1 will also produce a video podcast interview with Pink that will be available for download on VH1.com and iTunes.
The Pink "flashmob" concert is sponsored by Honda Civic.
MTV and VH1 are registered trademarks of MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom , is one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. MTV Networks, with more than 100 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; VH1
Web site: http://vspot.vh1.com/
http://overdrive.mtv.com/
Move over MTV
News Corp. is making an early grab for ad dollars aimed at the 12- to 24-year-old demographic and is retooling its sales operation to make it easier for marketers to be attached to properties such as "American Idol" across TV, the Web and mobile.
News Corp. is doing an integrated sell across its properties, emphasizing its 12-24 year-old audience.
News Corp. companies made an unprecedented joint pitch to media agencies in the past few days as part of an initiative dubbed "Generation Fox." In addition to laying out for buyers the strengths of News Corp. assets from MySpace to Mobizzo, the executives also explained how it is broadening the company's cross platform offering. Jean Rossi is set to head cross-company deals as president, Fox Entertainment Group, integrated sales, and as exec VP, Fox Broadcasting Co. sales. Nancy Croston, senior VP-integrated sponsorships and specials at Fox, is also heavily involved in getting advertisers what they need across the board.
Extoling cross-platform buys
To make sure buyers get the message, News Corp. rolled out its most senior executives. In an hour-long presentation, Peter Chernin, News Corp. president-chief operating officer, joined the heads of all the main Fox companies to extol the virtues of buying Fox properties in the upfront, now little more than a month away. Fox faces competition for such youth-targeted ad budgets from the likes of Viacom's MTV Networks and from the CW, the joint CBS/Time Warner-backed broadcast network.
Fox's president-ad sales, Jon Nesvig, who attended last week's presentation, said: "We basically talked about the 12-to-24 year olds and the different platforms that reach them. The emphasis was on MySpace.com, IGN.com and the network and syndication and the Mobizzo people. This company is still dominant [in capturing the young adults]." Mobizzo is a global phone-content company from Fox Mobile Entertainment.
"It was clearly the A-Team," said Jason Kanefsky, VP-account director, MPG, who also attended the presentation. "It did show the breadth of what they have and their desire to integrate advertising to the level they want. A lot of times advertisers get pushed to the side. They understand the need to embrace advertisers."
When asked whether he was persuaded to move ad dollars towards News Corp. properties as a result of the presentation, he said, "They really share the 12-24s with Viacom, but no one owns them, because they move around so wildly. People have always assumed Viacom owns [the demo], but now News Corp. is staking a claim on the real estate."
"They are packaging their assets to appeal to a younger audience. There were a lot of statistics that were new," said Larry Blasius, exec VP-director of negotiations at Magna Global. "It just reminds people they are factor in that marketing."
While Fox executives have made joint presentations before, this time a much wider range of top brass came before media agencies to extol their cross platform offerings. Media buyers have repeatedly stated they want traditional TV players to tell them what's available beyond the small screen.
News Corp. responded by spending $1.2 billion in recent months to boost its Web credentials. The company snapped up Intermix Media, which created MySpace.com; Scout Media's sports sites; and IGN Entertainment, known for its array of gaming sites.
And while the network has done little in the way of cable video on demand (it has a VOD deal with sibling DirecTV) or iTunes, it has a niche in mobile entertainment and Web sites connecting so-called communities. News Corp.'s Web properties now range from Americanidol.com to Rottentomatoes.com to MySpace, among others. News Corp. claims that 65 million unique users a month to its Web operations, making it a formidable player when taken in aggregate.
Fox VP-Mobile Entertainment Mitch Feinman and Ross Levinsohn, president of Fox Interactive Media, took part in the presentations. Mr. Levinsohn is said to be close to unveiling a new sales structure for the Web sites, having merged the sales teams of My Space.com and IGN.com.
For buyers who might have missed the presentation, the News Corp. teams even set up a Web site, www.generation-fox.com, to showcase their offerings. The "Family Guy" animated baby Stewie Griffin introduces the show reel with trademark Fox bravado -- "Pay attention or suffer the consequences." Buyers can then click on any of the company's myriad web sites to see what's being offered.
The reel highlights Fox Broadcasting's programming strength in the demographic with shows such as "American Idol," "24," "The O.C." and the network's animated shows including the veteran series "The Simpsons." Tony Vinciquerra, president-CEO, Fox Network Group, and Mr. Nesvig were among the powerhouse lineup, alongside colleagues Lou LaTorre, president-ad sales at Fox Cable Networks, and Twentieth Television syndication chief Bob Cesa.
The presentation claims young adults control $350 billion in spending power and that Fox is the place to "engage" the demographic.
Among the Fox cable properties are Fox Reality channel, youth action channel Fuel TV and Fox Soccer channel. Twentieth Television is out selling syndicated properties including "Malcolm in the Middle" and "King of the Hill."
Under-30 Crowd Will Drive Media Future
If you want to look at the future of media, look no further than the under-30 crowd -- that was one of the messages from the opening of the National Cable & Telecommunications Association Show at the World Congress Center in Atlanta on Sunday.
The annual gathering of cable network and distributor executives, in line with most every media and advertising industry gathering of the past two years, focused on the competition for consumers. But in addition to aggregating eyeballs to reap advertising revenue, the cable industry is also competing directly for consumers' dollars, as telecom companies roll out their own video services and time spent with broadband video threatens time spent viewing traditional cable TV.
"We've been looking at a group called millennials, which are people ages 8 to 27," said Anne Sweeney, president of Disney Television Group. "In this group 40% go home at night after work and school and use between five and eight different technologies. Then you have 40% of baby boomers who go home at night and watch TV. That's what's directing so many of our efforts in technology and content, especially as we look at our brands going forward and how they're going to be used going forward."
Ms. Sweeney was careful -- especially in the presence of thousands of cable distribution executives -- to explain that Disney's nonlinear platform programming is meant to be additive to the company's primary platform of TV networks, both broadcast and cable.
Comcast CEO Brian Roberts agreed and said media companies aren't putting content on multiple devices because they think they have to completely replace existing business models. "It's about making the [media consumption] pie bigger," he said. "People say 'Oh, TV's going to be free on the Web and I won't need cable anymore.' I can't believe that's HBO's or CNN's or Anne's business model."
To be sure, the media pie is expanding. Veronis Suhler Stevenson estimates that per-person media consumption will expand by more than 800 hours from 1998 to 2008. And one of Sunday's more interesting panels, a look at how 10 tech-savvy college students from Atlanta-area colleges consume media, suggest some existing business models are in grave danger.
When asked what technological device or service they would most likely pay for after college, the cellphone topped the list. A few students suggest they could survive with cable Internet and not cable TV, and one student relayed the story of his friend who'd watched "Lost" on TV for the first time last Wednesday, but it wasn't the first time he watched the hit ABC show -- he had seen every episode from iTunes and BitTorrent.
Students downplayed the importance of having a consumer device that "does it all," explaining that the laptop is already pretty close. Another student said he was budgeting $700 to buy the iPod convergence device that rumors suggest Apple will unveil come fall. The device, he said, would be a cellphone, planner, media device and have AV hookups so users could watch iPod-stored shows on a big screen TV.
Nine of the 10 students used social media networks, most of them favoring the college-targeted Facebook over MySpace thanks to Facebook's more stylized design and better interface. One student drew laughter when he related how some college students were giving up Facebook for Lent.
The panel's audience filled only about half the chairs in the room, which surprised media analysts and researchers in attendance.
"I think every CEO of every company here should have been watching this panel," said Richard Greenfield, managing director and media analyst at Pali Research.
The low attendance could have been a product of scheduling: The panel was held Sunday, before many people arrived. Yesterday's opening panel, by contrast, included Disney's Ms. Sweeney, Comcast's Mr. Roberts and Time Warner CEO Richard Parsons, as well as executives from Sprint, Motorola and Cisco, and the audience packed a massive convention hall. NCTA executives expect 16,000 to 17,000 attendees this year.
When asked about all the other entities coming after cable companies, Mr. Parsons joked "everyone but the investors." In seriousness, he noted cable was the only media able to provide bundled widespread data, voice and video now. And soon, through its joint venture with Sprint, cellular service.
Mr. Roberts said he was buoyed by the explosion of broadband and credited Google and Yahoo with driving the demand for broadband in the home.
"The No. 1 broadband company is us, in terms of connecting homes, is Comcast, so thank you [Google and Yahoo]. I'd rather be in the broadband business than any other business right now. Broadband is just scratching the surface and we're sitting here with the best pipe. How great is that?"
UPFRONT at ABC great
ABC is the only broadcast network to experience ratings growth for the past two years. While the Walt Disney Co. network turned out all the breakout hits in the 2004-2005 season, this year it has had more modest success with "American Inventor" looking good and "Boston Legal" growing. Still, other shows crumbled. The much-anticipated "Emily's Reasons Why Not" was gone after a single episode, and "Crumbs" and "Sons & Daughters" have also failed to win a following.
What You'll Hear: This year ABC has a new night to sell, Mondays. How it will program the night this year is anyone's guess, but it's a safe bet that "Grey's Anatomy" will end up there. Cross-platform sales are also high on the TV-buyer radar this upfront and ABC will be touting its pilot initiative online. The network is planning to allow users to visit the site and download broadcast network programming. On the sales front, Mr. Shaw is pushing the firm's nascent research capabilities in the form of the M4 Optimizer.
Last year's upfront: ABC was praised last year for not gouging advertisers, despite the phenomenal success of "Desperate Housewives," "Lost" and "Grey's Anatomy." The network went for relatively small rate increases between 4% and 6%. That upset rivals who weren't able to get much more no matter what their individual ratings performance.
The buyer's verdict: Gail Ettinger, exec VP-director of national broadcast, KSL Media, said: "They have kept the momentum going. ... In terms of pricing, they have yet to climb on a high horse. They may be losing 'Monday Night Football,' but they've been used to programming it [Monday] for half a year. If they have something really good to come out [on Monday] it remains to be seen." NBC will have 'Sunday Night Football,' but I don't think it will hurt 'Desperate Housewives."'
SPORTS & AUTOS
Oakland 6, Minnesota 7 at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
Oakland Record: (5-3)
Winning pitcher - Brad Radke (2-0)
Losing pitcher - Dan Haren (0-1)
SV - Joe Nathan (1)
OAK HR - E. Chavez (5) B. Crosby (1)
MIN HR - T. Batista (2) J. Morneau (3)
Los Angeles 6, Pittsburgh 7 at PNC Park
Los Angeles Record: (4-4)
Winning pitcher - Salomon Torres (1-1)
Losing pitcher - Lance Carter (0-1)
SV - Mike Gonzalez (1)
LAD HR - R. Ledee (1) B. Mueller (2)
PIT HR - J. Burnitz (2) R. Doumit (2) C. Wilson (2) J. Wilson (2)
CBS, Discovery Channel Descend on Hurley Waterfalls as Kayaker Plummets 110 Feet
Sports Illustrated has called him the best kayaker in the world. Tuesday, Tao Berman chalked up another first as he, already aboard his kayak, was dropped from a helicopter into the Montreal River just above Superior Falls. From that point he raced over the rocky cascade squeezed within a 190-foot canyon, rapidly dropping 110 feet to the base of the canyon several yards from Lake Superior.
The 27 year old Seattle paddler has already racked up an impressive record as a member of the U.S. Freestyle team and with a record waterfall drop that got him into the Guinness Book of World Records at 98.4 feet. Berman set his sights on Hurley located in Wisconsin's Iron County, adjacent to Lake Superior and Michigan's Upper Peninsula because of an abundance of waterfalls.
During April, Hurley is a sleepy town, resting after the huge ski and snowmobile season where their unique micro-climate nets them an average annual snowfall topping 200 inches. Yet now as the snow pack rapidly melts and spring rains fall, the rivers become engorged and waterfalls roar like at no other time during the year. Within a half-hour of downtown Hurley, people discover public access to some 30 waterfalls, including six of Wisconsin's 10 tallest cascades.
For the last several days, the site around Superior Falls swarmed with CBS Television crews from Los Angeles producing a half hour "Stunt Junkies" program for the Discovery Channel that will air later this spring. More than 10 cameras were strategically placed to capture Berman's fete, including one mounted on his own helmet.
The waterfalls around in the greater Hurley area all flow northward to Lake Superior, the world's largest freshwater lake. The area is unique in Wisconsin. One might say you're well beyond the dairy part of the dairy state when you reach the ancient Penokee Mountains, vast forests, hidden canyons and remote waterfalls of Iron County because of the pre-glacial land formations.
Web site: http://www.hurleywi.com/
Gatorade Sports Science Institute Issues Hydration Recommendations for Boston Marathon Runners
Guidelines to Help Participants Prevent Both Dehydration and Hyponatremia in This Year's Race To help runners have a safe and successful performance at the 110th Boston Marathon, the Gatorade Sports Science Institute (GSSI) has developed hydration recommendations to aid runners in managing the risk for both dehydration (the loss of body fluid) and hyponatremia (low blood sodium levels due to excessive drinking and inadequate sodium intake). These recommendations have been distributed to all Boston Marathon participants in preparation for this year's race.
"The health and safety of all participants in the Boston Marathon has always been our priority," said Chris Troyanos, ATC, medical coordinator for the Boston Marathon. "Dehydration and hyponatremia are both serious concerns, and we believe that these hydration recommendations will provide important guidance to runners to help them reduce the risk of these conditions on race day. It's essential that runners keep hydration top of mind, and make sure to drink enough to prevent dehydration, but avoid overdrinking."
The recommendations developed by GSSI focus on the importance for runners to gauge their own fluid needs, rather than drinking according to thirst or following a specific rule of thumb for fluid intake. An effective hydration strategy combines adequate fluid and electrolyte intake -- not too much, not too little. According to the hydration recommendations, runners can gauge their individual needs by weighing before and after training runs to understand if they typically lose or gain weight. Based on this information, they can adapt their fluid intake accordingly to minimize their losses or gains.
For the vast majority of runners, dehydration, not hyponatremia, will be the key challenge. However, runners should be cautioned that hyponatremia during marathons is the result of aggressive over-drinking of any beverage -- actually drinking so much that substantial weight is gained before, during, or after the event -- and under those circumstances, runners should cease drinking immediately.
The GSSI hydration recommendations also highlight the importance of ingesting sodium during a marathon, especially for heavy sweaters and salty sweaters. Research shows that consuming sports drinks during a marathon helps runners replace some of the sodium lost in sweat and that will help assure proper hydration -- reducing the risk of both dehydration and hyponatremia. Also, newly published research in the British Journal of Sports Medicine (40:98-105, 2006) concludes that sodium-containing sports drinks will delay the development of hyponatremia compared to consuming just plain water (for those who do not over-drink any type of fluid).
"The two most important things runners can do to protect themselves from hydration-related problems is to drink according to their individual fluid needs and make sure to consume adequate sodium," said Dr. Bob Murray, director of the Gatorade Sports Science Institute.
Research conducted by GSSI with endurance athletes has shown that during long-distance training and competitions, such as preparing for or competing in a marathon, sweat and sodium losses can be substantial. To help offset these losses, athletes should increase their sodium intake throughout the day and during training and racing. The GSSI research led to the development of the specialized Gatorade Endurance Formula which was introduced last year. Gatorade Endurance Formula contains approximately twice the amount of sodium (200 mg/per 8 oz) of Gatorade Thirst Quencher to help meet the needs of athletes during prolonged exercise. For the first time ever, the Boston Marathon will be providing Gatorade Endurance Formula on course at this year's race. An estimated 30,336 gallons -- or over 647,000 servings -- of Gatorade Endurance Formula will be served at the race.
To learn more about Gatorade Endurance Formula and their hydration needs, runners can visit http://www.itsonthecourse.com/ .
The Gatorade Sports Science Institute is a research and educational facility dedicated to enhancing the performance and well-being of athletes. A team of sport scientists conducts research in sports nutrition, exercise science, fluid replacement and temperature regulation. Each year, hundreds of athletes are tested at the GSSI facility, which is equipped with state-of-the-art scientific equipment, to study the effects of nutrition on exercise and performance. More information is available online at
Source: GatoradeWeb site: http://www.itsonthecourse.com/ 
web site http://www.gssiweb.com
USA TODAY and NADA Name Winner of Dealer Innovation Award
USA TODAY and the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) will present the Dealer Innovation Award today to Andrew Budd, owner of Country Chevrolet, in Warrenton, Va. Budd was selected from among four finalists as the national winner of the annual award.
The USA TODAY Dealer Innovation Award, conducted in association with NADA, recognizes dealers who took a leadership role in the use of technology to improve their business operations.
Budd created a new-vehicle inventory management software system to quickly analyze sales and inventory data and better serve customers by reducing order- to-delivery time. The system significantly improved efficiency and enabled the dealership to stock broader inventory. It also increased productivity and retention of sales staff, while reducing floorplan interest expense and dealer trade volume. The software proved so successful that Budd formed a company to make the software available to other dealers.
The Dealer Innovation Award will be presented to Budd by USA TODAY and NADA at a special awards ceremony today held in conjunction with the New York International Auto Show.
USA TODAY is the nation's top-selling newspaper, with a total average daily circulation of 2.3 million. It is published via satellite at 36 locations in the USA and at four sites abroad, and is available worldwide. USA TODAY is published by Gannett Co. Inc. The National Automobile Dealers Association, founded in 1917 and based in McLean, VA, represents approximately 20,000 new car and truck dealers holding nearly 43,000 separate franchises, domestic and international.
Source: USA TODAY
The All-New Audi TT in Fashion in New York City
Audi has announced today that the all-new TT will make its North American debut at the 2006 New York Auto Show. New York has long been one of the premier cities for fashion and design trends through out the world. This makes New York the perfect place for the 2008 TT to make its auto show debut.
These fashion and design trends will be on display during the Audi press conference at 3:10 p.m. on Wednesday, April 12. Acclaimed New York fashion designer Doo.Ri Chung will be present to show off some of her new Spring 2006 line as Audi ties automotive design with fashion. Supermodel Tajana Patitz will assist Doo.Ri Chung during the press conference, and will also help introduce the new Audi TT.
When the original Audi TT debuted in 1998, it caught the automotive world by storm, and forever changed people's perceptions of design and style. The new 2008 TT will be no different. Now embodying direct gasoline injection and Aluminum Space Frame (ASF) technology, the new TT will be a leader in technology as well as design.
For more information, please visit http://www.media.audiusa.com/ .
Source: Audi of America, Inc.
Web site: http://www.media.audiusa.com/
New Rabbit
In a surprise move, Volkswagen of America, Inc. announced today that its all-new fifth generation Golf, which debuted at the 2006 Chicago Auto Show, is going back to its roots with the original Rabbit nameplate for the U.S. and Canadian markets. The Rabbit will hop into the market in early summer, after its official introduction at the New York International Auto Show on Wednesday, April 12, 2006, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.
"The Rabbit was always exclusive to the U.S. and Canadian markets; while the rest of the world had the Golf, we had the iconic Rabbit," said Volkswagen's Director of Brand Innovation, Kerri Martin. "The reintroduction of the Rabbit represents Volkswagen's commitment to this market and is a nod to the passionate North American enthusiasts who have an emotional connection with the Rabbit name."
"Volkswagen customers want a relationship with their cars. Names like The Thing, Beetle, Fox, and Rabbit support this," Martin added.
The Rabbit goes on sale this summer in both two and four-door versions, with pricing starting at $14,990 for the two-door. Standard features include an advanced ABS braking system, traction control, active front head restraints, front side airbags, air conditioning and anti-theft alarm system with remote locking. Always known for its value, this latest Rabbit is no exception, offering a high level of standard features and equipment at an attractive starting price.
The Rabbit was the first Volkswagen produced in the United States and its appeal grew rapidly, with sales of over 1.3 million in its 10-year lifespan. The Rabbit's popularity can be credited to the wide array of standard features it offered at an attractive price. The 2006 Rabbit promises a return to the high-value, iconic status of the original.
"The Rabbit's return to Volkswagen's family is not an attempt to recreate the original car; today's Rabbit is manufactured at our Wolfsburg production facility alongside the all-new GTI," Martin said.
The Rabbit, or Golf as it is well known throughout the rest of the world, is the world's best-seller with over 25 million cars sold over five generations. This latest generation has already won more than 25 awards in more than sixteen countries. And, yesterday, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), announced that the 2006 Rabbit four-door received the Top Safety Pick, Silver award, based on the Institute's frontal offset, side impact, and rear crash protection ratings.
Martin adds, "Even the name 'Rabbit' dramatizes the enhanced performance, playing off the car's clever design, efficient size, agility and nimbleness. The Rabbit is back."
The 2006 Rabbit benefits from its laser-welding production process, class- leading fit and finish, heightened body strength, crash protection, driving dynamics, and reduced interior noise. Drivers of the Rabbit will benefit from its fully independent suspension system that uses a multi-link rear and optimized front axle, and will enjoy the new optional six-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic(R) (five-speed manual standard). A new powerful engine with a larger displacement of 2.5 liters and five-cylinders generates 150 horsepower.
Also among the most impressive new driving advancements are a standard electro-mechanical steering system, and an optional advanced Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP). The Rabbit also promises more interior room than ever with a large rear hatch opening. Legroom has also increased in this new version.
For added assurance, the Rabbit will come with 24-hour Roadside Assistance for four years with unlimited mileage and new vehicle warranties including:
* Five-year/60,000 mile (whichever occurs first) Powertrain Limited Warranty
* Four-year/50,000 mile (whichever occurs first) New Vehicle Limited Warranty
* 12 year unlimited mileage Limited Warranty against corrosion perforation
Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc. is headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan. It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. Volkswagen is one of the world's largest producers of passenger cars and Europe's largest automaker. Volkswagen sells the Rabbit, New Beetle, Jetta, Passat, Touareg and Phaeton through more than 600 independent U.S. dealers.
All trademarks used in this document are the property of their respective owners.
Source: Volkswagen of America, Inc.
DOD
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Spc. James W. Gardner, 22, of Glasgow, Ky., died in Tal Afar, Iraq, on April 10, from a non-combat related cause. Gardner was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.
The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died of injuries sustained in Ar Ramadi, Iraq, on April 9, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their HMMWV during combat operations. The soldiers were assigned to the Army's 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky. Killed were: Sgt. 1st Class Randall L. Lamberson, 36, of Springfield, Mo., died in Balad, Iraq on April 10th. Spc. David S. Collins, 24, of Jasper Ga., died in Ar Ramadi, Iraq, on April 9th.
