April 30, 2007

Oudry's Painted Menagerie

May 1

April 30

Oudry's Painted Menagerie
Date: Daily, May 1 - September 2, 2007,
Location: Exhibitions Pavilion, Getty Center
Admission: Free

Jean-Baptiste Oudry (French, 1686–1755) was the principal animal painter during the first half of Louis XV's reign. Commissioned to paint a portrait series of the animals in the king's royal menagerie at Versailles, Oudry employed his prodigious talents and illustrative power to produce life-size paintings of a lion, an antelope, a male and a female leopard, and several other exotic animals and fowl. Oudry's Painted Menagerie features twelve paintings, including a life-size portrait of a famous rhinoceros named Clara (the subject of a multiyear project of the Getty Museum's Paintings Conservation Department), and a group of Oudry's drawings. Meissen porcelain, clocks, paintings, prints, and drawings represent the sociocultural phenomenon of exotic animal celebrity in the 18th century. This exhibition has been organized by the J. Paul Getty Museum in association with the Staatliches Museum Schwerin and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.

Jean-Baptiste Oudry: A Brief Biography

French artist Jean-Baptiste Oudry (1686-1755) was among the most influential court painters of his day in France and Germany. Known as the foremost painter of animals and landscapes in the late 18th century, the Paris-born Oudry became one of the major authorities in French visual culture under King Louis XV of France.

Oudry followed in the footsteps of his father, a painter and art dealer. He received his first serious training beginning at the age of 19 from the Flemish-trained portraitist Nicolas de Largillière (1656-1746), while also attending classes in drawing at the Académie de St-Luc and the Académie Royale de Peinture et de Sculpture in Paris. Oudry’s mother was Nicole Papillon, whose family included the engraver Jean-Baptiste-Michel Papillon. He married Marie-Marguerite Froissé in 1709 and they had one son, Jacques-Charles (1720-1778), who also became a painter.

Oudry’s professional artistic career began with portrait commissions and still-life paintings. In 1719, he was accepted as a history painter by the French Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture, and became a professor there some 20 years later. Beginning in 1720 and throughout the decade, Oudry focused on drawing and painting animals, hunt scenes, and landscapes. It was this work— including highly finished, naturalistic animals — that garnered the attention and admiration of Louis XV. After 1724, Oudry was producing commissions of the royal hunt for the King, often in his presence at Versailles. He was also sought after for his paintings and decorative pieces by Czar Peter the Great of Russia, the Queen of Sweden, the King of Denmark, and the Duke of Mecklenburg at Schwerin. Oudry’s privileged position with Louis XV made him the most visible artist at the Salon of 1725, and he was given a solo exhibition at Versailles in 1726.

Oudry also enjoyed great success as a designer of tapestries. In 1734, he was named director of the Beauvais Tapestry Works, where he produced the world-famous illustrations to La Fontaine's Fables. Two years later, he became director of the Gobelins manufactory and designed the tapestry The Hunt of Louis XV. His position supervising all tapestry production gave him considerable influence on French decorative arts of the period.

Moving effortlessly among the media of painting, tapestry and engraving, drawing was also a central part of Oudry’s artistic practice, and he was among the most prolific draftsmen of his age. Besides sketching the live animals of the King’s menagerie, Oudry also copied animal motifs by other artists and made drawings after his own paintings. The majority of his drawings remained in his studio, serving as study material, records of his compositions, and references when preparing other works. As a group, Oudry’s animal drawings demonstrate both his versatility as a draftsman and his efforts to compose active and expressive animals.

One of Oudry’s best known paintings is the 1749 life-sized portrait of the famous female Indian rhinoceros, known as Clara, who toured Europe and inspired a dedicated following throughout the mid-1700s. Clara spent five months in Paris, where she created a sensation: letters, poems, and songs were written about her. It was at the Saint-Germain fair in Paris that Oudry painted hinoceros.

Oudry, however, painted little after suffering a stroke in 1754, and died at Beauvais in 1755. The legacy of his prodigious talents will be revitalized and on view in Oudry’s Painted Menagerie, a major exhibition of his life-sized paintings of a rhinoceros, lion, antelope, a leopard and leopardess, and several other animals and exotic fowl from the Staatliches Museum Schwerin. Several of his paintings, also displayed in this exhibition, formed the basis for engravings for the Comte de Buffon’s 44 volume Historie Naturelle, published from 1749-1804.

Clara: A Brief Biography

In a culture awash in instant and global access to information and images, it’s difficult to imagine the impact that a female Indian rhinoceros could have had on 18th-century Europe. But during her 17 years touring the continent, everyone wanted to make her acquaintance.

Miss Clara, as the hefty quadruped would affectionately come to be known, was the Age of Enlightenment’s equivalent of a modern day rock star.

In 1738, Jan Albert Sichtermann, a director of the Dutch East India Company adopted a one-month-old female rhino from the Assam region of India. She spent her first two years at his family’s estate near present-day Calcutta. Although quite tame—she was allowed to roam throughout the house and would often amuse dinner guests with her table skills—she would soon grow too large to be in the house without causing damage.

Dutch sea captain Douwemout Van der Meer of the Dutch East India Company acquired the young rhino when she was about three years old. After a seven-month sea voyage around Africa, Van der Meer and his rhino arrived in the Dutch port of Rotterdam in July of 1741. She was stabled and pastured in Leiden and Amsterdam and exhibited in the Netherlands for several years before she made her first trip abroad to Hamburg, Germany in 1744. Known as the “Dutch” Rhino, she acquired her nickname “Miss Clara” four years later when she visited the German town of Würzburg in August 1748.

Caring for a growing rhino on the road—at the age of eight she weighed nearly 5,000 lbs. — was not an easy undertaking, writes Glynis Ridley in her 2005 book, Clara's Grand Tour: Travels with a Rhinoceros in Eighteenth-Century Europe. Ridley was the first to document such details about the herbivore, whose typical daily diet would be 60 pounds of hay, 20 pounds of bread, and 14 buckets of water. During her sea voyage from India, she also became partial to orange peels, beer, and tobacco smoke. Clara’s skin required special moisturizers as well and, it is thought that, Van der Meer might have used fish oil to keep her comfortable.

When over-land travel was necessary, Clara rode in a custom built carriage, which required six pairs of oxen or 20 horses to draw it.

Between 1744 and her unexpected death in 1758, Clara traveled extensively throughout continental Europe. From 1746–1748, she toured the German states, the Holy Roman Empire, and the Swiss cantons, stopping in Hanover, Berlin, Breslau, Vienna, Munich, Regensburg, Freiberg, Dresden, Leipzig, Kassel, Frankfurt-am-Main, Mannheim, Bern, Zurich, Basel, Strasbourg, Stuttgart, Augsburg, Nuremberg, Würzburg, and Ansbach. She visited the Italian peninsula from 1749–1751 and went to London on three occasions, in 1751–1752, again in 1756, and a last time, dying there without fanfare, in 1758.

By the time Jean-Baptiste Oudry painted her portrait at the Saint-Germain fair in Paris in 1749, Clara was quite accustomed to attention and adoration from all classes of society. In addition to making public appearances, Clara was a highly sought-after guest of European society. She had private audiences with King Frederick II of Prussia in Berlin; Francis I and Empress Maria-Theresa in Vienna; King Louis XV in Versailles; Augustus III, Elector of Saxony and King of Poland; and Frederick II, Landgrave of Hesse.

As savvy as any modern-day marketer, Van der Meer commissioned souvenirs to be sold to patrons with varying budgets, including woodcuts, engravings, commemorative prints and medals. He was no doubt pleased when the passion for all things rhino- and Clara-related erupted during her stays in Paris and Versailles in the winter and spring of 1749. Interior

design elements and luxury goods of the day, including Meissen porcelain, clocks and music boxes, sported her plump likeness. Courtiers carried rhino snuffboxes. Fashionable coiffures, dresses and ribbons that season were ‘à la rhinoceros.’ Even horses weren’t immune: harnesses outfitted with feathers and ribbons (suggesting the rhino horn and tail, respectively) were a must.

Clara, however, was destined to be more than a mere fashion accessory. Prior to her arrival, a rhinoceros had not been seen in Europe since 1579. Most Europeans considered the rhino a mythical creature, much like the fabled unicorn. For those who understood that the rhino did exist, the image they would have been familiar with would have been a woodcut print by German artist Albrecht Dürer (1471–1528), which portrays the rhino with an armor-like hide, reptilian scales on its legs, and an extra horn protruding from between its shoulders.

Clara’s tours throughout Europe not only fixed the rhinoceros firmly in reality, but also provided scientists, or natural philosophers, as they were known, with an accurate model of the species. Clara appears in two seminal publishing projects of the Enlightenment period, Georges Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon’s 36-volume Histoire Naturelle, and the 17-volume Encyclopédie by Denis Diderot and Jean Le Rond d’Alembert.

Clara captivated many more than actually saw her in person, thanks to a generation of artists, scientists, philosophers and writers who sought to describe her in detail through their respective mediums.

“She was a gentle giant whose larger-than-life presence fascinated and delighted all, from the learned doctors of ‘natural philosophy’ to the common citizenry,” said Charissa Bremer-David, associate curator of sculpture and decorative arts, the J. Paul Getty Museum, who organized the “Clara-mania” section of the Oudry’s Painted Menagerie exhibition (on view at the J. Paul Getty Museum, Getty Center, from May 1 – September 2, 2007). “Her imprint on contemporary culture was recorded through the numerous painted portraits, life drawings, engraved profiles, ceramic and metal sculptures, prose and scientific reports. Yet, for all her familiarity in visual and printed forms, she remained a living wonder in the Age of Enlightenment.”

She continues to inspire interest today.

J. Paul Getty Museum Paintings Conservation At A Glance

When French artist Jean-Baptiste Oudry’s life-size Rhinoceros and Lion go on display at the J. Paul Getty Museum on May 1, 2007, it will mark the culmination of one of the longest conservation projects in the Museum’s history – and the first time the paintings have been seen by the public in more than 150 years.

The five-year project, which began in 2001, marks an ambitious collaboration with the Staatliches Museum Schwerin, and among several programs of the J. Paul Getty Trust, including the Museum’s Paintings Conservation and Paintings departments, and the Getty Conservation Institute, to repair and restore the damaged Oudry paintings to their original splendor. In addition, the Getty’s Paintings Conservation Council and the Friends of Heritage Preservation lent their financial support to the project.

Simultaneously, the Getty Foundation funded two conservation projects at the Staatliches Museum Schwerin, allowing for conservation research on paintings in the Museum’s Old Master collection.

Over the past 15 years, the Getty Museum’s Paintings Conservation Department has restored – free of charge – more than 105 important paintings for institutions around the world. Most projects are completed in four months to a year and involve conservators utilizing a range of practices to repair, clean, retouch, restore, preserve and maintain significant paintings. The conservators’ work necessitates familiarity with numerous fields of expertise, ranging from art history to chemistry and materials science.

The J. Paul Getty Trust is an international cultural and philanthropic organization devoted to the visual arts, and conservation is a fundamental mandate of its mission. Toward that end, the J. Paul Getty Museum’s Paintings Conservation Department routinely undertakes partnerships with other institutions in need of conservation assistance with their collections.

Additionally, the Getty Foundation funds conservation projects worldwide, complementing and extending the work of all the Getty programs.

The paintings come to the Getty on loan and are repaired and restored in exchange for allowing the Getty to exhibit the works in public galleries at the Getty Center after completion of the treatments. The newly restored paintings may also be featured in exhibition catalogues and scholarly journals.

Some of the highlights of the Paintings Conservation department’s work since 1990 include collaborations with the Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest, Hungary, on two paintings including Petrus Christus’s Virgin and Child in an Archway; the Kröller-Müller Museum, Otterlo, The Netherlands, on nine paintings including Pierre Auguste Renoir’s The Clown and Vincent van Gogh’s Cornfield and Tree in the Mountains; and the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen, Dresden, Germany on three paintings including Andrea Mantegna’s Holy Family.

“Partnering with other museums and cultural institutions in conserving major works of art allows the Getty Museum and our conservators, curators and the Getty Conservation Institute’s conservation scientists to work together to perform a significant public service by preserving important paintings and once again making them available for public view,” says Museum Director Michael Brand.

The Paintings Conservation department, started in 1974 with the opening of the J. Paul Getty Museum, is considered one of the world’s finest, featuring four paintings conservators, one frame conservator, and support staff responsible for the care and study of the approximately 450 paintings in the Museum’s permanent collection. The department also regularly hosts interns and guest conservators from other institutions.

Paintings Conservation is one of four conservation departments at the Getty Museum, which has about 25 conservators and support staff in total. In addition, the Getty Conservation Institute's Museum Research Laboratory, which played a major role in the work on Oudry’s Rhinoceros and Lion, works in close collaboration with the Museum’s conservation departments, performing scientific analysis of works of art to support treatments, studies of technology and materials, and collaboration with the conservators and other institutions.

Conservation was important to J. Paul Getty, who employed one of the leading conservators of paintings of the time, John Brealey, to look after his collection in London.

Brealey was later named head of the paintings conservation department at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York in 1975, where he trained a generation of conservators, including Mark Leonard, who now heads the J. Paul Getty Paintings Conservation Department, having joined the Getty in 1983.

Exciting upcoming projects include partnerships with the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum Museum in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, and the Museo del Prado in Madrid, Spain.

About the J. Paul Getty Museum

The J. Paul Getty Museum – with two locations at the Getty Villa in Malibu and the Getty Center in Los Angeles – is dedicated to making its collection meaningful and attractive to a broad audience by presenting and interpreting the collection through educational programs, special exhibitions, publications, conservation, and research. The Getty Center houses European paintings, drawings, sculpture, illuminated manuscripts, decorative arts, and European and American photographs. The Getty Villa in Malibu focuses on the arts and cultures of ancient Greece, Rome, and Etruria.

About the Getty Conservation Institute

The Getty Conservation Institute works internationally to improve and advance the practice of conservation. One of the four programs of the J. Paul Getty Trust, the GCI pursues projects and initiatives that serve and benefit the conservation community through scientific research, education and training, field projects, and the sharing and dissemination of information.

About the Getty Foundation

As the J. Paul Getty Trust’s grant-making arm, the Getty Foundation provides support to institutions and individuals in Los Angeles and throughout the world, funding a diverse range of projects that promote the understanding and conservation of the visual arts. Through its grant making, the Foundation complements and extends the work of all the Getty programs.

The Foundation also encompasses the Getty Leadership Institute, the leading source of continuing professional development for current and future museum leaders.

About the Paintings Conservation Council

Since its inception in 2002, the Paintings Conservation Council of the J. Paul Getty Museum has provided generous support for the study and restoration of major works of art from an international array of museums and cultural institutions. The 23-member Paintings Conservation Council includes a diverse group of collectors and art enthusiasts with wide-ranging interests.

About the Friends of Heritage Preservation

The Friends of Heritage Preservation is a small, private association of members based in Los Angeles, dedicated to the recognition, preservation, and conservation of artistic and cultural heritage. The organization was founded by Suzanne Deal Booth, a member of the Getty’s Paintings Conservation Council.

Technically Speaking: A Conversation With Mark Leonard

In 2001, two paintings by the 18th-century French artist Jean-Baptiste Oudry that had been rolled up and stored for generations in the basement of the Staatliches Museum Schwerin in northeast Germany, were shown to Mark Leonard, conservator of paintings, and Scott Schaefer, curator of paintings, the J. Paul Getty Museum. The life-size animal portraits, ‘Rhinoceros’ and ‘Lion,’ among Oudry’s most important paintings, were in need of conservation. The Getty offered to repair and restore the paintings as part of an ambitious conservation partnership between the two museums. Mark Leonard tells us of the lengthy, detailed process that brought ‘Rhinoceros’ and ‘Lion’ back to life.

Q: How did the Getty Museum get involved in conserving these two paintings from the Staatliches Museum Schwerin?

A: As part of the Getty’s philanthropic mission, the Paintings Conservation department looks for conservation projects with other institutions in need of assistance. There’s an excellent conservation department in Schwerin, and additionally some very good restorers working nearby in Hamburg. But because of the incredible size of these paintings, they were simply not able to handle them physically. There wasn’t any room in the restoration studios at Schwerin and there weren’t any private conservators nearby who could take them on.

Q: Could you describe the conditions of the paintings when you first saw them?

A: The Lion was the more damaged of the two paintings. It had been folded in half down the vertical central seam and then rolled up fairly tightly – too tightly for an oil painting on canvas. It was also crushed on one side. There were a series of paint losses, not only down the central seam, but running horizontally in a regular pattern from having been crushed. The Rhinoceros was damaged, too, but to a lesser extent.

Q: What was your initial reaction when you saw the paintings?

A: My first thought when I saw both pictures was astonishment at the personalities that were captured in each of the animals. I was naturally, as I think many people are, drawn to the rhinoceros, because she is such a gentle giant. Even when we initially saw her (the painting) lying on the floor covered with a discolored varnish, under really bad lighting conditions, that eye that Oudry painted looking directly at us, just reached out to everybody in the room. We were engaged. I was completely taken with it. Frankly, that kind of joyful engagement with the animal was the primary thing on my mind.

Q: You didn’t think of how much work would lie ahead?

A: Yes, I did think it would be a lot of work. They’re both enormous canvases and working with large paintings always involves compromise and frustration. But given the quality and the enthusiasm of the subjects, I knew they would be interesting and exciting paintings to work on.

Q: How did Rhinoceros, for example, arrive at the Getty Museum?

A: The Rhinoceros painting arrived in Los Angeles by airplane, rolled up like a large tapestry or carpet put on a drum the same length – 10 feet – as the height of the picture. The drum was put in a wooden crate. When it arrived at the Getty, we unrolled it face up onto a large work surface in the restoration studio. We spent a few weeks trying to get to know the painting a little bit better.

Q: How did you do that?

A: We thought about what happened to it. We took some samples, did some cleaning tests and devised a plan to work, first of all, on the structural issues. Secondly, we’d deal with the cleaning and restoration of the surface.

Q: What were the first repairs on Rhinoceros?

A: We spent about a year working on the back of the painting, mending tears and inserting new pieces of canvas, particularly at the right edge where large sections of the original canvas had been missing. A large piece of canvas also on the right edge had become completely detached from the original. That was repaired and consolidated and then stitched back into the main structure of the canvas.

Q: Was there anything unusual about the painting?

A: The canvas was unlined, and we kept it unlined – meaning we did not add another layer of fabric onto the back of the painting. It’s extremely rare to come across a French 18th-century painting that has not been lined, and that has not had a new piece of fabric glued to the back.

Because of that rarity, and also because the picture remained quite flexible, we designed a treatment that would allow us to repair the structural problems with a minimal amount of intervention.

Q: How did you go about working on the painting?

A: We found there were two layers of varnish on the painting. The upper layer of varnish, which we think had been applied when the picture was framed, was very discolored but easily removed with very mild solvents. The second layer contained a fair amount of drying oil, which we discovered with the help of the scientists at the Getty Conservation Institute. It appeared to have been applied very early on in the life of the picture, and it was impossible to remove without damaging the original paint. We opted to leave it intact.

Q: What came next?

A: We then had to deal with all of the losses that were scattered across the surface of the painting. There were literally thousands of tiny damages where paint had flaked away, which had to be filled, first with a putty like material to bring the level of the loss up to the level of the original paint.

Q: What were some of the other discoveries that you made along the way?

A: As we worked on both the Rhinoceros and the Lion, we learned a lot about how these pictures were created. Oudry was a traditionalist, a teacher at the French Royal Academy, and followed a predictable and prescribed method of preparing his canvases and applying his paints.

Q: How did Oudry’s preparation of his canvases impact your efforts to fix the losses?

A: Oudry first applied a double ground, a double preparatory layer, to the canvas. The lower preparatory layer was a deep red color and on top of that was a very thin, light beige color. That provided, particularly with the deep red preparation, a kind of dark and luminous under-layer that reflects light back through the upper paint layers in such a way that it lends vibrancy, a depth to the colors.

Q: Was this unusual?

A: Not really. It was a technique that was first used in early Italian renaissance paintings. A red preparatory layer was applied underneath because it lends a lot of warmth and depth, providing a luminous and dense appearance to the canvas right away.

Q: What does this process say about Oudry as an artist?

A: The way he went about painting was extremely direct and very simple. These are pictures that have a relatively uncomplicated build-up of paint layers – unlike other artists where you’ll encounter from seven to 20 layers of paint to create a specific kind of illusion.

Q: What is the result of Oudry’s method?

A: Well, it’s much easier, and you get a more complex result painting over a dark ground than you do painting over a light ground. And he used that to his advantage. Once he had applied the dark ground, the sky for example, is a really just a single layer of blue under paint, modulated with only one additional layer on top.

Q: Did you use the same approach in trying to restore the painting to its original condition?

A: Yes, we used a red ground color, but it was not the same materials as Oudry’s original preparatory layer. What we did was mimic the look of it physically. The painting was then retouched with paints that were designed specifically for use by restorers, so that the losses would disappear to the naked eye.

Q: It’s really amazing to see the Rhinoceros and Lion “before” and “after.” Did you take steps to ensure that the paintings will remain in optimal condition?

A: Yes. The pictures were varnished and placed into newly designed, specially built frames. The paintings came to the Getty without frames. They were presumably discarded when the paintings were removed from their stretchers back in the 19th century. The Staatliches Museum Schwerin has what is called a “house frame” style, which means that almost every picture in the collection is framed with the same type of molding. We worked with the curators and conservators at Schwerin to create new frames that will travel with the paintings from here to Houston and then back to their home in Schwerin.

GETTY MUSEUM AWAKENS SLEEPING PAINTINGS BY

JEAN-BAPTISTE OUDRY

Oudry’s Painted Menagerie

At the J. Paul Getty Museum, the Getty Center,

May 1, 2007 – September 2, 2007

LOS ANGELES—When the J. Paul Getty Museum unveils the exhibition Oudry’s Painted Menagerie on May 1, 2007, two enormous artworks, Rhinoceros and Lion, will be on display for the first time in more than 150 years. The works, which belong to the Staatliches Museum Schwerin in Germany, were painted in the mid-1700s by Jean-Baptiste Oudry, considered the greatest animal painter during the first half of the reign of King Louis XV.

Oudry’s Painted Menagerie, at the J. Paul Getty Museum, the Getty Center from May 1– September 2, 2007, will mark the culmination of an important international collaboration of conservators, scientists, curators, and art historians. The exhibition will showcase the restored Rhinoceros and Lion, and 10 other Oudry paintings – including an antelope, two leopards, a Mufflon sheep, several exotic fowl, and more than 20 animal drawings. Most of these portraits celebrate star specimens of the French king’s menagerie at Versailles.

A French painter and professor at the Royal Academy, Oudry (1686-1755) was among the foremost court painters of his day in France and Germany. Oudry’s highly finished, naturalistic animals have been called elegant, dignified, and noble.

“As an artist, Oudry provides the kind of visual contact one longs for on a visit to the zoo, by giving us an intimate, tangible proximity to exotic, dangerous beasts that is generally blocked by fences, glass enclosures or crowds, not to mention the sometimes reluctant performances of the animals themselves,” says Mary Morton, the J. Paul Getty Museum’s associate curator of paintings and the exhibition’s organizing curator.

Jean-Baptiste Oudry

Rhinoceros, 1749 (pre-conservation)

Oil on canvas

Unframed: 310 x 456 cm

Courtesy of the Staatliches Museum Schwerin, Germany.

Oudry’s Rhinoceros is not just any rhinoceros. It is a life-sized portrait of Clara, a famous touring Indian rhinoceros who inspired a dedicated following throughout Europe in the mid-1700’s. A Dutch sea captain imported Clara from India, and orchestrated a European tour for the high-profile animal that lasted 17 years. Oudry painted Clara in 1749 at the annual Saint-Germain fair in Paris. Curious people came in droves to see the wondrous rhinoceros which German viewers, charmed by her docile nature, named Miss Clara.

An engaging section of the Getty’s exhibition will be devoted to the subject of “Clara-mania” and will showcase paintings, a beaded textile, Meissen porcelain, medals, prints, drawings and objects inspired by the celebrity rhino.

Oudry sold Rhinoceros and Lion in 1750 as part of a suite of 13 animal paintings. The buyer was Oudry’s principal patron at the time, Christian Ludwig II, the German Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. After their purchase, the Duke shipped the paintings to his castle in northeast Germany – now a part of the Staatliches useum Schwerin. In the middle of the 19th century, Rhinoceros and Lion were removed from their stretchers and placed in storage.

In 2001, Mark Leonard, head of paintings conservation at the Getty Museum, and Scott Schaefer, curator of paintings at the Getty Museum, were traveling through Germany to review potential conservation and restoration projects and learned of the Rhinoceros and Lion. The Getty team viewed the paintings and offered to bring them to Los Angeles for study and treatment.

The Restoration Process

The restoration process offered a truly original opportunity, as neither Rhinoceros nor Lion had been touched for more than 150 years. Both pictures were covered with heavy layers of grime and discolored varnish, making them very difficult to view. In addition, Lion was folded on its central seam, then rolled and crushed on one side, leading to cracks, creases, and numerous missing flakes of color. There were also structural repairs needed to mend numerous old tears and losses. However, the parts of the paintings that remained intact were in exquisite condition—the old varnish that appeared so dark and discolored had in fact offered protection to the original painted areas, and the paintings’ physical inaccessibility meant that no one had made any potentially misguided attempts to clean or restore them in the past.

“Our assignment was unique,” explains Leonard. “It is rare to receive the opportunity to work with paintings that have not undergone regular upkeep in more than a century. Now that the restoration process is complete, these two paintings are among the best preserved of all remaining Oudry works.”

The Paintings Conservation team followed a conservative approach, thinning the existing varnish and then adding a new layer of varnish in order to offer visual consistency with the remainder of the Museum Schwerin’s suite of Oudry paintings. Then, conservators retouched the many scattered minor damages. In addition, Getty conservator Tiarna Doherty painstakingly re-wove shredded bits of canvas, using tweezers and a magnifying glass, a process that took 18 months.

The multi-year restoration process led to some compelling discoveries. During his time as a Professor of the Royal Academy under Louis XV, Oudry presented two lectures that included useful references to his painting techniques. These lectures provided helpful insights during the course of the restoration, and the information was supplemented by technical studies carried out by the scientists of the Getty Conservation Institute, including pigment identification and binding media analysis.

“We’ve learned quite a lot about the materials and techniques that Oudry used,” says Leonard. “In restoring the two paintings, we put every effort into designing treatments that are as minimally invasive as possible.”

The Getty’s unique capabilities came into play in other aspects of the restoration as well.

For example, in order to display and easily maneuver the life-size Rhinoceros, master craftsmen in the Museum’s workshops designed and created a series of temporary stretchers to allow for easy access to the front and back of the canvas for restoration. In addition, they created a giant metal easel to allow a single technician to turn the painting.

Simultaneously, the Getty Foundation funded two conservation projects at the Staatliches Museum Schwerin, allowing for conservation research on paintings in the Museum’s Old Master collection.

The Exhibition

The exhibition was organized by the J. Paul Getty Museum in association with the Staatliches Museum Schwerin and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.

“The inspiration for Oudry’s Painted Menagerie was born from the extraordinary opportunity created through partnership and collaboration with other museums to conserve major works of art, provide our own staff with a unique professional experience and in the end benefit our audience by introducing works of art that would otherwise not be available for public view,” says Museum Director Michael Brand.

The conservation of Rhinoceros, Lion, and a third painting, Tiger, has been made possible by the J. Paul Getty Museum’s Painting Conservation Department, supported by the Paintings Conservation Council, a group that underwrites selected conservation partnerships. Additional support has been provided by the Friends of Heritage Preservation. Feldtmann Kulturell and FAMA Kunststiftung funded restoration of five other of the Oudry paintings.

The exhibition Oudry’s Painted Menagerie is being sponsored at the Getty by wachovia, the fourth largest bank holding company in the United States. This sponsorship is an example of Wachovia's commitment to California.

Following the exhibition at the Getty, Oudry’s Painted Menagerie will be on view at The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, October 7, 2007 to January 6, 2008. Following Houston, the paintings return to the Staatliches Museum Schwerin in Germany where they will be on view from April 4, 2008 to July 6, 2008.

Clara: The Movie

Oscar-winning film director William Friedkin (The French Connection, The Exorcist) as so captivated by the restoration of Clara that he followed and documented the entire conservation project from the day the painting first arrived at the Getty Museum. Portions of Friedkin’s documentary will be shown in conjunction with the exhibition. The complete 30-minute film will be sold in the Getty Museum store.

Related Program

Oudry’s Painted Menagerie has inspired an exciting collaboration between the Getty

Museum, nearby Skirball Cultural Center, the Los Angeles Zoo, and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. The four organizations will offer a summer “passport” program that allows visitors from each institution to experience all four places between May 28, 2007 – August 31, 2007. When a guest presents their passport at each institution, they will receive a stamp and, after all four stamps are received, guests can mail in their passport to receive a free gift.

Additionally, the Los Angeles Zoo will feature displays about the Getty exhibition that will include 18th century “fun facts” about the zoo animals that correspond with specific paintings and drawings in Oudry’s Painted Menagerie, including the rhinoceros, lion, tiger, tufted crane and cassowary.

Related Exhibition

Medieval Beasts

May 1-July 29, 2007

North Pavilion, Plaza Level, J. Paul Getty Museum at the Getty Center This exhibition focuses on the central role of beasts both in medieval art and the medieval conception of the world. Medieval Beasts, culled from the Getty Museum’s permanent collection features many of the Museum's most popular illuminated manuscripts, its two popular bestiaries and some books and leaves rarely displayed, including a lively manuscript of Aesop's fables. The 23 images chosen for Medieval Beasts are divided into three sections: Animals in Daily Life, Symbolic Creatures, and Fantastic Beasts, and all include a special feature created especially for the enjoyment and education of children.

The J. Paul Getty Trust is an international cultural and philanthropic institution devoted to the visual arts that features the Getty Conservation Institute, the Getty Foundation, the J. Paul Getty Museum, and the Getty Research Institute. The J. Paul Getty Trust and Getty programs serve a varied audience from two locations: the Getty Center in Los Angeles and the Getty Villa in Malibu.

Visiting the Getty Center:

The Getty Center is open Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. It is closed Monday and major holidays. Admission to the Getty Center is always free. Parking is $8. No reservation required. Reservations are required for event seating and groups of 15 or more. For more information, call 310-440-7300 (English or Spanish); 310-440-7305 (TTY line for the deaf or hearing impaired).

Additional information is available at www.getty.edu.

Sign up for e-Getty at www.getty.edu/subscribe to receive free monthly highlights of events at the Getty Center and the Getty Villa via e-mail, or visit www.getty.edu for a complete calendar of public programs.

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Entertainment,Arts,Fashion & Technology

May 7

TRACY MORGAN TO HOST SPIKE TV’S FIRST ANNUAL “GUYS CHOICE”
Two-Hour Event Saluting Everything Guys Love
Premieres Wednesday, June 13th at 10 PM, ET/PT at 10 PM, ET/PT
All-Star Nominees Include Jessica Alba, Beyonce, Jessica Biel, Borat, Kobe Bryant,
George Clooney, Will Ferrell, James Gandolfini, Chuck Liddell, Masi Oka, Kiefer Sutherland, LaDainian Tomlinson And Rainn Wilson
Log-On To www.guyschoice.spiketv.com To Vote
New York, NY, May 7, 2007 – The preeminent night of the year for men will take place when comedian/actor Tracy Morgan hosts Spike TV’s first annual “GUYS CHOICE.” Spike TV is giving the biggest shout-outs in television history to the things guys love most and is relying on its millions of viewers to decide who to bow down to from the worlds of sports, music, film, television and the internet. The show is scheduled to tape on June 9 at CBS Radford in Los Angeles. Spike TV’s “GUYS CHOICE” premieres Wednesday, June 13 at 10:00 PM, ET/PT. It’s guys night out this June at 10:00 PM, ET/PT.
– The preeminent night of the year for men will take place when at 10:00 PM, ET/PT. It’s guys night out this June with this non-traditional awards show that promises to be a one-of-a-kind raucous and manly two-hour television spectacular. This star-studded event will feature everything guys want including comedy, the hottest women in the world, the best in music, sports and so much more. Also, for the first time in awards show history, Spike TV will narrow the field for all awards to only two nominees, so it can be settled like men: ‘mano a mano.’

In addition to honoring the coolest guys and the most awe-inspiring women from the past year, GUYS CHOICE will also feature unforgettable tributes to legendary entertainers, rockers and most viral videos, as well as edgy stand-up comedy and house-shaking musical performances.

Tracy Morgan has received critical acclaim for playing the wild and unpredictable movie star Tracy Jordan on NBC's "30 Rock." As a standup comic who headlined across the country, TV audiences first met Morgan in his role as "Hustleman" on the hit comedy series "Martin." Morgan next joined "Saturday Night Live" in 1996 where he appeared for seven seasons and created such memorable characters as "Astronaut Jones" and "Brian Fellows." Morgan’s feature-film credits include "The Longest Yard," "Little Man," "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back" and "Head of State."

The official sponsors of Spike TV’s “GUYS CHOICE” are American Express, Cingular, now the new AT&T, Corona, Jeep® Patriot, Pizza Hut, SNICKERS®Brand, Southern Comfort® and U.S. Army.Voting for this year’s nominees are held online at

www.guyschoice.spiketv.com and wirelessly by texting "GUYS" to 22422. Wireless voting is sponsored exclusively by Cingular, now the new AT&T and runs through Friday, June 1. Also online, fans can log on to view exclusive red carpet and backstage coverage of the event.Following are the categories and nominees for Spike TV’s “GUYS CHOICE” (additional nominations will be announced shortly on SpikeTV.com): BIGGEST ASS KICKER
Gerard Butler (“300”) vs. Kiefer Sutherland (Fox’s “24”)
BALLSIEST BAND

Disturbed vs. Lamb of God

HOTTEST GIRL ON THE PLANET

Beyonce vs. Adriana Lima

LUCKIEST BASTARD

Dominic Monaghan (Evangeline Lilly’s boyfriend) vs. Cash Warren (Jessica Alba’s boyfriend)

FUNNIEST M.F.

Will Ferrell vs. Sacha Baron Cohen

GIFT FROM THE GODS
Minka Kelly (NBC’s “Friday Night Lights”) vs. Rashida Jones (NBC’s “The Office”)
MOST UNSTOPPABLE JOCK

Kobe Bryant vs. LaDainian Tomlinson

HOTTEST JESSICA

Jessica Alba vs. Jessica Biel

BEST GANGSTERTAINMENT
“The Departed” vs. “The Sopranos”
MOST DANGEROUS MAN

Chuck Liddell (UFC) vs. Dog (The Bounty Hunter)

FEMME FATAL
Tricia Helfer (Sci-Fi’s “Battlestar Galactica”) vs. Rose McGowan (“Grindhouse”) COCKIEST CREW
HBO’s “Entourage” crew vs. “Jackass 2” crew SICKEST RHYMES

Nas vs. Jay-Z

COOLEST GEEK
Rainn Wilson (NBC’s “The Office”) vs. Masi Oka (NBC’s “Heroes”) GUTSIEST MOVE
Steven Colbert (his speech from White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner) vs. Chris Peterson (head football coach at Boise State)KINGPIN (GUY OF THE YEAR)
(GUY OF THE YEAR)

James Gandolfini vs. George Clooney

Emmy Award-winning producer Joel Gallen of Tenth Planet Productions and Casey Patterson, Senior Vice President, Event Production & Talent Development for Spike TV will serve as executive producers. Alicia Portugal is the executive in charge of production for Spike TV.

Spike TV is available in 91.6 million homes and is a division of MTV Networks. A unit of VIACOM (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), MTV Networks is one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms.

Fans of Soul Songstress Jill Scott Can Enter the VerizonSurround 'Love Rain' Music Video Contest to Win Tickets to Her Concert and Autographed CDs
Verizon Presents Two Nights of Soul Starring Scott and Special Guests at Radio City Music Hall, June 13 and 14

-- Fans of Grammy Award-winning soul and rhythm and blues singer and songwriter Jill Scott can enter a music video contest and win the opportunity to meet with Scott and attend one of her two concert performances next month at Radio City Music Hall, featuring special guests Musiq Soulchild, Chaka Khan and Robin Thicke, courtesy of Verizon.

To enter the VerizonSurround "Love Rain" music video contest, visit http://verizon.net/jillscott. Contestants must submit a one-to-two-minute video file that gives an original interpretation performance inspired by Scott's song "Love Rain." Entry videos must include the lyrics of the song or a rework of the lyrics. (See official rules online.) Verizon's Scott video contest page is on the company's cutting-edge, broadband entertainment site, VerizonSurround (http://surround.verizon.net/), which features movie trailers, hot news, cool games and fast-paced message boards.

"Verizon is fast becoming the company for all your entertainment needs, so it only made sense for us to host this online contest to give Jill Scott's fans not only the chance to win cool prizes, but the chance to be creative," said Pat Hennebry, director of corporate sponsorships for Verizon." Scott will perform at Radio City Music Hall on June 13 and 14 at 8 p.m. Award- winning comedian, TV star and clothing designer Mo'Nique, who is presently starring in VH1's "Flavor of Love Girls Charm School," will join Scott on both nights as show host.

Scott's music has been described as a blend of 70s soul, jazz and blues, together with 80s hip-hop. Her debut album, "Who Is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds Vol. 1," was released in July 2000. "Experience: Jill Scott 826+," appeared the following summer and featured the single "A Long Walk," earning her a Grammy nomination in early 2003 for Best Female Vocal Performance. Scott's "Beautifully Human: Words and Sounds, Vol. 2" came out in 2004 and the more recent "Collobarations" in 2007. Her next album, "The Real Thing," is expected to be released this summer.

Musiq Soulchild will be featured at Scott's June 13 performance. He made a blockbuster debut in 2000 and since then he has had multiple platinum albums and has won several awards, including Billboard Music Awards, Soul Train Music Awards and ASCAP Rhythm and Soul Awards, and multiple nominations for Grammy Awards and BET Awards.

Chaka Khan and Robin Thicke will join Scott's performance on June 14. Multiple Grammy Award-winner Khan is well known for her famous song, "I'm Every Woman," which became a smash hit again for Whitney Houston a decade after Khan released it.

Thicke's smash single, "Wanna Love You Girl," can be heard throughout the country on radio stations, formats and in clubs. His career began at 16 when, with no formal training, he began writing and producing music for recording artists like Brandy and Brian McKnight. Thicke has dozens of gold and platinum records with artists including Usher, Mary J. Blige, Michael Jackson and Christina Aguilera. Currently, his second U.S. single, "Lost Without U," is a smash hit on air and on the charts.

The grand-prize winner of Verizon's video contest will receive two tickets to Scott's June 14 performance, and three runners-up will win autographed CDs. The grand-prize winner will also have the opportunity to meet Scott backstage after the show.

Video files for the online contest will need to be in one of these formats: QuickTime (.mov), MPEG (.mpg), MPEG-4 (.mp4), Windows Media (.wmv), or (AVI (.avi). One video entry per person. Entries must be original works that have not been previously published nor infringe upon the copyrights, trademarks or other intellectual property, or other rights of any person or entity. For complete rules to the VerizonSurround "Love Rain" music video contest, please visit http://verizon.net/jillscott.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) , headquartered in New York, is a leader in delivering broadband and other wireline and wireless communication innovations to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving 60.7 million customers nationwide. Verizon's Wireline operations include Verizon Business, which delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world, and Verizon Telecom, which brings customers the benefits of converged communications, information and entertainment services over the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network. A Dow 30 company, Verizon has a diverse workforce of more than 238,000 and last year generated consolidated operating revenues of more than $88 billion. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

MEET THE STARS OF SHOWTIME'S POPULAR
“DEBBIE DOES DALLAS ...AGAIN” SERIES ON THURSDAY, MAY 10TH AT TOKIO IN L.A.
VIVID GIRLS MONIQUE ALEXANDER, CASSIDEY AND
SUNNY LEONE TO HOST RELEASE PARTY FOR THE “DEBBIE DOES DALLAS ...AGAIN” MOVIE
WHO: Vivid Girls Monique Alexander, Cassidey and Sunny Leone, stars of the popular Showtime reality series and sizzling adult blockbuster of the year, "Debbie Does Dallas …Again," will host the release party in L.A.
: , and , stars of the popular reality series and sizzling adult blockbuster of the year, "," will host the release party in L.A. WHAT: “Debbie Does Dallas …Again” is the first adult movie to ever be released in both HD DVD and Blu-ray and has already received worldwide press coverage. The sequel to the 1978 classic is released by Vivid Entertainment, the world’s leading adult film company. The Showtime series followed the behind-the-scenes fun and drama in the making of the movie.
: “Debbie Does Dallas …Again” is the first adult movie to ever be released in both and and has already received worldwide press coverage. The sequel to the 1978 classic is released by , the world’s leading adult film company. The Showtime series followed the behind-the-scenes fun and drama in the making of the movie.

Guests will get to mix and meet with Monique, Cassidey and Sunny, who will also sign complimentary “Debbie” DVDs.

WHERE: Tokio, 1640 N. Cahuenga Blvd. ( Cross Street : Hollywood Boulevard ) - (323) 464-2065.
, 1640 N. Cahuenga Blvd. ( Cross Street : Hollywood Boulevard ) - (323) 464-2065. WHEN: Thursday, May 10^th from 8-10pm with open bar. Open to the public starting at 10pm.
from with open bar. Open to the public starting at .

…Again” tells the story of a team of sexy all-American cheerleaders who compete with one another in both cheerleading and sexual prowess as they practice for the National Cheerleading World Championships, their exploits on and off the practice field revealing hidden talents and skills that will keep viewers riveted to the film. The three-disc set includes the original “Debbie Does Dallas” and is the first Hi-Def DVD with multiple camera angle options.

About Vivid:

Founded in 1984, Vivid Entertainment Group is the world’s leading adult film company. Vivid has always placed heavy emphasis on high quality erotic film entertainment and has created wide brand-name awareness through its films and through a licensing and marketing program that extends to advertising, apparel, book publishing and other products.

The company’s Vivid-Alt imprint is headed by Eon McKai, alt-porn’s dominant icon. McKai has been widely credited as the founder of this new and edgy film genre. He has been profiled in The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times and The Village Voice. Visit Vivid-Alt’s popular website www.vividalt.com. Tristan Taormino, popular columnist with The Village Voice and an award winning director has also launched a Vivid-Ed imprint for the company. Visit www.vivid-ed.com.

Rising Star Daniel Merriweather Signs With J/Allido Records
First Single From Mark Ronson's Album "Stop Me" Featuring Merriweather #1 on UK Charts!

-- Australian singer Daniel Merriweather, whose soulful voice is taking England by storm, has signed an exclusive recording agreement with J Records, to be released on DJ/producer Mark Ronson's imprint Allido Records. Born in Melbourne, Australia and currently a resident of New York City, Daniel made his recording debut this month as the lead vocalist on "Stop Me," which was the #1 single on the UK airplay charts two weeks ago. "Stop Me" is the first single from DJ/producer Mark Ronson's forthcoming album Version which has been hailed by the UK Press: Q Magazine said: "Mark Ronson is the man of the moment. Version is a blast, the sound of someone enjoying their success and throwing a party for all corners." The Daily Mail calls "Stop Me" - "Brilliant."

An ingenious cover of the Smiths' 1987 classic (original title: "Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before"), "Stop Me" featuring Daniel Merriweather was first released as a digital download on April 2 and as a mini-EP via iTunes worldwide exclusive on April 9. Version, Ronson's debut will be released in stores in the US on June 12th (RCA/Allido Records). Daniel Merriweather is in elite company on Version - other artists featured on the album include Amy Winehouse, Robbie Williams, Lily Allen, and Kasabian.

States Mark Ronson: "I've worked with Daniel off and on for almost 5 years now and I've seen his voice leave everyone from Sean Paul to D'Angelo speechless. He has one of my favorite voices of anyone I've ever worked with and he's also a talented writer and musician. His talent scares me."

Currently, singer and producer are hard at work on Merriweather's forthcoming debut album to be released early 2008.

Mark Ronson and entrepreneur Rich Kleiman founded Allido Records in 2004. The label's first full-length release in July 2006 was the critically acclaimed debut album by Grammy Award-winning rapper Rhymefest Blue Hi Collar (Allido/J Records), with tracks produced by Ronson, Kanye West, No I.D., Just Blaze, and Cool & Dre.

Source: J Records

Web site: http://www.jrecords.com/

PBS KIDS Sprout(SM) Adds New Original Afternoon Block, The Let's Go Show, to Preschool Line-Up
Interactive show designed to encourage preschoolers to ask questions and be curious about the world around them debuts on Monday, June 25, 2007 at 3:00 pm EDT

PHILADELPHIA, May 7 /PRNewswire/ -- PBS KIDS Sprout (SproutOnline.com), the first and only 24-hour preschool destination available on TV, on demand and online for kids ages 2-5 and their parents and caregivers, is adding the original afternoon block, The Let's Go Show, to its line-up of gold-standard preschool programming on Monday, June 25, 2007. Airing every afternoon from 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. EDT, The Let's Go Show is designed to encourage preschoolers to ask questions, be curious about the world around them and participate in a daily musical adventure.

Host Miles (played by actor Milton Barnes) and his puppy friend Banjo (voiced and brought to life by puppeteer Ali Eisner), an adorable and spirited puppet who loves to play her homemade banjo, will embark each afternoon on a musical journey in their cardboard car, Carla. Miles loves to sing, discover new things and connect with viewers to help them learn through humor, music and interactive play. Always ready for adventure, Banjo represents the wonder, energy and curiosity of a preschooler.

"Sprout's programming is uniquely designed to follow the day of the preschooler from breakfast to bedtime," said Andrew Beecham, senior vice president of programming for PBS KIDS Sprout. "Whether it's discovering a new song with Miles and Banjo on The Let's Go Show or winding down for bed with Nina and Star on The Good Night Show, Sprout creates opportunities throughout the preschooler's day to invite their families into their world to share meaningful and playful moments together."

Between episodes of Sprout's gold-standard, curriculum-based shows -- such as Jim Henson's The Hoobs(TM), Angelina Ballerina(TM) and Bob the Builder(TM) -- Miles and Banjo will:

-- Learn a song and have a "boogie woogie break" at Music Hill;

-- Enjoy a special healthy snack prepared for them by Brussel Sprout at

the Sprout Diner Field;

-- Create age-appropriate science experiments at Wonder Why Valley;

-- Encourage viewers to become "Sprout Scouts" by helping Miles and Banjo

find their way to each location by asking questions;

-- Inspire kids to be creative and discover all the great things they can

make and do at home with their parents and caregivers.

Questions will be posed on-air during each show and viewers will be encouraged to try to figure out the answers at home or by visiting SproutOnline.com to find out more. The Association of Children's Museums (ACM), a professional service organization representing more than 350 children's museums around the world, worked with member museums to provide child-friendly and scientifically accurate explanations on SproutOnline.com for all the experiments featured on season one of The Let's Go Show.

Music also plays an important role on The Let's Go Show. Different styles of music and musical instruments will be introduced on each episode and viewers will be encouraged to create their own musical instruments -- such as a tissue box guitar -- and play along at home.

High-resolution images of Miles, Banjo and Carla are available in the media gallery at http://www.fishwithfeet.com/index-4.html.

About Sprout

PBS KIDS Sprout(SM) (SproutOnline.com) the first and only 24-hour preschool destination available on TV, on demand and online for kids ages 2-5 and their parents and caregivers, was created as a partnership among Comcast Corporation, the country's leading provider of cable, entertainment and communications products and services; HIT Entertainment, a leading provider of quality entertainment for young children; PBS (Public Broadcasting Service), the most trusted distributor of award-winning children's programming; and Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organization behind Sesame Street(R).

The 24-hour network, which launched in September 2005, is available on digital cable and satellite to 20 million homes. With over 110 million orders in 2006, Sprout is the #1 Kids On Demand service. The network's program lineup of gold-standard, curriculum-based children's shows includes: Sesame Street(R), Bob the Builder(TM), Barney & Friends(TM), Thomas & Friends(TM), Angelina Ballerina(TM), Sagwa: The Chinese Siamese Cat(TM), Caillou(TM), The Berenstain Bears(R), Jay Jay the Jet Plane(R), Teletubbies(TM), Dragon Tales(TM), Pingu(TM), Make Way For Noddy(TM), Jakers! The Adventures of Piggley Winks(TM) and more.

Web site: http://www.sproutonline.com/

Carrie Underwood's 'Before He Cheats' Soars Into the Top 10 of the Mainstream Top 40!
Powerhouse Single Spent Five Weeks atop the Country Chart, Underscoring Underwood's Cross-Format Undeniability!
'Before He Cheats' is the first country video ever played on TRL

CMA Female Vocalist of the Year and double GRAMMY winner Carrie Underwood recently wrapped a three-week reign at #1 on the country charts with "Wasted," and now her previous multi-week country chart-topper, "Before He Cheats," showcases her massive cross-format appeal as it cracks the Top 10 on the Billboard Mainstream Top 40 Radio Airplay chart this week at #9*. The last country song to break into the Top 10 on the Mainstream Top 40 Radio Airplay chart was Faith Hill back in 2000 with "Breathe."

Already a Top 10 at Hot AC, "Before He Cheats" notched a whopping five weeks as country's #1 single in late '06, scoring a People's Choice Award for Favorite Country Song and earning multiple trophies at the 2007 CMT Music Awards. Now in rotation at MTV, the video for "Before He Cheats" was a recent "First Look" on TRL and became the first country video ever to air on the show and the first country video added to MTV since Shania Twain's "Man, I Feel Like a Woman" in 1999. It's also red hot at VH1, where it's the #4 most- played video and #4 on the viewer-voted VSpot Top 20 Video Countdown.

"Before He Cheats" is from Carrie's Arista Records/19 Recordings breakthrough debut album, Some Hearts, now certified Quintuple Platinum. Released in November of 2005, the disc's incredible sales momentum has propelled it to #1 for a remarkable 23 of its 76 chart weeks -- holding the #1 position on Billboard's Top Country Albums chart across multiple weeks in 2005, 2006, and 2007, and reclaiming the top spot again on the current chart. Billboard's Album of the Year and Country Album of the Year in 2006, the disc's singles have amassed 14 weeks atop Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart. A GRAMMY winner for Female Country Vocal Performance as well as Best New Artist, Underwood has received honors from the American Music Awards, the Academy of Country Music, the Country Music Association, and more.

Source: Arista Records

'Elvis At The Movies' Available in Stores and Online June 5th 2007
40 Tracks On Two Cds
5 Elvis Movie Soundtracks Released Digitally Only

-- On June 5th, 2007, SONY BMG Music Entertainment will release "Elvis At The Movies" -- the most comprehensive Elvis Presley 2 CD movie package ever produced. The double-disc, 40-song collection features some of the popular tunes from Elvis Presley's remarkable run of 31 Hollywood movies, including show-stopping numbers like "Jailhouse Rock," "What I'd Say" from Viva Las Vegas, and "Rock A Hula Baby" from perennial fan-favorite Blue Hawaii. Also included are such #1 hits as "Love Me Tender" and "Teddy Bear" plus 17 more Top 40 singles and classic contributions from legendary songwriters Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller, Doc Pomus & Mort Shuman, and Otis Blackwell.

At the same time SONY BMG Music Entertainment will make the following 5 Elvis movie soundtracks exclusively available for digital download: G.I. Blues, Frankie and Johnny, Girls! Girls! Girls, Spinout and Kissin' Cousins.

Track listing:

1) Love Me Tender - Love Me Tender

2) Loving You - Loving Room

3) Jailhouse Rock - Jailhouse Rock

4) Treat Me Nice - Jailhouse Rock

5) Hard Headed Woman - King Creole

6) King Creole - King Creole

7) G.I. Blues - G.I. Blues

8) Frankfort Special - G.I. Blues

9) Flaming Star - Flaming Star

10) Lonely Man - Wild In The Country

11) Can't Help Falling In Love - Blue Hawaii

12) Blue Hawaii - Blue Hawaii

13) Rock-A-Hula Baby - Blue Hawaii

14) Follow That Dream - Follow That Dream

15) King Of The White Wide World - Kid Galahad

16) Return To Sender - Girls!Girls!Girls!

17) One Broken Heart For Sale - It Happened At The Worlds Fair

18) They Remind Me Too Much Of You - It Happened At The Worlds Fair

19) Bossa Nova Baby - Fun In Acapulco

20) Viva Las Vegas - Viva Las Vegas

21) C'mon Everybody - Viva Las Vegas

22) Kissin' Cousins - Kissin' Cousins

23) Little Egypt - Roustabout

24) Do The Clam - Girl Happy

25) (Such An) Easy Question - Tickle Me

26) I'm Yours - Tickle Me

27) Shake That Tambourine - Harum Scarum

28) Frankie And Johnny - Frankie And Johnny

29) This Is My Heaven - Paradise Hawaiian Style

30) All That I Am - Spinout

31) I'll Be Back - Spinout

32) Long Legged Girl (with the short dress on) - Double Trouble

33) The Love Machine - Easy Come, Easy Go

34) Clambake - Clambake

35) Let Yourself Go - Speedway

36) Stay Away - Stay Away, Joe

37) A Little Less Conversation - Live A Little, Love A Little

38) Charro - Charro

39) Clean Up Your Own Back Yard - The Trouble With Girls

40) Rubberneckin' - Change Of Habit

Web site: http://www.bmg.com/

Nick at Nite Celebrates Mother's Day With 'Momedy Saturday' and Finale of Funniest Mom in America 3
Winner of Funniest Mom in America 3 to Win $50,000 and Chance to Host a Special Night of Programming on Nick at Nite

Nick at Nite kicks off its Mother's Day celebration one day early this year on Saturday, May 12 at 10 p.m. ET/PT with "Nick at Nite's Momedy Saturday" -- a four-hour maternal marathon of some of the network's greatest Mom-isodes from shows like Full House, Roseanne, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air and The Cosby Show. The celebration doesn't stop there because on Mother's Day, Sunday, May 13 at 9 p.m. ET/PT, the network will air the much-anticipated one-hour finale of its six-part series, Funniest Mom in America 3, as the winner of the competition is selected to win $50,000 and the chance to host a special night of programming on Nick at Nite. The finale features the three remaining contestants in the series -- Vicki Barbolak of Vista, CA, Pat Candaras of Brooklyn, NY and Cathy Ladman of Santa Monica, CA -- as they compete for the title by performing their stand-up before an audience, the judges Kim Coles and Hal Sparks, and host Roseanne Barr. Following the premiere of the finale, the network will air more hilarious mom-isodes from its line-up of shows.

"Nick at Nite's Momedy Saturday" and Mother's Day schedule is as follows (all times ET/PT):

Saturday, May 12, 10 p.m. - 2 a.m.

10 pm - America's Funniest Home Videos

This is a Mother's Day-themed episode.

10:30 pm - Full House - "Matchmaker Michelle"

Michelle feels she needs a mother figure in the house, so she invites her teacher over for lunch in the hopes that she will fall in love with Danny and become her new mom.

11 pm - Roseanne - "Scenes from a Barbeque"

Shelley Winters guest-stars as Roseanne's grandmother, Mary, whose wisecracking personality charms everyone, so much so that Roseanne begs her to stay with the Conners - permanently.

11:30 pm - Roseanne - "Don't Make Me Over"

A glamorous Roseanne emerges from her Mother's Day makeover at the Beauty Box only to discover Becky and Darlene have an ulterior motive behind their very thoughtful gift - to attend a weekend rock concert.

12 am - The Fresh Prince of Bel Air - "Mothers' Day"

When Jazz and his wife try unsuccessfully to conceive a child, they ask Will to "father" the baby. Phil urges the kids to give Vivian thoughtful Mother's Day gifts.

12:30 am - The Fresh Prince of Bel Air - "Vying for Attention"

Will becomes childishly jealous when his mother arrives for a visit -- with a man who could easily become Will's new stepfather.

1 am - The Cosby Show - "One More Time"

When Clair babysits for a newborn baby, she yearns to have another child of her own. Cliff, however, doesn't think it's such a good idea. In an effort to change Clair's mind, he introduces her to Mrs. Burke, a patient of his who is expecting child number 13. But Cliff's plan backfires when Clair is struck by how good Mrs. Burke looks.

1:30 am - The Cosby Show - "Knight to Night"

When Cliff realizes that Clair is overstressed at home and in the office, he treats her to a night in a deluxe, first-class, spare-no-expense room at the Biltmore Hotel. Back at home, Denise is left to watch over the younger kids.

Sunday, May 13, 9 p.m. - 1 a.m.

9 pm - Funniest Mom in America 3 Finale

The three finalists face their biggest challenge yet: to bring home the crown and $50,000 check! To help insure that each mom is ready for her big chance at stardom, we're sending each home with a comedy coach to help her develop the routine that will bring down the house! Will the hard work payoff? We'll find out at the historic Alex Theatre in Los Angeles, where the fate of the Funniest Mom in America will rest in the hands of the studio audience.

10 pm Roseanne - "Sweet Dreams"

Experience the secret desires of a domestic goddess in Roseanne's ultimate dream fantasy. An exhausted Roseanne has only one wish - to take a long hot bath. But the kids are calling for her, and Dan won't leave the bathroom until he fixes the sink. While waiting, Roseanne falls asleep and dreams she is in paradise being pampered by attractive men, and loved beyond her wildest dreams. But even in her fantasy, Dan and the kids keep messing things up, so she takes matters into her own hands and kills them off in her own unique way. After returning to her man servants for her long awaited bath, she finds herself under arrest for murder and forced to undergo one of TV's strangest trials.

10:30 pm Roseanne - "Mommy Nearest"

Roseanne and Jackie's mother comes to town with shocking news. She's moving to Lanford! To ease the blow, she's giving her children thousands of dollars. Also, Jackie begins dating a much younger man.

11 pm The Fresh Prince of Bel Air - "Mommy Nearest"

Will tries to tell his mother that he doesn't want to return to Philadelphia with her after his high school graduation.

11:30 pm The Fresh Prince of Bel Air - The Young and the Restless

Will sneaks out with Philip's mother to a rap concert. Despite his anger, Philip realizes he must worry less about his mother's health and allow her to live life as she wants.

12 am - Funniest Mom Finale Encore

Funniest Mom in America 3 is executive produced by Allison Grodner (Big Brother, Blowout) and presented by KFC.

Nick At Nite is Nickelodeon's nighttime programming block that features timeless hit comedies including the Emmy Award-winning series The Cosby Show, the popular family comedies Full House, Growing Pains, and The Fresh Prince of Bel Air as well as Roseanne, one of the most talked about and celebrated sitcoms in television history. Nickelodeon, in its 27th year, is the number- one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books, magazines and feature films. Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in almost 92 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for almost 12 consecutive years. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:VIA.B) .

Web site: http://www.nick.com/

Toby Keith to Entertain Troops on USO Tour to Germany and the Persian Gulf

Music superstar Toby Keith is set to embark on his fifth USO tour to the Persian Gulf and Germany. The two-time winner of the "Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year" award will perform, shake hands with service men and women, tour a variety of job posts and provide a break from the daily grind for the troops.

A strong supporter of our troops, the native Oklahoman previously traveled to Africa, Cuba, Belgium, Kuwait, Bosnia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Italy, Germany and numerous times to Iraq and Afghanistan for the USO. Keith's devotion becomes even clearer when listening to some of his most popular tracks including "American Soldier."

Selling more than 30 million records, Keith has toured the world, bringing his blend of country music to a devoted fan base. The success led to a number of awards, including honors from the Academy of Country Music, the Country Music Association, the American Music Awards and the Billboard Music Awards. His latest effort, "Big Dog Daddy," is scheduled to be released June 12.

This tour continues the USO's tradition of bringing celebrities to troops stationed far from home. Entertainers who recently participated in USO tours include Alex Trebek, Chely Wright, Gary Sinise, Five For Fighting, Carrie Underwood, Wilmer Valderrama, Jo Dee Messina, Larry The Cable Guy, Montgomery Gentry and Rascal Flatts.

AT&T, Inc. is the official telecommunications sponsor of USO entertainment tours.

About the USO: For more than 66 years, the USO (United Service Organizations) has been providing morale, welfare and recreational services to U.S. military personnel and their families. The USO is a nonprofit, charitable organization, relying on the generosity of the American people to support its programs and services. The USO is supported by Worldwide Strategic Partners AT&T Inc., BAE Systems North America, Clear Channel Communications, The Coca- Cola Company, DRS Technologies, Inc., Military Channel, S & K Sales Co., TriWest Healthcare Alliance and The Walt Disney Company. Other corporate donors, including the United Way and Combined Federal Campaign (CFC-11381), have joined thousands of individual donors to support the USO. For more information on the USO, please visit our Web site at http://www.uso.org/.

CONTACT: Reggie Borges of USO, +1-703-908-6471, rborges@uso.org

Web site: http://www.uso.org/

May 6

1	-	Spider-Man 3	Sony Pictures Releasing	$148,000,000	$148,000,000	1	4252
2	1	Disturbia	Paramount Pictures	$5,720,000	$59,883,000	4	3132
3	4	Fracture	New Line Cinema	$3,420,000	$26,453,000	3	2365
4	2	The Invisible	Buena Vista Pictures Distribution	$3,125,000	$12,346,000	2	2019
5	3	Next	Paramount Pictures	$2,768,000	$11,835,000	2	2733
6	-	Lucky You	Warner Bros. Pictures Distribution, Village Roadshow International, Warner Bros. Pictures International	$2,515,000	$2,515,000	1	2525
7	7	Meet the Robinsons	Buena Vista Pictures Distribution	$2,466,000	$91,771,000	6	2107
8	5	Blades of Glory	Paramount Pictures	$2,302,000	$111,632,000	6	2113
9	6	Hot Fuzz	Rogue Pictures (Focus)	$2,054,000	$16,145,000	3	1266
10	10	Are We Done Yet?	Sony Pictures Releasing	$1,700,000	$46,106,000	5	1704

May 4

ENVIRONMENTAL MOTORS GREEN CARS & GIBSON SUSTAINABLE GUITARS ON MAY 17th 2007.

Gibson/Baldwin who creates sustainable guitars, recycles and reclaims their product line of instruments along with Environmental Motors which is a Southern CA based electric car company are coming together to raise awareness. This event will create community energy as well a national press outreach on the topic of clean air & clean green living.

Musicians already involved include: Billy Morrison (his band Circus Diablo- about to go on the Ozzfest Tour) Paul Freeman (just signed to Clive Davis and album drops June) Michael DesBarres amongst others. Other notable talent invited include: Nick & Cisco Adler, Sharon Lawrence, Kelly Rutherford, Vanessa Williams, Rosanna Arquette, Jewel just to name a few!

This event will take place on the evening on May 17th, 2007 at the GIBSON BALDWIN SHOWROOM in Beverly Hills at 9350 Civic Center Drive.

Environmental Motors will be displaying their electric cars along with some very special musical guests playing acoustic guitars. There will be organic light fare and hosted beverage served through out the evening. We will also have other eco companies involved from furniture to apparel to beauty. We will be having a charity element as well as a foundation that works with the environment and improves the community. There will be a silent & a live auction component.

Their will 200 invited guests attending along with Media outlets including news crews, entertainment news shows, radio, all major magazine & newspapers outlets. We will interview all talent who attends as well. Gibson Showroom has a stage set up in the space, there are instruments galore- pianos, drums, guitars, bass etc.

We have also asked the City of Beverly Hills Council to attend, from the Mayor to the head of Public Works for Beverly Hills. We will be planting a tree in honor of this day we create as well as for the charity & the city.

ON LOKATION PRESENTS "SPRING FEVER"Socialite and Model Katie Rost hosts "Spring Fever," the fashion and design-themed charity event in the soon to be National Crime and Punishment Museum

WHO: On Lokation, the roving fashion retail concept with socialite and model Katie Rost
WHAT: Design-themed shopping and cultural experience
WHERE: 575 7th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20004
WHY: Shop and support the well deserved HoopsForAfrica, a HIV/AIDS charity for youth in Africa
HOW: Please RSVP to the media list at info@onlokation.com
DOOR: Tickets $40; $50 at the door

WASHINGTON, DC - On Lokation, the roving fashion-retail concept, continues its savvy shopping and cultural experiences with its upcoming spring and summer event, entitled "Spring Fever", on May 17, 2007 at the Tishman Speyer Main Tower location, which is the future location of the National Crime and Punishment Museum.

"Spring Fever" is a luxury shopping and art-infused event for hipsters, style connoisseurs and socialites, alike, delivering high fashion from designers from Italy, New York, LA, and Toronto.

"Imagine your favorite store from any of those cities, the art from your favorite museum and the food from your favorite restaurant all in one space, with your favorite DJ," says Kellie Crawford On Lokation's principle.

On Lokation will be “on location” on a gritty canvas of 9,000 square-feet of pre-construction raw space. Interior and interpretive design will be executed by the Jackson Design Group, LLC.. The Remedy Furniture is providing the contemporary interior design installation. Featured artists include metal sculptor Chris Tousimis and painter Alison Poland. Other artwork will be provided by the esteemed Zenith Gallery.

Stockholm Krystal Vodka is the exclusive spirit patron of the evening. Guests will experience it with hors d'oeuvres and the new Fever stimulation beverage. They will also enjoy runway presentation including the spring/summer collections from Lia Kes, Majo Lab, Jim Barnier, Susan Farber and the launch of the men's wear collection R.Lucien, whose philosophy focuses on a mix of fine tailoring and contemporary details.

The full experience is all under the glare of lights and cameras of the CW Network's Late Night with Erik Haase and all for a good cause. A portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit HoopsforAfrica, an organization dedicated towards HIV/AIDS awareness for youth in Africa. Thus far, Hoops for Africa has reached over 26,000 kids in three different countries, Cameroon, Kenya and Botswana. Their goal is to reach 2 million kids continent wide. Since 2003, supporters have included Chris Tucker, Larry King, Congressman Donald Payne, Senator James Inhofe, Ambassador of Botswana, Gabon and Rwanda, Morgan Stanley, and Verizon.

"This is a unique shopping experience for Washington, DC's fashion elite," says Crawford. "It is a lifestyle event set in partnerships. The people who start fashion trends, appreciate contemporary art, and believe in social innovation all have a similar aesthetic. Spring Fever" is set to be the high-fashion and cultural experience of the year."

On Lokation is a lifestyle driven men and women’s retail concept. It combines the best of its high fashion with art, architecture, interior design and music through its ever-growing network of revolutionary artists. With a history of partnership with both corporate and private firms, it is on the frontier of cross-branding and co-marketing. Previous events have been held at the award-winning Numark Gallery and the former Ford Model-T showroom at the T-Street flats. # # #

ARRIS Successfully Demonstrates Next Generation Video Delivery
System for the Chinese Market
ARRIS (Nasdaq ARRS) today announced the availability of its next generation wideband data and video delivery system as demonstrated during the recent CCBN Conference in Beijing. The solution is designed to assist Chinese cable operators looking for cost-effective solutions to deliver digital video IP VOD and Ultra High Speed Data services to their customers as part of the Government mandate to deliver digital video throughout the Chinese market.

The ARRIS solution consists of the D5™ Universal Edge QAM in combination with the C4® CMTS and Touchstone® Wideband Modems to deliver broadcast video, on-demand video and video over DOCSIS® as well as bi-directional wideband data over 120 Mbps wideband data and IPTV services to their customers. The solution offers cable operators cost efficient, flexible network and technology choices while delivering multiple service options to subscribers.

ARRIS has been working closely with national cable operator China Cable Network (CCN) in a SARFT-sponsored trial on Hainan Island, Hainan province in one of the first such IP Video over broadband trials in China.

"We are extremely impressed with the ability of the C4 and D5 in tandem to deliver basic and advanced video service in a cost-effective manner to our trial households," said Steven Sheng, Acting CTO of CCN. "The ARRIS solution clearly demonstrates the capability of DOCSIS technology to deliver the services required for the Chinese market in a cost-effective and highly reliable manner."

Steven Sheng will appear on an ARRIS-moderated panel entitled "IPTV Abroad: Global Drivers and Universal Lessons" -- Tuesday, May 8th from 8:00-9:15 AM in Ballroom L of the Mandalay Bay Convention Center during NCTA's Cable Show in Las Vegas.

About ARRIS
ARRIS provides broadband local access networks with best-in-class video, high-speed data, mobile and fixed-line telephony systems for the delivery of voice, video and data to their residential and small-to-medium sized business customers. ARRIS complete solutions enhance the reliability and value of converged services from the network to the end-user. Additionally, ARRIS provides a complete set of tools and cable system infrastructure products. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, ARRIS has R&D centers in Atlanta, Chicago, Cork, Ireland and Shenzhen, China and operates support and sales offices throughout the world. Information about ARRIS products and services can be found at www.arrisi.com.

For more information about the ARRIS C4 CMTS visit http://www.arrisi.com/c4. For more information about the ARRIS D5 Universal Edge QAM visit www.arrisi.com/d5.
ARRIS (Nasdaq ARRS) today announced the availability of its next generation wideband data and video delivery system as demonstrated during the recent CCBN Conference in Beijing. The solution is designed to assist Chinese cable operators looking for cost-effective solutions to deliver digital video IP VOD and Ultra High Speed Data services to their customers as part of the Government mandate to deliver digital video throughout the Chinese market. The ARRIS solution consists of the D5™ Universal Edge QAM in combination with the C4® CMTS and Touchstone® Wideband Modems to deliver broadcast video, on-demand video and video over DOCSIS® as well as bi-directional wideband data over 120 Mbps wideband data and IPTV services to their customers. The solution offers cable operators cost efficient, flexible network and technology choices while delivering multiple service options to subscribers. ARRIS has been working closely with national cable operator China Cable Network (CCN) in a SARFT-sponsored trial on Hainan Island, Hainan province in one of the first such IP Video over broadband trials in China."We are extremely impressed with the ability of the C4 and D5 in tandem to deliver basic and advanced video service in a cost-effective manner to our trial households," said Steven Sheng, Acting CTO of CCN. "The ARRIS solution clearly demonstrates the capability of DOCSIS technology to deliver the services required for the Chinese market in a cost-effective and highly reliable manner." Steven Sheng will appear on an ARRIS-moderated panel entitled "IPTV Abroad: Global Drivers and Universal Lessons" -- Tuesday, May 8th from 8:00-9:15 AM in Ballroom L of the Mandalay Bay Convention Center during NCTA's Cable Show in Las Vegas.ARRIS provides broadband local access networks with best-in-class video, high-speed data, mobile and fixed-line telephony systems for the delivery of voice, video and data to their residential and small-to-medium sized business customers. ARRIS complete solutions enhance the reliability and value of converged services from the network to the end-user. Additionally, ARRIS provides a complete set of tools and cable system infrastructure products. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, ARRIS has R&D centers in Atlanta, Chicago, Cork, Ireland and Shenzhen, China and operates support and sales offices throughout the world. Information about ARRIS products and services can be found at .For more information about the ARRIS C4 CMTS visit . For more information about the ARRIS D5 Universal Edge QAM visit .TOTALVID.COM AND THE WEATHER CHANNEL
TEAM UP TO OFFER STORM STORIES EPISODES FOR ON-DEMAND VIEWING &
PURCHASE

TotalVid.com's First Network TV Deal To Boost Worldwide Exposure and Sales for The Weather
Channel

Norfolk, Va., May 2, 2007 - TotalVid, Inc. and The Weather Channel (TWC) announced that they have reached a digital distribution agreement that will make original programming from TWC available for on-demand viewing and purchase through TotalVid's Internet video-on-demand platform. Initially, The Weather Channel will make thirty (30) episodes of its Storm Stories series available at www.totalvid.com and plans to add episodes of its It Could Happen Tomorrow series in coming months. Storm Stories features the real-life experiences of survivors and rescuers who have battled nature's astonishing weather events, capturing the drama of ordinary people caught in a wide variety of extraordinary circumstances.

"As a leader in enthusiast, educational and instructional video programming, TotalVid has always sought out programming that appeals to consumers who are passionate about their interests," said Karl Quist, TotalVid's president. "Storm Stories is a natural fit with our growing audience of action-sport and outdoor enthusiasts—many of whom have experienced extreme weather firsthand. We look forward to working with The Weather Channel and other leading cable networks to create the most comprehensive video subscription available online."

"We are pleased that our popular program, Storm Stories, will now have an online distribution outlet that offers consumers another opportunity to see the dramatic stories the series provides. We look forward to additional distribution of programming favorites by TotalVid.com," said Becky Powhatan, EV, Distribution and Business Affairs/General Counsel for The Weather Channel Companies.

The Weather Channel programming will be available on a download-to-own basis for $1.99 per episode, as well as part of TotalVid's unlimited download subscription plan. For $9.95 per month, consumers can choose from more than 4,000 full-length, premium videos in more than 110 subject-matter categories.

About TotalVid.com
TotalVid.com unleashes the power of broadband to deliver on-demand access to the world's largest collection of full-length enthusiast, educational, and instructional videos. With more than 4,000 titles across 100+ categories, TotalVid's content represents the collective interests and passions of more than 150 million people. Consumers can access TotalVid's library on www.totalvid.com or through a growing number of distribution partners. Headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia, TotalVid is a wholly owned subsidiary of Landmark Communications Inc., which also owns The Weather Channel, Q Interactive and a variety of other media businesses. Partners of TotalVid include AT&T, AOL, Blinkx, Comcast, D-Link, Google, Microsoft Windows Media (MSFT), The Platform, Verizon, W-Cities, Weather.com, Xbox 360, and Yahoo. With strong partnerships and a growing customer base, TotalVid.com is fast becoming a leading broadband video destination for consumers and a powerful distribution partner for content owners looking to expand their customer base.

About The Weather Channel
The Weather Channel®, a 24-hour weather network, is seen in almost 93 million U.S. households. Its Web site, weather.com, reaches more than 30 million unique users per month and is consistently ranked #15 among all Web sites by Nielsen//NetRatings. The Weather Channel also operates Weatherscan®, The Weather Channel Radio Network, The Weather Channel Newspaper Services, and is the leading weather information provider for emerging technologies. This includes PC applications, broadband and interactive television applications, with wireless weather products accessible through high-speed Internet services, mobile phones, pagers, and other personal digital assistants. The Weather Channel is owned by Landmark Communications, Inc., a Norfolk, VA-based, privately held media company.
Norfolk, Va., May 2, 2007 - TotalVid, Inc. and The Weather Channel (TWC) announced that they have reached a digital distribution agreement that will make original programming from TWC available for on-demand viewing and purchase through TotalVid's Internet video-on-demand platform. Initially, The Weather Channel will make thirty (30) episodes of its Storm Stories series available at and plans to add episodes of its It Could Happen Tomorrow series in coming months. features the real-life experiences of survivors and rescuers who have battled nature's astonishing weather events, capturing the drama of ordinary people caught in a wide variety of extraordinary circumstances. "As a leader in enthusiast, educational and instructional video programming, TotalVid has always sought out programming that appeals to consumers who are passionate about their interests," said Karl Quist, TotalVid's president. " is a natural fit with our growing audience of action-sport and outdoor enthusiasts—many of whom have experienced extreme weather firsthand. We look forward to working with The Weather Channel and other leading cable networks to create the most comprehensive video subscription available online.""We are pleased that our popular program, , will now have an online distribution outlet that offers consumers another opportunity to see the dramatic stories the series provides. We look forward to additional distribution of programming favorites by TotalVid.com," said Becky Powhatan, EV, Distribution and Business Affairs/General Counsel for The Weather Channel Companies.The Weather Channel programming will be available on a download-to-own basis for $1.99 per episode, as well as part of TotalVid's unlimited download subscription plan. For $9.95 per month, consumers can choose from more than 4,000 full-length, premium videos in more than 110 subject-matter categories. TotalVid.com unleashes the power of broadband to deliver on-demand access to the world's largest collection of full-length enthusiast, educational, and instructional videos. With more than 4,000 titles across 100+ categories, TotalVid's content represents the collective interests and passions of more than 150 million people. Consumers can access TotalVid's library on or through a growing number of distribution partners. Headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia, TotalVid is a wholly owned subsidiary of Landmark Communications Inc., which also owns The Weather Channel, Q Interactive and a variety of other media businesses. Partners of TotalVid include AT&T, AOL, Blinkx, Comcast, D-Link, Google, Microsoft Windows Media (MSFT), The Platform, Verizon, W-Cities, Weather.com, Xbox 360, and Yahoo. With strong partnerships and a growing customer base, TotalVid.com is fast becoming a leading broadband video destination for consumers and a powerful distribution partner for content owners looking to expand their customer base.The Weather Channel®, a 24-hour weather network, is seen in almost 93 million U.S. households. Its Web site, weather.com, reaches more than 30 million unique users per month and is consistently ranked #15 among all Web sites by Nielsen//NetRatings. The Weather Channel also operates Weatherscan®, The Weather Channel Radio Network, The Weather Channel Newspaper Services, and is the leading weather information provider for emerging technologies. This includes PC applications, broadband and interactive television applications, with wireless weather products accessible through high-speed Internet services, mobile phones, pagers, and other personal digital assistants. The Weather Channel is owned by Landmark Communications, Inc., a Norfolk, VA-based, privately held media company.
Joaquim de Almeida & Leisha Hailey Lead the Way Through a Very Intense Evening in "La Cucina"

May 04, 2007 -- Shelly (Leisha Hailey) is a pregnant newly-wed looking for advice from the lesbian who lives upstairs (Rachel Hunter), and finds the answers to all of her own woes in cooking.

Lily (Christina Hendricks) is a thirty year old woman dazzled by Michael (Joaquim de Almeida), a man twenty years her senior, but arguably one of the sexiest men alive, and a good cook to boot.

Theirs are two of the stories, in two of the kitchens that take us through one hot, intense and very revealing night in "La Cucina" with Joaquim de Almeida and Leisha Hailey leading the way.

Lily and Joaquim's character, Michael, dance around what they want in life as they dance around the kitchen, preparing their dinner in a seductive and emotional game, that barley allows them to eat at all.

Leisha's character, Shelly, is thirty one years old, pregnant with her first child and always thought that being married and pregnant was the answer to true happiness.

Now she knows different, and now she doesn't know what to do, so she's come to Jude for all the answers and ended up with a plate of ricotta sformato and more questions then she ever thought she had.

"La Cucina" wrapped principal photography in April. It was produced independently by Starlotte Smith, Jackie Olson, Zachary Kahn, Allison Wilke and Crystal Santos, written by A.W. Gryphon, and was directed by the husband and wife team of Allison Hebble & Zed Starkovich.

Jennifer Tilly Plays Predatory Teacher in New Teen Horror Film

"Camp is the Word" says writer/producer Jackie Linder Olson of this wickedly funny and spine-tingling film, "THE CARETAKER," that caught the eyes of Jennifer Tilly, Judd Nelson and a fantastic group of teenage up-and-comers.

"THE CARETAKER" follows a group of teenage boys out to give their girlfriends a good scare on Halloween. They head to an abandoned house in a grapefruit orchard where they are stalked by a real life urban legend, known as "The Caretaker."

Judd Nelson delivers a disarmingly creepy performance as an overprotective father. The teenagers' outlandish teacher, played by Ms. Tilly, is obsessed with getting famous by sleeping with a student. "We took a current trend that we found both tragic and disturbing and put it in the forefront of our film," says director Bryce Fridrik Olson. "No one could do a better job as this character than the sexy and talented Jennifer Tilly. We were lucky to have her and Judd."

"It's refreshing to be working on a fun genre picture with good scares, a lot of laughs and not too much gore," says Producer Allison Wilke. "The audience is going to love it."

"The Caretaker" stars Jennifer Tilly, Judd Nelson, Jonathan Breck ("Jeepers Creepers"), Jennifer Freeman ("You Got Served"), Andrew St. John, James Immekus, Diego Torres and Kira Verrastro. The project is currently in post production with original music being composed by Jim Lang ("John Carpenter's Body Bags," "In The Mouth Of Madness"). It is produced by Jackie Olson, Brynn McQuade and Allison Wilke, written by Jackie Linder Olson, and directed by Bryce Fridrik Olson, with Executive Producer and President of TRP Steve Vande Vegte.

May 3

BARBARA MANDRELL MAKES PEOPLE'S "MOST BEAUTIFUL" ISSUE

Barbara Mandrell has been listed in PEOPLE magazine's "Most Beautiful" issue. Nearly 10 years since she stepped off the stage and out of the spotlight, retiring from an illustrious 38 year career, Barbara is still turning heads. Perhaps she caught the eye of PEOPLE when she stepped back into the spotlight late last year for the release of a tribute album in her honor, She Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool: A Tribute to Barbara Mandrell . In addition to mega-stars and legends stepping up in her honor, GAC tipped their hat to Mandrell with a number of specials and series to commemorate the event. Also on her plate in the past year were presenting “Entertainer of the Year” to friend Kenny Chesney at the CMA Awards, honoring Reba McEntire at CMT Giants, and most recently presenting "Video of the Year" at the 2007 CMT Awards to Carrie Underwood.

Time Life is also recognizing Barbara with the release of The Best of Barbara Mandrell & The Mandrell Sisters to DVD for the very first time. The NBC variety show, starring Barbara Mandrell and her sisters Louise and Irlene, aired over two seasons (1980-1982). The show garnered a massive 40 million viewers a week and earned a combined eleven Emmy® and Golden Globe® nominations in its short two year run. It seems that even in retirement, and to no one's surprise, Barbara's legacy continues to thrive.

2007 MTV Video Music Awards Sets Up Next Act in Las Vegas
For One Night Only, The "2007 MTV Video Music Awards" Set to Air Live from The Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas on Sunday, September 9, 2007 at 9PM ET/PT

-- Christina Norman, President, MTV, announced today that MTV is bringing The 2007 MTV Video Music Awards to the city of Las Vegas to take over every available nook and cranny of the infamous celebrity stomping ground, The Palms Casino Resort. Demolishing the constraints of a traditional four walled venue, performances will be staged throughout The Palms Casino Resort from their intimate posh hotel suites to the mind blowing scenic rooftop. Nothing will be off-limits as for the first time ever MTV will program a whole VMA weekend featuring not-to-be-missed events, appearances and sizzling performances culminating with the star- studded music extravaganza. In an unprecedented move for the network, the show will air only once in its original form - so what happens in Vegas really will stay in Vegas. Encore presentations of this year's VMAs will be remixed versions that will be programmed by and for the viewers, deeply connecting them to a complete music experience across multiple platforms. MTV's 24th annual Video Music Awards will air live on Sunday, September 9, 2007 at 9PM (Live ET/Tape Delayed PT). Host, performers, nominees, and presenters for the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards will be announced at a later date.

"The VMA's have a tradition of creating some of the most unforgettable moments in pop culture history and now, this year's show is ready for its next act. We're deconstructing every expectation of what an awards show should be to deliver a music experience for our audience unlike anyone else connecting them beyond television," said Christina Norman, President, MTV. "We knew that we didn't have to look any further than the Maloofs and The Palms Casino Resort as they are the perfect partners and have the infamous reputation of throwing star-studded events. We look forward to a weekend of rock n' roll chaos and producing the most sinful and explosive musical showcase of the year."

"The Palms is honored to be host of the 2007 Video Music Awards. This is a Las Vegas first," said George Maloof, Owner of The Palms Casino Resort. "The opportunity to showcase The Pearl Concert Theater as the venue for the awards show is extremely exciting."

MTV has tapped Jesse Ignjatovic to executive produce this year's music spectacular. Ignatovic has a long history with the network having spent many years as Vice President of Music & Talent Development, creating, executive producing and developing shows like, MTV Ultimate Mash Ups featuring Jay- Z/Linkin Park, Life & Rhymes of ... , Jennifer Lopez: Beyond The Runway, Meet The Barkers, and MTV Icon. As Executive Producer, Ignjatovic will not only bring his creative genius to what will be the hottest event thrown in Las Vegas in 2007 but he will also bring with him the close relationships and friendships he has been able to create and maintain with talent over the years. In addition, this year's VMAs production team will also include Chris Choun who will lend her expertise as Co-Executive Producer.

"2007 MTV Video Music Awards" will continue to be everywhere our audience lives. The August 31st premiere of the "2006 MTV Video Music Awards" was also the most watched telecast for the night (8-11:30p) among P12-34 across all of television, even out delivering broadcast with total VMA programming through Sunday, Sept. 3rd reaching 40,082,000 million viewers. Online, MTV.com broke all kinds of stream records on Friday, Sept 1st with 6,675,632 streams making it our highest day ever by more than double. Uniques to MTV.com the day of and day after the VMA were 792,892 and 845,251, up +500% and 259% from a year ago, respectively. This year's three day VMA event is expected to generate more streams.

MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:VIA.B) , is one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. MTV Networks, with more than 130 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 which are trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks connects with its audiences through its robust consumer products businesses and its more than 200 interactive properties worldwide, including online, broadband, wireless and interactive television services. The network also has licensing agreements, joint ventures, and syndication deals whereby all of its programming services can be seen worldwide.

The Palms Casino Resort, heralded as one of Las Vegas' hippest resorts, is an all-encompassing, one-stop resort destination. Owned by the Maloof family, the 703-room property boasts a diverse mix of bars and restaurants and a 95,000-square-foot casino. Amenities include the legendary Playboy Club - the first and only club of its kind to open in 25 years; The Pearl Concert Theater; Moon Nightclub; Nove Italiano; Little Buddha; The Palms Pool & Bungalows; Palms Spa and AMP salon; Brenden Theatres, a 14-theatre Cineplex; Rain Night Club; ghostbar; Hart and Huntington Tattoo Company; and over 60,000 square-feet of meeting space. The Palms is home to the Real World: Las Vegas and Bravo's Celebrity Poker Showdown, as well as E!'s Party at the Palms, hosted by Jenny McCarthy, and A&E's Inked. The resort features the hottest collection of Fantasy Suites including the Erotic Suite with its trademark Show Shower, the Real World Suite, as seen on MTV, and the Hardwood Suite, the only hotel room in the world with its own basketball court. E!'s Girls Next Door, VH1, MTV and CSI feature the Palms on a regular basis and the Victoria's Secret Angels made the Palms a featured destination on their "Angels Across America" tour. The Palms Casino Resort is located just west of the Las Vegas Strip and I-15 on Flamingo Road. For room reservation information, call toll free at (866) PALMS-RES, (866) 725-6773, or visit www.palms.com. For groups of 15 rooms or more, contact the Sales Department at (866) PALMS-MTG or (866) 725-6768.

Source: MTV

Web site: http://www.mtv.com/

Sony Computer Entertainment America Expands Its Business Development Team, Announces New Licensing Department
Videogame and Legal Veteran to Direct Licensing for PlayStation(R) Brand

Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) Inc. today announced it is expanding its business development organization by forming an intellectual property (IP) licensing team designed to increase awareness of the company's brands and characters and to expand collaborations with new and existing business partners. As part of this expansion, the company has appointed Shelly Gayner to director of Licensing within Business Development, effective immediately. In this newly created position, Gayner will report to Phil Rosenberg, senior vice president of Sales and Business Development

As part of her role, Gayner will manage SCEA's licensing team, which is responsible for licensing the PlayStation(R) brand, including first-party game characters, for merchandise and entertainment products. She will also oversee the licensing of peripherals and accessories for PlayStation platforms including PSP(R) (PlayStation(R)Portable) and PLAYSTATION(R)3 (PS3(TM)) computer entertainment system.

"Shelly has the perfect blend of legal expertise and videogame industry knowledge which will help us grow the PlayStation business by introducing our valued brands to a wider audience," said Phil Rosenberg, senior vice president of Business -- Development and Sales, Sony Computer Entertainment America. "We now have a dedicated team to help us capture licensing and revenue opportunities, which is important to our business and long-term growth."

Gayner brings more than fourteen years of industry experience to this role, with the most recent years being at SCEA. Previously, she was director of Legal and Business Affairs, where she negotiated a wide-range of intellectual property related agreements, including content, merchandise, software and end-user licenses. She also worked on the company's property licenses, which include MLB, NHL, the Gran Turismo(TM) series, Downhill Domination(R) and Tourist Trophy The Real Riding Simulator(TM). Prior to joining SCEA, Gayner held the position of corporate trademark counsel at Sun Microsystems Inc. and was corporate counsel for Sega of America.

About Sony Computer Entertainment America

Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. continues to redefine the entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation(R) and PS one(R) game console, the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system, the PSP(R) (PlayStation(R)Portable) system, and the ground-breaking PLAYSTATION(R)3 (PS3(TM)) computer entertainment system.

Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. markets the PlayStation family of products and develops, publishes, markets, and distributes software for the PS one game console, the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, the PSP system and the PS3 system for the North American market. Based in Foster City, Calif. Sony Computer Entertainment America, Inc. serves as headquarters for all North American operations and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

Visit us on the Web at http://www.us.playstation.com/

NOTE: "PlayStation," "PLAYSTATION," "PSP," "PS one" and the PlayStation logo are registered trademarks and "PS3" is a trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

Source: Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.

Web site: http://www.playstation.com/

Dramatika Films Announces World Premiere of 'Man of a Thousand Faces'
Theatrical Docudrama on Life and Accomplishments of Legendary Actor James Hong to Premiere in Cannes, France

Las Vegas-based Dramatika Films, LLC, announced today it will premiere the new docudrama "Man of a Thousand Faces" in Cannes, France on May 19, 2007. The theatrical film chronicles the life of legendary actor James Hong, whose career spans more than half a century and includes nearly 500 film and television performances. The world premiere screening will be held at the American Pavilion in the Salle des Conferences with James Hong and director/producer Kym Secrist in attendance.

Although Hong's vast body of work has made him one of the most recognizable actors in the world, many moviegoers do not know him by name. Part documentary, part dramatization, "Man of a Thousand Faces" sheds light on the man behind the well-known face and his compelling journey to rise above ethnic prejudice and succeed in Hollywood.

This visually stunning film features highlights from Hong's illustrious career including blockbuster hits such as "Blade Runner," "Big Trouble in Little China," "Chinatown," "Black Widow" and "Wayne's World 2." It also features more than a dozen interviews with Hong's family and fellow actors including David Carradine, Tia Carrere, Dom DeLuise and the last interview with the late, great Japanese actor Mako.

"Every location we took the production, whether it was on the streets of Minneapolis or a hotel lobby in Beijing, people instantly recognized James and, beaming with a huge smile, would express how much they enjoyed his movies," said producer and director Kym Secrist. "He is a respected actor among his peers and critics, he is an icon to his loyal fans and admirers, and his achievements in film and television are unparalleled in virtually every country and culture."

Secrist, who also served as writer and director of photography, is an accomplished writer, director and cinematographer with more than 100 awards for commercials and music videos. "Man of a Thousand Faces" marks his theatrical directorial debut. Hong and Secrist met in 2000 and, along with producer Deborah Quan, formed the creative partnership that brought "Man of a Thousand Faces" to the big screen. An award-winning producer, Quan has enjoyed tremendous success in the independent feature and documentary film business.

"Man of a Thousand Faces" captures the early years of the actor's life in vivid, motion picture quality re-enactments, and features numerous clips from some of Hong's most memorable performances. The film tells of Hong's tireless efforts to combat stereotypes in Hollywood, where many Asians and Asian Americans are continually cast in stereotypical roles even today.

About Dramatika Films

Las Vegas-based Dramatika Films, LLC, is a full-service production company specializing in the financing and creation of outstanding independent motion pictures and documentaries with a number of planned motion picture projects on the horizon through 2010.

Source: Dramatika Films, LLC

Porter Wagoner Celebrates 50 Years With Grand Ole Opry With Special May 19 Performance Featuring Dolly Parton, Patty Loveless, and Others Including Televised Segment on GAC
Martin Issues Custom Guitar to Honor Wagoner; New CD "WAGONMASTER" a "Riveting Collection of Southern Gothic Numbers" in Stores June 5; "Committed to Parkview" Video on the Way

-- Country Music Hall of Famer PORTER WAGONER celebrates his 50th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry on Saturday, May 19 with a special performance featuring WAGONER, Patty Loveless, Dolly Parton -- PORTER's longtime duet partner in the '60s and '70s -- and others. Marty Stuart -- who produced PORTER's upcoming CD "WAGONMASTER" (out June 5 on Anti-) -- hosts a one-hour segment of the evening's event to be televised on Great American Country's "Grand Ole Opry Live," starting at 8pm EDT.

The Martin Guitar Company is honoring PORTER's half century with the Opry by introducing the Martin D-41 Porter Wagoner Custom Edition guitar. The visually arresting instrument is a fitting tribute to an artist instantly recognizable for his sparkling Nudie suits and flowing pompadour.

Meanwhile, PORTER was "Committed To Parkview" this past weekend, as he shot a video with director Brian Barnes for the Johnny Cash-penned track. The first single from the forthcoming "WAGONMASTER" was hand-picked for PORTER more than 25-years ago by Johnny Cash (after having previously been recorded by Cash and with the Highwaymen).

Marty Stuart explains: "In 1981, I was on tour with Cash in Europe, and I had a Porter tape and played it for Cash, and he and I got into a Porter listening marathon. And Cash said, 'I got a song for Porter, called 'Committed to Parkview,' -- because they had both been guests there -- and he gave me an envelope with a cassette in it to take to him. Well, we got home and I forgot all about it, but when we were choosing material for this album, I remembered and finally found it."

Already, "WAGONMASTER" is grabbing critics' ears. Writes Alanna Nash for Amazon.com: "One of the major problems with modern country revolves around the fact that -- save George Jones, Merle Haggard, and Loretta Lynn -- almost all the characters who poured the foundation for post-World War II hillbilly culture are dead or no longer recording. Which brings us to the miracle of Porter Wagoner's new album, "WAGONMASTER"... a riveting collection of Southern Gothic numbers."

12 Girls Band CD Coming from Manhattan Records in June
Chinese Ensemble Fuses Traditional Instrumentation with Eclectic Repertoire;
Asian Chart-Toppers Also Star in PBS Special Recorded Live in Shanghai with First Major U.S. Tour to Launch October 2nd on West Coast

-- A refreshing and innovative blend of East and West, pop and traditional -- that's what has made China's 12 Girls Band an international sensation like no other. With their latest US release, Shanghai, which arrives from Manhattan Records on June 5th, American audiences will have their best opportunity yet to discover these immensely talented and engaging young women. And with the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing fast approaching, the world's attention is already turning to the culture of China. And the biggest success story in that country's burgeoning music scene is 12 Girls Band.

Shanghai coincides with a very special milestone in the career of 12 Girls Band: "Live From Shanghai," their first pledge drive event on PBS, which airs this June on stations around the country. Notably, this debut marks the very first time an Asian artist or group has been celebrated with a PBS special. This television first was recorded live beneath Shanghai's famed Oriental Pearl Tower, a spectacular tourist attraction along the banks of the Huangpu River that dominates the city's dynamic, skyscraper-dotted landscape.

This fall, 12 Girls Band also launches their first major U.S. tour. Set to begin October 2nd in Oakland, CA., the tour will include a debut at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles (Oct. 5), as well as concerts in San Diego, Seattle, Portland, Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, Philadelphia, Boston, New York, Dallas, Houston, Miami, Tampa, and Atlanta. With over 30 major markets in the States, the tour will cap a spectacular year for the ensemble.

12 Girls Band was formed in 2001, after its accomplished players-all of whom studied music at the most prestigious conservatories and schools across the People's Republic of China, and have played in China's top orchestras-were culled from a rigorous audition process. More than 4,000 young musicians applied, answering ads that were placed in newspapers across the country.

The idea behind the group was to fuse the ancient traditions of Chinese classical and folk music with the sounds of Western pop, classical, and jazz music. The enchanting result is 12 Girls Band. Their first concert, given in Beijing in October 2001, made 12 Girls Band into stars virtually overnight. Hailed by the Asian media as a perfect blend of grace, beauty, and musicianship, 12 Girls Band represented a modern-day incarnation of the Yue Fang, which were all-female ensembles that played in the royal courts of the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE).

The number twelve has important resonances in Chinese culture, astrology, and numerology, and twelve jinchai ("golden hairpins") represent womanhood in ancient Chinese mythology. (There are actually thirteen musicians in the band, so that there is always a substitute player available at a moment's notice.)

The musicians perform expertly on an array of ancient and fascinating Chinese instruments, including the stringed and bowed erhu; the pear-shaped plucked lute called a pipa; the guzheng zither; the yangqin hammered dulcimer; a transverse flute called the dizi and the vertical flute known as the xiao; a single-stringed zither called the duxianquin; and the hulusi, a three-piped gourd flute.

On Shanghai, 12 Girls Band presents an exhilarating multi-cultural array of songs and pieces that range from beloved Chinese traditional and folk tunes such as "High Mountain, Floating Water" to pop smash hits (Sting's "Fragile" and Celine Dion's "My Heart Will Go On," also known as the theme from the movie Titanic), as well as Dave Brubeck's iconic jazz masterpiece "Take 5". The young ladies also play a sampling of Western classical masterpieces, including Handel's Music for the Royal Fireworks, Puccini's famous aria "Nessun Dorma" from the opera Turandot (strikingly, an opera about a Chinese princess), and an homage to Bach's Violin Concerto in A minor.

All of these pieces appear on the Live From Shanghai PBS television special, along with bonus video material for the DVD release that includes appearances by two other Manhattan recording artists: a rendition of the "Habanera" from Bizet's opera Carmen featuring Mexican-American songstress Lila Downs, as well as the Hoagy Carmichael standard "Georgia on My Mind," performed by singer Tim Sheff.

12 Girls Band's first international release, 2003's Beautiful Energy, debuted first in Japan in 2003 and sold nearly two million copies there, giving 12 Girls Band the record for both the fastest- and highest-selling Chinese release in Japanese chart history. Their follow-up, 2004's Shining Energy, broke another Japanese sales record with the highest number of sales of any album in a single day. The group went on to a hugely successful tour of Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Taiwan.

Their first US release, 2004's Eastern Energy, reached No. 1 on the Billboard World Music album chart, and scored 12 Girls Band the No. 62 spot on the Billboard Top 200-the highest-ranking debut for any Asian artist in Billboard chart history.

Since then, 12 Girls Band has recorded two more hit albums in the Asian market: 2005's Romantic Energy, and White Christmas, the first-ever album of international seasonal classics played on traditional Chinese instruments.

The group's PBS debut "12 Girls Band: Live From Shanghai" will air in markets across the country during June pledge drives. Viewers should check their local PBS listings for details on scheduled broadcasts.

Source: Manhattan Records

Web site: http://www.angelrecords.com/

R&B Singer/Songwriter Joe Debuts at #1 on Billboard R&B Charts
Set debuts at #2 on Billboard Hot 200

-- Jive recording artist and Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Joe debuts at #1 this week on Billboard's R&B Albums chart with his new album, Ain't Nothin' Like Me. The album also debuted in the #2 spot on the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart selling 98,090 units. The album features collaborations with Nas, Yung Joc and label mate Papoose; with top- notch production by StarGate, Tim & Bob, Sean Garrett, Cool & Dre and others.

Ain't Nothin' Like Me, is the R&B balladeer's sixth album. Joe's single "If I Was Your Man" is currently a Top 5 staple on Billboard's Urban AC chart and is in rotation at BET and BET J. The album has received glowing reviews: AP raves, "Joe is still on his A-Game;" and The Dallas Morning News says the album "should reinforce his status as a certified soul crooner for the grown and sexy set ... "

Throughout his 14-year career, Joe has collaborated with a broad range of talented artists including: Mariah Carey, G-Unit and the late Big Pun. The Columbus, Georgia native has sold over 5 million albums to date. Joe recently performed his smash hit "If I Was Your Man" on The Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson. Additional television appearances include BET's Mother's Day Special, and the new season of MTV's Making The Band.

Joe recently embarked on a national tour with fellow R&B singer Brian McKnight that kicked off in Oakland, CA on April 27 and will stop in most major markets including Detroit, Chicago, Atlanta and New York.

Source: Jive Records

Web site: http://www.jiverecords.com/

Mobile Streams Introduces LifeGroovz Christian Ringtone & Mobile Media Service to Launch in June

-- Mobile Streams, the premier global mobile music and media provider, introduces LifeGroovz, the first service to offer the faith-based community popular mainstream Christian content for ringtones, mobile music, and graphics.

Christian and Gospel Music currently enjoys a strong following, and now for the first time, a mobile music and media service will offer fans and consumers the talents of a broad range of popular Christian and Inspirational artists.

This exclusive new service is maintained by Mobile Streams' "Vuesia" distribution platform. Mobile Streams partnered with music and media industry veteran, Paul Wright III to launch LifeGroovz. Wright is the founder and Chairman of Alliant Music Group as well as a respected label executive who has shepherded the careers of top Gospel artists including Fred Hammond, Hezekiah Walker, Donnie McClurkin, Lamar Campbell and more.

"This site is absolutely the only Christian full-service download site," said Wright. "I felt there was a void in the marketplace and really these days the average mobile download customer can easily find any genre of ringtones except for Christian/Gospel music. We definitely want to super serve that marketplace as we believe in the growing number of faith-based consumers."

The partnership with Wright and Mobile Streams will establish LifeGroovz as the ultimate destination for ringtones from all genres of Christian music; ranging from contemporary to traditional; Quartet to Hip Hop -- every fan of Christian and Gospel music will find something specifically tailored to their tastes and lifestyles.

Brian Patterson, Business Development Manager, at Mobile Streams said, "We are delighted to strengthen our consumer marketing presence in fostering the Christian community's desire to express itself through specialized ringtones and mobile downloads."

CBS News Partners With Brightcove for the Online Syndication of News Video

-- CBS News and Brightcove, the Internet TV pioneer, today announced that CBS News will use the Brightcove service to syndicate ad-supported video from CBS News across the Internet. The partnership will expand non-linear distribution of CBS News content, available today on AOL News, Comcast and YouTube, to thousands of small and medium-sized websites and blogs.

In partnering with CBS News, Brightcove adds broadcast network news content to its growing portfolio of partners in the Brightcove Syndication Marketplace and will also feature CBS News on Brightcove.com.

Through the Brightcove managed syndication service, approved website publishers will have the opportunity to embed a CBS News video player directly onto their sites. The CBS News video player will include the latest video from the CBS EVENING NEWS with KATIE COURIC, THE EARLY SHOW and other CBS News programs, as well as video produced by CBS News exclusively for the Web.

"This partnership underscores CBS News' ongoing strategy of making our programming available on multiple platforms, while also generating additional revenue," said Sean McManus, President, CBS News and Sports. "Through this arrangement with Brightcove, we hope to meet the seemingly insatiable appetite for news online by building new distribution relationships and creating new opportunities for our advertisers."

"CBS News is one of the leading news organizations in the world," said Jeremy Allaire, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brightcove. "We are excited to be chosen by CBS News as the syndication platform to grow an audience of website affiliates who will carry the latest news to Internet audiences around the globe."

Websites interested in carrying CBS News on their sites will be able to go to cbsnews.com or to the Brightcove Syndication Marketplace at http://studio.brightcove.com/affiliates/syndication-marketplace.cfm to apply to become an affiliate.

About CBS News

The CBS News Division operates a worldwide news organization serving the CBS Television and Radio Networks and CBSNews.com with regularly scheduled news and public affairs programming - including, among others, the CBS EVENING NEWS, THE EARLY SHOW, 60 MINUTES, 48 HOURS MYSTERY, FACE THE NATION and SUNDAY MORNING - and special reports on breaking news. The division maintains 19 news bureaus and offices in the United States and abroad in addition to its world headquarters in New York.

About Brightcove

Brightcove is an Internet TV service that empowers video producers and programmers to build broadband businesses while giving viewers more choices and control over their use of video and television. Founded by Internet pioneer Jeremy Allaire in 2004 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Brightcove is the market-leading Internet video partner for international news and entertainment businesses, including British Sky Broadcasting (Sky), Discovery Communications Inc., Dow Jones & Company, Inc., MTV Networks, The New York Times Company, Reuters, Sony BMG, Time Life, Warner Music Group, and Washingtonpost.Newsweek Interactive.

Source: CBS News; Brightcove

Web site: http://studio.brightcove.com/

ZAKK WYLDE TO PLAY SPECIAL PERFORMANCE AT ROCKWALK
“IN THIS RIVER” FOR DIMEBAG DARRELL’S INDUCTION
CONFIRMED PERFOMERS FOR THE BLACK TOOTH BASH &
ARTIST ROSTER FOR THE HAND PAINTED SIX STRING MASTERPEICES

HOLLYWOOD ( May 2, 2007 ) – May 17^th, 2007 marks the day of Dimebag Darrell Abbott’s induction to Guitar Center Hollywood RockWalk. Many of rock’s top players will be in attendance to honor our lost and beloved brother.

At the induction guitar virtuoso Zakk Wylde (Black Label Society, Ozzy) will perform live on Sunset Blvd. in tribute to his friend and brother. Wylde will play “In This River” - a song forever dedicated to Dimebag Darrell – According to Wylde, the song will never leave the set list for Black Label Society.

After the induction, come join us at the House of Blues Hollywood to further honor Dimebag Darrell Abbott where The Six String Masterpiece Auction will be held to benefit The Little Kids Rock Foundation. Dimebag’s Black Tooth Bash will immediately follow the auction with special performances comprised with some of Darrell’s closest friends and influences.

BLACK TOOTH BASH confirmed list of players are as follows:
confirmed list of players are as follows:

The Little Kids Rock Band

Vinnie Paul, Jamey Jasta, Scott Ian, Jerry Cantrell, William Duvall (Alice in Chains), M. Shadows (Avenged Sevenfold), Evil D (Morbid Angel), Paul Grey (Slipknot), Ripper Owens, Nick Bowcot, John 5, David Draiman (Disturbed), Bob Zilla (Damageplan), Aaron Lewis (Staind), Brent Smith and Jasin Todd (Shinedown), Dave Navarro, Stephen Perkins, Matt Byrne (Hatebreed), Chester Bennington (Linkin Park) and many more surprise artists!

SIX-STRING MASTERPIECES: THE DIMEBAG DARRELL ART TRIBUTE created by the following artists:
created by the following artists:

Zakk Wylde, Ace Frehley, Rob Zombie, Otep, Shinedown, Jerry Cantrell, Bob Zilla, Kelly Clarkson, Steve Stevens, Tommy Lee, Filip Leu (Leu Family Iron), Marilyn Manson, Ryan McGinness, Moby, Gill Montie, Tom Morello, Mark Mothersbaugh (Devo, Mutato Muzako), Munky (Korn)
Dave Navarro, Ted Nugent, Jim Root, Jack Rudy, Joe Satriani, Mike Shinoda (Linkin Park),

David Stoupakis (Sum 41), Mick Thompson (Slipknot), Greg Tribbett (Mudvayne), Hank Williams III plus many more – for a comprehensive list of all SIX STRING MASTERPIECES go to www.actionartsagency.com/sixstring1.html.

The collection comprises of over 60 DEAN ML guitars that have been hand-painted by world-famous Rock Stars and internationally known Tattoo & Visionary Artists in a memorial tribute to one of the greatest guitarists of all time, Dimebag Darrell Abbott. The guitars can be viewed prior to the auction May 4^th to May 16^th at LaLuz DeJesus Gallery in L.A. ( 4633 Hollywood Ave ).

The Little Kids Rock Foundation (501(C)3) is the charity of choice for Dimebag Darrell – so it’s Dime-Time folks and we are going to rock the house to honor Dimebag and raise money for the kids!
(501(C)3) is the charity of choice for Dimebag Darrell – so it’s Dime-Time folks and we are going to rock the house to honor Dimebag and raise money for the kids!

The gear companies are uniting as one to raise money for the kids. The night’s sponsors are Dimebag Hardware, Dean Guitars, Dunlop, Musicians Institute, Seymour Duncan, GHS Strings, EMG Pickups, Schecter Guitars with more joining us each day!!

For more information on the charity and the Six String masterpieces go to www.rockwalk.com www.littlekidsrock.org, www.actionartsagency.com, www.myspace.com/sixstringmasterpieces.

May 2

Modest Mouse, Incubus, The Shins, Wolf Parade, Among Featured Talent at Download 2007 Festival Events
Live Nation, World's Largest Live Music Festival Producer, Successfully Grows Acclaimed UK Festival, Expanding to Four U.S. Markets: Boston, Chicago, San Francisco and Washington State
Additional Artist Lineups to Be Announced Soon

Download -- the acclaimed music festival produced by Live Nation which began in 2003 in the UK, offering fans unparalleled connectivity to the bands they love -- is returning to the U.S. this year with a star-studded lineup presenting the best in alternative and modern rock artists. Download 2007 Festival events will feature performances by such marquee bands as Modest Mouse, The Shins, Incubus and Wolf Parade, with other artists to be announced soon (each market has a distinct lineup, which will be announced in May). Expanding beyond last year's Download appearances in Boston and San Francisco (which this year have been set for August 18, and October 6, respectively), Download Festival 2007 will make additional stops in Washington State (August 25), and Chicago (September 1), proving the British creation is now an American mainstay. Tickets will be available at www.livenation.com and www.downloadfestival.com, and will go on sale June 9th (Washington State), June 16th (Boston), June 23rd (Chicago) and July 22nd (San Francisco).

Entering its fifth successful year, Download has become a festival phenomenon with multiple-day concert and technology emersion events in the UK and North America, drawing an audience uniquely plugged into the latest of everything. This year's Download Festival aims to take the fan experience to an entirely new level, with many increased opportunities for fan and artist interaction including meet and greets, Q & A sessions, artist master class workshops and autograph activities. The ultimate play day in each city will feature ten hours of continuous music emanating from multiple stages, interspersed with interactive activities and access to world class vendors featuring an eclectic mix of fashion, food and technology items.

"The growth of Download Festival to two additional U.S. cities is indicative of our strategy to expand our festival presence in North America," said Jason Garner, Live Nation's President of North American Concerts. "We are thrilled to once again present some of the best alternative music and modern rock acts at this year's Download Festival."

"Download has resonated so deeply with music fans around the world because it provides rare opportunities for them to connect with artists and sponsors like no other festival. We are keenly focused on creating engaging fan experiences with the many interactive elements of these shows through our collaboration with key brand partners," said Christopher Swope, Vice President of National Alliances at Live Nation.

Download 2007 will also be enhanced through the participation of select strategic partners. As the official automotive sponsor for all Download events, Volkswagen will take center stage, using its one-of-a-kind VW Garage to deliver memorable music-oriented moments. Budding musicians who choose to jam on supplied instruments will be digitally recorded, and their riffs spotlighted on vw.com. VW owners will earn rock star treatment, and all festival-goers can pick up cool VW merchandise and chill out in the Garage. "Music is a powerful platform for building community, and a Volkswagen/Download partnership is a natural extension of our long history of supporting pioneering music properties and emerging artists," said Heidi Korte, Consumer Events Manager. "The Download Festival is innovative in its pairing of music with technology, and speaks directly to the people who buy Volkswagens."

"Music, design and technology are passions of W Hotels," said Ross Klein, President of Starwood Luxury Brands Group, another festival sponsor. "Just as W provides a destination for people to connect with one another, the Download Festival has created one of the most innovative and engaging music experiences to foster this connection." Other sponsors include Now What, who will be onsite providing an interactive booth where concert-goers can stop by to get their free online photo, win great prizes and much more! Additional sponsors to be announced in the coming weeks.

For additional information on Download 2007, please visit www.downloadfestival.com.

Download 2007 events are as follows:

August 18th - Boston @ The Tweeter Center of Performing Arts

August 25th - Washington State @ The Gorge Amphitheatre

September 1st - Chicago @ Alpine Valley Music Theater

October 6th - San Francisco @ Shoreline Amphitheatre

About Live Nation

Live Nation is the world's largest live music company. Our mission is to inspire passion for live music around the world. We are the largest promoter of live concerts in the world, the second-largest entertainment venue management company and have a rapidly growing online presence. We create superior experiences for artists and fans, regularly producing tours for the biggest superstars in the business, including The Rolling Stones, Barbra Streisand, Madonna, U2 and Coldplay. Globally, we own, operate, have booking rights for and/or have an equity interest in more than 160 venues, including House of Blues(R) music venues and prestigious locations such as The Fillmore in San Francisco, Nikon at Jones Beach in New York and London's Wembley Arena. Our websites collectively are the second most popular entertainment/event websites in the United States, according to Nielsen//NetRatings. In addition, we also produce, promote or host theatrical, specialized motor sports and other live entertainment events. In 2006, we connected nearly 60 million fans with their favorite performers at approximately 26,000 events in 18 countries around the world. Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, Live Nation is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, trading under the symbol "LYV." For more information regarding Live Nation and its businesses or concerts near you, please visit our website at www.livenation.com.

Web site: http://www.livenation.com/
http://www.downloadfestival.com/

I Want to Be Shrek (and Donkey) on Broadway!
http://iwanttobeshrek.com/

SHREK, the new Broadway-bound musical, with music by Jeanine Tesori, book and lyrics by Pulitzer Prize-winner David Lindsay-Abaire, and directed by Jason Moore, is looking for a Shrek and a Donkey to star on Broadway!

Produced by DreamWorks Animation and Neal Street Productions, Ltd. (principals Sam Mendes and Caro Newling), the SHREK creative team is planning a two-week reading this summer (July 23- August 3rd) in New York which will be followed by a Broadway opening in 2008!

The creative team is male seeking performers of all cultural backgrounds for these roles.

SHREK: 20s - 30s. An ogre. His imposing physical appearance disguises a

warm heart. A lonely outsider with soul, strength, and wit. Values his

peaceful solitary life in the swamp. Seeking actors with a powerful

presence and strength with true Rock or R&B voices. Preferably a baritone.

DONKEY: 20s - 30s. A performer with a contemporary, urban edge and great

humor. Joins Shrek on his journey to capture Princess Fiona. Seeking

unique performers especially from slam poetry, comedy, Hip Hop worlds or

clever actors with great comic skill.

Anyone, no matter how Far Far Away, can try and audition for these roles! If you or a friend think you have what it takes to play Shrek or Donkey, follow the directions below:

1. Make a video recording of yourself singing one song and copy it on to

a DVD. (No lip-syncing please -- must be live!) Please clearly label

the DVD with your name and contact information.

2. Take a photograph of yourself and print it out, or if you have one,

send a copy of your headshot.

3. Put together a resume or list of background experience and, VERY

IMPORTANT, your contact information -- including address, phone and

e-mail.

4. BY SNAIL MAIL send items 1, 2 and 3 to:

DreamWorks Animation

I Want To Be Shrek

PO Box 2693

New York, NY 10108

YOU MUST SUBMIT THIS MATERIAL BY FRIDAY, MAY 18, 2007

KEEP COPIES OF ANYTHING YOU SEND. The DVD and any other materials you send in will be retained by and will become the sole property of the Producers, and will not be returned to you whether or not you are considered for a role. The Producers are not responsible for lost, stolen, or incorrectly mailed materials. The Producers will not be able to answer questions about the receipt or status of any materials.

For updated information please go to: http://iwanttobeshrek.com/

For those living under a rock in a swamp: Based on a children's book by William Steig, the character of Shrek has been featured in two major animated films to date. The first Shrek feature film hit theaters in the Summer of 2001, and went on to win the first-ever Academy Award(R) for Best Animated Feature. In 2004, DreamWorks released a sequel, Shrek 2, which went on to become the highest-grossing animated film of all time. The next chapter of the Shrek story, Shrek the Third, hits theaters this May 18, 2007.

Source: Boneau/Bryan-Brown

Web site: http://iwanttobeshrek.com/

May 1

Cable TV and Phone Calls are Taxed at Twice the Rate of Other Goods, Study Finds

A new study produced by a team of researchers from The Heartland Institute and Beacon Hill Institute finds taxes and fees imposed on cable TV and telephone subscribers are twice as high as the average sales tax on other products.

The average household pays approximately $250 a year in taxes and fees on cable TV and telephone services, and would save $126 a year if taxes and fees on communication services were no higher than retail sales taxes on other goods.

"Consumers pay more than $37 billion a year in communication taxes and fees," said coauthor David Tuerck, executive director of the Beacon Hill Institute and professor and chairman of the Department of Economics at Suffolk University in Boston, Massachusetts.

"Many of these taxes and fees are hidden in phone and cable bills. Because they are so high, they distort consumer decisions and business investment decisions, costing billions more every year in lost consumer benefits," Tuerck said.

The research team collected information on cable television, wireline and wireless telephone, and Internet access for 59 U.S. cities.

The study found:

-- Cable TV and phone service (wireline and wireless) customers pay taxes

and fees averaging 13.52 percent, twice as high as the national average

sales tax on other goods.

-- Taxes and fees on communication services nationally add up to $37

billion a year.

-- Communication taxes and fees are highly regressive. Families in the

lowest quintile of earnings pay 10 times as much as families in the

highest quintile, as a percentage of their income.

-- Taxes and fees vary dramatically from city to city, with consumers in

some cities paying more than three times as much as consumers in other

cities.

-- In some cities, taxes and fees on wireline telephone service are higher

than taxes on beer, liquor, and tobacco.

-- Economists estimate the value of services lost due to high taxes and

fees on communication services add up to a "deadweight loss" to society

of $11.4 billion a year.

The authors recommend that local governments reform cable franchise laws. They further recommend that state officials and the national government consider policies to preempt local franchising authority and to prohibit discriminatory taxation of communication services.

Talking points, an executive summary, and the full text of the study are available on The Heartland Institute's Web site at http://www.heartland.org/.

Source: The Heartland Institute

Web site: http://www.heartland.org/

The Palazzo to Showcase Broadway's Mega-Hit, 'Jersey Boys'
Tony-Award Winning Musical 'Too Good to be True' for Las Vegas

-- The much-anticipated opening of The Palazzo Resort Hotel Casino in Las Vegas just got bigger with the addition of the Tony-Award winning smash hit musical, Jersey Boys. The perennially sold-out show based on the life story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons has taken Broadway by storm and now has set its sights on Las Vegas, opening on the Strip in early 2008.

"With advance ticket sales over $30 million on Broadway we are confident that visitors from all over the world will come to see what is currently the hottest ticket on Broadway," said Rob Goldstein, president of The Venetian and The Palazzo. "Jersey Boys appeals to a wide range of audiences, beyond the traditional theatergoer. The spectacular musical is the type of entertainment that has become the hallmark of The Venetian: award-winning, great quality and distinctive. We expect The Palazzo, together with The Venetian, to continue to be the preeminent entertainment destination in Las Vegas."

Jersey Boys, which opened to rave reviews on November 6, 2005, continues to set weekly box office records and has been among the top grossing shows on Broadway ever since. As well as being a critical and audience favorite, the show won four 2006 Tony Awards including Best Musical. The original Broadway cast recording on Rhino Records won the Grammy Award for Best Show Recording and remains one of the best-selling show CDs in the US.

The smash hit musical follows the rags-to-riches tale of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, four blue-collar kids working their way from the streets of Newark to the heights of stardom, and features such hits as "Sherry," "Big Girls Don't Cry," "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You," "Oh, What a Night," and many more.

The Broadway creative team, including director Des McAnuff, choreographer Sergio Trujillo, authors Marshall Brickman & Rick Elice, and The Four Seasons, will be directly involved in the Las Vegas production of Jersey Boys.

"BASE Entertainment and our producing partners Michael David and The Dodgers are extremely excited to be bringing this smash hit to, what we expect will be, the most luxurious resort in Las Vegas," said Scott Zeiger, co-CEO of BASE Entertainment. "The state-of-the-art theater housing this production will serve as a perfect setting for this extraordinary show."

The Palazzo is a stand-alone resort currently being built by Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE:LVS) in the heart of the famed Las Vegas Strip. When combined with the neighboring Venetian and Sands Expo and Convention Center, The Palazzo will give the company the largest hotel and convention complex in the world. In addition to Jersey Boys, the $1.8 billion Palazzo will feature more than 3,000 all-suite rooms and offer its new shopping, dining and entertainment on two luxurious levels. The 450,000-square-foot retail space, The Shoppes at The Palazzo(TM) will be highlighted by Barneys New York and connected to The Venetian via The Grand Canal Shoppes. It will house approximately 60 high-end and mid-level stores from the most recognizable brands to the hottest newcomers and unique one-of-a-kind boutiques drawn from all over the world. Additionally, The Palazzo will offer 14 new restaurants from renowned chefs, many of whom are not yet featured in the Las Vegas area.

Statements in this press release, which are not historical facts, are "forward looking" statements that are made pursuant to the Safe Harbor Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward- looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties or other factors beyond the Company's control, which may cause material differences in actual results, performance or other expectations. These factors include, but are not limited to general economic conditions, competition, new ventures, government regulation, legalization of gaming, interest rates, future terrorist acts, insurance, and other factors detailed in the reports filed by Las Vegas Sands Corp. with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

ABOUT LAS VEGAS SANDS CORP.

Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE:LVS) is one of the leading international developers of multi-use integrated resorts.

The Las Vegas, Nevada-based company owns and operates The Venetian Resort-Hotel-Casino and the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas and the Sands Macao in the People's Republic of China (PRC) Special Administrative Region of Macao. The company is currently constructing four additional integrated resorts: The Venetian Macao Resort-Hotel in Macao; The Palazzo Resort-Hotel-Casino in Las Vegas; Sands Bethworks(TM) in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; and The Marina Bay Sands(TM) in Singapore.

LVS is also creating The Cotai Strip(TM), a master-planned development of resort-casino properties in Macao. Additionally, the company is working with the Zhuhai Municipal People's Government of the PRC to master-plan the development of a leisure resort and convention complex on Hengqin Island in the PRC.

About BASE Entertainment:

BASE Entertainment is an intellectual property based operating company and live entertainment studio with offices in New York, Las Vegas, and Houston. BASE develops, produces and manages intellectual properties which reach audiences through various platforms, including live, digital, broadcast and licensing.

BASE Entertainment partners include Brian Becker, Scott Zeiger, and Clarity Partners. Co-founders Brian Becker and Scott Zeiger have 45 years combined experience in the live entertainment industry. Becker previously served as Chairman and CEO of Clear Channel Entertainment (CCE), the world's leading producer and promoter of live entertainment events. Zeiger previously served as Chairman and CEO of CCE's North American Theatrical division and the CCE Productions Group. Clarity Partners, L.P. is a private equity firm focused exclusively on investments in media, communications, and business services. Clarity's current portfolio includes Vue Entertainment, Oxygen Media, Crescent Entertainment/Village Roadshow Pictures, Liberation Entertainment, and ImpreMedia.

BASE Entertainment's current projects include Phantom - The Las Vegas Spectacular, Gordie Brown and Wayne Brady: Making It Up at The Venetian, STOMP OUT LOUD at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, the Planet Hollywood Theater for the Performing Arts, and Wintuk, a new Cirque du Soleil winter holiday production coming to Madison Square Garden.

Source: Las Vegas Sands Corp.

'The Wumblers' Partners With ELH Enterprises for Plush Toy License
Groundbreaking Original Animated Preschool Television Series Signs on Plush Manufacturer, ELH Enterprises, to Kick Off Licensing Program

-- The Giddy Gander Company LLC is proud to announce a licensing partnership with ELH Enterprises for the manufacturing and retail distribution of plush merchandise based on characters from the upcoming preschool television series, The Wumblers. Heidi Schwartz, Director of Licensing, is pleased to kick off The Wumblers licensing program with ELH because of their innovative manner, clear understanding and enthusiasm for the series and brand as well as their continuous dedication to the production of high quality merchandise.

Richard Esposito, CEO of ELH Enterprises stated, "all of us at ELH are very excited about the opportunity to work with Laura Wellington and Heidi Schwartz on the Wumblers. This is more than just a new brand; it is a great story for children. Both Laura and Heidi are fantastic to work with and show amazing passion and drive for this mission they call The Wumblers. We are looking forward to bringing exciting new product to the consumer!"

Laura J. Wellington is the CEO of The Giddy Gander Company LLC and creator of The Wumblers. The Wumblers is dedicated to making the world a better place for all. The Wumblers are multi-colored, bulbous-shaped characters whose food falls from the sky, whose babies come from watermelon, and whose stories blend inspiration, imagination, and fun -- all to teach positive social attitudes and interactions, foster the concept that differences can unite rather than divide, and present the world as a global community. The Wumblers, an innovative animated pre-school TV series designed to teach children about values and global consciousness is set to begin airing on both the Trinity Broadcasting Network and Smile of a Child Network in the Fall of 2007.

ELH Enterprises based in Pleasanton, CA, specializes in the creation, design, manufacturing, marketing and distribution of high quality innovative "Gifts of Joy", including plush, collectibles, novelties, room decor, jewelry and stationery. Utilizing superior design and manufacturing processes, the company creates premium product lines featuring some of the most popular and classic licenses in the industry.

Source: The Giddy Gander Company LLC

Web site: http://www.sillygoosecompany.com/

MTV Networks' Music Group Allows Viewers to Cast Themselves in Future Seasons of MTV's 'The Real World' and VH1's 'I Love New York'
RealWorldCasting.com and ILoveNewYork2.com Provide Paths for Viewers to Appear on TV

-- Giving viewers paths to appear on TV, MTV Networks' Music Group is unveiling sites where fans can submit themselves for consideration as cast members on such popular shows as MTV's "The Real World" and VH1's "I Love New York." The sites add entirely new dimensions to the way in which viewers interact with their favorite programs by allowing them to visualize the makeup of the shows' casts and also potentially become cast members themselves. "The Real World" and "I Love New York" sites mark the first time television shows will be democratically influenced by communities of viewers prior to their on-air premieres and underscore MTVN's commitment to making viewers part of the fabric of its programs.

Beginning tomorrow, viewers can go to "The Real World" Casting site at http://www.realworldcasting.com/ to try for one coveted spot in the house or snag a seat on the casting director's couch to judge who should make it on-air. Fans of VH1's "I Love New York" can now go to http://www.ilovenewyork2.com/ to submit themselves for consideration and decide who gets to appear on the second season of "I Love New York." The "Real World" and "I Love New York" casting sites are just two of several "hyper-programmed" vertical channels that MTV Networks' Music & Logo group has introduced in recent months, including: BestWeekEver.tv, the companion vertical to VH1's 'Best Week Ever' franchise; WebJunk.tv, an extension of VH1's "Web Junk 20" program and Acceptable.TV, the site accompanying the viewer-interactive VH1 series of the same name; and Logo's recently acquired AfterEllen.com, AfterElton.com and 365Gay.com sites.

"'The Real World' and 'I Love New York' sites introduce new dimensions to the way we program our popular franchises and become doors through which our viewers can step into the TV," said Brian Graden, President of Entertainment for MTV Networks' Music Group. "These sites represent new models of engagement for our audience, giving disaggregated fans the power to come together as one community to affect the way we program our channels and our shows."

The Real World

"The Real World" Casting site is designed to be a highly immersive experience that engages viewers on multiple levels, from castee to judge. Viewers who join the community can register to be considered for the show or serve as a judge to help determine who makes the cut. In either instance, they are connected to the larger community of "The Real World" fans who share similar passions and who want to stay connected to -- and help influence -- the story arcs, characters and themes they see on-air.

Viewers who throw their hat into the ring for the cast of Season 20 must submit a 90-second 'confessional' video detailing their passions, life experiences and phobias. Viewers who elect to serve as judges can climb a virtual casting hierarchy to serve in any number of roles, from Head of Casting, to VP of Casting, Casting Director, Casting Associate, Casting Intern or just plain Voter. The hierarchy is determined by the number of votes a registered user casts; the more one votes, the higher on the ladder they climb. But it's not just castees who make it onto MTV. Even judges may appear throughout the season to discuss whom they voted for and why.

The current season of "The Real World: Denver" ranks #1 in its time period (10-10:30 p.m. Wednesdays) among P12-34 versus cable competition and has reached 91.4 million total viewers season-to-date. The season finale of "The Real World: Denver" is May 16. The next season -- season 19 -- will take place in Sydney, Australia and is currently in production. The viewers chosen through the RealWorldCasting.com site will be members of "The Real World" season 20.

"The Real World: Denver" is a massive hit on mtv.com as well. In the month of April, viewers streamed 4 million full episodes, sneak peaks and after shows, making "The Real World: Denver" the most-watched show at mtv.com. And since the show's on-air premiere in November, "The Real World: Denver" has delivered nearly 24 million streams, consistently making it one of the most- viewed TV shows on mtv.com.

"The Real World" was created for MTV by Jon Murray and Mary Ellis-Bunim of Bunim-Murray Productions, and Jon Murray and Jim Johnston serve as Executive Producers. Drew Tappon and Jacquelyn French are Executives Producers for MTV.

I Love New York 2

Five contestants in "New York's" next quest for love will be determined through user participation at ILoveNewYork2.com. The "I Love New York" casting site works in two ways: fans can submit themselves for consideration in the next installment of the series and they can vote to determine who makes the cut in the next competition for "New York's" heart. Online casting will be determined during three rounds of voting between April 29 and June 15. Round one submissions must include an uploaded video profile, biographical information and photos. After round one, the 60 would-be suitors with the most votes will move on to the next round. Details and requirements for each round of voting can be found at ILoveNewYork2.com.

The recent "I Love New York Reunion Special," resonated with viewers across broadband, mobile and linear platforms. VH1's "I Love New York Reunion Special" drew 5 million total viewers, making it the most watched episode of the season and catapulted VH1 to its third highest-rated day ever in the network's history. The series was also the second highest-rated season of any VH1 series ever. Close to 1 million video streams on VSPOT were logged in the 24 hours following the on-air special. Additionally, more than 50,000 mobile text messages were received that day by viewers responding to a dynamic on-air VH1 Mobile poll question related to the show. The series was also the most watched show on VH1 Mobile throughout its season.

The second season of "I Love New York" is scheduled to premiere later this year.

VH1's "I Love New York" is created and executive produced by Mark Cronin and Cris Abrego for Mindless Entertainment and 51 Pictures, who also produce the record-breaking hits "Flavor of Love," "The Surreal Life" and "My Fair Brady." Jeff Olde, Jill Holmes, Kristen Kelly and Michael Hirschorn oversee the series for VH1.

The casting sites complement the online hubs for both shows at MTV.com and VH1.com, which deliver full episodes, exclusive after shows, sneak peaks and cast photos.

MTV Networks

MTV Networks' goal is to be the premier portfolio of targeted Global Entertainment Communities. Our brands engage, empower and connect diverse audiences with culturally relevant creative content and unique experiences across every platform.

MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:VIA.B) , is one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. MTV Networks, with more than 130 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 200 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 Networks Music Group

Web site: http://www.mtv.com/
http://www.realworldcasting.com/

T.I. Races to the Top With Chevrolet's Impala SS; King of Hip-Hop Teams Up With General Motors for Major Marketing Campaign; New Album, "T.I. vs. TIP," on Track for Summer '07

-- Grand Hustle/Atlantic recording artist T.I. and General Motors Corp. have united for a major promotional blitz celebrating the new Chevrolet Impala SS. The multi-million dollar campaign confirms the Grammy Award-winning rap superstar's status as one of the most visible and influential artists in modern hip-hop.

The promotion -- created in association with Translation Consultation & Brand Imaging, a New York City-based brand marketing firm headed by founder and Chief Creative Officer Steve Stoute -- kicked off late last year with the companion video for T.I.'s top 10 rap smash, "Top Back (Remix)." The clip -- which was a #1 rotation hit at BET and the MTV networks -- featured a number of vintage and current Chevys.

A trio of commercials co-starring T.I. and the new Impala SS followed in early 2007, the first created using footage from the smash "Top Back (Remix)" video. A second commercial, entitled "Infield," effectively merged two of America's biggest cultural phenomena -- hip-hop and motorsports -- by bringing together T.I. and NASCAR legends Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Tony Stewart. The campaign's third installment, dubbed "Ain't We Got Love," made its debut during the 2007 Super Bowl festivities and featured an all-star cast including T.I., Earnhardt Jr., Mary J. Blige, and Big N' Rich.

"Together, the Chevy brand team and Translation have displayed true creativity and vision in partnering with T.I.," said Camille Hackney, Atlantic Senior Vice-President of Brand Partnerships and Commercial Licensing. "This is only the beginning of a relationship that is sure to lead to more innovative concepts and pioneering ideas. T.I. and Atlantic are looking forward to expanding our partnership with Chevy and Translation in the coming months."

"I believe that T.I. represents a mindset shared by many young adults, regardless of gender and race," said Translation founder Steve Stoute. "Chevy is a brand that represents a voice of American Revolution, and T.I. shares some of those same values. The campaign has been very successful, as people have paid attention to the diverse usage of songs from country to hip-hop. Having T.I. represent the hip-hop perspective was the only choice that Translation felt would be solid and authentic."

The success of the Chevrolet promotion marks the beginning of what looks to be T.I.'s biggest year to date. The ATL-based superstar was the king of February's 49th Annual Grammy Awards, scoring the "Best Rap Solo Performance" award for his smash single, "What You Know." T.I. also received an additional prize for "Best Rap/Sung Collaboration," marking his alliance with Justin Timberlake on the #1 hit, "My Love." The twin Grammys capped off an incredible 2006-07 awards season for T.I., following his triumphs at last year's BET Awards, BET Hip-Hop Awards, and Billboard Music Awards.

"T.I. vs. TIP," the eagerly awaited follow-up to 2006's RIAA double-platinum, Billboard 200-topping smash, "KING," is slated for release on July 3rd. Recently ranked by XXL Magazine as one of the most anticipated releases of 2007, the album will feature a star-studded line-up of guests, including Justin Timberlake, Eminem, R. Kelly, Nelly, Akon, and Lil' Wayne. The production roster is equally impressive, with contributions from such studio luminaries as Timbaland, Scott Storch, Mannie Fresh, Wyclef Jean, Danjahandz, and Just Blaze.

Later this year, T.I. will follow his acclaimed big-screen acting debut in last year's "ATL" by co-starring in what is among 2007's most anticipated new films, "American Gangster." Due November 2nd, the Ridley Scott-directed crime drama will see T.I. sharing the screen with Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe. A slate of further projects -- via T.I.'s own Grand Hustle Films -- will be announced in the coming weeks.

For more information, please visit www.trapmuzik.com and www.myspace.com/trapmuzik

Three Films Explore Identity in Academy/UCLA Documentary Series Screening

Beverly Hills, CA — The documentary short subject “Positively Naked,” the Oscar®-nominated documentary short subject “The Mushroom Club” and the documentary feature “Unknown White Male” will be screened on Wednesday, May 23, as the next installment in the 2006–2007 Contemporary Documentaries series, presented by the Academy Foundation of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the UCLA Film & Television Archive. The screenings will begin at 7 p.m. at the Academy’s Linwood Dunn Theater in Hollywood. Admission is free.

“Positively Naked” looks at 85 HIV-positive strangers who, with an art installation as their focus, find the opportunity to band together as a strong and proud community. Though many members of the group have experienced ostracism at one time or another, all have learned to thrive instead of perish – with strength, humor and heart. The film was directed and produced by Arlene Donnelly Nelson and David Nelson, both of whom will attend the screening and discuss the making of the film; Helen Hood Scheer was also a producer on the film.

At once a personal reflection and a moving portrait of a city and its people, “The Mushroom Club” explores the legacy of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. Directed and produced by Steven Okazaki, the Oscar-nominated film looks at the myths surrounding the devastating incident, the lives of the remaining survivors and the city’s monuments to its dead. It reveals how Japan struggles to this day with a fateful moment in its past.

“Unknown White Male” introduces Doug Bruce, a 35-year-old stockbroker-turned-photographer who one day, riding alone on a New York subway train, could not remember his name, where he worked, who his friends were or how much money he had in his bank account. Suffering from one of the rarest forms of amnesia, Bruce embarks on a profound journey to learn who he was and who he will become. The film was directed by Rupert Murray and produced by Beadie Finzi.

All screenings in the series are free and open to the public. Doors open at 6 p.m. The Linwood Dunn Theater is located at the Academy’s Pickford Center for Motion Picture Study, 1313 Vine Street, at the northwest corner of Fountain Avenue and Vine Street in Hollywood. Parking is available behind the building through the entrance on Homewood Avenue, one block north of Fountain. For more information, call (310) 247-3600 or (310) 206-FILM.

©A.M.P.A.S.®

April 30

MTV PUTS FANS IN THE DIRECTOR'S CHAIR AS
NOMINEES FOR “2007 MTV MOVIE AWARDS” ARE ANNOUNCED
“300” Leads the Way With 5 Nominations Followed By
“Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest” With 4 Nods
MTV Unveils New Categories “BEST MOVIE SPOOF”
And “BEST SUMMER MOVIE YOU HAVEN’T SEEN YET”
Sarah Silverman Will Host The “2007 MTV Movie Awards”
LIVE On Sunday, June 3^rd at 8PM/7c

April 30, 2007 (Santa Monica, CA) - The destiny of the coveted golden popcorn lies in the hands of the viewers as MTV: Music Television today announced the nominees for the “2007 MTV Movie Awards.” Dominating the pack is “300” with 5 nominations followed by “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest” with 4 nods. Also vying for the much sought-after statue is “Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan,” “Blades of Glory,” and “The Devil Wears Prada” with 3 nominations each. The 16^th annual awards show will be executive produced by Emmy Award^® winning producer Mark Burnett. Airing LIVE for the first time ever, the “2007 MTV Movie Awards” will be broadcast from the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, CA on Sunday, June 3^rd at 8pm/7c. Performers and presenters for the “2007 MTV Movie Awards” will be announced at a later date.

It is all about the fans this year as MTV rolls out its first-ever user generated category, “BEST MOVIE SPOOF” where viewers have the opportunity to submit their own original movie shorts parodying films from the past year. As previously announced, MTV and Yahoo! have partnered to launch this interactive website via Yahoo! Movies (http://mtvmovieawards.yahoo.com) which explores the convergence of entertainment and technology like never before allowing fans to be part of the show. The undiscovered talent will be revealed to the world during the “2007 MTV Movie Awards.” Additionally, MTV unveils another new category, BEST SUMMER MOVIE YOU HAVEN’T SEEN YET giving a nod to upcoming summer blockbusters. And making its return this year is the mtvU Best Filmmaker on Campus award, offering the winner national exposure at the 2007 MTV Movie Awards and a $25,000 development deal with MTV Films.

“This year's star-studded show will be live, and inspired by all the new ways our audience experiences the movies,” said Christina Norman, President, MTV. “From texting their vote for 'Best Fight,' to uploading their own original movie spoofs, to posting photos online, fans are just a click away from being in the spotlight in this year's celebration of the movies and stars they love.”

Fans can vote by visiting movieawards.mtv.com before May 29th. Viewers can also vote from their mobile phones by texting “MOVIES” to 22422. Voting is also available by dialing toll free to 1-877-MTV-VOTE where fans can support their favorite nominees in each category. For the first time ever, the “2007 MTV Movie Awards” will offer live voting during the show. One category will remain open and viewers will be asked to cast their votes via mtv.com and text messaging on their wireless phones.

The “2007 MTV Movie Awards” will be available to a potential viewing audience of more than 1.4 billion people via MTV's global network of 55 channels reaching 492.7 million households around the world as well as through syndication. In addition, its convergent programming & content will reach the entire interactive community, via MTV's more than 200 digital media properties around the world.

Nominees for the “2007 MTV Movie Awards” are:

BEST MOVIE
300 (Warner Bros. Pictures)
(Warner Bros. Pictures) Blades of Glory (Paramount Pictures)
(Paramount Pictures) Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan (20^th Century Fox)
(20 Century Fox) Little Miss Sunshine (Fox Searchlight)
(Fox Searchlight) Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (Walt Disney Pictures)
(Walt Disney Pictures) BEST PERFORMANCE

Gerard Butler- 300 (Warner Bros. Pictures)

Johnny Depp- Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (Walt Disney Pictures)

Jennifer Hudson- Dreamgirls (Paramount Pictures/DreamWorks SKG)

Keira Knightley- Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (Walt Disney Pictures)

Beyoncé Knowles- Dreamgirls (Paramount Pictures/DreamWorks SKG)

Will Smith- The Pursuit of Happyness (Sony Pictures)

BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMANCE

Emily Blunt- The Devil Wears Prada (20^th Century Fox)

Abigail Breslin- Little Miss Sunshine (Fox Searchlight)

Lena Headey- 300 (Warner Bros. Pictures)

Columbus Short- Stomp the Yard (Screen Gems)

Jaden Smith- The Pursuit of Happyness (Sony Pictures)

Justin Timberlake- Alpha Dog (Universal Pictures)

BEST COMEDIC PERFORMANCE

Emily Blunt- The Devil Wears Prada (20^th Century Fox)

Sacha Baron Cohen- Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan (20^th Century Fox)

Will Ferrell- Blades of Glory (Paramount Pictures)

Adam Sandler- Click (Sony Pictures)

Ben Stiller- Night at the Museum (20^th Century Fox)

BEST KISS

Cameron Diaz & Jude Law- The Holiday (Sony Pictures)

Will Ferrell & Sacha Baron Cohen- Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (Sony Pictures)

Columbus Short & Meagan Good- Stomp the Yard (Screen Gems)

Mark Wahlberg & Elizabeth Banks- Invincible (Walt Disney Pictures)

Marlon Wayans & Brittany Daniel- Little Man (Sony Pictures)

BEST VILLAIN

Tobin Bell- Saw III (Lions Gate Films)

Jack Nicholson- The Departed (Warner Bros. Pictures)

Bill Nighy- Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (Walt Disney Pictures)

Rodrigo Santoro- 300 (Warner Bros. Pictures)

Meryl Streep- The Devil Wears Prada (20^th Century Fox)

BEST FIGHT

Jack Black & Hector Jimenez vs. Los Duendes- Nacho Libre (Paramount Pictures)

Gerard Butler vs. “The Uber Immortal”- 300 (Warner Bros. Pictures)

Sacha Baron Cohen vs. Ken Davitian- Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan (20^th Century Fox)

Will Ferrell vs. Jon Heder- Blades of Glory (Paramount Pictures)

Uma Thurman vs. Anna Faris- My Super Ex-Girlfriend (20^th Century Fox)

BEST SUMMER MOVIE YOU HAVEN’T SEEN YET
Evan Almighty (Universal Pictures)
(Universal Pictures) Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (20^th Century Fox)
(20 Century Fox) Hairspray (New Line Cinema)
(New Line Cinema) Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix (Warner Bros. Pictures)
(Warner Bros. Pictures) Rush Hour 3 (New Line Cinema)
(New Line Cinema) Transformers (Paramount Pictures)
(Paramount Pictures) mtvU BEST FILMMAKER ON CAMPUS
Robert Dastoli (University of Central Florida) – “Southwestern Orange County vs.
The Flying Saucers”
Maria Gigante (Columbia College, Chicago) – “Girls Room”
Josh Greenbaum (University of Southern California) – “Border Patrol”
Alexander Poe (Columbia University) – “Please Forget I Exist”
Andrew Shipsides (Savannah College of Art and Design) – “Bottleneck”

2007 MTV Movie Awards
Total Number of Combined Category Nominations

300 5
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest 4
Blades of Glory 3
Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Kazakhstan 3
The Devil Wears Prada 3
Dreamgirls 2
Little Miss Sunshine 2
The Pursuit of Happyness 2
Stomp the Yard 2
Alpha Dog 1
Click 1
The Departed 1
Evan Almighty 1
Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer 1
Hairspray 1
Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix 1
The Holiday 1
Invincible 1
Little Man 1
My Super Ex-Girlfriend 1
Nacho Libre 1
Night at the Museum 1
Rush Hour 3 1
Saw III 1
Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby 1
Transformers 1
* Nominees are chosen through a national poll of MTV and MTV2 viewers.

Mark Burnett serves as Executive Producer for the “2007 MTV Movie Awards.” Salli Frattini is Executive Producer for MTV. Audrey Morrisey and Ted Smith are Producers, Joe DeMaio is the Director and Kathy Flynn serves as Event Producer.

Official sponsors of “The 2007 MTV MOVIE AWARDS” are GM, glacéau vitaminwater, Old Navy, Orbit, Secret, Sprint and Taco Bell Corp.®.

About MTV Networks

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 120 channels worldwide, owns and operates the following television programming services – MTV: MUSIC TELEVISION, MTV2, VH1, mtvU, NICKELODEON, NICK at NITE, COMEDY CENTRAL, TV LAND, SPIKE TV, CMT, NOGGIN, VH1 CLASSIC, LOGO, MTVN INTERNATIONAL and THE DIGITAL SUITE FROM MTV NETWORKS, a package of 13 digital services, all of these networks trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks connects with its audiences through its robust consumer products businesses and its more than 95 interactive properties worldwide, including online, broadband, wireless and interactive television services and also has licensing agreements, joint ventures, and syndication deals whereby all of its programming services can be seen worldwide.

About Mark Burnett Productions

Mark Burnett Productions (MBP) is a leading production company in content for both primetime television and the internet. MBP revolutionized television with hits such as Eco-Challenge, Survivor, The Apprentice, The Contender, Rock Star: INXS, Rock Star: Supernova and its upcoming co-production with Steven Spielberg and DreamWorks Television, On The Lot (FOX). Other upcoming MBP projects include: Pirate Master (CBS) and Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader (FOX). MBP also partnered with AOL on the highly successful adventure Gold Rush, the first-ever unscripted project to be produced exclusively for the internet. MBP also successfully reintroduced product placement as an integral part of each of its shows and has garnered a total of 42 Emmy nominations since 2001.

# # #

ENTERTAINMENT, ARTS, FASHION & TECHNOLOGY

Posted by Bill at 05:09 PM | Permalink

April 29, 2007

Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach

Day 2

Part 2

(C)MBN 2007

Part 1

Day 1

Photos From the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach

Posted by Bill at 12:57 PM | Permalink

April 27, 2007

Nopi Drift 2007

June 5

NOPI Motorsports is proud to announce their 2007 television schedule on SPEED TV. Starting in July NOPI TunerVision will be airing on Thursday’s, Friday’s and Sunday’s with new up to the date coverage of NOPI Motorsports events. With SPEED TV adding additional television coverage from the previous half an hour spot to an extended hour-long segment. The new hour segment will be cut into two with the new episode airing first and a re-run of the previous NOPI event after. You can be sure there will be plenty of action throughout the entire episodes.

Michael Meyers, President of NOPI Motorsports said, "SPEED TV extended the coverage of NOPI Tunervision from the original 1 show into the new format of 2 episodes with the extra episode making it an hour long segment, the second half hour being a re-run. We feel that with this format the NOPI events will finally get the attention that they deserve. With the new hour long segments catching all the action should no longer be a problem."

So this July starts the new 2007 show season and you will also notice a change in production as well. NOPI TV is now working with City Lights on the production of the NOPI TV shows, which is going to elevate the excitement of NOPI Tunervision. Things have never been better for NOPITV. From NDRA to NOPI’s New Professional Drift Series and the ever-impressive NOPI Car Show to the beautiful NOPI Chic’s, you will not want to miss any episodes. If you do, SPEED TV will be running the shows in rotation so you will be able to see any reruns of any event that you may have missed!

NOPI would like to thank you for your continuing support for NOPI Motorsports.

May 28

Wow! What can we say, if you were not at the NDRA event this past weekend at Maryland International Raceway, man did you miss out! There was a ton of close exciting races and there were even a handful of 200mph passes! The NDRA racers and teams are really getting a hold of their racecars and the results are definitely starting to show.

Glenn Woods, Race Director for NOPI Motorsports said, “This weekend’s event had the most side by side racing in every class that we have seen in a few years! It was nice to see the level of competition between not only the drivers but the crews that support these vehicles.” Michael Meyers, President of NOPI Motorsports said “With an event like this past weekend, there is nothing to show me that this market is slowing down. We had over 300 cars in competition in the NOPI Car Show and the attendance soared over 20k! All in all this weekend was a huge success and all that attended was sure to have a fantastic time!”

A few exciting things happened this weekend with one of them being Jason Hunt in the Pro Outlaw FWD class taking the win light twice this weekend. The first win was a makeup race from the previous NDRA event that had been rained out, that final was Jason Hunt vs. Gary Gardella. Jason took the win and posted his first 200mph pass! The second win light for Hunt happened for the Maryland International Raceway event and this run was again Hunt vs. Gardella! Jason took the win again and has currently won all 4 finals and sits comfortably atop of the point’s schedule.

NOPI Motorsports is proud of the racers this past weekend and would like to thank and congratulate them! “Keep up the good work guys and thanks for all of the exciting races this weekend, I am sure that there is plenty more where that came from!” said Michael Meyers.

NOPI looks forward to seeing you at the next event and would like to thank you for your continuing support for NOPI Motorsports.

May 20

Vaughn Gittin Jr. continues to prove his skills behind any machine thrown his way

JR jumps into a Miller Motorsports-built Mustang for some road racing in Tooele, Utah for GT Live and Falken Tire Drift Experience.

and .

JR proved himself worthy in a 240 hp SR-powered Corolla for D1 US season opener in Englishtown, NJ.

Hopping back into the Falken Tire Mustang for Formula D Round 2 at Road Atlanta, JR was defeated by Mother Nature and a misshift.

and .

Tooele, UT – Recently featured in a Super Street editorial column, Vaughn Gittin Jr. spoke about the troubles and triumphs in recently giving up his full-time IT job to work in a suit – a racing suit that is! JR promised his fans, family, and sponsors nothing but hard work and dedication, and thus far, he has kept his word.

JR traveled to Utah in late April for GT Live to participate in the Falken Tire Drift Experience. The Falken Tire Drift Experience is an event dedicated to giving fans a true, intimate feeling of being in a professional drift car on Falken Tires. JR says, “Falken Tire has worked unbelievably hard to make this dream for fans come true.”

“Miller Motorsports Park is an absolutely amazing dreamland for any motorsports enthusiast,” says JR. Miller Motorsports Park contains multiple tacks, karting facilities and supermoto tracks.

On practice day, JR and his team realized that the Falken Tire Mustang had some issues that needed to be taken care of before they got any worse. The team decided to pull the car out of the event to prepare it for D1 and Formula D coming up because the competition series is a number one priority.

“Being at this event and not being able to drive is like taking a little kid to a candy store and not letting him get a Snickers.” Fortunately for JR, he was graciously allowed behind the wheel of one of the Miller Motorsports Mustang Challenge cars to participate in the Time Attack and do some road racing.

Always wanting to improve his skills, JR talked to many of the other drivers in order to learn some of the tricks and lines of the course. Only his second time participating in road racing, JR gave it is all and won 3^rd overall and 1^st in the RWD class. The Mustang JR was racing is one of the many Miller Motorsports Mustang challenge cars built for sale or rental by the general public; the car was lightly modified but good for road racing according to JR.

JR says he was “very impressed with the way it handled in general and the guys at Miller Motorsports do a great job of building reliable and affordable cars for someone who wants to improve their skills, or just for those ‘weekend racers’.” JR genuinely appreciates the guys at Miller Motorsports for allowing him to have such a great experience and race one of their awesome cars.

Englishtown, NJ – Returning to the place where he started drifting about 4 years ago, JR was super excited to participate in the D1 U.S. season opener. This was truly a landmark event for JR and the rest of the boys of Drift Alliance, mainly because this venue was so special to their drifting careers. JR was excited to have his family, friends and East Coast fans in attendance supporting him at an event local to his hometown.

Engine problems arose during practice Friday and the team decided to pull the plug on driving his Mustang in order to get ready for Formula D Round 2 the following weekend.

Eric Davis, one of JR’s best friends, was at the event with his SR-powered Corolla built by Mid-Atlantic Motorsports with hopes of attaining his D1 license from the drivers search. Unfortunately, Eric did not get his license and ending up hitting a wall during practice – leaving the car with quite a nasty bruise. But luckily for JR, Eric agreed to let him drive his car for the competition.

JR was determined not to let his family, friends, and fans down and, without hesitation, hopped in the Corolla and qualified 11^th after only two practice runs! Switching from a lighter, extremely less-powered vehicle proved to be no match for JR’s skills behind the wheel. “I was ecstatic… I was just having so much fun driving this little Corolla. It was a whole new challenge for me to conquer.”

For the Top 16 battles, JR was paired up with Takahiro Ueno in the 530hp Toyota Soarer. After an amazing battle and two “one more times”, Ueno took the victory over JR. Overall, JR was thrilled that he could just hop in a crashed Corolla and put on such a show for the crowd.

“one more times”, Ueno took the victory over JR. Overall, JR was thrilled that he could just hop in a crashed Corolla and put on such a show for the crowd.

“I’m very confident in my new mechanics this year – Doug from Streetwise is a genius. Problems that we are having with the Mustang are a result of what we have done to give the car more bite. The car’s suspension is really working very well, but the motor is getting a lot more loaded from working so hard than it has in the past. We are finding that the motor-build that we have gone with in the past is not going to work for us this season. We have some new tricks up our sleeves and we are hoping to get through Atlanta with our spare motor, and we are doing everything possible to debut our new secret at Summit Point.”

Atlanta, GA –Vaughn Gittin Jr. traveled to “Hotlanta” in hopes of packing a major punch in Round Two “Fight Night” Formula D, and boy was it a scorcher. Due to the motor problems from the previous weekend, Vaughn Gittin Jr.’s Falken Tire Mustang ran with a spare motor. JR was in high spirits Friday even though the car was down in power about 100 hp. JR was forced to go down two sizes in tires as the power of the spare motor was unable to spin his usual massive 315 Falken RT615s.

Due to a dose of bad luck during qualifying Saturday, JR was the only driver who had to run during a heavy downpour. After making his way down the hill, his first entry was like a sheet of ice and threw him into the gravel pit. JR was very disappointed but decided to not let this occurrence get him down.

For the second qualifying round, JR put down the fastest entry speed of the day – 93 mph. His run started off beautifully, but on the last entry he misshifted into first rather than third gear. JR straightened up and unfortunately was completely taken out of the ballgame.

“I was feeling great all weekend. The guys from Falken Tire and Streetwise made sure I had an amazing car setup considering the circumstances. I made a very big mistake and it really cost me the event. It was a very big wake-up call – the first time I’ve had to sit on the sidelines for the top sixteen in three years! You can bet I will be putting this minor bump in the road behind me and I will be ready to rock at Summit Point in West Virginia June 2nd!

Written and edited by Abby Baker

May 14

Well, if you thought that it couldn’t get any better running with NOPI Motorsports, you were wrong! NOPI Motorsports has teamed up with Wench Jewelry to create something completely unique to the NOPI Professional Drift Series and NDRA (NOPI Drag Racing Association). What both companies have come up with is sure to create some major buzz in the market and among the drivers.

“This is a special year for us, and we wanted to do something unique for our drivers. NOPI and Wench Jewelry have collaborated to come up with a series specific ring that will only be handed out to the top drivers.” Said Michael Meyers, President of NOPI Motorsports. “We wanted to go over and above every expectation for this years events, and I believe that this helps us accomplish that!”

Wench Jewelry will be creating and presenting 13 rings in total, 10 for the NDRA events that will be split up by classes, 7 rings for the pro class, 3 rings for the sport class and 3 rings for the top 3 drivers at the NOPI Professional Drift Series events. All of the rings will be made with Tiffany grade silver and there will be different sizes for all of the podium winners for NDRA: First Place will receive a 7millimeter wrench ring and second and third place winners will have 5.5millimeter wrench rings. All of the NDRA rings will have “NOPI NDRA” molded into the outside of the rings and will have an engraving on the inside of the band.

For the NOPI Professional Drift Series, there will be 3 rings awarded to the podium winners. First place will receive a 7millimeter wrench ring, Second place will receive a 5.5millimeter wrench ring and Third place will receive a 4millimeter wrench ring. These rings will also have a “NOPI DRIFT” logo molded to the outside bands and an inscription on the inside of the ring band as well. Needless to say, these rings will be extremely well made and will be a perfect addition to any driver’s trophy collection or hands! This excitement comes by being apart of the NOPI Motorsports family.

NOPI looks forward to seeing you at both NDRA and NOPI Professional Drift events, and would like to thank you for your continuing support for NOPI Motorsports.

The NOPI Professional Drift Series and NDRA Series are here! The time is now – be part of the excitement. To learn more about the NOPI Professional Drift Series, please contact Caleb

May 7

NDRA Maryland International Raceway – Maryland - May 19^th & 20th

NDRA has another exciting event coming up this weekend. On May 19^th & 20^th NDRA will be at Budd’s Creek Raceway in Maryland, with the points lead going back and forth the race to the finish is getting closer each and every event!

As many of you have come know and love the NOPI events, the Budd’s Creek NDRA event will not disapoint at all. There will be a full car show with cash prizes, as well as a Swimsuit Contest with the hottest girls from the northeast competing for the prize. Vendor row will be in full effect with top companies in attendance showing off their newest products for you to come by and check out. As always, there is too much going on at each NOPI event to list. You can be sure that both Saturday and Sunday will be action packed and worth every penny!

“NOPI Motorsports likes to provide entertainment throughout the entire race weekend. From the intense Drag Racing to the Swimsuit Contest and the NOPI Car Show, there is always something for everyone. NOPI Motorsports has always worked hard to bring a fantastic array of entertainment to each event. With the spotlight this weekend being on a band called the “Politicks”. NOPI is proud to have this group of performers on their stage and we are anticipating their debut performance with NOPI Motorsports.” Said Michael Meyers, President of NOPI Motorsports.