Five U.S. soldiers have died in Iraq in recent days, and the Defense Department has identified four other recent casualties. Three Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers died after a roadside bomb exploded near the vehicle they were riding in north of Baghdad today, military officials reported. A soldier assigned to 2nd Battalion 28th Brigade Combat Team died yesterday from wounds suffered from enemy action April 9 in Anbar province, officials announced today. They also announced today a soldier from the 130th Engineer Brigade was killed April 9 when his combat patrol struck a roadside bomb near Balad. Another soldier was wounded and was taken to a military medical treatment facility, officials added. They provided no report on the wounded soldier's condition. The soldiers' names are being withheld pending notification of next of kin. Meanwhile, the Defense Department has identified three soldiers and a Marine who died recently in Iraq: - Army Sgt. 1st Class Gregory S. Rogers, 42, of Cincinnati, died in Ramadi on April 9 when a roadside bomb exploded near his Humvee during a convoy. Rogers was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky. - Army Pfc. Joseph I. Love, 22, of North Pole, Alaska, died in Balad on April 9 when a roadside bomb exploded near his Humvee during a convoy. Love was assigned to the 94th Engineer Combat Battalion (Heavy), 8th Sustainment Command (Theater), Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. - Army Pvt. Jody W. Missildine, 19, of Plant City, Fla., died in Tal Afar on April 8 when a roadside bomb exploded near his Humvee during a convoy. Missildine was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 37th Armored Regiment, 1st Brigade, 1st Armored Division, Friedberg, Germany. - Marine Lance Cpl. Juana Navarro Arellano, 24, of Ceres, Calif., died April 8 from wounds received while supporting combat operations in Anbar province. Arellano was assigned to 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force, Okinawa, Japan.
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Pfc. Joseph I. Love, 22, of North Pole, Alaska, died in Balad, Iraq, on April 9, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV during convoy operations. Love was assigned to the 94th Engineer Combat Battalion (Heavy), 8th Sustainment Command (Theater), Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Lance Cpl. Juana Navarro Arellano, 24, of Ceres, Calif., died April 8 from wounds received while supporting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. She was assigned to 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Okinawa, Japan.
Lance Cpl. Bryan N. Taylor, 20, of Milford, Ohio, died April 6 after being shot by an Iraqi Army soldier on a coalition base near Al Qaim, Iraq. He was assigned to the 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C. The incident is currently under investigation. Cpl. Richard P. Waller, 22, of Fort Worth, Texas, died April 7 from wounds received while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif
DoD Announces Winners of Annual Modeling and Simulation Awards
The Department of Defense announced today that five winners have been selected for the eighth annual Department of Defense Modeling and Simulation (M&S) Awards. The winners for each category are: _Acquisition: Joint Attack Munitions Systems (JAMS) Project Office, U.S. Army Program Executive Office for Missiles and Space. Team award for developing an innovative approach for simulation based acquisition. The team's synergistic process of taking advantage of tri-service government technical expertise, developed over years of experience on legacy, as well as ongoing programs in an integrated product team environment to develop an integrated flight simulation and accompanying tool set, will reduce risk, lead to a better product in a shorter period of time and at a lower cost to the taxpayer. _
Analysis: Weapon Effects Analysis and Probability System (WEAPS) Team, Air Force Materiel Command. Team award for developing and maintaining a world-class software simulation tool that is highly valued by the warfighter and supports combatant command requests for campaign, theater, and engagement analyses of air-to-surface munitions effectiveness. WEAPS makes a critical contribution to theater-level models such as the Combat Forces Assessment Model and is a key tool in the annual Non-Nuclear Consumables Annual Analysis process. _
Test and Evaluation: U.S. Air Force Maj. Kelly A. Greene, Ph.D., Air Force Agency for Modeling and Simulation. Individual award for significant contributions to advancing M&S in support of test and evaluation (T&E). Greene innovated and transformed T&E at both the Air Force and joint levels, altering the use of live, virtual, and constructive distributed M&S environments in support of T&E. Greene is directly responsible for the largest progression of distributed T&E ever recorded in a single year. _
Training: U.S. Army Maj. Daniel P. Ray, Office of the Army Deputy Chief of Staff, G-2. Individual award for developing the "Every Soldier is a Sensor Simulation" to increase a soldier's situational awareness on the battlefield. He took the concept from infancy to a low-cost working prototype in 90 days.
Following the success of the prototype, he spearheaded further development, delivering a product that is being used to train thousands of soldiers that are daily having a direct impact on the Global War on Terrorism. _Cross-Function: Training Improvised Explosive Device (TIED) Team, Army Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training, and Instrumentation.
Team award for providing a safe and realistic training system to replicate the IEDs employed against coalition forces by insurgents in Iraq. The TIED Team, jointly with the U.S. Joint Forces Command, rapidly developed, coordinated, contracted, developed and fielded this crititcal capability to the warfighter. The annual awards recognize achievement in support of DoD M&S objectives. Seventy-nine nominations were received from across DoD. The awards will be presented to winners May 2 at the DoD Modeling and Simulation Conference in Baltimore, Md
News
'Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs' Brings an Estimated $150 Million to Fort Lauderdale During Its Four-Month Run
Museum of Art | Fort Lauderdale Extends Hours for King Tut's Final Florida Weekends
After opening on December 15, 2005, "Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs," sponsored by Northern Trust at the Museum of Art | Fort Lauderdale (MoA | FL), has made its mark on the city by bringing in an estimated $150 million in revenue. With high demand for tickets during the exhibit's final days in Florida, additional viewing times up to 10 p.m. have been added on Friday and Saturday nights for the final two weekends before it closes on April 23. The exhibit is organized by National Geographic, AEG Exhibitions and Arts and Exhibitions International, with cooperation from the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities, and is sponsored locally by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida.
With more than 640,000 tickets sold to date, the entire state of Florida has been abuzz with tourists coming to see the exhibition, helping boost Florida's profile as a cultural destination. Approximately one-third of tickets sold to the exhibition came from outside the tri-county area, and six of the top-performing zip codes in terms of ticket sales came from outside the state of Florida. Tut hotel packages brought in more than $1 million in room night revenue alone.
"It has been a tremendous honor for Florida to host the 'Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs' exhibition, and we are thrilled its hours have been extended to give even more visitors a chance to experience this awe-inspiring collection. This exhibition features some of Egypt's most magnificent treasures, and has been an unparalleled success highlighted by record attendance and a positive impact on Floridians, as well as the local and state economies," said Governor Jeb Bush. "Florida and Fort Lauderdale have once again proved to be rich centers of world history, culture and art. As one of the top travel destinations in the world, we thank those who have come from far and wide to view the King Tut exhibit, and warmly welcome the many visitors who will continue to come to the Sunshine State to see this amazing cultural display."
"We are proud to be among the four institutions to host this amazing exhibition as it travels the U.S.," said Irvin M. Lippman, president and executive director for MoA | FL. "This exhibition was a major coup not only for the great state of Florida, but for our museum as well. Our member base increased by 150 percent since King Tut opened, allowing us to introduce a whole new audience to this mystical ancient world. "
TICKET AND TOUR INFORMATION
Visitors to "Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs" can view more than 130 artifacts from the tombs of King Tut, several of his relatives and his 18th Dynasty (1555 B.C. to 1305 B.C.) contemporaries. All of the treasures in the exhibit are between 3,300 and 3,500 years old.
"Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs" school group rates and individual tickets range from $14 to $30. The exhibit is open seven days a week and tickets are sold on a timed entry basis, with entry times every 30 minutes from 9 a.m. through 7:30 p.m. Mondays through Wednesdays, until 8:30 p.m. on Thursdays and Sundays and 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. For information on MoA | FL, please call 1-877-TUT-TKTS or visit www.ticketmaster.com, www.KingTut.org or www.moafl.org. Tickets also can be purchased through the Broward Center for the Performing Arts at 1-877-787-7711. Due to high ticket demand, advance ticket purchase is strongly recommended. For more information on the exhibition, please visit www.nationalgeographic.com/tut or www.KingTut.org.
The exhibit ended its premiere U.S. run in Los Angeles on November 20, 2005, with more than 937,000 visitors. After its stay at the Museum of Art | Fort Lauderdale (Dec. 15, 2005 to April 23, 2006), it will head to The Field Museum, Chicago (May 26, 2006 to Jan. 1, 2007) and The Franklin Institute, Philadelphia (Feb. 3 to Sept. 30, 2007).
Treasures from Tutankhamun's tomb were last displayed in the United States during a seven-city tour from 1976 to 1979 that set traveling exhibition attendance records with some eight million visitors.
ABOUT MUSEUM OF ART/FORT LAUDERDALE
On the strength of such exhibitions as "Saint Peter and the Vatican: The Legacy of the Popes," "Diana: A Celebration," and now "Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs," the Museum of Art | Fort Lauderdale has become one of South Florida's leading cultural institutions. Among its permanent collections are major works by the American Impressionist William Glackens and an extensive selection of CoBrA art from the movement based in Copenhagen, Brussels, and Amsterdam. In recent years the Museum has begun to collect contemporary work from Cuba and other Latin American countries. The Museum also hosts solo and group exhibitions presenting artists of regional, national, and international acclaim. An Artist in Residence program was inaugurated in 2004, guided docent tours are offered regularly, and there's a year-round Studio Arts Program with classes for all ages in a variety of media. Other programming includes jazz concerts, lectures and symposia, film series, and yoga sessions.
Source: Museum of Art | Fort Lauderdale
Web site: http://www.ticketmaster.com/
Web site: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/tut
Web site: http://www.kingtut.org/
Web site: http://www.moafl.org/
Hubble Finds 'Tenth Planet' Is Slightly Larger Than Pluto
WASHINGTON, April 11 /PRNewswire/ -- For the first time, NASA's Hubble Space Telescope has seen distinctly the "tenth planet," currently nicknamed "Xena," and has found that it is only slightly larger than Pluto.
Though previous ground-based observations suggested that Xena's diameter was about 30 percent greater than Pluto, Hubble observations taken Dec. 9 and 10, 2005, showed Xena's diameter as 1,490 miles (with an uncertainty of 60 miles). Pluto's diameter, as measured by Hubble, is 1,422 miles.
"Hubble is the only telescope capable of getting a clean visible-light measurement of the actual diameter of Xena," said Mike Brown, planetary scientist at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, Calif. Brown's research team discovered Xena, officially cataloged as 2003 UB313, and its results have been accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal.
Only a handful of images were required to determine Xena's diameter. Located 10 billion miles from Earth with a diameter a little more than half the width of the United States, the object is 1.5 pixels across in Hubble's view. That's enough to make a precise size measurement.
Because Xena is smaller than previously thought, but comparatively bright, it must be one of the most reflective objects in the solar system. The only object more reflective is Enceladus, a geologically active moon of Saturn whose surface is continuously recoated with highly reflective ice by active geysers.
Xena's bright reflectivity is possibly due to fresh methane frost on its surface. The object may have had an atmosphere when it was closer to the sun, but as it moved to its current location farther away this atmosphere would have "frozen out," settling on the surface as frost.
Another possibility is that Xena leaks methane gas continuously from its warmer interior. When this methane reaches the cold surface, it immediately freezes solid, covering craters and other features to make it uniformly bright to Hubble's telescopic eye.
Xena's takes about 560 years to orbit the sun, and it is now very close to aphelion (the point on its orbit that is farthest from the sun). Brown next plans to use Hubble and other telescopes to study other recently discovered Kuiper Belt objects that are almost as large as Pluto and Xena. The Kuiper Belt is a vast ring of primordial icy comets and larger bodies encircling Neptune's orbit.
Finding that the largest known Kuiper Belt object is a virtual twin to Pluto may only further complicate the debate about whether to categorize the large icy worlds that populate the belt as planets. If Pluto were considered to be the minimum size for a planet, then Xena would fulfill this criterion, too. In time, the International Astronomical Union will designate the official name.
The Hubble Space Telescope is an international cooperative project between NASA and the European Space Agency. The Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore conducts Hubble science operations. The Institute is operated for NASA by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc., Washington.
For electronic images and more Hubble news, visit:
Source: NASA
Web site: http://www.nasa.gov/
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April 11, 2006
Keith Urban Brings the Audience to Its Feet at the 2006 CMT MUSIC AWARDS
Written by Joyce L Chow & William Hoehne April 11 2006
MBN
www.montebubbles.com for more MBN news
BROADCAST NEWS COMING SOON VIA PODCAST
MONTEBUBBLISM: Cheaters always win, just look at professional athletics
ENTERTAINMENT, ART, FASHION, TECHNOLOGY
For those AKC Judges that have never read what the standard is for a Wheaten
Hugh M. Hefner celebrated his 80th birthday
TV One and Warner Bros
MGM MIRAGE Hosts 2006 Diversity Expo GSN, the Network for Games Brings Back the Classic Game Show 'I'VE GOT A SECRET' Monday, April 17
Keith Urban Brings the Audience to Its Feet at the 2006 CMT MUSIC AWARDS Winnie The Pooh Receives a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Sports & Auto
Golfapalooza Welcomes Arnold Palmer, Dan Marino and Meat Loaf To World's Largest Golf Festival
Beach Tennis News
Honda Racing newsSuccessful Games And A Positive Outlook On Media Rights
DOD
DOD announces soldiers deaths
Soldiers Die in Anbar Action; Terror Suspects Detained, Killed
The Pentagon Channel has added video podcasting
News
Healthier Cooking and Eating Becomes Easier
_________________________________________________
ENTERTAINMENT, ART, FASHION, TECHNOLOGY
For those AKC Judges that have never read what the standard is for a Wheaten
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Breed Standard
General Appearance
The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is a medium-sized, hardy, well balanced sporting terrier, square in outline. He is distinguished by his soft, silky, gently waving coat of warm wheaten color and his particularly steady disposition. The breed requires moderation both in structure and presentation, and any exaggerations are to be shunned. He should present the overall appearance of an alert and happy animal, graceful, strong and well coordinated.
Size, Proportion, Substance
A dog shall be 18 to 19 inches at the withers, the ideal being 18½. A bitch shall be 17 to 18 inches at the withers, the ideal being 17½. Major Faults--Dogs under 18 inches or over 19 inches; bitches under 17 inches or over 18 inches. Any deviation must be penalized according to the degree of its severity.
Square in outline. Hardy, well balanced. Dogs should weigh 35-40 pounds; bitches 30-35 pounds.
Head
Well balanced and in proportion to the body. Rectangular in appearance; moderately long. Powerful with no suggestion of coarseness. Eyes dark reddish brown or brown, medium in size, slightly almond shaped and set fairly wide apart. Eye rims black. Major Fault--Anything approaching a yellow eye. Ears small to medium in size, breaking level with the skull and dropping slightly forward, the inside edge of the ear lying next to the cheek and pointing to the ground rather than to the eye. A hound ear or a high-breaking ear is not typical and should be severely penalized. Skull flat and clean between ears. Cheekbones not prominent. Defined stop. Muzzle powerful and strong, well filled below the eyes. No suggestion of snipiness. Skull and foreface of equal length. Nose black and large for size of dog. Major Fault--Any nose color other than solid black. Lips tight and black. Teeth large, clean and white; scissors or level bite. Major Fault--Undershot or overshot.
Neck, Topline, Body
Neck medium in length, clean and strong, not throaty. Carried proudly, it gradually widens, blending smoothly into the body. Back strong and level. Body compact; relatively short coupled. Chest is deep. Ribs are well sprung but without roundness. Tail is docked and well set on, carried gaily but never over the back.
Forequarters
Shoulders well laid back, clean and smooth; well knit. Forelegs straight and well boned. All dewclaws should be removed. Feet are round and compact with good depth of pad. Pads black. Nails dark.
Hindquarters
Hind legs well developed with well bent stifles turning neither in nor out; hocks well let down and parallel to each other. All dewclaws should be removed. The presence of dewclaws on the hind legs should be penalized. Feet are round and compact with good depth of pad. Pads black. Nails dark.
Coat
A distinguishing characteristic of the breed which sets the dog apart from all other terriers. An abundant single coat covering the entire body, legs and head; coat on the latter falls forward to shade the eyes. Texture soft and silky with a gentle wave. In both puppies and adolescents, the mature wavy coat is generally not yet evident. Major Faults--Woolly or harsh, crisp or cottony, curly or standaway coat; in the adult, a straight coat is also objectionable.
Presentation--For show purposes, the Wheaten is presented to show a terrier outline, but coat must be of sufficient length to flow when the dog is in motion. The coat must never be clipped or plucked. Sharp contrasts or stylizations must be avoided. Head coat should be blended to present a rectangular outline. Eyes should be indicated but never fully exposed. Ears should be relieved of fringe, but not taken down to the leather. Sufficient coat must be left on skull, cheeks, neck and tail to balance the proper length of body coat. Dogs that are overly trimmed shall be severely penalized.
Color
Any shade of wheaten. Upon close examination, occasional red, white or black guard hairs may be found. However, the overall coloring must be clearly wheaten with no evidence of any other color except on ears and muzzle where blue-gray shading is sometimes present. Major Fault--Any color save wheaten. Puppies and Adolescents--Puppies under a year may carry deeper coloring and occasional black tipping. The adolescent, under two years, is often quite light in color, but must never be white or carry gray other than on ears and muzzle. However, by two years of age, the proper wheaten color should be obvious.
Gait
Gait is free, graceful and lively with good reach in front and strong drive behind. Front and rear feet turn neither in nor out. Dogs who fail to keep their tails erect when moving should be severely penalized.
Temperament
The Wheaten is a happy, steady dog and shows himself gaily with an air of self-confidence. He is alert and exhibits interest in his surroundings; exhibits less aggressiveness than is sometimes encouraged in other terriers. Major Fault--Timid or overly aggressive dogs
Hugh M. Hefner celebrated his 80th birthday
Hugh M. Hefner celebrated his 80th birthday with a full weekend of activities at the Playboy Mansion and announced plans to continue the festivities in Europe as he and his girlfriends will embark on a two-week, seven-city tour in May.
"This is the most rewarding time of my life," Hefner said. "With Playboy's global popularity, it seems only fitting to bring the celebration to Europe. We will also be shooting season two of our highly rated reality show 'The Girls Next Door.'"
Hef and his girlfriends Holly Madison, Bridget Marquardt and Kendra Wilkinson, stars of E!'s "The Girls Next Door," will visit London, Cannes, Paris, Barcelona, Munich, Rome and Venice.
Hefner's birthday festivities began on Friday, April 7 when Hef and a few dozen friends donned their white dinner jackets for an evening of champagne and caviar by candlelight as the Playboy Mansion converted to Rick's Cafe and guests enjoyed a special screening of "Casablanca." As Hef's all-time favorite movie, "Casablanca Night" has been an annual tradition during Hef's birthday weekend since 1993.
On Saturday, April 8, the Playboy Mansion hosted a glamorous pajama and lingerie celebration as Playboy Playmates, celebrities and nearly 1,000 partygoers wished Hef a happy 80th birthday. Oscar-winning artist Three 6 Mafia electrified the crowd with a special musical performance and then led guests in a birthday song for Hef. "The Girls Next Door" co-star and Hefner girlfriend Bridget Marquardt surprised Hef with a classic burlesque striptease after popping out of a giant pink cake.
Celebrity guests in attendance included:
Donald Trump George Maloof Willie Gault
Ivanka Trump Travis Barker Farrah Fawcett
Paris Hilton Oliver Stone Mekhi Phifer
Nikki Hilton Rob Schneider Shane West
Owen Wilson Reggie Miller John Elway
Ryan Cabrerra Adam Levine Michael Vartan
Simon Cowell Michael Bay Kevin Connelly
Ryan Seacrest John Lovitz Mario Lopez
Randy Jackson Bill Maher Jimmy Connors
Steve Valentine Dick Van Patten Michael Andretti
Jose Canseco Jerry Buss Mark Hamill
Brian Grazer Garry Marshall John Favreau
Craig Ferguson Johnathan Silverman Julie Newmar
John Leguizamo Thora Birch Judd Nelson
James Caan
On Hef's birthday, Sunday, April 9, a customized "Playboy Racing" helicopter flew him to the Long Beach Grand Prix where he made an appearance on behalf of Playboy Racing (from the Grand Am Series). This twin-engine helicopter took the Playboy founder and his girlfriends to the Queen Mary in Long Beach where they made their way to the race site by police escort. In a special birthday surprise just after noon, thousands of race fans joined together to sing "Happy Birthday" to Hef.
The recipient of numerous awards for his contributions to society and the publishing industry in particular, Hefner received the 1996 International Publishing Award from the International Press Directory in London and was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the American Society of Magazine Editors at its 1998 ceremonies in New York. January of 2002 brought Mr. Hefner to New York again where he received the Henry Johnson Fisher Award, the highest honor of the Magazine Publishers of America. In March 2002, Hef was inducted as an honorary member of the Harvard Lampoon, which named him "Harvard Lampoon's Best Life-Form In The History Of The Universe."
This 80th Birthday celebration finds the Playboy brand and Hefner hotter than ever. E! Entertainment's "The Girls Next Door" is the network's highest-rated original programming, this June the Playboy Jazz Festival marks its 28th consecutive year at the Hollywood Bowl and this fall, the company will open a new Playboy Club-Casino at the Palms Hotel in Las Vegas.
Hefner founded Playboy in December 1953 in Chicago, where the company still maintains its corporate headquarters. It has grown its operations to Los Angeles and New York and the Playboy empire now includes 27 television networks, a global home video and DVD operation, a highly popular web destination, licensed products sold in more than 130 countries, a magazine that reaches 10 million Americans per month along with foreign editions published in 20 countries outside the U.S.
Source: Playboy Enterprises, Inc.
TV One and Warner Bros. Domestic Cable Distribution Ink Comprehensive, Multi- Year Programming Agreement for Movies, Series Including Off-Network Premiere Of All of Us and Eve, as Well as Rights to Martin and Living Single
-- Acquisition of UPN Sitcoms All of Us and Eve Marks the First Time TV One Has Obtained Off-Network Rights to Sitcoms Currently Airing on a Broadcast Network
In a comprehensive, multi-year programming agreement, TV One has acquired rights from Warner Bros. Domestic Cable Distribution to air popular movies and series, including All of Us, Eve, Martin and Living Single. The acquisition of current UPN sitcoms All of Us and Eve marks the first time the new network for African American adults has acquired the off-network rights to sitcoms currently airing on a broadcast network. As part of the deal, TV One will also acquire the rights to air recent episodes of Showtime at the Apollo, including new episodes two weeks after their syndication debut. The announcement was made during the National Cable Television Association convention in Atlanta.
A broad range of movie titles are part of the WBDCD programming package, which includes windows on classic dramas such as The Color Purple, Malcolm X, Lean on Me, Round Midnight and Rosewood; action movies such as Boiling Point and New Jack City; comedies such as Uptown Saturday Night and Strictly Business; musicals such as Purple Rain, Cabin in the Sky, Krush Groove and Sparkle; and classic blaxploitation films such as Shaft and Superfly, among others.
Additional series to which TV One is acquiring rights under the deal include Roc, For Your Love, Hangin' with Mr. Cooper, The Parent 'Hood, Wanda at Large, All About the Andersons, Fastlane and A Man Called Hawk.