Since coming together in 2001 while at Radford University, the Politicks have performed on the east coast from New York to Florida, shared the stage with several Grammy Award winning artists, recorded in Los Angeles and received regular radio play in their hometown of Washington, DC.   Last summer the Politicks performed with icons of soul and hip-hop including Al Green, Lauryn Hill, The Roots and India Arie. In the fall they joined the Heineken Red Star Soul tour, performing with major artists in soul and R&B including Raphael Saadiq, Floetry, Raheem DeVaughn, Chrisette Michele, Claudette Ortiz & Ryan Toby (City High). Most recently, the Politicks brought in 2007 with the Sugar Hill Gang, Pat McGee band and DC101 at the Downtown Countdown NYE event in DC. While working on their professional debut album, Two Coffees, One Juice, the band wrote and recorded the theme song for a major motion picture, entitled "The Perfect Game."  Politicks features Matthew Green on vocals, Brian Chafin and Mike Trella on guitars, Brad Moore on bass, and Brendan McCourt on drums. Make sure to come out and check out the Politicks live in concert at this weekends NDRA event held at Bud’s Creek Raceway.

For more information on the Politicks check out - http://www.myspace.com/politicks

NOPI looks forward to seeing you this weekend and would like to thank you for your continuing support for NOPI Motorsports.

The NOPI Professional Drift Series and NDRA Series is upon us! The time is now – be part of the excitement. To learn more about the NOPI Professional Drift Series, or the NDRA series, please contact Caleb Garrett at caleb@nopi.com or Glenn Woods at glennw@nopi.com.

May 4

Vaughn Gittin Jr. starts the Season off the right way!

It is no secret that Vaughn Gittin Jr. has been working extremely hard during this year’s “off season”. Between developing and testing the new Mustang with Team Falken and Street wise, the mental training of his transition to a full time professional driver was a lot to deal with. JR and Team Falken are doing everything possible to prevent the minor issues that have held them back the past 2 years and with the start of the much anticipated Formula D season opener in the “Streets of Long beach” was a

testament to all of the hard work of everyone involved.

While JR showed up feeling good and looking good in his brand new custom AlpineStar race suit, the Team Falken Mustang was also sporting some new looks for itself. The weekend didn’t start out as good as JR had hoped for. After successful testing

sessions with the Falken Tire Mustang, the car decided to have some freak engine issues that resulted in broken rocker arms during practice the day before qualifying. The only solution was to work all night and replace the head to ensure that JR would at least make it to qualifying in the morning. “I am very fortunate to have a team that is willing to do whatever it takes to get me on the track.” Said JR, Driver for Team Falken.

JR missed practice prior to qualifying because of some car demons, so his first qualifying run was his first full run through the course on game day, so he had no room for error. JR came around the first turn inches from the wall and he was FLYING! He nailed the run and it was impressive enough to place him 2nd overall in qualifying. “It was one of those situations where I felt I was lucky to even be at qualifying, considering where we were the night before with the engine. I just went out and gave my all. I knew when I left the line it was going to be incredibly awesome or simply disastrous!”

JR was placed “head to head” against Falken teammate Robbie Nishida for the Sweet 16 match-ups. With crazy close runs and even a “one-more-time” chant, JR gained the advantage and sent his Falken Tire teammate

packing! “I love running with Robbie! I think he pushes a bit harder whenever we are paired up, especially due to the fact he wants his revenge from Seattle last year. He’s a great driver, however there is no mercy for anyone after the starting line, even a teammate.”

For the Top Eight competition, JR was paired up with his biggest rival Samuel Hubinette – a battle JR had been craving all winter! While Sam was leading and JR was following, a crazy once-in-lifetime moment occurred; JR was so close to Sam’s Charger that his front right wheel was actually inside Sam’s back left wheel-well long enough to paint the wheel black. JR said, “Sam and I have gone back and forth for years and he is one of the drivers I push VERY HARD to beat and our battles are always intense. I am very happy to have been paired up with him and shown last years champ the fire in my eyes.”

JR moved on to compete in the Top Four, with yet another Falken teammate, Mitsuru Haraguchi. JR went all out with his “never lift” mentality and made a mistake in the first head to head, which made the judges’ decision a little easier. Going for redemption and getting the advantage with the second run wasn’t enough to regain his triumph – JR had lost to Haraguchi. “Haraguchi is a great driver, he holds an extremely deep angle which makes him a bit slower then most but still very fun and challenging to battle. I went a little bit to hard while I was leading the battle and made a simple

mistake that possibly could have been avoided if I was taking it a bit easier. I have the hardest time driving light. I fell like I’m cheating myself and fans if I don’t drive 110%.” Said JR, Driver for Team Falken.

Finishing fourth overall after one last battle with Daijiro Yoshihara, JR made quite an impact on the amazing audience of Formula D Round One by giving them nothing less than expected by “The Captain Clutchkick” himself – lots of smoke, excitement, smoke, American muscle, smoke, speed and did we mention smoke?

“Long beach was such an amazing event. Our sport and Formula D has grown so much. It is amazing seeing more and more fans with diverse backgrounds and interest at each event. I cannot wait for the rest of the stops on the Formula D Schedule While I am only content with our finish at the season opener I am thrilled with the fact the Team Falken Mustang is dialed in and there is no doubt I’m ready to rock”, said Vaughn Gittin Jr.

With a great start to an exciting upcoming season, JR is craving to stand on that desired winners’ podium that he came so close to during the season opener. He wants to thank all his sponsors and the fans who continue to support him and Formula D; and he hopes to see YOU at Round Two “Fight Night” in Atlanta where he will be prepared to give his famous “one-hitter quitter” to any and all challengers.

April 27

NDRA Atco New Jersey – April 28^th and 29^th

Records Will Be Broken!

OK drag race fans…… NDRA is coming this week (April 28^th and 29^th ) with a full action packed event held at Atco Raceway in New Jersey. You won’t be lacking action here as there will be plenty of drag racing action during this 2-day event, as well as a full blown car show, entertainment, swimsuit contest and much much more! You can be assured that you will leave the event with complete satisfaction on all entertainment levels!

Michael Meyers, President of NOPI Motorsports says, “We want for everyone who comes out to have a great time! NOPI Motorsports strives for perfection in everything that we do and there is no exception when it comes to the NDRA events. With the incredibly skilled field of drivers and the constant flux of entertainment throughout the weekend NOPI is sure that you will have a great time!”

This weekend will kick off the third NDRA event of 2007 and the competition has already started to heat up. With just about every event this season, the points lead a change, which has brought a lot of teams to NDRA as they put their best on the starting line! With the Atco Raceway hosting the event, there isn’t a bad seat in the house!

For all you racers out there that want to put your car to the test, don’t hesitate to come out. There are plenty of cash prizes and trophies to go around. For the race fans, this is a weekend that you won’t want to miss. Plenty of high-powered racing will be going on throughout the weekend, with records to be broken.

NOPI TV will be in the house filming for brand new TV shows that will be aired on Speed TV and also available on the Apple iTunes Store.

NOPI looks forward to seeing you there and would like to thank you for your continuing support for NOPI Motorsports.

For up to date online coverage of NOPI Motorsports, please go to†http://www.speedtv.com/articles/automotive/

Nopi Drift 2007 News

Posted by Bill at 08:38 PM | Permalink

April 26, 2007

Fox Feature Films

Rise Of The Silver Surfer

Posted by Bill at 01:37 PM | Permalink

April 24, 2007

Craft In America

April 25

April 24

PBS

01. Nakashima, George. Conoid Bench with Back. Designed: c. 1961. Production date of this example: 1974. American

black walnut, hickory, East Indian rosewood. 31” x 113” x 40”. Image courtesy of Mira Nakashima. As featured in

CRAFT IN AMERICA.

02. Bennett, Garry Knox. GR #13, (front) 2003. Wood, fiberglass, paint, 23k gold-plated brass. 31 ½” x 14 ½” x 19 ½”

Photo by: M. Lee Fatherree. As featured in CRAFT IN AMERICA.

03. Carson, Kit. Saguero Pin, 2006. Hand engraved. Silver, 18k yellow, green, pink gold, carico lake turquoise, green

turquoise, blue turquoise, spiny oyster shell, amethyst, 18k pull clasp. Photo by: Doug Hill. As featured in CRAFT

IN AMERICA.

04. Gurney, David. Tree of Life, 2006. Photo by: Doug Hill. 14”x 10” x 3”. Hand built, hand painted terra cotta. As

featured in CRAFT IN AMERICA.

05. Look, Dona. Basket #2004-5, White birch bark and silk thread. 13” x 13 ¾” x 13 ¾”. Photo by: Susan Einstein. As

featured in CRAFT IN AMERICA.

06. Loeber, Ken. Rose Brooch. Sterling silver and 18K gold. Forged and fabricated. 2.125" x 2.375" x .375”. As

featured in CRAFT IN AMERICA.

07. Makins, James. Ewer, 2002. Hand thrown Shigaraki clay with terra sigillata. Photo by: Lloyd Solly. As featured in

CRAFT IN AMERICA.

08. Maloof, Sam. Photo by: Gene Sasse. As featured in CRAFT IN AMERICA.

09. Maloof, Sam. Double Rocker, 1996. Handmade. Walnut. Photo by: Gene Sasse. As featured in CRAFT IN

AMERICA.

10. Nash, Geraldine. Geraldine’s Strings, 1999. Machine pieced top, hand quilted cotton. 72” x 84”. Photo by: Rachel

Gehlhar. As featured in CRAFT IN AMERICA.

11. Notkin, Richard. Cube Skull Teapot (Variation #23), Yixing Series, 2000, Stoneware. 11 1/2” x 4 ¾” x 3 ¼”. Photo

by: R. Notkin. As featured in CRAFT IN AMERICA.

12. Siemon, Caleb. Banded Low Bowl, Cranberry/Apricot, 2006. Blown glass. 9”x 15” x 15”x Photo by: Lloyd Solly.

As featured in CRAFT IN AMERICA.

13. Singletary, Preston. Killer Whale Hat, 2004. Blown and sandcarved glass. 7” x 17” x 17” Photo by: Russell Johnson.

As featured in CRAFT IN AMERICA.

14. Sisson, Karyl. Container XIII, 1990. Mini wood clothespins and wire. 4” x 14 ½” x 14 ½”. Photo by Lloyd Solly. Asfeatured in CRAFT IN AMERICA.

15. Wallace, Denise and Samuel. Crossroads of Continents Belt, 1990. Hand fabricated sterling silver, hand cut stones.

1Yager, Jan. Tiara of Useful Knowledge.

Stick Pins, Tie Tack, Pendant, and Headband. Oxidized Sterling Silver, 18K & 14K Gold. Photo by: Jack Ramsdale.

As featured in CR

17. de la Torre, Jamex and Einar. Italian Style. 2006 Blown glass, mixed media 34” x 15” x 14”. As featured in CRAF

IN AMERICA.

18. Jaeger, Sarah. Small Tureen &Tray. 2006. Porcelain. Wheel thrown, wax resist glaze decoration, oxidation fired.

8”h x 10” diameter. Photo by:

19. Carson, Kit_Portrait Artist, Kit Carson, Smithsonian Craft Show, April 2006 as featured in CRAFT IN AMERICA.

Photo by Jennifer Gerardi

20. Penland_Teruyama, Shoko. Artist in Residence, Shoko Teruyama at work on a hand built ceramic box, June 2006.

Penland School of Crafts as featured in CRAFT IN A

21. Darwall, Randall_Portrait Artist, Randall Darwall, weaver at the Smithsonian Craft Show, April 2006 as featured in

CRAFT IN AMERICA. Poto by Jennifer Gerardi

22. Jackson, Mary_Portrait Artist, Mary Jackson, basket maker at the Smithsonian Craft Show, April 2006 as featured in

CRAFT IN AMERICA. Ph

23. Gold, Pat Courtney_Portrait. Artist, Pat Courtney Gold, Wasco basket maker. Photo by Trish Reynolds. As featurein CRAFT IN AMERICA.

24. Penland Weavers. Amy Putansu, Teacher and students in weaving studio, June 2006. Penland School of Crafts as featured in CRAFT IN AMERICA. Photo by Jennifer Gerardi

CRAFT IN AMERICA: Expanding Traditions

An Eight-City Nationally Touring Exhibition

“There is an extraordinary wealth of objects that mean so much to who we are as a nation, part of our living heritage, that are often hiding in plain sight” – Carol Sauvion, Executive Director, CRAFT IN AMERICA Handcrafted objects have been created by every civilization since the beginning of time. These artifacts not only are essential to daily existence, they also are a culture’s tribute to its own character and place in history; they embody the desire to remember, reflect, and connect - serving as bridges between individuals, community and the environment. CRAFT IN AMERICA: Expanding Traditions provides the opportunity to examine how compelling and thought-provoking craft objects produced in the last two centuries - including a range of everyday objects of use and extraordinary objects of contemplation - extend the historical traditions and cultural lineage. These innovative and vital objects also will reveal how craft taps into, and shapes, wider cultural streams, flowing freely into the broader narrative of contemporary art.

Exhibition Details

Chief Curator: Jo Lauria

Contributing Curators: Jeannine Falino, Dale Gluckman, Steven L. Grafe, Kenneth R. Trapp

Objects: Approximately 200

Education: Gallery guide free to all visitors; educational plans provided to museum educators, local teachers

Exhibition Schedule

Arkansas Arts Center, Little Rock, Arkansas

April 13 through June 24, 2007

Museum of Contemporary Craft, Portland, Oregon

July 22 through September 23, 2007

Mingei International Museum, San Diego, California

October 20, 2007 through January 27, 2008

Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, Houston, Texas

February 22 through May 4, 2008

Cranbrook Art Museum, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

June 8 through September 14, 2008

National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

October 11, 2008 through January 18, 2009

Palm Springs Art Museum, Palm Springs, California

February 18 through May 24, 2009

Fuller Craft Museum, Brockton, Massachusetts

June 27 through September 27, 2009

CRAFT IN AMERICA:

Celebrating Two Centuries of Artists and Objects

A Clarkson-Potter Publication

“Craft, both historical and contemporary, is all around us. For me craft recognizes and communicates so much about what we are as a country. It is our identity and our legacy” – President Jimmy Carter, from his prologue to CRAFT IN AMERICA

For the millions of Americans who collect, study, and work with craft materials, CRAFT IN AMERICA: Celebrating Two Centuries of Artists and Objects explores the significance of craft in the last 200 years and complements the upcoming PBS television series (airing nationwide May 30, 2007 at 8pm on all PBS outlets) and nationally touring exhibition of the same name.

The only work of its kind, CRAFT IN AMERICA: Celebrating Two Centuries of Artists and Objects features the work of America’s most original and esteemed craftspeople past and present. Illustrated with more than 200 compelling photographs and encompassing objects from furniture, wood, ceramics and glass to fiber, quilts, jewelry, metal and basketry, this definitive work showcases some of the most important pieces of craft over the last two centuries and explores what makes American crafts uniquely American.

Authors

Jo Lauria an independent curator of crafts and decorative arts, was formerly a curator at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. She has organized numerous exhibitions, directed documentary films and written several books on art and design.

Steve Fenton is a respected writer, longtime collector of American craft and an esteemed communications professional.

President Jimmy Carter (prologue) is a dedicated craftsman and craft advocate who has created much of the furniture in his Georgia home. As president, Mr. Carter established the White House Collection of American Crafts.

Book Details

Title CRAFT IN AMERICA: Celebrating Two Centuries of Artists and Objects

Publisher Clarkson Potter (Random House)

Publication Date October 2007

Detail Hardcover / 304 pages / 9” x 11” / 200+ Photographs / $60.00 US / $77.00 CAN

ISBN 978-0-307-34647-6

Craft In America Comes to PBS, May 30, 2007

Life Becomes Art: CRAFT IN AMERICA Celebrates the Rich Legacy of An American Artform

Landmark project comprises 3-part PBS series, national touring exhibition and major publication.

Craftsman and longtime craft advocate President Jimmy Carter contributes to unprecedented project

CRAFT IN AMERICA
PBS Television Series: Airing on three consecutive Sundays, April 29, May 6 and May 13; Check local listings for details

LOS ANGELES – A visitor to an art-filled home may quickly take note of paintings or photographs on the walls, but may overlook the finely wrought furniture, ceramics, glassware or fabrics, though the skill and artistry involved in creating these useful and often stunning objects has been quietly recognized for centuries. CRAFT IN AMERICA celebrates these works of art and recognizes them as important pieces of history linking us to the very soul and essence of American culture. Comprising a three-part PBS television series airing in April 2007, a nationally-touring museum exhibition, a lavishly illustrated book and the most comprehensive Web site of its kind, CRAFT IN AMERICA is poised to become a national phenomenon.

CRAFT IN AMERICA is a multi-faceted journey into the origin and continuation of craft traditions. The project illustrates the craftsmanship passed from artist to artist over the last two centuries—and highlights the cultural significance of this craftsmanship. Ceramics, glass, wood, furniture, metalwork, jewelry, fiber and baskets are included in this ground-breaking project.

“There is an extraordinary wealth of objects that mean so much to who we are as a nation, part of our living heritage, that are often hiding in plain sight,” explains Carol Sauvion, executive director of CRAFT IN AMERICA. “Everything from the iconic Revere bowl, to a free-form Sam Maloof rocking chair, to a quilt that’s been passed down in your family from generation to generation.”

First-run Airdates:
Memory May 30, 2007; 8p EDT/PDT
Landscape May 30, 2007; 9p EDT/PDT
Community May 30, 2007; 10p EDT/PDT
Please check local listings to confirm all airdates/times

“In each of the three episodes – Memory, Landscape, and Community – we meet artists and their work in a way that goes beyond the media they work in. We explore the relationship between what they do, how they do it, and why they have chosen a life of creating great and moving art for all to enjoy and appreciate.”

Some of the series’ featured artists include Mary Jackson – a basket weaver who continues a South Carolina tradition that started with slaves from Africa; Richard Notkin – a Montana potter of protest who makes teapots and tiles that argue eloquently for peace and humanity; and Tom Joyce, a New Mexico blacksmith and recipient of a MacArthur “Genius” fellowship, who instills a sensitivity to the land and its people in each of his works.

Experience Craft in America: Nationally Traveling Museum Exhibition

An extensive museum exhibition, Craft in America: Expanding Traditions, begins its eight-city, two-year tour at the Arkansas Arts Center in Little Rock on April 13, 2007. The exhibition then travels to Portland, OR; San Diego, CA; Houston, TX; Bloomfield Hills, MI; Oklahoma City, OK; Palm Springs, CA; and Brockton, MA (with additional dates and cities pending).

This landmark historical survey features more than 200 works, spanning a period of nearly two hundred years. Beginning with the Industrial Revolution, the exhibition explores the many cultures and movements that have contributed to the development and refinement of American crafts during the last two centuries. Integrating the various media of handcrafted furniture, ceramics, fiber and textiles, basketry, glass, wood, jewelry and metal, the exhibition represents a broad base of craft-makers including: traditional craft makers, designer craftsmen of the Arts & Crafts Movement, the artists of the WPA programs of the 30s, post World-War II studio craft pioneers and contemporary studio craft artists.

The exhibition is developed around the same three themes highlighted in the PBS production: Memory, Landscape and Community.

Reading Craft: Craft in America Book Hits Shelves in May 2007 with
Prologue by President Carter

President Jimmy Carter, a long time craftsman and craft advocate, contributed the prologue to the companion book, Craft in America: Celebrating Two Centuries of Artists and Objects. Published by Random House imprint Clarkson-Potter, this lavishly illustrated book features more than 300 images and showcases some of the greatest works of craft of the last two centuries. The publication explores what makes craftwork in America uniquely American while highlighting the objects created by America’s most original and esteemed craftspeople.

With an eye to the contribution craft has made to America’s vitality, history and identity, Craft in America: Celebrating Two Centuries of Artists and Objects examines: craft as communicator, the evolution of American craft, communities of craft (Shakers, Amish & native movements), and more.

In the prologue to the book, President Jimmy Carter says, “While president, I always had in my mind the desire to somehow recognize the skill and singularly American style that was present in craft objects. I was fortunate that Joan Mondale, wife of my vice president, Walter Mondale, shared my love and interest in the handmade expressions of our native artists. In no other place in the world will you find the unbridled creativity exhibited by the tens of thousands of craft artists who make craft a unique part of the American experience.”

Online Craft Source: www.craftinamerica.org

The project’s Web site, www.craftinamerica.org, is an online vortex that brings together all elements of this ambitious project. “CraftinAmerica.org will be an unparalleled resource,” says CRAFT IN AMERICA Executive Director Carol Sauvion. “If the public wants to learn more about well-known artists or discover those making creative break-throughs, it’s there. Plus histories, tools, and techniques – and ways to start learning a craft yourself.” The extensive Web site also will provide middle and secondary school teachers and students plans and activities to continue their journey.

CRAFT IN AMERICA will enlighten and satisfy the curiosity of all who have looked at a bowl, a necklace, a chair – and wondered how it came to be, and turned out the way it did. As Sauvion says, “Art is history; craft is our story.”

ABOUT CRAFT IN AMERICA
CRAFT IN AMERICA, Inc. is a Los Angeles-based non-profit organization with a mission to promote and advance original handcrafted work, through educational programs in all media. The CRAFT IN AMERICA multi-faceted project includes a PBS documentary, traveling museum exhibition and illustrated book. For additional information on CRAFT IN AMERICA the public should visit www.craftinamerica.org.

CRAFT IN AMERICA on PBS
Carol Sauvion is creator and co-executive producer of CRAFT IN AMERICA. Kyra Thompson is co-executive producer and writer of the series. Directors: Nigel Noble (“Memory”); Dan Seeger (“Landscape”); Hilary Birmingham (“Community”).

CRAFT IN AMERICA is a co-production of Craft in America, Inc. and the Independent Television Service (ITVS) with funding provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), and is presented in association with KCET/Los Angeles. Executive in Charge of production for KCET is Joyce Campbell. Production Executive for KCET is Robert McDonnell.

Posted by Bill at 03:59 PM | Permalink

Fabulous Fords Forever 2007

April 24

Part 1

Posted by Bill at 02:16 PM | Permalink

Bonhams & Butterfields News

Natural History Sold December 2^nd

at Bonhams & Butterfields in Los Angeles

“There was competitive bidding for many lots, both on the telephones and in the salesroom for natural wonders of all sorts. Gold nuggets and meteorite specimens were the true highlights of the December 2, 2007 sale at Bonhams & Butterfields, as were several items that posses rare and unusual qualities,” said Natural History Department Consulting Director Tom Lindgren.

The top lot of the Winter Natural History sale at Bonhams & Butterfields in Los Angeles was a complete brilliantly mirror-polished Seymchan meteorite. Discovered in Russia, the slice displays an unusual and dramatic presentation of its iron composition. The lot is one of the largest complete slices of an iron meteorite ever offered. The Seymchan slice sold for $96,000 while its book match, a slice of Seymchan offered separately as the preceding lot, brought $48,000.

Additional meteorites of note included a fine Gibeon Octahedrite (on a custom patinated bronze base sculpted by lapidary artist Lawrence Stoller). Its astonishing aesthetic form includes a deep scoop and innumerable regmaglypts, or thumb prints. Its shard-like shape is a result of the force with which the outer space invader sliced through Earth’s atmosphere, the intensity of its descent twisting and crushing the molten metal as it rained down to Africa (sold for: $33,000).

Featured within a section comprising Native Metals were several lots of Australian gold nuggets such as a large 23.5-ozt nugget of rugged character with great three-dimensionality. The edges have a somewhat “molten” appearance and the specimen exhibits an overall warm buttery patina (sold for $39,000). Another nugget, weighing 14-ozt, was also catalogued as possessing dramatic character and three-dimensionality, it brought $22,800. The final lot of gold nuggets sold for $8,400, this example weighed approximately 4.9-ozt. The only example of domestic gold, a 0.61-ozt crystallized gold specimen from Nevada, sold for $3,600. -More-

Nat. Hist. @ B&B -2-

The sale’s Décor section was robust, highlighted by an immense petrified wood desk (sold for $24,000) comprised of a polished slab of extinct pine with textured edges atop a mesquite base with two drawers. According to Lindgren: “The market for petrified wood and items comprised of this exceptional material continues to be strong.”

Highlighting the Curiosities section of the sale was a large Narwhal tusk. A widely unknown creature, the narwhal is a majestic marine mammal, a species of whale (cetacean) most closely related to the Beluga whale and the Irrawaddy dolphin, the species still dwells in the Arctic Ocean today.

Male narwhals are easily identified by their single, exceedingly long spiraling tusk -- which is actually a tooth that projects from the left side of the upper jaw. While the body of an adult male can grow up to 18-feet, the tusk can grow to be five to ten feet long — an extraordinary percentage of the beast’s overall length. Offered on a custom marble base, the tusk is impressively large and brought $11,000. Bidding was active for insect taxidermy during the start of the Sunday sale, well-prepared butterflies, spiders and even a display of four distinct species of bats attracted bidder attention, many selling above estimate (the bats brought twice their estimate, selling for $1,680).

Additional highlights from the December 2 sale included: a superb Tanzanite of impressive size – weighing approximately 103.73-carats (sold for: $42,000); a very large Woolly Mammoth tusk (sold for: $36,000) and a fossil palm frond with fish on an irregular matrix sold for $19,200.

Perfect Holiday Gifts for the Entertainment Biz Insider: Entertainment Memorabilia Auction Brings Rare Collectibles from Superstars of Stage and Screen

Marilyn, Joan Crawford, Jerry Garcia, The Beatles, and many more at

Bonhams & Butterfields

Live from the Sunset Strip, a star-studded line-up of vintage and contemporary TV, film and rock memorabilia from pop culture icons and groundbreaking artists comes to auction at Bonhams & Butterfields. Media Previews open in Los Angeles at B&B on Sunset Blvd. on Friday, Dec. 7 and members of the press are invited to preview the lots. Rare glimpses into the private lives of superstars include: a Marilyn Monroe archive of never before seen documents and personal items related to the star including her first contract from 20th Century Fox, documents linked to the infamous 'Happy Birthday Mr. President' gown, a never before seen group of telephone bills from her personal archive documenting calls to Washington D.C. and a snapshot taken in 1952 while the star was filming Niagara ...

Highlights include: a Geisel drawing of a Dr. Seuss character titled The I & E Officer and the Bee (est. $75/100,000); two guitars once owned by Jerry Garcia, (est. $40/50,000 each); a collection of love letters handwritten to a beau by a teenage Joan Crawford (est. $3/5,000); a Buddy Holly costume worn on stage (est. $15/20,000); a rare Beatles Butcher Cover for the now notorious 1966 album (est. $10/15,000); a one-sheet film poster from David O. Selznick's 1939 Academy Award®-winning epic Gone with the Wind (est. $10/15,000); a never-before-seen life-sized wax figure of Lady Diana (est. $6,000/6,500); a Victorian style cut-glass inkwell prop from the Academy Award®-winning film My Fair Lady (est. $1,000/1,500) and much more...
a Geisel drawing of a Dr. Seuss character titled The I & E Officer and the Bee (est. $75/100,000); two guitars once owned by Jerry Garcia, (est. $40/50,000 each); a collection of love letters handwritten to a beau by a teenage Joan Crawford (est. $3/5,000); a Buddy Holly costume worn on stage (est. $15/20,000); a rare Beatles Butcher Cover for the now notorious 1966 album (est. $10/15,000); a one-sheet film poster from David O. Selznick's 1939 Academy Award®-winning epic Gone with the Wind (est. $10/15,000); a never-before-seen life-sized wax figure of Lady Diana (est. $6,000/6,500); a Victorian style cut-glass inkwell prop from the Academy Award®-winning film My Fair Lady (est. $1,000/1,500) and much more...

A World Awash in Color and Light
Bonhams & Butterfields Announces December 10 Sale of California & American Paintings and Sculpture

Winter sale to feature works by American masters

Thomas Moran, E. Charlton Fortune and Guy Rose

Bonhams & Butterfields, California's oldest and largest auctioneers, is pleased to announce the December 10, 2007 sale of California and American Paintings and Sculpture. Barbizon and other 19^th century landscapes, Western scenes, Impressionist and Modernist compositions including plein air paintings, genre scenes, and cityscapes by established California and American artists; including those by Thomas Moran, Guy Rose, E. Charlton Fortune, Maynard Dixon, William Keith, Granville Redmond, Joseph Raphael, Frank Tenney Johnson, John Marshall Gamble, Selden Connor Gile and Maurice Braun, among others; will be on offer.

"The demand for fresh-to-market California and American works is high," said Scot Levitt, Director of California & American Paintings and Sculpture sales for Bonhams & Butterfields. "We continue to see buyer interest, particularly for better known artists and A-plus examples," continued Levitt.

The marquee lot from the sale is a rare impressionist work entitled Late Afternoon, Monterey (est. $300/500,000) by E. Charlton Fortune. Working in obscurity for most of her career, Fortune utilized the 'E.' to disguise the name Euphemia and her gender.

Although she is best known for her later work in the genres of landscape, portrait and religious compositions, Late Afternoon, Monterey is an earlier impressionistic style

painting with emphasis on color and light. The fresh-to-market work captures the natural beauty of the rugged Monterey Coast captivating the viewer.

"Fortune's works, although rare to public auction, are becoming highly collectible. Buyers are looking for her early works, such as Late Afternoon, Monterey on offer this December and Mending Nets which sold at Bonhams & Butterfields in August 2007 for $480,000 - a new world auction record for the artist," said Vice President and Fine Arts Department Director Scot Levitt.

Additional works by female artists in the winter sale include Customs House by Monterey artist M. Evelyn McCormick (est. $20/30,000) and Catherine Carter Critcher's Artist's Studio in Taos, New Mexico (est. $60/80,000).

Also in the December offing is Guy Rose's Yellow Trees, Giverny (est. $300/500,000). Rose is considered one of the most important California Impressionist painters. A native Californian, Rose studied at the California School of Design before traveling to France to study in 1888. After a time in New York, he returned to France in 1899 settling in Giverny and working closely with master painter Claude Monet. It is from this period that the oil on canvas Yellow Trees, Giverny comes. According to Levitt, "Good examples of Rose's work from that period, such as Yellow Trees, Giverny, are not seen on the market often. The work is fresh-to-market, coming from a Southern California private collection, where it has been held for some time."

A lovely western watercolor by American master, Thomas Moran, is being offered at an estimate of $250,000 to $350,000. Best known for his watercolors of the American West, most notably the works from his 1871 and 1873 expeditions to Yellowstone, Moran painted this work shortly after his first visit to the Acoma Pueblo in New Mexico's northwestern desert. "Good quality, early American western scenes are becoming harder and harder to come by in this market." says Levitt. "This work should do well considering the scarcity of high-end works of this sort."

Joseph Raphael's monumental work Spring Morning (est. $80/120,000) is also on offer. Measuring 26 x 37 inches, the painting is large in stature and impressionist in style, featuring interesting brushwork and use of light with pastel tones highlighting the overall movement across the canvas. "The market for paintings with modernist overtones and themes is strong," said Levitt. "We continue to see strong prices for impressionist works such as Spring Morning," continued Levitt.

A work entitled Study for 'Destination Unknown', a 1938 Social Realist work by Maynard Dixon, will also highlight the upcoming sale. The rare oil on board study is typical of

Dixon's Depression Era work and a drawing for the final painting, which was titled Going Nowhere. Considered highly desirable by collectors, the work depicts a homeless man with a bedroll on his back walking along railroad tracks. "The call for American master Maynard Dixon remains lively," said Levitt. "We expect the work bring $60,000 to $80,000 on December 10," continues Levitt.

Additional highlights from the winter sale include Land's End, San Francisco, 1873, by William Keith (est. $80/120,000); a colorful oil entitled Under the Open Sky, 1936, by Frank Tenney Johnson (est. $100/150,000); John Marshall Gamble's Prickly Phlox (est. $60/80,000), Sunset through the Trees by Granville Redmond ($100/150,000); an endearing portrait entitled Mother and Child, Marin County by Selden Connor Gile (est. $40/60,000) and two works by Maurice Braun - A Field of Bluebonnets (est. $80/120,000) and Lower Gale Lake, High Sierras (est. $40/60,000).

Design of the Century
20^th Century Furniture & Decorative Arts to be Offered at Bonhams & Butterfields in Los Angeles
September 24 auction features strong examples of Arts & Crafts, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Mid-Century Modern, Contemporary Studio Artists
and works with strong California roots

Timed to coincide with the closing of the celebrated California Design Biennial, Bonhams & Butterfields' September 24, 2007 auction of 20^th Century Decorative Arts features a diverse grouping of works spanning a century of design. Held in Los Angeles, the Fall sale highlights an enticing range of 20^th century artistic output -- from the important early years through the modern and contemporary periods - including works by California designers Sam Maloof, Sami Hayek, Po Shun Leong, Beatrice Wood, Michael Taylor, Sally Sirkin Lewis, and John Dickinson, among others.

Contemporary designers are well-represented in the Fall sale. Featured makers include: Ron Arad, Danny Lane, Martin Szekely, Galtano Pesce and Oswald Mathias Ungers for Sawaya & Moroni. "We are pleased to add two new names to our offering this season: Eric Powell and Sami Hayek. The latter is brother of actress Selma Hayek, a California-based artist and burgeoning 'Designer to the Stars'. We are honored to be the first major auction house to offer works by these artists," said Frank Maraschiello, 20^th Century Design Department Director.

Of interest to an international pool of collectors will be designs of Ron Arad. Arad, a self-taught designer-maker of sculptural furniture, an artist and an architect, founded the London-based architecture and design firm One Off Limited (also called Office Cum Showroom) with Caroline Thorman in Covent Garden in 1981.

One of the first pieces of furnishings produced by Arad was a compilation of two everyday objects selected and designated as art. Assembled from a seat from a Rover 2000 auto and secured to a frame of 1930s designed Kee-Klamp scaffolding, the work titled Rover Chair paved the way for other ground breaking compilations that followed, including his iconic stereo cast in concrete. Credited with capturing the essence of 1980s London, Arad designs and other pieces from One Off Limited paved the way for lost individualism in the new urban landscape that followed punk.

This month, Bonhams & Butterfields is offering a Ron Arad Rover two-seater (est. $10/15,000) and one seat (est. $4/6,000), both designed in 1981, and a concrete stereo, designed in 1983 (est. $10/15,000). Among the artists whose works were shown at Arad's One Off Limited is the American-born glass artist Danny Lane. Recognizable by the distinctive work with layer upon layer of sheet glass, a pair of Lane stacking glass side chairs come to auction with an estimate of $4,000 to $6,000 each.

On offer will be a desk commissioned by Elizabeth Letts Janss, daughter of Harold Janss, a prominent Los Angeles real estate developer who laid out the plans for Westwood, Holmby Hills and other LA County subdivisions. Ms. Janss was the granddaughter of Arthur Letts who founded The Broadway department stores and financed the chain of Bullocks department stores in the mid-1950s. The desk is a prominent, yet understated work executed with mid-century grace (est. $4/6,000) designed by Paul Laszlo. Laszlo's designs were popular with the Hollywood celebrity set and social elite of the day including: future-US President Ronald Reagan, Gary Cooper, Barry Goldwater, Fritz Lang, the Vanderbilts, Barbara Hutton, Debbie Reynolds, Billy Wilder, John D. Hertz and Barbara Stanwyck, among others.

An additional highlight from the sale's California Design section is a handsome contemporary open steel and Douglas fir bookcase by noted sculptor Eric Powell. The piece towers seven-feet tall and is signed and dated by the artist (est. $3/5,000). Highly sought after for his talents, Powell has garnered much attention from museum exhibitions and been offered important commissions for public works. His awards and accolades include those from the Museum of Modern Art, New York, a sculpture for the Northern California BART train system - viewable at the 16^th and Mission station very near the auctioneer's San Francisco salesroom, and a commission for the city of Oakland, California, among others.

Also on offer in September is property from the estate of the late Dr. Simon Pinhas, respected Beverly Hills ophthalmologist and a noted collector of fine 20^th century works in glass. Initially trained as a jeweler, Pinhas pursued a degree as a corneal specialist at New York Medical College. Over the years he became fascinated with the optical properties of glass and the history of the ancient art form. His collection will offer a full range of early pieces and rare later works in glass including examples by Daum, Gallé, Schneider, Almeric Walter, Duc de Caranza, D'Argental and others.

Another California artist represented in the September sale is Beatrice Wood. On offer will be a whimsical sculpture entitled The Cat Who Went to Philadelphia (est. $5/8,000), a small closed form vase and folded shallow bowl (est. $1,000/1,500) as well as a spherical vase (est. $1,000/1,500).

Also on offer: a collection of ceramic works including studio pottery from Gertrude and Otto Natzler displaying unusual glazes; two 1910 rare Teco vases - Model 157 by William Dodd (est. $5/8,000) and a punch bowl by Fritz Albert (est. $4/6,000); an eight-inch wide green glaze Tiffany Studios Favrile pottery tulip bowl (est. $4/6,000) and work from Harrison McIntosh. Additional ceramicists featured include Clarice Cliff, Janet Lowe and James Melchert.

The marquee lots within the sale's Art Deco section include two French Art Deco rosewood dining room suites by Lyonaise designer Christian Krass. Comprising a dining table and six chairs (est. $10/15,000) and a handsome sideboard (est. $18/25,000), this 1930s suite features sleek Modernist lines and elegant nickeled hardware.

Three lots of work by interior decorator Tony Duquette will also be featured. One highlight, a fanciful gouache on board entitled Tony Cat, is offered with an estimate of $3,000 to $5,000. The work, within a butterfly-adorned painted frame, was a wedding gift to the consignor.

Three unusual Aubusson tapestries will be offered in Los Angeles. The first, Paon de Nuit (est. $3/5,000), is by Jean Lurcat, famed painter and carpet and tapestry designer. Lurcat's works for Myrbor and the Aubusson weavers are highly appreciated -- so much so that the cultural center in Aubusson bears his name. The second, by Elie Grekoff, is a vibrant landscape scene (est. $2/3,000) and the third is by master colorist Victor Vasarely, known for his illusionary Op-Art paintings and prints (est. $4/6,000).

The Modern Design section will include furniture by Isamu Noguchi, Florence Knoll, Hans Wegner, Robert Venturi, Karl Springer and Frank Lloyd Wright for Heritage Henredon, among others.

The September 24 sale of 20^th Century Furniture and Decorative Arts is expected to attract collectors and connoisseurs alike with its wonderful examples of style, grace and a century of elegance on the auction block. Los Angeles preview events are scheduled for September 21-23 in Bonhams & Butterfields' Sunset Boulevard galleries.

August 29

World Record Auction Prices Highlight

Bonhams & Butterfields August Paintings Sale

California & American Paintings and Sculpture sale brings
over $5.4-million and sets 15 new records

New buyers and seasoned collectors filled Bonhams & Butterfields' galleries in San Francisco and Los Angeles for the opportunity to bid on works by legendary California and American masters on 7 August, 2007.

Simulcast between Northern and Southern California, the highly competitive sale garnered 15 new auction world records for well-known artists such as: E. Charlton Fortune, Alson Skinner Clark, Benjamin C. Brown, Mary DeNeale Morgan, Paul de Longpre, Frank Cuprien, Ross Dickinson, Emil Kosa, Jr., Annie Lyle Harmon, Paul Grimm, Charles Chapel Judson, John Ottis Adams, Rachel Hartley and contemporary artists Robert Clunie and Standish Backus Jr.

The standing room only salerooms played host to highly competitive bidding both on the telephones and in the rooms for American Impressionist works, Colorist and Plein Air paintings, Western and American landscapes, seascapes and still-life paintings, among others.

The marquee lot of the sale was an oil on canvas board painting titled Mending Nets by artist E. Charlton Fortune. The work depicts a French harbor scene -- unusual subject matter for a work by an American artist. "The sale of this painting for $480,000, not only establishes a new auction world record for the artist, but solidifies the place of California and American artists in the global art market," said Vice President and Fine Arts Department Director Scot Levitt.

Working in obscurity for most of her career, Fortune utilized the 'E.' to disguise her female gender. "Fortune's works, although rare to public auction, are becoming highly sought after. Collectors are looking for her early works, such as Mending Nets, as well as later examples," continued Levitt. The color pallet and the brush strokes of this impressionist work are exquisite, greatly differing from Fortune's later body of work which is composed mainly of portraiture and religious compositions. The painting has been a part of several museum exhibits, the earliest in 1989 at the Monterey Peninsula Museum of Art.

Much like Fortune's Mending Nets, Bridge Builders by Alson Skinner Clark also depicts a European scene. Achieving a new auction world record at $204,000, the impressionistic painting was debuted in 1906 as part of a large show at the Art Institute of Chicago. The work infuses the canvas with graceful color and a sense of movement. One author wrote that the artist received the highest compliment when his former teacher William Merritt Chase purchased this work for his own collection.

"The market for American master Maynard Dixon continues to be strong. Bonhams & Butterfields sold each Dixon oil painting offered during the August sale above its high estimate," said Levitt. Along with the bountiful offering of traditional Dixon watercolors and rolling Western landscapes, a pair of gouache mural studies by the artist attracted collector interest. Utilizing Dixon's strong desert pallet, the two works depict human forms within ethereal Egyptian and classical scenes. According to Donald Hagerty, these sketches are likely the preliminary images for a Dixon mural done in 1929 for the U.S. Savings and Loan Association in San Francisco. A rarity at public auction, the four-foot wide Pair of Mural Studies, 1929, sold for $45,000.

Bringing nearly six times the pre-sale estimate, Bouquet of Pink and White Peonies by Paul de Longpre is, according to Levitt, "one of the largest floral works to come to market in recent history." Setting a new auction world record at $144,000, the 1891 painting is alive with blooms in the saturated tones of dainty pink, rich mauve, assorted greens and a skilled application of white, cream and ivory. The work will be available to the public as it was acquired by the Irvine Museum in Irvine California.

Dynamic bidding was seen for Maurice Prendergast's Two Women Seated with Parasols in a Park. "Typically associated with auctions held in the East, the artist [Prendergast] was well received at Bonhams & Butterfields on the West Coast. The overwhelmingly successful result demonstrates the broad reach of our buying base," explains Levitt.

The unframed watercolor has a rich and striking composition. Detailed facial expressions from both of the seated ladies are distinct, along with folds in clothing and accessories in the ladies' possession. Initially estimated to fetch as much as $50,000, Two Women Seated with Parasols in a Park brought $204,000.

Additional post-sale highlights of the August auction include: Granville Redmond's A Field of California Poppies which brought $420,000; Moonlight Reflections also by Redmond sold for $204,000; Lake in the Sierras by Edgar Payne surpassed its high estimate of $150,000 selling for $264,000 and John Marshall Gamble's Wild Heliotrope near Laguna Beach brought $144,000. Strong prices were also seen for contemporary Plein Air, watercolors and Southern California artists such as Robert Clunie and Harley Brown.

The next sale of California and American Painting and Sculpture will held at Bonhams & Butterfields in December 2007. The auction will feature an assortment of important Western scenes, Plein Air, Society of Six, genre painting, land and cityscapes by established California and American artists including Maynard Dixon, Frank Tenny Johnson and John Marshall Gamble, among others.

A work entitled Homeless Man a study for 'Destination Unknown', a 1938 Social Realist work by Maynard Dixon, will highlight the upcoming sale. Considered rare to the market, the highly desirable oil on board work depicts a homeless man with a bedroll on his back walking along the railroad tracks. Typical of Dixon's depression era work and a study for the final work entitled Going Nowhere, the piece is expected to bring $80,000 to $120,000.

Guy Rose, considered one of the most important California Impressionist painters, is to be represented in the December offering. A native Californian, Rose studied at the California School of Design before traveling to France to study in 1888. After a time in New York, he returned to France in 1899 settling in Giverny and working closely with master painter Claude Monet. It is from this period that the oil on canvas Yellow Trees, Giverny comes. According to Levitt, "Good examples of Rose's work from that period, such as this, are not seen on the market often. The work comes from a private collection in Los Angeles where it has been held for some time."

Additional sale highlights for the winter auction will be announced in the coming months.

June 20

Design of the Century
20^th Century Furniture & Decorative Arts
at Bonhams & Butterfields in September
Fall sale to feature strong examples of Arts & Crafts, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Mid-Century Modern and works by Contemporary Studio artists

Bonhams & Butterfields' fall 2007 auction of 20^th Century Decorative Arts, to be held in Los Angeles on September 24, 2007, features a diverse group of works spanning a century of design. The works on offer will highlight the full range of 20^th century artistic output, from the important early years through the modern period.

One highlight of the Fall sale is a selection of Ron Arad designs. Arad, a self-taught designer-maker of sculptural furniture, an artist and an architect, founded the London-based architecture and design firm One Off Limited (also called Office Cum Showroom) with Caroline Thorman in Covent Garden in 1981.

One of the first pieces of furnishings produced by Arad was a compilation of two everyday objects selected and designated as art. Assembled from a seat from a Rover 2000 auto and secured to a frame of 1930s designed Kee-Klamp scaffolding, the work titled Rover Chair paved the way for other ground breaking compilations that followed, including the iconic stereo cast in concrete. Credited with capturing the essence of 1980s London, Arad and other pieces from One Off Limited, paved the way for lost individualism in the new urban landscape that that followed punk.

This September, Bonhams & Butterfields is offering a Ron Arad Rover two-seater (est. $10/15,000) and one seat (est. $4/6,000), both designed in 1981, and a concrete stereo, designed in 1983 (est. $10/15,000).

Among the artists whose works were shown at Arad's One Off Limited is the American-born glass artist Danny Lane. Bonhams & Butterfields is offering a pair of Lane stacking glass side chairs with an estimate of $4,000 to $6,000 each.

Also included in the sale is a creation of the English-born California furniture designer, architect and wood carver Po Shun Leong. Born in 1941 after his parents emigrated from China, Leong also trained as an architect and, for a short period of time studied with pioneering architect Le Corbusier. After working in Europe, he lived in Mexico for 15 years before moving to California in 1982. The Fall sale includes a Leong carved 23½ inch Art box. The intricate and puzzle-like work is comprised of dyed mixed wood and was inscribed and dated by the artist in 1996 (est. $3/4,000).

Three unusual Aubusson tapestries will be offered. The first, Paon de Nuit (est. $3,000/5,000), is by Jean Lurcat, famed painter and carpet and tapestry designer. Lurcat's works for Myrbor and the Aubusson weavers are highly collected -- so much so that the cultural center in Aubusson bears his name. The second, by Elie Grekoff, is a vibrant landscape scene (est. $2,000/3,000) and the third is by master colorist Victor Vasarely, known for his illusionary Op-Art paintings and prints (est. $4,000/6,000).

A French Art Deco rosewood dining room suite by Lyonaise designer Christian Krass will be offered. Comprising a dining table and six chairs (est. $10/15,000) and a handsome sideboard (est.$18/25,000), this 1930s suite features sleek Modernist lines and elegant nickeled hardware.

The Modern Design section offered in Los Angeles will include furniture by Isamu Noguchi, Florence Knoll, Hans Wegner, Robert Venturi, Karl Springer, Frank Lloyd Wright for Heritage Henredon, Sami Hayek, and seminal California designers Michael Taylor, Sally Sirkin Lewis, and John Dickinson.

Additional offerings include a pair of Grosfeld House serpentine front mahogany chests of three drawers. Designed by Lorin Marsh in the 1940s, the highly sought-after pair is expected to bring as much as $6,000 at auction. A matching pair of nightstands will also be offered (est. $1,000/1,500).

Works by Contemporary Studio Artists will include ceramics by Beatrice Wood, Harrison Macintosh and Otto and Gertrude Natzler.

Los Angeles preview events are scheduled for September 21-23 in Bonhams & Butterfields' Sunset Blvd. gallery. The auction's illustrated catalog will be online for review and purchase in the weeks preceding the sale at www.bonhams.com/us.

The 20th Century Furniture and Decorative Arts Department at Bonhams & Butterfields presents two auctions each year held in the firm's Los Angeles salesrooms and two sales in the Bonhams New York galleries. Virtually every major design movement of the 20th century is well-represented in these sales with fine examples executed in the mediums of ceramics, metalwork, glass and furniture regularly offered and bringing strong prices.

June 4

Going, Going... Gone - Disney Ducks Fly at Auction
World Auction Record Set for Comic Painting Today at Bonhams & Butterfields

Carl Barks Original Art Featuring Beloved Disney Characters Sets New World Auction Record in Los Angeles

From the Sunset Strip to Abbey Road, International Fine Arts Auctioneers Bonhams & Butterfields announced the record-breaking sale of a highly sought after Carl Barks "Money Bin" painting entitled Hands Off My Playthings today in Los Angeles.

"It was a strong sale reflecting the continuing strength and interest in Hollywood memorabilia and animation" said Margaret Barrett, Director of Entertainment Memorabilia, "We are very pleased with today's result, and will continue to build on our reputation as a preeminent source for Entertainment Memorabilia in the marketplace."

An original and highly sought after Carl Barks "Money Bin" painting entitled Hands Off My Playthings sold for $204,000 - setting a world auction record for a comic painting. Barks, an unsung comic book hero, drew Donald Duck for decades while working for Disney Studios. His offered work featured depictions of timeless Disney characters Huey, Duey and Louie making a castle out of thousand dollar bills and gold coins while Donald admires himself while donning a crown and Scrooge throws a fit in the background. Dated 1975, the highly recognizable oil on masonite work is signed in the lower left. Barks commented publicly that this was his favorite "money bin" painting -- according to the auctioneers, it was one of the most compelling examples of Barks' paintings ever brought to public auction.

Also on the block at Bonhams & Butterfields today was a fresh to market archive of Marilyn Monroe collectibles featuring a classic black & white headshot of the actress autographed in red ink. In the lower left corner the "Blonde Bombshell" wrote "To Diana & Joe Ellen / Love & Kisses / Marilyn Monroe;" the signees being the daughters of Second Unit Director Joseph E. Rickards, who worked with Monroe on the 1955 classic The Seven Year Itch. Initially estimated between $3,000-3,500, the lot sold for $14,400.

Additional highlights from the archive included: a limited edition suite of color and black and white photographs of the actress taken by David Conover in 1945 (sold for: $7,200); a set of her handwritten notes for the 1957 romantic comedy The Prince and the Showgirl (sold for: $4,800); a late 1950s-era typed and signed letter from noted playwright Arthur Miller, her husband at the time, regarding Marilyn's problems and his sadness at their temporary separation -- she was in Los Angeles and he was in New York (sold for: $3,900); a Screen Actors Guild (SAG) membership card belonging to the actress (sold for: $2,700) and the 1953 Marilyn Monroe issue of Playboy Magazine (sold for: $2,700).

A collection of household items from the Palm Desert residence of the late actor/producer/director William Boyd was also on offer. Known affectionately to most as the cowboy character he portrayed in countless films and TV shows "Hopalong Cassidy," highlights from his residence included: two William Boyd personalized writing pens initially estimated at $25-50 which brought $300; a group of bolo ties - all worn at various times by "Hoppy" sold for $7,800; a black and white signed image depicting "Hoppy" next to his beloved horse Topper (sold for: $330) and a brass horse head door knocker which brought more than double the estimate to sell for $720.

Also on offer was a selection of vintage movie posters including property from the Louis Leithold Collection. Much of the collection was offered in large lots, according to Barrett, "perfect for the new collector or seasoned dealer." The offering featured an array of titles spanning the history of cinema -- from the silent era to the contemporary blockbuster. Select highlights from the offering include posters from noted films such as: Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, La Dolce Vita, Citizen Kane, Bon Jour Tristesse, a variety of Western films. Prices realized include: a large collection of 1940s linen-backed one-sheets ($3,900); a collection of Brigitte Bardot posters ($840) and a linen backed one-sheet from the 1959 Marilyn Monroe classic comedy Some Like It Hot ($1,200).

Other highlights from the Entertainment Memorabilia sale include: a black wool Victorian-style knee-length coat worn by Spencer Tracy in the first scene of the 1941 classic film Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (sold above the high estimate for $2,280); a complete set of Beatles signatures (sold for: $7,800); a massive collection of autographs featuring a "Who's Who" of mid-to-late 20^th century movie stars (brought: $7,800); a Rex Harrison costume design sketch from the original 1967 Doctor Dolittle (brought $3,000);an inscribed black and white photograph of Cary Grant (sold for: $1,680); a Frank Sinatra geometric pattern shirt worn on his wedding day to Barbara Marx in 1976 (brought: $1,020); a rare Carl Barks -Artist Proof to An Embarrassment of Riches (sold for: $9,600); and a red, beige and gold majorette-style hat worn by Judy Garland in MGM's 1941 Ziegfeld Girl sold above estimate for $1,320.

June 3

Natural History Sale Brings Over $1.1-Million Today at Bonhams & Butterfields in Los Angeles

Bonhams & Butterfields June 3, 2007 sale of Natural History in Los Angeles brought more than $1-million Sunday. The sale featured property from the collection of Tucson-based gem and mineral dealer Albert Jon 'Zee' Haag - one of the most significant private collections of natural wonders to be sold at auction for many decades, unique fossil specimens from other collections and highly desirable décor, mineral carvings, meteorites, gold and wearable art.

Featured works from the Haag Collection included: an illuminated quartz and wrought iron sculpture titled "The Goddess with the Golden Heart" designed by Haag and sold for $20,400; an impressive petrified wood tree stump sold above the high estimate for $19,200; a unique Burlwood tree root bench brought $6,600; a classic iron Campo del Cielo meteorite on customized stand from Gran Chaco, Argentina sold for $4,500 and a selection of unmounted gemstones, lapidary, rough cut gems, spheres, classic Arizona and international minerals, sculpture, fossils, meteorites and large-scale décor from across the globe also brought strong prices. The offering was comprised of approximately 60 works and specimens, featuring examples of Haag's own design as well as pieces acquired by the Tucson-based collector.

The décor section was highlighted by an immense Smoky Quartz Specimen from the Govenador Valadares, Minas Gerais, Brazil prepared by Oregonian gemstone sculptor Lawrence Stoller. The present example exhibits completely natural texture, displays two points of deep amber/citrine color and, on some faces, the interesting surface pattern known as crocodile skin. It represents one of the very few specimens of the original discovery available on the market. Resting on an artful, custom-fitted bronze stand designed by Stoller, the work brought $60,000. According to Consulting Department Director Thomas Lindgren, "Works by Stoller could one day be sought after and collected with the same desire and fascination as Faberge eggs.

Each piece is a work of art that expresses the harmony of beauty found in nature." Additional lots by Stoller from the June 3 sale include: "Down the Rabbit Hole" - a Large Drusy Quartz Geode on bronze stand (sold: $30,000) and a Shikhote Alin Meteorite on a custom base which sold above its high estimate for $32,400.

Highlighting the Lapidary Works of Art was a virtuoso flower study of very large scale, several times larger than creator Manfred Wild's typical flower studies sold previously at Bonhams' auctions. The work incorporates five separate stems, each with a different flower set - lilies and lilacs - in a removable rock crystal vase. The 18-inch study sold for $84,000.

Other featured works from the June 3 sale include: a 2-million year-old fossil of a now extinct species of Giant Armadillo (brought $36,000); a fantastic museum-quality Morganite specimen from the Urucum mine in Brazil (sold for $72,000); a magnificently aesthetic Woolly Mammoth Tusk on a custom wooden stand (brought $24,000); a

very large 110.75-carat Melo pearl from Vietnam (sold for $34,800); a massive petrified wood log which surpassed its high estimate of $10,000, selling for $16,800; a 95.12-carat rare yellow sapphire from Sri Lanka (brought $42,000) and a suite of Aquamarine and freshwater pearl jewelry (sold for $25,200).

Bonhams & Butterfields' Natural History auctions are the largest of their kind, both in terms of number of lots and overall estimated value. Each sale includes an extensive selection of distinctive mineral specimens, gold, lapidary works of art and gemstones & jewelry. Along with the exceptional offerings are numerous well-preserved fossils suitable for display (and for use in décor as wall art and sculpture).

May 31

Carl Barks

Carl Barks (March 27, 1901 – August 25, 2000) was a famous Disney Studio illustrator and comic book creator, who invented Duckburg and many of its inhabitants, such as Scrooge McDuck (1947), Gladstone Gander (1948), the Beagle Boys (1951), Gyro Gearloose (1952) and Magica De Spell (1961). The quality of his scripts and drawings earned him the nick names The Duck Man and The Good Duck Artist.

In November 1935, when he learned that Walt Disney was seeking more artists for his Studio, Carl decided to apply. He was approved for a try-out which entailed a move to Los Angeles, California. Carl was one of two in his class of trainees who was hired. His starting salary was 20 dollars a week. He started at Disney Studios in 1935, more than a year after the debut of Donald Duck on June 9, 1934 in the short The Wise Little Hen.

Carl initially worked as an "inbetweener". This involved being teamed and supervised by one of the head animators who did the key poses of character action (often known as extremes) for which the inbetweeners did the drawings between the extremes to provide smoothness to the illusion of movement. While an inbetweener, Carl submitted gag ideas for cartoon storylines being developed and showed such a knack for creating comical situations that by 1936 he was transferred to the story department.

In 1937 when Donald Duck became the star of his own series of cartoons instead of co-starring with Mickey Mouse and Goofy as previously, a new unit of storymen and animators was created devoted solely to this series. Though he originally just contributed gag ideas to some duck cartoons by 1937 Barks was (principally with partner Jack Hannah) originating story ideas that were storyboarded and (if approved by Walt) put into production. He collaborated on such cartoons as Donald's Nephews (1938), Donald's Cousin Gus (1939), Timber (1941), The Vanishing Private (1942) and The Plastics Inventor (1944).

Unhappy at the emerging wartime working conditions at Disney plus bothered by ongoing sinus problems caused by the studio's air conditioning, Barks quit in 1942. After quitting the Studio, Barks relocated to the Hemet/San Jacinto area in the semi-desert inland empire region east of Los Angeles where he hoped to start a chicken farm. But to earn a living in the meantime he inquired whether Western Publishing, which had published Pirate Gold, had any need for artists for Donald Duck comic book stories. He was immediately assigned to illustrate the script for a 10 page Donald Duck story for the monthly Walt Disney's Comics and Stories. At the publisher's invitation he revised the storyline and the improvements impressed the editor sufficiently to invite Barks try his hand at contributing both the script and the artwork of his follow-up story. This set the pattern for Barks' career in that (with rare exceptions) he provided art (pencil, inking, solid blacks and lettering) and scripting for his stories.

The Victory Garden, that initial 10 page story published in April, 1943 was the first of about 500 stories featuring the Disney ducks Barks would produce for Western Publishing over the next three decades, well into his purported retirement. These can be mostly divided into two categories:

10 pagers, comedic Donald Duck stories that were the lead for the monthly flagship title Walt Disney's Comics and Stories (whose circulation peaked in the mid-50s at 3 million copies sold a month!)

Humorous adventure stories, usually of 24-32 pages in length. In the 1940s these were one shots in the Four Color series (issued 4-6 times a year) that starred Donald and his nephews. From the early 1950s Barks undertook the quarterly adventures of Uncle Scrooge and the duck clan in Scrooge's own title.

He surrounded Donald Duck and nephews Huey, Dewey and Louie with a cast of eccentric and colorful characters, such as the aforementioned Scrooge McDuck—the wealthiest duck in the world, Gladstone Gander—Donald's obscenely lucky cousin, inventor Gyro Gearloose, the persistent Beagle Boys, the sorceress Magica De Spell, Scrooge's rivals Flintheart Glomgold and John D. Rockerduck, Daisy's nieces April, May and June, Donald's neighbour Jones, and The Junior Woodchucks organization

At the urging of fan Glenn Bray, Barks requested and obtained permission from Disney to produce and sell oil paintings of scenes from his stories. These paintings quickly became highly sought after and their price rocketed much to Barks' astonishment.

From 1993-1998 the Carl Barks Studio guided Barks' career. This involved numerous projects and activities, including a tour of 11 European countries in 1994, appearances at several Disneyana conventions and the release of prints of paintings along with high-end art objects (such as tiles and statutes) based on designs by Barks. Tensions between Barks and the Studio eventually resulted in a lawsuit that was settled with an agreement that included the disbanding of the Studio. By this time Barks had ceased drawing and declared his chief activity thereafter would be watching football on TV.

May 30

Minerals, Meteorites, Gold and Wearable Art

June Sale of Natural History at Bonhams & Butterfields Highlights Works from American Artists

Oregon's Lawrence Stoller, Santa Barbara's George Brooks,

Honolulu's Robert Wander and wonders of the natural world

Bonhams & Butterfields, international fine arts auctioneers, will offer several examples of the most significant and highly desirable mineral carvings, meteorites, gold and wearable art ever to come to auction in its June 3, 2007 sale of Natural History in Los Angeles.

Since its inception in 1998, the Natural History Department at Bonhams & Butterfields has conducted a series of exciting auctions, establishing the firm as the field's international forerunner. A wide range of decorations and collectibles are offered in June including objects for every taste and collecting category: unmounted faceted and cabochon gemstones, cat's eye and other rare phenomenal gemstones, mineral specimens, amber, pearls, seashells, meteorites, archeological artifacts, petrified wood, ammonites, plant and animal fossils, dinosauria and renowned jewelry and gemstones by artists from around the globe -- including award-winning Oregonian gemstone sculptor Lawrence Stoller, Santa Barbara's George Brooks and Honolulu's Robert Wander, among others.

Stoller is widely known for his work on the American Express 9/11 memorial in New York City. He's previously teamed with gemstone carver and jewelry designer Glenn Lehrer of San Rafael, California to create the world's largest gemstone sculpture, known as "Bahia." The Bonhams & Butterfields sale features two Stoller works. The first is a spectacular geode specimen of drusy quartz from Brazil on a bronze stand exhibiting sparkling drusy quartz crystals in the interior, its shape wonderfully accented by the custom-made bronze stand. The work measures 40 x 30in with an overall height of 69in and is estimated to bring $30,000 to $35,000.

The second work, from the Govenador Valadares, Minas Gerais, Brazil is an immense smoky quartz specimen. In February of 2000, excavators near Govenador Valadareswere searching for aquamarine crystals when they found a thin area of stone while tunneling deep into the mountain. (Rudimentary methods of searching for crystal-bearing cavities include tapping on the earth's rocky surface to detect hollow chambers which might yield the amethyst, citrine and aquamarine for which Minas Gerais is famous.) To the excavators' astonishment, they'd opened a treasure trove of immense smoky quartz crystals. Dubbed the Pocket de Venancio crystals--the largest point eight feet in height - the collection of smoky quartz represents a remarkable discovery. Thirty-eight pieces were removed from the cave by hand, and carried down the mountainside.

The present example, exhibiting completely natural texture, displays two points of deep amber/citrine color and, on some faces, the interesting surface pattern known as crocodile skin. It represents one of the very few specimens of the original discovery available on the market. Resting on an artful, custom-fitted bronze stand designed by Stoller the work is estimated at $60,000 to $80,000 and measures 71 x 26 x 26 inches, including the stand.

According to Consulting Department Director Thomas Lindgren, "Works by Stoller could one day be sought after and collected with the same desire and fascination as Faberge eggs. Each piece is a work of art that expresses the harmony of beauty found in nature."

A relatively recent find on the auction block is a large highly sculptural gold nugget, weighing approximately 76.73 ozt (2,326.4 grams). From Maryborough, Central Victoria, Australia, the nugget is bright and buttery in color, while exhibiting a tiny bit of residual clay. The matte patina bears evidence of large expanses of molten surfaces, yet it possesses sharp, semi-crystalline features to the interior. This highly sought after nugget is expected to fetch $95,000 to $110,000.

Highlighting the Lapidary Works of Art section is a spectacular carved flower study by artist Manfred Wild from the renowned carving and lapidary center of Idar-Oberstein, Germany. An 18-inch high virtuoso flower study is several times larger than Wild's typical diminutive flower studies (several examples previously sold in Bonhams' auctions). It incorporates five separate stems, each with a different flower set into a removable rock crystal vase (est. $65/85,000).

Also on offer during the June sale will be an exceptional array of jewelry, led by a suite of work by modernist jeweler George Brooks. Trained in sculpture in his native Montreal, Canada, Brooks went on to master goldsmithing. Initially he studied at the well-known Canadian jeweler Henry Birks & Sons, and then as an apprentice to Georges Delrue, a contemporary jewelry designer. It was there that he learned to produce one-of-a-kind hand-fabricated jewelry (without casting) by forging, shaping, welding and soldering materials. Applying techniques of hammering and doming metal previously used in silversmithing, he was able to achieve a more sculpted, three-dimensional look for his jewelry. In 1962 he opened his own store, first in Santa Barbara and then in Montecito Village, where he remained until 1991.

Working in a style of fine jewelry started in the 1950s and known as "wearable art," George Brooks' jewelry is appealing for the Modernist aesthetic it conveys. His jewelry has been exhibited in numerous galleries and museums, most recently in 2007 at The State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia for a "Modernism in Jewelry" exhibition.

Also on offer is a suite of aquamarine and freshwater pearl jewelry by Hawaii-based jeweler, Robert Wander, owner of Winc Creations. From the "Crystal Candy" Collection, the piece consists of an 18k yellow gold choker necklace, a bracelet, a ring and a pair of earrings formed of 21 "mirror-cut" sea-blue Brazilian aquamarines. The piece weighs a total of approximately 154.5 carats, within borders of small brilliant-cut blue, orange and yellow sapphires and tsavorite garnets alternating with 22 very large freshwater pearls.

Additional highlights from the June 4 sale include: a desk of petrified wood from Arizona (est. $25/30,000); a gem-quality Imperial topaz mineral specimen (est. 30/35,000); several Australian gold nuggets with estimates ranging from $9,000 to 95,000; a multi strand Burmese ruby necklace (est. $25/35,000); and a fantastic museum-quality Morganite specimen from the Urucum mine in Brazil (est. $70/80,000).

Auction previews open to collectors and Natural History enthusiasts on Friday, June 1 and continue daily from 10am-5pm until the start of the auction.

May 22

Rocks & Rock n' Roll

Natural History and Entertainment Memorabilia Auctions in LA Feature Rare Fossils, Meteorites and Collectibles from Super-Stars of Stage and Screen

Marilyn & Elvis, Dinos & Décor, and much more at Bonhams & Butterfields - Special Media Preview: Thursday, May 31 10AM-1PM

Incredible examples of natural wonders, organic design and evidence of evolution, as well as vintage and contemporary TV, film and rock memorabilia from pop culture icons come to auction at Bonhams & Butterfields in early June. Media Previews for the two auctions will open in Los Angeles at Bonhams & Butterfields on Sunset Blvd. on Thursday, May 31 and members of the press are invited to preview select lots including scientific wonders and unique personal items from celebrities: a 50 million-year-old intact miniature fossil horse skeleton (est. $75/95,000); an archive of materials related to Marilyn Monroe featuring her SAG card and Joe DiMaggio honeymoon photos (estimates vary); one of the largest and most complete Stegodon skulls ever discovered in Southeast Asia ($35/40,000); an Elvis Presley personal checkbook from his $1-million dollar account ($25/30,000); three prodigious sculptural creations synergizing metals with crystals/semi-precious stone; William "Hopalong Cassidy" Boyd's collection from his Palm Desert, CA home and a highly recognizable original Donald Duck painting featuring Disney characters Huey, Duey and Louie and Scrooge (est. $150/200,000). Along with a wide selection of fine fossils, lapidary works of art, gold, meteorites, amber, gemstones, archeological artifacts and rock n' roll, entertainment and animation and first issues of classic comic books....

Who: Bonhams & Butterfields, the premier West Coast auctioneers

What: Preview two auctions: Natural History and Entertainment Memorabilia with Rock n' Roll Collectibles, as well as Classic Animation Art and Vintage Film Posters

Where: Bonhams & Butterfields, 7601 Sunset Blvd. (at Curson)

Comments/sound bites from experts Margaret Barrett, Tom Lindgren and Claudia Florian; excellent visuals

May15

Auction features property from Hollywood greats and music and TV legends: Monroe, Presley, "Hopalong Cassidy," Sinatra, James Dean, Spencer Tracy and Bill Bixby ...

Bonhams & Butterfields, the world's most dynamic auctioneers, is tuning up for the Summer 2007 auction of vintage and contemporary film and rock memorabilia in Los Angeles. The sale will feature collectibles from the heydays of Hollywood and Rock-n-Roll and will be offered on Monday, June 4, 2007.

Sale highlights include:

· A Marilyn Monroe Archive
An interesting archive of materials related to Marilyn Monroe on offer this June is comprised of several fresh to market lots including a set of never-before-seen honeymoon photographs featuring her and her then-new husband Joe DiMaggio. Evidently shot moments apart at what appears to be a press conference, the 4x6-inch black & white snapshots capture the newly married couple in a brief, happy moment. The candid images were taken during their honeymoon trip to Japan in 1954 by an amateur photographer.

A classic black and white headshot of the actress is autographed in red ink. In the lower left corner the "Blonde Bombshell" wrote "To Diana & Joe Ellen / Love & Kisses / Marilyn Monroe." The signees are the daughters of Second Unit Director Joseph E. Rickards, who worked with Monroe on the classic film The Seven Year Itch. Included with the lot is a handwritten letter of provenance from the original owner stating that he received this 8x10-inch photograph from Rickards' widow in 1992 (est. $3,000/3,500).

Additional Monroe lots on offer include: a late 1950s-era typed and signed letter from noted playwright Arthur Miller, her husband at the time, regarding some unspecified problems she was having and expressing his sadness at their temporary separation -- she was in Los Angeles and he was in New York when the letter was written (est. $2,000/2,500).

· An Elvis Presley personal checkbook
A rare but brief and fascinating look into Presley's daily expenses for a six-month span in the early 1970s is found in a lot estimated to sell for $25,000 to $30,000. The Presley checkbook maintains unused checks printed with his Graceland address from "The King's" personal account held at the National Bank of Commerce in Memphis, Tennessee. Check stubs, thirteen with handwritten notes indicating to whom the checks were written, are dated from October 1971 to April 1972 -- each penned in blue ballpoint ink (in three different hands). Some of Elvis's expenses included $4,000 for "Expenses" on November 11, 1971, payment of airline tickets, and even a $150 payment to the "Dept. of Motor Vehicles / Regst. of Dune buggy / and penalty" on April 24, 1972

The checkbook was consigned by Sonny West, Elvis' longtime friend, bodyguard, and member of his inner-circle. According to Mr. West,"This particular checking account of Presley's always had a minimum balance of $1,000,000 in it at all times because Elvis liked the idea of being able to write out a personal check for that amount which the recipient could cash right away." West also informed the auctioneers that Presley himself rarely wrote out the checks, but would have his trusted friends and inner-circle members handle much of his day-to-day affairs. Notes from West himself appears on the stubs as does the writing of several other Presley confidants. Included with this lot is a letter of authenticity signed by Sonny West, discussing this piece.

· A Collection from the Palm Desert, California Residence of William "Hopalong Cassidy" Boyd
A collection of household items from the Palm Desert residence of actor/producer/director William Boyd, known affectionately to most as the cowboy character he portrayed in countless films and TV shows "Hopalong Cassidy".

Featured highlights from his residence include: a collection of seven horse saddles that he converted to outdoor bar stools - all named for 19^th and 20^th century iconic Western film stars (and their horses) including Roy Rogers and "Trigger," Gene Autry and "Champion," The Lone Ranger and "Hi Ho Silver," Wyatt Earp and "Jughead," and Doc Holiday and "Red" (most saddles are estimated at $2,000-2,500 a piece). Although it's not clear if these saddles actually belonged to the actors or if Boyd simply named them (as an homage), it is more than likely that the barstool marked "Hopalong Cassidy / Topper" was actually one of the saddles he used on his adored stallion (est. $3,000/5,000). Additionally, a custom club chair in Boyd's signature colors (black and white) will be offered (est. $1,000/1,500) as will a 1960s-era Exercycle exercise bike custom-painted black and white (est. $800/1,200). Items such as a matching pair of horse statuette lamps, a brass horsehead doorknocker, and a personalized 1950s-era rotisserie with a plaque engraved "Hoppy" should attract collector interest.

· A Gold Record Collection (Janis Joplin, Doobie Brothers, Santana, Heart, etc.) Consigned by Robert E. Gordon
Robert E. ("Bob") Gordon is an attorney, born in Los Angeles, who has been active in representing major musical acts since the early 1960s. He was the founding lawyer for A&M Records and over the years was primary counsel for such noteworthy recording and performing artists as: Big Brother and the Holding Company, Janis Joplin, the Doobie Brothers, Jefferson Airplane, the Estate of Jerry Garcia and many others. He relocated his practice to the San Francisco Bay Area in l972 and currently practices Entertainment and Music Law from offices in Sausalito. In addition to his law practice, Mr. Gordon served as Adjunct Professor of Entertainment Law at Hastings College of Law in San Francisco and taught that subject at UC Berkeley (Boalt Hall). He was awarded a "Bammie" (SF's version of a Grammy^®) in 1982 for service to the SF Bay Area music community. Mr. Gordon served as Executor for the Estate of Janis Joplin and accepted the induction of Joplin into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995 (the only practicing lawyer ever granted that privilege). In the course of his music representations, his various clients presented him with a large number of "Gold" and "Platinum" award plaques issued by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Mr. Gordon's gold record collection is estimated to fetch a few thousand dollars.

Other highlights from the June 4 sale include: a Frank Sinatra 3-piece tuxedo with interior label "Frank Sinatra / June '75." (est. $1,000/1,500); a Bill Bixby archive of color slides and other ephemera from The Incredible Hulk TV series (est. $300/500); a James Dean life mask by artist Kenneth Kendall who also created a statue of Dean which stands in LA's Griffith Park (est. $2,000/2,500); a short but funny Lenny Bruce note handwritten in 1960 to the owner of a comedy club (est. $1,000/1,500); an autographed Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle photograph (est. $1,000/1,500); a black wool Victorian-style knee-length coat worn by Spencer Tracy in the first scene of the film "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" (est. $600/800); a large archive of 1940s-'80s movie star autographs, (est. $3/5,000) and for animation buffs - The Carl Barks Collection of selected paintings, animation and illustrations.

Also on offer this summer is additional property from the Louis Leithold Collection of vintage movie posters - to be sold without reserve. Much of the collection will be offered in large lots, according to auction house specialist, "perfect for the new collector or seasoned dealer." The lots feature an array of titles spanning the history of cinema -- from the silent era to the contemporary blockbuster. Selected highlights from the collection include posters from noted films such as: Breakfast at Tiffany's, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, La Dolce Vita, Citizen Kane, Bon Jour Tristesse, a variety of Western cinematography, countless Brigitte Bardot films and many, many others. Estimates range from $25 to $3,000.

Previews open to the public June 1-4 in Los Angeles.

May 8

Ram Rod's Grateful Dead Collection Brings

More than $1.1-Million Today in San Francisco

Deadheads were Live and Bidding at Bonhams & Butterfields

Bonhams & Butterfields' Tuesday, May 8, 2007 auction of Grateful Dead memorabilia from the Ram Rod Shurtliff Collection fetched more than $1.1-million today -- garnered from competitive bidding on telephones and in the crowded San Francisco auction room. Top lots of the day included guitars played on stages and in-studio by Jerry Garcia, original art used on album covers and equipment and collectibles associated with the Grammy Award®-winning band.

Lawrence 'Ram Rod' Shurtliff, long-time Road Manager and President of the Grateful Dead's corporation, passed away in 2006. The property on offer was consigned for sale by his son Rudson Shurtliff.

Spotlighted in the sale were Jerry Garcia-played instruments including an electric guitar custom-made by noted San Francisco guitar-maker Doug Irwin in 1971, known as "The Eagle." It sold for $186,000. A circa 1975 Garcia electric guitar made by Travis Bean has been seen in numerous photos, played on stages as well as in studio recording sessions - the cream-colored guitar sold for $312,000 (est. $250/300,000). It was offered with its custom black leather case and several collector treasures: Garcia's Vinci guitar strings, a tuning fork, a string winder and an unopened pack of Garcia's cigarettes (Camel non-filters). A buyer paid $102,000 for a Jerry Garcia acoustic guitar and $39,000 was paid for a Garcia Gibson electric.

Jerry Garcia's circa 1973 stage-worn tooled leather guitar strap by Nudie's, "Western tailors to the stars," sold for $20,400, quadrupling its estimate, while a flight case filled with Garcia's picks, never-opened guitar strings and other accessories sold for $16,800.

April 27

Bonhams & Butterfields Offers

Fine European Furniture and Decorative Arts

in Los Angeles on April 30

April 24

The Silver Screen Collectibles Sizzle at
Bonhams & Butterfields in June

Auction features property from Hollywood greats and music and TV legends: Monroe, Presley, "Hopalong Cassidy," Sinatra, James Dean, Spencer Tracy and Bill Bixby ...

Sale highlights include:

· A Marilyn Monroe Archive

An interesting archive of materials related to Marilyn Monroe on offer this June is comprised of several fresh to market lots including a set of never-before-seen honeymoon photographs featuring her and her then-new husband Joe DiMaggio. Evidently shot moments apart at what appears to be a press conference, the 4x6-inch black & white snapshots capture the newly married couple in a brief, happy moment. The candid images were taken during their honeymoon trip to Japan in 1954 by an amateur photographer.

Monroe's personally owned Screen Actor's Guild card and an autographed headshot of the actress will be offered, as will a set of her handwritten notes for the 1957 romantic comedy The Prince and the Showgirl (est. $3/5,000). The actress was nominated for a "Best Foreign Actress" award by The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) for her work in this film. A classic black and white headshot of the actress is autographed in red ink. In the lower left corner the "Blonde Bombshell" wrote "To Diana & Joe Ellen / Love & Kisses / Marilyn Monroe." The signees are the daughters of Second Unit Director Joseph E. Rickards, who worked with Monroe on the classic film The Seven Year Itch. Included with the lot is a handwritten letter of provenance from the original owner stating that he received this 8x10-inch photograph from Rickards' widow in 1992 (est. $3,000/3,500).

· An Elvis Presley personal checkbook

A rare but brief and fascinating look into Presley's daily expenses for a six-month span in the early 1970s is found in a lot estimated to sell for $25,000 to $30,000. The Presley checkbook maintains unused checks printed with his Graceland address from "The King's" personal account held at the National Bank of Commerce in Memphis, Tennessee. Check stubs, thirteen with handwritten notes indicating to whom the checks were written, are dated from October 1971 to April 1972 -- each penned in blue ballpoint ink (in three different hands). Some of Elvis's expenses included $4,000 for "Expenses" on November 11, 1971, payment of airline tickets, and even a $150 payment to the "Dept. of Motor Vehicles / Regst. of Dune buggy / and penalty" on April 24, 1972

· A Collection from the Palm Desert, California Residence of William "Hopalong Cassidy" Boyd

A collection of household items from the Palm Desert residence of actor/producer/director William Boyd, known affectionately to most as the cowboy character he portrayed in countless films and TV shows "Hopalong Cassidy".

The house is also for sale through the realty firm of Pacific Auction Exchange in Pleasanton, California.

· A Gold Record Collection (Janis Joplin, Doobie Brothers, Santana, Heart, etc.) Consigned by Robert E. Gordon

Robert E. ("Bob") Gordon is an attorney, born in Los Angeles, who has been active in representing major musical acts since the early 1960s. He was the founding lawyer for A&M Records and over the years was primary counsel for such noteworthy recording and performing artists as: Big Brother and the Holding Company, Janis Joplin, the Doobie Brothers, Jefferson Airplane, the Estate of Jerry Garcia and many others. He relocated his practice to the San Francisco Bay Area in l972 and currently practices Entertainment and Music Law from offices in Sausalito. In addition to his law practice, Mr. Gordon served as Adjunct Professor of Entertainment Law at Hastings College of Law in San Francisco and taught that subject at UC Berkeley (Boalt Hall). He was awarded a "Bammie" (SF's version of a Grammy^®) in 1982 for service to the SF Bay Area music community. Mr. Gordon served as Executor for the Estate of Janis Joplin and accepted the induction of Joplin into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995 (the only practicing lawyer ever granted that privilege). In the course of his music representations, his various clients presented him with a large number of "Gold" and "Platinum" award plaques issued by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Mr. Gordon's gold record collection is estimated to fetch a few thousand dollars.

Previews open to the public June 1-4 in Los Angeles.

Bonhams & Butterfields Offers
Fine European Furniture and Decorative Arts
in Los Angeles on April 30
April sale brings an eclectic selection of property from around the globe including a prominent Santa Barbara philanthropist's collection

Offering a global array of works for all collecting tastes, the April 30, 2007 Bonhams & Butterfields auction of Fine European Furniture Decorative Arts and Silver in Los Angeles will showcase pieces from the 16^th through 20^th centuries, with origins from Paris to Russia. The sale is timed to coincide with the 12^th annual Los Angeles Antique Show sponsored by the Antique Dealers Association of California, held at the Santa Monica Air Center in the Barker Hangar.

The Spring auction features a wide variety of interesting material for private and institutional collectors, dealers and those with an eye for quality and the whimsical -- from two wonderful imposing Regency mahogany wine coolers to a 19^th century bone ship model of a man'o'war. Highlights from the 560-lot sale include furnishing and decorations from the estate of Ernestine Koska Smith of Santa Barbara and other owners with a diverse selection of English, French, Italian, Spanish, KPM German porcelain, clocks, silver by Georg Jensen and other prominent makers, garden furniture, architectural elements, carvings and Continental automotons.

The crown jewel of the English section is a fine George III breakfront bookcase (est. $20/30,000). Highly sought after for residential or corporate interiors, this outstanding breakfront bookcase successfully blends design and handcrafted skill of the highest order with premium grade timbers and embellishments. On the block during the Continental section is a selection of eight KPM Berlin porcelain plaques. Estimates for these colorful and intricately painted panels range from $3,000 to $30,000. Varying in subject matter from beautiful exotic women to Biblical scenes, the 19x16 inch works should peak collector interest.

In the French section of the sale is a rare late 19^th century clock of gilt, silvered brass and rouge marble in the shape of an industrial weather station -- said to illustrate Europe's fascination with the life and times of the industrial revolution." With a working automaton steam engine, it is expected to bring $6,000 to $8,000. Also on offer will be a large selection of Louis XV and XVI style decorative works and furnishings including several pieces by Francois Linke, F Barbedienne and G. Durand (estimates range from $3,000 to $80,000) highlighted by a late 19^th century French gilt bronze mounted and paint decorated Linke cabinet (est. $60/80,000).

From the Netherlands comes an 18^th century inlaid walnut automaton tall case clock by Henricus Van Vlymen Amsteldam (est. $12/15,000). The painted automaton dial depicts a mythological scene of vessels at sea with Perseus riding Pegasus in flight, Cupid in pursuit, the figures of Mercury and Neptune, and a small town in the background. The nine-foot tall clock is expected to garner interest from Antique Show attendees and collectors alike.

The April sale will feature a large collection of property from the Estate of Ernestine Koska Smith, a prominent Santa Barbara resident. Smith was born in 1919 in Zanesville, Ohio. She attended Wellesley College in Massachusetts and the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). She and her family went on to live in York, Pennsylvania and Palm Beach, Florida, before settling in Montecito, California in the 1970s. Smith held a seat on the Board of Directors for the St. Francis Hospital in Santa Barbara. As a world traveler and connoisseur of the arts, her Estate's property features a range of offerings including two large Regency carved mahogany wine coolers (est. $8/12,000 and $12/18,000) and a selection of 18^th century Sevres porcelain. Considered plain by later tastes, several of the porcelain pieces were repainted a vivid canary yellow in the 19^th century (estimates range from $400 to $800).

The sale also features a strong Italian section of furnishings and decorative arts. A magnificent Baroque shell and ivory inlayed walnut secretary bookcase from Milan highlights the offerings. Made in the late 17^th century, both the upper and lower cases are decorated with classical figures and fabulous beasts. The piece stands more than eight feet tall and is estimated to bring $60,000 to $80,000 on April 30^th.

A selection of carvings from around the globe will be included in the sale. For the garden is a set of four imposing carved marble figures of the Four Seasons (est. $40/60,000). Of interest is a private collection of finely carved French and German ivory figures depicting people in elegant attire and mythological subjects. Also on offer is an unusual polychrome decorated carved wood near life-size automaton chestnut vendor from the second half of the 19^th century with moving eyes and head and a working oven (est. $10/15,000). Black Forest furniture includes a late 19^th century carved eagle attributed to Swiss artist Alfred Stähli. Standing very patriotic at nearly three-feet tall, each of the eagle's feathers is carved with painstaking detail (est. $4/6,000).

Additional highlights from the sale include: an unusually large and colorful Crown Darby porcelain dessert service with more than 18 plates (est. $4/6,000); four services of stunning Georg Jensen silver (estimates range from $6,000 to $15,000); an 18^th century Flemish Baroque garden tapestry (est. $6/8,000); a bone model of a 19^th century thirty-four gun war ship more than 4 ft-8inches in length (est. $8/12,000); a George III silver four-arm five basket epergne by Robert Hennell, London, 1781 with armorial (est. $15/20,000); a pair of 19^th Venetian polychrome decorated carved pine console tables each supported by a vibrantly painted harlequin and masquerader (est. $20/30,000) along with other Venetian Grotto style furnishings and decorative items.

Previews of the property will open to the pubic April 27-29, or by appointment during the 12^th annual Los Angeles Antique Show. For Los Angeles clients and Show attendees, private appointments will be available in addition to the adjusted preview hours -- Friday, April 27, Saturday 28^th open 10am-5pm each day- Sunday, April 29, open: 12 noon-5pm. Auction starts 10am Monday 30^th April

Posted by Bill at 12:55 PM | Permalink

Sports & Auto News

May 2

HOTCHKIS LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE
Online Resource Includes News, Product Info, Tech Articles and More
SANTA FE SPRINGS, Calif. – Hotchkis Sport Suspension has launched an all-new website that provides high-performance handling news, technical details, feature stories and product information. The new site, www.hotchkis.net, is an exhaustive online resource dedicated to helping serious drivers improve their suspension systems with proven, well-engineered hardware for maximum driving enjoyment.
Hotchkis Sport Suspension has launched an all-new website that provides high-performance handling news, technical details, feature stories and product information. The new site, , is an exhaustive online resource dedicated to helping serious drivers improve their suspension systems with proven, well-engineered hardware for maximum driving enjoyment.

"Whether they drive a performance car, SUV or truck, we’re dedicated to providing our customers with more than just improved handling and feedback," explains company owner John Hotchkis. “We have always gone a step further to provide convenience, product durability, and all the necessary hardware so our kits install quickly and easily. This new website is just one more tool we can use to help. More than just a product showcase, the new www.Hotchkis.net website has an archive of technical articles and instruction manuals and even Product Development and Testing pages that feature some of the hot new products coming soon.”

A detailed application guide makes researching and shopping for new suspension hardware easy, and an online shopping cart means you can surf the net Thursday an have parts in time to work on your car that weekend. If you’d prefer to buy parts locally, a complete list of authorized dealers is also available.

Finally, the website features an online vehicle gallery divided by make, and customers are encouraged to share photos and videos of their vehicles in action. To explore the all-new Hotchkis Sport Suspension website, go to www.hotchkis.net.

To preview the entire line of Hotchkis Sport Suspension parts and components, please visit www.hotchkis.net, email doliver@hotchkis.net, or contact them at Hotchkis Performance, 12035 Burke Street Suite 13, Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670, 877-4-NOROLL, 877-466-7655.

Hi everyone. AutoMatters #231 is now online in the www.AutoMatters.net 2007 Column Archives. Its direct link is:

http://www.automatters.net/2007%20Columns/0231.htm

Entitled "2007 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach," it is about events leading up to and including the race weekend. This column is so big that I had to divide it into three parts for the newspapers but it appears as one feature-length column in AutoMatters Online. The online version also features 145 photos, which is a record. Read and enjoy...

Jan

To see more, go to the AutoMatters.net Column Archives at: http://www.automatters.net/2007%20Columns/0231.htm.

- - - - - - -

For new visitors to AutoMatters online, here is some more information that you might find useful:

You may access this column by navigating to it in the 2007 Column Archives via the Home Page at www.AutoMatters.net. If you prefer, you can go directly to this column by clicking on the above link (or, depending upon how your email is set up, you may have to cut and paste it into the address line of your browser). If there are a lot of photos in this column, it may take a bit longer than usual to display on your computer. If one or two photos don't fully display, try clearing your Internet temp file and then do a View --> Refresh.

While at the AutoMatters Web site, take a few moments to look at some of the other columns and photography that is there. The 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 Columns Archives are now complete. I hope to have time to finish the 2002 and 2003 Column Archives eventually, but in the meantime I'm working on making it possible for you to order photos that you see on this Web site. Speaking of photos, a clickable, descriptive thumbnail photo is included with the title of each column in the Column Archives lists.

(IMPORTANT NOTE: People have asked me how they can see previous AutoMatters columns in the Column Archives if they follow the above link directly to the current column, thus bypassing the website's home page. It's easy. Just scroll back up to the top of the page and then click the "COLUMN ARCHIVES" button. Another way would be to click on www.AutoMatters.net which is in the last paragraph of every column. Jan)

As always, I hope you enjoy reading AutoMatters as much as I enjoy creating it.

Jan

Mr. Jan Wagner

AutoMatters automotive columnist/photojournalist & multimedia writer

Memberships: Motor Press Guild, American Auto Racing Writers' & Broadcasters' Association (AARWBA), Nikon Professional Services
In newspapers and online at www.AutoMatters.net
AARWBA first place awards for color photography in 50th. Anniversary journalism competition
San Diego, CA
AutoMatters@gmail.com

May 1
April Auto Sales.
BMW Brand Sales Up 4.9 Percent Year-To-Date
April 2007 one of the strongest months ever for BMW Group in the U.S.
The BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI brands combined) reported sales of 104,125 vehicles year-to-date, a 2.9 percent increase over the 101,151 vehicles sold in the same period of 2006.
The BMW Group also reported a slight increase of 0.5 percent in April sales. 28,692 vehicles were sold compared to 28,563 vehicles reported in the same month a year earlier. This makes April 2007 one of the strongest months ever reported by the BMW Group in the U.S.
BMW Brand Reports Increase in Year-To-Date Sales
BMW brand continues to be strong with sales up 4.9 percent year-to-date, as the company reported sales of 92,670 vehicles compared to 88,353 vehicles sold in first four months of 2006.
April sales of BMW brand vehicles increased by 0.2 percent and reached 25,310 compared to 25,250 reported in the same month a year ago.
BMW Automobile Sales
BMW's automobile sales are up 10.1 percent in April to 20,290 versus 18,427 in the same month a year ago. Year-to-date sales also are up 5.3 percent, to 71,907 automobiles compared to 68,311 in the same period of 2006.
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Sales
April sales of BMW Sports Activity Vehicles are down 26.4 percent to 5,020 vehicles over the 6,823 sold last April. This is due to a very high comparable basis for X3 sales in April 2006. Both the X3 and the X5 continue to be very well received, with the X5 showing a sales increase of 21.8 percent in April 2007 compared to the same month a year ago.
Year-to-date, sales of BMW Sports Activity Vehicles are up 3.6 percent, to 20,763 vehicles compared to the 20,042 sold in the same period of 2006.
Certified Pre-Owned
The company reported sales of 7,368 CPO sales in April 2007, a decrease of 12.0 percent over April of 2006. Year-to-date, CPO sales are down 7.9 percent, to 26,376 over the 28,630 reported in the same period in 2006.
MINI Brand
MINI Automobiles
MINI USA reported April sales of 3,382 automobiles, up 2.1 percent from the 3,313 cars sold in April 2006. Year-to-date, the division reported sales of 11,455 automobiles, a drop of 10.5 percent, compared to the 12,798 cars reported in the first four months of 2006.
BMW Group In America
BMW of North America, LLC has been present in the United States since 1975. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars NA, LLC began distributing vehicles in 2003. The BMW Group in the United States has grown to include marketing, sales, and financial service organizations for the BMW brand, the MINI brand, and the Rolls-Royce brand of Motor Cars; DesignworksUSA, an industrial design firm in California; a technology office in Silicon Valley and various other operations throughout the country. BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC in South Carolina is part of BMW Group's global manufacturing network and is the exclusive manufacturing plant for all Z4 models and X5 Sports Activity Vehicles. The BMW Group sales organization is represented in the U.S. through networks of 338 BMW passenger car centers, 335 BMW Sports Activity Vehicle centers, 142 BMW motorcycle retailers, 81 MINI passenger car dealers, and 30 Rolls-Royce Motor Car dealers. BMW (US) Holding Corp., the BMW Group's sales headquarters for North, Central and South America, is located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.
Information about BMW Group products is available to consumers via the Internet at:
www.bmwgroupna.com
www.bmwusa.com
www.bmwmotorradusa.com
www.miniusa.com
www.rolls-roycemotorcars.com

BMW Car Sales Report for April 2007
2007 2006
April 20,290 18,427
Year-to-Date 71,907 68,311
Model Year-to- Year-to-
April Date April Date
2007 2007 2006 2006
325i (E90 & E46) 240 797 4,888 16,914
325Ci (E46) 7 26 304 1,162
325Ci Convertible (E46) 6 31 513 1,531
325i Sports Wagon (E91) 0 0 0 4
325xi (E90 & E46) 11 39 1,489 5,785
325xi Sports Wagon (E90 & E46) 4 21 209 820
328i (E90) 4,439 16,721 0 0
328i Coupe (E92) 1,045 3,772 0 0
328i Convertible (E93) 1,545 2,253 0 0
328i Sports Wagon (E91) 97 554 0 0
328xi (E90) 1,537 7,727 0 0
328xi Coupe (E92) 416 2,080 0 0
328xi Sports Wagon (E91) 135 619 0 0
330i (E90 & E46) 41 195 1,572 5,571
330Ci (E46) 1 4 164 696
330Ci Convertible (E46) 2 17 525 1,633
330xi (E90 & E46) 5 18 1,074 3,504
335i (E90) 1,489 6,040 0 0
335i Coupe (E92) 823 3,486 0 0
335i Convertible (E93) 998 1,558 0 0
335xi (E90) 298 360 0 0
M3 (E46) 0 3 255 817
M3 Convertible (E46) 3 12 158 493
3 Series 13,142 46,333 11,151 38,930
Z4 2.5i Roadster (E85) - US 14 55 41 221
Z4 3.0i Roadster (E85) - US 444 1,382 628 1,119
Z4 Roadster 3.0si (E85) - US 275 732 357 541
Z4 M Roadster (E85) - US 49 143 154 299
Z4 Coupe 3.0si (E86) - US 61 265 0 0
Z4 M Coupe (E86) - US 68 240 0 0
Z4 911 2,817 1,180 2,180
525i (E60) 209 3,180 993 4,160
525xi (E60) 232 1,533 306 1,961
528i (E60) 541 541 0 0
528xi (E60) 271 271 0 0
530i (E60) 327 3,350 813 3,899
530xi (E60) 441 2,460 574 3,007
530xi Sports Wagon (E60) 39 356 188 1,000
535i (E60) 471 471 0 0
535xi (E60) 400 400 0 0
535xi Sports Wagon (E60) 48 48 0 0
545i (E60) 0 0 0 6
550i (E60) 472 1,619 643 2,341
M5 (E60) 141 490 182 1,424
5 Series 3,592 14,719 3,699 17,798
645Ci (E63) 0 0 0 21
650i Coupe (E63) 163 592 242 956
645Ci Convertible (E64) 0 0 0 16
650i Convertible (E64) 412 1,258 473 1,863
M6 (E63) 80 361 58 58
M6 Convertible (E64) 147 512 0 0
6 Series 802 2,723 773 2,914
ALPINA B7 47 115 0 0
745Li (E65) 0 0 0 0
750i (E65) 376 1,203 386 1,465
750Li (E66) 1,407 3,935 1,195 4,866
760i (E66) 0 0 4 21
760Li (E65) 13 62 39 136
7 Series 1,843 5,315 1,624 6,488
Z8 0 0 0 1
Z8 Alpina 0 0 0 0
Z8 0 0 0 1

BMW Sports Activity Vehicle (light trucks) Sales Report for April 2007
2007 2006
April 5,020 6,823
Year-to-Date 20,763 20,042

Model Year-to- Year-to-
April Date April Date
2007 2007 2006 2006
X3 2.5i (E83) 0 2 28 156
X3 3.0i (E83) 61 222 4,568 10,483
X3 3.0si (E83) 2,246 8,757 0 0
X3 2,307 8,981 4,596 10,639
X5 3.0i (E53) - US 18 93 1,643 7,023
X5 3.0si (E70) - US 1,802 7,696 0 0
X5 4.4i (E53) - US 13 70 495 2,014
X5 4.8i (E70) - US 879 3,915 0 0
X5 4.8is (E53) - US 1 8 89 366
X5 2,713 11,782 2,227 9,403

MINI Sales Report for April 2007
2007 2006
April 3,382 3,313
Year-to-Date 11,455 12,798

Model Year-to- Year-to-
April Date April Date
2007 2007 2006 2006
MINI Cooper (R50) 22 1,760 892 3,673
MINI Cooper (R56) 1,278 2,905 0 0
MINI Cooper S (R53) 18 1,553 1,340 5,638
MINI Cooper S (R56) 1,395 3,036 0 0
MINI Cooper Convertible 259 898 334 1,086
MINI Cooper S Convertible 407 1,275 747 2,401
MINI Cooper S JCW GP 3 28 0 0
Total MINI 3,382 11,455 3,313 12,798
Source: BMW Group

Mercedes-Benz USA Reports 20,895 April New Vehicle Sales, Delivering Best-Ever Year-to-Date Sales of 76,880
-- Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) today reported April sales of 20,895 new vehicles; the second best April ever (after April 2006 with sales of 21,270). This represents the best-ever year-to-date sales volume, bringing the total to 76,880 new vehicles for 2007 - a six percent increase over sales during the same period in 2006.
The C-Class was once again the volume leader for the month with sales of 5,131 new vehicles (up 27.1% over April 2006), closely trailed by the E-Class with sales of 4,011 (6.2% increase vs. April 2006). The M-Class, ranked third with sales of 2,382, followed closely by the top-of-the line sedan, the S- Class, with 2,067 sales for April.
The CL-Class, the Mercedes-Benz new flagship coupe, also continued to exhibit high demand with sales of 330 units for the month, an increase of 416%. In the luxury light truck segment, the GL-Class continued to show strong momentum with sales of 1,866, while the iconic G-Class more than doubled its volume to 101.
Separately, through the Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned program, MBUSA sold 4,073 vehicles in April, bringing year-to-date sales to 16,773, a 15.6 percent increase over the same period last year.
Mercedes-Benz USA, headquartered in Montvale, New Jersey, is responsible for the sales, marketing and service of all Mercedes-Benz and Maybach products in the United States. In 2006, MBUSA achieved an all-time sales record of 248,080 new vehicles, setting the highest sales volume ever in its history and achieving 13 consecutive years of sales growth. More information on MBUSA and its products can be found on the Internet at www.mbusa.com and www.maybachusa.com.
April April Monthly YTD YTD
Model '07 '06 % 2007 2006 Yearly%
C-CLASS 5,131 4,037 27.1% 17,413 14,017 24.2%
E-CLASS 4,011 3,778 6.2% 14,458 12,437 16.2%
S-CLASS 2,067 3,033 -31.8% 8,713 10,651 -18.2%
CL-CLASS 330 64 415.6% 1,114 220 406.4%
SL-CLASS 703 1,112 -36.8% 2,098 2,953 -29.0%
CLK-CLASS 1,456 2,202 -33.9% 5,490 7,790 -29.5%
SLK-CLASS 856 1,202 -28.8% 2,546 3,644 -30.1%
CLS-CLASS 779 1,038 -25.0% 2,822 3,882 -27.3%
R-CLASS 1,213 1,672 -27.5% 4,151 6,742 -38.4%
M-CLASS 2,382 2,590 -8.0% 9,783 9,447 3.6%
GL-CLASS 1,866 499 273.9% 7,838 499 1470.7%
G-CLASS 101 43 134.9% 454 230 97.4%
GRAND TOTAL 20,895 21,270 -1.8% 76,880 72,512 6.0%
Source: Mercedes-Benz USA

All-Time Sales Record in April for Maserati North America
Following Maserati's Best Ever First Quarter Sales
In an overall luxury segment that has shown declined sales performance during the first quarter of 2007, Maserati North America has shown considerable gains, marking a continued rise for the company.
According to Jim Selwa, President and CEO of Maserati North America, Inc., the performance of Maserati is strong, mirroring the performance of the elegant brand. "The luxurious Maserati Quattroporte is the leader in the $100,000 sport sedan segment. Hand-crafted Pininfarina design, true performance and meticulous attention to quality have found the select audience who value a unique and special automobile."
April 2007 total sales for Maserati reached 242 units, beating the previous top sales month of 235, set in July of 2005 - a point in time where Maserati jumped over 90% in volume. Year-to-date Maserati sales are up 14% over 2006, which was another record year for Maserati.
As anticipated, the new Quattroporte Automatic has appealed to those looking for the ultimate sedan amongst its competitors. The DuoSelect Maserati Quattroporte is appreciated by those who desire the most pure sport sedan on the planet. Sales remain strong with the DuoSelect commanding over 50% of Quattroporte sales.
Like the Quattroporte, Maserati Financial Services has reported a record volume month, providing clients with competitive financing and leasing solutions.
Maserati will continue the positive momentum of the brand with the introduction of the globally acclaimed two-door Maserati GranTurismo in the fourth quarter of 2007.
Maserati North America expanded its reach in 2006 with the opening of two high-profile locations in the Southern California market, where it derives 35% percent of sales. Maserati currently benefits from 49 dealers across North America. In 2007 the expansion of the dealer network will continue with a target of 55 retail points strategically located in key markets. Maserati North America is proud to have the top selling dealer in the world, The Collection in Coral Gables, Florida. The southeast is the second leading region for Maserati in the U.S. followed by the New York Tri-State area.
Maserati North America, Inc., headquartered in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., is the exclusive distributor for Maserati-branded vehicles in the United States, including the Quattroporte high performance luxury sedan. For more information, please view www.maseratiusa.com.
Source: Maserati North America, Inc.
Kia Motors America Announces April Sales
Kia Motors America (KMA) today announced April sales of 26,007 units and year-to-date sales of 99,610 units, a 7.5-percent increase over the same period last year. Sales for the month were led by the Kia Spectra boasting its best month of 2007 at 7,203 units.
The Optima midsize sedan also had its best month of the year in April with 4,538 units, a 20.3-percent increase over the same month last year, while the Rio compact sedan followed suit with its best month of 2007 selling 3,279 units.
"The entire Kia brand is continually lifted by our award-winning pillar models, Spectra and Sportage, as evidenced this month by outstanding Spectra volume," said Len Hunt, executive vice president and COO of KMA. "The full vehicle line has received accolades that denote its confidence and integrity with consumers, and it is now on the verge of pushing through to the next level that will instill pride and passion among buyers."
Kia Motors America -- the sales, marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corp. in Seoul, South Korea -- offers a complete line of vehicles through more than 630 dealers throughout the United States. For more information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com.
MONTH OF APRIL YEAR-TO-DATE
Model 2007 2006 2007 2006
Rio 3,279 1,898 9,588 9,726
Spectra 7,203 8,560 21,696 20,067
Optima 4,538 3,771 13,963 10,511
Amanti 528 558 3,266 2,312
Sportage 3,695 2,868 15,410 12,503
Sorento 2,883 5,674 12,962 15,932
Sedona 2,698 4,479 18,622 21,590
Rondo 1,183 N/A 4,103 N/A
Total 26,007 27,807 99,610 92,641
Source: Kia Motors America

Acura Announces April Sales
Light Trucks Post Record Sales
Record sales of light trucks pushed Acura April sales to 15,193 units, off 15.0 percent from record April 2006 based on the daily selling rate*, the division announced today. Acura year-to-date sales reached 58,854.
Strong sales of the redesigned MDX luxury SUV and RDX turbocharged SUV helped set an April sales record of 6,648 for total light trucks, surpassing the previous record of 5,073 set in 2005. The MDX strong posted sales of 4,497, up 10.4 percent versus last year. Year-to-date MDX sales of 17,765 units outpaced last year's total by 3.0 percent. Additionally, demand for the RDX continued to grow with April sales of 2,151 units, driving year-to-date sales to 8,407.
The TL performance luxury sedan was the top-selling model for April, posting sales of 5,350 units. The TSX sports sedan sold 2,519 units for the month, bringing year-to-date sales to 11,148.
* Based on 24 selling days in April 2007 versus 26 selling days in April 2006
American Honda Vehicle Sales For April 2007
Month-to-Date Year-to-Date
April April DSR** April April DSR**
2007 2006 % Chg. 2007 2006 % Chg.
MODEL BREAKOUTS
BY DIVISION
Acura Division
Total 15,193 19,372 -15.0% 58,854 65,023 -9.5%
RSX 18 2,036 -99.0% 275 6,186 -95.6%
TL * 5,350 7,975 -27.3% 19,054 24,779 -23.1%
TSX 2,519 3,911 -30.2% 11,148 13,144 -15.2%
RL 658 1,031 -30.9% 2,205 3,633 -39.3%
NSX 0 5 0 34
MDX * 4,497 4,414 10.4% 17,765 17,247 3.0%
RDX * 2,151 0 8,407 0
Selling Days 24 26 101 101
* Honda and Acura vehicles are made of domestic and global sourced
parts.
** Daily Selling Rate
Source: Acura

American Honda Reports April Sales
Fuel-efficient Fit and CR-V Set April Records
-- American Honda Motor Co., Inc., posted sales of 126,419 Honda and Acura vehicles in April, down 1.6 percent on a daily-selling-rate basis*, the company announced today. American Honda light-truck sales rose 5.6 percent to 55,300 units. American Honda year-to-date sales totaled 480,627 units, up 1.6 percent.
Led by its most fuel-efficient models, Honda Division posted April sales of 111,226 cars and light trucks, up 0.6 percent on a daily-selling-rate basis* against last year's all-time best April. On sale now for one full year, the Fit set a new April record with 3,958 units sold, up 13.1 percent. Recording its fifth consecutive month of record sales, the all-new CR-V sold 17,379 units, up 39.4 percent. The Civic posted a 1.0 percent increase with 29,155 units sold. Honda Division year-to-date sales were up 3.4 percent with 421,773 units sold, on track for another record year.
"Fuel prices are again driving customers toward fuel-efficient vehicles," said Dick Colliver, executive vice president of American Honda. "The strength of small cars and crossovers like Fit, Civic and CR-V underscores the prevailing consumer sentiment about fuel prices."
Acura Division posted 15,193 sales in April, off 15.0 percent from last April's record month. Strong sales of the redesigned MDX luxury SUV and RDX turbocharged SUV helped set an April sales record of 6,648 for total light-trucks, surpassing the previous record of 5,073 set in 2005.
Consumer information is available at www.honda.com and www.acura.com. * Based on 24 selling days in April 2007 versus 26 selling days in April 2006.
American Honda Vehicle Sales For April 2007
Month-to-Date Year-to-Date
April April DSR** April April DSR**
2007 2006 % Chg. 2007 2006 % Chg.
American Honda
Total 126,419 139,124 -1.6% 480,627 472,968 1.6%
Total Car
Sales 71,119 82,372 -6.5% 265,669 272,175 -2.4%
Total Truck
Sales 55,300 56,752 5.6% 214,958 200,793 7.1%
Honda Total
Car Sales 62,574 67,414 0.6% 232,987 224,399 3.8%
Honda Total
Truck Sales 48,652 52,338 0.7% 188,786 183,546 2.9%
Acura Total
Car Sales 8,545 14,958 -38.1% 32,682 47,776 -31.6%
Acura Total
Truck Sales 6,648 4,414 63.2% 26,172 17,247 51.7%
Domestic Car
Sales * 58,809 63,306 0.6% 211,653 221,263 -4.3%
Honda Division 53,459 55,331 4.7% 192,599 196,484 -2.0%
Acura Division 5,350 7,975 -27.3% 19,054 24,779 -23.1%
Domestic Truck
Sales * 38,901 43,247 -2.6% 151,620 154,937 -2.1%
Honda Division 32,253 38,833 -10.0% 125,448 137,690 -8.9%
Acura Division 6,648 4,414 63.2% 26,172 17,247 51.7%
Import Car Sales 12,310 19,066 -30.1% 54,016 50,912 6.1%
Honda Division 9,115 12,083 -18.3% 40,388 27,915 44.7%
Acura Division 3,195 6,983 -50.4% 13,628 22,997 -40.7%
Import Truck
Sales 16,399 13,505 31.5% 63,338 45,856 38.1%
Honda Division 16,399 13,505 31.5% 63,338 45,856 38.1%
MODEL BREAKOUTS
BY DIVISION
Honda Division
Total 111,226 119,752 0.6% 421,773 407,945 3.4%
Fit 3,958 3,792 13.1% 12,795 3,792 237.4%
Accord * 28,926 31,608 -0.9% 121,516 108,562 11.9%
Memo: Accord
Hybrid 318 614 -43.9% 1,263 2,329 -45.8%
Civic * 29,155 31,259 1.0% 97,295 109,738 -11.3%
Memo: Civic
Hybrid 2,855 3,087 0.2% 9,375 10,264 -8.7%
S2000 533 645 -10.5% 1,378 1,987 -30.6%
Insight 2 110 -98.0% 3 320 -99.1%
FCX 0 0 0 0
Odyssey * 12,241 16,850 -21.3% 49,587 56,054 -11.5%
Pilot * 12,047 12,566 3.9% 46,128 46,432 -0.7%
CR-V * 17,379 13,505 39.4% 64,951 45,856 41.6%
Element * 3,415 4,765 -22.4% 13,541 16,909 -19.9%
Ridgeline 3,570 4,652 -16.9% 14,579 18,295 -20.3%
Acura Division
Total 15,193 19,372 -15.0% 58,854 65,023 -9.5%
RSX 18 2,036 -99.0% 275 6,186 -95.6%
TL * 5,350 7,975 -27.3% 19,054 24,779 -23.1%
TSX 2,519 3,911 -30.2% 11,148 13,144 -15.2%
RL 658 1,031 -30.9% 2,205 3,633 -39.3%
NSX 0 5 0 34
MDX * 4,497 4,414 10.4% 17,765 17,247 3.0%
RDX * 2,151 0 8,407 0
Selling Days 24 26 101 101
* Honda and Acura vehicles are made of domestic and global sourced
parts.
** Daily Selling Rate
Source: American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

Nissan North America Announces April Sales
Nissan North America, Inc. (NNA) today reported sales of 71,124 units in April, down 11.1 percent from the prior year. Nissan Division sales decreased by 14.0 percent over last year. Infiniti Division posted a sales increase of 12.0 percent versus the prior year.
NISSAN HIGHLIGHTS
* April sales for Nissan-brand vehicles of 61,179 units decreased by 14.0
percent on a daily sales rate basis compared with last year's 77,102
units sold.
INFINITI HIGHLIGHTS
* Sales for Infiniti were up 12.0 percent, with 9,945 units sold, as
compared with last April's 9,618 units.
* The all-new G Sedan contributed sales of 4,491 units, up 71.9 percent
over last April.
NNA INFORMATION
* For the month of April, Nissan and Infiniti sales totaled 71,124, an
11.1 percent decrease over April 2006 when compared with last year's
sales of 86,720 units.
In North America, NNA's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. More information on NNA and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.nissannews.com.
NISSAN DIVISION SALES
Monthly CYTD
April April DSR % CYTD CYTD DSR %
2007 2006 Change 2007 2006 Change
Nissan Division Total 61,179 77,102 -14 307,615 311,142 -1.1
Versa 5,013 N/A N/A 21,208 N/A N/A
Sentra 6,502 12,242 -42.5 32,325 43,029 -24.9
Altima 16,309 20,176 -12.4 90,338 80,804 11.8
Maxima 3,504 5,195 -26.9 17,101 21,785 -21.5
350Z 1,838 2,811 -29.2 7,096 9,844 -27.9
Total Car 33,166 40,424 -11.1 168,068 155,462 8.1
Frontier 5,230 7,573 -25.2 22,440 27,397 -18.1
Xterra 3,045 4,945 -33.3 18,653 23,561 -20.8
Pathfinder 4,089 5,702 -22.3 20,240 26,950 -24.9
Murano 6,316 6,879 -0.5 32,733 30,075 8.8
Quest 2,067 2,489 -10 10,525 8,942 17.7
Armada 2,344 2,665 -4.7 11,186 11,053 1.2
Titan 4,922 6,425 -17 23,769 27,702 -14.2
Total Truck 28,013 36,678 -17.3 139,547 155,680 -10.4
North American Produced 53,025 67,412 -14.8 267,786 271,220 -1.3
Car 31,328 37,613 -9.8 160,972 145,618 10.5
Truck 21,697 29,799 -21.1 106,814 125,602 -15
Import 8,154 9,690 -8.8 39,829 39,922 0
Car 1,838 2,811 -29.2 7,096 9,844 -27.9
Truck 6,316 6,879 -0.5 32,733 30,078 8.8

INFINITI DIVISION SALES Monthly CYTD
April April DSR % CYTD CYTD DSR %
2007 2006 Change 2007 2006 Change
Infiniti Division Total 9,945 9,618 12 42,490 38,805 9.5
I35 0 0 N/A N/A 1 N/A
G Sedan 4,491 2,831 71.9 19,814 12,169 62.8
G Coupe 1,183 1,821 -29.6 4,174 6,789 -38.5
M 1,872 2,417 -16.1 8,136 8,938 -9
Q45 2 49 -95.6 18 233 -92.3
QX56 823 801 11.3 3,322 3,878 14.3
FX 1,574 1,699 0.4 7,027 6,795 3.4
Total Car 7,548 7,118 14.9 32,141 28,130 14.3
Total Truck 2,397 2,500 3.9 10,349 10,675 -3.1
COMBINED NISSAN AND
INFINITI SALES Monthly CYTD
April April DSR % CYTD CYTD DSR %
2007 2006 Change 2007 2006 Change
TOTAL VEHICLE 71,124 86,720 -11.1 350,105 349,947 0
Total Car 40,714 47,542 -7.2 200,209 183,592 9.1
Total Truck 30,410 39,178 -15.9 149,896 166,355 -9.9
Selling Days 24 26 101 101
*All numbers include Hawaii.
Source: Nissan North America, Inc.

Hyundai Motor America Reports April 2007 Sales
-- Hyundai Motor America today reported April sales of 39,137. The all-new 2007 Santa Fe showed strong gains over the previous year, posting an 85 percent increase. However, sales were down 4.6 percent from Hyundai's record April sales in 2006.
"The industry continues to be very competitive," said Dave Zuchowski, Hyundai's vice president of national sales. "We are encouraged with the sales increase of our all-new 2007 Santa Fe and our premium sedan Azera and are confident our sales growth will continue across all models, despite the fact overall consumer spending is down for the first quarter of 2007."
All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by the Hyundai Advantage, America's Best Warranty. Hyundai buyers are protected by a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, a 5-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, a 7-year/unlimited-mile anti-perforation warranty and 5-year/unlimited-mile roadside assistance protection.
Following is the sales breakdown for April 2007:
CARLINE APR/2007 APR/2006 CY2007 CY2006
ACCENT 2,918 3,491 11,190 8,256
SONATA 10,434 15,716 40,431 58,587
ELANTRA 8,166 9,121 30,998 34,906
TIBURON 1,154 1,674 4,057 5,337
SANTA FE 6,743 3,639 27,982 14,091
XG350/AZERA 2,812 2,601 8,676 8,861
TUCSON 3,563 4,657 13,257 16,849
ENTOURAGE 2,697 126 5,923 126
VERACRUZ 650 0 828 0
TOTAL 39,137 41,025 143,342 147,013
Source: Hyundai Motor America

Mazda Reports April Sales
-- Mazda North American Operations today reported U.S. sales of 21,060 in April 2007, a drop of 5.9 percent compared to the same period the year prior. Calculated on a daily selling- rate basis however, Mazda's U.S. sales were up 1.9 percent, as there were 24 selling days this month, versus 26 in April 2006. On a year-to-date basis, U.S. sales are up 11.7 percent to 100,134.
Combined U.S., Canada and Mexico sales rose five percent to 32,555 vehicles, compared to the same period a year ago. Mazda Canada had its best- ever sales month in the company's 39-year history with sales of 10,341 vehicles. Mazda Motor de Mexico reported 1,154 sales, more than double the previous year.
"Falling consumer confidence over credit and housing uncertainties made for a challenging month for us and the entire U.S. auto industry, especially compared to last month," said Jim O'Sullivan, president and CEO of Mazda North American Operations. "At Mazda, we feel we have the right products in our showrooms to keep our incentive spending in check and help us make gains in an increasingly volatile and unpredictable market."
Individually, U.S. sales on a carline basis were led by the MAZDA3, with 8,046. Even in its fourth year of production, day's supply at the start of the month was very low (under 40 days) for MAZDA3, and incentive spending throughout the month has been virtually nonexistent. On a year-to-date basis, sales of 39,972 MAZDA3s are up 29.8 percent.
The CX-7 and CX-9 crossover SUVs continue to appeal to customers looking for car-like drivability and economy combined with SUV utility and styling. CX-7 posted sales of 2,740 for the month, bringing its year-to-date total to 12,680. CX-9 posted sales of 1,776 for the month for a total of 5,469 for the first four months of the year.
Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., Mazda North American Operations oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico through nearly 900 dealers. Operations in Canada are managed by Mazda Canada, Inc., located in Ontario, Canada, and in Mexico by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City.
Mazda North American Operations - April 2007
Month-To-Date Year-To-Date
April April % April April %
2007 2006 Change 2007 2006 Change
Mazda3 8,046 9,059 (11.2)% 39,972 30,791 29.8%
Mazda5 1,214 1,260 (3.7)% 5,764 6,321 (8.8)%
Mazda6 4,189 5,518 (24.1)% 24,361 24,733 (1.5)%
MX-5 Miata 1,663 1,767 (5.9)% 6,036 6,129 (1.5)%
RX-8 474 584 (18.8)% 2,206 3,501 (37.0)%
Protege -- -- N/A -- 1 N/A
CX-7 2,740 -- N/A 12,680 -- N/A
CX-9 1,776 -- N/A 5,469 -- N/A
Tribute 754 2,951 (74.4)% 2,456 11,429 (78.5)%
B-Series Truck 203 352 (42.3)% 1,069 1,634 (34.6)%
MPV 1 894 (99.9)% 121 5,117 (97.6)%
Total Vehicles
CARS 15,586 18,188 (14.3)% 78,339 71,476 9.6%
TRUCKS 5,474 4,197 30.4% 21,795 18,180 19.9%
TOTAL 21,060 22,385 (5.9)% 100,134 89,656 11.7%

MEMO:
IMPORT CAR 11,397 12,670 (10.0)% 53,978 46,743 15.5%
IMPORT TRUCK 4,517 894 405.3% 18,270 5,117 257.0%
IMPORT TOTAL 15,914 13,564 17.3% 72,248 51,860 39.3%
DOMESTIC CAR 4,189 5,518 (24.1)% 24,361 24,733 (1.5)%
DOMESTIC TRUCK 957 3,303 (71.0)% 3,525 13,063 (73.0)%
DOMESTIC TOTALS 5,146 8,821 (41.7)% 27,886 37,796 (26.2)%
Note: MPV & Protege is a discontinued vehicles.
Source: Mazda North American Operations

Toyota Reports April Sales
-- Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today reported April sales of 210,457 vehicles, an increase of 3.7 percent over April 2006.
"Despite rising gas prices, Tundra posted best-ever April sales as the market's appetite for light trucks picked up this month," said Jim Lentz, TMS executive vice president.
The Toyota Division posted April sales of 184,462, up 2.3 percent. The Lexus Division reported April sales of 25,995 units, an increase of 14.1 percent.
Toyota Division
Toyota Division passenger cars recorded April sales of 104,239, a decrease of 1.5 percent over the same period last year. Passenger car sales were led by Camry, which posted April sales of 37,911, up 2.2 percent over the same period last year. Camry Hybrid reported sales of 4,410 units in April. The Prius hybrid gas-electric mid-size sedan posted best-ever April sales of 13,056, an increase of 71.8 percent. The Yaris subcompact posted best-ever April sales totaling 7,232, an increase of 22.6 percent. Corolla reported April sales of 32,289 units.
Toyota Division light truck sales were up 7.8 percent, with an April total of 80,223 units. Light truck sales were led by the RAV4 compact sport utility vehicle (SUV), which reported April sales of 14,495, up 13.3 percent over the same period last year. The all-new Tundra full-size pickup reported best-ever April sales of 14,200, an increase of 74.1 percent over the year-ago month. Highlander and Highlander Hybrid posted combined April sales of 10,122, up 2.4 percent over the same period last year. The Highlander Hybrid gas-electric mid-size SUV reported sales of 2,394 units for the month. FJ Cruiser reported April sales of 4,587 units.
Scion posted April sales of 7,960 units. The tC sports coupe led the way with April sales of 5,333 units. Scion xA posted sales of 1,454 units for the month.
Lexus Division
Lexus passenger cars reported best-ever April sales of 16,317 units, an increase of 32.9 percent over April 2006. Passenger car sales were led by the ES 350 luxury sedan with best-ever April sales of 6,544 units, up 54 percent. The all-new LS 460 and LS 460 L reported combined sales of 3,182, an increase of 221.9 percent.
Lexus Division light trucks reported April sales totaling 9,678 units. The RX 350 and RX 400h enjoyed combined April sales of 7,861 units. The RX 400h hybrid luxury utility vehicle reported sales of 1,384 units for the month.
TMS calendar-year-to-date hybrid sales totaled 83,053 units, an increase of 66 percent over the same period last year. In April, TMS posted sales of 21,418 hybrid vehicles, up 61 percent over last April. Toyota Division posted sales of 19,860 hybrids, up 79 percent over the same period last year. Lexus Division posted sales of 1,558 hybrids.
There were 24 selling days this month, as compared to 26 selling days last April.
Public Web sites: http://www.toyota.com/
http://www.lexus.com/
http://www.scion.com/

TOYOTA RETAIL SALES
(INCLUDES FLEET & HAWAII)
April, 2007
----- CURRENT MONTH --- -- CALENDAR YEAR TO DATE --
DSR% DSR%
2007 2006 CHG 2007 2006 CHG
YARIS 7,232 6,393 22.6 26,418 7,732 241.7
COROLLA 32,289 36,155 -3.3 120,484 118,442 1.7
CAMRY 37,911 40,203 2.2 143,774 133,978 7.3
AVALON 5,791 8,239 -23.9 25,426 30,782 -17.4
PRIUS 13,056 8,234 71.8 52,738 30,357 73.7
SCION xA 1,454 3,331 -52.7 6,799 10,494 -35.2
SCION xB 1,173 5,678 -77.6 9,673 18,648 -48.1
SCION tC 5,333 6,435 -10.2 20,426 22,658 -9.9
TOTAL TOYOTA
DIV. PASS. CAR 104,239 114,670 -1.5 405,740 373,113 8.7
ES 350 6,544 4,603 54.0 24,594 15,390 59.8
LS 460 3,182 1,071 221.9 11,745 4,617 154.4
SC 430 341 579 -36.2 1,295 1,963 -34.0
GS 350 1,701 1,963 -6.1 6,365 7,638 -16.7
GS 430/450h 186 373 -46.0 739 1,208 -38.8
IS 250/350 4,363 4,715 0.2 16,772 17,880 -6.2
TOTAL LEXUS
PASS. CAR 16,317 13,304 32.9 61,510 48,696 26.3
TOTAL TOYOTA
PASS. CAR 120,556 127,974 2.1 467,250 421,809 10.8
SIENNA 12,773 13,912 -0.5 47,732 54,302 -12.1
RAV4 14,495 13,854 13.3 55,900 47,798 17.0
FJ CRUISER 4,587 5,649 -12.0 20,632 8,433 144.7
4RUNNER 7,093 9,406 -18.3 31,030 37,331 -16.9
HIGHLANDER 10,122 10,712 2.4 41,505 40,115 3.5
LAND CRUISER 191 255 -18.9 873 1,140 -23.4
SEQUOIA 1,991 2,771 -22.2 8,929 11,839 -24.6
TOTAL SUV 38,479 42,647 -2.3 158,869 146,656 8.3
4X2 TACOMA 8,813 9,109 4.8 35,840 33,808 6.0
4X4 TACOMA 5,958 6,111 5.6 25,259 23,219 8.8
TOTAL TACOMA 14,771 15,220 5.1 61,099 57,027 7.1
TUNDRA 14,200 8,837 74.1 43,386 40,662 6.7
TOTAL PICKUP 28,971 24,057 30.5 104,485 97,689 7.0
TOTAL TOYOTA
DIV. LT TRUCK 80,223 80,616 7.8 311,086 298,647 4.2
LX 470 240 507 -48.7 1,066 1,992 -46.5
GX 470 1,577 1,978 -13.6 6,816 8,071 -15.5
RX 350/400h 7,861 8,890 -4.2 30,094 34,297 -12.3
TOTAL LEXUS
LIGHT TRUCK 9,678 11,375 -7.8 37,976 44,360 -14.4
TOTAL TOYOTA
LIGHT TRUCK 89,901 91,991 5.9 349,062 343,007 1.8
TOTAL TOYOTA DIV. 184,462 195,286 2.3 716,826 671,760 6.7
TOTAL LEXUS 25,995 24,679 14.1 99,486 93,056 6.9
TOTAL TOYOTA 210,457 219,965 3.7 816,312 764,816 6.7
MEMO:
DOM. COROLLA 28,352 30,769 -0.2 106,896 104,819 2.0
DOM. CAMRY 33,538 34,299 5.9 115,792 117,476 -1.4
DOM. PICKUP 28,971 24,057 30.5 104,485 97,689 7.0
DOM. RX 350 6,044 5,361 22.1 21,273 20,669 2.9
SELLING DAYS 24 26 101 101
TOYOTA DIV.
IMPORT CAR 36,558 41,363 -4.3 157,626 120,036 31.3
LEXUS IMPORT CAR 16,317 13,304 32.9 61,510 48,696 26.3
TOYOTA DIV NA
BUILT CARS 67,681 73,307 0.0 248,114 253,077 -2.0
TOTAL TOYOTA CARS 120,556 127,974 2.1 467,250 421,809 10.8
TOYOTA DIV.
IMPORT LT TRUCK 36,488 39,876 -0.9 149,940 134,817 11.2
LEXUS IMPORT
LT TRUCK 3,634 6,014 -34.5 16,703 23,691 -29.5
TOYOTA DIV NA
BUILT LT TRUCK 43,735 40,740 16.3 161,146 163,830 -1.6
LEXUS NA BUILT
LT TRUCK 6,044 5,361 22.1 21,273 20,669 2.9
TOTAL TOYOTA
LT TRUCK 89,901 91,991 5.9 349,062 343,007 1.8
SPORT UTILITY
VEHICLES 43,570 48,373 -2.4 176,213 182,583 -3.5
Memo: Lexus
Sport Utility 9,678 11,375 -7.8 37,976 44,360 -14.4
SMALL VANS 12,773 13,912 -0.5 47,732 54,302 -12.1
PICKUPS 28,971 24,057 30.5 104,485 97,689 7.0
* NORTH AMERICAN
BUILT VEHICLES
COROLLA 28,352 30,769 -0.2 106,896 104,819 2.0
CAMRY 33,538 34,299 5.9 115,792 117,476 -1.4
AVALON 5,791 8,239 -23.9 25,426 30,782 -17.4
SIENNA 12,773 13,912 -0.5 47,732 54,302 -12.1
PICKUP 28,971 24,057 30.5 104,485 97,689 7.0
SEQUOIA 1,991 2,771 -22.2 8,929 11,839 -24.6
RX 350 6,044 5,361 22.1 21,273 20,669 2.9
TOTAL 117,460 119,408 6.6 430,533 437,576 -1.6
N.A. VEHICLES
% OF TOTAL 55.8% 54.3% 52.7% 57.2%
SELLING DAYS 24 26 101 101
DSR = DAILY SELLING
RATE
Source: Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc.

DaimlerChrysler AG Reports One Percent Increase in U.S. Sales for Passenger Vehicles for April 2007
-- Chrysler Group Reports Sales of 193,104 Vehicles, a 2 Percent Increase for April 2007
-- Mercedes-Benz USA Reports Sales of 20,895 Vehicles, Delivering Best-Ever Year-to-Date Sales of 76,880
DaimlerChrysler AG (NYSE:DCX) , the third largest U.S. auto maker, today reported total group sales of 213,999 passenger vehicles in the U.S. for April 2007, a 1 percent increase compared to April 2006. All sales figures in this release are on an unadjusted basis unless otherwise noted.
Chrysler Group, consisting of the Chrysler, Jeep(R) and Dodge brands, posted sales of 193,104 vehicles in the U.S., an increase of 2 percent. Total Jeep brand sales increased 29 percent in April on the strength of the Jeep Wrangler and new brand models including the Jeep Patriot. In addition, Chrysler and Dodge minivan sales rose 10 percent in April based on momentum from "National Minivan Month". Following its most aggressive product launch in company history of 10 all-new vehicles in 2006, Chrysler Group continues its product offensive with the launch of eight all-new vehicles in 2007.
MBUSA recorded its second highest April on record with sales of 20,895 units, a decrease of 1.8 percent over the 21,270 vehicles sold in April 2006. April sales bring Mercedes year-to-date sales to 76,880, a 6 percent increase over sales over the same period in 2006, demonstrating the best year- to-date for Mercedes-Benz.
Detailed vehicle sales information for MBUSA and Chrysler Group will be announced later today in separate press releases issued by the groups. April 2007 had 24 selling days and April 2006 had 26 selling days.
DaimlerChrysler AG U.S. Sales Summary Through April 2007
Month Sales % Sales CYTD %
Curr Yr Pr Yr Change Curr Yr Pr Yr Change
CHRYSLER GROUP 193,104 190,095 2% 730,353 752,339 -3%
MERCEDES-BENZ
USA 20,895 21,270 -2% 76,880 72,512 6%
DAIMLERCHRYSLER 213,999 211,365 1% 807,233 824,851 -2%
Selling Days 24 26 101 101

Source: DaimlerChrysler AG
Chrysler Group's April 2007 U.S. Sales Rise 2 Percent
-- Jeep(R) brand up 29 percent led by Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Patriot
-- Chrysler and Dodge Minivans up 10 percent with momentum from "National Minivan Month" in April
-- Five-Star crash-rated Dodge Ram pick up rises 2 percent in competitive segment
-- Chrysler Sebring Sedan rises 56 percent
-- Inventory down by 18 percent and more than 100,000 units
Chrysler Group reported sales for April 2007 of 193,104 units; up 2 percent compared to April 2006 with 190,095. All sales figures are reported unadjusted.
"Chrysler Group increased sales in April based on a solid retail performance - despite two less selling days than in the previous year and a challenging market environment," said Steven Landry, Executive Vice President - NAFTA Sales, Global Marketing, Service and Parts. "Driven by the continuously strong Jeep Wrangler and the new Jeep Patriot, sales for the Jeep brand were up significantly by 29 percent."
Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited posted sales of 10,776 units, up 75 percent compared to April 2006 with 6,154 units. The Jeep Patriot continued to gain momentum and finished April with sales of 2,904 units, up 38 percent from March 2007. The vehicle is one of Chrysler Group's recently introduced fuel- efficient offerings that achieve 30 miles per gallon or better in highway driving.
Driven by Chrysler Group's "National Minivan Month" in April, sales of the Chrysler Town & Country increased 24 percent compared to the previous year and posted sales of 15,701 units. Dodge Caravan and Grand Caravan finished the month with an increase of 2 percent compared to April 2006 and sales of 23,095 units.
The Dodge Ram pick up truck increased year-over-year sales by 2 percent with sales of 31,503 units in a highly competitive segment and on the heels of an already successful first quarter.
The Chrysler Sebring Sedan posted sales of 6,111 units in April, up 56 percent compared to the previous year. The all-new Chrysler Sebring Convertible started with more than 1,400 units into its first month of availability. The redesigned Sebring Convertible offers what no other convertible has offered before - three automatically latching convertible top options: vinyl, cloth and a body-color painted steel retractable hard top, all of which can be retracted with a push of a button on the key fob.
With the continued pressure on gas prices Chrysler Group's incentives in May will focus on the company's full line of cars and small and compact SUVs with the launch of the 'Maximize Your Miles' program. The program will communicate the vehicle's fuel economy message across all three Chrysler Group brands. A key part of it will be low rate finance and additional bonus cash which will give customers a great package.
Chrysler Group finished the month with 482,786 units of inventory, or a 60-day supply. Inventory is down by 18 percent compared to April 2006 when it was at 586,263 units.
DaimlerChrysler Corporation U.S. Sales Summary Thru April 2007
Month Sales DR % Vol %
Model Curr Yr Pr Yr Change Change
Sebring 7,558 7,268 13% 4%
300 9,136 12,804 -23% -29%
Crossfire 746 2,709 -70% -72%
PT Cruiser 7,753 10,878 -23% -29%
Aspen 1,964 0 0% 0%
Pacifica 8,583 5,691 63% 51%
Town & Country 15,701 12,629 35% 24%
CHRYSLER BRAND 51,441 51,979 7% -1%
Compass 3,239 0 0% 0%
Patriot 2,904 0 0% 0%
Wrangler 10,776 6,154 90% 75%
Liberty 9,543 9,924 4% -4%
Grand Cherokee 9,536 10,506 -2% -9%
Commander 5,202 5,301 6% -2%
JEEP BRAND 41,200 31,885 40% 29%
Neon 0 2,558 -100% -100%
Caliber 9,306 11,236 -10% -17%
Stratus 227 10,932 -98% -98%
Avenger 8,214 0 0% 0%
Charger 10,057 9,662 13% 4%
Viper 47 141 -64% -67%
Magnum 2,389 3,812 -32% -37%
Dakota 4,106 7,620 -42% -46%
Ram P/U 31,503 30,814 11% 2%
Caravan 23,095 22,567 11% 2%
Durango 4,674 5,243 -3% -11%
Nitro 5,637 0 0% 0%
Sprinter 1,208 1,646 -20% -27%
DODGE BRAND 100,463 106,231 2% -5%
TOTAL CHRYSLER GROUP 193,104 190,095 10% 2%
TOTAL CG CAR 46,665 58,411 -13% -20%
TOTAL CG TRUCK 146,439 131,684 20% 11%
Selling Days 24 26

Sales CYTD DR % Vol %
Model Curr Yr Pr Yr Change Change
Sebring 28,493 34,372 -17% -17%
300 39,512 52,136 -24% -24%
Crossfire 3,027 4,103 -26% -26%
PT Cruiser 33,086 43,404 -24% -24%
Aspen 9,208 0 0% 0%
Pacifica 25,015 29,235 -14% -14%
Town & Country 52,572 51,617 2% 2%
CHRYSLER BRAND 190,913 214,867 -11% -11%
Compass 15,077 0 0% 0%
Patriot 5,832 0 0% 0%
Wrangler 42,367 23,837 78% 78%
Liberty 33,906 45,348 -25% -25%
Grand Cherokee 40,392 51,073 -21% -21%
Commander 22,098 24,578 -10% -10%
JEEP BRAND 159,672 144,836 10% 10%
Neon 0 13,980 -100% -100%
Caliber 36,512 19,174 90% 90%
Stratus 1,169 41,598 -97% -97%
Avenger 23,729 0 0% 0%
Charger 40,980 38,570 6% 6%
Viper 200 510 -61% -61%
Magnum 10,814 17,169 -37% -37%
Dakota 19,505 26,628 -27% -27%
Ram P/U 122,816 121,200 1% 1%
Caravan 75,984 81,191 -6% -6%
Durango 19,264 26,152 -26% -26%
Nitro 25,334 0 0% 0%
Sprinter 3,461 6,464 -46% -46%
DODGE BRAND 379,768 392,636 -3% -3%
TOTAL CHRYSLER GROUP 730,353 752,339 -3% -3%
TOTAL CG CAR 177,751 208,820 -15% -15%
TOTAL CG TRUCK 552,602 543,519 2% 2%
Selling Days 101 101
Source: Chrysler Group

Mitsubishi Reports 11 Percent Sales Increase in April
-- Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc., (MMNA) today reported April sales of 12,047 units, up 11.1% from last April's total of 10,841.*
Year-to-date, Mitsubishi sales are up 19.6%, compared to the January-April period in 2006.
"We are particularly pleased that sales of our all-new fuel-efficient 2008 Lancer are off to a tremendous start," said MMNA CEO Hiroshi Harunari. "At the same time our all-new Outlander crossover SUV continues to sell very well."
Lancer sales for the month were 3,860, up 263.5% compared to April 2006. This was the largest sales month for Lancer in nearly three years (May 2004).
Other April sales highlights:
- Outlander closed at 2,047 units up 152.4% from last year's volume.
- Endeavor sales were 1,375, up 3.4% from April 2006.
- For six consecutive months -- and nine of the last ten months --
Mitsubishi sales have increased compared to the same month of the prior
year.
* -- the DSR increase for April was 20.4%, with 24 selling days in 2007,
and 26 selling days in 2006.
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc., (MMNA) is responsible for all manufacturing, finance, sales, marketing, research and development operations of the Mitsubishi Motors Corporation in the United States. Mitsubishi Motors sells coupes, convertibles, sedans, sport utility vehicles, and light trucks through a network of approximately 520 dealers. Source: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.

Audi Announces Record April Sales
Sixth Consecutive Record Sales Month
-- Audi of America, Inc. today announced April sales totaled 8,106, an increase of 9.4% compared to last year's numbers, and a record for the month of April. For the year, Audi sales are up 15.2% over last year's sales volume.
April 2007 marked the sixth consecutive month when Audi dealers posted a monthly all-time record.
The all-new 2008 TT Coupe and Roadster models started arriving at dealerships at the end of April, and fill a gap Audi had not occupied during the 2007 model year. The A4 Cabriolet model line had the largest increase for the month at 22.7%.
"Yearly sales are on track for another record year," stated Johan de Nysschen, Executive Vice President for Audi of America, Inc. "We have the all-new TT models now arriving in showrooms, and the Audi Q7 continues to be a strong performer. And new offerings arrive later this year, including the R8 mid-engine sports car and the S5 Coupe."
Significant gains were recorded by dealers in Texas (+67.0%), Michigan (+28.0%), and New Jersey (+25.7). Key metro regions also saw big gains, including Atlanta (+41.1%) and New York (+27.1%).
Audi Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) sales are also up 6.8% for the year with 8,254 vehicles delivered.
Audi's history in America dates to 1969, when the brand was first introduced to the U.S. market. Today, a network of over 260 Audi dealers currently offers a line of premium vehicles that include the Audi A3 compact; the sporty A4 sedan, Avant and Cabriolet models; the high performance S4 sedan, Avant and Cabriolet models; the high-revving RS 4 sports sedan; the design-leading A6 sedan and Avant; the all-new Audi Q7 performance SUV; the all-aluminum Audi A8; the new V10-powered S6 and S8 performance sedans; and the all-new 2008 TT Coupe and Roadster models.
AUDI OF AMERICA, INC
APRIL 2007 SALES

AUDI US SNAPSHOT ------YEAR TO DATE-------
Apr-07 Apr-06 Yr/Yr % Apr-07 Apr-06 Yr/Yr %
Actual Actual change YTD YTD change
actual actual
A3 662 746 -11.3 % 2,150 3,093 -30.5 %
TT 388 142 173.2 % 684 355 92.7 %
A4/S4/RS 4 2,852 3,623 -21.3 % 10,934 11,443 -4.4 %
A4/S4 Cabriolet 1,054 859 22.7 % 2,994 2,499 19.8 %
A6/S6 898 1,555 -42.3 % 3,730 6,042 -38.3 %
A8/S8 355 487 -27.1 % 1,287 1,864 -31.0 %
Q7 1,897 - - 7,355 - -
Total 8,106 7,412 9.4 % 29,134 25,296 15.2 %
Source: Audi of America, Inc.

Volvo Cars North America Sales Report for April
Volvo Cars of North America, LLC, reports sales in the United States of 8,139 units for April, representing a 16.5 percent decrease compared to the same period last year.
Overall, Volvo sales for North America (United States, including Puerto Rico, Canada and Mexico) were 9,324 units, which is 14.1 percent down compared to the beginning of 2006. Volvo Canada sales were up slightly by 1.4 percent, with 995 units sold, while Volvo sales in Mexico were ahead of last year by 48.4 percent, selling 190 units.
Volvo Cars of North America, LLC (VCNA), based in Irvine, Calif., is a subsidiary of Volvo Car Corporation of Goteborg, Sweden. VCNA provides marketing, sales, parts, service, technology and training support to Volvo automobile retailers in the United States, and oversees Volvo operations in Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico.
Volvo has been building cars with safety in mind for 80 years. The current 2007 model lineup of Volvo cars includes: the award-winning new S40 and its wagon counterpart the V50; the award-winning XC90; the sporty S60 sedan -- including the award-winning performance sedan -- S60 R and the performance wagon version -- V70 R; the versatile V70 wagon and rugged XC70 (Cross Country); the new Volvo C70 -- the convertible with the innovative retractable hardtop, and the all-new Volvo S80.
* U.S. sales include Puerto Rico

VOLVO CARS OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC
Retail Sales by Model 01-May-07
UNITED STATES
April* Year-to-Date*
2007 2006 % 2007 2006 %
Volvo Model
S40 1,738 2,109 -17.6% 7,431 8,290 -10.4%
V50 255 311 -18.0% 977 1,389 -29.7%
S60 1,504 1,892 -20.5% 5,882 8,170 -28.0%
V70 250 464 -46.1% 1,099 1,760 -37.6%
XC70 756 1,034 -26.9% 3,834 4,284 -10.5%
C70 477 435 9.7% 1,488 520 186.2%
S80 990 922 7.4% 4,093 2,637 55.2%
XC90 2,169 2,582 -16.0% 10,288 11,150 -7.7%
USA TOTAL 8,139 9,749 -16.5% 35,092 38,200 -8.1%

CANADA
April Year-to-Date
2007 2006 % 2007 2006 %
Volvo Model
C30 102 n/a n/a 230 n/a n/a
S40 118 125 -5.6% 302 451 -33.0%
V50 82 63 30.2% 208 265 -21.5%
S60 208 237 -12.2% 689 797 -13.6%
V70 54 114 -52.6% 145 328 -55.8%
XC70 109 125 -12.8% 413 567 -27.2%
C70 67 0 n/a 165 0 n/a
S80 57 36 58.3% 196 139 41.0%
XC90 198 281 -29.5% 749 992 -24.5%
CANADA TOTAL 995 981 1.4% 3,097 3,539 -12.5%

MEXICO
April Year-to-Date
2007 2006 % 2007 2006 %
Volvo Model
C30 0 n/a n/a 20 n/a n/a
S40 76 60 26.7% 428 360 18.9%
V50 0 3 -100.0% 7 8 -12.5%
S60 14 13 7.7% 87 93 -6.5%
V70 0 0 n/a 0 0 n/a
XC70 0 0 n/a 2 4 -50.0%
C70 12 0 n/a 37 0 n/a
S80 17 1 1600.0% 77 11 600.0%
XC90 71 51 39.2% 285 261 9.2%
MEXICO TOTAL 190 128 48.4% 943 737 28.0%

NAFTA TOTAL 9,324 10,858 -14.1% 39,132 42,476 -7.9%

* U.S. totals include Puerto Rico
Source: Volvo Cars of North America, LLC

Ford Motor Company's U.S. sales in April were 228,623, down 13 percent from a year ago. -- New crossovers help Ford increase its share in the industry's fastest- growing category. -- Sales of the Ford Edge crossover were 9,134, and Lincoln MKX sales were 2,901. -- Land Rover sales rose 13 percent, as all-new LR2 debuts.
Ford Motor Company's (NYSE:F) April U.S. sales totaled 228,623, down 13 percent compared with a year ago.
"With April behind us, we remain focused on getting the word out about the strength of our new products, and our marketing offensive is moving into high gear," said Mark Fields, Ford's President of The Americas. "Customers are responding very positively to our new 'Ford Challenge' ads that pit Ford vehicles against the best of the competition, so we're accelerating our plans."
Today, Ford begins airing two new F-Series truck ads starring Mike Rowe, creator and star of the Discovery Channel's hit show "Dirty Jobs." The ads demonstrate the clear advantages of Ford Tough trucks in safety, strength and capability.
Ford's internal data show that the Ford Challenge campaign has generated a strong response in product favorability, purchase consideration and sales. Following the start of the successful "Fusion Challenge" ads in January, the Ford Fusion posted double-digit sales increases throughout the first quarter. Strong Crossover Growth Continues
Although April sales for most products were lower than a year ago, new crossover utilities helped Ford increase its share of the industry's fastest growing category. Ford Edge sales were 9,134, and Lincoln MKX sales were 2,901. In addition, Land Rover introduced its first crossover utility, the LR2, and first month sales were 1,302. Total Ford Motor Company crossover sales were 28 percent higher than a year ago during April.
"The success of our newest products - Ford Fusion, Edge, Lincoln MKX, Ford Super Duty and Ford Expedition - gives us encouragement that we're creating the products our customers really want, and we're beginning to stabilize our retail market share," Fields said.
"Three years ago, 70 percent of new Ford Motor Company vehicles sold in the U.S. were trucks and traditional SUVs. Today, the balance is nearly 50 percent cars and crossovers, and 50 percent trucks and SUVs," Fields explained. "We will continue to introduce new crossovers and even more small cars in the U.S., as they represent the consumer growth segments going forward."
FORD MOTOR COMPANY APRIL 2007 U.S. SALES
April Month % April CYTD %
2007 2006 Change 2007 2006 Change
Sales By Brand
Ford 185,553 215,824 -14.0 708,141 831,724 -14.9
Mercury 17,481 20,368 -14.2 61,354 68,014 -9.8
Lincoln 11,832 11,067 6.9 46,959 43,571 7.8
Jaguar 1,424 1,991 -28.5 5,672 7,115 -20.3
Volvo 8,122 9,736 -16.6 35,044 38,101 -8.0
Land Rover 4,211 3,736 12.7 14,413 15,035 -4.1
Total Ford Motor
Company 228,623 262,722 -13.0 871,583 1,003,560 -13.2
Memo: Cars and Trucks
Cars 80,732 105,655 -23.6 297,009 384,078 -22.7
Trucks 147,891 157,067 -5.8 574,574 619,482 -7.2
Total Ford Motor
Company 228,623 262,722 -13.0 871,583 1,003,560 -13.2

FORD BRAND APRIL 2007 U.S. SALES
April Month % April CYTD %
2007 2006 Change 2007 2006 Change
Crown Victoria 7,389 6,640 11.3 23,922 23,185 3.2
Five Hundred 6,657 7,846 -15.2 23,391 30,808 -24.1
Taurus 0 14,668 -100.0 0 66,501 -100.0
Fusion 12,303 12,613 -2.5 51,981 42,458 22.4
Focus 16,626 17,917 -7.2 56,463 60,168 -6.2
Mustang 12,509 15,868 -21.2 47,082 56,560 -16.8
Thunderbird 0 0 NA 0 469 -100.0
GT 0 180 -100.0 231 735 -68.6
Total Ford Cars 55,484 75,732 -26.7 203,070 280,884 -27.7
Escape 14,788 16,011 -7.6 54,105 58,279 -7.2
Edge 9,134 0 NA 33,612 0 NA
Freestyle 4,893 6,491 -24.6 14,686 23,333 -37.1
Explorer 11,956 13,772 -13.2 46,679 60,488 -22.8
Expedition 8,008 6,305 27.0 32,157 27,133 18.5
Excursion 0 0 NA 0 965 -100.0
Freestar 150 5,149 -97.1 2,176 20,681 -89.5
Econoline/Club Wagon 15,740 16,886 -6.8 62,246 58,042 7.2
Ranger 7,499 9,070 -17.3 25,990 31,448 -17.4
F-Series 56,692 64,749 -12.4 228,343 264,550 -13.7
Low Cab Forward 205 318 -35.5 4,209 1,193 252.8
Heavy Trucks 1,004 1,341 -25.1 868 4,728 -81.6
Total Ford Trucks 130,069 140,092 -7.2 505,071 550,840 -8.3
Total Ford Brand 185,553 215,824 -14.0 708,141 831,724 -14.9

LINCOLN AND MERCURY BRAND APRIL 2007 U.S. SALES
April Month % April CYTD %
2007 2006 Change 2007 2006 Change
Grand Marquis 6,514 7,204 -9.6 20,956 23,693 -11.6
Montego 2,295 2,760 -16.8 6,585 8,867 -25.7
Milan 3,365 3,557 -5.4 13,601 11,187 21.6
Total Mercury Cars 12,174 13,521 -10.0 41,142 43,747 -6.0
Town Car 3,712 3,693 0.5 15,357 13,902 10.5
LS 0 1,218 -100.0 0 4,583 -100.0
MKZ 2,740 3,378 -18.9 10,838 11,162 -2.9
Total Lincoln Cars 6,452 8,289 -22.2 26,195 29,647 -11.6
Total Mercury
and Lincoln Cars 18,626 21,810 -14.6 67,337 73,394 -8.3
Mariner 3,065 4,330 -29.2 11,495 14,327 -19.8
Mountaineer 2,135 2,218 -3.7 8,133 8,557 -5.0
Monterey 107 299 -64.2 584 1,383 -57.8
Total Mercury Trucks 5,307 6,847 -22.5 20,212 24,267 -16.7
MKX 2,901 0 NA 9,964 0 NA
Navigator 1,801 1,600 12.6 7,894 7,594 4.0
Aviator 0 157 -100.0 0 1,711 -100.0
Mark LT 678 1,021 -33.6 2,906 4,619 -37.1
Total Lincoln Trucks 5,380 2,778 93.7 20,764 13,924 49.1
Total Mercury
and Lincoln Trucks 10,687 9,625 11.0 40,976 38,191 7.3
Total Mercury
and Lincoln Vehicles 29,313 31,435 -6.8 108,313 111,585 -2.9
Total Lincoln Brand 11,832 11,067 6.9 46,959 43,571 7.8
Total Mercury Brand 17,481 20,368 -14.2 61,354 68,014 -9.8

JAGUAR BRAND APRIL 2007 U.S. SALES
April Month % April CYTD %
2007 2006 Change 2007 2006 Change
XJ 452 465 -2.8 1,584 1,845 -14.1
S-TYPE 283 575 -50.8 1,348 2,424 -44.4
X-TYPE 252 407 -38.1 1,052 1,836 -42.7
XK 437 544 -19.7 1,688 1,010 67.1
Total Jaguar 1,424 1,991 -28.5 5,672 7,115 -20.3

VOLVO BRAND APRIL 2007 U.S. SALES
April Month % April CYTD %
2007 2006 Change 2007 2006 Change
S40 1,725 2,100 -17.9 7,398 8,229 -10.1
V50 255 310 -17.7 977 1,382 -29.3
S60 1,502 1,891 -20.6 5,879 8,160 -28.0
V70 250 464 -46.1 1,099 1,760 -37.6
XC70 756 1,034 -26.9 3,833 4,281 -10.5
C70 476 435 9.4 1,484 520 185.4
S80 990 922 7.4 4,093 2,634 55.4
XC90 2,168 2,580 -16.0 10,281 11,135 -7.7
Total Volvo 8,122 9,736 -16.6 35,044 38,101 -8.0

LAND ROVER BRAND APRIL 2007 U.S. SALES
April Month % April CYTD %
2007 2006 Change 2007 2006 Change
Range Rover 854 929 -8.1 3,763 3,691 2.0
Range Rover Sport 1,247 1,548 -19.4 5,048 5,877 -14.1
LR3 808 1,254 -35.6 4,299 5,443 -21.0
LR2 1,302 0 NA 1,302 0 NA
Discovery 0 0 NA 0 1 NA
Freelander 0 5 -100.0 1 23 -95.7
Total Land Rover 4,211 3,736 12.7 14,413 15,035 -4.1
Source: Ford Motor Company

April 24

Being Penny-Wise Results in Tire Safety and Gas Savings
AAA-Approved Auto Repair Shops Offer Free 38-pt. Maintenance Inspection With Paid Service Throughout Tire Safety Week, April 23-27
-- Motorists can maximize their fuel economy by making sure their tires are properly inflated, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California. National Tire Safety Week, April 23-27, was launched to help drivers understand the economic and safety benefits of basic tire care. Research shows that about 85% of drivers don't properly check tire pressure.
"Keeping tires inflated, moving components lubricated and ignition and emission systems operating properly will help ensure maximum fuel efficiency and the life of your vehicle," said Dave Skaien, the Auto Club's Approved Auto Repair Program Development Manager. "Under-inflated tires also reduce gas mileage. Correct tire inflation also is important for safe driving. A penny in your pocket can help check the health of your tires by allowing you to do a simple tread depth inspection."
Motorists can use a tread depth gauge or a coin to determine if tires are worn out. Place a U.S. penny, Lincoln's head first, into several tread grooves. If part of Lincoln's head is covered by tread, then more than 2/32" tread depth remains. (Don't place the coin on top of the wear bar, a thick elevated strip of rubber running across the base of tire grooves.) California and many other states have minimum tread depth laws. Passenger cars shouldn't operate on tires below 2/32" tread depth. If you need to purchase new tires, be sure replacements meet manufacturers speed/load specifications for your vehicle.
"Worn out tires are unsafe," said Skaien. "Every other fill-up, motorists should walk around their vehicle and visually check tires for uneven or excessive tread wear and proper inflation. They can refer to the vehicle's doorjamb or glove box for original specifications or the manufacturer of the replacement tire for tire pressure inflation," he added.
Any Auto Club member whose vehicle is being serviced this week at any AAA-Approved Auto Repair facility may request a free 38-pt. maintenance inspection that includes a tire inspection and tire pressure check with their paid service. Repair locations can be found at www.AAA.com and in Auto Club offices or by calling (800) 713-0003.

Key Code" Bill Would Help Stranded Motorists
-- Motorists would get 24-hour, 7-days-a-week access to information needed to replace high-tech, electronic vehicle keys when they have been stolen, damaged, or lost under a bill supported by AAA Hawaii.
Senate Bill 1011 has been approved by the Senate and House of Representatives and is being considered by a joint conference committee to make any final bill changes. The bill requires setting up a safe, secure and convenient option for consumers to obtain replacement keys through pre-approved and registered locksmiths. The registered locksmiths will be able to securely obtain electronic code information to reproduce many of today's high-tech vehicle keys.
"Vehicles today come equipped with high-tech, electronic keys designed to prevent auto theft," said Richard Velazquez, AAA Hawaii's regional manager. "However, motorists who have their keys stolen, damaged, or lost often face long delays, inconvenience, added risk, and significantly more expense in replacing keys because locksmiths and other car repair facilities cannot obtain the coded information from car manufacturers needed to reproduce electronic keys."
Thousands of Hawaii motorists are stranded each year without a functioning vehicle key because consumers don't have the information needed to replicate the keys -- information that could easily and safely be provided in a secure manner that would allow pre-approved and registered locksmiths to quickly and more affordably make a new key.
Many Hawaii motorists and visitors now endure long waits, great expenses and risk their personal safety while locksmiths tear apart steering columns or car doors to obtain needed key information. Other times, vehicles must be towed to car dealers and drivers forced to wait hours, days or even longer to get a replacement key and get back on the road again.
"AAA Hawaii believes that when a motorist buys a vehicle, he or she also buys everything needed to operate it, including all the information necessary to make a replacement key," Velazquez said. "An auto manufacturer should be able to provide vehicle owners with a secure and contemporary way to obtain this information when and where owners need a replacement key."
In addition to AAA Hawaii, supporters of SB 1011 include consumer groups, insurers, the visitor industry and motorists -- who sent their elected officials more than 1,200 letters asking the Legislature and Governor to approve the bill.
"Greater vehicle security is an asset for consumers, but security improvement should not come at the expense of placing motorists in an unsafe situation or forcing them to wait hours or days or pay unnecessarily high prices to obtain replacement keys," said Velazquez. "SB 1011 will provide an up-to-date option for consumers who need a way to get replacement keys."
SB 1011 is similar to a new law in California that requires vehicle manufacturers to make this information available to pre-approved and registered locksmiths starting in 2008. This same option and protections should be provided to Hawaii consumers, said Velazquez.
AAA Hawaii has served members since 1921. Today, AAA Hawaii provides services to its members that include roadside assistance, maps, international and domestic travel planning and reservations; pedestrian and traffic safety programs; automotive pricing, financial services, including consumer loans, deposit accounts and credit cards. Information about these products and services is available on AAA Hawaii's web site at www.AAA.com.

SPORTS & AUTO NEWS

Posted by Bill at 10:59 AM | Permalink

April 23, 2007

Entertainment,Arts,Fashion & Technology

April 30

“All That Jazz” Is “Great To Be Nominated”

Beverly Hills, CA — The 1979 Best Picture nominee “All That Jazz” will be screened as the next feature in the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences’ “Great To Be Nominated” series. The Bob Fosse film, based on Fosse’s own life as a womanizing, drug-using choreographer, will screen on Monday, May 7, at 7:30 p.m. in the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater. Several members of the cast and crew, including actors Deborah Geffner, John Lithgow and Kathryn Doby; film editor Alan Heim; associate producer and assistant director Wolfgang Glattes; executive producer Daniel Melnick; production sound mixer Chris Newman; production designer Philip Rosenberg; cinematographer Giuseppe Rotunno; and music editor Michael Tronick will participate in a post-screening discussion.

In “All That Jazz,” Roy Scheider stars as Joe Gideon, a workaholic choreographer and director, based on Fosse himself, whose lifestyle catches up with him. The film took home the Oscars® for Art Direction (Philip Rosenberg, Tony Walton; Set Decoration: Edward Stewart, Gary Brink); Costume Design (Albert Wolsky); Film Editing (Alan Heim); and Music – Adaptation Score (Ralph Burns). It also received nominations for Best Picture (Robert Alan Aurthur, producer); Actor in a Leading Role (Roy Scheider); Cinematography (Giuseppe Rotunno); Directing (Bob Fosse); and Writing – Screenplay written directly for the screen (Arthur, Fosse).

The Oscar®-nominated animated short “Dream Doll” and the Oscar-nominated live action short “The Solar Film” will be screened prior to the feature.

Passes for the remaining screenings in part four of “Great To Be Nominated” are $30 for the general public and $25 for Academy members and students with a valid ID. A $5 discount is available for those who wish to renew their passes from parts one, two or three of the series. Individual tickets are $5 for the general public and $3 for Academy members and students with a valid ID. Passes and tickets may be purchased by mail, in person at the Academy during regular business hours or, depending on availability, on the night of the screening when the doors open at 6:30 p.m. Curtain time for all features is 7:30 p.m., and pre-show elements will begin at 7 p.m. The Academy is located at 8949 Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills. For more information, call (310) 247-3600.

# # #

©A.M.P.A.S.®

Chow Yun-Fat, Daniel Dae Kim, Grace Park, Vivienne Tam and Nobu Matsuhisa Set to Appear at the 2007 AZN Asian Excellence Awards(R)
Lost's Daniel Dae Kim and Battlestar Galactica's Grace Park to Host
Chow Yun-Fat, Vivienne Tam and Nobu Matsuhisa Honored With Special Achievement Awards

-- The stars are lining up to be a part of one of the biggest nights for Asian Americans in Hollywood -- The 2007 AZN Asian Excellence Awards(R) presented by JCPenney. Hosting the show, which will air on AZN Television on May 28 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT, will be Lost's Daniel Dae Kim and Battlestar Galactica's Grace Park. In addition, the star-studded event will pay special tribute to three influential and talented individuals who have made an impact throughout the US and around the world: acclaimed actor Chow Yun-Fat (Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End; Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon), renown fashion designer Vivienne Tam and celebrity chef/restaurateur Nobu Matsuhisa.

This year's co-host, Daniel Dae Kim, an Asian Excellence Awards(R) winner last year for Outstanding Male TV Performance, stars as Jin Kwon on ABC's hugely successful drama Lost. Kim will share hosting duties with Grace Park, who stars as Lt. Sharon "Boomer" Valerii on Sci-Fi channel's hit Battlestar Galactica.

The Lifetime Achievement Award is being presented to actor Chow Yun-Fat, whose career has spanned two decades and several continents. He began his career in Hong Kong acting in TV and film. After receiving acclaim and numerous awards for several roles in the early 80s, he captured the attention of John Woo, who cast him in the fast-paced gangster film Yin hung boon sik (aka A Better Tomorrow), which went on to be an enormous commercial success. A string of other John Woo films escalated Chow's popularity even higher. With the global interest in the Hong Kong action genre, he was lured to the US and appeared in The Replacement Killers with Mira Sorvino, The Corruptor with Mark Wahlberg and Anna and the King. He returned to Asia in 2000 for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, a huge global success. Currently, he stars in the third installment of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End.

Vivienne Tam is being honored with the Visionary Award. Born in Canton, China and raised and educated in Hong Kong, Tam now makes her home in New York City. She has become known for her signature East-West style. In 1994, her collection of Eastern inspired clothing with a modern edge took the New York runways by storm, and a year later she introduced the influential "Mao' collection that crossed over from the fashion world to the art world. In 1997, she launched the Buddha collection, pieces of which, along with the Mao collection, were ultimately incorporated into the permanent archives of the Andy Warhol Museum, the Museum of FIT and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

The Pioneer award will be presented to Nobu Matsuhisa. Born and raised in Japan, Matsuhisa apprenticed in the sushi bars of Tokyo before he ventured overseas to Lima, Peru. Classically trained, he was challenged by the culture and regional ingredients in Peru, which ultimately contributed to his inventive style. From Peru, he went to Argentina and then back to Japan, Alaska and, finally, Los Angeles where he opened his first restaurant in 1987. In 1993, the New York Times chose Matsuhisa as one of the Top 10 restaurant destinations in the world. A year later, he opened "Nobu" in partnership with actor Robert DeNiro in New York City. Today, he has two restaurants in New York, as well as restaurants in Beverly Hills, Malibu, Los Angeles, London, Aspen, Tokyo and Las Vegas.

The AZN Asian Excellence Awards(R) is the only nationally televised event celebrating significant Asian and Asian American achievements in entertainment, the arts and other disciplines that have had a profound impact on American culture.

"We are delighted to have stars of such critically acclaimed and successful television series join us as co-hosts this year, as their involvement will no doubt continue to raise the profile of the show and ultimately Asian and Asian American achievements in entertainment," said Rod Shanks, General Manager of AZN Television. "Additionally, the special honorees represent the pinnacle of their respective fields and are truly an inspiration to future generations of Asian American leaders, artists and entertainers."

AZN has partnered with E! Entertainment Television, the top global source for everything red carpet, to further promote the show with an hour-long special featuring red carpet arrivals, behind-the-scenes excitement and highlights from the event. The special will air on E! on May 24 at 6:00 p.m. ET/PT. The hour-long special will serve as a preview of the full awards program on AZN on May 28 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT. E! will provide information and updates on the network's website, E! Online, including exclusive, behind-the-scenes footage on the popular broadband channel, The Vine @ E! Online.

JCPenney is the presenting sponsor for the 2007 AZN Asian Excellence Awards(R). State Farm Insurance and Anheuser-Busch, Inc. are corporate sponsors of the event.

The 2007 AZN Asian Excellence Awards(R), which debuted on AZN last year, will be taped live on May 16 at UCLA's Royce Hall in Los Angeles. Welly Yang and Teddy Zee are executive producers of the show. Yang, the creator of the awards show, is an actor, singer, producer and founder of the Asian theatrical group Second Generation, which produced the earlier version of the "Asian Excellence Awards" known as "The Concert of Excellence." Zee is a film producer with credits including "The Pursuit of Happyness," "Hitch" and "Saving Face."

About AZN Television

AZN Television is the network for Asian America. A wholly-owned company of Comcast Corporation, the channel's programming targets the fast-growing, affluent and multi-generational Asian American community, as well as a broader American audience interested in the Asian experience. Genres include the most popular Asian films, dramas, documentaries, anime, and news, as well as original programming. A majority of programming on AZN is either in English or subtitled in English. For more information, visit azntv.com.

Source: AZN Television

Web site: http://www.azntv.com/

COMEDY CENTRAL's Best Bets for the Weeks of May 6 and May 13

Sunday, May 6

"Mind of Mencia"

10:00 p.m. - ep # 306 (All-New Episode)

Just when viewers thought they had seen all things Carlos Mencia, the

man is back with all new episodes of "Mind of Mencia." Each week,

Mencia takes stand-up to a whole new level of tell-it-like-it-is comedy.

Don't miss this week's in-your-face all-new episode!

"RENO 911!"

10:30 p.m. - ep # 413 (All-New Episode)

This week, Dangle visits his ex-wife and her new husband on their

anniversary. Meanwhile, the lady deputies stake-out a lecherous meth

dealer and his girlfriends. Tune in to COMEDY CENTRAL at 10:30 p.m.

this Sunday for an all-new laugh-packed episode of "RENO 911!"

Monday, May 7 - Thursday, May 10

"The Daily Show with Jon Stewart"

11:00 p.m. (All-New Episodes)

The Emmy(R) and Peabody(R) Award-winning "The Daily Show with Jon

Stewart" takes a reality-based look at news, trends, current events and

politics with an alternative point of view. In each show, anchorman Jon

Stewart and his team of correspondents including Dan Bakkedahl, Samantha

Bee, Jason Jones, Aasif Mandvi, Rob Riggle and John Oliver, comment on

the day's stories, employing actual news footage, taped field pieces,

in-studio guests and on-the-spot coverage of important news events.

"The Colbert Report"

11:30 p.m. (All-New Episodes)

Move over O'Reilly, Carville and Scarborough -- there's another

loudmouth pundit in town, blowing a whole lot of hot air. Hosted by "The

Daily Show's" standout correspondent, Stephen Colbert, the Emmy(R)-

nominated "The Colbert Report" features no-holds-barred discussions in

which the important topics of our time and the daily news are treated

with absolutely no seriousness whatsoever.

"South Park: Week of Rage!"

10:00 p.m. - 12:30 a.m.

Get ready to rumble this week as rage attacks South Park! Don't miss a

punch as Jimmy and Timmy pummel one another in the cripple fight of the

century. Watch in horror as the maddening side effects of stem cells

unfold before the world's eyes. Next, prepare to be shocked as the evil

origins of the diabolical Professor Chaos are revealed. Finally, pray

the boys can escape the vengeance of a schoolmate from their past who is

annihilating everyone in his path. It's a week overloaded with so much

out of control fury that viewers will need anger management classes for

the next year to recover!

Wednesday, May 9

"Halfway Home"

10:30 p.m. - ep # 107 "Halfway Working" (All-New Episode)

This week on "Halfway Home," Kenny forces the residents to seek

employment at a shopping mall, where minimum wage jobs prove more

challenging than expected. Meanwhile, rats infest Crenshaw House.

Thursday, May 10

"The Showbiz Show with David Spade"

10:30 p.m. - ep. #308 (All-New Episode)

David Spade has returned for a third season to expose the satire hiding

in Hollywood's happenings and the twisted world of the entertainment

industry. The third season consists of new segments and includes the

returning favorites, the googly-eye dolls, "There I Said It" segments

and Spade's celebrity sit-downs.

There are new correspondents on the show including Edi Patterson and

Coleen Smith. Andy Daly has returned this season. If viewers thought

Hollywood was funny before, wait until they see "The Showbiz Show with

David Spade" take another turn poking fun at the famous.

Friday, May 11

"Friday Night Stand-Up Unplugged"

10:00 p.m. - 12:30 a.m.

COMEDY CENTRAL is rolling out a line of their funniest musically-

inspired comedians in a mix tape they call "FNSU Unplugged." First, at

10 p.m., Stephen Lynch shares his drunken serenade he wrote for his

buddy. Next, it's the strumming of Demetri Martin's guitar in "Demetri

Martin. Person." It's time for a piano concert from Zach Galifianakis

and the set closes with the lyrical genius of Kyle Dunnigan at midnight.

Saturday, May 12

"Saturday Three-For-All"

12:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

COMEDY CENTRAL is paying homage to the voices of "Shrek the Third."

First, at 12:30 p.m., Cameron Diaz shows off more than her vocal chords

in "The Sweetest Thing." At 2:30 p.m., Mike Meyers hones his Scottish

accent in "So I Married an Axe Murderer." Finally, Eddie Murphy moves

from the low life to the high life in "Trading Places" at 4:30 p.m.

Sunday, May 13

"Mother of All Sundaes"

4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Join COMEDY CENTRAL this Mother's Day for the mother of all movie double

features. Get wowed by the less-than-ambitious Shaun as he fights to

save his dear old mum from hordes of zombies in "Shaun of the Dead" at

4:00 p.m. At 6:00 p.m., stay tuned for the mother of all scary movie

parodies, "Scary Movie 3."

"Mind of Mencia"

10:00 p.m. - ep # 307 (All-New Episode)

Just when viewers thought they had seen all things Carlos Mencia, the

man is back with all new episodes of "Mind of Mencia." Each week Mencia

takes stand-up to a whole new level of tell-it-like-it-is comedy. Don't

miss this week's in-your-face all-new episode!

"RENO 911!"

10:30 p.m. - ep # 410 (All-New Episode)

This week, Dangle accepts a wedding proposition from his ex-wife's

husband, but before he ties the knot, Wiegel gives an even bigger

surprise than she had planned. Tune in to COMEDY CENTRAL at 10:30 p.m.

this Sunday for an all-new laugh-packed episode of "RENO 911!"

Monday, May 14 - Thursday, May 17

"The Daily Show with Jon Stewart"

11:00 p.m. (All-New Episodes)

The Emmy(R) and Peabody(R) Award-winning "The Daily Show with Jon

Stewart" takes a reality-based look at news, trends, current events and

politics with an alternative point of view. In each show, anchorman Jon

Stewart and his team of correspondents including Dan Bakkedahl, Samantha

Bee, Jason Jones, Aasif Mandvi, Rob Riggle and John Oliver, comment on

the day's stories, employing actual news footage, taped field pieces,

in-studio guests and on-the-spot coverage of important news events.

"The Colbert Report"

11:30 p.m. (All-New Episodes)

Move over O'Reilly, Carville and Scarborough -- there's another

loudmouth pundit in town, blowing a whole lot of hot air. Hosted by "The

Daily Show's" standout correspondent, Stephen Colbert, the Emmy(R)-

nominated "The Colbert Report" features no-holds-barred discussions in

which the important topics of our time and the daily news are treated

with absolutely no seriousness whatsoever.

Wednesday, May 16

"Halfway Home"

10:30 p.m. - ep # 109 "Halfway Innocent" (All-New Episode)

This week on "Halfway Home," Alan's wife hires a high-powered attorney

to exonerate her husband. Meanwhile, Eulogio meets one of his former

customers, who hasn't gotten over their sexual encounter.

Thursday, May 17

"The Showbiz Show with David Spade"

10:30 p.m. - ep. #309 (All-New Episode)

David Spade has returned for a third season to expose the satire hiding

in Hollywood's happenings and the twisted world of the entertainment

industry. The third season consists of new segments and includes the

returning favorites, the googly-eye dolls, "There I Said It" segments

and Spade's celebrity sit-downs. There are new correspondents on the

show including Edi Patterson and Coleen Smith. Andy Daly has returned

this season. If viewers thought Hollywood was funny before, wait until

they see "The Showbiz Show with David Spade" take another turn poking

fun of the famous.

Friday, May 18

"Friday Night Stand-Up Fresh!"

9:30 p.m. - Midnight

COMEDY CENTRAL is putting the freshness back into the weekend with "FNSU

Fresh!" First, at 9:30 p.m., Josh Sneed ponders how the fresh-eyed

children of America will get along mixing Bob the Builder with Hip-Hop

music. Next, John Caparulo talks about settling into his job as a

stand-up comedian at 10:00 p.m., then at 10:30 p.m. Lisa Landry opens up

about her new marriage. Finally, at 11:00 p.m., Finesse Mitchell talks

about his new job on TV, followed by Steve Byrne at 11:30 p.m., who has

finally learned the correct way for a man to lie down.

"Live at Gotham" -- Second Season Premiere

Midnight (All-New Episode)

"Live at Gotham," COMEDY CENTRAL's underground, cutting-edge sensation,

returns for a second season. Each week, COMEDY CENTRAL heads to Gotham

Comedy Club in New York City to bring viewers six of the newest,

funniest comics on the scene, hosted by such comedians as Artie Lange,

Jim Breuer and Lewis Black.

*All Times ET/PT

Source: COMEDY CENTRAL

Web site: http://www.comedycentral.com/

CBS Television Stations Adopt Microsoft Silverlight for New User-Generated Content Initiative on the Web

-- CBS Television Stations, a division of CBS Corporation (NYSE:CBS.A) (NYSE:CBS) , today announced the development of an innovative community-generated content initiative for its network of local Web sites that uses the new Microsoft Silverlight technology, a cross-browser, cross-platform plug-in for media experiences and applications on the Web.

The new initiative, which is being displayed in proof-of-concept form at the MIX07 conference in Las Vegas this week, helps bridge the gap between user-generated digital media and traditional TV broadcast while capturing the hearts, minds and local stories of the CBS stations' audiences across the country.

"Central to our 'Always On' strategy has been the desire to create an interactive environment where our audiences can participate in the local broadcast process," said Jonathan Leess, President and General Manager of CBS Television Stations Digital Media Group. "This project, using Microsoft Silverlight technology, allows us to empower the massive long tail of untapped local media content which is waiting to converge with the broadband and broadcast mediums."

The new local initiative will allow users of the CBS-owned stations' sites to view, upload, share, rate, comment, sort and search video, images, audio and text submissions. A key component of the application is its full integration into the existing content publishing workflow of the CBS Television Stations' digital media groups. It allows the community-generated content to be managed alongside the station's professional content in a single workflow.

"We are excited about working with an industry leader such as CBS Television Stations," said S. Somasegar, Corporate Vice President of the Developer Division at Microsoft Corporation. "CBS has demonstrated a commitment to unique digital media experiences and a drive to develop platforms that incorporate the voice of the community, while also delivering the highest quality experiences."

"Broadcasting is no longer a one-way directional medium," Leess said. "Audiences and advertisers are looking for compelling local content that speaks to them, to their families, to their neighbors. This project allows us to help foster that connection."

The CBS project will be built on the recently announced Microsoft Silverlight browser plug-in for Windows and Mac-based Web browsers and Microsoft Expression Media Encoder, a new tool for client and server-based encoding and publishing of Silverlight-based content. Silverlight integrates with existing Web technologies and assets to provide higher-quality experiences with lower costs for media delivery. Delivered to end users through a seamless, fast installation, Silverlight also offers consistent experiences to both Macintosh and Windows users on a variety of browsers including Internet Explorer, Firefox and Safari.

CBS Television Stations is working with Microsoft to build the Silverlight-powered beta version of its community-generated content initiative, which is expected to launch in select markets later this year.

About CBS Television Stations

CBS Television Stations (http://www.cbslocal.com/) is part of CBS Corporation, a mass media company with constituent parts that reach back to the beginnings of the broadcast industry, as well as newer businesses that operate on the leading edge of the media industry. The Company, through its many and varied operations, combines broad reach with well-positioned local businesses, all of which provide it with an extensive distribution network by which it serves audiences and advertisers in all 50 states and key international markets. It has operations in virtually every field of media and entertainment, including broadcast television (CBS and The CW - a joint venture between CBS Corporation and Warner Bros. Entertainment), cable television (Showtime and CSTV Networks), local television (CBS Television Stations), television production and syndication (CBS Paramount Network Television and CBS Television Distribution), radio (CBS Radio), advertising on out-of-home media (CBS Outdoor), publishing (Simon & Schuster), interactive media (CBS Interactive), music (CBS Records), licensing and merchandising (CBS Consumer Products), video/ DVD (CBS Home Entertainment) and motion pictures (CBS Feature Films). For more information, log on to http://www.cbscorporation.com/

The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

Web site: http://www.cbslocal.com/
http://www.cbscorporation.com/

Sony Pictures Creates International Motion Picture Production Group
Schindler Named President; Teamed With Wigan to Run New Department

In recognition of the evolution and significance of the international film market, Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is creating an International Motion Picture Production department, to be jointly led by Gareth Wigan and Deborah Schindler, it was announced today by Michael Lynton, SPE Chairman and CEO and Amy Pascal, Co-Chairman.

Schindler has been promoted to President of the new division and will join Wigan in running it. Wigan, who is Vice-Chairman of the Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, has been chiefly responsible for building the studio's local language business over the past 10 years.

Schindler is the former head of Red Om Films and was Julia Roberts' producing partner. Her producing credits include Maid in Manhattan, Mona Lisa Smile, How Stella Got Her Groove Back and Waiting to Exhale. Since 2005, she has run the East Coast motion picture production and development operation for Columbia Pictures.

SPE is the only major studio to maintain stand-alone, local language production units throughout Europe, Asia and Latin America, and it has helped bring such hits as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Snatch and Kung Fu Hustle, among others, to the global market.

Wigan and Schindler will be closely involved with the studio's recently announced film ventures in India and Russia, two of the most dynamic movie markets in the world. The new department will solidify and expand upon the studio's international production initiatives. SPE is currently active in motion picture production in China, Spain, France and Mexico.

"Under Gareth's leadership, we have made great strides in building relationships with filmmakers around the world and in producing and releasing terrific movies on several continents," said Pascal. "And Deb and I have known each other since we both started working in Hollywood more than twenty years ago, so I'm thrilled we'll be working together on movie-making in the international market. As a global company, this move reflects our commitment to artists and filmmakers who are telling stories in their own language for audiences in their own countries as well as around the world."

"With the maturation of this business, Gareth asked Deb to join him and help us take our international movie production to the next level," said Lynton. "Making more films in other countries is clearly consistent with our financial and artistic goals over the next several years."

"I am delighted that Deb Schindler has agreed to join me to head up this new department," said Wigan. "Deb's experience and record of working with renowned filmmakers and discovering talent will be invaluable as we grow this business. From Europe to Asia to Latin America, I have spent a great deal of time with film makers over the past several years. The expansion is phenomenal and I am excited to have a partner who loves international cinema as much as I do."

"We are entering a new age of movie-making in many parts of the world, and Sony Pictures' leadership in this arena puts us in the middle of this very exciting field," said Schindler. "I look forward to working with Michael, Amy, Gareth and everyone at Columbia Pictures to help bring great new pictures to audiences around the world." Wigan and Schindler will report to Lynton and Pascal. Wigan is based at SPE's Culver City studio and Schindler works in the SPE offices in New York.

Schindler began her film career as an assistant to Martin Scorsese, working on such films as Raging Bull and The Color of Money. She was an associate producer on Scorsese's After Hours. She has also worked at 20th Century Fox and Columbia Pictures. Her title prior to becoming President of the International Motion Picture Production Group was Executive Production Consultant.

Source: Sony Pictures Entertainment

Elite Moving Service Rolls out the Red Carpet for Make-A-Wish Foundation(R) of Greater Los Angeles Fundraiser
NorthStar Moving Company Donates Premier Moving Service for 'Uncork a Wish' Wine Tasting and Auction

NorthStar Moving Corporation, the leading residential and commercial mover in California, offering local, intrastate, interstate, and international moves, as well as storage services, today announced it is providing free moving services to ensure that prized artwork and fragile items for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Los Angeles' upcoming fundraiser are handled with the utmost care.

Renowned for its RED CARPET SERVICE, NorthStar Moving has become the mover of choice for celebrity clientele. Now, as the stars come out for the Make-A- Wish Foundation of Greater Los Angeles' 14th Annual "Uncork A Wish" Wine Tasting and Auction fundraiser on Saturday, May 5, 2007, NorthStar Moving will help provide a smooth and successful gala affair. NorthStar Moving has granted Make-A-Wish Foundation's wish by being their mover for this event and others throughout the year.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants wishes to children battling life threatening medical conditions. The Greater Los Angeles chapter has fulfilled over 5,800 wishes since it began in 1983. Its annual "Uncork a Wish" Fundraiser plays an important role in fulfilling these wishes. This highly anticipated event features tasting from over 75 vintners and delicious meals from top Los Angeles venues. The highlight of the evening is the silent and live auctions where attendees bid on fine wines, exquisite artwork, luxury trips, sports and entertainment memorabilia, and one-of-a-kind packages.

The 14th annual event evokes the style and fun of the roaring twenties, complete with an art deco motif and jazz music. Preparations for this elaborate affair require the utmost care. Fragile glassware and china as well as precious artwork must be carefully packed and moved from the Make-A-Wish Foundation's offices in Los Angeles and from their storage at NorthStar Moving's facilities (which they provide at no cost throughout the year) to the event site inside the Santa Monica Air Center's Barker Hangar.

"The Make-A-Wish Foundation has played such an important role in bringing smiles to the faces of youngsters facing immense health challenges," said NorthStar Moving Corporation Founder and President Ram Katalan. "We are pleased that in our own small way we can help to make this year's fundraiser a terrific success."

Three-time Emmy winning actor and comedian Brad Garrett of the Fox comedy "Til Death" is the special guest host and live auctioneer alongside Ed Beardsley of "Bonhams & Butterfields". Celebrity guests include Chris Cornell of Soundgarden/Audioslave, Gregory Itzin of "24", Cheryl Tiegs, Micky Dolenz of the Monkees, and Patrick O'Neal of "FSN".

For more information about the "Uncork a Wish" Wine Tasting and Auction or about the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Los Angeles, visit http://www.wishla.org/. For more information about NorthStar Moving's luxury moving services, please call (800) ASK PROS, or visit the company online at http://www.northstarmoving.com/.

About the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Los Angeles

The Make-A-Wish Foundation(R) of Greater Los Angeles grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Established in 1983, the Greater Los Angeles chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation has fulfilled the wishes of over 5,800 children throughout Los Angeles County battling life-threatening medical conditions. For more information about the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Los Angeles, go to http://www.wishla.org/ or call 310-788-9474.

About NorthStar Moving Corporation

Founded in 1994, Los Angeles-based NorthStar Moving Corporation has redefined the moving and storage industry. Recommended by The Franklin Report, MovingInsurance.com, and an impressive list of celebrity clientele, recipients of Angie's List Super Service Award(R), "A" rated by the Better Business Bureau, and voted Citysearch Best Mover 2007, NorthStar Moving has proven the state-of-the-art way to move is with its red carpet service. The company's services include local, long distance, international, residential, and commercial moves, as well as full-service storage. NorthStar Moving Corporation's mission is to exceed their clients' expectations with graceful customer care and to move service back into what should have always been the ultimate service industry: the moving industry. For more information, please call (800) ASK PROS, or visit the company online at http://www.northstarmoving.com/.

Source: NorthStar Moving Corporation

Web site: http://www.northstarmoving.com/
http://www.wishla.org/

VH1 Classic Expands Its Online Presence With a New Site Dedicated to the Music of the 70's, 80's and Early 90's
New Site Launches Today at VH1Classic.com

Beginning today, VH1 Classic fans have a new online site for all the music videos and VH1 Classic programming they know and love. With thousands of videos and exclusive VH1 Classic performances and programming, VH1Classic.com is an immersive, online extension of the TV channel dedicated to the classic music and artists of the 70's, 80's and early 90's.

With today's launch, the site offers a catalog of VH1 Classic videos from artists ranging from Led Zeppelin and The Sex Pistols, to Madonna, Michael Jackson and Nirvana. The video library also includes interview segments with artists like Kiss and John Mellencamp from VH1 Classic's "Hanging With" series and performances from past VH1 events including "VH1 Rock Honors" and "VH1 Hip Hop Honors." The site also includes classic-themed elements like, the VH1 Classic Arcade with old-school gaming favorites like Spy Hunter and Defender and exclusive VH1 Classic ringtones for mobile phones.

Additional site features focused on user-interaction and online community building will roll out in the coming months. Tools included in future site rollouts will allow users to rate, comment on, review and submit content. These features will give fans a way to interact with others and will allow them to build communities around similar interests and tastes in music. Additional original video programming will be added throughout the year as well.

"We know that VH1 Classic fans are passionate about their music and our programming around that music. We've also seen that they are inclined to participate in online discussions and interactive programming in a significant and meaningful way," said Tom Calderone, Executive Vice President and General Manager, VH1. "Because of this, we have been expanding Classic's online presence over the last year -- first with a dedicated broadband video channel and now with a new site that will evolve over the next few months to include not only our extensive catalog of music, but elements that will give fans the means to develop a strong online community around the music they love."

A feature of the initial site release launching today offers extensive programmed video playlists that highlight various sub-genres of VH1 Classic's library. Sample playlists include:

-- "The Alternative (The 80's)" with videos by artists like, Depeche Mode

and The Cure;

-- "I Love The 90's" with videos by artists like Nirvana and Pearl Jam;

-- "Metal Mania" with videos by artists like Metallica and Motley Crue;

-- "Rock Fest" with videos by artists like Cream, The Who and Dire

Straits;

-- "Pop Show" with videos by artists like Cyndi Lauper, Whitney Houston

and Culture Club.

VH1 Classic has seen significant online growth in the last year. With the launch of VH1 Classic-themed online video playlists in March, 2006 and the follow up launch of a dedicated VH1 Classic broadband channel in February, 2007 VH1 Classic video streams have grown an average of 20 percent (month over month) during the last 12 months.

VH1 connects viewers to the music, artists and pop culture that matter to them most with series, specials, live events, exclusive online content and public affairs initiatives. VH1 is available in 90 million households in the U.S. VH1 also has an array of digital services including VH1 Classic, VH1 Soul and VSPOT, VH1's broadband channel. Connect with VH1 at www.VH1.com.

Launched in May 2000, VH1 Classic is a 24-hour network that present videos, concerts and music specials all day long, featuring the best of rock, soul and pop artists from the 70's, 80's and early 90's, including The Beatles, The Stones, Tina Turner, Led Zeppelin, Marvin Gaye, The Who, Stevie Wonder, The Police and many more. Learn more at www.vh1classic.com

Source: VH1

Web site: http://www.vh1classic.com/
http://www.vh1.com/

April 27

NYU Professor Takes the Podium for Inaugural Academy Film Scholars Event

Beverly Hills, CA — To kick off a new lecture series celebrating the work of Academy Film Scholars, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will present Dana Polan, professor of cinema studies at the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University, in a discussion of his new book, Scenes of Instruction: The Beginnings of the U.S. Study of Film, on Tuesday, May 15, at 7:30 p.m. at the Linwood Dunn Theater in Hollywood. Polan’s presentation will spotlight the Academy’s involvement in creating film appreciation curricula at the University of Southern California and Stanford University in the late 1920s.

Scenes of Instruction examines the social, cultural, practical and aesthetic approaches of university film programs from 1915 through the mid-1930s, as well as milestones in the development of film studies, including Terry Ramsaye’s lectures on cinema at the New School for Social Research in 1926 and Joseph Kennedy’s 1927 Harvard Business School courses on the film industry.

“The Academy has been instrumental in fostering high-level research by today’s film scholars. It has been particularly illuminating for me to examine the Academy’s early commitment to developing university film programs,” said Polan.

The Institutional Grants Committee of the Academy Foundation, which is the educational wing of the Academy, selected Polan as a grant recipient in 2002; this event will celebrate the completion of his work.

Established in 1999, the Academy Film Scholars program is designed to “stimulate and support the creation of new and significant works of film scholarship about aesthetic, cultural, educational, historical, theoretical or scientific aspects of theatrical motion pictures.” Film scholars receive $25,000 to research and produce new works of film scholarship, which can take the form of books, multimedia presentations, curatorial projects, DVD-ROMs or Internet sites.

For grant guidelines and information about the Academy Film Scholars program, visit http://www.oscars.org/grants/filmscholars.

Admission to the inaugural Academy Film Scholars presentation is free. To guarantee seating at this event, call (310) 247-3111. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. All seating is unreserved. The Linwood Dunn Theater is located at 1313 Vine Street in Hollywood. Free parking is available through the entrance on Homewood Avenue.

# # #

©A.M.P.A.S.®

OWC LAUNCHES NEW MERCURY ON-THE-GO USB2+eSATA PORTABLE DRIVE SOLUTION
Universally Accessible on Any Computer with a USB Port – No A/C Adapter Needed
Also Supports eSATA for Maximum Drive Performance

April 26, 2007, Woodstock , IL -- Other World Computing (OWC) http://www.macsales.com, a leading Mac and PC technology company, announced today the new OWC Mercury On-The-Go USB2+eSATA Portable Drive Solution. Universally accessible on any computer with a USB Port , the new OWC 2.5” portable hard drive provides exceptional performance via USB and USB 2.0 bus interfaces. Even greater levels of performance are available via the solution’s external SATA (eSATA) port connection, providing transfer rates well beyond what USB and USB 2.0 Bus interfaces are able to support.

Shock-Isolation for Maximum Data Protection

Stylishly designed in a sleek, impact-resistant acrylic enclosure, the OWC Mercury On-The-Go USB2+eSATA Portable Drive Solution incorporates shock-isolation technology to give maximum protection for your precious data. Weighing less than 11 ounces, the portable drive is a must-have for users requiring reliable high-performance compact storage small enough to fit in a shirt pocket.

OWC Mercury On-The-Go Portable Drives can be used between any computer with an available USB or eSATA port. The solutions are portable and low-cost, utilizing the latest SATA 2.5” hard drives for maximum performance and reliability. Via USB, the drives power via the bus through the USB interface cable, so no A/C adapter is needed. However, since eSATA does not provide bus power, the included A/C Adapter must be used for powering the drive when connecting to eSATA.

The OWC Mercury On-The-Go USB2+eSATA Portable Drive Solution includes the cables for USB2 and eSATA and full retail licensed versions of the award-winning data backup software utilities, Prosoft DataBackup III for Apple OSX and NovaStor NovaBackup for Windows (a $59 and $49.95 retail value). The OWC Mercury On-The-Go USB2+eSATA Portable Drive Solutions are available immediately priced starting at $117.99, with capacities of 80GB to 200GB. A USB 2.0-only version is also available, priced starting at $99.97. It uses the same drives as the OWC Mercury On-The-Go USB2+eSATA Portable Drive Solutions and is fully USB bus-powered, but does not offer eSATA port support. For more information, see http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/firewire/on-the-go.

About Other World Computing (OWC)

Other World Computing (OWC) has been providing quality hardware products and support to the computer industry since 1988. The Illinois based company is a strategic partner with Axiotron and worldwide and exclusive US distributor of the award winning Axiotron Modbook^TM. OWC operates the popular www.MacSales.com e-commerce portal which features one of the largest online catalogs of computer and iPod enhancement products, including Mercury, Neptune , and NewerTech acceleration, storage, and FireWire product lines.

OWC is a Premiere Level Apple Developer Connection member and provides extensive technical support for Macintosh users around the world. The company’s management umbrella includes leading Internet Service Providers www.fastermac.net and www.owc.net and is a leading technology employer as ranked by McHenry County Business Journal. For more information, see www.otherworldcomputing.com or www.macsales.com.

U.S. House Resolution Supporting School-Based Music Education Passes Unanimously
Resolution Demonstrates Congress' Continued Support of the Importance of Music Education for All Children

-- April 26, 2007 -- Members of Congress discussed the benefits and importance of school-based music education for children on the House floor today resulting in the passage of House Concurrent Resolution 121. After some discussion, the Resolution was passed unanimously, showing a display of continued support from Congress for music education as part of a complete education for all children.

NAMM recently met with Reps. Jim Cooper (D-Tenn.) and Jon Porter (R-Nev.), providing them with research outlining the many social, developmental and educational benefits for school-aged children who receive music education in the school curriculum. Reps. Cooper and Porter presented the bi-partisan Resolution with strong support last year, and this year, more than 25 cosponsors signed the Resolution.

The Resolution states that learning music in schools is important because it develops skills needed by the 21st century workforce such as critical thinking, creative problem solving, effective communication and team work; keeps students engaged in school and makes them more likely to graduate; and helps students achieve in other academic subjects such as math, science and reading.

"A lot of folks who have had the privilege of a music education take it for granted," said Rep. Jim Cooper (D-Tenn.). "But 30 million or more of our children across this country every day are being deprived of that chance to not only experience the joy of music but as my colleagues have mentioned, the increased and enhanced learning abilities that music offers and also the ability of music to deter people from gangs and drugs and other undesirable activities... Whether it's band or whether it's orchestra or whether it's students on their own learning the guitar or other instruments, it's a wonderful way to not only enjoy life but to enhance their skills."

"My passion for music began in the first grade with my parents' encouragement for which I am deeply grateful," said Rep. Jon Porter (R-Nev.) "It has been the greatest gift. Music brings people together whether it is at church, in school or at a concert. The discipline and teamwork I learned throughout the years, playing individually or collaboratively have been invaluable lessons applicable to every aspect of my life."

"One of the basic reasons that every child must have an education in music is that music is a part of the fabric of our society," said Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.) "The intrinsic value of music for each individual is widely recognized in the many cultures that make up American life. Music helps shape individual abilities and character. Success in society is predicated on success in school. Skills learned through the discipline of music transfer to study skills, communication skills and the cognitive skills useful in every part of the curriculum. Participation in music brings countless benefits to every individual throughout life. The benefits may be psychological, spiritual or physical. I ask my colleagues to support this Resolution and support the next generation of music lovers."

"Research has shown that students' involvement in their school music program is crucial to a complete education," said Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.). "Musical study develops critical thinking and self-discipline skills and improves a child's early cognitive development, basic math and reading abilities, self-esteem, SAT scores, ability to work in teams, spatial reasoning skills and school attendance. In an analysis by the U.S. Department of Education [outlining] data on more than 25,000 secondary school students, research has found that students who report consistent high levels of involvement in instrumental music over the middle and high school years showed significantly higher levels of mathematics proficiency by grade 12 regardless of a student's socioeconomic status."

"This Resolution expressing support for music education is a message from the U.S. Congress that music education is a critical element of a complete education for all children," said Mary Luehrsen, director of public affairs and government relations at NAMM. "The Resolution also serves to remind states and local communities to assure access to music education for all students and that music education stands along side other core academic subjects in helping students achieve in school and in life. Music and arts education are, for many students, the reason for coming to and staying in school. This Resolution supports the ongoing work of educators, parents and citizens who believe that music education is not a frill or extra-curricular activity -- it is basic to a whole education for every child."

Cosponsors of the bill included Rep. Howard Berman (D-Calif.), Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.), Rep. John Conyers Jr. (D-Mich.), Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-N.Y.), Rep. Lincoln Davis (D-Tenn.), Rep. Susan Davis (D-Calif.), Rep. John Duncan, Jr. (R-Tenn.), Rep Bob Etheridge (D-N.C.), Rep. Baron Hill (D-Ind.), Rep. Ruben Hinojosa (D-Texas), Rep. Rush Holt (D-N.J.), Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-R.I.), Rep. Ron Kind (D-Wis.), Rep. Betty McCollum (D-Minn.), Rep. Thaddeus McCotter (R-Mich.), Rep. James McGovern (D-Mass.), Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.), Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.), Rep. Dennis Moore (D-Kan.), Rep. James Moran (D-Va.), Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton, (D-D.C.), Rep. Donald Payne (D-N.J.), Rep. Heath Shuler (D-N.C.), Rep. Louise McIntosh Slaughter (D-N.Y.), Rep. John Spratt (D-S.C.), Rep. John Tanner (D-Tenn.), Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.), Rep. Michael Capuano (D-Ma.), Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-Calif.), Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas), Rep. Lois Capps (D-Calif.), Rep. Kenny Hulshof (R-Mo.).

About NAMM

NAMM is the not-for-profit association that unifies, leads and strengthens the international musical instruments and products industry. NAMM's activities and programs are designed to promote music making to people of all ages. NAMM is comprised of approximately 9,000 Member companies. For more information about NAMM or the proven benefits of making music, interested parties can visit www.namm.org or call 800-767-NAMM (6266).

Was Kat Von D Fired From MIAMI INK Or Did She Quit? Surprise MIAMI INK Season Finale Airs May 8
TLC Announces Spin-Off Series, LA INK

SILVER SPRING, Md., April 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Tattoos are going bicoastal as TLC provides more of what viewers love with August premiere of the new series LA INK, featuring Kat Von D. A spin-off of TLC's highly rated and youngest skewing show MIAMI INK, the catalyst for LA INK was months of in- fighting between artists Ami James and Kat Von D that results in a dramatic showdown featured in the season finale on Tuesday, May 8th at 10PM ET. In each of the last few riveting episodes leading up to the finale, the tension becomes visible, tempers flare and terse words are exchanged, culminating with Kat Von D leaving the shop and moving back to Los Angeles.

TLC smashed the taboo of tattoos with the genre-setting series MIAMI INK. A breakout success since the premiere in 2005, the demand for more tattoo related programming has grown exponentially. With LA INK, TLC breaks down the stereotypes of a tattoo artist further by featuring several strong, independent working women. "Kat Von D is a legitimate television star who has remained a true artist and authentic personality in the tattoo community," says Christian Drobnyk, senior vice president of programming for TLC. "Kat's tremendous talent, dedication to her fans and compassionate heart make her the perfect person to anchor LA INK."

LA INK digs deeper into the tattoo culture and the artists behind it, capturing more stories behind the tattoos and life in and out of the newest and hottest tattoo shop in Los Angeles, owned by Kat Von D. The new shop has a distinct rock-n-roll flavor reflecting Kat's personal style. Filled with gorgeous black and white photography and memorabilia signed by legendary rock artists and professional athletes, LA INK has a glam-rock feel that is inviting to celebrities, athletes, rockers and regular people alike. Adding to the cache are the four other artists, including three women, giving LA INK a uniquely female touch in a male dominated industry.

Since leaving Miami Ink, Kat Von D moved back home to Los Angeles to be closer to her family and friends and made one of her dreams come true by opening a tattoo shop in the city that she loves. "I love L.A.," enthuses Kat Von D. "The amazing weather, art, music, shopping, diversity, people and action - it's just rad that I got to open a shop here. As far as the guys at Miami Ink go, I appreciate everything they did for me, and I wish them all the best! Working with them, I was able to learn some really important life lessons, and am excited about using these lessons in all my future endeavors!"

While MIAMI INK won't be quite the same without Kat Von D, the boys are rejuvenated and already filming the third season of MIAMI INK, which returns on Tuesday, June 12th at 10PM ET. Filled with more intricate tattoos, the stories behind them, nudists, Satanists and trips to Las Vegas, NV and the Aleutian Islands in Alaska, the new season of MIAMI INK promises to offer more adventures than ever before.

LA INK is produced by Original Media for TLC. Charlie Corwin and Clara Markowicz are the executive producers for Original Media. Pamela Deutsch is the executive producer for TLC for LA Ink. Christo Doyle is the executive producer for TLC for Miami Ink.

TLC is the only television network dedicated to lifelong learning for viewers who want to grow up, not old. Featuring programming that explores life's key transitions and turning points, TLC presents high-quality, relatable and authentic personal stories. TLC connects more than 94 million homes in North America to the human experience with life's lessons you can't learn from books. TLC is a property of Discovery Communications, the number- one nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.5 billion people in over 170 countries. Through TV and new media, Discovery's 100-plus worldwide networks include Discovery Channel, TLC, Travel Channel, Animal Planet and Discovery Health. DCI is owned by Discovery Holding Co. (Nasdaq: DISCA; DISCB), Cox Communications Inc., Advance/Newhouse Communications and John S. Hendricks, Discovery's founder and chairman. For more information please visit http://www.discovery.com/ .

Source: TLC

Web site: http://www.discovery.com/

Academy Award Winner Forest Whitaker Teams With AT&T to Promote Wireless Courtesy at the Movies
New Public Service Trailer Marks First Time Whitaker has Written, Directed and Starred in Production

After giving one of the most moving acceptance speeches of the 2007 Academy Awards, Forest Whitaker is asking moviegoers to "take a moment and listen." For the first time ever, Whitaker has lent his writing, acting and directing skills to a single production, creating a 30-second public service announcement for AT&T's Be Sensible wireless courtesy program. Whitaker's spot will begin appearing in movie theaters nationwide beginning Friday, April 27, at AMC Entertainment, Cinemark USA, Loews and Regal Entertainment Group theaters.

For six years, AT&T's wireless unit, formerly Cingular Wireless, has sponsored a theater campaign that asks moviegoers to silence their wireless devices during movies. The company's most recent spot was created by Academy Award-winning film director Sydney Pollack.

The public service announcement features Whitaker and another male actor quietly requesting that a large crowd, gathered around a stage in a park, listen to the silence that exists within themselves.

"Just take this moment and listen," he says softly into the microphone. "Escucha" (which means listen), says another man in Spanish. A woman hurries to the front of the crowd to hear better, and as she steps forward and heeds their advice, she closes her eyes and smiles, seemingly relaxing in the solitude and tranquility of the moment. The entire crowd appears to take a collective breath, relishing the silence.

"If you find the voice inside of you, you can change the world," Whitaker whispers in the spot, echoing his statement from his Academy Award acceptance speech that "through our combined belief, we can create a new reality."

"I wanted to take part in this endeavor because of my strong belief in the light that exists in all of us," Whitaker said. "If we take the time to connect first to ourselves by being silent, then we can connect to others -- whether through entertainment or through personal interactions," he added. "Acting, writing and directing is my way of connecting to everyone. Films can create a deep connection; they can get people talking and listening. So it's important to be silent for those short few hours in the dark of the cinema."

"I decided to do this because AT&T's program reaches 550 million moviegoers annually, and if we can reach some of those 550 million people with this message, we will all enjoy the movies more. We can leave the theater and accomplish a little more or feel a little more connected than we did when we arrived," Whitaker said.

"One of the most well-respected actors in Hollywood has embraced our campaign to remind people to silence their cell phones in theaters," said Tim Klein, AT&T vice president of the wireless unit. "Going to the movies is one of the few respites from our busy world today, and we are proud to continue to help create a more enjoyable experience for all moviegoers through our Be Sensible wireless courtesy program."

"We are pleased to work so closely with AT&T to remind American moviegoers of cell phone courtesy," said Cliff Marks, president of sales and chief marketing officer of National CineMedia, the cinema advertising and marketing company that brings AT&T's wireless courtesy program to theaters nationwide. "These efforts, based on research showing that people will silence their phones when reminded, clearly make a difference. To have someone of Whitaker's stature lend his talents to our program is a testament to the power of this program and to the medium of film."

National CineMedia brings AT&T's wireless courtesy campaign to 14,000 screens in more than 1,000 theaters in 46 states and the District of Columbia.

View AT&T's Be Sensible Wireless Courtesy PSA with Forest Whitaker: http://www.att.com/Common/files/multimedia/Take_a_Moment.wmv

ABOUT AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates, AT&T operating companies, are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. Among their offerings are the world's most advanced IP-based business communications services and the nation's leading wireless, high speed Internet access and voice services. In domestic markets, AT&T is known for the directory publishing and advertising sales leadership of its Yellow Pages and YELLOWPAGES.COM organizations, and the AT&T brand is licensed to innovators in such fields as communications equipment. As part of its three-screen integration strategy, AT&T is expanding its TV entertainment offerings. Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com/.

Web site: http://www.att.com/

Star Wars CELEBRATION IV to Host Special Preview of Star Wars-Themed Comedy Fanboys
Revelers at World's Biggest Star Wars Party Will Be First to View Footage from Fanboys and Meet Film's Creators

Star Wars fans will meet Fanboys on Friday, May 25, when the world's biggest Star Wars party hosts an exclusive look at select scenes from the upcoming comedy, followed on Saturday by a special panel discussion with the filmmakers.

In Fanboys, director Kyle Newman has fashioned an uproarious comedy that follows a group of young friends on a cross-country quest to break into Skywalker Ranch and see Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace before it is released. Fanboys stars Sam Huntington (Superman Returns), Chris Marquette ("Joan of Arcadia"), Dan Fogler (the upcoming Kung Fu Panda), Kristen Bell ("Veronica Mars"), Jay Baruchel and Seth Rogen (both of the upcoming Knocked Up). Fanboys is a Weinstein Company presentation being released in theaters by MGM.

In a special presentation - held on the 30th anniversary of Star Wars - fans at CELEBRATION IV will see scenes from the film that Newman will introduce on-stage.

As a special bonus, a unique "prequel" comic book to Fanboys, which follows the characters' obsessive love of Star Wars, will be offered to fans as a limited edition at CELEBRATION IV.

"There couldn't be a more perfect pairing of movie and audience," said Newman, who will be joined by Fanboys producers Dana Brunetti, Matthew Perniciaro and Kevin Mann at CELEBRATION IV. "Fanboys has truly been a labor of love for everyone involved, so to know that some of the world's biggest Star Wars fans will be among the first to see highlights from the movie is very exciting."

In addition, members of the Fanboys cast are expected to attend CELEBRATION IV, pending production schedules for the popular young actors.

Four-day and one-day passes to CELEBRATION IV are available online at http://www.gencon.com/2007/swciv. (Thursday, May 24, is a special preview day exclusively for members of the Official Star Wars Fan Club.)

CELEBRATION IV is expected to draw tens of thousands of fans from around the world for four days filled with live entertainment; celebrities from all six movies; special film and video presentations; special exhibits; exclusive merchandise sold at a 24-hour-a-day store; pop-culture tributes; immersive events; costume contests; and scores of additional activities.

More information on CELEBRATION IV can be obtained by visiting the official Star Wars website at http://www.starwars.com./celebration.

Lucasfilm, the Celebration IV logo, STAR WARS and related properties are trademarks and/or copyrights, in the United States and other countries, of Lucasfilm Ltd. and/or its affiliates. All other trademarks and trade names are properties of their respective owners.

Source: The Weinstein Company

Web site: http://www.starwars.com./celebration
http://www.gencon.com/2007/swciv

April 26

SARAH SILVERMAN TO HOST
“2007 MTV MOVIE AWARDS”
Star-Studded Awards Ceremony To Broadcast LIVE
from Gibson Theater in Universal City, CA on Sunday, June 3, 2007

MTV today announced that the brilliantly funny Sarah Silverman will take the hosting reins for the “2007 MTV Movie Awards.” Star of both big screen and small, Silverman will lend her unique brand of provocative comedy to this year’s ceremony which will be broadcast live from the Gibson Theater in Universal City, California on Sunday, June 3, 2007. As previously announced, the “2007 MTV Movie Awards” will be executive produced by Emmy Award^® winning producer Mark Burnett. Additionally, as was also announced, MTV and Yahoo! have partnered to launch an interactive website via Yahoo! Movies which will explore the convergence of entertainment and technology like never before allowing fans to be part of the show. Performers, nominees, and presenters for the “2007 MTV Movie Awards” will be announced at a later date.

"The other day I sat down too hard and sprained my labia majora. I'm okay, but I took it as a sign from God to host the MTV Movie Awards," said Sarah Silverman.

“Sarah’s irreverent, no holds barred sarcasm and humor have made her one of the hottest up and coming comedians in the industry,” said Christina Norman, President, MTV. “Sarah is just the person to orchestrate the madness and keep everyone guessing about who’ll be her next target.”

The MTV Movie Awards is just the most recent addition to Sarah Silverman’s growing list of credits. From stand-up comedy to film and television, Silverman has seen her share of success and 2007 has certainly been the year of proof. Recently, her show, “The Sarah Silverman Program,” launched on Comedy Central scoring high ratings and rave reviews, and has been picked up for a second run in the Fall of 2007. Silverman also made a splash with the feature length film version of her one-woman show, “Sarah Silverman: Jesus is Magic.” Silverman most recently co-starred in the feature film, “School For Scoundrels” opposite Billy Bob Thornton and John Heder. Silverman also starred in Jeff Garlin’s “I Want Someone to Eat Cheese With,” and the acclaimed “The Aristocrats.” Before that, she co-starred opposite Jack Black, Mike White, and Joan Cusack in “The School of Rock,” as well as a number of films, including the blockbuster “There’s Something About Mary,” “The Way of The Gun,” Ivan Reitman’s “Evolution,” “The Bachelor,” and “Say It Isn’t So.”

On television, Silverman also co-starred in the comedy series “Greg The Bunny” opposite Eugene Levy. And she has guest starred in a slew of acclaimed and notable television shows such as “The Larry Sanders Show,” “Seinfeld,” and “Mr. Show with Bob and David.” Additionally, Silverman also lends her voice to the hugely successful Comedy Central show, “Crank Yankers.

As previously announced, this year fans will be given the chance to realize their dreams of standing on stage at the “2007 MTV Movie Awards” to accept the legendary golden bucket of popcorn. Viewers have the opportunity to submit their own original movie shorts parodying films from the past year for consideration in the first ever “BEST MOVIE SPOOF” User Generated Category. The undiscovered talent will be revealed to the world during the ceremony. In addition to the movie spoof award, the show will feature a “World Wide Web Wall” that will be integrated into the live broadcast, giving a voice to all the those up-and-coming filmmakers or those who simply like to quarterback from the sidelines.

Official sponsors of the “2007 MTV Movie Awards” are GM, glacéau vitaminwater, Old Navy, Orbit, Secret, Sprint and Taco Bell Corp.®.

About MTV Networks

About Mark Burnett Productions

April 25

Veoh Premiere Billboard , the worlds most trusted source of music, video and digital entertainment news, charts, reviews and analysis, has teamed up with Veoh Networks , the leading pioneer in Internet television, to launch an exclusive Billboard channel on Veoh.com.

The Billboard channel will feature news, interviews and performances from todays hottest artists from around the world. We are very pleased to partner with Veoh as a leading innovator in Internet television. said Scott McKenzie, Group Editorial Director at Billboard. This partnership will bring select Billboard video programs to a larger audience, while providing our viewers with the latest in webcast and downloadable video options. The Billboard channel on Veoh.com will feature Billboards original-produced series, Billboard in Sixty and Billboard Underground - weekly updated webisodes of news, interviews and performances. The shows, originally launched on Billboard.com in October 2006, will be available to view with Veohs innovative web applications, offering a downloadable, broadcast quality picture over the Web. Billboard in Sixty will launch with a total of 16 episodes and Billboard Underground will launch with 15 episodes - each will continue to update regularly as the series proceed. The following is a brief description of each: Billboard in Sixty is a 60-second window into the world of music news. The show offers a brief encapsulation of the weeks music news, special events and interviews with your favorite stars. Artists recently featured on the show include Jennifer Lopez, T.I., Sheryl Crow, Bon Jovi, Arctic Monkeys, Ne-Yo, DJ Drama, Fratellis and American Idol contestants. Billboard Underground is a show dedicated to interviews, performances and outtakes with the hottest unsigned emerging artists. A recent example includes Laura Warshauer, an up-and-coming starlet whose debut performance on Billboard Underground landed her a contract with Island Def Jam. Danielle Flora hosts both Billboard in Sixty and Billboard Underground. A former pop star turned choreographer to the stars, Flora provides viewers with a unique and uncensored insight into the world of music. All show clips will be archived on the Billboard channel at Veoh.com, but fans will want to get the Veoh Player and Home Delivery System to automatically download full-screen, DVD-quality versions of episodes as they become available. Music fans are already some of the most tech-savvy audiences online today and Billboard is one of the most respected music brands in the business. We are excited to offer their cutting-edge and entertaining programming to our viewers, said Dmitry Shapiro, CEO of Veoh Networks. Combined with Veohs peer-to-peer technology, the easy-to-use Veoh Player, and our Home Delivery System, this partnership is part of the next evolution in how the world will view video content both on- and offline. The Veoh Player is a free, quick-to-download desktop application that can turn any fans hard drive into a virtual DVR. This application allows users to download and save episodes of their favorite Billboard shows to watch at a later date, with or without an Internet connection. Its unique technology also allows users to subscribe to the series and have new episodes sent directly to their Player as soon as they are posted. For those on the go, the Veoh Home Delivery System is a new feature that goes one step further by allowing users to browse and select content from any computer with an Internet connection. While at work or when traveling, users can send the content directly to their home computer with a Veoh Player. This allows users to enjoy their favorite videos in a full-screen, DVD-quality format as soon as they arrive home without any additional downloading time. To access Home Delivery, users need to simply log on to their Veoh account from any computer and enable the Home Delivery feature. The Billboard channel on Veoh.com officially launches on April 25, 2007. About Billboard Now in its 112th year, Billboard is the world's premier weekly music publication and a diverse digital, events and brand, content and data licensing platform. Billboard publishes the most trusted charts and offers unrivaled reporting about the latest music, video, gaming, media, digital and mobile entertainment issues and trends. Billboard is the flagship property for the Billboard Information Group, which also consists of Billboard.biz, Billboard.com, Billboard Chart Alert, Billboard Information Network (BIN), Billboard Directories, Billboard Books, Billboard Licensing & Events and Radio & Records. Billboards many strategic partners include Microsoft, Reuters, Sirius Satellite Radio, Telemundo, Univision Radio, ABC Radio Networks, Azteca America and Billboard sister companies Nielsen SoundScan and Nielsen Broadcast Data Systems. These partnerships leverage Billboards proprietary data, charts and information resources to develop broadcast entertainment, digital and mobile platforms and contextual commerce applications that expand Billboards franchise and consumer reach. About Veoh Networks, Inc. Veoh Networks is a new, innovative Internet television broadcasting system that delivers broadcast-quality entertainment and informational content via the Internet, using unique distribution technologies to allow for unlimited capacity for both long- and short-form programming. Veoh allows content producers from major entertainment studios and television networks to independent video producers and enthusiasts to deliver high-quality, full-screen video directly to consumers without financial, geographical or capacity restrictions found in traditional broadcasting systems. This democratization of video distribution fundamentally changes the dynamics of television, creating unprecedented choice for consumers and a compelling marketplace for content providers and advertisers. Veoh Networks is a privately-held company that is backed by leading technology and media investors, including Spark Capital, Michael Eisners Tornante Company, Time Warner Inc. and Shelter Capital Partners. Veoh has offices in Los Angeles and San Diego, California

NBC's Passions to Work Its Magic on DIRECTV Viewers with All-New Episodes Beginning September 17

Fan Favorite Daytime Drama Joins DIRECTV's The 101 Lineup; New Episodes Produced by NBC Universal Television Studio Will Air on DIRECTV

NBC Universal Television Studio and DIRECTV, the nation's leading satellite television provider, today announced that the NBC Universal-produced daytime drama Passions has found a new home on DIRECTV where the popular program will continue for a 9th season. Under the new agreement, NBC Universal Television Studio will produce brand-new episodes to air Monday-Thursday on DIRECTV's original programming channel, The 101.

The celebrated daytime drama, which currently averages 2 million viewers and enjoys an intensely dedicated fan base, will end its network run on NBC September 7 with a series of cliffhangers and will resurface on DIRECTV September 17, picking up where the series left off. The show will remain in its current time slot of 2 PM ET and DIRECTV will air encore marathons of the show each weekend. The majority of the cast and crew are expected to return when the one-hour series begins shooting the new DIRECTV episodes in August.

"Passions fans no longer need to mourn the demise of their beloved program as it has found new life on DIRECTV," said Eric Shanks, executive vice president of Entertainment for DIRECTV. "We care about this show and are extremely proud to give it an exclusive home here at DIRECTV."

"This new arrangement with DIRECTV is truly a landmark development that allows NBC Universal to extend the Passions brand in a fresh and entirely new way to DIRECTV's 16 million homes," said Marc Graboff, president, NBC Universal Television, West Coast. "It will reward the dedicated fans of the daytime drama who can continue to enjoy it on DIRECTV and also opens up a great new model for other television programs to find new life on other non-traditional platforms."

Those fans without DIRECTV will have plenty of time to switch before the new season begins. DIRECTV will make it easy for Passions viewers to keep track of the happenings in "Harmony" by providing fans free installation, a DVR or HD receiver upgrade, and a portable DVD player by calling a special phone number (866-788-0003) or visiting the Web (www.directv.com/passions). Passions fans can also visit www.nbc.com for more information about the show.

Passions will be the first scripted drama series to join The 101 original program lineup which includes viewer favorites like Project MyWorld, The Fizz, havoc on The 101, and Championship Gaming Series. The series will broadcast four one-hour episodes per week, as well as a weekend marathon of that week's shows so fans can catch up on the action each week.

Passions explores the lives, loves and losses of four core families in the small New England town of Harmony: the Cranes, the Lopez-Fitzgeralds, the Bennetts and the Russells, each of whom have their own distinct and diverse personalities. The series debuted on NBC in 1999 and has routinely been amongst the top daytime programs for women ages 18-34, and currently is tied for #1 among all daytime dramas in both women ages 18-24 and females 12-24.

New episodes of Passions will begin shooting in August and will continue to be taped at the CBS Studio Center in Studio City, Calif. The show is produced by NBC Universal Television Studio in association with Outpost Farms Productions, Inc.

About DIRECTV

DIRECTV, Inc., the nation's leading satellite television service provider, presents the finest television experience available to more than 16 million customers in the United States, through exclusive content, industry-leading customer satisfaction (which has surpassed cable for six years running) and superior technologies. Each day, DIRECTV subscribers enjoy access to over 250 channels of 100% digital picture and sound, exclusive programming and the most comprehensive collection of sports programming available anywhere, including NFL SUNDAY TICKET(TM) and MLB EXTRA INNINGS(R). DIRECTV (NYSE:DTV) also leads the digital television technology revolution with exclusives such as NFL SUNDAY TICKET SuperFan(TM), US Open Interactive and YES Network Interactive and will soon have the capacity to offer over 150 channels in HD. For the most up-to-date information on DIRECTV, please visit directv.com.

About NBC Universal:

NBC Universal is one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80 percent owned by General Electric and 20 percent owned by Vivendi Universal.

SOURCE: DIRECTV, Inc.

ROLAND SHIPS EDIROL M-10DX DIGITAL MIXER

Portable Modern Mixer with Flagship Features Los Angeles, CA, April 25, 2007More portable and affordable than its M-16DX big brother, the M-10DX 10-channel digital mixer packs an amazing amount of high-end features into its small frame, including a 24-bit/96kHz processing engine and a backlit LCD so you can see the effects in operation as well a graphical spectrum analysis. This all-in-one solution offers built-in pro-quality FX, including insert effects, reverb/echo and finalize effects, flexible analog and digital I/O, Room Acoustic Control for instant automatic room compensation. Based on the same high-resolution processing engine as the flagship M-16DX, the M-10DX provides full 24-bit/96kHz processing for the ultimate in transparent, noise-free digital mixing. Mixing is made simple, with dedicated channel controls for 3-Band EQ, Pan, Aux, Select and Level. Scene memories allow instant recall of channel and effect parameters. For maximum portability, the M-10DX condenses almost all of the M-16DXs functions into a compact tabletop package for easy portability and use anywhere. It even retains the backlit LCD from its big brother, so you can see the effects in operation as well a graphical spectrum analysis. AC adaptor comes included. - - - - - - - Roland is a world leader in the design, manufacture, and distribution of electronic musical instruments, professional audio equipment, multimedia products, and music accessories.

April 24

Megastar Collin Raye Commits to Nashville Records(TM) Recording Contract

Nashville Records, Inc. is proud to announce that Collin Raye is the first of three prominent artists to be selected to record on the Nashville Records' label. He will also be featured on the Company's upcoming Christmas album.

Collin is considered one of the most magical and gifted singers in country music today with Fifteen #1 hits, including "Love Me," "That's My Story," "One Boy, One Girl," and "In This Life."

Collin has captured eight top five singles and fifteen #1 music videos. CMT (Country Music Television) lists four of Collin's videos among the top 100 music videos of all time; one certified gold album; and five certified platinum albums. Not only have 23 of Collin's 25 singles reached the top 10 on the country music charts, but he has also been nominated for thirteen ACM (Academy of Country Music), CMA (Country Music Association), and/or Dove Awards. His recent releases clearly demonstrate the breadth and depth of his musical artistry ranging from "The Walls Came Down" album, with its mastering of notes and lyric interpretation to his DVD/CD "Power In You"(performed live with the Salt Lake Symphony and the Choral Arts Society of Utah), which is filled with a variety of inspirational songs, both new and classical. His concert schedule continues to top 100 performances a year.

Recently, an entirely new management team has been assembled for Collin, headed by Pat Melfi and Ken Kragen. One of the best-known managers in the music business, Ken Kragen is an artist manager & television producer. He managed superstar Kenny Rogers for over 30 years as well as notable stars Trisha Yearwood, Travis Tritt and Lionel Richie. Kragen is arguably the most successful behind-the scenes operator in show businesses.

According to Nashville Records President, Gene Sibbett, the Company is already busy recording material for Collin's album, and will begin next week preparing for album and single releases. "Nashville Records and Collin's management team have put together some incredible plans for upcoming releases and videos that will once again clearly showcase Collin's charisma, passion and electrifying performance," emphasized Sibbett.

Nashville Records anticipates announcing the second of its label artists by the 4th quarter of 2007 and the third artist in the 2nd quarter of 2008. Along with these three prominent artists will be one male artist, just 27 years old, who has been garnering awards and being prepared for release. A second female artist, just 19 years old, who is not only gorgeous but her producer has stated she is one of the most gifted and unique voices to ever hit the scene. One of the Company goals is to sign only those artists, whose performances create widespread fanfare and product sales, while, at the same time, building a valuable publishing catalogue.

Accomplishments and audio clips of Collin Raye can be found on the Company's website: www.nashvillerecords.com

Nashville Records, Inc. is a Nashville-based record label located in the heart of Music Row. The key management and advisors were industry-retired individuals that were dissatisfied with the direction in which the music industry was headed. In the past, this combined management team is credited with sales of well into the billions of dollars and has been responsible for hundreds of charted hits.

Legal Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

The statements in this press release that relate to the Company's expectations with regard to the future impact on the Company's results are forward-looking statements, within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The statements in this document may also contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Since this information may contain statements that involve risk and uncertainties and are subject to change at any time, the Company's actual results may differ materially from expected results.

OPERA ♥’s LA
$20 for All Seats to
Designated Performances of
Porgy and Bess and The Merry Widow
$20 Tickets Go on Sale April 25 to the
May 18 Porgy and Bess and May 20 The Merry Widow Los Angeles, CA (April 24, 2007) – “For the first time in LA Opera’s 21-year history,” announced Plácido Domingo, the Eli and Edythe Broad General Director, “we will offer $20 tickets for every seat in the house at two designated performances of Porgy and Bess and The Merry Widow. I have always believed that it is very important for us to make opera accessible to as many people as possible, and I am certain that our special $20 tickets will cultivate new fans for opera and give many a chance to experience the drama and passion of this classic art form. If this proves a success, we hope to again offer an introduction to opera in our upcoming seasons.” Both the Friday, May 18, 7:30pm performance of Porgy and Bess and the Sunday, May 20, 7:30pm performance of The Merry Widow will be available to all at only $20 per ticket.
(April 24, 2007) – “For the first time in LA Opera’s 21-year history,” announced Plácido Domingo, the Eli and Edythe Broad General Director, “we will offer $20 tickets for every seat in the house at two designated performances of and . I have always believed that it is very important for us to make opera accessible to as many people as possible, and I am certain that our special $20 tickets will cultivate new fans for opera and give many a chance to experience the drama and passion of this classic art form. If this proves a success, we hope to again offer an introduction to opera in our upcoming seasons.” Both the Friday, May 18, 7:30pm performance of and the Sunday, May 20, 7:30pm performance of will be available to all at only $20 per ticket. Opera ♥’s LA is a new community-focused initiative that invites new audiences to experience opera first-hand by making great seats available to all for an unprecedented price of just $20 each. “Porgy and Bess and The Merry Widow are a perfect fit to introduce new fans to the genre of opera and operetta,” said LA Opera’s Chief Marketing and Communications Officer Hope Boonshaft. “Not only are these well-known works sung in English, but Porgy and Bess boasts some of George Gershwin’s best known tunes while Franz Lehár’s The Merry Widow is a lighter operetta that entertains with opulent staging and beautiful waltzes. These two productions are some of the most accessible in the repertoire today. Though LA Opera does sell select seats at most performances for an affordable $30, these special performances where tickets are only $20 each, give our audiences a chance to try out new seats anywhere in the house.”
is a new community-focused initiative that invites new audiences to experience opera first-hand by making great seats available to all for an unprecedented price of just $20 each. “ and are a perfect fit to introduce new fans to the genre of opera and operetta,” said LA Opera’s Chief Marketing and Communications Officer Hope Boonshaft. “Not only are these well-known works sung in English, but boasts some of George Gershwin’s best known tunes while Franz Lehár’s is a lighter operetta that entertains with opulent staging and beautiful waltzes. These two productions are some of the most accessible in the repertoire today. Though LA Opera does sell select seats at most performances for an affordable $30, these special performances where tickets are only $20 each, give our audiences a chance to try out new seats anywhere in the house.”
Opera ♥’s LA $20 tickets to Porgy and Bess (May 18, 7:30pm) and The Merry Widow (May 20, 8pm) go on sale Wednesday, April 25 at www.LAOpera.com and are subject to availability. Tickets can also be purchased in person at the Los Angeles Opera Box Office during regular business hours (Monday-Saturday, 10am-6pm).
$20 tickets to (May 18, 7:30pm) and (May 20, 8pm) go on sale Wednesday, April 25 at and are subject to availability. Tickets can also be purchased in person at the Los Angeles Opera Box Office during regular business hours (Monday-Saturday, 10am-6pm).

Regular priced tickets to performances of The Merry Widow (April 28, May 3, 9, 12, 23 and 26 at 7:30pm, May 6 at 2pm and May 19 at 1pm) and Porgy and Bess (May 4, 5, 8, 10, 11, 15, 17 at 7:30pm, May 19 at 8pm, May 13, 16 at 2:00pm and May 20 at 1:00pm) ranging from $30 to $220 are on sale now. All performances take place at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Music Center, 135 North Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012.

The Search is on for the Next Project MyWorld Adventure Star

DIRECTV's Hit Original Entertainment Show Looks to Add New

Fearless Female to the Cast, Submissions Due May 2

The search is on! Renee Intlekofer and Shaina Fewell, the stars and co-creators of DIRECTV's hit reality show Project MyWorld, are kicking off a nationwide search in hopes of finding an adventurous female to join them as they head Down Under for the program's second season. Kicking off today, candidates will have two weeks to send in their most outrageous videos before judges from The 101 select finalists for in-person auditions in Los Angeles, with the winner announced on May 18. Details of the search will be available on the show's website: www.myspace.com/projectworld.

Following a successful debut season, Renee and Shaina, are about to head out again and need the help of a daring diva to explore the world and meet the real people behind their MySpace pages. The new "Adventure Girl" they are seeking will have to be outrageous and an incredibly well connected MySpacer to join them as they explore the best of Australia and New Zealand. The duties of this fearless, fun and--not afraid to get her hands dirty--lady will be to introduce the group to the exciting death-defying adventures and exotic wonders each city has to offer. Whether it's scuba diving with the predators of the Great Barrier Reef, Zorbing with the Kiwis or heli-skiing in New Zealand, no adventure should be too wild or outrageous for this daredevil.

To qualify, candidates must create a home video of themselves that demonstrates their daring nature and send it to DIRECTV's The 101 Headquarters in Culver City, California. Submissions are due by May 2, at which time a team of judges from The 101, including Shaina and Renee, will review the footage and choose finalists to come to LA for a casting call on May 8 and May 9, with call backs on May 14 and 16. Contenders can also show up to the casting call, without having to submit a video, if they are in the Los Angeles area on May 8 and think they have what it takes to make the cut. The winner will be announced by May 18, giving the new adventure girl plenty of time to do her homework before the trio departs on June 12.

Project MyWorld debuted last October on The 101 as DIRECTV's fourth original series and is part documentary, part international odyssey and part internet experience come to life. Each season follows the stars as they travel the world in search of the real people behind their MySpace pages and set out to fulfill their own personal missions. Shaina is on the look out for the best indie rock bands in each city, while Renee is on the prowl for "Mr. Right," or at least "Mr. Right-Now." The show also chronicles their adventurous cohort as she finds the most amazing experiences each city has to offer.

The inaugural season of Project MyWorld followed Renee, Shaina and the adventure girl from last season, Taryn Southern, as they made their way through Europe and experienced La Tomatina in Spain, Oktoberfest in Germany, romance in Venice, and indie bands in Croatia, Paris and the UK. Now, Renee and Shaina are looking for their next partner-in-crime to push them to the limit as they begin season two.

Staying true to the premise of Project MyWorld, the show's creators and stars, Shaina and Renee, will serve as executive producers while displaying their-own unique personalities for the ultimate in viewer-generated content. The two women will also serve as executive producers and maintain the show's website on MySpace at www.myspace.com/projectmyworld.

About DIRECTV

Gym Class Heroes Continue to Rule the Top 40; "Cupid's Chokehold / Breakfast in America" Remains at #1; First Group to Top the Charts for Four Consecutive Weeks Since 2005

-- Decaydance/Fueled By Ramen recording group Gym Class Heroes has locked onto the top of the charts with their smash single "Cupid's Chokehold / Breakfast in America." The track -- which was originally written by Roger Hodgson and Rick Davies of Supertramp and features the Geneva, NY-based band's good friend, Patrick Stump -- stands tall at #1 on the CHR/Top 40 national airplay chart for an astonishing fourth consecutive week. No other band has accomplished this amazing feat since multiple Grammy Award-winning group Green Day in 2005. With a total audience at 85 million, the track is also #1 in audience at the CHR/Top 40 format. What's more, "Cupid's Chokehold / Breakfast in America" remains firmly ensconced in the top 10 of Billboard's "Hot 100" for the tenth consecutive week, and has proven to be a cross-over hit, jumping into the top 25 of both the CHR/Rhythmic and Hot AC charts.

"Cupid's Chokehold / Breakfast in America" -- which is featured on Gym Class Heroes' breakthrough second album, "AS CRUEL AS SCHOOL CHILDREN" -- has also blown up online, reaching #1 on Billboard's "Hot Digital Tracks," as well as #2 on the "Hot Digital Songs" chart. In addition, the song has proven a massive ringtone smash, recently reaching the top 5 on the weekly Ringscan ranking.

The lyrics and catchy melody of "Cupid's Chokehold / Breakfast in America" were originally written and composed by Roger Hodgson and Rick Davies of famed rock group Supertramp. "Breakfast in America" was the title track of Supertramp's biggest album, which topped the charts for a year in 1979 and sold over 18 million copies. Hodgson has been recognized as one of the most gifted composers, songwriters, and lyricists of our time. His timeless hit songs continue to find their way into the hearts of more than three generations around the world and are currently reaching a new audience with the Gym Class Heroes' remake of the classic song. For more information about Roger Hodgson, go to www.rogerhodgson.com.

2007 has seen Gym Class Heroes dominating MTV, with "Cupid's Chokehold / Breakfast in America" recently topping the network's playlist. Last month, the group played a raucous set on MTV's "Spring Break '07 Live," a spectacular performance that featured two tracks -- "The Queen & I" and "New Friend Request" -- which quickly went on to be among the most-streamed clips on MTV.com. Excerpts from the "Spring Break '07 Live" show have also been featured on MTV's "TRL." Longtime supporters mtvU also featured the band on their own Spring Break show. Gym Class Heroes will headline an upcoming installment of "MTV Live," slated to air sometime in May (check local listings).

As if that weren't enough, "Cupid's Chokehold / Breakfast in America" is in "Power" rotation at MTV Hits and "Recurrent" rotation at MTV Tr3s. The video has gone into "Large" rotation at VH1, after instantly becoming a "Countdown Contender" on the weekly "VSpot Top 20 Countdown." In addition, "Cupid's Chokehold / Breakfast in America" is the week's #3 most-played video on Fuse, and a "Power" rotation favorite at Mun2.

Additional Gym Class Heroes TV appearances include a recent live rendition of "Cupid's Chokehold / Breakfast in America" on NBC's "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," following previous performances on NBC's "Late Night with Conan O'Brien," ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live," NBC's "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," DirecTV's "CD USA," and the syndicated "Fearless Music TV."

The next single from "AS CRUEL AS SCHOOL CHILDREN" will be the anthemic "Clothes Off!" A companion video clip has just been filmed and will premiere sometime in the coming weeks.

In other news, Sunkist Soda, the number one orange soda brand, has teamed up with Gym Class Heroes to cover the Beach Boys' classic "Good Vibrations" for a TV ad campaign that will launch later this month, and be integrated into an episode of the CW Network's "One Tree Hill" in May. Listen to the Gym Class Heroes version online at www.sunkistsoda.com.

A remarkably dedicated live act, Gym Class Heroes has just wrapped its "Darryl Hall For President Tour '07." The headlining trek was met by sold-out crowds on nearly every date, including a packed-to-the-rafters MySpace Secret Show at Mr. Small's Funhouse in Millvale, Pennsylvania. The band will continue to tour for the foreseeable future, including North American headline shows, radio festivals, and an eagerly anticipated trip Down Under to support Gwen Stefani on her upcoming Australian tour. For an up-to-the-minute tour itinerary, see the band's official website, www.gymclassheroes.com, or its MySpace page, www.myspace.com/gymclassheroes.

Produced by S*A*M, aka Sam Hollander (Method Man, the Sounds, and Earth, Wind & Fire), and Sluggo, the alter-ego of renowned session bassist Dave Katz (Roger Daltrey), "AS CRUEL AS SCHOOL CHILDREN" also features co-production from Fall Out Boy's Patrick Stump. The album drew rapturous praise in a number of national publications, including Alternative Press, which awarded the collection its top five-starred rating.

Gym Class Heroes first garnered critical acclaim for their unique sound and approach with their Decaydance/Fueled By Ramen debut, 2005's "THE PAPERCUT CHRONICLES." It was the band's alternative hip-hop style and use of live instruments in favor of looped samples and canned beats that caught the attention of Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz, who immediately signed the group to his Decaydance imprint. With constant touring, and a huge online presence, the band has built a large and dedicated fan base.

Named one of the MTV2's "Artists To Watch 2007," the group spent much of the past two years on the road, including sold-out headline dates in the US and the UK, support slots alongside Fall Out Boy and the All American Rejects, a number of radio-sponsored holiday shows, and a stint on Vans Warped Tour '06 which had them playing two sets a day to rapturous audiences across North America.

Gym Class Heroes are: Travis McCoy (lead vocalist), Disashi Lumumba-Kasongo (guitarist), Eric Roberts (bassist), and Matt McGinley (drummer).

DIMEBAG DARRELL ABBOTT to be INDUCTED TO THE HOLLYWOOD ROCKWALK
HONORS TO TAKE PLACE ON THURSDAY, MAY 17TH, 2007

– Guitar monster shredder, Dimebag Darrell Abbott, has been chosen as the next inductee for the famed Hollywood RockWalk at the Hollywood Guitar Center on Sunset Blvd. The induction begins at 12:00 noon with many of Dimebag’s friends to speak and others who will come together to honor their brother.

Dimebag Darrell Abbott was loved by all and a hero to many. His unexpected departure from our world has been a great loss, yet he left us a legacy that will continue forever. It is a legacy to his family, friends and fans of the great music that he loved to perform as well as his crazy, charismatic sense of humor that touched many.

The ceremony for Dimebag Darrell Abbott’s induction begins at 12:00 noon, May 17^th, 2007 at the Guitar Center Hollywood on Sunset Blvd.

RockWalk
7425 Sunset Boulevard
Hollywood, CA 90046

For more information on the Rock Walk go to www.rockwalk.com

Pop Sensations #1 Crush Sign With Mathew Knowles' Music World Entertainment

Pop/Rock girl group, and local Houston darlings, #1 Crush officially signed a management and record deal with Mathew Knowles' Music World Inc., it was announced today. The group joins artists like Beyoncé, Kelly Rowland, Michelle Williams, J Xavier, 2Much and Sunshine Anderson who have flourished under the keen direction of Mr. Knowles.

"We are especially excited about #1 Crush joining the Music World Entertainment family. #1 Crush has the core components for Pop success in the music industry; they are young, have incredible talent, tenacity, are excited and work hard.We anticipate great things in their career with Music World," said Mathew Knowles (President / CEO, Music World Entertainment).

#1 Crush, individually known as Monica Matocha, 15, Brittany Marling, 14, and Alli Cannon, 16, are already off to a fast start. The group, who has become known for an awesome mix of singing and innovative dancing, has performed all over the country opening for major pop artists such as Ashley Simpson. Their energetic and captivating show caught the attention of Radio Disney who booked the group to perform for their New Year's Eve Jingle Jam Tour in Boston, MA. As the girls' careers developed, so did Disney's interest in them. #1 Crush was recently featured on the highly coveted "Incubator" program on Radio Disney. To check out #1 Crush on Radio Disney's Incubator, visit http://radio.disney.go.com/artists/incubator/index.html.

#1 Crush is a high-energy, musically-gifted, crowd-pleasing group with a rock/pop sound that will thrust them into pop music superstardom along with the likes of Hannah Montana, Hillary Duff, and the Cheetah Girls. The Houston, Texas-based group is currently recording in the studio to put the finishing touches on their debut project with producer Dwight Baker, who has worked with Kelly Clarkson and Brandy Carlile. The album is due out this summer. Fans may preview portions of the upcoming album by logging on to the #1 Crush MySpace page, www.myspace.com/1crush. The enormously popular page receives over 30,000 hits and has more than 10,000 friends to date.

Music World Entertainment (MWE) is one of the world's leading entertainment and music conglomerates dedicated to bringing quality entertainment to the world. MWE worldwide business includes record labels, artist and producer management, staff producers, artist development, Master catalog series, investment and property holdings, including offices in Houston, Los Angeles, New York and London. MWE is the brainchild of President and CEO Mathew Knowles, the powerhouse management behind the success of Grammy Award-winners Beyoncé and global phenomenon Destiny's Child, the most successful "girl group" in the history of pop music.

Music World is one of the most successful labels in the world with over 100 million records sold to date including releases by Destiny's Child, Beyoncé, Solange Knowles, Michelle Williams, Sunshine Anderson, the "Dreamgirls Music from the Motion Picture Soundtrack," "Roll Bounce Soundtrack" and the highly anticipated upcoming Music World Master Series releases which includes Chaka Kahn and The O'Jays. www.musicworldentertainment.com

Superstar Mickey Gilley Joins Nashville Records' Christmas Album

-- In the news release, "Superstar Mickey Gilley Joins Nashville Record's Christmas Album," issued earlier today by Nashville Records, Inc. (PINKSHEETS: NSHV), we are advised by the company that the mention of Gilley's Club in first sentence of the second paragraph should read "Gilley's Club in Pasadena, Texas," rather than "Gilley's Club in Pasadena, California" as originally issued. Additionally, in the headline the company name should read "Nashville Records'" rather than "Nashville Record's." Complete corrected text follows.

Superstar Mickey Gilley Joins Nashville Records' Christmas Album

Nashville Records, Inc. (PINKSHEETS: NSHV) announced today that legendary vocalist and pianist Mickey Gilley will appear on the Company's upcoming Christmas album. The album is already beginning to create widespread excitement in the county music industry and elsewhere as more and more popular performers line up to participate in this unprecedented production.

Mickey Gilley -- the cousin of Jerry Lee Lewis -- has been a leader in country music for more than three decades starting in 1970 when he opened Gilley's Club in Pasadena, Texas, which became the "in-place" for performers and audiences interested in country music, specifically honky tonk. His hit "Room Full of Roses" not only topped the country music charts but crossed-over to pop music as well -- rising to #50 on the charts. This highly popular recording was followed by 16 #1 hits, many "countrypolitan honky tonk," including "I Overlooked an Orchid," "City Lights," "She's Pulling Back Again," "True Love Ways," "Stand by Me," "That's All That Matters," and "A Headache Tomorrow (Or a Heartache Tonight)."

It was Gilley's cameo appearance (and songs) in the movie "Urban Cowboy" that catapulted his musical career into national prominence bringing him 6 straight #1 country music singles and a series of top 10 hits. The recipient of many country music awards in the mid-1970s (album of the year, entertainer of the year, single of the year, song of the year, top male vocalist and most promising male artist of the year), Gilley currently stars at his own permanent theater in Branson, Missouri in which hundreds of thousands of people go to see Mickey each year and buy his albums. Nashville Records President Gene Sibbett observed that, "There are few entertainers in the country music business that are as recognizable and popular as Mickey Gilley. To have Mickey join Nashville Records in what will possibly become a record-selling album is both an honor and a special treat -- clearly, it doesn't get any better."

Legal Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Blu-ray Disc Sales Surpass One Million Mark
Blu-ray Accounts For 70 Percent of High-Definition Movies Sold During First Quarter, According to Home Media Research Sales Figures

Blu-ray Disc has become the first high definition format to sell more than one million discs, a milestone it has achieved in less than a year. Blu-ray Disc sales also accounted for 70 percent of the high-definition movies sold during the first quarter of 2007, according to sales figures published today by Home Media Research.

Blu-ray's sales lead has increased each month since the first of the year and nearly three out of every four high-definition movies sold in March were on Blu-ray Disc, according to the HMR sales figures.

Industry projections suggest that this steady growth trend will continue based on the fact that seven of the eight major studios are releasing an increasing number of blockbuster movies on Blu-ray Disc, most of which will only be available in high-definition on Blu-ray Disc. In 2006, 18 of the top 20 selling DVD's were released by studios that are publishing their movies on Blu-ray Disc.

Blu-ray Disc titles accounted for eight of the top ten selling high definition titles in the first quarter of this year and since the introduction of both high definition formats, seven of the top ten selling high definition movies are on Blu-ray Disc.

"Sales of Blu-ray Disc titles have taken off since the first of the year," said Andy Parsons, Chairman of the Blu-ray Disc Association's U.S. Promotion Committee and Senior Vice President New Product Development at Pioneer Electronics. "Blu-ray Discs have been outselling HD DVD by more than two to one since the beginning of the year and the gap is steadily widening. It's exactly what we've said all along would happen - the strong support for Blu-ray among movie studio and equipment manufacturers means that consumers have more choices when it comes to players and titles. And they're choosing Blu-ray by an ever-increasing margin."

The sustained sales advantage enjoyed by Blu-ray throughout the first three months of the year will continue as studios maintain an aggressive release schedule to bring the biggest Hollywood movies to high definition. In the coming months, Blu-ray Disc studios will be releasing blockbuster titles such as Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, Night at the Museum, Cars and Dreamgirls (for a complete release schedule, see attached chart).

About Blu-ray Disc

Blu-ray Disc is the next-generation optical disc format being developed for high-definition video and high-capacity software applications. A single-layer Blu-ray Disc will hold up to 25 gigabytes of data and a double-layer Blu-ray Disc will hold up to 50 gigabytes of data.

About the Blu-ray Disc Association

The Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) is responsible for promoting and further developing business opportunities for Blu-ray Disc - the next-generation optical disc for storing high-definition movies, games, photos and other digital content. The BDA has more than 180 members. Its Board of Directors consists of Apple; Dell Inc.; HP; Hitachi, Ltd.; LG Electronics Inc.; Mitsubishi Electric Corporation; Panasonic (Matsushita Electric); Pioneer Corporation; Royal Philips Electronics; Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.; Sharp Corporation; Sony Corporation; Sun Microsystems, Inc.; TDK Corporation; Thomson; Twentieth Century Fox; Walt Disney Pictures and Television; Warner Bros. Entertainment. -0-

Blu-ray Disc Association Product and Title Release Schedule

April 23, 2007(a)

Blu-ray Disc Movie Titles

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Now Playing

----------------------------------------------------------------------

US Title European Japan Studio

Release Release Release

Date Date Date

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

April 2007

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

3rd

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Identity Sony

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

(1)Volver Sony

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

(2)King Arthur (2)4/9/2007 Disney

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

(2)GI Jane Disney

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

7th

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Warner

A Scanner Darkly Bros.

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Dog Day Warner

Afternoon Bros.

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

10th

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Payback: Paramount

Straight Up -

The Director's

Cut

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

17th

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Warner

Enter the Dragon Bros.

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Warner

The Dirty Dozen Bros.

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

March 2007

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

7th

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Hoosiers MGM

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

13th

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

(2)Casino March 2007 Sony

Royale(1)

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

The Holiday Sony

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Layer Cake Sony

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

20th

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

(2)Chicken (2)March 2007

Little (2)4/25/07 Disney

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

(2)Finding (2)March 2007

Neverland Disney

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

(1)Eragon Fox

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

(2)Rocky Balboa Sony

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Big Fish March 2007 Sony

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

21st

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Cinderella Man -

Japan Only (2)3/21/07

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Face/Off - Japan

Only (2)3/21/07

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

27th

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

National Warner

Geographic: Bros.

Relentless

Enemies

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

March of the Warner

Penguins Bros.

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Happy Feet Warner Bros

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Incubus - Alive Sony

at Red Rocks

(Blu-ray/CD

Combo)

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Warriors of Sony

Heaven and

Earth

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

The Pursuit of Sony

Happyness

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

February 2007

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

6th

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

(2)Running with

Scissors(1) Sony

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

(2)The Tailor of

Panama Sony

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Reservoir Dogs Lionsgate

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Young Guns Lionsgate

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

American Psycho Lionsgate

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

First Blood Lionsgate

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

13th

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Chronos Koch

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

The World's

Fastest Indian Magnolia

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

(1)The Usual

Suspects MGM

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

(2)Ladder 49 Disney

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Reign of Fire Disney

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

The Sentinel 4/9/07 Fox

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Entrapment Fox

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Broken Arrow Fox

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Phone Booth Fox

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Planet of the

Apes (2001) Fox

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Chain Reaction Fox

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

The Marine Fox

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

The Usual

Suspects MGM

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Warner

The Departed Bros.

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

20th
20th

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

(1)Babel Paramount

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

(2)Vertical

Limit Sony

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Destiny's Child

- Live in

Atlanta Sony

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

(2) The

Prestige(1) Disney

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

27th

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Warner

Bullitt Bros.

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Warner

The Getaway Bros.

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

(2)Stranger than March 2007

Fiction(1) Sony

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Nine Inch Nails:

Beside You in

Time Interscope

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

January 2007

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

2nd

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

The Covenant Sony

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

9th

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

(1)Crank Lionsgate

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

16th

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

GoodFellas Warner

Bros.

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Scooby Doo: The Warner

Movie Bros.

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

(2)The Gridiron Sony

Gang

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Resident Evil: Sony

Apocalypse

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Employee of the Lionsgate

Month

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

23rd

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Saw II Lionsgate

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

(1) Saw III Lionsgate

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

The Manchurian

Candidate Paramount

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

We Were Soldiers Paramount

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

(2) Casanova Disney

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

(2) Chicago Disney

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

(2) The Guardian (2)March 2007 (2)6/20/07 Disney

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

(2) The (2)March 2007

Hitchhiker's

Guide to the

Galaxy 12/6/06 Disney

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Black Rain 12/22/2006 Paramount

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Alien Vs.

Predator 4/9/2007 Fox

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Men of Honor 4/9/2007 Fox

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Courage Under

Fire 4/9/2007 Fox

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

30th

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

(1) Open Season Sony

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Flyboys MGM

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Hart's War MGM

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Warner

The Wicker Man Bros.

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Beerfest Warner

(Unrated) Bros.

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

December 2006

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

5th

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

(1) Rocky MGM

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Bulletproof Monk MGM

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Flight of the March 2007

Phoenix Fox

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Rising Sun 4/9/2007 Fox

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

The Architect Magnolia

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Entrapment Fox

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

National Warner

Lampoon's Bros.

Christmas

Vacation

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

A Christmas Warner

Story Bros.

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

6th

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

The Pacifier -

Japan Only 12/6/06

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

The Innocence -

Japan Only 12/6/06

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

12th

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Kung Fu Hustle March 2007 Sony

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Talladega Sony

Nights: The

Ballad of Ricky

Bobby

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Tony Bennett: An Sony

American

Classic

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

The Devil Wears Fox

Prada

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

(1) World Trade Paramount

Center

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

19th

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Lady in the Warner

Water Bros.

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

(2) Flightplan (2)March 2007 (2)1/26/07 Disney

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

(1) Invincible Disney

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

(2) Pearl Harbor (2)March 2007 (2)1/26/07 Disney

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

The Sopranos: Warner

Season 6, Part Bros.

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

All the King's Sony

Men

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

26th

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Transporter 2 Fox

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

The Descent Lionsgate

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

November 2006

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

3rd

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

John Legend:

Live at the

House of Blues

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

7th

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

(1) Little Man Sony

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Reds Paramount

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Nacho Libre Paramount

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

14th

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

X-Men: The Last March 2007 Fox

Stand

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Behind Enemy March 2007 Fox

Lines

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Fantastic Four 11/06 Fox

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Kingdom of 11/06 Fox

Heaven

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

The Omen 11/06 11/10 Fox

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Kiss of the 11/06 Fox

Dragon

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

The League of March 2007

Extraordinary

Gentlemen Fox

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Speed March 2007 Fox

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

The Transporter 11/06 Fox

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Million Dollar Warner

Baby Bros.

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Warner

The Last Samurai Bros.

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Warner

ATL Bros.

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

(2) Black Hawk Sony

Down

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

21st

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Ice Age: The

Meltdown 11/13/2006 11/13/2006 Fox

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Annapolis Disney

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

(2) Enemy of the (2)March 2007 Disney

State (2)2/23/07

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Goal: The Dream Disney

Begins

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Sky High (2)March 2007 (2)1/26/07 Disney

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

The Wild (2)4/25/07 Disney

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

28th

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Windtalkers MGM

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Warner

Superman Returns Bros.

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Superman: The Warner

Movie Bros.

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Superman II: The Warner

Donner Cut Bros.

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Warner

The Ant Bully Bros.

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

October 2006

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

3rd

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

The Pat Metheny Eagle Rock

Group: The Way

Up Live

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

John Legend - Sony

Live at the

House of Blues

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

10th

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Warner

Syriana Bros.

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Warner

16 Blocks Bros.

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Aeon Flux Par

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

U2: Rattle and Par

Hum

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

One Last Thing Magnolia

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

The War Within Magnolia

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Bikini Magnolia

Destinations:

Triple Fantasy

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Bubble Magnolia

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

HDNet World Magnolia

Report: Shuttle

Discovery's

Historic

Mission

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Enron: The Magnolia

Smartest Guys

in the Room

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

(2) Click 11/13/06 Sony

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

17th

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Glory Road Disney

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Haunted Mansion 11/8/06 Disney

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Gone in 60 (2)March 2007 Disney

Seconds 11/8/06

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Dark Water Disney

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

The Brothers Disney

Grimm

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

24th

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Italian Job Paramount

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Sahara Paramount

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Legends of Jazz LRS Media

Showcase

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Monster House 12/8/06 Sony

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

30th

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

(1) Mission: Paramount

Impossible III

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

(1) Mission: Paramount

Impossible -

Box Set

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Alice Cooper: Eagle Rock

Live in

Montreux 2005

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

The Phantom of Warner

the Opera Bros.

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Warner

The Searchers Bros.

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Warner

Unforgiven Bros.

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Warner

Under Siege Bros.

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

September

2006

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

5th

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Warner

Lethal Weapon Bros.

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Blazing Saddles Warner

Bros.

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Full Metal Fall 2006 Warner

Jacket Bros.

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Fall 2006 Warner

Firewall Bros.

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

19th

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

A Knight's Tale 10/16/06 Sony

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

The Big Hit Sony

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

S.W.A.T. (2003) 10/16/06 Sony

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Tears of the Sun 10/16/06 Sony

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Dinosaur (2)4/9/2007 11/8/06 Disney

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

8 Below (2)March 2007 11/8/06 Disney

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

The Great Raid Disney

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Jay and Silent

Bob Strike Back Disney

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

26th

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

(1) The Lake Warner

House Bros.

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Tim Burton's Warner

Corpse Bride Bros.

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Warner

Swordfish Bros.

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Fall 2006 Warner

Space Cowboys Bros.

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Warner

Lethal Weapon 2 Bros.

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Warner

The Fugitive Bros.

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Warner

House of Wax Bros.

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Four Brothers Paramount

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Laura Croft: Paramount

Tomb Raider

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Sky Captain & Paramount

the World of

Tomorrow

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Sleepy Hollow Paramount

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

August 2006

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

1st

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Kiss Kiss, Bang Warner

Bang Bros.

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Fall 2006 Warner

Training Day Bros.

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Good Night and Warner

Good Luck Bros.

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Warner

Rumor Has It Bros.

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

15th

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

(1) RV 10/16/06 Sony

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Memento Sony

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Into The Blue

(2005) 11/13/06 Sony

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

22nd

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

(1) Silent Hill Sony

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

29th

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Stargate LG

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Devil's Reject LG

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Stir of Echoes LG

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Total Recall LG

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

July 2006

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

11th

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

(1)Basic

Instinct 2:

Risk Addiction Sony

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

25th

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Species MGM

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Stealth 11/13/06 Sony

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

(1)The Sony

Benchwarmers

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

The Last Waltz MGM

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

June 2006

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

20th

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

50 First Dates 11/13/06 Sony

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

The Fifth

Element 10/16/06 Sony

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

House of Flying

Daggers Sony

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Hitch 10/16/06 Sony

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Underworld

Evolution 10/16/06 Sony

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

XXX: State of

The Union 11/13/06 Sony

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Terminator MGM

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

27th

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

(1) Ultraviolet 10/16/06 Sony

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Crash Lionsgate

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Lord Of War Lionsgate

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

The Punisher Lionsgate

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Terminator 2 -

Judgment Day Lionsgate

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

Saw Lionsgate

------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------ -----------

-0-

Blu-ray Disc Movie Titles

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Coming Soon

----------------------------------------------------------------------

US Title European Japan Studio

Release Release Release

Date Date Date

----------- ------------------ -------------- ------------ -----------

April 2007

----------- ------------------ -------------- ------------ -----------

24th

----------- ------------------ -------------- ------------ -----------

Night at the

Museum Fox

----------- ------------------ -------------- ------------ -----------

Ultimate

Avengers/Ultimate

Avengers 2 Lionsgate

----------- ------------------ -------------- ------------ -----------

(2)The Queen(1) Disney

----------- ------------------ -------------- ------------ -----------

(2)Deja vu (2)April 2007 Disney

----------- ------------------ -------------- ------------ -----------

Failure to Launch Paramount

----------- ------------------ -------------- ------------ -----------

Planet Earth: The

Complete

Collection BBC

----------- ------------------ -------------- ------------ -----------

Secret Window Sony

----------- ------------------ -------------- ------------ -----------

May 2007

----------- ------------------ -------------- ------------ -----------

1st

----------- ------------------ -------------- ------------ -----------

(1)Dreamgirls Paramount

----------- ------------------ -------------- ------------ -----------

Happily N'Ever Lionsgate

After

----------- ------------------ -------------- ------------ -----------

8th

----------- ------------------ -------------- ------------ -----------

Dirty Dancing 20th

Anniversary

Edition Lionsgate

----------- ------------------ -------------- ------------ -----------

Catch and Release Sony

----------- ------------------ -------------- ------------ -----------

Donnie Brasco Sony

----------- ------------------ -------------- ------------ -----------

Revenge Sony

----------- ------------------ -------------- ------------ -----------

Chris Botti - Live

with Orchestra

and Special

Friends Sony

----------- ------------------ -------------- ------------ -----------

15th

----------- ------------------ -------------- ------------ -----------

Stomp the Yard Sony

----------- ------------------ -------------- ------------ -----------

Battle of the Warner

Bulge Bros.

----------- ------------------ -------------- ------------ -----------

Warner

The Road Warrior Bros.

----------- ------------------ -------------- ------------ -----------

22nd

----------- ------------------ -------------- ------------ -----------

Flags of our

Fathers Paramount

----------- ------------------ -------------- ------------ -----------

(2)Pirates of the (2)May 2007 (2)5/23/07

Caribbean: Curse

of the Black

Pearl (two disc

set: 50GB + 25GB) Disney

----------- ------------------ -------------- ------------ -----------

(2)Pirates of the (2)May 2007 (2)5/23/07

Caribbean: Dead

Man's Chest (two

disc set: 50GB +

25GB) Disney

----------- ------------------ -------------- ------------ -----------

(2)Apocalypto Disney

----------- ------------------ -------------- ------------ -----------

Closer Sony

----------- ------------------ -------------- ------------ -----------

29th

----------- ------------------ -------------- ------------ -----------

Blood and Sony

Chocolate

----------- ------------------ -------------- ------------ -----------

Curse of the Sony

Golden Flower

----------- ------------------ -------------- ------------ -----------

Weeds Season 1 Lionsgate

----------- ------------------ -------------- ------------ -----------

Basic Instinct Lionsgate

----------- ------------------ -------------- ------------ -----------

June 2007

----------- ------------------ -------------- ------------ -----------

5th

----------- ------------------ -------------- ------------ -----------

Coming to America Paramount

----------- ------------------ -------------- ------------ -----------

Trading Places Paramount

----------- ------------------ -------------- ------------ -----------

Cars Disney

----------- ------------------ -------------- ------------ -----------

Hellboy Sony

----------- ------------------ -------------- ------------ -----------

Meatballs Sony

----------- ------------------ -------------- ------------ -----------

The Messengers Sony

----------- ------------------ -------------- ------------ -----------

Rescue Me - Season Sony

----------- ------------------ -------------- ------------ -----------

Bruce Springsteen Sony

With The Sessions

Band Live in

Dublin

----------- ------------------ -------------- ------------ -----------

Warner

Rio Bravo Bros.

----------- ------------------ -------------- ------------ -----------

Warner

The Cowboys Bros.

----------- ------------------ -------------- ------------ -----------

Warner

Blood Diamond Bros.

----------- ------------------ -------------- ------------ -----------

8th

----------- ------------------ -------------- ------------ -----------

Con Air (2)June 2007 Disney

----------- ------------------ -------------- ------------ -----------

Crimson Tide (2)June 2007 Disney

----------- ------------------ -------------- ------------ -----------

The Rock (2)June 2007 Disney

----------- ------------------ -------------- ------------ -----------

12th

----------- ------------------ -------------- ------------ -----------

(2)Primeval Disney

----------- ------------------ -------------- ------------ -----------

Daddy's Little Lionsgate

Girls

----------- ------------------ -------------- ------------ -----------

19th

----------- ------------------ -------------- ------------ -----------

(2)Bridge to Disney

Terabithia

----------- ------------------ -------------- ------------ -----------

June TBD

----------- ------------------ -------------- ------------ -----------

Cruel Intentions Sony

----------- ------------------ -------------- ------------ -----------

Ghost Rider Sony

----------- ------------------ -------------- ------------ -----------

Seven Years in Sony

Tibet

----------- ------------------ -------------- ------------ -----------

TBD 2007

----------- ------------------ -------------- ------------ -----------

The Complete Warner

Matrix Trilogy Bros.

----------- ------------------ -------------- ------------ -----------

The Ultimate Warner

Matrix Collection Bros.

----------- ------------------ -------------- ------------ -----------

(1)Titles released day-and-date with DVD

(2)50GB Blu-ray Disc Title

(a) Data is accurate as of April 23, 2007 and is based on information

provided by BDA member companies.

"SPIDER-MAN 3 Soundtrack" Album to Be Released May 1, 2007

Special Limited Edition Package Available Online Only

-- As previously announced, Record Collection will release the original soundtrack to "SPIDER-MAN 3," one of the most anticipated album and film events of the summer. Featuring all new, exclusive music, the album is scheduled for release on May 1, 2007, and is already garnering huge attention due in part to tremendous radio visibility from the first single "Signal Fire," by Glasgow-based stars SNOW PATROL.

A Limited Edition Soundtrack package will also be available and will contain a 32-page embossed hard-cover book featuring stills from the movie and 5 collectable movie cards housed inside an 8"x8" box made from a replica of the rubberized Spider-Man suit. Additionally, this version will also contain a bonus track by THE FLAMING LIPS titled, "Theme From Spider-Man." This special package is available online only at: www.spiderman3soundtrack.com.

Into vinyl? The album will be available in 4 different collectable picture discs enclosed in clear gatefold sleeves. Images from the film will be pressed on one side of the vinyl. These will be limited to 1,000 numbered edition pressings of each. A standard double album in a gatefold sleeve will be available as well. Details of where and when fans can purchase the limited vinyl editions to be announced shortly.

In the meantime, the second single to be featured from the soundtrack will be "Red River," by THE WALKMEN. A video for the track will be filmed this week. "Red River" will impact radio waves on April 24th. The Walkmen are on tour now. Check www.walkmen.com for details.

April 23

DIMEBAG DARRELL’S BLACK TOOTH BASH @ THE HOUSE OF BLUES
SIX STRING MASTERPIECES is proud to present:
THE DIMEBAG DARRELL ART TRIBUTE AUCTION to benefit
The LITTLE KIDS ROCK FOUNDATION

– Please join us at the House of Blues Hollywood to honor Dimebag Darrell Abbott and The Dimebag Darrell Art Tribute Auction to benefit The Little Kids Rock Foundation. This event is held after the induction of Dimebag Darrell Abbott to the Hollywood Guitar Center Rock Walk May 17th, 2007 .

The night will start out with ring-master Jamey Jasta of Hatebreed and Headbanger's Ball leading us into the 3-ring circus in honor of Dimebag Darrell Abbott and his induction. Jasta opens the night with introducing to the masses the L.A Chapter of the Little Kids Rock. The kids will rock out and show you how a little love from us can help change the lives of these gifted kids that would not normally have the chance to learn and play instruments.

Jasta will then head up the now famed BLACK TOOTH BASH. This nights BLACK TOOTH BAND will comprise of performances by Vinnie Paul Abbott, Scott Ian, Ripper Owens, John 5, David Draiman (Disturbed), Bob Zilla (Damageplan), Aaron Lewis (Staind), Ace Frehley, Brent Smith and Jasin Todd (Shinedown), Dave Navarro, Stephen Perkins, Matt Byrne (Hatebreed), Chester Bennington (Linkin Park) and many more surprise artists!

SIX-STRING MASTERPIECES: THE DIMEBAG DARRELL ART TRIBUTE is a collection of over 60 DEAN ML guitars that have been hand-painted by world-famous Rock Stars and internationally known Tattoo & Visionary Artists in a memorial tribute to one of the greatest guitarists of all time, Dimebag Darrell Abbott. The guitars can be viewed prior to the auction May 4^th to May 16^th at LaLuz DeJesus Gallery in L.A. ( 4633 Hollywood Ave ).

The Little Kids Rock Foundation (501C3) is the charity of choice for Dimebag Darrell – so it’s Dime-Time folks and we are going to rock the house to honor Dimebag and raise money for the kids!
(501C3) is the charity of choice for Dimebag Darrell – so it’s Dime-Time folks and we are going to rock the house to honor Dimebag and raise money for the kids!

The gear companies are uniting as one to raise money for the kids. The night’s sponsors are Dimebag Hardware, Dean Guitars, Coffin Case, Seymour Duncan, GHS Strings, EMG Pickups, Schecter Guitars with more joining us each day!!

For more information on the charity and the Six String masterpieces go to www.rockwalk.com www.littlekidsrock.org, www.actionartsagency.com, www.myspace.com/sixstringmasterpieces.

ANIME EXPO® 2007 RECEIVES DEATH NOTES Nation¹s Largest Convention Obtains Guests of Honor and EXCLUSIVE Films Anaheim, California (April 23, 2007) ‹ ³The human whose name is written in this note shall die.² Famed director Tetsuro Araki and character designer Masaru Kitao announce their attendance at Anime Expo® 2007 as Official Guests of Honor. In addition, Anime Expo® has also obtained the rights to screen the blockbuster films, starring Tatsuya Fujiwara, from Japan DEATH NOTE (123 minutes) and DEATH NOTE: THE LAST NAME (140 minutes) on 35 mm print at the highly anticipated 2007 convention June 29-July 2 at the Long Beach Convention Center. More information can be found on the website www.anime-expo.org <http://www.anime-expo.org> . Born November 5, 1976, in the Saitama Prefecture and a graduate of the School of Literature at Senshu University, Tetsuro Araki gained mass fame and media attention as the director of the "Desu nôto" (2006 also known as DEATH NOTE) TV Series (produced by Madhouse, Nippon Television, Shueisha and VAP). Based on the Japanese manga series centering around a high school student who decides to rid the world of evil with the help of a supernatural notebook, dropped by a rogue Shinigami Death God, that kills anyone whose name is written in it. The popularity of the TV series made a great synergy for two live-action films which topped the Japanese box office for two straight weeks as well as a video game entitled DEATH NOTE: KIRA GAME. Mr. Araki made his debut as a storyboard artist and director for a short animated version of CARDCAPTOR SAKURA. Since then, he has engaged with a number of animated TV series as a ³thoroughbred² Madhouse director including DI GI CHARAT NYO and GUNGRAVE. Mr. Araki came under the spotlight for his unique and sometimes ³outrageous² sense of humor in the GALAXY ANGEL series. Mr. Araki also made his directorial debut with OTUGIJUSHI AKAZUKIN. Masaru Kitao gained mass fame and media attention as the sole character designer of the "Desu nôto" (2006 also known as DEATH NOTE) TV Series characters (produced by Madhouse, Nippon Television and VAP). Mr. Kitao was responsible for such memorable characters from the TV series such as Light Yagami (Kira), L, Miss Amane, Ryuk and Rem. Mr. Kitao has been involved with many other acclaimed anime titles including Rozen Maiden, X, CARDCAPTOR SAKURA, CARDCAPTOR SAKURA: THE SEALED CARD (USA) and the classic anime METROPOLIS. Exceeding 15 million copies sold, the manga best seller, DEATH NOTE has been adopted into a series of live-action feature films as DEATH NOTE part 1, 2 and (most recently announced to be produced) 3 which topped the box office for 2 straight weeks pushing THE DA VINCI CODE into 2nd place. Anime Expo® 2007 brings the two Japanese blockbuster films on 35 mm print to the viewing pleasure of its attendees. DEATH NOTE (synopsis): ³The human whose name is written in this note shall die². Weary Shinigami the Death drops a notebook (the notebook of death that determined people¹s death) within the human world where a weary genius picks it up. Light Yagami (Fujiwara), an extremely bright and elite university student, ends up possessing the ultimate tool that should remain only in the hands of Gods. Light decides to create an ideal world and begins to hold the scales to judge criminals by his discretion. Meanwhile a mysterious detective named ³L² begins to investigate the unresolved cases caused by the Light. The future of mankind is at the mercy of the crucial and fierce battles of the two men. Tetsuro Araki and Masaru Kitao joins ORESKABAND and Mary Elizabeth McGlynn as Anime Expo® 2007 Official Guests of Honor. All registrants who register before the end of March are automatically placed into the drawing. Those who have already pre-registered are also automatically entered into this drawing. Secure pre-registration can be done via online at https://secure.rhq.com/anime/anime2007/attreg/index.cgi <file://localhost/anime/anime2007/attreg/index.cgi> . Attendees interested in booking flights, car rentals and/or other hotels for Anime Expo® 2007 can do so via the AX Travel Store located at www.AXTravelStore.com <http://www.AXTravelStore.com> . About Anime Expo® Located in Long Beach, California - Anime Expo®, the nation¹s largest anime/manga convention, serves to foster trade, commerce and the interests of the general public and animation/ comics industry. This event serves as a key meeting place for the general public to express their interest and explore various aspects of anime/manga, as well as for members of the industry to conduct business. AX 2007 will be held June 29 July 2, 2007 at the Long Beach Convention Center in Southern California. SPONSORS: ADV Films, Bandai Entertainment, Copic Markers, Digital Manga, Gaia Online, Go! Media, Infinity Studios, Informasian TV (IaTV) and the Los Angeles Times. More information can be found at its website (www.anime-expo.org). About Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA) is a non-profit organization with a mission to popularize and educate the American public about anime and manga, as well as provide a forum to facilitate communication between professionals and fans. This organization is more popularly known by its entertainment property Anime Expo®. More information can be found at its website (www.spja.org). The statements made in this press release that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements." These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. The Company cautions readers of this press release that a number of important factors could cause Anime Expo®/SPJA¹s actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in any such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, without limitation, product delays, industry competition, rapid changes in technology and industry standards, protection of proprietary rights, maintenance of relationships with key personnel, vendors and third-party developers, international economic and political conditions. The Company may change its intention, belief or expectation, at any time and without notice, based upon any changes in such factors, in the Company's assumptions or otherwise. The Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events

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April 20, 2007

In The Land of Women

Credits & Production Notes

Aspiring writer Carter Webb has just been dumped by his true love, Sophia. Heartbroken

and depressed, Carter escapes Los Angeles to suburban Michigan to care for his ailing

grandmother and to work on a book he has always wanted to write.

Soon after his arrival, Carter stumbles into the lives of the family living directly across

the street: Sarah Hardwicke, and her daughters, Paige and Lucy. His relationships with all of

these women help Carter discover that what felt like an end was only just the beginning of

something else....

Warner Bros. Pictures and Castle Rock Entertainment present an Anonymous Content

Production, “In the Land of Women,” starring Adam Brody, Kristen Stewart, and Meg Ryan.

Written and directed by Jonathan Kasdan in his feature debut, In the Land of Women is produced

by Steve Golin and David Kanter and executive produced by Lawrence Kasdan. The director of

photography is Paul Cameron. The production designer is Sandy Cochrane. The film is edited by

Carol Littleton, A.C.E. The soundtrack is available on Lakeshore Records.

“In the Land of Women” will be released by Warner Bros. Pictures. The film has been

rated PG-13 for sexual content, thematic elements and language.

www.myspace.com/itlow

Aspiring writer Carter Webb has just been dumped by his true love Sophia. Heartbroken and

depressed, Carter escapes Los Angeles to suburban Michigan to care for his ailing grandmother and to

work on a book he has always wanted to write.

Soon after his arrival, Carter stumbles into the lives of the family living directly across the street:

Sarah Hardwicke, and her daughters, Paige and Lucy. His relationships with all of these women help

Carter discover that what felt like an end was only just the beginning of something else....

Warner Bros. Pictures and Castle Rock Entertainment present an Anonymous Content

Production, In the Land of Women, starring Adam Brody, Kristen Stewart, and Meg Ryan. Written and

directed by Jonathan Kasdan in his feature debut, In the Land of Women is produced by Steve Golin and

David Kanter, and executive produced by Lawrence Kasdan. The director of photography is Paul

Cameron. The production designer is Sandy Cochrane. The film is edited by Carol Littleton, A.C.E. The

soundtrack is available on Lakeshore Records.

In the Land of Women will be released by Warner Bros. Picutres. The film has been rated PG-13

for sexual content, thematic elements and language.

PRESS CONTACTS

Los Angeles New York

Jessica Kimiabakhsh Susan Senk

MPRM Public Relations Susan Senk PR

5670 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 2500 41 Union Square West #320

Los Angeles, CA 90036 New York, NY 10003

T: 323.933.3399 T: 212.206.8974

JKimiabakhsh@MPRM.com SusanSenkPR@aol.com

TECH SPECS

Format: 35mm Color Aspect Ratio: Scope, 2:35

Running Time: 1hr 38min Sound: Quad

For photos: http://press.warnerbros.com

For as long as he could remember, Carter Webb (ADAM BRODY) had been falling in love with

women. And for as long as he could remember, he’d been searching for the right one. He found

everything he was looking for in Sophia (ELENA ANAYA) and for a little while he was happy.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t meant to be.

When Carter is dumped by Sophia in a North Hollywood coffee shop, he sees his entire life flash

before his eyes. Heartbroken and depressed, Carter escapes Los Angeles, heading across the country to

suburban Michigan to care for his ailing grandmother (OLYMPIA DUKAKIS). An eccentric and

complicated personality, Grandma offers Carter a uniquely different perspective on life and especially

death.

Soon after his arrival, Carter stumbles into the lives of the family living directly across the street,

Sarah Hardwicke (MEG RYAN), the mother of two daughters: Paige (MAKENZIE VEGA), a

precocious, effervescent eleven-year-old and her older sister Lucy (KRISTEN STEWART), an angst-

ridden teenager. While Sarah faces her own personal crisis, Lucy wrestles with the fears that define her.

Through his relationships with these women, as well as his grandmother, Carter begins to discover that

what felt like the end was really only just the beginning of his adventure....

Warner Bros. Pictures and Castle Rock Entertainment present an Anonymous Content

Production, In the Land of Women, starring Adam Brody, Kristen Stewart, and Meg Ryan. Written and

directed by Jonathan Kasdan in his feature debut, In the Land of Women is produced by Steve Golin and

David Kanter, and executive produced by Lawrence Kasdan. The director of photography is Paul

Cameron. The production designer is Sandy Cochrane. The film is edited by Carol Littleton, A.C.E. The

soundtrack is available on Lakeshore Records.

In the Land of Women will be released by Warner Bros. Picutres. The film has been rated PG-13

for sexual content, thematic elements and language.

www.myspace.com/itlow

ABOUT THE STORY

In his directorial debut, writer Jonathan Kasdan presents a personal and poignant story about the

serendipitous way in which people’s lives can intersect at the most critical times. Guided by the

formidable words of wisdom dispensed to all writers, write what you know, Kasdan found shifting gears

from the daily rigors of writing for television to penning a feature-length screenplay, became an act of

following his own heart and focusing on his love for film.

Kasdan explains, “I’ve been inundated with movies since my earliest memories. Films are my

passion. It took a couple of scripts for me to realize that what I had to do was write something that was,

among other things, fun. What I ended up writing was far more dramatic and more personal that I had

intended.” He continues, “When I sat down to write a movie about what I really loved, it seemed obvious

that what I really loved were women, being around them and trying to figure out my relationship with

them.”

Carter Webb’s adventure is one of self-discovery . where often the bumpy road traveled is more

illuminating than the final destination you arrive at. “The movie is really about a guy who is in the

process of falling in love with his life. When we meet Carter,” Kasdan says, “he’s struggling, conflicted

and a bit lost. At the end of the movie, his changes are very subtle as he’s had a couple of those moments

where he comes into contact with the overwhelming thrill of the journey of his life.”

The script’s ability to connect with those defining moments of everyday life was what attracted

producers Steve Golin and David Kanter to the screenplay. “This is a movie about humanity,” says

Kanter. “It’s fresh and original and the dramatic questions posed are very relevant and couched in real

language . the dialogue is funny and smart. You’re always hoping to find material that will leave an

impact on the audience.”

For Golin what makes In the Land of Women such a compelling story, is people colliding at a

time when everything in their lives, everything they thought they controlled, is slipping through their

fingers, and in that moment, find allies in each other. “The movie spans a very brief period of time. Both

Carter and Sarah are going through their own personal crises and for this short window they develop a

very poignant bond with each other. It’s about two people at the right time at the right place.”

Adam Brody adds “It's a really positive movie that's in love with life, in love with people, and in

the end, appreciates the everyday moments of life. It’s about relationships and love, and all those things

intersecting.”

In the Land of Women is a glimpse inside a female-centric world from a young man’s perspective.

What continually caught the actors off-guard was Kasdan’s uncanny ability to articulate a woman’s

perspective with such sensitivity.

“It’s the mystery of the movie. How does he know about all these relationships?” muses Meg

Ryan. “The tension in the family, all this unspoken stuff and how it plays out and how it affects

everything about each of their lives. All the things that are not said and that finally need to be said, and

that’s the great catharsis of the movie, is when things are finally expressed and they can finally be

healed.”

Olympia Dukakis offers, “Jon is so open, he doesn’t attempt to be something he’s not. He’s a

very sensitive, vulnerable guy who has tremendous enthusiasm. I think he’s had his own unique

experiences with women and understands the gravity of some relationships, the damage that can be done

and the joy that can be there. He’s written all of that in this story.”

Kanter suggests where Kasdan may have started to learn about the psychology of the opposite

sex. “Jon told us a story about when he attended this very renowned private school in West Los Angeles

and apparently wrote an advice column for the girls who attended this fancy girl’s private school in

Brentwood. He was giving advice to high school girls while being a teenager himself. It’s part of his

charm. He has an innate ability to observe human behavior and then to write about it.”

The cast is quick to weigh in with praise regarding Kasdan’s talent in his directorial debut. “Jon

blows me away. He’s so calm,” says Adam Brody. “It’s his first movie but you’d think it was his tenth.

He knows every aspect of a movie shoot, not just about setting up shots, but also different ways to light,

work with actors.”

Makenzie Vega adds, “Right before a scene, Mr. Kasdan comes over to me and reminds me about

little things with my character, he helped me so much. He’s so cool!” The coolness factor was one

admired by all the cast. “I think Jon is unbelievable and just so passionate about what’s he’s doing,” says

Kristen Stewart. “He wrote the script and you can ask him any question and he can tell you every thing

you want to know. It’s like he is every character!”

“I think audiences are really going to enjoy the humor in this story,” continues Dukakis, “seeing

all these characters at different ages grappling with love and love’s disappointments and expectations. I

suppose the passages of life are full of contradictions – they have joys, pains, disillusionment and

wonder.”

What is the director’s ultimate hope for what audiences will experience? “I feel like I’ve had that

a couple of times where I’ve been able to catch myself in a moment and think ‘This is the best, being

alive!’” says Kasdan. “It comes back to a Woody Allen quote from Deconstructing Harry where he’s

visited by the ghost of his old friend who’s just died. He’s in the jail cell and he says to the ghost, ‘I know

it sounds trite, but I just want to be happy’ and the ghost says ‘To be alive is to be happy. Take it from

me.’ That has stuck with me forever and it has become one of the formative pieces of dialogue in my life.

“This film speaks to this idea that is powerful in my life, which is some sort of synchronicity existing in

the universe where events seem to come together at the strangest moments, and sort of work together.

Hopefully that’s what audiences will see . that kind of magic.”

CAST AND CHARACTERS

Production was put on hold for eight months until lead actor Adam Brody was available, a

decision that the producers and Kasdan have never regretted. “Adam is the heart, soul and life blood of

this film,” says Kasdan. “I spent five months looking for an actor to play the lead in this largely

autobiographical story. What I discovered was that I wasn’t really looking for an actor to play me, I was

looking for a movie star to play someone way more attractive and far less neurotic! In Adam I found

everything I wanted for Carter. Adam is a pure, classic leading man in the tradition of Tom Hanks and

Cary Grant.”

Golin concurs, “Adam brings a lot of good will to Carter. He appears effortless in terms of his

performance . he’s very natural and that’s one of Adam’s big strengths. The audience wants to like him

even though sometimes he’s doing things that may be questionable. Audiences can’t help but give him the

benefit of the doubt.”

A struggling writer, Carter has fallen in love with a beautiful actress, a woman who may well be

out of his league, but it’s clear at the start of the film that he has built his world around her. The last

words the hopeless romantic ever thought he’d hear were that Sophia was moving on with her life and

career without him. When Carter goes home to break the news to his mother, Agnes (JoBeth Williams),

that Sophia has ended the relationship, Agnes seems more devastated than her son, recounting and

wallowing in her own tales of a broken heart. Agnes confides in Carter that she’s concerned his

dementia-prone grandmother living in Michigan has taken a turn for the worse.

Confesses Kasdan, “Carter is a character not unlike me in a lot of ways. He’s a very, very verbal

young guy who has lived his life sort of in a neurotic kind of active and imaginative way . all of his

successes and failures have been related to his ability to express himself. He’s one of those guys who’s

seen a lot of movies and who has lived as much on the other side of the screen as he has in the real world.

The thing he’s always fantasized about and worked his hardest at is this relationship with Sophia. But she

doesn’t want to be with him anymore.”

“Getting dumped by Sophia sends Carter into a tailspin,” says Brody. “He sees going to Michigan

to care for his grandmother as an opportunity to run away from his life for awhile, get his bearings and

hopefully figure some things out. Even though he doesn’t quite really know what those things are.”

While Carter’s and Sarah’s story unfolds, so does the viewer’s understanding that In the Land of

Women is not so much a physical place, as it is an emotional landscape where Carter learns about

relationships . about their frailties and their fleeting nature.

“When I finished the script and read it,” says Kasdan, “it became immediately clear that Sarah’s

part was an incredible opportunity to use Meg Ryan. I have been a fan of hers for a long time .she has a

real skill and craft that allows her to be funny and attractive . but also she has this incredible evolved

soulfulness. I’ve always felt like all the stories I tell on some level are about that space between your

ideals and your desires

what you want to be and what you are, and how you reconcile those things on a

day-to-day basis.”

Ryan says she was deeply flattered that Kasdan chose her for the part and signed on without any

hesitation. The actress was excited to play such a complex woman who finds her world unraveling and is

desperate to put her life in order. “It was unbelievable because it’s such a fantastic part,” says Ryan.

“Dramatically it’s what every actor wants to get their hands on, a peaked emotional experience when you

have to accept that life is finite. But also, Sarah’s a bit funny and a little odd – everything you want to

indulge in. What I found interesting is that there are two protagonists in this movie, Carter and Sarah.

That doesn’t happen a lot of times for women in films. You’re usually the object of the director’s interest,

not the subject.”

Sarah Hardwicke is a typical suburban wife and mother who is in the throes of sifting through her

own life, a life that from all appearances is perfectly managed. With two teenage daughters, Lucy

(Kristen Stewart) and Paige (Makenzie Vega), in different stages of growing up, Sarah works to resolve

unattended relationships and realities.

“When we meet Sarah, she’s somebody who has up to now led a bottled up, unexpressed life,”

says Ryan. “We find her in chaos right off the bat. I love that! She’s got a tremendous relationship with

one daughter and a very compromised relationship with the other. She’s also in a marriage that’s not

making her or anybody else happy. Sarah’s a very composed, sort of sharp-cornered person, and into her

life comes this kid who actually turns out to be the catalyst for her to change her life the way she needs to

change it.

“What’s great about Sarah and Carter is what happens in so many lives,” says Ryan. “You expect

the people who influence you the most are going to be the longest lasting, but that is not always the case.

People come in, they float into your life and they alter your direction a hundred and eighty degrees. Carter

and Sarah meet and they change each other irreversibly for the better. I think for myself, that’s how the

angelic realm really operates on the planet. You do things for someone, not even knowingly.”

Portraying Grandma Archer is Academy Award®-winning actress Olympia Dukakis, who

welcomed the opportunity to experiment and have fun with the role of a deliciously fragmented old

woman. The film’s best comedic moments are those exchanges between Carter, with his laid-back, self

effacing charm, and a feisty, sharp-tongued old woman who switches between having flashes of wisdom

to hurtling insults.

“I thought Grandma would be a lot of fun. She’s out there, quite outrageous. I love how she can

be so helpless one minute then give you the finger the next,” laughs Dukakis.

“When Carter comes out to take care of her,” Dukakis continues, “he has no idea what’s waiting

for him . no idea how eccentric and how demanding and needy she is. He can’t just be a boarder at her

house, he has to engage with her . she doesn’t let him just drift through. Initially the grandmother and

Carter are very much at odds with each other, coming from very different worlds and realities. The fact

that they somehow find a way to bridge, not just a generation gap, but that they actually see in each other

something of value is truly wonderful.”

Playing the role of Lucy is Kristen Stewart, who embodies the essence of an anxious teenager

rebelliousness, beauty and sexual awkwardness.

“Lucy is a very inward person,” comments Stewart. “Painting is where she expresses herself.

With Carter, she gets her first sense of puppy love, even though he’s way too old for her. At first she has

romantic expectations, but it’s more that she’s lost and here’s this guy that is there for her and he listens

to her. Maybe he can offer some unbiased point of view because he’s so far outside of her life, and then

she starts falling for him because Adam plays such a charismatic, endearing guy.”

“One of the things I really liked about In the Land of Women is that it didn’t stereotype or wasn’t

a cliché on teen angst,” continues Stewart. “Lucy is like so many of my friends, so many girls I know.

She’s kind of grooving along being herself then all of a sudden she’s like the popular girl and all that

attention kind of freaks her out. She doesn’t know how to deal with that plus she’s got this complicated

relationship with her mother that holds a lot of resentment. Carter teaches her a very valuable lesson

you can’t allow your fears and resentment to inhibit your life.”

With regards to capturing on camera the strained relationship between Sarah and Lucy, Kasdan

was very deliberate with the blocking, always making sure there were physical objects between Ryan and

Stewart, or as one actor approached the other, one was moving away, intensifying the estrangement

between mother and daughter.

As Ryan explains, the emotional gulf between Sarah and Lucy is the complete opposite of the

effortlessly tender relationship she enjoys with her younger daughter Paige, played by Makenzie Vega.

“With Paige they have this sort of miraculously easy, close relationship that neither of them have

to try at,” says Ryan. “They have the same sense of humor, and there’s something about Paige that’s all-

knowing. Sarah doesn’t know why it’s so easy with one and so difficult with the other daughter. There’s

this constant kind of confusion and battle – she’s the same person but somehow different with each of

them.”

Golin provides further insight into what can fuel teenage-angst. “Lucy is going through a bit of

an identity crisis. She’s trying to figure out and come to terms with her womanhood . her sexuality and

independence from her mother. Lucy’s at that age where it’s very typical and natural to rebel against her

mother and Carter comes along and he’s charming, older and she’s quite intrigued by him.”

Kasdan adds, “Lucy’s character is struggling at every moment of her life with a sort of deep

confusion, which leads to an enormous amount of fear. It comes from some unfortunate events in her past

but things that so many people will be able to relate to. Her fear is not one some external danger, one of

betrayal and shame and being made to look like a fool, or not so much a fool as a freak.”

Makenzie Vega brings irresistible charm to the character of Sarah’s youngest daughter, Paige.

Poised at the edge of puberty, Paige approaches life with a wide-eyed honesty and stills holds onto the

magic of believing her mother is the center of the universe.

“Paige is kind of spunky and thinks she’s an adult,” says Vega. “I wanted to do this movie

because this character suits me. In one of the scenes she’s spitting out words that are bigger than she is,

like that’s something that makes her more intelligent. When we all meet Carter, he takes Lucy to the

movies and I want to tag along, and because I think I’m an adult, I think it’s my date but it’s not!”

“Meg Ryan is not like any of those soccer moms, she’s more laid-back. She’s a caring mom but

she’s not on top of every single one of our moves. We had a pretty close relationship,” adds Vega.

Having three sisters in real life, Vega established a very natural rapport with Stewart. “It’s really

easy with Kristen and we play off each other. Sometimes it’s hard for me to get loud in a scene, it’s a little

embarrassing for me but Kristen would help me by getting louder so I would too.”

For Kasdan, it was critical to find the right pairing of energy, looks and talent when it came to

casting the roles of Lucy and Paige.

“Kristen has her own special kind of charisma that’s more completely natural and directly

connected to adolescence. Being an actual teenage girl, she has an authentic kind of self-consciousness

that creates raw energy and power. She is somewhere between being a kid and being a young woman and

you can see her reconciling those two opposing forces in herself at every moment of her performance.

“Makenzie, on the other hand, is truly just a kid, not self-conscious at all, completely uninhibited. She has

a kind of light, a glow that is irrepressible.”

THE LOOK AND LOCATION

Production Designer Sandy Cochrane and Costume Designer Trish Keating were brought on as

key collaborators for ensuring Kasdan’s vision was translated onto the screen.

The two key sets in the movie, the Hardwicke house and Grandma’s house, were brought to life

by Cochrane. After an exhaustive search that took the filmmaker scouting various cities across Canada,

the city of Victoria, located on Vancouver Island, had all the elements that Kasdan was looking for.

“Jon wanted a slightly heightened reality and we spent a lot of time talking about that when we

were driving around looking for locations,” says Cochrane. “The story starts off in Los Angeles then

shifts to Michigan, so when you arrive in the suburbs of the mid-west, there’s an overwhelming sense of

green as opposed to the overexposed, sun-parched landscape of Los Angeles.”

“Both Jon and I are from Southern California, which doesn’t have the most traditional suburbs,’

Brody says, “To us and to Carter, the suburbs are this pristine place you've seen in movies - football

games, prom - sort of John Hughes meets Norman Rockwell. Jon’s got a great crew and they’ve found

and transformed our location into this ideal suburb. My character’s curiosity of wanting to explore this

other side of the world, in a way, is satisfied when he runs away to Michigan, in search of something he’s

seen in movies.”

“The pairing of the houses was the most critical element to finding the locations we wanted. For

Grandma’s house, we needed to find a house where the owners would allow us to take their beautifully

kept home and make it a visually distressed residence. Then we needed to find a house directly across the

street, where there couldn’t be any impediment view-wise, which had to have a certain kind of

architecture that presented a completely different aesthetic.”

Once the houses were found, movie magic stepped in and both houses were transformed. The

entrance to Grandma’s house was dressed with overgrown shrubs and weeds to give it the appearance of a

dark burrowing world. The interior of the house was completely redone to reveal a home that had been

neglected, where newspapers and mementos cluttered every inch of space. Across the street where the

Hardwicke House stood, immaculate green lawns and an abundance of carefully groomed flower beds

presented the opposite impression . a family that was very concerned about outward appearances.

The rest of the locations needed; a mall, ice cream shop, a hospital among others, posed no

problem and Victoria easily doubled for the Michigan suburbs. For the Los Angeles portion of the shoot,

Kasdan already had real landmarks in mind that he wanted to shoot at such as the 101 Coffee Shop and

the Santa Monica Pier.

Cochrane explains that Kasdan’s clear vision of what he wanted, meant “asking the right

questions, listening very carefully and taking every opportunity to bounce ideas off him. Jon has a vast

knowledge of film, he has a long list of films that he can reference so that you can go back, look at these

films and know exactly what he’s going for.”

But besides providing the physical locations needed for In the Land of Women’s intimate world,

the Uplands neighborhood where the Hardwicke House and Grandma’s House were located, also became

much more of a home away from home than anyone had expected. An experience not lost on Meg Ryan.

“I loved shooting in Victoria and this neighborhood was just crazy! I couldn’t have made it up!”

the actor remembers. “They were so cool to let us into their neighborhood night after night, day after day.

They would walk their dogs and wave to me, then they started baking things and bringing them by the

trailer . I got chai tea from someone’s grandma. It was the biggest, open-armed hug all the time. Adam

would leave his dog at one the neighbor’s house who left the door open so that when we stopped shooting

around 3am, Adam would just go inside and call ‘Penny, Penny’ and Penny would come out – their dogs

would hang together. It was just so sweet!”

Producer David Kanter adds, “The neighborhood of Uplands was incredibly accommodating to

our shooting and it took some leading people in the neighborhood to get everybody to allow us to come in

and disrupt their lives for five weeks. These neighbors became part of our crew and every night people

would come out at cocktail hour with their glasses of white wine and watch us shoot, which sometimes is

like watching paint dry. We met some incredible people on this film and we’re so grateful.”

In the Land of Women is a character-driven story and Kasdan wanted the wardrobe to enhance

and reflect the reality of each character. “Jon had done a lot of tear sheets himself from magazines,” says

Keating. “He had a very clear idea of what each character’s wardrobe should be.how it ties into and

tracks the progression of the character.”

With Sarah’s wardrobe, the objective was to capture the character’s shift from a very contained

and repressed person to a woman that begins to reconnect to her sensuality and becomes more

emotionally available.

“Sarah plays the part of a very frustrated, upper-middle class wife and mother,” observes Keating.

“As she meets Carter, a certain awareness comes to her about life and she loosens up considerably, which

we reflect in her clothing. We'll see a change from cooler colors at the beginning, to warmer colors

toward the end, as well as more casual styles.”

As for Carter’s character, both Kasdan’s and Brody’s love of true vintage clothing, was utilized to

express this young man’s physical as well emotional journey to Michigan.

“We wanted to get as far away from what he wears on the O.C. as possible,” says Keating. “We

also wanted to take Adam to an older level of clothing, so that he would be playing twenty-five, which is

his real age.”

For Grandma Archer, the process of inhabiting that character was a little more involved and

carefully constructed. “I like to have a lot of input in the costumes and had really good conversations with

Trish Keating, The first thing I asked for was a hump,” laughs Dukakis. “So they built me a little hump,

then I asked for all the sleeves to be a shorter so that my little bony arms would stick out. I wore these

droopy bright colored crocheted sweaters. I didn’t want her to be drab.”

Transforming the vivacious actress to that of a much older octogenarian also involved over two

hours of make-up every morning. Dukakis found the experience rewarding as an actor but also a little

unnerving on a personal level, as she explains. “We put latex on my face to create deep wrinkles and I

also put a wig on. People say that if you want to know what you’ll look like when you’re old, look at your

mother. After this show, I know exactly what I’m going to look like and it’s going to be much worse. It

was a really interesting journey.”

Rounding out the talents Kasdan enlisted to make In the Land of Women is editor Carol Littleton.

Even at a young age, Littleton says Kasdan’s curiosity and talent as an aspiring filmmaker were self-

evident

“I’ve known Jon since the day he was born. Ever since he was a little kid, Jon was very tuned in,

very smart and very funny. He used to hang out in the cutting room and always have the most

extraordinary questions about the process. When he came into the editing room, I’d give him a piece of

film to experiment with and after a while he’d suggest cutting a scene in a certain way so I’d stop what I

was doing, and do it his way so he could see why something would work or not work.

“The biggest challenge in this film is the mixture of tone. It’s definitely a comedy but there is a

serious undertone to the whole movie . a basic humanity we must preserve. It’s this constant changing

of gears that is challenging but inspiring for an editor. I’m so impressed by Jon’s talent . the writing is

extraordinary and he knows exactly what he wants, that’s very rare, yet alone with someone so young.

He’s a very committed and serious filmmaker.”

* * *

ABOUT THE CAST

ADAM BRODY (Carter Webb), A dynamic young actor, Adam Brody has crafted a distinguished career

in film and television and is quickly becoming one of the finest newcomers to hit the big screen.

Brody will soon be seen in Warner Bros. romantic comedy In the Land of Women, starring

opposite Meg Ryan. Directed by Jonathan Kasdan, the film focuses on a young television writer whose

world is in complete disorder after his break-up with his girlfriend. As he struggles to reconcile his own

inner conflicts, he is drawn into the pains and loves of the women of a neighborhood family -- all of

whom, in their way, fall in love with him, and all of whom, in their own way, help him find his way back.

In addition, Adam will appear in two highly anticipated independent feature films-- Smiley Face and The

Ten. Smiley Face follows a young actress’ misadventures after she unknowingly eats her roommate's pot

brownies. The Ten, directed by David Wain, focuses on ten stories, each inspired by one of the ten

commandments. Both films premiered at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival.

Brody recently appeared in Thank you for Smoking, a satirical comedy that follows the

machinations of Big Tobacco's chief spokesman, Nick Naylor, who spins on behalf of cigarettes while

trying to remain a role model for his twelve-year-old son. Prior to that, Brody was seen opposite Brad

Pitt and Angelina Jolie in the box office success Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Additional film credits include

Warners Bros.’Grind, the hit 2002 thriller The Ring, and Missing Brendan with Ed Asner and Illeana

Douglas.

Brody is seen weekly as Seth Cohen on Fox’s celebrated television series “The O.C.” The

ensemble drama revolves around the young adult community of the Orange County area. Additional

television credits include a recurring role as Coop in “Once and Again,” a recurring role as Dave in the

WB’s Emmy-nominated “Gilmore Girls” and standout guest-starring roles in “Judging Amy,” “Family

Law” and Smallville.”

MEG RYAN (Sarah Hardwicke) exhibits her versatility and natural charm in every role she plays. She

will stars in Jonathan Kasdan’s directorial debut In the Land of Women opposite Adam Brody.

Meg has three projects currently in production; an HBO mini-series, The Best Awful, in which

Meg also co-produces, is an adaptation of the Carrie Fisher novel recounting the further adventures of the

heroine from Fisher’s best-selling novel Postcards From The Edge; A remake of George Cukor's 1939

film The Women, with Anne Hathaway and Candice Bergen; and will next start filming The Deal with costar

William H. Macy. Ryan recently completed filming Homeland Security with Antonio Banderas.

Ryan was last seen in the hit film Against the Ropes, inspired by the true story of Jackie Kallen,

the most successful female manager in boxing history. Previously, she starred in Jane Campion’s In The

Cut, a psychological thriller, opposite Mark Ruffalo. The film premiered at The Toronto Film Festival in

2003 and opened the London Film Festival of that same year.

Ryan starred in the 2001 Miramax romantic comedy Kate And Leopold, opposite Hugh Jackman.

Her other recent work includes the Castle Rock thriller Proof of Life and Diane Keaton’s comedy

Hanging Up, in which she starred opposite Keaton, Lisa Kudrow and Walter Matthau. She also starred in

Nora Ephron’s romance You’ve Got Mail, opposite Tom Hanks, which garnered her a third Golden Globe

nomination, and Anthony Drazan’s searing independent film version of Hurly Burly, with Sean Penn,

Chazz Palminteri, Gary Shandling, Kevin Spacey and Robin WrightPenn.

Ryan’s comedic appeal was widely recognized in her first Golden Globe-nominated performance

as Sally Allbright in When Harry Met Sally, directed by Rob Reiner and written by Nora Ephron. She

went on to star in Nora Ephron’s hit romantic comedy Sleepless In Seattle, opposite Tom Hanks,

garnering a second Golden Globe nomination.

Acclaim has also come to Ryan for her distinctive dramatic portraits, including her role opposite

Denzel Washington as the first military woman nominated for a Medal of Honor in Courage Under Fire,

directed by Ed Zwick, and her moving portrayal of a wonderful woman with a drinking problem in Luis

Mandoki’s When A Man Loves A Woman, opposite Andy Garcia. For her performance opposite Kiefer

Sutherland in the Sundance Institute’s Promised Land, she earned an Independent Spirit Award

nomination. Ryan has also starred opposite Nicolas Cage in City of Angels, with Matthew Broderick in

Addicted to Love and with Kevin Kline in French Kiss.

Her additional film credits include I.Q., Anastasia, Innerspace, D.O.A., The Presidio, Joe Versus

The Volcano, The Doors, Prelude to a Kiss, Flesh And Bone, and Restoration. A Fairfield, Connecticut

native, Ryan embarked on her acting career after studying journalism at New York University. She made

her motion picture debut as Candice Bergen’s daughter in Rich and Famous, and attracted the attention of

moviegoers and critics in her 1986 performance as a fighter pilot’s wife in Top Gun.

KRISTEN STEWART (Lucy Hardwicke) was introduced to worldwide audiences with her outstanding

performance alongside Jodie Foster in Panic Room.

Stewart is currently starring in Screen Gems “The Messengers” directed by The Pang Brothers.

She will next star this April in the Castle Rock Entertainment/Warner Bros film In the Land of Women,

alongside Meg Ryan and Adam Brody for writer/director Jonathan Kasden. In September she will be

seen in Paramount Vantage’s “Into The Wild” for director Sean Penn. Additionally, she will star in the

independent film “The Cake Eaters” for director Mary Stuart Masterson.

Currently Stewart is in production on the independent film “The Yellow Handkerchief” alongside

William Hurt and Maria Bello and will soon begin filming “What Just Happened” alongside Robert De

Niro and Sean Penn for director Barry Levinson.

Stewart’s additional film credits include “Zathura,” “Speak,” “Fierce People,” “Catch That Kid,”

“Undertow,” “Cold Creek Manor,” and “The Safety of Objects.”

Stewart resides in Los Angeles.

OLYMPIA DUKAKIS (Grandma Archer), during a career that spans over 40 years, has worked as an

actress, director, producer, teacher, activist and most recently, author with her best-selling memoir Ask

Me Again Tomorrow. She received an Academy Award in the Best Supporting Actress category, the

New York Film Critics Award, the Los Angeles Film Critics Award and the Golden Globe Award for her

work in the Norman Jewison film “Moonstruck”.

Dukakis’ distinguished stage career includes two OBIE Awards, for Bertolt Brecht's A MAN'S A

MAN, and Christopher Durang's “The Marriage of Bette and Boo,” at Joseph Papp's Public Theatre.

Other notable appearances at the Public include Sam Shepard's “Curse of the Starving Class,” “Titus

Andronicus,” “Electra,” and “Peer Gynt.” Dukakis starred in the world premiere of Timberlake

Wertenbaker’s “Credible Witness” at London’s Royal Court Theatre. Dukakis made her London debut in

1999 on stage at the Royal National Theatre in Martin Sherman’s one-woman play, “Rose,” to rave

reviews. Dukakis then opened “Rose” on Broadway in the spring of 2000. She also made her debut on

British television (BBC) in a made-for-TV movie “A Life for a Life” (BAFTA nomination) and on BBC

Radio starring in “Hecuba.”

Prior to “Rose”, Dukakis was last seen on Broadway in “Social Security” directed by Mike

Nichols. In 2004, Dukakis starred as Clytemnestra in NY’s Aquila Theatre Company’s production of

“Agamemnon,” featuring Dukakis’ husband Louis Zorich in the title role. She also performed at A.C.T.

in “The Mother” by Gorky adapted by Constance Congdon.

Very involved in the development of new work and companies, Dukakis is currently

collaborating on adaptations of The Tempest and Phaedra (A.C.T.) Other new work includes the

adaptation of Hecuba by Timberlake Wertenbaker at A.C.T., Singer’s Boy by Leslie Ayvazian at A.C.T.,

Shakespeare and Company’s “Lear and Her Daughters,” and “Voices of Earth.”

As a founding member and Producing Artistic Director of the Whole Theatre in Montclair, New

Jersey for 19 years (1971-1990), she directed and appeared in many productions, winning accolades time

and again. In 1992, Olympia Dukakis became the proud recipient of the New Jersey Governor's Walt

Whitman Creative Arts Award.

Dukakis has appeared in over 125 productions Off-Broadway and regionally, at venues including

Studio Arena in Albany, American Place Theatre, APA Phoenix, Circle Rep and the Williamstown

Summer Theatre Festival where she also served as Associate Director. Dukakis taught Acting in the

graduate school at New York University for fifteen years and currently teaches master classes at various

universities and colleges throughout the country.

Feature films to be released in 2005 include Three Needles, (shot in S. Africa) The Librarian and

The Thing About My Folks, with Paul Reiser. Recent films include the highly acclaimed The Event and

The Intended (shot in Malaysia and directed by Kristian Levring).

Other feature films include Mr. Holland’s Opus with Richard Dreyfus, Woody Allen’s Mighty

Aprodite and I Love Trouble with Nick Nolte and Julia Roberts. Audiences continue to seek out videos of

The Cemetary Club, Steel Magnolias directed by Herbert Ross, Dad co-starring Jack Lemmon, and Look

Who’s Talking with John Travolta and Kirstie Alley.

With regards to television, most recent credits include the CBS sitcom “Center of the Universe”

with John Goodman, Jean Smart, and Ed Asner.

Dukakis co-starred in “Last of the Blond Bombshells” with Judy Dench for HBO and in “Ladies

and the Champ” with Marion Ross for ABC. One of her favorite projects, “Tales of the City”, a 6-hour

mini-series based on the novel by Armistead Maupin, was a controversial ratings blockbuster for PBS.

She went on to star in the sequels “More Tales of the City” and “Further Tales of the City” (Showtime)

for which she earned Emmy, Screen Actors Guild and BAFTA nominations.

She starred with Frank Sinatra and Dukakis' real-life husband Louis Zorich in “Young At Heart”

on CBS (Emmy nomination). Other TV movie projects include “Strange Relations,” “Scattering Dad,”

“A Century of Women,” a 6-hour mini-series for TBS, “Fire In The Dark” for CBS, “Lucky Day” costarring

Amy Madigan for ABC for which she received an Emmy nomination, “The Last Act Is A Solo”

for which she received an ACE Award, and “Sinatra” a mini-series for CBS in which Dukakis portrayed

Frank Sinatra's mother and was nominated for an Emmy.

MAKENZIE VEGA (Paige Hardwicke) has already become one of Hollywood’s youngest stars at just

eleven years old. She captured our hearts as Nicolas Cage’s daughter in Universal Pictures’ Family Man

at the young age of 5. At such a young age, Vega enjoys an impressive list of feature film credits

including Made, starring Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreau and S.A.W., with Danny Glover. She went on to

give a captivating and heart-felt performance portraying the younger character of ‘Nancy’ (Jessica Alba)

in Robert Rodriguez’s provocative action/crime thriller Sin City. Vega will next be seen starring

alongside Lindsay Lohan and Chris Pine in Just My Luck for New Regency. Vega has also appeared as a

series regular in the ABC sitcom “The Geena Davis Show”.

DUSTIN MILLIGAN (Eric Watts) Dustin Milligan was born and spent much of his early life in the

small northern town of Yellowknife, in the North West Territories which lie in the far north of Canada.

Being a natural ham led him to the drama program in his high school where he discovered his true love of

acting and his desire to become a professional actor. As soon as he graduated he packed up his life and

moved to Vancouver to pursue his dream. Since then he has not looked back.

Dustin has four films being released in 2007; "In The Land of Women" with Meg Ryan and

Adam Brody for Warner Bros., "The Messengers" directed by the Pang Bros for Columbia Pictures , "The

Butterfly Wheel" with Pierce Bronson for Icon Entertainment as well as the sequel "The Butterfly Effect

II" for New Line Cinema.

When not acting Dustin can usually be found on his skateboard or on the slopes with his sister

Molly who is a professional snowboarder.

CLARK GREGG’S (Nelson Hardwicke) film work includes Paul Weitz’s In Good Company, Spartan

and State and Main for David Mamet, Nicole Holofcener’s Lovely and Amazing, The Human Stain, We

Were Soldiers, One Hour Photo, Magnolia and the role of Hank/Henrietta in Tod Williams’ The

Adventures of Sebastian Cole for which he received an Independent Spirit Award nomination. Currently

he is filming When a Stranger Calls, directed by Simon West. He soon begins filming Wil Shriner’s

Hoot.

Television acting work includes the recurring role of Agent Michael Casper on “The West

Wing,” HBO movies “Tyson” and “Live From Baghdad,” as well as guest roles on “The Shield, ” “Will

and Grace,” “Sports Night,” “Sex and the City,” and many others. He currently stars with Julia Louis

Dreyfus in the CBS comedy “The New Adventures of Old Christine.”

New York stage credits include the premieres of Jez Butterworth’s plays “Mojo” and “The Night

Heron,” “Boys’ Life” (Drama Desk nomination), Aaron Sorkin’s “A Few Good Men” on Broadway, as

well as new works by John Guare, Craig Lucas, A. R. Gurney, and many others.

A founding member and former artistic director of the Atlantic Theater Company in New York,

whose members include David Mamet, William H. Macy and Felicity Huffman. He directed the New

York and Los Angeles premieres of Kevin Heelan’s “Distant Fires.” The New York production was

nominated for Drama Desk, Obie and Outer Critics Circle awards and moved to the Circle-in-the-Square

downtown. The Los Angeles production starring Samuel L. Jackson won three L.A. Weekly awards

including Best Direction, Best Ensemble and Best Play and was nominated for four Ovation Awards

including Best Director. He directed the critically acclaimed 1998 New York revival of David Mamet’s

“Edmond,” and created, co-wrote and directed the Los Angeles serialized play, “The Big Empty.”

His screenwriting debut, What Lies Beneath for Dreamworks starred Harrison Ford and Michelle

Pfeiffer and was directed by Robert Zemeckis. It is presently ranked 121 on the list of highest grossing

movies of all time. He is writing a movie about the last days of Pompeii for director Fernando Meirelles

(City of God) and producer Barry Mendel (Rushmore) at Universal. In the spring of 2006 he is scheduled

to make his feature directing debut with his own adaptation of Chuck Palahniuk’s (Fight Club) book,

Choke. Clark has also written or re-written scripts for Disney, Universal, Paramount, Fox and Fox 2000.

ABOUT THE FILMMAKERS

JONATHAN KASDAN (Director / Screenplay) grew up in Los Angeles, California. Jonathan’s previous

writing credits include the television series “Dawson’s Creek” and “Freaks & Geeks.” In the Land of

Women marks his directorial debut.

STEVE GOLIN (Producer) is the founder and CEO of Anonymous Content, a multimedia development,

production and talent/management company based in Culver City, California, and an award-winning

producer of three dozen film and television projects distinguished by an original and often quirky

sensibility.

Golin produced one of the AFI’s Top 10 Films of 2004 and Golden Globe Best Picture nominee

“Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,” starring Best Actor nominee Jim Carrey, Best Actress nominee

Kate Winslet, Best Screenplay nominee Charlie Kaufman (“Being John Malkovich”) and directed by

Michel Gondry (“Human Nature”).

Currently, Golin is developing the screen adaptation of Ted Heller’s novel “Slabrat” at United

Artists and the adaptation of William Gibson’s novel “Pattern Recognition” at Warner Bros., with Peter

Weir (“Master and Commander”) attached to direct. Golin recently produced the box office hit “50 First

Dates,” starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore, written by Anonymous client George Wing, which

earned more than $180 million worldwide. He executive produced “Searching for the Wrong Eyed

Jesus,” a documentary by Anonymous director Andrew Douglas which was in competition at the 2004

Tribeca Film Festival.

In the realm of television Golin recently served as executive producer of the ABC Family telefilm

“Celeste in the City” and currently serves as executive producer of Showtime’s new hit series “The L-

Word,” the fasted renewed series in the network’s history.

Since the founding of Anonymous Content, Golin has produced the critically acclaimed “Being

John Malkovich,” starring John Malkovich, John Cusack and Cameron Diaz (multiple Oscar, Golden

Globe, SAG and DGA nominations, Grand Prize winner at the 1999 Deauville Film Festival, Independent

Spirit Awards winner for Best New Film); “Nurse Betty,” starring Morgan Freeman, Chris Rock and

Oscar winner Renée Zellweger (Best Screenplay winner at the 2000 Cannes Film Festival); and “Bounce”

starring Ben Affleck and Gwyneth Paltrow.

During his tenure as founder and co-chairman of Propaganda Films, Golin produced David

Fincher’s “The Game,” starring Michael Douglas and Sean Penn; Barry Levinson’s “Sleepers,” starring

Brad Pitt, Robert DeNiro and Billy Crudup; Jane Campion’s “Portrait of a Lady,” starring Nicole Kidman

and John Malkovich (nominated for an Oscar and Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress – Barbara

Hershey); David Lynch’s “Wild at Heart,” starring Nicolas Cage and Laura Dern (winner of the Palme

d’Or at Cannes 1990 and Oscar-nominated for Best Supporting Actress – Diane Ladd); John Dahl’s “Red

Rock West,” starring Nicolas Cage and Lara Flynn Boyle (nominated for Best Director and Best

Screenplay, 1995 Spirit Awards); Dom Sena’s “Kalifornia,” starring Brad Pitt and David Duchovny; and

Madonna’s provocative “Truth or Dare.” He also produced such telefilms, special and series as “Beverly

Hills, 90210,” David Lynch’s “Twin Peaks,” “Heat Wave” (winner of four Cable ACE Awards including

Best Movie and an Emmy for Best Supporting Actor – James Earl Jones), “Tales of the City” (Peabody

winner) and the Showtime series “Fallen Angels,” with episodes directed by Tom Hanks, Tom Cruise,

Steven Soderbergh and Phil Joanou, among others.

Under Golin’s management, Anonymous Content currently represents the following roster of

prominent and rising directors for commercial and music video representation: David Fincher, Guy

Ritchie, David Kellogg, Gore Verbinski, Mark Romanek, Andrew Douglas, Malcolm Venville, Robert

Logevall and many others for commercials and music videos. Its talent management division includes

such acting clients as Academy Award nominee Patricia Clarkson, Tony Goldwyn, Omar Epps, Tom

Everett Scott, Maura Tierney, Shane West, Ever Carradine, Orlando Jones, Ron Rifkin, Gabrielle Union

and Peter Gallagher, as well as Academy Award-winning writer Stephen Gaghan and Pulitzer Prizewinning

writer Donald Margulies.

Prior to Anonymous, Golin co-founded Propaganda Films in 1986, which set a new creative

standard for music videos and commercial production with its revolutionary style and sophistication.

Golin built Propaganda into the largest music video and commercial production company in the world,

and Propaganda has won more MTV Video and Cannes Palmes d’Or awards (for commercial excellence)

in those mediums than any other company. Under the direction of Golin, Propaganda’s music video

division earned a stellar reputation through its work with such diverse artists as Michael Jackson,

Madonna, The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, George Michael, The Beastie Boys and The Red Hot Chili

Peppers. Propaganda’s commercial division produced award-winning spots for such leading advertisers

as AT&T, IBM, Nike,

Apple, McDonald’s and Budweiser. While at Propaganda, Golin was involved in developing the careers

of some of Hollywood’s best directors, including David Fincher, Spike Jonze, Michael Bay, Alex Proyas,

Antoine Fuqua, Gore Verbinski, Alex Proyas, David Kellogg and Simon West.

Steve Golin attended New York University, graduated from the American Film Institute with an

MFA in producing, and is currently a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and

the Producers Guild of America.

DAVID KANTER (Producer) is a producer and manager at Anonymous Content, a multimedia

development, production and talent management company in Culver City, California.

Upcoming films that Kanter produced include the directorial debut of screenwriter Jon Kasdan,

“In the Land of Women,” a co-production with Castle Rock and Warner Bros. Independent starring Meg

Ryan and Adam Brody, scheduled for a Spring 2007 release; the controversial Tony Kaye documentary

“Lake of Fire” that premiered at the 2006 Toronto International Film Festival that ThinkFilm is releasing;

New Line Cinema’s “Rendition,” directed by Gavin Hood and starring Reese Witherspoon, Jake

Gyllenhaal, Meryl Streep and Alan Arkin; Universal Pictures’ “Dead I May Well Be,” directed by John

Lee Hancock; and “Across the Medicine Line,” a co-production with National Geographic Films about

the relationship between the legendary Sioux Chief Sitting Bull and his Saskatchewan protector, James

Walsh. Other films that Kanter has in development include “Chronically Metropolitan,” “Jeremy Orm is

a Pervert,” “One Night in Bangkok” and “Something Old, Something New.” TV credits for Kanter

include “To Love and Die in L.A.” which debuts in June for USA Network, which he executive produced,

and “Law & Order: Crime & Punishment,” a series documentary for NBC that he co-created and

executive produced.

As a manager, Kanter has built an impressive client roster including Patrick Sheane Duncan

(writer, “Courage Under Fire,” “Mr. Holland’s Opus”), Chad Lowe (director/producer, “Beautiful Ohio,”

“Chronically Metropolitan”), Barry Blaustein (director, “The Ringer,” writer, “The Nutty Professor,”

“Boomerang”), Donald Margulies (Pulitzer Prize winning-author of “Dinner with Friends”, “Sight

Unseen” and the upcoming “Keith Moon” with Mike Meyers), Edward Neumeier (writer, “Robocop,”

“Starship Troopers”), Emmy-winner Larry Ramin (“The Gathering Storm,” Universal’s “The

Ambassador”), Stephen Metcalfe (writer, “Beautiful Joe,” “Roommates,” “Jacknife”) and Lesli Linka

Glatter (director/producer, “The Proposition,” “Now and Then,” “The Gilmore Girls”).