Under the deal, TV One's rights to air All of Us, which ranks among Nielsen's Top 10 primetime series in African American households this season to date, and Eve begin in fall 2006, and the rights to air Living Single begin in fall 2008. TV One is renewing the rights to air Martin and Roc, which currently air on TV One.
"Martin and Roc have already proved very popular with TV One viewers, and we expect the rest of this Warner Bros. package to help ensure we continue to have a strong lineup of acquired scripted programming to complement our original programming as we work toward making TV One the premier viewing destination for African American adults," said TV One Executive Vice President of Programming and Production Rose Catherine Pinkney.
"We are thrilled to be expanding our already successful programming relationship with TV One," said Eric Frankel, President, Warner Bros. Domestic Cable Distribution. "We're confident that the addition of feature films, the premieres of off-network comedies, the licensing of proven hits and the renewal of successful staples of their already strong line-up will provide a nice boost to their schedule."
Launched in January 2004, TV One (http://www.tvoneonline.com/) serves more than 28.4 million households (Nielsen April 2006 estimate), offering a broad range of lifestyle and entertainment-oriented original programming, classic series, movies, fashion and music designed to entertain, inform and inspire a diverse audience of adult African American viewers. TV One's investors include Radio One http://www.radio-one.com/ ), the largest radio company that primarily targets African American and urban listeners; Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA and CMCSK; http://www.comcast.com/ ), the leading cable television company in the country; The DirecTV Group; Constellation Ventures; Syndicated Communications; Pacesetter Capital Group; and Opportunity Capital Partners.
Source: TV One
Web site: http://www.tvoneonline.com/
http://www.comcast.com/
http://www.radio-one.com/
MGM MIRAGE Hosts 2006 Diversity Expo
Event Provides Business Owners With Unique Opportunity to Meet and Pitch Their Goods and Services to Key Executives
MGM MIRAGE will host its third Diversity Expo next month in Las Vegas at The Mirage Events Center. The Expo will feature all of the company's properties and corporate units including Construction, Corporate Retail and Corporate Purchasing. Business owners will have the unique opportunity to meet with key purchasing agents to identify potential business opportunities and to better understand the protocol of conducting business with the casino company.
"MGM MIRAGE has designed the Diversity Expo to serve as an open house, inviting any vendor who wants to conduct business with our company to come and learn about our process," said Mark Stolarczyk, MGM MIRAGE Vice President of Corporate Purchasing. "Our company strives to expand its database of suppliers who now have more opportunities to do business with our company."
As a result of last year's merger between MGM MIRAGE and Mandalay Resort Group (MRG), the former MRG properties will be represented at the Expo for the first time. The Expo, which will take place May 10, will feature workshops and panel discussions to provide attendees with information on how to conduct business with MGM MIRAGE. Company executives will discuss bid opportunities in various departments including Food and Beverage, Hotel Operations, Casino Operations, Housekeeping, Engineering, Advertising, Marketing, Special Events and Security. Additionally, as MGM MIRAGE requires minority certification, several certifying agencies will have booths to provide information on the certification process.
Registration for the Expo is free if registered by April 30, 2006. The cost to register is $25 after April 30, 2006. The event is open to all existing and prospective vendors and contractors serving the gaming and hospitality industry. For more information or to register, please visit www.mgmmiragediversity.com.
About MGM MIRAGE:
MGM MIRAGE one of the world's leading and most respected hotel and gaming companies, owns and operates 23 properties located in Nevada, Mississippi and Michigan, and has investments in three other properties in Nevada, New Jersey and Illinois. MGM MIRAGE has also announced plans to develop Project CityCenter, a multi-billion dollar mixed-use urban development project in the heart of Las Vegas, and has a 50 percent interest in MGM Grand Macau, a hotel-casino resort currently under construction in Macau S.A.R. MGM MIRAGE supports responsible gaming and has implemented the American Gaming Association's Code of Conduct for Responsible Gaming at its properties. MGM MIRAGE also has been the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions for its industry-leading Diversity Initiative and its community philanthropy programs. For more information about MGM MIRAGE, please visit the company's website at www.mgmmirage.com.
http://www.mgmmirage.com
Source: MGM MIRAGE
Web site: http://www.mgmmiragediversity.com/
GSN, the Network for Games Brings Back the Classic Game Show 'I'VE GOT A SECRET' Monday, April 17
Paying homage to one of the longest running and most popular game shows, I'VE GOT A SECRET takes viewers back in time to the classic panel show -- this time with haute couture, a brand new theme song, and four witty panelists who will say anything to find out the secrets of the guests. The original version of the top-rated, laugh-out-loud panel show premiered in 1952, and aired for 15 years.
On the I'VE GOT A SECRET panel and available the week of April 17 for interviews:
* Billy Bean is a former major league baseball player who played for the
Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Dodgers, and the San Diego Padres. He
continues to travel around the country as a national spokesman on
behalf of the Human Rights Campaign. Bean currently resides in Miami
Beach, Florida with his partner of nine years.
* Writer/performer Frank DeCaro hosts his own live national talk show The
Frank DeCaro Show every weekday on Sirius Satellite Radio. A much
sought-after pop culture pundit, DeCaro is a fixture on the Buzz Bench
on CNN's "Showbiz Tonight," and has appeared on such programs as NBC's
"Dateline," VH1's "Super Secret Movie Rules," and "The List." For
nearly seven years, he co-wrote and hosted the popular Out at the
Movies segments on the Emmy Award-winning "Daily Show with Jon
Stewart."
* Jermaine Taylor has been bringing his over-the-top comedy to the East
Coast club circuit for years. He also performs regularly in theatre in
New York and has worked as a professional dancer. Most recently, he
wrote and produced his off-Broadway one-man-show, "A Peace of the Game"
which was nominated for an Audelco award, celebrating excellence in
black theatre in New York City.
* Suzanne Westenhoefer began her stand-up career as one of the first
openly gay comedians performing gay comedy to straight audiences. Her
television appearances include "The Late Show with David Letterman,"
"Politically Incorrect," and "Arli$$." Her HBO comedy special, the
first by an openly gay comic was nominated for a Cable Ace award.
Keith Urban Brings the Audience to Its Feet at the 2006 CMT MUSIC AWARDS
Carrie Underwood Emerges as the Evening's Big Winner
Keith Urban Wins Video of the Year
Hank Williams Jr. Receives Johnny Cash Visionary Award
Carrie Underwood took home two trophies as the evening's big winner for the 2006 CMT MUSIC AWARDS announced tonight on CMT's live telecast from Nashville. Hosted by Jeff Foxworthy, the 2006 CMT MUSIC AWARDS not only revealed the winners in nine categories, but also featured country legend Hank Williams Jr. accepting the Johnny Cash Visionary Award, a moving tribute to the late Buck Owens and a show-stopping closing performance by Video of the Year winner, Keith Urban that brought the crowd to its feet.
As country music's only fan-voted awards show, more than three million fans logged on to CMT.com to vote for their favorite videos. For the first time, fans could also log on CMT.com to watch a live simulcast of the show. A complete list of winners appears below.
As host of the 2006 CMT MUSIC AWARDS, Jeff Foxworthy pulled out all the stops in the opening number as he was joined by his "Dancing With the Stars" dance partner, Lisa Rinna. Jeff's red sequined top and black stretch pants rivaled Lisa's glittery costume as the two danced to their own version of "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk," before introducing Trace Adkins who sang the song before a roaring crowd.
Keith Urban won the coveted Video of the Year honor for his video "Better Life." Fans voted live via CMT.com and text message to determine the winner during the live broadcast (ET/CT only). After winning, Urban closed the evening with his award-winning single and a rousing tribute to the victims of Hurricane Katrina that included members of displaced choirs from the disaster regions.
Country icon Hank Williams Jr. faced a standing ovation as he accepted the Johnny Cash Visionary Award from presenters and friends Kid Rock and Gretchen Wilson. Williams was also honored by friends and family in a moving pre-taped tribute featuring Merle Haggard, Charlie Daniels, Dierks Bentley, Kid Rock and Williams' daughter, Holly Williams.
Dwight Yoakam honored his late friend and mentor, the legendary Buck Owens in a moving tribute and a special performance of "I've Got a Tiger By the Tail."
Other show-stopping performances include Faith Hill ("Lucky One"), Kenny Chesney ("Beer in Mexico"), Carrie Underwood ("Jesus Take the Wheel"), Toby Keith ("Get Drunk and Be Somebody"), Gretchen Wilson ("All Jacked Up"), Rascal Flatts ("What Hurts The Most"), Sugarland ("Down in Mississippi"), Brooks & Dunn ("Believe") and Trace Adkins ("Honky Tonk Badonkadonk").
Joining Foxworthy onstage were such celebrity presenters as Wynonna, Kenny Rogers, Lisa Rinna, Kid Rock, Martina McBride, Jewel, Kelly Preston, Caroline Rhea, Sela Ward, Montgomery Gentry, Gretchen Wilson, Billy Currington, Miranda Lambert, John Corbett, Blake Shelton, Josh Turner, Jack Ingram, Miss America 2006 Jennifer Berry, professional bull riding star Ty Murray, The Wreckers (Michelle Branch and Jessica Harp) and newcomer Ashley Monroe.
Below is a complete list of winners for the 2006 CMT MUSIC AWARDS:
CMT MUSIC AWARDS BREAKTHROUGH VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video from an artist's major debut album; awarded to the artist (male, female, or group/duo).
* Carrie Underwood - "Jesus, Take The Wheel"
CMT MUSIC AWARDS HOTTEST VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Sexiest video, awarded to the artist (male, female, group/duo or collaboration).
* Billy Currington - "Must Be Doin' Somethin' Right"
CMT MUSIC AWARDS GROUP / DUO VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a group or duo; awarded to the artists.
* Rascal Flatts - "Skin (Sarabeth)"
CMT MUSIC AWARDS COLLABORATIVE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
The best video that featured a special collaborative appearance by artists; awarded to the artists (male, female or group/duo).
* Bon Jovi feat. Jennifer Nettles - "Who Says You Can't Go Home"
CMT MUSIC AWARDS VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
Video with the best direction (video that best captures the mood, tempo, and intensity of the song); awarded to the video director for work on a specific video and accepted by the director and the artist.
* Sophie Muller/Faith Hill with Tim McGraw - "Like We Never Loved At All"
CMT MUSIC AWARDS FEMALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a female artist; awarded to the artist.
* Carrie Underwood - "Jesus, Take The Wheel"
CMT MUSIC AWARDS MALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a male artist; awarded to the artist.
* Kenny Chesney - "Who You'd Be Today"
CMT MUSIC AWARDS MOST INSPIRING VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Video that celebrates the human condition in a positive and optimistic way; awarded to the artist (male, female, group/duo or collaboration).
* Brad Paisley feat. Dolly Parton - "When I Get Where I'm Going"
CMT MUSIC AWARDS VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video of the year; awarded to the artist (male, female, group/duo or collaboration). Final four nominees announced during live telecast, with final voting held online at CMT.com during the show.
* Keith Urban - "Better Life"
CMT, America's No. 1 country music network, carries original programming, specials, and live concerts and events, as well as a mix of videos by established country music artists and new cutting-edge acts, including world premiere exclusive videos. Founded March 6, 1983, CMT, owned and operated by MTV Networks, reaches more than 82.2 million households in the United States. Go to country music's biggest web site at http://www.cmt.com/
CMT will re-telecast the 2006 CMT Music Awards on Monday, April 10 at 11:30 p.m. ET/PT; Tuesday, April 11 at 11:00 a.m. ET/PT; Tuesday, April 11 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT; Wednesday, April 12 at 3:00 p.m. ET/PT; Friday, April 14 at 2:30 p.m. ET/PT; Friday, April 14 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT; Saturday, April 15 at 4:00 p.m. ET/PT; Saturday, April 15 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT; Sunday, April 16 at 7:30 p.m. ET/PT
Web site: http://www.cmt.com/
Winnie The Pooh Receives a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Also Celebrating the Release of the Fully Re-Mastered
POOH'S GRAND ADVENTURE - THE SEARCH FOR CHRISTOPHER ROBIN
on Disney DVD April 11th
Tuesday, April 11th at the Historic El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood
WHO: Honorary Mayor of Hollywood and Chairman of the Walk of Fame
Committee Johnny Grant and Leron Gubler; President of the Hollywood
Chamber of Commerce will preside over the event. Other esteemed
guests include Bob Iger, CEO of the Walt Disney Company, and Pooh's
pals from the 100 Acre Woods -- Tigger, Eeyore and Rabbit.
WHAT: Celebrate Winnie The Pooh receiving his Star on the Hollywood Walk
of Fame, his 80th Anniversary and the release of his fully
re-mastered movie, POOH'S GRAND ADVENTURE -- THE SEARCH FOR
CHRISTOPHER ROBIN available on Disney DVD April 11th from Walt
Disney Home Entertainment.
WHEN: Tuesday, April 11th WHERE: El Capitan Theatre
11:00AM Star Ceremony 6838 Hollywood Blvd
11:30AM Special Screening Hollywood, CA
Source: Buena Vista Home Entertainment
Sports & Auto
Golfapalooza Welcomes Arnold Palmer, Dan Marino and Meat Loaf To World's Largest Golf Festival
Proving that "It Can Only Happen Here," Myrtle Beach, S.C. hosted the world's largest festival of golf, April 7-10, and welcomed more than 40,000 golfers to the Grand Strand for Golfapalooza and the Hootie & the Blowfish's Monday After the Masters Celebrity Golf Tournament.
The third annual Golfapalooza celebration, presented by Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday, the Golf Digest Companies, Hyundai Motor America, Michelob Ultra, Nature Valley and Martin's PGA TOUR Superstore, was held at Legends Resort and featured equipment demonstrations from many of the game's top manufacturers, skill contests, Masters viewing on a giant screen, musical entertainment, food, drinks and prizes valued at more than $25,000.
"This is one of the busiest weeks of the year as our 111 courses played host to more golfers than any other destination in the world," said Bill Golden, vice president, director of marketing for Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday. "More than 40,000 golfers were in Myrtle Beach this week and we added to their total golf experience by throwing the world's largest golf celebration. No matter the age or ability level, Myrtle Beach had something to offer every golfer this week."
The 12th annual Hootie & the Blowfish Monday After the Masters Celebrity Golf Tournament served as the finale to the celebration as Grammy-Award winning Hootie & the Blowfish welcomed friends Arnold Palmer, John Daly, Tom Kite, Steve Spurrier, Dan Marino, Dwight Clark, Meat Loaf, and others to Myrtle Beach for their annual charity golf tournament. The 2006 Hootie & the Blowfish Monday After the Masters Celebrity Pro-Am Golf Tournament kicked off Sunday night with a Live Auction which raised $406,000 for the South Carolina Junior Golf Foundation and The Hootie & the Blowfish Foundation. When combined with Monday's tournament ticket sales, the 2006 donations total could break the 2005 record of $425,000.
Hootie & the Blowfish donated an important piece of band history to charity as their first touring van, a 1993 Ford Econoline Conversion Explorer, was recently customized by West Coast Customs, the automotive restyling center that handled MTV's "Pimp My Ride," and raised $160,000 at Sunday's auction.
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Source: Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday
Web site: http://www.brandonpr.com/
Beach Tennis USA Kicks Off 2006 National Tour in Santa Monica
Volleyball Legend Sinjin Smith Hosts Season's First Tournament; Thousands of Californians Experience America's Hottest New Sport
Beach Tennis USA, the organization launching the sport of beach tennis throughout North America, kicked off its 2006 National Tour in Santa Monica this weekend. Beach volleyball legend Sinjin Smith was on hand to host Sunday's tournament.
Lester Cook and Craig Cignarelli took home the $1,000 first place purse in the men's pro division, defeating Steve Wier and Steve Oliver by a score of 9-7. Cook and Cignarelli automatically qualify to compete in this year's U.S. Beach Tennis Open championship tournament, to be held August 26-27 in Long Beach, New York.
Beach tennis combines tennis, beach volleyball and badminton into one fast-paced and exciting game. Using regulation tennis rackets, two players on each team try to hit a tennis ball back and forth, directly over the net, without letting it hit the sand.
Californians got their first taste of beach tennis in Santa Monica, with thousands of beachgoers participating in both free "open play" and amateur competition in addition to the pro tournament.
Beach Tennis USA's next stop is Long Beach, California, April 22-23. The guest emcee at that event will be Murphy Jensen, Grand Slam winner and host of "Open Access" on The Tennis Channel. Anyone wishing to compete in the Long Beach tournament can register online at http://www.beachtennisusa.net/. There is no registration fee and rackets and balls are provided courtesy of Head and Penn.
About Beach Tennis USA
Based in New York City, Beach Tennis USA is committed to introducing Americans of all ages to the competitive excitement and recreational benefits of beach tennis. Company founders Marc Altheim and Fredric Finkelstein also established a governing body, the National Beach Tennis Association, in anticipation of the sport being played competitively throughout the U.S. To learn more, visit http://www.beachtennisusa.net/.
Source: Beach Tennis USA
Honda Racing
Nicky Hayden (Repsol Honda RC211V) came a narrow second to Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) in a tense MotoGP race here in windy Qatar. Loris Capirossi (Ducati) was third. This is Hayden’s sixth consecutive rostrum finish as he bids for his first win of the 2006 season.
With a 33km/h wind, erratic in direction, blowing throughout the day, turns two and nine seemed to be the worst affected. There was also a 44 degree track temperature to contend with, although the elevated ambient temperature that is so often a debilitating factor here was ‘only’ 25-degrees now that this is an April race instead of an October fixture.
Pole man Casey Stoner (LCR Honda RC211V) simply stormed away from the line as the lights went out and he looked strong as the field struggled to establish an order and make chase. Capirossi was nearest to the young Aussie, but the Italian couldn’t stay with him as the first lap unfolded.
At the start of lap two the order was Stoner, Hayden, Rossi, Capirossi, Shinya Nakano (Kawasaki), Sete Gibernau (Ducati), then Marco Melandri (Fortuna Honda RC211V). Hayden put in an early fastest lap as he went all out to hound Stoner in those early stages. Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda RC211V) was down in 11th place following a slow get away from the starting light.
Then it was Rossi piling on the pressure as he chased Hayden, a fastest lap belonging to the Italian rider on lap three. On lap six Rossi and Hayden swapped places twice in both final loops as they fought for dominance in the struggle to reel in runaway Stoner. Rossi eventually got the upper hand and had a 0.77 second gap to close on the swift Australian.
On lap ten Rossi nipped past Stoner into turn one, then it was Hayden’s turn to demote Stoner to third on the next lap. Rossi now held a 0.6 second advantage over Hayden and it was only another two laps before Capirossi squeezed past the Aussie to put the ‘old firm’ in charge at the front.
As lap fifteen ran its course Rossi and Hayden had an advantage of more than a second over Capirossi and Stoner, with Gibernau losing ground in fifth. Hayden now knew he had to size up Rossi to see what his plan should be in the closing laps. He moved past Rossi at turn one on lap 19.
Rossi repaid the compliment on lap 20 at the same place and Hayden could not respond and Rossi won by 0.9 seconds at the flag with closer to Hayden than the American was to Rossi. But Hayden rode a mature race and it can’t be long until the Kentucky Kid notches up a second career win in MotoGP.
“We gambled overnight on some changes,” said Hayden. “The team got it right but I didn’t quite do it right today. I had fun though. The six podiums in a row are OK but we need to take another step up. We’ve got two weeks to put some hard work in to find the extra second a lap we need.”
Stoner in fourth said, “The start was really good and I felt really good out in front. But as the fuel load went down and the pace went up I lost a bit of rear wheel grip. Physically I wasn’t 100% so today wasn’t a bad result. After 10 laps I had leg cramps.”
Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda RC211V) finished a tight sixth after an intense battle with Melandri and said, “When I caught Melandri we had a big battle. My bike was really fast and I could overtake him, but he was braking so late! I’m not angry, but I’m upset because today I lost a good opportunity to be battling at the front. In the race I learned a lot of things and I know I performed as well as I could have. Although I’m frustrated today, the two races so far have been really positive.”
Melandri was seventh after the epic duel with Dani and said, “It was a really difficult race. I got a good start and tried to make up some positions but I made a mistake towards the end of the race that cost me a position. I had a really good battle with Dani Pedrosa, he was passing me on the straight but I was able to get him back on the brakes. I’m still not riding as I’d like, but tomorrow we stay for a day of tests and hopefully it can help us take another step forward.”
Toni Elias (Fortuna Honda RC211V), despite being ill with a stomach bug, finished eighth. He said, “We’ve done a great job over the two days of practice and I was hoping for more than this today. I didn’t get a good start and I paid the price for that. Then Hopkins’ engine began to drop oil and I had to get off the throttle, sending me even further back. My visor was covered in oil and after losing contact with the lead group it became a really hard race for me. I’m disappointed because I know I could have had a nice race today.”
“The bike and tyres were great today,” said Kenny Roberts (Roberts KR211V) in tenth. “But I could have been better if I had got clear of the group quicker – but with the oil incident you had to be careful. I have to thank the team for all they did this weekend, a great job. Still, if you had said in November that we would have finished the first two races in the top 10 we might not have agreed with you.”
Makoto Tamada (Konica Minolta Honda RC211V) finished 14th and said, “I didn’t expect to have such a difficult start to the season. I’m not able to ride my RC211V properly yet. It is hard to be fast in the corner without having the right feel from the bikee. I’m sorry about this.”
The World Championship points standings look like this after two of 17 rounds: Capirossi 41, Hayden 36, Rossi 30.
Jorge Lorenzo (Aprilia) won a thrilling 250cc race from Andrea Dovizioso (Humangest Racing Honda RS250RW) after the pair pulled well clear of the field by mid-race distance. Roberto Locatelli (Aprilia) was a fine third after running off track in the early laps and fighting back into contention.
Locatelli made the run into turn one from the lights to head the field, but Dovizioso led across the line to begin lap two and set an early fastest lap of this 20-lap race. By lap three Dovi held a 1.36 second advantage over his Spanish rival Lorenzo.
By lap 12 Lorenzo and Dovi were 13 seconds ahead of Barbera, but the recovering Locatelli was setting a fastest lap on his charge back into contention after his ‘off’. The race order up front was to remain fixed as Dovi shadowed Lorenzo waiting for the final lap.
Lorenzo knew a Dovi challenge would come – he just didn’t know where. With half a lap to go Dovi made his move up the inside but Lorenzo stayed with him to hold a tighter line into the right/right combination before the final two turns. Dovi hung close but could not make an impression across the line.
Sebastian Porto (Repsol Honda RS250RW) finished seventh and Yuki Takahashi (Humangest Racing Honda RS250RW) was ninth. But the huge gap between themselves and the leading duo will be of some concern.