LAWRENCE KASDAN (Executive Producer) has directed ten films: “Body Heat,” “The Big Chill,”

“Silverado,” “The Accidental Tourist,” “I Love You To Death,” “Grand Canyon,” “Wyatt Earp,” “French

Kiss,” “Mumford” and “Dreamcatcher”. He has written or co-written all of these pictures except John

Kostmayer’s “I Love You To Death” and Adam Brook’s “French Kiss”.

In addition, Kasdan has written or co-written four of the most successful films in motion picture

history. “Raiders Of The Lost Ark,” “The Empire Strikes Back,” “Return Of The Jedi” and “The

Bodyguard”.

Born in Miami Beach, Florida and raised in West Virginia, Kasdan grew up in a family in which

writing was encouraged. He attended the University of Michigan, helped financially by winning the

Hopwood Award in Creative Writing four times. He then went on to earn a master’s degree in education.

For the next five years, Kasdan worked as an advertising copywriter in Detroit (three years at

W.B. Doner) and Los Angeles while trying to sell his screenplays. The sixth screenplay he submitted,

“The Bodyguard,” was the first to be purchased in 1977.

His next screenplay, “Continental Divide,” caught the attention of Steven Spielberg, who

introduced the writer to George Lucas. Spielberg and Lucas asked Kasdan to write the screenplay for

“Raiders Of The Lost Ark”. When screenwriter Leigh Brackett died before finishing the script to the Star

Wars sequel “The Empire Strikes Back,” Kasdan was asked to take over as writer. He went on to co-write

“Return Of The Jedi” with Lucas.

Kasdan made his critically acclaimed directorial debut with “Body Heat,” in which he cast two

little-known actors, William Hurt and Kathleen Turner, in the lead roles. Next, he directed “The Big

Chill,” which he co-wrote with Barbara Benedek and which was nominated for three Academy Awards,

including Best Picture. His next effort was the sprawling western “Silverado,” which he directed,

produced and co-wrote with his brother Mark.

Kasdan next directed “The Accidental Tourist,” based on the novel by Anne Tyler and adapted by

Kasdan and Frank Galati. The film was named Best Picture of 1988 by the New York Film Critics,

received four Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, and earned Geena Davis a Best

Supporting Actress award.

1990’s “I Love You To Death,” starring Kevin Kline, Tracey Ullman, Joan Plowright, River

Phoenix, Keanu Reeves and William Hurt and written by John Kostmayer, was the first script that Kasdan

directed that he did not write.

The script for “Grand Canyon,” co-written with his wife Meg Kasdan, earned them Academy

Award and Golden Globe nominations for Best Original Screenplay. The film, which stars Danny Glover,

Steve Martin, Kevin Kline, Mary McDonnell, Alfre Woodward and Mary-Louise Parker, received the

Golden Bear Award for Best Picture at the 1992 Berlin Film Festival.

In 1992, Kasdan’s seventeen-year-old script for “The Bodyguard” was filmed, starring Kevin

Costner and Whitney Houston under the direction of Mick Jackson. Kasdan, Jim Wilson and Kevin

Costner produced the movie, which went on to gross $400 million in theatres worldwide.

Kasdan produced the 1987 comedy “Cross My Heart,” directed by Armyan Bernstein, and in

1989 executive produced “Immediate Family,” written by Barbara Benedek and directed by Jonathan

Kaplan. In 1998 he produced “Home Fries” with Mark Johnson, Barry Levinson and Charles Newirth,

starring Drew Barrymore.

In 1994, Kasdan directed the Warner Bros. release of “Wyatt Earp,” the epic story of the Earps of

Tombstone, starring Kevin Costner, Dennis Quaid and Gene Hackman. In 1995, Kasdan took a

completely different turn and directed “French Kiss,” a romantic comedy written by Adam Brooks which

starts Meg Ryan as a hapless American lost in France and Kevin Kline as the suspicious Frenchman who

befriends her.

Kasdan made his theatrical stage debut in the fall of 1995 as director of John Patrick Shanley’s

“Four Dogs & a Bone”. This dark comedy, an ironic look at the seamier side of Hollywood, starred

Elizabeth Perkins, Martin Short, Brendan Fraser and Parker Posey, and was the inaugural play of the

newly renovated and renamed Geffen Playhouse.

“Mumford,” a comedy that Kasdan wrote and directed, and produced with Charles Okun, was a

fall 1999 release of Touchstone Pictures. At the San Sebastian Film Festival it won the award for Best

Screenplay given by the Circle of Cinema Writers.

Kasdan most recently directed “Dreamcatcher,” based on the novel by Stephen King, for Castle

Rock Entertainment and Warner Bros. Adapted for the screen by William Goldman and Lawrence

Kasdan, the film was produced by Kasdan with Charles Okun. It was released in March 2003.

BARBARA KELLY (Co-Producer / Production Manager) has worked on a variety of projects since she

began her career in film and television production. Kelly’s co-producer film credits include the recently

completed “MEM-O-RE” starring Billy Zane, Ann Margret and Dennis Hopper, “They” for Radar

Pictures/Miramax Pictures and “A Pyromaniac’s Love Story” directed by Joshua Brand.

As Production Manager, some of her feature film credits include the blockbuster

“I Robot,” (20th Century Fox) “Ballistics/ Ecks vs Sever,” (Franchise Pictures/Warner Bros) “40 Days &

40 Nights,” (Working Title/Miramax Films) “Speaking Of Sex,” (Omnibus/Canal Plus) “This Is My

Life” (20th Century Fox) and “Sea Of Love” (Universal) directed by Harold Becker.

A few of her television producing credits include the Columbia/Tri-Star crime drama series

“Secret Agent Man;” the mini-series “Atomic Train;” MOWs credits are “Different,” “Oklahoma City

Bombing,” “Circle of Deceit,” “Jitters,” “Second Chances” and “Little Criminals”.

Kelly is a Political Science graduate of Carleton University, as well as holding a BA in

Anthropology and ARTC/Teaching Certificate from the Royal Conservatory of Music.

PAUL CAMERON’s (Director of Photography) career has exploded in the past several years to include

work on some of the most acclaimed action thrillers to come out of Hollywood.

Having worked on films including “Collateral,” “Man on Fire” and “Swordfish,” Cameron’s

inventive visual style has been hailed by critics everywhere. His cinematography on “Collateral” received

dozens of nominations for awards, culminating with the 2004 Los Angeles Critics Award for Best

Cinematography.

In 2003, his masterful lensing caught the eye of the Clio Awards for his brilliant photography on

the BMW featurette “Beat the Devil,” for which he took top cinematography honors.

Cameron has worked with some of the finest director’s in the industry, perfecting his style on

projects helmed by Tony Scott, Michael Mann and Dominic Sena.

Born in Montreal, Quebec, Cameron was exposed early on to theater and film by his older brother

before enrolling at State University of New York’s Purchase College to study filmmaking. Joining the

film union Nabet 15 while still in college, Cameron religiously attended the NY Film Festival and became

enamored with international cinema.

Making a name early on in music videos and commercials, Cameron credits his early work

experience with helping to develop the distinctive style he brings to features.

CAROL LITTLETON (Editor) A.C.E. is one of Hollywood’s most talented and successful film editors.

Her editing career spans 30 years, with more than 30 feature films to her credit. Ms. Littleton began a

close collaboration with writer-director Lawrence Kasdan in 1981 with his directorial debut, “Body

Heat”. She continued her collaboration with Kasdan on eight more films, including “The Big Chill,”

“Silverado” and “Grand Canyon”. Ms. Littleton has also collaborated with director Jonathan Demme on

four films, including his latest, “The Manchurian Candidate”.

Littleton received an Academy Award nomination in 1982 for Steven Spielberg’s “E.T.: The

Extraterrestial”. Other films she has edited include “Places In The Heart,” “Tuesdays With Morrie”

(Emmy Award for editing) and the restoration of Erich Von Stoheim’s 1926 classic, “Greed”. In 1994,

she edited “China Moon,” the directorial debut of her husband, noted cinematographer John Bailey,

A.S.C.

A native of Miami, Oklahoma, Ms. Littleton graduated with honors from the University of

Oklahoma. As a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Paris, Ms. Littleton completed her master’s thesis

and was awarded her MA in French from the University of Oklahoma in 1969. The University of

Oklahoma, College of Arts and Sciences again honored Ms. Littleton 30 years later with the

Distinguished Alumnae Award.

In 1987, Littleton was elected President of the Editors Guild and served two terms, only the

second woman to hold that office. In the mid-90’s she and John Bailey were elected to the Board of

Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences—the first time a married couple had

served together since Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks. Littleton and Bailey reside in Hollywood

and in New York City.

SANDY COCHRANE (Production Designer) trained and worked in theatre for 15 years before arriving

in Vancouver in the early 80’s where he soon discovered a growing film industry. Twenty years later,

Cochrane has had the pleasure of art directing and designing over 25 film and television projects. Feature

film credits as Art Director include “Paycheck,” “The Santa Clause 2,” “Along Came A Spider,” “I’ll Be

Home For Christmas,” “Wrongfully Accused,” “Hideaway,” “Look Who’s Talking Now,” “This Boy’s

Life,” and “Leaving Normal.” As Production Designer, some of his television projects are “Saving

Milly,” “Meltdown,” “Double Bill,” “Lady and The Champ,” “Personally Yours,” and “Miracle On The

17th Green.”

TRISH KEATING (Costume Designer) started off her career in Nova Scotia, Canada where she earned a

B.Sc. degree in clothing and textiles. After teaching school in Montreal for a few years, Keating headed

west to Vancouver where her career flourished as a costume designer for film and theatre.

Keating has worked on over 50 feature films and television projects. Feature film credits include

“Man About Town,” “Hope Springs,” “The Sixth Day,” “Spooky House,” “Disturbing Behaviour,”

“Carpool,” “Tales From The Crypt,” “Arctic Blue,” “Knight Moves,” “Run,” “The Accused,” “The

Boy Who Could Fly,” “The Thing,” “Never Cry Wolf” and “All Washed Up.”

STEPHEN TRASK (Composer) is the co-creator, composer/lyricist of the Off-Broadway Musical, multi

award winning, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, which developed into the feature film release by Fine Line

Features. His instrumental score for the movie was his feature film debut, and the film's soundtrack was

Stephen’s first commercial release as a record producer.

Immediately thereafter Stephen was tapped by director Alex Steyermark to score and produce

songs for Prey for Rock and Roll, starring Gina Gershon. For Prey Stephen assembled an all-star all-girl

rock band featuring Sara Lee (Gang of Four, Indigo Girls & B-52's), Sam Maloney (Hole, Motley Crue),

Cheri Lovedog, who wrote the screenplay and the songs, and rock legend Joan Jett.

Then Tom McCarthy called Stephen to score the award winning The Station Agent (Miramax),

followed by Paul Weitz’ Synergy aka In Good Company at Universal starring Scarlett Johannson and

Topher Grace,

Currently, Stephen is in development at National Artists with Barry Weisler with the stage

adaptation of The Blue Angel as composer/lyricist.

For Hedwig, Stephen received an Obie Award, the Outter Critics Circle Award for Outstanding

off-Broadway Musical, a 1998 New York Magazine Award, Drama Desk nominations for Outstanding

Music, Lyrics and New Musical, A Grammy nomination for Best Cast Album, two GLAMA Awards, and

Entertainment Weekly Best Soundtrack Award for 2001.

* * *

WARNER BROS. PICTURES

and CASTLE ROCK ENTERTAINMENT Present

An ANONYMOUS CONTENT Production

“IN THE LAND OF WOMEN”

END CREDITS

Written and Directed by

JONATHAN KASDAN

Produced by

STEVE GOLIN

and DAVID KANTER

Executive Producer

LAWRENCE KASDAN

Director of Photography

PAUL CAMERON

Production Designer

SANDY COCHRANE

Edited by

CAROL LITTLETON, A.C.E.

ADAM BRODY

KRISTEN STEWART

and MEG RYAN

“IN THE LAND OF WOMEN”

OLYMPIA DUKAKIS

MAKENZIE VEGA

ELENA ANAYA

CLARK GREGG

JoBETH WILLIAMS

DUSTIN MILLIGAN

GINNIFER GOODWIN

Casting by

AMANDA MACKEY

CATHY SANDRICH GELFOND

WENDY WEIDMAN, SIG deMIGUEL

Costumes Designed by

TRISH KEATING

Original Score by

STEPHEN TRASK

Music Supervisors

MANISH RAVAL and TOM WOLF

Co-Producer

BARBARA KELLY

Unit Production Manager .............................................................. BARBARA KELLY

Production Manager ...................................................................... JULIA NEVILLE

First Assistant Director.................................................................. PAUL K. BARRY

Second Assistant Director ............................................................. PAUL BURGER

CAST

In Order of Appearance

Sofia Buñuel.................................................................................. ELENA ANAYA

Carter Webb .................................................................................. ADAM BRODY

Teenage Girls ................................................................................ KELSEY KEEL

DANIELLE SAVRE

GINA MANTEGNA

Avi Rosenberg............................................................................... ROBERT REINIS

Agnes Webb .................................................................................. JoBETH WILLIAMS

Paige Hardwicke............................................................................ MAKENZIE VEGA

Lucy Hardwicke ............................................................................ KRISTEN STEWART

Sarah Hardwicke ........................................................................... MEG RYAN

Phyllis............................................................................................ OLYMPIA DUKAKIS

Eric Watts...................................................................................... DUSTIN MILLIGAN

Gabe Foley .................................................................................... GRAHAM WARDLE

Tiffany........................................................................................... ELISE GATIEN

Tanya............................................................................................. CHRISTINE DANIELLE

Nelson Hardwicke ......................................................................... CLARK GREGG

Howard Portchnik.......................................................................... JEFF CUNNINGHAM

Party Girls...................................................................................... TAMARA LOVEGROVE

BRITTANY STARLING

Nelson's Assistant.......................................................................... ILYSE MIMOUN

Dr. Ida Rosen................................................................................. KARIN KONOVAL

Janey.............................................................................................. GINNIFER GOODWIN

Bozo .............................................................................................. ANGUS

Stunt Coordinators......................................................................... DEAN CHOE

DUANE DICKINSON

DAVE HOSPES

Stunts............................................................................................. JON KRALT

LAURA LEE CONNERY

Art Director ................................................................................... MARGOT READY

Assistant Art Director.................................................................... BRIAN CUNNINGHAM

Set Decorator................................................................................. LOUISE ROPER

Lead Dresser.................................................................................. STEVE KILLI

On Set Dresser............................................................................... CODY LARSON

"A" Camera Operator/Steadicam................................................... DAVID CRONE

"A" Camera First Assistant ........................................................... SEAN HARDING

"A" Camera Second Assistant ....................................................... TYLER WOESTE

"B" Camera Operator .................................................................... SCOTT MacDONALD

"B" Camera First Assistant............................................................ GEORGE MAJOROS

"B" Camera Second Assistant ....................................................... JEAN MARC SALDINI

Stills Photographers....................................................................... LIANE HENTSCHER

LOREY SEBASTIAN

Co-Editor....................................................................................... MARTIN LEVENSTEIN

First Assistant Editor ..................................................................... OFE YI

Assistant Editors............................................................................ JASON DALE

SUZY ORTEGA

Post Production Supervisor ........................................................... TRICIA MILES

Second Assistant Directors............................................................ JACKIE FROST

RUBY STILLWATER

Third Assistant Director ................................................................ JENNIFER ZIMMER

DGA Trainee ................................................................................. PHIL NEE NEE

Re-Recording Mixers .................................................................... STEVE PEDERSON

BRAD SHERMAN

Supervising Sound Editor.............................................................. JOEL SHRYACK

Sound Designer ............................................................................. ROBERT GRIEVE

Sound Mixer.................................................................................. DAVID HUSBY

Boom Operator.............................................................................. CHARLES O'SHEA

Cable.............................................................................................. COLIN ORCHARD

Video Assist Supervisor ................................................................ DAVE JOSHI

Script Supervisor ........................................................................... PORTIA BELMONT

Assistant Costume Designer.......................................................... GAIL BARRETT

Costume Supervisor ...................................................................... VAL HALVERSON

Costume Set Supervisor ................................................................ ELIZABETH NEEDHAM

Makeup Department Head............................................................. LISA LOVE

1st Assistant Makeup..................................................................... CJ WILLS

Prosthetics ..................................................................................... WILLIAM TEREZAKIS

Hair Department Head................................................................... PAULINE TREMBLAY

Makeup and Hairstylist for Ms. Ryan ........................................... NORIKO WATANABE

Makeup and Hairstylist for Ms. Dukakis ...................................... TOM BRUMBERGER

Assistant Hairstylist....................................................................... SHARON MARKELL

Hair Double ................................................................................... KRISTA BAILEY

Property Master ............................................................................. JIM LEBANC

Assistant Property Master ............................................................. DAVE ROSYCHUK

On Set Props.................................................................................. SHER EDMONDS

Chief Lighting Technician............................................................. STUART HAGGERTY

Assistant Chief Lighting Technician ............................................. SHAWN MILSTED

Generator Operator........................................................................ ROGER BAILEY

Key Grip........................................................................................ JOHN WESTERLAKEN

Best Boy Grips .............................................................................. TONY THORPE

GARETH FARFAN

Dolly Grips.................................................................................... CHRIS BANTING

BRYCE SHAW

Special Effects Coordinator........................................................... DAVID ALLINSON

Special Effects............................................................................... PIERRE PAUL

CHARBONEAU

Location Manager.......................................................................... DEBORAH BOSE

Assistant Location Managers ........................................................ DAVID TAMKIN

DANA HERRIOTT

Construction Coordinator .............................................................. LYALL HEIGHTON

Construction Foreman ................................................................... MITCHELL BAKER

Transportation Coordinator ........................................................... LAURIE MORRIS

Transportation Captain .................................................................. RANJ JAWANT

Transportation Co-Captain ............................................................ BRAD BOWE

Production Accountant .................................................................. DONALD H. WALKER

1st Assistant Accountant ............................................................... JANE MASON

Production Coordinator ................................................................. ANDREA BOORMAN

Assistant Production Coordinators................................................ DANNY McNAIR

CARL GRUELL

Consultant...................................................................................... MARK KASDAN

Assistant to Jonathan Kasdan ........................................................ JUSTIN MAGGIO

Assistant to Lawrence Kasdan....................................................... WILMA DAVIS

Assistant to Steve Golin ................................................................ ELYSE JERRY

Assistant to David Kanter.............................................................. MICHAEL A. KOSSART

Staff Assistants.............................................................................. JENNIFER MALLOY

VOLNEY McFARLIN III

SARAH HUGHES

TYLER BLISS

MICHELLE HARRIS

TAMMY NIELSEN

ASTRID STARKE

JEREMY LUNDSTROM

Staff Assistants (cont.) .................................................................. DEBBIE PALINKAS

KEVIN GUNS

SEBASTIAN BAUER

RANDALL BOL

Production Associates ................................................................... BRIANNE BENTZON

JENNIFER COUVELIER

(space)

Canadian Casting........................................................................... STUART AIKINS, C.S.A.

SEAN COSSEY, C.S.A.

(space)

Casting Assistants.......................................................................... FARRAH FOX-COLLIS (LA)

SAMANTHA FINKLER (NY)

ELISA BAYLEY (CANADA)

Extras Casting................................................................................ ANNIE KLEIN

Studio Teachers ............................................................................. PAT JACKSON

JAMES HERTZ

Unit Publicist................................................................................. JACKIE BISSLEY

International Sales Agent .............................................................. KATHY MORGAN

INTERNATIONAL

Sound Effects Editors.................................................................... AI LING LEE

KEITH BILDERBECK

Dialogue Editor ............................................................................. JEENA PHELPS

First Assistant Sound Editor.......................................................... NANCY TRACY

Foley Artists .................................................................................. ANDY MALCOLM

GORO KOYAMA

Foley Mixer ................................................................................... DON WHITE

ADR Mixers .................................................................................. THOMAS J. O'CONNELL

ERIC GOTTHELF

GREG STEELE

Supervising Music Editor.............................................................. CHUCK MARTIN

Music Editors ................................................................................ ROBB BOYD

TANYA HILL

TIM BOOT

Score Recorded and Mixed by ...................................................... TIM O'HEIR

First Aid/Craft Service .................................................................. NANCY KRESS

Catering ......................................................................................... BE CINEMA SCENES

Animal Coordinator....................................................................... PAUL JASPER

Titles.............................................................................................. ERIC FITZGERALD

Digital Intermediate and Opticals by............................................. TECHNICOLOR DIGITAL

INTERMEDIATES

Digital Film Colorist ..................................................................... TRENT JOHNSON

Soundtrack Album on Lakeshore Records

"Leisure Time"

Written and Performed by Mike Viola

Courtesy of Good Morning Monkey Records

"Spanish Stroll"

Written by Willy DeVille

Performed by Mink DeVille

Courtesy of Capitol Records

Under License from EMI Film & Television Music

"Hot Blooded"

Written by Lou Gramm and Mick Jones

Performed by Foreigner

Courtesy of Atlantic Recording Corp.

By Arrangement with Warner Music Group Film & TV Licensing

"Harness and Wheel"

Written by Bill Taylor, Ryan Richardson, Clarque Blomquist and Paul Finn

Performed by The Kingsbury Manx

Courtesy of Yep Roc Records

By Arrangement with Ocean Park Music Group

"Lester Hayes"

Written by Lateef Daumont and Xavier Mosley

Performed by Lateef & The Chief

Courtesy of Quannum Projects

By special arrangement with Bank Robber Music and Zync Music

"Hey You"

Written and Performed by Tommy Stinson

Courtesy of Sanctuary Records Group

"Do You Believe In Love"

Written by Robert John Lange

Performed by Huey Lewis and The News

Courtesy of Capitol Records

Under License from EMI Film & Television Music

"Better Never Than Late"

Written by Liam Corcoran, Derek Ellis, Andrew MacDonald and Alec O'Hanley

Performed by Two Hours Traffic

"Blending In"

Written by Mike Viola

Performed by Mike Viola and Bob Hoffnar

Courtesy of Good Morning Monkey Records

"Goods (All In Your Head)

Written by Kori Gardner and Jason Hammel

Performed by Mates of State

Courtesy of Polyvinyl Record Co.

"So Good To See You"

Written by Jerry Kalaf

Performed by The JK Jazz Ensemble

"Missing You"

Written by Jerry Kalaf

Performed by The JK Jazz Ensemble

"A Good Idea At The Time"

Written by Damian Kulash, Jr. and Timothy Nordwind

Performed by OK Go

Courtesy of Capitol Records

Under License from EMI Film & Television Music

"Publish My Love"

Written by Zach Rogue

Performed by Rogue Wave

Courtesy of Sub Pop Records

"Wanna Get Dead"

Written by Jeffrey Christian Whalen

Performed by TSAR

Courtesy of TVT Records

"Iceman"

Written and Performed by Bruce Springsteen

Courtesy of Columbia Records

By Arrangement with SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT

"The Night"

Written by Jerry Kalaf

Performed by The JK Jazz Ensemble

"Try Whistling This"

Written and Performed by Neil Finn

Courtesy of Epic Records

By arrangement with SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT/EMI Records Ltd.

"Seinfeld" Theme

Written by Jonathan Wolff

"Beautiful Girl"

Written by Andrew Farriss

Performed by INXS

Courtesy of Mercury Records Limited

Under license from Universal Music Enterprises/Atlantic Recording Corp.

By arrangement with Warner Music Group Film & TV Licensing

"When I Write The Book"

Written by Nick Lowe, Dave Edmunds, Billy Bremner and Terry Williams

Performed by Rockpile

Courtesy of Riviera Global Records Ltd.

By Arrangement with Ocean Park Music Group

"Seinfeld" Clip Courtesy of Castle Rock Entertainment

CORBIS

Final Draft Software provided by FINAL DRAFT INC.

Filmed on Location in Victoria, British Columbia and Los Angeles, California

The Producers Wish to Thank the following for their Assistance:

The City of Victoria, British Columbia

The Families of Weald Street

Chapman Camera Cranes & Dollies provided by P S PRODUCTION SERVICES, LTD. - -

Canada

Filmed with PANAVISION ® Cameras and Lenses

Color by TECHNICOLOR ®

KODAK Motion Picture Products

FUJIFILM Motion Picture Products

DOLBY Digital (logo) DTS Digital (logo) SDDS (logo)

Approved #42613 (emblem)

Motion Picture Association of America

(IATSE LABEL)

This motion picture

Story and Screenplay

Original Score

All material is protected by Copyright Laws of the United States and all countries throughout the

Bros. is the author of this motion picture for purposes of copyright and other laws. Any

unauthorized exhibition, distribution or copying

of this film or any part thereof (including soundtrack) is an infringement of the relevant copyright

and will subject the infringer to severe civil and criminal penalties.

The story, all names, characters and incidents portrayed in this production are fictitious. No

identification with actual persons, places, buildings and products is intended or should be

inferred.

Warner Bros. Distribution Closing Cloud Shield Logo

Posted by Bill at 09:14 PM | Permalink

April 17, 2007

Treasury Department News

July 27

Secretary Paulson Statement on Foreign Investment and National Security Act
Washington, DC--Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson, Jr. issued the following statement on the enactment of the Foreign Investment and National Security Act and the need for congressional approval of four pending free trade agreements:
--Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson, Jr. issued the following statement on the enactment of the Foreign Investment and National Security Act and the need for congressional approval of four pending free trade agreements:

I commend Congress, especially the Senate Banking and the House Financial Services Committee, for their successful efforts to reach bipartisan agreement. These efforts resulted in a law that will accomplish our mutual goals of ensuring that the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S., CFIUS, can continue to address national security imperatives while also reaffirming that America welcomes foreign investment.

The CFIUS process applies only when a transaction may be related to national security, and that is a very small percentage of foreign investment. The vast majority are mergers, acquisitions and investments, and don't receive a CFIUS review. Last year, and historically, only 10 percent of foreign direct investments were reviewed by CFIUS, and the vast majority of those received a review which was resolved without controversy. Importantly, the new law maintains CFIUS' narrow focus on transactions that raise national security concerns.

President Bush, through his open economies statement on May 10, 2007, and the Congress, through their actions on this bill, have reaffirmed that the U.S. continues to welcome foreign investment.

Foreign investment in America creates jobs and revitalizes communities. Foreign owned companies directly provide jobs to over 5 million U.S. workers, or almost 5 percent of our domestic workforce, and they support almost the same number of jobs indirectly.

Today, the United States sends a clear signal to the rest of the world that we continue to have an open economy. We are committed to encouraging other countries to deepen their commitment to open investment policies.

An open economy includes vigorous promotion of open investment, free markets and trade. And so, open investment is an important, but not the entire, statement of our principles. It is equally important to enact laws that encourage trade. Four Free Trade Agreements - three in Latin America and a fourth with South Korea – are awaiting Congressional action.

Approval of the Peru, Colombia and Panama FTAs are critical. We need to support democratic countries in our neighborhood. These countries are working to develop greater opportunities for their citizens. Economic opportunity that arises out of free trade will help build a thriving middle class in these countries, reducing poverty and creating new markets for U.S. goods.

The Korean FTA will create new opportunities for U.S. exporters and investors with our seventh largest trading partner.

We have worked with Congressional leaders to address their concerns about labor and environment provisions. In May, the FTAs were revised to include these agreed-upon changes, and that was to clear the way for Congressional approval.

Instead, congressional action is being delayed because some are now insisting that Peru, Colombia and Panama change their domestic laws before Congress will consider these agreements. That requirement is unprecedented and unfair and raises doubts about the ability of the United States to deliver on our international commitments.

We need Congress to ratify these FTAs, and I hope we will see Congress act on all of them in September.

The U.S. has long been a world leader in working to expand trade and break down barriers to trade, and to promote investments that benefit our citizens and the citizens of other nations. These policies are vital to ensuring a strong domestic and global economy.

Paulson Closing Statement at the
U.S. Business Tax Competitiveness Conference
Washington, DC--I hope that this morning's discussions have been as informative for you as they have been for me.
I hope that this morning's discussions have been as informative for you as they have been for me.

The distinguished experts and leaders who joined us did not disappoint; we have heard a variety of perspectives and candid discussion. And there is a strong consensus that our business tax system is far from optimal, and is undermining the competitiveness of American workers.

The business tax system has a very tangible impact on workers' daily lives and living standards. The goal of a business tax regime should be to minimize economic distortions and allow capital to flow to its most efficient use. Capital is the necessary fuel that provides workers the greatest opportunity for productive jobs, higher incomes, and living standards. Higher living standards, efficient use of capital and maintaining competitiveness are our mutual goals. They are the answer to the question "What are we trying to achieve?"

This morning we examined the options for answering the logical next question, which is "How do we best achieve it?" We heard from professors and policy-makers who have studied how to address the issues of complexity, targeted preferences, depreciation regimes, and incentives for entrepreneurship for many years. CEOs educated us on the impact the tax system has on investment, innovation, and expansion decisions. We heard some ideas for improving the system without sacrificing revenue, which could bring greater prosperity through new jobs and increased opportunities for workers.

It is clear from our discussion that America needs to remain alert and responsive to changing global economic conditions. Other nations have seen the results of the bold tax reforms enacted by the U.S. in the 1980s and they have moved to follow our example. And with much of the world having reduced their corporate rates, we now have the second highest statutory corporate tax rate among OECD nations.

The American economy today is healthy and we have record-low unemployment. But we must look to our future competitiveness with the goal of making sure that our policies recognize and respond to changes in the global marketplace.

We can't turn back the clock on globalization, nor should we want to. A globally integrated economy leads to greater innovation by American companies and gives American consumers a wider variety of choices and lower prices on a wide range of products from food to clothes to cars. Our business tax system must be one that will help our companies and workers successfully compete in a dynamic global economy.

We heard many good ideas and relevant insights here today. Much of our discussion confirmed what we at Treasury have already identified as elements of our business tax system that are obstacles to U.S. competitiveness. We also heard insights and ideas that have prompted additional thinking. We will spend some time digesting today's discussion and will then develop specific follow-up steps in the coming months to build support for the need to improve our business tax system, and ideas for doing just that.

It is important to act comprehensively and prudently, rather than respond on an ad hoc basis to current headlines. Promoting an efficient business tax system is a high priority for me, and I look forward to working with you on this complicated and significant endeavor.

Thank you again for joining us this morning.

Paulson Opening Statement at the U.S. Business Tax Competitiveness Conference
Washington, DC-- Good morning; thank you for coming today. And, thank you to the distinguished group of business, policy, and academic leaders who have joined us. With me here on stage for our first session are:
Good morning; thank you for coming today. And, thank you to the distinguished group of business, policy, and academic leaders who have joined us. With me here on stage for our first session are:

Michael Boskin, professor of economics at Stanford University and former chairman of the President's Council of Economic Advisors;

Safra Catz, President and CFO of Oracle Corporation;

Martin Feldstein, professor of economics at Harvard University and former chairman of the President's Council of Economic Advisors;

Alan Greenspan, former Chairman of the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank;

Jim Owens, Chairman and CEO of Capterpillar, Inc.; and,

Fred Smith, Chairman, President and CEO of FedEx Corporation.

Welcome, and I look forward to our panel.

My goal is to promote the policies and conditions for economic growth that will maintain and enhance our competitiveness, and lead to greater American prosperity. Enhanced competitiveness means new and better-paying jobs and higher living standards for American workers.

We all know two facts: first, that taxes are a drag on economic growth, and second, that taxes are necessary to raise revenues to fund federal government priorities. The question we must ask ourselves, then is this: for a given level of revenue, what business tax regime best maximizes job creation and economic growth and in doing so promotes higher standards of living for Americans?

Our current business tax system is clearly not optimal. It includes ad-hoc policies and preferences that result in a narrow tax base and create distortions that divert capital from its most efficient use. These include: complex, targeted provisions; depreciation schedules without clear rationale; taxation of capital income that discourages saving and investment; and, double taxation of corporate profits that can lead to misallocation of capital.

We have made great strides in the last few years. The 2001 reduction of individual income tax rates has helped flow-through businesses flourish and create jobs. In 2003 we reduced -- although we did not eliminate -- double taxation of dividends. Now, though, it is time for a comprehensive look at our system for taxing business.

Systemic distortions impact not only corporate owners, the shareholders, but also the employees. When capital is available to purchase new machine tools, to modernize an assembly line, or purchase laptop computers for a traveling sales force, employees are more productive. Greater productivity means a company can expand, increase wages, and provide new opportunities for employee advancement.

When an inefficient business taxation system discourages marginal investments, our workers pay the price.

We will discuss the economic distortions caused by the current system during our first roundtable session.

The business tax system must also take into account the reality of an integrated global economy, marked by borderless capital. Although many American workers don't feel that they are the essential drivers of the world's most powerful economy, they are.

Global economic expansion is not a zero-sum proposition -- it is no more true that a job created in Dublin means one less job in Denver, than that a job created in Miami means one less job in Minneapolis.

Foreign investments made by U.S. corporations bring real benefits to the domestic economy. A U.S. production facility overseas creates new export platforms, producing goods for sale in the world market that wouldn't be possible otherwise. U.S. companies support this international expansion by creating entry-level, mid-range, and high-paying jobs here -- productive jobs that raise living standards.

If American companies miss opportunities to build and sell overseas, it's a sure bet in this global economy that some other company will step in when we do not. Then the productivity and wage gains will go abroad, not to Americans. In today's competitive marketplace, if American companies can't expand globally, they risk stagnating at home.

Our business tax system should therefore not discourage inward and outward investment flows that are critical to U.S. businesses' ability to maintain their leadership positions around the world. Our second roundtable will look at the international tax system, and how we can best maximize our position in the global economy.

Now, when our economy is in a position of strength, is an opportune time to discuss the business tax system and its impact on workers, investment, and the United States' ability to compete in the world marketplace.

I look forward to hearing the panel's views and will ask them to start our conversation with this question: What is the impact of the business tax system on the competitiveness of U.S. businesses and how important are taxes relative to other factors which determine our economic competitiveness?

Statement of David H. McCormick
Nominee for Under Secretary of the Treasury
for International Affairs to the
U.S. Senate Committee on Finance

Chairman Baucus, Ranking Member Grassley, and members of the Committee on Finance, thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today. I am honored that President Bush has nominated me to serve as Under Secretary of the Treasury for International Affairs and, if confirmed, to have the opportunity to work with Secretary Paulson, the Treasury staff and others in the administration. I'd also like to take a moment to thank my wife Amy and our four children - who are here today - for their unwavering support for my public service.

If confirmed, I also look forward to working closely with this committee, the United States Senate, and your colleagues in the House of Representatives to advance U.S. economic interests at home and abroad.

My experiences as a senior member of the President's economic team, as a public company CEO, and as a former military officer have prepared me well for the position to which I have been nominated.

In my first role in government as Under Secretary of Commerce for Export Administration, I led a 250-person organization responsible for balancing the promotion of U.S. technology exports with the imperative of protecting our national security by controlling the transfer of militarily-sensitive technologies. In this position, I coordinated with other government agencies consulted actively with members of Congress and their staffs, worked closely with the business community, and engaged senior foreign officials in reaching agreement on multilateral approaches for satisfying both of these objectives.

This experience has been crucial to my success as the President's principal White House advisor for international economic policy with responsibilities closely aligned with those of the Under Secretary of Treasury for International Affairs. In my current role, I have led the US-Japan sub-cabinet economic dialogue, directed White House involvement in policies affecting foreign investment in the United States, and coordinated U.S. policy regarding multilateral debt relief, the President's U.S. AIDS Initiative, and the Millennium Challenge Account. I have also served as the President's personal representative for major economic summits such as those of the US-EU, APEC, and the G8.

My experiences in the private sector too are relevant to the responsibilities of the Under Secretary of Treasury. As a consultant serving Global 2000 companies, I worked with senior executives to develop and execute strategies for improving the growth and performance of their businesses. As an entrepreneur and public company CEO, I helped build and lead a profitable 1,000+ person technology organization with 25 offices worldwide. During this time, I collaborated with business leaders around the globe, and I witnessed firsthand their challenges in maintaining competitiveness in times of accelerating change.

Prior to my business career, I was a veteran of the first Gulf War and I served for five years as an active Army officer. From this experience, I learned the importance of setting a clear direction for an organization, communicating clearly and often, and leading by example. I followed this service with formal training in economics and foreign policy, receiving a Ph.D. from Princeton in 1996. Since that time, I have written regularly on economic, national security, and business-related issues.

I'm confident that based on these experiences I have the capacity to take on the responsibilities of Under Secretary and execute them successfully. If confirmed, I will immediately focus on pressing issues such as addressing growing global imbalances, accelerating China's stable integration into the global economy, and ensuring that development assistance from the multilateral development banks is deployed effectively around the world. I will also focus on advancing the President's vision for opening foreign markets for U.S. goods and services and accelerating the transition of many developing countries to true market-based economies. I will emphasize the critical importance of economic growth, good governance, and the rule of law in ensuring that all parts of the global economy can become vibrant and prosperous, while at the same time maintaining vigilance to try to prevent future financial crises.

Mr. Chairman, Senator Grassley, I am grateful for this opportunity to appear before you today. I would be pleased to answer any questions you and other members of the Committee may have.

Treasury Releases Business Taxation and
Global Competitiveness Background
Paper
Washington, D.C.--The Treasury Department released today a background paper concerning some of the many issues to be discussed Thursday, July 26 at the Treasury Conference on Business Taxation and Global Competitiveness.
The Treasury Department released today a background paper concerning some of the many issues to be discussed Thursday, July 26 at the Treasury Conference on Business Taxation and Global Competitiveness.

The paper details:

the extent to which special provisions narrow the business tax base;

the importance of the non-corporate sector generally subject to the individual tax rather than the corporate tax;

the various ways the tax system distorts economic decisions; and

how the level of U.S. tax compares with our major trading partners (G7, OECD, and emerging market countries).

The paper also discusses the U.S. system for taxing international income and examines how that affects business decisions. A PDF copy of the paper is attached.

REPORTS
Tax Conference Background Paper

Twin Treasury Actions Take Aim at Hizballah’s Support Network

The U.S. Department of the Treasury today targeted Hizballah's support network by designating the Iran-based Martyrs Foundation, including its U.S. branch, and the finance firm Al-Qard al-Hassan (AQAH) under Executive Order 13224. Two individuals were also designated today for the role they play in Hizballah's support network.

"We will continue to target those who form the financial backbone of Hizballah, Hamas, PIJ and other terrorist groups that are attempting to destabilize Lebanon and target innocent civilians," said Stuart Levey, Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence. "We will not allow organizations that support terrorism to raise money in the United States or to evade our measures and continue to operate simply by changing their names."

The Martyrs Foundation

The Martyrs Foundation is an Iranian parastatal organization that channels financial support from Iran to several terrorist organizations in the Levant, including Hizballah, Hamas, and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ). To this end, the Martyrs Foundation established branches in Lebanon staffed by leaders and members of these same terrorist groups. Martyrs Foundation branches in Lebanon has also provided financial support to the families of killed or imprisoned Hizballah and PIJ members, including suicide bombers in the Palestinian territories.

In addition to fundraising responsibilities, senior Martyrs Foundation officials were directly involved in Hizballah operations against Israel during the July-August 2006 conflict. In addition, a Lebanon-based leader of the Martyrs Foundation has directed and financed terrorist cells in the Gaza Strip that worked with Hizballah and PIJ.

Today's designation includes the Goodwill Charitable Organization (GCO), a fundraising office established by the Martyrs Foundation in Dearborn, Michigan. GCO is a Hizballah front organization that reports directly to the leadership of the Martyrs Foundation in Lebanon. Hizballah recruited GCO leaders and has maintained close contact with GCO representatives in the United States.

GCO has provided financial support to Hizballah directly and through the Martyrs Foundation in Lebanon. Hizballah's leaders in Lebanon have instructed Hizballah members in the United States to send their contributions to GCO and to contact the GCO for the purpose of contributing to the Martyrs Foundation. Since its founding, GCO has sent a significant amount of money to the Martyrs Foundation in Lebanon.

Al-Qard al-Hassan

Hizballah has used AQAH as a cover to manage its financial activity. AQAH is run by Husayn al-Shami, a senior Hizballah leader who has served as a member of Hizballah's Shura Council and as head of several Hizballah-controlled organizations.

Following the September 7, 2006 designation of al-Shami, along with Bayt al-Mal and Yousser Company for Finance and Investment, AQAH assumed a more prominent role in Hizballah's financial infrastructure. As of February 2007, bank accounts of Bayt al-Mal and Yousser Company were changed and re-registered in the name of senior employees of AQAH.

Further, after the majority of Bayt al-Mal's offices were destroyed during the summer 2006 conflict, Hizballah transferred a portion of its financial activity to AQAH, giving Hizballah access to the international banking system.

Individuals

Treasury's action today also targets Qasem Aliq, a Hizballah official who was previously the director for the Martyrs Foundation branch in Lebanon. In addition to overseeing Martyrs Foundation's operation, Aliq worked closely with senior Hizballah officials. Aliq currently serves as the director of Jihad al-Bina, a Lebanon-based construction company formed and operated by Hizballah and previously designated by the Treasury.

Also designated today was Ahmad al-Shami, who has worked for the Martyrs Foundation in Lebanon and has been in frequent contact with GCO. Money raised by GCO was sent to al-Shami in Lebanon to be distributed to the Martyrs Foundation. Hizballah leadership placed Ahmad al-Shami in his position at the Martyrs Foundation in Lebanon.

Today's action is being taken pursuant to Executive Order 13224, which is aimed at financially isolating terrorists and their support networks. Designations under E.O. 13224 freeze any assets the designees may have under U.S. jurisdiction and prohibit transactions by U.S. persons with the designees.

Steel Statement on Basel II Resolution

Treasury Under Secretary for Domestic Finance Robert K. Steel released the following statement today regarding the Basel II Accord agreement among the Federal Reserve, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the Office of Thrift Supervision:

"The federal financial regulators must be commended today for their work on Basel II. Resolution on this matter is an essential component of any effort to modernize our regulatory structure and to strengthen American capital markets' competitiveness.

"This is a challenging issue, requiring a complex balance of safety, soundness and global competitiveness concerns. The regulators demonstrated a willingness to work together with the best interests of the United States in mind and I look forward to seeing the results of their cooperation."

United States and Other Paris Club Creditors Provide Further Debt Relief to Afghanistan
Washington, D.C.--The United States and fellow Paris Club members Russia and Germany agreed Wednesday to provide additional debt relief to Afghanistan under the terms of the enhanced Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative. This agreement allows Afghanistan to benefit from debt reduction under the HIPC initiative of 92 percent, which is worth approximately $1 billion.
The United States and fellow Paris Club members Russia and Germany agreed Wednesday to provide additional debt relief to Afghanistan under the terms of the enhanced Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative. This agreement allows Afghanistan to benefit from debt reduction under the HIPC initiative of 92 percent, which is worth approximately $1 billion.

Under the HIPC framework, the three bilateral creditors will cancel 90 percent of the non-concessional debt payments Afghanistan would owe during its current IMF program, deepening the relief the three countries agreed to provide in the Paris Club in July 2006. The United States will go beyond the HIPC framework and forgive 100 percent of all debt payments falling due.

The debt relief follows a decision by the executive boards of the World Bank and IMF – with strong U.S. support – to declare earlier this month that Afghanistan had formally qualified for the HIPC initiative. To achieve this, the Afghan government had to adhere to the terms of its IMF program as well as meet certain other requirements. All remaining debt will be forgiven by the United States, Russia and Germany once Afghanistan reaches the completion point of its HIPC program. Total debt relief for Afghanistan will equal more than $11 billion, which represents more than 99 percent of its total debt.

It is a major achievement of the Afghan government to qualify for HIPC debt relief. This debt relief is a crucial step towards normalizing Afghanistan's relations with the international financial community and in helping Afghanistan move towards economic sustainability.

The United States urges Afghanistan's other bilateral creditors to join the Paris Club members by providing 100 percent debt reduction.

July 6

Treasury Awards $3.6 Million to Organizations ServingEconomically Distressed Native American Communities
Crazy Horse, South Dakota – The director of the U.S. Treasury Department's Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund, Kimberly A. Reed, visited South Dakota's Crazy Horse Memorial today to announce awards totaling $3,632,292 to 19 organizations serving Native American or Alaskan Native communities in 12 states. The awards were made through the CDFI Fund's Native American CDFI Assistance (NACA) Program.
The director of the U.S. Treasury Department's Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund, Kimberly A. Reed, visited South Dakota's Crazy Horse Memorial today to announce awards totaling $3,632,292 to 19 organizations serving Native American or Alaskan Native communities in 12 states. The awards were made through the CDFI Fund's Native American CDFI Assistance (NACA) Program.

"Today, we are recognizing 19 Native organizations that are on the front lines to provide important financial education, create critically needed jobs and help Native families and communities build personal wealth," said CDFI Fund Director Reed. "We are very pleased to know that the over $3.6 million being awarded today will provide these community-based lenders the resources to do more of this important work in Native American and Alaskan Native communities."

Treasury held the national award announcement at the Crazy Horse Memorial to highlight the four South Dakota-based award recipients: First Nations Oweesta Corporation (Rapid City), The Lakota Fund (Kyle), Mazaska Owecaso Otipi Financial, Inc. (Pine Ridge), and the Teton Coalition, Inc. (Rapid City) – all of which are leaders serving the community development needs of their Native communities. The awardees were selected after a competitive review of 29 applications received by the CDFI Fund from organizations across the nation that requested nearly $11 million in funding under the 2007 round of the NACA Program.

Since 2002, the CDFI Fund has made 148 awards totaling $23.1 million through its various funding programs aimed at benefiting Native communities. In five short years, the number of Native CDFIs has grown from 14 to 43 – a 307 percent increase. In addition, the CDFI Fund has awarded over $7.5 million in contracts to organizations that provide capacity-building and financial services training programs that are focused on Native Communities.

Background

The CDFI Fund invests in and builds the capacity of community-based, private, for-profit and non-profit financial institutions with a primary mission of community development in economically distressed communities. These institutions – certified by the CDFI Fund as community development financial institutions, or CDFIs – are able to respond to gaps in local markets that traditional financial institutions are not adequately serving. CDFIs provide critically needed capital, credit and other financial products in addition to technical assistance to community residents and businesses, service providers, and developers working to meet community needs.

In 2004, the CDFI Fund introduced the NACA Program, which was specifically designed to encourage the creation and strengthening of CDFIs that primarily serve Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities. Organizations funded serve a wide range of Native communities, and reflect a diversity of institutions in various stages of development – from organizations in the early planning stages of creating a CDFI, to tribal entities working to certify an existing lending program, to established CDFIs in need of further capacity building assistance. Two types of funding are available: financial assistance awards, available only to certified CDFIs and primarily used for financing capital; and technical assistance grants used to acquire products or services such as computer hardware and software, staff training, etc.

The CDFI Fund's vision is an America in which all people have adequate access to affordable capital, credit and financial services.

For more information about these awards, or about the CDFI Fund and its programs, please visit the Fund's website at: http://www.cdfifund.gov.

HP-482

Secretary Paulson Announces New Latin American and
Caribbean Initiative to Catalyze Private Finance for Infrastructure
Washington, DC-- Secretary Paulson announced a new proposal today to increase investment in infrastructure projects in Latin America and the Caribbean. The United States will partner with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector arm of the World Bank Group, to create a program to catalyze private investment in infrastructure in Latin America. This initial $17.5 million infrastructure project development program will include a $4.6 million U.S. contribution, and a $1.9 million contribution from Brazil. The IFC is prepared to seek an increase in funding over time if warranted by demand for its services.
Secretary Paulson announced a new proposal today to increase investment in infrastructure projects in Latin America and the Caribbean. The United States will partner with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector arm of the World Bank Group, to create a program to catalyze private investment in infrastructure in Latin America. This initial $17.5 million infrastructure project development program will include a $4.6 million U.S. contribution, and a $1.9 million contribution from Brazil. The IFC is prepared to seek an increase in funding over time if warranted by demand for its services.

"The United States' interest in the Americas is strong. We are committed to helping the region reduce poverty, fight corruption, build a middle class, and generate more opportunities, including for those who currently feel excluded from the region's growing prosperity," said Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson, Jr.

"Last month I announced an initiative to catalyze market-based bank lending to small businesses in Latin America and the Caribbean. The initiative involves a combination of new lending models, sharing part of the lending risk, and technical, regulatory assistance so that more banks can finance options for small businesses.

"The Americas face another serious constraint to economic growth – that is a lack of critical infrastructure. Latin America, for example, currently spends less than 2 percent of GDP on infrastructure annually. Underinvestment in electricity, transport, and potable water hamstring the region's entrepreneurs and citizens.

"Today I am pleased to announce a new initiative aimed at addressing this constraint. This initiative will attack the information, technical capacity, and regulatory barriers which block the flow of private finance."

Underinvestment in infrastructure has had a direct impact on the quality of life and economic performance in Latin America. 59 million people in the region lack access to potable water and 135 million have no adequate sanitation. Meanwhile, 55 percent of entrepreneurs complain that infrastructure is a serious problem. Improving the region's infrastructure could reduce inequality by as much as 20 percent, according to the World Bank.
59 million people in the region lack access to potable water and 135 million have no adequate sanitation. Meanwhile, 55 percent of entrepreneurs complain that infrastructure is a serious problem. Improving the region's infrastructure could reduce inequality by as much as 20 percent, according to the World Bank.Major investments in infrastructure are needed to boost productivity and competitiveness, connect the poor and small entrepreneurs to markets, and provide them with adequate basic services. Investment in infrastructure is a regional priority and mobilizing private financing is essential given the magnitude of investment needs and the constraints on public finance. The objective of this program is to target three critical constraints that block the flow of private finance for infrastructure: lack of reliable, objective information identifying good projects for potential investors; lack of know-how on structuring and tendering projects; and problems with the regulatory environment – particularly as it pertains to specific transactions.
lack of reliable, objective information identifying good projects for potential investors; lack of know-how on structuring and tendering projects; and problems with the regulatory environment – particularly as it pertains to specific transactions.
The program, to be managed by the IFC, will help identify productive infrastructure projects suitable for private participation, make information about these projects publicly available, and provide technical assistance on structuring projects, tendering concessions, and improving regulatory regimes. Project proposals can be made to the program by sovereign governments, sub-sovereign governments (including municipal governments), or private sponsors. The program will provide assistance in two phases: first, identifying and analyzing projects through feasibility assessments, and, second, advising project sponsors on how to structure, market, and tender projects successfully.
Project proposals can be made to the program by sovereign governments, sub-sovereign governments (including municipal governments), or private sponsors. The program will provide assistance in two phases: first, identifying and analyzing projects through feasibility assessments, and, second, advising project sponsors on how to structure, market, and tender projects successfully.

Once a project reaches contractual closure, the investor will reimburse the program through a cost-recovery fee. The program can also assist private investors in identifying possible sources of financing in order to move projects to financial closure and implementation. A project manager will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of this process. The program is expected to be fully operable in one year. Interested parties should contact the Advisory Services Department at the International Finance Corporation, http://www.ifc.org/Advisory.

The IFC estimates that the program's impact could be as much as $800 million to $1 billion in creating new investments and $300 to $400 million in fiscal savings to local governments.

President Bush called for this program in 2005 at the Summit of the Americas.

The $4.6 million grant from the U.S. comes from FY06 and FY07 State Department Economic Support Fund appropriations.

July 5

Treasury Secretary Paulson to Visit Brazil, Uruguay and Chile Next Week

Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson, Jr. will travel to South America next week to reinforce our strong ties with Brazil, Uruguay, and Chile and to stress our stake in the economic success of Latin America. He will meet with finance ministers and heads of state in the region, as well as local business leaders to discuss ideas on how to spread opportunity, reduce poverty, and build the middle class in the region and talk about what the United States is doing to help.

Secretary Paulson will travel to Belo Horizonte on Monday, July 9, where he plans to meet with Governor Aécio Neves and venture capitalists. On Wednesday he will be in Brasilia where he will meet with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio "Lula" da Silva, Finance Minister Guido Mantega, Chief of Staff Dilma Rousseff, Central Bank President Henrique Meirelles, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Celso Amorim. He will also attend a lunch on access to finance and local capital market development.

Paulson will spend Thursday in Montevideo where he will meet with Uruguayan President Tabare Vasquez and Minister of Finance Danilo Astori. From there he will travel to Santiago to hold meetings Friday with Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, Minister of Foreign Affairs Alejandro Foxley, Minister of Finance Andres Velasco, and Central Bank Chairman Vittorio Corbo.

These visits to Brazil, Uruguay, and Chile will be his first to those countries as Treasury Secretary. Secretary Paulson traveled to Mexico in April of 2007, Guatemala and Peru in March of 2007, and Colombia in August of 2006.

Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson, Jr. today issued the following statement on the importance of Trade Promotion Authority to the U.S. and global economies: "America's openness has made our economy the most vibrant and dynamic in the world. To keep our economy strong and competitive, we must continue to push forward on the trade agenda. The 110th Congress has an important opportunity to demonstrate bipartisan leadership and help to strengthen our economy by reauthorizing Trade Promotion Authority. "Trade fosters the environment of innovation and research that leads to better goods and services at lower prices, which in turn helps Americans provide for their families. "Members of Congress should move quickly to reauthorize Trade Promotion Authority. Americans benefit from open markets here at home and open markets abroad for our exports. Together with my colleagues in the Administration, we will fight to keep markets open to the benefit of American manufacturers, farmers, and service providers."

Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson, Jr. today issued the following statement on the departure announcement of International Monetary Fund Managing Director Rodrigo de Rato: "Rodrigo de Rato brought vision and dedication to his tenure as Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund. He launched the Medium Term Strategy, a plan that provides a foundation for important reforms to ensure the institution reflects today's global economy. Rodrigo helped to strengthen the Fund by creating this road map for reform, which will enable the Fund to remain a strong, relevant institution and resource for the global financial system. His leadership was also instrumental in the Fund's revision of its exchange rate surveillance framework, which is a highly critical piece of the road map. I wish him continued success in his future endeavors."

Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson, Jr. issued the following statement today on the World Bank's Executive Board approval of Robert Zoellick to be World Bank President: "I welcome the board's action approving Bob Zoellick to lead the World Bank. Bob brings a wealth of experience, a passion for development and a proven track record of working with colleagues around the world to get results. "He has the trust, respect and support of governments in all regions of the world and I have no doubt his leadership will ensure continued support of World Bank members. He will be an aggressive advocate for overcoming poverty, investing in growth, and creating opportunity and hope."

Treasury International Capital (TIC) data for April are released today and posted on the U.S. Treasury web site (www.treas.gov/tic). The next release, which will report on data for May, is scheduled for July 17, 2007. Net foreign purchases of long-term securities were $84.1 billion. * Net foreign purchases of long-term U.S. securities were $97.4 billion. Of this, net purchases by foreign official institutions were $25.3 billion, and net purchases by private foreign investors were $72.1 billion. * U.S. residents purchased a net $13.3 billion of long-term foreign securities. Net foreign acquisition of long-term securities, taking into account adjustments, is estimated to have been $76.5 billion. Foreign holdings of dollar-denominated short-term U.S. securities, including Treasury bills, and other custody liabilities decreased $25.9 billion. Foreign holdings of Treasury bills decreased $28.6 billion. Banks' own net dollar-denominated liabilities to foreign residents increased $61.2 billion. Monthly net TIC flows were $111.8 billion. Of this, net foreign private flows were $93.6 billion, and net foreign official flows were $18.2 billion.

June 23

REMARKS BY ANNA ESCOBEDO CABRAL U.S. TREASURER U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY BEFORE THE NEW MEXICO MORTGAGE LENDERS ASSOCIATION Albuquerque, NM- Good afternoon. Thank you, Ryan, for that introduction. I want to thank Dan and the New Mexico Mortgage Lenders Association for your warm welcome. I applaud the important work you're doing here in New Mexico to promote and maintain sound mortgage lending practices. I'm pleased to join you here today with our federal partners and so many others dedicated to fostering the American Dream of homeownership. For many Americans, owning a home is a giant step on the ladder of economic mobility. It's a symbol of hard work, a source of pride, and a foundation for security. I know President Bush is deeply committed to helping all Americans fulfill the dream of owning a home. Today, more and more individuals and families are achieving this dream. Nearly 70 percent of Americans own homes, and the rate of minority homeownership has risen above 50 percent since the President took office. The Departments of Housing and Urban Development and Agriculture do a tremendous amount of work to ensure this success and extend the opportunity of homeownership to more and more Americans. At Treasury, we're equally committed to fostering an ownership society. One of the ways we do this is by empowering individuals to make wise and informed decisions about their finances. In today's increasingly complex mortgage market, often the greatest challenge to consumers is having enough information to navigate through the variety of products available and choose the one that best fits their needs. A 2001 study revealed that homeownership counseling can reduce 90-day mortgage delinquencies by an average of 19 percent. Of course, knowledge is also our best protection against predatory lenders and fraud. When we talk about effective homeownership counseling, we need to think beyond the specific states of pre-purchase, post-purchase, and foreclosure. After all, the goal should be to ensure individuals and families are equipped not just to buy their homes, but also to remain in their homes. Buying a home is often the biggest purchase most of us will make in our lifetime, and information is critical to ensuring that we make this purchase wisely. Homeownership counseling and training provides an ideal opportunity to educate consumers on general personal finance issues such as credit and money management that are critical to helping them manage their new mortgage and avoid foreclosure. Therefore, good homeownership counseling programs take a more holistic approach to address a range of finance topics. Without question, homeownership fuels the economy and enhances quality of life in our communities. It's in the best interest of financial institutions to help their customers continue on a successful and secure economic path once they purchase their homes. In talking with communities throughout the country, we've found the most effective way to deliver this important financial education message is by working together. Grassroots organizations can be extremely successful in reaching their local community members to deliver homeownership counseling. We also know that HUD regional offices across the country as well as programs like NeighborWorks America are advancing homeownership education through innovative outreach, aggressive public awareness campaigns, and intensive counseling. Just this week the Federal Reserve Board announced a new online Mortgage Comparison Calculator that consumers can use to compare what their monthly mortgage payments will be and how much equity they will build up in the future. This is a user-friendly and accessible financial education tool that will help consumers make informed decisions about mortgage options. These are just some of the financial education programs and resources out there. By working together, federal, state, and local governments, financial institutions and community organizations have the potential to empower all Americans with the information they need to achieve their dream of buying a home. Finally, I want to mention another important Treasury-led effort. As some of you may know, in 2003 Congress established the Financial Literacy and Education Commission under the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act. The Commission brings together 20 different federal agencies – including HUD and USDA – with the single goal of improving financial education. Since that time, the Commission has released The National Strategy for Financial Literacy, and launched a financial education web site and toll-free hotline, MyMoney.gov and 1-888-MyMoney in English and Spanish. The Strategy – which can be downloaded from the website looks at a variety of important finance topics including homeownership. In fact, the section of the Strategy on homeownership has been nationally recognized as a valuable source of information. The MyMoney website also offers helpful links such as the Federal Reserve Board's mortgage calculator I mentioned earlier. I encourage those of you who haven't seen the Strategy to go on line and take a look. I think you'll find it offers some truly valuable resources. Over the last year, Treasury and HUD have co-hosted meetings with financial institutions, lenders, policy makers, community organizations, and counseling agencies to discuss the issues surrounding homeownership and build new partnerships to advance this important goal. Treasury continues to work with HUD and our Commission partners to engage in similar discussions throughout the country. We're making great progress in offering homeownership opportunities to more Americans and building a more prosperous future for our communities. But much work remains. I'm confident that working together we will continue to boost homeownership – especially among the nation's most underserved consumers – and create a more financially informed public. I thank you for your continued partnership, hard work and commitment to this important endeavor. Thank you.

REMARKS BY ACTING UNDER SECRETARY FOR INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS CLAY LOWERY ON SOVEREIGN WEALTH FUNDS AND THE INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL SYSTEM --The financial crisis that struck East Asia ten years ago had many causes – fixed but adjustable exchange rate regimes, balance sheet mismatches in the financial and corporate sectors, and inadequate financial sector regulation and supervision, among others. Ultimately these causes manifested themselves in large-scale capital outflows and insufficient official foreign exchange reserves. At the time, a number of working groups were established to address issues coming out of that crisis. One group recommended that the international community – largely led by the IMF – improve the coverage, frequency, and timeliness of data on foreign exchange reserves. The idea was to improve financial stability by providing clarity on what had been shown to be misleading data regarding gross reserves. Though much has been accomplished, further progress, particularly on coverage, is needed. East Asia today looks considerably different in many respects, but perhaps none more so than foreign exchange reserve holdings. In East Asia, and around the world, reserve accumulation has sharply accelerated. From 1997 to 2001, global foreign exchange reserves including gold increased at 6 percent per year on average. Since 2002, the annual average increase has been a phenomenal 20 percent. Global reserves currently stand at roughly $5.6 trillion. Many countries with large reserves surpass, by several multiples, benchmarks of reserve adequacy developed after the Asian Financial Crisis. But reserves do not tell the whole story as they generally do not include Sovereign Wealth Funds. Sovereign Wealth Funds are not new – they have existed for over three decades, even if the term as such was only coined to my knowledge in 2005. What is new is the number of Sovereign Wealth Funds and their sheer current and projected sizes. Private analysts put current Sovereign Wealth Fund assets in a range of $1.5 – 2.5 trillion, which would bring total foreign assets held by sovereigns to roughly $7.6 trillion, or 15 percent of global GDP. These trends raise broad, strategic issues for the international financial system. What are the underlying policies driving the accumulation, and should they be adjusted? What financial market and, over the medium-term, financial protectionism challenges could arise from this tremendous increase in sovereign cross-border asset holdings? How can countries in which these funds are invested best promote openness and welcome foreign capital? The common objective should be an international financial system where countries do not accumulate more foreign assets than they want or need, and where cross-border investment remains healthy and open. At Treasury we are actively considering these issues, and potential steps that could be taken multilaterally, bilaterally, and by national authorities. While we clearly do not have all the answers, I would like to walk you through some of our initial thinking. I believe that the IMF and World Bank could take a very constructive step through the drafting of best practices for Sovereign Wealth Funds. Complementing the work of the International Financial Institutions, I would expect that the issue of sovereign foreign asset accumulation will increasingly arise in informal multilateral discussions. National authorities will also have an important role to play. Moreover, the U.S. government itself has responsibilities. Definitions and Differences First let us be clear on what we are talking about. There is no universal, agreed definition of a Sovereign Wealth Fund. I will use the term to mean a government investment vehicle which is funded by foreign exchange assets, and which manages those assets separately from official reserves. Sovereign Wealth Funds generally fall into two categories based on the source of the foreign exchange assets. * Commodity funds are established through commodity exports, either owned or taxed by the government. They serve different purposes, including stabilization of fiscal revenues, inter-generational savings, and balance of payments sterilization. Given the recent extended sharp rise in commodity prices, many funds initially established for fiscal stabilization or balance of payments sterilization purposes have evolved into savings funds. * Non-commodity funds are typically established through transfers of assets from official foreign exchange reserves. Large balance of payments surpluses have enabled non-commodity exporters to transfer "excess" foreign exchange reserves to stand-alone investment funds to be managed for higher returns. There are three key differences between these two types of funds: * First is their asset-liability structure. Commodity funds often derive from foreign currency accruing directly to the government, so the foreign currency is not converted to domestic currency, does not enter the domestic economy, and does not need to be sterilized through the issuance of domestic debt to avoid unwanted inflationary pressures. In contrast, non-commodity Sovereign Wealth Fund assets often derive from exchange rate intervention, much of which is usually sterilized. These funds' net return will depend on the difference between the yield they earn on their investments and the yield they pay on their sterilization debt. So they may be thought of more as "borrowed funds" than traditional "wealth." * A second difference involves how countries have allocated their foreign assets to Sovereign Wealth Funds and reserves. Commodity exporters have typically chosen Sovereign Wealth Funds, while Asian countries have chosen reserves. There are exceptions – Singapore created its Government Investment Corporation back in 1981 and Russia established its oil stabilization fund only in 2003 – but the general trend has stood. Now, though, Asian countries are increasingly establishing non-commodity Sovereign Wealth Funds. * A third difference concerns the future pace of asset accumulation. Oil exporters in particular are essentially replacing a real asset in the ground with a financial asset in an account. If oil prices remain high, these governments are likely to accumulate foreign assets going forward even after the implementation of sensible domestic fixed investment plans. In contrast, the extent of asset accumulation in non-commodity funds will depend heavily on how successful emerging markets are in shifting to increased exchange rate flexibility. Benefits and Risks The creation and expansion of Sovereign Wealth Funds is understandable given the significant increase in official reserves. To be considered reserves, foreign currency must be invested in liquid and marketable instruments that are readily available to the monetary authorities to meet a balance of payments need. The idea of a Sovereign Wealth Fund is to diversify foreign exchange assets and earn a higher return by investing in a broad range of asset classes, including longer-term government bonds, agency and asset-backed securities, corporate bonds, equities, commodities, real estate, derivatives, alternative investments, and foreign direct investment. Some back-of-the envelope math demonstrates why this trend toward higher risk-return management of official assets is to some extent inescapable, or what has been perceptively called "forced diversification." In 2006, official foreign exchange reserves grew by 20% or $843 billion. If we assume for simplicity a similar percent increase in Sovereign Wealth Fund assets, we add $336 billion. Setting aside valuation changes, this brings total 2006 official flows to nearly $1.2 trillion. In comparison, 2006 net issuance of the most traditional reserve assets – U.S. Treasuries, U.S. Agencies, euro area government securities, and UK Treasuries – totaled $461 billion. So even if reserve and Sovereign Wealth Fund managers had purchased all 2006 net issuance of these traditional reserve assets, they would still have had some $720 billion left over. Of course this remainder can be invested in the existing stock of these securities, but part is also likely to find its way to other assets and asset classes. These trends can bring benefits to countries in which these funds are invested. From the U.S. perspective, we unequivocally support international investment in this country – both portfolio and direct investment – and are committed to ensuring that the United States continues to be the most attractive place in the world to invest. Most market estimates, though highly dependent upon underlying assumptions, expect future official flows to have a material though moderate impact in bidding up prices and lowering risk premia of riskier, less liquid assets, while at the same time resulting in continued strong demand for traditional reserve assets. This may contribute to continued benign financing conditions. There are also risks, however. The first concerns these funds' potential impact on financial market stability. To be sure, there is much that is reassuring. Sovereign Wealth Funds are, in principle, long-term investors that can be expected to stick with a strategic asset allocation despite short-term losses. They are not highly leveraged. They cannot be forced by capital requirements or investor withdrawals to liquidate positions rapidly. They have access to, and frequently make use of, well-regarded private fund managers, consultants, administrators, and custodians. Yet it is hard to dismiss entirely the possibility of unseen, imprudent risk management with broader consequences. Sovereign Wealth Funds are already large and projected to get much larger. Little is known about their investment policies, so that minor comments or rumors will increasingly cause volatility as market participants react to what they perceive Sovereign Wealth Funds to be doing. Sovereign Wealth Funds are typically not directly regulated by their domestic financial authorities, and the extent of indirect regulation may also be limited. Investor discipline will depend on what their citizens know and how active they are in monitoring fund activities, rather than the market discipline of savvy institutional investors. Further, the funds' counterparties and any creditors may simply assume a sovereign guarantee and fail to exercise market discipline. The second risk is that, over the medium term, the size, investment policies, and/or operating methods of these funds fuel financial protectionism. It is no secret that globalization, despite its benefits, is raising sensitivities around the world. This is not just a U.S., European, or even industrialized country issue. Emerging markets have also at times expressed sensitivity to certain investments by other emerging markets. There will likely be much public attention to whether Sovereign Wealth Funds exercise the voting rights of their equity shares, and if so, how. If Sovereign Wealth Funds obtain operational control of the companies in which they invest, the fact that they are government entities may invite additional scrutiny. Finally, these sensitivities and pressures to block sovereign investment would worsen if Sovereign Wealth Fund investment decisions were made for non-economic reasons. I think I can identify two other risks, which are largely domestic but could potentially be international. One is that with so much money invested across a wider range of asset classes, Sovereign Wealth Funds will need to have strong fiduciary controls and good checks and balances to prevent corruption. Another is that, while Sovereign Wealth Funds should be managed as professionally and independently as possible, my experience in government suggests that once a bureaucracy is created, shutting it down becomes difficult. Therefore, a fund created to handle what could be a temporary phenomenon should not impede thorough examination of underlying policies and avoid becoming self-perpetuating. The Work Ahead of Us We want of course to maximize the benefits of these funds while reducing the risks. A sound global financial system and the maintenance of open markets are in the common interests of all. Sovereign Wealth Funds raise issues of the appropriate institutional arrangements, governance, operational and risk management, accountability, and – critically – transparency of the funds' rules, operations, and asset management guidelines and performance. So what to do? First, I believe that the IMF and World Bank could take a very useful step by developing best practices for Sovereign Wealth Funds, perhaps through a joint task force. The IMF has the requisite expertise on wider systemic and macroeconomic subjects, such as the link to fiscal policy. The World Bank is knowledgeable about country governance and accounting and fiduciary issues, including the fiduciary duty these funds have to their citizens as investors. The IMF and World Bank also have the broad membership of 185 member countries, including countries that have these funds, countries in which they invest, and countries that simply have a stake in a healthy overall international financial system. One caveat is that I do not think that the International Financial Institutions should be in the business of competing with the private sector to manage reserves or Sovereign Wealth Fund assets on behalf of countries. This is clearly beyond their mandates. Proposals along these lines have been justified by the concern that an individual reserve manager may be reluctant to invest excess reserves more aggressively for fear of disapproval (or worse) if returns are negative in a given year. This issue is best addressed by building support domestically, including through the establishment of a stand-alone domestic institution if appropriate. A country naturally also retains the right to fire asset managers that underperform their designated benchmarks. Finally, it is critical that the International Financial Institutions avoid feeding a misperception that more reserves are necessarily better, both for the countries themselves and the broader system. Second, the subject of sovereign foreign asset accumulation will increasingly arise in informal multilateral discussions, which can complement and provide impetus to the work of the International Financial Institutions. At last April's meeting of G-7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors, the Treasury Department hosted a special outreach dinner with Russia, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates to discuss investment flows from oil exporters, including in the form of Sovereign Wealth Funds. In May, Treasury and the Federal Reserve co-hosted with the South African Treasury and Reserve Bank a meeting of G-20 Finance Ministry and Central Bank officials on Commodity Cycles and Financial Stability, where we discussed, among other topics, Sovereign Wealth Funds. Third, national authorities will have an important role to play, and certainly at Treasury we will continue to explore ways to address the challenges and opportunities provided by Sovereign Wealth Funds. Finance Ministries and Central Banks are in increasing contact with these funds to promote common understanding. National securities regulators should treat these funds as they would any large institutional investor. National governments also maintain mechanisms to review foreign direct investment in a manner that preserves national security without creating unnecessary and counterproductive barriers. Long-established and well-run Sovereign Wealth Funds may wonder why they should adjust their practices, particularly on transparency. I hope they will find that transparency is good for the funds as well as the international financial system. Lack of transparency puts heavy demands on the quality of fund administration. Even where fund administration is solid, greater transparency would enhance the likelihood that the fund serves its intended purposes and reduce the likelihood of future governance problems. The experience of large corporations in the industrialized world demonstrates that potential for error and abuse exists even in apparently highly-rated and well-managed organizations. From a systemic perspective, transparency will facilitate the maintenance of openness to investment. What may have been tenable in a world where Sovereign Wealth Funds manage only several hundred billion dollars may not be tenable in a world where Sovereign Wealth Funds manage several trillion dollars. Finally, the U.S. government also has a direct responsibility – which is making our investment regime as open and consistent as possible for welcoming Sovereign Wealth Fund investment. We are doing that by working with Congress to get a sound CFIUS bill and we are doing that by reaching out around the world to explain the U.S. investment climate. Just this week for instance Deputy Secretary Kimmitt has been traveling in Beijing and Moscow meeting with government officials and business leaders to promote open investment policies and to gain clarity on their new investment laws and to better understand the nature and investment priorities of their soon to be established sovereign wealth funds. The message delivered clearly to the Deputy Secretary from officials in both countries is that the funds would focus primarily on portfolio investments such as corporate bonds and equities. When asked about the possibility of foreign direct investment acquisitions, officials in both countries indicated that is not in their current planning but if such an opportunity arose in the future, it would be in non-sensitive sectors. Never Forget the Underlying Issues In considering Sovereign Wealth Funds, we should not lose sight of the underlying issues – the need for increased exchange rate flexibility in many emerging markets and the need for oil exporters to formulate and implement fixed investment plans even if further foreign asset accumulation can reasonably be expected. Otherwise the official sector would be doing the equivalent of treating the symptoms rather than the condition. However, Sovereign Wealth Funds are not going away, and it will be increasingly necessary to work to integrate these funds as smoothly as possible into the international financial system.

Testimony of
Treasury Assistant Secretary for Financial Institutions
David G. Nason
Before the U.S. House Committee on Financial Services
Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance
and Government Sponsored Enterprises
Washington - Thank you, Chairman Kanjorski, Ranking Member Pryce, and other members of the Subcommittee for inviting me to appear before you today.
Thank you, Chairman Kanjorski, Ranking Member Pryce, and other members of the Subcommittee for inviting me to appear before you today.

The market for terrorism risk insurance in the United States was significantly changed by the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Of course, prior to September 11, terrorism risk clearly existed in the United States. We experienced the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center, the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, the 1996 Centennial Olympic Park bombing, and the "Millennium Bomber's" December 1999 attempted bombing of the Los Angeles International Airport. Despite these events, most commercial property and casualty insurance companies continued to provide coverage for terrorism risk in the insurance policies sold to their commercial policyholders.

The terrorist attacks of September 11 resulted in insured losses of approximately $32 billion, which at the time was the largest single insured loss event in U.S. history. The recognition that terrorist attacks could cause losses of such scale spread across multiple insurance products and concentrated in a relatively small geographic area, caused the insurance industry to undertake a broad reassessment of the likelihood and potential losses associated with terrorism. Immediately following September 11, commercial property and casualty insurers sought to exclude coverage for terrorism risk in many policies. Reinsurance contracts also began excluding coverage for terrorism.

In the months after September 11, there were increasing concerns about potential economic disruptions caused by the unwillingness of many insurance companies to provide terrorism insurance. In response, Congress passed and the President signed the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA) in late 2002. TRIA established a temporary federal program of shared public and private compensation for privately-insured commercial property and casualty losses resulting from acts of terrorism. The TRIA legislation stated that the purposes of the legislation were to address market disruptions, to ensure the continued widespread availability and affordability of commercial property and casualty insurance for terrorism risk, and to allow for a transition period for the private markets to stabilize and build capacity while preserving State insurance regulation and consumer protections. While TRIA was largely successful in achieving its original purposes, given some remaining uncertainty surrounding the development in the market for terrorism risk insurance, TRIA was temporarily extended in 2005 for an additional two years by the Terrorism Risk Insurance Extension Act of 2005 (the "Extension Act").

Today, I would like to provide an overview of the key features of TRIA and the Extension Act, the key findings of the President's Working Group on Financial Markets' (PWG) 2006 report to Congress on terrorism risk insurance, and some principles for the federal government's role in the market for terrorism risk insurance going-forward. Our view of TRIA is shaped by the belief that the most efficient, lowest cost, and most innovative methods of providing terrorism risk insurance will come from the private sector. The Administration believes that three elements are critical if TRIA is to be reauthorized for a second time: the program remains temporary and short-term; private sector retentions are increased; and there is no expansion of the program. Treasury cannot support efforts that move the program in a direction that is inconsistent with these key elements.

The Terrorism Risk Insurance Act and the Extension Act

TRIA essentially established a government reinsurance program. Much like typical provisions found in reinsurance, the TRIA program requires that insurers first retain a portion of terrorism risk exposure themselves (referred to as "deductible") with the insurer and government then sharing in the losses above the initial retention (referred to as "co-share" or "co-pay"). Unlike a typical reinsurance policy, however, there is no up-front premium charged for the reinsurance coverage provided under TRIA; but instead, any federal expenditure can be collected, or recouped, after a loss through surcharges applied to premiums paid by commercial policyholders regardless of whether their insurers had received TRIA payments. Some key features of TRIA and the Extension Act include the following:

Private Sector Retentions

An insurer's "retention" under TRIA generally refers to the amount of terrorism risk exposure that an insurer retains. An insurer's retention is comprised of its insurer deductible, its co-share of the insured losses above its deductible, or all of its losses if an attack results in industry-wide losses below an event size threshold, called the "Program Trigger." An insurer's retention under TRIA is a key provision that governs the amount of terrorism risk exposure held by the private sector. The general structure of TRIA and the Extension Act requires increases in private sector retentions over time to encourage development of private market capacity to provide terrorism risk insurance over time.

An insurer's deductible is company specific and is calculated based on the size of the insurer's prior year's premium revenue from the types of insurance covered by TRIA. Insurer deductibles have increased throughout the TRIA program – from its 2003 level of 7 percent of an insurer's prior year's direct earned premiums, to 10 percent in 2004, and 15 percent in 2005. The Extension Act further increased insurer deductibles to 17.5 percent in 2006 and 20 percent in 2007. In the event of a certified terrorist act, each insurer will cover 100 percent of the insured losses up to its deductible before being eligible for federal payments under TRIA. Tying an insurer's deductible to its revenue helps ensure that the amount of insured losses the company itself is responsible for is commensurate with its size and assets. Some of the largest insurers that participate in the program have deductibles in the billions of dollars.

Once an insurer pays insured losses up to its deductible, insured losses above its deductible amount would then be shared between the insurer and the federal government. The federal share of insured losses above the insurer's deductible had been 90 percent through the first four years of the TRIA program, and was reduced to 85 percent in 2007 – thus increasing the private sector's share from 10 percent to 15 percent. This provision of TRIA encourages proper claims adjustment as insurers will have "skin in the game" in deciding and settling insurance claims, much the same as provisions included in private sector reinsurance contracts.

In addition to the deductible and co-share, an insurer retains all of its losses if industry-wide aggregate losses are below the minimum event size eligible for payments under TRIA, or what has come to be known as the "Program Trigger." Under TRIA, in order for an event to be certified as an act of terrorism, the losses suffered by the insurance industry as a whole must exceed at least $5 million in the aggregate. As originally structured, certified acts of terrorism resulting in losses above $5 million would have been eligible for federal payments under TRIA, essentially making the certification and the event's eligibility for federal payments under TRIA equivalent. The minimum event size qualifying an event for federal payments under TRIA was raised beginning in 2006 by the Extension Act, which specifically added the concept of a Program Trigger to TRIA. Under the Program Trigger concept, the Treasury Secretary is directed not to compensate insurers under TRIA unless the aggregate industry insured losses exceed certain "trigger" amounts: $50 million in 2006 and $100 million in 2007. Once the threshold is met, program payments can then be made to an insurer once it has paid claims and met its company-specific deductible.

Lines of Coverage

Insurance coverage under TRIA is limited to commercial property and casualty insurance, which was the primary area of concern in terms of dislocations associated with the September 11 terrorist attacks. TRIA does not apply to personal insurance, such as homeowners, automobile, or life insurance. While TRIA did not specifically define commercial property and casualty insurance, it did specifically include excess insurance, workers' compensation insurance, and during the first three years of the TRIA program, surety insurance. In addition, TRIA specifically excluded certain types of insurance:

· Federal or private crop insurance;
· Private mortgage insurance, or title insurance;
· Financial guaranty insurance offered by a monoline financial guaranty insurance corporation;
· Insurance for medical malpractice;
· Health or life insurance, including group life insurance;
· Federal flood insurance; and,
· Reinsurance or retrocessional reinsurance.

In implementing the definition of commercial property and casualty insurance, Treasury relied on the lines of business ("lines") under which insurers report their premiums in annual statement filings pursuant to forms and rules adopted by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). The specific lines that were included in the program were established by Treasury through regulation, in consultation with the NAIC. With respect to implementing the program, policies whose premiums are reported to the NAIC on designated commercial lines qualify for TRIA coverage.

The Extension Act scaled back the scope of the program so that TRIA no longer covers:

· Commercial automobile insurance;
· Burglary and theft insurance;
· Surety insurance;
· Professional liability insurance (but not directors' and officers' liability insurance); and,
· Farmowners' multiple peril insurance.

Terrorism risk insurance for these lines of insurance, which was covered only during the first three years of the program, was successfully transitioned back to the private market without any signs of market disruption.

Certified TRIA Events

The TRIA program covers losses from certified acts of terrorism. In order to qualify as an act of terrorism, an event must be certified by the Secretary of the Treasury with the concurrence of the Secretary of State and Attorney General of the United States as being:

· a violent act, or an act dangerous to life, property or infrastructure;
· resulting in damage within the U.S., or to a U.S. air carrier or U.S. flag vessel, or on the premises of a U.S. mission; and,
· committed by an individual or individuals acting on behalf of any foreign person or foreign interest, as part of an effort to coerce the civilian population of the U.S. or to influence the policy or affect the conduct of the U.S. government by coercion.

Terrorism coverage is often described as "certified acts" coverage (based on the TRIA definition) and "non-certified acts" coverage (acts of terrorism that are not certified under TRIA because they do not meet one or several of the certification requirements). "Certified acts" are synonymous with foreign acts of terrorism due to the requirement that the act be "committed by an individual or individuals acting on behalf of any foreign person or foreign interest."

Under TRIA, an act committed by a "home-grown" terrorist could currently be certified as an act of terrorism and covered by TRIA so long as the terrorist was acting on behalf of any foreign person or foreign interest, and the other requirements are met. However, purely domestic terrorism, such as eco-terrorist attacks or an attack like Oklahoma City, would not be covered by TRIA. Such non-certified risks generally continue to be insured by the private market.

Recoupment

Unlike a private sector reinsurance company, the TRIA program does not require insurers to pay up-front premiums and does not build up surplus to pay future claims. Instead, the program is funded on a post-loss basis. TRIA provides authority for Treasury to recoup its federal payments through annual surcharges on commercial policyholders of up to three percent of a policy's premium. Certain recoupment is mandatory, while in other circumstances TRIA authorizes discretionary recoupment.

Mandatory recoupment is based on the concept of an "insurance marketplace aggregate retention" amount, which specifies the amount of losses the private sector as a whole must absorb in any given year. If the insured losses that the insurers collectively retain (individual company deductibles plus the co-pay portions paid above deductibles) are lower than the marketplace aggregate retention, Treasury must recoup the difference. In addition, Treasury has the discretion to seek recoupment of up to the full amount paid out based on consideration of specific factors described in TRIA. The "insurance marketplace aggregate retention" amounts have increased each year of the program, going from $10 billion in the first year to $27.5 billion in 2007.

Key Outcomes of the Extension Act

The TRIA program was originally designed as a three-year program set to expire on December 31, 2005. The temporary program structure allowed the federal government to re-evaluate the program in the context of current market conditions.

As the debate surrounding the extension of TRIA took place in 2005, the Administration focused on encouraging the private insurance market to develop innovative solutions and build capacity. This serves to reduce potential exposure to taxpayers. The core changes ultimately adopted as part of the Extension Act – increasing deductibles and co-share amounts, elevating program trigger levels, and eliminating coverage for certain lines of insurance – all focused on encouraging greater private market participation over time. The impact of these changes and an overall evaluation of the market for terrorism risk insurance formed the basis for much of the President's Working Group on Financial Market's (PWG) 2006 report on terrorism risk insurance.

The Findings of the President's Working Group on Financial Markets

The Extension Act required the PWG to perform an analysis regarding the long-term availability and affordability of insurance for terrorism risk, including group life coverage; and coverage for chemical, nuclear, biological, and radiological events. In conducting this analysis, the PWG was assisted by staff of the member agencies who reviewed academic and industry studies on terrorism risk insurance, sought additional information and consultation through a Request for Comment published in the Federal Register, and also met with insurance regulators, policyholder groups, insurers, reinsurers, modelers, and other government agencies. The PWG submitted its report to Congress last September. Key findings of the report are summarized below.

Long-Term Overall Availability and Affordability of Terrorism Risk Insurance

One of the key findings of the PWG report was that overall the availability and affordability of terrorism risk insurance has improved since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The general trend observed in the market has been that as insurer retentions have increased under TRIA and policyholder surpluses have risen, prices for terrorism risk have fallen, and take-up rates have increased.

Much of the improvement in the terrorism risk insurance market is due to several important factors, including better risk measurement and management, improved modeling of terrorism risk, greater reinsurance capacity, and a recovery in the financial health of property and casualty insurers.

· Since September 11, insurers have made greater use of sophisticated models that allow them to identify and manage concentrations of risk in order to avoid accumulating too much risk in any given location. This improvement in risk accumulation management has allowed insurers to better diversify and control their terrorism risk exposures, which has enhanced their ability to underwrite terrorism risk. In addition, a significant effort has been made by the insurance industry in modeling the potential frequency and severity of terrorist attacks; however, given the uncertainty of terrorism in general and, in particular, the uncertainty associated with these modeling efforts, insurers appear to have limited confidence to date in these models for evaluating their risk exposures.

· In terms of market capacity, the PWG found that the quantity of terrorism risk reinsurance capacity has increased since the period following September 11. In addition, the financial health of insurers has recovered since September 11. As a result, insurers have more available capacity to allocate to terrorism risk as demonstrated by the increased provision of terrorism risk insurance coverage over the past few years.

Despite these overall improvements, the PWG report found that a significant number of policyholders are still not purchasing terrorism coverage – approximately 40 percent of all policyholders do not purchase coverage. Even in major cities, a high proportion of policyholders are not purchasing terrorism risk insurance. For example, in 2004, 46 percent of policyholders in New York City had not purchased terrorism insurance; in Los Angeles, 61 percent had not purchased terrorism insurance; in Chicago, 42 percent; and in Washington, D.C., 40 percent. Recently reported data for 2006 suggests this has improved for some cities; for example, approximately one-quarter of policyholders in the New York metropolitan area are uninsured, as compared to 46 percent in 2004. The PWG's report, Treasury's own 2005 study, and others have found that the primary reasons for non-purchase were price, perceptions of low risk, and perhaps to some degree an expectation that federal disaster aid might be available if a significant attack were to occur.

The PWG report concluded that further improvements in insurers' ability to model and manage terrorism risk will likely contribute to the long-term development of the terrorism risk insurance market. However, the high level of uncertainty currently associated with predicting the frequency of terrorist attacks, along with what appears to be a general unwillingness of some insurance policyholders to purchase insurance coverage, makes any prediction of the potential degree of long-term development of the terrorism risk insurance market somewhat difficult.

Group Life Insurance

As passed by Congress in 2002, TRIA did not include group life insurance in the program. Treasury was required to evaluate market conditions and determine whether to include it in the program if both insurance and reinsurance were not available, or not likely to be available in the future. In 2003, Treasury found that group life insurance coverage was readily available for consumers. Thus, group life was not added to the program. In 2005, when TRIA was extended by Congress, group life was not added to the program.

The PWG report found that group life insurance is still widely available in the private market even though it is not part of the TRIA program. In particular, the group life market is highly competitive and is very price sensitive. Group life insurers concede that competitive pressures have caused them to make coverage available, even in the absence of TRIA protection. In contrast to property and casualty insurers, group life insurers have decided to forgo purchasing reinsurance and to focus less on managing risk accumulations.

Chemical, Nuclear, Biological, or Radiological (CNBR) Coverage under TRIA

CNBR is currently covered under TRIA. However, TRIA does not require insurers to make CNBR terrorism coverage available to policyholders if CNBR coverage for non-terrorism events is similarly not provided. Although not required by TRIA, if CNBR terrorism coverage is provided by the insurance policy, such as with workers' compensation insurance, TRIA covers insured losses from a certified terrorist event involving CNBR.

CNBR is currently covered under TRIA. However, TRIA does not require insurers to make CNBR terrorism coverage available to policyholders if CNBR coverage for non-terrorism events is similarly not provided. Although not required by TRIA, if CNBR terrorism coverage is provided by the insurance policy, such as with workers' compensation insurance, TRIA covers insured losses from a certified terrorist event involving CNBR.

The PWG report found that historically CNBR risks (caused by a terrorist or by any other event) were typically not covered by insurance (except when mandated by state law, such as with workers' compensation). The factors determining the availability and affordability of CNBR coverage have more to do with the nature, scale, and uncertainty of the damage and losses from CNBR events – however caused – and less to do with terrorism specifically. In addition, policyholder expectations regarding their own potential terrorism risk exposure are probably lower and their expectations about the likelihood of post-disaster federal aid are probably higher for CNBR attacks than for relatively smaller-scale conventional terrorist attacks.

The Federal Government's Role in the Market for Terrorism Risk Insurance

As a basic principle, the federal government's role in any market, including the market for terrorism risk insurance, should be limited to those areas where private markets cannot function and hence broader costs are imposed on our Nation's overall economy. In playing such a role at a time when it was needed, TRIA appears to have been successful. TRIA provided time for insurers and others to adjust to the risks made clear by the September 11 terrorist attacks. Subsequently, there have been positive market responses by insurers and reinsurers to the reductions in the federal role over the five years that TRIA has been in place, most notably by assuming additional terrorism risk exposure in each year of the program. And as insurers have increased their terrorism risk exposure as TRIA was scaled back, prices for terrorism risk coverage have declined or remained stable. In some sense, we have conducted a market experiment under TRIA that has illustrated that the private sector is capable of taking on increasing amounts of terrorism risk as the federal government's role recedes. TRIA has generally been effective in encouraging the greater provision of terrorism risk insurance, while at the same time encouraging and supporting private market development. However, by providing a terrorism risk reinsurance without any up-front premiums, it may also have displaced some private sector alternatives.

As has been clear from the outset, TRIA was designed as a temporary program. A permanent or long-term federal subsidy of free federal reinsurance was never intended. We firmly believe that temporary programs should be just that – temporary. Given the success achieved under TRIA to date, the obvious question is should the federal government maintain a limited role in the provision of terrorism risk insurance? It is clear that some challenges remain in the market for terrorism risk insurance almost five years after the passage of TRIA and nearly six years after September 11. Insurers have made great strides in modeling loss exposure and managing their concentration of risk; however, the ability of the insurance industry to model the frequency of terrorism attacks is uncertain, and market participants are skeptical of their current reliability. As a result, insurers are cautious in allocating more capacity to terrorism risk, although it appears that gradual increases have been occurring over time. If TRIA were to expire, our general view is that the market for terrorism risk insurance in much of the country would largely be unaffected, but that there could be some dislocations in certain markets and industries.

Based on where the market for terrorism risk insurance is today, our view is that TRIA should be phased out in order to increase private sector participation. The following three elements are critical if TRIA is to be reauthorized for a second time: the program remains temporary and short-term; private sector retentions are increased; and there is no expansion of the program. Unfortunately, H.R. 2761 does not meet these critical elements.

It is important that the program remain temporary and short-term. When the President signed TRIA in 2002 he said that it should be temporary, and the Administration maintains this position. Given the positive market developments during the last five years under a TRIA program where the federal role has been scaled-back further and further each year, we clearly do not believe the federal government's role in terrorism risk insurance should be made permanent. Similarly, if the program were extended for a long period of time there would be less urgency surrounding the development of private sector solutions, which would lead to market complacency. In considering the length of any extension we must maintain incentives for industry participants to continue to improve their systems (e.g., modeling) and develop private market capacity and innovative solutions. We believe the ten year extension in H.R. 2761 is not consistent with the critical element of keeping the program temporary and short-term.

It is also important to continue the trend of increasing the private sector's participation and reducing the role of the Federal Government. Private sector retentions provide financial incentives for insurers to encourage their policyholders to mitigate risk through such measures as improved physical security and evacuation and business continuation planning. Private sector retentions can be increased through deductibles, co-shares, or program triggers. Any extension of TRIA should not backtrack from current levels, but rather should reflect some real amount of increased private sector participation. As has been demonstrated by the increased willingness of insurance companies to take on terrorism risk exposure during the life of TRIA, there is ample opportunity to continue increasing private sector retentions. In addition, recent increases in the capacity of property and casualty insurers, as evidenced by growing surplus and profit levels as well as increased reinsurance availability, should allow for greater private sector retentions. Unfortunately, a number of provisions in H.R. 2761 move away from requiring increased private sector participation, such as leaving insurer deductibles and co-payment amounts flat and unchanged, lowering the program trigger level, and lowering retentions for subsequent events through a reset mechanism. Treasury would oppose these provisions as they are inconsistent with phasing out TRIA and encouraging private provision of terrorism risk insurance – which is the fundamental goal of TRIA.

The program should not be expanded to introduce new lines or types of coverage willingly provided by the private market. For example, we do not see any evidence of problems in the market for group life insurance or in coverage for domestic terrorism. These markets continue to function despite not having access to the TRIA program. Expanding the TRIA program to include additional coverage for well functioning markets – as H.R. 2761 proposes – is inconsistent with the appropriate role of the federal government in the terrorism risk insurance market. Treasury would oppose any such efforts that move the program in the wrong direction.

Finally, there have been questions raised about the lack of coverage for CNBR terrorism risks. As noted previously, outside of workers' compensation insurance, coverage for CNBR risk has generally not been provided by insurers. However, TRIA does provide coverage for CNBR risk if insurers include such coverage in their policies. If policyholders were to demand CNBR coverage and were willing to pay appropriate prices, we would expect some additional capacity to emerge for CNBR risks. At this time the lack of CNBR coverage does not appear to be leading to any disruptions or imposing any broader costs on our Nation's overall economy. We do not support H.R. 2761's expansion of TRIA's "make available" provision that would require insurers to offer coverage for CNBR risks or its provisions that would lower insurer retentions. Nevertheless, outside the debate surrounding TRIA, we should continue to consider the potential economic implications associated with the limited amount of CNBR terrorism risk insurance coverage that is currently being provided.

Conclusion

We appreciate the efforts of the Chairman and Members of the Subcommittee in evaluating issues associated with terrorism risk insurance and TRIA. Unfortunately, the risk of terrorism is likely to remain a part of our lives for some time to come, but that is precisely why the federal government needs to encourage the development of the most creative and cost effective means of covering terrorism risks. The most efficient, lowest cost, and most innovative methods of providing terrorism risk insurance will come from the private sector. TRIA should be phased out in order to increase private sector participation.

The three critical elements that we have set forth surrounding an acceptable extension of TRIA – (1) the program remain temporary and short-term; (2) private sector retentions are increased; and (3) there is no expansion of the program – reflect the positive experience under TRIA to date, and are grounded in the basic principle of limited government involvement in private markets. Without these critical elements, we would not be supportive of extending TRIA as, in our view, the program would be moving in the wrong direction. H.R. 2761 does not meet our objectives. In Treasury's view, from both a market and economic perspective, it would be better to have no TRIA than a bad TRIA. We are willing to continue to work with Congress toward finding an appropriately balanced solution and to establish the appropriate increases in private sector participation.

We look forward to continuing to work with Congress on this important issue. Thank you. I look forward to answering your questions.

Testimony of Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson, Jr.
before the House Committee on Financial Services
on the State of the International Financial System
Washington, DC -- Thank you, Chairman Frank, Ranking Member Bachus and Committee members, for the opportunity to appear today to discuss the state of the international financial system.
-- Thank you, Chairman Frank, Ranking Member Bachus and Committee members, for the opportunity to appear today to discuss the state of the international financial system.

The Bush Administration is committed to strengthening U.S. and global economies by promoting domestic and international growth. Our policies encourage openness, competition, financial stability, and development, both at home and abroad.

As countries around the world have reformed and opened their economies, global integration has provided businesses greater access to markets around the world, more choices for consumers, and reduced the prices of goods and services, which is a real benefit, especially to those with lower incomes in the United States and abroad.

Our aim is to help ensure that more people share in the benefits created by economic growth and trade opportunities, to help every nation reduce poverty and build a strong middle class.

To further expand on these points, my testimony will touch on the following:

The economic outlook for the U.S. and the global economy.

Contributions that the U.S. and other economies have made toward global re-balancing and additional steps that are required.

The vital importance of continued U.S. openness to foreign investment and trade, while ensuring national security, to keep our economy dynamic and competitive; and the imperative of addressing anxieties about globalization and successfully concluding the Doha trade round.

Why the international financial institutions are key instruments through which to pursue U.S. economic interests abroad and what needs to be done to maintain their relevance and credibility. On the IMF side, this includes an overhaul of governance structure.

The importance of multilateral debt and development initiatives, which serve U.S. interests – both moral and practical – by lifting people out of poverty, promoting private-sector led growth, helping rebuild war-torn societies.

How the Treasury is working bilaterally and multilaterally to detect and disrupt financial networks related to money laundering, terrorism, WMD proliferation.

How Treasury's international assistance program supports the achievement of many of these goals.

U.S. and Global Economic Developments

A strong U.S. economy benefits the international economy, and the U.S. economy is strong. Most recent data show that employers are hiring more than 100,000 people per month, businesses are starting to invest again and consumers are spending at a healthy pace.

The global economy continues to be very robust, with sustained strong growth from 2003 through 2006. In 2006, global GDP grew 5.4 percent, the highest rate of growth in over 30 years. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) projects continued strong growth, at about 5 percent, in 2007 and 2008. The U.S. and China are key engines of global growth, accounting for over 40 percent of world growth for the past 5 years. Emerging markets and developing countries have made a huge contribution to global growth, growing, on average, 4.8 percentage points faster than the advanced economies from 2003 through 2006. And with both Europe and Japan also experiencing faster growth, the global economy is now firing on all engines in a way that produces better balance, more sustained growth, and expanding opportunities.

At the same time there has been a substantial increase in the amounts of funds invested across borders, a near doubling in cross-border investment flows since 2000 to $6 trillion annually. Not surprisingly, given the depth, liquidity and attractiveness of our financial markets, the U.S. has attracted international investment that has enabled us to achieve higher rates of growth, higher levels of capital formation, and greater job creation than would have been possible otherwise.

The issue of global imbalances remains on the international agenda. Some historical perspective is useful in this discussion. Global imbalances have evolved and developed over a long time period and are the result of a myriad of global forces, including the massive amounts of international investment mentioned earlier and the relative attractiveness of U.S. financial markets to foreign investors. Another reason is the consistently faster pace of demand growth in the United States relative to our foreign partners.

However, progress is being made, as suggested in last week's release of first quarter 2007 data showing the U.S. current account deficit has declined to 5.7 percent of U.S. GDP, down from a peak of 6.8 percent in the fourth quarter of 2005. Our partners are growing faster, particularly in Europe, where demand has strengthened. We continue to seek further re-balancing of global demand through stronger demand growth in Japan and Europe, as well as by oil exporting economies and China.

We are doing our part. The U.S. fiscal position continues to improve. The FY 2006 federal budget deficit was $248 billion, $70 billion less than in FY2005. This is considerable progress and we are on track to further reduce the deficit in 2007. As a share of GDP, the deficit amounted to 1.9 percent in FY 2006, down from a recent peak of 3.6 percent in FY 2004 and below the 40-year average of 2.3 percent. The U.S. labor market remains healthy with a low unemployment rate, steady job gains and solid real wage growth. Core measures of inflation appear to be contained, although energy and food price increases continue to boost the headline inflation figures.

In sum, global economic growth is widespread and moving at a faster pace than in the 1980s or the 1990s. Inflation is down, fiscal positions have improved, and vulnerabilities have been reduced. We still have work to do, however, to further re-balance global demand, expand global trade and open markets.

The Strategic Economic Dialogue with China

Since becoming Secretary, I have emphasized the United States' economic relationship with China. Rapid growth in China has helped power the global economy. And, as a major global economic participant, China must address the need for structural reform.

Our relationship with China is multi-faceted, and we welcome China's growth and integration into the world economy. As our relationship with China matures, tensions will naturally emerge. Less than one year ago, President Bush and President Hu established the Strategic Economic Dialogue, which is a focused and effective framework for addressing issues of mutual concern. The first SED meeting was held in Beijing in December, and the second one was held last month here in Washington. We have tangible results to show for our work so far, such as agreements in civil aviation, energy, the environment and financial services.

Through the SED, which allows us to speak to senior Chinese officials with one voice, avoiding the stove-piping that had sometimes characterized past discussions, we can work to strengthen the U.S. – China economic relationship. It is very important to both of our countries that we get this right.

The United States supports a stable and prosperous China; a stable and prosperous China will be a growing market for U.S. goods and services, even if it will be an economic competitor at times. We are not afraid of the competition; we welcome it, because competition makes us stronger. It is in our interest to support China's continuing efforts to reform and open its economy. Our policy disagreements are not about the direction of change, but about the pace of change.

You recently received the foreign exchange report, which emphasizes the need for stronger, faster action from China. Treasury did not determine that China's exchange rate policy was carried out for the purpose of preventing effective balance of payments adjustment or gaining unfair competitive advantage in international trade. But, Treasury continues to press the Chinese to increase the flexibility of their exchange rate.

Although they have taken some steps towards greater flexibility in the short term, they need to accelerate that movement and move more quickly to a market-determined exchange rate in the medium term. While currency reform is not going to eliminate our trade deficit, a market-determined exchange rate that reflects the underlying fundamentals of the Chinese economy is an important ingredient to sustainable, balanced economic growth in China, which is critical to continued stable growth around the world. The huge inflow of liquidity under the current exchange rate policy undermines the effectiveness of China's monetary policy and fuels excessive growth in credit, which itself poses significant risks for the Chinese economy's performance. The risk that China now faces is moving too slowly on exchange rate reform, rather than moving too quickly.

Rebalancing China's growth to be less dependent on exports is key to reducing China's trade surplus, and assuring that China can continue to grow in the future without generating large imbalances. Moving more quickly to embrace competition and market principles will also spread the benefits of China's growth to all of China's people. Just as important is addressing the structural reasons why Chinese households save so much and consume so little. Precautionary savings rates would likely decrease, and consumption increase, if there were a stronger social safety net. Competitive retail financial services would allow the Chinese public to insure against risk, finance major expenditures like education, and garner a higher return on their savings. Investments driven by market signals and expected profitability, rather than by administrative guidance, combined with a reduction in precautionary savings, would shift the economy from its infrastructure and export manufacturing focus and spread prosperity more widely. This can only be beneficial, and China's consumption and import level can only increase.

We will have our third SED meeting in December. Between now and then, we will continue to actively work on the trade agenda, on opening markets, increasing transparency and innovation, rebalancing growth and promoting energy efficiency and security, as well as environmental protection measures. We will continue our focus on financial services, moving at a faster pace towards a market-driven currency and expanding U.S. access in the services sector. We have room to be more creative and accomplish a good deal more.

Promoting Open Trade and Investment

A central U.S. policy priority is promoting further opening to international trade while addressing the sources of globalization anxieties. I have been and will continue to be an outspoken advocate for maintaining and extending open trade. This is fundamental to the long term competitiveness of the U.S. economy. As the world opens its doors, we must resist the sentiment that favors economic isolationism; this is not the time to retreat from the principles which have made America so strong and competitive.

We have worked hard to open markets and liberalize trade, in order to promote economic growth and development worldwide. Free trade agreements (FTAs) also bring significant benefits to Americans and the American economy as well as to our FTA partners. Over the last six years, the Administration has put free trade agreements into effect with ten countries. Agreements with the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica and Oman have passed Congress and await implementation.

The Administration is working hard to complete the Doha round, which has the potential to lift hundreds of millions out of poverty. Last month, congressional leaders and the Administration reached bipartisan agreement on labor, environmental and other issues related to pending free trade agreements with Peru, Panama, Colombia and Korea. We are hopeful that congressional approval of these agreements will soon unlock their important benefits.

Openness to trade and competition fuels economic dynamism, innovation, and deployment of new technologies that raise standard of living and productivity across the globe. Countries which have opened up to international competition have prospered, while others have been left behind. But a dynamic economy does create dislocations and change, and we must help workers succeed amidst this change. However, we cannot turn back the clock; the global economy is here to stay.

A successful Doha round would expand trade in agriculture, manufactured goods and services. The World Bank estimates that full liberalization of global merchandise trade alone would increase annual global income by $287 billion (0.7 percent of global GDP) and lift 65 million people out of poverty by 2015. Agriculture in particular is crucial for developing countries, especially for the poorest ones. On average, agriculture represents 40 percent of GDP, 35 percent of exports, and 50–70 percent of total employment in the poorest developing countries

Financial services are particularly important for developing countries because they are linked to increased economic growth and development. A Doha Round without significant liberalization in these areas would be a missed development opportunity. Capital markets are the lifeblood of an economy. They connect those who need capital with those who invest or lend capital. They play a vital role in helping entrepreneurs implement new ideas and businesses expand operations, creating new jobs. Financial sector openness has been shown to increase growth rates by over one percentage point in developing countries and to help the poor disproportionately, making commitments in the financial sector a win-win proposition. Cross-country analysis shows that greater involvement by private and foreign banks leads to more efficient lending and higher growth.

Foreign Direct Investment

On May 10, 2007, President Bush reaffirmed our nation's commitment to "open economies that empower individuals, generate economic opportunity and prosperity for all, and provide the foundation for a free society." A free and open international investment regime is vital for a stable and growing economy, both here at home and throughout the world. Foreign investment in the United States strengthens our economy, improves productivity, creates jobs, and spurs healthy competition.

Thank you, Chairman Frank, Ranking Member Bachus and Committee members for your efforts to improve and strengthen the CFIUS process. Your bill will contribute to creating a sound process to assess national security risks in those limited investments where they may arise, while signaling to the rest of the world that the United States remains open for investment. The CFIUS process has historically applied to less than 10 percent of foreign acquisitions of U.S. firms and the vast majority of reviews take place without controversy.

Modernizing the International Financial Institutions

We have a strong stake in maintaining the credibility, relevance and legitimacy of the IFIs. The IFIs are indispensable to promoting the United States' global economic interests, which cannot be effectively pursued through bilateral means alone.

As you know, the President has nominated Ambassador Robert Zoellick to be World Bank President. Positive feedback from my extensive consultation with foreign ministers around the world reinforced our confidence in Ambassador Zoellick's ability to lead the Bank's vital mission of economic growth. I believe he will rightly keep Africa at the center of the Bank's focus and continue the vital campaign to fight corruption and reduce poverty.

At the IMF, we have reached an important moment for reform. Failure to follow through will undermine the credibility and legitimacy of the IMF. Within the past days, the IMF took action to update its operational framework for its surveillance over members' exchange rate policies. The U.S. has been a strong voice in favor of such reform.

The IMF's exchange rate surveillance framework was 30 years old and badly needed updating to reflect developments such as the tremendous rise in international capital flows and increased prevalence of freely floating exchange rates. The reform will permit firmer surveillance in areas such as insufficiently flexible exchange rate regimes or weak macroeconomic policies which do not adequately support the exchange rate regime. The U.S. will continue to emphasize that for the reform to be meaningful, it must be carried through in the day-to-day surveillance work undertaken by staff. Nothing is more important for the relevance of the IMF than rigorous execution of its most fundamental responsibility.

Firm, multilateral-based exchange rate surveillance has the potential to be a strong complement to bilateral diplomacy. A multilateral approach places exchange rate issues in a broader, less politically-charged context where the win-win aspects of reform can be more persuasively emphasized.

The United States has led the call for reforms of the IMF's governance structure so that it better reflects the world economy in which we live. The chief goal of governance reform must be to boost the voting share of dynamic emerging market economies. Major emerging market economies produce an increasing share of global output, and will increasingly drive global growth. Reform can and should be accomplished while protecting the voting share of the poorest countries. The U.S. has demonstrated its commitment to reform by offering to forego the additional quota which would otherwise be due to us. We continue to call on similarly situated countries to follow our lead.

Supporting Economic Growth in Developing Countries

This administration has pursued a proactive reform agenda on development. President Bush has made a strong case for why international development assistance is squarely in the U.S. interest. Treasury supports these international development objectives through active leadership in the multilateral development banks (MDBs) and international debt initiatives. Lifting unsustainable debt burdens from the poorest countries allows a greater focus on economic growth and frees up resources that can be spent on poverty-reduction priorities.

In 2005 the G-8 agreed to support a multilateral debt relief agreement to cancel up to $60 billion in debt obligations owed to the World Bank's International Development Association (IDA), the African Development Bank and the IMF by countries eligible for the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative. In response to U.S. leadership, the Inter-American Development Bank has followed suit, agreeing to provide additional debt reduction to its five most heavily-indebted borrowers: Bolivia, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras and Nicaragua, with debts totaling $3.4 billion.

The U.S. seeks to preserve the gains made under these historic debt relief initiatives, and to end the "lend and forgive" cycle that has plagued many of the poorest countries in recent decades. This will require not only prudent debt management by borrowing countries, but greater attention by lenders to responsible lending policies and practices.

A key tool is the joint World Bank/IMF Debt Sustainability Framework, the DSF, for low-income countries, a forward-looking assessment of potential risk of debt distress. DSF must be put to use not only by borrowers to promote prudent management of new debt, but also by lenders, beyond the MDBs. It should include explicit guidance on recommended level of concessionality of lending.

We are concerned that some commercial creditors and non-OECD bilateral creditors have increased non-concessional lending to Low-Income Countries following the extension of debt relief, in effect "free riding" on the debt relief for these countries paid for by others. We are working within various forums, including the OECD Export Credit Group, to explore how use of the DSF might be expanded to other creditors. We are also working to engage the G-20 on a "Charter for Responsible Lending" to promote collaboration with emerging creditors. In this context, we are also working to help HIPCs avoid costly litigation.

Largely through U.S. leadership, the MDBs have been making significant progress in support of our international policy priorities: promoting private sector-led growth, reducing poverty, fighting corruption, and assisting post-conflict countries in rebuilding their war-torn economies.

We are now engaged with our donor partners around the world in replenishment negotiations for the International Development Association, the concessional arm of the World Bank and the African Development Fund. Successful negotiations are particularly important for Africa, which receives half of the IDA's resources. U.S. leadership is essential to advance the following key objectives:

Making sure the institutions measure, report and demonstrate results concretely and consistently; and continue to allocate more resources to countries that are reforming and performing well;

Improved work in fragile states such as Afghanistan and Liberia;

Increased transparency of the Bank's country operations;

Greater attention to debt sustainability in poor, debt vulnerable countries;

Continued efforts to fight against corruption.

The U.S. and the MDBs are strengthening their commitment to the financial sector in Africa, which is critically important for supporting sustainable economic growth. President Bush recently announced the Africa Financial Sector Initiative to provide financial and technical assistance to overcome barriers to capital markets development in Africa. This will complement work of the MDBs to strengthen Africa's financial markets.

The World Bank's new "Making Finance Work for Africa" initiative aims to increase efficiency of financial intermediation, provide greater access to finance for households and small business, and deepen financial markets. The IFC provides financial and technical assistance to help African financial institutions lend profitably to small and medium-sized enterprises. World Bank/IMF financial sector assessments help African countries develop financial sector reform strategies.

The MDBs also play a key role in addressing the needs of fragile states, which complements U.S. policy of helping to rebuild war-torn economies in countries like Afghanistan, Liberia, Haiti and Lebanon. Successfully addressing the special needs of fragile states is critical for advancing global economic and political stability. We are encouraging the MDBs to focus on the core issues of capacity and governance, since shortcomings in these areas often make it difficult for fragile states to effectively absorb aid. We also emphasize the need for the MDBs to achieve measurable results.

The Administration wants to continue to work with Congress on this proactive development agenda. In order for the United States to maintain its leadership in these important efforts, we must address the past payments due to these valuable institutions, as was requested in the President's FY 2008 budget.

Helping Small Businesses in Latin America

In March, President Bush asked the Treasury and State Departments to develop an initiative to "help U.S. and local banks improve their ability to extend good loans to small businesses" in Latin America and the Caribbean. On June 12, Treasury announced a three part program specifically designed to assist the estimated 90 percent of small businesses in the region that are often frozen out of the formal financial sector. The initiative is aimed at helping more people share in the benefits of economic freedom and growth that occur when small businesses thrive.

It is a three-part plan to catalyze market-based bank lending to small, profitable businesses with growth potential in Latin America and the Caribbean, that would be carried out in conjunction with in the Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF) of the Inter-American Development Bank, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) and the IDB Group's Inter-American Investment Corporation (IIC).

Household financial education is also vital to the success of this initiative. Many entrepreneurs get their start using their own savings or personal loans. Treasurer Anna Cabral will host a regional conference this fall to discuss ways we can enhance access to financial services, including financial service access of entrepreneurs in the region.

Strengthening the International Framework against Illicit Finance

In 2004, Treasury became the first finance ministry in the world to develop in-house intelligence and analytic expertise to use specific, current, and reliable intelligence to evaluate potential national security threats. We use reliable financial intelligence to build conduct-based cases, working to achieve a multilateral alignment of interests. Multilateral support is critical to the success of targeted financial measures; this support is also vital to bolstering the integrity of the international financial system and to underpinning sustainable growth and development.

Treasury continues an intensive effort to track and disrupt terrorist financing that has been effective on several levels. Perhaps the best example of a multilateral program of targeted financial measures is evidenced when the target provides support to al Qaida or the Taliban. In that case, a U.N. Security Council list requires all member states to freeze the assets of designated actors.

We are applying targeted financial measures against narcotics trafficking, terrorism threats and to counter the threat of proliferation, particularly the threats posed by Iran and North Korea. We have used our authorities to financially isolate entities central to the financing of terrorism and proliferation, such as Iran's Bank Sepah and Bank Saderat. We have worked to ensure that targeted financial measures are a central part of multilateral efforts to combat WMD proliferators; these measures are included in key UNSCRs related to North Korean and Iranian proliferation activities.

One of the greatest challenges of this century will be to keep the most dangerous weapons out of the hands of dangerous people. As I travel and meet with my colleagues in finance ministries around the world, everyone acknowledges that we must find effective ways to deal with these threats, short of military measures. Other nations can move more quickly to accomplish our shared goals of protecting the financial system and combating security threats by implementing the laws necessary to give their finance ministries the authority to access and use intelligence, and by integrating financial and security functions. This will enable further cooperation and multilateral action, which is in the world's best interest. And, these authorities must be available not only for use against terrorist financing and money laundering, but also for the dangerous, emerging practice of proliferation financing.

In conjunction with these targeted financial measures, Treasury has worked to enhance transparency across the international financial system and creating a dialogue with the international banking and financial service industries. Treasury is working with FATF to reinforce anti-money laundering/counter-terrorist financing framework to safeguard against threats such as WMD proliferation. FATF is a centerpiece of multilateral efforts, but cannot function effectively in isolation, the IFIs are major partners. Countering illicit finance promotes international financial stability and is therefore complementary to the missions of the IFIs.

The U.S. has been working very closely with the IMF and MDBs on anti-money laundering issues since 1999 and on terrorist financing issues since 2001. Our efforts have been very successful in gaining their commitment and engagement to combat terrorist financing and money laundering. A major step forward occurred in March 2004, when IMF and World Bank Executive Boards agreed to make countries' compliance with the FATF 40 + 9 recommendations, the anti-money laundering and terrorist financing standard, a regular part of their financial sector surveillance and diagnostic work, including in the Financial Sector Assessment Program.

The IMF and World Bank continue to undertake country assessments and provide technical assistance to help countries strengthen their AML/CFT regimes. They have performed 80 country assessments since 2002. The IMF has provided technical assistance to 158 countries; conducted 57 training workshops/seminars at national or regional level, involving 1,873 participants. And the World Bank has undertaken 196 outreach activities and 314 technical assistance missions, training approximately 2,200 officials in 140 countries.

Treasury Technical Assistance

Treasury seeks to advance the international economic agenda, and the specific goals that I have discussed today, in many ways, primarily through bilateral policy dialogue, through Treasury's participation in international organizations, and through specialized groupings such as the G-7/G-8.

Another, less visible, way is Treasury's international technical assistance program. It is a very small program that "punches above its weight" and merits your support. Let me give you a few specific examples that illustrate how Treasury assistance is supporting our efforts to combat illicit finance, to promote economic growth in developing countries, and to promote open trade and investment:

In Afghanistan, Treasury advisors have assisted the Afghan Central Bank in a successful effort to license and regulate the vast network of informal currency changers, also known as "hawaladars." This was a major step forward in the effort to bring hawaladars into the formal financial system and thereby reduce vulnerability to money laundering and terrorist financing.

In Zambia, Treasury advisors are helping the Finance Ministry to create a new Treasury Department that unifies and makes more transparent revenue and expenditure collection, and introduces new cash management tools.

In Mauritius, Treasury advisors have provided critical assistance in advancing "aid for trade" initiatives. With Treasury's help, Mauritius has introduced more advanced budget techniques that will help the authorities plan for and mitigate the budgetary impact of steps to liberalize its trade regime.

Conclusion

Taken together, policies to embrace openness, promote trade and assist developing economies will enhance economic security and prosperity for people around the world. These goals reflect what is best in the American people, and I look forward to working with you to achieve them. Thank you and I welcome your questions.

TREASURY SEEKS NOMINATIONS FOR AUDITING COMMITTEE The Treasury Department issued a notice in the Federal Register this week seeking nominations of individuals to serve on the Advisory Committee on the Auditing Profession. Secretary Henry M. Paulson, Jr. announced his intention to create the committee last month to assist Treasury in examining the sustainability of a strong and vibrant auditing profession, as part of the first stage of the Secretary's capital markets competitiveness initiative. Treasury will select 15 to 21 committee members representing the views of non-government entities or groups having an interest in the auditing profession, such as auditors, investors, public companies, and other financial market participants. The Department also requested names of professional and public interest groups that should be represented on the committee. The public committee will evaluate and make recommendations to strengthen the auditing profession, which the Department expects the committee to release within a year. All full committee meetings will be open to the public. Topics the committee is expected to consider include: the auditing profession's ability to attract and retain the human capital necessary to meet developments in the business and financial reporting environment; audit market competition and concentration; and the financial resources of the auditing profession, including the effect of existing limitations on auditing firms' structure; as well as those factors affecting audit quality. Treasury will direct the committee to conduct its work with a view to furthering Treasury's mission to promote the conditions for prosperity and stability in the United States and the rest of the world and to predict and prevent, to the extent possible, economic and financial crises. Nominations should be sent to acapmembership@do.treas.gov or to the Advisory Committee on the Auditing Profession Membership, Office of Financial Institutions Policy, Department of the Treasury, Main Treasury Building, Room 1418, 1500 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 20220. Nominations are due by July 11.

FINANCIAL LITERACY COMMISSION HOSTS BOSTON MEETING ON HOMEOWNERSHIP The Financial Education and Literacy Commission, chaired by the U.S. Treasury Department, visited Boston, Mass., today for a discussion on successful financial education programs to improve homeownership. "Homeownership is a journey not a destination. Good homeownership counseling services need to be available before, during and after the purchase transaction," said Treasury Deputy Assistant Secretary for Financial Education, Dan Iannicola, Jr., who attended today's conference. "The community groups we met with today understand this and that is why they're making a difference here in Boston and the surrounding areas." Treasury and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development led a discussion with financial institutions, lenders, policymakers, community organizations and counseling agencies on how public-private sector partnerships can better deliver grassroots counseling and training programs. Representatives from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation also attened the event, which was part of broader national and regional efforts to highlight National Homeownership Month. The discussion focused on helping home-buyers better understand the terms of their mortgages to help them stay in their homes. Homeownership counseling can reduce 90 day mortgage delinquencies by 19 percent, according to a 2001 study. Today's meeting was part of the Financial Literacy and Education Commission's national strategy for improving Americans' understanding of issues like homeownership, credit management, and retirement savings. The report, released in 2006, and other free homeownership counseling publications can be found at MyMoney.gov. -30- -- You are currently subscribed to the All US Treasury Press Releases and Documents list as: williamhhoehne@montebubbles.net Unsubscribe from this list by replying to this message.

STATEMENT BY SECRETARY PAULSON ON IMF REVISION OF EXCHANGE RATE SURVEILLANCE FRAMEWORK Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson, Jr. today issued the following statement on International Monetary Fund Managing Director De Rato's announcement that the Fund revised its framework for exercising surveillance over members' exchange rate policies: "The United States welcomes the revision, and I want to commend particularly Managing Director De Rato for his leadership on this important issue. The revised decision sends a strong message that the IMF will put exchange rate surveillance back at the core of its duties and rigorously implement its rules on exchange rate surveillance going forward. The revised decision also demonstrates that the IMF is serious about reforming itself and enhancing its legitimacy and relevance in today's global economic and financial system."

UNITED STATES TERMINATES ESTATE AND GIFT TAX TREATY WITH SWEDEN The Treasury Department today announced that on June 7, 2007 the United States delivered to the Government of Sweden a notice of termination of the tax treaty between the two countries with respect to estates, inheritances, and gifts. In accordance with the provisions of the treaty, the notice of termination provides that the treaty will cease to have effect as of January 1, 2008. At the time the treaty was signed, Sweden maintained a tax on inheritances and gifts. Sweden has since abolished this tax such that the treaty is no longer needed to prevent double taxation with respect to taxes on estates, inheritances and gifts

TREASURY DESIGNATES AL QAIDA, LIFG OPERATIVES

The U.S. Department of the Treasury today designated three Libyan

individuals who are members of both al Qaida and the Libyan Islamic

Fighting Group (LIFG). Today's action was taken pursuant to

Executive

Order 13224, which is aimed at prohibiting transactions with

terrorists and their supporters and freezing their assets.

"These terrorists execute roles throughout al Qaida and LIFG, from

recruitment to military training to procurement of explosive

components," said Adam J. Szubin, Director of the Office of Foreign

Assets Control (OFAC). "We are publicly holding them to account for

their dangerous actions."

Identifying Information

Nur Al-Din Al-Dibiski

* AKAs: Salem Nor Eldin Amohamed al-Dabski

* Salim Nur al-Din al-Dabski

* Salim Nur al-Din al-Dabaski

* Abdallah Rajab

* Abdullah Ragab

* Abu al-Ward

* `Abd al-Ward

* Abu al-Wurud

* Abu Naim

DOB: circa 1963

POB: Tripoli, Libya

PASSPORT: 1990/345751 (Libya)

Nur al-Din al Dibiski traveled to Afghanistan in the early 1990s,

where he joined al Qaida and received military training in al

Qaida's

camps. Dibiski is believed to be a senior member of the LIFG and a

member of that terrorist group's military committee. Dibiski also

joined the LIFG while he was in Afghanistan, and as of August 2005

was

identified as a member of the LIFG in Iran.

Sa'id Yusif Ali Abu Azizah

* AKAs: Said Youssef Ali Abu Aziza

* Sa'id Yusif Ali Abu Azizat

* Sa'id Yusif Abu Aziz

* Sa'ud Abu Aziz

* Abu Therab

* Abu Thurab

* Abu Turab

* Abdul Hamid

* Abd al-Hamid

DOB: 1958

POB: Tripoli, Libya

PASSPORT: 87/437555 (Libya)

Sa'id Yusif Ali Abu Azizah is a member of and recruiter for al

Qaida,

and was responsible for al Qaida's publications and mass media

operations. Azizah, who underwent terrorist training in an al Qaida

training camp, supervised one of bin Laden's guesthouses in

Peshawar,

Pakistan.

Azizah joined the LIFG in 1995. Azizah has long been involved in

recruiting new LIFG members and sending them to Afghanistan for

military training and combat experience. On behalf of LIFG, Azizah

has

focused on the return of recruits to Libya to conduct operations

against the government.

Azizah was identified as a member of al Qaida in Canada in 2003, and

became the leader of the LIFG in Canada in 2004.

`Ali Sulayman Mas'ud `Abd Al-Sayyid

* AKA: Aly Soliman Massoud Abdul Sayed

* AKA: Mohamed Osman

* AKA: Ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyyah

* AKA: Ibn al-Qayyim

* AKA: Ibn El Qaim

* AKA: Al-Zawl

DOB: 1969

POB: Tripoli, Libya

PASSPORT: 96/184442 (Libya)

`Abd al-Sayyid is one of al Qaida's early members and is reportedly

member of the al Qaida military committee. He was assigned by al

Qaida's leadership to deliver messages to al Qaida members in Libya

that contained instructions for terrorist plots in Libya. `Abd

al-Sayyid was also tasked by LIFG to enter Libya secretly, and was

involved in arming an al Qaida group in Libya.

`Abd al-Sayyid was at one time in charge of al Qaida activities in

Yemen, where he tasked one al Qaida operative to obtain electrical

"igniters" for explosives. In 1993, `Abd al-Sayyid coordinated with

LIFG member to bring an explosives expert to Yemen to make an

improvised explosive device to be catapulted on the U.S. Embassy in

Sanaa.

`Abd al-Sayyid later returned to Sudan, where he was in charge of al

Qaida operations and was a regional LIFG leader. He followed orders

the LIFG leadership, particularly LIFG leader and Specially

Designated

Global Terrorist (SDGT) Abd al-Rahman al-Faqih. `Abd al-Sayyid also

received funds from a Switzerland-based LIFG member.

In 2003, `Abd al-Sayyid received explosives detonators from a LIFG

security committee member in Sudan and was involved in planning an

attack on the Sudanese president and vice president.

TREASURY ACTION TARGETS INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED IN IRAN’S NUCLEAR PROGRAM The U.S. Department of the Treasury today designated two Iranian individuals, Mohammad Qannadi and Ali Hajinia Leilabadi, for their involvement in Iran's nuclear program. "Even individuals who are active in Iran's nuclear program are going to be held to account for their conduct and isolated by the international financial community," said Stuart Levey, Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence. This action was taken pursuant to Executive Order 13382, an authority aimed at freezing the assets of proliferators of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and their supporters. Designations under E.O. 13382 are implemented by Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), and they prohibit all transactions between the designees and any U.S. person and freeze any assets the designees may have under U.S. jurisdiction. Mohammad Qannadi acts or purports to act for or on behalf of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI). The AEOI manages Iran's overall nuclear program and reports directly to the Iranian president. Identified by President George W. Bush in the Annex to E.O. 13382, the AEOI is the main Iranian institute for research and development activities in the field of nuclear technology, including Iran's centrifuge enrichment program and experimental laser enrichment of uranium program. Ali Hajinia Leilabadi acts or purports to act for or on behalf of the Mesbah Energy Company, an AEOI subordinate designated by OFAC in January 2006. Mesbah has been used to procure products for Iran's heavy water project. Heavy water is essential for Iran's heavy-water-moderated reactor project, which will provide Iran with a potential source of plutonium well-suited for nuclear weapons. Heavy water is believed to have no credible use in Iran's civilian nuclear power program, which is based on light-water reactor technology. The AEOI and Mesbah Energy Company are both named in the Annex to United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1737 for their involvement in Iran's nuclear program. Mohammad Qannadi and Ali Hajinia Leilabadi were also both included in the Annex to UNSCR 1737 for their respective roles with AEOI and Mesbah. The UN identified Qannadi as AEOI's Vice President for Research and Development, while identifying Leilabadi as the Director General of the Mesbah Energy Company. In August 2006 the Iranian President awarded government medals to Qannadi, Leilabadi, and 12 other individuals, for their contributions in the field of nuclear technology. Qannadi received the second medal for research for his role as AEOI research and technology deputy. Leilabadi was awarded the third medal of excellence in management for his role as director and deputy manager of Mesbah. Background on E.O. 13382 Today's action builds on President Bush's issuance of E.O. 13382 on June 29, 2005. Recognizing the need for additional tools to combat the proliferation of WMD, the President signed the E.O. authorizing the imposition of strong financial sanctions against not only WMD proliferators, but also entities and individuals providing support or services to them. In the Annex to E.O. 13382, the President identified eight entities operating in North Korea, Iran, and Syria for their support of WMD proliferation. E.O. 13382 authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State, the Attorney General, and other relevant agencies, to designate additional entities and individuals providing support or services to the entities identified in the Annex to the Order. In addition to the entities identified in the annex of E.O. 13382, the Treasury Department has designated 29 entities and four individuals as proliferators of WMD, specifically: * Eight North Korean entities on October 21, 2005; * Two Iranian entities on January 4, 2006; * One Swiss individual and one Swiss entity tied to North Korean proliferation activity on March 30, 2006; * Four Chinese entities and one U.S. entity tied to Iranian proliferation activity on June 8, 2006; * Two Iranian entities on July 18, 2006; * Three Syrian entities on January 4, 2007; * One Iranian entity, one British entity, and one individual tied to Iranian missile proliferation on January 9, 2007; * Three Iranian entities on February 16, 2007; and * Three Iranian entities on June 8, 2007; and * Two Iranian individuals on June 15, 2007. The designation announced today is part of the ongoing interagency effort by the United States Government to combat WMD trafficking by blocking the property of and prohibiting transactions with entities and individuals that engage in proliferation activities and their support networks. - 30 -

June 14

REMARKS BY TREASURY SECRETARY PAULSON ON TARGETED FINANCIAL MEASURES TO PROTECT OUR NATIONAL SECURITY This Department of Good morning. Thank you, Hank, and thank you to the Council on Foreign Relations for hosting us. It is a pleasure to be with you. New York is the heart of the world's financial system and Treasury Secretaries often come here to talk about the role that system plays in our economic health. Today, I want to talk about something a little different - the financial system's importance to our national security. Throughout history, Treasury Secretaries have focused their efforts on promoting policies and actions to help ensure the safety and soundness of our financial system. Today, the Secretary must focus on the security of the financial system, as well as its safety and soundness. Global financial flows are growing rapidly and greatly exceed the trade in goods and services. This is a positive trend; open finance and free trade enhance the economic security and prosperity of people in this country and around the world. But bad actors seek to abuse this global financial system to support their illicit purposes. The world of finance and the world of terror and weapons proliferation intersect through the same system that spreads prosperity at home and abroad. National security is not only an integral part of my job; it is also a sobering one. Our enemies are determined, and there are significant threats that aren't going away anytime soon. As part of the National Security Council, I work with the President and his Cabinet to address these threats. Treasury is now a key pillar of the President's national security and foreign policy strategy. An integrated world economy presents challenges and opportunities. The challenge and importance of protecting the integrity of our global financial network have never been greater. Our financial system also presents us with enormous opportunities because technology and integration have made it more difficult for anyone using the financial system to hide. This makes financial intelligence a particularly valuable tool to detect and disrupt bad actors. Recognizing this, Congress and the President have provided an expanded set of tools that allow innovative and more focused uses of financial intelligence. These targeted financial measures are proving to be quite effective, flying in the face of a widely-held historical view that dismisses sanctions as ineffective, harmful to innocents, or both. There are certainly times when that conventional wisdom is true, particularly with broad, country-wide sanctions that are perceived as political statements. It can be difficult to persuade other governments and private businesses to join such sanctions. Even when other governments agree with us politically, they generally tend to be unwilling to force their nation's businesses to forego opportunities that remain open to others. When the private sector views such broad sanctions as unwelcome political barriers to trade, companies are unmotivated to do more than what is minimally necessary to comply. Indeed, history is replete with examples of participants in the global economy working to evade such sanctions while their government turns a blind eye. The dynamic is different when we instead impose financial measures specifically targeted against those individuals or entities engaging in illicit conduct. When we use reliable financial intelligence to build conduct-based cases, it is much easier to achieve a multilateral alignment of interests. It is difficult for another nation, even one which is not a close political ally, to disagree with targeted measures to isolate actors who are demonstrably engaged in conduct that threatens human rights or global security. And multilateral support is critical to the success of financial measures in today's world. When we use targeted financial measures aimed at explicit wrongdoing, the private sector around the world tends to support these measures thereby amplifying their effectiveness. Rather than grudgingly complying with, or even trying to evade our sanctions, we have seen the banking industry in particular voluntarily go above and beyond their legal requirements because they do not want to do business with terrorist supporters, money launderers or proliferators. This is a product of good corporate citizenship and a desire to protect their institution's reputation. Once some in the private sector decide to cut off those we have targeted, it becomes an even greater reputational risk for others not to follow, and so they often do. Such voluntary implementation by the private sector in turn makes it even more palatable for governments to impose similar measures, thus creating a mutually-reinforcing cycle of public and private action. In the end, if we do our jobs well, especially by sharing critical information with the key governmental and private sector parties around the world, there is the potential for us to create a multilateral coalition to apply significant pressure on those who threaten our security. Because we are learning to apply our tools in this way, our financial actions have produced demonstrable impacts on threats ranging from terrorist groups to narcotics cartels, and on dangerous regimes in North Korea and Iran. This new strategy uses conduct-based, intelligence-grounded, targeted financial measures to harness the power of the private sector and form the basis of multilateral coalitions, adding an innovative financial dimension to our national security effort. Treasury can effectively use these tools largely because the U.S. is the key hub of the global financial system; we are the banker to the world. We understand that maintaining this standing, which makes our strategy possible, requires focused and fact-based action, so that the private sector and other governments are most likely to amplify our measures. Financial Intelligence The starting point for Treasury's approach to targeted financial measures is information. To identify and act against threats, we need specific, current, and reliable intelligence. And the global financial system is a rich source of the information we need. Illicit actors who otherwise try to avoid detection often use the formal financial system because there is no good alternative and, in many cases, no alternative at all. Proliferation networks need import and export financing to buy materials and equipment. Rogue nations depend on the financial system for everything from holding reserves to currency transactions. Terrorist networks use the system to raise and move funds when more opaque alternatives are too cumbersome or risky. These transactions typically leave a trail of detailed information which we can follow to identify key actors and their networks. Opening an account or initiating a funds transfer requires a name, an address, a phone number; identification information that does not lie. Unlike a phone call or conversation that essentially disappears if it's not captured at the moment it occurs, the financial system produces records that tend to survive. In 2004, Treasury became the first finance ministry in the world to develop in-house intelligence and analytic expertise to use this information. We now work with the broader intelligence community, requesting the data necessary to understand the financial networks that threaten our national security. Treasury then evaluates this information with an eye towards potential action – be it a designation, an advisory to the private sector, or a conversation to alert other finance ministers to a particular threat or bad actor. It is also critical that the government handle and use the information it gathers appropriately. As Treasury implements these efforts to help protect national security, we simultaneously take rigorous steps to protect privacy and preserve civil liberties. We seek to discover those who are abusing the system, keeping in place sufficient controls and safeguards to protect those who are not. Innovative Use of Financial Authorities When considering how best to approach a threat, Treasury draws on an array of powerful authorities. Some are very old, such as the Trading with the Enemy Act, originally passed in 1917. Some are much newer, such as the authority to cut off access to the U.S. financial system for an entity that is "of primary money laundering concern" under Section 311 of the PATRIOT Act. The innovative use of these authorities against national security threats is fairly recent. We have drawn on lessons learned from earlier programs aimed at Colombian drug cartels. Over the last ten years, as these cartels, their associates and financial holdings have appeared on a Treasury list designating them as narcotic traffickers, U.S. banks have frozen their accounts and assets. Colombian and other countries' banks have then followed suit, refusing to hold or move their money. When given good information, honest bankers won't do business with these criminals. Treasury has designated over 1,400 individuals and companies, and caused the disruption or seizure of more than $1 billion in proceeds related to these cartels. The cartels refer to being placed on the Treasury list as "muerte civil" or civil death. Since September 11th, Treasury has been applying these lessons in a more focused effort against global terrorist threats, beginning with a September 23, 2001 Executive Order that authorized the identification and designation of terrorists and their facilitators worldwide. We have based our actions on clear evidence and encouraged the private sector and other nations to follow suit. Under a U.N. resolution, worldwide, targeted sanctions are now in place against members and supporters of al Qaida and the Taliban. The European Union and other nations have joined the United States in designating the terrorist group Hamas, and the United Nations has designated individuals responsible for the genocide in Darfur. The targeted financial measures used against terrorists and their supporters are likely to be as effective in combating proliferation networks. While terrorist organizations may attempt to shift their financial dealings to informal networks or cash couriers, proliferators tend to depend upon access to the formal financial system, where our controls and visibility are greatest. Those seeking to procure items for a nuclear program, for example, often seek to disguise their efforts by making the transaction appear to be for a legitimate commercial purpose. Those who participate in a proliferation transaction because of profit, rather than ideology, are susceptible to being deterred from such transactions if we can credibly threaten to publicly expose and isolate them. Recognizing this fact, in 2005, President Bush took a visionary first step---issuing a new Executive Order authorizing Treasury to target proliferators and their support networks, just as we do terrorists. The consequences of these targeted measures can be seen on a number of levels, some obvious and some less so. Most directly, when the U.S. designates a terrorist supporter or a weapons proliferator, U.S. entities and persons, wherever located, must freeze the target's assets and stop doing business with them. Given the U.S. financial system's prominence, this can have a severe impact. All major U.S. and foreign banks have offices dedicated to protecting their institutions from infiltration by illicit money. Our designations let these officials know who they need to protect against. These measures have also led to a base of international, private sector support. Reputable banks around the world don't want to hold accounts for terrorists and proliferators any more than U.S. banks do. My strong view, based on personal experience, is that the major financial institutions, and the individuals who run them, care deeply about the integrity of the financial system and the reputations of the institutions they run. They genuinely want to be good corporate citizens and want nothing to do with illegal behavior. Additionally, a lack of vigilance on their part is not worth the risk of a regulatory action. These institutions, which are, in a sense, the true gatekeepers of the financial system, have also become more effective in detecting and combating illicit money flows. As a result, they have made us all safer, and they have become sounder and stronger. We strive to make information-sharing a truly two-way street by expanding and improving the information we provide, to help them make better-informed decisions about their customers. The information the financial sector shares with the government is critically important to our efforts, and they do so under obligations that they sometimes perceive as unduly burdensome. We will continue to work to ensure that the security benefits justify the regulatory obligations, and will make adjustments as warranted. If we communicate well with the private sector, I believe that we can make our regulations more efficient and simultaneously be more effective in protecting our national security. Targeted Financial Measures in Action The impacts of these new financial measures are evident around the world. I would like to highlight a few notable examples. Terrorism Treasury continues an intensive effort to track and disrupt terrorist financing that has been effective on several levels. This effort has involved government-wide cooperation, applying law enforcement, military, intelligence, and financial tools depending on the target and the situation. While individual terrorist attacks may be inexpensive to carry out, global terrorist groups need large sums of money to pay operatives, to recruit and train members, to acquire false documents and travel. By exploiting the financial intelligence generated by that activity and combining it with other available information, we have made progress in mapping these terrorist networks. In many ways, that has been the Treasury Department's most important, but least visible, contribution to the fight against terrorist groups. Our actions have had additional disruptive effects. We have frozen assets and closed off conduits, such as terrorist-supporting charities in the United States. Some international entities have shut down simply by virtue of being publicly designated and exposed. When we restrict the flow of funds to terrorists groups or disable a link in their financing chain, they then have to shift their focus from planning attacks to concern about their financial viability. These designations may also have a deterrent effect on the financiers who want to keep one foot in the legitimate business world while supporting murder and violence on the side. When the target provides support to al Qaida or the Taliban, we have perhaps the best example of a multilateral program of targeted financial measures: a U.N. Security Council list that requires all member states to freeze the assets of designated actors. Even when we don't have that multilateral regime, such as in the case of financial supporters of Hizballah or the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, we have found that our designations make an impact beyond their formal, legal reach, as many banks around the world, who are not obliged to do so, screen their customers and transactions against our list of designated terrorist supporters. North Korea In North Korea, we have used targeted financial measures to help protect the U.S. financial system from the DPRK's illicit financial conduct. We used our authorities to designate several North Korean entities involved in its weapons programs. Because it served as a primary conduit for North Korean illicit actors to access the international financial system, we have also cut off Macau-based Banco Delta Asia's access to the U.S. financial system. The real impact, however, has come from the information made public in conjunction with these actions. Worldwide, private financial institutions decided to terminate their business relationships with the designated entities as well as others suspected of engaging in similar conduct. The result is North Korea's virtual isolation from the global financial system. The effect on North Korea has been significant, because even the most reclusive regime depends on access to the international financial system It is clear to everyone in the world today that the U.S. government takes very seriously its responsibility to preserve the security of the financial system and protect it against abuses of WMD proliferation, money laundering and other illegal activities. We have potent tools that can change behavior. In this case, our financial measures are part of a wider campaign to change North Korean behavior, including the State Department-led effort to bring about a de-nuclearized Korean Peninsula. Iran We are currently in the midst of an effort to apply these same lessons to the very real threat posed by Iran. It is well known that Iran is pursuing nuclear weapons in violation of international agreements and channeling hundreds of millions of dollars to terrorist groups. Still, when I was first briefed on the details, I was surprised to learn the extent to which Iran was exploiting global financial ties to pursue and finance its dangerous behavior, and the extent to which reputable financial institutions were being drawn into these schemes. Financial institutions that would exercise extreme caution to avoid even small-time crooks were unknowingly handling the money of Iran's proliferation front companies. I knew that the people who run these financial institutions would be shocked and disturbed, to say the least, if they were aware of the facts. So, to combat the Iranian threat, we embarked on a strategy that combines the use of intelligence-based targeted financial measures with a concentrated outreach strategy to inform financial leaders, in governments and, especially in the private sector, of what was happening. Treasury put together a briefing describing the range of Iran's deceptive financial conduct. We explained how Iran uses front companies and other mechanisms that make it difficult, if not impossible, for businesses dealing with Iran to "know their customer" or counterparty. We also explained how the Iranian regime uses its state-owned banks to pursue its missile procurement and nuclear programs, as well as fund terrorism. Repeatedly, state-owned Iranian banks, including the Central Bank of Iran, ask other financial institutions to remove their names from global transactions. This practice aims to evade risk-management controls and threatens to involve responsible financial institutions in transactions they would never knowingly handle. At around the same time, in September 2006, Treasury cut Iran's state-owned Bank Saderat off from any direct or indirect access to the U.S. financial system, and publicly disclosed some of the information underlying that decision, including that the Central Bank of Iran was sending money through Bank Saderat to Hizballah. We also disclosed evidence that Bank Saderat was providing financial services to other terrorist groups such as the Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Hamas. Almost immediately, financial institutions around the world began to adjust their business with all Iranian state-owned banks and with Bank Saderat, specifically. The private sector, when presented with our solid evidence, is able to act much more quickly than governments who often lack the necessary authority or the political will to take action on their own. As part of our outreach, we shared extensive information with some of our allies about another Iranian state-owned bank, Bank Sepah, which was providing financial services to Iranian missile firms and trying to disguise its activities. It was our hope that another nation would take the lead in pursuing an action against Bank Sepah, especially when we learned that one of our allies had independently corroborated the information we had shared. Due to a lack of legal authorities and political will, that did not happen. So, in January of this year, we unilaterally designated Bank Sepah as a facilitator of Iranian proliferation. Other nations often seem to lack the political will to take unilateral actions, and our goal has always been multilateral action. To that end, our outreach eventually proved to be successful when our allies joined us in persuading the United Nations Security Council to blacklist Bank Sepah in its most recent resolution against Iran. Now the entire world must freeze Bank Sepah's assets, and isolate it from the global financial system. As a result of our outreach and targeted measures, financial institutions around the world are more sensitive than ever about the very substantial risks posed by doing business with Iran. Most of the world's top financial institutions have now dramatically reduced their Iranian business or stopped it altogether. For the most part, they are not legally required to take these steps but have decided, as a matter of prudence and integrity that they do not want to be the bankers for such a regime. To those banks that have decided to stop dollar-based business, but continue to transact Iran's business in other currencies, I would say that the risk of transacting Iran's business is present in every currency. The engagement of Iran's state-controlled banks and its Central Bank in advancing the regime's policies should be cause for great concern to financial institutions around the world. Due to our State Department's outstanding work, the UN has passed two unanimous Security Council resolutions sanctioning Iran, and is working on a third. As we approach this next resolution, we are increasingly focused on the role of Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The IRGC, a paramilitary arm of the regime, has been directly involved in the planning and support of terrorist acts, as well as funding and training other terrorist groups to pursue the military objectives of the regime. Based on its role in proliferation activities, the UN has targeted IRGC companies and officials in recent resolutions. The IRGC is so deeply entrenched in Iran's economy and commercial enterprises, it is increasingly likely that if you are doing business with Iran, you are somehow doing business with the IRGC. In a country where the regime uses its state-owned banks, military entities, and state-run industries to fund, facilitate, and conceal its WMD and missile programs, the eyes of the world will inevitably turn to the decision maker, the regime itself, and demand that it be held accountable. By approaching the Iran issue the way we have, focusing intensely on specific illicit conduct and making the private sector a partner in the effort, we are in a better position to discuss broader measures with our allies. While the financial isolation of the entire regime may impose costs on our partners and on us, it would be far less costly than a nuclear-armed Iran. The Way Forward As these examples show, the innovative use of targeted financial measures has advanced our national security, but there are gaps in this effort that must be filled. One of the greatest challenges of this century will be to keep the most dangerous weapons out of the hands of dangerous people. As I travel and meet with my colleagues in finance ministries around the world, everyone acknowledges that we must find effective ways to deal with these threats, short of military measures. Yet other nations are not moving quickly enough to accomplish this goal. Specifically, nations must implement the laws necessary to give their finance ministries the authority to access and use intelligence, and they must move to integrate financial and security functions. This will enable further cooperation and multilateral action, which is in the world's best interest. And, these authorities must be available for use against terrorist financing, money laundering and the dangerous, emerging practice of proliferation financing. Although there has not been a terrorist attack on American soil since 9/11, terrorists have struck London, Madrid, Jakarta, Mumbai, Amman, Bali, and Istanbul. Several of our key allies who support the global effort against terrorism have yet to take such basic steps as adequately criminalizing money laundering and terrorist financing. An even greater number of countries have failed to develop the national authorities and capabilities necessary to apply targeted financial measures to any terrorist group other than Al Qaida and the Taliban. We have a shared responsibility for our mutual security, and our allies, who confront risks at least as great as those confronting the United States, must find the political will to enact the authorities they need to join in effective multilateral action. These authorities may not deal a knock-out-punch, but they can and will produce results and change behavior. My finance ministry counterparts and I have the same responsibility: to broaden our role beyond economic stewardship and become valuable contributors to help ensure our countries' and our citizens' security. In performing these dual roles we seek essentially the same end: preserving the global financial system's integrity, which will enhance economic security and prosperity for people around the world.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR FINANCIAL MARKETS ANTHONY W. RYAN REMARKS BEFORE THE TREASURY MARKETS PRACTICE GROUP AT THE FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF NEW YORK New York City- Good morning. Let me begin by expressing my thanks for inviting me to join you today. Collectively, everyone here shares the privilege of working in the best capital markets in the world. With such a privilege comes responsibility. To maintain our leadership status and to accrue the associated benefits, certain characteristics must define our marketplace. These include investor confidence, market integrity, and competitiveness. We must also recognize that the responsibility for maintaining and strengthening these traits is borne by both the public and private sectors. We all have a role to play in enhancing the competitiveness of our capital markets. In doing so, we leverage the important contribution that competitive and efficient capital markets make to our nation's economy. Such efforts also bring direct benefits to investors and users of capital. Competitive capital markets foster innovation and serve to attract investors, capital, and talent. In turn, these advantages reinforce and strengthen the competitive position of our economy and improve the lives of all Americans. The confidence displayed by global investors in our deep, liquid markets is a direct byproduct of the integrity and transparency of our markets. Certainly all of that is true when we focus on the U.S. Treasury marketplace. As the Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Treasury for Financial Markets, I can assure you how much we value the symbiotic relationship that we have with Treasury market participants. Because our operating principles of transparent, regular, and predictable debt management practices are well established, buyers of Treasury securities come to us in greater numbers, bid with more confidence, and in larger amounts. Our predictability, coupled with our unitary financing approach to debt issuance, increases the depth and liquidity of the Treasury marketplace and results in lower cost borrowing for the government. For investors, the U.S. Treasury market represents a safe, broad and liquid universe for investing their capital. U.S. Treasury securities are the global standard by which all other fixed income instruments are valued. In addition to its risk free status, the Treasury market is diverse. Instruments range across the entire investment spectrum: from bills to notes to bonds. Due to this range of options, buyers can select the securities that best meet their objectives. In addition, the Treasury market enables investors to diversify their exposure across nominal and real securities, and hence their exposure to the risk of inflation. Treasury inflation protected securities (TIPS) currently exceed $400 billion in market value and span the yield curve out more than 10 years. As a result of the presence of these instruments, the market pricing of inflation risk is now better quantified dynamically through the actions of market participants. Even if investors do not invest in TIPS, they benefit from the additional information provided to the marketplace by the presence of these securities. TIPS are integral to both the Treasury portfolio and market participants and our commitment to the program remains strong. Additional benefits to investors include scale and liquidity. Treasury issues over $4 trillion in marketable debt each year, with trading volume exceeding over $500 billion per day. With the existence of robust swaps, options, and futures trading based off of the cash market in Treasuries, investors have the benefit of additional liquidity and flexibility. Just as open economies are best suited to grow, the same can be said of capital markets. Open investment and the free flow of capital are essential to healthy capital markets. Let me take this opportunity to assure investors from around the world that they are welcome in our markets. Just last month, President Bush released his Open Investment Policy. He stated that, "The United States unequivocally supports international investment in this country and is equally committed to securing fair, equitable, and nondiscriminatory treatment for U.S. investors abroad." Certainly we have embraced this philosophy as it relates to the U.S. Treasury marketplace. Our market is truly global and buyers of our securities are increasingly diverse. My comments this morning have been about the importance and benefits of competitive capital markets. I'd now like to discuss one way we can approach this important goal. As policymakers, we need our regulatory environments to be optimally positioned in order to allow our markets and our economy to compete. However, regulatory approaches, like the markets themselves, must be flexible, dynamic, and globally oriented. As participants within the Treasury marketplace, we all recognize that by comparative standards, our marketplace is lightly regulated. This is a direct result of the operating integrity, transparency, and sound practices that characterize the actions of both the Treasury debt managers and the various market participants. Every stakeholder benefits from the current regulatory regime, and thus has strong incentives to act in accordance with principles that enhance the stability and integrity of the marketplace. By doing so, participants will help to ensure that the liquidity, efficiency, and quality of our market remains the finest in the world. From a regulatory perspective in the U.S., we have historically largely relied on rules. There are clear benefits to knowing and following the rules, but we should not limit ourselves by creating and relying on an ever expanding rulebook. Given the pace, scale, and complexity of the global capital markets in which we operate and compete, we will by necessity need to complement our rules by developing, applying, and consistently updating principles and best practices to meet well defined objectives. The introduction of the principles-based framework outlined by the Treasury Market Practices Group (TMPG) is encouraging. The principles and guidelines comprising the document lay a strong foundation for all stakeholders. In particular, the document provides a framework for market participants to evaluate and enhance their current activities in the secondary markets and to fulfill their responsibilities as stakeholders in the Treasury market. The guidelines are practical, and possess the flexibility to deal with the global and dynamic environment in which stakeholders operate. There are significant benefits in having guidelines and clearly defined practices complement regulations. I should add it is not just registered broker-dealers who are encouraged to subscribe to these guidelines. All Treasury market participants should adopt and implement them and should hold each other accountable. We all benefit from the high confidence in and integrity of the Treasury market and we all stand to lose significantly if that integrity is challenged. It is important to recognize that while much effort went into developing the practices comprising the document, the real test comes with how stakeholders collectively apply these practices. Success will be determined by how market participants interpret and implement these practices, and how market practices evolve from this point forward. The introduction of these practices represents another step in the continual process of enhancing our Treasury market. Surely more steps will follow as participants contribute to efforts that serve to define, update and enhance these practices. The practices put forth by the TMPG represent a positive development as the application of principles creates flexibility, as well as place pressure on all participants to follow their spirit and intent. While these practices and guidelines complement existing rules, we will of course continue to monitor the markets. Along with us, each of you can help ensure liquid and efficient Treasury markets. I want to recognize Tom Wipf for his leadership and for chairing the TMPG and guiding the group to develop these best practices. Tom, I look forward to the panel discussions, and thank you and the others on the Treasury Market Practices Group for your efforts and initiative. I also want to acknowledge SIFMA for its many constructive contributions, efforts, and its ongoing initiatives aimed at further enhancing the U.S. Treasury market. All of this strikes at the core of collective responsibility. Let me conclude my remarks by stating how grateful we are at the U.S. Treasury Department for the numerous contributions made by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and for its efforts in enhancing the treasury marketplace. Our combined efforts serve to enhance investor confidence by improving the integrity, efficiency, orderliness, and competitiveness of the U.S. Treasury market. In doing so, we facilitate our economy's ability to compete and thrive. Thank you.

FACT SHEET: TARGETED FINANCIAL MEASURES TO PROTECT OUR NATIONAL SECURITY "Treasury's strategy uses conduct-based, intelligence-grounded, targeted financial measures to harness the power of the private sector and form the basis of multilateral coalitions, adding an innovative financial dimension to our national security effort." – Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson, Jr. June 14, 2007 Protecting National Security and Strengthening the Global Financial System "The challenge and importance of protecting the integrity of our global financial network have never been greater. Our financial system also presents us with enormous opportunities because technology and integration have made it more difficult for anyone using the financial system to hide. Illicit actors who otherwise try to avoid detection often use the formal financial system because there is no good alternative and, in many cases, no alternative at all. These transactions typically leave a trail of detailed information which we can follow to identify key actors and their networks. The starting point for Treasury's approach to targeted financial measures is information. And the global financial system is a rich source of the information we need. Recognizing this, Congress and the President have provided an expanded set of tools that allow innovative and more focused uses of financial intelligence. These targeted financial measures are proving to be quite effective… We have based our actions on clear evidence and encouraged the private sector and other nations to follow suit. These measures have also led to a base of international, private sector support. When we use reliable financial intelligence to build conduct-based cases, it is much easier to achieve a multilateral alignment of interests. It is difficult for another a nation, even one which is not a close political ally, to disagree with targeted measures to isolate actors who are demonstrably engaged in conduct that threatens human rights or global security. And multilateral support is critical to the success of financial measures in today's world. " – Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson, Jr. Treasury Efforts to Combat Terrorism "Treasury continues an intensive effort to track and disrupt terrorist financing that has been effective on several levels. This effort has involved government-wide cooperation, applying law enforcement, military, intelligence, and financial tools depending on the target and situation. While individual terrorist attacks may be inexpensive to carry out, global terrorist groups need large sums of money to pay operatives, to recruit and train members, to acquire false documents and travel. By exploiting the financial intelligence generated by that activity and combining it with other available information, we have made progress in mapping these terrorist networks." – Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson, Jr. Ø Since September 11, 2001, Treasury has engaged in a more focused effort against global terrorist threats, beginning with a September 23, 2001 Executive order that authorized the identification and designation of terrorists and their facilitators worldwide. o When the United States designates a terrorist supporter, U.S. entities and persons – wherever located – must freeze the target's assets, block all transactions, and stop conducting business with the designated entity. Ø The Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control has designated 470 individuals and entities as terrorists, their financiers or facilitators, since Executive Order 13224 was issued. * Over 40 of these designations have targeted charities, exposing and disrupting a conduit used by groups such as al Qaida, Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Hizballah to funnel funds and exploit charitable giving to advance terrorism. * The U.S. designated Adel Batterjee, one of the world's leading terrorist financiers, who employed his private wealth and a host of charitable fronts to fund al Qaida. Following the U.S. action, the United Nations followed suit, leading to a worldwide freeze of his assets, including in his home country of Saudi Arabia. These designations often make an impact beyond their legal reach, as many banks around the world screen their customers and transactions against the U.S. list of designated terrorist supporters, even though they are not obligated to do so. Treasury cut off Iran's Bank Saderat from the U.S. financial system in September 2006, due to its facilitation of transactions flowing from Iran to Hizballah, Hamas, and other terror groups. The USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 amended the Bank Secrecy Act to strengthen the anti-money laundering (AML) controls of U.S. financial institutions, with new safeguards to counter terrorist financing and other illicit financial activity. * The Act gives Treasury expanded authority to regulate the financial services community and share information with partners in the financial sector. * Section 311 of the PATRIOT Act authorizes the Treasury to protect the U.S. financial system from abuse from foreign jurisdictions, banks, or classes of transactions that are found to be of "primary money laundering concern." The Treasury Department has coupled its domestic actions with coordinated multilateral efforts and engagement of the international financial community. Through bilateral cooperation and multilateral action by the United Nations, more than 170 countries have implemented blocking orders to freeze the assets of terrorists. * These authorities allow the United States to effectively implement our international obligations under United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1267 and 1373, which respectively target the networks supporting al Qaida, the Taliban, Usama bin Laden, and global terrorists. Treasury Efforts to Combat Proliferation "The targeted financial measures used against terrorists and their supporters are likely to be as effective in combating proliferation networks. Those who participate in a proliferation transaction because of profit, rather than ideology, are susceptible to being deterred from such transactions if we can credibly threaten to publicly expose and isolate them." – Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson, Jr. In 2005, President Bush issued a new Executive order authorizing Treasury to target proliferators and their support networks in the same way terrorists and their supporters are targeted. * A designation under Executive Order 13382 freezes any assets the designee may have under U.S. jurisdiction, denies the targeted entities access to the U.S. financial and commercial systems and puts the international community on notice about the threat posed to global security. * These prohibitions have a powerful effect, as the financiers and facilitators of proliferation networks tend to have commercial presences and accounts around the world that make them vulnerable to exactly this kind of financial action. Since E.O. 13382 was issued, the Treasury Department has designated 41 proliferators and their supporters involved in North Korean, Syrian and Iranian proliferation efforts. * Bank Sepah, the fifth largest Iranian state-owned bank was designated by the Treasury under E.O. 13382 on January 9, 2007 for providing financial services to Iran's missile program. * Including Bank Sepah, the Treasury has acted against 19 entities and individuals supporting Iran's proliferation programs. As a result of Treasury's outreach and targeted measures, financial institutions around the world are more sensitive than ever about the very substantial risks posed by doing business with Iran. Treasury has also designated several North Korean entities involved in weapons programs. And even greater impact has come from the information made public in conjunction with these actions. Worldwide, private financial institutions decided to terminate their business relationships with the designated entities as well as others suspected of engaging in similar conduct. The result is North Korea's virtual isolation from the global financial system. These multilateral efforts have yielded critical success in the fight against proliferation financing. * United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540 calls on all states to develop and implement authorities to combat proliferation, including by denying proliferators and their supporters access to the financial system. * North Korea: The Security Council has required specific financial action against North Korean proliferators. United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1695 and 1718 obligate states to prevent the flow of financial and economic resources to, and freeze the assets of, entities involved or supporting North Korean WMD and missile proliferation. * These financial measures are part of a wider campaign to change North Korean behavior, including the State Department-led effort to bring about a denuclearized Korean Peninsula. * Iran: The United States and our allies worked together to unanimously pass United Nations Security Council resolution 1747 on March 27, 2007 to blacklist Bank Sepah. Resolution 1747 reaffirms and expands UN Security Council Resolution 1737 of December 2006. These resolutions target Iran's nuclear and missile programs, and among other requirements, obligate states to freeze the assets of named entities and individuals associated with those programs. Now the entire world must freeze Bank Sepah's assets, and isolate it from the global financial system. The Way Forward "One of the greatest challenges of this century will be to keep the most dangerous weapons out of the hands of dangerous people. As I travel and meet with my colleagues in finance ministries around the world, everyone acknowledges that we must find effective ways to deal with these threats, short of military measures. Yet other nations are not moving quickly enough to accomplish this goal." – Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson, Jr. Since 9/11, terrorists have struck a number of cities around the world, including London, Madrid, Jakarta, Mumbai, Amman, Bali and Istanbul. Several of our allies who support the global effort against terrorism have yet to take basic steps, such as adequately criminalizing money laundering and terrorist financing. "Specifically, nations must implement the laws necessary to give their finance ministries the authority to access and use intelligence, and they must move to integrate financial and security functions. And, these authorities must be available for use against terrorist financing, money laundering and the dangerous, emerging practice of proliferation financing. My finance ministry counterparts and I have the same responsibility: to broaden our role beyond economic stewardship and become valuable contributors to help ensure our countries' and our citizens' security. In performing these dual roles we seek essentially the same end: preserving the global financial system's integrity, which will enhance economic security and prosperity for people around the world." – Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson, Jr.