“I have to be happy with this,” said Dovizioso. “After the warm up, I was convinced we’d be able to do a good race and I did a very good start. The team worked very hard and we were fast today. But I need more power. There is a long way to go this season and I know Honda will be working hard so that we can have an edge in the races to come.”
Porto said, “Well it hasn’t been that bad. I’m happy with the race, obviously not with the result. You’re here to win, but given all the problems we’ve had and our current situation, finishing today has been very important to me, on a personal level. But there’s still a lot to be improved. We have to improve the chassis, and the engine didn’t work that well today either. I’ve given my best with what I had.”
Takahashi said, “It’s been a tough race for me as I’ve had problems with the front throughout the whole weekend. In the warm up we tested other solutions but without getting benefits. Before the race, my team decided to fit new suspension that I’ve never tried and actually it solved the problem. Now we have to adjust the general set up, but Istanbul is similar to this track and so we will start from a good base.”
The overall points standings at this early stage of the season show Lorenzo in the lead with 50 points after two consecutive wins, Dovi in second with 36 points and Locatelli on 25.
Alvaro Bautista (Aprilia) won the 125cc race by 6.7 seconds from Mika Kallio (KTM) who just managed to overhaul third-placed Sergio Gadea (Aprilia) as the pair broached the finish line. Bautista has now posted back-to-back wins in the first two races of the season.
It was Gadea who made the early running in this 18-lap race until Bautista upped the pace by lap five, stealing the lead and then setting a fastest lap of 2m 8.591 seconds as he stretched away from the rest of the field.
Most Honda riders would prefer to forget this race. Mike Di Meglio (FFM Honda RS125R) retired at the start of the second lap, Sandro Cortese (Elit Grand Prix Honda RS125R) tangled with Juan Olive (Aprilia) and fell on lap two, while reigning World Champion Thomas Luthi (Elit Grand Prix Honda RS125R) managed a seventh place finish.
Gabor Talmacsi (Humangest Honda RS125R) finished 11th after running with the leading group on the first few laps, but the Hungarian dropped back as the race unfolded and he was nearly 30 seconds adrift of the winner at the flag.
Luthi said, “For some reason I was not good at the last two corners and the run onto the start finish straight. But we made a big step this weekend after a bad experience at the start of the season. We have some points and we can now make progress.”
“Unfortunately we couldn't find the right balance,” said Talmacsi. “We need better suspensions settings as I struggled too much today. Also, I wasn't fast in the straight and 11th place is the best I could do today. The important thing, anyway, is that we have scored some more points in the World Standings.”
Bautista leads the World Championship with 50 points after his perfect start to the season. Kallio has 33 points and Pasini 29 as the Turkish round looms at the end of April.
MOTOGP:
Nicky Hayden, Repsol Honda: 2nd
“Battling for the win is so much more fun than battling for fourth place! I pushed Valentino hard today and I pushed myself about as hard as I could too. We had the bike that could win today, but on the last lap in a left-hander I got into a nice little slide, Valentino gapped me pretty good and it was hard to recover. We gambled a bit with set up today, we rolled the dice, and it worked well for me in the race, helping a lot in the fast corners. So a big thanks to my crew. Its my second year with my crew chief and were working really well together. All the guys have been working hard and making some good improvements on the bike. We’ve still got some work to do and well be back here in the morning testing, but the new bikes definitely getting better and were heading in the right direction. Six podiums on the trot is cool, but it would be nice to get a few wins along the way!”
Casey Stoner, LCR Honda: 5th
"The start was great and I felt really comfortable out front and just concentrated on doing my own thing but as the fuel got lighter I wasn't able to up the pace as I lost some rear grip. My physical condition was also a factor today and I wasn't feeling 100%. I thought I could have got a better result today. I missed a lot of pre-season training and then I had the flu and after ten laps my leg began to cramp up. When Valentino came passed for the lead I wasn't surprised, it was only a matter of time, and over the second half of the race I had a good battle with Loris and Gibernau."
Dani Pedrosa, Repsol Honda: 6th
"Its easy to say this now, but I believe I could have finished further up, at least in 4th, if I'd made a better start. We had a problem with the clutch, like Nicky when he was practicing his starts yesterday. At first I thought the wheel was spinning but actually it was the clutch. Then, when I was behind Elias and we were both overtaking Hopkins his bike put oil on our visors. Elias closed the throttle and we lost a lot of time on the leaders at least 3 or 4 seconds. When I caught Melandri we had a big battle. My bike was really fast and I could overtake him, but he was braking so late! I'm not angry with the result, but Im upset because today I lost a good opportunity to be battling at the front. In the race I learned a lot of things and I know I performed as well as I could have. Although Im frustrated today, the two races so far have been really positive.”
Makoto Tanaka Repsol Honda Team Manager
“Ahhh! How disappointing today's result is! Nicky has worked hard to finalize his set-up since he came here and he did a really excellent job both in yesterday's qualifying and today’s race. He’s become really strong mentally since last year and I want sincerely to praise his work today. Dani lost many positions at the start because of an uncertain feeling from the clutch which caused him to wheelie. However, he did very well to finish sixth. He’s a really professional rider who doesn't stop racing until he crosses the line. We didn’t win, but Nicky took 2nd place and Dani is in 3rd place in the riders championship which bodes well for the rest of the season. We still have work to do to improve the bikes performance but I think we are close to our target. So, watch this space.”
Marco Melandri, Fortuna Honda: 7th
"It was a really difficult race. I got a good start and tried to make up some positions but I made a mistake towards the end of the race that cost me a position. I had a really good battle with Dani Pedrosa, he was passing me in the straight but I was able to get him back on the brakes. I'm still not riding as I would like to - tomorrow we'll stay for a day of tests and hopefully it can help us take another step forward."
Toni Elias, Fortuna Honda: 8th
"We've done a great job over the two days of practice and I was hoping for more than this today. I didn't get a good start and I paid the price for that. Then Hopkins' engine began to drop oil and I had to shut off the throttle, sending me even further back. My visor was covered in oil and after losing contact with the lead group it became a really hard race for me. I'm disappointed because I know I could have had a nice race today."
Kenny Roberts Jnr, KR Honda: 10th
"Start was not too bad but I got boxed in by a lot of guys in front of me who were not going to be racing for the lead. Some of them were loosing oil Chris Vermeulen was dropping oil all over me. I guess I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. When I got clear of those guys the gap to the riders in front of me was too big to close down. The bike and tyres were great today but I could have been better if I had got clear of the group quicker but with oil everywhere you have to be careful. I have to thank the team for all they did this weekend, great job. Still, if you had said in November that we would have finished the first two races in the top 10 we might not have agreed with you."
Kenny Roberts Senior, Team Owner KR Honda.
"We are still looking for the ideal base set up and we're trying too many things in a short time. You can loose your way a bit when you do that. We are also held back a little by having only one rider but all in all we have made progress so far."
Makoto Tamada, Konica Minolta Honda: 14th
"I did not expect to have such a difficult season starting. I'm not able to drive as I would my RC211V yet. It is hard to be fast in the corner without having the right feeling. I am sorry I have not had to possibility to give any satisfaction to KONICA MINOLTA, to Honda and to all team guys that are constantly working to create the best conditions."
250cc
Andrea Dovizioso, Humangest Honda: 2nd
“We struggle a bit in approaching the race and we are too much at the limit with the set-up of the bike. This doesn’t allow me to do the difference. But this morning, after the warm up, I was convinced to be able to do a good race and I did a very good start. However, Lorenzo has followed me and in the middle stages he was able to pass me. Taking some risk, I kept the contact with his Aprilia and when we begun the last lap my strategy was to suddenly pass him and try to take a bit of advantage in the first half of the track, where I was going more strongly, while he was being faster in the final curves. It didn’t happen, though, I went wide in a curve and he has passed me again. I could also have tried in last curve, but a sideslip has forced me to shut off the throttle. Actually, I hoped in the victory but we still need more horsepower to really fight for win.
Sebastian Porto, Repsol Honda: 7th
"Well, that it hasn't been that bad. I’m happy, especially with the race, obviously not with the result. You're here to win, but given all the problems we've had and our current situation, finishing today has been very important to me, on a personal level. But there's still a lot to be improved. We have to further improve the chassis, and the engine didn't work well today either. I've given my best with what I had. The best was the last part of the race. I was fourth in the group and I managed to overtake them all; finishing seventh isn't bad. Let's hope that this will be the beginning of an improvement and that the next race will be even better. We haven't managed to have a good feeling on the bike with the new tyres yet. We loose a lot on new tyres, but then, halfway the race, it is the other way around. When the others start going down, this bike keeps the pace. That's something I still have to improve, the initial part on new tyres, I need better grip. Now it's time to enjoy and relax; I'm already looking forward to preparing the next race."
Yuki Takahashi, Humangest Honda: 9th
“It has been a tough race for me as I had problems in the front throughout the whole weekend. In the warm up we tested other solutions but without getting benefits. Before the race, my team decided to put a new suspension that I’ve never tried and actually it solved the problem. Now we have to adjust the general set up, but Istanbul is similar to this track and so we will start from a good base”
Martin Cardenas, Wurth Honda BQR: 11th
"I made a good start and caught the fast group ahead of me. I couldn't hold onto them and when they went away I concentrated on holding my position. The bike is really good and I am really happy with the season so far. I'm looking forward to Turkey I like the track down there."
Shuhei Aoyama, Repsol Honda: 13th
"I'm obviously not happy at all, it's a bad result. The bike worked quite well; we could have improved a bit the suspensions, but the overall setting was OK. But the rider hasn't been at a good level today. I don't know why, but I haven't been able to be fast on this circuit at any time. I probably haven't been focussed enough this weekend. I made a good start but several riders overtook me in the first corner. After the crash in Jerez I wanted above all to finish the race here, but I wanted to do it much more in the front."
Arnaud Vincent, Molenaar Honda: 16th
"From the last qualifying session we had an engine problem. It's difficult to know what it was because when we checked carburetion it looks really good. I was down on acceleration an top speed was not as good as it was on Friday morning. Pity because we made progress with the chassis. I like the track at Istanbul so if we find the engine problem I will have a better race for sure."
Arturo Tizon, Wurth Honda BQR: dnf – crash
"I got a good start and the bike was running really well. We made a compromise on suspension and I ran stiffer suspension settings on the rear and I had a much better feeling with the bike. But I was pushing too hard and lost the font end and crashed. The positive point about this race was that I know I can race with the riders in 250 and I'm looking forward to Turkey, it's a track I learned last year."
Jordi Carchano, Stop and Go Racing: dnf - crash.
"I lost the front end and crashed, on lap 16. It was a pity because the team had given me a good bike to race. The shifter problems we had all though qualifying were fixed and I was able to race as I wanted."
125cc
Thomas Luthi, Elit Honda: 8th
"I'm more happy than unhappy with this result. My target was to get a good start and be with the lead group. I managed to do it I could race with Faubel and Rodriguez but when Nieto came passed us I mad a small mistake and it cost me two seconds. For some reason I was not good at the last two corners and the run onto the start finish straight. But we made a big step this weekend after a bad experience at the start of the season. We have some points and we can now make progress, as I said I'm happy in the circumstances."
Gabor Talmacsi, Humangest Honda: 11th
"I did my best but the bike was competitive for a couple of laps not for the whole race. Unfortunately we couldn't find the right balance during the weekend and the wind increased the problem. We have to adjust better the suspensions settings as I struggled too much today. Also, I wasn't fast in the straight and 11th place is the best I could do today. The important thing, anyway, is that we have conquered some more points in the World Standings."
Aleix Espargaro, Wurth Honda BQR: 17th
"Not so bad when you look at my bad practice and qualifying sessions. I had a small problem with the clutch off the start and was only 20 - 21 at the end of the first lap. I was racing with Koyama but he was a little quicker than me today. I could hold him till the last few laps when my rear tyre started sliding and I had to let him go. I didn't want a crash at the end of a bad weekend for me."
Bradley Smith, Repsol Honda: 22nd
"The start was OK. It wasn't great but it wasn't bad. I only lost a couple of places but the first corner was awful. I just got in there; I guess I was thinking too much, being really cautious. I looked at all the riders and it made me so nervous. I just need to get the blockage out of my head and be clear and go right into the corner. There were people around me that moved up to sixteenth on the first lap and I was back in thirtieth. It is possible I just need to be able to do it. The race was good, I made it up to nineteenth, the eighteenth was just in front and then I could see seventeenth and sixteenth in the distance, a few seconds ahead so I kept on pushing. Then I went wide in turn thirteen. I brought the bike back onto the track but pushed too much into the next corner. The bike got a bit squirrelly and then I had to go straight. I lost so much time and places. After that I just kept on putting my head down making sure I was putting in consistent laps to try to catch the riders in front. Now I'm just thinking what could have been but we're going to sort everything out for Turkey."
Joey Litjens, Molenaar Honda: 27th
"I got a good start and caught the group ahead of me on the grid and enjoyed the race much more than at Jerez. The beginning of the ace was good and I caught and passed a lot of riders. Then on the sixth lap I made a mistake, ran wide nearly onto the grass. I had to close the gas and lost contact with the group. The engine was good but I had a small problem on set up. But things are definitely going in a good direction for me. Now I'm really looking forward to Turkey."
Lorenzo Baroni, Humangest Honda: 30th
"I'm not really happy with today's race. We have had many problems with the front of the bike all over the weekend, we didn't solve them for the race and the wind today didn't help us at all. I started well but at the first turn I brake a bit too early and so the other riders passed me. In the final lap, I was fighting with two riders but I made a mistake with the gear and so I lost time. So, this is a race to forget, but it is good for gathering experience."
Sandro Cortese, Elit Honda: dnf - crash
"Not very good at all, I crashed with Olive. I was running my normal line in the corner when Olive came across in front of and I hit him, I had no place to go. I'm very disappointed because that's twice I have crashed so far. Pity because I got a good start and the bike was running good."
Mike Di Meglio, FFM Honda: dnf - brake problem
"What an eventful race that was and I only lasted one and a half laps! Even then it was a big fight. My start was not so bad but one rider hit me in turn one and then I couldn't keep the right line because of the wind. On the second lap the rider behind ran into me and hit my brake lever knocking it forward so I had no front brake and I had to pull in. Pity because we had found a good compromise on rear end settings and the chatter problems we had in qualifying were gone."
Fabrizio Lai, Valsir Seedorf Racing: 14th
"I tried to do my best with this bike. I started very well and I recovered many positions. During the second lap I touched Pesek and I lost the front mudguard and consequently I lost in performance. The bike wasn’t very fast in the straight, even in slipstream I couldn’t have the same pace of the other riders. In this conditions is not easy to be competitive."
Michele Conti, Seedorf Racing World: 28th
"Our Honda are not ok. In straights all the riders of my group could pass me very easily. Then I could overtook them in curves. I need to learn to ride faster, but also the bike need to grow in power."
The Repsol Montesa HRC team dominated the podium at the Grand Prix in Mortagua, Portugal, with Takahisa Fujinami taking the win and Dougie Lampkin finishing in third place. Gas Gas rider Adam Raga split the Cota 4RT duo with the reigning champion taking the runners up spot at this the second round of the new series.
Last weekend’s winner Toni Bou (Beta) could only manage fourth place on the day and was followed home by Jeroni Fajardo (Gas Gas) to complete the top five. Albert Cabestany (Sherco) added to the poor start to his campaign with a sixth place in Portugal to go with the fourth spot he achieved in Spain.
Fujinami was a surprise victor, after having returned to Barcelona during the week to have his injured clutch finger attend to. With the rest of the Repsol Montesa HRC team testing at Nigran during the early part of the week, the scene of last week’s Grand Prix, Takahisa had to sit it out and only practiced on Friday to prevent further damage to his infected finger.
The Portuguese Grand Prix was in stark contrast to the first round in Spain, with it lacking both severity and variety, a point all three podium placed riders commented on in the post trial press conference. Thirteen out of the fifteen sections were placed on the steep banking on either side of the local river, with only the first and last section breaking this rule.
Aware of the easy conditions, the leading riders looked nervous as they made their way through the first half of the opening lap. Fujinami aboard his 2006 specification factory Cota 4RT was almost faultless during this important part of the trial losing just a single dab in section two as he steadied himself at the summit of the initial rock step. Takahisa maintain his form through the back half of the course, again only blotted his score card once more in the final arena type section.
During the same period Lampkin was having a case of all or nothing with two maximum scores, one in section eight and one in section fifteen, to add to otherwise impressive run where he had only lost two further marks. Dougie’s score of twelve put him behind, Fujinami, Raga and Cabestany at the mid point.
The overcast sky that had been present for most of the day eventually gave way to rain during the second lap making conditions more difficult as the banking and slate type rock became much more slippery. Despite this Fujinami maintained his concentration losing marks in just two hazards on his final visit, this added five to his tally and this was enough for him to take the victory ahead of Raga.
Lampkin mounted a fight back, arriving at the final section on just one mark for his second lap, but again failed at the final test, this however did not prevent him taking third place on the day.
Fujinami – 1st :
“This is an incredible and quite unexpected victory both for me and the team. My main objective during the opening two rounds was to get some points, as I knew I would be riding with a badly injured finger in both competitions. Sixth last week was a good result, so I came here thinking that with the easier sections maybe I could finish on the podium. I never expected to win, so I really want to say thanks to my team and to my doctor.”
Lampkin – 3rd :
“Mistakes have cost me again today, much like last week I have had two fives on a section where there is a big step. It is quite obvious that you cannot make this kind of error without paying the price and that has been the case again today. Overall I have ridden well, but I need to get the other bit sorted out, as I must count myself lucky to have still finished on the podium today when the trial was so easy.”
Laia Sanz - Repsol Montesa HRC put her recent run of bad results behind her to post her best finish of the season to date by taking sixth position in the Junior class.
“That is much better, after Spain and yesterday’s European result I knew I had to do something different today. Whilst it is a good result, it could have been better as I was only four marks off taking fourth place
Successful Games And A Positive Outlook On Media Rights
The IOC’s trip to Seoul, Korea, this week, provided a timely opportunity for the organisation to begin proceedings for the television and new media rights negotiations in this market. With the Torino 2006 Olympic Winter Games now successfully completed, the IOC can turn its attention back to the negotiations for broadcast rights for the 2010 and 2012 Games, which have already been concluded in the USA, Canada and Europe (except Italy). Heading up the IOC delegation, which met this week with a number of potentially interested broadcasters in Korea, Richard Carrión, explained that these initial meetings have allowed the IOC to have initial discussions with the Korean media market, and talk about a package of rights, which includes new technologies, such as broadband and mobile. In the words of Carrión, one of the objectives of the Olympic Movement is to “extend the reach of the Games and to get as many people as possible to experience them” and that is what this diversification of media platforms is allowing the IOC to achieve. He also commented that he expected an increase in the amount that would be paid for the Korean market rights, which were last negotiated in 1997, this expectation follows on from increases in the European, American and Canadian markets.
Successful Games
During the morning session of the EB, the EB received a report from Gilbert Felli, the IOC’s Executive Director for the Olympic Games, who spoke about the success of the Turin Games. Felli pointed out that during Torino 2006, we had seen good sports competitions, high quality television images, a magnificent marriage between culture and sport and an impressive number of tickets sold - around 90% in Turin. Felli also spoke about the great legacy that would be left in Turin and the Piedmont region following on from the Games, and this partly due to the work of the IOC on limiting the cost and complexity of the Games with elements such as encouraging the renovation of existing venues.
Commissions And Study
The EB also heard reports from the IOC President; the IOC Director General; the summer and winter international federations; the National Olympic Committees; the finance, marketing, television rights commissions and different departments of the IOC administration. The EB also heard about the debriefing that will take place for the 2012 candidature process and the progress of the Olympic Games Study Commission recommendations, of which 100% of them are expected to be in place by London 2012. The next step in this process is to push this philosophy to organisations outside of the Olympic Movement that are involved in putting on the Olympic Games.
Klumpup 2008
In the afternoon, the EB continued to hear from the different IOC Departments and also received a report from Hein Verbruggen, Chairman of the IOC’s Coordination Commission for the Beijing Games. Verbruggen emphasised that Beijing was now moving from a planning phase to an operations phase and that the commission would follow this up in more detail during their next visit to Beijing in May. The EB also decided that the 12th World Sport for All Conference would be held in Klumpup, Malaysia, in 2008.
DOD
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Pvt. Jody W. Missildine, 19, of Plant City, Fla., died in Tal Afar, Iraq, on April 8, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV during convoy operations. Missildine was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 37th Armored Regiment, 1st Brigade, 1st Armored Division, Friedberg, Germany.
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Sgt. 1st Class Gregory S. Rogers, 42, of Cincinnati, Ohio, died in Ar Ramadi, Iraq on April 9, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV during convoy operations. Rodgers was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.
Soldiers Die in Anbar Action; Terror Suspects Detained, Killed
Three U.S. soldiers died yesterday from wounds suffered by enemy action in Iraq's Anbar province, military officials in Baghdad announced today. A soldier assigned to Regimental Combat Team 7 died yesterday from wounds suffered April 8, and two soldiers assigned to the 2/28 Brigade Combat Team were killed in action yesterday. The soldiers' names are being withheld pending notification of next of kin. In other news from Iraq, coalition forces raided adjacent suspected al Qaeda safehouses about 10 kilometers northwest of Balad today, killing one terrorist and detaining four others. Three of the detainees suffered wounds during the raids, military officials said. The coalition troops killed an armed woman terrorist inside the location and shot and wounded an armed man as he ran from the building. The other three were detained as they attempted to flee. Two of the fleeing suspects suffered minor injuries during apprehension, and both are receiving further medical treatment, officials said. Coalition forces found a suicide vest, multiple claymore mines and other explosives nearby. The terrorist who suffered the gunshot wound was taken to the Air Force Theater Hospital in Balad, and was listed in stable condition. No civilians were harmed during the raid, and all lethal material was destroyed, officials said.
The Pentagon Channel has added video podcasting
The Pentagon Channel has added video podcasting to its line of products that distribute the channel's military news and information to the nation's men and women in uniform. "We work hard to communicate with the men and women of the department around the world," Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld said. "I am pleased that we are using video casting and other increasingly important technologies to reach our global audience with all the news and information available on the Pentagon Channel." The channel's video podcasting line-up includes: - "Around the Services in Brief," the daily military news and information show; - "RECON," an in-depth look at real-world military operations, missions and events; and - "Around the Services Reloaded," a weekly round-up of news and information important to servicemembers stationed around the world. In addition to its new video podcasts, the Pentagon Channel will continue to audio podcast and stream a live webcast of the channel at pentagonchannel.mil. "Leveraging technologies like video and audio podcasting allows us to communicate relevant and timely military news and information to our men and women of the U.S. military, anywhere, anytime - it's a great capability," said Brian Natwick, general manager of the Pentagon Channel.
Video podcasting is a method of publishing video broadcasts via the Internet, allowing users to subscribe to a feed of new files. There is no cost to subscribe, and broadcasts are delivered straight to the subscriber's computer desktop. Files can be viewed either on a PC or on a mobile video device, such as a video-enabled iPod. The Pentagon Channel broadcasts military news and information for and about the 2.6 million members of the U.S. armed forces -- active duty, National Guard and Reserve. Broadcasting 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the Pentagon Channel helps ensure that U.S. forces remain the best informed in the world. Today, the Pentagon Channel is available on-base to the more than 1 million service members who live and work on the 312 military bases, camps and installations in the United States that currently receive it. Also, the channel is available to the 700,000 servicemembers and their families serving overseas in 177 countries via the American Forces Radio and Television Service. The Pentagon Channel also reaches more than 12 million households through commercial distribution on satellite and cable systems nationwide. DISH Network, Verizon FiOS and divisions of Comcast, Time Warner, Cox, Charter, Mediacom, RCN, Armstrong, Midcontinent, Knology, GCI, and a number of smaller cable companies and local access channels in communities around the country carry the Pentagon Channel. For more information on video podcasting, as well as to view the Pentagon Channel streamed live, visit www.pentagonchannel.mil.
NEWS
Healthier Cooking and Eating Becomes Easier
Said and Done With Launch of Procter & Gamble's Fibersure(TM) Innovative Fiber Supplement Makes It Easy to Add Fiber to Your Favorite Meals Without Changing Taste, Texture or Enjoyment
Recognizing the increasing interest among Americans to improve their diets in an effort to be more health-conscious, The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE: PG), the maker of Metamucil, has launched Fibersure. Fibersure is an all-natural, clear-mixing powder that can be easily incorporated into most foods and beverages to provide an immediate boost in fiber content. This latest innovation in dietary supplements addresses the widely recognized need for increased fiber in everyday diets, but also delivers what consumers have desired for ages when it comes to improving their eating habits -- a simple solution without any hassle.
Fibersure, made from Inulin, is an all-natural vegetable fiber derived from chicory root. Fibersure is tasteless, non-thickening, and quickly dissolves in water or most other liquids. A heaping teaspoon of Fibersure adds five grams of fiber per serving -- 20 percent of a person's daily requirements and more than any other leading fiber supplement currently on the market. Incorporating the product into food or beverages allows consumers to increase the fiber in their diet without altering the taste and texture of their favorite foods.
Fibersure also can be added to most recipes or methods of cooking, including baking, sauteing, stir frying, as well as in the creation of soups and salad dressings.
"In developing Fibersure, we looked closely at how consumers live their daily lives and what goes into creating and maintaining a healthy diet," said Crystal Harrell, Ph.D., Procter & Gamble Health Sciences. "It was important for us to provide a fiber supplement that met the needs health-conscious consumers are looking for in a way that could be easily incorporated into everyday cooking."
The ease-of-use of Fibersure effectively addresses how Americans approach cooking and eating in today's society. In fact, a recent survey administered by Opinion Research revealed that 94 percent of Americans believe eating healthy should be a priority and 86 percent believe there are changes they could be making to improve the health of their diets. However, the majority lack the motivation to take the steps needed. In fact, nearly two-thirds of respondents indicated "difficulty in changing old eating habits" as the main obstacle people face. The reasons preventing a change in eating habits included:
- 70 percent believed eating healthier would prevent them from eating
their favorite foods
- 59 percent felt that eating healthy takes too much time
- 51 percent were afraid that choosing healthy foods would change the
taste of what they ate
"What I think people will really appreciate about Fibersure is that it provides a simple, quick and realistic approach to improve the healthfulness of their diets, while no changes are required to the foods they cook or eat," said Jackie Newgent, registered dietitian and culinary expert. "Whether a health nut or in a diet rut, incorporating a supplement like Fibersure into cooking or baking can immediately make food -- even favorites -- better for you."
The introduction of Fibersure comes at a time when the nation is battling a "fiber deficit." Today, 95 percent of Americans are not consuming their daily fiber requirements. The National Fiber Council recommends people receive 32 grams or more of fiber per day, however, according to Columbia University, typical consumption of fiber averages 10 grams to 15 grams daily. That's less than half the recommended allowance. Fibersure provides consumers with an effective option in getting their daily-recommended fiber intake, while still being able to enjoy their favorite foods.
Fibersure will be available nationwide in April 2006 in most grocery, drug and mass merchandise stores where other supplements are found. The suggested retail price is $8.99 for a 7 oz package and $13.99 for an 11.7 oz package. Consumers also can request free samples of Fibersure or additional information by visiting www.fibersure.com.
About The Survey
On behalf of Procter & Gamble, Opinion Research conducted a national telephone omnibus survey of U.S. adults ages 18 and older to help gauge consumer perception as it relates to behavior change. Interviewing for the survey was completed during February 2006.
About Fibersure
The creators of Metamucil, the No. 1 doctor-recommended fiber supplement, will introduce Fibersure to store shelves in April 2006 as a way to provide consumers with an easy and effective option in getting their daily-recommended fiber intake. Fibersure is an all-natural, clear-mixing powder that can be incorporated into almost any food or beverage to provide additional fiber. Each heaping teaspoon of Fibersure instantly adds 5 grams of fiber to almost any food or beverage -- 20 percent of a person's daily dietary requirement. For more information and product samples, please visit www.fibersure.com.
About Metamucil
Created and marketed for the first time in 1933 by G.D. Searle & Co, Metamucil powder was purchased by Procter & Gamble in 1985. Made with 100 percent natural psyllium fiber, Metamucil is the only leading brand marketed as both a fiber laxative and a dietary fiber supplement. It is the No. 1 doctor-recommended fiber supplement and comes in a variety of forms (powder, wafers and capsules) to fit any lifestyle when you are looking to increase your fiber intake. For more information, visit www.metamucil.com or call Metamucil at 1-800-983-4237.
About Procter & Gamble
Three billion times a day, P&G (NYSE: PG) brands touch the lives of people around the world. The company has one of the largest and strongest portfolios of trusted, quality brands, including Pampers(R), Tide(R), Ariel(R), Always(R), Whisper(R), Pantene(R), Mach3, Bounty(R), Dawn, Pringles(R), Folgers(R), Charmin(R), Downy(R), Lenor(R), Iams(R), Crest(R), Oral-B(R), Actonel(R), Duracell(R), Olay(R), Head and 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 www.pg.com for the latest news and in-depth information about P&G and its brands.
SOURCE Procter & Gamble
April 09, 2006
The World Pizza Champions Announced
Written by Joyce L Chow & William Hoehne April 10 2006
MBN
www.montebubbles.com for more MBN news
BROADCAST NEWS COMING SOON VIA PODCAST
MONTEBUBBLISM: Lately you have seen the American way at work. Illegal aliens threatening everyone with voting people out of office unless they were allowed to become citizens whom could legally vote
ENTERTAINMENT, ART, FASHION, TECHNOLOGY
The World Pizza Champions Announced
Desperate Housewives' Goes To Lifetime Television
Mount Everest coming to Disney World
MTV NETWORKS HIGHLIGHTS SUCCESS OF SHORT-FORM MUSIC
The Clip Joint
PMA Cameraphone Shoot-Out winners announced at CTIA Wireless 2006
CBS RADIO's WFAN-AM to Launch Live Online Streaming Beginning Tuesday, April 11
Every Concert on Jimmy Buffett's Upcoming Tour Will be Broadcast Live on SIRIUS Satellite Radio
Shamu to Join Johnson at Daytona in July
NASA Announces Media Opening of Smithsonian Earth Science Exhibits
T Bone Burnett Announces Dates for First Concert Tour in 20 Years
'TOO HOT NOT TO HANDLE' on Tuesday, April 11
A Million New High Speed Internet Users Added Last Year
NBC MAY RAISE ITS PRICE
Capable is not the same as can
Oh, if only it was 2005
Measurement
Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund Award Recipient Isabella Rossellini Donates of
ofWalt Disney Records Unleashes a Fierce New Release -- ``The Wild Soundtrack''
INFOSPACE UNVEILS NEW ENHANCED MOBILE SEARCH PRODUCT AT CTIA
Sports and Auto
Oakland & Dodger baseball
Shamu to Join Johnson at Daytona in July
Autoliv Inc. received three additional awards from the largest Japanese vehicle producer.
CelebrityPokerPlayer.net Offering Two Seats
CNET Networks Games & Entertainment Announces Winners
SportsNet New York Launched on DISH Network
DOD
Today the third anniversary of Iraqi Freedom Day
America Supports You: KiXX Soccer Team Ensures Iraqi Children Have a Ball
Group Raise $4,400 for Hospitals Treating Wounded Troops
NEWS
Reinvigorate Your Life and Bounce Into Spring
________________________________________
ENTERTAINMENT, ART, FASHION, TECHNOLOGY
The World Pizza Champions Announce:
6 Medals Won at the World Pizza Championship
Salsomaggiore, Italy April 3-6, 2006
The World Pizza Champions brought home a total of six medals from the World Pizza Championship in Salsomaggiore, Italy.
Never before has any team captured so many medals in one year. The World Pizza Champions brought home an award in every category, including the Gold Medal in the Team Acrobatic.
GOLD: Team Acrobatic - Tony Gemignani, Michael Shepherd, Siler Chapman, Joe Carlucci, Giorgio Giove, Justin Wadstein, Sean Brauser & LeeAnna Shepherd
Team Acrobatic - Tony Gemignani, Michael Shepherd, Siler Chapman, Joe Carlucci, Giorgio Giove, Justin Wadstein, Sean Brauser & LeeAnna ShepherdSILVER: Individual Acrobatic - Giorgio Giove
Individual Acrobatic - Giorgio GioveBRONZE: Individual Acrobatic - Siler Chapman
Individual Acrobatic - Siler ChapmanBRONZE: Largest Stretch - Michael Shepherd
Largest Stretch - Michael ShepherdBRONZE: Fastest Dough - Bruno DiFabio
Fastest Dough - Bruno DiFabioBEST PIZZA FROM THE USA: John D'Ambriosio
John D'AmbriosioTeam Acrobatic Victory
"You guys really lived up to your name" were the words spoken by a spectator of the team acrobatic competition.
The World Pizza Champions won the Gold with a Star Wars themed acrobatic skit - pitting Jedi against Sith, complete with Darth Vader and a StormTrooper.
The World Pizza Champions beat out eight other teams from Italy, Germany, Japan and another team from the USA.
Last year the team placed 2nd with the Matrix inspired routine.
For Full Details About the Team Click Here....
A Victory Built on Teamwork
Tony Gemignani, Michael Shepherd, Joe Carlucci, Siler Chapman, Sean Brauser, Ken Bryant, Kevin Osborn, Giorgio Giove, Justin Wadstein, LeeAnna Shepherd, Bruno DiFabio, John Gristina, Paul Cataldo, Anthony and Joe Cuccinella, John D'Ambrosio, and Andy Costa all pulled together as a real team to create this year's success.
About the World Pizza Champions
Professionals of the Pizza Industry
The World Pizza Champions are made up of members Michael Shepherd of Michael Angelo's Pizza in Kenton & Rushsylvania, Ohio; Tony Gemignani & Ken Bryant of Pyzano’s Pizzeria in Castro Valley, CA; Joe Carlucci of Famous Joe's in Danbury,CT; Siler Chapman of Pizza Works in Fort Mills, SC and Sean Brauser of Romeo's Pizza in Medina, OH.
Each member has earned the highest awards in several different categories in the pizza industry. They are considered by many pizza operators worldwide as professionals and pioneers.
Team members have appeared on the Today Show, Tony Danza Show, The Tonight Show, The Ellen Show, ESPN, the Food Network, Good Morning America, BBC Radio, and numerous industry magazine covers.
They have come together to form an affiliation to promote their restaurants and their skills. Individually each of them have performed on shows across the nation, but now they plan to tour the world as a team. The World Pizza Champions perform and/or compete at numerous festivals, fairs, sporting events, and food shows all year long.
America's #1 Pizza Team, The World Pizza Champions, will be in a town or on a TV near you.
Website: http://www.worldpizzachampions.com
Desperate Housewives' Goes To Lifetime Television
Lifetime Television Acquires Exclusive Basic Cable Rights From Buena Vista Television For Emmy Award-Winning ABC Series 'Desperate Housewives' Beginning In 2008
Lifetime Television Acquires Exclusive Basic Cable Rights From Buena Vista Television For Emmy Award-Winning ABC Series 'Desperate Housewives' Beginning In 2008Lifetime Also Acquires First Season Repurposing Rights Beginning in August '06 The Women of Wisteria Lane have just found a second home! Lifetime Television announced today that it has acquired the exclusive basic cable rights from Buena Vista Television, along with the repurposing rights, for the smash-hit, Emmy Award-winning series "Desperate Housewives." Along with the repurposing rights starting September 2008, Lifetime will begin airing the first season of "Desperate Housewives" on a weekly basis this August.
Now in its second season, "Desperate Housewives," which stars Marcia Cross, Teri Hatcher, Felicity Huffman, Eva Longoria and Nicollette Sheridan in a comedic look at suburbia -- where the secret lives of housewives aren't always what they seem -- averages 22.5 million total viewers and 8.3 million W18-49 during its 9PM (ET/PT) run on ABC and is the number one scripted series among W18-49 in the current 2005-06 broadcast season.
In making the announcement, Leslie Glenn-Chesloff, Senior Vice President, Planning, Scheduling & Acquisitions, Lifetime Entertainment Services, said, "This brilliant water-cooler series makes us laugh and makes us cry with its insightful windows into the lives, emotions, dreams and disappointments of diverse women. As a pop-culture icon with powerful appeal to women viewers, 'Desperate Housewives' is a perfect addition to our schedule."
"We view Lifetime, the leader in women's television, as the ideal partner for 'Desperate Housewives,'" added Jed Cohen, Executive Vice President, General Sales Manager at Buena Vista Television. "'Desperate Housewives' has had a tremendous impact on the primetime landscape and we believe that Lifetime Television is the perfect environment to extend the success of this distinguished and popular series."
Marc Cherry ("The Golden Girls") is executive producer and creator. Tom Spezialy ("The District," "Ed") is executive producer of "Desperate Housewives," which is from Touchstone Television.
Buena Vista Television (BVT) is the domestic television distribution arm of The Walt Disney Company. BVT is a leader in the pay TV, video-on-demand and pay-per-view arenas, and a pioneer in new media, capitalizing on licensing opportunities within broadband, wireless and digital technologies. The syndication veteran also boasts a powerful cache of highly-anticipated off- network hits, first-run programming and top movie packages. Buena Vista Television is a wholly owned subsidiary of Disney Enterprises, Inc.
LIFETIME is the leader in women's television and one of the top-rated basic cable television networks. A diverse, multi-media company, LIFETIME is committed to offering the highest quality entertainment and information programming, and advocating a wide range of issues affecting women and their families. LIFETIME Television, Lifetime Movie Network, Lifetime Real Women, Lifetime Home Entertainment and Lifetime Online are part of LIFETIME Entertainment Services, a 50/50 joint venture of The Hearst Corporation and The Walt Disney Company.
Source: Lifetime Television
Web site: http://www.lifetimetv.com/
Mount Everest coming to Disney World
Ancient legend holds that high in the Himalayan Mountains lives an enormous creature that fiercely guards the route to Mount Everest.
In Florida, the legend of the ferocious yeti dramatically roared to life today at Walt Disney World Resort with the official opening of Expedition Everest, a runaway train adventure that combines coaster-like thrills with the excitement of a close encounter of the hairy kind.
"Expedition Everest is a shining example of what we do best at Disney - create unique, high-quality and innovative experiences to delight our guests from around the world," said Bob Iger, president and CEO of The Walt Disney Company, who presided at the opening. "Though our mountain may be slightly smaller in scale to the one you find in Asia, it is remarkable in its authenticity.
Expedition Everest's trains depart from the mythical village of Serka Zong - like the mountain a marvel of authentic detail. The village consists of several buildings, including a hotel, Internet cafe and trekking supply store, all reflective of today's Nepalese architecture. A canopy of prayer flags, an ornamental monastery, intricately carved totems, and a garden of stone carvings of the yeti clutching the mountain immerse guests in a far-off realm.
The yeti's role as protector of the sacred mountain is reinforced in this detail-rich environment as a result of extensive research that included an expedition to the region.
"This extraordinary expedition is another example of the lengths to which Walt Disney Imagineering will go to research subject matter in developing our story lines," said Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Jay Rasulo. "Our passion for bringing great stories to life has taken Walt Disney Parks and Resorts to amazing places over the past 50 years. Over the next 50 years, we will continue to scale new heights in our ongoing quest to create great experiences for our guests."
Towering nearly 200 feet high and occupying a 6.2-acre site, Expedition Everest is located in the Asia section of Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park. It is one of 18 mountain attractions created by Walt Disney Imagineering at Disney theme parks worldwide.
The creation of Expedition Everest is among the topics explored through Discovery Networks original programming that takes viewers behind the scenes and above the clouds to explore the majesty and mystery of Mount Everest and the exhaustive Disney Imagineering efforts to achieve authenticity. Later this year, more new theme park fun is in store for Walt Disney World guests:
"Finding Nemo-The Musical," debuting late 2006 at Disney's Animal Kingdom, will bring the undersea world that charmed audiences in the Disney presentation of the Pixar Animation Studios film "Finding Nemo" to life in an all-new stage spectacular featuring original songs by Tony Award-winning "Avenue Q" composer Robert Lopez and a cappella musical "Along the Way" composer Kristen Anderson-Lopez; and
The Seas with Nemo & Friends, opening fall 2006 at Epcot, will be a whimsical and visually stunning attraction in The Living Seas pavilion featuring technology that for all appearances has the stars of "Finding Nemo" swimming amid the live marine life of the huge aquarium in an adventure that picks up where the motion picture left off.
Officials also announced that Disney's Magical Express, which offers airport shuttle and luggage delivery between Orlando International Airport and select Walt Disney World Resort hotels, will continue beyond 2006 and remain complimentary. To take advantage of the popular service, guests affix special tags to their luggage before leaving home, then skip a trip to baggage claim and board modern motor coaches for the Vacation Kingdom, and have their luggage delivered directly to their guest rooms.
Magical Express, which offers airport shuttle and luggage delivery between Orlando International Airport and select Walt Disney World Resort hotels, will continue beyond 2006 and remain complimentary. To take advantage of the popular service, guests affix special tags to their luggage before leaving home, then skip a trip to baggage claim and board modern motor coaches for the Vacation Kingdom, and have their luggage delivered directly to their guest rooms.
Source: Walt Disney World
Apr 06, 2006 11:01
BlogStar Launches Celebrity-Driven Mobile Entertainment Service First on Sprint
LOS ANGELES & LAS VEGAS --(Business Wire)-- April 6, 2006 BlogStar:
-- Bam Margera, Jessica Simpson, Ashlee Simpson, The Game, Nicky Hilton, Nick Lachey, Kelly Slater, David Arquette, Wesley Snipes, Alicia Silverstone, Caprice, Juliette Lewis, West Coast Customs, among others..
BlogStar, LLC today announced the launch of BlogStar's groundbreaking mobile blogging entertainment service that features daily mobile entertainment content co-produced directly with celebrity and artist partners. BlogStar is now accessible to Sprint subscribers directly through select Sprint phones.
"We are thrilled to announce that Sprint will be the first to offer our service that we are launching with some of the most innovative artists who want to produce mobile content with us," said Keith Yokomoto, CEO of BlogStar, LLC. "As we create new and innovative experiences for national and international distribution, we want to provide celebrities with a direct connection to their global fan communities, as well as the ability to distribute content to a fan's wireless phone on a real-time daily basis."
"Sprint is committed to bringing the most exciting content directly to our customers' wireless phones so they can do whatever they want, whenever they want, no matter where they are," said John Styers, director of data communications for Sprint. "Sprint is pleased to be the first to offer BlogStar Mobile, which will allow customers to keep up with their favorite celebrities day-to-day."
The BlogStar Mobile service can also be accessed by consumers at http://www.blogstar.com or by text messaging the word "BlogStar" to 25647 ("blogs").
BlogStar has agreements with a roster of high-profile celebrities, including Bam Margera, Jessica Simpson, Ashlee Simpson, The Game, Nicky Hilton, Nick Lachey, Kelly Slater, David Arquette, Wesley Snipes, Alicia Silverstone, Caprice, Juliette Lewis, West Coast Customs, among others.
"I am tremendously pleased with the depth and breadth of our artist roster," said Ted Field, Co-Chairman of BlogStar. "In addition to being extremely creative, all of the artists that we are working with are very talented entrepreneurs who want to build their mobile business and produce original content specifically designed for the mobile environment."
Joe Simpson -- manager to Jessica and Ashlee Simpson, Ryan Cabrera, and Papa Joe Records -- said, "BlogStar is going to be the breakthrough for my company. We can put our fans directly in touch with Jessica, Ashlee or Ryan Cabrera or any one of the new artists coming our way. We believe we will be able to do what no one has done before, and we are excited about that."
After this strategic launch at the CTIA show in Las Vegas, BlogStar expects rapid acceleration and growth, aiming toward forming international strategic alliances and expanding its global reach throughout 2006.
"The mobile entertainment market is a growing worldwide phenomenon," said BlogStar Co-Chairman Craig Ehrlich. "I have the opportunity to work with the leading mobile operators and they are all looking for rich media content and data services to put through their distribution and billing networks. We want to work closely with the operators to ensure the best customer experience."
"BlogStar's mobile blogging application leverages handset and multimedia capabilities, combines them with digital media management tools, and anchors them with a core application for interfacing with mobile operators," said BlogStar Chief Technology & Strategy Officer Myla Villanueva.
"It's an exciting time," said Kelly Slater, who recently won his 7th professional surfing world title. "I am excited to be working with BlogStar and be able to take all of my media and instantly zoom it out to any of my fans around the world in order to communicate directly."
About BlogStar, LLC
BlogStar produces celebrity-driven mobile entertainment allowing high-profile celebrities to create and distribute an array of mobile entertainment, including text, picture, audio, video and community features, direct to a global fan-base.
BlogStar
Jen Garber, 323-660-0592
MTV NETWORKS HIGHLIGHTS SUCCESS OF SHORT-FORM MUSIC VIDEOS, USER-GENERATED CONTENT, COMEDY AND "SHARTS" ON WIRELESS PLATFORM
LL Cool J Makes Surprise Appearance, Joins MTV Networks Music Group President Van Toffler at CTIA Wireless 2006 Keynote
For Month of March, MTV Networks Serves Up 2.5 Million
Wireless Video Streams, an All-time High
In his keynote address at CTIA Wireless 2006, MTV Networks Music Group President Van Toffler highlighted the appeal of short-form video from the MTV, VH1, CMT, COMEDY CENTRAL, Logo and Spike TV brands on the wireless platform, which he called a "rich, creative medium" for new and emerging talent to connect with and cultivate new audiences. To underscore that point, Toffler welcomed surprise guest, Def Jam recording artist LL Cool J, to the stage. LL offered an advance look at an upcoming episode of MTV's "Life & Rhymes," which chronicles his life as an artist and is set to debut April 10 on MTV, MTV's broadband channel "Overdrive," and on MTV Mobile.