June 11

The Honorable Nicole R. Nason

Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

U.S. Department of Transportation

Before the

House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming

June 8, 2007

Mr. Chairman, Congressman Sensenbrenner, members of the Select Committee, thank you for the opportunity to testify regarding the President’s May 14Executive Order and the Supreme Court's decision in Massachusetts v. EPA.

In January, the President announced in the State of the Union address his “Twenty in Ten” proposal that would reduce domestic gasoline consumption by twenty percent in 2017. A key component of the President’s “Twenty in Ten” plan is to significantly boost fuel economy standards for cars and light trucks. The President’s aggressive goal to raise fuel efficiency would save up to 8.5 billion gallons of gasoline annually in 2017 and reduce consumption by 5 percent. Towards that end, the Administration forwarded draft legislation at the request of Chairmen Dingell and Boucher to grant the Secretary of Transportation the statutory authority to restructure corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) so we could then safely and responsibly raise fuel economy standards for passenger cars.

The Bush Administration has a proven record in this area. This Administration raised the CAFE standards for light trucks for seven consecutive years, from model years 2005 to 2011. The higher standards are expected to save 14 billion gallons of fuel over the life of the affected vehicles.

The saving of 14 billon gallons of fuel means that there will also be a net reduction in carbon dioxide emissions of 107 million metric tons. This is because as fuel economy is increased, the reduction in fossil fuel consumption necessarily translates into a commensurate reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.

Since the nation first decided to establish CAFE standards, fuel economy has improved and, therefore, carbon dioxide emission rates have decreased significantly. If fuel economy had not increased above the 1975 level, cars and light trucks would have pumped an additional 11 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere between 1975 and 2005. That is nearly the equivalent of emissions from all U.S. fossil fuel combustion for two years (2004 and 2005).

As important, the attribute-based structure that we have established promises that these and even greater benefits can be obtained without jeopardizing safety, without causing job loss, and without sacrificing consumer choice. Basing our reforms on the landmark 2002 study on CAFE by the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), we changed the structure of the CAFE program to make it more effective, safer and fairer.

We accomplished this by using a structure that incentivizes manufacturers to add fuel-saving technologies instead of downsizing vehicles. Under an attribute-based CAFE system, fuel economy standards were restructured by basing them on a measure of vehicle size (the “footprint”) measured as the vehicle’s wheelbase times its track width. A target level of fuel economy is established for each increment in footprint. Smaller footprint light trucks have higher targets and larger ones have lower targets. Under the new standards, some light trucks will now be subject to a fuel economy target of 28.4 milers per gallon, higher than today’s standard for passenger cars. All manufacturers will be required to comply with the reformed CAFE standard by model year 2011.

This reform has a number of benefits. First, it will result in more fuel savings than under the old CAFE because now all automakers will have to make their light trucks more fuel efficient.

This reform also has the benefit of preserving consumer choice. Under the old CAFE program, an automaker generally manufactures a certain quantity of small light trucks to balance out the larger light trucks it produces to meet the standard. Our attribute-based CAFE system not only allows automakers the freedom to produce vehicles consumers want, it also benefits new vehicle buyers by having all sizes of vehicles – small, mid-size or large -- become more fuel efficient.

We also tackled what NAS described as the CAFE “safety penalty.” The NAS study estimated that CAFE was partially responsible for between 1,300 and 2,600 lives lost in one year alone, 1993. This occurred because the flat standard encouraged manufacturers to meet much of their compliance obligations by downsizing cars, which is often the cheapest way to improve fuel economy. Since our restructuring of CAFE incentivizes automakers to add fuel-saving technologies instead of downsizing vehicles, we have been able to minimize safety impacts.

Mr. Chairman, our successful effort to reform and raise CAFE for light trucks will guide the way in meeting our next challenge. In response to Massachusetts v. EPA, on May 14 the President directed EPA and the Departments of Transportation, Energy, and Agriculture to take the first steps toward regulations that would cut gasoline consumption and thus reduce greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles, using as a starting point his “Twenty in Ten” plan to reduce U.S. gasoline consumption by 20 percent over the next ten years. The steps called for in the May 14 Executive Order will ensure coordinated efforts on regulatory actions aimed at protecting the environment with respect to greenhouse gas emissions from new motor vehicles that proceed in a manner consistent with sound science, analysis of benefits and costs, public safety, and economic growth.

This is a complicated legal and technical matter that will take time to fully resolve, but the President has directed us to complete the regulatory process by the end of 2008. In preparing this rulemaking, we expect to propose using an attribute-based system. We have received the manufacturers’ product plans for cars, and will receive their plans for light trucks by the end of this month.

Mr. Chairman, given the Supreme Court’s interpretation of the Clean Air Act, there are now in effect two agencies with authority to regulate motor vehicle fuel economy and carbon dioxide tailpipe emissions. While NHTSA and EPA have convened several meetings to discuss the analysis necessary to responsibly raise CAFE standards for cars and light trucks, as the President stated, our regulatory efforts are “not a substitute for effective legislation.” Accordingly, we ask Congress to enact the President’s “Twenty in Ten” proposal as the most responsible way to raise fuel economy standards, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and cut greenhouse gas emissions while preserving autoworker jobs in the United States and protecting consumer choice and passenger safety.

Thank you.

ASST SEC RYAN TO DISCUSS TREASURY MARKETS AT NEW YORK FED This Department of Treasury press release may be viewed at: http://www.treas.gov/press/releases/hp454.htm Treasury Assistant Secretary for Financial Markets Anthony W. Ryan will discuss current topics related to the Treasury markets Thursday at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York in New York City, NY. Assistant Secretary Ryan will be the featured speaker at the Treasury Markets Practice Group Conference.

SECRETARY PAULSON RECOGNIZES INDIVIDUALS FOR DEDICATION TO VOLUNTEER SERVICE Atlanta, GA- Secretary Henry M. Paulson, Jr. presented the President's Volunteer Service Award to Charles Bruce, Andrea Eva and Dr. Michael Petelle as part of the USA Freedom Corps Presidential Volunteer Service Recognition Program today in Atlanta, Georgia. Both Bruce and Eva have served countless hours at Volunteer Income Tax Assistance sites while Dr. Petelle has dedicated his time to improving the environment. Charles Bruce has been a volunteer with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program since 1998. Under his leadership over the past nine years, thousands of low-income individuals have received free tax preparation and e-file services. Bruce is currently the Site Coordinator for one of the premiere sites in Metro-Atlanta – Clarkston Library. Andrea Eva serves as the Community Affair Committee Director of the National Association of Black Accountants, which adopted the Westend Mall Volunteer Income Tax Assistance site as a community service project. She took the lead in training all new preparers for the site, developed a refresher class for the professionals and increased the volunteer lifeline. Dr. Michael Petelle has spent his life involved in improving the environment, going back to high school when he single-handedly planted 3600 trees to forest a pasture. Petelle has sponsored the environmental club SAVE at North Cobb High School for 16 years where they recycle, plant trees, organize clean-ups and monitor water quality in local lakes and streams. Each award recipient has individually dedicated more than 4,000 hours of volunteer service over their lifetime. In his January 2002 State of the Union Address, President Bush called on all Americans to make a difference in their communities through volunteer service. He created USA Freedom Corps, an Office of the White House, to strengthen and expand volunteer service. Americans are responding to the President's Call to Service. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 61 million Americans volunteered in 2006. Go to www.volunteer.gov or call 1-877-USA-CORPS to find an existing volunteer service opportunity in your area or to find more information about service programs, including national service programs such as the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, and Citizen Corps. USA Freedom Corps is also highlighting youth volunteer service. Visit www.volunteerkids.gov for games and ideas designed to show how America's youth are making a difference. The President's Volunteer Service Award was created at the President's direction by the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation. The Award is available to youth ages 14 and under who have completed 50 or more hours of volunteer service; to individuals 15 and older who have completed 100 or more hours; and to families or groups who have completed 200 or more hours. For more information about the Award, please visit www.presidentialserviceawards.gov .

FACT SHEET: TREASURY PROPOSAL TO EXPAND SMALL BUSINESS LENDING IN LATIN AMERICA I'm also directing Secretary Rice and Secretary Paulson to develop a new initiative that will help U.S. and local banks improve their ability to extend good loans to small businesses [in Latin America]. It's in our interest that businesses flourish in our own neighborhood. Flourishing business will provide jobs for people at home." –President Bush, March 5, 2007"A thriving small business community can reduce poverty and inequality, as well as create jobs. When individuals turn their ideas into productive businesses, they make a transition from workers to owners. Ownership helps create sustainable and stable economies with broader opportunities for all citizens. Economic and social mobility have always been at the core of the U.S. system. We want to help Latin American countries create the same mobility for their citizens." –Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson. Jr., June 12, 2007 Secretary Paulson announced today a three-part plan to provide the ways and means to encourage market-based bank lending to small businesses. The first two elements will provide support to banks willing to commit to specific and ambitious targets for small business lending. The third will address the regulatory environment. First, introduce new lending models that fit the unique characteristics of smaller firms. One key barrier to credit is that banks lack information about, and experience with, smaller companies. Banks are often more comfortable lending to larger companies that have collateral, formal financial statements and documentation. Small companies may not yet have these resources. Banks need the tools necessary to assess the value and risk of these smaller companies. We will promote the spread of new lending models that fit the unique characteristics of smaller companies. We will help banks build capacity to quickly and accurately assess the credit quality of small companies. Subject to approval from its donor committee, the Inter-American Development Bank's Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF) will engage with selected interested and eligible banks to provide tailored technical assistance to work with banks to expand small business lending. * MIF would provide financing to support consulting services related to credit officer training, material development, software and computer equipment, credit scoring systems, and other relevant assistance required to implement a successful small business lending program and minimize per-loan costs. * MIF is proposing to its donor committee that it finance up to $10 million per year over five years for this initiative, with no more than $1 million per single bank. * This technical assistance would be provided on a cost-sharing basis to ensure banks have committed capital as well as capacity. Second, assume a portion of the risks associated with this lending. Sharing the initial risk of lending to new, small business customers can help banks address the uncertainty and lack of knowledge about this new client base. The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), the U.S. government agency responsible for promoting social and economic development by mobilizing U.S. private capital, will offer risk-sharing guarantees and loans to eligible banks to extend/catalyze their financing activity for small and medium-sized businesses in the region. OPIC will provide support through three vehicles: Credit guarantees for U.S. bank loans to local banks to support "on-lending" (when one bank borrows from another bank and uses those funds to make smaller loans) to small business. * Guarantees on bond issues to allow local financial institutions, including microfinance institutions, to raise funds to finance small and medium enterprise (SME) loans in the local capital markets. * Guarantees to local banks on portfolios of small business loans in which OPIC and the local banks would share risk of loss. OPIC currently anticipates $150 million will be available for SME lending through these vehicles. The factors that will determine whether a bank qualifies for OPIC support are the potential benefit to economic development from the bank's SME lending activity, the bank's ability and commitment to build an SME loan portfolio efficiently and profitably, and the bank's ability to utilize OPIC support in a manner consistent with OPIC statutory requirements. The Inter-American Investment Corporation (IIC) of the IDB Bank Group is focused on providing financing to SMEs in the region. The IIC will build upon its relationships in the region to offer a similar menu of options to banks under the initiative, particularly those that do not qualify for OPIC support. Third, ensure that small business lending is not unnecessarily constrained by burdensome regulations or bureaucracy. In many cases, bank regulatory authorities perceive small businesses to be very high risk borrowers and impose heavy collateral and/or provisionary requirements. We will help introduce best practice regulatory models that ensure prudentially sound lending while avoiding requirements more suited to lending to larger firms. * Treasury's Office of Technical Assistance – which has 33 advisors working in 16 countries in Latin America – will allocate one regional advisor to help identify regulatory changes needed for more credit to be made available to the SME sector. * MIF will engage the Latin American Association of Supervisors of Banks of the Americas (ASBA) and facilitate cross-border seminars and regional workshops to define and promote the adoption of best practices in SME and microlending among its members. Measurable Results. Tracking of the small business lending results is expected to be overseen by a program manager housed at the MIF. A steering committee will be created to oversee performance under the initiative and meet twice a year to ensure the program's effectiveness in catalyzing lending to small businesses. * Eighty percent of the volume of lending under this initiative will be composed of loans under $100,000. * Participating banks will also likely sign a policy statement, similar to a business plan, outlining a strategy for lending to small business. The statement would incorporate several indicators of measurable results we would target for this effort, such as the total volume of loans disbursed to small businesses, the average loan amount and the number of loan officers trained.

REMARKS BY TREASURY SECRETARY HENRY M. PAULSON, JR. ON SUPPORTING SMALL BUSINESS IN THE AMERICAS AT THE AMERICAS COMPETITIVENESS FORUM Atlanta, GA-- Thank you, Carlos, for that kind introduction. This inaugural meeting of the Americas Competitiveness Forum is possible because of your leadership. This is a unique opportunity to engage in meaningful discussion about ways to enhance competitiveness and economic prosperity in our region. I would also like to acknowledge Rob Mosbacher, the President of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation. OPIC does valuable work mobilizing one of our greatest assets, U.S. private capital, to promote social and economic development in the Western Hemisphere and around the world. I welcome this opportunity to share my thoughts and to emphasize the U. S.' stake in the economic success of Latin America. This region is moving towards its enormous potential as an engine of growth, opportunity and poverty reduction for its own citizens and for the global economy. In recent years, a number of governments have strengthened their policies – shored up public finances, reduced debt vulnerability, opened markets, and laid the foundation for the growth we are now seeing. My message today is that spreading economic opportunity within and between the nations of the Americas is urgent and possible. President Bush often refers to the growing ties between Western Hemisphere nations. We share two-way trade flows of more than $1 trillion and two-way investment of more than $1 trillion. Last year workers from the region employed in the United States sent an estimated $45 billion home to their families. The U.S. acts in our own and, we believe, the region's best interest when we help neighboring nations build open economies and create opportunity for all their people. This includes those who have not yet benefited from this progress. A key to spreading prosperity is supporting entrepreneurs. More people share in the benefits of economic freedom and growth when small businesses thrive. Small businesses tend to be labor intensive and are usually responsible for over 50 percent of new job creation. They are the engine of job and wealth creation in most economies. So, in March, when the President asked the Treasury and State Departments to develop an initiative to "help U.S. and local banks improve their ability to extend good loans to small businesses," I was pleased to accept his charge. A thriving small business community can reduce poverty and inequality, as well as create jobs. When individuals turn their ideas into productive businesses, they make a transition from workers to owners. Ownership helps create sustainable and stable economies with broader opportunities for all citizens. Economic and social mobility have always been at the core of the U.S. system. We want to help Latin American countries create the same mobility for their citizens. We need to get real support to these entrepreneurs. They have good ideas, markets to serve and the skills to operate in an often tough environment. They can also form constituencies that drive governments to strengthen their business climates and improve governance. But, they often are frozen out of the formal financial sector. It is estimated that only 10 percent of small businesses in Latin America have access to financing from banks and commercial lenders. The other 90 percent depend on friends, relatives or other informal sources of capital that can charge 10 percent or more in daily interest. One key barrier to credit is that banks lack information about, and experience with, smaller companies. Banks are often more comfortable lending to larger companies that have collateral, formal financial statements and documentation. Small companies may not yet have these resources, and so traditional lending criteria don't apply. Banks need the tools necessary to assess the value and risk of these smaller companies. Lack of finance may mean the difference between success and failure, growth or stagnation. These entrepreneurs need capital to expand into bigger space, purchase additional inventory to serve growing demand and new markets, to buy capital equipment. We see evidence in economies around the world that greater availability of finance not only enhances growth, it reduces poverty and inequality, and helps to build a middle class. I'm pleased to announce our answer to President Bush's call – we have developed a three-part plan to catalyze market-based bank lending to small businesses in Latin America. By breaking down the barriers that block commercial bank financing, we can work to build this necessary function in developing economies. This initiative targets small, profitable firms with growth potential, and it has three elements. The first two will provide support to banks willing to commit to specific and ambitious targets for small business lending. The third will address the regulatory environment. First, we will promote the spread of new lending models that fit the unique characteristics of smaller companies. We will offer the tools to adopt these models so that banks can build capacity to quickly and accurately assess the credit quality of small companies. This capacity building facility would be housed in the Multilateral Investment Fund, MIF, of the Inter-American Development Bank. We have committed to replenish this fund and we are actively working with the MIF to develop a program which would provide up to $50 million over five years for this purpose. Second, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, OPIC, and the IDB Group's Inter-American Investment Corporation, IIC, will assume a portion of the risks associated with this lending. OPIC has already identified banks with the potential to provide up to $150 million using OPIC support through various vehicles that address particular market needs. The IIC will also build upon its relationships in the region to offer a similar menu of options to banks under the initiative. These vehicles include credit guarantees to banks to support small business on-lending by banks in Latin America; local currency guarantees on small business loan portfolios held by local banks; and partial guaranties for bond issues to fund small business loans. A third and equally important step is making sure that small business lending isn't unnecessarily constrained by burdensome regulations or bureaucracy. Treasury's Office of Technical Assistance and the MIF will work with local authorities to review existing regulations. The team will identify and address obstacles to small business lending, such as excessive collateral and capital requirements and interest rate restrictions. The MIF, with support from Treasury, will also engage with regional banking regulators and supervisors to define and promote the adoption of best practices in micro, small and medium lending. Taken together, these three steps – building new lending models, sharing the initial risk for early-stage loans and helping to ensure a constructive bank regulatory environment – will open new opportunities for banks to lend and for small businesses to grow. Public efforts and funds will leverage private money to support small businesses, and create the foundation for sustainable, non-governmental market-based lending. We'll kick-start the model to help existing businesses in the region best positioned to expand, and to help entrepreneurs with good ideas get started. Once participating banks demonstrate that it is profitable to lend to small businesses, competition will bring other banks into the market and the need for on-going assistance should diminish. Application of this model in Eurasia has created over $12 billion in new small business lending to nearly two million companies and, especially for small countries, transformed financial sectors. Household financial education is also vital to the success of this initiative. Many entrepreneurs get their start using their own savings or personal loans. Treasurer Anna Cabral will host a Latin America Regional Conference this fall to discuss ways we can enhance access to financial services, including financial service access of entrepreneurs in the region. Our interest in Latin America is strong, and it will continue. The countries of the Americas are brought together by geography and history, and bound together by common interest. The United States is committed to helping Latin America reduce poverty, fight corruption, build the middle class, and generate more opportunities for people who feel excluded from the region's growing prosperity. Since becoming Treasury Secretary, I have visited Colombia, Guatemala, Peru and Mexico. This region is a high priority for me, and I will return to South America in July. I'll also continue discussing with my regional colleagues how we can work together to improve economic and social opportunities for people throughout Latin America. Thank you. I welcome the opportunity to answer a few questions.

TREASURY ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR FINANCIAL MARKETS ANTHONY W. RYAN REMARKS BEFORE THE MANAGED FUNDS ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE Chicago- Good afternoon. Thank you for inviting me to join you here in Chicago. It's a pleasure to be here. There must be 300 people in the audience and collectively, you represent a significant portion of the approximately $1.4 trillion in assets under management in hedge funds. In addition, hedge funds represent anywhere from 30 to 60 percent of trading activity, depending on the asset class or instrument. No wonder there has been a lot of discussion regarding your impact on the financial markets. Private pools of capital bring many advantages to our capital markets but also pose challenges including systemic risk and investor protection. While it is important to address both of these challenges, I would like to focus on the issue of systemic risk. We will never eliminate the potential for systemic risk, but we can seek to reduce the probability of it occurring and its impact. My purpose today is to sensitize all of us as to how systemic risk operates and urge all stakeholders in our capital markets to take the necessary steps to implement policies, procedures and efforts to mitigate it. Numbers Let me begin by offering an observation. You like to quantify and measure things. You quantify returns, risk, hurdles, assets under management, leverage, spreads, premiums and discounts, drawdowns, locks ups and let's not forget fees. Why do people like to quantify things so much? I would argue that people gain comfort in being able to define and measure certain characteristics. In doing so, they seek a framework and perspective in which to make assessments, draw comparisons and make forecasts – frequently with a great deal of conviction. As a group, you've gotten to be pretty good at defining characteristics and measuring them. That being said, I know you're a competitive lot and do not like to be outdone, but another group has you beat. Like you they are passionate and committed to their pursuit. This group also keeps copious and meticulous records, and makes fervent prognostications. The group that I speak of is baseball fans. In the investment community, one of the hardest things to do is to produce returns with the least risk possible, hence the frequently mentioned goal of a high Sharpe ratio. In baseball the same is true. Players seek to get hits with the least outs possible with the ultimate goal being a high batting average. Now baseball has been played for a long time. Players get several "at bats" per game and they play a lot of games in a season. As a result, there is no shortage of observations. So how do hitters fare? Admittedly, hitting a major league pitch is a tough thing to do. It is also perhaps unfair to make comparisons across history. Think about how many more eligible players there are today and how well trained they are versus when the game began over 100 years ago. Because you like to measure things, let me share some numbers with you. The batting average for the entire major league from 1876-1890 was .259. Now, one hundred years later, despite all of the changes, the major league batting average for the decade ending in 1990 was .259.[i] All of those games, all of those at bats, and the league batting average did not change 1/1000. But, something did change during that period. During the first few decades of play, there were 34 different batters that had a season batting average over .400.[ii] Then, 11 years went by without a single player accomplishing the goal. Finally, in 1941, the Boston Red Sox' Ted Williams batted .406. During the last 65 years not a single major leaguer has batted over .400. I know that getting 4 out of 10 investment decisions correct on average is unlikely to generate stellar returns, but in baseball it's likely to get you a ticket to the Hall of Fame. Now most of you probably have never heard of Stephen Jay Gould. He was not some great hedge fund manager or professional baseball player, but he was a prominent evolutionary biologist and Red Sox fan. He postulated that like many other species through time, the .400 hitter has become extinct. Using statistical measures – many of which are the same used by so many risk measurement systems and trading desks today – he concluded that .400 averages were simply outliers in the overall distribution of averages.[iii] Gould wrote, "[V]ariation in batting averages must decrease as improving play eliminates the rough edges that great players could exploit."[iv] There has been a compression of talent towards the league average; hence, the "tails of the distribution" have shortened because of better play. This is true for the best batters, as well as for those batters with the lowest averages. All players' batting averages moved towards the mean, despite the mean not moving over time. It is something to think about. PWG Let me return to hedge funds. As I am sure you are all aware, the policymakers and regulators comprising the President's Working Group on Financial Markets (PWG) have evaluated hedge funds over the years. The PWG is chaired by the Secretary of the Treasury and also includes the chairmen of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Since 1988, the PWG's overarching, non-partisan mission has been to maintain investor confidence and enhance the integrity, efficiency, orderliness, and competitiveness of U.S. financial markets. Earlier this year the PWG released an agreement outlining its views on private pools of capital, which include hedge funds. The PWG stated its collective belief that the most effective mechanism to mitigate systemic risk is market discipline and that a combination of market discipline and regulatory policies is the best way to protect investors. As I mentioned at the outset, I'd like to confine my remarks this afternoon to the issue of systemic risk. Systemic Risk Systemic risk can be defined as the potential that a single event, such as a financial institution's loss or failure, may trigger broad dislocation or a series of defaults that impact the financial system so significantly that the real economy is adversely affected. Some may posit that the increasing sophistication of risk management systems coupled with other developments and efforts has placed systemic risk on the endangered species list. For supportive proof they point to the lack of extensive ripple effects upon the financial markets following some relatively recent shocks.[v] I'd like to elaborate why, given market conditions, I believe that subscribing to this thesis is both potentially misleading and imprudent. Let's begin with answering the question: how could a systemic risk event manifest itself? Meteorologists describe atmospheric conditions conducive to producing a perfect storm. What are the atmospherics for a perfect financial storm? While there would be several, let me name a few: easy credit and leverage, highly correlated strategies, connected and concentrated lenders, inadequate information, and underdeveloped financial market infrastructure. Let's look at those elements more closely. Credit and Leverage We must understand the impact of the remarkable surge in liquidity available today to borrowers, such as private pools of capital. Interest rates around the world are low and the competition to deploy this capital has evidenced itself in numerous ways including declining lending standards. Institutions and investors have exposure to balance sheet leverage, and perhaps more importantly, embedded leverage as a result of both simple and complex strategies and instruments they utilize. We must ensure that the implications of this degree of leverage are well understood. Correlations We should also consider the increase in the correlation of returns among hedge funds. Returns moving in the same direction when facing similar market conditions could suggest an increasing concentration of risk. Many will recall almost 10 years ago, the markets received a real shock when a highly levered hedge fund imploded as its diversification strategy was compromised by just such an occurrence of rising correlation. In fact, we are seeing a rise in correlation of returns among hedge funds today. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York recently commented on this and appropriately highlighted an important difference between the rising correlation of returns we witnessed a decade ago with what we see today. The recent increase in correlation results mainly from a decline in the volatility of returns, while the earlier rise was driven by high covariance.[vi] On the one hand that is comforting, but we need to appreciate that covariance can increase and correlations can change during periods of market stress. Connectivity and Concentration We must also appreciate the concentration among counterparties and creditors. A few large financial institutions serve as the principal counterparties and creditors to hedge funds. The concentrated and connected network of these core financial institutions raises the specter of a major market event having a systemic impact. This March, E. Gerald Corrigan, chairman of the Counterparty Risk Management Group, stated "the potential damage that could result from such shocks is greater due to the increased spread, complexity, and tighter linkages that characterize the global financial system."[vii] Although these sophisticated institutions have improved their capital positions and risk management practices over the past decade, there is room for additional improvement. Inadequate Information The availability of information also plays an important role. Only with accurate and timely information can counterparties, creditors, and investors understand and adequately assess their risk exposure. Much of this information can only be disclosed by the managers of the private pools of capital. If investors, counterparties and creditors are to define and create effective market discipline, they must have access to reliable and timely information. Financial Market Infrastructure It is also critical that we appreciate the importance of our financial systems' underlying structure. It facilitates liquidity. It includes the market-making capacity and the system for clearing and settlement of financial transactions. Market infrastructure must adapt quickly to product innovation and increasing trading volume. Not having effective and rapid clearing and settlement procedures could stimulate a systemic contagion effect if there were a failing counterparty or highly leveraged market participant.[viii] The state of these conditions contributes to defining the atmospheric environment for a systemic risk event. We must now ask ourselves: Should we be concerned about systemic risk? Returning to Gould Let me return to Gould's prior conclusion regarding the .400 hitter. Recall, he postulated that because of the better play, there has been a compression of talent towards the overall league batting average; hence, the tails of the distribution of individual players' batting averages have shortened. As a result, the .400 hitter is extinct. Could our capital markets practices' better play have influenced the distribution of risk events such that the tails of the distribution have shortened? It is true that the dispersion of risk is greater. The presence of so many derivatives strategies and instruments do help to hedge risk, and markets have adjusted to "tremors." At the same time, we can also observe that the capital markets, with a few periodic exceptions, are not pricing risk and future volatility anywhere near close to long-term averages.[ix] Stakeholders in our markets must not operate under the false illusion that systemic risk is not a real possibility. Whether examining batting averages or financial market risk, we must account for the possibility of outliers. Let's take it a step further. Outliers, by definition, are long tail events. They are distant from the norm. But not all outliers, or long tails, significantly impact the norm. Another .400 hitter would be a long tail event, but it would not significantly impact the overall major league batting average. When an outlier is impactful, it is considered a fat tail. Look at baseball salaries. On a prorated basis, the New York Yankees will pay Roger Clemens $28 million this year. That is almost seven times the average salary of his teammates, and as such, has a real impact on the team's average compensation. No wonder fans call Clemens the Rocket! So, the long tails of some distributions may also be a lot fatter than people frequently assume. Besides baseball salaries, there are many other data series where the distributions are anything but normally distributed. Look at "book sales per author…populations of cities…numbers of speakers per language, damage caused by earthquakes, deaths in war, deaths from terrorist incidents…or the sizes of companies."[x] Could the same be true of capital markets, commodity prices, inflation rates, and economic data? If so, what are the implications? What if such events occur with much more frequency than people recognize, and what are the consequences if we do a particularly poor job in preparing for them? One student of such distributions is Nassim Taleb. He defines an occurrence such as a systemic risk event as follows: "First, it is an outlier, as it lies outside the realm of regular expectations, because nothing in the past can convincingly point to its possibility. Second, it carries an extreme impact. Third, in spite of its outlier status, human nature makes us concoct explanations for its occurrence after the fact, making it explainable and predictable."[xi] If we can not predict a systemic market event in advance, and we seek to reduce the impact of such an event, we must prepare.[xii] The PWG's Principles and Guidelines released last February are a call to action to foster preparedness. They direct all stakeholders to undertake efforts that seek to mitigate the likelihood and impact of a systemic risk event.[xiii] These Principles and Guidelines highlight how potential systemic risk is best mitigated within the current regulatory framework by market discipline that is developed and applied by creditors, counterparties and investors. Let's return to the environmental conditions that I outlined earlier: easy credit and leverage; rising correlations, connected and concentrated lenders; information flow; and financial market infrastructure. Credit and Leverage First, the Principles and Guidelines call upon financial institutions to determine appropriate credit terms. In doing so, they must assess market, credit, liquidity and operational risk. Financial institutions also need to be disciplined and independent in quantifying valuations. Importantly, they need to guard against the risks to their reputation. They should expect their prudential regulators to closely monitor their management of these risks and assess whether their performance is in line with expectations set out in supervisory guidance. To deal with these challenges, counterparties and creditors must maintain appropriate policies, procedures, and protocols. They must clearly define, implement and continually enhance best risk management practices. These practices must address how the quality of information from a client affects margin, collateral, and other credit terms and other aspects of counterparty risk management. Correlations, Connectivity and Concentration In terms of combating the network effects of increased risk concentration, the PWG guidelines encourage lenders to private pools of capital to frequently measure their exposures, taking into account collateral to mitigate both current and potential future exposures. Credit exposures, in addition to being measured frequently, should also be subject to rigorous stress testing, not just at the level of an individual counterparty, but also aggregated across counterparties and should consider scenarios of adverse liquidity conditions. The liquidity of the counterparty's positions should be a factor in exposure measurement, since concentrated or illiquid positions can lead to crowded trades and unexpected exposures in the event of a counterparty default or market volatility. Inadequate Information A debate has emerged over disclosure. While the arguments are somewhat confused, the premise is somewhat less so. Disclosure does help. The PWG expects enhanced disclosure and communication between three explicit groups: managers and investors, managers and their counterparties, and creditors and their regulators. Information should be disclosed frequently enough and with sufficient detail that investors, counterparties and creditors stay informed of strategies and the amount of risk being taken. On a regular basis, investors, counterparties and creditors should seek to obtain from the manager both quantitative data and qualitative information on the pool's net asset value, performance, market and credit risk exposure, and liquidity. The PWG articulated that regulators' clear communication of expectations regarding prudent management of counterparty credit exposures to hedge funds is also critical. Financial Market Infrastructure Regarding post-trade obligations, managers, counterparties and creditors should also continue to strengthen and enhance their processing, clearing, and settlement arrangements, particularly for OTC derivatives. This will limit the contagion effect of weak post-trade processes if there is a failing counterparty or highly leveraged institution. Conclusion We cannot get lulled into a false sense of confidence because of the increased dispersion of risk, the presence of diverse and flexible instruments and strategies to manage and hedge risk, or the abundance of capital and liquidity characterizing the recent benign market environment. I began my remarks this afternoon with an observation, so I will conclude with another. Maybe the tails are longer than Gould thought. I'd bet that somewhere in the world there is a kid dreaming about being the next .400 hitter. I have enough suspicion in models and statistics to think the potential for that kid to accomplish that dream is a real possibility. While I hope it does occur, another .400 hitter may or may not happen. If it does, it will have a big impact on sports media but virtually no impact on the overall league batting average. So the tails may be longer than people imagine, and the tails could also easily be fatter. We must therefore be humble enough to realize that a systemic event in the financial markets cannot be discounted and its impact will be significant. Preparedness is therefore key and all stakeholders in the capital markets must contribute to the effort. As Taleb illustrates, fat tail events occur. When one does, it will be rare, have a big impact, and many experts retrospectively, although not prospectively, will argue it was predictable. When the next outlier occurs, regardless of its type, let's make sure the experts are commenting on something positive like the baseball player's hitting acumen rather than some systemic event in our capital markets. Thank you very much. --------------------------------------------------------------------- [i] Thomas J. Miceli, Minimum Quality Standards in Baseball and the Paradoxical Disappearance of the .400 Hitter, Economics Working Papers, University of Connecticut (May 2005), at 1. [ii] Miceli at 7. [iii] Stephen Jay Gould, Why No One Hits .400 Any More in Triumph and Tragedy in Mudville: A Lifelong Passion for Baseball (2003) (first published as Entropic Homogeneity Isn't Why No One Hits .400 Any More in Discover (Aug. 1986)). [iv] Gould at 163 (emphasis added). [v] But cf., E. Gerald Corrigan, Chairman, Counterparty Risk Management Group, Hedge Funds and Systemic Risk in the Financial Markets, Statement before the Committee on Financial Services, U.S. House of Representatives (Mar. 13, 2007) at 9-10 (describing the reasons why a hedge fund's collapse did not pose a systemic risk). [vi] Tobias Adrian, Measuring Risk in the Hedge Fund Sector, Current Issues in Economics and Finance, Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Vol. 13, No. 3 (Mar./Apr. 2007). [vii] E. Gerald Corrigan, Chairman, Counterparty Risk Management Group, Hedge Funds and Systemic Risk in the Financial Markets, Statement before the Committee on Financial Services, U.S. House of Representatives (Mar. 13, 2007), at 8. See also Timothy Geithner, President and Chief Executive Officer, Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Liquidity Risk and the Global Economy, Remarks at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta's 2007 Financial Markets Conference--Credit Derivatives (May 15, 2007) at 3 ("And yet this overall judgment, that both financial efficiency and stability have improved, requires some qualification. Writing a decade ago about the history of the financial shocks of the 1980s and early 1990s, Jerry Corrigan argued that these same changes in financial markets we see today, though less pronounced then than now, created the possibility that financial shocks would be less frequent, but in some contexts they could be more damaging. This judgment, that systemic financial crises are less probable, but in the event they occur could be harder to manage, should be the principal preoccupation of market participants and policymakers today.") [viii] Donald L. Kohn, Vice Chairman, Federal Reserve Board, Financial Stability and Policy Issues, Remarks at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta's 2007 Financial Markets Conference--Credit Derivatives (May 16, 2007) at 4 ("Weaknesses in such [clearing and settlement] systems can be a source of systemic contagion. Conversely, when such arrangements are robust, the potential for contagion is significantly diminished."). [ix] See e.g., Andrew Bary, A World at Risk, Barron's (Mar. 15, 2007) (profiling historian Niall Ferguson and his views on the "`paradox of diminishing risk in an apparently dangerous world'"). [x] Nassim Nicholas Taleb, The Black Swan 35 (2007). [xi] Taleb at xvii-xviii. [xii] Taleb at 208, 213. [xiii] Cf., E. Gerald Corrigan, Chairman, Counterparty Risk Management Group, Hedge Funds and Systemic Risk in the Financial Markets, Statement before the Committee on Financial Services, U.S. House of Representatives (Mar. 13, 2007), at 8 ("[O]ur collective capacity to anticipate the specific timing and triggers of future financial [systemic] shocks is extremely low, if not nil. Indeed, if we could anticipate the timing and triggers such shocks would not occur. Thus, since we certainly cannot rule out future financial shocks we have no choice but to strengthen what I like to call the "shock absorbers" of the global financial system in order to limit and contain the damage caused by future financial shocks when – not if – they occur.")

TREASURY TAKES ADDITIONAL MEASURES TO COMBAT IRANIAN WMD PROLIFERATION IRANIAN NUCLEAR & MISSILE FIRMS TARGETEDU.S. Department of the Treasury today designated four Iranian companies, Pars Tarash (a/k/a Pars Trash Company), Farayand Technique, Fajr Industries Group, and Mizan Machine Manufacturing Group, for their role in Iran's proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. This action was taken pursuant to Executive Order 13382, an authority aimed at freezing the assets of proliferators of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and their supporters. Designations under E.O. 13382 are implemented by Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), and they prohibit all transactions between the designees and any U.S. person and freeze any assets the designees may have under U.S. jurisdiction. "So long as Iran continues to pursue a nuclear program in defiance of the international community's calls to halt enrichment, we will continue to hold those responsible to account for their conduct," said Stuart Levey, Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence (TFI). Pars Tarash and Farayand Technique are owned or controlled by, or act or purport to act for or on behalf of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) and/or the Kalaye Electric Company, an AEOI subsidiary designated by OFAC on February 16, 2007. The AEOI manages Iran's overall nuclear program and reports directly to the Iranian president. Identified by President George W. Bush in the Annex to E.O. 13382, the AEOI is the main Iranian institute for research and development activities in the field of nuclear technology, including Iran's centrifuge enrichment program and experimental laser enrichment of uranium program. The AEOI is named in the Annex to United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1737 for its involvement in Iran's nuclear program. Pars Tarash and Farayand Technique were also listed in the Annex to UNSCR 1737 for their involvement in Iran's centrifuge program and were identified in reports of the International Atomic Energy Organization (IAEA). According to IAEA reports, Iran disclosed the existence of these two entities in October of 2003, and indicated that they were involved in the domestic production of centrifuge components. It was revealed to the IAEA in January 2004 that Pars Tarash and Farayand were subsidiaries of the Kalaye Electric Company, an AEOI subsidiary. Farayand Technique has had a number of different roles in Iran's centrifuge enrichment program, and performs quality control on components used at the uranium enrichment facility at Natanz. Farayand Technique also has capabilities suitable for the testing and assembly of centrifuges. Pars Tarash has been identified by the IAEA as a site used by Natanz and the Kalaye Electric Company to store centrifuge equipment. Also designated today are Fajr Industries Group and Mizan Machine Manufacturing Group, two entities owned or controlled by, or acting or purporting to act for or on behalf of Iran's Aerospace Industries Organization (AIO). The AIO, which was also identified by President Bush in the Annex to E.O. 13382, is a subsidiary of the Iranian Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics, and is the overall manager and coordinator of Iran's missile program. Fajr Industries Group is subordinate to the AIO and involved in the production and acquisition of precision equipment for missile guidance and control systems. Fajr has consistently procured a wide range of missile guidance and control equipment on behalf of the AIO over the years. Since the late 1990s, Fajr has purchased high strength steel alloy, useful for guidance equipment in ballistic missiles and missile-related technology and items. Fajr Industries Group was also identified in the Annex to UNSCR 1737 for its involvement in Iran's ballistic missile program. Mizan Machine Manufacturing Group is one of several front companies utilized by AIO in commercial transactions. In particular, Mizan Machine Manufacturing Group has been used by AIO to acquire sensitive material for Iran's ballistic missile program. For example, in April 2005, Mizan Machine Manufacturing Group purchased a state-of-the-art crane for Iran's weapons program. An investigation of this transaction determined the crane was probably intended for use in Iran's Shahab missile program. Cranes can be used to support missiles, like the Shahab, in the field or at storage facilities. Mizan Machine Manufacturing Group has also acted on behalf of the Shahid Hemmat Industrial Group (SHIG), a subordinate entity of the AIO which is listed in UNSCR 1737 for its direct role in advancing Iran's ballistic missile program. In 2005, Mizan Machine Manufacturing Group was connected to the acquisition of equipment, on behalf of SHIG, that could be used to calibrate guidance and control instruments for more accurate targeting of Iran's ballistic missiles. Background on E.O. 13382 Today's action builds on President Bush's issuance of E.O. 13382 on June 29, 2005. Recognizing the need for additional tools to combat the proliferation of WMD, the President signed the E.O. authorizing the imposition of strong financial sanctions against not only WMD proliferators, but also entities and individuals providing support or services to them. In the Annex to E.O. 13382, the President identified eight entities operating in North Korea, Iran, and Syria for their support of WMD proliferation. E.O. 13382 authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State, the Attorney General, and other relevant agencies, to designate additional entities and individuals providing support or services to the entities identified in the Annex to the Order. In addition to the entities identified in the annex of E.O. 13382, the Treasury Department has designated thirty entities and two individuals as proliferators of WMD, specifically: * Eight North Korean entities on October 21, 2005; * Two Iranian entities on January 4, 2006; * One Swiss entity and one Swiss individual tied to North Korean proliferation activity on March 30, 2006; * Four Chinese entities and one U.S. entity tied to Iranian proliferation activity on June 8, 2006. * Two Iranian entities on July 18, 2006; * Three Syrian entities on January 4, 2007; * One Iranian entity, one British entity, and one individual tied to Iranian missile proliferation on January 9, 2007; * Three Iranian entities on February 16, 2007; and * Four Iranian entities on June 8, 2007. The designation announced today is part of the ongoing interagency effort by the United States Government to combat WMD trafficking by blocking the property of entities and individuals that engage in proliferation activities and their support networks.

May 22

FINANCIAL SECTOR REFORM FACT SHEET - SECOND MEETING OF THE U.S.-CHINA STRATEGIC ECONOMIC DIALOGUE As leaders in the global economy and in the international financial and trading systems, the United States and China share a responsibility to promote balanced and sustained growth in their economies. A competitive and efficient financial sector will be an engine for growth in China's fast-growing economy, providing opportunities for American manufacturers, farmers, and other service providers. As China becomes progressively more integrated into the global economy and financial system, stability in China's financial sector becomes increasingly important for the U.S. economy. Introduction of U.S. securities firms, asset managers and insurance companies will help to develop expertise and depth in China's markets and improve the stability of the market. During the second meeting of the Strategic Economic Dialogue, China announced it will take steps to encourage growth and competition in its financial sector. * Expansion of U.S. Financial Services Industry: China agreed to remove a block on the entry of new foreign securities firms and resume licensing securities companies, including joint-ventures, in the second half of 2007. In addition, China will announce before SED-III that it will allow foreign securities firms to expand their operations in China to include brokerage, proprietary trading and fund management. This will create opportunities for U.S. firms and provide new competition and expertise in the Chinese securities industry. * Increased Qualified Foreign Institutional Investors (QFIIs) Quotas: To develop broader and deeper integration into the global financial market, China will raise the quota for Qualified Foreign Institutional Investors from $10 billion to $30 billion. The United States also welcomes China's May 10, 2007 announcement to expand QDII investment to include equity investment. This change can help diversify financial sector assets in China, which in turn can help enhance financial sector stability. * Pending Foreign Property Insurance Company Conversion Applications: The China Insurance Regulatory Commission will make decisions by August 1, 2007 on applications for conversion from branch to subsidiary that have been pending for more than a year. China also commits to abide by regulations that require 60 day processing for future applications. This will allow for more efficient and cost effective operations. * RMB Transactions by Foreign Banks: China agreed to immediately allow foreign-invested banks to offer their own brand of RMB-denominated credit and debit cards. This will allow U.S. banks to offer a full range of RMB services to compete with Chinese banks that currently offer these services. * Market Access for Insurance Firms -- Enterprise Annuities: The Chinese Government agreed to streamline by SED-III the application and licensing process for the provision of enterprise annuities by financial institutions, which will allow U.S. insurance firms already operating in China to widen the range of services they provide and increase the amount of capital under their management for investment.

DEVELOPMENTS SINCE THE FIRST MEETING OF THE STRATEGIC ECONOMIC DIALOGUE IN DECEMBER 2006 The SED is a management tool for the U.S.-China economic relationship, not merely a biannual event. Under the SED, interaction between the U.S. and China is frequent and ongoing. Progress will occur and be announced throughout the year, such as the following actions by the Chinese Government which occurred between the first and second meetings of the SED: * Transparency and accountability: In April, China's State Council issued new regulations to promote government transparency. This is an important priority for the U.S. business community. * Protecting private property: In March, China's National People's Congress approved landmark legislation to protect property rights. This legislation is an unprecedented, significant step towards China becoming a market economy and the development of legal rights. * Market access: The conversion of bank branches to subsidiaries under foreign bank regulations has been a smooth and quick process. In March, four banks had their applications approved, including one U.S. bank, Citibank. In April, these banks began accepting RMB deposits, a first in decades. In December 2006, Citibank purchased a 20 percent stake in Guangdong Development Bank. * Construction and engineering services: In March, China issued implementing regulations that relaxed residency requirements, allowing regulators to recognize the foreign qualifications of license applications of technical experts. * Reducing export subsidies: In March, China agreed to terminate the subsidy that allowed major Chinese exporters to receive discounted loans not available to other companies. * Reduction of Value-Added Tax Rebates: In April, China announced the reduction of export tax rebates on textile and apparel products, the elimination of the VAT on some chemical and steel exports, and a reduction of the VAT rebate to 5 percent on higher-value steel. * Tax rebates for imports: In April, China announced tax rebates on imported components for advanced equipment. These rebates apply to imports by 16 industries, including large power-generating plants and transmission equipment. * Energy Security: In April, officials from China's National Reform and Development Council (NDRC) visited the national renewal energy lab in Colorado and the Strategic Petroleum Reserve in Texas as they continue to develop their strategic petroleum reserves and engage in international cooperation. * Reducing Tariffs: China announced on May 21, effective June 1, that it will raise export taxes on 142 goods and cut import tariffs on 209 goods to rein in its trade surplus, improve energy efficiency, and promote domestic consumption, effective June 1.

FACT SHEET: SECOND MEETING OF THE U.S.-CHINA STRATEGIC ECONOMIC DIALOGUE Body of Press Release: The United States and China today concluded the second meeting of the Strategic Economic Dialogue (SED). President Bush and President Hu established the Strategic Economic Dialogue in September 2006 as a focused and effective framework to address shared priorities and mutual concerns. For the meeting held May 22 and 23 in Washington, 17 U.S. Cabinet officials and agency heads joined Secretary Paulson for discussions with China's Vice Premier Wu Yi and a delegation of 15 ministers and representatives from a total of 21 Chinese government ministries and agencies. The Strategic Economic Dialogue is a management tool for our bilateral economic relationship and is an on-going process involving continuous discussions between officials from both nations. The SED addresses long-term structural issues and seeks near-term results which build confidence on both sides and demonstrate progress toward long-range objectives. At the meeting this week, leaders from both countries agreed to increase market access, open the financial sector, foster energy security, protect the environment, and strengthen the rule of law. Increasing Market Access Trade fosters an environment of competition, innovation, research and investment, which leads to higher incomes and a wider range of goods and services at lower prices. Increased access to markets in China creates opportunities for American companies. During this second meeting of the Strategic Economic Dialogue, the United States reached new agreements to further open China's markets to U.S. products and services. * Air Services Liberalization: The United States and China committed to expand the existing bilateral aviation agreement through liberalization of air services rights. This new accord provides for a doubling of daily passenger flights from the United States to China by 2012, starting with the addition of a new daily flight this year. The agreement also will provide U.S. cargo carriers with virtually unfettered access to Chinese markets by lifting all government-set limits on the number of cargo flights and cargo carriers serving the two countries by 2011. U.S. and Chinese officials have committed to resume negotiations in 2010 to establish a timetable to achieve the mutual objective of full liberalization. * Promoting Growth in the Tourism Industry: The United States and China signed a declaration of intent to launch negotiations to facilitate Chinese group leisure travel to the United States. The Chinese travel market is expected to grow to 100 million travelers within the next 15 years according to the United Nations World Travel Organization. Allowing tourism companies to arrange trips for Chinese travelers to the United States is a significant step, given that one in seven jobs in the United States is related to the tourism industry. * Expanding U.S. Exports: The Export-Import Bank of the United States and the Export-Import Bank of China signed a memorandum of understanding that will provide loan guarantees for the export of large scale capital goods from the United States to China, supporting U.S. export jobs and promoting China's sustainable development. Opening the Financial Sector Financial markets connect money with ideas and ambition, the lifeblood of innovation and dynamism. U.S. financial institutions are helping to expand a vast new market in China for American financial services products. During the second meeting of the Strategic Economic Dialogue, the United States and China committed to further financial sector reform, including: * Expansion of U.S. Financial Services Industry: China agreed to remove a block on the entry of new foreign securities firms and resume licensing securities companies, including joint-ventures, in the second half of 2007. In addition, China will announce before SED-III that it will allow foreign securities firms to expand their operations in China to include brokerage, proprietary trading and fund management. This will create opportunities for U.S. firms and provide new competition and expertise in the Chinese securities industry. * Increased Qualified Foreign Institutional Investors (QFIIs) Quotas: To develop broader and deeper integration into the global financial market, China will raise the quota for Qualified Foreign Institutional Investors from $10 billion to $30 billion. * The United States also welcomes China's May 10, 2007 announcement to expand Qualified Domestic Institutional Investors (QDII) investment to include equity investment. This change can help diversify financial sector assets in China, which in turn can help enhance financial sector stability. * Pending Foreign Property Insurance Company Conversion Applications: The China Insurance Regulatory Commission will now make decisions by August 1, 2007 on applications for conversion from branch to subsidiary that have been pending for more than a year. China also commits to abide by regulations that require 60 day processing for future applications. This will allow for more efficient and cost effective operations. * RMB Transactions by Foreign Banks: China agreed to immediately allow foreign-invested banks to offer their own brand of RMB-denominated credit and debit cards. This will allow U.S. banks to offer a full range of RMB services to compete with Chinese banks that currently offer these services. * Market Access for Insurance Firms: Enterprise Annuities: The Chinese Government agreed to streamline by SED-III the application and licensing process for the provision of enterprise annuities by financial institutions, which will allow U.S. insurance firms already operating in China to widen the range of services they provide and increase the amount of capital under their management for investment. Promoting Energy Security and Protecting the Environment Energy security and environmental protection are shared priorities for both the United States and China. This creates demand and incentives for the rapid development and deployment of clean and efficient energy technology. At the second meeting of the Strategic Economic Dialogue, both countries agreed to: * Coal-Mine Methane (CMM) Capture: Over the next five years, the United States and China will develop up to 15 large-scale CMM capture and utilization projects in China. * Develop Clean Coal Technologies: The United States and China will provide policy incentives to promote the full commercialization of advanced coal technologies and will advance commercial use of carbon capture and storage technologies. China uses twice as much coal as the United States to power its growth and economy, and that number is expected to double by 2020. * Reduce and Eliminate Trade Barriers: The United States and China agreed to work together as part of the WTO Doha negotiations to discuss reducing or eliminating tariff and non-tariff barriers to environmental goods and services. Working together, the United States and China can increase access and reduce the costs of these important environmental technologies and services. Strengthening the Rule of Law * Fighting Counterfeit Goods and Protecting Our Borders: Protecting intellectual property rights, welcoming competition, promoting transparency and observing the rule of law are all critical to creating the framework within which creative ideas can flourish. During the second meeting of the SED, the United States and China signed an agreement to strengthen the enforcement of intellectual property rights laws. The agreement provides for an exchange of information on counterfeit good seizures, experiences with counterfeit goods and dialogue among respective Customs staff to improve intellectual property rights enforcement in our nations.

CLOSING STATEMENT BY SECRETARY HENRY M. PAULSON, JR. AT THE MAY 2007 MEETING OF THE U.S.-CHINA STRATEGIC ECONOMIC DIALOGUE Thank you, Vice Premier Wu Yi and your distinguished colleagues for a very productive two days. My colleagues and I have been impressed by, and grateful for, the openness and positive spirit you brought to this meeting of the Strategic Economic Dialogue. Over the last five months, China and the United States have come together to discuss our shared economic interests with mutual respect. We agree on many issues. We agree that it is vital to the prosperity of both our nations, that China rebalance its economic growth, encourage consumption and spread development more broadly among its people. We agree that by combining the power of our economies, we can spur further development of clean energy technology. We agree that strengthening and deepening our two-way trading relationship will create jobs and give our citizens a wider variety of choices and lower prices on goods. While we have much more work to do, we have tangible results for our efforts thus far. These results are like signposts on the long- term strategic road, building confidence and encouraging us to continue moving forward together. The United States and China understand that getting our economic relationship right is vital not only to our people, but to the world economy. Vice Premier Wu and I see an important part of our job is to communicate frequently, iron out differences, and keep the economic relationship on an even keel, even during times of tension. Our relationship works best when it produces mutual benefits, which lead to growth, balance and a stronger global economy. We agreed today on a wide variety of next steps, including significant items in financial services, energy and the environment, and civil aviation. The dialogue will continue; our cooperative spirit will continue as well. At our next meeting, we will focus on capturing the benefits and managing the challenges of global economic integration. We have built strong relationships since our inaugural meeting in Beijing. Those relationships will continue to grow stronger and produce on-going returns. On behalf of the American delegation, thank you for coming and we look forward to returning to China later this year.

UNDER SECRETARY STEEL STATEMENT ON PASSAGE OF HOUSE GSE BILL , DC - Treasury Under Secretary for Domestic Finance Robert K. Steel issued the following statement today regarding the passage of H.R. 1427 to reform the housing government sponsored enterprises: "The House made progress to reform the oversight of the housing GSEs today. Treasury commends Chairman Frank for working in a bipartisan manner to pass legislation addressing this goal. "Regretfully the House significantly weakened the regulator's abilities to examine systemic risk issues. Additionally, we remain troubled by the provisions relating to conforming loan limits, the Federal government's appointment of directors and aspects of the affordable housing fund. "Treasury appreciates the efforts of the Financial Services Committee to advance the process of creating a strong GSE regulator but as a result of amendments adopted on the floor, the Department does not believe this bill adequately guards our financial system with the necessary oversight. We look forward to working with the Senate to address reforms critical to the safety and soundness of the U.S. financial system."

OPENING STATEMENT BY SECRETARY HENRY M. PAULSON, JR. AT THE MAY 2007 MEETING OF THE U.S.-CHINA STRATEGIC ECONOMIC DIALOGUE Washington, DC – Good morning. It is with great pleasure that I welcome Vice Premier Wu and your colleagues to Washington, and the second meeting of the Strategic Economic Dialogue. Your visit is historically unprecedented. Never before have so many Ministers from China gathered in one place in the United States. The number of senior officials who are focusing their time and attention on this effort is a demonstration of our shared and on-going commitment to the vision and purpose of this dialogue. We both recognize how critical it is for our countries that we get our long-term economic relationship right. When President Bush and President Hu created the SED last August, their leadership set us on a course that led to our inaugural December meeting in Beijing, has continued through a series of meetings among Chinese and U.S. officials since then, to this Washington gathering, and will continue after we leave here. An open, honest economic relationship between our two countries is pivotal to the future of the global economy. The SED is a forum to manage that relationship on a long-term strategic basis, for our mutual benefit, and to work towards near-term agreements that build confidence on both sides. Our task is not an easy one. We must address the immediate concerns that are impacting our industries and citizens and simultaneously identify tomorrow's issues. We must maintain a partnership, and engage in this process to solve what may seem unsolvable. We conduct our talks under the wary eyes of politicians, business leaders and workers in both of our countries. We both face challenges of domestic protectionism and questions about the merits of trade and globalization. There is a growing skepticism in each country about the others' intentions. Unfortunately, in America this is manifesting itself as anti-China sentiment as China becomes a symbol of the real and imagined downside of global competition. That argument is fueled by the evidence of persistent trade and financial imbalances. China has its own opposition, with its own set of arguments. The purpose of this on-going dialogue is to have candid discussions and find ways to ease, rather than increase, these tensions. A look back demonstrates, of course, that increasing our ties has benefited both our people. China's presence in the global economy has raised living standards in China and fueled growth around the world. Ten years ago, China was an outsider in the global marketplace; other countries set the rules and China was expected to abide by them. Now, China is a member of the WTO, a dynamic economic force and a model for other developing countries. China is able to help lead and define the rules. Neither America nor China can shrink from the role we have carved for ourselves in the world. We both must exercise leadership, in positive and productive ways. I have no doubt that our proud, strong countries can fulfill this responsibility. The United States is supportive of a stable and prosperous China. We are not afraid of the competition. We welcome it, because competition makes us stronger. It is therefore in our interest to support China's continuing efforts to open its economy. As I have said before, our policy disagreements are not about the direction of change, but about the pace of change. Americans have many virtues ---we are a hard-working, innovative people---but we are also impatient. Even the notion of a "dialogue" may seem too passive for America's action-oriented ethic. It is up to us, over these two days and in the work that follows, to show that words are precursors to action. The SED allows us to look forward, together, and define our future bilateral economic relationship. We are creating a roadmap for the future. So, welcome again, Madame Wu, distinguished Ministers and colleagues. Let's get to work.

UPDATE: U.S. AND CHINA TO HOLD SECOND MEETING OF THE STRATEGIC ECONOMIC DIALOGUE IN WASHINGTON NEXT WEEK This Department of Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson, Jr. will host the second meeting of the U.S.-China Strategic Economic Dialogue next week. Secretary Paulson will be joined by Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns, Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez, Labor Secretary Elaine Chao, Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt, Transportation Secretary Mary Peters, Energy Secretary Sam Bodman, U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab, EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson, Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte, and other Administration officials. In addition, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke will participate in the Strategic Economic Dialogue discussions. The opening session will include a presentation by the Honorable Henry Kissinger. The second meeting of the U.S.-China Strategic Economic Dialogue will review progress on work plans agreed to at the December meeting and continue discussions in areas including policies to address economic imbalances to ensure continued global growth, China's economic development and further integration into the world trading system, greater openness of markets, cooperation on energy security and the environment, and innovation. The dialogue was launched by Presidents Bush and Hu in September 2006. The talks will take place May 22-23 at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium. The following events are open to media with SED credentials only: What: Opening Statements and Introductions When: Tuesday, May 22, 2007, 9:15 a.m. EDT Where: Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium 1301 Constitution Ave., NW Washington, DC Note: SED Credentialed press may begin setting up at 5:00 a.m., equipment must be in place for security sweep no later than 6:00 a.m. What: Presentation by the Honorable Henry Kissinger When: Tuesday, May 22, 2007, 9:45 a.m. EDT Where: Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium 1301 Constitution Ave., NW Washington, DC What: Family Photo When: Wednesday, May 23, 2007, 8:00 a.m. EDT Where: Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium 1301 Constitution Ave., NW Washington, DC Note: SED Credentialed photographers may begin setting up at 5:00 a.m., equipment must be in place for security sweep no later than 6:00 a.m. What: Closing Statements When: Wednesday, May 23, 2007, 10:45 a.m. EDT Where: Environmental Protection Agency East Building 1201 Pennsylvania Ave., NW Washington, DC Note: SED Credentialed press must be pre-set by 10:00 a.m. What: U.S. Delegation Press Conference When: Wednesday, May 23, 2007, 11:30 a.m. EDT Where: Environmental Protection Agency East Building 1201 Pennsylvania Ave., NW Washington, DC Links to press materials: DECEMBER: 11/28/2006: U.S. and China to Hold First Meeting of the Strategic Economic Dialogue in Beijing Next Month 12/13/2006: Introductory Remarks by Secretary Henry M. Paulson, Jr. at the U.S.-China Strategic Economic Dialogue 12/13/2006: Opening Statement by Secretary Henry M. Paulson, Jr. before the Opening Session of the U.S.-China Strategic Economic Dialogue 12/15/2006: Fact Sheet 12/15/2006: Statement from Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson, Jr. at the Closing of the U.S.-China Strategic Economic Dialogue 12/15/2006: Statement by Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson, Jr. at the Closing Press Conference SEPTEMBER 09/20/2006: U.S.-China Statement on Strategic Economic Dialogue 09/20/2006: Fact Sheet on Creation of the U.S.-China Strategic Economic Dialogue 09/21/2006: Strategic Economic Dialogue Press Briefing Transcript

TREASURY IDENTIFIES FINANCIAL NETWORK OF ISMAEL ZAMBADA GARCIA The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) today designated six companies and twelve individuals in Mexico that act as fronts for Ismael Zambada Garcia, the leader of a Sinaloa, Mexico-based drug trafficking organization. Ismael Zambada Garcia was named as a Tier I drug kingpin by President George W. Bush on May 31, 2002, pursuant to the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act (Kingpin Act). "Zambada Garcia is one of Mexico's most powerful drug kingpins and a fugitive from justice," said Adam Szubin, Director of the Office of Foreign Assets Control. "Today's action further exposes the network of front companies and financial associates that Zambada Garcia uses to hide and launder his drug monies and cuts them off from the U.S. financial system." The OFAC designation targets Nueva Industria de Ganaderos de Culiacan S.A. de C.V., a large, Sinaloa, Mexico-based cattle and dairy company. Zambada Garcia's former spouse, Rosario Niebla Cardoza, and their four adult daughters, Maria Teresa, Midiam Patricia, Monica del Rosario, and Modesta Zambada Niebla, are also designated today on the basis of their role in the ownership or control of Zambada Garcia front companies and assets in Mexico. Other companies designated today are Establo Puerto Rico S.A. de C.V., Jamaro Constructores S.A. de C.V., Multiservicios Jeviz S.A. de C.V., Estancia Infantil Niño Feliz S.C., and Rosario Niebla Cardoza A. en P. Ismael Zambada Garcia is a U.S. fugitive and the State Department has offered a $5 million dollar reward for information leading to his arrest. In January 2003, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia returned an indictment against Ismael Zambada Garcia and two key lieutenants, Javier Torres Felix and his son Vicente Zambada Niebla. Javier Torres Felix was extradited to the United States in December 2006. "The Zambada Garcia organization cannot hide behind front companies like the Sinaloa cattle and dairy business," said DEA Administrator Karen P. Tandy. "We're working with OFAC to expose these traffickers' front companies for what they really are – not legitimate businesses, but illegal cash cows that fuel the drug trade, its violence and corruption. We're relentlessly following the financial trail to deprive these traffickers of their assets, draining the lifeblood from their criminal drug enterprises." This action is part of an ongoing U.S. Government effort under the Kingpin Act to apply financial measures against significant foreign drug kingpins worldwide. More than 300 businesses and individuals associated with the 62 drug kingpins have been designated since June 2000. Today's designation would not have been possible without key support from the Drug Enforcement Administration. Today's designation action freezes any assets the 18 designees may have under U.S. jurisdiction and prohibits U.S. persons from conducting financial or commercial transactions with these individuals and entities. Penalties for violations of the Kingpin Act range from civil penalties of up to $1,075,000 per violation to more severe criminal penalties. Criminal penalties for corporate officers may include up to 30 years in prison and fines of up to $5,000,000. Criminal fines for corporations may reach $10,000,000. Other individuals face up to 10 years in prison for criminal violations of the Kingpin Act.

UNDER SECRETARY FOR DOMESTIC FINANCE ROBERT K. STEEL REMARKS BEFORE THE COUNCIL ON COMPETITIVENESS "STRENGTHENING OUR CAPITAL MARKETS COMPETITIVENESS" Thank you very much. Deborah, thank you for that introduction and to everyone gathered here this morning, thank you for welcoming me. It is a privilege to be here at the Council on Competitiveness. You are fortunate to have Deborah's strong leadership. She has served here at the Council since 1993 and has helped your organization develop a great reputation of excellence. For nearly two decades, the Council on Competitiveness has brought together our nation's business, academic and labor leaders to help us chart a course for global competitiveness. Your mission reflects a commitment to the future prosperity of all Americans and enhanced U.S. competitiveness in a global economy. These important objectives echo one of Secretary Paulson's key goals for the Treasury Department – to encourage the competitiveness of U.S. capital markets. Strengthening our Bridge Today, Secretary Paulson announced the first stage of his plan to enhance U.S. capital markets competitiveness. These steps focus on strengthening financial reporting to enhance investor protection and encourage a vibrant, sustainable auditing profession. I will discuss today's announcement in more detail, but first would like to offer some general perspectives on how we think about issues of competitiveness. For some, optimism about the future of our capital markets comes less easily today. We at Treasury do not share that view. Instead, we start with the fact that our markets are the strongest in the world. Earlier in this decade, our markets passed safely through several perils, including the burst of the technology bubble, a terrorist attack and a series of corporate accounting scandals. Today, our economy is healthy – the labor market is strong, core inflation is contained and we are transitioning from an unsustainable to a sustainable rate of growth. Our markets are deep, vibrant and efficient, and our financial system remains the envy of the world. We plan to keep things that way. Maintaining this leadership requires having the confidence to continually self-assess our position and when appropriate, make changes or adjustments. For that reason, Secretary Paulson has asked the Treasury Department to engage in a broad, ongoing initiative to strengthen the competitiveness of our capital markets. Our efforts kicked off last November with a major speech by Secretary Paulson in New York, which served to frame the issues. Since his address, an enriching period of public discourse has followed, highlighted by the release of three separate and independent reports. In March, Secretary Paulson hosted a conference on capital markets competitiveness. We heard from key policymakers, consumer advocates, business representatives and academics, each with different perspectives on ways to keep U.S. capital markets the strongest and most innovative in the world. The many voices involved both in our conference and the three reports have illuminated the vital role capital markets play in our economy. Markets serve as a bridge, connecting suppliers of capital with users of capital. They connect those who have resources to invest with those who could use this capital to turn new ideas into businesses, generating jobs and contributing to the economy. The most effective bridges allow participants and their capital to cross from one side to the other with as little friction as possible. Effective bridges facilitate an open, transparent flow of information, and are built on strong pillars of investor protection, market integrity and risk mitigation. The structure, management and regulation of a bridge are each crucial. We seek to ensure that the policies in place for managing our bridge are effective in protecting investors and consumers, while at the same time enhancing the entrepreneurial spirit and innovation that has made America great. As keepers of our bridge, we must carefully consider what measurements we will use to gauge the strength of our markets, not just for today but also for the future. The indicators we examine include more than just public offerings. IPOs have become an often-referenced benchmark of capital markets competitiveness, but focusing solely on that measurement is too simple and not forward-looking enough. We should start with a global vision and look broadly at measures that gauge our ability to foster human capital, encourage innovation and reward efficiency. As these conditions are met, we will continue to excel in areas such as: * skills for asset management; * alternative asset management, such as venture capital, private equity and hedge funds; * trading and execution models characterized by leading-edge technology; * innovation in all types of investor products, including listed and unlisted derivatives; * and the accessible advice of a trusted advisor for governments, companies and investors. By most measurements we remain the uncontested world leader. We are well ahead of the rest of the world in mutual fund and hedge fund assets, venture capital and private equity, securitization, syndicated loans, and yield in equities and exchange-traded derivatives. * 45% of global mutual fund assets are housed in the U.S., compared to 35% in Europe and 11% in Asia. * Of the $2.1 trillion in global hedge fund assets, $1.5 trillion resides here in the U.S. * Worldwide, there are 351 hedge funds with at least a $1 billion in assets, and almost 70% (241) of them are located in the U.S. * Last year, more than 80% of outstanding OTC foreign exchange derivatives worldwide were in the U.S. Dollar. * The number of futures contracts traded on organized exchanges in the U.S. in 2006 was 1.3 times higher than what was traded in Europe and more than 5 times higher than trading volume in Asia. Let's be straightforward here: Financial markets in the U.S. are second to none. Our exchanges in New York and Chicago, asset management industry based all across the U.S., and commercial and investment banks with a global reach are unrivaled on an international scale. Additionally, our accounting and auditing professions, legal advice and management and consulting industries are the strongest in the world. Globalization is an Opportunity to Advance our Leadership Certainly, our markets are not immune to challenges. But we view challenges as an opportunity to improve – to make the best capital markets even better. Often when you are doing well proves to be the best time to focus on improvement. We are a nation and an economy that overcomes challenges and creates solutions. Americans are a creative, innovative people; we are entrepreneurs, risk-takers, and most of all competitors and winners. Secretary Paulson's capital markets competitiveness initiative is about using recent trends like globalization as an opportunity to leverage our competitiveness and bring even greater benefits to our economy and citizens. Today, emerging markets throughout the world are rapidly expanding and progressing. More and more countries are borrowing our expertise, emulating our success and moving to market-based systems. As a result their economies are growing and becoming stronger. Leaders around the world now realize that a market-driven economy has the best chance of producing economic growth and productivity, a higher standard of living and lower rates of unemployment. Without a doubt, financial capital is more mobile now than ever before, and with more choices, investors are able to access capital all over the world that was once available only in the U.S. This development is not something to fear. In fact, during my career in the financial services industry, I worked with many companies to take advantage of globalization, helping firms develop new markets overseas and working with small companies to become big corporations. Just as athletes perform better under the pressure of healthy competition, so too can we use this opportunity to raise our game and further enhance our competitive edge. A New Approach to Regulation The world has continued to evolve. Competition has become more flexible, but there are many things we can do to compete more effectively, including addressing internal challenges that our system itself has created over time. The current U.S. regulatory structure has been evolved together over 150 years – with act on top of act, initiative on top of initiative – so that today we have a series of individual regulations, each designed in response to specific circumstances and lacking an overarching set of guiding principles. This creates a difficult environment for both regulators and those being regulated. Certainly, regulators must find ways to appropriately balance issues of investor protection, market integrity and systemic risk, as well as the historic tension between state and federal boundaries. In addition, our structure was born institutionally focused and now is adapting into one that regulates activities rather than entities. As we heard from participants at our conference, these ambiguities generate inconsistent applications and reduce predictability of outcomes. If we were starting fresh and had a blank page, no one would choose to draw a regulatory structure that resembles our current picture. Too often, however, discussions about ideal regulatory philosophy and structure have been reduced to a black and white debate of rules vs. principles. This oversimplification undermines the complexity of these issues, and is not constructive. As Chairman Bernanke said earlier this week, it is a mischaracterization to draw a "sharp distinction" between the approach to financial regulation in the U.K. and the U.S. In fact, the U.K.'s so-called "principles-based" system supplements their eleven principles with over 8,000 pages of rules, and our system in the U.S. utilizes some principles. At Treasury, our goal is to elevate public thinking, so that we are not engaging in an either/or debate. The optimal construct should balance both rules and principles. We need a new, modernized approach to regulation – one that is risk-based, globally oriented and flexible in scope. A prudent approach recognizes that we should be guided by principles at an overarching level. But regulation at the retail level will require some focus on rules, particularly to protect less sophisticated market participants, where investor protection must be a paramount focus. Other key elements of this risk-based approach are: * Benefit-Burden Analysis – We reject calling for regulation just for regulation's sake. Instead, we should engage in rigorous cost-benefit analysis of proposed and current regulation. * Materiality – Regulators need to focus on issues that are material to investors and consumers. It is not simply a matter of collecting more material to review; rather, we should have measures in place to ensure that we are collecting appropriate, useful material. * Engagement between regulators and the regulated – We need to facilitate a move for constructive dialogue between regulators and the entities they regulate. There should be a clear process for businesses to engage with their regulators when they have questions or need clarification. In short, the modernized regulatory regime we seek should be, in the words of Chairman Bernanke, "principles-based, risk-focused, and consistently applied." Other Components of Treasury's Competitiveness Initiative We have already made some progress toward these goals. For instance, earlier this year the President's Working Group on Financial Markets (PWG) – chaired by the Secretary of the Treasury – released principles and guidelines for private pools of capital. Private pools of capital, which include hedge funds, private equity and venture capital, exemplify the creativity and innovation that have helped make our financial markets the strongest in the world. These principles and guidelines show that issues of systemic risk and investor protection are best addressed by a combination of market discipline and government oversight. They put forth a forward-looking, principles-based framework specifically designed to possess the flexibility to deal with global and dynamic nature of modern capital markets. These principles are not an endorsement of the status quo. They represent a uniform view from a broad group of key independent regulators that heightened vigilance is necessary and desired to address market developments. Treasury is currently actively engaged to ensure the adoption of these principles among each respective group of stakeholders – investors, pool managers, and creditors and counterparties. Other important steps toward modernized regulation are being taken by the regulators, and Treasury strongly supports these steps. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 brought much needed reform and restored investor confidence. This successful piece of legislation is now being replicated around the world. Public companies have faced significant costs and challenges in the application of Sarbanes-Oxley's Section 404 internal control requirements, but we do not believe new legislation is required to amend it. A reinterpretation is currently in progress, which will reduce unintended and unnecessary costs of Section 404 to small businesses. Treasury supports the work of the SEC and the PCAOB, who are actively engaged in replacing Auditing Standard 2 (AS2) with Auditing Standard 5 (AS5). These efforts will make the implementation process of Sarbanes-Oxley section 404 more risk-based. As a result, we are optimistic that this change will achieve the appropriate balance. Another encouraging development that is underway at the SEC is the move to allow foreign companies to file their financial statements according to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) without reconciling to US GAAP. As contemplated, the U.S. would recognize both major accounting languages – US GAAP and IFRS. However, the auditing industry faces other challenges, which if remedied will enhance our competitiveness. These solutions will take time to develop, but we will begin to lay the groundwork now for longer-term improvements. As he announced in an op-ed this morning, Secretary Paulson has asked us to establish a non-partisan, public federal advisory committee that will develop proposals for creating a stronger, sustainable auditing profession. We have asked former SEC Chairman Arthur Levitt and former SEC Chief Accountant Donald Nicolaisen to co-chair this effort. This soon-to-be-chartered committee will develop recommendations to address challenges facing this profession, such as industry concentration, competition, financial soundness, and employee recruitment and retention. The group will focus on three areas: (1) audit market competition and concentration, (2) human capital and (3) financial resources. We will solicit a broad range of individuals representing views from the auditing profession, public companies, investor community, and other financial market participants. We intend to solidify membership this summer and anticipate a first meeting in the fall. Auditing plays a unique role in our economy. A resilient and quality auditing profession is vital to the strength of our capital markets. Of course, management is ultimately responsible for a company's financial statements but requiring these companies to have their financial statements audited by an independent accounting firm enhances investor confidence. Strong, trustworthy auditing helps to encourage entrepreneurs and capital providers to take appropriate risks. At the same time, Treasury will seek solutions that will serve to enhance financial reporting, make the presentation of financial information more meaningful and accessible to investors, and gain a better understanding of why financial restatements have increased over the past decade. We will also encourage managers, directors and investors to focus on long-term value creation while maintaining frequent and accurate financial reporting. Conclusion The steps I have outlined today represent the first in a series of initiatives that we will undertake to strengthen our bridge that connects suppliers and users of capital. The maintenance of this bridge will require that some tolls be paid. These tolls will pay for sound and effective regulation. They enable the free movement of capital, support appropriate protections for consumers and investors, while also encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship. Our markets remain the most liquid, efficient and transparent in the world. And we are committed to maintaining that competitive edge. The world is indeed changing, but we will use this as an opportunity to reassess our position and improve our leadership. As we undergo a period of construction, the work on our bridge will take time and require patience. These issues do not lend themselves to easy fixes. But I am confident that we will succeed, and the legacy we leave behind will be one of enhanced capital markets competitiveness. Thank you.

PAULSON: FINANCIAL REPORTING VITAL TO US MARKET INTEGRITY, STRONG ECONOMY The Financial Times published the following opinion editorial today from U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson, Jr., discussing the first stage of his plan to enhance U.S. capital markets competitiveness: The Key Test of Accurate Financial Reporting is Trust By Henry Paulson Accurate and transparent financial reporting is vital to the integrity of our capital markets and the strength of the US economy. In an address last November, I spoke about the importance of strong capital markets, pointing out that capital markets rely on trust. That trust is based on financial information presumed to be accurate and to reflect economic reality. Our capital markets are the best in the world and so is our financial reporting system. We must work to keep them that way. On Thursday, the Treasury department is announcing several important steps to ensure we preserve an efficient financial reporting system that provides reliable information, is supported by a sustainable auditing industry, and has enhanced compatibility with foreign reporting standards. In March, Christopher Cox, the Securities and Exchange Commission chairman, and I co-chaired a conference on capital markets competitiveness. Financial reporting was one of the main topics of discussion. A strong auditing profession is essential for a well-functioning reporting system. The auditor's role is key: to examine financial statements and express an opinion that conveys reasonable, but not absolute, assurance as to the truth and fairness of those statements. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 enhanced financial reporting integrity, including mandating major changes affecting the auditing profession. The act created the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board to replace self-regulation, and mandated auditor independence requirements. As these changes took effect, new challenges arose. We now have fewer major accounting firms, and legitimate questions about the sustainability of the auditing profession's business model. These new challenges require understanding and solutions. To achieve this, the Treasury has asked Arthur Levitt, former SEC chairman, and Donald Nicolaisen, former SEC chief accountant, to serve as co-chairs of a non-partisan committee to address auditing industry concentration, and to consider options available to strengthen the industry's financial soundness and its ability to attract and retain qualified personnel. Through this public forum, investors, advocates, and companies can present a wide range of views, engage in informed debate and provide recommendations. In addition to changes in the auditing profession, Section 404 of Sarbox appropriately emphasised the importance of internal controls over financial reporting. However, implementation has proven more costly and burdensome than originally anticipated. Mr Cox, Mark Olson, PCAOB chairman, and their commissioners and board members have sought to improve the application of Section 404. A more risk-based implementation will be a positive step. Another emerging challenge is the soaring number of financial restatements over the past decade. In 1997, there were 116 restatements; in 2006, there were 1,876, or more than 10 per cent of public companies. Restatements pose significant costs on our capital markets. They have the potential to confuse investors and erode public confidence in financial reporting. Some of these restatements might not be material to investors, and others may simply reflect new accounting standards interpretations. This volume of restatements reflects, in part, the complexity of our financial reporting system. Mr Cox and Robert Herz, Financial Accounting Standard Board chairman, are to be commended for their efforts to reduce that complexity. To complement this move, the Treasury intends to commission a rigorous analysis of factors driving financial restatements, and their impact on investors and the capital markets. The increasing globalisation of our markets also means that we must enhance the comparability of foreign company financial statements. Mr Cox's leadership has been instrumental. He has taken positive steps towards the convergence of US GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards, and eliminating the US GAAP reconciliation requirements for IFRS-reporting foreign companies by 2009. As the SEC has said, its actions are key steps "toward a future regulatory framework in which IFRS may be used on a stand-alone basis by foreign private issuers and possibly also by US issuers." When fully implemented, this will enhance financial statement consistency and facilitate cross-border transactions and cash flows. We will pursue each of these initiatives, and other steps that will be part of the broader competitiveness discussion, to ensure that US capital markets remain efficient, innovative and continue to drive capital to its most productive uses. Our markets must retain the integrity and efficiency that has contributed greatly to prosperity in America and around The writer is US Treasury secretary

May 10

STATEMENT OF DAVID G. NASON NOMINEE FOR ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND TO BE A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THE NATIONAL CONSUMER COOPERATIVE BANK U.S. TREASURY DEPARTMENT BEFORE THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON BANKING, HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS Washington, D.C.- Chairman Reed, Ranking Member Shelby and members of the Committee, thank you for inviting me to appear before you today. I am grateful to President Bush and Secretary Paulson for their trust and confidence in me. I am honored to be here today as the President's nominee to be Assistant Secretary for Financial Institutions at the Treasury Department and to be a member of the Board of Directors for the National Consumer Cooperative Bank, an organization established to assist underserved communities across the nation. I would like to thank my family for their unyielding support of my decision to continue in public service. I'd like to introduce my wife, Nicole, my best friend and closest adviser, who is also a dedicated public servant, and our daughters, Alexandra, 6, and Abigail, 2. My parents George and Ann Nason are also here today. Aside from being very supportive parents, they are two of the greatest grandparents in the world. If confirmed, I look forward to working with Secretary Paulson, Under Secretary Steel and the rest of the Treasury team, along with others in the Administration and Congress, on a variety of important issues impacting our financial institutions. In my current role as Deputy Assistant Secretary, I have had the opportunity to engage on numerous important issues that affect our capital markets and financial institutions, including Treasury's positions on banking and insurance regulation. I also serve as an advisor to Secretary Paulson in his capacity as chair of the President's Working Group on Financial Markets. If confirmed, I will work constructively in my role as Assistant Secretary for Financial Institutions to ensure that the Department faithfully carries out its responsibilities related to financial institutions policy, critical infrastructure protection, and financial education. These topics are diverse, complex, and have a direct impact on the lives of Americans. The legal and regulatory structure imposed on our financial institutions must guard against systemic risk, protect consumers, and enhance their confidence. If confirmed, I will help Secretary Paulson shape and implement his agenda on capital markets competitiveness. I share the Secretary's view that robust and vibrant capital markets are directly tied to future economic prosperity for all Americans. I believe that my prior professional experience has prepared me for this important responsibility. Before coming to Treasury, I served at the Securities and Exchange Commission as counsel to a commissioner. I was there at a critical moment in the SEC's history – when the agency implemented the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the most comprehensive piece of securities legislation in decades. My experience there has contributed significantly in preparing me for this next challenge at the Treasury Department. Prior to the SEC, I spent time in the private sector as an attorney at Covington & Burling where I focused on securities offerings, mergers and acquisitions, and federal tax planning. If confirmed, I would seek to ensure a constructive dialogue with members of Congress and their staffs. I appreciate the time that members of this Committee have taken to consider my nomination, and I would be happy to answer any questions.
Washington, D.C.- Chairman Reed, Ranking Member Shelby and members of the Committee, thank you for inviting me to appear before you today. I am grateful to President Bush and Secretary Paulson for their trust and confidence in me. I am honored to be here today as the President's nominee to be Assistant Secretary for Financial Institutions at the Treasury Department and to be a member of the Board of Directors for the National Consumer Cooperative Bank, an organization established to assist underserved communities across the nation. I would like to thank my family for their unyielding support of my decision to continue in public service. I'd like to introduce my wife, Nicole, my best friend and closest adviser, who is also a dedicated public servant, and our daughters, Alexandra, 6, and Abigail, 2. My parents George and Ann Nason are also here today. Aside from being very supportive parents, they are two of the greatest grandparents in the world. If confirmed, I look forward to working with Secretary Paulson, Under Secretary Steel and the rest of the Treasury team, along with others in the Administration and Congress, on a variety of important issues impacting our financial institutions. In my current role as Deputy Assistant Secretary, I have had the opportunity to engage on numerous important issues that affect our capital markets and financial institutions, including Treasury's positions on banking and insurance regulation. I also serve as an advisor to Secretary Paulson in his capacity as chair of the President's Working Group on Financial Markets. If confirmed, I will work constructively in my role as Assistant Secretary for Financial Institutions to ensure that the Department faithfully carries out its responsibilities related to financial institutions policy, critical infrastructure protection, and financial education. These topics are diverse, complex, and have a direct impact on the lives of Americans. The legal and regulatory structure imposed on our financial institutions must guard against systemic risk, protect consumers, and enhance their confidence. If confirmed, I will help Secretary Paulson shape and implement his agenda on capital markets competitiveness. I share the Secretary's view that robust and vibrant capital markets are directly tied to future economic prosperity for all Americans. I believe that my prior professional experience has prepared me for this important responsibility. Before coming to Treasury, I served at the Securities and Exchange Commission as counsel to a commissioner. I was there at a critical moment in the SEC's history – when the agency implemented the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the most comprehensive piece of securities legislation in decades. My experience there has contributed significantly in preparing me for this next challenge at the Treasury Department. Prior to the SEC, I spent time in the private sector as an attorney at Covington & Burling where I focused on securities offerings, mergers and acquisitions, and federal tax planning. If confirmed, I would seek to ensure a constructive dialogue with members of Congress and their staffs. I appreciate the time that members of this Committee have taken to consider my nomination, and I would be happy to answer any questions.

Fact Sheet
An Open Economy is Vital to United States
Prosperity
Today, President Bush reaffirmed America's continuing commitment to advancing open economies at home and abroad, including open investment and trade.

"The United States has a longstanding commitment to open economies that empower individuals, generate economic opportunity and prosperity for all, and provide the foundation for a free society. . . . A free and open international investment regime is vital for a stable and growing economy, both here at home and throughout the world."
- President George W. Bush

Focusing on the benefits of open investment, Secretary of the Treasury Henry M. Paulson Jr. will moderate a panel discussion on the gains to the United States economy from foreign investment here.

"Foreign investment in the United States strengthens our economy, improves productivity, creates good jobs, and spurs healthy competition. Americans have prospered as foreign companies have put their money to work here."
- Secretary Henry M. Paulson Jr.

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the United States Creates High-Paying Jobs
Foreign companies in the U.S. employed more than 5 million U.S. workers in 2005, providing 4.5% of all private sector employment in the United States.
Manufacturing jobs accounted for 33% of the jobs created by foreign companies in the U.S. (2004 data). The manufacturing sector accounts for just 12% of overall U.S. private sector employment. Thus, FDI is disproportionately bolstering this important sector.
An additional 4.6 million U.S. jobs indirectly depend on foreign investment in the U.S. (2005 data). Foreign companies in the U.S. buy 80% of their inputs from U.S. companies. This additional business indirectly supports almost as many U.S. jobs as FDI creates directly.
Compensation at foreign companies in the U.S. is on average 30% higher than the U.S. national average. Foreign-owned firms paid U.S. workers an average of $63,428 in 2004.
Foreign Direct Investment in the United States Strengthens Our Economy
Foreign firms in the U.S. account for 5.7% of U.S. economic output, as well as 10% of all investment in plant and equipment in the United States.
Foreign firms in the U.S. re-invested $48.6 billion (45% of their income) back into the U.S. economy in 2004. This investment furthers innovation and promotes economic growth.
Foreign firms generate 19% of U.S. exports ($153.9 billion in 2006). This contribution is greater than their overall percentage of U.S. economic output, which means they are doing more than their share to help improve the U.S. trade balance.
Foreign firms in the U.S. generate a disproportionate share of national R&D spending (13%, totaling $29.9 billion). This spending strengthens U.S. global competitiveness in pharmaceuticals, high-tech, and other key sectors and produces innovative products that help to improve our standard of living.
The economic benefits generated by inflows of foreign capital help strengthen economic leadership. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, some pointed with alarm to Japanese purchases of U.S. assets, fearing they foreshadowed the Japanese overtaking our economic leadership. Twenty years later, the resulting jobs and economic growth show those fears were misplaced.
Maintaining U.S. Competitiveness in Attracting FDI Requires Renewed Commitment
At $1.9 trillion, the total stock of FDI in the United States in 2005 was equivalent to 15% of U.S. GDP. Foreign investment in the U.S. is the ultimate vote of confidence in our economy. It signals a long-term belief in the strength of our markets and the skill of our workforce.
In the last few years, the United States has not received as high a share of total worldwide FDI as it did before 2000. This trend could be due to the growth of opportunities in emerging markets, burdensome U.S. legal, regulatory and corporate tax regimes, or the misperception that the United States is no longer open to foreign direct investments.
However, this trend is cause for some concern. In 2000, foreign firms directly employed 5.7 million people in the U.S. (5.1% of the private sector workforce) and indirectly supported 6.5 million more jobs. In 2005, those figures had fallen to 5.1 million (4.7% of the private sector workforce) and 4.6 million, respectively. Foreign firms' R&D spending as a share of total R&D spending in the U.S. has also slightly declined since 2000.
This trend reinforces the need for the United States to renew its commitment to open investment, and to policies that make the U.S. attractive for FDI.
Our National Security Review Process Has Not Restricted the United States' Openness to Foreign Direct Investment
Since 1988, the interagency Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) has carefully reviewed the potential national security impact of proposed foreign investments in the United States.
CFIUS's recently more public profile has created the misconception in some quarters that the United States is becoming less open to foreign investment. However, CFIUS is continuing its long history of fairly, efficiently, and narrowly reviewing individual transactions for national security concerns alone, without any protectionist influence on its decisions.

Less than 10% of foreign investments in U.S. companies were reviewed by CFIUS in 2006, and the average since 2000 is about 5%. The vast majority of foreign investment does not raise national security implications – and is untouched by the CFIUS process.

May 7

REPORT HIGHLIGHTS OFAC’S SUCCESS IN COMBATING NARCOTICS TRAFFICKERS

The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) today released the Impact Report on Economic Sanctions Against Colombian Drug Cartels, which reviews OFAC's highly effective efforts to expose and isolate significant Colombian narcotics traffickers and their associates and to disrupt and dismantle their business empires. "Since it's inception in 1995, the Specially Designated Narcotics Traffickers (SDNT) program has been extremely successful in disrupting the financial operations of Colombian drug lords and stripping the cartels of their ill-gotten gains," said OFAC Director Adam J. Szubin. The Impact Report details the illicit activities of each of the 22 Colombian drug cartel principals and organizations that have been targeted by OFAC. The report also focuses on specific highlights of the SDNT program, including the historic September 2006 plea agreement between the United States Government and the leaders of Colombia's infamous Cali drug cartel, Miguel and Gilberto Rodriguez Orejuela. This sanctions program was established by Executive Order 12978. "We believe the report will be valuable to the Congress and law enforcement agencies, both domestic and abroad. The report will also inform foreign governments, fostering closer coordination in fighting the scourge of narcotics trafficking," Szubin continued. The Impact Report on Economic Sanctions Against Colombian Drug Cartels, as well as additional information about the SDNT program, can be accessed through the following link:

2007 NATIONAL MONEY LAUNDERING STRATEGY RELEASED

The U.S. Departments of Treasury, Justice, and Homeland Security today joined together in issuing the 2007 National Money Laundering Strategy, a report detailing continued efforts to dismantle money laundering and terrorist financing networks and bring these criminals to justice. "The 2007 National Money Laundering Strategy is a direct result of close cooperation by the Departments of Justice, Treasury and Homeland Security, along with our foreign counterparts, and signifies our collective commitment to fight money laundering," said Assistant Attorney General Alice S. Fisher of the Justice Department's Criminal Division. "Implementation of this strategy will greatly assist in efforts to seize and forfeit millions in illegal proceeds that flow through the international financial system." The 2007 Strategy addresses the priority threats and vulnerabilities identified by the Money Laundering Threat Assessment released in 2006, the product of an extremely valuable investigation into the current and emerging trends and techniques used by criminals to raise, move, and launder proceeds. The Assessment – the first government-wide analysis of its kind – brought together the expertise of regulatory, law enforcement, and investigative officials from across the government, culminating in a comprehensive analysis of specific money laundering methods, patterns of abuse, geographical concentrations, and the associated legal and regulatory regimes. "The 2007 National Money Laundering Strategy builds upon the groundbreaking work of the Money Laundering Threat Assessment," said Pat O'Brien, Treasury's Assistant Secretary for Terrorist Financing. "Focusing on well-established money laundering methods and emerging trends identified in the Assessment, we have created a robust strategy for combating money laundering, deterring criminals, and addressing areas vulnerable to exploitation." The 2007 Strategy builds on initiatives and programs pioneered in preceding National Money Laundering Strategies. The constant searching by criminals for new ways to launder and hide dirty money is evidence of our successful regulatory and law enforcement efforts to safeguard the banking system. With an aim at continuing these robust efforts, the 2007 Strategy places an emphasis on bolstering the efficiency of the anti-money laundering processes currently in place. "In every type of case, from human smuggling and drug trafficking to intellectual property rights violations and illegal alien employment schemes, the need to hide and move ill-gotten gains is a constant. ICE's anti-money laundering initiatives are at the forefront of attacking existing and emerging money laundering threats" said Julie L. Myers, Assistant Secretary for Immigration and Customs Enforcement at the Department of Homeland Security. "ICE's trade transparency unit, bulk cash smuggling initiative and programs targeting illegal money service businesses and stored value card schemes are making it less profitable to commit these crimes." Additionally, the 2007 Strategy focuses on leveling the playing field internationally, helping to ensure U.S. financial institutions are not disadvantaged through the implementation of controls and standards to combat money laundering and terrorist financing. Indeed, money laundering is a global threat the United States is working to address through international bodies, including the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), and through direct private sector outreach in regions around the world.

Testimony of Treasury
Acting International Tax Counsel
John Harrington
Before the Senate Finance Committee on
Offshore Tax Evasion
Washington, D.C.--Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member Grassley, and distinguished Members of the Committee, thank you for the opportunity to participate this morning and discuss the serious problem of offshore tax evasion.
Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member Grassley, and distinguished Members of the Committee, thank you for the opportunity to participate this morning and discuss the serious problem of offshore tax evasion.
Introduction

From the standpoint of tax administration, offshore tax evasion historically has been a very difficult area to address. Questionable use of low- or no-tax jurisdictions has been an issue for decades. Globalization, however, has made foreign investment and foreign activities common, with overseas markets becoming an increasingly important source of income for U.S. individuals and businesses.

Individuals invest in foreign entities for a variety of reasons. In most instances, these investments represent legitimate business transactions, using foreign entities in ways that are typical for international commerce. At times, however, foreign entities can be used for tax evasion. For example, some individuals invest through a jurisdiction with a reputation for secrecy and opaqueness, hoping to stymie the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in its administration of the Internal Revenue Code. Others try to hide income from the IRS by setting up elaborate business structures and financial arrangements, some components of which are located offshore.

These varied scenarios make it clear that a one-size-fits-all approach will not work to stop offshore tax abuse while continuing to permit legitimate cross-border transactions, which are vital to the United States' participation in the global economy. This is why the Treasury Department has undertaken a multi-faceted approach to deal with the problem of offshore tax evasion. I would like to describe the actions we have taken and continue to take, especially regarding information exchange, to deal with this difficult but important issue. It is critical to bear in mind that this has been a long-term problem, and we must continue to take a long-term view in combating offshore tax evasion, while managing expectations about the speed with which progress can be made in addressing it.

The Treasury Department is very concerned about the use of offshore jurisdictions to evade U.S. tax. There plainly have been abuses in this area. We have been aggressively pursuing such abuses, and we intend to continue doing so.

We have sought to target our efforts on the sources of abuse and avoid actions that are so blunt that they hinder the legitimate cross-border trade and investment activities, which are so critical to U.S. business and U.S. jobs. Cross-border transactions are now standard business operations, as globalization has led to increased cross-border investment opportunities. We have to make sure that our tax rules reflect the current economic environment, without hurting the competitiveness of U.S. workers and businesses.

Regulatory and Administrative Actions

As part of our overall effort to improve compliance, the Treasury Department and the IRS have taken a number of important steps on the administrative front and are continuing to work on other avenues to address offshore tax abuses. Although determined tax evaders may flaunt the tax rules, some taxpayers opportunistically seek to take advantage of ambiguous or outdated tax rules. Accordingly, we modify or update U.S. tax rules when we determine that they are being used to perpetrate such abuse. Recent published guidance projects that will improve compliance and that target potential areas of abuse include:

Foreign Tax Credit: We have taken strong steps to halt misuse of the foreign tax credit. In November 2006, we issued final regulations regarding the proper allocation of partnership expenditures for foreign taxes. In March 2007, we issued proposed regulations that would disallow foreign tax credits tied to participation in certain artificially engineered, highly structured transactions. In August 2006, we issued proposed regulations that would address the inappropriate separation of creditable foreign taxes from foreign source income. We intend to make appropriate modifications and finalize both sets of proposed regulations as soon as possible.

: We have taken strong steps to halt misuse of the foreign tax credit. In November 2006, we issued final regulations regarding the proper allocation of partnership expenditures for foreign taxes. In March 2007, we issued proposed regulations that would disallow foreign tax credits tied to participation in certain artificially engineered, highly structured transactions. In August 2006, we issued proposed regulations that would address the inappropriate separation of creditable foreign taxes from foreign source income. We intend to make appropriate modifications and finalize both sets of proposed regulations as soon as possible.

Transfer Pricing: We have produced, and continue to produce, significant guidance in the area of transfer pricing. In an increasingly globalized economy, cross-border transactions between controlled entities present significant compliance challenges, making guidance in the transfer pricing area an important part of our administrative efforts to address noncompliance. In August 2006, we issued temporary and final regulations addressing the treatment of cross-border services, and followed them up with additional guidance in December 2006. We issued proposed transfer-pricing regulations addressing cost-sharing in August 2005. We intend to finalize both sets of regulations, with appropriate modifications.

: We have produced, and continue to produce, significant guidance in the area of transfer pricing. In an increasingly globalized economy, cross-border transactions between controlled entities present significant compliance challenges, making guidance in the transfer pricing area an important part of our administrative efforts to address noncompliance. In August 2006, we issued temporary and final regulations addressing the treatment of cross-border services, and followed them up with additional guidance in December 2006. We issued proposed transfer-pricing regulations addressing cost-sharing in August 2005. We intend to finalize both sets of regulations, with appropriate modifications.

Other Abusive Transactions: We have also shut down arrangements that utilized foreign jurisdictions to perpetuate abuse of the Internal Revenue Code. For example, in October 2006, we published proposed regulations regarding the Federal tax treatment of annuity contracts. These proposed regulations address a type of widely marketed transaction in which taxpayers claimed to be able to defer or avoid gain on the exchange of highly appreciated property for the issuance of annuity contracts. Recent Congressional hearings have highlighted how taxpayers were applying prior law treatment of these contracts to facilitate abusive private annuity arrangements, often involving offshore issuers. The proposed regulations, when adopted as final, will shut down those arrangements.

: We have also shut down arrangements that utilized foreign jurisdictions to perpetuate abuse of the Internal Revenue Code. For example, in October 2006, we published proposed regulations regarding the Federal tax treatment of annuity contracts. These proposed regulations address a type of widely marketed transaction in which taxpayers claimed to be able to defer or avoid gain on the exchange of highly appreciated property for the issuance of annuity contracts. Recent Congressional hearings have highlighted how taxpayers were applying prior law treatment of these contracts to facilitate abusive private annuity arrangements, often involving offshore issuers. The proposed regulations, when adopted as final, will shut down those arrangements.

The IRS has also undertaken several compliance initiatives, including the Offshore Voluntary Compliance Initiative, aimed at taxpayers who used offshore payment cards or other offshore financial arrangements to hide their income, and the Offshore Credit Card Program, designed to identify taxpayers who use offshore bank accounts to hide income and offshore credit cards issued by secrecy jurisdiction banks to repatriate the unreported income. The IRS is continually monitoring this area for opportunities to implement new programs that will stop abusive transactions and improve compliance.

Obtaining Information from Other Jurisdictions

In most cases, however, the problem of offshore tax abuse lies not with our tax rules but with attempts to hide from them. Accordingly, to enforce our tax laws, we have to exchange information with other countries. Information exchange is an area in which the Treasury Department has been working assiduously for several years, and our steady and persistent efforts are bearing fruit.

In today's global economy, countries must be able to obtain and exchange the information needed to enforce their domestic tax laws. A key element of U.S. tax treaties, therefore, is the provision for exchange of information between the tax authorities. Under tax treaties, the competent authority (i.e., the tax authorities designated under the tax treaty) of one country may request from the other competent authority such information as may be relevant for the proper enforcement of the first country's tax laws. The information provided by the other country is subject to the strict domestic confidentiality protections that generally apply to taxpayer information. Because access to information from other countries is critically important to the full and fair enforcement of the U.S. tax laws, information exchange is a priority for the United States in its tax treaty program.

A tax treaty is not feasible or appropriate in all cases, however. In some cases, there simply may not be the type of cross-border tax issues between the United States and the foreign country that are best resolved by treaty. For example, in the case of a country that does not impose significant income taxes, there may be little possibility of the double taxation of income that tax treaties are designed to address. In cases where a full tax treaty is not appropriate or feasible, the Treasury Department seeks to provide for the bilateral exchange of tax information by entering into a tax information exchange agreement ("TIEA") with the other country.

Information Exchange Generally

There are three primary forms of information exchange.

Exchange of information on request: Exchange of information on request occurs when the competent authority of one country asks for particular information regarding specific taxpayers from the competent authority of another country.

Exchange of information on request occurs when the competent authority of one country asks for particular information regarding specific taxpayers from the competent authority of another country.

Automatic exchange of information: Information that is exchanged automatically is typically information comprised of many individual cases of the same type. Usually, this type of information exchange consists of details of income arising in the source country (e.g., interest, dividends, royalties, or pensions). This information is obtained on a routine basis (generally through reporting of the payments by the payer) by the sending country and is thus available for transmission to its treaty partners.

: Information that is exchanged automatically is typically information comprised of many individual cases of the same type. Usually, this type of information exchange consists of details of income arising in the source country ( interest, dividends, royalties, or pensions). This information is obtained on a routine basis (generally through reporting of the payments by the payer) by the sending country and is thus available for transmission to its treaty partners.

Spontaneous exchange of information: Information is exchanged spontaneously when a country, having obtained information in the course of administering its own tax laws, which it believes will be of interest to one of its treaty partners for tax purposes, passes on the information without the latter having asked for it.

: Information is exchanged spontaneously when a country, having obtained information in the course of administering its own tax laws, which it believes will be of interest to one of its treaty partners for tax purposes, passes on the information without the latter having asked for it.
Tax Treaties

Tax treaties typically permit all three types of information exchange. Both the United States Model Income Tax Convention (U.S. Model Tax Convention) and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Model Tax Convention on Income and on Capital (the OECD Model Tax Convention) provide for broad information exchange and do not limit the form or manner in which information exchange can take place. For example, Article 26 of the U.S. Model Tax Convention generally provides that "the competent authorities of the Contracting States [the treaty partners] shall exchange such information as may be relevant for carrying out the provisions of this Convention or of the domestic laws of the Contracting States concerning taxes of every kind imposed by a Contracting State to the extent that the taxation thereunder is not contrary to the Convention, including information relating to the assessment or collection of, the enforcement or prosecution in respect of, or the determination of appeals in relation to, such taxes." The Article confirms that each Contracting State must maintain and protect the confidentiality of the tax information it receives from the other State, with disclosure permitted only to persons or authorities (including courts and administrative bodies) involved in the assessment, collection, or administration of, the enforcement or prosecution in respect of, or the determination of appeals in relation to, such taxes, or the oversight of such functions.

The Article further provides that each Contracting State "shall use its information gathering measures to obtain the requested information, even though that other State may not need such information for its own purpose." Thus, a treaty partner may not decline to supply information to the other treaty partner merely because the first treaty partner has no domestic interest in the information. For example, a country may not refuse to provide information on request about the holder of a bank account simply because the country does not tax interest and, therefore, does not collect such information.

Article 26 permits a Contracting State to refuse to share information in certain specified cases, however. A Contracting State may refuse (a) to carry out administrative measures at variance with the laws and administrative practice of that or of the other Contracting State; (b) to supply information that is not obtainable under the laws or in the normal course of the administration of that or of the other Contracting State; or (c) to supply information that would disclose any trade, business, industrial, commercial, or professional secret or trade process, or information the disclosure of which would be contrary to public policy. The Article specifically prohibits, however, a treaty partner from refusing to obtain or exchange information because of bank secrecy rules.

The information exchange article in the OECD Model Tax Convention has substantially similar provisions to those described above.

TIEAs

Compared to tax treaties, TIEAs are a more recent phenomenon. In 1983, as part of the Caribbean Basin Initiative, Congress granted the Treasury Department the authority to enter into bilateral or multilateral TIEAs with designated countries in the Caribbean and Central America. This authority was extended in 1986 to allow the Treasury Department to enter into bilateral TIEAs with other countries.

There are several items that are essential to the United States when negotiating a TIEA. First, the TIEA must provide for the exchange of information on request for both criminal and civil tax matters. Many jurisdictions are more willing to exchange information with respect to criminal tax matters, but such a restriction would greatly limit the utility of a TIEA from a U.S. standpoint. Second, the TIEA must provide for the exchange of information even if such information relates to a person who is not a resident or national of the United States or the TIEA partner. We may be more interested in the beneficial owner of an entity formed under the jurisdiction of the TIEA partner than we are in the entity itself. Finally, the TIEA must provide for the disclosure of information regardless of local "confidentiality" laws that may prohibit such disclosure, including laws relating to bank secrecy or bearer shares. Indeed, such laws may be one of the principal attractions for offshore tax evaders.

Many of our TIEA partners have small tax administrations, and the TIEAs acknowledge this reality. Accordingly, a TIEA often will specify the details that a request for information under the TIEA should contain and also require the IRS to explain why it is making the request. Although each TIEA partner is usually expected to bear the routine costs of fulfilling its obligations under the agreement, TIEAs often require the requesting party to bear "extraordinary costs." This type of feature is often necessary to induce a small jurisdiction to agree to a TIEA.

Information Exchange Is Not Just a Bilateral Issue

The United States is not the only country that has encountered the problem of offshore tax evasion, but it has been a leader in increasing worldwide standards of information exchange to combat such evasion. We have worked with other countries, particularly through the OECD, to raise international standards of information exchange. Although exchange of taxpayer information is effected on a bilateral basis, pursuant to a tax treaty or TIEA, the information exchange practices of third countries matter significantly. Some of the more complicated cases may involve transactions in several jurisdictions, requiring exchange of information with multiple jurisdictions. Thus, the adoption of high standards of international information exchange facilitates our ability to obtain the information we need through our agreements, thereby promoting the sound and effective administration of U.S. tax laws.

We have made great strides in raising international standards. It is now rare for a country to insist that it can only exchange information in which it has a domestic tax interest. In addition, the countries that assert that they cannot provide information because of bank secrecy are becoming fewer and fewer.

Improving the quality of the information available for exchange (e.g., removing bank secrecy and eliminating the requirement of a domestic tax interest) is one of the most important developments in the last few years. In other words, access to relevant information is more important than the method of exchange (e.g., whether automatic or not). In particular, automatic exchange does no good if the underlying information is too limited to be of help.

We also have to make sure that tax information is properly protected. Under U.S. law, we cannot exchange taxpayer information unless we know the other country will protect the confidentiality of that information.

Exchange of non-taxpayer-specific information is also important. Countries often share experiences and schemes that they have encountered. For example, the Treasury Department recently issued proposed foreign tax credit regulations to shut down abusive foreign tax credit "generator" transactions. We learned about these transactions from foreign tax authorities. This kind of communications can be as important as the more traditional exchange of information.

The IRS has been actively involved in the development of several multilateral information exchange programs. The Joint International Tax Shelter Information Centre (JITSIC) was formed by tax authorities in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. The objectives of JITSIC are to deter promotion of and investment in abusive tax schemes, particularly through information exchange and knowledge sharing. IRS Commissioner Everson has described JITSIC as having sharply improved IRS knowledge and understanding in a number of important international tax areas.

In addition to JITSIC, in January 2006 the IRS and the tax administrations of nine other countries agreed to the establishment of the so-called "Leeds Castle" Group. Under this arrangement, the commissioners of the revenue agencies of China, India, and South Korea agreed to meet regularly with their counterparts from the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, Canada, France and Germany to consider and discuss issues of global and national tax administration in their respective countries. By providing additional opportunities to share information and experience, these organizations are a significant tool in combating offshore evasion.

Taking Stock of Information Exchange

Successes in information exchange do not come overnight. We have the access to information that we have today due to years of patient negotiations and cultivation of information exchange relationships. Moreover, new efforts today may not bear fruit until years from now. For that reason, we are committed to a multi-year approach to expanding our information exchange network. It is important to take a long-term perspective. At times, there have been criticism that we are devoting too much time and resources to expanding our information exchange network; other times we hear that we are not devoting enough. Because this is an area where steady pressure is essential and missteps (or overreaching) can undo years of work, we have to be careful not to disrupt the steady progress we have made.

It is also important to remember that information exchange is inherently voluntary. We cannot force any country to agree to exchange tax information. Sometimes negotiations on this issue are very difficult. The treaty or TIEA partner may be required to repeal or modify domestic law. In addition, signing a tax treaty or a TIEA is only the first step in the process. A healthy information exchange relationship requires us to maintain good relations with our treaty and TIEA partners. Even an ideally drafted agreement is of limited value if the tax authorities do not have a cooperative relationship. For example, if a treaty or TIEA partner believes that the information exchange relationship is not respected or appreciated by the United States, this may have a chilling effect on exchange of information on request or, particularly, on spontaneous exchange of information.

We have more to do in this area. Nonetheless, we have made great strides in recent years. Several new TIEAs have entered into force with jurisdictions that have figured prominently in previously documented accounts of offshore tax evasion. Within the last two years alone, TIEAs have fully entered into force with the Cayman Islands, the British Virgin Islands, the Bahamas, the Netherlands Antilles, Jersey, Guernsey, and the Isle of Man. We also recently signed a TIEA with Brazil, and the newly signed tax treaty with Belgium provides greater information exchange than we have previously been able to achieve with that country.

Moreover, it must be kept in mind that TIEAs and the information exchange article in tax treaties are enforcement tools. Accordingly, there are limits in what we can say publicly about the manner in which we use them and the frequency with which we make requests, without undermining their deterrent effects. The goal is to enforce our laws, and we do not want to convey inadvertently to tax evaders any specific information about how and with whom we exchange information.

However, it is worth noting a few of the public successes that have resulted in part from our information exchange agreements.

Recently, the U.S District Court in Washington sentenced an individual to nine years in prison for failing to report $365 million in income. This individual, Walter Anderson, had attempted to evade his tax responsibilities by hiding earnings in offshore entities in the British Virgin Islands, Bermuda, the Channel Islands, and Panama. Information that the IRS and Department of Justice gathered through our TIEA with Bermuda helped in the prosecution of this case.

In 2004, Almon Glenn Braswell was sentenced to 18 months in prison and ordered to pay over $10 million in back taxes, interest and penalties. Mr. Braswell's use of a Bermuda corporation and bank account as part of his tax evasion scheme was uncovered through requests made under our TIEA with Bermuda.

Conclusion

As both Secretary Paulson and Assistant Secretary Solomon stated in recent testimony before this Committee, the Treasury Department is committed to improving tax compliance without unduly burdening honest taxpayers who currently meet their tax obligations. Tax compliance with respect to offshore transactions is an important aspect of that endeavor. By focusing on information exchange, we seek to reduce offshore tax evasion while achieving these goals.

Thank you again, Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member Grassley, and other Members of the Committee for the opportunity to appear before the Committee today. I would be pleased to answer any questions you may have.

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE TREASURY BORROWING ADVISORY COMMITTEE OF THE SECURITIES INDUSTRY AND FINANCIAL MARKETS ASSOCIATION MAY 1, 2007

The Committee convened in closed session at the Hay-Adams Hotel at 11:35 a.m. All Committee members except Richard A. Axilrod were present. Under Secretary Robert Steel, Assistant Secretary Anthony Ryan, Deputy Assistant Secretary Matthew Abbott and Office of Debt Management Director Karthik Ramanathan welcomed the Committee and gave them the charge. The Committee addressed the first question in the Committee charge (attached) regarding debt issuance in light of intermediate and longer-term fiscal trends as well as recent economic and market conditions. Director Ramanathan presented a series of charts discussing the continued strong growth in individual, corporate, and non-withheld receipts as well as the slower growth of outlays in fiscal year 2007. In addition, the charts showed the Administration's projections of a rapidly improving fiscal outlook with a balanced budget by 2012. Director Ramanathan noted that increased issuance of State and Local Government Series (SLGS) securities has led to a decline of nearly $50 billion in marketable borrowing needs. In order to promote large, liquid sizes in its benchmark securities and in light of potential reduced borrowing needs in the near future, Director Ramanathan noted that one possible option would be to discontinue the 3-year note following the May 2007 auction. Director Ramanathan noted that current issuance sizes across bills and coupons may be approaching their lower limits. Discontinuing the 3-year note would promote liquidity in bills and other benchmark securities and eliminate the need for Treasury to resort to larger cuts across the curve which could impede market efficiency. Moreover, given the fiscal outlook and portfolio considerations, adjusting the auction calendar at this time was feasible. Director Ramanathan stated that Treasury had the capacity to raise more than $200 billion through increased bill and coupon issuance if needed through its current menu of offerings. Another chart noted that TIPS and longer term securities – based on current issuance patterns and sizes – would be primary tools in raising funds in the future. If positive fiscal trends continue in the future, additional reductions may be necessary through coupon reductions or calendar adjustments across the portfolio. The TBAC in the February 2007 meeting had suggested the 5-year TIPS as well as a consolidation of the 10-year note as other possible options. These options and others may need to be explored if current positive trends persist. Director Ramanathan then noted that the TBAC may want to consider several factors when contemplating adjustments to the auction calendar including portfolio considerations, the intermediate to long-term trends, non-marketable borrowing, and potential legislative changes. From a portfolio perspective, the ability to offer the market large, liquid offerings on its benchmark securities and grow the bill sector was important. The economic outlook remains stable but Treasury's current auction calendar has the ability to raise a large amount of funds fairly rapidly. Non-marketable borrowing trends, particularly those related to SLGS, could moderate, but a low interest rate environment may precipitate additional refinancings and issuance over the next few years. Finally, legislative changes related to tax policy or entitlement reform could occur and impose additional funding requirements, but the Treasury generally remained capable of funding such needs. The Committee turned to the decision facing the Treasury regarding the discontinuance of the 3-year note. One member noted that there is no futures contract and that any 3-year assets that investors want could be obtained through the Eurodollar market and swaps. Given both the decline in fiscal needs and concern about maintaining large liquid benchmarks, the Committee member noted that discontinuing the 3-year note at this point was sensible. Another member noted that market participants hoping to invest in the three-year space could purchase off the run 5-year notes as they roll down the curve. One member raised caveats including uncertainty about the Alternative Minimum Tax provisions, war expenditures, and cash outflows starting in 2008 and 2009. This member noted that if the fiscal situation becomes more pessimistic, the discontinuance of the 3-year note may put significant pressures on other instruments. This same member noted, however, that outlays remain below trend, and this might continue into the 2008 elections as Congress potentially remains in gridlock. Some members expressed the view that there was significant capacity to increase issuance in benchmark issues and bills. Several members noted that the market would welcome larger sizes in the core benchmark securities should the situation warrant such action. Other members noted that if at some future date, it was determined that more intermediate financing was needed, Treasury could reintroduce the 3-year note without significant disruption to the market. This member acknowledged that generally Treasury has considered the 3-year note to be a fairly flexible security, and that the market would not view reintroduction of the security negatively if such a move was properly telegraphed. Several members agreed with this perspective. At this point, Committee members reached consensus that discontinuing the 3-year note at this time was advisable. The Committee then considered the question of what might be done if the fiscal situation improves further. Committee members noted that Treasury may need to consider additional adjustments to the calendar if the fiscal outlook improved more rapidly than expected. Several members suggested that Treasury continue to evaluate other options in the event they need to be acted upon, including eliminating the 5-year TIPS, the consolidation of the 10-year note auction cycle, and any other prudent measures. One member pointed out that 5-year TIPS cash flows were not that unique and that real money investors where more interested in the cash flows generated by longer-dated TIPS. Another member noted that Treasury has shown commitment to the TIPS program, and given that inflation-indexed securities are a core element of the overall portfolio, TIPS need to be reviewed just as any other security. Another member suggested that Treasury should be flexible in considering all options. Most members felt that Treasury should keep its options open regarding the future fiscal situation and the potential need to cut financing. Members suggested that Treasury wait and evaluate technical and market factors as well as consider modifications of issue sizes and or elimination of reopenings in certain nominal or real issues. The Committee then addressed the second question in the charge regarding debt management within a framework of improving fiscal trends. Specifically, the Committee was asked to address what practices Treasury and market participants should consider in a significantly improving fiscal or surplus environment, given volatility in budget forecasts and the Administration's long-term plan to balance the budget. In addition, the Committee was asked to discuss what lessons can be learned from the 1998-2002 experience. A presenting member led the discussion with a high level overview of the current debt management framework-- where the framework is working-- and where Treasury might consider improvements. The member cited three key areas in the overall framework 1) debt management 2) cash management, and 3) risk management. In the area of debt management, the member felt Treasury had adequate tools to manage the debt in all environments. The set of tools, which have been clearly elucidated to market participants, includes changing issue sizes, frequencies, and finally, the menu of offerings. Debt management has been proceeding very well on all fronts, according to the member, particularly with respect to transparency and issuance decisions. Transparency worked greatly to Treasury's advantage in reducing borrowing costs. The member noted that Treasury has used buybacks in the past and should be prepared to use this tool in the future should the fiscal outlook rapidly improve. Regarding buybacks, the presenting member pointed out that Treasury had used one form of buybacks quite effectively in the past, and it may want to study another form of the buyback called "the switch" which is used by other countries. A switch involves issuing debt in one part of the yield curve to repurchase debt in another part of the curve. The member pointed out that previous buyback program had created significant cost savings for Treasury according to one study. The member also suggested the idea of continuous buybacks in small sizes to better balance the overall portfolio and maturity structure. In the area of cash management, the member noted that the timing of receipts often presented problems for Treasury, and that the Treasury Tax and Loan program was suboptimal from both a capacity and return standpoint. The member suggested that Treasury consider using excess cash to buy short-term bills and coupons and also consider engaging in repurchase agreements. Both options may offer greater returns to the Treasury. The presenting member then discussed Treasury's risk management, noting at the outset that other countries were further ahead in this area than the US. Specifically, the member suggested that Treasury consider using derivative transactions and swaps to change rollover risk. The member noted that such transactions would introduce credit risk into Treasury's portfolio, and that Treasury would need to decide if it wanted to accept such risk. The member noted that other counties such as Australia and Canada used these tools to continuing issuance despite having surpluses. The presenting member than solicited comments and reaction from other Committee members. One member stated that the way the past buyback program operated, in which Treasury asked the market for offers on a basket of securities and selected only the best offers, was not good for real-money accounts because there was uncertainty about which issues would be repurchased. Other members pointed out that the former buyback program, which focused generally on the long end of the market, was predicated on the idea that the US would be in surplus indefinitely and as such, long-term funding was no longer needed. Those members pointed out that fiscal outlooks change rapidly, and that such a motivation may have led to less than optimal repurchases. A discussion arose whether Treasury should engage in continuous buybacks - continuous purchases of small lots in the market in the range of $50 to $100 million to retire debt - as opposed to the buybacks in the past, which were reverse auctions as large a $3 billion. Several members thought continuous buybacks were not advisable because it may not fall into Treasury's regular and predictable behavior framework. Another member suggested that using excess cash to opportunistically retire maturing debt – particularly when large maturities were coming due – was prudent. With regard to using swaps, several members member thought that using such a tool ran counter Treasury's objectives. The Committee generally agreed that Treasury should continue to review its debt, cash, and risk management tools in light of the rapidly improving fiscal outlook in the event such instruments are necessary sooner rather than later. Finally, the Committee was asked about trends related to international flows and capital investments, and if the Committee had any thoughts or suggestions with regard to these trends and the impact of the trends on Treasury's mission. A Committee member presented a series of slides describing and characterizing international capital flows both into and out of the U.S. The member shared his thoughts on capital flows into various US capital markets including fixed income (Treasuries, agencies, corporate bonds), equities, direct investments (merger and acquisition related transactions), and private equity. The member noted the diverse set of inflows and the importance such inflows play in the U.S. economy. The Committee member noted that foreign capital inflows provide a rising share of U.S. debt financing and allow stable U.S. investment, despite low savings, at lower interest rates. Estimates regarding how much lower rates are from these foreign capital inflows varied between 20 and 150 basis points, though such estimates are extremely difficult to verify. The member also stated that the U.S. net foreign investment position is still modest relative to GDP, but is forecasted to grow significantly in coming years. The member noted that sources of foreign inflows are vulnerable to disruptions due to potential protectionist legislation, and that Congress should be wary of passing legislation related to international investment given their potential far reaching consequences. Several members agreed that international investment was critical to ensuring strong, competitive capital markets in the United States. One member noted that opportunities abound globally, but that international investors still seek U.S. investments in one form or another given the depth of its markets. Another member noted that the recent trend in establishing sovereign investment vehicles in Norway, China, Korea and other nations was a natural trend and that large flows of capital would still seek the most liquid, developed capital markets in the long run. One member suggested that Treasury offer products tailored to central banks given the amount of liquidity which they are seeking. Director Ramanathan noted that Treasury seeks to have the broadest base of investors through its security offerings, and that tailoring specific products for specific audiences was currently not being contemplated. Several members noted that the market needed to be aware that international investments came from many avenues and through many vehicles, and that forming a conclusion based on reviewing just one sector of the market, be it equities or Treasuries, was not wise. The meeting adjourned at 12:55 p.m. The Committee reconvened at the Hay-Adams Hotel at 6:10 p.m. All Committee members were present except for Richard A. Axilrod and Gary Cohn. The Chairman presented the Committee report to Assistant Secretary Ryan. A brief discussion followed the Chairman's presentation but did not raise significant questions regarding the report's content. The meeting adjourned at 6:20 p.m.

TREASURY ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR FINANCIAL MARKETS ANTHONY RYAN MAY 2007 QUARTERLY REFUNDING STATEMENT WASHINGTON, DC

- We are offering $32.0 billion of Treasury securities to refund approximately $54.6 billion of privately held securities maturing on May 15 and to pay down approximately $22.6 billion. The securities are: - A new 3-year note in the amount of $14.0 billion, maturing May 15, 2010; - A new 10-year note in the amount of $13.0 billion, maturing May 15, 2017; - A reopening of the 30-year bond in the amount of $5.0 billion, maturing February 15, 2037 These securities will be auctioned on a yield basis at 1:00 PM EDT on Monday, May 7, Tuesday May 8, and Thursday, May 10, respectively. All of these auctions will settle on Tuesday, May 15. The balance of our financing requirements will be met with weekly bills, monthly 2-year and 5-year notes, the June 10-year note reopening, and the July 10-year TIPS and 20-year TIPS reopening. Treasury also is likely to issue cash management bills in late May and early June. Debt Issuance Considerations Since our February 2007 statement, Treasury's ongoing monitoring of the fiscal and economic outlook has resulted in our decision to discontinue issuance of the 3-year note. Discontinuing the 3-year note will allow Treasury to ensure large liquid benchmark issuances, better balance its portfolio, and manage the improving fiscal outlook. The final scheduled auction of the 3-year note will be held on May 7, 2007. Treasury will continue to assess the fiscal and economic outlook and to review the size, frequency and issuance of securities. Thirty-Year Bond Issuance As noted in our August 2006 statement, Treasury will auction a new 29 ¾ - year bond with three months' accrued interest in August 2007, followed by a reopening of that bond in November 2007. This new 29 ¾ - year bond will mature in May 2037. Treasury Markets and Investor Participation Treasury places great importance on maintaining a highly liquid and efficient government bond market. As part of ongoing efforts to enhance the efficiency of debt management operations, including reducing risks and lowering borrowing costs, we are examining ways to enhance our cash and debt management practices. In addition, as we stated in February, we are in the process of updating our auction system. With respect to overall market efficiency and participation, Treasury acknowledges and supports private sector efforts to enhance the operating integrity of the Treasury marketplace, including the creation of principles-based guidance for all stakeholders in the US Treasury markets. Please send comments and suggestions on these subjects or others relating to Treasury debt management to debt.management@do.treas.gov. The next quarterly refunding announcement will take place on Wednesday, August 1, 2007.

April 30

Testimony of Dan Iannicola, Jr.
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Financial Education
Before the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Oversight of
Government Management, the Federal
Workforce, and the District of Columbia
Washington, DC- Good afternoon Chairman Akaka, Ranking Member Voinovich and distinguished members of the Subcommittee. Thank you for this opportunity to appear before you today to talk about the important issue of financial literacy in America. As Financial Literacy Month comes to a close, I would like to recognize the strong bi-partisan emphasis on this important topic. Thank you for sponsoring the Senate resolution supporting April as Financial Literacy Month. I would like to commend the House for their recognition of Financial Literacy Month as well. Additionally, President Bush issued a statement observing April as Financial Literacy Month.
Good afternoon Chairman Akaka, Ranking Member Voinovich and distinguished members of the Subcommittee. Thank you for this opportunity to appear before you today to talk about the important issue of financial literacy in America. As Financial Literacy Month comes to a close, I would like to recognize the strong bi-partisan emphasis on this important topic. Thank you for sponsoring the Senate resolution supporting April as Financial Literacy Month. I would like to commend the House for their recognition of Financial Literacy Month as well. Additionally, President Bush issued a statement observing April as Financial Literacy Month.

Secretary Paulson, along with the rest of the Administration, believes in the importance of increasing financial literacy levels across our nation. In fact, just last week President Bush recommitted his Administration to the cause of financial literacy and charged Secretary Paulson with building on the Financial Literacy and Education Commission's efforts to bring financial education to all Americans. Mr. Chairman, I commend you for your continued leadership on the issue of financial education and for focusing a national spotlight on this critical topic.

I would like to briefly discuss the financial literacy issue we are faced with, then discuss the responses to that issue to date and conclude with a discussion of next steps.

The Issue

Today Americans are faced with a robust marketplace of financial products and services which give them many more options than ever before in structuring their finances. However this has not always been the case. For example, there used to be only a few ways to finance a home, now there are numerous mortgage options. Credit cards used to be hard to come by, now consumer credit is widely available. At one time your employer managed your retirement, now with the steady migration from defined benefit plans to defined contribution plans, the individual has much more to think about.

Times have changed on us. This generation doesn't know any less about money than our parents or grandparents. It is simply that we need to know more now than they did then. It is as if every American has awoken to find himself or herself promoted to the position of CFO of his or her own household. Are we ready for the job? And if not, how do we address the new reality that our economic choices have simply outpaced our financial knowledge?

The answer, of course, is financial education. Only when we learn more about our money will we be able to move forward confidently in the modern financial marketplace. As a nation we need to learn more about saving and investing, using credit wisely, avoiding fraud and a number of other financial topics.

The Response

Three players are responding to the financial literacy issue: non-profits, businesses and the government.

Non-profits

Non-profit organizations of many varieties are involved in financial education. Some are large national organizations, while others are community-based groups that operate on the grass roots level. They address a variety of financial education issues for adults like banking the unbanked, providing credit counseling or free tax preparation, or helping people build assets to prepare for financial emergencies or to achieve financial goals. Other non-profits, including schools, center their efforts on young people. Some of these groups focus on school based programs that train students and teachers on money matters while other groups focus on reaching youth outside of the classroom.

Businesses

Many companies have also wisely recognized financial education as a cause worthy of their attention. Some companies develop curricula or donate funds for use in support of youth and adult financial education programs. Other companies encourage their associates to volunteer their time on financial literacy programs of non-profit organizations. Still other private sector firms devote resources to financially educate their own employees on money matters.

Federal Government

While the efforts of state and local governments to spread financial education have been commendable, this testimony will focus on the efforts at the federal level.

The Department of the Treasury supports the expansion of financial education both through its own work and through its leadership of a multi-agency commission. I will describe both roles.

Department of the Treasury

Several bureaus and offices within the Treasury Department work in the field of financial education. These include the Bureau of Public Debt (BPD), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Mint, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS), and the Office of the Treasurer. While all of these offices perform important tasks in financial education, Treasury's main effort in the field is conducted by its Office of Financial Education.

In 2002 Treasury established the Office of Financial Education. Since that time, the office has developed rapidly and now stands as a policy leader in the field of financial education in the U.S. and around the world. The office has five key functions.

1) Outreach

First, the office promotes and delivers financial education across the country through its ambitious outreach efforts. The Office has traveled to 42 states and held 304 financial education sessions reaching over 24,000 people and generating 470 media stories. Many of the people reached are educators, counselors, journalists, community leaders, or service providers who themselves engage in financial literacy outreach to many more Americans. This creates a multiplier effect which only increases the office's total impact.

The office has performed its work wherever needed, ranging from classrooms to corporate boardrooms to military bases, and even to the Gulf Coast region to counsel Katrina victims. The office has reached out to students of all ages, teachers, lenders, credit counselors, accountants, attorneys, community activists, the media and the public at large. The message to each group varied according to its specific needs but the theme has been the same, that financial knowledge is an empowering force that helps people improve their lives and realize their dreams.

2) Setting Standards for Quality Programs

The office's second function is to set standards for quality financial education. It does this through the development and dissemination of the "Eight Elements for Successful Financial Education" programs. Financial educators across the country have been using these qualitative standards to evaluate and enhance financial education programs.

3) Technical Assistance

Third, the office operates a Technical Assistance Center in English and Spanish for those seeking advice on establishing or improving financial education programs in their communities.

4) Brokering Partnerships

Fourth, the office uses its unique position within the financial education community to broker partnerships between the supply side and demand side of financial education. Some organizations have financial education resources to offer, while other organizations are in need of such resources. The office works with groups nationwide to help the right people get connected with the right resources to advance financial education.

5) Federal Government Coordination

The fifth and final role of the office is to coordinate financial education efforts across the federal government. Treasury's office of Financial Education performs this task by coordinating the activities of the Financial Literacy and Education Commission. The details of this function are described below

The Financial Literacy and Education Commission

The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions (FACT) Act of 2003 established a twenty agency group called the Financial Literacy and Education Commission. The FACT Act named the Secretary of the Treasury as chair of the Commission and gave the Commission and Treasury four mandates: a Web site, a hotline, a multimedia campaign and a national strategy.

I will describe progress on each of these projects.

1) Web Site

In October 2004, the Commission launched MyMoney.gov, a Web site designed to be a one-stop shop for federal financial education information which is available in English and Spanish. Operated by the General Services Administration (GSA), the Web site is organized intuitively, the way Americans live their lives instead of the way their government is structured--organized by topic rather than agency. Topics include Paying for Education, Saving and Investing, Home Ownership and Privacy, and Frauds and Scams. MyMoney.gov also provides links to financial education grants offered by different Commission agencies. The site has 399 links and has had 1,717,247 visitors, 1,053,004 in 2006 alone. On the site, visitors can also access an interactive, instructional quiz on financial literacy, view a public service announcement promoting MyMoney.gov and get information on the activities of the Commission.

2) Toll Free Hotline

In October 2004, the Commission also launched a toll free hotline called 1-888-MyMoney. Operated by the GSA, the hotline is available in English and Spanish and permits callers to order a free MyMoney toolkit. The English language toolkit contains eight federal publications covering topics from savings to investing to understanding the Social Security system. The Spanish language toolkit has six publications. To date, the MyMoney Hotline has received 18,781 calls, 15,508 calls in 2006 alone.

3) Multimedia Campaign

The Treasury is working with the Ad Council on the production of a campaign that will address the topic of credit literacy, emphasizing the impact of one's credit score. The project has progressed through the research and focus group stages and is now in the creative stage where advertising professionals are working to develop creative concepts to communicate the campaign message. The campaign is scheduled to launch in the fall of 2007.

4) National Strategy

The FACT Act also required the Commission to develop a national strategy for financial literacy. In April of 2006, the Commission released Taking Ownership of the Future - the National Strategy for Financial Literacy. The Strategy is a comprehensive blueprint for improving financial literacy in America, covering 13 areas of financial education in 13 chapters. At the end of each chapter are specific, numbered calls to action. Most of the actions are assigned to the federal government, but some of the activities are recommendations to the private sector or to individuals.

Since the launch of the Strategy just over a year ago, the Commission has been busy executing these "calls to action." These calls to action are milestones for the Commission which allows us to measure its performance and could not have been accomplished without the cooperation of all 20 member agencies. Below is a summary of progress on the Strategy's calls to action.

Chapter 1: General Saving

1-1 In April of 2007, Treasury and the American Savings Education Council launched a public service announcement on the importance of saving. The PSA promotes the website, MyMoney.gov and toll-free hotline, 1-888-MyMoney.
In April of 2007, Treasury and the American Savings Education Council launched a public service announcement on the importance of saving. The PSA promotes the website, MyMoney.gov and toll-free hotline, 1-888-MyMoney.

Chapter 2: Homeownership

2-1 In July of 2006, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Treasury co-hosted a roundtable which highlighted successful partnerships that have advanced homeownership. During the meeting, the complexity of identifying partners to advance homeownership was discussed at length. Participants cited best practices which have helped with foreclosure prevention, non-traditional mortgage products, and the identification of a variety of hidden costs.
In July of 2006, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Treasury co-hosted a roundtable which highlighted successful partnerships that have advanced homeownership. During the meeting, the complexity of identifying partners to advance homeownership was discussed at length. Participants cited best practices which have helped with foreclosure prevention, non-traditional mortgage products, and the identification of a variety of hidden costs.

Chapter 3: Retirement Saving

3-2 In April of 2006, the Small Business Administration (SBA) linked its online retirement training tools for small businesses to MyMoney.gov. In addition, the Department of Labor (DOL) and IRS developed and released a new publication, Payroll Deduction IRAs, to complement a series on retirement plan options for small employers. DOL conducted six fiduciary education seminars in coordination with IRS, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Society of Human Resources Management.
In April of 2006, the Small Business Administration (SBA) linked its online retirement training tools for small businesses to MyMoney.gov. In addition, the Department of Labor (DOL) and IRS developed and released a new publication, , to complement a series on retirement plan options for small employers. DOL conducted six fiduciary education seminars in coordination with IRS, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Society of Human Resources Management.

Chapter 4: Credit

4-1 In 2005, Treasury entered into an agreement with the Ad Council to develop and execute a multimedia public service announcement campaign on credit literacy for young adults. The campaign is scheduled to launch in the fall of 2007. It will also be available in Spanish.
In 2005, Treasury entered into an agreement with the Ad Council to develop and execute a multimedia public service announcement campaign on credit literacy for young adults. The campaign is scheduled to launch in the fall of 2007. It will also be available in Spanish.

Chapter 5: Consumer Protection

5-2 In April of 2006, Treasury released the DVD "Identity Theft: Outsmarting the Crooks," and made it available to the public through MyMoney.gov and 1-888-My Money. To date, 60,750 copies have been distributed.
In April of 2006, Treasury released the DVD "Identity Theft: Outsmarting the Crooks," and made it available to the public through MyMoney.gov and 1-888-My Money. To date, 60,750 copies have been distributed.

Chapter 6: Taxpayer Rights

6-2 In the first full year of the "Go Direct" campaign, which ended in June of 2006, Treasury and the Federal Reserve Banks converted 600,000 paper check recipients to direct deposit enrollees. An additional 160,000 people were enrolled as of December of 2006. The success of the program would not be possible without the cooperation and support of financial institutions across the country. The program will continue through 2007.
In the first full year of the "Go Direct" campaign, which ended in June of 2006, Treasury and the Federal Reserve Banks converted 600,000 paper check recipients to direct deposit enrollees. An additional 160,000 people were enrolled as of December of 2006. The success of the program would not be possible without the cooperation and support of financial institutions across the country. The program will continue through 2007.
6-3 As a result of the Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) public awareness campaign on the new Medicare drug benefit that encourages seniors and people with disabilities to take a look at their prescription drug coverage options, over 90 percent of those with Medicare have some form of drug coverage. Of those, almost 24 million have prescription drug coverage through the new Medicare Part D benefit. HHS worked with 40,000 partners and conducted more than 12,000 events to educate taxpayers and beneficiaries on enrolling in the Part D program. As of late January 2007, more than 1.4 million beneficiaries have enrolled in Medicare's Part D program since June of 2006, bringing the total number of people with Medicare receiving comprehensive prescription drug coverage to more than 39 million.
As a result of the Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) public awareness campaign on the new Medicare drug benefit that encourages seniors and people with disabilities to take a look at their prescription drug coverage options, over 90 percent of those with Medicare have some form of drug coverage. Of those, almost 24 million have prescription drug coverage through the new Medicare Part D benefit. HHS worked with 40,000 partners and conducted more than 12,000 events to educate taxpayers and beneficiaries on enrolling in the Part D program. As of late January 2007, more than 1.4 million beneficiaries have enrolled in Medicare's Part D program since June of 2006, bringing the total number of people with Medicare receiving comprehensive prescription drug coverage to more than 39 million.

Chapter 8: The Unbanked

8-1 To date, three regional conferences have been held on how to reach the unbanked. The conferences were held in Chicago, IL in May 2006; Edinburg, TX in December 2006; and Seattle, WA in March 2007. The conferences have touched on topics such as building partnerships and identifying solutions, serving immigrant communities, reaching young customers, and providing financial education to help new and potential bank customers. The conferences were accomplished by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), OCC, OTS, Treasury, the Federal Reserve Banks of Chicago, Dallas, and San Francisco, along with assistance from HUD, partnering to bring a wide range of attendees together on the topic of the unbanked population. After the final regional conference is completed in the fall of 2007, a white paper will be released which will summarize the conferences findings and make recommendations based on them.
To date, three regional conferences have been held on how to reach the unbanked. The conferences were held in Chicago, IL in May 2006; Edinburg, TX in December 2006; and Seattle, WA in March 2007. The conferences have touched on topics such as building partnerships and identifying solutions, serving immigrant communities, reaching young customers, and providing financial education to help new and potential bank customers. The conferences were accomplished by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), OCC, OTS, Treasury, the Federal Reserve Banks of Chicago, Dallas, and San Francisco, along with assistance from HUD, partnering to bring a wide range of attendees together on the topic of the unbanked population. After the final regional conference is completed in the fall of 2007, a white paper will be released which will summarize the conferences findings and make recommendations based on them.

Chapter 9: Multilingual / Multicultural Populations

9-1 In March of 2007, the first roundtable took place at Treasury and was focused on the Native populations. The roundtable touched on the needs and wants of Native populations and how financial education can help. Other topics included public and private partnerships, access to financial institutions and services, and public awareness events on reservations.
In March of 2007, the first roundtable took place at Treasury and was focused on the Native populations. The roundtable touched on the needs and wants of Native populations and how financial education can help. Other topics included public and private partnerships, access to financial institutions and services, and public awareness events on reservations.

Chapter 10: Kindergarten – Postsecondary Financial Education

10-1 In February of 2007, the Department of Education (ED) and Treasury co-hosted a two-day summit on kindergarten through postsecondary financial education. The summit brought together teachers, students, program providers and researchers from across the country to discuss the role of financial education at school, non-school venues and college level programs to assist others who are starting or enhancing programs. The summit findings will be made available to the public in the summer of 2007.
In February of 2007, the Department of Education (ED) and Treasury co-hosted a two-day summit on kindergarten through postsecondary financial education. The summit brought together teachers, students, program providers and researchers from across the country to discuss the role of financial education at school, non-school venues and college level programs to assist others who are starting or enhancing programs. The summit findings will be made available to the public in the summer of 2007.

Chapter 12: Coordination

12-1 The Commission continues to enhance MyMoney.gov. In 2006, the "Money 20" interactive quiz was added to the Web site, where visitors can test their knowledge with a 20-question online quiz which covers a variety of personal finance issues. Currently, all Commission members have links to MyMoney.gov from their agencies' Web sites.
The Commission continues to enhance MyMoney.gov. In 2006, the "Money 20" interactive quiz was added to the Web site, where visitors can test their knowledge with a 20-question online quiz which covers a variety of personal finance issues. Currently, all Commission members have links to MyMoney.gov from their agencies' Web sites.
12-2 In August of 2006, GSA and Treasury completed the first survey of Federal financial education programs and resources. Findings have shown very little overlap or duplication among Federal financial education efforts. The overlap noted was found to be minor and necessary to the completeness of a particular resource or topic.
In August of 2006, GSA and Treasury completed the first survey of Federal financial education programs and resources. Findings have shown very little overlap or duplication among Federal financial education efforts. The overlap noted was found to be minor and necessary to the completeness of a particular resource or topic.
12-5 In April of 2007, Treasury and Office of Personnel Management (OPM) hosted the inaugural meeting of the "National Financial Education Network" of federal, state and local governments. The network will meet regularly by phone to discuss topics related to financial education.
In April of 2007, Treasury and Office of Personnel Management (OPM) hosted the inaugural meeting of the "National Financial Education Network" of federal, state and local governments. The network will meet regularly by phone to discuss topics related to financial education.

Efficiency

Since part of the focus of this Subcommittee is government management, I wanted to comment briefly on the manner in which this Commission has been managed. During its work, the Commission has sought to carry out the purpose of the FACT Act by coordinating the federal effort and helping the 20 agencies to work together more efficiently on the issue of financial education. Many of the mandates of the FACT Act can be met through such cooperation. The consequence of this is that, in many cases, the Commission has been able to add value without needing to add resources. As good stewards of federal funds, the Commission is obligated to seek the least costly way to meet its obligations under the law. With a number of accomplishments and few expenditures, the Commission has been successful thus far in achieving good value for Congress, the Administration and the American taxpayer.

Government Accountability Office Review of the Commission

In December of 2006, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a report on the Commission. We on the Commission welcomed the insights of GAO on how we could better accomplish our important mission on behalf of the American people. The Commission chose to consider the GAO recommendations as part of the Commission's annual review of the Strategy which is required by the FACT Act. During that review the Commission incorporated many of the GAO recommendations into its 2007 revisions to the Strategy. For instance, GAO recommended that definitions to "financial education" and "financial literacy" be added to the Strategy; in response the Commission defined and incorporated both terms. Also consistent with GAO's recommendations, the Commission plans to conduct usability testing of and measure customer satisfaction with MyMoney.gov by 2009.

Additionally, GAO suggested an independent review of the federal financial education programs and resources. Although the FACT Act does not require an independent review of such programs and resources, the Commission decided to pursue such a review, with the first series of assessments to be completed in 2009. Lastly, GAO recommended that the Commission work closely with private entities and state and local governments to improve financial literacy. In response, on April 17, 2007 Treasury and OPM co-hosted the Commission's inaugural meeting of the "National Financial Education Network" of federal, state and local governments at Treasury. This network will facilitate precisely the type of cooperation called for in the GAO report.

Next Steps

The Strategy outlines clear steps for the Commission to implement in the next few years.

In the remainder of 2007, the Commission will continue working on issues pertaining to credit literacy, general savings, retirement planning, homeownership preservation and youth financial education while performing special outreach to minority communities. To succeed, we will convene those leading efforts in the private and public sectors through regional conferences, national roundtables and an international summit. The Commission will issue policy papers and meeting findings to further national efforts on financial education. In addition, Treasury plans to launch a multimedia campaign. Lastly, the Commission will continue performing regular enhancements to MyMoney.gov and 1-888-MyMoney.

In 2008, the Commission will host a roundtable discussion on insurance issues as well as an academic research symposium on financial education.

Later in 2009, the Commission intends to conduct a usability testing and customer satisfaction survey of MyMoney.gov as well as complete the first series of independent assessments of federal financial education programs and resources.

Conclusion

I hope this discussion has given an insightful overview of Treasury's and the Commission's work on financial literacy.

While it is valuable to look at this issue from a high level as a policy matter, it is also helpful to view it in terms of the individual and the difference it can make to his or her future. Put simply, there are two paths before each person we are all trying to help. The first is a rocky path that leads to a place where the complexity of the marketplace appears overwhelming, where people are easy prey for fraud and where bad choices lead to bad outcomes that can last a lifetime.

The other path travels through financial literacy and it takes people to a place where understanding replaces apprehension, where people make the most of their abundant options and where they have a tangible, enduring stake in their futures – it is a place some of us refer to as the Ownership Society. It comes from the idea that a true community is based more on shared aspirations than shared geography. Each of us wants to provide for our families, have a comfortable retirement and achieve financial security. These goals become more obtainable when we are financially literate, and that is why financial education is a priority for Secretary Paulson and for this Administration. We hope that through our emphasis on increased financial literacy people gain the skills to make better decisions and live better lives.

Now, I will be happy to answer any questions from the Subcommittee concerning financial literacy.

CROSS-BORDER DERIVATIVES REPORTING SYSTEM BECOMES OPERATIONAL Washington, DC – The Treasury Department today announced that it will begin publication on May 15, 2007, of a quarterly data series on U.S. cross-border derivatives contracts on the Treasury International Capital (TIC) reporting system website. These series are the result of a new TIC data collection and will expand information on U.S. international portfolio capital movements and the U.S. international investment position. Templates for the website derivatives data files and a brief description of the data are available in the news section on the U.S. Treasury TIC web site (www.treas.gov/tic). The new data will provide information on gross positive and gross negative fair-value positions, and on net cash settlements, by type of contract and by country. The data are collected on the basis of the residence of the counterparties, and conform to international guidelines for reporting derivatives data to be used in the computation of the balance of payments accounts and the international investment position. A more complete description of the data will be published by the Federal Reserve Board on its website, also on May 15. The data on U.S. derivatives released on May 15 will cover the period beginning as of December 31, 2005, through December 31, 2006. Thereafter, the data will be updated in January, April, July and October on the day that monthly TIC data are published

Treasury Statement on Release of President
Bush’s
ID Theft Task Force Strategy
Washington, DC- President Bush's Identity Theft Task Force today released its strategic plan for combating identity theft, the top consumer fraud reported to the Federal Trade Commission.
- President Bush's Identity Theft Task Force today released its strategic plan for combating identity theft, the top consumer fraud reported to the Federal Trade Commission.

Treasury Deputy Assistant Secretary for Critical Infrastructure Protection and Compliance Policy D. Scott Parsons, who led the Department's efforts with the taskforce, released the following statement today:

"President Bush recognized that identity theft is a crime with global reach and potentially serious consequences for our security and economic well-being. The criminals are sophisticated and the crimes can have a lasting impact on victims' lives.

"Many agencies, like the Treasury, have existing plans to combat identity theft, but this strategy promotes enhanced coordination among federal, state, and local authorities and recognizes the need for private sector participation. The report will serve as a blueprint for preventing and tracking down identity thieves and giving them due justice. More importantly, it charts a course to improve public awareness and data security, to prevent the opportunities for these crimes and to assist victims."

The Treasury Department is a member of the 17-agency task force, co-chaired by Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and FTC Chairman Deborah Majoras. The group, created by executive order in May 2006, developed 31 major recommendations for the plan. More information can be found at www.idtheft.gov.

Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson, Jr. Statement on the 2007 Social Security and Medicare Trust Fund Reports

WASHINGTON--The Social Security and Medicare Board of Trustees met this afternoon to complete their annual financial review of the programs and to transmit the Trustees Reports to Congress. I welcome my Cabinet colleagues and the Public Trustees, Tom Saving and John Palmer, two well-respected experts in their field. The nation is indeed fortunate to have your service.

For decades, Social Security and Medicare have provided vital support for Americans. As the baby boom generation moves into retirement, these programs face progressively larger financial challenges. If we do not take action soon to reform Social Security and Medicare, the coming demographic bulge will jeopardize the programs' ability to support people who depend on them. Without change, rising costs will drive government spending to unprecedented levels, consume nearly all projected federal revenues, and threaten America's future prosperity. I urge my friends in Congress to join me in a bipartisan effort to strengthen both programs for future retirees.

This year's Social Security report again demonstrates that the Social Security program is financially unsustainable and requires reform. In just 10 years, cash flows are projected to turn negative, and the Trust Funds are projected to be exhausted in 2041. Reform is needed and time is of the essence. The longer we delay, the larger the required adjustments will be – and the burden of making those adjustments will fall more heavily on future generations.

Social Security's unfunded obligation - the difference between the present values of Social Security inflows and outflows less the existing trust fund - equals $4.7 trillion over the next 75 years and $13.6 trillion on a permanent basis. The actuarial imbalance expressed as a percent of taxable payroll is 1.95 percent over 75 years and 3.5 percent over the indefinite future. This means that, to make the system whole on a permanent basis, the combined payroll tax rate would have to be raised immediately by about one-third from 12.4 percent to about 15.9 percent, or benefits reduced immediately by 22 percent.

This report confirms the need for action; the sooner we take action to strengthen Social Security's financial footing, the less drastic the needed reforms will be. President Bush has called for solutions that generate a permanently sustainable Social Security system through bipartisan efforts. The President has put forward a number of well-considered ideas. And he has asked me to reach out to lawmakers in both parties and listen to all ideas. We need serious and thoughtful engagement from all sides to make sure Social Security is strengthened and sustained for future generations.

The 2007 Medicare Trustees Report shows even greater financial challenges. Medicare faces the same demographic trends as Social Security, and, in addition, the system must cope with large increases in health care costs.

Cash flow for the Hospital Insurance (HI) Trust Fund is projected to be negative this year and for all subsequent years. The HI Trust Fund is projected to become insolvent in 2019, one year later than projected in last year's report, and the 75-year estimated actuarial imbalance as a percent of payroll is 3.55, a slight deterioration from last year's report. On a permanent basis, the imbalance is unchanged at 5.8 percent of payroll.

The Supplementary Medical Insurance (SMI) Trust Fund, which includes Part B for outpatient services and the new Part D prescription drug benefit, is financed in large part by general revenues as well as beneficiary premiums. SMI expenditures are projected to increase rapidly, resulting in growing pressures on future federal budgets and, in turn, the U.S. economy. General revenue financing for SMI is expected to increase from about 1 percent of GDP in 2006 to nearly 5 percent in 2081.

Today, seniors all over America have guaranteed access to affordable prescription drug coverage. The market-based structure of the new prescription drug benefit appears to be working. Average premiums for Part D have come down this year.

The facts are clear: reforms to both Medicare and Social Security are urgently needed. The serious concerns raised by the Trustees Reports demand the attention of America's policymakers and the public. Americans who depend on Social Security and Medicare are relying on those of us in public to address the long-term funding issues. Successful long-term reform of these programs is a shared responsibility and we all have to rise to the challenge.

April 20

STATEMENT ON NORTH KOREAN-RELATED FUNDS FROZEN AT BANCO DELTA ASIA The United States understands that the Macau authorities are prepared to unblock all North Korean-related accounts currently frozen in Banco Delta Asia. Based on previous discussions with Chinese, Macanese, and DPRK officials, as well as understandings reached with the DPRK on the use of these funds, the United States would support a decision by the Macau authorities to unblock the accounts in question. Throughout this process we have appreciated the consistent help, goodwill, and professionalism shown by the Macanese authorities and look forward to continued cooperation between the United States and Macau.

TREASURY, IRS ISSUE FINAL REGULATIONS ON NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION WASHINGTON, DC--The Treasury Department and the IRS today issued final regulations on the treatment of nonqualified deferred compensation plans and arrangements under section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code. "Since the enactment of section 409A in 2004, Treasury and the IRS have worked hard to develop these regulations on the treatment of nonqualified deferred compensation plans," said Treasury Assistant Secretary for Tax Policy Eric Solomon. "These regulations comprehensively address how employers can identify nonqualified deferred compensation plans and arrangements subject to section 409A and provide rules to help employers and employees comply." The regulations provide guidance regarding the requirements for deferral elections and payment timing under section 409A. Affected plans and arrangements are required to comply with documentation requirements established in the final regulations by December 31, 2007. The final regulations generally implement the rules provided in the proposed regulations published on September 30, 2005, but include revisions reflecting numerous comments received from the public. The regulations are in response to legislation enacted by Congress in 2004 to address concerns involving reported abuses of nonqualified deferred compensation plans. Published along with the regulations was Notice 2007-34, which includes additional guidance regarding the application of section 409A to split-dollar life insurance arrangements and provides that certain amendments of such arrangements to comply with section 409A will not be treated as a material modification. A copy of the final section 409A regulations and a copy of Notice 2007-34 are attached. Related Documents: Final Regulations on Nonqualified Deferred Compensation (TD 9321.pdf) http://www.treas.gov/press/releases/reports/td9321.pdf Notice 2007-34 http://www.treas.gov/press/releases/reports/notice200734.pdf

STATEMENT BY TREASURY SECRETARY HENRY M. PAULSON, JR. FOLLOWING MEETING OF G-7 FINANCE MINISTERS AND CENTRAL BANK GOVERNORS Washington, DC--I was pleased to host the G-7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors today here in Washington. We addressed many important issues on a very full agenda. The current global expansion provides a positive backdrop to our discussions. The U.S. economy is healthy and is making a transition to a sustainable expansion. GDP growth in the 4th quarter was 2.5 percent and U.S. output is up by 3.1 percent over the past 4 quarters. Inflation remains moderate and the U.S. labor market is healthy, with low unemployment, steady job gains, and strong real wage growth. The overall strength of the U.S. economy has led to an improved federal budget situation over the past two years. The deficit, which was 1.9 percent of GDP in FY2006, has been cut in half three years ahead of schedule and the Administration's budget projects a return to a surplus by 2012. We continue to watch developments in the subprime mortgage market. While challenges in this market do not appear to pose a serious risk to the overall economy, many families have been affected. As I testified before Congress earlier this month, we are working closely with housing sector regulators on this issue. Nevertheless, we remain aware of risks to the world economy. Fuel prices remain high and volatile. Protectionist pressures are rising. Global financial markets are vulnerable to reversals, as we saw earlier this year, though the system has proved to be resilient and adjustments orderly. My colleagues and I discussed the initial progress made towards implementing policies to help reduce global imbalances, including some rebalancing of global demand. However, more needs to be done. We need global demand to be underpinned by strong domestic demand in major economies such as Japan and Europe, and the cyclical upswings need to be translated into lasting improvements in potential growth. Greater exchange rate flexibility and stronger domestic demand in China are critical parts of rebalancing, and it is crucial that China move now with greater urgency. Oil exporters also need to undertake measures to increase investment and consumption. Tonight I will have a working dinner with my G-7 and Chinese colleagues. We will be joined by our counterparts from Russia, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates to discuss investment flows from oil exporters to gain a sharper understanding of this increasingly important issue. I have emphasized that our capital markets in the United States and abroad are vital to global economic growth. At our meetings today, I talked with my colleagues about the United States' approach to private pools of capital, including hedge funds, provided by the U.S. President's Working Group on Financial Markets (PWG). The PWG recognized the rapid growth of this industry and the increasing complexity of the financial instruments that hedge funds use. The U.S. federal regulators and policymakers unanimously moved in February to give unified, forward-leaning guidance for market participants for enhanced vigilance and market discipline. The PWG will continue to encourage market participants to take up this guidance. In our meetings today, we also discussed how robust domestic bond markets are necessary for the growth and stability of all economies, including the emerging markets. We continued our discussion about securities and mutual recognition among comparable regulatory regimes. In today's global marketplace, I believe this is an idea well worth considering and I will be supportive of our regulators' efforts to make progress in this area. We are at a critical juncture for progress on the Doha Development Round of trade negotiation, and we had a serious discussion on the way forward. I urged my fellow Finance Ministers to encourage their trade ministers to achieve an ambitious deal because of the Round's potential to stimulate growth and economic development. Substantial progress on services, including financial services, must be integral part of a development round, so Finance Ministries need to work together to reinvigorate the financial services negotiations. Progress must be based on a substantive break-through. As major shareholders of the IMF, the G-7 have a strong interest in safeguarding the legitimacy and effectiveness of that institution. To do so, we must make the IMF look more like the world economy in which it operates. The rise of emerging markets needs to be reflected in the IMF's governance structure. That is why it is essential, first and foremost, that we be bold and follow through with fundamental reform of IMF quotas. I think there is a path forward that could achieve this objective, but doing so will require a rededication by many countries to the understanding that a strong IMF benefits us all. A more representative IMF, however, will mean little without significant improvements in the institution's surveillance over exchange rate policies. For this reason, the G-7 reaffirmed our strong support for quick action to update the IMF's 30-year-old principles and procedures for exchange rate surveillance. We had a good discussion on policies to promote development in low-income countries, especially ways to address debt sustainability concerns. Responsible lending policies and practices are fundamental to our efforts to enhance support to low-income countries. The key to preserving debt sustainability is to build upon and support the work reflected in the IMF/World Bank Joint Debt Sustainability Framework, and for all creditors to incorporate the framework into their lending practices. We reaffirmed our commitment to vigorously counter money laundering, terrorist financing, and other illicit finance to promote the stability and integrity of the international financial system. We called on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to address emerging threats, including the threat of WMD proliferation finance, and to enhance implementation of FATF standards around the world. Energy efficiency and security were also on the agenda. The United States is committed to improving energy security and tackling the important issue of climate change, as evidenced by the Administration's January announcement of the "Twenty in Ten" initiative. I urged my colleagues to explore creative policies to address these issues that will engage developing countries. We also need to explore options for accelerating market penetration of low-carbon energy technologies. Solving climate change is fundamentally a technology challenge, so we must consider how best to achieve this goal. Thank you.