Audiences have increasingly embraced MTV Networks' diverse array of mobile programming. For the month of March, MTV Networks streamed nearly 2.5 million videos cross-carrier, an all-time high, Toffler reported, adding that the number is growing by nearly 40 percent month-to-month for the first three months of 2006.
"Our audience is responding in droves to our mobile programming," Toffler said. "They have a personal relationship with our brands and they increasingly want to consume our content on the handset, the new `holy grail' of electronic devices."
LL Cool J echoed that sentiment, adding: "The mobile phone helps me establish closer ties with my fans, connect with new ones and hopefully inspire everyone I touch through my music. The cell phone – which has become the accessory for today's young adults – is one way that helps me reach them."
Among the varied types of mobile programming driving audience consumption are music videos, comedy segments, user-generated content, scenes from television shows, "after shows" developed exclusively for mobile, never-before-seen outtakes, and short art breaks, also known as "sharts," featuring animated and live-action segments. In many respects, the burgeoning mobile platform is a return to MTV Networks' early roots, when MTV gained significant notoriety for the five- and 15-second art breaks created by brilliant, young talent and which lived between the music videos.
For the MTVN Music Group, which encompasses the CMT, MTV and VH1 brands, three types of programming – extensions of on-air franchises; made-for-mobile episodes; and music – are all performing well on the mobile platform.
- Extensions of On-air Franchises
o VH1's "Flavor of Love," the most successful show in that channel's history, was also the most popular VH1 Mobile content in February and March.
o "Web Junk 20," also on VH1 and VH1 Mobile, ushered in the user-generated era to TV and simultaneously to mobile phones.
o CMT recently debuted 100 clips for the hit series "Cowboy U," the original reality series now in its sixth season.
- Made-for-Mobile Programming
o MTV will showcase a 20-year-old college student's visual interpretation using stick figures based on the lyrics of Fall Out Boy's "Sugar We're Going Down," representing original user-generated content.
o VH1 is debuting "Dingo Ate My Video," a made-for-mobile series that combines VH1's comedic voice with music videos from a wide range of artists, including Green Day, Missy Elliot, Jewel and others.
o And CMT soon will debut a made-for-mobile reality series called "Road Hammers" about a southern rock/blues band trying to make it in the music business.
- Music
o Labels and artists like LL Cool J increasingly are embracing the mobile platform to connect with fans and institute new marketing paradigms.
o The Arctic Monkey's new video, "I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor," made its debut on: mtvU, MTV's network for college students; mtvU's Uber broadband network; mtvU.com and mtvU wireless.
o The approach mirrored a similar one taken by VH1 last fall, which debuted "Te Amo Corazon," the new Prince single, on VH1, VH1's VSPOT broadband channel, and VH1 Mobile. The Prince debut marked the world's first-ever multimedia, multiplatform worldwide exclusive premiere.
o Prior to releasing her latest single and album, Madonna distributed an exclusive ringtone for "Hung Up," on MTV Mobile and VH1 Mobile.
o CMT Mobile has premiered nearly a dozen full-length music videos through its "UNCORKED" franchise from such artists as Dolly Parton, Billy Joe Shaver and Neil Young.
Among the other news MTV Networks is announcing this week:
- Spike TV is delivering the Ultimate Fighting Championship's® "Ultimate Fight Night™ Live" to Amp'd Mobile subscribers tonight. This represents the first time the live sporting event is being simulcast to both mobile devices and to television subscribers.
- COMEDY CENTRAL and VH1 on Tuesday announced plans for the launch of COMEDY CENTRAL's "Take Out" and VH1 Mobile's "Pocket VH1," preeminent applications that enable mobile users to access the networks' content from a centrally located hub on their wireless devices. Beginning in May, COMEDY CENTRAL's "Take Out" and VH1 Mobile's "Pocket VH1" applications will be available cross-carrier. Sprint will be the first carrier to launch both applications and will offer them exclusively for four weeks on select Sprint phones.
The Clip Joint
- COMEDY CENTRAL on Monday introduced "The Clip Joint," a made-for-mobile program featuring some of New York's top stand-up comics – including Aziz Ansari and Jessi Klein among others – doing their best alternative material in front of a live audience.
- Logo, MTV Networks' channel for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender viewers, on Monday announced the world's first LGBT portable entertainment service with "LOGOmotion" on Amp'd Mobile. Viewers can now watch such hits as `Noah's Arc' on their handsets.
MTV Networks' success in programming for the wireless platform is a result of the company's strategic commitment to developing content for all screens. "The wireless platform is as important to us as television and computer screens," Toffler said. "As soon as we start developing a new concept, we think beyond the television. We think of how that idea can live on broadband and mobile."
MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), is one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. MTV Networks, with more than 100 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.
PMA Cameraphone Shoot-Out winners announced at CTIA Wireless 2006
Three cameraphones were named winners in the first annual PMA Cameraphone Shoot-Out at CTIA Wireless 2006 in Las Vegas, Nev. Fourteen cameraphones from six manufacturers were entered in the PMA Cameraphone Shoot-Out at CTIA Wireless, which took place Wednesday, April 5.
Professional photographer Jeff Strout lit the set and shot all the photos with participating cameraphone manufacturers in a live-model studio located on the CTIA Trade Show floor. Images from the cameraphones were printed on the Kodak G4 Digital Station photo kiosk, supplied by Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, N.Y. Professional lighting and backdrop equipment used at the PMA Cameraphone Shoot-Out was supplied by Booth Photographic Ltd., and a special cameraphone tripod attachment called Sunpak VersiPod was provided by ToCad America Inc., distributor of Sunpak products.
A panel of expert judges voted on the entries, based on the overall quality of the digital print and the accuracy of color as compared to the shirt the model wore in the photo shoot. The panel of judges included Diane Berkenfeld, editor, PTN magazine; Tony Henning, editor, the Mobile Imaging Report; Gary Pageau, publisher, Photo Marketing magazine; and Karen Thomas, contributing writer, Photo Industry Reporter.
Following are the winners in each category of the first annual PMA Cameraphone Shoot-Out at CTIA Wireless 2006:
Category: VGA
Tie between:
LG Electronics
CE500
&
UTStarcom, Inc.
CDM8945
Category: 1 Megapixel to 1.9 Megapixels
LG Electronics
VX9800 (The V)
Category: 2 Megapixels to 2.9 Megapixels
Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications
W810 Walkman® phone
PMA Is ...
For 81 years, PMA® has served as an international trade association for the changing needs of the expanding photo imaging industry with more than 20,000 members in 100-plus countries, headquartered in Jackson, Mich. In addition to the United States, there are membership offices in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Italy, Latin America, New Zealand, Russia and the United Kingdom.
PMA membership is open to any firm doing a substantial portion of its business in photo imaging retailing, scrapbook and custom framing retailing, processing (digital and silver halide) or service work. Cooperating memberships are held by firms that manufacture or distribute products or services for the imaging industry.
PMA provides more than 100 services to its members, and holds the world's largest annual international photo imaging trade show, typically drawing well over 600 exhibitors and 20,000-plus attendees.
About CTIA WIRELESS 2006®
As the premiere global event representing the complete wireless, mobile computing and wireless Internet industry and the largest wireless show in the world, CTIA WIRELESS 2006 brings together all industries within the communications ecosystem and all those affected by wireless technology for three days of intense learning and networking. Visit http://www.ctiawireless.com
CBS RADIO's WFAN-AM to Launch Live Online Streaming Beginning Tuesday, April 11
CBS RADIO Reaches Two Million Registered Users for Its More Than 75 Internet Radio Stations CBS RADIO's WFAN-AM in New York, the nation's most listened to Sports radio station, will begin live streaming of its programming on-line on Tuesday, April 11. Top-rated shows from the station's well-known personalities, including Imus, Mike and the Mad Dog, Joe Benigno and Steve Somers, among others, will be made available to listeners across the country at http://www.wfan.com/. WFAN favorites Mike and the Mad Dog will host a special "for streaming only" inaugural broadcast beginning at 3:00 P.M., ET on April 11, which will only be accessible to online listeners.
"It was almost 20 years ago that WFAN made history when it pioneered the all-sports format," said Mark Chernoff, Operations Manager for the station. "Since then, we've proudly built a reputation as a leader in the radio industry and are among the best in the sports business. Evolving WFAN as a place to be enjoyed whether at home, in the car, at the office or wherever your travels may take you is of paramount importance to our continued success. This announcement takes the station to a whole new level of interactivity with our listeners."
In March 2005, CBS RADIO began an initiative to launch on-line broadcasts of several of its news, talk, sports and music radio stations, and now offers a live stream of more than 75 broadcast stations and customized on-line channels, including WCBS-AM in New York, KROQ-FM in Los Angeles, WUSN-FM in Chicago, WPGC-FM in Washington, D.C., KROCK2, 94WYSP, and WJMK-FM. In the year that followed, more than 2 million users registered to listen live to CBS RADIO's on-line properties creating a host of new revenue opportunities for the company and increased time spent listening to our portfolio of stations.
"Time and again studies have touted the enormous potential for growth in the on-line space," said David Goodman, President of Marketing, CBS RADIO. "We couldn't agree more with that assumption having witnessed first hand our success in broadening the distribution of our content to the Internet. The constant pursuit of new media opportunities and the extension of our brands presents CBS RADIO with a number of opportunities to court new listeners, and national and local advertisers."
With this move, WFAN becomes CBS RADIO's sixth sports radio station to launch on-line. WSCR-AM in Chicago, WIP-AM in Philadelphia, KILT-AM in Houston, WXYT-AM in Detroit and WFNZ-AM in Charlotte began audio streaming in June of last year.
About CBS RADIO
CBS RADIO is one of the largest major-market operators in the United States with stations covering news, alternative rock, country, FM talk, classic rock, oldies, JACK and urban formats, among others. A division of CBS Corporation, CBS RADIO operates 179 radio stations, the majority of which are in the nation's top 50 markets. CBS RADIO also has made aggressive moves to converge new and traditional media through creative programming and advanced delivery methods, including online streaming, HD Radio and podcasting. In May 2005, CBS RADIO launched the world's first podcast programmed radio station, KYOURADIO. For more information about CBS RADIO, please visit http://www.cbsradio.com/.
Source: CBS RADIO
Web site: http://www.cbsradio.com/
http://www.wfan.com/
Every Concert on Jimmy Buffett's Upcoming Tour Will be Broadcast Live on SIRIUS Satellite Radio
Pre-show Backstage Broadcasts to Feature Buffett & Band Interviews
Schedule Includes May 6 Show at New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
Jimmy Buffett fans can enjoy every concert on his upcoming "Party at the End of the World" tour starting on April 18, as SIRIUS Satellite Radio will broadcast each show live on its Radio Margaritaville channel (channel 31).
Every commercial-free concert broadcast on SIRIUS will include a special 30-minute pre-show broadcast from backstage, featuring pre-show music and interviews with Buffett or members of his Coral Reefer Band.
"Since all our shows will be broadcast LIVE on Radio Margaritaville, Parrotheads can join us in their cars, boats, at home or practically anywhere in the world," said Buffett. "'Fins Up' on SIRIUS!"
The tour's itinerary of 19 scheduled amphitheatre shows taking place between April 18 and August 12 includes a performance from the esteemed New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival on Saturday, May 6 (see attached list of tour dates).
In addition to live Jimmy Buffett concert broadcasts, the Radio Margaritaville channel features a wide variety of music and other unique programs, such as The Savannah Daydreamin' Radio Hour, hosted by Jimmy Buffett's daughter, Savannah.
For more information, visit http://www.sirius.com/ .
Party at the End of the World Tour Dates and SIRIUS Satellite Radio Broadcast Times:
Tuesday, April 18 Phoenix, AZ 10:30 pm ET
Thursday, April 20 Irvine, CA 10:30 pm ET
Saturday, April 22 Irvine, CA 10:30 pm ET
Tuesday, April 25 Mountain View, CA 10:30 pm ET
Friday, April 28 Dallas, TX 9:00 pm ET
Saturday, May 6 New Orleans, LA (TIME TBA)
Friday, June 2 Atlanta, GA 7:30 pm ET
Sunday, June 4 Charlotte, NC 7:30 pm ET
Tuesday, June 6 Burgettstown, PA 7:30 pm ET
Thursday, June 8 Cincinnati, OH 7:30 pm ET
Saturday, June 10 East Troy, WI 8:30 pm ET
Thursday, June 29 Uncasville, CT 7:30 pm ET
Saturday, July 1 Wantagh, NY 7:30 pm ET
Tuesday, August 1 Camden, NJ 7:30 pm ET
Thursday, August 3 Bristow, VA 7:30 pm ET
Saturday, August 5 Chicago, IL 8:30 pm ET
Tuesday, August 8 Noblesville, IN 8:30 pm ET
Thursday, August 10 Mansfield, MA 7:30 pm ET
Saturday, August 12 Mansfield, MA 7:30 pm ET
About SIRIUS
SIRIUS delivers more than 125 channels of the best programming in all of radio. SIRIUS is the original and only home of 100% commercial free music channels in satellite radio, offering 67 music channels available nationwide. SIRIUS also delivers 61 channels of sports, news, talk, entertainment, traffic, weather and data. SIRIUS is the Official Satellite Radio Partner of the NFL, NBA and NHL and broadcasts live play-by-play games of the NFL, NBA and NHL. All SIRIUS programming is available for a monthly subscription fee of only $12.95.
SIRIUS products for the car, truck, home, RV and boat are available in more than 25,000 retail locations, including Best Buy, Circuit City, Crutchfield, Costco, Target, Wal-Mart, Sam's Club, RadioShack and at shop.sirius.com.
SIRIUS radios are offered in vehicles from Audi, BMW, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, Infiniti, Jaguar, Jeep(R), Land Rover, Lexus, Lincoln-Mercury, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, MINI, Nissan, Scion, Toyota, Porsche, Volkswagen and Volvo. Hertz also offers SIRIUS in its rental cars at major locations around the country.
Click on http://www.sirius.com/ to listen to SIRIUS live, or to purchase a SIRIUS radio and subscription.
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NASA Announces Media Opening of Smithsonian Earth Science Exhibits
NASA invites the media to a preview of two major new exhibits on the Earth's changing climate Tuesday, April 11 at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. Reporters should arrive at the museum's National Mall entrance by 10:00 a.m. EDT. They will be escorted to the preview. The exhibits, which open to the public April 15, feature scientific data from NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
WHAT: A media-only advance viewing of two new exhibits, "Atmosphere:
Change in the Air" and "Arctic: A Friend Acting Strangely"
WHERE: Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Washington
10th and Constitution Ave., NW
WHEN: Tuesday, April 11, 2006, 10:00 a.m. to noon EDT
WHO: Phil DeCola, NASA program scientist
Ernie Hilsenrath, NASA program scientist
Kathy Crane, NOAA oceanographer
In addition to viewing the exhibits, reporters will be able to talk with program scientists from NASA and NOAA. For more information about the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, visit:
For more information about NASA and agency programs, visit:
Web site: http://www.nasa.gov/
T Bone Burnett Announces Dates for First Concert Tour in 20 Years
15-City Run Set in Conjunction With Two Major Album Releases
Bone Burnett will embark on his first concert tour in nearly 20 years beginning May 23 at The Vic Theatre in Chicago (see itinerary following).
The True False Identity Tour will hit theaters and outdoor venues in 15 U.S. cities in conjunction with the simultaneous release, on May 16, of the acclaimed songwriter and musician's two new albums: The True False Identity, T Bone's first studio album in 14 years, and Twenty Twenty -- The Essential T Bone Burnett, the artist's 40-song first-ever career-spanning retrospective.
T Bone's band on this major headlining tour will consist of many of the musicians he worked with on The True False Identity and numerous musical projects over the years: Jim Keltner on drums, Marc Ribot on guitar, Dennis Crouch on bass and Keefus Ciancia on keyboards.
Jakob Dylan, who shares a long-standing friendship and musical history with T Bone, will appear as a very special guest on the tour. The two last collaborated in the mid-nineties, when Jakob's band, The Wallflowers, worked with producer Burnett on the group's multi-platinum Bringing Down The Horse album. Jakob will perform on all but one of the concerts on the tour. On June 15, in San Francisco, T Bone will be joined by Peter Hayes & Robert Levon Been of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club.
T Bone's long hiatus from recording and performing opened the door for one of music's most multi-faceted and successful careers. His multitude of musical identities have included: Grammy-winning producer (the "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" soundtrack, the Tony Bennett and k.d. lang album, "A Wonderful World"); Oscar-nominated songwriter ("The Scarlet Tide" from Cold Mountain); indie record label founder (DMZ Records); soundtrack composer/Executive Music Producer (Walk The Line, The Big Lebowski) and versatile studio wizard (Tony Bennett, Elvis Costello, Counting Crows, Alison Krauss, k.d. lang, Roy Orbison, Sam Phillips, Ralph Stanley, The Wallflowers, Gillian Welch and Cassandra Wilson).
The True False Identity Tour itinerary:
May 23 Chicago Vic Theatre (with Jakob Dylan)
May 24 Nashville Ryman Auditorium (with Jakob Dylan)
May 30 Washington, D.C. 9:30 Club (with Jakob Dylan)
May 31 Philadelphia Theatre of the Living Arts (with Jakob Dylan)
June 1 New York Town Hall Theatre (with Jakob Dylan)
June 2 Boston Somerville Theatre (with Jakob Dylan)
June 9 Saratoga, CA The Mountain Winery (with Jakob Dylan)
June 10 Eugene, OR Secret House Vineyards (with Jakob Dylan)
June 11 Seattle Moore Theatre (with Jakob Dylan)
June 12 Portland Aladdin Theatre (with Jakob Dylan)
June 14 San Francisco Great American Music Hall (with Jakob Dylan)
June 15 San Francisco Great American Music Hall
(with Peter Hayes & Robert Levon Been)
June 16 Petaluma, CA Mystic Theatre (with Jakob Dylan)
June 17 Santa Barbara, CA Lobero Theatre (with Jakob Dylan)
June 19 San Diego 4th & B Theater (with Jakob Dylan)
June 20 Los Angeles Wilshire Ebell Theatre (with Jakob Dylan)
Source: Columbia Records
CONTACT: Renee Pfefer, On Tour PR, +1-914-273-0007,
HBO Hosts Special Premiere Screening of the HBO Documentary About Global Warming 'TOO HOT NOT TO HANDLE' on Tuesday, April 11
WHAT: HBO will host a special premiere screening of the HBO documentary
"TOO HOT NOT TO HANDLE" in Cambridge, MA. The one-hour documentary
illustrates the effects of global warming in the United States and
some of the solutions that are already taking place across the
country. The film features contributions from leading scientists in
the field including local professors: Kerry Emanuel, Professor,
Earth, Atmospheric & Planetary Science, MIT; Paul R. Epstein,
Associate Director, Center for Health and the Global Environment,
Harvard Medical School; and Daniel Schrag, Professor, Earth and
Planetary Sciences and Director of the Center for the Environment
at Harvard University. TOO HOT NOT TO HANDLE debuts on Earth Day,
SATURDAY, APRIL 22 (7:00-8:00 p.m. ET/PT), exclusively on HBO.
WHO: Special Guests Professor Paul R. Epstein, Professor Daniel Schrag,
and Kevin Knobloch, President, Union of Concerned will attend the
premiere and discuss the global warming crisis and its effects on
the United States. Guests at the screening will include
environmental activists, community leaders, and students.
WHEN: Tuesday, April 11, 2006
WHERE: 5:00pm - 6:30pm Reception (by invitation)
Upstairs on the Square - Monday Club Bar
91 Winthrop Street, Cambridge, MA
7:00pm Screening
Harvard Square Loews Theater
10 Church Street
WHY: Global warming is the most urgent threat facing humanity today,
leading to problems such as melting glaciers, rising sea levels,
catastrophic storms, migrating viruses, and population
displacement. Over the past 100 years, the mass consumption of
fossil fuels has contributed to a dangerous warming of the earth
that has and will continue to adversely impact the way we live.
It's more than an environmental issue; it's about our national
security, it's about our public health. It's an urgent matter of
survival for everyone on the planet.
Web site: http://www.hbo.com/
A Million New High Speed Internet Users Added Last Year
The twenty largest cable and DSL providers in the US, representing about 94% of the market, achieved record net high-speed Internet additions in 2005, according to a performance review by Leichtman Research Group. Net additions for the year totaled over 9.6 million subscribers - a total that exceeded the previous record set in 2004 by over 1 million subscribers.
Other key findings for the quarter include:
As of the end of 2005, the top broadband providers accounted for over 42.8 million high-speed Internet subscribers
The top cable broadband providers now have a 57% share of the overall market versus DSL, and account for over 24.3 million high-speed Internet subscribers compared to 18.5 million for DSL
The top DSL providers netted 54% of the broadband additions in 2005
DSL providers added over 5.2 million broadband subscribers in 2005
Cable operators added about 4.4 million broadband subscribers in 2005
The fourth quarter of 2005 was the best quarter ever for DSL providers, adding nearly 1.5 million net additional DSL subscribers, capturing 57% of the net 2.64 million high-speed Internet additions for the quarter. Cable operators added virtually the same number of subscribers during the quarter as a year ago, while DSL providers added about 350,000 more subscribers than in the fourth quarter of 2004
With about 10 million additional broadband subscribers in the US in 2005, the number of net broadband additions has increased every year this decade.
NBC MAY RAISE ITS PRICE
NBC MAY RAISE ITS PRICE by as much as 15 percent to 20 percent from its current "Today Show" advertising rates during the last week that Katie Couric remains as co-host of the show, according to media agency executives.
NBC could ask for as much as $78,000 for a 30-second commercial during Couric's last week. Her last day at "Today" will be May 31.
Currently, second-quarter pricing for "The Today Show" is at some $65,000 a 30-second commercial--which is up from its $55,000 upfront pricing. "The Today Show" is the top-priced morning show. "Good Morning America" is getting about $40,000 for a 30-second unit and "The Early Show" gets about $25,000.
One executive close to the network estimated advertisers would naturally get a break if they buy other NBC news properties. If, for example, NBC has 20 units left to sell that last week, it will try to package it with perhaps other NBC Universal news properties--for instance, cable network CNBC or NBC's Internet area MSNBC.com.
But don't expect wholesale price changes in the two months Couric has on the air before she heads off to CBS, according to media agency executives. That's because 90 percent of "Today"'s scatter inventory for the second quarter is already sold.