STATEMENT BY U.S. TREASURY SECRETARY HENRY M. PAULSON, JR. AT THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY AND FINANCIAL COMMITTEE MEETING WASHINGTON, DC--Today's meeting is taking place against the backdrop of a continued strong and resilient global economy, which provides a favorable setting for overcoming the challenges we face. Both advanced and emerging economies have put in place improved policy frameworks that are underpinning sustained growth. With global growth expected to be near 5% this year, the past five years mark the strongest period of world growth since the early 1970s. Recent bouts of moderate financial turbulence, in mid-2006 and again in early 2007, have tested the system, but it has performed well. While ongoing vigilance is required, inflation risks appear contained and international trade continues to expand. Prospects for the U.S. economy are good. While economic activity slowed below potential in late 2006, we expect GDP growth to rebound to 3% by the end of this year. Inflation risks appear to be contained, while the labor market is healthy – with 7.8 million new jobs created since mid-2003, low unemployment and strong real wage growth. I am happy to report that the U.S. continues to make excellent progress in steadily shrinking our federal fiscal deficit, which fell from 3.6% in FY2004 to 1.9% in FY2006, a pace faster than most thought likely. We are committed to keeping the U.S. economy open to trade and investment, which underpins our economic strength, and to opposing protectionism whenever and wherever it arises. Trade liberalization remains essential to economic growth for all countries and a key catalyst for poverty reduction in the less developed countries. Now that Doha Round negotiations have resumed, we must seize the opportunity to reach agreement. All countries will benefit from an agreement, and all countries – both developed and developing – must contribute through real market access commitments in agriculture, manufacturing, and services, including financial services. The financial sector in particular is the backbone of a modern economy with virtually every other sector of the economy depending on its services. Over the last several months, the United States has been a participant in the IMF-sponsored Multilateral Consultations on global imbalances. While these consultations were never intended to produce joint policy commitments, they have still contributed importantly to improved understanding about the participants' shared responsibilities for promoting adjustment of imbalances. Indeed, there has been some re-balancing of global demand over the last year, but it is important to ensure that the cyclical upturn now underway in many countries is translated into lasting improvements in underlying potential growth. Looking forward, we hope for faster sustained demand growth from Europe and Japan, more demand growth from major surplus countries, and greater exchange rate flexibility in Asian emerging economies, especially China. The counterpart to a falling U.S. trade deficit, by definition, is falling trade surpluses in other economies. Progress on IMF Reform The IMF is an essential organization for international monetary cooperation. It has proven this since its inception – fostering growth and integration in the wake of World War II; strengthening international surveillance after the breakdown of the Bretton Woods System; helping the global financial system overcome the debt crises of the 1980s and 1990s; and facilitating the transition of command economies. In serving the global economy, the Fund has adapted to changing times while adhering to its basic principles. The world is fast changing again. For the IMF to remain modern and relevant, it must re-invent itself. That is what our discussions on the Medium Term Strategy are all about. First and foremost, the IMF must fundamentally reform its approach to surveillance over exchange rates. Let us be clear: exercising firm surveillance over members' exchange rate policies is the core function of the institution. The 1977 Decision on Surveillance over Exchange Rate Policies must be updated to reflect the dramatic rise of capital flows and the wider use of market-determined floating exchange rates, and to sharpen the focus on fundamental exchange rate misalignment. This should enable firmer surveillance in areas where market forces are not the prevailing paradigm, such as insufficiently flexible exchange rate regimes, or areas where macroeconomic policies and performance are poor even if the exchange rate freely floats. The updating should be accomplished in a manner that creates no new obligations under the IMF Articles. It should also incorporate the realities of how surveillance is actually undertaken in this day and age, and ensure that the conduct of surveillance is even-handed and candid. If exchange rate issues are not debated critically and openly at the Fund, alternative venues and approaches will necessarily emerge. For us, reform of the IMF's foreign exchange surveillance is the lynchpin on which other reforms depend, and we look forward to action in this important area very soon after these meetings. Moreover, it is not simply enough to revise the 1977 Decision. The IMF staff must do a better job in addressing foreign exchange surveillance on a day-to-day basis, particularly in Article IV reports. Second, as part of the modernization and re-invention process, the IMF's governance structure needs to be overhauled. The Fund no longer looks like the world economy in which we live. Marginal reforms that do not fundamentally alter relative quota shares are insufficient – bold action is needed to boost the share of dynamic emerging market countries. Major emerging markets are producing an increasing share of global output, assuming greater responsibility for the functioning of the system, and will increasingly drive global growth. We continue to support protecting the shares of the poorest countries through an increase in basic votes. We reiterate the commitment of the United States to forgo the additional quota due us in the second stage ad hoc increase beyond what we need to maintain our pre-Singapore voting share and we reiterate our as of yet largely unheard call on other similarly situated countries to join us in doing this. As part of this broader reform package, we have listened to our colleagues in emerging markets and we will support a new liquidity instrument to promote further reduction of vulnerabilities to capital account crises, provided the instrument is well-designed. We expect the instrument to include a high standard for qualification and provide that a country, which fully draws its funding under the instrument and subsequently requires additional resources, do so under a new IMF program. Policy actions to deepen domestic local currency capital markets should be an important part of efforts to mitigate the risks to national balance sheets. Two important external reports have been issued since we last met, both of which have provided useful insights on key issues facing the Fund. The Malan Report on Bank/Fund Collaboration provides recommendations on sharpening the focus of the IMF's work in low-income countries. We very much agree with these recommendations. The Fund has a very important role to play in poor countries, through surveillance, technical assistance, and financing when appropriate. But the IMF is not a development agency, and we strongly concur with the report's recommendation that the IMF's financing role in low-income countries should focus on actual balance of payments needs, as it does in emerging market members. The Crockett Report will help catalyze the Executive Board's thinking on the important issue of how the IMF finances itself in the longer-term. The IMF has ample reserves to cover shortfalls in the immediate term, permitting time to fully consider the merits of the Report's recommendations. In parallel, options for further budget restraint must also be fully explored. If low levels of credit persist, the Board will need to give serious consideration to the appropriate role and size of the IMF going forward. The Report puts forward a number of financing options, and we are prepared to consider each on their merits in time. Since we last met, there has been important progress on strengthening the joint World Bank/IMF Debt Sustainability Framework and Debt Sustainability Analyses (DSAs) for low-income countries. Vigilance will be required to deter the rapid re-accumulation of debt for post-MDRI countries, and we urge emerging bilateral creditors to exercise good judgment and lend responsibly. To this end, we hope that lenders and borrowers will use the DSAs as a tool for analysis and decision making. Vigorous global efforts to combat terrorist financing, WMD proliferation financing, and other forms of illicit financing are necessary to promote international financial stability and global security. We must continue to assist countries in implementing the Financial Action Task Force's (FATF's) international standards on money laundering and terrorist financing. The IMF and World Bank have been major partners in this vital global effort, and we look for their continued close collaboration with FATF going forward. We also call on all countries to fulfill their UN obligations by implementing UN Security Council Resolutions 1540, 1718, 1737, and 1747 against WMD proliferation, particularly the economic and financial provisions of those resolutions. We commend FATF's effort to examine the risks of WMD proliferation financing and to enhance surveillance of emerging threats to the financial system. Thank you.

G-7 DEPUTIES EXCHANGED VIEWS WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR ON HEDGE FUNDS Washington, DC- In the follow up of G-7 Finance Ministers' discussion in Essen on the role of hedge funds, G-7 Deputies had an exchange of views with hedge fund managers, prime brokers and counterparties at the margins of the spring meeting of the Bretton Woods institutions in Washington DC. The meeting was co-chaired by the G-7 presidency, State Secretary Thomas Mirow and Under Secretary of the Treasury, Tim Adams. After hearing a presentation by Under Secretary of the Treasury, Robert Steel, on the "Principles and Guidelines Regarding Private Pools of Capital" of the President's Working Group on Financial Markets, a progress report was given by the chairman of the Financial Stability Forum, Mario Draghi, on the update of the institution's 2000 report on Highly Leveraged Institutions. In addition, the chairman of the "Counterparty Risk Management Policy Group II", E. Gerald Corrigan, briefed participants on the implementation of the group's 2005 report's findings. The discussion with private sector participants focused on best practices on risk management, current hedge fund and private equity regulations and disclosure issues, including a discussion of best practices. G-7 Deputies agreed to keep the matter under further consideration

Testimony of Treasury Assistant Secretary For Tax Policy
Eric Solomon
Before the Senate Finance Committee on
Ways to Reduce the Tax Gap

Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member Grassley, and distinguished Members of the Committee, thank you for the opportunity to discuss our strategy to reduce the tax gap, including the legislative proposals included in the President's Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 Budget request to Congress.

The vast majority of Americans pay their taxes voluntarily and on time. The voluntary compliance rate is approximately 85 percent. Nonetheless, there remains a substantial difference between what taxpayers should pay and what they actually pay. The IRS estimates that the tax gap was $290 billion in 2001, after accounting for late payments and enforcement activities. Each year, compliant taxpayers are required to make up for this shortfall.

The Administration is committed to reducing the tax gap without unduly burdening honest taxpayers who currently meet their tax obligations. In September 2006, the Office of Tax Policy released a comprehensive strategy (the Treasury Strategy) to reduce the tax gap. This strategy forms the basis for our legislative and IRS appropriation proposals in the FY 2008 Budget, while also emphasizing that any strategy must take into account additional components such as a commitment to research, improvements to information technology, and strengthening taxpayer service.

Magnitude and Source of Tax Gap

In recent months, there has been a significant level of discussion about the tax gap. Much of this discussion has focused on the IRS's release last February of estimates of the tax gap in 2001. These estimates included the results from the 2001 National Research Program (NRP), which examined compliance with the individual income and self-employment (SECA) taxes. The estimates of compliance with other types of taxes were projections derived from older studies.

Before focusing on our proposals, it is important to differentiate between the gross tax gap and the net tax gap. The "gross tax gap" is the difference between the amount of tax that taxpayers should pay under the tax law and the amount they actually pay on time. The IRS estimates that the gross tax gap was $345 billion in tax year 2001, resulting in a voluntary compliance rate of 83.7 percent. This estimate, however, does not take into account taxes that were paid voluntarily but late, or recoveries from IRS enforcement activities. Taking these factors into account, the "net tax gap" was an estimated $290 billion in tax year 2001, which represents a net compliance rate of 86.3 percent. Thus, $55 billion of the gross tax gap for 2001 is in the government coffers.

These compliance rates are consistent with historical patterns. IRS estimates of voluntary compliance rates have ranged between 80 and 85 percent for over two decades, although research limitations generally prevent us from measuring fluctuations during this time period. The tax gap is not a new problem, and it will not be eliminated overnight.

The tax gap results from a variety of errors, including non-filing, underreporting of taxes, or underpayment of taxes. It is estimated that over 80 percent of the gross tax gap is attributable to underreporting of tax (including underreported income or overstated deductions and credits). Over 40 percent of the gross tax gap is attributable to underreporting of net business income by individuals (affecting both individual income and self-employment taxes).

Noncompliance is highest among taxpayers whose income is not subject to third-party information reporting or withholding requirements. For 2001, it was estimated that 54 percent of net income from proprietors (including businesses, farms, and ranches), rents and royalties was misreported. In contrast, only one percent of tax due on wage income, which is reported by employers and subject to withholding, was not reported to the IRS by return filers in 2001.

IRS data do not reveal the extent to which the tax gap results from intentional evasion rather than unintentional errors by well-meaning taxpayers who are confused by the increasing complexity of the tax law. Determining taxpayer intent during a regular examination is very difficult. For obvious reasons, taxpayers do not concede that their erroneous reporting is intentional, and any analysis of the nature of the error by IRS examiners is inherently subjective. Moreover, complexity provides those taxpayers who are predisposed to taking aggressive positions the opportunity to argue that their errors were unintentional.

It is safe to assume that both intentional and unintentional errors contribute to the tax gap and that any strategy to reduce the gap must address both intentional evasion as well as taxpayer confusion due to the complexity of the tax code.

Treasury's Tax Gap Strategy

These findings suggest the need for a targeted response designed to address the most significant sources of noncompliance. Four key principles have guided the development of our tax gap strategy:

Unintentional taxpayer errors and intentional taxpayer evasion should both be addressed.

Sources of noncompliance should be targeted with specificity.

Enforcement should be combined with a commitment to taxpayer service

Tax policy and compliance proposals should be sensitive to taxpayer rights and maintain an appropriate balance between enforcement activity and imposition of taxpayer burden.

These principles point to the need for a comprehensive, integrated, multi-year strategy to improve tax compliance. Components of this strategy must include: (1) legislative proposals to reduce opportunities for evasion; (2) a multi-year commitment to compliance research; (3) continued improvements in information technology; (4) improvements in IRS compliance activities; (5) enhancements of taxpayer service; (6) simplification of the tax law; and (7) coordination between the government and its partners and stakeholders.

Since release of the Treasury Strategy last September, the Administration has taken a number of steps to implement each of its seven components. The FY 2008 Budget requests $409.5 million in new funding for initiatives aimed at reducing the tax gap. These initiatives include additional compliance research, investments in information technology, enhancements of front-line enforcement activities, and improvements in taxpayer service aimed at increasing voluntary compliance. The Budget also includes 16 legislative proposals designed to reduce opportunities for evasion. In addition, the FY 2008 Budget contains legislative proposals to simplify the tax treatment of families and savings incentives which, if enacted, would help to eliminate some of the complexity that gives rise to unintentional noncompliance.

We have also been working with our partners and stakeholders to develop and refine our tax gap strategy. Commissioner Everson and I held a public roundtable at the IRS last month to discuss ways to address the tax gap. Panelists at the roundtable included a former IRS Commissioner and a former Assistant Secretary for Tax Policy, researchers, and members of organizations representing businesses and preparers. In addition, we have been meeting regularly with Finance Committee staff to discuss and refine our legislative proposals to reduce the tax gap.

Legislative Proposals

As outlined above, development of legislative proposals to reduce opportunities for evasion is one element of our broader strategy to increase taxpayer compliance, improve tax collection, and reduce the tax gap. As presented in the FY 2008 Budget, our compliance legislative proposals fall into four categories: (1) expand information reporting; (2) improve compliance by businesses; (3) strengthen tax administration; and (4) expand penalties. On the front end, the legislative proposals would help to apprise the IRS of the payment of income through third-party information reporting, one of the most effective tools in improving compliance. On the back end, the legislative proposals would increase incentives to comply with existing law through strengthened penalties. The package of legislative proposals includes targeted provisions that, if enacted, would assist the IRS in enforcing the tax law more efficiently and effectively in targeted areas that present risks of noncompliance.

The legislative proposals are designed to reduce the tax gap, not to raise revenue through a change in the baseline against which compliance is measured. In addition, the legislative proposals attempt to reduce the tax gap by making compliance more efficient while balancing the burden placed on compliant taxpayers. If, on the other hand, draconian measures were to be enacted, they could become so burdensome as to detract from voluntary compliance, compounding rather than reducing the tax gap.

Although the legislative proposals set forth an approach toward improved tax compliance, we recognize that they do not come close to eliminating the tax gap. Making collection of the entire tax gap a reality, however, would require universal audits followed by draconian collection practices, imposing prohibitive costs and burdens on taxpayers as well as the IRS, and fundamentally changing the relationship between taxpayers and the government. Through the multi-pronged approach set forth in the Treasury Strategy, however, we can make significant progress in improving compliance.

In addition to the sixteen legislative proposals, the FY 2008 Budget indicates that the Treasury is continuing to develop proposals to improve compliance and reduce the tax gap. In particular, the Budget mentioned that IRS coordination with State governments could be improved. Under current law, State tax agencies may adjust taxpayer returns in response to an IRS audit. A proposal under development would permit reciprocal adjustments by the IRS in response to a State audit determination. This proposal raises technical issues relating to the assessment limitations period that we are currently working to resolve. Another aspect of Federal-State tax coordination could involve expanded information sharing. In particular, State governments maintain databases in connection with numerous licenses issued pursuant to State law, such as driver's and professional licenses. In some cases, States may suspend certain licensing privileges in connection with State tax noncompliance. Access to such State data could assist the IRS in improving Federal tax compliance. The Treasury Department continues to consider the advantages and disadvantages of these additional proposals to improve tax compliance.

Technical Issues

The President's FY 2008 Budget recommends sixteen changes to the tax code that, if enacted, would improve compliance and reduce the tax gap. Since the Budget was released in early February, members of my staff and I have been meeting regularly with Finance Committee staff to discuss and refine the Administration's proposals and to address a number of technical issues that they present. Those discussions have been useful both in improving the proposals and in helping to highlight the challenges that we face in reducing the tax gap through targeted changes to the tax law. A brief description of some of the technical issues arising under several of the legislative proposals will help to frame the issue and illustrate the limitations of legislative solutions to this problem.

Basis Reporting. One of the Budget proposals would require that brokerage firms report to their customers basis information in connection with the sale of certain publicly traded securities. This proposal builds on section 6045 of the Code, which requires reporting of gross sale proceeds, which must be combined with basis information to determine the tax treatment of the sale. The proposal also builds on a growing trend in the securities industry to provide basis information voluntarily to customers.

. One of the Budget proposals would require that brokerage firms report to their customers basis information in connection with the sale of certain publicly traded securities. This proposal builds on section 6045 of the Code, which requires reporting of gross sale proceeds, which must be combined with basis information to determine the tax treatment of the sale. The proposal also builds on a growing trend in the securities industry to provide basis information voluntarily to customers.

The basis-reporting proposal raises a number of technical issues that are derived from the complex treatment of securities sales under our tax laws. Those issues include, for example: (1) defining the universe of "securities" subject to basis reporting; (2) putting mechanisms in place to ensure that brokers subject to the proposal have relevant basis information from both their customers and from issuers of securities; (3) determining basis for so-called "transferred-in" securities that were not purchased through the broker, including securities purchased separately and transferred into a brokerage account, gifts and inheritances; (4) addressing the interaction of the proposal with taxpayer-specific basis adjustment provisions that operate independently of the broker, such as the wash-sale rules in section 1091, the straddle rules in section 1092, and rules requiring capitalization of certain interest and carrying costs under section 263(g); and (5) determining an appropriate effective date to ensures a smooth transition to the new basis reporting regime.

Payment Card Reporting. Technical issues presented by the Budget proposal regarding information reporting on merchant payment card reimbursements also highlight the challenges of our work in this area. Proprietors, merchants, and other business taxpayers frequently receive income through their customers' use of credit or debit cards. While the use of such payment cards creates a paper trail, that trail does not lead to the IRS, unless a revenue agent were to seek it on a case-by-case basis. At the same time, that existing paper trail would make it relatively easy to generate information reports to the IRS, systematically addressing the possibility of unreported income. Because the existing payment-card system routinely delivers exact dollar and cents amounts to the correct payees, often at the speed of electronic dispatch, it is certain that the information that the IRS needs is accessible. Information reports regarding payment-card reimbursements would result in better compliance by merchants who accept these cards.

. Technical issues presented by the Budget proposal regarding information reporting on merchant payment card reimbursements also highlight the challenges of our work in this area. Proprietors, merchants, and other business taxpayers frequently receive income through their customers' use of credit or debit cards. While the use of such payment cards creates a paper trail, that trail does not lead to the IRS, unless a revenue agent were to seek it on a case-by-case basis. At the same time, that existing paper trail would make it relatively easy to generate information reports to the IRS, systematically addressing the possibility of unreported income. Because the existing payment-card system routinely delivers exact dollar and cents amounts to the correct payees, often at the speed of electronic dispatch, it is certain that the information that the IRS needs is accessible. Information reports regarding payment-card reimbursements would result in better compliance by merchants who accept these cards.

Nevertheless, there are numerous technical issues to be addressed. The payment-card system is complex, involving payment-card organizations, merchant acquiring banks, various service providers, and other entities. In the case of a payment card branded with the name of a particular retail chain, the bank may reimburse the retail chain, which in turn may reimburse a franchise proprietor. In this situation, who should obtain the merchant's Taxpayer Identification Number and generate an information report? We have met with representatives of the payment card industry to understand their concerns with the proposal. Many in this industry are concerned with the incremental burden of reporting, including potential duplication of reporting responsibilities, and have requested greater clarity regarding the party responsible for the reporting when there are other agents involved as intermediaries between the banks and the merchants. Others are concerned about how the IRS will use the data. We recognize these concerns and, while the gross reimbursements reported would not be an equivalent to gross income, the proposed information reporting would assist the IRS by providing the merchant's overall volume of payment card sales in relation to expenses claimed and cash transactions reported. The reporting would also assist the IRS in analyzing the accuracy of reporting for payment card sales.

There are also other technical issues presented by the proposal, such as treatment of "charge backs," in which a merchant is debited for the amount that a credit-card company refunded to a consumer attributable to a defective item, as well as payment-card transactions in which a merchant may sell some goods but also provide "cash back" to consumers. The Budget proposal would grant explicit authority to promulgate administrative rules that address such technical complications, by eliminating duplication of reporting requirements and creating exceptions to reporting of amounts that are not useful for compliance purposes.

Erroneous Refund Penalty. Another legislative proposal raising some technical questions is the erroneous refund penalty. Under current law, the accuracy-related penalty that a taxpayer might pay generally would depend on the amount of underpayment of tax. If a taxpayer wrongfully claims a refund, however, there may be no penalty as long as no additional tax liability is attributable to the wrongful claim, as often happens when there has been overwithholding. Consequently, the IRS has observed aggressive behavior that is undeterred by the tax code's current accuracy-related penalty framework, which is geared toward deterrence of reported tax deficiencies. As a practical matter, some taxpayers and their advisors may be taking advantage of the existing penalty structure by aggressively claiming credits that generate refunds, in an effectively risk-free gamble. To address this problem, our proposal would impose a penalty on an unreasonable claim for refund or credit.

. Another legislative proposal raising some technical questions is the erroneous refund penalty. Under current law, the accuracy-related penalty that a taxpayer might pay generally would depend on the amount of underpayment of tax. If a taxpayer wrongfully claims a refund, however, there may be no penalty as long as no additional tax liability is attributable to the wrongful claim, as often happens when there has been overwithholding. Consequently, the IRS has observed aggressive behavior that is undeterred by the tax code's current accuracy-related penalty framework, which is geared toward deterrence of reported tax deficiencies. As a practical matter, some taxpayers and their advisors may be taking advantage of the existing penalty structure by aggressively claiming credits that generate refunds, in an effectively risk-free gamble. To address this problem, our proposal would impose a penalty on an unreasonable claim for refund or credit.

The proposal seeks to create a parallel system of deterrence applicable even if the taxpayer is in a refund, rather than a deficiency, procedural posture, thus stemming the tide of aggressive claims that are made without reasonable basis or reasonable cause, regardless of the procedural context. There remain open questions about the scope of this proposal. In addition to refunds, should the proposal cover erroneous claims that purport to reduce tax liability? Should there be a threshold amount below which the proposed penalty would not apply? If a taxpayer were subject to penalties in addition to the proposed penalty, in which stacking order should the multiple penalties apply? Should the proposed penalty apply to excise or other types of taxes in addition to income taxes? The goal of the Treasury proposal would be to assert the highest applicable penalty, without duplication of penalties. In this regard, the Treasury proposal's creation of the new penalty would carve out Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) refund claims from the scope of the penalty because these claims are already governed by their own compliance regime.

Prison Scam Disclosure Authorization. The Treasury Department's proposal for disclosure of certain tax violations by Federal and State prisoners would allow the IRS to disclose limited information about such violations so that prison officials could deter such conduct through administrative sanctions. Under existing law, when the IRS discovers that prison inmates are making fraudulent refund claims, taxpayer privacy laws do not permit the IRS to share this information with prison officials, who may be most proximately positioned to address this misconduct. While cooperation among law enforcement officials would appear to be reasonable, numerous technical questions have arisen. What information should be disclosed? When would be the proper time for disclosure, during or after an investigation? To whom should a disclosure be made, Federal officials, State employees, or local wardens? What limitations should be imposed on further use of the IRS information? Does the proposal properly preserve prisoner rights?

. The Treasury Department's proposal for disclosure of certain tax violations by Federal and State prisoners would allow the IRS to disclose limited information about such violations so that prison officials could deter such conduct through administrative sanctions. Under existing law, when the IRS discovers that prison inmates are making fraudulent refund claims, taxpayer privacy laws do not permit the IRS to share this information with prison officials, who may be most proximately positioned to address this misconduct. While cooperation among law enforcement officials would appear to be reasonable, numerous technical questions have arisen. What information should be disclosed? When would be the proper time for disclosure, during or after an investigation? To whom should a disclosure be made, Federal officials, State employees, or local wardens? What limitations should be imposed on further use of the IRS information? Does the proposal properly preserve prisoner rights?

Collection Due Process. Similar questions may arise regarding the Treasury Department's proposal to amend the Collection Due Process (CDP) procedures as they apply to employment taxes. Employment taxes include employer and employee shares of Federal Insurance Contribution Act (FICA) tax as well as Federal Unemployment Tax Act amounts and income tax withheld from employee wages. Employee FICA shares and withheld income tax constitute the largest portion of employment taxes. These taxes are often referred to as "trust fund" taxes, because employers are supposed to hold them in trust for the government after they are withheld from employee wages. These amounts include Social Security Trust Fund taxes credited to employees, whether or not actually paid to the Treasury.

. Similar questions may arise regarding the Treasury Department's proposal to amend the Collection Due Process (CDP) procedures as they apply to employment taxes. Employment taxes include employer and employee shares of Federal Insurance Contribution Act (FICA) tax as well as Federal Unemployment Tax Act amounts and income tax withheld from employee wages. Employee FICA shares and withheld income tax constitute the largest portion of employment taxes. These taxes are often referred to as "trust fund" taxes, because employers are supposed to hold them in trust for the government after they are withheld from employee wages. These amounts include Social Security Trust Fund taxes credited to employees, whether or not actually paid to the Treasury.

Unpaid employment tax liabilities are some of the most difficult taxes for the IRS to collect. In some cases, an employer may be able to retain employees and stay in business by paying only net wages, even if he or she cannot pay employment tax. Employment taxes are due quarterly and, when there are successive failures to pay quarterly employment tax installments, they continue to accrual over successive periods resulting in a "pyramid" of liability. In a case like this, employment taxes often pile up while the IRS attempts to collect, ultimately by imposing a levy. Under the CDP provisions in the Code, the IRS generally must provide the taxpayer with notice and an opportunity for an administrative hearing, with judicial review, before levy. In the employment tax context, an opportunity for a CDP hearing must be provided for every quarter that there are unpaid taxes the IRS seeks to collect. By the time this CDP procedure is completed, the employment taxes may have become uncollectible, even if determined to be due by the end of the review.

The Treasury Department's proposal would add employment taxes to the exception that allows a CDP hearing to be held within a reasonable time after, rather than before levy. While collection of employment taxes would be in the best interest of employees and the Federal Trust Fund, there nevertheless may be concerns that amendment to the CDP provision might abridge taxpayer rights. On the other hand, the opportunities available to the taxpayer who in good faith seeks to address an unpaid employment tax balance prior to levy and the urgency of the pyramiding problem are factors that support the adoption of the proposal. To be clear, under the proposal, employment tax returns showing a balance due would not be subject to levy until after the IRS has made several attempts to correspond with the taxpayer regarding the balance due a process whereby taxpayers have several opportunities to contact the IRS and enter into a voluntary payment arrangement prior to enforced collection. Those taxpayers who fail to address payment would be subject to a levy, and would have the opportunity for a post-levy CDP hearing.

We are pleased that a number of the Budget proposals have been introduced and considered in different legislative vehicles this year. We look forward to working with the Committee to address the technical issues so these proposals can achieve their intended purposes.

Regulatory Projects and Other Initiatives

The Treasury Strategy identified our published guidance program as an important component of the multi-pronged strategy to improve compliance. Published guidance clarifies ambiguous areas of the law, increasing voluntary compliance. With the increasing complexity of the tax law, it is more important than ever for us to publish timely guidance to give direction to those taxpayers who make a good faith effort to comply with the law, but have difficulty doing so because of uncertainty in its application. Published guidance is also an important tool to target specific areas of noncompliance and prevent abusive behavior.

Each year, the Treasury Department and the IRS publish a Priority Guidance Plan. The 2006-2007 plan includes 264 guidance projects scheduled for completion between July 2006 and June 2007. Numerous projects are added during the year as new tax laws are enacted or new compliance issues are identified.

Recent published guidance projects that will improve compliance and that target potential areas of abuse include:

Transfer Pricing: We have produced, and continue to produce, significant guidance in the area of transfer pricing. In an increasingly globalized economy, cross-border transactions between controlled entities present significant compliance challenges, making guidance in the transfer pricing area an important part of our administrative efforts to address the tax gap. In August 2006, we issued temporary and final regulations addressing the treatment of cross-border services, and followed them up with additional guidance in December 2006. We issued proposed transfer pricing regulations addressing cost-sharing in August 2005. We intend to finalize both sets of regulations, with appropriate modifications.

: We have produced, and continue to produce, significant guidance in the area of transfer pricing. In an increasingly globalized economy, cross-border transactions between controlled entities present significant compliance challenges, making guidance in the transfer pricing area an important part of our administrative efforts to address the tax gap. In August 2006, we issued temporary and final regulations addressing the treatment of cross-border services, and followed them up with additional guidance in December 2006. We issued proposed transfer pricing regulations addressing cost-sharing in August 2005. We intend to finalize both sets of regulations, with appropriate modifications.

Foreign Tax Credit: We have taken strong steps to halt misuse of the foreign tax credit. Last month we issued proposed regulations that would disallow foreign tax credits tied to participation in certain artificially engineered, highly structured transactions. In August 2006, we issued proposed regulations that would address the inappropriate separation of creditable foreign taxes from foreign source income. We intend to make appropriate modifications and finalize both sets of regulations as soon as possible.

: We have taken strong steps to halt misuse of the foreign tax credit. Last month we issued proposed regulations that would disallow foreign tax credits tied to participation in certain artificially engineered, highly structured transactions. In August 2006, we issued proposed regulations that would address the inappropriate separation of creditable foreign taxes from foreign source income. We intend to make appropriate modifications and finalize both sets of regulations as soon as possible.

Information Sharing: We continue to update and expand our network of tax treaties and tax information exchange agreements ("TIEAs"). We are also renegotiating tax treaties that do not have sufficient limitation on benefits or exchange of information provisions. We are entering into new TIEAs, such as the one signed with Brazil in March 2007, and bringing signed TIEAs into force, with jurisdictions such as the Netherlands Antilles, the British Virgin Islands, and the Cayman Islands. These information-sharing agreements are critical tools for the IRS to combat cross-boarder aspects of compliance.

: We continue to update and expand our network of tax treaties and tax information exchange agreements ("TIEAs"). We are also renegotiating tax treaties that do not have sufficient limitation on benefits or exchange of information provisions. We are entering into new TIEAs, such as the one signed with Brazil in March 2007, and bringing signed TIEAs into force, with jurisdictions such as the Netherlands Antilles, the British Virgin Islands, and the Cayman Islands. These information-sharing agreements are critical tools for the IRS to combat cross-boarder aspects of compliance.

Private Annuities: In October 2006, we published proposed regulations regarding the Federal tax treatment of private annuity contracts. Recent Congressional hearings have highlighted how taxpayers were applying prior law treatment of these contracts to facilitate abusive private annuity arrangements, often involving off shore issuers. The proposed regulations, when adopted as final, will shut down those arrangements.

: In October 2006, we published proposed regulations regarding the Federal tax treatment of private annuity contracts. Recent Congressional hearings have highlighted how taxpayers were applying prior law treatment of these contracts to facilitate abusive private annuity arrangements, often involving off shore issuers. The proposed regulations, when adopted as final, will shut down those arrangements.

Trust Information Reporting: In 2006, we published a series of regulations that provide a comprehensive set of information reporting rules for grantor trusts where ownership interests in those trusts are held indirectly. Historically, taxpayers who held such interests were often unable to comply fully with their tax obligations because they lacked necessary information about the activities of the trust. This project highlights work that can be done administratively to ensure that taxpayers who make every effort to meet their obligations have the information they need to determine and report their liability accurately.

: In 2006, we published a series of regulations that provide a comprehensive set of information reporting rules for grantor trusts where ownership interests in those trusts are held indirectly. Historically, taxpayers who held such interests were often unable to comply fully with their tax obligations because they lacked necessary information about the activities of the trust. This project highlights work that can be done administratively to ensure that taxpayers who make every effort to meet their obligations have the information they need to determine and report their liability accurately.

Reportable Transaction Rules: In the American Jobs Creation Act, Congress enacted a number of changes to the statutory rules requiring disclosure to the IRS of potentially abusive transactions, strengthening the IRS' hand in this area. In October 2006, we published proposed regulations that follow prior interim guidance and, when adopted as final, will build on the expanded statutory provisions to ensure that the IRS knows about and is able to react quickly to, emerging problematic transactions.

: In the American Jobs Creation Act, Congress enacted a number of changes to the statutory rules requiring disclosure to the IRS of potentially abusive transactions, strengthening the IRS' hand in this area. In October 2006, we published proposed regulations that follow prior interim guidance and, when adopted as final, will build on the expanded statutory provisions to ensure that the IRS knows about and is able to react quickly to, emerging problematic transactions. Conclusion

An effective approach to dealing with the tax gap requires multiple, interrelated strategies. I have discussed the work that the Treasury Department is doing with regard to the legislative and regulatory components of the Treasury Strategy. Each of the multiple components of the strategy is necessary, but none is sufficient in isolation. We look forward to continuing our work with this Committee and others in Congress to implement our strategy and looking for new ways to reduce the tax gap.

Thank you again, Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member Grassley, and other Members of the Committee for the opportunity to appear before you today. I would be pleased to answer any questions you may have.

April 17

GLASER LEADS TREASURY DELEGATION TO CHINA WASHINGTON, DC – Daniel Glaser, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Terrorist Financing and Financial Crimes, leads a Treasury delegation to Beijing, China Saturday to offer assistance to the Macanese and Chinese in addressing the issue of North Korean-related funds frozen at Banco Delta Asia (BDA). "The policy and diplomatic issues have been solved – this is now down to implementation. The Macanese and Chinese have made clear that they want to ensure implementation of the agreement is consistent with their own laws and with their international obligations. We are bringing Treasury expertise to help the Macanese and Chinese wade through some of these implementation issues," said Glaser.

STATEMENT BY TREASURY DEPUTY SECRETARY KIMMITT ON UNSCR 1747

This Department of Treasury press release may be viewed at: WASHINGTON, DC – Treasury Deputy Secretary Robert M. Kimmitt issued the following statement today on the adoption of UNSCR 1747: "The Treasury Department welcomes the unanimous adoption of UNSCR 1747, which reaffirms and expands UNSCR 1737 of December 2006. These resolutions target Iran's nuclear and missile programs, and among other requirements, obligate states to freeze the assets of named entities and individuals associated with those programs. "Of particular note is Resolution 1747's designation of Iranian state-owned Bank Sepah and Bank Sepah International, which finance and support Iran's development of ballistic missiles. The Treasury Department urges governments and financial institutions around the world to swiftly implement their obligation to freeze the assets and economic resources of all listed entities and individuals, but in particular Bank Sepah and Bank Sepah International. In the coming days, we also urge states and financial institutions to be particularly vigilant and prevent efforts by Sepah to move assets, including to other Iranian state-owned institutions, or otherwise evade sanctions."

Testimony of Treasury Secretary
Henry M. Paulson, Jr.
Before the U.S. House Appropriations
Subcommittee on Financial Services and
General Government
Washington, DC- Chairman Serrano, Ranking Member Regula, and Members of the Subcommittee. Thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today to discuss the President's Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 Budget for the Department of the Treasury.
- Chairman Serrano, Ranking Member Regula, and Members of the Subcommittee. Thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today to discuss the President's Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 Budget for the Department of the Treasury.

I am pleased to be here today to provide an overview of the President's Budget for Treasury in FY 2008. The President's FY 2008 Budget reflects the Department's budget priorities and dedication to promoting economic growth and opportunity, strengthening national security, and exercising fiscal discipline.

The $12.1 billion request focuses resources on key programs necessary to promote economic growth, fund the activities of the federal government and effectively fight the war on terror. The request is $523 million above the amount provided by the FY 2007 funding level, a 4.5 percent increase. By collecting the revenue due to the federal government and working to reduce illicit threats to the financial system, the Department of the Treasury contributes to the financial integrity of the United States.

Treasury has a primary role as steward of the U.S. economic and financial systems, including the role of the U.S. as an influential participant in the international economy. Treasury promotes financial and economic growth at home and abroad. Treasury also performs a critical and far-reaching role in national security. The Department battles national security threats by coordinating financial intelligence, targeting and imposing sanctions on supporters of terrorism, narcotics traffickers, and proliferators of weapons of mass destruction, improving the safeguards of our financial systems, and promoting international relationships to combat the financial underpinnings of terrorist and other criminal networks.

Managing these complex tasks requires expanded capabilities. Fully funding the President's FY 2008 Budget request will allow the Treasury Department to continue and improve its ability to study, recommend, and support initiatives that strengthen the U.S. economy, create more jobs for Americans, and enhance citizens' economic security. The Department will actively work to protect the security of pensions, reform Social Security, and improve the federal income tax system by providing timely, usable, and comprehensive analyses that advance the policy process.

Promoting Economic Growth, Security and Opportunity

The Treasury Department works diligently to fulfill its role as the Administration's chief economic advisor. We strive to provide the President with the best information available on a broad range of domestic and international economic issues. Treasury's Offices of International Affairs, Tax Policy, Economic Policy, and Domestic Finance support this role through the provision of technical analysis, economic forecasting, and policy guidance on issues ranging from federal financing to responding to international financial crises. The Treasury Department supports policies that stimulate U.S. economic growth, strengthen and modernize entitlement programs, and minimize regulatory burdens while ensuring the safety and soundness of financial institutions.

The FY 2008 Budget request funds Treasury's efforts to promote domestic and international economic growth through financial diplomacy. Treasury stimulates economic growth and job creation by working to open trade and investment, encouraging growth in developing countries, and promoting responsible policies regarding international debt, finance, and economics. Treasury supports trade liberalization and budget discipline through its role in negotiating and implementing international agreements pertaining to export subsidies. These agreements open markets, level the playing field for U.S. exporters, and provide effective subsidy reductions that save the U.S. taxpayer millions of dollars annually. Since 1991, cumulative budget savings from these arrangements are estimated at over $10 billion. The growth of these activities makes it necessary to enhance policy coordination and resources through the addition of regional experts. Treasury's FY 2008 Budget request provides additional staff to support key policy dialogues around the globe. These experts will enhance policy coordination on international matters and will support key policy dialogues with priority countries like China.

Treasury also remains committed to protecting the homeland from international investments that may threaten our national security. The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) is an interagency group responsible for investigating the national security implications of the merger or acquisition of U.S. companies by foreign persons. One of my key responsibilities as Secretary is to chair this committee, and to make sure that the interagency CFIUS process performs as efficiently as possible. As foreign investment in the United States has increased, so has the number of cases reviewed by CFIUS. As a result, the FY 2008 Budget request provides additional resources to support Treasury's investigations of foreign investments.

The President's FY 2008 request for Treasury also includes $28.6 million for the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund. CDFI Fund's mission is to expand the capacity of financial institutions to provide credit, capital, and financial services to underserved populations and communities in the United States. In order to ensure that the CDFI program continues to operate in the most efficient and effective manner, Treasury is proposing to phase out the CDFI Bank Enterprise Awards (BEA) program in 2008. There is no evidence that the BEA program improves economic development, and we believe that the program's goals are better served through other CDFI Fund activities.

Strengthening National Security

The sponsorship of terrorism and potential acquisition of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) by rogue regimes and non-state entities represent grave threats to U.S. national security and the security of all free and open societies. Terrorists, WMD proliferators and other non-state threats require support networks through which money and material flow. The Treasury Department draws on financial and other all-source intelligence, and also works to utilize its unique regulatory and law enforcement authorities, to combat national security threats and safeguard the financial system.

The Department's Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence (TFI) provides financial intelligence analysis, develops and implements systems to combat money laundering and terrorist financing, administers the Bank Secrecy Act, and administers and enforces the U.S. Government's economic sanctions programs.

Treasury exercises a full range of intelligence, regulatory, policy, and enforcement tools in tracking and disrupting terrorists' support networks, proliferators of weapons of mass destruction, rogue regimes, and international narco-traffickers, both as a vital source of intelligence and as a means of degrading their ability to function. Treasury's actions include:

Freezing the assets of terrorists, proliferators, drug kingpins, and other criminals and shutting down the channels through which they raise and move money;

Cutting off corrupt foreign jurisdictions and financial institutions from the U.S. financial system;

Developing and enforcing regulations to reduce terrorist financing and money laundering;

Tracing and repatriating assets looted by corrupt foreign officials; and

Promoting a meaningful exchange of information with the private financial sector to help detect and address threats to the financial system.

The FY 2008 President's Budget will enable Treasury to enhance these capabilities. Treasury requests funding for investments to further the Department's national security mission in three critical areas. First, this budget, if enacted, will enable Treasury to expand its capacity to identify potential national security threats and to enforce U.S. policies to counter those threats. Next, Treasury will enhance the information technology and physical infrastructure of TFI and its component bureaus and offices to improve data security, access, and quality. Finally, the Budget would provide funds to help integrate TFI's Office of Intelligence Analysis into the broader Intelligence Community.

Specifically, this request includes an additional $5.3 million to respond to emerging national security threats, provide strategic policy coordination in regions key to the fight against terrorist financing, and to enhance implementation of sanctions against state sponsors of terrorism and WMD proliferation. The request also includes $8.1 million for infrastructure and information technology projects to enhance data access, security, and quality, including construction of a Sensitive, Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF), stabilization and maintenance of the Treasury Foreign Intelligence Network, and the Critical Infrastructure Protection program. Finally, $1 million is requested for initiatives to further Treasury's integration into the broader intelligence community.

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) is responsible for administering the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA). The FY 2008 Budget request provides funding to strengthen recovery capability for mission-critical information technology systems and emergency operation capabilities; and improve information technology planning and oversight.

Managing U.S. Government Finances

The Treasury Department manages the nation's finances by collecting money due the United States, making its payments, managing its borrowing, investing when appropriate, and performing central accounting functions. Key priorities in managing the government's finances include maximizing voluntary compliance with tax laws and regulations, continually improving financial management processes, and financing the government at the lowest possible cost over time. The FY 2008 Budget request provides the funding necessary to properly administer these functions.

Collecting Taxes
Collecting taxes in a fair and consistent manner is a core mission of the Treasury Department. Treasury's priorities in tax administration are enforcing the nation's tax laws fairly and efficiently while balancing taxpayer service and education to promote voluntary compliance and reduce taxpayer burden. In an effort to maximize tax compliance, the FY 2008 Budget includes $11.1 billion for the IRS, which is an increase of $498 million above the amount provided in the FY 2007 funding levels.

The FY 2008 Budget request provides funding to enhance coverage of high-risk compliance areas, as well as to address the tax gap, which represents the annual difference between taxes owed and taxes collected, including a multi-year research effort that will provide continuous feedback on noncompliance. Enforcement will focus on critical reporting, filing, and payment compliance programs, and highlight abusive tax avoidance transactions and high income individual examinations involving pass-through entities (e.g., partnerships and trusts). The IRS will also continue to reengineer its examination and collection procedures to reduce audit time, increase yield, and expand coverage. As in FY 2006 and FY 2007, the Administration proposes to include IRS enforcement increases as a Budget Enforcement Act program integrity cap adjustment.

The IRS will continue efforts to improve services offered to taxpayers, primarily focusing on those outside of traditional telephone access. For example, the FY 2008 request provides funding to expand the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. The IRS will also implement the Taxpayer Assistance Blueprint, a five year strategic plan to deliver taxpayer service; a collaborative effort of the IRS, the IRS Oversight Board, and the National Taxpayer Advocate.

Finally, the FY 2008 request will allow the IRS to make critical IT infrastructure upgrades. IRS will continue to invest in technology, process improvements, and training to achieve consistent quality service with reduced costs. The Budget also includes funding for the IRS's Business Systems Modernization program, which is designed to provide IRS employees the tools they need to continue to administer and improve both service and enforcement programs.

The President's Budget also includes a number of legislative proposals intended to improve tax compliance with minimum taxpayer burden. Once implemented, it is estimated that proposals will generate $29 billion over ten years. These proposals are presented in detail in the FY 2008 Department of the Treasury Blue Book. The legislative proposals fall into four categories: expand information reporting, improve compliance by businesses, strengthen tax administration, and expand penalties.

Treasury's Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau also collects excise taxes on alcohol, tobacco, firearms, and ammunition. In FY 2006, the Bureau collected $14.8 billion in excise taxes, interest, and other revenues on these products and also regulates the manufacture of alcohol and tobacco products.

Ensuring Efficient Fiscal Service Operations
The FY 2008 Budget request provides the funds necessary for Treasury to meet its responsibilities as the federal government's financial manager.

Treasury's management of the federal government's finances includes making payments, collecting revenue, preparing public financial statements and collecting delinquent debt owed to the federal government through the Financial Management Service (FMS). Treasury oversees a daily cash flow in excess of $58 billion and disburses 85 percent of all federal payments. The Department is working to improve its payments and collections processes by moving toward an all-electronic Treasury. In FY 2006, Treasury issued 742 million electronic payments including income tax refunds, Social Security benefits, and veterans' benefits. Treasury is also encouraging Social Security and Supplemental Security Income recipients to switch to Direct Deposit through the Go Direct campaign. Direct Deposit represents a cost savings to the federal government, and consequently to the American taxpayer, of 80 cents per transaction compared to a check payment.

Treasury's Bureau of the Public Debt manages all of the public debt, which includes marketable securities, savings bonds, and other instruments held by state and local governments, federal agencies, foreign governments, corporations, and individuals. To improve debt management and offer better customer service, Treasury offers TreasuryDirect, an electronic, web-based system that electronically issues securities to retail customers and enables investors to manage their accounts on-line.

The Budget also includes three legislative proposals for FMS that are estimated to save the federal government over $3 billion over ten years. These proposals will allow the government to trace and recover federal payments sent electronically to the wrong account, eliminate the ten-year limitation on the collection of delinquent non-tax federal debts, and remove the disincentive for the IRS to refer tax debts to FMS for collection.

Strengthening Financial Institutions

One of the principal objectives of the Treasury Department is to enable commerce. The Department is responsible for the safety and soundness of national banks and federally-chartered savings associations. The Treasury Department also produces the coins and currency needed for commerce, and guards against counterfeiting and other misuse of our money. While the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), the Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS), the U.S. Mint (Mint), and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) are funded through direct annual appropriations, their contribution to Treasury's mission cannot be understated.

Treasury, through OCC and OTS, maintains the integrity of the financial system of the United States by chartering, regulating, and supervising national banks and savings associations. In FY 2006, OCC and OTS oversaw financial assets held by these financial institutions totaling $8.1 trillion.

The Mint and BEP are responsible for producing the nation's coins and currency, respectively. In FY 2006, the Mint and BEP produced 16.2 billion coins and 8.2 billion paper currency notes, respectively. The Mint issued five new quarters for the 50 State Quarters program and BEP introduced the new $10 currency note into circulation. Also, despite significant increases in the price of metals, the Mint was able to return $750 million to the Treasury General Fund in FY 2006.

Managing Treasury Effectively

Treasury is committed to using the resources provided by taxpayers in the most efficient manner possible. The Department will drive improved results through decision-making that considers performance and cost. The Treasury Department strives to serve its stakeholders in the most effective way while working to leverage resources across the Department and across government.

Funding requested in Treasury's Departmental Offices and Department-wide Systems and Capital Investments Program (DSCIP) is sought for building a strong information technology infrastructure, ensuring that Treasury remains a world-class organization that meets the President's standard of a citizen-centered, results-oriented government.

The DSCIP account funds technology investments to modernize business processes throughout Treasury, helping the Department improve efficiency. In FY 2008, Treasury requests $18.71 million for ongoing modernization and critical information technology infrastructure projects, and for investment in other new technologies that will improve efficiency and service to the American people. The budget request includes:

$6 million to begin work on a Treasury-wide Enterprise Content Management System. The initial system will meet the business requirements of the Office of Foreign Assets Control and the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network;

$2 million for the continued stabilization of the Treasury Secure Data Network; and

$4 million to improve Treasury's FISMA performance, strengthen the Department's overall security posture, leveraging the President's Management Agenda, including the E-Government initiatives, across the Department.

This budget request also includes funding for the Office of the Inspector General and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. These offices play important oversight roles in the overall management of the Department and the fair administration of the nation's tax laws.

Conclusion

Mr. Chairman, thank you again for the opportunity to come here today to discuss with you and the Committee the President's FY 2008 Budget request for Treasury. I look forward to working with you and the members of the Committee in ensuring that Treasury maximizes its resources and funding so that the American people can be assured that their tax dollars are being used in the most effective way possible. I would be more than happy to answer any questions.

TREASURY TAKES ACTION AGAINST MAJOR MEDELLIN-BASED TRAFFICKER AND HIS FINANCIAL EMPIRE

Washington, DC-- The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) today named Fabio Enrique Ochoa Vasco (a.k.a."Carlos Mario"), a major Medellin-based drug trafficker, as a principal individual on its list of Specially Designated Narcotics Traffickers (SDNTs). At the same time, OFAC designated 45 companies and 64 individuals in Ochoa Vasco's extensive criminal and financial network, across Colombia, Belize, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, and Panama. "Fabio Enrique Ochoa Vasco is the head of one of the most powerful Medellin-based drug trafficking organizations today," said OFAC Director Adam J. Szubin. "Our action today strikes at his massive financial empire with the aim of depriving him of the benefit of his criminal activities." This action is part of an ongoing interagency effort to implement Executive Order 12978 (October 21, 1995), which applies economic sanctions against Colombia's drug cartels. This effort includes the Departments of the Treasury, Justice, State and Homeland Security. Today's designation action freezes any assets the designees may have subject to U.S. jurisdiction, and prohibits all financial and commercial transactions by any U.S. person with the designated companies and individuals. This is OFAC's first designation of a significant narcotics trafficker operating out of Medellin, Colombia since the issuance of E.O. 12978 in October 1995. Fabio Enrique Ochoa Vasco and twelve other individuals were charged with cocaine trafficking in a September 2004 U.S. federal indictment in the Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division. OFAC has worked closely over the past three years with Operation Panama Express on the investigation of Fabio Enrique Ochoa Vasco and his organization. Operation Panama Express is an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Strike Force investigation conducted by ICE, DEA, FBI, IRS, Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office with the U.S. Attorney's Office in Tampa, Middle District of Florida. The investigation was also supported by the ICE Attaché - Bogotá, DEA Cartagena, Colombia Resident Office and DEA Belize Country Office. The U.S. government is offering up to $5 million for information leading to the arrest of Fabio Enrique Ochoa Vasco. "ICE is proud of our investigative partnership with other Panama Express member agencies and our contribution to this OFAC case." said Julie L. Myers, DHS Assistant Secretary for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. "By freezing their assets, we will continue to shut down the ability of drug kingpins like Fabio Enrique Ochoa Vasco to conduct their illegal businesses." Fabio Enrique Ochoa Vasco has been involved in narcotics trafficking activities from Colombia to the United States since at least 1981. Ochoa Vasco participated in narcotics trafficking with key figures in Colombia's Medellin Cartel such as Luis Fernando Galeano Berrio, Gerardo "Kike" Moncada, Diego Fernando Murillo Bejarano (a.k.a. "Don Berna"), and kingpin Pablo Escobar Gaviria. The network of 45 Ochoa Vasco businesses designated today includes Duratex S.A., a Colombian carpet/textile company located in Bogota, Colombia; Inversiones y Representaciones S.A. (IRSA), a real estate firm in Medellin, Colombia; Florida Soccer Club S.A. in Itagui, Antioquia, Colombia; Hotel La Cascada S.A., a hotel in Girardot, Colombia; Yamaha Veranillo Distribuidores, a marina in Barranquilla, Colombia; and a network of real estate firms - Inversiones MPS S.A., Proyectos y Soluciones S.A., Proyectos y Soluciones Inmobiliaria Ltda., and Gerencia de Proyectos y Soluciones Ltda. - located in Bogota, Colombia. OFAC also designated Duratex S.A. front companies located in Ecuador (Comercializadora Mor Gaviria S.A. and Comercializadora Mordur S.A.), Guatemala (Overseas Trading Company), and Mexico (MC Overseas Trading Company S.A. de C.V). A clothing store, Lizzy Mundo Interior, in Guadalajara, Mexico was also named. The OFAC action targeted seven key financial managers for Fabio Enrique Ochoa Vasco, including Jaime Dib Mor Saab, Jorge Ernesto Caicedo Rojas, Gustavo Alberto Pabon Alvarado, Silvio Yepes Velez, Jhon Jairo Castrillon Vasco, Fernando Maldonado Escobar, and Gabriel Andres Calvo Lombana, as well as three Mexican financial associates, Porfirio Miguel Cadenas Viramontes, Luis Pacheco Mejia, and Gloria Elisa Briseno Mar. In addition, important criminal associates of Fabio Enrique Ochoa Vasco were named, including John Jairo Gallego Valencia, Miyer Alberto Garcia Buitrago, Victor Hugo Castro Garzon, Carlos Heneris Varela Serna and Ricardo Castro Garzon. The assets of a total of 1,477 business and individuals in Aruba, Barbados, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Spain, Vanuatu, Venezuela, the Bahamas, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, and the United States have been designated pursuant to E.O. 12978. The 570 SDNT businesses include agricultural, aviation, consulting, construction, distribution, financial, hotel, investment, manufacturing, maritime, mining, offshore, pharmaceutical, real estate, retail, service, sporting, telecommunication, and textile firms. The SDNT list now includes 22 kingpins from the Cali, Medellin, North Valle, and North Coast drug trafficking organizations in Colombia. For a complete list of the individuals and entities designated today, please visit:

PREPARED STATEMENT BY SECRETARY HENRY M. PAULSON, JR. AT THE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING

Washington, DC--Over the past five years the world economy has grown at a pace not seen in over three decades. This robust growth has been particularly strong in low income countries and has helped reduce poverty. The world is well on its way to halving the share of people living in extreme poverty. While this is a remarkable accomplishment, progress is neither great enough nor balanced enough for us to congratulate ourselves. The Global Monitoring Report appropriately highlights the difficulties with progress in fragile states, many of which are located in sub-Saharan Africa, and draws attention to the need to ensure that the benefits of growth are equally open to all members of society, both male and female. While the community of donors recognizes the need for continuing substantial aid flows, one of the most critical of the many lessons we have learned in the 60-year history of the World Bank is that higher aid flows by themselves do not guarantee less poverty. Assuring that our assistance is directed to effective, efficient, well-coordinated projects that can make lasting changes in people's lives remains a key and daunting challenge. It requires intellectual vigor, the willingness to constantly reassess and question the effectiveness of our approaches, and a true hard-nosed dedication to the pursuit of measurable results at all levels of our programs. It also means that resources need to be applied to their most efficient use, and that institutions focus on their core competencies. Sub-Saharan Africa We are heartened by the early indications of success with the Bank's Africa Action Plan (AAP). It is too early to determine the long-term effectiveness of the AAP, but there is sufficient evidence that results are moving in the right direction. We are particularly pleased with positive country policy performance, a key ingredient for development results. One area highlighted in the AAP where more work should be done is statistical capacity building. Without data, African countries will always be at a disadvantage in policy creation and adaptation, and private sector firms will be less confident in investing. As we think about a post-2015 Africa, many areas of activity, such as infrastructure, the private sector, and governance deserve significant attention. While we support the IDA-IFC micro, small and medium-size enterprise facility, the AAP needs a greater focus on private sector support and improving financial sector access. It is the financial sector that provides a loan to start an enterprise, grow a business, or buy a house. Access to capital helps people acquire assets that give them a foothold in the economy – personal financial wherewithal they can leverage into greater prosperity and economic security. Trade Reducing trade barriers is also essential for providing people opportunities. The best way to alleviate poverty and raise living standards is through greater openness, so more people can benefit from the expanding global economy. The most important driver for poverty reduction has been the rapid growth of developing countries that opened to trade, notably in several Asian economies. For instance, Mexico's poverty rate fell by more than 20% and its rate of extreme poverty fell by more than 30% between 1994 and 2005 – the years following the passage of NAFTA. We need to continue pushing forward on the trade agenda, including a successful Doha Round of negotiations, to keep all our economies growing. The case for trade liberalization is clear and compelling. And if we want more people to support it, we need to ease anxieties and help more people realize the benefits of trade. The Aid for Trade agenda launched at the Hong Kong Ministerial can help allay these fears. Fragile States Fragile states pose a special development challenge because they are frequently unable to sustain any forward momentum on reforms and growth. As such, fragile states do not typically respond to standard development interventions and require a rethinking of donor engagement to ensure positive results. Paramount among these is careful consideration of resource investment. Due to weak governance and weak institutional capacity, the ability of fragile states to absorb and effectively utilize resources is limited. This is particularly relevant given the potentially negative macroeconomic implications of scaling up in low-capacity countries. Given the challenges posed by fragile states and the limited applicability of standard development tools to their situations, a new framework needs to be developed to assist donor institutions to engage effectively. Key elements of such a framework include: (1) developing a cohesive definition of fragility that focuses on the sources of fragility and not its outcomes; (2) developing and adopting an approach of selective intervention; and (3) developing a high quality and integrated monitoring and evaluation system. Governance Finally, we welcome and support the updated version of the World Bank Group's Governance and Anticorruption (GAC) strategy. We applaud the Bank for an extensive public consultation process, which has helped to sharpen the GAC's approach and has opened the door to new partnerships. We are confident that the strategy will strengthen the Bank's role in helping borrowing countries promote good governance and fight corruption and in playing a leadership role with global partners. We believe the GAC rightly focuses on the most important issues: building effective and accountable institutions; country ownership; and government commitment to governance and anti-corruption. Further, we support the call to help countries address the problem of asset seizure and repatriation and greater disclosure of assets by public officials. The core proposal to revamp the country assistance strategy (CAS) process to systematically address governance issues in country strategies assumes a continuing framework for fighting corruption in a way that applies central principles to country-specific circumstances. Going forward, we would like to see more use of the Public Expenditures and Financial Accountability indicators within the Bank fiduciary diagnostics and their link to the preparation of country assistance strategies. Conclusion The challenge of global poverty can be overcome only when the appropriate resources are married to the right policies. The MDGs intentionally set a very high bar, and achieving them will require that we remain focused in our purpose and efficient in our methods. We look forward to working closely with all our partners to achieve our common goal: to create the conditions and opportunities for the world's poor to improve their livelihoods and overcome poverty.

TREASURY INTERNATIONAL CAPITAL (TIC) DATA FOR FEBRUARY

This Treasury International Capital (TIC) data for February are released today and posted on the U.S. Treasury web site (www.treas.gov/tic). The next release, which will report on data for March, is scheduled for May 15, 2007. Net foreign purchases of long-term securities were $58.1 billion. * Net foreign purchases of long-term U.S. securities were $77.9 billion. Of this, net purchases by foreign official institutions were $12.6 billion, and net purchases by private foreign investors were $65.3 billion. * U.S. residents purchased a net $19.8 billion in long-term foreign securities. Net foreign acquisition of long-term securities, taking into account adjustments, is estimated to have been $43.2 billion. Foreign holdings of dollar-denominated short-term U.S. securities, including Treasury bills, and other custody liabilities increased $20.8 billion. Foreign holdings of Treasury bills increased $5.3 billion. Banks' own net dollar-denominated liabilities to foreign residents increased $30.4 billion. Monthly net TIC flows were $94.5 billion. Of this, net foreign private flows were $61.6 billion and net foreign official flows were $32.9 billion.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT NEWS

Posted by Bill at 08:55 AM | Permalink

April 16, 2007

Alma Awards 2007

EVA LONGORIA, NCLR PRESIDENT AND CEO JANET MURGUÍA AND MARIO LOPEZ ANNOUNCE NOMINATIONS FOR "THE 2007 ALMA AWARDS"
Megastar Musician Prince to Perform at the Awards Show, Which Honors Outstanding Latino Artistic Achievement in Television, Film and Music, And Airs Tuesday, June 5 Additional Talent and Performers Scheduled to Appear Include Jessica Alba, Andy Garcia, George Lopez, Mario Lopez, Los Lonely Boys, Carlos Mencia and Eva Mend
Nominations for "The 2007 ALMA Awards" were announced today during a press conference at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. Telecast host Eva Longoria ("Desperate Housewives"), NCLR President and CEO Janet Murguía and Mario Lopez made the announcement. "The 2007 ALMA Awards" will tape on Friday, June 1 at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium and air TUESDAY, JUNE 5 (9:00-11:00 p.m. ET) on the ABC Television Network. In addition to the nominated awards, a series of special achievement honors will also be presented. It was also announced that megastar musician Prince will perform with a special surprise guest. Additional talent and performers scheduled to appear include Jessica Alba, Andy Garcia, George Lopez, Mario Lopez, Los Lonely Boys, Carlos Mencia and Eva Mendes. An added feature will be the celebration of ten top Latino designers who will be dressing Longoria throughout the telecast in custom couture gowns, as well as designer shoes, bags and jewelry. The two-hour special is presented by the National Council of La Raza (NCLR) - the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the U.S. The annual ALMA (American Latino Media Arts) Awards special recognizes and celebrates the outstanding artistic achievement of Latinos in film, television and music. The Title Sponsor for this year's show is Chevy. Gold Sponsors are Frito-Lay/PepsiCo and Prudential, and Silver Sponsors include American Airlines, Bank of America, Comcast, Ford Motor Company, McDonald's Corporation, State Farm Insurance Companies, Time Warner and Verizon. This year the executive producers are Michael B. Seligman, Janet Murguía and David Chavez. Eva Longoria returns as producer, joined by director Louis J. Horvitz, co-producer/talent executive Danette Herman and music producer Scott Igoe. Additional information on the telecast can be found at www.almaawards.com. A complete list of categories and nominees follows: OUTSTANDING ACTOR – MOTION PICTURE Gael García Bernal – “Babel” Jesse Garcia – “Quinceañera” Michael Pena – “World Trade Center” OUTSTANDING ACTOR - MOTION PICTURE Alfonso Cuarón - "Children of Men" Emilio Estevez - "Bobby" Alejandro González Iñárritu - "Babel" OUTSTANDING ACTRESS - MOTION PICTURE Adriana Barraza - "Babel" Cameron Diaz - "The Holiday" Eva Mendes - "Trust the Man" Emily Rios - "Quinceañera" OUTSTANDING DIRECTOR - MOTION PICTURE Alfonso Cuarón - "Children of Men" Emilio Estevez - "Bobby" Andy Garcia - "The Lost City" Alejandro González Iñárritu - "Babel" OUTSTANDING SCREENPLAY - MOTION PICTURE Guillermo Arriaga - "Babel" Alfonso Cuarón, David Arata, Timothy J. Sexton, Mark Fergus, Hawk Ostby - "Children of Men" Emilio Estevez - "Bobby" OUTSTANDING TELEVISION SERIES, MINI-SERIES, OR TV MOVIE "George Lopez" - ABC "Ugly Betty" - ABC "Walkout" - HBO OUTSTANDING ACTOR - TELEVISION SERIES, MINI-SERIES, OR TV MOVIE Santiago Cabrera - "Heroes" - NBC Miguel Ferrer - "Crossing Jordan" - NBC George Lopez - "George Lopez" - ABC Carlos Mencia - "Mind of Mencia" - Comedy Central Edward James Olmos - "Battlestar Galactica" - Sci Fi Channel Michael Peña - "Walkout" - HBO OUTSTANDING ACTRESS - TELEVISION SERIES, MINI-SERIES, OR TV MOVIE America Ferrera - "Ugly Betty" - ABC Constance Marie - "George Lopez" - ABC Sara Ramirez - "Grey's Anatomy" - ABC Alexa Vega - "Walkout" - HBO OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR - TELEVISION SERIES, MINI-SERIES, OR TV MOVIE Yancey Arias - "Walkout" - HBO Jorge Garcia - "Lost" - ABC Mark Indelicato - "Ugly Betty" - ABC Benito Martinez - "The Shield" - FX Tony Plana - "Ugly Betty" - ABC Miguel Sandoval - "Medium" - NBC OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS - TELEVISION SERIES, MINI-SERIES, OR TV MOVIE Tonantzin Esparza - "Walkout" - HBO Aimee Garcia - "George Lopez" - ABC Belita Moreno - "George Lopez" - ABC Marisol Nichols - "24" - FOX Ana Ortiz - "Ugly Betty" - ABC Roselyn Sanchez - "Without a Trace" - CBS Nadine Velazquez - "My Name Is Earl" - NBC Lauren Vélez - "Dexter" - Showtime OUTSTANDING DIRECTOR - TELEVISION SERIES, MINI-SERIES, OR TV MOVIE Linda Mendoza - "Scrubs" - "My Déjà Vu" - NBC Edward James Olmos - "Walkout" - HBO Kenny Ortega -"High School Musical" - Disney Channel OUTSTANDING WRITING - TELEVISION SERIES, MINI-SERIES, OR TV MOVIE Marcus De Leon, Ernie Contreras, Timothy J. Sexton - "Walkout"- HBO Adam E. Fierro (Charles H. Eglee) - "The Shield," "Enemy of Good" - FX Silvio Horta - "Ugly Betty," "Pilot" - ABC Dailyn Rodriguez - "Ugly Betty," "After Hours" - ABC OUTSTANDING MADE-FOR-TV DOCUMENTARY "Al Otro Lado (To the Other Side)" - PBS "From Mambo to Hip Hop: A South Bronx Tale" - PBS "Lalo Guerrero: The Original Chicano" - PBS "Pancho Gonzalez: Warrior of the Courts" - PBS

EVA LONGORIA, NCLR PRESIDENT AND CEO JANET MURGUÍA AND MARIO LOPEZ
ANNOUNCE NOMINATIONS FOR "THE 2007 ALMA AWARDS"

Megastar Musician Prince to Perform at the Awards Show, Which Honors
Outstanding Latino Artistic Achievement in Television, Film and Music,
And Airs Tuesday, June 5

Additional Talent and Performers Scheduled to Appear Include Jessica Alba, Andy Garcia,
George Lopez, Mario Lopez, Los Lonely Boys, Carlos Mencia and Eva Mend

Nominations for "The 2007 ALMA Awards" were announced today during a press conference at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. Telecast host Eva Longoria ("Desperate Housewives"), NCLR President and CEO Janet Murguía and Mario Lopez made the announcement.

"The 2007 ALMA Awards" will tape on Friday, June 1 at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium and air TUESDAY, JUNE 5 (9:00-11:00 p.m. ET) on the ABC Television Network. In addition to the nominated awards, a series of special achievement honors will also be presented.

It was also announced that megastar musician Prince will perform with a special surprise guest. Additional talent and performers scheduled to appear include Jessica Alba, Andy Garcia, George Lopez, Mario Lopez, Los Lonely Boys, Carlos Mencia and Eva Mendes.

An added feature will be the celebration of ten top Latino designers who will be dressing Longoria throughout the telecast in custom couture gowns, as well as designer shoes, bags and jewelry.

The two-hour special is presented by the National Council of La Raza (NCLR) - the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the U.S. The annual ALMA (American Latino Media Arts) Awards special recognizes and celebrates the outstanding artistic achievement of Latinos in film, television and music.

The Title Sponsor for this year's show is Chevy. Gold Sponsors are Frito-Lay/PepsiCo and Prudential, and Silver Sponsors include American Airlines, Bank of America, Comcast, Ford Motor Company, McDonald's Corporation, State Farm Insurance Companies, Time Warner and Verizon.

This year the executive producers are Michael B. Seligman, Janet Murguía and David Chavez. Eva Longoria returns as producer, joined by director Louis J. Horvitz, co-producer/talent executive Danette Herman and music producer Scott Igoe.

Additional information on the telecast can be found at www.almaawards.com.

A complete list of categories and nominees follows:

OUTSTANDING ACTOR – MOTION PICTURE
Gael García Bernal – “Babel”
Jesse Garcia – “Quinceañera”
Michael Pena – “World Trade Center”

OUTSTANDING ACTOR - MOTION PICTURE
Alfonso Cuarón - "Children of Men"
Emilio Estevez - "Bobby"
Alejandro González Iñárritu - "Babel"

OUTSTANDING ACTRESS - MOTION PICTURE
Adriana Barraza - "Babel"
Cameron Diaz - "The Holiday"
Eva Mendes - "Trust the Man"
Emily Rios - "Quinceañera"

OUTSTANDING DIRECTOR - MOTION PICTURE
Alfonso Cuarón - "Children of Men"
Emilio Estevez - "Bobby"
Andy Garcia - "The Lost City"
Alejandro González Iñárritu - "Babel"

OUTSTANDING SCREENPLAY - MOTION PICTURE
Guillermo Arriaga - "Babel"
Alfonso Cuarón, David Arata, Timothy J. Sexton, Mark Fergus, Hawk Ostby - "Children of Men"
Emilio Estevez - "Bobby"

OUTSTANDING TELEVISION SERIES, MINI-SERIES, OR TV MOVIE
"George Lopez" - ABC
"Ugly Betty" - ABC
"Walkout" - HBO

OUTSTANDING ACTOR - TELEVISION SERIES, MINI-SERIES, OR TV MOVIE
Santiago Cabrera - "Heroes" - NBC
Miguel Ferrer - "Crossing Jordan" - NBC
George Lopez - "George Lopez" - ABC
Carlos Mencia - "Mind of Mencia" - Comedy Central
Edward James Olmos - "Battlestar Galactica" - Sci Fi Channel
Michael Peña - "Walkout" - HBO

OUTSTANDING ACTRESS - TELEVISION SERIES, MINI-SERIES, OR TV MOVIE
America Ferrera - "Ugly Betty" - ABC
Constance Marie - "George Lopez" - ABC
Sara Ramirez - "Grey's Anatomy" - ABC
Alexa Vega - "Walkout" - HBO

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR - TELEVISION SERIES, MINI-SERIES, OR TV MOVIE
Yancey Arias - "Walkout" - HBO
Jorge Garcia - "Lost" - ABC
Mark Indelicato - "Ugly Betty" - ABC
Benito Martinez - "The Shield" - FX
Tony Plana - "Ugly Betty" - ABC
Miguel Sandoval - "Medium" - NBC

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS - TELEVISION SERIES, MINI-SERIES, OR TV MOVIE
Tonantzin Esparza - "Walkout" - HBO
Aimee Garcia - "George Lopez" - ABC
Belita Moreno - "George Lopez" - ABC
Marisol Nichols - "24" - FOX
Ana Ortiz - "Ugly Betty" - ABC
Roselyn Sanchez - "Without a Trace" - CBS
Nadine Velazquez - "My Name Is Earl" - NBC
Lauren Vélez - "Dexter" - Showtime

OUTSTANDING DIRECTOR - TELEVISION SERIES, MINI-SERIES, OR TV MOVIE
Linda Mendoza - "Scrubs" - "My Déjà Vu" - NBC
Edward James Olmos - "Walkout" - HBO
Kenny Ortega -"High School Musical" - Disney Channel

OUTSTANDING WRITING - TELEVISION SERIES, MINI-SERIES, OR TV MOVIE
Marcus De Leon, Ernie Contreras, Timothy J. Sexton - "Walkout"- HBO
Adam E. Fierro (Charles H. Eglee) - "The Shield," "Enemy of Good" - FX
Silvio Horta - "Ugly Betty," "Pilot" - ABC
Dailyn Rodriguez - "Ugly Betty," "After Hours" - ABC

OUTSTANDING MADE-FOR-TV DOCUMENTARY
"Al Otro Lado (To the Other Side)" - PBS
"From Mambo to Hip Hop: A South Bronx Tale" - PBS
"Lalo Guerrero: The Original Chicano" - PBS
"Pancho Gonzalez: Warrior of the Courts" - PBS

Posted by Bill at 10:12 AM | Permalink

April 14, 2007

Latin DVD 4

April 14

HOME MEDIA MAGAZINE ANNOUNCES THE THIRD ANNUAL LATINO DVD AWARD WINNERS

One of Xenon Pictures’s most popular telenovelas took top honors at the third annual Latino DVD Awards, presented April 10 in West Hollywood, Calif.

La Madrastra, a Televisa production distributed by Xenon Pictures and Vivendi Visual Entertainment, was named best of show among the seven other Latino DVDs honored during the ceremony, presented by Home Media Magazine to recognize achievements in the rapidly growing Latino DVD market. Vivendi Visual Entertainment won another award in the Best TV DVD category for their Palm Pictures’ production of the gritty Brazilian series City of Men.

Laguna Productions walked away with two awards: La Tragedia de Marcario won for Best Nontheatrical and Tizoc, Amor Indio won for Best Classic/Catalog.

Other winners, selected by a panel of entertainment journalists and critics by Home Media Magazine, are:

Best Theatrical — La Mujer de Mi Hermano, Lionsgate
Best Children’s DVD — Dora the Explorer: World Adventure!, Paramount Home Entertainment
Best Music DVD — Alex Lora: Esclavo del Rocanrol, Desert Mountain Media
Best Bonus Materials/Special Features — Solo Con Tú Pareja, Image Entertainment

The winners were chosen from more than 40 entries submitted by suppliers, producers and distributors of Latino-related DVDs. All titles released in calendar 2006 were eligible.

The Latino DVD Awards were part of Latino DVD 4: The Fourth Annual Latino DVD Conference, produced by Home Media Magazine in cooperation with DEG: The Digital Entertainment Group, the Entertainment Merchants Association and The Hollywood Reporter. The conference attracted more than 150 attendees, including top executives with such key studios as HBO Video, Warner Home Video and Laguna Productions, Inc.

Home Media Magazine is the leading business-to-business publication serving the home entertainment market. The weekly tabloid is published by Questex Media Group, Inc.

# # #

Thank you to our 2007 Latino DVD 4 Sponsors!
Platinum	Gold
Warner Home Video	Image Entertainment
Laguna Productions	Lionsgate
HBO Video	Genius Products
	Universal Studios Home Entertainment
	Supporting
Silver	DVA: Distribution Audio & Video
Xenon Pictures	First Look Home Entertainment / Studio Latino
Paramount Home Entertainment	Woodhaven Entertainment
Starz Home Entertainment	DigiFilm
Venevision International	Media
Vivendi Visual Entertainment	Latin Vision Inc.
	Latin Heat
	TVMAS Magazine
	Portada
	Creative Handbook

Produced by Home Media Magazine in cooperation with
The Hollywood Reporter, DEG: The Digital Entertainment Group and the Entertainment Merchants Association.

From Latin DVD 3

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.

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 18^th, 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

Posted by Bill at 02:15 PM | Permalink

April 12, 2007

Academy of Country Music

May 10

FINAL ROUND OF PERFORMERS AND PRESENTERS SET FOR "THE 42nd ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS," TO BE BROADCAST LIVE FROM LAS VEGAS, TUESDAY, MAY 15 ON THE CBS TELEVISION NETWORK

Faith Hill, Toby Keith, Martina McBride and Big & Rich with Special Guest John Legend Set to Perform

Special Guest Shania Twain Will Participate, Making Her First Awards Show Appearance in Two Years

"CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" Stars Gary Dourdan and Eric Szmanda, Sara Evans, Heartland, Brad Mates of Emerson Drive, Justin McBride, Dr. Phil and Robin McGraw, Craig Morgan, Joe Nichols, Kellie Pickler, Gabrielle Reece, Emma Roberts, Darius Rucker, Luke Wilson and Chris Young Set to Present

Faith Hill, Toby Keith, Martina McBride and Big & Rich with special guest John Legend are set to perform, while special guest Shania Twain will participate, making her first awards show appearance in two years, and "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" stars Gary Dourdan and Eric Szmanda, Sara Evans, Heartland, Brad Mates of Emerson Drive, Justin McBride, Dr. Phil and Robin McGraw, Craig Morgan, Joe Nichols, Kellie Pickler, Gabrielle Reece, Emma Roberts, Darius Rucker, Luke Wilson and Chris Young are set to present on THE 42nd ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS, hosted by Reba McEntire, to be broadcast live from Las Vegas' MGM Grand, Tuesday, May 15 (8:00-11:00 PM, live ET/delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network. The event honors country music's top talent as well as the industry's hottest emerging talent.

These artists join previously announced performers Jason Aldean, Rodney Atkins, Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney, Vince Gill, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, George Strait, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Josh Turner, Carrie Underwood, Reba McEntire with special guest Kelly Clarkson, and previously announced presenters Terri Clark, Montgomery Gentry, Tracy Lawrence, Blake Shelton, CBS' "The Young and the Restless" star Michelle Stafford, CBS News' "Early Show" Co-Anchor Hannah Storm and The Wreckers. McEntire will host the event for an unprecedented ninth time.

Faith Hill is nominated for Top Female Vocalist and has previously won 14 Academy of Country Music Awards.

Toby Keith is nominated for Top Male Vocalist and has previously won nine Academy of Country Music Awards, including two back-to-back Entertainer of the Year Awards.

Martina McBride is nominated for Top Female Vocalist -- her 16th career nomination by the Academy -- and has previously won three Academy of Country Music Awards. She has also been honored with the Academy of Country Music/Home Depot Humanitarian Award.

Big & Rich are nominated for Top Vocal Duo, Video of the Year for "8th of November" and for Vocal Event of the Year for "That's How They Do It In Dixie," with Hank Williams Jr., Gretchen Wilson and Van Zant. John Rich has an additional nomination for producing Gretchen Wilson's single, "Politically Uncorrect," which brings his total to five nominations. They have previously been nominated for six Academy of Country Music Awards. This will be John Legend's first performance at the Academy of Country Music Awards.

Presenting awards at THE 42nd ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS are Gary Dourdan and Eric Szmanda, who play Warrick Brown and Greg Sanders, respectively, on the hit CBS drama series "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation"; Sara Evans; Heartland; Brad Mates of Emerson Drive; Justin McBride; Dr. Phil & Robin McGraw; Craig Morgan; Joe Nichols; Kellie Pickler; Gabrielle Reece; Emma Roberts; Darius Rucker; Luke Wilson and Chris Young.

The Academy of Country Music, an artist and industry-driven organization, exists to produce a world-class network television awards show, and its associated events, to provide the financial resources to ensure the ongoing philanthropic work of its Charitable Fund. Academy of Country Music Charitable Fund promotes and supports music education and humanitarian programs that transform the human spirit. Through its charitable donations, the ACMCF works toward two main goals: encouraging Learning Through Music and Healing Through Music. The Academy, which is comprised of more than 4,500 professional members and more than 40,000 associate members, was established in 1964 and is headquartered in Encino, Calif.

THE 42nd ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS is produced for television by dick clark productions. The show is executive produced by Allen Shapiro and R.A. Clark, and produced by Barry Adelman. The executive in charge of production is Bob Bardo, and the executive in charge is Fran LaMaina.

RATING: To Be Announced

April 25

Jason Aldean, Vince Gill, Little Big Town, Taylor Swift and Josh Turner Set to Perform
Terri Clark, Montgomery Gentry, Tracy Lawrence, Blake Shelton,
"The Young and the Restless" Star Michelle Stafford,
CBS News' "The Early Show" Co-Anchor Hannah Storm and The Wreckers Set to Present

Jason Aldean, Vince Gill, Little Big Town, Josh Turner and new artist Taylor Swift are set to perform, while Terri Clark, Montgomery Gentry, Tracy Lawrence, Blake Shelton, "The Young and the Restless" star Michelle Stafford, "The Early Show" Co-Anchor Hannah Storm and The Wreckers are set to present on THE 42nd ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS, hosted by Reba McEntire, to be broadcast live from Las Vegas' MGM Grand, Tuesday, May 15 (8:00-11:00 PM, live ET/delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network. The event honors country music's top talent as well as the industry's hottest emerging talent.

These artists join previously announced performers Rodney Atkins, Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney, Miranda Lambert, Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, George Strait, Sugarland, Carrie Underwood, and Reba McEntire with special guest Kelly Clarkson. McEntire will host the event for an unprecedented ninth time.

Jason Aldean is nominated for Song of the Year and Video of the Year for "Amarillo Sky." Last year, he won the Top New Male Vocalist Award.

Vince Gill is nominated for Album of the Year for These Days and Vocal Event of the Year for "Building Bridges" with Brooks & Dunn and Sheryl Crow, and has previously won six Academy of Country Music Awards. Last year, he was the recipient of the ACM/The Home Depot Humanitarian Award.

Little Big Town is nominated for Top Vocal Group and Top New Vocal Duo or Group. This will be the second time they perform on the Academy of Country Music Awards.

Taylor Swift is nominated for Top New Female Vocalist, her first Academy of Country Music Award nomination. This is the first time she will perform live on a network-televised country music awards show. Her three-to-five minute "Road to the ACM Awards" diary entries can currently be seen on Cingular, Sprint and Verizon wireless as part of a CBS Mobile campaign.

Josh Turner is nominated for Song of the Year and Single Record of the Year for "Would You Go With Me" and for Vocal Event of the Year for "Me and God" featuring Dr. Ralph Stanley and Marty Roe, Dana Williams and Gene Johnson of Diamond Rio.

Presenting awards at THE 42nd ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS are Terri Clark; Montgomery Gentry's Eddie Montgomery and Troy Gentry; Tracy Lawrence; Blake Shelton; Michelle Stafford, who plays Phyllis Abbott on CBS' "The Young and the Restless," television's number one daytime drama; Hannah Storm, co-anchor of CBS News' "The Early Show"; and The Wreckers' Michelle Branch and Jessica Harp.

RATING: To Be Announced

April 15

04.16.2007 BROOKS & DUNN, KENNY CHESNEY, GEORGE STRAIT, SUGARLAND AND REBA McENTIRE WITH SPECIAL GUEST KELLY CLARKSON ARE SET TO PERFORM ON THE "42ND ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS" TO BE BROADCAST LIVE FROM LAS VEGAS, MAY 15 ON THE CBS TELEVISION NETWORK

Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney, George Strait, Sugarland and host Reba McEntire with special guest Kelly Clarkson are set to perform on the 42ND ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS, to be broadcast live from Las Vegas' MGM Grand, Tuesday, May 15 (8:00-11:00 PM, live ET/delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network. The event honors country music's top talent as well as the industry's hottest emerging talent.

Brooks & Dunn are nominated for seven awards including Top Vocal Duo and Album of the year for Hillbilly Deluxe. They have previously won 21 Academy of Country Music Awards and are the 2007 recipients of the Academy of Country Music/The Home Depot Humanitarian Award.

Reigning and back-to-back Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year, Kenny Chesney, is slated to perform. Should he win Entertainer of the Year again, he will become only the fourth performer in the Academy's history to win the coveted title three or more times. One of the six elite ACM Triple Crown winners -- for Best New, Top and Entertainer -- Chesney's The Road and The Radio Tour in 2006 was North America's most attended concert tour in any genre. He is also nominated for Top Male Vocalist.

George Strait leads with eight nominations including Entertainer of the Year and Top Male Vocalist and is being recognized as an artist and producer for his album It Just Comes Natural. In his career, Strait has accepted 15 Academy of Country Music Awards, including Entertainer of the Year. In 2003, he was honored with a Career Achievement Award from the Academy for having more number one singles than any other country artist.

Sugarland is nominated for Top Vocal Duo, giving them six Academy of Country Music Award total nominations over the last two years. Jennifer Nettles was also nominated for Vocal Event last year with Bon Jovi. In addition, they took home Top New Duo or Vocal Group honors.

Host Reba McEntire and Kelly Clarkson will perform their song from McEntire's new album, Duets. McEntire has hosted the show for a record-breaking nine years and has previously won 11 Academy of Country Music Awards. Grammy-winning artist Kelly Clarkson performed for the first time on a country music award show last year with Rascal Flatts.

The ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS is produced for television by dick clark productions. The show is executive produced by Allen Shapiro and R.A. Clark, and produced by Barry Adelman. The executive in charge of production is Bob Bardo, and the executive in charge is Fran LaMaina.

RATING: To Be Announced

April 12

Big & Rich to Host and Two Foot Fred to Co-Host Academy of Country Music(R) 1st Annual Charity Poker Tournament on Monday, May 14, 2007 in Las Vegas

1st Annual Celebrity Poker Tournament to Support the Academy of Country Music(R) Charitable Fund

As a part of the Week Vegas Goes Country(R), the Academy of Country Music announced their plans for the 1st Annual Charity Poker Tournament today. The event will be benefiting the Academy of Country Music Charitable Fund. Big & Rich will host the event on Monday, May 14, 2007 with co-host Two Foot Fred at 2:00pm in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The Academy of Country Music Charity Poker Tournament is an exclusive event that will help continue the week long celebration in Las Vegas. The MGM Grand will not only be home to the 42nd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, but it will also host the tournament. The 1st place winner could receive up to $10,000 and other cash prizes will be awarded to the top ten players. With a maximum of one hundred participants during the tournament, a portion of their buy-in will go to the Academy of Country Music Charitable Fund.

"We are thrilled to be a part of the 1st ever ACM Charity Poker Tourney," says Big Kenny. "We hope to see some big winnings come out of this throw down as we have spent some major time at these tables, so get ready for some Big & Rich fun."

John Rich continues, "We are here for the party, and the ACM's sure know how to throw one. And having us host the inaugural tournament is both and honor and privilege to rack up some chips for charity, watch out, we are here to make some big bucks."

To register for this year's Academy of Country Music Charity Poker Tournament please visit www.acmcountry.com. Registration fee is $375.00, with portions of the proceeds benefiting the Academy of Country Music(R) Charitable Fund. You must be 21 years of age or older to participate.

With more than 40 years giving to those in need, the Academy of Country Music Charitable Fund promotes and supports music education and humanitarian programs that transform the human spirit. Through its charitable donations, the ACMCF achieves two main goals, Learning Through Music and Healing Through Music. For more information on the Academy of Country Music Charitable Fund please visit www.acmcf.org.

The 42nd ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS ceremony honoring country music's top talent as well as the industry's hottest emerging talent, will be broadcast LIVE from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Tuesday, May 15, 2007 at 8:00 PM live ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network.

The ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC, an artist and industry-driven organization, exists to produce a world-class network television awards show, and its associated events, to provide the financial resources to ensure the on-going philanthropic work of its Charitable Fund. The Academy, which is comprised of more than 4,500 professional members and more than 40,000 associate members, was established in 1964 and is headquartered in Encino, Calif. For more information on the ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS and the Academy of Country Music, please visit www.acmcountry.com.

Source: Academy of Country Music

Academy of Country Music

Web site: http://www.acmcf.org/

Web site: http://www.acmcountry.com/

NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED FOR THE 42nd ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC® AWARDS COUNTRY MUSIC’S PARTY OF THE YEAR®

Posted by Bill at 07:02 PM | Permalink

PERFECT STRANGER CREDITS

In English & Spanish

Revolution Studios Presents

“PERFECT STRANGER”

Directed By

James Foley

Screenplay by Todd Komarnicki

Story by Jon Bokenkamp

Produced by

Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas

Executive Producers

Ron Bozman

Deborah Schindler

Charles Newirth

Director of Photography

Anastas Michos, ASC

Production Designer

Bill Groom

Edited by

Christopher Tellefsen, A.C.E.

Music by

Antonio Pinto

Halle Berry

Bruce Willis

Giovanni Ribisi

Gary Dourdan

Richard Portnow

Patti D’Arbanville

Clea Lewis

Casting by

Todd Thaler

Co-Producers

Stephanie Langhoff

Daniel A. Thomas

Music Supervisor

Denise Luiso

Costume Designer

RenÈe Ehrlich Kalfus

A Film by James Foley

Unit Production Manager

Harvey Waldman

Unit Production Manager

Ron Bozman

First Assistant Director

Glen Trotiner

Second Assistant Director

ddie Micallef

Associate Producer

Stephen Eads

Cast

Rowena Halle Berry

Harrison Hill Bruce Willis

Miles Giovanni Ribisi

Narron Richard Portnow

Cameron Gary Dourdan

Lieutenant Tejada Florencia Lozano

Grace Nicki Aycox

Elizabeth Clayton Kathleen Chalfant

Senator Sachs Gordon MacDonald

Josie Daniella Van Graas

Mia Hill Paula Miranda

Esmeralda Patti D’Arbanville

Gina Clea Lewis

Bethany Tamara Feldman

Jon Kirshenbaum Gerry Becker

Kenneth Phelps Jared Burke

Jesse Drake Jay Wilkison

Gunnar Hope Aaron Nauta

Toni Jane Bradbury

Capital Policeman Jeffrey Bellamy

Coroner Charles Thomas

Bill Patel Jason Antoon

As Herself Heidi Klum

District Attorney Daniel A. Thomas

Defense Attorney Jack Menz

Jury Foreman Liliane Thomas

CSI Witness Todd Komarnicki

CSI Guy Daniel Cheswick

CSI Analyst James Mazzola

Donna Emma Heming

Carol Whittier Kristy Hinze

Banker Jay Coyle

Photographer’s Assistant Stephen Eads

Judge Michael Tolan

Ro’s Mother Yvonna Kopacz

Ro’s Mother (Older) Jacqueline Cannon

Ro’s Father Vincent Lamberti

9-Year-Old Ro Maya N. Blake

9-Year-Old Grace Nadine Jacobson

Reebok Executives Jonathan Ave

Thomas Sullivan

Human Resources Woman Pat Pritchett Lewis

Newsstand Vendor Gaetano Lisi

Coffee Stand Vendor Brandhyze Stanley

Security Guard Maurice Ballard

Man On Elevator Justin Ritson

Clients Lauren Potter

Robert L. Haber

Mitch Giannunzio

NYPD Computer Tech John Heinlein

Man In Bar Mike O’Brien

Hill’s Doorman Joe Paparone

Singer James “D-Train” Williams

Stunt Coordinators George Aguilar

John Cenatiempo

Stunts Anthony Vincent

Helicopter Pilot Al Cerullo

Art Director Charley Beal

Set Decorator Susan Tyson

Property Master Jim Mazzola

Script Supervisor Massoumeh Emami

Location Manager Maria T. Bierniak

Production Coordinator Anne Nevin

Production Accountant Mike Phillips

“A” Camera Operator Patrick Capone

First Assistant “A” Camera Heather Norton

Second Assistant “A” Camera Ed Nessen

“B” Camera Operator/Steadicam Operator Will Arnot

First Assistant “B” Camera Geb Byers

Second Assistant “B” Camera Amanda Hudson

Film Loader Pierson Silver

Assistant Costume Designer Richard Schurkamp

Costume Supervisors M.J. McGrath

Thomas Stokes

Key Costumers Jennifer M. Moore

Rhonney Greene

Dresser for Ms. Berry Nina Johnston

Dresser for Mr. Willis Michelle Teague

Costume Shop Supervisor Joni M. Huth

Department Head Hair Wayne Herndon

Key Hair Stylist Diana Sikes

Hair Stylist for Ms. Berry Barbara Lorenz

Hair Stylist for Mr. Willis Linda Arnold

Co-Key and Makeup Artist for Mr. Willis Richard Dean

Co-Key Makeup Artist Leslie Fuller

Makeup Artist for Ms. Berry Norma Hill-Patton

Makeup Artist Frances A. Kolar

Gaffer Andrew Day

Best Boy Electric Ralph Crowley

Lighting Board Operator Kelly Britt

Lamp Operators David Baney

Peter Russell

Bill Almeida

Michael Hunold

William MacGhee

Joshua Van Praag

Jamie Gallagher

Rigging Gaffer Charles Grubbs

Best Boy Rigging Electric William Hines

Key Grip Tommy Prate

Best Boy Grip Chris Kilduff

Dolly Grips Matt Blades

Gregory Cahill

Grips Tony Arnaud

Balint Pinczehelyi

Gerald Gloster

William Moran

Key Rigging Grip Kevin W. Flynn

Best Boy Rigging Grip Franz J. Yeich

Sound Mixer Allan Byer

Boom Operators Alfredo Viteri

John Gutierrez

Video Assist Brian Carmichael

Joe Trammell

24 Frame Video Supervisor James Domorski

Special Effects Coordinator Mark Bero

Special Effects Foreman Bob Scupp

Assistant Location Managers Ian MacGregor

Guy Efrat

Kip Davis Myers

Parking Coordinators Maurice Cabrera

Mike Fermin

Assistant Production Coordinator Meegan Neeb

Production Secretary Betsy Davis

Assistant Accountants Theresa L. Marsh

Deborah A. Becker

Payroll Accountant Darryl A. Smith

Accounting Clerks Katherine DeJesus

Jennie Myers

Construction Coordinator Raymond M. Samitz

Key Shopcraftsman Gerard Furey

Shopcraft Foremen Charles Romanello

Brian Becker

Key Construction Grips Todd MacNicholl

Rolf H. Bortner

Best Boy Construction Grip Vincent J. Biscaino

Stage Manager Jan Claire Tynes

Master Scenic Artist Robert Topol

Camera Scenic Artist M. Tony Trotta

Scenic Foreman Lyvan A. Munlyn

Scenic Foreperson Maggie Ryan

Scenic Artists Rand Angelicola

Diane Rich

Stephen Caldwell

Assistant Art Directors Emily Beck

Michael Auszura

Heesoo Kim

Assistant Art Director/Graphics Mark Pollard

Graphic Artist Kevin L. Raper

Storyboard Artist Steven Glazman

Art Department Coordinator Judith L. Buckley

Assistant Set Decorator Alyssa Winter

Leadman Bruce Lee Gross

2nd Set Dresser D. Scott Gagnon

On-Set Dressers Ruth A. Deleon

Steve Brennan

Set Dressers Hank Liebeskind

Jason A. Brown

James Whelan

Assistant Property Masters Vinny Mazzarella

Dave Schanker

Tonero Williams

Unit Publicist Eric Myers

Still Photographer Barry Wetcher

Second 2nd Assistant Director Chris DeAngelis

DGA Trainee Matt McLoota

Assistant to Mr. Foley Lindsay Jaeger

Assistants to Ms. Goldsmith-Thomas Brooke Schaiberger

Sean Dooley

Assistant to Mr. Bozman Gabrielle Cran

Assistant to Ms. Schindler Jessica Kantor

Assistant to Mr. Newirth Dawn Clounch

Assistant to Ms. Langhoff Brian Cruey

Assistant to Mr. Thomas Michelle Vicidomini

Production Assistants

Adam Bernard Filipe Bessa

Antonio Bonilla Natalie S. Brown

Kate Carcaterra Brian Chang

Glenn Ferrara Danielle Goldsmith

Amir Khan Kendra Levenberg

Siddeeqah Malik Jeremy Mohler

Matthew S. Pratt-Hewitt Justin Ritson

Aton Roberts Chris Rodriguez

Katie Ryan Roth Omar Vaid

Ryan Westphal Zach Wolf

John Wu Zachary Zirlin

Casting Assistant Philip Huffman

Background Casting Lee Genick

Catering Tomkats

Chef John Edmunds

Craft Service Wilson Rivas

Angel Rivas

Marcia Rivas

Security Wayne Petrucelli

Security for Ms. Berry G.S.I.S.

Set Medic Kathleen Cossu

Transportation Captain James P. Whalen, Jr.

Transportation Co-Captain Timothy J. Shannon

Drivers

Mike Buckman Joseph J. Buonocore, Jr.

Dan Connolly Telly Davis

Bob Dwyer William Featherstone

Roy Fortier Brian Hogan

Joseph J. Parvis Timothy J. Shannon

Donald Yeager

POST PRODUCTION

1st Assistant Editor/VFX Editor Kent Blocher

Assistant Editor/VFX Production John Sosnovsky

Post Production Supervisor Paul A. Levin

Post Production Coordinator Ann Gray

Supervising Sound Editor Ron Bochar

Dialogue Editor Branka Mrkic-tana

Supervising ADR Editor Gina R. Alfano

ADR Editors Marissa Littlefield

Mary Ellen Porto

Sound Effects Editor Heather Gross

Foley Editor Kam Chan

Assistant Sound Editors Alexa Zimmerman

Chad Birmingham

Apprentice Sound Editors Lidia Tamplenizza

Serge Stanley

Foley Engineer George A. Lara

Foley Artist Leslie Bloom

Voice Casting by Sondra James

Re-recording Mixers Ron Bochar

Michael Barry

Re-Recording Engineer Eric Hirsch

Post Services Provided by C5, Inc.

Sound One N.Y.

Music Editors Mick Gormaley

Nic Ratner

Orchestrator Ed CÙrtes

Scoring Mixer John J. Kurlander

Conductor Bruce Fowler

Music Contractor Sandra Park

Copyist Tony Finno

Programmer Gui Amabis

Score Coordinator Marilia Franco

End Titles Nina Saxon Design

Scarlet Letters

Digital Intermediate by Technicolor

Digital Colorist Joe Gawler

D.I. Producer Dana Bloder

D.I. Engineering Mike Whipple

Emery Anderson

D.I. Editor Jesse Morrow

Lab Color Timer Chris Regan

Dailies Advisor Joey Violante

Visual Effects and Main Title Design by rhinofx

New York City

Visual Effects Supervisor/Art Director Arman Matin

Visual Effects Producer Karen Bianca Bisignano

Design Lead Chris DiFiore

Compositors Nitant Karnik

Rodrigo de la Parra

Lead TD Vadim Turchin

Animation Lead Jeff Lopez

Visual Effects Coordinator Elena Casanova

Visual Effects Associate Producer Mitchell Ferm

Visual Effects Executive Producer Camille Geier

Additional Visual Effects by & Company

Special Makeup Effects by KNB Efx Group

Soundtrack on Lakeshore Records

MUSIC

“Steady Baby”

Written by James Small, Cedric Lindsey and Anthony Carl Nollie

Performed by Dukes Of Daville

Courtesy of Hell Ya! Records

“These Arms Of Mine”

Written and Performed by Otis Redding

Courtesy of Atlantic Recording Corp.

By arrangement with Warner Music Group Film & TV Licensing

“Don’t Cry Baby”

Written by Saul Bernie, James Johnson and Stella Unger

Performed by Etta James

Courtesy of Geffen Records

Under license from Universal Music Enterprises

“Can’t Get You Out Of My Mind”

Written and Performed by Sonya Kitchell

Courtesy of Velour Music Group

By arrangement with Music For The Masses

“Feel Good Inc.”

Written by Damon Albarn, Jamie Hewlett,

Brian Burton and David Jolicoeur

Performed by Gorillaz

Courtesy of EMI Records Ltd.

Under license from EMI Film & Television Music

“You Sexy Thing”

Written by Errol Brown

Produced by Matt Chiaravalle

Performed by James “D-Train” Williams

“My Funny Valentine”

Written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart

Produced by Matt Chiaravalle

Performed by James “D-Train” Williams

“Stir It Up”

Written and Performed by Bob Marley

Courtesy of The Island Def Jam Music Group

Under license from Universal Music Enterprises

“Like A Star”

Written and Performed by Corinne Bailey Rae

Courtesy of Capitol Records

Under license from EMI Film & Television Music

“Nausea”

Written by Beck Hansen

Performed by Beck

Courtesy of Interscope Records

Under license from Universal Music Enterprises

“Walk On By” (S&K Remix)

Written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David

Performed by Seal

Courtesy of Warner Bros. Records Inc.

By arrangement with Warner Music Group Film & TV Licensing

“I Put A Spell On You”

Written by Jay Hawkins

Performed by Nina Simone

Courtesy of The Verve Music Group

Under license from Universal Music Enterprises

“A Transa”

Written by Antonio Pinto and Ed CÙrtes

Performed by Antonio Pinto, Ed CÙrtes & Band

Courtesy of 02 Filmes Curtos Ltda. and Hank Levine Film GmbH

Under license from Milan Entertainment, Inc.

“White Flag”

Written by Dido Armstrong, Rollo Armstrong and Rick Nowels

Performed by Dido

Courtesy of Arista Records, Inc. /

SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT (UK) Limited

By arrangement with SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT

“The Lie”

Written and Performed by James Newton Howard

Courtesy of Revolution Studios Distribution Company LLC

Under license from Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc.

“Troubled Waters”

Written by Sam Coslow and Arthur Johnston

Performed by Cat Power

Courtesy of Matador Records

Revolution Studios Distribution Company, LLC is the author of this film (motion

picture) for the purpose of copyright and other laws.

BlackTailÆ , Leg ShowÆ, JuggsÆ and Oriental DollsÆ

are registered trademarks of Mavety Media Group Ltd.

NY1 News logo used with permission.

Courtesy Howard Greenberg Gallery, NYC

Special Thanks to

The New York City Mayor’s Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting

The New York City Police Film And Television Unit

The New York State Governor’s Office for Motion Picture & Television Development

Larry A. Silverstein

7 World Trade Center, LLC

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority and MTA Bridges and Tunnels

MADE IN NY

ESFPC NY LOVE FILM

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PANAVISIONÆ

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Color by Technicolor Æ

This is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents, and locations portrayed and the names herein are fictitious, and any similarity to or identification with the location, name, character or history of any person, product or entity is entirely coincidental and unintentional.

This motion picture photoplay is protected pursuant to the provisions of the laws of the United States of America and other countries. Any unauthorized duplication and/or distribution of this photoplay may result in civil liability and criminal prosecution.

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COLUMBIA PICTURES

A SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY

Revolution Studios Presenta

“PERFECT STRANGER”

Dirigida por

James Foley

GuiÛn de Todd Komarnicki

Historia por Jon Bokenkamp

Producida por

Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas

Productores Ejecutivos

Ron Bozman

Deborah Schindler

Charles Newirth

Director de FotografÌa

Anastas Michos, ASC

DiseÒador de ProducciÛn

Bill Groom

Editada por

Christopher Tellefsen, A.C.E.

M·sica de

Antonio Pinto

Halle Berry

Bruce Willis

Giovanni Ribisi

Gary Dourdan

Richard Portnow

Patti D’Arbanville

Clea Lewis

Casting por

Todd Thaler

Co-Productores

Stephanie Langhoff

Daniel A. Thomas

Supervisora Musical

Denise Luiso

DiseÒadora de Vestuario

RenÈe Ehrlich Kalfus

Una PelÌcula de James Foley

Gerente Unidad de ProducciÛn

Harvey Waldman

Gerente Unidad de ProducciÛn

Ron Bozman

Primer Asistente al Director

Glen Trotiner

Segundo Asistente al Director

ddie Micallef

Productor Asociado

Stephen Eads

Elenco

Rowena Halle Berry

Harrison Hill Bruce Willis

Miles Giovanni Ribisi

Narron Richard Portnow

Cameron Gary Dourdan

Teniente Tejada Florencia Lozano

Grace Nicki Aycox

Elizabeth Clayton Kathleen Chalfant

Senador Sachs Gordon MacDonald

Josie Daniella Van Graas

Mia Hill Paula Miranda

Esmeralda Patti D’Arbanville

Gina Clea Lewis

Bethany Tamara Feldman

Jon Kirshenbaum Gerry Becker

Kenneth Phelps Jared Burke

Jesse Drake Jay Wilkison

Gunnar Hope Aaron Nauta

Toni Jane Bradbury

PolicÌa de Capital Jeffrey Bellamy

Coronel Charles Thomas

Bill Patel Jason Antoon

Como Ella Misma Heidi Klum

Fiscal de Distrito Daniel A. Thomas

Abogado Defensor Jack Menz

Jury Foreman Liliane Thomas

Testigo De CSI Todd Komarnicki

Tipo De CSI Daniel Cheswick

Analista De CSI James Mazzola

Donna Emma Heming

Carol Whittier Kristy Hinze

Banquero Jay Coyle

Asistente del FotÛgrafo Stephen Eads

Juez Michael Tolan

Mam· De Ro Yvonna Kopacz

Mam· De Ro (Mayor) Jacqueline Cannon

Pap· De Ro Vincent Lamberti

Ro a los 9 AÒos Maya N. Blake

Grace a los 9 AÒos Nadine Jacobson

Ejecutivos De Reebok Jonathan Ave

Thomas Sullivan

Mujer de Recursos Humanos Pat Pritchett Lewis

Vendedor De Puesto De Diarios Gaetano Lisi

Vendedor De Puesto De CafÈ Brandhyze Stanley

Guardia De Seguridad Maurice Ballard

Hombre En Elevador Justin Ritson

Clientes Lauren Potter

Robert L. Haber

Mitch Giannunzio

TÈcnico De Computadoras De NYPD John Heinlein

Hombre En Bar Mike O’Brien

Portero De Hill Joe Paparone

Cantante James “D-Train” Williams

Coordinadores de Dobles George Aguilar

John Cenatiempo

Dobles Anthony Vincent

Piloto De HelicÛptero Al Cerullo

Director de Arte Charley Beal

Decorador de Sets Susan Tyson

Encargado de Ubicar Objetos en el Set Jim Mazzola

Supervisor de GuiÛn Massoumeh Emami

Gerente de Locaciones Maria T. Bierniak

Coordinador de ProducciÛn Anne Nevin

Contador de ProducciÛn Mike Phillips

Operador C·mara “A” Patrick Capone

Primer Asistente C·mara “A” Heather Norton

Segundo Asistente C·mara “A” Ed Nessen

Operador C·mara “B”/Operador Steadicam Will Arnot

Primer Asistente C·mara “B” Geb Byers

Segundo Asistente C·mara “B” Amanda Hudson

Recargador de C·mara Pierson Silver

DiseÒador de Vestuario Asistente Richard Schurkamp

Supervisores de vestuario M.J. McGrath

Thomas Stokes

Vestuaristas Principales Jennifer M. Moore

Rhonney Greene

Vestuarista para la Sra. Berry Nina Johnston

Vestuarista para el Sr. Willis Michelle Teague

Supervisor de Compra de Vestuario Joni M. Huth

Cabeza Departamento de Peinados Wayne Herndon

Estilista Principal Diana Sikes

Estilista para la Sra. Berry Barbara Lorenz

Estilista para el Sr. Willis Linda Arnold

Artista de Maquillaje Co-Principal para el Sr. Willis Richard Dean

Artista de Maquillaje Co-Principal Leslie Fuller

Artista de Maquillaje para la Sra. Berry Norma Hill-Patton

Artista de Maquillaje Frances A. Kolar

Electricidad Andrew Day

Ayudante de Electricidad Ralph Crowley

Operador Consola de Luces Kelly Britt

Operadores de Focos David Baney

Peter Russell

Bill Almeida

Michael Hunold

William MacGhee

Joshua Van Praag

Jamie Gallagher

Electricidad Principal Charles Grubbs

Ayudante de la Electricidad Principal William Hines

Coordinador del Personal de ProducciÛn Tommy Prate

Ayudante del Coordinador del Personal

de ProducciÛn Chris Kilduff

Personal de ProducciÛn a Cargo del

Movimiento de C·mara Matt Blades

Gregory Cahill

Personal de ProducciÛn Tony Arnaud

Balint Pinczehelyi

Gerald Gloster

William Moran

Coordinador Principal del Personal de ProducciÛn Kevin W. Flynn

Ayudante del Coordinador Principal del

Personal de ProducciÛn Franz J. Yeich

Mezclador de Sonido Allan Byer

Operadores de MicrÛfono Alfredo Viteri

John Gutierrez

Asistencia de Video Brian Carmichael

Joe Trammell

Supervisor de Video en 24 Cuadros James Domorski

Coordinador de Efectos Especiales Mark Bero

Encargado de Efectos Especiales Bob Scupp

Asistentes al Gerente de Locaciones Ian MacGregor

Guy Efrat

Kip Davis Myers

Coordinadores de Estacionamiento Maurice Cabrera

Mike Fermin

Asistente al Coordinador de ProducciÛn Meegan Neeb

Secretaria de ProducciÛn Betsy Davis

Contadores Asistentes Theresa L. Marsh

Deborah A. Becker

Contador Encargado de Sueldos Darryl A. Smith

Empleados de ContadurÌa Katherine DeJesus

Jennie Myers

Coordinador de ConstrucciÛn Raymond M. Samitz

Artesano en Metales Gerard Furey

Capataz en ArtesanÌa de Metales Charles Romanello

Brian Becker

Coordinadores de Personal de ProducciÛn

de ConstrucciÛn Todd MacNicholl

Rolf H. Bortner

Ayudante del Coordinadores de Personal

de ProducciÛn de ConstrucciÛn Vincent J. Biscaino

Gerente de Escenario Jan Claire Tynes

Maestro EscÈnico Robert Topol

Artista de C·mara EscÈnico M. Tony Trotta

Encargado de EscenografÌa Lyvan A. Munlyn

Ayudante al Encargado de EscenografÌa Maggie Ryan

Artistas EscÈnicos Rand Angelicola

Diane Rich

Stephen Caldwell

Directores de Arte Asistentes Emily Beck

Michael Auszura

Heesoo Kim

Director de Arte Asistente/Gr·ficos Mark Pollard

Artista Gr·fico Kevin L. Raper

Artista de Bocetos Steven Glazman

Coordinador Departamento de Arte Judith L. Buckley

Asistente al Decorador de Sets Alyssa Winter

Hombre LÌder Bruce Lee Gross

2do Vestuarista del Set D. Scott Gagnon

Vestuaristas en el Set Ruth A. Deleon

Steve Brennan

Vestuaristas de Sets Hank Liebeskind

Jason A. Brown

James Whelan

Asistentes al Encargado de Ubicar Objetos en el Set Vinny Mazzarella

Dave Schanker

Tonero Williams

Publicista de la Unidad Eric Myers

FotÛgrafo de Tomas Quietas Barry Wetcher

Segundo 2do Asistente al Director Chris DeAngelis

Pasante DGA Matt McLoota

Asistente al Sr. Foley Lindsay Jaeger

Asistentes a la Sra. Goldsmith-Thomas Brooke Schaiberger

Sean Dooley

Asistente al Sr. Bozman Gabrielle Cran

Asistente a la Sra. Schindler Jessica Kantor

Asistente al Sr. Newirth Dawn Clounch

Asistente a la Sra. Langhoff Brian Cruey

Asistente al Sr. Thomas Michelle Vicidomini

Asistentes de ProducciÛn

Adam Bernard Filipe Bessa

Antonio Bonilla Natalie S. Brown

Kate Carcaterra Brian Chang

Glenn Ferrara Danielle Goldsmith

Amir Khan Kendra Levenberg

Siddeeqah Malik Jeremy Mohler

Matthew S. Pratt-Hewitt Justin Ritson

Aton Roberts Chris Rodriguez

Katie Ryan Roth Omar Vaid

Ryan Westphal Zach Wolf

John Wu Zachary Zirlin

Asistente al Casting Philip Huffman

Casting para el Fondo Lee Genick

Catering Tomkats

Chef John Edmunds

Servicios de Mantenimiento Wilson Rivas

Angel Rivas

Marcia Rivas

Seguridad Wayne Petrucelli

Seguridad para la Sra. Berry G.S.I.S.

MÈdico del Set Kathleen Cossu

Capit·n de Transporte James P. Whalen, Jr.

Co- Capit·n de Transporte Timothy J. Shannon

Choferes

Mike Buckman Joseph J. Buonocore, Jr.

Dan Connolly Telly Davis

Bob Dwyer William Featherstone

Roy Fortier Brian Hogan

Joseph J. Parvis Timothy J. Shannon

Donald Yeager

POST PRODUCCI”N

1er Asistente de Editor/Editor VFX Kent Blocher

Asistente de Editor/ProducciÛn de VFX John Sosnovsky

Supervisor de Post ProducciÛn Paul A. Levin

Coordinador de Post ProducciÛn Ann Gray

Editor de Sonido Supervisor Ron Bochar

Editor de Di·logos Branka Mrkic-tana

Editor Supervisor de ADR Gina R. Alfano

Editores de ADR Marissa Littlefield

Mary Ellen Porto

Editor de Efectos de Sonido Heather Gross

Editor de Sonidos de Fondo Kam Chan

Editores de Sonido Asistentes Alexa Zimmerman

Chad Birmingham

Aprendices de Editores de Sonido Lidia Tamplenizza

Serge Stanley

Ingeniero del Sonido de Fondo George A. Lara

Artista de Sonido de Fondo Leslie Bloom

Casting de Voces por Sondra James

Mezcladores de Regrabado Ron Bochar

Michael Barry

Ingeniero de Regrabado Eric Hirsch

Servicios de Post ProveÌdos por C5, Inc.

Sound One N.Y.

Editores Musicales Mick Gormaley

Nic Ratner

Orquestador Ed CÙrtes

Mezclador de M·sica de Fondo John J. Kurlander

Conductor Bruce Fowler

Contratista Musical Sandra Park

Copista Tony Finno

Programador Gui Amabis

Coordinador de M·sica de Fondo Marilia Franco

TÌtulos Finales Nina Saxon Design

Scarlet Letters

Intermedio Digital por Technicolor

Colorista Digital Joe Gawler

Productor de D.I. Dana Bloder

IngenierÌa de D.I. Mike Whipple

Emery Anderson

Editor de D.I. Jesse Morrow

Cronometrista de Laboratorio Color Chris Regan

Asesor de PeriÛdicos Joey Violante

Efectos Visuales y DiseÒo de TÌtulos Principales por rhinofx

New York City

Supervisor de Efectos Visuales / Director de Arte Arman Matin

Productor de Efectos Visuales Karen Bianca Bisignano

DiseÒo Principal Chris DiFiore

Compositores Nitant Karnik

Rodrigo de la Parra

TD Principal Vadim Turchin

AnimaciÛn Principal Jeff Lopez

Coordinadores de Efectos Visuales Elena Casanova

Productor de Efectos Visuales Mitchell Ferm

Productor Ejecutivo de Efectos Visuales Camille Geier

Efectos Visuales Adicionales por & Company

Efectos Especiales de Maquillaje por KNB Efx Group

Banda Sonora en Lakeshore Records

M/SICA

“Steady Baby”

Escrita por James Small, Cedric Lindsey y Anthony Carl Nollie

Interpretada por Dukes Of Daville

CortesÌa de Hell Ya! Records

“These Arms Of Mine”

Escrita e Interpretada por Otis Redding

CortesÌa de Atlantic Recording Corp.

Bajo arreglos con Warner Music Group Film & TV Licensing

“Don’t Cry Baby”

Escrita por Saul Bernie, James Johnson y Stella Unger

Interpretada por Etta James

CortesÌa de Geffen Records

Bajo licencia de Universal Music Enterprises

“Can’t Get You Out Of My Mind”

Escrita e Interpretada por Sonya Kitchell

CortesÌa de Velour Music Group

Bajo arreglos con Music For The Masses

“Feel Good Inc.”

Escrita por Damon Albarn, Jamie Hewlett,

Brian Burton y David Jolicoeur

Interpretada por Gorillaz

CortesÌa de EMI Records Ltd.

Bajo licencia de EMI Film & Television Music

“You Sexy Thing”

Escrita por Errol Brown

Producida por Matt Chiaravalle

Interpretada por James “D-Train” Williams

“My Funny Valentine”

Escrita por Richard Rodgers y Lorenz Hart

Producida por Matt Chiaravalle

Interpretada por James “D-Train” Williams

“Stir It Up”

Escrita e Interpretada por Bob Marley

CortesÌa de The Island Def Jam Music Group

Bajo licencia de Universal Music Enterprises

“Like A Star”

Escrita e Interpretada por Corinne Bailey Rae

CortesÌa de Capitol Records

Bajo licencia de EMI Film & Television Music

“Nausea”

Escrita por Beck Hansen

Interpretada por Beck

CortesÌa de Interscope Records

Bajo licencia de Universal Music Enterprises

“Walk On By” (S&K Remix)

Escrita por Burt Bacharach and Hal David

Interpretada por Seal

CortesÌa de Warner Bros. Records Inc.

Bajo arreglos con Warner Music Group Film & TV Licensing

“I Put A Spell On You”

Escrita por Jay Hawkins

Interrpetada por Nina Simone

CortesÌa de The Verve Music Group

Bajo licencia de Universal Music Enterprises

“A Transa”

Escrita por Antonio Pinto y Ed CÙrtes

Interpretada por Antonio Pinto, Ed CÙrtes & Band

CortesÌa de 02 Filmes Curtos Ltda. and Hank Levine Film GmbH

Bajo licencia de Milan Entertainment, Inc.

“White Flag”

Escrita por Dido Armstrong, Rollo Armstrong y Rick Nowels

Interpretada por Dido

CortesÌa de Arista Records, Inc. /

SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT (UK) Limited

Bajo arreglos con SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT

“The Lie”

Escrita e Interpretada por James Newton Howard

CortesÌa de Revolution Studios Distribution Company LLC

Bajo licencia de Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc.

“Troubled Waters”

Escrita por Sam Coslow y Arthur Johnston

Interpretada por Cat Power

CortesÌa de Matador Records

Revolution Studios Distribution Company, LLC es el autor de esta pelÌcula (largometraje)

Para los propÛsitos de derechos de autor y otras leyes.

BlackTailÆ , Leg ShowÆ, JuggsÆ and Oriental DollsÆ

Son marcas registradas de Mavety Media Group Ltd.

Logo de NY1 News usado con permiso.

CortesÌa de Howard Greenberg Gallery, NYC

Especiales agradecimientos a

La Oficina de Cine, Teatro y Transmisiones Televisivas del Alcalde de Nueva York

La Unidad de Cine y TelevisiÛn de la PolicÌa de la Ciudad de Nueva York

La Oficina de Largometrajes & Desarrollo Televisivo del Gobernador del Estado de Nueva York

Larry A. Silverstein

7 World Trade Center, LLC

La Autoridad de Transporte Metropolitano y la MTA de Puentes y T·neles

REALIZADO EN NY

ESFPC NY LOVE FILM

Filmado con

PANAVISIONÆ

C·maras & Lentes

Color por Technicolor Æ

Este es un trabajo de ficciÛn. Los personajes, incidentes, y locaciones representados y sus respectivos nombres son ficticios, y cualquier similitud o identificaciÛn con la locaciÛn, nombre, personaje o historia de cualquier persona, producto o entidad es enteramente una coincidencia y no intencional.

Esta cinta de largometraje est· protegida bajo las previsiones de las leyes de los Estados Unidos de NorteamÈrica y otos paÌses. Cualquier duplicaciÛn y/o distribuciÛn no autorizada de esta cinta puede resultar en acciones civiles y criminales.

ESTRENADA POR

COLUMBIA PICTURES

UNA COMPA—ÕA DE SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT

Posted by Bill at 03:14 PM | Permalink

April 10, 2007

Travel News

July 27

New Wilhelm Tell Express Tour Package From Rail Europe

A getaway to the breathtaking lake and mountain scenery of Switzerland is just the antidote to the summer doldrums.

Named after the legendary hero of Swiss independence, the new Wilhelm Tell Express Tour hotel and rail package from Rail Europe takes you from the jagged peaks and pine forests of the German-speaking Alpine heart of Switzerland (Lucerne) to the palm-fringed lakeshores and charming villages of the Italian-speaking south (Lugano or Locarno).

Offered May through October, the tour includes 1st class tickets on the fabled Wilhelm Tell Express scenic route connecting Lucerne and Lugano/Locarno, two nights in 3-star hotels (one each in Lucerne and Lugano/Locarno; upgrade to 4-star hotels available), and 1st class transfers by rail from any Swiss airport or border point to the starting and ending points of the tour. The tour package is priced at $395 US/$492 CAN per person (based on double occupancy), including mandatory seat reservations and a light meal on the boat. The journey may be booked in either direction.

Children under 16 travel for free with a paying adult. As a bonus, purchasers of the Wilhelm Tell Tour receive a 50% discount on any additional rail, boat, bus or cable car ticket if they wish to extend their stay in Lucerne or Lugano/Locarno.

Two cultures, two styles of travel

The 6-hour Wilhelm Tell Express is a study in contrasts: not only between German and Italian regions of Switzerland, but also in the pace and style of travel.

First you glide leisurely between Lucerne and Flüelen on star-shaped Lake Lucerne aboard an elegant old-fashioned paddle steamer -- with a light meal prepared in the beautifully restored boat restaurant.

Then you ride a train in wall-to-ceiling panoramic cars along the amazing Gotthard rail line, an engineering marvel with 32 tunnels and 13 viaducts through mountains, steep ravines and precipitous cliffs. Over the short course of 17.4 miles, the Gotthard line -- celebrating its 125th anniversary this year -- climbs 694 yards through spiral and horseshoe-shaped tunnels.

Pan Gottardo rotating seats -- a multimedia experience

To celebrate 125 years of the Gotthard line, a special Pan Gottardo panoramic observation car with 26 rotating seats is available on two departures daily in both directions. The seats allow an infinitely adjustable range of viewing angles. Headphones with a choice of languages provide information on sights, landscape and how the railroad was built. Flat screen panels show entertaining films throughout the journey.

For more information or to book the Wilhelm Tell Express Tour package, or any other Swiss or other European rail product or railpass for individual or group travel in more than 30 countries across Europe and the UK, consult a travel agent or log on to Rail Europe's web site, www.raileurope.com (in the U.S.) or www.raileurope.ca (Canada) or call Rail Europe at 1-888-382-7245 (U.S.) or 1-800-361-7245 (Canada).

Cruise America RV Celebrates Its 35th Anniversary With Milestones and Memories

Founded in 1972, Cruise America Is the largest RV Rental Company in the United States MESA, AZ In a time when travel trends come and go, at least one company has staying power: Cruise America RV. Celebrating its 35th anniversary this month, the organization is one of the oldest RV rental and sales companies in the world.

Cruise America has grown dramatically over the past three-and-a-half decades. From its roots in Florida, where Robert Smalley, Sr. -- a former president of car rental giant Hertz -- first opened up shop in 1972, the company has expanded from a small family operation to the largest RV rental company in the U.S., as well as one of the top sellers of used Class C motorhomes.

In 1993 Cruise America shifted operations to Mesa, Ariz., where it is still located today. Now operating 136 RV rental locations and 16 motorhome sales centers throughout the U.S. and Canada, the company has served nearly 1 million rental customers and sold more than 25,000 used RVs over its 35-year history.

Despite its rapid growth and national success, Cruise America still maintains its family-oriented focus. Top executives at the company include Robert Smalley, Jr. and Randall Smalley, both sons of founder Robert Smalley, Sr., with other family members holding key positions as well.

"Family ties have been integral to Cruise America's success since the start," says Robert Smalley, president of Cruise America. "We're a close-knit company, and we believe that this focus makes us better able to serve our customers, many of whom are families as well."

In fact, Cruise America is more than just a family business -- it's a legacy that dates back to the 1920s, Smalley adds.

"My great-grandfather, Frank Couture, was a pioneer in the car rental industry more than 80 years ago," Smalley says. "My brother and I represent the fourth generation of our family to dedicate ourselves to the vehicle rental business, and we couldn't be prouder about reaching this important milestone."

As the company celebrates its 35th anniversary, it plans to hold sales, promotions and specials throughout the year -- including giving a free GPS to RV buyers at any of the company's 13 U.S. sales locations between now and August 31. For details and restrictions on the GPS promotion, customers should visit www.cruiseamerica.com/35.

Cruise America RVs are available in compact, standard and large sizes, sleeping from four to seven people and offering a kitchen, bathroom and living area. For vacationers who'd rather drive their own vehicle, Cruise America also offers camping trailers for rent, as well as one-way RV rentals at locations across the U.S. and Canada.

Founded in Florida in 1972 and now based in Mesa, Ariz., Cruise America is the largest RV rental and sales company in the U.S., employing around 300 full-time employees in the U.S. and Canada during peak seasons. Family-owned and operated, Cruise America was founded by Robert Smalley, Sr., and is now led by his sons, CEO Randall Smalley and President Robert Smalley, Jr. Visit Cruise America online for more information or to find hot deals on used RVs for sale and read more about planning your RV vacation. France's New High Speed Rail Line, TGV East, Just Launched; Boosts Ticket Sales 65% Over Last Year

Build a high-speed rail line and they will come -- this has proven true time and again in Europe since the first high-speed line (Paris-Lyon) was launched.

History is repeating itself with the new TGV* East line, which opened today, slashing previous train travel times by one-third to one-half between Paris and eastern France (Reims, Metz, Nancy, Colmar, Strasbourg, etc), Germany, Luxembourg and Switzerland.

Since Rail Europe announced the availability of TGV East tickets (on April 10, 60 days before service started), the number of North American passengers buying tickets for these routes has increased an average of 65% over the same period last year (when journey times were longer). Some routes have seen ticket sales increase as much as 400% (Nancy-Strasbourg) or 368% (Paris-Stuttgart). On other routes, ticket sales are nearly double what they were during April-June 2006: Mulhouse-Paris (94%), Metz-Paris (92%), Paris-Strasbourg (84%).

Besides cutting travel times nearly in half, the launch of TGV East has also increased the frequency along routes to and within eastern France 15-20%, plus now there are many direct trains, where previously passengers had to transfer at intermediate stations.

High-speed rail has traditionally captured the major share of combined air/rail traffic along routes where train journeys are under 3 hours. The new TGV line is expected to garner 75% of the Paris-Strasbourg market within one year and eventually 90%. Air France previously announced plans to discontinue flights Paris-Metz in July.

Faster travel times

Between with TGV East Previous travel time

Paris-Reims 45 min. 1 hr. 35 min.

Paris-Nancy 1 hr. 30 min. 2 hr. 40 min.

Paris-Strasbourg 2 hr. 20 min. 4 hr.

Paris-Luxembourg 2 hr. 5 min. 3 hr. 35 min.

Paris-Zurich 4 hr. 32 min. 5 hr. 50 min.

Paris-Frankfurt 3 hr. 50 min. 6 hr. 15 min.

Paris-Stuttgart 3 hr. 40 min. 6 hr.

Ticket prices**

The following prices are for one-way, full-fare (fully exchangeable/refundable) tickets. Special offers will appear at www.raileurope.com (U.S.) or www.raileurope.ca (Canada).

Paris-Reims: $43 US/$51 CAD (2nd cl.) or $75 US/$88 CAD (1st)

Paris-Nancy: $76 US/$ 89 CAD (2nd) or $135 US/$ 158 CAD (1st)

Paris-Strasbourg: $ $96 US/$113 CAD (2nd) or $170 US/$199 CAD (1st)

Paris-Basel: $128 US / $150 CAD (2nd) or $193US / $226 CAD (1ST)

Paris-Stuttgart: $144 US/$169 CAD (2nd) or $250 US/ $293 CAD (1st)

A France Railpass -- which covers 3 days of unlimited rail travel throughout France within a one-month period -- starts at $227 US/$ 266 CAD. (Seat reservations, which are required on all TGVs, must be purchased separately). Holders of France Railpass receive special low Passholder fares on international routes (France-Germany, France-Switzerland or on Eurostar or Thalys high-speed trains) that can save 70-80% over regular fares. In addition, the pass provides discounts on Bateaux Parisiens cruises, city passes for Nancy and Strasbourg, museums, scenic rail journeys in other parts of France and more.

For more information or to book railpasses or tickets for individual or group travel on TGV East or high-speed, scenic, and overnight trains throughout Europe and the UK, consult a travel agent or log on to www.raileurope.com (U.S.) or www.raileurope.ca (Canada) or call Rail Europe at 1-888-382-7245 (U.S.) or 1-800-361-7245 (Canada).

Notes:

*TGV = Train a Grande Vitesse (French high-speed train)

**Prices subject to change. For the latest prices, log on to

www.raileurope.com (U.S.) or www.raileurope.ca (Canada)

June 7

Cruise Industry's Most Popular Blog Continues to Set Records, Offers Lighthearted Look at Shipboard Life

Carnival Freedom Senior Cruise Director John Heald's Postings Earn Top 25 Ranking Among WordPress.com's One Million Blogs, Attracting 300,000 Visitors

The on-line blog by Carnival Freedom Senior Cruise Director John Heald continues to grow in popularity and, last week for the first time, achieved a top 25 ranking among the more than one million blogs of WordPress.com, a leading blog-hosting service.

Heald's blog has been on a steady climb since it was introduced some 12 weeks ago. It first broke into the top 100 in mid-May and by early June it had moved up to number 23. During this time, the blog has attracted more than 300,000 visitors.

The blog, which is located at carnival.com/freedom, was launched in conjunction with the entry into service of the new Carnival Freedom in early March. "We thought the blog's popularity would probably peak during the first month from the curiosity over the new ship and then gradually start to decrease over time," said Bob Dickinson, Carnival president and CEO. "In fact, the exact opposite has happened, which is a testament not only to John's unique personality but also the work he puts forth in keeping his blog fresh and exciting for his readers," he added.

Heald, too, is surprised that the popularity keeps climbing. "I envisioned the blog as a simple recap of the day's events. However, it really has turned into more of a sounding board - not only serving as my own personal diary but also an open forum for readers to convey their own cruise experiences. To me, it's the perfect illustration on why cruising attracts such a diverse group of people. I consider the blog an extension of my cruise director duties and really cherish the opportunity to interact with readers on a regular basis."

Readers from all over the world have been attracted to Heald's blog and, according to posts, some are even booking cruises because of the blog. "That's been the most surprising thing," noted Heald. "This includes bookings on Carnival Freedom, other Carnival ships and even on some of our sister companies' ships. Among these are many first timers."

The blog has proven so popular that it has even inspired the "John Heald Bloggers Cruise" hosted by the popular cruise director aboard Carnival Freedom round-trip from Miami Jan. 19-26, 2008.

Through his blog, Heald provides a lighthearted account of life aboard the Carnival Freedom, with fascinating, humorous and sometime poignant tales of the guests and crewmembers he comes in contact with each day, all with his trademark wit and self-deprecating manner.

In keeping with Heald's vision of the blog as a forum for an open discussion on a wide-range of areas, a popular feature on the blog is a question-and-answer section in which he personally answers readers' queries about working aboard a cruise ship, the Carnival vacation experience, and various other cruise-related topics.

Heald's blog also shares stories about life aboard the Carnival Freedom with his wife, Heidi, the ship's assistant cruise director and occasional blog contributor. He also offers his own travel tips and recommendations, along with personal photos from Carnival Freedom's European cruises and even a recent trip to visit his parents in the UK.

One of the most popular cruise directors in the industry, Heald joined Carnival in 1986 as a bartender and, after transferring to the entertainment department, was named a social host three years later. He was promoted to cruise director in 1990 and in 2004 was named senior cruise director - currently the only individual to hold that position within the Carnival fleet.

Carnival is currently accepting reservations for the "John Heald Bloggers Cruise" aboard the Carnival Freedom, which will operate round-trip from Miami Jan. 19-26, 2008, and will visit three of Heald's favorite ports: Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman and Cozumel.

For additional information and reservations, contact any travel agent, call 1-800-CARNIVAL or visit carnival.com.

Carnival Cruise Lines, a unit of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), is a proud member of the exclusive World's Leading Cruise Lines. Our exclusive alliance also includes Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Cunard Line, Costa Cruises, and The Yachts of Seabourn. Sharing a passion to please each guest, and a commitment to quality and value, our member lines appeal to a wide range of lifestyles and budgets. Together, we offer exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world's most desirable destinations.

Source: Carnival Cruise Lines

Web site: http://www.carnivalcorp.com/
http://carnival.com/freedom

May 25

Rail Europe's "Pass Finder" Helps You Buy the Right Railpass

With all the different European railpasses available, how do you choose the right one? If you pick a pass that gives you more than you need, you've spent too much money, but buying "too small" a pass means you won't be covered for all the train travel you're planning.

To help guide you to the right choice, Rail Europe has just introduced an easy-to-use Pass Finder function on its website, www.raileurope.com [US] or www.raileurope.ca [Canada].

The Pass Finder is located on the homepage. Simply enter the country or countries you're planning on visiting, specifying the number of days you want to use the train and the number of days you'll be in each country -- and voilà, you will be presented with both first and second class options.

In addition to railpasses, Rail Europe also offers a wide range of point-to-point tickets for high-speed (such as Eurostar and Thalys), scenic and other trains. Passholders receive discounts on these special trains as well as other money-saving bonuses.

"With the Pass Finder, you don't have to be a rail expert, or wait to speak to one of our reservation agents to get advice on which pass or combination of passes to buy," says Fabrice Morel, President and CEO of Rail Europe. "Several thousand travelers to Europe have already tried the Pass Finder, and they appreciate its simplicity, accuracy and ease of use."

Rail Europe is the largest North American distributor of European rail travel products, with the broadest selection of railpasses, rail tickets on high-speed, scenic, and regional trains operating in more than 30 countries.

For more information or to book travel for individual or groups (10 or more) , contact a travel agent or Rail Europe at www.raileurope.com or by calling an experienced Rail Europe reservation agent at 1-888-382-7245 (U.S.) or 1-800-361-7245 (Canada).

May 22

The Travel Industry Soars Ahead - Now Using Internet TV to Reach Vacationers

the TV on the Internet Company, is changing the way the travel industry delivers information to its audience. Cutting-edge travel companies such as Britain's Best Breaks are using Narrowstep's industry-leading technology system, TelvOS(TM), to promote their destinations and services via broadband TV.

Internet TV allows travel companies to reach global audiences more economically than by other, more traditional, advertising and marketing tactics. Furthermore, Narrowstep's industry-leading technology allows for revenue streams from local and international travel merchants wishing to advertise directly to a highly targeted audience.

Britain's Best Breaks broadcasts half-hour, linear shows on Sky and http://www.britainsbestbreaks.tv/. These programs highlight the best of British travel to viewers worldwide who are looking to travel anywhere in the UK - from Land's End to John O'Groats.

"The travel sector has consistently led the way in adopting new technology and has always had a strong online presence," said David C. McCourt, Chairman and interim CEO of Narrowstep, Inc. "It isn't surprising that internet television is proving so popular. We're really excited to be working with Britain's Best Breaks and their partnership with us further proves that we really are the leaders in monetising high-quality, online content."

"Internet TV was the next vital step for us," said Stewart Rickersey, Managing Director of Richland Media Holdings, which owns Britain's Best Breaks. "We turned to Narrowstep because we needed partners who really knew the business and could advise us on how best to proceed. We know that travellers primarily look to the internet when researching destinations and by offering our program on broadband, we are making this an even more comprehensive experience."

About Narrowstep

Narrowstep(TM) Inc. (BULLETIN BOARD: NRWS) , the TV on the Internet company, is a leading global provider of broadband television services. Narrowstep's proprietary technologies and customer-focused services enable TV channels to be delivered over the Internet. 100+ companies worldwide have chosen Narrowstep because it offers the most television-like and true community building broadband experience. The company's telvOS(TM) (Television Operating System(TM)) and nBed(TM) technologies enable the most comprehensive delivery of video to mobile, wireless, Internet, broadband, VOIP and entirely new IP-delivered broadcast services. For more information, visit www.narrowstep.com.

About Britainsbestbreaks.tv

Britain's Best Breaks is a dedicated half-hour travel programme that puts the spotlight on destinations in the UK. About to start its 5th series, the show continues to develop and showcase the very best that Britain has to offer. Helping people discover short break ideas, explore exciting new destinations, or rediscover old favourites is what Britain's Best Breaks is all about. For more information about Britain's Best Breaks, please visit www.britainsbestbreaks.tv.

CONTACT: Franklin Rae Communications - +44

Source: Narrowstep Inc.

May 9

U.S. Travel Goods Sales Hit Record in 2006
Travel Goods Association Releases Report on State of the U.S. Travel Goods Market 1992-2006: A Profile of the U.S. Travel Goods Market

-- The continued growth in the use of travel goods in everyday life led to record travel goods sales during 2006, according to a new report from the Travel Goods Association (TGA). Travel goods are defined as luggage, backpacks, travel/sports bags, business cases/computer bags, handbags, personal leather goods and luggage locks. TGA estimates that U.S. consumers spent a record $20.7 billion on travel goods in 2006, fueled by burgeoning consumer demand in virtually all travel goods categories.

"There are two factors driving the growth in sales," explains Michele Marini Pittenger, TGA's president. "First, more people are traveling today, and second, travel goods are becoming a part of our everyday life. Totes and backpacks were previously used mainly in schools and airports; today they are more and more common in the workplace. Handbags and business cases traditionally held personal items and important papers; but now they must also accommodate cell phones, iPods, PDAs and laptops. And consumers want all of these products to be smaller, stylish and lightweight."

With more and more demands being placed on the travel goods they use, consumers are demanding new and better products -- and the U.S. travel goods industry is delivering. "These changing demands mean consumers will no longer wait until their tote or briefcase wears out, but will instead buy the new backpack or briefcase to go with their new laptop or cell phone -- translating into a surge in demand for these items," commented Pittenger.

This growth, however, has curbed sales of more traditional travel goods such as luggage and handbags as people find alternatives that better suit their changing lifestyles.

Stated Pittenger, "Because consumers now buy travel goods because they 'need' them, they are focusing on new, functional, innovative and stylish products rather than simply comparing costs. This should lead to stabilizing prices after years of deflation, and since it looks like the consumers' appetite for well-designed, original and fashionable travel goods shows no signs of abating, 2007 should be another great year for the industry."

Here's a quick look at how TGA estimates each of the major travel goods categories performed in 2006:

Luggage

The key phrase for U.S. luggage sales in 2006 is "quality over quantity." Luggage sales faced new pressures as consumers continued to utilize less traditional travel goods -- like business cases/computer bags, travel/sports bags and backpacks -- for their travels. While TGA estimates that the unit volume of luggage sold in the United States slipped from the record sales set in 2005, the average price of each piece of luggage sold in 2006 jumped 22.1% over the 2005 average price -- showing that while consumers became more particular, they were willing to pay to get the exact piece of luggage they were looking for.

Backpacks

Backpacks are no longer restricted to school campuses and campgrounds, but are now ubiquitous, being seen everywhere from airports to board rooms. Why? Because U.S. travel goods firms have successfully transformed backpacks from something that just carries your books or your camping gear into cutting-edge, versatile and multi-functional products that can cross over to every aspect of consumers' lives and meet their varying lifestyles. And, consumers have responded. TGA estimates that unit volume sales surged 13.0% in 2006. Just as important, the average price of a backpack grew for the first time in years -- registering a small, but significant, 2.3% increase.

Travel/Sports Bags

While this category remains dominated by "freebies," or promotional bags used by companies to give away to customers and at conferences and events, the growth in the use of multi-functional totes, duffels and other travel/sports bags for both travel and everyday use led to a TGA-estimated 5.7% growth in sales in 2006. The average price paid by consumers for those bags also grew, increasing 8.6% in 2006.

Business Cases/Computer Bags

With U.S. travel goods firms producing innovative products to match the changing lifestyles of consumers -- providing versatile and fashionable business cases/computer bags for travel as well as for everyday use -- TGA estimates that consumers pushed unit volume sales in this category up 9.9% in 2006. Consumers also were willing to pay more for these inventive and increasingly stylish products, pushing up the price for the average business case/computer bag by 12.4%.

Handbags

If you only looked at the TGA-estimated 9.7% fall in unit volume sales of handbags in 2006, you might think women's fascination with owning multiple handbags was waning. And although some handbag purchases may have migrated to the business cases/computer bags or travel/sports bags category, a quick look at the estimated average price women paid for handbags, which surged 15.8% in 2006, should make you think twice. It seems that women just don't want any handbag anymore, they want "the" handbag -- and they are willing to pay for it.

Personal Leather Goods

In this category, it appears that U.S. travel goods firms are the victims of their own success. Having successfully incorporated pockets and/or holders for consumers' glasses, PDAs, cell phones, iPods and the many other goodies consumers use today into multi-functional business cases, computer bags, totes, backpacks, and handbags, U.S. travel goods firms have essentially eliminated the need for the personal leather goods that used to hold and protect these items. Further, the continued growth of MP3 players and PDAs have also slowed the need for CD cases and day planners, two traditional personal leather goods categories. As a result of these changes, TGA estimates that sales of personal leather goods have started to decline from their record highs of a few years ago, with 2006 down 4.1% from 2005.

Luggage Locks

With the rule changes implemented in 2006 restricting what you could carry onto airplanes -- from personal hygiene items to wrapped presents -- consumers were forced to carry many of these items in their checked luggage. Growing concerns about the safety of that checked luggage (and the new items they contained) led consumers to buy 3.3% more luggage locks in 2006.

May 7

Carnival to Re-Brand its Fantasy-Class Ships in Tandem With Multi-Million-Dollar Refurbishment Program

In conjunction with its recently announced $250 million "Evolutions of Fun" ship refurbishment program, Carnival will re-brand its eight Fantasy-class ships by introducing an updated version of each ship's name as it appears on the vessel's hull, as well as in various marketing and collateral materials. As each ship goes into drydock for refurbishment, the name 'Carnival' and the company's logo will be combined with the vessel's name to provide an updated look and feel.

"The names of the majority of Carnival's ships which entered service starting in the latter 1990's begin with 'Carnival,' and those ships have become synonymous with expansive, high quality amenities and features," said Bob Dickinson, Carnival president and CEO. "As each of our Fantasy-class ships undergoes transformation to incorporate the wide-ranging enhancements under the 'Evolutions of Fun' initiative, it is only fitting that those vessels be re-branded to better align them with our other ships."

All marketing materials going forward will feature the new ship names Carnival Fantasy, Carnival Ecstasy, Carnival Sensation, Carnival Fascination, Carnival Imagination, Carnival Inspiration, Carnival Paradise and Carnival Elation.

As each ship goes into drydock to receive the "Evolutions of Fun" upgrades, signage on the ships' bow, stern and upper deck areas will be modified. Among the planned "Evolutions of Fun" enhancements are expansive children's water parks, a new design style and features for the pool areas, and the creation of the Serenity adults-only deck area.

Also being phased in and already in place on some ships are fully remodeled staterooms and suites, including new bathrooms, along with flat- screen televisions in staterooms and select public areas, atrium lobby bars, updated sound and lighting systems in various lounges and clubs, coffee bars, nine-hole miniature golf courses, new art and photo galleries, New York-style delis in the Lido restaurants, and purpose-built conference facilities. By 2009, upgrades to the entire Fantasy-class will be completed.

For additional information on the "Evolutions of Fun" initiative, visit www.carnival.com/evolutions. For cruise information and reservations, contact any travel agent, call 800-CARNIVAL or visit carnival.com.

Carnival Cruise Lines, a unit of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE:CCL) (NYSE:CUK) , is a proud member of the exclusive World's Leading Cruise Lines. Our exclusive alliance also includes Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Cunard Line, Costa Cruises, and The Yachts of Seabourn. Sharing a passion to please each guest, and a commitment to quality and value, our member lines appeal to a wide range of lifestyles and budgets. Together, we offer exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world's most desirable destinations.

Source: Carnival Cruise Lines

Web site: http://www.carnivalcorp.com/
http://www.carnival.com/evolutions

May 4

North to Alaska: Holland America Line Launches 2007 Seattle - Alaska Cruise Season

-- Underscoring the popularity of Alaska as a favorite vacation destination, Holland America Line kicks off its Seattle to Alaska cruise season tomorrow with versatile programs offering expanded optional excursions and destinations.

"No other cruise offers such a sweeping and majestic view of Alaska than what guests experience onboard a premium Holland America Line cruise," said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales, and guest programs for Holland America Line. "From the Inside Passage to Glacier Bay, we've crafted a wonderful choice of itineraries and optional excursions that showcase the this beautiful cruising destination, providing our guests with an exceptional experience."

With roundtrip sailings from Seattle, Holland America boasts 58 Alaskan Explorer departures with port calls to Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan and Victoria, BC. Two new Vista ships -- the ms Noordam (Sunday departures) and the ms Oosterdam (Saturdays) -- join the flagship ms Amsterdam (Fridays). The Noordam visits Glacier Bay on all departures while the Amsterdam visits either Tracy Arm and Sawyer Glaciers, or Glacier Bay. The Oosterdam continues cruising to the immense Hubbard Glacier or Wrangell-St.Elias National Park.

Drawing from numerous Washington-based vendors and suppliers, Holland America Line's cruise operations have a significant economic impact locally and statewide. Based on five ships scheduled for 64 cruises with a combined total of nearly 115,000 passengers, Holland America Line estimates the total statewide benefit to be approximately $469 million. Direct spending in Seattle is estimated to be $170 million and $199 million statewide.

For the 2007 cruises to Alaska brochure, contact a professional travel agent, call 1-877-SAIL-HAL (1-877-724-5425) or visit www.hollandamerica.com.

- www.hollandamerica.com -

About Holland America Line [a division of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE:CCL) (NYSE:and) (NYSE:CUK) ]

Holland America Line's fleet of 13 ships offers nearly 500 cruises to more than 320 ports. Two- to 108-day itineraries visit all seven continents, including Antarctica, South America, Australia/New Zealand and Asia and Grand World Voyages; and popular sailings to ports in the Caribbean, Alaska, Mexico, Canada/New England, Europe and Panama Canal.

In the 2006 Portrait of Affluent Travelers survey by Yesawich, Pepperdine, Brown and Russell, Holland America Line topped the list of cruise lines sought after by affluent leisure travelers. Its recently completed $225 million fleetwide Signature of Excellence enhancements added features such as the Culinary Arts Center presented by Food & Wine magazine -- a state-of-the-art onboard show kitchen where more than 60 celebrated guest chefs and culinary experts provide cooking demonstrations and classes -- Explorations Cafe powered by The New York Times, teens-only activity areas and all new stateroom amenities highlighted by flat-panel TVs and plush Euro-top Mariner's Dream Beds. For more information, consult a travel agent, call 1-877-SAIL-HAL (877- 724-5425) or visit www.hollandamerica.com.

World's Leading Cruise Lines

Among the highest-rated cruise lines in the world, Holland America Line is a member of the exclusive World's Leading Cruise Lines alliance, which also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Princess Cruises, Cunard Line, Seabourn Cruise Line, and Costa Cruises. Sharing a passion to please each guest and a commitment to quality and value, these lines appeal to a wide range of lifestyles and budgets. The World's Leading Cruise Lines offer exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world's most desirable destinations.

  AKCruises 07

April 27

Hundreds Gather for 'School Assembly' Event to Honor Pilots, Teachers, and Students Who Have Contributed to the School-to-Career Mentorship Program

What if you could inspire struggling students to believe in themselves -- and in their future careers?

What if you could ignite a students' desire to pursue a degree in science,

math, writing, or other fields? What if you could look back on the past ten

years and see that you made a difference?

Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) today celebrated the contribution of

hundreds of Pilots who have helped make a difference in their local

communities by volunteering in the Southwest Airlines Adopt-A-Pilot community

education program that is celebrating its 10th Anniversary this year. The

"school assembly" style event included hundreds of Employees, Southwest

leadership, and special VIP guests who cheered amid sky-high confetti as

Southwest Airlines unveiled a Boeing 737-700 plane dedicated to the Adopt-A-

Pilot program.

The plane unveiling marked the finale of the event that included comments

from Southwest CEO Gary Kelly, President Colleen Barrett, and former NASA

Astronaut turned Southwest Pilot, Captain Robert "Hoot" Gibson. Also featured

was a "class reunion" with "original" Pilots who have volunteered in the

program continuously since 1997, including Phoenix-based Captain Jesus Melian,

who was reunited with former Adopt-A-Pilot student Chun Mei Yu. Melian

mentored Yu's class several years ago at a small Connecticut school. She is

now pursuing a nursing degree at the University of Connecticut and credits

Adopt-A-Pilot with helping inspire her when she was a young immigrant,

acclimating to her new life in the United States.

"Ten years ago, Southwest Airlines launched a fledgling education and

community relations program called Adopt-A-Pilot with the hope that we could

unite at least 50 Pilots with 50 classrooms," says Colleen Barrett, Southwest

Airlines President. "Today, more than 650 Pilots are volunteering in

classrooms coast-to-coast, reaching more than 30,000 students. We couldn't be

more proud to work with the exemplary teachers and students who have made this

program possible. And our hats are off to the Pilots for their personal

investment of time and energy, as they exemplify the Southwest Spirit that our

Employees share in every community, every day."

Other event highlights included a presentation to two Adopt-A-Pilot

students who created winning designs for the official Adopt-A-Pilot 2007 Tie.

The Adopt-A-Pilot ties are worn year round by Pilot program participants as a

uniform piece. The winning students from Tucson, Arizona, and Glencoe,

Illinois, attended today's event along with their parents and teachers.

Each year from February through May, fifth-grade students across the

country "adopt" Southwest Airlines Pilots in this award-winning educational

mentorship program that leads students through a variety of core subjects with

an aviation twist. Students learn to research careers, develop life values,

and realize the importance of achieving and staying in school. During the

four-week long mentorship program, Pilots volunteer their time in adoptive

classrooms and correspond from the "road" via e-mail, postcards, and the

program blog at http://www.adoptapilot.blogs.com . Classrooms chart the

Pilot's course on an official United States map and complete lessons covering

a broad range of subjects - all related to the Pilot's monthly flying

schedule. Program curriculum and other program details can be viewed at

http://www.southwest.com/adoptapilot .

Southwest Airlines, the nation's largest carrier in terms of domestic

passengers enplaned, currently serves 63 cities in 32 states. Based in Dallas,

Southwest currently operates more than 3,200 flights a day and has 32,000+

Employees systemwide.

April 18

25th Anniversary Laughlin River Run Set for April 25-29, 2007
Proceeds From West's Largest Motorcycle Rally to Benefit Charities

The rumble will be loud and the chrome brightly polished when more than 70,000 motorcycle enthusiasts roar into Laughlin April 25-29 for the 25th annual Laughlin River Run. Started in 1983 with only 426 people, this annual event has grown to become the largest ride-in motorcycle rally in the West, with hundreds of vendors, exhibits and top-name entertainment.

In addition to the giant trade show exhibit areas in casino parking lots along the length of Casino Drive, annual special events include Poker Runs, Custom Bike Show, Miss Laughlin River Run Pageant and test rides on new Harley-Davidson motorcycles, the official motorcycle of the 25th Annual Laughlin River Run available at the Harley-Davidson factory display.

"The Laughlin River Run has everything one would desire from a resort destination coupled with all the manufacturers, distributors, exhibits and entertainment a biker would want," said Joe O'Day, Laughlin River Run organizer. "That's what makes the River Run so unique among bike rallies. There is so much, you can park your motorcycle when you first arrive in Laughlin and never get back on it until you leave."

Top-name entertainment runs throughout the weekend with performances scheduled by classic rock band ZZ Top at the Aquarius Amphitheater, The Fabulous Thunderbirds in Don's Celebrity Theatre, Warrant & LA Guns at the Pioneer Hotel & Gambling Hall and Grammy Award winning blues Guitarist Jonny Lang in the Rio Vista Amphitheater at Harrah's Laughlin.

Among the exhibits set up all along Casino Drive will be a Rolling Art Custom Motorcycle display at the Golden Nugget featuring the creations of Arlen Ness, Corey Ness, Russell Mitchell, and Gard Hollinger -- all veterans of the Discovery Channel's Great Biker Build-Off series and American Thunder TV. The Speed Channel will again be on the scene to produce an episode of the American Thunder TV show.

Dodge, Chrysler and Jeep is an official presenting sponsor of the Laughlin River Run and will have the newest Daimler Chrysler concept vehicles and new 2007 Dodge, Chrysler and Jeep models on display. The Jack Daniels traveling museum also will be part of this year's Laughlin River Run.

The Laughlin River Run raises money for charity each year through the Laughlin River Run Foundation. Last years benefactors included Easter Seals, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Colorado River, Colorado River Food Bank, Silver Rider Christmas Fund and American Heroes Foundation, which benefits veterans in the region.

Official River Run event registration starts Wednesday, April 25, in the Starview Showroom located on the second floor at Don Laughlin's Riverside Resort. The $45 fee includes an official event bandana, commemorative ride pin, souvenir program and a chance to win a new 2007 Harley-Davidson FXST Deuce and Harley-Davidson merchandise certificates. For information, visit www.laughlinriverrun.com

River Run History

Dal-Con Promotions, Inc., is the originator and official promoter of the Laughlin River Run. Founder Dale Marschke was a franchised Harley-Davidson dealer in Southern California seeking a destination to ride with his customers for a weekend of fun. Dale was a frequent visitor to the area once known as South Point, and became acquainted with Don Laughlin, who had re-opened a bankrupt casino. The town was soon renamed after him. Dale's frequent visits forged a relationship that set the stage for the first River Run in 1983, with just 426 participants. Since then, motorcycle enthusiasts have made the annual trek each April to Laughlin for what has become the largest motorcycle event on the West Coast, with over 70,000 participants meeting at the Colorado River to enjoy four days of fun in the sun.

About Laughlin

Located 90 miles south of Las Vegas, Laughlin offers visitors a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. This city by the river has grown to include nine resorts with affordable first-class accommodations, 24-hour casino gaming, gourmet dining and outlet shopping. Laughlin, a unique resort destination that welcomes nearly 5 million visitors annually, has also become one of the leading special event destinations in the Southwest. From world-class rodeo action to daring desert racing to an amateur long-drive golf competition, Laughlin has plenty to offer the adventurous spectator.

Source: Dal-Con Promotions, Inc.

Web site: http://www.laughlinriverrun.com/

April 16

Celebrity Cruises Opens Bookings for Alaska, Pacific Northwest, Hawaii and Panama Canal

From luaus to loons, Celebrity Cruises' most recent slate of itinerary openings offers unforgettable experiences sure to please nature lovers, wine enthusiasts, and cruise aficionados. Yesterday, the top-rated line opened 2008 bookings for its Alaska, Hawaii, Pacific Northwest and Panama Canal seasons as well as for some of its 2009 sailings.

Alaska

-- Celebrity Infinity will bookend her Alaska season with "Ultimate

Alaska" itineraries. The first is an 11-night itinerary northbound from

San Francisco, California, on April 28, 2008, arriving in Vancouver,

British Columbia on May 9. The second is southbound out of Vancouver on

September 19, 2008, with a 14-night itinerary that arrives in San

Francisco on October 3. Both sailings feature ports of call in Alaska

and British Columbia; the southbound trip includes stops in Washington

and Oregon.

-- Celebrity Millennium will kick off her 2008 Alaska season with a 14-

night "Ultimate Alaska" itinerary, sailing roundtrip from San Francisco

on May 5. On May 19, Celebrity Millennium will sail an 11-night West

Coast and Alaska cruise from San Francisco to Vancouver. The end of

Celebrity Millennium's Alaska season features another 14-night

"Ultimate Alaska" sailing on September 22 from Vancouver to San Diego,

California.

-- Celebrity Mercury will sail a 14-night "Golden Gate to Alaska" cruise

from San Francisco to Vancouver on April 27.

-- Between May and September, Celebrity Infinity will sail a series of

seven-night Hubbard Glacier itineraries roundtrip from Seattle,

Washington. Celebrity Millennium will alternate between seven-night

northbound and southbound sailings between Seward, Alaska and

Vancouver. During the same months, Celebrity Mercury will sail a series

of seven-night Hubbard Glacier itineraries roundtrip from Vancouver

before an eight-night trip from Vancouver to Seattle on September 14.

-- Celebrity Millennium's May 30 northbound sailing will be the vessel's

first sailing of the season that offers the line's Alaska cruisetour

packages.

-- Beginning May 11, cruisetour packages are available for all of

Celebrity Mercury's 2008 sailings roundtrip from Vancouver, including

the opportunity to explore the Canadian Rockies or Whistler either

before or after an Alaska Hubbard Glacier cruise. With the 2008 season,

the line is introducing a Frasier Discovery tour offered exclusively in

conjunction with Celebrity Mercury's sailings. During this tour, guests

will travel through the unique northern interior of British Columbia,

and includes stops at Calgary, Banff, Jasper, Quesnell, Whistler, and

Vancouver.

California/Pacific Northwest

-- Before the Alaska season, Celebrity Mercury will sail three seven-night

and one eight-night Pacific Coastal cruises roundtrip from San

Francisco beginning March 29, 2008, with stops in Oregon, Washington

and British Columbia. The eight-night itinerary also visits Monterey,

California.

-- At the end of the 2008 Alaska season, Celebrity Mercury will offer a

series of three- and four-night Pacific Northwest sailings roundtrip

out of Seattle.