Although Couric news has grabbed big headlines, media buyers don't expect to see major viewership changes in her remaining weeks either. "There might be a little bump for her last few days, but probably not much," said Andy Donchin, senior vice president of national broadcast for Carat USA. "'The Today Show' will survive--it went through the same thing when Barbara Walters left and then when Jane Pauley left."
Couric has major TV brand name appeal--but media agency executives don't expect Couric's departure on May 31 to take on a TV event-like status like a "Seinfeld" or a "Cheers" finale. An NBC spokeswoman did not return phone calls regarding any advertising pricing changes for "The Today Show."
CBS is not expected to immediately take advantage of hiking up rates on its "CBS Evening News" show, of which Couric will front, becoming the first solo female anchor for broadcast evening news show.
Right now, CBS's unit price for its evening newscast is at approximately $40,000 for a 30-second spot, according to media executives. That price is up because of higher ratings achieved during Bob Schieffer's stint as anchor of "CBS Evening News." Previously, the show was getting about $35,000 a spot.
Industry executives estimate the cost for a 30-second spot is $62,000 for NBC's "Nightly News with Brian Williams," and $50,000 a unit for ABC's "World News Tonight."
The marketing effort for CBS's new big-name star is only now being formalized. Her initial marketing chores might start if she takes the stage during CBS' upfront presentations for national advertisers in mid-May.
"When you talk about TV brands, she is extremely well-known in the country--one [of the] top 10 TV personalities," said George Schweitzer, president of CBS Marketing Group. "That's impactful for us. That's a big plus."
Marketing’s role on mobile phones takes center stage this week as the wireless industry today opens one of its largest conferences ever, CTIA Wireless 2006.
“How to advertise on mobile search, mobile video, interstitials, opt-in procedures” -- those avenues are top of mind in a conference usually dominated by discussions of phone features, the wireless spectrum and other technical issues, said Mark Lowenstein, managing director of Boston-based mobile consultancy Mobile Ecosystem.
Capable is not the same as can
With 200 million phones in circulation in the U.S., and 80% of them capable of downloading video, sending text messages and completing other so-called data-enabled functions, the wireless industry has begun focusing on their potential for marketing, and devising ways to attract more brands to the new medium.
In fact, MSNBC.com today led off the announcements at CTIA with news it was testing an ad-subsidized video service for cellphones. In the test, cellphone subscribers will have the option of receiving news and videos, and they’ll have the ability to save stories for later reference. Microsoft’s Windows Mobile and Embedded Devices Division is the ad sponsor.
“There’s still a lot of figuring out,” cautioned Louis Gump, chairman of the Mobile Marketing Association and VP-mobile at the Weather Channel. Mr. Gump led off a day-long session, "Marketing -- The Mobile Channel," yesterday.
Mr. Gump was concerned with one of mobile’s most ticklish issues. Marketers might be drawn to the mobile phone because the devices are now indispensable to many consumers. But at the same time consumers view the phone as an intimate device and might resent a marketing intrusion. Mr. Gump and others are concerned that if subscribers are spammed with mobile marketing, the medium’s potential will go the way of e-mail as a marketing tool.
The Mobile Marketing Association issues best-practices guidelines requiring double opt-in by consumers before they are charged for new promotions or applications. Mr. Gump said it was “critically important” that consumers “feel they have control over the experience.”
“If we don’t do things right, we’re going to have to live with that for a long time,” said Matt Jones, director-mobile products, USAToday.com.
In a positive sign for marketers, two speakers -- Kristen Fox, manager-product marketing, Mobile ESPN Publishing, and Jim Cannella, national director-corporate partnerships, House of Blues -- said they have experienced a very low opt-out rate with their mobile marketing efforts.
So far, marketers have used cellphones as a marketing tool through text-messaging polls, promotions and other short-code marketing programs. Advertising over the phone’s more advanced features, such as mobile Web or mobile video, has been limited.
Tom Burgess, CEO, Third Screen Media, said his company is getting from $35 to $50 cost-per-thousand for mobile advertising with a click-through rate of 3.5%, much higher than Web click-through rates. “We’re evolving from the Wild West to a more stable environment,” said Mr. Burgess, predicting mobile marketing ultimately will grow faster than marketing did on the Internet.
Steven Smyth, VP-media, Reuters, said advertising will take the place of premium SMS (the purchase of ring tones or other content). Wireless subscribers pay extra on their phone bills for premium content. “We decided in the U.S. that ad support is key in driving adoption.”
Todd Anderman, president, Dennis Digital, said enthusiasm for mobile advertising is running so high he has to calm down marketers who want to do things like “a mobile blast” (sending messages to all customers of a carrier), something not possible because carriers wouldn’t allow it and subscribers would be alienated. “It’s 1996 all over again,” he said. He said a lot of his job lately “is about educating, hand-holding and a lot of managing expectations.”
Nihal Mehta, CEO of Ipsh, Omnicom’s mobile agency, said last year 15% of major brands were using mobile marketing. This year, the percentage has tripled to 45%, he said.
Other aspects of the dot-com era were evident at the show. CTIA spokesman Joseph Farren said attendance boomed this year to a high of about 40,000, up from 35,000 last year. He also noted an increasing international presence at the conference, with a record 20% from non-U.S. nations.
What explains the renewed interest in technology? A number of mobile startups are being acquired by other companies, and venture capitalists are pouring money into the business, said Mr. Mehta. Mobile broadcast software company Roundbox, Florham Park, N.J., announced yesterday it raised $15 million in funding. Last month, VeriSign, making a mobile play, purchased m-Qube for $250 million in cash.
But Mr. Mehta believes that the marketing applications of the mobile phone fueling the funding blitz won’t begin to pan out until 2008 or 2009. Between this year and then, he predicted, “there will be another bubble burst."
Oh, if only it was 2005
Oh, if only it was 2005. That’s what Nike must be thinking as CBS yesterday announced a slate of broadband-video and video-on-demand deals that will make highlights and play from the 2006 Masters Tournament much more accessible.
Golf fans will recall that last year Tiger Woods won the tourney with what may be the best sports replay shot of all time: a slow-mo sinker on the 16th hole in which the ball settled -- with its Nike swoosh to the camera -- for a full two seconds before dropping in the cup. Ad Age estimated the live and replayed footage was worth about $1 million in free advertising.
Of course, only the lucky viewers who had been recording the event on their DVRs were able to play it back at will. But this year, almost anyone will be able to control when they watch.
Starting April 10, viewers can order up an on-demand tournament highlight reel from one of eight different cable, satellite and telecom operators with which CBS has video-on-demand agreements. Additionally, at-work employees can wile away hours of productivity watching a live, online stream of the Masters as cbs.sportsline.com and masters.org broadcast play on holes 12, 13 and 14 -- coined “The Amen Corner” -- at Augusta National. The tournament runs from April 6-9.
In previous years, masters.org has provided live coverage of holes 6 and 12, during the practice rounds only. This year there will be about 22 hours of online streaming during the actual tournament. Unlike the recent March Madness online streaming event, the Masters deal is clouded with nuances.
The Masters is a closely held property that renews its media partnerships year-by-year. The online coverage is being produced by CBS Sports and CBS Sportsline, but part of the deal was to allow the coverage to be shown on masters.org. Masters.org has a promotional deal with ESPN.com, which allows ESPN to link to the online stream. However, the live streams will feature CBS Sports and CBS Sportsline branding -- the announcers’ microphones, for example, will sport the CBS eye -- and talent.
While the stream on Masters.org is free to consumers, it won’t be ad supported, according to a spokeswoman. That fits with The Masters tradition of having limited advertising in its TV broadcast -- only four minutes an hour. Three sponsors foot the bill for the broadcasts, and this year they are IBM, Exxon Mobile and AT&T. (All the sponsorships are signed with The Masters, not the networks that air the event, NBC Universal’s USA Network and CBS. Visitors who log onto the stream at Masters.org will, however, notice sponsors’ logos on the site.)
CBS Sportsline’s streaming Masters coverage will be presented courtesy of computer retailer CDW, which will run a pre-roll ad prior to the stream and have branding within the streaming player.
Nike, not an official sponsor, will just have to hope for another fortuitous shot -- and that it happens not on the 16th, but on the 12th, 13th or 14th hole.
Measurement
With online broadband video rapidly becoming the apple of marketers’ collective eye, cable's video-on-demand proponents gathered yesterday to grab back some of the spotlight at a meeting of the Innovations in Digital Advertising group.
Cathy Hetzel, senior VP of on-demand essentials at measurement firm Rentrak, reminded the group's members -- executives from media, advertising agencies and marketers looking to hammer out the technical difficulties of advertising in VOD -- that there are many more metrics available for measuring cable VOD than for broadband video online.
“What you get in [online] broadband is clicks. You can't get data on what is viewed, for what duration or information on what was paused, fast-forwarded or rewound.”
Ms. Hetzel, who is on the IDIA technology steering committee, acknowledged that cable VOD still posed some problems for marketers -- inserting new ads into a VOD program, for example, remains a technically difficult task. While CBS and NBC have deals with Comcast to make some of their network programming available on VOD, marketers must work under much greater time constraints since their ads need to be encoded for on-demand viewing.
Digital media specialist Pat Dunbar, who formed the unique cross-industry IDIA group through her own consultancy, Dima Group, said advertisers need to help define the future of VOD. "The advertiser is no longer the client. In today's world distributors have the power," Ms. Dunbar said. "Advertising is a miniscule part of the budget for the likes of Comcast and Verizon. It is incumbent on advertisers to get more informed and not wait till until someone comes to them with the perfect solutions."
Ms. Dunbar predicts that competition between platforms such as broadband video, cellphones and cable VOD platforms will start to heat up. "One piece of advertising is 'Where is my customer?' The other is 'What’s the overhead to reach that customer?' There will start to be a comparison between the overheads of broadband and cable video on demand. One major problem for growing the on-demand universe as an advertising channel is that most marketers don’t have the budgets for repurposing their creative to fit across multiple platforms.”
To give some idea of the growing size of online broadband viewing, Bill Niemeyer, chief of analysis and research at Dima Group, said U.S. households watched 1.6 billion hours of ad-supported broadband video content last year and that current ad spending on broadband video is on track to hit $375 million in 2006. He estimated that there were 141 million broadband views in December.
Separately, Nielsen Media Research updated those in attendance on its own plans to measure VOD viewing. Scott Brown, Nielsen’s senior VP-strategic relationships, markets and technology, said that the first phase of its plan to measure VOD viewing begins in June. Phase one would credit broadcasters with viewers to recently televised programming on VOD platforms. Nielsen said the same national commercials in each show would need to be aired in order for each broadcaster to receive the viewer credit. The next phase in late 2006 would see Nielsen tabulate viewing of ad-free pay-TV services such as HBO On Demand. In 2007, sibling Nielsen Entertainment is expected to be able to track transactional on-demand viewing, such as paid-for content.
Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund Award Recipient Isabella Rossellini Donates $50,000
Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund Award Recipient Isabella Rossellini Donates $50,000 to Andean Cat Alliance; Funds to Support Efforts to Preserve Most Endangered Cat Species in the Americas
The Andean Cat Alliance, a multinational nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving the Endangered Andean cat, today announced that it received a donation of $50,000 from Isabella Rossellini, international actress and model and ardent wildlife conservationist.
Rossellini's donation represents half of a $100,000 grant she received from the Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund in recognition of her work to preserve endangered animals. She was among five leading wildlife conservationists honored today by Disney at an event at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Fla. The other Disney honorees include Dr. Jane Goodall, Iain Douglas-Hamilton of Save the Elephants Foundation, actor John Cleese and Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai.
"There are a host of wildlife organizations passionately working today to protect endangered species," said Rossellini. "No one is more important than the other in the critical work they do. Today, I have selected to donate half of the proceeds from this highly valued Disney Award to the Andean Cat Alliance to raise needed funds to continue the important preservation efforts and global visibility for this very elusive, yet very important species. Through the work of the Alliance, we hope to learn more about the cat and reduce the threats to its survival. The Alliance also is working to enable the people of the Andes to share the land with wildlife for their mutual benefit."
The Andean cat is considered the most endangered cat species in the Americas. Very little is known about this elusive creature that lives exclusively in the remote high-altitude deserts of the Andes in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile and Peru. There have been fewer than 10 documented sightings of these cats in the last 25 years, threatened by the use of their pelts in ritualistic ceremonies and by the destruction of their fragile habitat through mining and other interests. The protection of these small but powerful top predators is emblematic of the health of the Andean ecosystem. A multinational team of researchers in partnership with the Wildlife Conservation Network (WCN), of which Rossellini is a board member, has developed and is implementing a conservation effort throughout the four range countries.
"We are extremely grateful to Isabella for the recognition and support of our effort," said Claudio Sillero of the Andean Cat Alliance. "Up until 1997, this cat was so elusive to be almost a legend. Today, our dedicated team of conservation biologists and educators is making good progress in understanding both the environmental and human threats that jeopardize the species. Isabella's support is critical for the completion of our base line research and the launching of the educational and conservation phases of our program."
"The Andean Cat Alliance represents a new paradigm for wildlife conservation," said Charles Knowles, WCN executive director. "WCN is proud to have assisted in the formation of this organization but make no mistake, this is an organization founded and run by citizens of the range countries. Through this type of capacity building not only will we conserve the Andean cat and its habitat, but we are helping to build a conservation community in South America which will continue to grow independent of WCN."
About Wildlife Conservation Network
WCN (http://www.WildNet.org) was founded in 2002 to fund and foster individual conservationists focused on implementing community-based conservation programs in developing countries. WCN provides back office support -- fundraising, marketing, administrative and technical expertise -- to individual conservationists, enabling them to work more effectively and spend more time in the field. WCN uses a venture capital (VC) fundraising model based on the relationships that have evolved between high-technology entrepreneurs, investors and corporations. Acting as a very efficient VC, WCN identifies high-potential individual conservationists and projects, ensuring due diligence is completed up-front, providing ongoing advisory services, and forging alliances between donor-"investors" and individual conservationists. WCN is the first to use this approach to fund and support worldwide conservation efforts.
About Andean Cat Alliance
In April 2004, a multinational scientific team with representatives from Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and Peru and the Wildlife Conservation Network formed the Andean Cat Alliance (in Spanish Alianza Gato Andino) to evaluate threats to the Andean cat and collaborate on conservation efforts. The result was the publication of the Andean Cat Conservation Action Plan with program activities for each participating country. The organization is headquartered in La Paz, Bolivia and meets annually to assess progress and evaluate program activities. More information about the Andean Cat Alliance is available at (http://www.wildnet.org/andean_cat.htm).
Walt Disney Records Unleashes a Fierce New Release -- ``The Wild Soundtrack''
Hits the Streets April 11, 2006
Walt Disney Records sets "The Wild Soundtrack" free on April 11, 2006. The CD opens with a rockin' remake of "Real Wild Child" by newly signed Buena Vista Music Group recording artists Everlife, followed by three all-new, original songs. Multi-platinum artists Lifehouse perform the pensive track "Good Enough", Big Bad Voodoo Daddy perform the uptempo "Big Time Boppin' (Go Man Go)" and Eric Idle and John Du Prez ("Monty Python's Spamalot") penned and perform "Really Nice Day." Rounding out "The Wild Soundtrack" are nine score tracks from Academy Award(R)-nominee Alan Silvestri ("Lilo & Stitch," "The Parent Trap," "Forrest Gump").
In Walt Disney Pictures' newest computer-animated comedy-adventure, "The Wild," an odd assortment of animals from the New York Zoo -- including a lion, a giraffe, an anaconda, a koala and a squirrel -- discover what a jungle the city can be when one of their own is mistakenly shipped to the wild and they embark on a dangerous mission to rescue him. The film boasts an impressive vocal ensemble -- Keifer Sutherland (as the respected lion leader, Samson), Greg Cipes (as Samson's son, Ryan), Jim Belushi (as Benny, the street savvy squirrel and Samson's best friend), Janeane Garofalo (as a quick-witted giraffe), Richard Kind (as a dim-witted anaconda), William Shatner (as a wicked wildebeest) and Eddie Izzard (as Nigel, an acerbic koala) -- along with cutting edge animation, and a story filled with hilarious situations. "The Wild" opens in theaters nationwide April 14, 2006.
"The Wild Soundtrack" track listing:
-- 1. "Real Wild Child" -- Everlife
-- 2. "Good Enough" -- Lifehouse
-- 3. "Big Time Boppin' (Go Man Go)" -- Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
-- 4. "Really Nice Day" -- Eric Idle and John Du Prez
-- 5. "Tales From The Wild" (Score)
-- 6. "You Can't Roar" (Score)
-- 7. "Lost In The City" (Score)
-- 8. "To The Wild" (Score)
-- 9. "Alien Shores" (Score)
-- 10. "The Legend In Action" (Score)
-- 11. "The Mythology Of Nigel" (Score)
-- 12. "The Ritual" (Score)
-- 13. "Found Our Roar" (Score)
-- 14. "Really Nice Day (Finale)" -- Eric Idle and John Du Prez
"The Wild Soundtrack" will be available April 11, 2006 for a suggested retail price of $18.98 wherever music is sold. All Walt Disney Records audio products also can be ordered by visiting DisneyRecords.com.
INFOSPACE UNVEILS NEW ENHANCED MOBILE SEARCH PRODUCT AT CTIA
First to Market with a Comprehensive Mobile Search Offering, InfoSpace Makes it Easy for Consumers to Find Content Everywhere: On-deck, Off-deck, Around the Corner, or Across the World Wide Web
InfoSpace, Inc a leading provider of mobile content, applications and infrastructure, today unveiled its latest mobile search product, the most comprehensive mobile search product in the market today. Carriers can integrate the offering to enable subscribers to easily and quickly find the answers they seek and to purchase the mobile content they want while on the go. Today's announcement introduces the latest innovation from InfoSpace, which brings content and services to the four major carriers in North America and provides mobile search products to three major carriers in North America, reaching approximately 72 million mobile subscribers.
Leveraging the power of the company's proprietary metasearch technology, which searches and delivers results from a variety of sources, InfoSpace's new mobile search platform enables the delivery of a comprehensive solution across heterogeneous data types through a single search box, including:
Storefront search for mobile purchasing: ringtones, games, wallpapers, videos, bundles
for mobile purchasing: ringtones, games, wallpapers, videos, bundlesPortal search of carrier approved applications – news, stocks, weather, sports, etc.
of carrier approved applications – news, stocks, weather, sports, etc.Local search of information about people, places, things and events nearby
of information about people, places, things and events nearbyWAP index search of mobile friendly sites approved by carrier
of mobile friendly sites approved by carrierWeb index search of the World Wide Web rendered for mobile devices
of the World Wide Web rendered for mobile devicesProgrammed search of deeply linked editorial content
of deeply linked editorial content No other company offers such a complete and compelling mobile search offering today and makes it available under the carrier's brand, with the ability to drive incremental revenue to carriers.Additionally, InfoSpace's Mobile Search Platform combines an intuitive user interface with powerful personalization and relevancy technologies, to create a search experience tailored to the needs of the mobile user. To deliver the shortest click distance to consumers and save them from typing lengthy query terms, the InfoSpace platform takes into account the subscriber's preferences, device, location and other information to present answers that are personalized and relevant to the mobile on-the-go user.
"2006 will be the year that all mobile media consumption will begin with mobile search," said Brendan Benzing, vice president of mobile search, platforms and ad solutions at InfoSpace. "A browsing experience can be so limiting for users, carriers, and mobile content providers. We can see that merely porting traditional search to phones is just the ante and, in fact, it makes it difficult for subscribers to find and purchase the mobile content they want. At InfoSpace, we are focused on providing a comprehensive, integrated mobile search experience that helps subscribers easily and quickly find what they're looking for. InfoSpace's Mobile Search is the catalyst for increased discovery, personalization and enjoyment."
InfoSpace was first to market in North America with its mobile search products. In 2005, InfoSpace was selected by Cingular Wireless to build the new MEdia Net. In addition to a customizable home page and easy access to information, ringtones and other wireless content, the MEdia Net 3.0 platform features an InfoSpace search tool which can find content, Web links and can be personalized using a zip code feature to find nearby locations. The launch of MediaNet 3.0 proved very successful, with total search query volumes and queries per user exceeding expectations. In March 2006, InfoSpace launched InfoSpace Find It™ with Sprint, a comprehensive subscription-based location enabled search product that allows consumers to easily and quickly find everything from nearby restaurants and movie times to people, maps and driving directions all in one integrated application.
InfoSpace Mobile Search provides carriers a flexible offering that supports on-deck, off-deck and on-device searching. Carriers can work with InfoSpace to index and integrate content from a variety of partners. InfoSpace Mobile Search is available to carriers in North America and Europe today.
More information can be found at http://www.infospaceinc.com.
About InfoSpace
InfoSpace, Inc. drives mobile media innovation. With one of the world's largest mobile content libraries, InfoSpace makes it easy for consumers to discover, personalize and enjoy their on-the-go experiences. The company uses its superior discovery, merchandising and technology capabilities to help facilitate the delivery of original and licensed content across hundreds of mobile devices and through multiple channels. InfoSpace also mobilizes brands and creates programming and revenue opportunities for mobile operators. The company's products and services have extensive reach in North America and Europe through carriers such as Cingular Wireless, Sprint Nextel, T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless, and Virgin Mobile; in partnership with world-class brands such as Cablevision and Fox News; and through online Web sites such as Dogpile (Dogpile.com), which showcase the company's leading metasearch technology and key advertising partnerships with companies like Google, Yahoo!, Verizon SuperPages and Yellowpages.com.
Sports and Auto
Oakland & Dodger Baseball
Oakland 6, Seattle 4 at Safeco Field
Oakland Record: (5-2)
Winning pitcher - Rich Harden (1-0)
Losing pitcher - Joel Pineiro (1-1)
SV - Huston Street (2)
OAK HR - E. Chavez (3)
SEA HR - None
Los Angeles 6, Philadelphia 2 at Citizens Bank Park
Los Angeles Record: (3-3)
Winning pitcher - Brad Penny (2-0)
Losing pitcher - Jon Lieber (0-2)
Shamu to Join Johnson at Daytona in July
Lowe's and SeaWorld announced today that Jimmie Johnson will feature a Shamu paint scheme on his Chevrolet when the Daytona 500 champion returns to the superspeedway on July 1.
"The No. 48 Lowe's team has done some great family-themed paint schemes in the past few years," said Johnson. "This Shamu scheme is no different. All kids love Shamu. I know I did growing up in San Diego. Now, I'll be able to bring Shamu to the beaches of Daytona and hopefully introduce him to victory lane."
Lowe's is the official Home Improvement Store of all the Busch Entertainment Corp. (BEC) theme parks, including SeaWorld. The paint scheme is part of SeaWorld's introduction of its all new Shamu show, called "Believe," at each of the SeaWorld parks this year.
In addition to the Shamu paint scheme, a lucky race fan will have the opportunity to see the new show and watch as Jimmie Johnson races the Shamu No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet. Fans can log on to http://www.lowesracing.com/ , sign up for a free Team Lowe's Racing fan club membership, then race the specially designed No. 48 Chevrolet online. The fan with the fastest time will win a trip to Orlando to visit SeaWorld and Discovery Cove as well as the opportunity to watch Jimmie race. The Contest will run from April 7 to May 12.
"Lowe's is pleased to offer this unique experience to our race fans," said Bob Gfeller, Lowe's senior vice president. "We are always looking for ways to maximize the racing experience for Team 48 fans and their families. This experience allows a lucky fan to see two great shows -- Shamu at SeaWorld and Jimmie Johnson at the racetrack."
"The new Shamu show is the most ambitious show attraction in SeaWorld's 42-year history, and is unlike anything our guests have ever seen. We are excited to see Shamu on the car and fortunate to have Jimmie Johnson and Lowe's help us launch our new show, which, like racing, is great family entertainment," said Robin Carson, BEC's corporate marketing vice president.
The Daytona race kicks off NBC's broadcasts of the second half of the 2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup season.
Source: Busch Entertainment Corp.
Web site: http://www.lowesracing.com/
two great shows -- Shamu at SeaWorld and Jimmie Johnson at the racetrack."
Autoliv Inc. received three additional awards from the largest Japanese vehicle producer.
At Toyota's European Supplier Conference in Brussels last week, Autoliv Inc. received three additional awards from the largest Japanese vehicle producer. This follows upon the Value Improvement Award for 2005 that Autoliv received three weeks ago at Toyota's global headquarters in Nagoya, Japan.
This time Autoliv was recognized for its smooth closure of an airbag assembly plant in the U.K. and its seamless move of this production to Turkey, where Toyota is aggressively expanding its manufacturing capacity. As a result, Toyota honored Autoliv with two Achievement Awards; one in Project Management and another in Cost Management.
In addition, Autoliv's subsidiary in Turkey received an Achievement Award in Quality.
This marks the fourth time this year that Autoliv has been recognized with awards from customers. In January, the world-leading automotive safety supplier received General Motor's Outstanding Performance Award for its "performance in quality, cost, launch and delivery, as well as contributions to production and concept vehicles."
In February, Autoliv received Honda's Supplier of Excellence Award. This was in recognition of "persistent implementation of value engineering/value added activities" resulting in products with higher quality and performance at lower cost.
"We are honored and delighted to have been recognized once again by Toyota for our achievements in quality, cost reductions and delivery reliability," said Autoliv's CEO Lars Westerberg.
"These recognitions are telling evidence of our commitment to our customers' cost reduction programs and globalization plans. With manufacturing of safety systems in all major vehicle-producing countries, we can give vehicle manufacturers unsurpassed support globally as we did in Turkey last year for Toyota."
Autoliv Inc. develops and manufactures automotive safety systems for all major automotive manufacturers in the world. Together with its joint ventures Autoliv has 80 facilities with nearly 39,000 employees in 30 vehicle-producing countries. In addition, the company has development and engineering centers in six countries around the world, including 20 test tracks, more than any other automotive safety supplier. Sales in 2005 amounted to US $6.2 billion. The Company's shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and its Swedish Depository
CelebrityPokerPlayer.net Offering Two Seats
for VH1 Classic Rock `n' Roll Celebrity Poker Tournament to Players Qualifying at Site
CelebrityPokerPlayer.net (CPP) is qualifying two players to play side-by-side against Ace Frehley of Kiss, Jane Wiedlin of the GoGo's, Sully Erna of Godsmack, Vinnie Paul from Pantera and Big Vin Records and, if shooting schedule permits, singer/actor Steven Van Zandt, playing for their favorite charities in the first VH1 Rock 'n' Roll Celebrity Poker Player Tournament airing this fall on VH1 Classic.
The charity event, presented by CelebrityPokerPlayer.net and produced by Tenner and Associates Inc., will be taped Thursday, June 8, 2006 in the Second City Theatre at Harrah's Flamingo Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.
Two lucky visitors to http://www.celebritypokerplayer.net will get the chance to participate with the rock 'n' roll stars. "Free roll" tournaments will be held at the site during the next two months. Harrah's Flamingo will also qualify one player to sit at the table with the rock 'n' roll celebrities.
"CelebrityPokerPlayer.net is the one online poker room where you really can play alongside the 'stars,'" Lance A. Perry, Executive Producer and CEO of New Poker Corporation, says. "We are looking forward to a great show, watching the celebrities play for their favorite charity and giving a couple of our players the chance to be a part of a big tournament on VH1 Classic."
The VH1 Classic Rock 'n' Roll Celebrity Poker Player Tournament will air on VH1 Classic in addition to DirectTV programming on Jet Blue and Frontier Airlines. Pro player and fan favorite Phil Laak will host the show. Matt Savage will serve as tournament director.
The celebrities will donate all winnings their favorite charity. The celebrity and guest left standing will take over VH1 Classic for an entire day, programming music videos and serving as on-air hosts.
CelebrityPokerPlayer.net (CPP) is a new free roll site and the place to play poker, as well as 'see and be seen' alongside or chat with Hollywood celebrities, musicians, singers and top athletes. For more information, contact: http://www.newpokercorporation.com. Apr 06, 2006 08:30
CNET Networks Games & Entertainment Announces Winners
of Its Third Annual Mobile Entertainment Awards; Announced at CTIA WIRELESS 2006; Doom RPG Wins 2005 Mobile Game of the Year
CNET Networks Games & Entertainment, which includes GameSpot, MP3.com, and TV.com, today announced the winners of the Third Annual Mobile Entertainment Awards, also known as the 2005 Mobies. Winners were announced at the CTIA WIRELESS 2006 conference in Las Vegas, the premier global event for all things wireless.
The Mobies, chosen by a panel of CNET Networks editorial experts, are the industry's only awards recognizing excellence in mobile entertainment innovation, design, and technical achievement. Awards were given in eight categories, with the highest honor, the 2005 Mobile Game of the Year, awarded to Jamdat Mobile for Doom RPG. While seven of the categories focus on games, a new category this year, the Mobile Entertainment Trailblazer award, recognizes companies for outstanding innovation in mobile entertainment. By expanding the categories, the awards program reflects consumers' growing desire to incorporate not only games, but also music and video into their mobile lifestyle.
The Mobies provide best-of-breed buying recommendations in one of the fastest growing segment of the game industry. Analysts are forecasting that mobile phone content, including music, gaming, and video, will reach $43 billion worldwide by 2010, up from $5.2 billion in 2004(a).
"The Mobies have become an excellent indicator of the latest trends in mobile entertainment and specifically the gameplay experiences that enhance consumers' on-the-go lifestyle," said Robert Mesirow, vice president and show director for CTIA WIRELESS 2006. "The Mobies always create a lot of buzz and excitement at CTIA WIRELESS, and this year's winners really raise the bar. We congratulate the winners on their innovation and contribution to the wireless lifestyle."
"Doom RPG is a model for the mobile entertainment industry, as it successfully bridges the gap between traditional PC and console games and the emerging mobile platform to create an entirely new experience," said Vince Broady, senior vice president of CNET Networks Games & Entertainment. "As the industry continues to grow in popularity and influence, Doom RPG publisher Jamdat -- as well as all the other Mobies finalists and winners -- are setting the standards against which future mobile entertainment offerings will be judged."
Following is a list of winners in each category: -0-
MOBILE GAME AWARDS PUBLISHER DEVELOPER
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Mobile Game of the Year
Doom RPG Jamdat Mobile Fountainhead
Best Action Game
Ratchet & Clank: Going Mobile Sony Pictures Sony Pictures
Digital Digital
Best Adventure/Role-playing
Game
Doom RPG Jamdat Mobile Fountainhead
Best Board/Card Game
WordKing Poker Digital Chocolate Digital Chocolate
Best Puzzle Game
Tower Bloxx Digital Chocolate Digital Chocolate
Best Sports Game
Massive Snowboarding Gameloft Gameloft
Best Strategy Game
Ancient Empires II Glu Mobile Glu Mobile
SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT
AWARDS
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Mobile Entertainment
Trailblazers:
Amp'd Mobile
MobiTV
Sprint Nextel
Verizon Wireless
A detailed summary of the Mobie Awards, including the 2005 winners and finalists, is available at: http://www.gamespot.com/2006/mobies/index.html.
(a) From iSuppli Corp, March 2006
About CNET Networks Games & Entertainment
The CNET Networks Games & Entertainment portfolio of award-winning Web sites -- GameSpot, MP3.com, TV.com, and Metacritic.com -- provide entertainment enthusiasts with comprehensive category specific content and unique community features through which they can meet other people with similar interests and share opinions. With GameSpot Trax, the game industry's most robust research tool, the Games & Entertainment division is also setting the bar for creating innovative business intelligence solutions. Collectively, the sites reach 30 million(1) entertainment enthusiasts worldwide each month.
About CNET Networks Inc.
CNET Networks is a global media company with some of the most important and valuable brands on the Web targeting passionate audiences. The company's brands -- such as CNET, GameSpot, TV.com, MP3.com, Webshots, BNET and ZDNet -- serve the technology, games and entertainment, business, and community categories. CNET Networks was founded in 1993 and has always been "a different kind of media company" creating engaging media experiences through a combination of world-class content and technology infrastructure.
SportsNet New York Launched on DISH Network
Mets Fans Get Access to up to 125 Games During the 2006 Season
SportsNet New York, a 24/7 regional sports and entertainment television network, will feature up to 125 regular season Mets telecasts this season. DISH Network customers, who subscribe to America's Top 60+, DishHD Silver or any higher package, now have access to these games on channel 438.
"SportsNet New York is a great addition to our robust sports line-up and gives Mets fans complete coverage of their team," said Eric Sahl, senior vice president of Programming for DISH Network. "With SportsNet New York on DISH Network, customers now have access to the Mets without the need for extra, costly services."
"We are thrilled to announce that starting tonight, SportsNet New York will be available to DISH Network subscribers," said Jon Litner, President of SportsNet New York. "We look forward to providing DISH Network subscribers with the most comprehensive sports network in New York -- featuring 125 Mets games, in-depth coverage of the Jets and unparalleled coverage of all New York sports through our SportsNite shows."
SportsNet New York's next Mets telecast is scheduled for tonight at 7:10 p.m. (EDT), when the Mets face the Washington Nationals.
DISH Network now offers new customers an additional $100 off, plus three months free of Starz(TM) Moviepack, when they sign up for America's Top 120 programming package. America's Top 120 includes more than 165 all-digital channels for only $39.99 per month, plus local channels can be added for just $5. This offer comes complete with free standard professional installation, no hardware to buy and a free digital video recorder (DVR) equipment upgrade with an 18-month commitment.
About EchoStar
EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) serves more than 12 million satellite TV customers through its DISH Network(TM), the fastest growing U.S. provider of advanced digital television services in the last five years. DISH Network offers hundreds of video and audio channels, interactive TV, HDTV, sports and international programming, together with professional installation and 24-hour customer service. Visit DISH Network at http://www.dishnetwork.com or call 800-333-DISH (3474).
About SportsNet New York
SportsNet New York (SNY), which launched March 16, 2006, is New York's new regional sports network founded by Sterling Entertainment Enterprises, Time Warner and Comcast. SNY is a 24/7 regional sports and entertainment television network that will feature up to 125 regular season New York Mets telecasts -- as well as provide unparalleled live sports and local news coverage to the Tri-State area through three nightly "SportsNite" shows. SNY will be available to viewers in New York, Connecticut, most of New Jersey and northeastern Pennsylvania. In addition to Mets games, SNY is also the official year-round television home of the New York Jets, providing viewers the most exclusive coverage and access to the Jets organization and its players. SNY will also televise other professional and collegiate sports, including basketball and football games from the Big East and Big Ten conferences, as well as classic sports and event programming. SNY will also feature exclusive interview and magazine programs.
DODToday the third anniversary of Iraqi Freedom Day
Today, on the third anniversary of Iraqi Freedom Day, the Iraqi people celebrate the freedoms that they were denied for more than three decades, and pause to remember the brave people who lead the way out of the darkness of tyranny into the light of freedom. On this day in 2003, Iraqis, assisted by U.S. Marines, toppled the huge statue of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein in Baghdad's Firdos Square.
Today, on the third anniversary of Iraqi Freedom Day, the Iraqi people celebrate the freedoms that they were denied for more than three decades, and pause to remember the brave people who lead the way out of the darkness of tyranny into the light of freedom. On this day in 2003, Iraqis, assisted by U.S. Marines, toppled the huge statue of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein in Baghdad's Firdos Square.This act was not just symbolic. It signaled the beginning of a fledgling democracy that continues to mature. During the past year alone, Iraqis have elected a constitutional government, drafted and ratified a constitution and held successful elections for their new national assembly. Through 2005, more and more Iraqis decided to engage in building the new Iraq, culminating in almost 75 percent of registered voters casting ballots in December's election. Additionally, there have been great gains in the development of Iraqi security forces, forces critical to returning stability to Iraq and hastening the return of Iraq to the Iraqi people.
Over last year Iraqi forces have almost doubled, from 127,000 to more than 250,000 today. Today, 50 Iraqi army battalions, 13 brigades and two divisions have security responsibility in Iraq. They are truly taking the lead. By the end of summer, 75 percent of the brigades and battalions will be leading counterinsurgency operations in Iraq, with the coalition in support. Despite the harsh test of sectarian violence following the bombing of the Golden Dome Mosque in Samarra in February, Iraqi leaders and security forces have held together. The Iraqi government officials called for calm and Iraqi security forces secured key areas. Iraqi Freedom Day is a time to reflect on what has happened and what still needs to happen. Despite much progress, much work remains. We must continue to help Iraqis create a strong, stable and successful new democracy. The Iraqi people and their elected representatives must choose a competent government that will develop a program for Iraq that benefits all Iraqis.
The legitimate security forces must quell sectarian violence. Population centers must be secure to allow Iraq's new institutions to take root and businesses to flourish. Finally, the people must be able to trust their leadership and the institutions of the state. Through it all, the United States and its coalition partners will remain steadfast partners and encourage progress. In the end, Iraq will succeed. Its success will help transform the wider Middle East and give even greater meaning to Iraqi Freedom Day. May God Bless the people of Iraq and the members of the Iraqi and coalition security forces who have made freedom possible. (Gen. George W. Casey, Jr. is commander of Multinational Force Iraq and Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad is the U.S. ambassador to Iraq.)
America Supports You: KiXX Soccer Team Ensures Iraqi Children Have a Ball
Philadelphia's indoor soccer team kicked its support for U.S. servicemembers into high gear last night when it announced its partnership with the "America Supports You" program. "We're glad to help the military," said Jeffrey B. Rotwitt, owner of the KiXX, a Major Indoor Soccer League team. America Supports You is a nationwide Defense Department program that helps showcase Americans' support for the men and women of the armed forces. The KiXX project began when a 7-year-old heard his uncle, serving in Iraq, tell about the conditions in the country, Rotwitt said.
The uncle said the youth of Iraq love soccer, but because of conditions in the country, soccer balls are scarce. "(The boy asked if,) since I owned a soccer team, could I help the balls get to the youth of Iraq?" he said. "We decided we would give to everybody who came and brought a soccer ball a free ticket for another game." The result of Operation Soccer Ball was more than 1,000 soccer balls donated for Iraq's youth. "This is a wonderful idea, and we are so grateful to the KiXX for what they are doing for the Iraqi children," said Allison Barber, deputy assistant secretary of defense for public affairs.
"Every day we see our troops finding ways to do something special for the children in Iraq, and this is an important contribution to that effort." America Supports You connects organizations like the KiXX and its fans to the nation's servicemembers, who in turn show their care and concern for Iraq's children, she said. Utah Army National Guard Chief Warrant Officer 5 Paul Holton saw firsthand during his 14 months in Iraq the importance of these bridge-building efforts. He said events like the KiXX-sponsored soccer ball donation are key to getting the American public involved. "It not only gets people to support the troops, but it's good for people to get involved with something positive, to do something to help the soldiers," he said. "It helps the soldiers who build bridges ... to kind of bridge over misunderstandings and hatred and reach out and touch the people and let them know we care about them." Holton's organization, "Operation Give," also an America Supports You team member, will help get the soccer balls to the young players, he said. The balls will be consolidated, packed in boxes and shipped to Operation Give's warehouse in Salt Lake City, Utah. "We're ... going to actually get FedEx to pick them up from Salt Lake City and get them airlifted, shipped to Baghdad," he said. In Baghdad, military and Iraqi civilian members of Operation Give will handle the soccer ball distribution and keep building bridges, Holton said. Jessica Hallowell's donation will be among those shipped to Iraq.
The 10-year-old Mertztown, Pa., resident said she hopes Iraqi children will have fun playing soccer, a game she loves. "It's not like they have to win," she said. "It's just about having fun." Bob Daniels, who had a hand in planning the event, said efforts like Operation Soccer Ball are crucial and he hopes it goes league-wide next season. Daniels is chairman of the Ben Franklin Global Forum, an education and outreach program. "If it just saves the life of one or two of our troops, while at the same time giving the children of Iraq an understanding that the people in this country care about them and wish them success, then we're building the right kind of bridges," he said.
Group Raise $4,400 for Hospitals Treating Wounded Troops
The Landstuhl Hospital Care Project added $4,400 to its coffers April 7 to buy items needed by wounded, injured and sick servicemembers at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany, and hospitals in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to Karen Grimord, the project's coordinator. The money was raised during the "Hook & C's Karaoke" 2nd annual benefit, held here this year at American Legion Post 364. American Legion Auxiliary Unit 176 and American Legion Post 176, both in nearby Springfield, Va., donated $2,000 and $1,000, respectively.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7916 of Occoquan, Va., also presented a $300 check to the project. "Last year, I was asked by Karen Grimord and Karen Monk (former president of American Legion Auxiliary Unit 364) to do a karaoke to help raise money for the Landstuhl Hospital Care Project," said Ed "Hook" Hudgins, an electric tower crane operator and member of the Sons of the American Legion. "I suggested having a cookout and karaoke and we had a good turnout at American Legion Post 162 in Lorton (Va.). We raised more than $1,000." In keeping with Hook's cookout idea, this year's benefit featured t-bone steaks grilled outdoors and assorted seafood dinners. There were also raffles and drawings for door prizes to raise money.
The rest of the money came from personal checks from benefit attendees. The "C" in Hook & C's Karaoke is Claude Burns, a retiree from the Washington Post security division. This marked the fourth benefit held by the Landstuhl Hospital Care Project since Grimord and her husband Brian founded it in November 2004. "We try to provide mostly clothing items, but we've also extended to hospitals in Iraq and Afghanistan that need supplies, including bed sheets," Grimord said. "The project started supporting three hospitals In Iraq in 2005 and one in Afghanistan this year." Pointing out that the project is an item-specific organization, Grimord said, "We don't just send whatever we can get our hands on. We send the items that they specifically want." For example, the hospital in Afghanistan asked for bed sheets and pillows to use on litters.
When patients arrive at hospitals, their clothes are ruined, stained or cut off in the treatment process. The project helps out by taking monthly orders from Landstuhl's Pastoral Services Department. The April order includes sweatpants and -shirts, long-sleeve t-shirts, men's pajamas, ankle socks and slippers, pillows, quilts, blankets and travel-size mouthwash and toothpaste, among other items. In addition to holding fund-raising benefits, the project pays for items with donations from American Legions, Veterans of Foreign Wars, churches and other organizations. Grimord began seeking donations for hospitals in Iraq and Afghanistan after learning of the need from people who escort seriously wounded servicemembers from the theater to Landstuhl. She said she's always amazed when seriously wounded patients arrive at Landstuhl don't want to take any of the donated items. "Those whom we almost have to force to take something feel that their biggest responsibility is to get back to the field," she said. "They want to get back to their guys.
They have a responsibility, a job that needs to be done, so they want to get back to the field. So they don't want to take any items. "Then you have patients who know they're going to come back to the states because they injury are so badly," Grimord said." They don't want to take anything because they want to leave it for the next patient coming in behind them. They don't feel that they deserve to take the sweat pants, underwear, and t-shirt or winter jacket." Grimord said she was puzzled when a wounded helicopter pilot asked her if all the items were donated, and when told, yes, he said, "These guys deserve it." "I told him he didn't include himself, and he said, 'No,'" Grimord noted. "He said he was a 'fly boy' and that the guys and gals on the ground deserve it all. I told him that we'd lost 14 'fly boys' in two weeks and that he had the back of the ground pounders and asked him who has his back. I asked him, 'So what makes you less deserving?' "They always think someone else is more deserving," she noted. Grimord returned to Landstuhl Jan. 17 to spend another 45 days volunteering.
While there, she passed out 235 pink, red and white Valentine apes with little Xs, Os and messages of "I Love You," or, "I'm Ape for You," on them. She also mailed 20 pillows to a hospital in Iraq en route to the airport. To her surprise, as she was waiting to pay the postage, the postmaster took out a debit card out of his wallet and paid the $21 shipping cost himself. "He thanked us for everything we do," Grimord said. One day, while waiting for a busload of patients that were flown from Iraq to Ramstein Air Base, Germany, the doctors, nurses, chaplains and technicians saw the bags full of little apes. When they started commenting about the apes, Grimord started passing them out. "They stuck them in their breast pockets so the little arms were hanging out," Grimord chuckled. "When the patients got off the buses, they were greeted by all these doctors, nurses, chaplains and technicians with little apes hanging out of their pockets.....Of course, we gave apes to the patients, too." Grimord said that during her fall visit to Landstuhl, a wounded Marine told her about his battalion needing sweats because of the cold. She got information about their sizes and arranged to send sweats for all 300 Marines, by size.
When she returned to Landstuhl in January, the Marine sent her an e-mail message asking for her mailing address because he had something to send her. "When I opened the box, there was an American flag with a note saying that it they had flown it over their camp headquarters in Iraq in my honor on Jan. 5 for the support I'd given them," Grimord said. "You don't expect that kind of thing. You don't expect anything because they're the ones doing all the work. "Every time I look at that flag," Grimord said, with tears welling up in her eyes, "it brings tears to your eyes. That's for all the guys we've lost, all the guys that have sacrificed themselves and their families. That just tells you how much this support means to them."
NEWS
Reinvigorate Your Life and Bounce Into Spring
Bounce(R) Dryer Sheets Partners with Curves to Help Women Achieve a Healthier LifestyleSpring is a season of renewal and the perfect time to reinvigorate every aspect of your life. To help women get both their homes and themselves into shape this spring, Bounce(R) dryer sheets has partnered with Curves fitness franchise for a special Bounce(R) Into Spring promotion. Together their partnership offers this promotion that will provide smart shortcuts to help consumers and their homes look and feel refreshed.
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SOURCE Procter & Gamble