-- On October 13, Celebrity Mercury will sail a nine-night wine cruise

from Vancouver to San Diego, featuring stops in British Columbia,

Washington, Oregon, and California, including an overnight stay in San

Francisco.

-- On September 19, Celebrity Millennium will present a three-night

British Columbia cruise roundtrip from Vancouver.

Hawaii

-- On March 16, 2008, Celebrity Mercury will sail a 12-night Hawaii

northbound cruise from Honolulu, Hawaii to Ensenada, Mexico, featuring

overnight stays in both Honolulu and Kailua Kona, Hawaii.

-- On October 6, 2008, Celebrity Millennium will sail an 11-night Hawaii

southbound cruise from Ensenada to Honolulu, featuring overnight stays

in Lahaina and Honolulu.

-- On October 22, November 6, and December 19, 2008, and on February 28

and March 15, 2009, Celebrity Mercury will sail 15-night Hawaii

itineraries roundtrip out of San Diego. The November sailing features

an evening sail around Mount Kilauea, and the October and December

sailings include an overnight stay in Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii.

Panama Canal

-- On April 13, 2008, Celebrity Infinity will sail a 15-night Panama Canal

cruise from Fort Lauderdale, Florida to San Francisco, with stops in

Jamaica, Colombia, Costa Rica and Mexico.

-- On April 20, 2008, Celebrity Millennium will sail a 15-night Panama

Canal cruise from Fort Lauderdale to San Francisco.

-- Celebrity Infinity will sail a 16-night Panama Canal cruise from San

Francisco to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on October 3, 2008. Celebrity

Infinity will also sail two 14-night Panama Canal cruises from Fort

Lauderdale to San Diego on October 19, 2008, and March 29, 2009, and a

13-night Panama Canal cruise from San Diego to Fort Lauderdale on

November 2.

-- Celebrity Mercury will sail a 14-night eastbound Panama Canal itinerary

from San Diego to Fort Lauderdale on November 21, 2008, and return west

on another 14-night sailing between the same cities on December 5. In

2009, Celebrity Mercury will sail transcanal sailings between Fort

Lauderdale and San Diego on January 3, January 17, January 31, February

14 and March 30.

Celebrity Cruises offers comfortably sophisticated, upscale cruise experiences with highly personalized service, exceptional dining, and extraordinary attention to detail. Celebrity sails in Alaska, Antarctica, Bermuda, California, Caribbean, Europe, Galapagos Islands, Hawaii, Mexican Riviera, Panama Canal and South America, and will begin sailing in Australia and New Zealand this year. The line also offers unique land-tour vacations in Alaska, Canada, Europe and Australia through its cruisetour affiliate. Noted for "The World's Best Large Ships," as voted by the readers of Conde' Nast Traveler (February 2007 Cruise Poll), Celebrity's current fleet will be joined by Celebrity Journey and Celebrity Quest this year, Celebrity Solstice in 2008, Celebrity Equinox in 2009, and Celebrity Eclipse in 2010. For more information, call your travel agent, dial 1-800-437-3111 or visit www.celebritycruises.com.

Source: Celebrity Cruises

Web site: http://www.royalcaribbean.com/

April 10

Newest, Fastest European High-Speed Rail Line Starts Service June 10; TGV East Tickets and Schedules Available Now From Rail Europe

One week after the French broke the new world speed record for steel-wheel-on-steel-rails (357 mph) and 60 days before the start of commercial service, tickets and schedules for the newest high-speed TGV* rail line, TGV East, are available from Rail Europe. Rail Europe is a subsidiary of the French National Railroads (SNCF) and the largest North American supplier of European rail travel.

TGV East will cut current train travel times by one-third to one-half between 20 destinations in France, as well as between Paris and 10 destinations in Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg. The frequency of service will increase by 15-20% along the new line, which runs from Paris east through the Champagne, Lorraine and Alsace regions of France, serving cities such as Reims, Nancy, Metz and Strasbourg. The new line also provides faster rail connections from eastern France to other regions, including Ile-de-France, northern, western and southeastern France -- to cities such as Lille, Bordeaux, and Nantes. [See table comparing current and new travel times below.]

65% increase in rail travel expected -- half of this at expense of air

The French National Railroads (SNCF) expects TGV East to increase the number of rail passengers traveling along the route by 65% in the first year. Half of that growth will come from those who currently fly, the other half from either those who now drive or entirely new passengers who will decide to travel because of the convenience of the new rail service. "These predictions are in line with what has historically happened whenever a high-speed rail line is launched," explains Fabrice Morel, President and CEO of Rail Europe.

Faster, more comfortable trains

The world record run on April 5 took place on a section of the new TGV East track using a specially-modified train. Standard operating speed for TGV East service, starting June 10, will be 199 mph (320 km/hr) -- faster than any other train in Europe. Top speed of current TGV (and other European high-speed) trains is 186 mph (300 km/hr).

With interiors designed by Christian Lacroix, the new TGV East trains will not only be faster, but more comfortable: more spacious reclining seats, adjustable lighting and special "family" areas with game board tables, as well as electrical outlets at each 1st class seat and more legroom in 2nd class. Passengers in 1st class can also reserve (onboard the train) a taxi for their arrival in Paris or Strasbourg Monday-Friday. "Meeting spaces" for 2-3 people and 4 electrical outlets make it easy for business travelers to work along the way.

Five stations on the TGV East route have Wi-Fi access, 21 stations (including Paris East and Strasbourg) have been thoroughly modernized and renovated, and three new TGV stations have been built, which offer connections to nearby towns by frequent regional trains or shuttle buses.

Emphasis on Service

Onboard each train and each platform served by TGV East, there will be train managers who can help passengers with information about connecting trains/tracks at each stop.

In preparation for the launch of TGV East, SNCF created a Service University to educate station and train personnel on customer-oriented service.

Faster travel times

Between with TGV East (from June 10) Current time

Paris-Reims 45 min. 1 hr. 35 min.

Paris-Nancy 1 hr. 30 min. 2 hr. 40 min.

Paris-Strasbourg 4 hr. 2 hr. 20 min.

Paris-Luxembourg 2 hr. 5 min. 3 hr. 35 min.

Paris-Zurich 4 hr. 32 min. 5 hr. 50 min.

Paris-Frankfurt 3 hr. 50 min. 6 hr. 15 min.

Ticket prices**

The following prices are for one-way, full-fare (fully exchangeable/refundable) tickets. Special offers will appear at www.raileurope.com.

Paris-Reims: $43 US/$51 CAD (2nd cl.) or $75 US/$88 CAD (1st)

Paris-Nancy: $76 US/$89 CAD (2nd) or $135 US/$158 CAD (1st)

Paris-Strasbourg: $96 US/$113 CAD (2nd) or $170 US/$199 CAD (1st)

Paris-Basel: $128 US /$150 CAD (2nd) or $193 US /$226 CAD (1st)

Paris-Stuttgart: $144 US/$169 CAD (2nd) or $250 US/$293 CAD (1st)

For more information or to book railpasses or tickets for individual or group travel on TGV East or trains throughout Europe and the UK, consult a travel agent or log on to www.raileurope.com (U.S.) or www.raileurope.ca (Canada) or call Rail Europe at 1-888-382-7245 (U.S.) or 1-800-361-7245 (Canada).

TRAVEL NEWS

Posted by Bill at 06:29 PM | Permalink

Entertainment,Arts,Fashion & Technology

April 19

TNT & TBS Renew Contract for Screen Actors Guild Awards®

14th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards® to be Simulcast on TNT & TBS on Sun., Jan. 27, 2008

TNT, television’s top-rated destination for drama, and, TBS, the top-rated comedy network, have renewed their agreement with the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) to continue carrying the Screen Actors Guild Awards®, according to an announcement today from Steve Koonin, president of Turner Entertainment Networks, and Doug Allen, SAG’s national executive director.

TNT has been home to the SAG Awards™ since 1998. TBS began its simulcast of the prestigious awards show in 2006. The Sunday, Jan. 28, simulcast of this year’s 13th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards® ranks as the most-watched telecast of the awards ceremony since it came to cable in 1998. Its audience of more than 5.8 million viewers topped the previous year’s record-setting performance.

The 14th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards® will be simulcast live on TNT and TBS from the Los Angeles Shrine Exposition Center Sunday, Jan. 27, 2008, at 8 pm ET/PT, 7 pm CT and 6 pm MT.

The Screen Actors Guild Awards® commend the year’s finest achievements in acting in five film categories and eight television categories, including the distinctive ensemble awards, which honor the collaborative performance by a cast in a motion picture and by the ensemble casts of both comedy and dramatic television series.

“Since the SAG Awards honors both dramatic and comedic performances, TNT, television’s first network for drama, and TBS, television’s premier network for comedy, have proven to be ideal companions to present this exciting annual event,” said Koonin. “The appeal of the Screen Actors Guild Awards to both drama fans and comedy lovers is reflected in the SAG Awards’ steady ratings growth and has allowed to us to utilize the brands of both networks to market the presentation in ways that speak to both audiences. We look forward to continuing our partnership with the Screen Actors Guild.”

Screen Actors Guild National Executive Director Doug Allen agreed that the partnership has been positive and has delivered significant benefits. “We are pleased to once again partner with Turner Broadcasting System on the telecast of the Screen Actors Guild Awards. Turner’s efforts over the last 10 years have contributed to the tremendous popularity of our celebration of acting excellence.” Allen said. “Turner’s recognition of the SAG Awards’ unique place in the industry and its wide appeal to the global home audience has helped make the SAG Awards one of the most important events of the awards season.” he added.

The Screen Actors Guild Awards, which began in 1995, was the first televised awards show to acknowledge the work of union members. Of the top industry honors presented to performers, it is the only one selected exclusively by actors’ peers. The ceremony is one of the awards season’s premiere events and is closely watched by the industry as a precursor to possible Oscar® and Emmy® recognition and by viewers as a memorable night of live television.
television’s top-rated destination for drama, and, the top-rated comedy networkhave renewed their agreement with the to continue carrying the , according to an announcement today from Steve Koonin, president of Turner Entertainment Networks, and Doug Allen, SAG’s national executive director. TNT has been home to the SAG Awards™ since 1998. TBS began its simulcast of the prestigious awards show in 2006. The Sunday, Jan. 28, simulcast of this year’s 13th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards® ranks as the most-watched telecast of the awards ceremony since it came to cable in 1998. Its audience of more than 5.8 million viewers topped the previous year’s record-setting performance.The 14th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards® will be simulcast live on TNT and TBS from the Los Angeles Shrine Exposition Center Sunday, Jan. 27, 2008, at 8 pm ET/PT, 7 pm CT and 6 pm MT.The Screen Actors Guild Awards® commend the year’s finest achievements in acting in five film categories and eight television categories, including the distinctive ensemble awards, which honor the collaborative performance by a cast in a motion picture and by the ensemble casts of both comedy and dramatic television series. “Since the SAG Awards honors both dramatic and comedic performances, TNT, television’s first network for drama, and TBS, television’s premier network for comedy, have proven to be ideal companions to present this exciting annual event,” said Koonin. “The appeal of the Screen Actors Guild Awards to both drama fans and comedy lovers is reflected in the SAG Awards’ steady ratings growth and has allowed to us to utilize the brands of both networks to market the presentation in ways that speak to both audiences. We look forward to continuing our partnership with the Screen Actors Guild.”Screen Actors Guild National Executive Director Doug Allen agreed that the partnership has been positive and has delivered significant benefits. “We are pleased to once again partner with Turner Broadcasting System on the telecast of the Screen Actors Guild Awards. Turner’s efforts over the last 10 years have contributed to the tremendous popularity of our celebration of acting excellence.” Allen said. “Turner’s recognition of the SAG Awards’ unique place in the industry and its wide appeal to the global home audience has helped make the SAG Awards one of the most important events of the awards season.” he added.The Screen Actors Guild Awards, which began in 1995, was the first televised awards show to acknowledge the work of union members. Of the top industry honors presented to performers, it is the only one selected exclusively by actors’ peers. The ceremony is one of the awards season’s premiere events and is closely watched by the industry as a precursor to possible Oscar® and Emmy® recognition and by viewers as a memorable night of live television. Submissions for nominations consideration for the 14th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards® will open on Monday, July 16, 2007. Nominations will be announced on Thursday, December 20, 2007, carried live on TNT, tnt.tv and tbs.com.

Each year, SAG also presents a Life Achievement Award to an actor who fosters the “finest ideals of the acting profession.” Screen Actors Guild’s 44th Life Achievement Award recipient will be announced in the fall of 2007. The honoree will receive the Life Achievement Award during the 14th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards® simulcast.

Screen Actors Guild is the nation’s largest labor union representing working actors. Established in 1933, SAG has a rich history in the American labor movement, from standing up to studios to break long-term engagement contracts in the 1940s to fighting for artists’ rights amid the digital revolution sweeping the entertainment industry in the 21st century. With 20 branches nationwide, SAG represents nearly 120,000 actors who work in film, television, industrials, commercials, video games, music videos and other new media. The Guild exists to enhance actors’ working conditions, compensation and benefits and to be a powerful, unified voice on behalf of artists’ rights. Headquartered in Los Angeles, SAG is a proud affiliate of the AFL-CIO. More information is available online at www.sag.org.

Turner Network Television (TNT), television’s destination for drama and one of cable’s top-rated networks, offers original movies and series, including the acclaimed detective drama The Closer, starring Golden Globeâ winner and Emmy® and Screen Actors Guild Awardsâ nominee Kyra Sedgwick; Saving Grace, a bold new drama starring Oscar® winner Holly Hunter; Heartland, a powerful medical drama with Treat Williams and Kari Matchett; and this summer’s eagerly anticipated television event The Company, executive-produced by Ridley Scott and starring Chris O’Donnell, Michael Keaton and Alfred Molina. TNT is also home to powerful one-hour dramas, such as Without a Trace, Law & Order, Las Vegas, Cold Case, ER, Charmed and Judging Amy; broadcast premiere movies; compelling prime-time specials, such as the Screen Actors Guild Awards; and championship sports coverage, including NASCAR and the NBA. TNT is also available in high-definition.

TBS, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., is television’s top-rated comedy network. It serves as home to such hot contemporary comedies as Sex and the City, Everybody Loves Raymond, the King of Queens, Family Guy, Seinfeld and Friends; original comedy series like My Boys, The Bill Engvall Show, 10 Items or Less and The Frank Show; first-run comedies, such as Tyler Perry’s House of Payne; specials and special events, like Funniest Commercials of the Year and The Comedy Festival in Las Vegas; blockbuster movies; and hosted movie showcases.

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a TimeWarner company, is a major producer of news and entertainment product around the world and a leading provider of programming for the television industry.
Starz Cinema Announces New Lineup for Monthly 'Musaic' Series
Exclusive Independent Music Series With Films Featuring U.K. Rock Band Stereophonics, Toronto Group Metric, Singer/Songwriter Paul Weller and Underground Band Rise Against

Starz Cinema today announced the upcoming lineup of exclusive films for its popular monthly independent music series, "Musaic." The series will continue this month with the U.S. television premiere of Stereophonics: Language. Sex. Violence. Other? airing on Starz Cinema Monday, April 30 at 10 p.m. (ET/PT). This exclusive documentary and live concert experience chronicles the U.K.'s Stereophonics throughout the making of their fifth studio album "Language. Sex. Violence. Other?"

The "Musaic" series airs the last Monday of each month at 10 p.m. (ET/PT) and will feature all U.S. television premiere films with the exception of Metric: Live At The Metropolis. Upcoming films that will air on Starz Cinema as part of the series include:

* Metric: Live At The Metropolis (airs May 28): Concert film featuring

indie-rock band Metric with Emily Haines (vocals/synths), Jimmy Shaw

(guitar), Josh Weinstead (bass) and Joules Scott-Key (drums).

* Paul Weller: As Is Now (airs June 25): Paul Weller, former lead singer

of The Jam, performs classic hits and new selections.

"'Musaic' has been a popular series for Starz Cinema," said Jonathan Shair, vice president of programming and scheduling for Starz Entertainment. "The series gives viewers a chance to connect with some of the finest in independent music with exclusive interviews and performances."

Starz Entertainment, LLC, is a premium movie service provider operating in the United States. It offers 16 movie channels including the flagship Starz(R) and Encore(R) brands with approximately 15.5 million and 27.3 million subscribers respectively. Starz Entertainment airs more than 1,000 movies per month across its pay TV channels and offers advanced services including Starz HD, Starz On Demand and Vongo(SM). Starz Entertainment (www.starz.com) is an operating unit of Starz, LLC, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty Media Corporation that is attributed to Liberty Capital Group.

Source: Starz Entertainment, LLC

Tony Bennett's Tri-C JazzFest Cleveland Appearance Rescheduled for October 19

Tony Bennett's Tri-C JazzFest Cleveland appearance, which was scheduled for Friday, April 20th, at Playhouse Square's Allen Theatre, has been rescheduled for Friday, October 19, 2007.

Bennett postponed his concert appearance as a result of continuing flu symptoms including congestion. The 15-time Grammy winner was advised by his doctor to restrict plane travel and to rest for the next five days.

Bennett is expected to return to his full concert schedule, which includes a concert tour of the UK and US, in May.

Tickets sold for the concert will be honored on the new date. Tony Bennett's performance in Cleveland is part of his AARP Presents "Tony Bennett The Best Is Yet to Come" tour for 2007.

Source: Cuyahoga Community College

Web site: http://www.tri-c.edu/

mtvU & ROO Partner to Bring On-Demand Video to Network of Over 500 Online College Newspapers
Online Video Application and Customizable Video Channels Now Available to Nation's Largest Network of Online Campus Publications

NEW YORK, April 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- mtvU, MTV's 24-hour college network and a division of Viacom Inc.'s (NYSE: VIA; VIA.B) MTV Networks, and Internet video specialist ROO (BULLETIN BOARD: RGRP) , today announced a partnership to offer a best-in-breed video player and customizable video channels to the more than 500 online college newspapers in mtvU's College Publisher network.

Each of the network's student-run publications will now have free access to a customizable, private-label video player and a wide variety of on-demand content channels -- including news, sports and entertainment from leading providers such as The Associated Press, Reuters and many other leading brands. The ROO content team will work closely with mtvU to develop and secure new original video exclusively for this growing network. The ROO player will also enable the online student papers to distribute their own video content, or to partner with a university's TV station to make its programming available worldwide.

The video players will be individually branded to reflect the look and feel of each college newspaper site, integrate seamlessly with a paper's online edition and be powered by the ROO Video Exchange (VX) platform. Publications that install the plug-and-play applications will also be able to capitalize on a new video advertising revenue stream. With the addition of online video, and several other recently introduced multi-media features, today mtvU also announces the re-naming of College Publisher to the College Media Network.

"Partnering with ROO reflects our commitment to empower student publications with cutting-edge digital tools that benefit their readers, business and staff," said Stephen Friedman, GM, mtvU. "This video platform unlocks new creative possibilities and sources of revenue for our affiliates and will enable them to continue inventing the newsroom of tomorrow - with the College Media Network as their laboratory."

"College students are probably the most discriminating, demanding and sophisticated consumers of video in the market today," said Robert Petty, CEO of ROO. "They watch online video more than any other group and their expectations for content and technical quality are extraordinarily high. Our vast, ever expanding content library and our unique technology platform ensure that the College Media Network will be able to offer up video channels of the most dynamic content that will draw even more students around the country to the newspaper sites."

While the name of mtvU's online college newspaper network will be new, the content management solution used by campus publications nationwide will keep the College Publisher title. The College Publisher platform is the only online publishing system designed specifically for college newspapers. The Web-based suite of tools allows multiple users to control all facets of digital publishing, including content management, multimedia administration and online advertising.

In August 2006, mtvU acquired Y2M: Youth Media & Marketing Networks, the parent company of College Publisher. Since the acquisition, the network has grown from 450 campus publications to 510, and now serves institutions with a combined enrollment of over 5.5 million students, reaching an average of 5 million unique users each month.

About ROO

ROO Group Inc. (OTCBB: RGRP) through its 100% subsidiary ROO Media Corporation, is the online video solutions company focused on meeting the specific needs of large enterprise companies globally. The company's proprietary platform, the ROO Video Exchange, simultaneously services multiple video channels, audience segments and advertisers and, as such, has become a leading platform in content aggregation, distribution and targeted advertising. ROO's unique ability to offer a "many-to-many" service has helped secure its position as the Internet broadcast company of choice for companies seeking effective strategies for monetizing online video.

About mtvU

Broadcasting to 750 colleges across the country, with a combined enrollment of over 7.2 million, mtvU is the largest, most comprehensive television network just for college students. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, mtvU can be seen in the dining areas, fitness centers, student lounges and dorm rooms of campuses throughout the U.S. mtvU is dedicated to every aspect of college life, reaching students everywhere they are, through a three pronged approach - on-air, online and on campus. mtvU focuses on content including music videos from emerging artists which can't be seen anywhere else, news, student life features, events and pro-social initiatives. mtvU is always on campus, with more than 500 events per year, including exclusive concerts, giveaways, shooting mtvU series and more. For more information about mtvU, and for a complete programming schedule, visit www.mtvU.com.

In September 2005, mtvU became the first MTV Networks channel to also be distributed in its entirety online. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, mtvU is simulcast and available on demand at mtvU.com, featuring all of network's on-air content plus exclusive new music, original series and student-produced programming for college students and music fans everywhere.

mtvU also owns and operates the College Media Network, the largest interactive network of online college newspapers in the US, and RateMyProfessors.com, the Internet's largest listing of collegiate professor ratings. The College Media Network comprises over 510 campus publications that serve institutions including Brown University, the University of Illinois, the University of Southern California, the University of Texas at Austin and Duke University, with a combined enrollment of over 5.5 million students, reaching an average of 5 million unique users each month. RateMyProfessors.com reaches approximately 10 million college students each year, via the site's more than 6.6 million student-generated ratings of over 1,000,000 college professors.

About MTV Networks

MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:VIA.B) , is one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. MTV Networks, with 135 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/THE N, 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 200 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.

FCMN Contact: erossi@kwitco.com

Source: mtvU

CONTACT: Jason Rzepka of mtvU, +1-212-654-7198,
jason.rzepka@mtvstaff.com; David French of MTV, +1-212-846-6406,
david.french@mtvstaff.com; Ellie Jones Rossi, +1-646-747-7151,
erossi@kwitco.com, for ROO

Web site: http://www.mtvu.com/
http://www.roo.com/

Sony Computer Entertainment America Announces Extensive Second-Quarter Line-up for PLAYSTATION(R)3, PSP(R) (PlayStation(R)Portable) and PlayStation(R)2
More Than 100 First- and Third-Party Games to Launch in Spring 2007

FOSTER CITY, Calif., April 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) today announced its 2007 second-quarter software line-up for PLAYSTATION(R)3 (PS3(TM)), PSP(R) (PlayStation(R)Portable), and PlayStation(R)2 (PS2) computer entertainment systems.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020701/SFM066LOGO )

More than 100 first- and third-party PS3, PSP and PlayStation 2 titles will launch during the next few months of 2007, bringing to consumers an impressively robust software line-up. The catalog encompasses the most popular game genres, featuring industry leading franchises as well as new intellectual properties that will appeal to game enthusiasts of any level.

"Our second-quarter line-up of PS3, PSP and PlayStation 2 software titles demonstrates a continued commitment from both SCEA and third-party developers to the PlayStation family of products," said Peter Dille, senior vice president of marketing, SCEA. "We are excited by the content being developed by our partners, but are also looking forward to launching PlayStation-branded exclusive games created by our own worldwide studios this quarter and throughout the rest of 2007."

In addition to disc-based games available at retailers nationwide, SCEA ushered in a new way for consumers to get games with the launch of PS3 last fall. PLAYSTATION(R)Store, accessible through the PLAYSTATION(R)Network, allows for the downloading of a wide variety of games, from new original intellectual property playable only on PS3, such as Calling All Cars(TM), to old-school classic PlayStation games for PSP. Here is a rundown of what will be available at retail and on the PLAYSTATION Store this quarter:

PS3

Key Titles

Available Through Retail Channels

F.E.A.R.(TM) Vivendi

Spider-Man 3 Activision

Ninja Gaiden(R) Sigma Tecmo

MLB 07 The Show(TM) Sony Computer Entertainment

America

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End Disney Interactive Studios

The Darkness(R) 2K Games

The Bigs 2K Sports

TRANSFORMERS: The Game Activision

Available Through the PLAYSTATION Store

Calling All Cars(TM) Sony Computer Entertainment

America

Championship Sprint(TM) Sony Online Entertainment

Gauntlet II(TM) Sony Online Entertainment

Joust(R) Sony Online Entertainment

Mortal Kombat II(R) Sony Online Entertainment

Rampage(TM) World Tour Sony Online Entertainment

Super Puzzle Fighter(TM) II HD Remix Capcom

Rampart(R) Sony Online Entertainment

PSP

Key Titles

Alien Syndrome(TM) Sega

Crazy Taxi(TM): Fare Wars Sega

CRUSH(TM) Sega

Dungeon Maker: Hunting Ground XSEED JKS

FINAL FANTASY(R) Square Enix

FINAL FANTASY II(R) Square Enix

Harvest Moon(R) Boy & Girl Natsume

Ridge Racer 2 Namco

Test Drive(R) Unlimited Atari

Tom Clancy's Ranbow Six(R) Vegas Ubisoft

Valhalla Knights XSEED JKS

PlayStation 2

Key Titles

DAWN of MANA(TM) Square Enix

Fantastic Four(TM)

Rise of the Silver Surfer 2K Games

.hack(R)//G.U. (TM) Vol. 2: Reminisce(TM) Namco

Harry Potter

AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX(TM) Electronic Arts, Inc.

Lara Croft Tomb Raider(R): Anniversary Eidos

Manhunt 2 Rockstar

NCAA(R) Football 08 Electronic Arts, Inc.

NARUTO(TM): Ultimate Ninja(TM) 2 Namco

Odin Sphere(R) Atlus

Ratatouille THQ

Shrek The Third(TM) Activision

Spider-man 3 Activision

Tony Hawk's(TM) Downhill Jam Activision

About Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.

Visit us on the Web at www.playstation.com.

*All game titles are trademarked by their respective owners. HDMI cable not included. Additional equipment may be required to use the HDMI connector. Video output in HD requires cables and an HD-compatible display, both sold separately. Use of the PLAYSTATION(R) Network is subject to terms of use: www.us.playstation.com/termsofuse, and applicable privacy policy. Children under 18 will require parental consent. Broadband internet service is required (sold separately). Some broadband services may not work with the PLAYSTATION(R) Network and performance may vary. PLAYSTATION(R) Network may not be available in all regions and certain content or services may not be available to children under 13. Features and offerings of the PLAYSTATION(R) Network may change without notice. For more information, please visit www.us.playstation.com/termsofuse .

NOTE: "PLAYSTATION", "PlayStation", "PSP" and "PS one" are registered trademarks and "PS2" is a trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020701/SFM066LOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk photodesk@prnewswire.com

Source: Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.

CONTACT: Jennifer Clark, +1-650-655-5994,
Jennifer_clark@playstation.sony.com, or Sheila Bryson, +1-650-655-6093,
Sheila_bryson@playstation.sony.com, both of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

Web site: http://www.playstation.com/

Warner Bros. Pictures' Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix to feature IMAX(R) 3D finale
IMAX's Proprietary 2D to 3D Conversion Technology Creates New Dimension for Harry Potter Fans

LOS ANGELES, April 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- IMAX Corporation and Warner Bros. Pictures today announced that select scenes of the IMAX DMR(R) version of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix will be digitally converted into An IMAX 3D Experience(R). IMAX Corporation plans to use its proprietary 2D to 3D conversion technology to transform approximately 20 minutes at the end of the film - which is being digitally re-mastered into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience(R) using IMAX DMR (Digital Re-Mastering) technology - into IMAX(R) 3D. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix will be released in IMAX(R) theatres and conventional theatres on July 13, 2007, and Warner Bros. Pictures will be the exclusive distributor of the film to IMAX theatres worldwide.

The film is based on the best-selling J.K. Rowling book and is the fifth installment of the widely successful Harry Potter film series. The previous installment of the series, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire which opened on November 18, 2005, shattered numerous IMAX 2D box office records at the time and has grossed more than $20 million in IMAX theatres worldwide.

"We are so pleased to be bringing audiences yet another outstanding Harry Potter film to the big screen in both 35mm and IMAX theaters," said Dan Fellman, President of Domestic Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures. "This is the Studio's biggest franchise to date, and we expect this highly-anticipated fifth film to play phenomenally well in all theaters throughout the summer."

"The Harry Potter films are an enormous draw all over the world, and this film should prove to be no different," added Veronika Kwan-Rubinek, President of Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures International. "The last 20 minutes in IMAX 3D will add a new element of excitement to the Harry Potter experience, making this a must-see for fans of all ages. We're looking forward to a long and very successful run."

"We couldn't be happier to help bring this Harry Potter film to life in a new way," said IMAX Co-Chairmen and Co-CEOs Richard L. Gelfond and Bradley J. Wechsler. "IMAX theatres are the only place to experience this year's most anticipated movies in the world's most immersive format, and we anticipate that moviegoers will want to enjoy Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix featuring scenes in IMAX 3D more than once."

"We are delighted to once again work with David Heyman and the Harry Potter team, and Warner Bros. Pictures on another memorable Harry Potter movie," added Greg Foster, Chairman and President of IMAX Filmed Entertainment. "We know that through the magic of IMAX, fans will already feel as is if they are right next to Harry, Ron and Hermione in IMAX's larger-than-life 2D format, and we are thrilled to treat them to an even more immersive experience with the finale of the film brought to you in IMAX 3D."

About IMAX Corporation

IMAX Corporation is one of the world's leading entertainment technology companies, specializing in digital and film-based motion picture technologies. The worldwide IMAX network is among the most important and successful theatrical distribution platforms for major event Hollywood films around the globe, with IMAX theatres delivering the world's best cinematic presentations using proprietary IMAX, IMAX(R) 3D, and IMAX DMR(R) technology. IMAX DMR is the Company's groundbreaking digital remastering technology that allows it to digitally transform virtually any conventional motion picture into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience(R). IMAX's renowned projectors display crystal-clear images on the world's biggest screens, and the IMAX brand is recognized throughout the world for extraordinary and immersive entertainment experiences for consumers. As of September 30, 2006, there were 280 IMAX theatres operating in 40 countries.

IMAX(R), IMAX(R) 3D, IMAX DMR(R) , IMAX MPX(R) and The IMAX Experience(R)

are trademarks of IMAX Corporation. More information on the Company can

be found at www.imax.com.

This press release contains forward looking statements that are based on management assumptions and existing information and involve certain risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. Important factors that could affect these statements include the timing of theatre system deliveries, the mix of theatre systems shipped, the timing of the recognition of revenues and expenses on film production and distribution agreements, the performance of films, the viability of new businesses and products, the outcome of the Company's current accounting review, risks arising from potential material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting, the ability to satisfy the reporting covenant by the amended filing deadlines, the extent and impact of the restatement of our financial statements, the outcome of the appeal of the NASDAQ Staff Determination letter and fluctuations in foreign currency and in the large format and general commercial exhibition market. These factors and other risks and uncertainties are discussed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005.

Source: IMAX Corporation

CONTACT: Media: IMAX Corporation, New York, Sarah Gormley, (212)
821-0155, sgormley@imax.com; Entertainment Media: Newman & Company, Los
Angeles, Al Newman, (310) 278-1560, asn@newman-co.com; Warner Bros. Pictures,
Los Angeles, Andrea Marozas, (818) 954-4849, andrea.marozas@warnerbros.com;
Investors: Integrated Corporate Relations, Amanda Mullin, (203) 682-8243;
Business Media: Sloane & Company, New York, Whit Clay, (212) 446-1864,
wclay@sloanepr.com

DMGI Announces New Music Acquisitions
Company Adds Music and Video From Todd Rundgren, The Alarm, Dwight Twilley, Richard Clayderman, and Wayne Newton to Growing Music Catalog

-- Digital Music Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:DMGI) , a content owner and global leader in the digital distribution of independently owned music and video catalogs, today announced the acquisition of both music and video content through digital distribution, master purchase, and digital rights purchase agreements with artists including Todd Rundgren, The Alarm, Dwight Twilley, Richard Clayderman, and Wayne Newton. The total number of music tracks included under these agreements is approximately 3,000.

"DMGI continues to build its catalog with high quality content from legendary artists, including unreleased, rare, and never-before-heard tracks," said Mitchell Koulouris, Chief Executive Officer of DMGI. "Today's announcement of previously unreleased work by these artists underscores our commitment to acquiring and making available great music to fans and music enthusiasts around the world."

The agreements announced today include:

* Todd Rundgren/Utopia: The Todd Rundgren and Utopia archive features

approximately 2,000 never-before-released live recordings, demos,

out-takes, and alternate versions from 1977 to 2000. It also includes a

significant array of never-before seen video footage as well. Rundgren,

both an accomplished songwriter and producer whose hits "I Saw the

Light," "Can We Still Be Friends," "Hello, It's Me," and "Bang the Drum"

vaulted him from a cult following to stardom, formed Utopia in the

mid-1970s. The archive includes never before seen or heard rare audio

and video performances from both Rundgren as a solo artist and Utopia.

The first of these previously unreleased audio and video performances

will be released in the summer of 2007.

* The Alarm: One of the true powerhouses of the 1980s, The Alarm recorded

some of the most important rock records of the decade including

"Declaration" and "Strength." This video catalog features some of the

great performances of the band including music videos and never before

seen live performances. The catalog also features the VH1 special

"Bands Reunited."

* Dwight Twilley: This power pop icon scored two top-twenty hits with "I'm

on Fire" in 1975 and "Girls" (featuring Tom Petty on background vocals)

in 1984. This archive features never-before released masters from the

power pop legend including demo recordings of "10,000 American Scuba

Divers Dancing," "Wild Dogs," as well as other rare and

previously-unreleased tracks. Also included are cover versions of The

Beatles' "Come Together," Badfinger's "I Can't Take It," Marvin Gaye's

"I'll Be Doggone," and Sam Cooke's "Twistin' the Night Away." These

previously unreleased tracks will be issued in a series of five

compilations starting in the summer of 2007. In addition, the

compilation "The Best of the Rest of Dwight Twilley" will also be

released in the summer of 2007 as well as an extended and remastered

version of Twilley's classic Christmas album, "Have a Twilley

Christmas."

* Richard Clayderman: International pop instrumentalist Richard Clayderman

is referred to in the Guinness Book of World Records as "the most

successful pianist in the world." With a broad international following,

Clayderman routinely sells out concerts and sells millions of records.

His first album sold more than 20 million copies and a live concert

broadcast on Chinese television in 1987 attracted more than 800 million

viewers. This catalog features Clayderman at his best including nearly

1,000 never-before released romantic standards, ballads, and hits of the

world.

* Wayne Newton: Music legend Wayne Newton is best known for his phenomenal

success as a performer in Las Vegas. As a recording artist in the 1960s

and 1970s, Newton scored a number of memorable hits including "Danke

Schoen," "Red Roses for A Blue Lady," and "Daddy Don't You Walk So

Fast." This catalog features tracks from this music legend that have

never been previously available in digital channels.

About DMGI

Founded in 2005, Digital Music Group Inc. (NASDAQ:DMGI) is a content owner and global leader in the digital distribution of independently owned music and video content. DMGI acquires the digital rights to media catalogs and digitally encodes them into multiple formats for distribution to digital entertainment services operating over the Internet and wireless, cable and mobile networks. Our digital entertainment service partners include: the iTunes Store, Google Video, YouTube, AOL/In2TV, RealNetworks, Napster, Wal-Mart Music, MusicNet, Verizon, Sprint, InfoSpace, Moderati, Zingy, 9 Squared, and many others. For more information, please visit www.dmgi.com.

Digital Music Group is a trademark of Digital Music Group, Inc. Other names mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements (including, without limitation, information regarding Digital Music Group's distribution of the Todd Rundgren, The Alarm, Dwight Twilley, Richard Clayderman, and Wayne Newton music and video catalogs and making these catalogs available through current and future digital entertainment services) that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause the results of Digital Music Group to differ materially from management's current expectations. Actual results may differ materially due to a number of factors including, among others: unforeseen difficulties assembling and processing the music and video content; the market demand for digital music and video recordings and potential changes in consumers' tastes and preferences in music and video; and our dependence on digital entertainment services for the distribution and sale of our music and video content. The matters discussed in this press release also involve risks and uncertainties described in Digital Music Group's most recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Digital Music Group assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking information contained in this release.

Source: Digital Music Group, Inc.

Web site: http://www.digitalmusicgroupinc.com/

Munchkin(R) Ready to 'Rock' Baby Products Industry at JPMA 2007
Award-winning Munchkin Finalist for JPMA Innovation Award for the Seventh Time

-- Munchkin(R) -- maker of multiple award-winning baby and toddler products -- is heading to this year's Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association Show (JPMA) with an impressive line-up of new products including CRIB ROCKERS(TM), a 2007 nominee for the coveted JPMA Innovation Award. Known for developing creative products that exemplify how "it's the little things" that often make the biggest difference, Munchkin has won the honor several times prior and is a strong contender for this year's show being held at the County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. on April 23-25.

CRIB ROCKERS (TM) is a clever innovation that easily transforms an ordinary crib into a rocking bed for baby, sure to promote restful sleep and put smiles on both mom and child. Because it operates all on its own, there are no worries of a battery dying out suddenly and ruining precious naptime. This easy-to-use and helpful product is expected to top mom's registry wish list in 2007 and is a wonderful example of Munchkin's creativity and insights into what "little things" parents need the most. Since its inception in 1991, Munchkin has won six JPMA Innovation Awards for their trend-setting products.

"Munchkin is honored to be a finalist again for the JPMA Innovation Award," said Doug Gillespie, Vice President, Marketing at Munchkin." CRIB ROCKERS(TM) is a great example of how we make life easier for parents with clever, uncomplicated products."

Also being unveiled at JPMA will be the following new products that solve a wide variety of issues for today's parents.

* Feeding Friend Portable Hook-on Chair (SRP $42.99) -- For busy moms,

this delightful hook-on chair makes sure there is always a safe and fun

place for baby at the table, at home or on-the-go. It is available in

fun animal characters and adjusts to various table sizes. When not in

use, it folds up for easy storage.

* Peek-A-Boo Bear (SRP $24.99) -- This soft plush bear for baby says over

ten unique phrases, including "Peek-A-Boo, I love you!" Moms will love

that this cuddly cub promotes early speech development and lots of

interactive play, as baby discovers the joys of cause and effect.

* Elite Cruiser (Baby Carrier) (SRP $49.99) -- What do you get when you

combine form, function and fashion? A beautifully designed, easy-to-use

baby carrier. With a fashion forward design, an easy 3-buckle system

and multi-point padded lumbar support that lessens back strain, this

carrier is perfect for today's on-the-go modern mom (or dad).

* Shakey Eggs (TM) ($3.50 for 3pk) -- For babies ages 6 months and up,

this entertaining egg-shaped toy shakes, rattles and rolls. Sure to

bring out the giggles, they are available in bright colors, fun patterns

and multiple characters.

* Nickelodeon(R) Re-usable Straw Cups ($4.99 for 3pk) -- Adding fun to

mealtime whether at the kitchen table or at school, this new collection

of straw cups allows kids to drink with their favorite TV friends.

Available in packs of three, they are durable enough to wash and re-use,

but inexpensive enough to lose. Dishwasher safe.

For more information about the company and its line of smart baby and toddler products, visit www.munchkin.com.

About Munchkin, Inc.

A privately held company headquartered in North Hills, Calif., Munchkin, Inc. designs, manufactures and markets baby products that excite, delight and make life easier for families. Founded in 1991, Munchkin, Inc. has placed great emphasis on anticipating parents' needs and finding clever ways to address them. As a result of this focus on innovation, Munchkin has pioneered numerous concepts in the baby care industry including the Bottle & Nipple Brush (1995), White Hot technology(R) (1996), Teething Blanket (1997), Teether Babies (1998), and the Insulated Spill-Proof Trainer Cup (2004). In addition, Munchkin has been granted more than 50 United States patents and has won over 30 industry awards, including the coveted Target(R) Corporation Partner Award of Excellence in 2005. Endorsed and recommended by lactation consultants, medical professionals, toy specialists and parents, Munchkin products can be found at more than 25,000 retail outlets internationally. For more information, visit www.munchkin.com

Source: Munchkin

Web site: http://www.munchkin.com/

22^nd Annual ASCAP Film & Television Music Awards

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Kodak Theatre, Los Angeles, CA

List of Winners

TOP BOX OFFICE FILMS

This Award honors the composers with scores from the top box office films of 2006.

JON BRION

JOHN O’BRIEN (additional music)

(additional music)
The Break-Up

ERRAN BARON COHEN (PRS)

(PRS)
Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan

CHRIS CORNELL (additional music)

(additional music)
Casino Royale

RAMIN DJAWADI

PAUL WESTERBERG

Open Season

MICHAEL GIACCHINO

Mission: Impossible III

RUPERT GREGSON-WILLIAMS (PRS)

(PRS)
Click

ANDREA GUERRA (SIAE)

(SIAE)
The Pursuit of Happyness

MARK ISHAM

Eight Below

HENRY MANCINI

The Pink Panther (original theme)
(original theme)

RANDY NEWMAN

Cars

DOUGLAS PIPES

Monster House

JOHN POWELL

Happy Feet
Ice Age: The Meltdown
X-Men: The Last Stand

HOWARD SHORE

The Departed

ALAN SILVESTRI

Night at the Museum

HANS ZIMMER

The Da Vinci Code
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest

TOP TELEVISION SERIES

This award honors ASCAP composers who have written the themes and underscore for the highest rated series during the period of January 1 – December 31, 2006.

J.J. ABRAMS

MICHAEL GIACCHINO

Lost (ABC)
(ABC)

JOHN ADAIR

PAUL BESSENBACHER

The Suite Life of Zack and Cody (Disney)
(Disney)

LEE ARONSOHN

GRANT GEISSMANTwo and a Half Men (CBS)SEAN CALLERY

24 (FOX)
(FOX)
Shark (CBS)
(CBS)

JEFF CARDONI

CSI: Miami (CBS)
(CBS)

ADAM COHEN

STEVE FRANKS

JOHN ROBERT WOOD

Psych (USA)
(USA)

LISA COLEMAN

WENDY MELVOIN

Heroes (NBC)
(NBC)

CATHERINE DENNIS (PRS)

(PRS)

JULIAN GINGELL (PRS)

(PRS)

BARRY STONE (PRS)

(PRS)
American Idol (FOX)
(FOX)

ROB DUNCAN

The Unit (CBS)
(CBS)

MARC FANTINI

STEFFAN FANTINI

SCOTT GORDON

Criminal Minds (CBS)
(CBS)

ELIZABETH FRASER (PRS)

(PRS)
House (FOX)
(FOX)

MATTHEW GERRARD

ROBBIE NEVIL

Hannah Montana (Disney)
(Disney)

ALEX GREENWALD

JASON SCHWARTZMAN

O.C. (FOX)
(FOX)

MATTHEW HAWKINS

MAURICE “m.O” JACKSON

NEIL MARTIN

NCIS (CBS)

REINHOLD HEIL

JOHNNY KLIMEK

Without a Trace (CBS)
(CBS)

JOHN KEANE

CSI (CBS)
(CBS)

RUSS LANDAU

DAVID VANACORE

Survivor: Cook Islands (CBS)
(CBS)
Survivor: Panama – Exile Island (CBS)
(CBS)

MICHAEL LEVINE

FRANZ VONLICHTEN

HELMUT VONLICHTEN

Cold Case (CBS)
(CBS)

RICHARD MARKMANN

DANIEL PINNELLA

The New Adventures of Old Christine (CBS)
(CBS)

DANIEL MCGRATH (PRS)

(PRS)

JOSH PHILLIPS (PRS)

(PRS)
Dancing With The Stars (FOX)
(FOX)

BLAKE NEELY

Brothers & Sisters (ABC)
(ABC)

RANDY NEWMAN

Monk (USA)
(USA)

DAVID PORTER

Saved (TNT)
(TNT)

MARK T WILLIAMS

Unan1mous (FOX)
(FOX)

MOST PERFORMED THEMES

This award honors the ASCAP composers whose works have earned the highest number of performance credits on television in the category of themes for the 2006 survey year.

JOEL BECKERMAN

MICHAEL KARP

RUSS LANDAU

BRANFORD MARSALIS

DAVID VANACOREMOST PERFORMED UNDERSCORE

This award honors the ASCAP composers whose works have earned the highest number of performance credits on television in the category of dramatic underscore for the 2006 survey year.

SEAN CALLERY

RUSS LANDAU

DAVID NICHTERN

MARK SNOW

DAVID VANACORE

STOP THE PRESSES: VIVID’S LATEST BIG BUDGET MOVIE, “LAYOUT,” PARODIES REALITY WITH A STORY ABOUT A ‘PORN RAG’

“Any Resemblance to AVN is Purely Intentional”

LOS ANGELES – (April 19, 2007) – “Layout” is the latest big budget film from Vivid Entertainment starring the wildly popular Vivid Girl Briana Banks. The movie was written and directed by Paul Thomas, the most award winning director in the history of adult film and will be in stores around the country starting April 25.

(additional music) (PRS) (additional music) (PRS) (SIAE) (original theme) (ABC) (Disney) (FOX) (CBS) (CBS) (USA) (NBC) (PRS) (PRS) (PRS) (FOX) (CBS) (CBS) (PRS) (FOX) (Disney) (FOX)(CBS) (CBS) (CBS) (CBS) (CBS) (CBS) (PRS) (PRS) (FOX) (ABC) (USA) (TNT) (FOX) – (April 19, 2007) – “” is the latest big budget film from starring the wildly popular. The movie was written and directed by the most award winning director in the history of adult film and will be in stores around the country starting April 25.

“Layout” trails a young reporter as he accepts a position at adult magazine AVG and becomes immersed in the world of pornography. Embroiled in a disastrous libel suit, the magazine struggles to maintain objectivity.

Scandal soon unfolds with the discovery of an underage porn star, awards show tampering, blackmail and fiery hot liaisons. Interoffice politics and relationships take center-stage in this parody of reality.

According to the boxcover copy, “Any resemblance to AVN is purely intentional.”

“Layout” features strong performances and intense sex scenes. The film also stars Penny Flame, Kylie Ireland, Tom Byron and Tyce Bune.

"I can offer a sense of reality, of really being there, but it is impossible without good acting,” says Paul Thomas. “Fans of Briana will not be disappointed and Tom Byron, Tyce Bune, and especially Penny Flame are absolutely, positively wonderful. I guarantee award time for all three actors. If you don't ache to have Penny for your own by the end of the film...I pity the fool."

Briana is a German-born beauty and is known for the best-selling “Briana Loves Jenna” movie and her 36" long legs. The former Penthouse Pet has often declared that when her adult acting career is over, she wants to go behind the scenes to direct her own line of adult movies, work on her website and maybe return to college full-time.

About Vivid:

The Vivid Entertainment Group is the world’s leading adult film company. Founded in 1984, Vivid pioneered the “Vivid Girl” concept, under which top adult film stars are signed to exclusive agreements that are styled on the old Hollywood contract star system. Vivid has always placed heavy emphasis on high quality erotic film entertainment for the couples market. It has created wide brand-name awareness through its films and through a licensing and marketing program that extends to advertising, apparel, book publishing, virility supplements, condoms, snowboards, calendars and comic books. The company is known for its innovative technological advances such as full function DVDs, a fast growing wireless program that is already active in 20 countries, its Burn-to-DVD technology and its popular website www.vivid.com. On April 11th Vivid will be the first adult company to release a movie on both HD DVD and Blu-ray with “Debbie Does Dallas …Again.” Vivid is a major supplier of content for pay-per-view networks in North America and internationally. The best selling hardcover book How to Have a XXX Sex Life: The Ultimate Vivid Guide, was co-authored by the Vivid Girls and published by HarperCollins.

The company started the Vivid-Alt imprint in 2006 which is headed by Eon McKai, alt-porn’s dominant icon. McKai has been widely credited as the founder of this new and edgy film genre. He has been profiled in The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times and The Village Voice. Visit Vivid-Alt’s popular website www.vividalt.com. Tristan Taormino, popular columnist with The Village Voice and an award winning director has also launched a Vivid-Ed imprint for the company. Visit www.vivid-ed.com.

For more information contact rm@vivid.com.

April 18

Tony Bennett's Tri-C JazzFest Cleveland Appearance to be Rescheduled

Tony Bennett's Tri-C JazzFest Cleveland appearance, which was scheduled for Friday, April 20th, at Playhouse Square's Allen Theatre, will be rescheduled.

Bennett has postponed his concert appearance as a result of continuing flu symptoms including congestion. The 15-time Grammy winner was advised by his doctor to restrict plane travel and to rest for the next five days.

Bennett is expected to return to his full concert schedule, which includes a concert tour of the UK and US, in May.

A new date for Bennett's concert in Cleveland will be announced as soon as possible. Tickets sold for the concert will be honored on the new date, yet to be announced.

Source: Cuyahoga Community College

Web site: http://www.tri-c.edu/

Fight Melanoma With Joe Pesci and James Woods!

On Monday, May 7th, Joe Pesci, James Woods, Rick Dees as well as many other top celebrities will tee it up at the 4th Annual Hack n' Smack, Kerry Daveline Memorial, Celebrity Golf Classic, held at the prestigious El Caballero country club in Tarzana, CA. This event is presented, in part, by The Actors Network (www.actors-network.com) and 100% of the net proceeds benefit the Melanoma Research Foundation (www.melanoma.org).

Player registration is limited but still available at: www.hacknsmack.org The 12pm, Modified Best Ball shotgun format, features a Hole-in-One from Keyes Mercedes, as well as a Man up and go for it hole sponsored by Top Flite D2 golf balls. The Movin 93.9 street crew will be on the scene, and there will be live music after the tournament from The Beach Toys (The most highly acclaimed Beach Boys tribute band in America). Visit www.thebeachtoys.com.

Join the fight against "The cancer we can see, but no one talks about."

Additional Celebrities scheduled to appear, but not limited to: Josh Duhamel (Las Vegas), Lorenzo Neal (Chargers Pro Bowler), Gregory Itzin (24), Patrick Warburton (Rules of Engagement), Christopher Gorham (Ugly Betty), Michael Chiklis (The Shield), Richard Schiff (West Wing), Scott Foley (The Unit), Justin Hartley (Smallville), Jeffrey Nordling (Dirt), Chris Chandler (St. Louis Rams), Shawn Ryan (ExecProd, The Unit/The Shield), Bill Smitrovich (The Practice), Kate Linder (Young and The Restless), Kevin Weisman (Alias/Clerks II), Chad Brown (NBC Poker Challenge Finalist), Ron Perlman (Hellboy), and Paul Logan (Days of Our Lives).

Source: The Actors Network

Web site: http://www.hacknsmack.org/

Web site: http://www.thebeachtoys.com/

Web site: http://www.melanoma.org/

Web site: http://www.actors-network.com/

In the Lead, Yoda Is!

Voting for Your Favorite Star Wars(TM) Stamp Gets Even Easier

The light side and the dark side are battling for honors in the race to become America's favorite Star Wars stamp.

After two weeks of voting, Yoda is in the lead -- but Darth Vader is menacingly lurking close by. Now, voting is easier than ever! Fans no longer have to wait for a confirmation e-mail, once an e-mail address has been entered the vote is cast. The site has even added an option to receive a reminder to vote the next day.

Voting continues through May 23 on http://www.uspsjedimaster.com/ . The winning stamp will be announced at the first-day-of-issue ceremony of the Star Wars stamp sheet on May 25 during Star Wars Celebration IV in Los Angeles.

The commemorative stamps feature images from all six movies in the Star Wars saga: Luke Skywalker; Han Solo and Chewbacca; Princess Leia Organa with R2-D2; C-3PO; Yoda; Queen Padme Amidala; Obi-Wan Kenobi as seen in Episodes IV through VI; Anakin Skywalker battling Obi-Wan Kenobi; Darth Vader; Emperor Palpatine; Darth Maul; Imperial Stormtroopers; Boba Fett; the Millennium Falcon; and an X-wing fighter. Which one is your favorite?

Of the 15 images on the Star Wars stamp sheet, the Postal Service has invited the public to vote on its favorite. The stamp receiving the most votes will be honored with the issuance of a single stamp, which will be for sale later this summer.

Check http://www.uspsjedimaster.com/ for regular updates on voting -- it's up to America to choose which Star Wars stamp wins the honor of a single-stamp sheet release.

Pre-order the Star Wars stamp sheet

The set of 15 stamps will be released at a first-day-of-issue ceremony on Friday, May 25, at Star Wars Celebration IV, the biggest Star Wars event in the galaxy, at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The stamps will be available for purchase on May 25 in post offices, on http://www.usps.com/ and by calling 1-800-STAMP-24.

Customers may pre-order these stamps for $6.15 starting April 25 (30 days in advance of May 25), by going to http://www.usps.com/ or by calling 1-800- STAMP-24. For those outside the U.S., the same options apply. Your postal administration will deliver them as any other delivery from the U.S. All Star Wars stamps preorders will be shipped on May 25.

Stay tuned and visit http://www.uspsjedimaster.com/ for more information and to vote on your favorite stamp!

Pre-order the Star Wars pre-paid Express Mail envelopes

This set includes three pre-paid Express Mail envelopes featuring artwork images of Yoda, Darth Vader and Obi Wan Kenobi as well as the new Marine One Express Mail stamp. The set of three envelopes costs $48.75 and will be available only from May 6 through Sept. 1. Customers may pre-order the envelope set now at http://www.usps.com/ , by telephone at 1-800-STAMP-24 and in the quarterly USA Philatelic catalog. They are not available in post offices.

Become a Jedi shipping and mailing master to win a trip

Through May 7, customers can enter this sweepstakes by solving six different challenges about Postal Service products and services featuring a Star Wars theme. As each question is answered correctly, customers are automatically moved to the next challenge. At the start of the sweepstakes, customers enter their contact information into a sweepstakes form. There is a limit of one entry per challenge, for a total of six entries.

The Jedi shipping and mailing master challenge is a fun, interactive Web tool that reminds customers of the quick, easy and convenient suite of services available from the Postal Service, including ZIP Code Lookup, International Shipping, Flat-Rate Boxes, Click-N-Ship, Priority Mail and free Package Pickup. The winner of this sweepstakes will receive an all-expenses- paid trip for four to the 30th Anniversary Star Wars Celebration IV in Los Angeles, which runs from May 24 to May 27. (For details, go to http://www.starwars.com/celebration .)

(Note: To obtain a downloadable 300 dpi image of these stamps visit the 2007 Commemorative Stamp Program release link at http://www.usps.com/communications/newsroom/2007stamps/starwars/welcome.htm)

An independent federal agency, the U.S. Postal Service is the only delivery service that visits 146 million homes and businesses, six days a week. It has 37,000 retail locations and relies on the sale of postage, products, and services to cover its operating expenses. The Postal Service has annual revenues of $73 billion and delivers nearly half the world's mail.

STAR WARS and related character names and properties are trademarks and/or copyrights, in the United States and other countries, of Lucasfilm Ltd. and/or its affiliates. TM & (C) Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved. All other trademarks and trade names are properties of their respective owners.

Source: U.S. Postal Service

Web site: http://www.usps.com/
http://www.uspsjedimaster.com/
http://www.starwars.com/celebration

'BROKEN WINDOWS,' a Full Length SAG Independent Feature Film, Produced by Meherio Productions in Conjunction With Sightline Entertainment, Begins Principle Photography

A Compelling Story About the Interwoven Lives of Four Women, Starring Larisa Oleynik, Sarah Thompson, Jennifer Hall and Sara Jane Nash, Begins Filming on Location in Los Angeles and La Jolla, CA.

Meherio Productions and Sightline Entertainment are pleased to announce the commencement of principle photography for the feature film "Broken Windows." Written and directed by Tony Hickman, produced by Thomas J. Rasera and executive produced by Christophe Jouin and Rick Kornfeld.

Shot on location in Los Angeles and La Jolla, CA, the film follows the life of four women over three days, with an outstanding ensemble cast that includes Larisa Oleynik ("10 Things I Hate About You," "The Secret World of Alex Mack"), Sarah Thompson ("7th Heaven," "Angel," "Cruel Intentions 2"), Jennifer Hall ("Nip/Tuck"), Sara Jane Nash ("Unspoken"), Corri English ("Bedford Diaries," "CSI: Miami"), Jonathan Murphy ("Mini's First Time," "October Road"), Jason George ("What About Brian?," "Barbershop"), Devon Gummersall ("My So-Called Life," "The L Word"), and Michael Gross ("Family Ties," "Tremors," "ER").

"Broken Windows" is a story that intertwines the uncertainties of life, our ideas and our unfulfilled dreams. It is a journey through emotions and an attempt to reconcile, to go on, to live. It is an insightful and powerful portrayal of how people struggle with problems.

Writer/Director Tony Hickman tells a compelling story with women at the center of the film:

"These are four powerful and interesting women who are being tested and pushed to their limits," said Hickman. "I wrote the script to reflect real women with real lives, like the ones I see around me everyday who love and inspire me."

Principle photography for "Broken Windows" began on April 16th 2007 and will continue through to May 14th 2007.

Source: Meherio Productions

Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson to Host 2007 Taurus World Stunt Awards

Show to Air on AMC on Friday, May 25th at 10:30 p.m.

Burt Reynolds, Gerard Butler and Jeanne Epper to Be Honored

The Taurus World Stunt Foundation is pleased to announce that Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson will host the 2007 Taurus World Stunt Awards taking place on Sunday, May 20th at Paramount Pictures. The show, which will air domestically on Friday, May 25th at 10:30 p.m. EDT/PDT on AMC, is the entertainment industry's only award show that honors and celebrates Hollywood's top stunt professionals who consistently push the limits thrilling movie goers throughout the world. Now in its sixth year, the Taurus World Stunt Awards has solidified its stature as the highest achievement that a stunt person can earn.

Johnson previously hosted the Taurus World Stunt Awards in 2005 and will next be seen in Disney's "The Game Plan," due out this Fall. In addition, Johnson is currently shooting "Get Smart" opposite Steve Carrell for Warner Bros.

"I have the utmost respect for the stunt community, which is why I am so happy to be hosting the TWSA for the second time. As actors, we truly appreciate all that they do as they literally put their life on the line for the sake of filmmaking. The stunt community is like family to me and I'm proud to be a part of honoring them."

"AMC is pleased to be broadcasting the Taurus World Stunt Awards and believe it will be a valuable addition to our programming slate," said Rob Sorcher, AMC's Executive Vice President of Programming & Production. "We look forward to honoring the industry's outstanding stunt men and women who contribute a great deal to the world of action feature films, and to providing our viewers with access to one of Hollywood's most exciting events."

This year, the Taurus World Stunt Awards will honor Gerard Butler, star of the blockbuster hit film "300" with The Action Movie Star of the Year Award. In his powerful portrayal of King Leonidas, Butler did many of his own stunts in the film which retells the story of the battle of Thermopylae. In preparation for "300," Butler trained extensively for seven months; including training with stunt men from the film.

Butler said, "It is such a special honor to receive this award from the stunt community. In each action film I'm a part of, I am continually amazed by their remarkable talent. While I am proud to receive this accolade, I am keenly aware of who the real action heroes are."

Burt Reynolds will receive the Taurus Lifetime Achievement Award for an Action Star. Throughout his career, Reynolds has been an avid supporter of the stunt industry. He became a fixture behind the wheel during iconic car chase scenes from such hit films as "Cannonball Run" and the "Smokey and the Bandit" franchises. Reynolds joins an exclusive club of actors to be recognized with this honor that includes Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, and Harrison Ford.

Reynolds said, "I have the highest respect for the stunt professionals who risk their lives every day. I want to thank the Taurus World Stunt Awards for not only bestowing me with this honor, but taking the time to honor these professionals and the amazing work they do."

In addition, the Taurus World Stunt Awards will be honoring movie star and stunt icon Jeanne Epper with the highly coveted Taurus Lifetime Achievement Award. Epper becomes the first woman to be recognized by the stunt industry's most prestigious honor for her action-packed career spanning more than 50 years. Epper's work can be seen in more than 200 film and television productions including "Wonder Woman," "Charlie's Angels," "Romancing the Stone," "Fletch," "Armageddon," and "Kill Bill Vol. 2." A pioneer as a woman in the field, Epper's life and career was chronicled in the 2004 award winning documentary, "Double Dare."

Epper said, "It is an amazing gift to be honored by my peers with this award. It is especially gratifying to be the first woman to be honored with the Taurus Lifetime Achievement Award. I want to thank Red Bull and Dietrich Mateschitz for their continuing support of the stunt industry and bringing this show to life each year."

The Taurus Lifetime Achievement Award is voted on by a Blue Ribbon Committee consisting of nineteen (19) stunt men and women who are leaders within their field. Epper joins an exclusive club of stunt icons who have been paid tribute with this distinction including Ronnie Rondell, Buddy Van Horn, Hal Needham, Terry Leonard and Vic Armstrong.

In addition to airing on AMC, the Taurus World Stunt Awards has become a global fixture and airs in more than 160 countries worldwide, captivating millions of viewers. The Taurus World Stunt Awards is the only show completely devoted to recognizing these behind-the-scenes heroes and their death defying work. Winning the 'Taurus' has proven to be the most prestigious honor a stunt professional can take home.

In the coming weeks, the Taurus World Stunt Awards will be announcing the nominees in nine (9) categories including: Best Fight, Best Fire, Best High Work, Best Work with Vehicle, Best Specialty Stunt, Hardest Hit, Best Overall Stunt by a Stunt Woman, Best Action in a Foreign Film and Best Stunt Coordinator and/or 2nd Unit Director.

The Taurus World Stunt Awards will also announce the Taurus World Stunt Awards Foundation recipient and a star-studded list of presenters in the coming weeks. Past presenters include David Arquette, Michael Bay, Jason Biggs, Vin Diesel, Michael Clarke Duncan, James Gandolfini, Jennifer Garner, Brad Garrett, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Kelly Hu, Johnny Knoxville, Kristanna Loken, Matthew McConaughey, Carrie-Anne Moss, Jonathan Mostow, Kevin Nealon, Bill Paxton, Keanu Reeves, Michelle Rodriguez, Seann William Scott, Jason Statham, Quentin Tarantino, Gabrielle Union, Vince Vaughn, and many more.

The show will be executive produced by Michael Dempsey (MTV Movie Awards, VH1 Big in '06, TV Land Awards), as well as Mitch Geller and Andrew Stefan.

About AMC

AMC, a division of Rainbow Media's Entertainment Services, which also includes WE tv and IFC Companies, is a 24-hour, movie-based network, dedicated to the American movie fan. The network, which reaches over 90 million homes, offers a comprehensive library of popular movies and a critically-acclaimed slate of original programming that is a diverse, movie-based mix of original series, documentaries and specials. AMC has garnered many of the industry's highest honors, including 14 Emmy awards. AMC is "TV for movie people."

About The Taurus World Stunt Awards

The Taurus World Stunt Awards benefits the Taurus World Stunt Awards Foundation, which was envisioned by Red Bull(R) Energy Drink CEO Dietrich Mateschitz. The Foundation was established by an endowment from Mateschitz to provide financial assistance to stunt performers who experience a debilitating stunt related injury.

Source: Taurus World Stunt Awards

LAMAR ODOM’S RICH SOIL ENTERTAINMENT SHOWCASE

A Night of Music and Fashion at Air Conditioned Supper Club

WHAT: On Wednesday April 11^th, LA Lakers starting forward, Lamar Odom hosted a private showcase for his eponymous record label, Rich Soil Entertainment at Air Conditioned Supper Club in Venice. The intimate event featured an exclusive performance by Rich Soil’s leading solo artist, Ali Vegas. 2006 Justos Mixtape Award winner DJ Superstar Jay kept the tunes cranking behind the ones and twos.

NBA players, sports execs, and music and fashion industry heavyweights mixed and mingled in the candle lit bar while enjoying specialty cocktails and delectable appetizers such as Tuna Tartar Sliders, Bite-Size Angus Burgers, Jumbo Grilled Shrimp Skewers and Sweet Potato and Classic French Fries. Partygoers enjoyed the outdoor patio lounge featuring hand-rolled cigars.

Fashionistas previewed Odom’s premiere clothing line, “Son of Man,” which fuses sports, hip-hop and spiritual aesthetics. This active wear collection, consisting of inspirational pieces such as the Angel Hoodie and Honor, Faith, Revelation, Cross, Son of Man and Jesus Tees, was modeled throughout the evening. The items featured at the event will be available for purchase at Up Against The Wall stores (Beverly Center and Fox Hills locations) as well as at www.lamarodom.com.

WHO: Host: Lamar Odom. Marques Houston (Artist), Omarion (Artist), Carson Daly, Marcellus Wiley (Jacksonville Jaguars), Chris Stokes (B2K Music Producer), First Cousins (Artists) and Slim the Mobster (Artist). LA Lakers: Maurice Evans, Jordan Farmar, Smush Parker, Ronny Turiaf and Shammond Williams.

Special Performance by: Ali Vegas (Rich Soil Artist), DJ Superstar Jay

WHERE: Air Conditioned Supper Club

625 Lincoln Blvd.

Venice, California

MORE: The Showcase benefited Odom’s Foundation, Cathy’s Kids, a 501C3 benefiting disadvantaged youth and providing opportunity in the LA and NYC communities.

Listen Up! Academy Series Tunes into Sound Effects

Beverly Hills, CA — On Saturday, April 28, the Academy’s Science and Technology Council will launch its “Sound, Camera, Action!” series at the Linwood Dunn Theater with a screening of “Grand Prix” (1966). The series highlights eight popular films from the past four decades that have earned Academy recognition for sound. While these films have often been singled out for their striking visuals, spectacular sequences or career-making performances, their success owes a considerable debt to the ability of sound to augment and clarify action.

The series also includes a special 20th anniversary screening, featuring a panel hosted by screenwriter Shane Black, of “Lethal Weapon” on Friday, May 4 at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater. A rare 70mm archival print from the original release will be screened courtesy of Warner Bros.

The complete list of screenings in the series is:

Saturday, April 28, 7 p.m., Linwood Dunn Theater
“Grand Prix” (1966)
Academy Award® winner for Film Editing, Sound and Sound Effects
“Grand Prix” (1966) Academy Award® winner for Film Editing, Sound and Sound Effects
Sunday, April 29, 7 p.m., Linwood Dunn Theater
“The French Connection” (1971)
Academy Award winner for Actor, Directing, Film Editing, Best Picture and Adapted Screenplay
Oscar® nominee for Supporting Actor, Cinematography and Sound
“The French Connection” (1971)Academy Award winner for Actor, Directing, Film Editing, Best Picture and Adapted ScreenplayOscar® nominee for Supporting Actor, Cinematography and Sound

“Jaws” (1975)
Academy Award winner for Film Editing, Original Score and Sound
Oscar nominee for Best Picture

Friday, May 4, 8 p.m., Samuel Goldwyn Theater
“Lethal Weapon” (1987)
Oscar nominee for Sound
“Lethal Weapon” (1987)Oscar nominee for Sound

The evening will feature a panel discussion with producer-director Richard Donner; actor Gary Busey, who played Joshua; and sound rerecording mixers Les Fresholtz and Vern Poore.

Saturday, May 5, 7 p.m., Linwood Dunn Theater
“Top Gun” (1986)
Academy Award winner for Original Song
Oscar nominee for Film Editing, Sound and Sound Effects Editing
“Top Gun” (1986)Academy Award winner for Original SongOscar nominee for Film Editing, Sound and Sound Effects Editing

“Platoon” (1986)
Academy Award winner for Directing, Film Editing, Best Picture and Sound
Oscar nominee for Supporting Actor (two nominations), Cinematography and Original Screenplay

Sunday, May 6, 7 p.m., Linwood Dunn Theater
“Total Recall” (1990)
Recipient of Academy Special Achievement Award – Visual Effects
Oscar nominee for Sound and Sound Effects Editing
“Total Recall” (1990)Recipient of Academy Special Achievement Award – Visual EffectsOscar nominee for Sound and Sound Effects Editing

“Speed” (1994)
Academy Award winner for Sound and Sound Effects Editing
Oscar nominee for Film Editing

The “Sound, Camera, Action!” series will culminate on May 17 with “The Sound behind the Image,” a program, hosted by Oscar-winning sound designer Ben Burtt and 19-time Academy Award-nominated sound mixer and Academy governor Kevin O’Connell. “The Sound behind the Image” will explore the extraordinary impact of sound in the history of the action-adventure genre and pay tribute to the sound design of the 1977 Oscar-winning classic “Star Wars.” A panel discussion with key members of the “Star Wars” sound crew will be moderated by O’Connell.

Tickets to each evening of the “Sound, Camera, Action!” series and “The Sound behind the Image” are $5 for the general public and $3 for Academy members and students with a valid ID. Tickets may be purchased in advance, either by mail or in person at the Academy’s ticket office, located at 8949 Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills.

The Linwood Dunn Theater is located at the Academy’s Pickford Center for Motion Picture Study at 1313 Vine Street, Hollywood. Doors open at 6 p.m. All seating is unreserved. Free parking is available behind the building through the entrance on Homewood Avenue.

The Samuel Goldwyn Theater is located at 8949 Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills. Doors open at 7 p.m. for the May 4 screening. For more information, call (310) 247-3600.

# # #

©A.M.P.A.S.®

Academy/UCLA Documentary Series Screening
Gets in Step with the Power of Dance

Beverly Hills, CA — Two documentary features, “Rize” and “Favela Rising,” will be screened on Wednesday, May 9, as the next installment in the 2006–2007 Contemporary Documentaries series, presented by the Academy Foundation of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the UCLA Film & Television Archive. The screenings will begin at 7 p.m. at the Academy’s Linwood Dunn Theater in Hollywood. Admission is free.

Directed by David LaChapelle, “Rize” explores a dance phenomenon occurring in the streets of South Central Los Angeles known as “krumping.” The film focuses on a sub-community of young performers who, despite being surrounded by drug addiction, gang activity and poverty, remain optimistic and upbeat. The spirit and creativity of these krumpers allow them to rise above their environment and foster a sense of family where none existed before. “Rize” was produced by LaChapelle, Marc Hawker, Ellen Jacobson-Clarke, Richmond Talauega and Tone Talauega. Following the screening, LaChapelle will discuss the making of the film and take questions from the audience.

“Favela Rising” takes viewers to Vigario Geral, one of Rio de Janeiro’s most notorious slums, or favelas – home to teenage drug armies, ferocious violence and countless murders. In the film, one man, Anderson Sa, rallies his community to deploy music and dance as weapons against drug lords, corrupt police and the oppression of their surroundings. But just as the AfroReggae movement is showing signs of success, a tragic accident threatens its future. “Favela Rising” was directed and produced by Jeff Zimbalist and Matt Mochary.

# # #

©A.M.P.A.S.®

April 17

THE SEARCH FOR THE NEW MENUDO IS ON
National Casting Comes to NEW YORK on April 28^th
Reggaeton Superstar don OMAR AND renowned music manager johnny wright to judge auditions

Want to be part of the legacy that released 32 albums and sold over 20,000,000 records worldwide and sold out Radio City Music Hall for 13 consecutive nights? The search to recreate Menudo, one of the biggest and most successful Latin pop singing groups comes to New York on April 28^th. The casting sessions kicked off in Los Angeles and additional castings will take place in Dallas and New York through the end of April.

When: Saturday, April 28
: Saturday, April 28

11:00AM – 4:00 PM

Where: Queens Center Mall, 9015 Queens Boulevard, Elmhurst
: Queens Center Mall, 9015 Queens Boulevard, Elmhurst Who: Renowned music manager, Johnny Wright
Recording artist, Don Omar
: Renowned music manager,Recording artist,

Additional celebrity judges to be announced

Celebrity judge Don Omar, along with renowned music manager Johnny Wright and others will be on hand to audition teenage boys on their natural singing and dancing abilities, charisma and stage presence. The auditions are open to males who are at least 15 years old and appear to be less than 19 years old. All contestants will be asked to sing a song, in English or Spanish, from a pre-selected song list available on mtvtr3s.com. A legal guardian who can sign a release must accompany contestants under 18. Complete eligibility requirements are available at mtvtr3s.com.

Once selected, Menudo will be part of the Epic Records family. The partnership between Epic and Menudo kicks off with a first single in July and the group's “debut” album in December 2007.

MTV Tr3́s will chronicle the entire journey of thousands from the first audition to the last, culminating with the selection of seven finalists in “Road to Menudo” which debuts on May 12. The road continues on MTV this fall when the band will dwindle down to the five final members of the new Menudo as the channel air the 10-episode reality series (title TBD.) Reveille, producer of the two-time Golden Globe winner and Latin crossover hit “Ugly Betty,” is producing the MTV series in association with Road Games.

MENUDO’S LEGACY

Menudo was the mega group that started the boy group craze. In 1977, Edgardo Diaz formed the first Menudo in Puerto Rico. The original group consisted of two sets of brothers: Carlos, Oscar, and Ricky Melendez and Nefty and Fernando Sallaberry.

The group targeted pre-teens and young teens and had a policy that as any member turned 16 he would be replaced by a new member. More than 30 different boys made up Menudo over its years of existence. This made Menudo the only truly revolving group and gave the brand staying power in its young market.

Menudo released 32 albums and sold over 20,000,000 records worldwide.

Over the years, Menudo toured worldwide and holds numerous attendance records including 13 consecutive sellout performances at Radio City Music Hall, 200,000 fans at the soccer stadium in Rio de Janeiro, and over 500,000 at a Mexico City concert.

RICKY MARTIN REMEMBERS HIS MENUDO DAYS

During a rare break from his Blanco Y Negro tour in Guadalajara, Mexico, Ricky Martin commented about his start with Menudo and what it meant for him: "It's incredible for me - a very important time in my life. It was the beginning of my career, it was my schooling. In Menudo I learned what was discipline. I learned what it was to work in a way so intense in order to achieve something! I wish all who are involved in this project from the technical side to the talent side all the best. To the talent, take risks. Risk it, even if you think it's ridiculous! Just be yourself and don't fear what people will say - I think that's the key to success."

ABOUT DON OMAR

Without a doubt Don Omar has become one of the biggest international stars. During his triumphant musical career, The “King of Reggaeton” has traveled all over the world taking his music everywhere. During his most recent visit to Latin America Don Omar visited Chile and attended the prestigious Vina del Mar festival as the closing performer, he sang at the Estadio Nacional in front of 80,000 people and traveled to Egypt to record and film a duet with famous Egyptian singer Hakim.

Currently Don Omar is working on his English cross over; he recently filmed the video for his first English only song “Calm my Nerves” in New York City and continues working on promoting his highly successful album King of Kings: Armageddon Edition.

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SIRIUS Satellite Radio To Debut Siriusly Sinatra Channel

April 19th NEW YORK, April 17, -- SIRIUS Satellite Radio (Nasdaq: SIRI) and the family of Frank Sinatra announced today that they will premiere their new, one-of-a-kind radio channel dedicated to the music, time and spirit of Frank Sinatra this Thursday, April 19 at 3 pm ET. The Siriusly Sinatra channel will debut with a special live performance from Frank Sinatra recorded at the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas in 1966. Siriusly Sinatra will be the only channel available on radio produced by the Sinatra family and will broadcast recordings spanning Sinatra's entire career- including his extensive catalog of hits, rarities and his wonderful concerts-as well as favorite standard hits performed by other classic artists from our time. Siriusly Sinatra will be heard exclusively on Sirius Satellite Radio on channel 75. In addition to playing Sinatra's music, the Siriusly Sinatra channel will feature The Chairman's Hour, hosted by Frank himself, created by the Sinatra family and SIRIUS using archival material. Nancy Sinatra will also host The Nancy Sinatra Show, a weekly show. The launch dates of these shows will be announced shortly. Nancy Sinatra said, "My father's music finally has a home so every generation can drop by and listen to all of his wonderful music. I'm thrilled that all of dad's songs will be playing on SIRIUS around the clock" "SIRIUS is proud to work with the Sinatra family to create this truly special channel," Scott Greenstein, SIRIUS President, Entertainment and Sports, said. "Over 60 years after his first single, Frank Sinatra still thrills music fans everywhere. The Siriusly Sinatra channel is certain to be one of the jewels in the SIRIUS lineup, and it's an example of the exclusive and outstanding music programming that makes SIRIUS The Best Radio on Radio." A recipient of 13 GRAMMY(R) awards, Frank Sinatra and his recording career is unmatched in American popular music. From a recording catalog ranging from hits like "I'll Never Smile Again," which was #1 for twelve weeks in 1940, to the 1980 classic "Theme from New York, New York," few other recording artists have had the staying power of Sinatra in our shared musical experience. Reprise, the record company founded by Sinatra, recently released Sinatra: Vegas, the critically-acclaimed and best-selling box set of previously- unreleased, legendary Sinatra Las Vegas performances. Sinatra, a multi-media production, concluded a five-month engagement at the Palladium in London last year, and is scheduled to tour Europe and parts of Asia in the coming year. To learn more about SIRIUS, please visit www.sirius.com. About SIRIUS SIRIUS, "The Best Radio on Radio," delivers more than 130 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 69 music channels. SIRIUS also delivers 65 channels of sports, news, talk, entertainment, traffic, weather and data. SIRIUS is the Official Satellite Radio Partner of the NFL, NASCAR, NBA and NHL, and broadcasts live play-by- play games of the NFL, NBA and NHL, as well as live NASCAR races. All SIRIUS programming is available for a monthly subscription fee of only $12.95. SIRIUS Internet Radio (SIR) is a CD-quality, Internet-only version of the SIRIUS radio service, without the use of a radio, for the monthly subscription fee of $12.95. SIR delivers more than 75 channels of talk, entertainment, sports, and 100% commercial free music. 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, Bentley, BMW, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, Infiniti, Jaguar, Jeep(R), Land Rover, Lexus, Lincoln, Mercury, Maybach, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, MINI, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Rolls Royce, Scion, Toyota, Volkswagen, and Volvo. Hertz also offers SIRIUS in its rental cars at major locations around the country. Click on www.sirius.com to listen to SIRIUS live, or to purchase a SIRIUS radio and subscription. Any statements that express, or involve discussions as to, expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance with respect to SIRIUS Satellite Radio Inc. are not historical facts and may be forward-looking and, accordingly, such statements involve estimates, assumptions and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Accordingly, any such statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the factors discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Among the key factors that have a direct bearing on our operational results are: our dependence upon third parties, including manufacturers of SIRIUS radios, retailers, automakers and programming providers, our competitive position and any events which affect the useful life of our satellites.

April 16

HFPA ANNOUNCES TIMETABLE FOR 'THE 65TH ANNUAL GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS'
Published: April 16, 2007

April 16, 2007 - Philip Berk, President of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, announced the timetable for "The 65th Annual Golden Globe Awards" to be telecast Sunday, January 13, 2008 from 8-11 PM (EST) live from the Beverly Hilton on NBC.

Key dates are as follows:

October 18, 2007 (Thursday) - Final screening date for Television entries

October 19, 2007 (Friday) - Final date for press conferences for Television entries

November 9, 2007 (Friday) - Deadline for submission of Golden Globe entry forms

November 14, 2007 (Friday) 9 a.m. - Cecil B. DeMille/Miss Golden Globe Announcement

November 30, 2007 (Friday) - Deadline for nomination ballots to be mailed by Ernst & Young to all HFPA members

December 5, 2007 (Wednesday) - Final screening date for Motion Pictures

December 6, 2007 (Thursday) - Final date for Motion Picture press conferences

December 10, 2007 (Monday) - Deadline for receipt by Ernst & Young of nomination ballots

December 13, 2007 (Thursday) - 5:00 a.m. Nomination announcement of the 65th Annual Golden Globe Awards

December 14, 2007 (Friday) - Deadline for receipt of media credential applications

December 26, 2007 (Wednesday) - Final ballots mailed by Ernst & Young to all HFPA members

January 2, 2008 (Wednesday) - Deadline for receipt of publicist credential applications

January 9, 2008 (Wednesday) - Deadline for receipt by Ernst & Young of final ballots

January 13, 2008 (Sunday) - Presentation of "The 65th Annual Golden Globe Awards" Live telecast on NBC Television at 8 p.m. EST

"The 65th Annual Golden Globe Awards" will be seen in more than 150 countries worldwide and is one of the few awards ceremonies that span both television and motion picture achievements. The special will be produced by dick clark productions in association with the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.

ORESKABAND TO ATTEND ANIME EXPO® 2007 AS OFFICIAL GUESTS OF HONOR Nation¹s Largest Convention Teams Up with Sony Music Anaheim, California (April 13, 2007) ‹ The hottest teen girl sextet from Osaka, ORESKABAND, storms into Anime Expo® with their brand of ³entertainment ska rock² as the 2nd Guest of Honor for the highly anticipated 2007 convention June 29-July 2 at the Long Beach Convention Center. More information can be found on the website www.anime-expo.org <http://www.anime-expo.org> . Formed in 2003, ORESKABAND is composed of middle school classmates-TOMI (bass & vocals), TAE-SAN (drums), SAKI (trumpet), MORIKO (tenor sax), LEADER (trombone) and IKASU (guitar & vocals). They began playing at local clubs and quickly built a following with their energetic live shows and colorful personalities. From performing at local venues and appearing in a TV commercial for POCKY, ORESKABAND continues to showcase their unique and fresh ³ska-pop² sound and has performed at the prestigious annual FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL. ORESKABAND kicked off their first tour starting from SXSW music festival from Austin, TX and continues to amaze American audiences throughout the U.S. ORESKABAND will be performing live at Anime Expo® 2007. ORESKABAND¹s song PINOCCHIO is the featured song for the official Anime Expo® 2007 commercial. ORESKABAND joins Mary Elizabeth McGlynn as Anime Expo® 2007 Official Guests of Honor. All registrants who register before the end of March are automatically placed into the drawing. Those who have already pre-registered are also automatically entered into this drawing. Secure pre-registration can be done via online at https://secure.rhq.com/anime/anime2007/attreg/index.cgi <file://localhost/anime/anime2007/attreg/index.cgi> . Attendees interested in booking flights, car rentals and/or other hotels for Anime Expo® 2007 can do so via the AX Travel Store located at www.AXTravelStore.com <http://www.AXTravelStore.com> . About Anime Expo® Located in Long Beach, California - Anime Expo®, the nation¹s largest anime/manga convention, serves to foster trade, commerce and the interests of the general public and animation/ comics industry. This event serves as a key meeting place for the general public to express their interest and explore various aspects of anime/manga, as well as for members of the industry to conduct business. AX 2007 will be held June 29 July 2, 2007 at the Long Beach Convention Center in Southern California. SPONSORS: ADV Films, Bandai Entertainment, Copic Markers, Digital Manga, Gaia Online, Go! Media, Infinity Studios, Informasian TV (IaTV) and the Los Angeles Times. More information can be found at its website (www.anime-expo.org). About Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA) is a non-profit organization with a mission to popularize and educate the American public about anime and manga, as well as provide a forum to facilitate communication between professionals and fans. This organization is more popularly known by its entertainment property Anime Expo®. More information can be found at its website (www.spja.org). The statements made in this press release that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements." These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. The Company cautions readers of this press release that a number of important factors could cause Anime Expo®/SPJA¹s actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in any such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, without limitation, product delays, industry competition, rapid changes in technology and industry standards, protection of proprietary rights, maintenance of relationships with key personnel, vendors and third-party developers, international economic and political conditions. The Company may change its intention, belief or expectation, at any time and without notice, based upon any changes in such factors, in the Company's assumptions or otherwise. The Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. ORESKABAND official website: www.oreskaband.com

Bonhams & Butterfields Offers

Fine European Furniture and Decorative Arts

in Los Angeles on April 30

April sale brings an eclectic selection of property from around the globe including a prominent Santa Barbara philanthropist's collection

April 12

OLIVIA MOJICA MAKES HISTORY AS FIRST "AMERICAN IDOL" CONTESTANT TO GO HARDCORE

“Hardcore Idol” to be in Stores on May 3rd
– Beautiful brunette singer Olivia Mojica just missed becoming a finalist on “American Idol,” but she will now show she can go all the way in another field – the first contestant on the show to make a hardcore sex video.
A Texas native, the vivacious, green-eyed Mojica is the latest celebrity to see a video she recently made with her boyfriend find its way into the public arena and get broad distribution from Vivid Entertainment, the world's leading adult film company. The DVD will be in stores across the country on May 3rd. Vivid is the same firm that is currently distributing the blockbuster sex video made by sultry socialite Kim Kardashian and R&B artist Ray J.
“We have a great combination here. ‘American Idol’ may be the most popular show in the history of television. Olivia is really cute, the sex is really hot and there is much controversy surrounding the show,” said Steven Hirsch, co-chairman of Vivid. “If she was in the adult business, she would be an instant superstar.”
Mojica was ranked as one of the “best of the rest” in the second season of the wildly popular Fox TV show “American Idol,” when she was just 18. She performed last on March 3, 2003, singing “Because You Loved Me” made popular by Celine Dion, but lost out to a field that included Ruben Studdard, Corey Clark and Clay Aiken. She is currently singing at clubs and other venues across the country as well as working on a full length album which is expected to be in stores nationwide in the first quarter of 2008.
The video, which Mojica made with her boyfriend Adam Roberts a month ago in her New York City apartment, was obtained by Vivid, which is currently trying to contact Mojica to see if she will help promote the video and share in revenue from its sale.
A bit of scandal seems to surround the “American Idol” show each season. This year it to revolves around Sanjaya Malakar who may be getting votes generated by Howard Stern, despite of his lack of singing ability. Olivia Mojica’s role in the show’s history is bound to be noted as well.
About Vivid:
The Vivid Entertainment Group is the world’s leading adult film company. Founded in 1984, Vivid pioneered the “Vivid Girl” concept, under which top adult film stars are signed to exclusive agreements that are styled on the old Hollywood contract star system. Vivid has always placed heavy emphasis on high quality erotic film entertainment for the couples market. It has created wide brand-name awareness through its films and through a licensing and marketing program that extends to advertising, apparel, book publishing, virility supplements, condoms, snowboards, calendars and comic books. The company is known for its innovative technological advances such as full function DVDs, a fast growing wireless program that is already active in 20 countries, its Burn-to-DVD technology and its popular website www.vivid.com. On April 11th Vivid will be the first adult company to release a movie on both HD DVD and Blu-ray with “Debbie Does Dallas …Again.” Vivid is a major supplier of content for pay-per-view networks in North America and internationally. The best selling hardcover book How to Have a XXX Sex Life: The Ultimate Vivid Guide, was co-authored by the Vivid Girls and published by HarperCollins.
The company started the Vivid-Alt imprint in 2006 which is headed by Eon McKai, alt-porn’s dominant icon. McKai has been widely credited as the founder of this new and edgy film genre. He has been profiled in The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times and The Village Voice. Visit Vivid-Alt’s popular website www.vividalt.com. Tristan Taormino, popular columnist with The Village Voice and an award-winning director has also launched a Vivid-Ed imprint for the company. Visit www.vivid-ed.com
LAMAR ODOM’S RICH SOIL ENTERTAINMENT SHOWCASE
A Night of Music and Fashion at Air Conditioned Supper Club
WHAT: Last night, Wednesday April 11th, LA Lakers starting forward, Lamar Odom hosted a private showcase for his eponymous record label, Rich Soil Entertainment at Air Conditioned Supper Club in Venice . The intimate event featured an exclusive performance by Rich Soil’s leading solo artist, Ali Vegas. 2006 Justos Mixtape Award winner DJ Superstar Jay kept the tunes cranking behind the ones and twos.
NBA players, sports execs, and music and fashion industry heavyweights mixed and mingled in the candle lit bar while enjoying specialty cocktails and delectable appetizers such as Tuna Tartar Sliders, Bite-Size Angus Burgers, Jumbo Grilled Shrimp Skewers and Sweet Potato and Classic French Fries. Partygoers enjoyed the outdoor patio lounge featuring hand-rolled cigars.
Fashionistas previewed Odom’s premiere clothing line, “Son of Man,” which fuses sports, hip-hop and spiritual aesthetics. This active wear collection, consisting of inspirational pieces such as the Angel Hoodie and Honor, Faith, Revelation, Cross, Son of Man and Jesus Tees, were modeled throughout the evening. The t - shirts modeled at the event will be available for purchase at Up Against The Wall stores ( Beverly Center and Fox Hills locations) as well as at www.lamarodom.com.
WHO: Host: Lamar Odom. Marques Houston (Artist), Omarion (Artist), Carson Daly. Marcellus Wiley ( Jacksonville Jaguars Lineman), Chris Stokes (B2K Music Producer), First Cousins (Artists), Slim the Mobster (Artist), LA Lakers: Maurice Evans, Jordan Farmar, Smush Parker, Ronny Turiaf, and Shammond Williams. More names to come…
Special Performance by: Ali Vegas (Rich Soil Artist), DJ Superstar Jay
WHERE: Air Conditioned Supper Club
625 Lincoln Blvd.
Venice , California
MORE: The Showcase benefited Odom’s Foundation, Kathy’s Kids, a 501C3 benefiting disadvantaged youth and providing opportunity in the LA and NYC communities.
VEOH ANNOUNCES NEW "HOME DELIVERY" SERVICE
New Veoh Feature Allows Remote Download of Online Video LOS ANGELES, CA (April 12, 2007) - Veoh Networks (www.veoh.com), the leading innovator in Internet television, today announced that a new, pioneering feature has been added to their unique Veoh Player - Home Delivery.
Veoh's Home Delivery feature gives users the freedom to browse and select video content at any time, from any place with an Internet connection, and have it waiting on their hard drive's Veoh Player when they are ready to view it. For instance, Veoh users can now browse and select content while still at work, and have it downloaded and ready to watch once they get home. Using Home Delivery to select and send videos to a remote Veoh Player avoids any downloading time, allowing users more time and flexibility to enjoy their videos in full-screen, DVD-quality.
"We believe that Home Delivery represents the next step in the evolution of Internet television: First we rented videos; then we had them delivered by mail; now Veoh users can push videos directly to their hard-drives from anywhere in the world with an Internet connection," said Dmitry Shapiro, CEO of Veoh Networks.
To access Home Delivery, users need simply log on to their Veoh account from any computer and enable the Home Delivery feature. Then, once they have "turned on" Home Delivery at any other computers they use, viewers can automatically send and save videos to them, remotely. Home Delivery is free and requires only that users register on Veoh.com and download the Veoh Player to use it. The Player is a free, quick-to-download desktop application that turns users' hard drives into virtual DVRs, allowing users to download and save videos to a virtual library to watch at their leisure, with or without an Internet connection.
About Veoh Networks
Veoh Networks is a new, innovative Internet television broadcasting system that delivers broadcast-quality entertainment and informational content via the Internet, using unique distribution technologies to allow for unlimited capacity for both long- and short-form programming. Veoh allows content producers from major entertainment studios and television networks to independent video producers and enthusiasts to deliver high-quality, full-screen video directly to consumers without financial, geographical or capacity restrictions found in traditional broadcasting systems. This democratization of video distribution fundamentally changes the dynamics of television, creating unprecedented choice for consumers and a compelling marketplace for content providers and advertisers. Headquartered in San Diego , California with additional offices in Los Angeles , Veoh Networks is privately held company that is backed by leading technology and media investors, including Spark Capital, Michael Eisner's Tornante Company, Time Warner Inc. and Shelter Capital Partners.
Veoh Networks is a new, innovative Internet television broadcasting system that delivers broadcast-quality entertainment and informational content via the Internet, using unique distribution technologies to allow for unlimited capacity for both long- and short-form programming. Veoh allows content producers from major entertainment studios and television networks to independent video producers and enthusiasts to deliver high-quality, full-screen video directly to consumers without financial, geographical or capacity restrictions found in traditional broadcasting systems. This democratization of video distribution fundamentally changes the dynamics of television, creating unprecedented choice for consumers and a compelling marketplace for content providers and advertisers. Headquartered in San Diego , California with additional offices in Los Angeles , Veoh Networks is privately held company that is backed by leading technology and media investors, including Spark Capital, Michael Eisner's Tornante Company, Time Warner Inc. and Shelter Capital Partners.
April 11
Nashville Records(TM) Announces Name & Ticker Symbol Change
Nashville Records, Inc. (PINKSHEETS: NSHV) is proud to announce the official name change and new ticker symbol change. The new ticker symbol is: NSHV.
Nashville Records, Inc. President, Gene Sibbett, says, "We were hoping for a great symbol that would represent Nashville Records and the first thing that came to my mind upon receiving the email from the NASDAQ was 'it can't get much better than this.'"
The Company has held off on some of its news and plans until several items could be established; namely the symbol change and further contracts to completion. Sibbett commented that the changes make the company feel less encumbered and the communication to the Investor Relations will open up more, which in turn will result in better communication to the investors. He did however caution that there are numerous negotiations with artists, production firms, movie companies, joint ventures, and industry executives, and that the company will only release the information as these items come to complete fruition.
Sibbett claims there are literally hundreds of independent labels who know that marketing and distribution is 99% of their challenge yet they rarely crack it. He says these labels would love to get their hands on Nashville Records' distribution and marketing deals. Sibbett says these strategies will never be disclosed and encourages all investors to not recommend nor discuss Nashville Records' plans. "We get emails every day from someone wishing to know our strategy... They AIN'T gettin' it," he says.
Nashville Records, Inc. is a Nashville-based record label located in the heart of Music Row. The key management and advisors were industry-retired individuals that were dissatisfied with the direction in which the music industry was headed. In the past, this combined management team is credited with sales of well into the billions of dollars and has been responsible for hundreds of charted hits.
Legal Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
The statements in this press release that relate to the Company's expectations with regard to the future impact on the Company's results are forward-looking statements, within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The statements in this document may also contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Since this information may contain statements that involve risk and uncertainties and are subject to change at any time, the Company's actual results may differ materially from expected results.
Emmy(R) Award Winner Kirstie Alley ('Cheers') Stars In and Executive Produces the Lifetime Original Movie 'Write & Wrong,' (Formerly 'And She Was') About a Middle-Aged Screenwriter Whose Script-Selling Scheme to Beat Hollywood's Youth Obsession Goes Awry
Kirstie Alley ("Cheers," "Fat Actress") stars in and executive produces the upcoming Lifetime Original Movie "Write & Wrong" (formerly "And She Was"), a satiric comedy about a middle-aged screenwriter who learns she is all washed up in Hollywood because she is considered too old. She enlists the help of her 20-something nephew who passes himself off as the writer of her scripts. But when he falls in love with a studio executive, her plan to reveal that she is, in fact, the talented wordsmith, is jeopardized. "Write & Wrong" will premiere Sunday, June 3 at 8:00 PM (ET/PT) on Lifetime Television. The movie will be followed by the premiere of the new Lifetime series "Army Wives" starring Kim Delaney and Catherine Bell at 10:00 PM (ET/PT).
In "Write & Wrong," Birdie Langdon (Alley) is an Academy Award(R)-winning writer approaching her 50th birthday who gets continually stonewalled finding work in an industry that prizes youth above all else. In desperation, she dreams up a plan to have her attractive car-salesman nephew Neil (Eric Christian Olsen, "The Loop," "Tru Calling") pose as a screenwriter using her scripts. The ruse succeeds perfectly. But just as Birdie begins to feel twinges of conscience, Neil falls for a studio development executive named Andrea. If Birdie decides to expose the deception, it could cost Neil his budding relationship and Andrea her job. While she struggles with her quandary, Birdie discovers for herself, and demonstrates to others, that being a woman of a certain age does not mean life is over, and that there are second chances for everyone.
Kirstie Alley's career has been punctuated by multiple awards and success in top-grossing films and highly acclaimed television programs. Alley most recently appeared in her own Showtime series "Fat Actress" and the television movies "Family Sins" and "While I Was Gone." She is best known for her portrayal of Rebecca Howe on NBC's "Cheers," for which she won Emmy(R), Golden Globe(R), and People's Choice(R) Awards during her six years on the hit comedy. Other television credits include "Veronica's Closet," the CBS movie "David's Mother," for which she won an Emmy(R) and two miniseries "The Last Don" and "Salem Witch Trials." In 2003, Alley portrayed the mentally disabled Donna Lee Shelby Thornton in the CBS film "Profoundly Normal." Alley's film credits include "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan," "Look Who's Talking," "Look Who's Talking Too," "Look Who's Talking Now," "Deconstructing Harry," "Drop Dead Gorgeous" and "For Richer or Poorer."
Eric Christian Olsen was most recently seen in the FOX series "The Loop" and had a recurring role on "Tru Calling." He will soon be seen in the feature films "License to Wed" and "The Comebacks." His additional film credits include "The Last Kiss" with Zach Braff, "Beerfest," "Cellular," "Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd," "The Hot Chick," "Local Boys," "Not Another Teen Movie" and "Pearl Harbor."
"Write & Wrong" is produced by Jaffe/Braunstein Films for Lifetime Television. Executive producers are Howard Braunstein, Michael Jaffe (Lifetime's "Not Like Everyone Else" and "Odd Girl Out"), Richard Fischoff (Lifetime's "For One Night") and Kirstie Alley. Graeme Clifford ("Profoundly Normal") directs from a script written by George Beckerman ("Man of the People").
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, LMN, Lifetime Real Women, Lifetime Home Entertainment and Lifetime Online (www.lifetimetv.com) 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/
Independent Music Artists Level the R&B/Hip-Hop/Rap Playing Fields
-- Atlanta is filled with hip-hop heavyweights, but creative R&B/hip-hop singer Ariel Glover (http://www.myspace.com/arielglover) and his brother, the radical rap/hip-hop artist Jonathan " G-Lover" Glover (http://www.myspace.com/atlglover), are standing out from the crowd. The two use the SNOCAP Digital Registry in conjunction with MySpace.com to sell their music and get closer to their fans.
Both of the Atlanta-based music artists have taken advantage of SNOCAP's online distribution deals with online services and retailers to create virtual MySpace music stores. Current and new fans can now go directly to the brothers' MySpace Web pages to sample and buy music as well as share comments and feedback as MySpace friends.
"With the recent decline in traditional CD sales in record stores and the ever-increasing number of music consumers buying on the Internet, independent artists like us are in a better position to manage our success and get our slice of the big money pie," said Ariel Glover. Glover (artist photo: http://www.ereleases.com/pr/2007-ArielGlover.jpg) is a professional singer, songwriter, vocal coach and producer. He specializes in R&B, hip-hop, inspirational and soul, and his singing style is described as a blend of Luther Vandross, Brian McKnight and Donny Hathaway.
G-Lover (artist photo: http://www.ereleases.com/pr/2007-GLover.jpg) acquired an early exposure and love for music through church involvement at his childhood home in Memphis, Tenn. At the age of 14, he proclaimed that he would pursue a career as a rapper and now melds his lyrical skills with positive messages of social consciousness. "The freedom to communicate directly with my fan base is a dream come true," G-Lover said. "I want my fans to always feel close to my music. As music artists, we spend countless long and hard hours creating songs for our fans. The comfort of knowing I have an avenue to distribute my music around the world is truly a blessing."
Both Glover and G-Lover believe in connecting beat-oriented modern styles with the old-school melodies of their genres. By cultivating and mastering the new and the old school, they have devised innovative styles through which they aspire to create timeless songs that reach across social, ethnic and geographic boundaries.
The two independent music artists are no strangers to entrepreneurial and musical success. Previously, they collaborated with another singer on a CD, which sold a large number of units in the U.S. and overseas markets through their online marketing efforts. "We're forecasting big things with this new SNOCAP online distribution deal," said Ariel Glover. "We are positioning ourselves for superstardom success in the very near future." The SNOCAP registry and distribution channels are also being used by both major and independent record labels.
The MySpace song tracks can be downloaded for $0.99 each, and purchasers can listen to full-length versions of featured songs or excerpts of any song before buying. To learn more or buy music, visit http://www.myspace.com/arielglover and http://www.myspace.com/atlglover.
Contact:
Ariel A. Glover
(770) 896-6521
gloverariel@yahoo.com
This release was issued through eReleases(TM). For more information, visit http://www.ereleases.com/.
Source: Ariel Glover
CONTACT: Ariel A. Glover, +1-770-896-6521, gloverariel@yahoo.com
Web site: http://www.myspace.com/arielglover
http://www.myspace.com/atlglover
Carrie Underwood's 'Wasted' Becomes the Best New Artist GRAMMY Winner's 4th Consecutive #1 Country Single! 'Before He Cheats,' Carrie's Third #1, Now a Hot AC Top 10 and on the Air at MTV!
NASHVILLE, Tenn., April 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Double-GRAMMY winner and reigning CMA Female Vocalist of the Year Carrie Underwood is atop the country airplay charts once again this week as her fourth single, "Wasted," follows the #1 success of "Jesus, Take the Wheel," "Don't Forget to Remember Me," and "Before He Cheats." With "Wasted," Carrie becomes the first female country artist in the monitored era to achieve four #1 singles from her debut album. She joins superstar labelmates Alan Jackson and Brooks & Dunn as the three most recent artists in country music to enjoy this remarkable feat on their first album.
Even as "Wasted" becomes country radio's most-played song in the nation, Carrie's third smash, "Before He Cheats," is now powering its way up the Hot AC chart, entering the Top 10 this week. This marks the first time a solo country female has hit the Hot AC Top 10 since Faith Hill's "The Way You Love Me" in December of 2000!
MTV wants its Carrie Underwood, too, as the Oklahoma beauty and GRAMMY- winning Best New Artist sees the video for "Before He Cheats" newly added into MTV rotation. Remarkably, Carrie becomes the first country artist to hit MTV since 1999's Shania Twain smash, "Man, I Feel Like a Woman."
The singles are all from Underwood's unstoppable 19 Recordings/Arista debut disc, Some Hearts, now RIAA-certified 5x Platinum.
Fans can also be looking for a cover feature on Carrie in the May issue of Cosmopolitan, on sale now.
Source: Arista Records
Web site: http://www.jrecords.com/
Las Vegas Hilton Signs Diana Krall to Four Exclusive Las Vegas Performances Grammy Winning Artist Performs June 14-17
LAS VEGAS, April 12 /PRNewswire/ -- The Las Vegas Hilton has signed Grammy winner Diana Krall to her first Las Vegas appearance, with the popular entertainer performing four nights, June 14 -17 in the legendary Hilton Theater -- featuring The Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra -- it was announced today by Las Vegas Hilton executives.
"Diana Krall is an incredible talent, and we're delighted that the Las Vegas Hilton will be the site of her Las Vegas debut," said Ken Ciancimino, the resort's executive vice president. "Diana continues the Las Vegas Hilton tradition of bringing great entertainment to the next level." This exclusive engagement also marks the start of her three-month long U.S. tour in support of her latest release, From This Moment On (Verve).
From This Moment On, both in songs, mood and delivery, reflects Krall's personal love for that golden era of song-making, when Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and Nat King Cole were in their prime. The Hilton engagement is one of only two exclusive performances featuring Krall with the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, which also was featured on the album.
In 1993, Krall released her first album, Stepping Out, which she recorded with John Clayton and Jeff Hamilton. Her third, All for You: A Dedication to the Nat King Cole Trio (1996), was nominated for a Grammy and continued for 70 weeks on the Billboard jazz charts. She has won two Grammys, one for "Best Jazz Vocal Performance" (1999) for When I Look In Your Eyes (the first ever Jazz record nominated for "Best Album") and the other for "Best Jazz Vocal Album" (2002) for Live in Paris.
Krall has transcended the barriers of genre to become a popular artist who has carved herself a permanent position at the top of the jazz charts.
Diana Krall will perform June 14-17 at 8 p.m. in the Hilton Theater. Tickets are Golden Circle $125.00 (plus tax and service charge); Remaining Front Orchestra $115.00 (plus tax and service charge); Rear Orchestra $105.00 (plus tax and service charge); and Balcony $95.00 (plus tax and service charge). Tickets can be purchased at the Las Vegas Hilton box office or by logging onto www.lvhilton.com, www.ticketmaster.com, or www.Vegas.com or by phone at 702-732-5755 or 1-800-222-5361. Tickets go on sale Saturday, April 14 at 10:00 a.m.
Source: Las Vegas Hilton
April 10
HOME MEDIA MAGAZINE ANNOUNCES THE THIRD ANNUAL LATINO DVD AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCES THE THIRD ANNUAL LATINO DVD AWARD WINNERS
West Hollywood, Calif. (April 10, 2007) — One of Xenon Pictures’s most popular telenovelas took top honors at the third annual Latino DVD Awards, presented April 10 in West Hollywood, Calif.
La Madrastra, a Televisa production distributed by Xenon Pictures and Vivendi Visual Entertainment, was named best of show among the seven other Latino DVDs honored during the ceremony, presented by Home Media Magazine to recognize achievements in the rapidly growing Latino DVD market. Vivendi Visual Entertainment won another award in the Best TV DVD category for their Palm Pictures’ production of the gritty Brazilian series City of Men.
, a Televisa production distributed by Xenon Pictures and Vivendi Visual Entertainment, was named best of show among the seven other Latino DVDs honored during the ceremony, presented by to recognize achievements in the rapidly growing Latino DVD market. Vivendi Visual Entertainment won another award in the Best TV DVD category for their Palm Pictures’ production of the gritty Brazilian series .
Laguna Productions walked away with two awards: La Tragedia de Marcario won for Best Nontheatrical and Tizoc, Amor Indio won for Best Classic/Catalog.
Other winners, selected by a panel of entertainment journalists and critics by Home Media Magazine, are:
Best Theatrical — La Mujer de Mi Hermano, Lionsgate
Best Children’s DVD — Dora the Explorer: World Adventure!, Paramount Home Entertainment
Best Music DVD — Alex Lora: Esclavo del Rocanrol, Desert Mountain Media
Best Bonus Materials/Special Features — Solo Con Tú Pareja, Image Entertainment
The winners were chosen from more than 40 entries submitted by suppliers, producers and distributors of Latino-related DVDs. All titles released in calendar 2006 were eligible.
The Latino DVD Awards were part of Latino DVD 4: The Fourth Annual Latino DVD Conference, produced by Home Media Magazine in cooperation with DEG: The Digital Entertainment Group, the Entertainment Merchants Association and The Hollywood Reporter. The conference attracted more than 150 attendees, including top executives with such key studios as HBO Video, Warner Home Video and Laguna Productions, Inc.
Home Media Magazine is the leading business-to-business publication serving the home entertainment market. The weekly tabloid is published by Questex Media Group, Inc.
is the leading business-to-business publication serving the home entertainment market. The weekly tabloid is published by Questex Media Group, Inc.
Viacom and Yahoo! Strike Multi-Year Search Marketing Deal Yahoo! to be Exclusive Provider of Sponsored Search and Contextual Ads Across MTVN and BETN Global Websites
Viacom (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:VIA.B) and Yahoo! Inc. (NASDAQ:YHOO) today announced a multi-year partnership under which Yahoo! will serve as the exclusive provider of sponsored search and contextual ads to all of Viacom's 33 broadband sites, including MTV.com, VH1.com, Nickelodeon.com, comedycentral.com and BET.com, with potential expansion to more than 140 additional Viacom websites across the globe. The ads will be powered by Yahoo!'s newly launched search marketing system, known by its project name "Panama".
Philippe Dauman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Viacom, said, "This far reaching partnership brings together world-class content and technology for the benefit of users and advertisers alike. Yahoo! has made impressive strides with its new search marketing system. As a global leader in content for every screen and platform, we couldn't be more pleased to have them as a partner and we look forward to growing our relationship even more over time."
Yahoo! provides search marketing products and services to hundreds of thousands of advertisers in 22 countries worldwide. Currently available in the U.S., Yahoo!'s new search marketing system is designed to deliver even more relevant sponsored search and contextual ad results to users. By encouraging advertisers to focus on the quality of their sponsored search and contextual advertisements, Yahoo!'s new system creates a more valuable marketplace for users, advertisers and publishers.
"Viacom is a global leader in entertainment that shares Yahoo!'s commitment to connecting users to the content, products and services for which they are looking while respecting copyrights and other intellectual property rights at the same time," said Terry Semel, chairman and chief executive officer, Yahoo! Inc. "Aligning Viacom's popular brands, leading content and large audience with Yahoo!'s more targeted, relevant advertising, marks the beginning of a powerful and engaging partnership between our two companies."
"Our strategy is to provide our audiences with the most immersive entertainment experience possible - on every platform, and this deal with Yahoo! increases the monetization of our growing online portfolio," said Judy McGrath, Chairman and CEO of MTV Networks.
Viacom is the number-one online entertainment destination and the 11th most-popular overall destination on the Web. In February 2007, more than 90 million unique viewers flocked to Viacom's online properties, which include an array of MTVN and BETN Web sites, as well as its other online properties (according to Internal Web Analytics Tracking and duplication from comScore Media Metrix February 2007). The company's sites continue to hit new highs in traffic and streaming video. MTV.com delivered a record 84 million streams in January, exceeded that mark in February with 85.1 million streams and again in March set a new record with 93.1 million. MTV.com also delivered a record 25.6 million unique visitors in March. Also in March, Nickelodeon's online properties had their strongest monthly performance, with Nick.com pulling in almost 19 million unique users and TurboNick posted more than 80 million streams. comedycentral.com had its best month ever for total traffic in March, with 10.7 million unique visitors.
About Yahoo!
Yahoo! Inc. is a leading global Internet brand and one of the most trafficked Internet destinations worldwide. Yahoo!'s mission is to connect people to their passions, their communities, and the world's knowledge. Yahoo! is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California.
About Viacom
Viacom is a leading global entertainment content company, with prominent and respected brands. Engaging its audiences through television, motion pictures and digital platforms, Viacom seeks to reach its audiences however they consume content. Viacom's leading brands include the multiplatform properties of MTV Networks, including MTV: Music Television, VH1, CMT: Country Music Television, Logo, Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, COMEDY CENTRAL, Spike TV, TV Land, and more than 130 networks around the world, as well as digital assets such as MTV.com, comedycentral.com, VSPOT, TurboNick, Neopets, Xfire and iFilm; BET Networks; Paramount Pictures; DreamWorks; and Famous Music. More information about Viacom and its businesses is available at http://www.viacom.com/.
Source: Viacom
Web site: http://www.viacom.com/
Growing Spanish TV Network Takes Another Big Step Towards National Coverage; LAT TV(TM) Expands From Five Stations in Texas and Arizona to 22 Other Cities
-- LatinAmerica Broadcasting Inc. a general entertainment Spanish language broadcaster located in Houston, Texas, announced today it has entered into an affiliate agreement with Equity Media Holdings, Corporation, headquartered in Little Rock, to launch its widely appealing content in 22 additional markets increasing its geographic coverage across the U.S. This move brings LAT TV(TM) closer to its goal of becoming a full broadcast network reaching 70% of the Nielsen DMA coverage within the next two years. Under FCC definitions, LAT TV(TM) is considered a network as it offers an interconnected program service on a regular basis for 15 or more hours per week to at least 25 of its affiliated television licensees in 10 or more States.
LAT TV(TM) debuted on May 19, 2006 in Houston (KCVH-30), Dallas/Fort Worth (KJJM-34), Phoenix (KVPA-42), Austin (KVAT-17) and San Antonio (KISA-40) -- four of which are in the top ten Hispanic designated market areas (DMA) -- serving 5.2 million Hispanics and 17.4 percent of the U.S. Latino population ages 18-49.
On May 30th, LAT TV(TM) launch cities include Atlanta, Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, Denver, Seattle and Portland as well as certain parts of California and Florida. "Three years ago we set out to build a new Hispanic network knowing that we would need to partner with groups like Equity Media Holdings," says Rocky Springstead CEO and President. "We are pleased to be doing business with a group that will assist us with the growth of our network as we extend our brand across the country."
LAT TV(TM) provides a compelling addition to the current Hispanic broadcasting landscape and expects to reach 40% Nielsen coverage by early 2008. With the initial five stations, launched in May '06 and the additional 22-market expansion, LAT TV(TM) is positioned to become the 4th largest Hispanic TV broadcasting group in terms of DMA coverage in less than two years.
LAT TV's(TM) rapid growth stems from several key factors: an experienced management team, an emphasis on consistent programming, and a lean and efficient cost structure.
The company has built an infrastructure with a network operations center in Houston that includes state of the art systems to manage traffic and sales across the network. To date, the company has successfully gained cable carriage in three of its markets -- San Antonio and Austin on Grande Communications and in Phoenix on Qwest Communications -- and plans to be on cable in all five of the original markets by summer 2007.
The Company is developing marketing and sales campaigns with cable and satellite operators that build local subscriptions and viewers in the process. "Our business model is built upon increasing viewers' mind share through their association with LAT TV(TM) creating a very pleasant and enjoyable experience," states Springstead.
LAT TV's(TM) infrastructure has been built upon a solid foundation of cooperation and partnership with its content suppliers, advertisers and signal distributors. Larry Morton, Chairman and CEO and President of Equity Media Holdings, Corp., says, "Equity Media Holdings is pleased to have LatinAmerica Broadcasting Inc. LAT TV(TM) join our broadcast family as they bring programming that viewers will want to welcome into their homes."
LAT TV(TM) offers viewers fresh Spanish language programming that addresses the changing and growing Hispanic market of the United States. Springstead emphasizes, "This is a very large market for us to address and serve. LAT TV(TM) offers content that is appealing to all Hispanic/Latinos living in the U.S. We believe that our rapid growth and recent success is a testament to our partnering strategy and our willingness to think outside the box."
LAT TV(TM) currently has 65 employees, with 35 located in sales offices in the 5 markets, and 30 located in the Houston headquarters and network operations center.
Source: LatinAmerica Broadcasting Inc.
The Entertainment Industry Foundation Revlon Run/Walk For Women Celebrates 14 Years in Los Angeles on May 12 Revlon Spokesperson Sheryl Crow & Michael Chiklis Will Host Annual Fundraising Event Along With Special Guest Mandy Moore
-- Since the inception of the Entertainment Industry Foundation's Revlon Run/Walk For Women in Los Angeles fourteen years ago, cancer research, treatment and prevention has -- like for the thousands of Run/Walk participants -- come a long way.
The 2007 cancer statistics reported the American Cancer Society provides some hopeful news for women. The incidence rates (the rate at which new cancers are diagnosed) have decreased for ovarian, uterine and cervical cancers and have stabilized for breast cancer. Even more promising, death rates for cervical and breast cancer -- the most frequently diagnosed cancers for women -- have been steadily declining since 1990. As ACS reports, "These decreases are due to a combination of early detection and improved treatment."
Thanks to the unwavering support of some 90,000 men, women and children who participate in these New York and Los Angeles annual events, EIF's Revlon Run/Walk for Women grants have helped fund cutting-edge research -- research that contributed to the development of the breakthrough gene treatment Herceptin(R), as well as other targeted therapies, bringing new and innovative treatment approaches to women's cancers worldwide. To date, nearly $45 million has been distributed, in addition to funding life-saving research, grants made also support a number of caring organizations that provide education, advocacy and outreach services to those affected by women's cancers.
This year's Run/Walk, an Entertainment Industry Foundation event in Los Angeles, will take place on Mother's Day Weekend, Saturday, May 12 (the New York fundraiser takes place on Saturday, May 5), beginning and ending at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum. With participation expected from more than 50,000 men, women and children, the 2007 Run/Walk in L.A. will be hosted by Revlon spokesperson Sheryl Crow and Michael Chiklis along with special guest Mandy Moore.
The Entertainment Industry Foundation Revlon Run/Walk For Women was created through the combined efforts of Lilly Tartikoff, Ronald O. Perelman and EIF. They have grown each year to rank among the largest 5K events in the U.S. (the L.A. event is now the biggest fundraiser of its kind for women's cancers in the nation).
"During its fourteen years in L.A., the Run/Walk has seen millions of dollars raised, and put to good use. We're proud of facilitating progress in cancer research and education during this time, and look forward to making even greater strides in the years ahead," stated Ronald O. Perelman, chairman of Revlon, Inc., co-founder of the Run/Walk and co-founder of the Revlon/UCLA Women's Cancer Research Program.
"Every year we see an outpouring of support from our community, support that has made a huge difference in the fight against women's cancers. My heartfelt thanks goes out to everyone who has joined us in the past and to those who will cross the finish line with us this year," says Lilly Tartikoff, co-founder of the event and co-founder of the Revlon/UCLA Women's Cancer Research Program.
"We applaud the entertainment community, all of the employees working at the studios, networks, guilds, union, agencies and other entertainment services, for playing such a lead role in the continued success of Run/Walk, and we are truly overwhelmed by the tremendous support of the hundreds of thousands of people who take part in this empowering event," stated Lisa Paulsen, CEO of the Entertainment Industry Foundation and co-founder of the event.
This year's 2007 beneficiaries of the L.A. Run/Walk include: the Revlon/UCLA Women's Cancer Research Program; The Actors Fund -- Phyllis Newman Women's Health Initiative; AltaMed Health Services Corporation; Asian American Network for Cancer Awareness, Research & Training; Cedars-Sinai Gilda Radner Cancer Detection Program; Citrus Valley Medical Center's Cancer Resource Center; John Wayne Cancer Institute; Los Angeles Breast Cancer Alliance; National Women's Cancer Research Alliance; Providence Saint Joseph Foundation; Team Survivor Los Angeles; T.H.E. (To Help Everyone) Clinic, Inc.; UCLA Digital Mammography Program; USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center and Hospital Women's Cancer Program; The Wellness Community; weSPARK Cancer Support Center; and Women of Color Breast Cancer Survivors' Support Project.
The Entertainment Industry Foundation, as a philanthropic leader of the entertainment industry, has distributed hundreds of millions of dollars and provided countless volunteer hours to raise awareness and funds for critical health, education and social issues. For more information please visit www.eifoundation.org.
Revlon is a worldwide cosmetics, skin care, fragrance, and personal care products company. The Company's vision is to deliver the promise of beauty through creating and developing the most consumer preferred brands. The Company's brands include Revlon(R), Almay(R), Ultima(R), Charlie(R), Flex(R) and Mitchum(R). Revlon has championed women's health by devoting financial and employee resources in support of medical research programs, physician training, clinical care, as well as education and awareness initiatives. Websites featuring current product and promotional information can be reached at www.revlon.com, www.almay.com, and www.mitchumman.com. Corporate and investor relations information can be accessed at www.revloninc.com.
Among those sponsors for the 2007 EIF Revlon Run/Walk for Women are: title sponsor, Revlon; double platinum sponsors, Macy's, CVS/pharmacy and Toyota; platinum sponsors, Northrop Grumman, Dasani, McDonald's and ABC7; media sponsors, KBIG 104.3, People, 790 KABC Talk Radio, and Daily News; and gold sponsors, Quaker Rice Snacks, Unified Western Grocers, United States Postal Service, VOLT, The Walking Company and TheZenith.
Registration is $25 before May 2, $30 after the deadline. All participants who register before 1:00 p.m. PT on May 7 will receive their registration packets in the mail. On event day, May 12, press check-in begins at 6:30 a.m.; participant check-in, pledge drop-off and health expo at 7:00 a.m., celebrity opening ceremonies at 8:00 a.m., the Run at 8:45 a.m., and the Walk at 9:00 a.m. For further information or to register, call (310) 322-3344 or visit www.revlonrunwalk.com.
Web site: http://www.revlonrunwalk.com/
NAB/Carmel Group White Paper Fundamentally Misinterprets the Competitive Environment for Satellite Radio, Satellite Consultant Claims
The following is being issued by Telecom, Media and Finance Associates, Inc. (TMF Associates):
Telecom, Media and Finance Associates, Inc. (TMF Associates), the specialist Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) consulting firm, today released a research note on the competitive landscape for satellite radio in light of the proposed XM/Sirius merger.
This research analyzes the positions taken by Carmel Group in its recent white paper on behalf of the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) and concludes that this white paper ludicrously overstates the case for opposing the merger of XM and Sirius and fundamentally misinterprets the competitive environment for satellite radio.
Tim Farrar, author of the note, commented, "Satellite radio is essentially a car-based audio service at present, so the primary alternative for consumers is free-to-air AM and FM radio, supplemented by the playback of pre-recorded music such as CDs. The competitive position of these subscription-free services vis-a-vis satellite radio has been substantially enhanced by the widespread use of accessory adapters, allowing iPods and other MP3 players to be connected to car stereos, and we estimate that today as many drivers have access to MP3 content in their vehicles as subscribe to satellite radio. Carmel Group's assertion that MP3 players are not even relevant to today's in-car audio market is quite simply bizarre. In our view, increasingly convenient access to pre-recorded content via MP3 players will enable subscription-free services to dominate the in-car audio market for many years to come and therefore even if Sirius and XM were to merge, it would be inappropriate to describe them as having a monopoly of in-car audio services."
The research note forms part of TMF Associates' information service on Mobile Satellite Services and can be downloaded from http://www.tmfassociates.com/articles . It was produced independently, and was not commissioned, funded or instigated by XM, Sirius or any other party. More details about TMF Associates' research publications are available at http://www.tmfassociates.com/reports .
TMF Associates, headquartered in Menlo Park, California, is a leading consulting and research firm providing business and technical analysis in satellite, wireless and broadband telecommunications. The firm specializes in Mobile Satellite Services, including Ancillary Terrestrial Component (ATC) technology, and works with operators, investors and equipment manufacturers to analyze complex market issues. For additional information, please visit http://www.tmfassociates.com/ .
Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click appropriate link. Tim Farrar http://profnet.prnewswire.com/Subscriber/ExpertProfile.aspx?ei=60577
Source: TMF Associates
Web site: www.tmfassociates.com
Universal Music Publishing Group Signs Singer/Songwriter/Producer, 10x GRAMMY Winner, Kenneth 'Babyface' Edmonds to an Exclusive, Worldwide Agreement
Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) announced today the signing of legendary singer/songwriter, Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, to an exclusive, worldwide agreement.
David Renzer, Chairman & CEO, Universal Music Publishing Group said of the signing, "Babyface has long been one of our industry's leading lights as a writer, artist, producer and entrepreneur. He has written, produced and in many cases performed many of our modern day 'classic' songs. We are sure that the story of hitmaking will continue for him, and are thrilled to welcome him to the UMPG family."
"I am pleased to be working with Universal Music Publishing," said Kenneth Edmonds. "The team has demonstrated their appreciation of my music, and their commitment to my career as an artist, producer and songwriter."
Babyface is currently recording his new album to be released on Def Jam, and he has cuts on Katherine McPhee, Fallout Boy, Nelly, Keisha Cole, KeKe Palmer and Ashanti. He was previously signed to Sony/ATV who retain his back catalogue.
In addition to releasing over ten solo albums, Babyface's hit-making skills have been credited on over 320 albums and he has produced for some of music's biggest legends and top-selling artists, including: Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, Toni Braxton, Madonna, Aretha Franklin, OutKast, Vanessa Williams, New Edition, En Vogue, Usher, Phil Collins, Faith Evans, George Michael, Deele, Eric Clapton, Pink, Backstreet Boys, NSYNC, Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Carole King, Whitney Houston, Bobby Brown, TLC, Boyz II Men, Bell Biv Devoe, John Mellencamp, Paula Abdul, Heather Headley, and many more.
Babyface has produced a vast number of motion picture original soundtracks including, "The Bodyguard," "Waiting to Exhale," "Boomerang," "Soul Food," and "Josie & The Pussycats." He also has had tracks featured on the following soundtracks "Ghostbusters 2," "Poetic Justice," "Bad Boys," "Home Alone 2," "Mr. 3000," "The Preachers Wife," "Phenomenon," "Simon Birch," "Duets," "The Prince of Egypt" and many more.
Babyface is a 10x GRAMMY award winner, including four wins for Producer of the Year (1992, 1995, 1996, 1997); three wins for Best R&B Song ("End of the Road" "I'll Make Love to You" "Exhale"); Album of the Year (The Bodyguard); Record of the Year ("Change the World"); and Best Male R&B Vocal Performance ("When Can I See You Again").
About Universal Music Publishing Group
With 47 offices in 41 countries worldwide, Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) is part of the Universal Music Group. Owning or administering more than 1 million copyrights, UMPG's writers and catalogs include: U2, Elton John, 50 Cent, Dave Grohl, Prince, Diana Krall, Ludacris, Godsmack, Ice Cube, Vanessa Carlton, Mary J. Blige, The Corrs, Eve, Musiq, Jill Scott, Brian McKnight, No Doubt, Blink-182, 3 Doors Down, Beastie Boys, Anastacia, Fatboy Slim, DMX, Gloria and Emilio Estefan, Paul Simon, the catalog of Henry Mancini, among many others. For more information, visit: www.umusicpub.com.
Source: Universal Music Publishing Group
Web site: http://www.umusicpub.com/
Working Poor and Filthy Rich Spotlighted in Academy/UCLA Documentary Series Screening
Beverly Hills, CA — The documentary feature “Waging a Living” and the Oscar®-nominated documentary feature “Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room” will be screened on Wednesday, April 25, as the next installment in the 2006–2007 Contemporary Documentaries series, presented by the Academy Foundation of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the UCLA Film & Television Archive. The screenings will begin at 7 p.m. at the Academy’s Linwood Dunn Theater in Hollywood. Admission is free.
Directed and produced by Roger Weisberg, “Waging a Living” focuses on the day-to-day battles of four low-wage earners who in the film serve to represent the more than 30 million Americans who live at or below the federal poverty level. The film offers a sobering view of the frustrations and accomplishments of a diverse group of people pursuing the American Dream. Weisberg will be present at the screening to discuss the film and take questions from the audience.
“Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room” is the inside story of one of the biggest business scandals in recent history. The film shows how top executives at America’s seventh largest corporation reaped over a billion dollars while leaving investors and employees with nothing. Using damning company audio and videotapes to make its point, “Enron” exposes the moral vacuum and excessive avarice that are often disguised as corporate philosophy. The film was directed by Alex Gibney and produced by Gibney, Jason Kliot, Susan Motamed and Alison Ellwood.
All screenings in the series are free and open to the public. Doors open at 6 p.m. The Linwood Dunn Theater is located at the Academy’s Pickford Center for Motion Picture Study, 1313 Vine Street, at the northwest corner of Fountain Avenue and Vine Street in Hollywood. Parking is available behind the building through the entrance on Homewood Avenue, one block north of Fountain. For more information, call (310) 247-3600 or (310) 206-FILM.
©A.M.P.A.S.®

ENTERTAINMENT, ARTS, FASHION & TECHNOLOGY

Posted by Bill at 05:49 PM | Permalink

Warner Home Video First to Break the 100K Sold Mark in High Definition Titles with ''The Departed''

Warner Home Video Leads the High Definition Disc Market with Two of the Top-Selling HD DVD and Blu-Ray Disc Titles

Today Warner Home Video (WHV) announced that it is the first studio to surpass sales of 100,000 copies of a high definition title with Martin Scorsese's 2006 Academy Award(R) Best Picture winner, "The Departed".

With the number one and two highest selling titles on high definition formats - "The Departed" and "Superman Returns" - as well as three other titles in the top ten, ("Batman Begins", "Happy Feet" and "Goodfellas") Warner Home Video continues to be the market share leader in high definition disc sales.

"It's no accident that Warner is the first studio to reach this benchmark. We owe this success to a combination of great content and our decision to support both high definition formats," said Ron Sanders, President of Warner Home Video. "By releasing titles on HD DVD and Blu-ray, Warner Home Video not only increases our potential audience reach, but also offers consumers assurance that regardless of the format they choose they can enjoy our movies."

With more than 30-percent market share of DVD sales in the high definition market, Warner Home Video has sold more high definition product and released more titles than any other studio. WHV's support of HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc allows consumers to watch the Studio's award-winning entertainment on any high definition home viewing device or player they choose.

"High definition media represents an incredible opportunity for the industry, and we, as content providers, can help push mainstream adoption by producing in both formats and giving the consumer a simple choice," continued Sanders. "At a time when the home video business is flat and high definition media presents our best hope for near term growth, it is unfortunate that we as an industry continue to perpetuate consumer confusion."

The winner of four Academy Awards(R) including Picture of the Year and Best Director (Martin Scorsese), "The Departed" features powerful performances from an all-star cast including three-time Academy Award(R) winner Jack Nicholson ("A Few Good Men", "As Good As It Gets"), two-time Academy Award(R) nominee Leonardo DiCaprio ("Blood Diamond", "The Aviator", "Gangs of New York"), Academy Award(R) winner Matt Damon ("Good Will Hunting", "Ocean's Eleven", "Ocean's Twelve") and Mark Wahlberg ("The Italian Job", "Boogie Nights").

Warner Bros. Records Claims the Number One Spot in Overall Market Share for 2007
Linkin Park, Michael Bublé, and Wilco Dominate the Top Five on Soundscan Chart This Week, Pushing Label to Top Sales Slot for the Year

BURBANK, CA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- May 24, 2007 -- Thanks to chart-topping sales by Linkin Park and Michael Bublé, Top 10 debuts by Neil Young, Arctic Monkeys, and Ashley Tisdale, and continued success of albums by Josh Groban, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and My Chemical Romance, Warner Bros. Records has taken over as the Number One label in overall market share for 2007.

This week, Linkin Park's new album, "Minutes to Midnight," debuted at Number 1, selling 622,827 copies, the biggest first-week sales of any artist in 2007. "Minutes to Midnight" replaced Michael Bublé's "Call Me Irresponsible" at Number 1 on the Soundscan Top 200 album chart. "Call Me Irresponsible" is currently Number 3, followed by Wilco's "Sky Blue Sky" (released on Nonesuch Records, a division of Warner Bros.), which debuted at Number 4 -- the highest-charting album of the band's career. Warner Bros. Records has a 19.11 percent share of current album sales for the week, nearly one out of five current albums sold in the U.S. In addition, Warner Bros. has dominated digital track sales this year and is currently the Number 1 digital label for both albums and tracks.

"Minutes to Midnight" is the third Number 1 debut for Linkin Park. The album is already platinum internationally, with 1.56 million copies sold around the world and Number 1 debuts in 22 countries, including the UK, Canada, and Japan. "Call me Irresponsible" is Bublé's first Number 1 album. With 445,430 copies sold in just three weeks, it is on track to become his third multi-platinum album. "Call Me Irresponsible" also claimed the top spot in seven countries, including Germany, Australia, and Bublé's native Canada. Wilco's fourth album for Nonesuch, "Sky Blue Sky," sold 87,342 copies this week, a first-week career high for the critically acclaimed Chicago rock band in the U.S.

Warner Bros. Records' Number 1 status speaks to the breadth of the label's roster, which in addition to Linkin Park, Bublé, Groban, Chili Peppers, and My Chemical Romance, also include charted albums by country artists Blake Shelton and The Wreckers, emerging alt-rock singer-songwriter Regina Spektor, career rockers Stevie Nicks, Madonna, Green Day and Neil Young, comedy superstar Larry the Cable Guy, and soundtracks for award-winning box office smash films "The Departed" and "Spider-Man 3."

Coming this summer, Warner Bros. Records will release albums by The White Stripes, Mike Jones, Smashing Pumpkins, Big & Rich, Faith Hill, Paul Simon, as well as "Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur," a collection of iconic songs by John Lennon recorded by Green Day, U2, and R.E.M., among others.

May 17

The Cribs Go Digital Next Week; Conan O'Brien and U.S. Tour Confirmed; "Album and Single of the Week" in the U.K.

May 17, 2007 -- Wakefield, U.K. working class heroes THE CRIBS are gearing up to release their Warner Bros. Records debut album in the U.S. on July 17, 2007. That same night, THE CRIBS will perform live on NBC's "Late Night with Conan O'Brien." "MEN'S NEEDS, WOMEN'S NEEDS, WHATEVER," produced by Franz Ferdinand's Alex Kapranos and mixed by Andy Wallace, will be released by Wichita Recordings in the U.K. on May 21, where radio and press are already raving. Last week "Men's Needs," the album's first single, was NME's "Single of The Week." This week, NME dubbed the album "Album of The Week," and described it as: "The sexiest, dirty-pop record of the year... pop genius."

Good news for fans over here. No need to wait! On May 22, "MEN'S NEEDS, WOMEN'S NEEDS, WHATEVER" will become available digitally worldwide. See your favorite digital retailer for details.

Still healing from the band's sweaty/bloody performances at Coachella, Bamboozle, San Francisco, New York and Boston, THE CRIBS have confirmed a full US tour set for July and August 2007. Dates and venues will be announced next week. THE CRIBS are not to be missed live: "Unlike the countless terrible Brit pop dawdlers puffed-up as 'the next biggest band ever to hit the earth since Jesus,' this three piece actually has songs. And lyrics. And sneaky ennui. And a sense of humor. In short, be prepared to believe the hype this time. We're impressed: self-aware, smart and stupendously hooky, The Cribs are a real life 'next' band worth checking for." -- Blender

Remember it! THE CRIBS "MEN'S NEEDS, WOMEN'S NEEDS, WHATEVER."

Digital release: May 22, 2007.

Domestic CD release: July 17, 2007.

The Cribs live on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" July 17, 2007 --

check local listings!

American tour: July, August 2007.

First single/video: "Men's Needs." Check out the video here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCNTYi9fHuo

THE CRIBS:

Ryan Jarman Guitar/Vocals

Gary Jarman Bass/Vocals

Ross Jarman Drums

www.thecribs.com

Warner/Chappell Music Signs Worldwide Publishing Agreement With R&B Singer/Songwriter Lloyd

May 17, 2007 -- Warner/Chappell Music (WCM), the award-winning publishing arm of Warner Music Group Corp. (NYSE: WMG), and one of the world's largest music publishers, today announced a worldwide publishing agreement with chart-topping R&B singer/songwriter Lloyd. Under this agreement, Warner/Chappell will publish Lloyd's future compositions as well as Lloyd's catalog of songs.

In making the announcement, Chris Hicks, Senior Vice President, Urban A&R and Head of Urban Music, Warner/Chappell Music, said, "Lloyd has demonstrated his strong songwriting skills through hit singles and we are proud that he has chosen to partner with Warner/Chappell in developing his career as a songwriter."

"I'm excited about this relationship with Warner/Chappell," said Lloyd. "Their track record of success and their experienced staff were a big draw for me."

Lloyd's new album "Street Love," released March 13th, debuted at #2 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop albums chart. Of the 15 songs on the album, Lloyd co-wrote eight of the songs including the first single "You," which features fellow Warner/Chappell writer, Lil' Wayne. In February, the song reached No. 1 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop songs chart. Lloyd's second single, "Get it Shawty," which features fellow Warner/Chappell writer Yung Joc on the remix, is currently climbing the charts at #8 on Billboard's R&B/Hip Hop songs chart and #22 on Billboard's Hot 100. Eleven of "Street Love's" 15 tracks reflect the contributions of Warner/Chappell songwriters and producers including Lil' Wayne, Jazzy Pha, Zak Wallace, Don Vito, Eric Hudson and Bryan Michael Cox.

Lloyd has collaborated on records with hip-hop artists ranging from Rick Ross and Young Jeezy to DJ Khaled. He is currently on tour with Bow Wow.

About Warner/Chappell Music

Warner/Chappell Music is WMG's award-winning global music publishing company. The Warner/Chappell Music catalog includes standards such as "Happy Birthday To You," "Rhapsody in Blue," "Winter Wonderland," the songs of Cole Porter and George and Ira Gershwin, as well as the music of Dido, Dr. Dre, Eric Clapton, Green Day, Led Zeppelin, Madonna, Nickelback, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sheryl Crow, T.I. and others. Warner/Chappell Music is a leader in creating innovative strategies for marketing and promoting its songwriters and their music. The company's extensive catalog makes it a natural first stop for A&R executives and record producers, feature film and television production companies, and others looking to record or license some of the world's greatest music.

Madonna Writes New Song "Hey You" for Upcoming Live Earth Concert Series on July 7th
Song to Release at MSN May 16 in Downloadable MP3 Format; Microsoft Pledges Donation Making First Million Downloads Free to the Public; Warner Bros. Records to Release LIVE EARTH CD/DVD of Worldwide Shows

-- May 17, 2007 -- Inspired by the upcoming July 7th Live Earth series of concerts, Madonna has written a new song, "Hey You," which will be available to be downloaded in the MP3 format on Microsoft's home page, www.msn.com, on May 16. The first million downloads of "Hey You" will be free as Microsoft has pledged to donate $0.25 per download to the Alliance for Climate Protection for the first million downloads.

Madonna is scheduled to perform "Hey You" live at the Wembley Stadium Live Earth concert in London, it was confirmed by her record label, Warner Bros. Records, who have also announced that they will be releasing a live CD/DVD of the Live Earth Concert Series.

Madonna's new song, "Hey You," recorded in London, was produced by Pharrell Williams and Madonna. She is one of seventeen headliners that have been announced including Red Hot Chili Peppers, Genesis, Beastie Boys and others who will perform at Wembley as part of the 24-hour, 7-continent Live Earth Concert Series.

"On 7/7/07, Live Earth will inspire people from around the world to combat global warming with live performances from superstar artists like Madonna," Live Earth Founder Kevin Wall said. "The early release of 'Hey You' is an incredible boost to our efforts to get people engaged in the environmental cause. We are thrilled that Madonna donated her art to Live Earth and is a part of this movement for us."

Live Earth is a monumental music event on 7/7/07 that will bring together more than 100 headlining music artists and 2 billion people to launch an ongoing, mass movement to combat the climate crisis. Concerts will take place in New York; London; Sydney; Tokyo; Shanghai; Johannesburg; Rio de Janeiro; and Hamburg. Live Earth's 24 hours of music across 7 continents will deliver a call to action and the solutions needed to answer the call. Live Earth marks the beginning of a multi-year campaign led by The Alliance for Climate Protection to move individuals, corporations and governments to take action.

The concerts will be streamed live at www.liveearth.msn.com and available on CD/DVD.

New Album Release Date Set for Mike Jones' "The American Dream" -- July 10th
Fans Can Reach Out to Mike Directly on New "Ask Mike Jones" Email Address
Jones Soon to Launch New Skits "The American Hater"

-- Platinum-selling rap star Mike Jones' sophomore debut "The American Dream" will now be released on July 10, 2007 instead of the original date of May 8, 2007.

The hip hop marketing genius has also set up an "Ask Mike Jones" email address where fans can reach out to him directly with whatever questions or comments their hearts' desire at AskMikeJones@gmail.com. Jones promises to personally answer all of his fans' emails.

"Because I received so many calls on 281.330.8004 there were many times where my friends (fans) couldn't get through. With the email address it will be much easier for me to communicate with them because I receive emails from that address on my BlackBerry that is always with me," states Mike Jones.

Mike Jones is also set to release a hilarious set of skits to help set up the release of his new CD called "The American Hater," where comedian Alex Thomas plays a rapper called Money $tack$ who has nothing but hate to spew on Mr. Jones.

In 2004 with the release of his debut CD, "Who Is Mike Jones?," the Houston rapper changed the playing field in hip hop by using a new and innovative method of self-promotion that skyrocketed his debut to double platinum status. With his colleagues Slim Thug and Paul Wall on the hit single "Still Tippin'," Jones was able to bring the culture of Houston to the lime light with its candy paint, slowed down beats and flashy grills.

"My 64," featuring Snoop Dogg, the current single from "The American Dream," was one of the most added singles at radio the week of its add week and is growing at a steady pace. The video for "My 64" is a tribute to Eazy-E and features his son, Lil' Eazy-E along with Snoop, in the clip.

Here is what radio stations across the nation are saying about "My 64":

"I love the new Mike Jones single, 'My 64,' it's a hot joint for the streets." -- Barbara A. McDowell: Music Director WPWX, Power 92 Chicago

"The West Coast meets the South, instantly recognizable! I love that Lil' Eazy-E is in the video!" -- Robert Scorpio: Program Director, 93.5 KDAY Los Angeles

"Mike Jones is still tippin' on this one. 'My 64' puts you right on the strip in the middle of Summer, turning heads with Mike Jones blasting out the speakers." -- Paul "PStew" Stewart: Music Director/Creative Services WKYS Radio Station, Washington, DC

Check out Mike Jones as he premieres his new video for "My 64" on May 18th on BET "106 and Park." He also has an appearance on MTV's "Sucker Free" on May 16th and will perform on "My Super Sweet Sixteen," which airs on July 9th.

May 2

Talib Kweli to Release New Album -- "Ear Drum" -- on Warner Bros. Records/Blacksmith Music on July 24th
Sixth Album From Critically Acclaimed Hip-Hop Artist Features Production by Kanye West, will.i.am, Madlib and Hi-Tek, and Guest Appearances by Norah Jones, Jean Grae and UGK

-- Hip-hop's premier MC Talib Kweli will release his eagerly awaited new album -- "Ear Drum" -- on July 24th. A career-defining work that showcases the Brooklyn rapper's advanced lyricism and faultless musical taste, "Ear Drum" is Kweli's first album released on his own label, Blacksmith Music and Warner Bros. Records.

Kweli says the album's title comes from "the image of the ear and of the drum, which are powerful enough by themselves, but put them together and it's an instrument in your body that helps you hear. They're also two very simple, yet powerful words. I wanted to focus on finding a sound that makes you move, and that's where the word 'eardrum' popped in my head."

With lyrics that touch on life's journeys and struggles, "Ear Drum" also showcases Talib's sonic versatility with tracks ranging from the silky-soulful "Soon The New Day," which features vocals by best-selling chanteuse Norah Jones, to the sexy first single "Hot Thing" and the hard-edged "Say Something," which features rapping by Blacksmith artist Jean Grae.

"Ear Drum" boasts innovative production work by such vanguard artists as Kanye West, who worked on Kweli's 2002's gold-certified "Quality" and 2004's "The Beautiful Struggle"; Black-Eyed Peas founder will.i.am; rapper-producer Madlib; and Black Star producer Hi-Tek, who also collaborated with Kweli on the gold-certified 2000 album "Reflection Eternal." Of his desire to collaborate with a variety of producers and artists, Kweli says: "We need to challenge our audience, but we also need to challenge ourselves to know that whatever our new experiences are, we can write about them, be creative, and bring that to an audience without them feeling alienated."

Since making his debut with Mos Def as Black Star in 1988, Kweli has become known as an exceptional and socially aware artist who has rejected mainstream rap's embrace of violence and bling in favor of addressing issues of black consciousness and self-love. "Ear Drum" solidifies his status as one of rap's most talented and important voices.

www.talibkweli.com

Artists Unite in Donating Tracks to "Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur," to Be Released by Warner Bros. Records June 12
Historic Double CD Features More Than 20 John Lennon Songs Recorded by U2, Green Day, R.E.M., Avril Lavigne, Big & Rich, Christina Aguilera, Snow Patrol, Corinne Bailey Rae, Regina Spektor and More; Tracks by Additional Artists Such as Duran Duran, Deftones, Ozzy Osbourne and Willie Nelson -- More Than 50 in All -- Available for Digital Download

-- In an historic effort to mobilize activism around the human rights atrocities occurring in Darfur, Sudan, more than 50 international recording artists and over 30 record labels have united behind "Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur." The collection features iconic songs by legendary musician and peace activist John Lennon recorded by an array of best-selling artists and will be available for purchase both on CD and as digital downloads via online retailers.

In keeping with its long tradition of activism powered by music, Amnesty International, the world's largest grassroots human rights organization, will use Yoko Ono's generous gift of Lennon's solo catalogue as the centerpiece of its campaign to rally activists toward human rights activism for the people of Darfur. The "Instant Karma" mobilization centers on saving the lives of innocent women, children and men who are dying by the thousands and restoring peace in the region.

The two-CD set of "Instant Karma," which will be released by Warner Bros. Records on June 12, boasts a stellar line-up of 23 world-class artists from a variety of genres putting their own unique spin on classic songs from Lennon's solo songbook. The artists -- who come from the worlds of rock, pop, hip-hop and country -- include longtime activists U2 ("Instant Karma"), Green Day ("Working Class Hero"), R.E.M. ("#9 Dream") and Jackson Browne ("Oh My Love"); female pop powerhouses Christina Aguilera ("Mother"), Avril Lavigne ("Imagine"), and Corinne Bailey Rae ("I'm Losing You"); country stars Big & Rich ("Nobody Told Me"); alternative favorites Snow Patrol ("Isolation"), The Flaming Lips ("(Just Like) Starting Over"), Postal Service ("Grow Old With Me") and Regina Spektor ("Real Love"); best-selling rockers Aerosmith ("Give Peace a Chance"), Lenny Kravitz ("Cold Turkey") and Los Lonely Boys ("Whatever Gets You Thru the Night"); and pensive singer-songwriters Jakob Dylan with Dhani Harrison ("Gimme Some Truth") and Ben Harper ("Beautiful Boy").

The rights to Lennon's songs were generously donated by Yoko Ono, who has donated all music publishing royalties. Amnesty International chose to harness the power of Lennon's music to inspire a new generation of activists to stand up for human rights. Proceeds from CD and digital sales will support Amnesty International and its campaign to focus attention and mobilize activism around the urgent catastrophe in Darfur, and other human rights crises.

"It's wonderful that, through this campaign, music that is so familiar to many people of my era will now be embraced by a whole new generation," Ono says. "John's music set out to inspire change, and in standing up for human rights, we really can make the world a better place."

Larry Cox, executive director of Amnesty International U.S.A., adds, "We know music's power to unite and inspire people. With hundreds of thousands dead, millions driven from their burned out villages and rape being used as a tactic in the Darfur conflict, the world needs a mass mobilization demanding action and justice. The 'Instant Karma' campaign combines John Lennon's passionate desire for us to imagine a more peaceful world with Amnesty International's expertise in achieving justice. 'Instant Karma' allows ordinary people to lend their hand in saving lives -- a notion we think would make John proud."

"John Lennon was not just a famous Beatle, he was the social conscience of his generation," says Jeff Ayeroff, one of the album's executive producers. "By reinterpreting his music and reintroducing it to a new generation, we shine a light on the darkness that is Darfur. Yoko Ono's gift of John's music to Amnesty International, whose work points out the pain and injustice in the world, is a true beacon of light. Give peace a chance is all we are saying."

Winner of the 1977 Nobel Peace Prize, Amnesty International includes people from all walks of life taking action and is composed of more than 2.2 million human rights activists worldwide. Its members protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth and dignity are denied. Amnesty International investigates and exposes abuses, educates and mobilizes the public and helps transform societies to create a safer, more just world.

Amnesty International has a long history of activism involving musicians including 1988's worldwide Human Rights Now! Tour and 1998's Paris concert, which honored the 40th and 50th anniversaries of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, respectively. Collectively, the concerts featured performances by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Sting, Peter Gabriel, Tracy Chapman, Youssou N'Dour, Alanis Morissette, Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and Radiohead.

For more information about "Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur" or Amnesty International, please visit InstantKarma.org in the United States or www.amnesty.org/noise outside the United States.

The full track-listing for "Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur" is as follows:

Disc One:

U2 -- "Instant Karma"

R.E.M. -- "#9 Dream"

Christina Aguilera -- "Mother"

Aerosmith -- "Give Peace A Chance"

Lenny Kravitz -- "Cold Turkey"

Los Lonely Boys -- "Whatever Gets You Thru the Night"

Corinne Bailey Rae -- "I'm Losing You"

Jakob Dylan featuring Dhani Harrison -- "Gimme Some Truth"

Jackson Browne -- "Oh My Love"

Big & Rich -- "Nobody Told Me"

Disc Two:

Green Day -- "Working Class Hero"

Black Eyed Peas -- "Power to the People"

Jack Johnson -- "Imagine"

Snow Patrol -- "Isolation"

Matisyahu -- "Watching the Wheels"

Ben Harper -- "Beautiful Boy"

Postal Service -- "Grow Old With Me"

Jaguares -- "Gimme Some Truth"

Avril Lavigne -- "Imagine"

The Flaming Lips -- "(Just Like) Starting Over"

Regina Spektor -- "Real Love"

www.instantkarma.org

www.amnesty.org/noise

www.wbr.com

SOURCE: Warner Bros. Records

April 24

Welcome Back, Kotter: The Emmy-Nominated 70's Hit Comedy Series' First Season Available on DVD for the First Time June 12, 2007 from Warner Home Video

Four-Disc Collector's Set Features 22 Episodes and Never-Before-Seen Bonus Material Including the Actors' Original Screen Tests

Fans will recall such memorable catchphrases as "up your nose with a rubber hose" when the first full season of Welcome Back, Kotter, one of the 70's biggest comedy hits, is released on DVD June 12, 2007 from Warner Home Video (WHV). Welcome Back, Kotter: The Complete First Season will include all 22 episodes from the show's first season, as well as never-before-seen exclusive bonus material, in a four-disc collector's set and will retail for $29.98.

Available for the first time ever on DVD, Welcome Back, Kotter: The Complete First Season follows the life of teacher and former "Sweathog" Gabe Kotter (Gabriel Kaplan). Kotter returns to his former high school to teach the same remedial class in which he himself had been a student as a teenager. Still referred to as the "Sweathogs," the lovable losers and delinquents of Buchanan High accept their new teacher as they provide a nonstop string of laughs.

Welcome Back, Kotter is an Emmy-nominated series, which originally aired on ABC from September 1975 to May 1979. The show launched the career of John Travolta, who portrayed the role of heartthrob Vinnie Barbarino. The series also starred Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs as the always cool Freddie "Boom-Boom" Washington, Robert Hegyes as the tough Juan (Luis Pedro Phillipo de Huevos) Epstein, Ron Palillo as the sheepish Arnold Dingfelder Horshak, Marcia Strassman as Julie Kotter and John Sylvester White as Mr. Michael Woodman. During season one, award-winning, renowned film and television actor James Woods makes a guest appearance in the show's first episode, titled The Great Debate, portraying drama teacher Alex Welles. The first season of Welcome Back, Kotter received two Emmy nominations, including one for Outstanding Comedy Series.

DVD Never-Before-Seen Bonus Features Include:

-- Actors' Original Screen Tests - includes John Travolta, Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs, Marcia Strassman, Robert Hegyes and Ron Palillo.

-- Only a Few Degrees From a Sweathog - An entertaining featurette which illustrates how all roads lead to Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. The original Sweathogs reflect on the influence of the show, their personal experiences and memorable moments.

"Welcome Back, Kotter is one of the 70's biggest television comedies. It was unique in the sense that it featured a set of multicultural characters and also tackled some serious social issues but always managed to remain fresh, funny and entertaining," commented Rosemary Markson, WHV Vice President, TV Marketing. She added, "Welcome Back, Kotter is one of those memorable shows that has made its mark on the history of American pop culture. Decades after its initial broadcast, television audiences still remember it fondly, making it a terrific addition to TV DVD collections."

April 20

Warner Home Video Honors Memory of Mexican Golden Age of Cinema Icon Pedro Infante with the Release of a Special DVD Collection for the First Time Ever in the US

Pedro Infante Website Goes Live with Movie Clips and Synopsis of All 23 Individual Films on DVDs Loaded with Extras Including English Subtitles Release date timed to coincide with 50th Anniversary of Pedro Infante's Untimely Death

Warner Home Video has announced the release of 23 of the most renowned and acclaimed films starring Pedro Infante - one of Latin America's most revered cultural icons. From whimsical comedies to dramatic romances to inspiring musical performances, the titles featured within the PEDRO INFANTE COLLECTION represent some of the very best work, directed by the acclaimed Ismael Rodriguez to come out of Mexico's Golden Age of Cinema.

The recent April 10 release was made possible through a partnership agreement between Warner Home Video and Peliculas Rodriguez and comes at the footsteps of a month-long celebration in memory of the larger than life Pedro Infante. Each re-mastered film on DVD is loaded with extra features, such as musical sing-a-longs, subtitles in English, Spanish, French and Portuguese as well as featurettes with interviews, and is now available, for the first time ever in the US, in major retailers, bookstores, online stores and also places that cater to the growing US Latino consumer.

Eleven of the twenty-three titles were released by Warner Home Video on April 10th, 2007, with an SRP of $14.98; among the titles included is the popular "Trilogy of Bittersweet Poverty" ("Nosotros Los Pobres," "Ustedes Los Ricos," and "Pepe, El Toro"), "El Seminarista," "Cuando Lloran los Valientes," "Las Islas Marias," "Dicen que Soy Mujeriego," "El Seminarista," "La Mujer que Yo Perdi," "Sobre Las Olas," "Angelitos Negros," and the documentary "Asi era Pedro Infante," which features scenes from the Golden Globe(R) Award winning film "Tizoc" that garnered Mr. Infante a Berlin Festival Silver Bear Award as Best Actor -- given to him posthumously.

To complement the release of such classic films on DVD, Warner Home Video has launched a special website (http://www.warnervideo.com/coleccionpedroinfante), in both English and Spanish, with a synopsis and movie clips of each film that encompassed the PEDRO INFANTE COLLECTION.

A prolific artist who performed in over 60 films and recorded over 365 songs, Pedro Infante is one of the most captivating personalities of all time whose rabid fan base surpasses millions worldwide. A timeless icon, Pedro Infante continues to inspire countless contemporary performers, from Mexican crooner Luis Miguel, to Latin crossover sensation Juanes, to the 2007 World Music nominee Lila Downs. Mr. Infante's death at age 40 in a plane crash on April 15th, 1957 triggered a national day of mourning in Mexico for their Idolo de Guamuchil. Numerous tributes are now taking place throughout the United States, Mexico and Latin America to honor the 50th anniversary of Infante's untimely passing.

April 12

The Flaming Lips to Release First-Ever Live DVD on July 10

"U.F.O.s at the Zoo: The Legendary Concert in Oklahoma City" Captures Manic Energy of Band's First Hometown Show in Years

April 12, 2007 -- Grammy Award-winning "Gonzo wig-lifters," THE FLAMING LIPS will release their first-ever live DVD, titled "U.F.O.s AT THE ZOO: THE LEGENDARY CONCERT IN OKLAHOMA CITY," on July 10th, 2007. Filmed at the Zoo Amphitheater in the band's hometown of Oklahoma City on September 15th, 2006, the DVD captures the complete over-the-top Technicolor thrill of band's first local show in several years to an absolutely manic capacity crowd of furry fanatics.

For as long as the Lips have been touring, fans have demanded live concert footage. Check YouTube for further proof! Finally, the wait is over and well worth it. Fans will be floored by this blazing panoply of sonic and visual sensory-overload that is The Flaming Lips live experience. For those who have never seen the Lips live, imagine a rock & roll happening hosted by the freshly-dosed minds of Lewis Carroll, P.T. Barnham and Timothy Leary spiking the collective punch-bowl at the world's biggest birthday party. There could only be one house band and the result might be something like the show you'll see on this DVD. The track listing includes Lips favorites such as, "Race For The Prize," "Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots" (Parts 1 and 2), "Do You Realize??," and a rarely performed version of "Love Yer Brain," from 1987's "OH MY GAWD!!!... THE FLAMING LIPS," their 2nd studio album. Live tracks will be interspersed with backstage sneak peeks and various absurd events of the day preparing for the big homecoming spectacle.

"U.F.O.s AT THE ZOO: THE LEGENDARY CONCERT IN OKLAHOMA CITY" will be released as a single disc on the new MVI format (Music Video Interactive, formerly known as the DVD album format), so it will be packaged in a slightly larger-sized jewel case and enclosed booklet. The disc will include the entire Oklahoma City concert, MP3s of the audio, digital artwork, a ringtone application, which will allow fans to make and buy their own Lips ringtones. The URT one application will enable fans to select portions of Lips studio recordings (but not live versions) for a more personal choice of available ringtone options. Thirteen different tracks in all will be available for selection.

The ROM zone portion of the disc will contain a PDF of the art booklet, Buddy icons, photos and various digital extras that will make this the ultimate special package for fans of The Flaming Lips.

The Flaming Lips, who recently took home two more Grammy Awards for their current album "AT WAR WITH THE MYSTICS," are on the road this month making select U.S. appearances. A full-scale American tour is planned for this summer. Details to be announced shortly. For more news on the band, check out their website www.flaminglips.com.

The full track and segment listing for "U.F.O.s AT THE ZOO: THE LEGENDARY CONCERT IN OKLAHOMA CITY" is as follows:

1.  "The Freaks Get Restless and Wake the Animals" 2.  "The Mothership Descends" 3.  "Race For the Prize" 4.  "Free Radicals" 5.  "Expecting Everyone's Head to Explode" 6.  "Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots" 7.  "Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, Part 2" 8.  "Should We Free the Animals?" 9.  "Vein of Stars" 10. "Hot Dog Eating Contest" 11. "The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song" 12. "The Spark That Bled" 13. "Preparing the U.F.O. Mothership" 14. "The W.A.N.D." 15. "My Cosmic Autumn Rebellion" 16. "Santas and Aliens" 17. "She Don't Use Jelly" 18. "Do You Realize??" 19. "How Much Red Duct Tape?" 20. "A Spoonful Weighs A Ton" 21. "Captain America Splits the Audience" 22. "Love Yer Brain" 23. "The Mothership Departs" 24. "The Greatest Audience in the Galaxy"

A mindblowing trailer for "U.F.O.s AT THE ZOO" has just launched a way to post on your website:

As a weblink: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pj3gv9_ynTU

For tour dates, merchandise and general info visit: www.flaminglips.com

April 10

Linkin Park Debuts at Top Spot for Record Breaking Sixth Time

"What I've Done" Is 6th Consecutive #1 Single; New Album to Be Released on Warner Bros. Records May 15th

Multi-platinum Grammy® award-winning Linkin Park explodes at the top of the charts this week with their first single, "What I've Done," from their long awaited third studio album, "Minutes to Midnight." Breaking an all time record with six consecutive #1s in a row, Linkin Park debuted at #1 at Alternative and #3 on Active charts. In addition to its radio impact, the song has already sold over 100,000 downloads on iTunes. The video for "What I've Done," directed by band member / DJ Joseph Hahn, premiered on MTV and AOL last week. "Minutes to Midnight," co-produced by Mike Shinoda and Rick Rubin is due out on May 15 on Machine Shop/Warner Bros.

Linkin Park is Chester Bennington (vocals), Rob Bourdon (drums), Brad Delson (guitar), Joe Hahn (DJ), Dave "Phoenix" Farrell (bass), and Mike Shinoda (vocals). They have earned two Grammy Awards, the first for Best Hard Rock Performance in 2002 with their hit single "Crawling" and the second for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration with Jay-Z in 2006 for the innovative "Numb/Encore." Linkin Park has sold 40 million records worldwide since their debut in 2000. The Diamond-Certified "Hybrid Theory" has alone sold more than 18 million copies. In addition, Linkin Park established Music For Relief in January 2005 to help aid victims of world catastrophes and combat global warming. For more information on Linkin Park and Music For Relief, please log on to www.linkinpark.com or www.musicforrelief.org.

April 9

Warner Home Video and Turner Classic Movies Present TCM Spotlight: Esther Williams

Due July 17

The ravishing bathing beauty who pioneered a new genre of moviemaking -- "Aqua Musicals" -- will be seen in some of her splashiest roles when Warner Home Video and Turner Classic Movies showcase TCM Spotlight: Esther Williams on July 17. The collection includes the DVD debuts of five Technicolor films from 'America's Favorite Mermaid' - Bathing Beauty, On an Island with You, Easy to Wed, Neptune's Daughter and Dangerous When Wet.

Also included are special features such as TCM host Robert Osborne's recent "Private Screenings" interview with Esther (featured on the Bathing Beauty DVD), Academy Award(R)-winning vintage shorts, musical number outtakes, and classic cartoons. The films will be available only as a collection in a collectible digi-pak gift and will sell for $49.92 SRP.

Bathing Beauty

Red Skelton joins Esther Williams in this buoyant (literally) comedy about a lovesick songwriter who enrolls in a women's college to woo his estranged swimming-teacher wife.

On an Island with You

Moonlight swims, swaying palms, Technicolor(R) sunsets and...cannibals?! Esther Williams, Peter Lawford, Ricardo Montalban and Cyd Charisse get the swimming, swaying and sunsets and Jimmy Durante gets the cannibals in this tune-filled paradise for fans of musical comedy.

Easy To Wed

When the local paper runs an untrue story claiming an heiress (Williams) is a husband stealer, she prepares to sue for libel. So a newspaper honcho (Keenan Wynn) devises a counter scheme to compromise her image: He'll arrange a sham wedding between his fiancee (Lucille Ball) and a newsroom Romeo (Van Johnson), send the Romeo to woo the heiress, and make the phony story come true!

Neptune's Daughter

Longing for a Latin lover, boy-crazy Betty Barrett (Betty Garrett) mistakes girl-shy Jack Spratt (Red Skelton) for the South American polo team captain Jose O'Rourke (Ricardo Montalban). Meanwhile, the real O'Rourke pursues Betty's elegant sister Eve (Esther Williams). Soon mistaken identities and romantic complications spin into a dizzy mix of slapstick and flirtatious fun.

Dangerous When Wet (1953)

Williams plays Katy, a farm girl who finds romance while training for a swim across the English Channel. In the film's key sequence, Williams swims, swirls and swoops with cartoon stars Tom and Jerry in a concoction "brimful of attractive people and attractive performances" (Clive Hirschhorn, The Hollywood Musical).

Posted by Bill at 07:13 PM | Permalink

ABC Tonight

April 24

Quick Take for Thursday, April 19, 2007 – (Fast Affiliate Ratings)

ABC Wins Thursday Night, Leading Second-Place CBS

By 6% in Total Viewers and by 44% in Adults 18-49

ABC’s “Ugly Betty” Ranks No. 1 in its Hour with Adults 18-34 and Women 18-34

ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy” Leads its Nearest Competition in the Hour by 8.4 Million Viewers and Beats the Combined Adults 18-49 Ratings of CBS, NBC and Fox by 12%

ABC’s “October Road” Returns, Winning the 10 O’clock Hour in Adults 18-49,

Beating Originals of CBS’ “Shark” by 40% and NBC’s “E.R.” by 14%

Thursday Night (8:00-11:00 p.m.)

With an all-original lineup featuring the return of “October Road” this week, ABC led Thursday night, outperforming second-place CBS by 6% in Total Viewers (13.4 million vs. 12.7 million) and by 44% in Adults 18-49 (5.2/15 vs. 3.6/10).

“Ugly Betty” (8:00-9:00 p.m.)

Opposite competition that included CBS’ “Survivor: Fiji” and Fox’s “Are You Smarter the a 5^th Grader?,” ABC’s “Ugly Betty” ranked No. 1 in its hour among Adults 18-34 (2.8/9 - tied) and Women 18-34 (4.3/13).

“Grey’s Anatomy” (9:00-10:00 p.m.)

ABC's “Grey's Anatomy” dominated the 9 o’clock hour in Total Viewers (20.9 million) and Adults 18-49 (8.5/22). The ABC drama outdrew its closest competition by 8.4 million viewers (CBS = 12.5 million) and beat the combined Adult 18-49 ratings for CBS, NBC and Fox in the hour by 12% (CBS/NBC/Fox = 7.6/21).

“October Road” (10:00-11:00 p.m.)

Airing against original programming, ABC’s “October Road” returned to the lineup with a time period winning performance in Adults 18-49 (4.2/12), beating CBS’ “Shark” by 40% (3.0/8) and NBC’s “E.R.” by 14% (3.7/10). In fact, “October Road’s” victory marked the first time ever that a regularly- scheduled, ABC entertainment series beat an original episode of “E.R.” in the key young adult demo.

“October Road” ranked as the No. 2 program of the night in Adults 18-34 (4.4/14) and across each of the key women demos [Women 18-34 (6.3/18), Women 18-49 (6.2/16) and Women 25-54 (6.3/15)], behind only “Grey’s Anatomy.”

“October Road” was up from its most recent telecast (4/5/07) by 2.2 million (9.9 million vs. 7.7 million) and by 40% in Adults 18-49 (4.2/12 vs. 3.0/9).

Source: Nielsen Media Research, NTI (Fast Affiliate Ratings, Live+SD), 4/19/07.

END

COVERAGE OF THE TRAGEDY AT VIRGINIA TECH DRIVES

LANDMARK NUMBER OF USERS TO ABC†NEWS†DIGITAL

On Tuesday, April 17, as more details began to unfold about the tragedy and victims at Virginia Tech, 2.3 million unique visitors went to ABCNEWS.com for coverage and information. This was the site’s highest single-day number of unique visitors since its coverage of the September 11 attacks, registering a 210% increase for ABC News Digital from a week ago.

On Monday ABCNEWS.com’s coverage brought 2 million unique visitors to the site, a 172% increase compared to the same time last week. The site’s increase in video views was 420% over week-ago levels.

ABCNEWS.com is the 24-hour online news service of ABC News launched in May 1997 and is consistently ranked among the top news sites. ABC News Now, a 24-hour digital network that offers a wide range of live and on-demand programming, is currently available to more than 30 million users across cable, broadband and mobile.

ENTERTAINMENT

April 18, 2007

EDIE FALCO, TYRA BANKS, VANESSA REDGRAVE AND JOAN RIVERS

ARE AMONG THE GUESTS FEATURED ON “THE VIEW,” APRIL 23-27

Regina King (“Year of the Dog”) and Carrie Ann Inaba (ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars”) to Co-host

“The View,” ABC’s EmmyÆ Award-winning talk/entertainment program, welcomes Joan Rivers, Vanessa Redgrave (“The Year of Magical Thinking”), Mia Farrow, Tyra Banks, Edie Falco (“The Sopranos”) and musical performances from Donny Osmond and Neil Sedaka the week of April 23-27. Guest co-hosts are Regina King (“Year of the Dog”) on April 24 and Carrie Ann Inaba (ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars”) on April 26.

“The View” is produced by and features ABC News correspondent Barbara Walters, entertainer Rosie O’Donnell, comedian Joy Behar and former “Survivor: The Australian Outback” participant Elisabeth Hasselbeck. “The View” is the original forum in which real women discuss everyday issues and share their no-holds-barred opinions and engage in colorful conversations. The show recently received its 10^th consecutive Daytime EmmyÆ Award nomination in 10 years for both Outstanding Talk Show and Outstanding Talk Show Host honoring Barbara Walters, Rosie O’Donnell, Joy Behar and Elisabeth Hasselbeck. The 34^th annual Daytime Emmy Awards will be held on Friday, June 15.

Currently celebrating its 10th season, “The View” has received 20 Daytime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Talk Show. The show has received numerous nominations, including ten consecutive nominations for Outstanding Daytime Talk Show and Outstanding Talk Show Host. “The View” is seen live MONDAY-FRIDAY (11:00 a.m.-12:00 noon, ET; CLOSED-CAPTIONED; in stereo, TV-14), on ABC. “The View” is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s HDTV format, in stereo).

ABC.com now streams select daily clips of the “Hot Topics” discussed on “The View.” In addition the clips are available on all of Disney-ABC Television Group’s mobile partners’ services for viewing on cell phones. Log on to abc.com (keyword: theview).

Scheduled guests for April 23-27, are as follows (subject to change):

MONDAY, APRIL 23 – Joan Rivers; musical guest Neil Sedaka.

TUESDAY, APRIL 24 – Guest co-host Regina King (“Year of the Dog”); Vanessa Redgrave (“The Year of Magical Thinking”).

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25 – Mia Farrow; musical guest Donny Osmond.

THURSDAY, APRIL 26 – Guest co-host Carrie Ann Inaba (ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars”); Tyra Banks; couple eliminated from ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars.”

FRIDAY, APRIL

April 18, 2007

Quick Take for Tuesday, April 17, 2007 – Final Ratings

ABC Sees its Strongest Tuesday Night Performance Since November

“Dancing with the Stars the Results Show” Shoots Up from its Lead-in, Posting 100% Retention in Adults 18-49 Over the Prior Week and Growing Among Adults 18-34

Tuesday Night (8:00-10:02 p.m.)

ABC placed second on the night in Total Viewers (11.8 million) and Adult 18-49 (3.0/8), registering its best Tuesday numbers in both Nielsen measures since November – since 11/14/06 and 11/28/06, respectively.

“Dancing with the Stars the Results Show - TU” (9:00-10:02 p.m.)

Surging from its lead-in by 9.6 million viewers and by 133% among young adults against Fox’s “American Idol”-fueled “House” in the 9 o’clock hour, ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars the Results Show - TU” posted a competitive second-place finish in its time period in Total Viewers (16.5 million) and Adults 18-49 (4.2/10). NBA Hall of Famer Clyde Drexler was the fourth celebrity dancer to be eliminated from the ABC dance contest.

“DWTS the Results Show” retained 100% of its Adults 18-49 rating (4.2/10) from the prior week, while posting increases among Adults 18-34 (2.9/8 vs. 2.8/8) and Women 18-34 (4.1/10 vs. 3.9/10).

Source: Nielsen Media Research (Fast Affiliate Ratings, Live+SD), 4/17/07.

END

ABC.COM ADDS REMAINING EPISODES OF “SIX DEGREES” TO ITS BROADBAND PLAYER

Dedicated to expanding its network and channel brands across multiple platforms and connecting viewers with their favorite shows anytime and anywhere, Disney-ABC Television Group announced today that it will add the remaining unaired episodes of “Six Degrees” to ABC.com's broadband player.

The first unaired episode of “Six Degrees” will be added to ABC.com on Friday, April 27, with a new episode added every Friday for four consecutive weeks (five episodes total).

About “Six Degrees”

Whom will you touch in life? Who will touch you? They say that anyone on the planet can be connected to any other person through a chain of six people, which means that no one is a stranger… for long. In this drama six very different New Yorkers go about their lives without realizing the impact they're having on one another – yet. A mysterious web of coincidences will gradually draw them closer, changing the course of their lives forever. Is it happenstance? Is it fate? Is there a greater force at work in our world, guiding us along and connecting our lives?

“Six Degrees” stars Jay Hernandez (“Friday Night Lights”) as Carlos Green, Bridget Moynahan (“Sex and the City”) as Whitney Crane, Erika Christensen (“Flightplan”) as Mae, Dorian Missick (“Lucky Number Slevin”) as Damian, with Campbell Scott (“The Secret Lives of Dentists”) as Steven Caseman and Hope Davis (“About Schmidt”) as Laura.

The series was shot on location in New York City and is produced by Bad Robot, Nosebleed Productions and ABC Television Studio. Executive producers are J.J. Abrams, Stuart Zicherman, Raven Metzner, Bryan Burk and Ken Biller. Peter Horton is consultant.

NEWS

April 12, 2007

PREACHER PREDATORS: INVESTIGATING CHILD SEX ABUSE IN THE PROTESTANT CHURCH

-- JIM AVILA REPORTS ON ABC NEWS’ “20/20,” FRIDAY, APRIL 13

And: A Cardio-Free Diet… Too Good to Be True?

Plus: A Man Among Wolves -- Shaun Ellis Reflects on His Extraordinary Experience

Raising Wolf Pups and Living Among the Pack

Child sex abuse by Catholic priests has been headline news in recent years, but is the same abuse happening within Protestant churches? In a six-month investigation, ABC News’ “20/20” found preacher predators in every corner of the country, including several affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) -- the largest Protestant denomination. Jim Avila’s exclusive report airs on “20/20,” FRIDAY, APRIL 13 (10:00-11:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.

Avila’s reporting finds that the SBC -- an organization of 43,000 independent churches and 16.3 million members – has an overall structure that makes it difficult to police preacher predators. One example includes a profile of an SBC pastor who abused kids in Kentucky and then moved on to do the same to eight boys in Missouri, before he was finally sent to prison. In an interview with Avila, the SBC president concedes that there is a problem with tracking predators.

“20/20” lists numerous SBC preachers who have been convicted or charged with child sex abuse, including pastors still identified on the SBC’s own website or ordained ministers. Avila also interviews a preacher who admits that, in his jobs as Southern Baptist preacher and teacher in East Texas, he molested more than 40 boys. For the first time, Ken Ward speaks publicly about how he manipulated families and churches as he targeted and molested children in his care, and how the church is actually a magnet for predators. “I wanted them to love me and that was part of the strategy,” Ward tells Avila. He also gives insight to parents about how to spot a predator.

Also: What if a fitness expert said to kiss the treadmill goodbye – that the only way to lose weight and keep it off is to build muscle? Deborah Roberts reports on a controversial new book on weight loss, ABC News Now contributor Jim Karas’ “The Cardio-Free Diet.”

Plus: Shaun Ellis, founder of a wolf sanctuary at the Combe Martin Wildlife Park on England’s southwest coast, gave up comfort, a family and the civilization that surrounded him to live with wolves. In 2004, when the lives of three pups at the sanctuary were at risk because their mother had stopped nursing them, Ellis decided to use years of knowledge he had accumulated to raise the captive pups himself by teaching them how to behave like wolves. He moved in with the young pack and assumed the role of tutor and leader -- the alpha wolf. “I was always drawn towards the animals more than I was a human society,” Ellis said. The experiment was documented by a British television producer, Bernard Walton, whose footage will be broadcast next week on the National Geographic Channel. “What was extraordinary was the relationships that developed between the different wolves and Shaun,” Walton said. “He had refined everything down to a fine art to be a wolf.” Bob Brown reports.

“20/20” is anchored by Elizabeth Vargas and John Stossel. David Sloan is executive producer.

NEWS

April 12, 2007

†

ABC NEWS PRESENTS “PLANET EARTH 2007:†SEVEN WAYS

TO HELP SAVE THE WORLD,” FRIDAY, APRIL 20

Unprecedented Global News Event Features Series of Reports from All Seven Continents

Diane Sawyer Anchors Special “20/20,” Friday at 10 PM

ABC News is marking Earth Day 2007 with a daylong look at the state of the planet, featuring a special “20/20,” anchored by Diane Sawyer. ABC News’ “Planet Earth 2007: Seven Ways to Help Save the World” will report on the most crucial environmental issues today and on solutions currently being employed across the globe. This unprecedented global news event will feature ABC News anchors and correspondents†live from around the globe, with reports†airing from†seven continents throughout the day on Friday, April 20. The coverage will span “Good Morning America,” “World News with Charles Gibson,” “20/20,” “Nightline,” ABCNEWS.com, ABC News Now and ABC News Radio.

ABC News’ groundbreaking broadcast will take viewers around the world to witness the†key environmental challenges each continent faces and present working solutions from each place. The coverage will outline the most pressing environmental issues, including increasing and decreasing water levels, deforestation, species extinction and power usage.

AFRICA: Elizabeth Vargas will report from an eco-lodge reserve near the Kruger wildlife area in South Africa to show how conservation can save species.

EUROPE: Chris Cuomo will be in the city of lights, Paris, reporting on how people can conserve power and ways that science could help take carbon dioxide out of the air.

SOUTH AMERICA: John QuiÒones will be in the Brazilian rain forest reporting on how conservation groups are working to replant the rain forest and how these forests can be worth more as a standing resource than as logs and soybean fields.

NORTH AMERICA: Jay Schadler will report from an astonishing solar power plant in Arizona on how alternative power solutions will help the energy grid.

AUSTRALIA: Bill Weir will be at the barrier reef off the Australian coast to report on how desalination plants may be an answer to water shortages.

ASIA: Cynthia McFadden will be in China to explore what is perhaps the most fundamental issue of all: Is the world willing to make the changes needed?

ANTARCTICA: ABC News will report on what progress has been made on the hole in the ozone.

ABC News will also assemble seven leading experts on the environment -- from scientists to businessmen -- to weigh in on the most important problems and the most promising solutions.

Additionally, “Planet Earth 2007: Seven Ways to Help Save the World” will focus on how we all can make a difference. “Many Americans are saying they want to do what they can to slow the damaging effects of global warming, and this broadcast will offer concrete solutions that could be achieved on a global level, as well as a smaller level inside our viewers’ own homes,” said co-executive producer John Green.

John Green and Rudy Bednar are the executive producers of “Planet Earth 2007: Seven Ways to Help Save the World.” The program will be broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format, with stereo sound.

ENTERTAINMENT

April 12, 2007

JESSICA BIEL, SIGOURNEY WEAVER AND CRAIG FERGUSON

ARE AMONG THE GUESTS FEATURED ON “THE VIEW,” APRIL 16-20

RenÈ Syler, Aisha Tyler and Whoopi Goldberg to Co-host

The Cast of Broadway’s “The Pirate Queen” to Perform, April 17

“The View,” ABC’s EmmyÆ Award-winning talk/entertainment program, welcomes Robert Wagner and co-host Robert Vaughn (“Hustle”), Craig Ferguson (“Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson”), Rue McClanahan (author, “My First Five Husbands”), Jessica Biel (“Next”), Olympia Dukakis (“In the Land of Women”), Sigourney Weaver (“The TV Set” and “Snow Cake”) and a musical performance from Broadway’s “The Pirate Queen” the week of April 16-20. Guest co-hosts are RenÈ Syler (4/17), Aisha Tyler (4/18) and Whoopi Goldberg (4/20).

Entertainment Weekly raves: “’The View’ is one of the most electrifying shows on the air,” and “The View does for daytime what ‘The Daily Show’ does for nighttime.”

Scheduled guests for April16-20, are as follows (subject to change):

MONDAY, APRIL 16 – Bill Maher (“Real Time with Bill Maher”).

TUESDAY, APRIL 17 – Guest co-host RenÈ Syler; Robert Wagner and Robert Vaughn (“Hustle”); musical performance from Broadway’s “The Pirate Queen.”

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18– Guest co-host Aisha Tyler; Craig Ferguson (“Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson”); Rue McClanahan (author, “My First Five Husbands”).

THURSDAY, APRIL 19 – Jessica Biel (“Next”); Olympia Dukakis (“In the Land of Women”); couple eliminated from ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars.”

FRIDAY, APRIL 20 – Guest co-host Whoopi Goldberg; Sigourney Weaver (“The TV Set” and “Snow Cake”).

April 12, 2007

Fringe Ratings Report for ABC News’ “Nightline”

For the Week of April 2, 2007

†

“NIGHTLINE”†BEATS “LETTERMAN”

IN TOTAL†VIEWERS†AND ADULTS 25-54

“NIGHTLINE” OUTPERFORMS “LETTERMAN”

BY A SIGNIFICANT 550,000 IN TOTAL VIEWERS

†

According to Nielsen Media Research for the week of April 2, 2007, ABC News’ “Nightline” outperformed CBS’ “Late Night with David Letterman” in both Total Viewers and the key Adults 25-54 demographic. The last time “Nightline” beat “Letterman” in both Total Viewers and Adults 25-54 was September 4, 2006. In addition, “Nightline” grew wee to week in Total Viewers. “Letterman” aired original programming last week.

In Total Viewers, “Nightline” posted 3.51 million, a significant 550,000 viewers more than “Letterman’s” 2.96 million viewers. The program also grew 5% compared to last week. “NBC’s “The Tonight Show” posted 5.71 million in Total Viewers.

Among Adults 25-54, “Nightline” again outperformed “Letterman,” posting 1.60 million viewers (1.3 demo rating), 90,000 viewers more than “Letterman’s” 1.51 million viewers (1.2 demo rating). NBC’s “The Tonight Show” posted 2.76 million viewers (2.3 rating) in the Adults 25-54 demo.

*“Letterman” aired late on Monday due to the NCAA, and on Thursday and Friday due to Master’s Golf highlights.

ABC News’ “Nightline” is anchored by Cynthia McFadden, Terry Moran and Martin Bashir. James Goldston is the executive producer.

(Week of April 2, 2007)†††

†††

†

††††††††††††††††††††††††††TOTAL VIEWERS†††††††A25-54 (000)/†Rtg†

ABC†“Nightline”†††††††††††††3,510,000†††††† 1,600,000/ 1.3

CBS “Late Show”†††††††††††††2,960,000††††††††† 1,510,000/ 1.2

NBC “Tonight”†††††††††††††††5,710,000†††††††† †2,760,000/ 2.3

†

Source: NTI and NSI

†

A April 5, 2007

Fringe Ratings Report: ABC Daytime Programming

Week of April 2, 2007

ABC DAYTIME’S FULL AND DRAMA LINEUPS RANKED NO. 1 FOR THE WEEK

(BOTH ABC LINEUPS HAVE RANKED NO. 1 FOR 28 OF 29 WEEKS THIS SEASON

AMONG WOMEN 18-49), AND ABC’S FULL AND DRAMA LINEUPS RANK NO.1

SEASON TO DATE AMONG WOMEN 18-49

ABC DAYTIME’S FULL AND DRAMA LINEUPS RANKED NO. 1

FOR THE WEEK AMONG FEMALE TEENS

ABC’S FULL LINEUP IS UP 3% SEASON TO DATE AMONG TOTAL VIEWERS (MOST GROWTH), AND IS UP 1% IN WOMEN 18-34, MAKING ABC THE ONLY NETWORK UP IN WOMEN 18-34

“THE VIEW” IS UP SEASON TO DATE AMONG WOMEN 18-49,

WOMEN 18-34 AND TOTAL VIEWERS

“GENERAL HOSPITAL” RANKED NO. 1 AMONG WOMEN 18-49, MARKING THE TENTH WEEK

IN A ROW THAT “GH” HAS RANKED NO. 1 AMONG WOMEN 18-49 IN RATING

“GENERAL HOSPITAL” IS THE ONLY DAYTIME DRAMA TO SHOW

SEASON-TO-DATE GROWTH IN WOMEN 18-34

ABC WON THE COMMON 1-3 P.M. TIME PERIOD FOR THE WEEK,

OUTPERFORMING NBC BY 24% AND CBS BY 12% AMONG WOMEN 18-49

Week of April 2, 2007

ABC’s daytime Drama lineup was No. 1 for the week among Women 18-49, with a 1.6 rating and a 10 share, delivering one million Women 18-49 for the week of April 2, 2007. The lineup outperformed CBS by 18% and NBC by 32%. The lineup was up 2% vs. the prior week among Women 18-49, and up 134% among Female Teens.

ABC’s Full daytime schedule was No. 1 for the week among Women 18-49, with a 1.5 rating and a 10 share, delivering an average audience of 960,000 Women 18-49. The lineup outperformed CBS by 12% and NBC by 22% among Women 18-49. The Full lineup is also up 1% season to date among women 18-34, making ABC the only network to show season-to-date growth in the demo. Among Total Viewers, the Full lineup is up 3% season to date (more than any other network). The lineup was also up 154% week to week among Female Teens.

ABC delivered three out of the top six shows among Women 18-49:

“The View,” during a week of encore performances, had a 1.1 rating and an 8 share, delivering an average audience of 733,000 Women 18-49. Season to date, “The View” is up 18% among Women 18-49. Among Women 18-34, it is up 22% season to date. Among Female Teens, it was up 344% vs. the prior week and up 48% vs. the same week last year.

Among Total Viewers, “The View” had a 1.0 rating and a 7 share, delivering 3 million Total Viewers for the week. The talker is up 17% season to date with Total Viewers.

“General Hospital” was the No. 1-ranked program for the 10^th straight week, with a 1.8 rating (tied with Y&R) and an 11 share, delivering 1.2 million Women 18-49, and was up 1% vs. last week. “GH” beat “Days of Our Lives” by 33% among Women 18-49. Additionally, “General Hospital” beat its time period rival, “Guiding Light,” by 53% for the week among Women 18-49. “GH” was up 98% among Female Teens week to week, and was up 71% vs. the same week last year. Among Total Viewers, “General Hospital” is up 1% vs. last week and is up 1% season to date. Among Women 18-34, the program is up 4% season to date, the only daytime drama to show growth vs. last year.

“One Life to Live” was the No. 3*-ranked program of the week, with a 1.5 rating and a 10 share, delivering 994,000 Women 18-49. “OLTL” was up 4% vs. last week, and outperformed time period competitors “As the World Turns” by 37% and “Passions” by 43% for the week. Among Women 18-34, the program was up 6% vs. last week and was up 148% among Female Teens vs. last week.

“All My Children” was the No. 4*-ranked program of the week, with a 1.4 rating a 9 share, delivering 948,000 Women 18-49. “AMC was up 3% vs. the prior week among Women 18-49. The “AMC” advantage over time period competitor “Days” was 9% among Women 18-49. “AMC” was up 205% among Female Teens vs. the prior week, and was up 1% in Total Viewers vs. the prior week.

Season to date, ABC Daytime’s drama lineup ranks No. 1, with a 1.7 rating and an 10 share, delivering 1.1 million Women 18-49 – outperforming CBS by 18% and NBC by 17% in actuals. In the Full lineup, ABC Daytime is No. 1, with a 1.7 rating and an 11 share, delivering 1.1 million Women 18-49, outperforming CBS by 20% and NBC 15% in actuals.

Following are the Daytime drama and full Daytime ratings averages for the week:

†

DAYTIME DRAMAS: TOTAL VIEWERS WOMEN 18-49

No. 1 CBS 3,719,000 No. 1 ABC 1.6/10

No. 2 ABC† 3,060,000 No. 2 CBS 1.3/9

No. 3 NBC† 2,195,000 No. 3 NBC† 1.2/8

FULL DAYTIME: TOTAL VIEWERS WOMEN 18-49

No. 1 CBS† 4,082,000 No. 1 ABC 1.5/10

No. 2 ABC† 3,015,000 No. 2 CBS† 1.3/9

No. 3 NBC† 2,195,000 No. 2 NBC† 1.2/8

Pre-emptions for the week of 3/26/07

Monday (4/2/07):†
*ATWT, B&B and Y&R were preempted in Philadelphia (2.642%) due to baseball.
*ATWT was preempted in Columbus (0.807%) due to a special news report.
*Days and Passions were interrupted in Columbus (0.807%) due to a special news report.
††Thursday (4/5/07):†
†*AMC, ATWT, B&B, PR1 & PR2, The VIEW, OLTL, Y&R were preempted in Charlotte (0.939%) due to a special news report.
†Friday (4/6/07):†
*AMC, ATWT, B&B, Days, PR1 & PR2, The VIEW, Y&R and OLTL were preempted in Charlotte (0.939%) due to a special news report.
*OLTL and Passions were interrupted in Charlotte (0.939%) from 2-2:45p due to a special news report.
*Passions was preempted in Cleveland (1.381%) due to baseball.
†

**all data above reflects “Live + Same Day”

CORRECTION/UPDATE

As of THURS., APRIL 12 (all times ET unless noted)

MONDAY, APRIL 16

TIME CHANGE “DANCING WITH THE STARS: 405” is now scheduled 8:00-9:31 p.m.

(originally was 8:00-9:30 p.m.)

“THE BACHELOR: OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN: 1003” is now 9:31-11:00 p.m. (originally was 9:30-11:00 p.m.)

TUESDAY, APRIL 17

TIME CHANGE “DANCING WITH THE STARS THE RESULTS SHOW: 405A” is now scheduled 9:00-10:01 p.m. (originally was 9:00-10:00 p.m.)

“BOSTON LEGAL: Guise ‘n Dolls” is now 10:01-11:00 p.m. (originally was 10:00-11:00 p.m.)

SUNDAY, APRIL 22

TIME CHANGE “DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES: God, That’s Good” is now scheduled 9:00-10:02 p.m. (originally was 9:00-10:01 p.m.)

“BROTHERS & SISTERS: Sexual Politics” is now 10:02-11:00 p.m. (originally was 10:01-11:00 p.m.)

MONDAY, APRIL 23

TIME CHANGE “DANCING WITH THE STARS: 406” is now scheduled 8:00-9:31 p.m.

(originally was 8:00-9:30 p.m.)

“THE BACHELOR: OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN: 1004” is now 9:31-11:00 p.m. (originally was 9:30-11:00 p.m.)

TUESDAY, APRIL 24

TIME CHANGE “DANCING WITH THE STARS THE RESULTS SHOW: 406A” is now scheduled 9:00-10:01 p.m. (originally was 9:00-10:00 p.m.)

“BOSTON LEGAL: Angle of Death” is now 10:01-11:00 p.m. (originally was 10:00-11:00 p.m.)

April 12, 2007
Quick Take for Wednesday, April 11, 2007 (Based on Fast Affiliate Ratings)

ABC Takes Second to Fox’s Expanded “American Idol” Lineup

on Wednesday in Adults 18-49 and Adults 18-34

ABC’s “George Lopez” Attracts ABC’s Largest Audience

in the 8pm Half-Hour in 2 Months

Surging at 10pm, “Lost” Beats CBS’ “C.S.I. NY” by a Substantial 50% in Adults 18-49, the ABC Drama’s Largest Margin of Victory in the Key Young Adult Demo

“Lost” Grows Week to Week Among Total Viewers and Adults 18-49,

and Delivers Its Strongest Women 18-34 Performance in 5 Weeks

Wednesday Night (8:00-11:00 p.m.)

ABC finished second to Fox on Wednesday among Adults 18-49 (3.0/8 – tied) and Adults 18-34 (2.7/8). In fact, opposite Fox’s lineup of the “’Til Death” season finale and an expanded 1-hour “American Idol,” ABC saw an 8% increase in Adults 18-34 (2.7/8 vs. 2.5/8) over the previous week.

“George Lopez” (8:00-8:30 p.m.)

“George Lopez” attracted ABC’s largest audience (6.5 million) in the half-hour in 2 months – since 2/14/07

“Lost” (10:00-11:00 p.m.)

Building on its lead-in by 8.1 million viewers (11.9 million vs. 3.8 million) and by 240% in young adults (5.1/13 vs. 1.5/4), “Lost” dominated Wednesday’s 10 o’clock hour across the adult demographics: Adults 18-34 (4.7/13), Adults 18-49 (5.1/13) and Adults 25-54 (5.5/14). In fact the ABC drama has won its hour in the key Adult 18-49 sales demographic on all 10 telecasts since entering its new time slot.

ABC’s “Lost” defeated CBS’ “C.S.I.: NY” by a substantial 50% among Adults 18-49 (5.1/13 vs. 3.4/9), the largest margin of victory for the ABC drama over the CBS series in originals.

“Lost” topped its week-ago deliveries in both Total Viewers (11.9 million vs. 11.7 million) and Adults 18-49 (5.1/13 vs. 4.9/13). In addition, “Lost” posted its strongest Women 18-34 (5.5/14) performance in 5 weeks – since 3/7/07.

“Lost” improved the hour for ABC over the same night last year by 5.5 million viewers and 104% in Adults 18-49 (6.4 million & 2.5/7 on 4/12/06).

Source: Nielsen Media Research (Fast Affiliate Ratings), Live+SD 4/11/07.

END

“LOST” VIDEO PODCAST FEATURING COMPOSER MICHAEL GIACCHINO

AVAILABLE AT ABC.COM BEGINNING THURSDAY, APRIL 12

An exclusive “Lost” video podcast will be available Thursday, April 12 at www.abc.com and iTunes. The podcast features well known soundtrack composer Michael Giacchino, as he takes viewers on a behind-the-scenes tour with his orchestra during the scoring session for the episode “ExposÈ.”

About Michael Giacchino

Michael Giacchino is a well known soundtrack composer who has written the scores for many popular movies, television series and video games. His first major composition was for “The Lost World: Jurassic Park.” He has also provided the scores for video games including “Call of Duty” and “Call of Duty: Finest Hour.” In 2005 Giacchino won an Emmy for Music Composition for a Series (Dramatic Underscore) for “Lost.”

About “Lost”

“Lost” stars Naveen Andrews as Sayid, Henry Ian Cusick as Desmond, Emilie de Ravin as Claire, Michael Emerson as Ben, Matthew Fox as Jack, Jorge Garcia as Hurley, Josh Holloway as Sawyer, Daniel Dae Kim as Jin, Yunjin Kim as Sun, Evangeline Lilly as Kate, Elizabeth Mitchell as Juliet, Dominic Monaghan as Charlie and Terry O’Quinn as Locke.

“Lost” was created by Jeffrey Lieber and J.J. Abrams & Damon Lindelof. Abrams, Lindelof, Bryan Burk, Jack Bender, Jeff Pinkner and Carlton Cuse serve as executive producers. It’s filmed entirely on location in Hawaii and premiered on September 22, 2004, is from ABC Television Studio.

ENTERTAINMENT

April 10, 2007

ATTEN-SHUN!

THE BACHELORETTES GET A REAL TASTE OF NAVY LIFE WHEN A DRILL SERGEANT

PUTS THEM THROUGH THE RIGOROUS PACES OF A BOOT CAMP, ON

“THE BACHELOR: OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN,” APRIL 16, ON ABC

Dr. Andy Baldwin Treats a Bachelorette Injured at Boot Camp;

A Mud Spa Proves to Be a Down and Dirty Battle Among the Women for Private Time with Andy

“Episode 1003” – A physical Bachelor boot camp proves too much for one bachelorette, who receives top notch medical attention from Andy. Then a relaxing mud spa turns out to be the backdrop for a wild group date where the women clash to get some time alone with the Bachelor. In another over-the-top confrontation racing high performance Saleen supercharged cars, the ladies are all revved up to land a one-on-one date with Andy, and a final date on an aircraft carrier will be the end of the road for one woman, on “The Bachelor: Officer and a Gentleman,” MONDAY, APRIL 16 (9:30-11:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.

The bachelorettes get a rude wake-up call from a drill sergeant, as they participate in a rough and tumble Bachelor boot camp, with one tough woman winning a rose. Unfortunately Bevin is injured, but Andy shows off his medical expertise and bedside manner, rushing to her rescue. He then unwinds with five beautiful ladies at a mud spa, which quickly turns into a down-and-dirty tussle to capture some alone time with the Bachelor. In the end, one lucky woman gets a private massage from the handsome doctor.

Next, four fabulous ladies accompany the Bachelor to a racetrack to see who revs his engine and who stalls out. Andy chooses one bachelorette to take on a romantic sunset drive to the beach.

On the dramatic final date, Andy gives two women an inside look at his life as a naval officer when they visit an aircraft carrier in San Diego. But there’s a catch: At the end of it, there’s only one rose to hand out. While one woman goes home in tears, Andy sweeps the other woman off her feet and into a waiting helicopter.

At the rose ceremony, Andy must send three ladies home in heartbreak, as he narrows the field from 12 bachelorettes to nine.

The 12 remaining women are:

Amanda, 26, financial analyst, who currently resides in Dallas, TX.

Amber, 23, teacher, who currently resides in Sugar Land, TX.

Bevin, 28, clinic research coordinator, who currently resides in Palo Alto, CA.

Danielle I., 25, graphic designer, who currently resides in Bethel, CT.

Erin, 24, financial analyst, who currently resides in Dallas, TX.

Kate, 24, boutique owner, who currently resides in Charleston, SC.

Nicole, 26, sales manager, who currently resides in Charleston, SC.

Peyton, 24, sorority recruiter, who currently resides in Dallas, TX.

Stephanie T., 27, organ donor coordinator, who currently resides in Folly Beach, SC.

Stephanie W., 23, project manager, who currently resides in Overland Park, KS.

Tessa, 26, social worker, who currently resides in San Francisco, CA.

Tina, 26, medical student, who currently resides in Hollywood, CA.

Hosted by Chris Harrison, “The Bachelor: Officer and a Gentleman” is a production of Next Entertainment in association with Warner Horizon Television. Mike Fleiss and Lisa Levenson are the executive producers. Martin Hilton and David Bohnert are the co-executive producers.

“The Bachelor: Officer and a Gentleman” is broadcast with Spanish subtitles via secondary closed captioning. A TV parental guideline will be posted closer to airdate.

Ratings Report: ABC News Programming††††††††††††††††††††††††††† April 10, 2007
Week of April 2-6, 2007

†

“World News with Charles Gibson” Is the #1 Evening Newscast

Among Total Viewers, Households and Adults 25-54

ABC Posts Largest Total Viewer Advantage Over NBC in Nearly 19 Months

ABC Ranks #1 Among Total Viewers for 6^th Time in 9 Weeks

ABC Places First in Key Demo Rating for 8^th Time in 10 Weeks

“World News” Is the Only Evening Newscast to Grow Its Total Viewing Audience Versus a Year Ago and Season to Date

††

“ABC’s World News with Charles Gibson” was the #1 evening newscast among Total Viewers, Households and Adults 25-54 for the week of April 2. Averaging 8.08 million Total Viewers and a 2.0/8 among Adults 25-54, “World News” outperformed NBC’s “Nightly News” by 440,000 Total Viewers and 60,000 key demo viewers. This marks ABC’s greatest Total Viewing advantage over NBC in nearly 19 months (week of August 8, 2005).

“World News” had a single sponsor and limited commercial interruptions on Monday, April 2 and outperformed NBC by 480,000 Total Viewers that night. Continuing the trend of the last two months, “World News” has now finished first among Total Viewers six times in the last nine weeks. Among Adults 25-54, “World News” has placed first in the key demo rating eight times in the last ten weeks.

For the week, “World News” was the only evening newscast to post year-to-year gains among Total Viewers, increasing 3%; NBC declined 8% and CBS fell 10%.

Season to date, “World News” is the only evening newscast to grow its Total Viewing audience, increasing 1%; NBC is down 6% and CBS is down 4%. The Total Viewing gap between ABC and NBC is 69% smaller this season than it was at this time last year. Additionally, the demo gap between ABC and NBC is 75% smaller season to date versus a year ago.

For the week “World News” averaged 1.89 million more Total Viewers than CBS’ “Evening News.” This marks the fifteenth consecutive week the Total Viewing gap between the two programs has exceeded 1.5 million.

“World News” placed first among Women 25-54 (2.3), the 21st consecutive week the ABC broadcast has placed first in this demo.

On April 2, “World News” aired with limited commercial interruptions due to a single sponsorship arrangement. Airing in conjunction with the sponsorship deal, which continues for the next three Mondays in April, is a special series – “Key to the World” – reported by Bill Weir. Last Monday Weir reported from Kiribati, a nation of thirty-three islands in the Pacific Ocean, where global warming is not a distant, theoretical hazard but an imminent danger due to rising sea levels. The broadcast also featured two exclusive reports from Chief Investigative Correspondent Brian Ross on Iran’s nuclear capabilities and a Pakistani tribal militant group responsible for a series of deadly guerrilla raids inside Iran.

Jon Banner is the executive producer of “ABC’s World News with Charles Gibson.”

†

EVENING NEWS (Week of April 2, 2007)

Total Viewers A25-54 and 000 Households

ABC 8,080,000 2.0/8; 2,400,000 5.6/12

NBC 7,640,000 1.9/8; 2,340,000 5.4/11

CBS 6,190,000 1.6/6; 1,900,000 4.4/9

†

Source: Nielsen, NTI

ENTERTAINMENT

April 10, 2007

More information about “The Bachelor: Officer and a Gentleman”

In the third episode, airing Monday, April 16 (9:30-11:00 p.m., ET), a physical Bachelor boot camp proves too much for one bachelorette, who receives top notch medical attention from Andy. Then a relaxing mud spa turns out to be the backdrop for a wild group date where the women clash to get some time alone with the Bachelor. In another over-the-top confrontation racing high performance Saleen supercharged cars, the ladies are all revved up to land a one-on-one date with Andy, and a final date on an aircraft carrier will be the end of the road for one woman.

The bachelorettes get a rude wake-up call from a drill sergeant, as they participate in a rough and tumble Bachelor boot camp, with one tough woman winning a rose. Andy then unwinds with five beautiful ladies at a mud spa, which quickly turns into a down-and-dirty tussle to capture some alone time with the Bachelor. In the end, one lucky woman gets a private massage from the handsome doctor. Next, four fabulous ladies accompany the Bachelor to a racetrack to see who revs his engine and who stalls out. Andy chooses one bachelorette to take on a romantic sunset drive to the beach.

On the dramatic final date, Andy gives two women an inside look at his life as a naval officer when they visit an aircraft carrier in San Diego. But there’s only one rose to hand out. While one woman goes home in tears, Andy sweeps the other woman off her feet and into a waiting helicopter.

At the rose ceremony, three ladies will go home in heartbreak, as the field narrows from 12 to 9.

Primetime Ratings Report April 10, 2007
For the week of April 2, 2007

Growing Week to Week Among Viewers and Young Adults, ABC

Draws its Largest Audience Since the Week of the Academy Awards

ABC Airs 7 of the Top 20 TV Shows for the Week in Adults 18-49,

With 3 of the Top 10 Programs in Both Viewers and Young Adults

ABC’s “Lost” and “Brothers & Sisters” Qualify as TV’s Top 2

10 O’clock Series of the Week in the Key Adult 18-49 Sales Demo

Leading is Time Slot, ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” is the Monday’s

No. 1 Non-Sports TV Program Among Total Viewers and Adults 18-49

“The Bachelor: Officer and a Gentleman” Premieres with the Largest

Audience for “The Bachelor” Opener in 3 Years, Five Editions Ago

Tuesday at 9pm, “DWTS the Results Show” Catapults Over its Lead-in,

Places a Strong Second Against an “Idol”-Fueled “House” and Improves the

Time Period for ABC by 11.8 Million Viewers and by 225% in Adults 18-49

ABC’s “Boston Legal” Takes Second Place Tuesday at 10pm, Producing the Series’ Biggest Audience in 4 Months and its Best Women 18-34 Number Since October

Growing its Audience Week to Week, ABC’s “Lost” Jumps from its Lead-in to Win Wednesday at 10pm in Viewers and Key Adults, Greatly Improving the Slot for ABC

Building on its Lead-in Among Adults 18-34 for the Second Week in a Row,

ABC’s “October Road” Leads Thursday’s 10 O’clock Hour with Young Women

ABC Wins Saturday in Viewers and Young Adults with “The Ten Commandments”

ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” Wins Sunday at 8pm, Outdrawing Second-Place CBS’ “Amazing Race” by 2.9 Million Viewers and by 45% Among Adults 18-49

The No. 1 TV Program on Sunday, ABC’s “Desperate Housewives” Dominates its Slot

ABC’s “Brothers & Sisters” Tops Sunday’s 10 O’clock Hour Among Adults 18-49

WEEK No. 29:

ABC took second place to Fox during the week in Adults 18-34 (2.3/7-tie), Teens 12-17 (1.5/6) and Kids 2-11 (1.2/5). The Net won the week with Women 25-54 (4.6/12). ABC outdelivered NBC during the week by 2.2 million viewers (9.3 vs. 7.1 million) and by 36% in Adults 18-49 (3.0/9 vs. 2.2/6).

ABC was up over the prior week by 7% in Total Viewers (9.3 million vs. 8.7 million) and by 7% in Adults 18-49 (3.0/9 vs. 2.8/8). The Net attracted its largest audience in 6 weeks – since the w/o 2/19/07, the week of the Academy Awards telecast.

Weekly Rankings: ABC aired 7 of the Top 20 TV programs during the week among Adults 18-49, including 3 of the Top 10 shows: “Desperate Housewives” – No. 6, “Lost” – No. 8, “Dancing with the Stars” – No. 9, “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” – No. 12, “Brothers & Sisters” – No. 13, “Dancing with the Stars the Results” – No. 15 and “The Bachelor: Officer and a Gentleman” – No. 18. ABC also delivered 3 of the Top 10 most-watched television shows during the week: “DWTS” – No. 6, “Desperate Housewives” – No. 7 and “DWTS the Results Show” – No. 9. With “Lost” and “Brothers & Sisters,” ABC claimed the Top 2 10 o’clock series for the week in Adults 18-49.

Monday

Boosted by another strong turn-out for “Dancing with the Stars” leading into the premiere of “The Bachelor: Officer and a Gentleman,” ABC stood as Monday’s most-watched network (14.8 million) for the third consecutive week. The Network also held the No. 1 position for the evening in each of the women demographics (W18-34 – 5.3/14, W18-49 – 6.3/16 & W25-54 – 7.2/17) and among Kids 2-11 (1.6/7). Competing against CBS’ NCAA Basketball Championship coverage during prime, ABC ranked as the top non-sports network on Monday in Adults 18-49 (4.3/11), topping Fox by 10% (3.9/10) and NBC by 54% (2.8/7).

ABC was up from the same Monday last year -- when it also went up against CBS’ NCAA Championship Basketball Game -- by 6.8 million viewers and by 34% in Adults 18-49 (8.0 million & 3.2/8 on 4/3/06). In fact ABC delivered its highest numbers opposite the NCAA Championship Basketball Game in 12 years among Total Viewers, and in 9 years among Adults 18-49 – since 4/3/95 and 3/30/98, respectively.

“Dancing with the Stars” (8:00-9:45 p.m.)

Winning its time period, ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” was the No. 1 non-sports program on Monday night in Total Viewers (18.2 million) and Adults 18-49 (4.8/13). Topping the NCAA Championship, “DWTS” ranked as the No. 1 TV program of the night across each of the women demographics (W18-34/W18-49/W25-54) and among Kids 2-11.

Despite going up against the championship college basketball game for part of its broadcast, “Dancing with the Stars” increased its overall audience from the comparable third installment of the show last season (18.2 million vs. 17.9 million on 9/26/06).

“The Bachelor: Officer and a Gentleman” (9:45-11:00 p.m.)

ABC's “The Bachelor: Officer and a Gentleman” opened with an average audience of 9.9 million viewers and a 3.7 rating, 9 share in Adults 18-49. Trailing only “DWTS,” “The Bachelor” ranked as the No. 2 program of the night across the key women demos: W18-34 (4.8/13), W18-49 (5.4/13) and W25-54 (5.6/13).

ABC's “The Bachelor: Officer and a Gentleman” opened with 2.4 million more viewers (9.9 million vs. 7.5 million) and with 19% more Adults 18-49 (3.7/9 vs. 3.1/8) than the most recent edition of the franchise (“The Bachelor: Rome” on 10/2/06). In fact it was the most-watched season premiere for “The Bachelor” in 3 years (Five “The Bachelors” ago) – since 4/7/04.

Tuesday

“Dancing with the Stars the Results Show” (9:00-10:00 p.m.)

Launching from its lead-in by 10.8 million viewers (15.0 million vs. 4.2 million) and by 160% among young adults (3.9/10 vs. 1.5/4) against Fox’s “American Idol”-fueled “House” in the 9 o’clock hour, ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars the Results Show” posted a strong second-place finish in its time period in Total Viewers and Adults 18-49. Although CBS had a decided lead-in advantage coming into the time slot, “DWTS the Results Show” moved ahead of third-place CBS in the hour by 5.2

million viewers and by 34% in Adults 18-49 (“The Unit” (R) = 9.8 million & 2.9/7). Miss USA 2004, Shandi Finnessey, was the second celebrity dancer to be eliminated from the ABC dance competition. From start to finish, the ABC unscripted program gained 1.1 million viewers (14.4 million to 15.5 million) and 8% among Adults 18-49 (3.7/9 to 4.0/10).

“DWTS the Results Show” improved the hour for ABC by 11.8 million viewers and by 225% in Adults 18-49 (3.2 million & 1.2/3 in AD18-49 on 4/4/06).

Despite increased competition in its time period, “DWTS the Results Show” was up from its comparable second installment for the most recent edition last September (9/20/06) among Adults 18-49 (+5%), across the key women demos (W18-34 +8%, W218-49 +6% and W25-54 +2%) and Teens 12-17 (+33%).

Boston Legal” (10:00-11:00 p.m.)

ABC’s “Boston Legal” delivered a solid second place during the 10 o’clock hour among Total Viewers (10.0 million) and Adults 18-49 (2.6/7).

“Boston Legal” attracted its largest audience in 4 months and its top Adult 18-49 number since February – since 12/5/06 and 2/13/07, respectively. In the hour, the ABC legal drama posted its strongest Women 18-34 number (2.3/7) since October – since 10/17/06.

Wednesday

ABC took second place to Fox on Wednesday evening among Adults 18-49 (3.1/9), besting third-place CBS by 15% (2.7/8) and fourth-place NBC by 41% (2.2/6).

“George Lopez” (8:30-9:00 p.m.)

Growing from its lead-in, “George Lopez” generated ABC’s top Total Viewer (6.5 million) and Adult 18-49 (2.5/7) numbers in the time period since January – since 1/17/07 and 1/10/17, respectively. Among Adults 18-49, ABC’s “George Lopez” beat its CBS and NBC competition in its time period, including “Jericho” (2.2/6) and “Friday Night Lights” (2.0/6).

“Lost” (10:00-11:00 p.m.)

Building on its lead-in by 6.9 million viewers (11.7 million vs. 4.8 million) and by 145% in young adults (4.9/13 vs. 2.0/5), “Lost” dominated Wednesday’s 10 o’clock hour in Total Viewers (11.7 million) and across the adult demographics: Adults 18-34 (4.3/13), Adults 18-49 (4.9/13) and Adults 25-54 (5.5/14). In fact the ABC drama has won its hour in the key Adult 18-49 sales demographic on all 9 telecasts since entering its new time slot.

Despite its late time period and declining TV usage levels, “Lost” grew its viewer (11.5 million to 11.8 million) and young adult audience (4.8/13 to 5.0/14) from its first half-hour to its second half-hour.

“Lost” increased its overall audience week to week (11.7 million vs. 11.5 million) and was also up in Adults 25-54 (5.5/14 vs. 5.4/14).

“Lost” improved the hour for ABC over the same night a year ago by 4.0 million viewers and 63% in Adults 18-49 (7.7 million & 3.0/8 on 4/5/06).

Thursday

With 2/3 of ABC’s schedule in repeat, the Net finished second on the night behind CBS’ all original lineup in Total Viewers (7.5 million) and across each of the key women demographics: Women (3.1/9), Women 18-49 (3.8/10) and Women 25-54 (4.3/11).††

†

“Grey’s Anatomy” (9:00-10:01 p.m.)

A repeat airing of ABC's “Grey's Anatomy” took second place in the 9 o’clock hour in Total Viewers (8.7 million) and Adults 18-49 (3.1/9), behind CBS’ original “C.S.I.”† ABC’s repeat “Grey’s
defeated third-place NBC’s original comedies (“30 Rock”/”Scrubs”) by 3.6 million viewers and by 29% in Adults 18-49 (NBC = 5.1 million & 2.4/7).

“October Road” (10:01-11:00 p.m.)

“October Road” ranked No. 1 in the 10 o’clock hour among Women 18-49 (4.5/12) and Women 18-34 (3.6/12), while placing a strong second with viewers (7.7 million) and young adults (3.0/9).† Additionally, the new ABC drama was the No. 2 TV show on Thursday night with Women 18-34, behind only CBS’ original airing of the veteran “C.S.I.”

For the second week in a row, “October Road” built on its lead-in among Adults 18-34 (2.5/8 vs. 2.3/7) and Women 18-34 (3.9/12 vs. 3.6/10).† The new series held 97% of its Adult 18-49 lead-in (3.0/9 vs. 3.1/9).

Friday

“Wife Swap” (9:01-10:00 p.m.)

Airing against all-original programming, ABC’s repeat airing of “Wife Swap” took second in the hour among Adults 18-49 (1.8/6), defeating NBC’s “Raines” (1.7/5) and Fox’s “Wedding Bells” (1.3/4). ††

†

“Wife Swap” posted week-to-week increases for ABC in the hour of 1.5 million viewers (4.6 million vs. 3.1 million) and of 64% among Adults 18-49 (1.8/6 vs. 1.1/4).†

Saturday

Saturday Primetime: “The Ten Commandments” (8:00-11:00 p.m.)

ABC’s annual broadcast of the 1956 theatrical, “The Ten Commandments,” made the Network No. 1 on Saturday in Total Viewers (7.9 million) and Adults 18-49 (2.4/8).

†

Sunday

Although ABC aired repeat programming in the first hour of prime against all-original competition on CBS and NBC, ABC dominated Easter Sunday among Adults 18-49. During Sunday’s primetime, ABC (4.2/12) beat out second-place CBS by 45% (2.9/8), third-place NBC by 100% (2.1/6) and fourth-place Fox by 121% (1.9/5).

ABC’s “Desperate Housewives” stood as Sunday’s No. 1 TV show in Total Viewers and Adults 18-49. ABC aired the Top 3 TV programs of the evening in Adults 18-49, with “Housewives,” “Home Edition” and “Brothers & Sisters.”

“America’s Funniest Home Videos” (7:00-8:00 p.m.)

ABC’s repeat airing of “America’s Funniest Home Videos” delivered a strong second place to CBS during the 7 o’clock, beating third-place NBC’s original “Dateline” by 2.3 million viewers (7.6 million vs. 5.3 million) and by 85% in Adults 18-49 (2.4/8 vs. 1.3/4). The replay “Videos” ranked No. 1 in the hour among Adults 18-34 (1.6/6-tie), Teens 12-17 (1.4/6) and Kids 2-11 (2.2/10).

“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” (8:00-9:00 p.m.)

ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” won the 8 o’clock hour, beating second-place CBS’ “Amazing Race All-Stars” by 2.9 million viewers (12.1 million vs. 9.2 million) and by 45% in Adults 18-49 (4.2/12 vs. 2.9/8). ABC’s broad skewing “Home Edition” qualified as No. 1 TV show on Sunday evening with Kids 2-11 (2.9/11).

“Desperate Housewives” (9:00-10:01 p.m.)

On its first original telecast since the beginning of March, ABC’s “Desperate Housewives” overshadowed its time period competition. The No. 1 TV program of the night, “Housewives” bested its nearest competition in the 9 o’clock hour by 4.2 million viewers (15.9 million vs. 11.3 million - CBS’ “Cold Case”) and by 118% in Adults 18-49 (6.1/15 vs. 2.8/7 – NBC’s “Deal Or No Deal”).

“Brothers & Sisters” (10:01-11:00 p.m.)

ABC’s “Brother’s Sisters” ranked a strong No. 1 during the 10 o’clock hour in Adults 18-49, topping second-place CBS’ “Without a Trace” by 8% (4.0/10 vs. 3.6/9). The ABC freshman drama also won
its time period among Adults 18-34 (3.8/8) and across each of the women demographics: W18-34 (4.0/11), W18-49 (5.5/14) and W25-54 (6.3/15).

WEEK NO. 29: ADULTS 18-49 TOTAL VIEWERS

No.1 FOX 3.8 No.1 CBS 11,510,000

No.2 CBS 3.2 No.2 FOX 9,660,000

No.3 ABC 3.0 No.3 ABC 9,320,000

No.4 NBC 2.2 No.4 NBC 7,070,000

No.5 CW 1.0 No.5 CW 2,570,000

Source: Nielsen Media Research, NTI (Live+SD or Most Current), week of 4/2/07, or as dated.

I. T. R. S.

RANKING REPORT

01 THRU 102 (OUT OF 102 PROGRAMS)

DAYPART: PRIMETIME MON-SUN

FROM 04/02/07 THROUGH 04/08/07

REGULAR AND SPECIAL PROGRAMS

LIST RANKED BY: VIEWR 2+ (000)

WEEKLY RANKINGS WE 4.8.07

- ------

VIEWR VIEWR

RANK 2+ 2+

(000) RTG

----- ------ ------

1 AMERICAN IDOL-TUESDAY 26670 9.4

2 AMERICAN IDOL-WEDNESDAY 26100 9.2

3 CSI 21690 7.7

4 HOUSE 20350 7.2

5 CBS NCAA BSKBL CHAMPSHIPS 19560 6.9

6 * DANCING W/THE STARS-MON 18240 6.4

7 * DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES 15930 5.6

8 SHARK 15100 5.3

9 * DANCING W/STARS RESULT-TU 14990 5.3

10 WITHOUT A TRACE-SPECIAL 14120 5.0

11 TIL DEATH 13950 4.9

12 NCIS 13790 4.9

13 SURVIVOR: FIJI 13580 4.8

14 60 MINUTES SPECIAL 13170 4.6

15 * EXTREME MAKEOVER:HOME ED. 12100 4.3

16 PRELUDE TO A CHAMPIONSHIP 11940 4.2

17 * LOST 11660 4.1

18 DEAL OR NO DEAL-MON 11450 4.0

19 COLD CASE - SPECIAL 11330 4.0

20 LAW AND ORDER:SVU 11160 3.9

21 24 10950 3.9

22 DEAL OR NO DEAL-MON 4/2 10930 3.9

NUMB3RS 10930 3.9

24 CLOSE TO HOME 10820 3.8

25 * BROTHERS & SISTERS 10800 3.8

26 BONES 10530 3.7

27 SMARTER THAN 5TH GRADER 10330 3.6

28 CRIMINAL MINDS 10290 3.6

29 CSI: NY 10270 3.6

30 DEAL OR NO DEAL-SUN 4/8 10160 3.6

31 * BOSTON LEGAL 9970 3.5

32 * BACHELOR:OFFICER&GENTLEMN 9860 3.5

33 UNIT, THE 9830 3.5

34 GHOST WHISPERER 9660 3.4

35 AMAZING RACE 11 - SPECIAL 9290 3.3

36 * GREY'S ANATOMY-THU 9PM 8660 3.1

37 MEDIUM 8420 3.0

38 LAW AND ORDER 8220 2.9

39 PRISON BREAK 8120 2.9

40 JERICHO 8000 2.8

41 CSI: MIAMI - TUESDAY SPCL 7930 2.8

42 * OCTOBER ROAD 7680 2.7

43 * AMER FUNN HOME VIDEOS 7610 2.7

44 CROSSING JORDAN 7570 2.7

45 * 20/20-FRI 7260 2.6

46 LAW AND ORDER:CRIM INTENT 7140 2.5

47 CRIMETIME SATURDAY 7090 2.5

48 48 HOURS MYSTERY 7070 2.5

49 TWO AND A HALF MEN-830PM 6860 2.4

CRIMETIME SATURDAY 8PM 6860 2.4

51 OFFICE 6740 2.4

52 RAINES 6670 2.4

53 APPRENTICE 6 4/8 6610 2.3

54 * GEORGE LOPEZ-WED 8:30P 6530 2.3

55 DATELINE SUN-7PM 4/8 6420 2.3

56 * UGLY BETTY 6240 2.2

57 LAW & ORDER:CI-SAT 6180 2.2

58 AMW: AMERICA FIGHTS BACK 6090 2.1

59 IDENTITY 6050 2.1

60 * GEORGE LOPEZ 5990 2.1

61 COPS 2 5900 2.1

62 DATELINE NBC-TUE 5800 2.0

63 HOUSE-FRI 8P 5600 2.0

64 HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER 5580 2.0

65 FAMILY GUY-EASTER 9P 5470 1.9

66 * ACCORDING TO JIM 9PM 5430 1.9

67 30 ROCK 5370 1.9

68 DATELINE-SAT 5350 1.9

69 FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS 5330 1.9

70 BLACK DONNELLYS 5300 1.9

71 AMERICA'S TOP MODEL-2 5220 1.8

72 LAW AND ORDER-SAT 5110 1.8

73 AMERICAN DAD-EASTER 9:30P 4980 1.8

COPS 4980 1.8

75 SIMPSONS-EASTER 8P 4950 1.7

76 SCRUBS 4890 1.7

77 * IN CASE OF EMERGENCY 4810 1.7

78 KING OF HILL-EASTER 8:30P 4690 1.7

79 * WIFE SWAP-FRI 4600 1.6

80 FRIDAY NIGHT SMACKDOWN 4330 1.5

81 * GEORGE LOPEZ-TU 8PM 4300 1.5

82 FAMILY GUY-THURS 9:30P 4270 1.5

83 * ACCORDING TO JIM-TU 8:30P 4180 1.5

84 FAMILY GUY-THURS 9P 4160 1.5

85 ANDY BARKER, P.I. 4/5 4070 1.4

86 * GREY'S ANATOMY-FRI 8PM 3830 1.4

87 WEDDING BELLS 3800 1.3

88 MY NAME IS EARL 4/5 3760 1.3

89 PUSSYCAT DOLLS-WED 3070 1.1

90 WAR AT HOME-EASTER 7:30P 2670 .9

91 SMALLVILLE 2530 .9

92 PUSSYCAT DOLLS PRESENT 2290 .8

93 7TH HEAVEN 2150 .8

94 WAR AT HOME-EASTER 7P 2060 .7

95 SUPERNATURAL 1960 .7

96 EVERYBODY HATES CHRIS 1790 .6

97 GAME, THE 1760 .6

98 ALL OF US 1680 .6

99 GILMORE GIRLS 1650 .6

100 GIRLFRIENDS 1630 .6

101 AMERICA'S TOP MODEL-2-ENC 1590 .6

102 ONE TREE HILL-SUN 890 .3

5 NETWORKS AVERAGED 8530 3.0

5 NETWORKS SUMMED 40610 14.3

I. T. R. S.

RANKING REPORT

01 THRU 224 (OUT OF 224 PROGRAMS)

DAYPART: PRIMETIME MON-SUN

FROM 09/18/06 THROUGH 04/08/07

REGULAR PROGRAMS

LIST RANKED BY: VIEWR 2+ (000)

STD RANKINGS WE 4.8.07

- ------ ------

NO/OF VIEWR VIEWR

RANK T/C 2+ 2+

(000) RTG

----- ------ ------ ------

1 AMERICAN IDOL-WEDNESDAY 12 31650 11.2

2 AMERICAN IDOL-TUESDAY 12 31630 11.2

3 * DANCING WITH THE STARS 10 20690 7.3

4 CSI 26 20640 7.3

5 * DANCING W/THE STARS-MON 2 20430 7.2

6 * DANCING W/STARS RESULTS 9 19420 6.9

7 * GREY'S ANATOMY-THU 9PM 28 19190 6.8

8 HOUSE 15 18810 6.6

9 * LOST 6 17840 6.3

10 * DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES 23 17500 6.2

11 CSI: MIAMI 25 17120 6.0

12 NBC SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL 13 16470 5.8

13 * DANCING W/STARS RESULT-TU 2 16410 5.8

14 DEAL OR NO DEAL-MON 26 15930 5.6

15 SURVIVOR: COOK ISLANDS 12 15750 5.6

16 SURVIVOR: FIJI 7 14990 5.3

17 SMARTER THAN 5TH GRADER 6 14960 5.3

18 TWO AND A HALF MEN 25 14870 5.2

19 HEROES 19 14840 5.2

20 HOUSE 2 14800 5.2

21 WITHOUT A TRACE 19 14720 5.2

22 NCIS 28 14640 5.2

23 COLD CASE 19 14630 5.2

24 CRIMINAL MINDS 29 14490 5.1

25 TIL DEATH 4 14440 5.1

26 CSI: NY 29 14270 5.0

27 24 12 14000 4.9

28 * EXTREME MAKEOVER:HOME ED. 24 13910 4.9

29 * LOST 9 13780 4.9

30 60 MINUTES 24 13750 4.9

31 SHARK 26 13550 4.8

32 HALLMARK HALL OF FAME 1 12810 4.5

33 WEDDING BELLS 1 12610 4.4

34 RULES OF ENGAGEMENT 8 12370 4.4

35 LAW AND ORDER:SVU 27 12350 4.4

36 E.R. 20 12130 4.3

37 OT, THE 7 12110 4.3

38 OLD CHRISTINE 17 11770 4.2

39 * UGLY BETTY 26 11580 4.1

40 AMAZING RACE 10 12 11490 4.1

41 DEAL OR NO DEAL-FRI 6 11440 4.0

42 UNIT, THE 25 11290 4.0

43 DEAL OR NO DEAL-SUN 5 11270 4.0

44 * EXTREME MAKEOVER:HM ED-7P 1 11090 3.9

SUNDAY NIGHT NFL PRE-KICK 13 11090 3.9

46 * BROTHERS & SISTERS 23 11010 3.9

47 DEAL OR NO DEAL-THU 8 10850 3.8

48 FOX NEXTEL CUP WNNRS CIRC 2 10740 3.8

49 NUMB3RS 27 10670 3.8

50 * OCTOBER ROAD 4 10610 3.7

51 JERICHO 12 10520 3.7

52 CLOSE TO HOME 24 10480 3.7

53 AMAZING RACE 11 7 10180 3.6

54 GHOST WHISPERER 24 10100 3.6

55 SMITH 3 10060 3.5

56 HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER 3 9900 3.5

57 * BACHELOR:OFFICER&GENTLEMN 1 9860 3.5

58 DEAL OR NO DEAL-WED 9 9800 3.5

59 * SIX DEGREES 6 9680 3.4

60 1 VS 100 20 9630 3.4

61 LAW AND ORDER:CRIM INTENT 27 9300 3.3

62 * BOSTON LEGAL 22 9290 3.3

63 3 LBS 3 9280 3.3

64 * AMER FUNN HOME VIDEOS 22 9260 3.3

65 BONES 19 9250 3.3

PRISON BREAK 19 9250 3.3

67 MY NAME IS EARL 23 9230 3.3

68 LAW AND ORDER 25 9150 3.2

69 CLASS, THE 3 9030 3.2

70 LAS VEGAS 18 9020 3.2

71 * MEN IN TREES 13 9010 3.2

72 * SUPERNANNY 12 8950 3.2

73 FOOTBALL NT AMERICA PT 3 13 8850 3.1

74 SIMPSONS 21 8770 3.1

75 KING OF QUEENS 5 8730 3.1

76 DATELINE FRI 3 8710 3.1

77 MEDIUM 20 8660 3.1

78 HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER 22 8640 3.0

79 STUDIO 60 17 8480 3.0

80 * BACHELOR: ROME 8 8450 3.0

81 JERICHO 6 8430 3.0

82 * HELP ME HELP YOU 9 8410 3.0

83 OFFICE 25 8360 2.9

84 FAMILY GUY 21 8310 2.9

85 BIGGEST LOSER 3 11 8270 2.9

86 CLASS, THE 19 8260 2.9

87 STANDOFF 2 8100 2.9

88 * NINE, THE 7 8060 2.8

89 DATELINE-WED 5 8040 2.8

90 FAMILY GUY-SUN 9:30P 4 7970 2.8

91 * WIFE SWAP 21 7700 2.7

92 * 20/20-FRI 27 7660 2.7

93 * SAT NIGHT FOOTBALL 8 7640 2.7

94 AMERICAN DAD 10 7630 2.7

95 CROSSING JORDAN 6 7620 2.7

96 * ACCORDING TO JIM-8PM 3 7590 2.7

97 48 HOURS MYSTERY 26 7560 2.7

98 APPRENTICE 6 11 7480 2.6

99 GREASE:ONE THAT I WANT 11 7460 2.6

100 CROSSING JORDAN 5 7410 2.6

101 HOUSE-MON 9P 1 7390 2.6

102 * SHOW ME THE MONEY 4 7260 2.6

* MEN IN TREES 7 7260 2.6

104 LAW & ORDER:CI-SAT 10 7170 2.5

105 CRIMETIME SATURDAY 23 7140 2.5

106 OLD CHRISTINE 3 7060 2.5

107 VANISHED 3 6970 2.5

108 AMERICAN DAD 5 6950 2.5

109 IDENTITY 4 6890 2.4

110 KING OF THE HILL 5 6850 2.4

111 RAINES 2 6820 2.4

112 SCRUBS 17 6810 2.4

113 * ACCORDING TO JIM-8:30PM 7 6770 2.4

114 LAW & ORDER:SVU-SAT 11 6760 2.4

115 * AMER FUNN HOME VIDEOS-FRI 4 6690 2.4

116 DATELINE NBC-TUE 15 6680 2.4

117 KIDNAPPED-SAT 1 6670 2.4

118 KIDNAPPED 3 6620 2.3

119 * DAY BREAK 5 6610 2.3

120 JUSTICE 2 6600 2.3

121 CRIMETIME SATURDAY 8PM 21 6540 2.3

BLACK DONNELLYS 6 6540 2.3

123 * GEORGE LOPEZ-WED 8:30P 1 6530 2.3

124 * GEORGE LOPEZ 10 6490 2.3

125 JUSTICE 3 6460 2.3

126 WINNER, THE-SUN 8:30P 3 6450 2.3

127 HOUSE-FRI 8P 5 6420 2.3

128 COPS 2 24 6410 2.3

30 ROCK 4 6410 2.3

130 AMW: AMERICA FIGHTS BACK 23 6400 2.3

131 * PRIMETIME:THE OUTSIDERS 7 6370 2.2

132 BONES-WED 9P 6 6260 2.2

133 FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS 9 6200 2.2

DATELINE SUN-7PM 6 6200 2.2

135 ARMED & FAMOUS 3 6110 2.2

136 * PRIMETIME 9 6100 2.2

137 LAW AND ORDER-SAT 7 6090 2.1

138 WAR AT HOME 7 6070 2.1

139 * AMER FUNN HOME VIDEOS-TUE 12 5970 2.1

140 FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS 13 5900 2.1

141 * WHAT ABOUT BRIAN 18 5890 2.1

142 DATELINE-SAT 23 5840 2.1

143 * ACCORDING TO JIM 9PM 7 5750 2.0

144 WINNER, THE-SUN 9:30P 3 5680 2.0

LAW & ORDER:SVU-SAT 5 5680 2.0

146 30 ROCK 16 5620 2.0

147 20 GOOD YEARS 4 5550 2.0

148 COPS 23 5490 1.9

149 * GREY'S ANATOMY-FRI 8PM 20 5450 1.9

150 STANDOFF 6 5390 1.9

151 * SAT NIGHT FTBL PRE-GAME 8 5370 1.9

152 AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL 12 5360 1.9

153 * ABC SAT MOVIE OF THE WEEK 15 5310 1.9

AMERICA'S TOP MODEL-2 6 5310 1.9

155 ANDY BARKER, P.I. 3 5290 1.9

156 FOOTBALL NT AMERICA PT 2 15 5270 1.9

157 * BIG DAY 8 5260 1.9

158 * KNIGHTS OF PROSPERITY 4 5160 1.8

159 TIL DEATH 16 5140 1.8

160 WEDDING BELLS 4 4890 1.7

161 * WIFE SWAP-FRI 4 4870 1.7

162 * IN CASE OF EMERGENCY 11 4850 1.7

* EXTREME MAKEOVER 1 4850 1.7

164 * KNIGHTS OF PROSPERITY 5 4810 1.7

FAMILY GUY-THURS 9P 4 4810 1.7

166 NANNY 911 8 4650 1.6

167 WAR AT HOME 9 4620 1.6

168 TRADING SPOUSES 16 4590 1.6

169 LAW & ORDER:CI-SAT 1 4580 1.6

170 JUSTICE 4 4570 1.6

171 * GREAT AMERICAN DREAM VOTE 1 4540 1.6

172 FRIDAY NIGHT SMACKDOWN 28 4520 1.6

TIL DEATH-THU 8:30P 4 4520 1.6

174 7TH HEAVEN 2 4360 1.5

175 * GEORGE LOPEZ-TU 8PM 1 4300 1.5

176 * BROTHERS & SISTERS-FRI 1 4290 1.5

FAMILY GUY-THURS 9:30P 2 4290 1.5

178 O.C. 15 4280 1.5

179 * BIG DAY-9:30PM 3 4250 1.5

180 KIDNAPPED 2 4210 1.5

181 * ACCORDING TO JIM-TU 8:30P 1 4180 1.5

182 SMALLVILLE 27 4150 1.5

183 RICH LIST 1 4120 1.5

184 AMERICAN DAD-THURS 9:30P 1 4030 1.4

BEAUTY AND THE GEEK 8 4030 1.4

186 * SIX DEGREES 2 3940 1.4

SIMPSONS-SUN 7P 3 3940 1.4

188 HAPPY HOUR 2 3880 1.4

189 AMERICAN DAD-SUN 7P 1 3850 1.4

190 CELEBRITY DUETS 2 3800 1.3

191 WAR AT HOME 4 3790 1.3

192 GILMORE GIRLS 28 3700 1.3

193 NANNY 911 2 3680 1.3

194 CELEBRITY DUETS-FRIDAY 2 3650 1.3

195 REBA 13 3630 1.3

196 WAR AT HOME-SUN 7:30P 2 3350 1.2

VANISHED 2 3350 1.2

198 PUSSYCAT DOLLS-WED 5 3280 1.2

199 7TH HEAVEN 20 3190 1.1

200 SUPERNATURAL 25 3120 1.1

201 ONE TREE HILL 19 2990 1.1

202 PUSSYCAT DOLLS PRESENT 5 2960 1.0

203 WAR AT HOME-SUN 7P 3 2940 1.0

204 EVERYBODY HATES CHRIS 23 2850 1.0

205 GIRLFRIENDS 2 2810 1.0

206 REBA SUN 13 2690 .9

207 GAME, THE 2 2640 .9

208 AMERICA'S TOP MODEL-ENC 3 2590 .9

209 VERONICA MARS 20 2580 .9

210 ALL OF US 23 2540 .9

211 GIRLFRIENDS 23 2500 .9

212 EVERYBODY HATES CHRIS 2 2420 .9

213 ALL OF US 2 2410 .8

214 GAME, THE 23 2340 .8

215 RUNAWAY 2 2040 .7

216 AMERICA'S TOP MODEL-2-ENC 6 2030 .7

217 AMERICA'S TOP MODEL-ENC 1 1990 .7

218 TOP MODEL:BRIT INVASION 2 1960 .7

219 AMERICA'S TOP MODEL-ENC 8 1950 .7

220 RUNAWAY 1 1800 .6

221 BEAUTY AND THE GEEK-ENC 8 1700 .6

222 PUSSYCAT DOLLS PRESENT-EN 3 1560 .6

223 TOP MODEL:BRIT INVSN-ENC 1 1020 .4

224 ONE TREE HILL-SUN 1 890 .3

5 NETWORKS AVERAGED 2393 9450 3.3

5 NETWORKS SUMMED 2393 45450 16.1

April 10, 2007

Quick Take for Monday, April 9, 2007 – Final Ratings

ABC is Monday’s Most-Watched Net for the 4th Straight Week, Delivering

The No. 1 Position on the Evening in Adults 18-49 on 3 of the Last 4 Weeks

Leading its Time Period Across the Board, ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars”

Stands as Monday’s No. 1 TV Program in Total Viewers and Adults 18-49

With Strong Retention of its Week-Ago Premiere in Viewers and Young Adults,
“The Bachelor: Officer and a Gentleman” is Monday’s No. 1 Show in Women 18-34

Monday Night (8:00-11:00 p.m.)

With more impressive results from “Dancing with the Stars” and “The Bachelor: Officer and a Gentleman,” ABC stood as Monday’s most-watched TV network (14.0 million) for the 4th week in a row. For the 3rd time in 4 weeks, ABC ranked No. 1 on the night among Adults 18-49 (4.1/11 – tied w/CBS).

“Dancing with the Stars” (8:00-9:31 p.m.)

Dominating its time period, ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” was the No. 1 TV program on Monday in Total Viewers (18.8 million) and Adults 18-49 (4.8/13). In addition to winning with Total Viewers and Adults 18-49, the broad appealing ABC unscripted program also ranked No. 1 in its time period among Adults 25-54 (6.1/15), Adults 18-34 (3.3/10), Teens 12-17 (2.2/7) and Kids 2-11 (2.7/9).

“Dancing with the Stars” was up from the prior week in Total Viewers (18.8 million vs. 18.2 million), while retaining 100% of its Adult 18-49 audience (4.8/13).

“The Bachelor: Officer and a Gentleman” (9:31-11:00 p.m.)

“The Bachelor: Officer and a Gentleman” ranked No. 1 in its time slot and stood as Monday’s No. 1 television program with the series’ targeted audience of Women 18-34 (5.0/13), tied with ABC’s “DWTS.” The show ranked second in its slot with Women 18-49 (5.2/13) and Women 25-54 (5.2/12)

On its second telecast, ABC's “The Bachelor: Officer and a Gentleman” exhibited strong retention of its week-earlier season premiere delivery in viewers and young adults: Total Viewers (92% - 9.1 million vs. 9.9 million), Adults 18-49 (92% - 3.4/9 vs. 3.7/9) and Adults 18-34 (94% - 3.0/9 vs. 3.2/9). “The Bachelor” was up 4% from its season opener with Women 18-34 (5.0/13 vs. 4.8/13).

“The Bachelor: Officer and a Gentleman” posted increases from the second installment of its most recent edition (“The Bachelor: Rome” on 10/9/06) in both Total Viewers (9.1 million vs. 7.9 million) and Adults 18-49 (3.4/9 vs. 3.1/7). It was the most-watched Week 2 for “The Bachelor” in 3 years (Five “The Bachelors” ago) – since 4/14/04.

Source: Nielsen Media Research (Preliminary, Live+SD), 4/9/07.

END

Fast Facts for Sunday, April 8, 2007 (Based on Fast Affiliate Ratings)

Despite Starting off the Night with Repeat Programming, Opposite All-Original Lineups on CBS and NBC, ABC Leads Easter Sunday by 45% in Adults 18-49

ABC’s Repeat “America’s Funniest Home Videos” Tops Original Competition at 7pm

ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” Leads at 8pm, Outdrawing Second-Place

CBS’ “Amazing Race” by 2.8 Million Viewers and by 45% Among Adults 18-49

The No. 1 TV Program on Sunday, ABC’s “Desperate Housewives” Dominates at 9pm

ABC’s “Brothers & Sisters” Tops Sunday’s 10 O’clock Hour Among Adults 18-49

Sunday Primetime (7:00-11:00 p.m.)

Although ABC aired repeat programming in the first hour of prime against all-original competition on CBS and NBC, ABC dominated Easter Sunday among Adults 18-49. During Sunday’s primetime, ABC (4.2/11) beat out second-place CBS by 45% (2.9/8), third-place NBC by 100% (2.1/6) and fourth-place Fox by 121% (1.9/5).

“America’s Funniest Home Videos” (7:00-8:00 p.m.)

ABC’s repeat airing of “America’s Funniest Home Videos” delivered a strong second place to CBS during the 7 o’clock, beating third-place NBC’s original “Dateline” by 2.4 million viewers (7.6 million vs. 5.2 million) and by 77% in Adults 18-49 (2.3/8 vs. 1.3/4). The replay “Videos” ranked No. 1 in the hour among Adults 18-34 (1.6/6-tie), Teens 12-17 (1.4/6) and Kids 2-11 (2.2/10).

“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” (8:00-9:00 p.m.)

ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” won the 8 o’clock hour, beating second-place CBS’ “Amazing Race All-Stars” by 2.8 million viewers (12.0 million vs. 9.2 million) and by 45% in Adults 18-49 (4.2/12 vs. 2.9/8). ABC’s broad skewing “Home Edition” qualified as No. 1 TV show on Sunday evening with Kids 2-11 (2.8/11).

“Desperate Housewives” (9:00-10:00 p.m.)

On its first original telecast since the beginning of March, ABC’s “Desperate Housewives” overshadowed its time period competition. The No. 1 TV program of the night, “Housewives” bested second-place CBS’ “Cold Case” in the 9 o’clock hour by 4.2 million viewers (15.7 million vs. 11.5 million) and by 114% in Adults 18-49 (6.0/15 vs. 2.8/7).

“Brothers & Sisters” (10:01-11:00 p.m.)

ABC’s “Brother’s Sisters” ranked a strong No. 1 during the 10 o’clock hour in Adults 18-49, topping second-place CBS’ “Without a Trace” by 14% (4.1/11 vs. 3.6/9). The ABC freshman drama also won

its time period among Adults 18-34 (3.0/9) and across each of the women demographics: W18-34 (4.2/11), W18-49 (5.7/14) and W25-54 (6.4/15).

Source: Nielsen Media Research (Fast Affiliate Ratings, Live+SD), 4/8/07

ENTERTAINMENT

April 9, 2007

with the help of “extreme makeover: Home Edition,” A Family in which

the father and son became paralyzed within a TWO-year span will get

a new home that will allow them more freedom to enjoy their lives

“Westbrook Family” -- Ty and the gang of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” will create a home that is accessible for the entire Westbrook family of Lawton, OK, who have suffered much hardship and two separate accidents that left both father and son paralyzed. The episode airs SUNDAY, APRIL 22 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.

Gene Westbrook, the father of three children -- Elizabeth, Katie and James -- volunteered to fight in Operation Iraqi Freedom, where he was left paralyzed and received a purple heart. After being medically discharged from the military, he devoted his time to speaking about his experiences and helping others in his town. Along with his wife, Peggy, they are respected members of a close knit community, but Gene had to jump through many hoops just to be able to afford a handicapped-accessible van that allowed him to drive.

On June 10, 2006, a year after Gene was paralyzed in Iraq, a second tragedy hit the Westbrooks. While on their way to a friend’s house, the wheel of their van evidently became loose, causing Gene to drive across oncoming traffic and the vehicle to roll over in a ravine. The family doesn’t remember much about the accident, but suffered serious injuries: Son James was paralyzed from the waist down, daughter Katie required surgery to remove one of her kidneys, and Gene broke his ankle and knee and now suffers from short-term memory loss. With over a million dollars in medical bills, the Westbrooks can’t afford to make their house accessible for someone in a wheelchair, let alone two people. This double tragedy has been very tough on Peggy, though she has shown great courage in keeping the family together during their difficulties.

Gene is a hero, wounded fighting for his country; now it’s up to “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” to make the Westbrook home safe and handicapped-accessible, and in turn give Gene and James the freedom that they so want back.

While Ty and the designers, local builder Ron Nance's The Oaks Development Company and hundreds of volunteers and workers are rebuilding the home in just seven days, the Westbrook family will go away to a non-profit organization called the Lakeshore Foundation.

The design team for this episode of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” will feature team leader Ty Pennington and designers Paul DiMeo, Ed Sanders, Preston Sharp and Tracy Hutson. The series is produced by Endemol USA, a division of Endemol Holding. It’s executive-produced by Denise Cramsey. David Goldberg is the president of Endemol USA.

“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” is broadcast with Spanish subtitles via secondary closed captioning. This program carries a TV-PG parental guideline.

ENTERTAINMENT

April 9, 2007

A WISTERIA LANE RESIDENT IS SUSPECTED OF MURDER,

ON ABC’S “DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES”

“God, That’s Good” – Susan calls off a wedding, Gaby decides to move forward with a wedding, and a Wisteria Lane resident is suspected of murder, on “Desperate Housewives,” SUNDAY, APRIL 22 (9:00-10:01 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

“Desperate Housewives” stars Teri Hatcher as Susan Mayer, Felicity Huffman as Lynette Scavo, Marcia Cross as Bree Van De Kamp, Eva Longoria as Gabrielle Solis, Nicollette Sheridan as Edie Britt, Brenda Strong as Mary Alice Young, James Denton as Mike Delfino, Doug Savant as Tom Scavo, Ricardo Antonio Chavira as Carlos Solis, Kyle MacLachlan as Orson Hodge, Andrea Bowen as Julie Mayer, Shawn Pyfrom as Andrew Van De Kamp, Joy Lauren as Danielle Van De Kamp, Josh Henderson as Austin Britt, Rachel Fox as Kayla Huntington and Brent and Shane Kinsman as Porter and Preston Scavo.

Guest starring are Peri Gilpen as Maggie Gilroy, John Slattery as Victor Lang, Dougray Scott as Ian Hainsworth, Kathryn Joosten as Mrs. McCluskey, Pat Crawford Brown as Ida Greenberg, Jason Gedrick as Rick Coletti, Darien Pinkerton as Penny, Kerstin Pinkerton as Penny, Brien Perry as fireman, Todd Sherry as Russell, Cody McMains as Hector, Jeffrey Stubblefield as Jerome, Chris Damiano as cop, Richard Jenik as officer #1, Christine Clayburg as reporter #1, Kim Delgado as reporter #2, Sean Smith as yuppie man, Ryan Christiansen as paramedic, Darlene Kardon as Mrs. Epstein and Joleen Lutz as yuppie woman.

“God, That’s Good” was directed by Larry Shaw and written by Josh Senter & Dahvi Waller.

”Desperate Housewives” is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound and Spanish audio via SAP.

A TV parental guideline will be assigned closer to airdate.

ENTERTAINMENT

April 9, 2007

KEVIN HAS A NEW LOVE INTEREST, ON ABC’S “BROTHERS & SISTERS”

Jason Lewis (“Sex and the City”) Guest Stars as Chad Berry

“Sexual Politics” -- Kevin falls for a soap opera actor (guest starring Jason Lewis as Chad Berry) who is confused about his own sexuality. Meanwhile, Kitty and Nora dearly regret being sucked in by the sales pitch of an executive matchmaker, on “Brothers & Sisters,” SUNDAY, APRIL 22 (10:01-11:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network. (Rebroadcast. OAD 1/14/07)

“Brothers & Sisters” stars Calista Flockhart as Kitty, Rachel Griffiths as Sarah, Sally Field as Nora Holden, Ron Rifkin as Saul Holden, Patricia Wettig as Holly, Balthazar Getty as Thomas, Dave Annable as Justin, Matthew Rhys as Kevin, John Pyper-Ferguson as Joe, Sarah Jane Morris as Julia and Kerris Lilla Dorsey as Paige.
“Brothers & Sisters” stars Calista Flockhart as Kitty, Rachel Griffiths as Sarah, Sally Field as Nora Holden, Ron Rifkin as Saul Holden, Patricia Wettig as Holly, Balthazar Getty as Thomas, Dave Annable as Justin, Matthew Rhys as Kevin, John Pyper-Ferguson as Joe, Sarah Jane Morris as Julia and Kerris Lilla Dorsey as Paige.

Guest starring are Rob Lowe as Senator McCallister, Caroline Aaron as Elise, Mark Harari as the instructor, Jason Lewis as Chad Berry, Rachel Montez Collins as L.A. babe, Paul Cassell as Gary Morris, Ryan Michelle Bathe as Noreen, Sophia Rachel Garcia as Nicole, Susan Santiago as Vanessa, Sulekah Naidu as the hostess, Jim Anzie as the waiter, Robert Michael Morris as Lawrence Magill, Christian Keyes as the bouncer, Chris Flanders as the reporter and Roxy Olin as Michelle.

“Sexual Politics” was written by Monica Owusu-Breen and Alison Schapker and directed by Sandy Smolan.

“Brothers & Sisters” is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound and Spanish subtitles via secondary closed captioning.

This program carries a TV-14,S parental guideline.

ENTERTAINMENT

April 9, 2007

GEORGE TAKES DESPERATE MEASURES TO PROVE THAT VIC’S FIANCÉE

IS BEING FAITHFUL, ON ABC’S “GEORGE LOPEZ”

Stacy Keibler (“Dancing with the Stars”) Guest Stars

“George Thinks Vic’s Fiancée is Lion about Being a Cheetah” – George seeks help from a popular reality TV game show in order to expose Vic’s cheating, gold-digging fiancée (guest starring Stacy Keibler), on “George Lopez,” TUESDAY, APRIL 24 (8:00-8:30 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. (Rebroadcast. OAD 2/28/07)

“George Lopez” stars George Lopez as George, Constance Marie as Angie, Valente Rodriguez as Ernie, Luis Armand Garcia as Max, Belita Moreno as Benny, Emiliano Díez as Vic Palmero and Aimee Garcia as Veronica.

Guest starring are Stacy Keibler as Lindsay and Joel S. Greco as Joey Greco.

“George Thinks Vic’s Fiancée is Lion about Being a Cheetah” was written by Luisa Leschin and directed by Bob Koherr

“George Lopez” is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound and Spanish audio via SAP.

This program carries a TV-PG,D parental guideline.

ENTERTAINMENT

April 9, 2007

VIC CAJOLES GEORGE INTO A FATHER-SON GOLF GAME,

ON ABC’S “GEORGE LOPEZ”

Champion Boxer Oscar De La Hoya Guest Stars

“George’s Bogey-ous Relationship with Vic is Putt to the Test” – Vic feigns fatherly love so George will play in a father-son golf tournament against his long time rival and his son, Tony (guest starring Oscar De La Hoya), on “George Lopez,” TUESDAY, APRIL 24 (8:30-9:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.

Guest starring are Oscar De La Hoya as Tony and Eloy Casados as Dr. Anthony Tovar.

“George’s Bogey-ous Relationship with Vic is Putt to the Test”” was written by Rick Nyholm and directed by Joe Regalbuto.

“George Lopez” is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound and Spanish audio via SAP.

This program carries a TV-PG parental guideline.

ENTERTAINMENT

April 9, 2007

DENNY CRANE, ALAN SHORE AND THE AMBITIOUS VANESSA WALKER HEAD TO

NEW ORLEANS TO DEFEND A DOCTOR ACCUSED OF EUTHANIZING PATIENTS

DURING HURRICANE KATRINA, ON ABC’S “BOSTON LEGAL”

Guest Stars Include Nia Long as Vanessa Walker

“Angel of Death” – Denny Crane and Alan Shore, joined by ambitious new attorney Vanessa Walker (Nia Long), head to New Orleans to defend a doctor accused of euthanizing patients during Hurricane Katrina. Meanwhile Claire Simms’ new secretary, the cross-dressing Clarence, wants to file a lawsuit when he’s kicked out of an all-women’s gym, and Denise Bauer weighs the pros and cons of dating Jeffrey Coho, on “Boston Legal,” TUESDAY, APRIL 24 (10:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on The ABC Television Network. (Rebroadcast. OAD 1/9/07)

“Boston Legal” stars James Spader as Alan Shore, Julie Bowen as Denise Bauer, Mark Valley as Brad Chase, Rene Auberjonois as Paul Lewiston, Craig Bierko as Jeffrey Coho and Constance Zimmer as Claire Simms and Gary Anthony Williams as Clarence/Clarice Bell, with Candice Bergen as Shirley Schmidt and William Shatner as Denny Crane.

Guest starring are Nia Long as Vanessa Walker, Ann Cusack as Dr. Donna Follette, Dakin Matthews as Judge Harvey Fletcher, Matt Letcher as A.D.A. Adam Mersel, Merrin Dungey as Sandy Zionts, Brent Jennings as Marshall Gottlieb and Maree Cheatham as Georgina Babineaux.

“Angel of Death” was written by Craig Turk & Janet Leahy & David E. Kelley and directed by Tom Verica.

“Boston Legal” is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound and Spanish subtitles via secondary closed captioning.

This program carries a TV-14,D,S parental guideline.

ENTERTAINMENT

April 9, 2007

JIM AND ANDY BATTLE IT OUT OVER A GRILL,

ON ABC’S “ACCORDING TO JIM”

“The Grill II” – Andy’s attempt to sell a grill that Jim gave him a few years ago results in a wildly destructive tug-of-war between the two, on “According to Jim” WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25 (8:00-8:30 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.

“According to Jim” stars Jim Belushi as Jim, Courtney Thorne-Smith as Cheryl, Kimberly Williams-Paisley as Dana, Larry Joe Campbell as Andy, Taylor Atelian as Ruby, Billi Bruno as Gracie and Conner Rayburn as Kyle.

Guest-starring is Siobhan Dunn as officer.

“The Grill II” is written by Christopher J. Nowak and directed by Dennis Capps.

“According to Jim” is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound and Spanish subtitles via secondary closed captioning.

A TV parental guideline will be posted closer to airdate.

ENTERTAINMENT

April 9, 2007

PREGNANCY’S WELCOME AND UNWELCOME SURPRISES BEGIN

TO SURFACE, ON ABC’S “NOTES FROM THE UNDERBELLY”

“Oleander” -- Andrew and Lauren are quickly discovering the pros and cons of being pregnant, including the things that get in the way of intimacy. A definite plus for Andrew, though, are Lauren’s highly noticeable “pregnancy” breasts, which also prove to be the object of attention for the students she counsels. On the downside, Lauren’s sex drive has diminished and Andrew worries they won’t have time to be intimate once the baby arrives. Heartened by his concerns, Lauren makes several attempts to get “in the mood,” only to be foiled by various things. Surprises are also in store for Danny and Cooper when they discover they have something in common, on ABC’s “Notes from the Underbelly,” WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25 (8:30-9:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

“Notes from the Underbelly” stars Jennifer Westfeldt as Lauren, Peter Cambor as Andrew, Michael Weaver as Danny, Rachael Harris as Cooper, Melanie Paxson as Julie and Sunkrish Bala as Eric.

“Oleander” was written by Steve Joe and Greg Schaffer and directed by Michael Patrick Jann.

“Notes from the Underbelly” is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound and Spanish subtitles via secondary closed captioning.

This program carries a TV-PG,D parental guideline.

ENTERTAINMENT

April 9, 2007

CHARLIE QUESTIONS WHETHER DESMOND HAS HAD ANOTHER “FLASH”

FORESHADOWING HIS DEATH WHEN COAXED INTO JOINING A TREK

ACROSS THE JUNGLE, AND JEALOUSY MOTIVATES KATE TO TURN TO

AN UNSUSPECTING SAWYER, ON ABC’S “LOST”

“Catch-22” – Desmond coaxes Charlie, Hurley and Jin on a trek across the jungle after experiencing one of his future-prophesizing “flashes” -- but is he purposely placing Charlie’s life in harm’s way? Meanwhile, Kate turns to an unwitting Sawyer after seeing Jack alone with Juliet, on “Lost,” WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25 (9:00-10:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network. (Rebroadcast. OAD 4/18/07)

Guest starring are Sonia Walger as Penny Widmore, Jack Maxwell as Derek, Joanna Bool as Ruth, Andrew Connolly as Brother Campbell, Andrew Trask as older monk and Marsha Thomason as Naomi.

“Catch-22” was written by Jeff Pinkner & Brian K. Vaughan and directed by Stephen Williams.

”Lost” is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound and Spanish audio via SAP.

A TV parental guideline will be assigned closer to airdate.

ENTERTAINMENT

April 9, 2007

SUN DISCOVERS THE IDENTITY OF HER UNBORN CHILD’S FATHER AFTER

BEING EXAMINED BY JULIET, AND DESMOND ALLOWS AN UNLIKELY FOE TO HELP

SAVE THE LIFE OF A MYSTERIOUS NEW ISLAND INHABITANT, ON ABC’S “LOST”

“D.O.C. – After discovering that all of “The Others’” pregnant women died before giving birth on the island, an extremely reticent Sun allows Juliet to examine her -- and uncovers the identity of the unborn child’s father. Meanwhile, Desmond allows an unlikely nemesis to help save the life of a new, mysterious island inhabitant, on “Lost,” WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25 (10:00-11:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.

Guest starring are Byron Chung as Mr. Paik, Andrew Divoff as Mikhail, Marsha Thomason as Naomi, John Shin as Mr. Kwon, Alexis Rhee as older woman, Esmond Chung as Paik’s associate and Jean Chung as Paik’s secretary.

“D.O.C.” was written by Edward Kitsis & Adam Horowitz and directed by Fred Toye.

”Lost” is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound and Spanish audio via SAP.

A TV parental guideline will be assigned closer to airdate.

ENTERTAINMENT

April 9, 2007

LOVE’S ALL AROUND AT MODE, EXCEPT FOR BETTY, WHO TRIES TO

AVOID THE PEOPLE SHE CARES FOR MOST, ON ABC’S “UGLY BETTY”

“Petra-gate” – Betty, fed up with Daniel, Christina and Henry and how they’ve all disappointed her, does her best to avoid all three. Meanwhile, love’s all around at Mode, as Alexis gets asked out on her first date as a woman; Amanda begins a flirtation with a designer (guest star Mykel Shannon Jenkins) who she assumes is gay; Wilhelmina struggles to deal with the tireless advances of her latest conquest, and Hilda gets a surprise from Santos (guest star Kevin Alejandro). Meanwhile, Daniel goes it alone in dealing with the aftermath of his one-time hook-up with Petra, on “Ugly Betty,” THURSDAY, APRIL 26 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. Cristian de la Fuente (“The Class,” Univision’s “Sonar No Cuesta Nada”) guest stars as Rodrigo, Alexis’ admirer.

“Ugly Betty” stars America Ferrera as Betty Suarez, Eric Mabius as Daniel Meade, Alan Dale as Bradford Meade, Tony Plana as Ignacio, Ana Ortiz as Hilda, Ashley Jensen as Christina, Becki Newton as Amanda, Mark Indelicato as Justin, Michael Urie as Marc, Kevin Sussman as Walter, Rebecca Romijn as Alexis Meade and Vanessa Williams as Wilhelmina Slater.

Guest starring are Christopher Gorham as Henry, Kevin Alejandro as Santos, Jayma Mays as Charlie, Cristian de la Fuente as Rodrigo, Annalynne McCord as Petra, Ivana Milicevic as Lena and Mykel Shannon Jenkins as Dijan.

“Petra-gate,” was written by Gabrielle Stanton & Harry Werksman and directed by Paul Lazarus.

”Ugly Betty” is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound and Spanish audio via SAP.

A TV parental guideline will be posted closer to airdate.

ABC Media Relations: Ellen Gonzalez (818) 460-7185, Ellen.M.Gonzalez@abc.com

Photography is available at www.abcmedianet.com or at (818) 460-6611

-- ABC --

ENTERTAINMENT

April 9, 2007

THE ATTENDINGS ARE EXTRA ATTENTIVE TO A PATIENT (WHO HAPPENS TO BE

THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HOSPITAL BOARD), BURKE PLANS THE WEDDING

WITH LITTLE HELP FROM CRISTINA, AND THINGS HEAT UP BETWEEN

ADDISON AND ALEX, ON ABC’S “GREY’S ANATOMY”

Mitch Pileggi (“The X-Files”) Guest Stars

Elizabeth Reaser (“Sweet Land”) Returns as Jane Doe

“Desire” – As the interns of Seattle Grace cram for their upcoming exam, the attendings vie for the Chief’s position by tending to the chairman of the hospital board after he’s admitted as a patient. Meanwhile, Burke struggles to involve Cristina in the wedding planning, things heat up between Addison and Alex, and Derek questions his relationship with Meredith, on “Grey’s Anatomy,” THURSDAY, APRIL 26 (9:00-10:01 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

“Grey’s Anatomy” stars Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Grey, Patrick Dempsey as Derek Shepherd, Sandra Oh as Cristina Yang, Isaiah Washington as Preston Burke, Katherine Heigl as Isobel “Izzie” Stevens, Justin Chambers as Alex Karev, T.R. Knight as George O’Malley, Chandra Wilson as Miranda Bailey, James Pickens, Jr. as Richard Webber, Kate Walsh as Addison Shepherd, Sara Ramirez as Callie Torres and Eric Dane as Mark Sloan.

Guest starring Elizabeth Reaser as Jane Doe, Kali Rocha as Dr. Sydney Heron, Mitch Pileggi as Larry Jennings, Mary-Margaret Humes as Nancy Jennings, Rowena King as Celeste Newman, and Ramon De Ocampo as James Benton. Co-Starring Stewart Skelton as Dr. Fischer.

“Desire” was written by Mark Wilding and directed by Tom Verica.

“Grey’s Anatomy” is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound and Spanish audio via SAP.

A TV parental guideline will be posted closer to airdate.

ENTERTAINMENT

April 9, 2007

SEASON FINALE

AUBREY WANTS NICK TO CHOOSE BETWEEN HER AND HANNAH, PHYSICAL PHIL ASKS OWEN’S HELP TO GET PIZZA GIRL BACK, RAY CONTINUES HIS MISSION TO DESTROY

THE GANG, A SURPRISE FOR EDDIE BRINGS ON AN UNPREDICTABLE RESPONSE, AND

NICK MEETS AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR AT HANNAH’S, ON ABC’S “OCTOBER ROAD”

“Best Friend Windows” – Aubrey suspects Nick still has feelings for Hannah and wants him to choose between the two of them, but then Nick meets an unexpected out of town visitor at Hannah and Sam’s. Meanwhile, Nick and the guys give Eddie what they thought would be a welcome surprise, but Eddie surprises them with an unpredictable response; Ray continues his mission to destroy the gang by telling Owen about Ikey and Alison’s secret; and Physical Phil makes a life-changing decision to get Pizza Girl (Lindy Booth) back and asks for Owen’s help, on the Season Finale of “October Road,” THURSDAY, APRIL 26 (10:01-11:00 p.m. ET), on the ABC Television Network.

“October Road” stars Bryan Greenberg as Nick Garrett, Laura Prepon as Hannah Daniels, Tom Berenger as The Commander, Warren Christie as Ray “Big Cat” Cataldo, Brad William Henke as Owen Rowan, Evan Jones as Ikey, Jay Paulson as Physical Phil, Slade Pearce as Sam Daniels, Geoff Stults as Eddie Latekka and Odette Yustman as Aubrey.

Guest starring are Rebecca Field as Janet “The Planet” Meadows, Jonathan Murphy as Ronnie, Penny Johnson Jerald as Dean Leslie Etwood, Elizabeth Bogush as Alison Rowan, Lindy Booth as Pizza Girl, Bo Mitchell as Doodie, David Galbraith as pizza guy/dude, Charles Black as local businessman and Reed Diamond as Gavin Goddard.

“Best Friend Windows” was written by Josh Applebaum, Andre Nemec and Scott Rosenberg, and directed by Gary Fleder.

“October Road” is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound and Spanish subtitles via secondary closed captioning.

This program carries a TV-PG,D,L parental guideline.

ENTERTAINMENT

April 9, 2007

A FLASHY DIVA MOM FROM VEGAS SWAPS LIVES WITH

A DOWN AND DIRTY MOM WHO OWNS A SCRAP YARD,

ON ABC’S “WIFE SWAP”

This week in “Browne/Robinson,” a diva mom who raises her kids to be primped and perfect divas-in-training swaps lives with a laid-back mom whose family owns a scrap yard and can barely control her immature husband and pack of unruly boys, on “Wife Swap,” FRIDAY, APRIL 27 (9:01-10:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

Each week from across the country, two families with very different values are chosen to take part in a two-week long challenge. The wives from these two families exchange husbands, children and lives (but not bedrooms) to discover just what it’s like to live another woman’s life. It’s a mind-blowing experiment that often ends up changing their lives forever.

Vegas mom D’eva Robinson (31) has always known that she was born to be a diva, and she even changed her name to fulfill her destiny. D’eva is a salon manager whose prized possessions are her wardrobe full of glamorous, over-the-top clothes and her shelf full of stylish wigs. D’eva demands that her whole family be every bit as fabulous as she is, so husband Dwayne (47) and children Taylore (12), Jourdyn (10), Eli (8) and Journi (5) must complete household chores and time-consuming beauty regimens to keep their house -- and themselves -- looking great. D’eva has even inspired Dwayne to go to cosmetology school so the family can open up hair salons all over Vegas.

D’eva travels to the Texas home of the Browne Family, where wife Christie (39), husband Trenton (39), and their sons, Jeremy (14), Joshua (12), Benjamin (11) and live-in nephew Charles (17) run a scrap yard and live in a messy house where the rambunctious boys rule the roost. Christie is a laid back computer teacher’s aide who believes that boys should be boys and kids should have the freedom to goof off and learn from their mistakes. Trenton acts more like a friend than a father to the boys, even letting the underage boys drive cars from the scrap yard around the family’s private property. Trenton and the boys treat the living room like a wrestling ring and eschew all chores, but mellow Christie doesn’t mind, even when the boys are out toilet papering the neighbor’s house.

In the first week of the swap, D’eva must put up with the wild antics and pranks of the Browne boys, and is shocked to find that the underage boys are allowed to drive. Meanwhile, tomboy Christie must transform herself into a diva with a glamorous dress and wig, and must enforce D’eva’s strict chore and beauty regimen on Dwayne and the Robinson kids.

In the second week of the swap, when the wives change the rules and turn the tables, D’eva takes the Browne boys to the laundromat to teach them to do chores, and the boys get into such an intense argument that the police are called. In Vegas, Christie takes the Robinson children to a scrap yard to learn how to change the oil of a car, and frees the kids from their chores and enforced primping so that they can look and act like kids.

At the end of the swap, when the couples are reunited, will D’eva drop the diva attitude and let her kids be kids? Will Christie scrap their scrap yard and clean up her family’s act?

“Wife Swap” is an RDF USA production. It was created by Stephen Lambert and is executive-produced by Stef Wagstaffe and Stephen Lambert of RDF Media (“Faking It” and “Junkyard Wars”) and Michael Davies of Embassy Row (“Who Wants to be a Millionaire”). Mitchell Rosenbaum, Stephanie Schwam Adams and Mike Gamson are the co-executive producers.

“Wife Swap” is broadcast with Spanish subtitles via secondary closed captioning. A TV parental guideline will be assigned closer to airdate.

ENTERTAINMENT

April 9, 2007

“PEARL HARBOR,” THE ACTION-PACKED ROMANTIC DRAMA

STARRING BEN AFFLECK, JOSH HARTNETT & KATE BECKINSALE,

AIRS SATURDAY, APRIL 28 ON THE ABC TELEVISION NETWORK

“Audiences will find themselves swept away . . .”
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

“Pearl Harbor,” the blockbuster theatrical feature starring Ben Affleck, Josh Hartnett and Kate Beckinsale, will air as the “ABC Saturday Movie of the Week,” APRIL 28 (8:00-11:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network. The Academy Award-winning epic, airing in HDTV format with 5.1-channel surround sound and Spanish audio, also stars Cuba Gooding Jr., Jon Voight, Alec Baldwin, Tom Sizemore and William Lee Scott. (Rebroadcast. OAD: 2/8/04)

In “Pearl Harbor,” Ben Affleck (“Daredevil,” “The Sum of All Fears,” Academy Award-winner for “Good Will Hunting”) and Josh Hartnett (”Sin City,” “Hollywood Homicide”) are boyhood friends who achieve their dream of becoming pilots. Affleck meets, pursues and falls in love with a military nurse (Kate Beckinsale, “The Aviator,” “Van Helsing”), but he is anxious to see action and heads to England, where war is raging. He enlists in the Royal Air Force and is later reported killed in action. The efforts of his best friend and girlfriend to comfort each other’s grief lead to their own romance.

The feature won its Academy Award for Best Effects, Sound Effects and was nominated for three additional Oscars – Best Effects, Visual Effects; Best Music, Song; and Best Sound. Among the movie’s stunning effects is a bomb’s-eye view as the explosive crashes through three decks of the battleship Arizona, and gut-churning aerial sequences as Affleck and Hartnett battle Japanese Zeros in the skies above Pearl Harbor’s burning Battleship Row. Oscar winner Cuba Gooding Jr. (“End Game,” “Radio,” “Jerry Mcguire”) portrays real-life Navy cook “Dorie” Miller, who won the Navy Cross for his action on December 7; Oscar winner Jon Voight (TV’s “Pope John Paul II,” “The Five People You Meet in Heaven”) portrays President Roosevelt, Alec Baldwin (“Brooklyn Rules,” “The Aviator,” “Along Came Polly”) stars as daring aviator “Jimmy” Doolittle, Tom Sizemore (TV’s “Dr. Vegas,” “Big Trouble”) is Sgt. Earl Sistern, and William Lee Scott (“The Butterfly Effect”) is Lt. Billy Thompson.

Starring in “Pearl Harbor” are Ben Affleck as Capt. Rafe McCawley, Josh Hartnett as Capt. Danny Walker, Kate Beckinsale as nurse Lt. Evelyn Johnson, Cuba Gooding Jr. as Petty Officer Doris “Dorie” Miller, Jon Voight as President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Alec Baldwin as Lt. Col. James “Jimmy” Doolittle, Tom Sizemore as Sgt. Earl Sistern, William Lee Scott as Lt. Billy Thompson, Jennifer Garner (ABC’s “Alias”) as nurse Sandra, Sara Rue (ABC’s “Less than Perfect”) as nurse Martha, Greg Zola as Lt. Anthony Fusco, Ewen Bremner as Lt. Red Winkle, Jaime King as nurse Betty Bayer and Catherine Kellner as nurse Barbara.

“Pearl Harbor,” released in 2001, was directed by Michael Bay (“Bad Boys” series; “Armageddon”) and written by Randall Wallace (“We Were Soldiers,” “Braveheart”). The film is a production of Jerry Bruckheimer Films and Touchstone Pictures. (CLOSED-CAPTIONED)

“PEARL HARBOR” IN HDTV:

The ABC Television Network’s HDTV broadcast of “Pearl Harbor” will air in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound and Spanish audio.

This film carries a TV-14,L,S,V parental guideline. Due to some violence and issue content, viewer discretion is advised.

CORRECTION/UPDATE

As of MONDAY, APRIL 9 (all times ET unless noted)

MONDAY, APRIL 9

TIME CHANGE “DANCING WITH THE STARS: Episode 404” is now scheduled 8:00-9:31 p.m.

Originally was 8:00-9:30 p.m.

TIME CHANGE “THE BACHELOR: OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN - Episode 1002” is now scheduled 9:31-11:00 p.m.

Originally was 9:30-11:00 p.m.

TUESDAY, APRIL 10 (8:00-9:03 PM)

PROGRAM CHANGE Delete: “GEORGE LOPEZ: George Gets Caught in a Powers Play” (8:00-8:30) and “ACCORDING TO JIM: Cheryl Gone Wild” (8:30-9:00)

INSERT: “DANCING WITH THE STARS: PERFORMANCE RECAP SHOW #2” (TV-PG) (HD/5.1; Spanish audio via SAP) (CC)

TIME CHANGE “DANCING WITH THE STARS: Episode 404A” is now scheduled 9:03-10:01 p.m.

Originally was 9:00-10:00 p.m.

TIME CHANGE “BOSTON LEGAL: “Brotherly Love” is now scheduled 10:01-11:00 p.m.

Originally was 10:00-11:00 p.m.

SUNDAY, APRIL 15

TIME CHANGE “DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES: Liaisons” is now scheduled 9:00-10:02 p.m.

Originally was 9:00-10:01 p.m.

TIME CHANGE “BROTHERS & SISTERS: Game Night” is now scheduled 10:02-11:00 p.m.

Originally was 10:01-11:00 p.m.

SUNDAY, APRIL 22 (7:00 – 8:00 PM)

SCHEDULED Tonight’s program is “AMERICA’S FUNNIEST HOME VIDEOS: 1721” -- Program information to come. (TV-PG) (CC; Spanish subtitles via secondary CC).

MONDAY, APRIL 23 (8:00 – 9:30 PM)

SCHEDULED Tonight’s program is “DANCING WITH THE STARS: 406” -- Program information to come. (TV-PG) (HD/5.1; Spanish audio via SAP) (CC)

(9:30 – 11:00 PM)

SCHEDULED Tonight’s program is “THE BACHELOR: OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN: 1004” -- Program information/TV parental guideline to come. (CC; Spanish subtitles via secondary CC).

TUESDAY, APRIL 24 (9:00 – 10:00 PM)

SCHEDULED Tonight’s program is “DANCING WITH THE STARS THE RESULTS SHOW: 406A” -- Program information to come. (TV-PG) (HD/5.1; Spanish audio via SAP) (CC)

FRIDAY, APRIL 27 (8:00 – 9:01 PM)

SCHEDULED Tonight’s program is “GREY’S ANATOMY: Desire” (OAD: 4/26/07) -- TV parental guideline to come. (HD/5.1; Spanish audio via SAP) (CC)

(10:00 – 11:00 PM)

SCHEDULED Tonight’s program is “20/20” – Information to come. (CC)

END

ONE-HOUR SPECIAL, “GREY’S ANATOMY: EVERY MOMENT COUNTS,” TO DEBUT

WORLD BROADCAST PREMIERE OF “GREY’S ANATOMY” MUSIC VIDEO

SET TO “THE STORY,” THE HIT SONG BY COLUMBIA RECORDS

RECORDING ARTIST BRANDI CARLILE

Special Premieres Thursday, April 12

The one-hour special, “Grey’s Anatomy: Every Moment Counts,” premiering THURSDAY, APRIL 12 (9:00-10:01 p.m., ET), will debut the world broadcast premiere of a music video combining scenes from the hit series and singer/songwriter Brandi Carlile’s title track video from her new album, “The Story.“

The special, which highlights some of the most memorable moments from the last three seasons, will be hosted by actor Jeffrey Dean Morgan, loved by “Grey’s Anatomy” fans for his role as Denny on the series.

On her new album, “The Story,” Brandi Carlile opens up her heart, soul and psyche in a series of memorable songs that invite you into her world. To her growing community of fans, it’s Carlile’s revelatory imagery, stark emotive vocals and finely-detailed songs which provide the keys to who she is, where she’s been and where’s she’s going. The title track provides a perfect backdrop for the drama and intensity of the experiences of the characters on “Grey’s Anatomy.”

About “Grey’s Anatomy”

Shonda Rhimes (“Introducing Dorothy Dandridge”) is creator and executive producer. Betsy Beers (“Casanova”), Mark Gordon (“Saving Private Ryan”) and Krista Vernoff (“Law & Order”) are executive producers. “Grey’s Anatomy” is an ABC Television Studio Production.

About Brandi Carlile

Shortly after the release of her critically acclaimed self-titled debut (Rolling Stone named her one of the magazine’s “10 Artists to Watch in 2005”), Carlile left her home in Seattle and set out with twin brothers Tim (guitar) and Phil (bass) Hanseroth, with whom she’d worked on her earliest recordings and independent regional tours. The tightly knit trio, which forms the core of her band today, spent the better part of two years on the road. By the end of 2006, Carlile had embarked on several headlining tours and supported a variety of artists, including The Fray, Ray LaMontagne, Chris Isaak, Tori Amos and Shawn Colvin. Her new album, “The Story,” will be in stores and online April 3.

ENTERTAINMENT

April 2, 2007

DO YOU JIMMY?

ABC Announces Largest New Ad Campaign for “Jimmy Kimmel Live” Since the Launch of the Show

Dedicated Site Launches at www.DoYouJimmy.com

Starting today, ABC is launching a ground-breaking branding campaign for the hit late-night talk show “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” including outdoor, wild postings, spot cable, radio buys and a college targeted component. The campaign was teased on-air beginning March 26.

Based on Jimmy Kimmel’s name, the campaign is a call to action, asking the public to “Jimmy” to generate awareness and excitement about the show. A dedicated site at www.DoYouJimmy.com is also launching and will feature video with Uncle Frank, Aunt Chippy, Guillermo and everyday fans talking about how they “Jimmy.”

Now in its fifth season and posting the most growth in Total Viewers for any late-night entertainment talk show, ABC is going to thirty college campuses across the country and to college newspapers, postering and providing removable mirror clings and door hangers that could potentially reach over one million students. Messages will include “Real Men Jimmy” and “Nice Girls Jimmy Too” on the clings for bathroom mirrors and “Come in and We’ll Jimmy Together” or “Keep Out, I’m Gonna Jimmy Alone” on the door hangers. In addition, T-shirts will be distributed that read “The More I Jimmy the Better I Feel,” and a special two-minute trailer will be screened at college movie theatres. The “Do You Jimmy” shirt will also be available for purchase at www.abc.com.

Additional outdoor exposure includes wild postings, taxi tops, bus sides and LCD panels at subway entrances in New York, with messages such as “For a Better Tomorrow… Jimmy Tonight” and “Jimmy 5 Nights a Week.”

About “Jimmy Kimmel Live”

Emmy-winner Jimmy Kimmel serves as host and executive producer of “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” the ABC Television Network’s distinctive late-night talk show, now in its fifth season. The show features a diverse lineup of guests, including celebrities, athletes, comedians, politicians and human interest subjects.

Jimmy Kimmel and Jill Leiderman serve as executive producers and Jason Schrift and Douglas DeLuca as co-executive producers. “Jimmy Kimmel Live” is shot live in front of a studio audience and produced by Jackhole Industries in association with ABC Television Studio.

April 2, 2007

Fast Facts for Sunday, April 1, 2007 (Based on Fast Affiliate Ratings)

Although 1/2 of its Lineup is Rebroadcast Programming Against Mostly

Originals Series on the Other Nets, ABC Dominates Sunday in Adults 18-49

ABC’s “America’s Funniest Home Videos” Wins the 7 O’clock Hour Across

The Key Adult Demographics, as well as Among Teens 12-17 and Kids 2-11

ABC’s Repeat “Home Edition” is No. 1 at 8pm in Viewers and Young Adults

ABC’s “Desperate Housewives: The Juiciest Bites” Clip Show Wins the 9 O’clock

Hour in Adults 18-49, Tying as the No. 1 TV Show of the Night in the Key Sales Demo

ABC’s “Brothers & Sisters” Wins the 10 O’clock Hour Among Adults 18-34

And Young Women, Ranking as Sunday’s No. 1 TV Program in Women 18-49

Sunday Primetime (7:00-11:00 p.m.)

Although its middle 2-hours were comprised of rebroadcast programming against mostly original series on the other networks, ABC dominated Sunday night among Adults 18-49. During Sunday’s primetime, ABC (3.3/9) beat out second-place CBS by 18% (2.8/8), third-place Fox by 27% (2.6/7) and fourth-place NBC by 50% (2.2/6).

In Total Viewers (9.4 million) and Adults 18-49 (3.3/9), the Network posted its strongest Sunday in 4 weeks – since 3/4/07.

“America’s Funniest Home Videos” (7:00-8:00 p.m.)

ABC’s “America’s Funniest Home Videos” won the 7 o’clock hour in Adults 18-49, beating its nearest competitor by 35% among Adults 18-49 (2.7/9 vs. 2.0/7 – CBS’ “60 Minutes”). The venerable ABC video clip show also ranked No. 1 in the hour among Adults 25-54 (3.2/10), Adults 18-34 (2.0/7), Teens 12-17 (1.6/6) and Kids 2-11 (2.2/9).

“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” (8:00-9:00 p.m.)

A rebroadcast installment of ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” won the 8 o’clock hour in viewers and young adults. “Home Edition” bested its closest competition by 9% in Total Viewers (9.8 million vs. 9.0 million – NBC’s “Dateline”) and by 10% in Adults 18-49 (3.4/9 vs. 3.1/9 – Fox’s “The Simpsons”/”King of the Hill”). ABC’s replay of broad skewing “Home Edition” was the No. 1 TV show of the evening with Kids 2-11 (2.7/10).

“Desperate Housewives: The Juiciest Bites” (9:00-10:00 p.m.)

ABC’s special clip show, “Desperate Housewives: The Juiciest Bites,” led Sunday’s 9 o’clock hour in Adults 18-49 (3.5/9), also qualifying as the No. 1 TV show of the night in the key young adult sales demo (tied w/CBS’ “Cold Case” at 10:00 p.m.). The “Housewives” season recap special also won its time slot and ranked as Sunday’s No. 1 television show with Women 18-34 (4.0/11) and Women 18-49 (4.7/11).

“Brothers & Sisters” (10:00-11:00 p.m.)

ABC’s “Brother’s Sisters” took second place in the 10 o’clock hour among Total Viewers (9.1 million) and Adults 18-49 (3.3/9), while ranking No. 1 with Adults 18-34 (2.5/7-tie), Women 18-49 (4.7/12) and Women 18-34 (3.4/9). “Brothers & Sisters” tied “Desperate Housewives: The Juiciest Bites” to rank as Sunday’s No. 1 TV show among Women 18-49.

Source: Nielsen Media Research (Fast Affiliate Ratings, Live+SD), 4/1/07

ENTERTAINMENT

April 2, 2007

THE SECOND COUPLE TO BE ELIMINATED FROM THE COMPETITION IS REVEALED,

ON ABC’S “DANCING WITH THE STARS THE RESULTS SHOW”

Ciara, Josh Groban and Survivor Perform

“Episode 403A” – The second couple will be dismissed on “Dancing with the Stars the Results Show,” TUESDAY, APRIL 3 (9:00-10:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. Grammy-winning recording artist Ciara takes to the stage to perform her hit, “Like a Boy.” Music sensation Josh Groban will then sing “So She Dances,” as Tony Dovolani and Julianne Hough perform. In addition, the rock band Survivor will perform the classic “Eye of the Tiger” as the professionals do a group Paso Doble.

Late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel (“Jimmy Kimmel Live”) will also be featured in his weekly segment entitled “Dance Along at Home with Jimmy Kimmel.” Each week Jimmy will offer up his parking lot security guard, Guillermo, to hilariously demonstrate a ballroom dancing technique.

By evening’s end, the couple with the lowest composite score will be eliminated, as determined by a combination of the judges’ scores and viewers’ votes. Who among the following ten teams will be dismissed from the competition?

Laila Ali (undefeated world boxing champion) and partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy

Billy Ray Cyrus (actor & singer on Disney Channel’s “Hannah Montana”) and partner Karina Smirnoff

Clyde Drexler (NBA Hall of Famer) and partner Elena Grinenko

Joey Fatone (*NSYNC star) and partner Kym Johnson

Shandi Finnessey (Miss USA 2004) and partner Brian Fortuna

Leeza Gibbons (talk show host) and partner Tony Dovolani

Heather Mills (charity activist & campaigner) and partner Jonathan Roberts

Apolo Anton Ohno (Olympic speed skating gold medalist) and partner Julianne Hough

John Ratzenberger (actor & author) and partner Edyta Sliwinska

Ian Ziering (TV & Broadway star) and partner Cheryl Burke

“Dancing with the Stars” is the U.S. version of the international smash hit series, “Strictly Come Dancing.” This version is produced in America by BBC Worldwide Productions. Conrad Green is executive producer and Izzie Pick is co-executive producer. Rob Wade and Matilda Zoltowski are supervising producers. Alex Rudzinski directs.

“Dancing with the Stars” is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound and Spanish audio via SAP. This program carries a TV-PG parental guideline.

ENTERTAINMENT

April 2, 2007

PRACTICAL JOKES AND A DOG GONE WILD,

ON ABC’S “AMERICA’S FUNNIEST HOME VIDEOS”

“Episode No. 1720” – Clip highlights include practical jokes, with one man scaring his wife by putting a rubber bird in the freezer; a man getting a pistachio nut stuck to his lip; and a dog that makes a really big mess of the yard, on “America’s Funniest Home Videos,” SUNDAY, APRIL 15 (7:00-8:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

Tom Bergeron hosts.

In its 17 seasons to date, “America’s Funniest Home Videos” has given away over $9 million in prize money and evaluated more than half a million videotapes from home viewers. Viewers wishing to submit home videos to “America’s Funniest Home Videos” should visit www.abc.com for details.

Vin Di Bona is executive producer, with Todd Thicke and Michele Nasraway serving as co-executive producers. “America’s Funniest Home Videos,” which premiered on January 14, 1990 and is from Vin Di Bona Productions, airs with Spanish subtitles via secondary closed captioning.

This program carries a TV-PG parental guideline.

ENTERTAINMENT

April 2, 2007

“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” FULFILLS THE DYING WISH OF A FATHER

WHO RECENTLY SUCCUMBED TO CANCER AND WANTED NOTHING MORE than

TO provide a happy and safe home for THE family HE LEFT BEHIND

“Koepke Family” -- Ty and the gang builds a new and renovated home for the Koepke (pronounced kep-key) family of Campbellsport, WI, who recently lost their loving father, Matthew, to cancer, on “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” SUNDAY, APRIL 15 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. (Rebroadcast. OAD 11/19/06)

At the age of 41, Matthew was diagnosed with metastatic melanoma in April 2006. Once the doctors became aware of the disease, the cancer had already spread from his left arm to his brain. He was expected to live another five years, but passed away only a few short months later, on August 21, 2006, leaving behind mother Christine and children Derek, Jayna, Mitchell and Johanna.

In addition to being a loving father, Matthew was an active community member who played a huge role in initiating and leading several local projects. Matt’s greatest achievement was the initial restoration of the old town Mill into an historical landmark that today is the center of community gatherings and the “heart” of the town. In addition to his work on the Mill Park, Matt was the President of Dundee Mill Park and helped build the Sportsman’s Lodge and baseball park.

Matt had dreams of renovating his home and finishing the renovations on the town Mill, but those plans were put on hold once he was diagnosed. He will be missed but never forgotten. Before Matt died, he had a chance to ask EMHE for one wish -- to take care of his family and give them the home they deserved.

While the Ty and the “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” design team, local builder Monarch Homes, contractors and hundreds of workers and volunteers remember Matt’s dreams and work together to transform the Koepke house into a dream home in a remarkable seven days, the family will go on vacation to San Diego.

The design team for this episode of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” will feature team leader Ty Pennington, as well as Michael Moloney, Ed Sanders, Paige Hemmis and Preston Sharp.

“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” which has won back-to-back Emmy Awards as Best Reality Program (non-competitive), is produced by Endemol USA, a division of Endemol Holding. Denise Cramsey is the executive producer. David Goldberg is the president of Endemol USA.

“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” is broadcast with Spanish subtitles via secondary closed captioning. This program carries a TV-PG parental guideline.

ENTERTAINMENT

April 2, 2007

A WISTERIA LANE NEIGHBOR’S DARKEST SECRET IS REVEALED,

ON ABC’S “DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES”

“Liaisons” – Tom feels threatened by the interest a new Scavo’s Pizzeria employee shows in Lynette, Susan considers moving from Wisteria Lane and a neighbor’s darkest secret is revealed, on “Desperate Housewives,” SUNDAY, APRIL 15 (9:00-10:01 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

Guest starring are John Slattery as Victor Lang, Dougray Scott as Ian Hainsworth, Jake Cherry as Travers McLain, Jason Gedrick as Rick Coletti, Kathryn Joosten as Mrs. McCluskey, Corey Mendell Parker as doctor, Kenneth Kimmins as Mayor Johnson, Mel Fair as moderator, Kylie Sparks as Kim, Pat Asanti as Arnold, Pat Crawford Brown as Ida Greenberg, Michael Guarnera as Toby, Thomas Crawford as campaign rally introducer, Ron Rogge as middle-aged man, John Harnagel as Gilbert McCluskey and Wayne Lopez as Clyde.

“Liaisons” was directed by David Grossman and written by Alexandra Cunningham & Jenna Bans.

”Desperate Housewives” is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound and Spanish audio via SAP.

A TV parental guideline will be assigned closer to airdate.

ENTERTAINMENT

April 2, 2007

THE WALKER FAMILY LITERALLY TRIES TO KEEP UP WITH THE JONESES

IN A WILD GAME NIGHT REMATCH, ON ABC’S “BROTHERS & SISTERS”

Jenna Elfman, Susan Sullivan (“Dharma & Greg”) and

Eric Winter (“Days of Our Lives”) Guest Star

“Game Night” – The Walkers challenge their all-too-perfect lifelong nemesis family, the Jones (guest starring Susan Sullivan as Miranda Jones and Jenna Elfman as Lizzie Jones-Baker), to a long overdue game night rematch and cautiously begin to embrace Rebecca as their sister. Meanwhile, Kitty soon regrets introducing Kevin to the Senator’s brother (guest starring Eric Winter as Jason McCallister), on “Brothers & Sisters,” SUNDAY, APRIL 15 (10:01-11:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.

Guest starring are Rob Lowe as Senator McCallister, Maxwell Perry Cotton as Cooper Whedon, Eric Winter as Jason McCallister, Paul Cassell as Gary Morris, Perry King as Curtis Jones, Susan Sullivan as Miranda Jones, Jenna Elfman as Lizzie Jones-Baker, Elina Madison as Stephanie Jones-Reed, Kim Murphy Zandell as Donna Jones, Duffy Dibley as Doug Jones, Clint Carmichael as Ken Baker, Bryan Krasner as Roger Jones, James Ritz as Wallace, Jack Ritter as Ken Junior and Darcy Rose Byrnes as Gwyneth.

The story for “Game Night” is by Peter Calloway and Cliff Olin and the script written by Molly Newman. The episode was directed by Matt Shakman.

“Brothers & Sisters” is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound and Spanish subtitles via secondary closed captioning.

A TV parental guideline will be posted closer to airdate.

ENTERTAINMENT

April 2, 2007

ANGIE’S ABSENT BROTHER RETURNS TO TOWN LOOKING TO

MAKE AMENDS, ON ABC’S “GEORGE LOPEZ”

Andy Garcia (“Oceans Eleven”) Guest Stars

“George Doesn’t’ Trustee Angie’s Brother” – Angie’s scam artist brother, Ray (guest starring Andy Garcia as Ray), reappears after a long absence looking to make amends with his estranged daughter, Veronica, and the Lopez family. But George is the first to see through Ray’s transparent scheme when TUESDAY, APRIL 17 (8:00-8:30 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. (Rebroadcast. OAD 3/1/06)

“George Lopez” stars George Lopez as George, Constance Marie as Angie, Valente Rodriguez as Ernie, Masiela Lusha as Carmen, Luis Armand Garcia as Max, Belita Moreno as Benny and Emiliano Díez as Vic Palmero.

Guest starring are Andy Garcia as Ray and Aimee Garcia as Veronica.

”George Doesn’t Trustee Angie’s Brother” was written by Paul A. Kaplan & Mark Torgove, and directed by Sheldon Epps.

“George Lopez” is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound and Spanish audio via SAP.

This program carries a TV-PG parental guideline.

ENTERTAINMENT

April 2, 2007

JIM, ANDY AND RYAN SNEAK THE KIDS INTO THE DINOSAUR EXHIBIT

AFTER HOURS, ON ABC’S “ACCORDING TO JIM”

“Dino-Mite” – Dana and Cheryl hesitantly entrust Ryan and Jim to watch the kids and baby Tanner while they have a girls’ night out. But Jim sneaks the brood into the museum after hours to see the dinosaur exhibit, and their shenanigans result in the destruction of the Tyrannosaurus Rex display, on “According to Jim,” TUESDAY, APRIL 17 (8:30-9:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network. (Rebroadcast. OAD 2/28/07)

Guest-starring is Mitch Rouse as Ryan.

“Dino-Mite” is written by Hayes Jackson and directed by James Widdoes.

“According to Jim” is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound and Spanish subtitles via secondary closed captioning.

This program carries a TV-PG parental guideline.

ENTERTAINMENT

April 2, 2007

ALAN SHORE GOES UP AGAINST JERRY ESPENSON WHEN A DEPARTMENT STORE IS

ACCUSED OF SELLING RACY DOLLS TO CHILDREN, DENNY CRANE’S POLITICALLY

INCORRECT STATEMENT TO AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN JOB APPLICANT COULD COST

HIM HIS JOB, AND DENISE BEGINS TO RE-THINK HER FUTURE WITH BRAD,

ON ABC’S “BOSTON LEGAL”

“Guise ‘n Dolls” – Alan Shore finds himself pitted against old friend Jerry Espenson in a case of a woman suing a department store for selling “pornographic” dolls to kids. Meanwhile, Shirley Schmidt and Paul Lewiston must decide the fate of Denny Crane after he makes a politically incorrect statement to an African-American under consideration for employment at the firm, and a colleague’s valued opinion causes Denise Bauer to re-think her future with Brad, on “Boston Legal,” TUESDAY, APRIL 17 (10:00-11:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.

“Boston Legal” stars James Spader as Alan Shore, Julie Bowen as Denise Bauer, Mark Valley as Brad Chase, Rene Auberjonois as Paul Lewiston, Constance Zimmer as Claire Simms and Gary Anthony Williams as Clarence/Clarice Bell, with Candice Bergen as Shirley Schmidt and William Shatner as Denny Crane.

Guest starring are Christian Clemenson as Jerry Espenson, Gail O’Grady as Judge Gloria Weldon, Jaleel White as Kevin Givens, Kate Hodge as Kaye Kent, Michael Bofshever as Charles Costello and Jim Jansen as Marshall Kennedy.

“Guise ‘n Dolls” was written by Sanford Golden & Karen Wyscarver & David E. Kelley and directed by John Terlesky.

“Boston Legal” is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound and Spanish subtitles via secondary closed captioning.

A TV parental guideline will be posted closer to airdate.

ENTERTAINMENT

April 2, 2007

SEASON FINALE

HARRY AND MAUREEN TRY GETTING BACK TOGETHER, JOANNA DISCOVERS

A HIDDEN ATTACHMENT TO JASON, AND SHERMAN’S BOOK GOES #1

IN JAPAN, ON THE SEASON FINALE OF ABC’S “IN CASE OF EMERGENCY”

“The Picture” – Harry and Maureen try their hand at getting back together. Meanshile Joanna discovers a hidden attachment to Jason, and Sherman’s book goes #1 in Japan -- making him a celebrity again -- on the Season Finale of “In Case of Emergency,” WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18 (9:30-10:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.

“In Case of Emergency” stars David Arquette as Jason Ventress, Jonathan Silverman as Harry Kennison, Greg Germann as Sherman Yablonsky, Kelly Hu as Kelly Lee, Jackson Bond as Dylan and Lori Loughlin as Joanna.

Guest-starring Leigh Allyn Baker as Maureen, Arabella Field as Stephanie, Natsuko Ohama as Madam and David Norona as Paul.

“The Picture” is written by Rosalind Moore & Howard J. Morris and directed by Linda Mendoza.

“In Case of Emergency” is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format, with 5.1 channel surround sound and Spanish subtitles via secondary closed captioning.

This program carries a TV-PG,D parental guideline.

-- ABC --

ENTERTAINMENT

April 2, 2007

CHARLIE QUESTIONS WHETHER DESMOND HAS HAD ANOTHER “FLASH”

FORESHADOWING HIS DEATH WHEN COAXED INTO JOINING A TREK

ACROSS THE JUNGLE, AND JEALOUSY MOTIVATES KATE TO TURN TO

AN UNSUSPECTING SAWYER, ON ABC’S “LOST”

“Catch-22” – Desmond coaxes Charlie, Hurley and Jin on a trek across the jungle after experiencing one of his future-prophesizing “flashes” -- but is he purposely placing Charlie’s life in harm’s way? Meanwhile, Kate turns to an unwitting Sawyer after seeing Jack alone with Juliet, on “Lost,” WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18 (10:00-11:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.

Guest starring are Sonia Walger as Penny Widmore, Jack Maxwell as Derek, Joanna Bool as Ruth, Andrew Connolly as Brother Campbell, Andrew Trask as older monk and Marsha Thomason as parachutist.

“Catch-22” was written by Jeff Pinkner & Brian K. Vaughan and directed by Stephen Williams.

”Lost” is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound and Spanish audio via SAP.

A TV parental guideline will be assigned closer to airdate.

-- ABC --

ENTERTAINMENT

April 2, 2007

BETTY STRUGGLES TO KEEP DANIEL ON THE STRAIGHT AND NARROW

AS A TABLOID WRITER STALKS THE MEADE FAMILY, ON ABC’S “UGLY BETTY”

“Punch Out” – Betty frantically tries to keep Daniel focused on work as he reverts to his old hard-partying ways, including romancing a multitude of stunning models. Things go from bad to worse when a tell-all writer (Emmy winner Leslie Jordan, “Will & Grace,” “Boston Legal”) in possession of Fey Sommer’s diaries starts stalking the Meades. Another Suarez, Ignacio, feels the heat when Immigration caseworker Constance (guest star Octavia Spencer) pressures him to make their relationship a romantic one, and Wilhelmina and Alexis both try to get their hands on Fey’s diaries -- but for different reasons -- on “Ugly Betty,” THURSDAY, APRIL 19 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. Bond girl Ivana Milicevic (“Casino Royale”) guest stars as Lena.

Guest stars include Leslie Jordan as Quincy Combs, Ivana Milicevic as Lena, Annalynne McCord as Petra, Eric Edelstein as Ben, Jeff Meacham as Kevin, Max Greenfield as Nick Pepper, Bailey Chase as Becks and Octavia Spencer as Constance.

“Punch Out,” was written by Oliver Goldstick, and directed by Miguel Arteta.

”Ugly Betty” is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound and Spanish audio via SAP.

A TV parental guideline will be posted closer to airdate.

-- ABC --

ENTERTAINMENT

April 2, 2007

IZZIE FACES HER PAINFUL PAST WITH GEORGE BY HER SIDE,

DEREK AND MEREDITH QUESTION THEIR RELATIONSHIP,

AND ALEX GROWS INCREASINGLY ATTACHED TO HIS PATIENT,

ON ABC’S “GREY’S ANATOMY”

Mare Winningham Returns as Susan Grey

Elizabeth Reaser (“Sweet Land”) and Roger Rees (“The Prestige”)

Return as Jane Doe and Dr. Colin Marlow

“Time After Time” – Izzie faces her past and finds comfort in George, while Alex becomes more attached to Jane Doe (Elizabeth Reaser), Meredith and Derek question their own status, and Cristina resolves to fight for her relationship with Burke -- despite her past with Colin Marlow (Roger Rees) -- on “Grey’s Anatomy,” THURSDAY, APRIL 19 (9:00-10:01 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

Editors note: This program will repeat Friday, April 20 (8:00-9:01 p.m., ET).

Guest starring Elizabeth Reaser as Jane Doe, Roger Rees as Dr. Colin Marlowe, Dee Wallace as Joan Waring, Brent Jennings as Charles, Suzanne Cryer as Caroline Klein, Tim Hopper as Dustin Klein, Marc Vann as hematologist, Steven W. Bailey as Joe, with Mare Winningham as Susan Grey

“Time After Time” was written by Stacy McKee and directed by Christopher Misiano.

“Grey’s Anatomy” is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound and Spanish audio via SAP.

A TV parental guideline will be posted closer to airdate.

-- ABC --

ENTERTAINMENT

April 2, 2007

CASEMAN WORKS ON A PROJECT WITH LAURA AND SPARKS FLY,

BUT RAY THINKS WHITNEY IS ALSO INTERESTED IN CASEMAN,

ON ABC’S “SIX DEGREES” FRIDAY, APRIL 20

“Surstromming or a Slice” – Ray hires Laura and Caseman to decorate his new office space, and while working together, they figure out that they have chemistry. However Ray learns that Caseman means more to Whitney than he originally thought. Meanwhile Damien goes to work for Ray and uses his boss’ name to pull a favor for Carlos, who lands a new job, and Mae finds out about a woman who may be her mother while babysitting for Laura and Caseman, on “Six Degrees,” FRIDAY, APRIL 20 (9:01-10:00 p.m. ET) on the ABC Television Network.

“Six Degrees” stars Jay Hernandez as Carlos, Bridget Moynahan as Whitney, Erika Christensen as Mae, Dorian Missick as Damian, with Campbell Scott as Steven Caseman and Hope Davis as Laura.

Guest starring Josh Charles as Ray Jones, Caroline Lagerfelt as JT Zeff, Deborah Craig as Melanie, Jill Flint as Lisa, Ben Livingston as Arne Bengston, J. Smith-Cameron as Maggie Newton, John Ventimiglia as Jimmy, Samantha Buck as Susan Clayman, Mark La Mura as partner and Miles Chandler as Max.

“Surstromming or a Slice” is written by Ken Biller and Peter Elkoff and directed by David Petrarca.

”Six Degrees” is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound and Spanish subtitles via secondary closed captioning.

This program carries a TV-PG,D,S parental guideline.

-- ABC --

ENTERTAINMENT

April 2, 2007

“HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER’S STONE” TO AIR IN HIGH DEFINITION

TELEVISION AS THE “ABC SATURDAY MOVIE OF THE WEEK,” APRIL 21

“Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” a magical adventure tale nominated for three Academy Awards, will air as a presentation of “ABC Saturday Movie of the Week,” APRIL 21 (8:00-11:00 p.m., ET). The feature will be broadcast in HDTV format with 5.1-channel surround sound and with Spanish audio. (Rebroadcast. OAD: 5/9/04)

Based on the first of J.K. Rowling’s popular children’s novels about Harry Potter, the live action family adventure film “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” tells the story of a boy who learns on his 11th birthday that he is the orphaned son of two powerful wizards and possesses unique magical powers of his own. Invited to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Harry embarks on the adventure of a lifetime and finds the home and the family he has never had.

“Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” stars Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter, Emma Watson as Hermione Granger, Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley, John Cleese as Nearly Headless Nick, Robbie Coltrane as Rubeus Hagrid, Warwick Davis as Professor Flitwick, Richard Griffiths as Uncle Vernon, Richard Harris as Professor Albus Dumbledore, Ian Hart as Professor Quirrell, John Hurt as Mr. Ollivander, Alan Rickman as Professor Snape, Fiona Shaw as Aunt Petunia,Maggie Smith as Professor Minerva McGonagall and Julie Walters as Mrs. Weasley.

“Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” released in 2001, was directed by Chris Columbus (“Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets,” “Home Alone” series, “Mrs. Doubtfire”) and the screenplay was written by Steven Kloves (“The Wonder Boys,” “Harry Potter” series) based on the novel by J.K. Rowling. The film is produced by David Heyman. The executive producers are Mark Radcliffe, Michael Barnathan and Duncan Henderson. “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” is a production of 1492 Pictures, Heyday Films and Warner Bros. Pictures. (CLOSED-CAPTIONED) (Broadcast in stereo where available)

“HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER’S STONE” IN HDTV:

The ABC Television Network’s HDTV broadcast of “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” will air in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format and 5.1-channel surround sound and with Spanish audio.

This film carries a TV-PG,V parental guideline.

-- ABC --

CORRECTION/UPDATE

As of MONDAY, APRIL 2 (all times ET unless noted)

MONDAY, APRIL 16 (8:00 – 9:30 PM)

SCHEDULED Tonight’s program is “DANCING WITH THE STARS: 405” -- Program information to come. (TV-PG) (HD/5.1; Spanish audio via SAP) (CC)

(9:30 – 11:00 PM)

SCHEDULED Tonight’s program is “THE BACHELOR: OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN: 1003” -- Program information/TV parental guideline to come. (CC; Spanish subtitles via secondary CC).

TUESDAY, APRIL 17 (9:00 – 10:00 PM)

SCHEDULED Tonight’s program is “DANCING WITH THE STARS THE RESULTS SHOW: 405A” -- Program information to come. (TV-PG) (HD/5.1; Spanish audio via SAP) (CC)

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18 (8:00 – 9:00 PM)

SCHEDULED Tonight’s program is TBA.

(9:00 – 9:30 PM)

SCHEDULED Tonight’s program is “ACCORDING TO JIM: The Grill II” -- Program information/TV parental guideline to come. (HD/5.1) (CC; Spanish subtitles via secondary CC)

THURSDAY, APRIL 19 (10:01 – 11:00 PM)

SCHEDULED Tonight’s program is “Notes from the Underbelly” -- Episodes TBA. Program information/TV parental guideline to come. (HD/5.1) (CC; Spanish subtitles via secondary CC)

FRIDAY, APRIL 20 (8:00 – 9:01 PM)

SCHEDULED Tonight’s program is “GREY’S ANATOMY: Time After Time” (OAD: 4/19/07) -- TV parental guideline to come. (HD/5.1; Spanish audio via SAP) (CC)

(10:00 – 11:00 PM)

SCHEDULED Tonight’s program is “20/20” – Information to come. (CC)

-- ABC --

END

March 29, 2007

DILIP BALA PROMOTED TO VICE PRESIDENT, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT,

ABC ENTERTAINMENT AND ABC TELEVISION STUDIO

Dilip Bala has been promoted to vice president, Business Development, ABC Entertainment and ABC Television Studio, it was announced today by Bruce Gersh, senior vice president, Business Development, ABC Entertainment and ABC Television Studio, to whom he reports.

In his new role Mr. Bala is responsible for mobile and e-commerce new media business development related to ABC and ABC Television Studio for the Disney-ABC Television Group’s digital media team. This includes projects for ABC Entertainment’s Daytime, Primetime and Late Night, as well as ABC Television Studio around the world.

“Dilip has made significant contributions towards developing our wireless and digital media initiatives,” said Mr. Gersh. “Under his direction, ABC-related mobile content continues to raise the bar in the industry, and I am confident that he will add leadership and more value to the company in his new role.“

Specifically Mr. Bala oversees production and distribution of all mobile content, including video, personalization products and games. He also manages e-commerce activities for ABC. He is charged with developing and managing mobile initiatives related to ABC’s annual broadcast of the Academy Awards; and this year marked the first time Oscar content was available on mobile for the 79^th Academy Awards show.

Employed by ABC since 2004, Mr. Bala most recently served as director, Business Development, ABC Entertainment and ABC Television Studio. Prior to joining ABC, he headed up operations for a direct marketing start-up and was previously with The Walt Disney Company for over six years in various finance and planning roles. He began his career at Ernst & Young, where he earned his CPA credentials.

Mr. Bala resides in Los Angeles with his wife and two children.

Disney-ABC Television Group is home to all of The Walt Disney Company’s worldwide entertainment and news television properties. The Group includes the ABC Television Network, Disney Channel’s worldwide portfolio of kids’ channels, ABC Family and SOAPnet; as well as television production and syndication divisions ABC Television Studio, Walt Disney Television Animation, Buena Vista Worldwide Television and Walt Disney Television International. Disney-ABC Television Group also manages the Radio Disney Network in addition to the Company’s equity interest in Lifetime Entertainment Services and A&E Television Networks.

-- DISNEY-ABC TELEVISION GROUP --

NEWS

March 29, 2007

IS YOUR PHARMACY ERROR-PROOF, OR IS IT A PRESCRIPTION FOR DISASTER?

A BRIAN ROSS EXCLUSIVE INVESTIGATION, ON ABC NEWS’ “20/20,” FRIDAY, MARCH 30

Also: Barbara Walters Interviews Presidential Candidate Rudy Giuliani’s Wife,

Judith Giuliani; Former Mayor Joins Interview

After reports from around the country of devastating prescription errors, ABC News’ “20/20” embarked on a four-month investigation led by ABC News Chief Investigative Correspondent Brian Ross to examine what some industry experts fear is an unreported epidemic of pharmacy errors at the country’s fast growing chain drug stores. As Ross reports, overworked pharmacists are pushed to fill prescriptions at a fast pace and frequently rely on pharmacy technicians -- who often are just high school students -- to actually fill the prescriptions. “20/20” cameras go undercover to investigate the rate of error and find a widespread failure to spot potentially dangerous drug interactions, and customers signing away their right to get information on the drugs they are taking without realizing it. The exclusive report airs on “20/20” on FRIDAY, MARCH 30 (10:00-11:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.

Mary Ann Wagner, senior vice president of the Washington, DC trade group representing the big drug store chains, said huge sums of money are being spent in new training and high tech programs that help prevent errors in the billions of prescriptions filled by the chains each year, and that “patient safety is our number one concern.” But she cannot answer Ross’ question -- “how can you say this industry is taking serious steps to prevent errors if they don’t even know how big the problem is?” -- because, in all but four states, the industry is not required to report pharmacy errors, even those resulting in serious injury or death.

Ross also reports on cases in which pharmacy errors led to a devastating brain injury for a four-month-old baby in suburban Chicago and a crippling stroke for a mother of three from Florida who was given a dosage 10 times higher than what her doctor prescribed.

Plus: Barbara Walters interviews Judith Giuliani, wife of presidential candidate and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani. This is her first in-depth television interview since becoming Mrs. Giuliani, and she responds to numerous questions, including whether she was responsible for the break-up of her husband’s second marriage, her relationship with her step children, the role she will play in her husband’s campaign and what kind of First Lady she would be. Former Mayor Giuliani also joins in the far-reaching interview and addresses these and other topics.

Also: Should cops be held accountable when innocent bystanders are killed during high speed police chases? Bill Ritter reports on a tragic accident in New Jersey last September that took the lives of two teenage sisters when a State Trooper ran a stop sign at high speed, hitting the girls in their car.

“20/20” is anchored by Elizabeth Vargas and John Stossel. David Sloan is executive producer.

-- ABC --

March 29, 2007

Fringe Ratings Report: ABC Daytime Programming LIVE +SD data

Week of March 19-25, 2007

ABC DAYTIME’S FULL AND DRAMA LINEUPS RANKED NO. 1 FOR THE WEEK

(BOTH ABC LINEUPS HAVE RANKED NO. 1 FOR 26 OUT OF 27 WEEKS

THIS SEASON AMONG WOMEN 18-49)

ABC DAYTIME’S FULL AND DRAMA LINEUPS ALSO RANKED NO. 1

FOR THE 7^th WEEK IN A ROW AMONG WOMEN 18-34

ABC’S FULL AND DRAMA LINEUPS RANK NO.1 SEASON TO DATE AMONG WOMEN 18-49

ABC’S FULL LINEUP IS UP 3% SEASON TO DATE AMONG TOTAL VIEWERS (MOST GROWTH), AND IS ALSO UP 1% AMONG WOMEN 18-34, MAKING ABC THE ONLY NETWORK UP

AMONG WOMEN 18-34

“GENERAL HOSPITAL” RANKED NO. 1 AMONG BOTH WOMEN 18-49 AND FEMALE TEENS, MARKING THE SEVENTH WEEK IN A ROW THAT “GH” HAS RANKED NO. 1

WITH BOTH DEMOS IN RATING

“GENERAL HOSPITAL” IS THE ONLY DAYTIME DRAMA TO SHOW SEASON-TO-DATE GROWTH

IN WOMEN 18-34

“THE VIEW” RANKED IN THE TOP 5 DAYTIME PROGRAMS AMONG WOMEN 18-49

FOR THE 26^TH STRAIGHT WEEK, AND IS UP SEASON TO DATE AMONG WOMEN 18-49,

WOMEN 18-34 AND TOTAL VIEWERS

ABC WON THE COMMON 1-3 P.M. TIME PERIOD FOR THE WEEK,

OUTPERFORMING NBC BY 29% AND CBS BY 5% AMONG WOMEN 18-49

Week of March 19, 2007

ABC’s daytime Drama lineup was No. 1 for the week among Women 18-49, with a 1.6 rating and a 10 share, delivering 1.1 million Women 18-49 for the week of March 19, 2007. The lineup outperformed CBS by 16% and NBC by 40%. Among Women 18-34, the lineup was also No.1 for the week, with a 1.2 rating and an 8 share, delivering 396,000 women 18-34.

ABC’s Full daytime schedule was No. 1 for the week among Women 18-49, with a 1.6 rating and a 10 share, delivering an average audience of 1.02 million Women 18-49. The lineup outperformed CBS by 14% and NBC by 35% among Women 18-49. Among Women 18-34, the lineup was also No. 1 for the week, with a 1.1 rating and an 8 share, delivering 380,000 Women 18-34. The Full lineup is up 1% season to date, making ABC the only network to show season-to-date growth among women 18-34. Among Total Viewers, the Full lineup is up 3% season to date (more than any other network).

This week marks the seventh week in a row that both ABC’s Full and Drama lineups ranked
No. 1 among Women 18-49 and Women 18-34.

ABC won three of its four time periods and delivered three out of the top five shows in Women 18-49:

“The View” was the No. 4*-ranked program of the week (tied with “All My Children” and “The Price Is Right 2” in rating), with a 1.4 rating and a 10 share, delivering an average audience of 901,000 Women 18-49. The program was up 18% vs. the same week last year (the only daytime program up) among Women 18-49. “The View” beat the average of the combined half-hours of “the Price is Right” by 8%, “As the World Turns” by 14% and “Guiding Light” by 26% among Women 18-49. Season to date, “The View” is up 21% among Women 18-49. Among Women 18-34, it was up 38% vs. the same week last year and is up 23% season to date.

Among Total Viewers, “The View” had a 1.2 rating and a 9 share, delivering 3.5 million Total Viewers for the week. It was up 34% vs. the same week last year, and is up 18% season to date.

“General Hospital” was the No. 1-ranked program for the 8^th straight week, with a 1.9 rating (tied with Y&R) and a 12 share, delivering 1.23 million Women 18-49. “GH” beat “Days of Our Lives” by 40% among Women 18-49. Additionally, “General Hospital” beat its time period rival, “Guiding Light,” by 71% for the week among Women 18-49.

Among Women 18-34, “GH” was No.2 for the week, with a 1.4 rating and a 9 share, delivering 470,000 Women 18-34. “GH” is up 5% season to date among Women 18-34 (the only daytime drama up among women 18-34.) Among Female Teens, “GH” was the No. 1 ranked program for the week, and was up 23% vs. the prior week and up 42% versus the same week last year. Also, “GH” outperformed “Days” by 118% among Female Teens. Among Total Viewers, “General Hospital” is up 1% season to date. This week marks the seventh week in a row “GH” has ranked No. 1 in both Women 18-49 and Female Teens.

“One Life to Live” was the No. 3*-ranked program of the week, with a 1.5 rating and a 10 share, delivering 1.01million Women 18-49. “OLTL” outperformed time period competitors “As the World Turns” by 27% and “Passions” by 57% for the week. “One Life to Live” was also up 4% versus last week among Female Teens.

“All My Children” was the No. 4*-ranked program of the week (tied in rating with “The View” and “The Price is Right 2”), with a 1.4 rating a 10 share, delivering 947,000 Women 18-49. The “AMC” advantage over time period competitor “Days” was 8% among Women 18-49.

Season to date, ABC Daytime’s drama lineup ranks No. 1, with a 1.7 rating and an 11 share, delivering 1.1 million Women 18-49 – outperforming CBS by 18% and NBC by 16% in actuals. In the Full lineup, ABC Daytime is No. 1, with a 1.7 rating and an 11 share, delivering 1.1 million Women 18-49, outperforming CBS by 20% and NBC 15% in actuals.

Following are the Daytime drama and full Daytime ratings averages for the week:

DAYTIME DRAMAS: TOTAL VIEWERS WOMEN 18-49

No. 1 CBS 3,689,000 No. 1 ABC 1.6/10

No. 2 ABC 3,140,000 No. 2 CBS 1.4/9

No. 3 NBC 2,230,000 No. 3 NBC 1.2/8

FULL DAYTIME: TOTAL VIEWERS WOMEN 18-49

No. 1 CBS 4,021,000 No. 1 ABC 1.6/10

No. 2 ABC 3,224,000 No. 2 CBS 1.4/9

No. 3 NBC 2,230,000 No. 2 NBC 1.2/8

*All information is based on Live + Same Day data.
Monday 3/19/07
Price Is Right 1 was preempted in New York (6.616%)
Price is Right 2 was interrupted in all east coast and central markets from 11:30am-11:45am EST
The View was interrupted in all east coast and central markets from 11:30am-11:45am EST
Wednesday 3/21/07
Bold & The Beautiful was preempted in San Antonio (.696%)
Days of Our Lives was interrupted from 12pm-12:30pm in San Antonio (.696%)
Thursday 3/22/07
All My Children was interrupted from 11:15am-11:30am in Dallas (2.136%), Cleveland (1.381%), San Antonio (.696%), Louisville (0.582%), Oklahoma City (0.595%)
Guiding Light was preempted in San Diego (0.925%) due to NCAA BB Tournament and ran late night in entirety
Friday 3/23/07
Guiding Light was preempted in San Diego (0.925%) due to NCAA BB Tournament and ran late night in entirety

-- ABC -- CORRECTION/UPDATE

As of THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2007 (all times ET unless noted)

MARCH 29

TIME CHANGE “GREY’S ANATOMY: From a Whisper to a Scream” now scheduled 9:00-10:02 p.m.

Originally was 9:00-10:01 p.m.

TIME CHANGE “OCTOBER ROAD: Tomorrow’s So Far Away” now scheduled 10:02-11:00 p.m.

Originally was 10:01-11:00 p.m.

THURSDAY, APRIL 12 (10:01 –11:00 PM)

CORRECTION “NOTES FROM THE UNDERBELLY” will air episodes (TBA) seamlessly as a one-hour telecast in the 10:01-11:00 p.m. hour. (HD/5.1) (CC; Spanish subtitles via secondary CC)

-- ABC --

END

ABC ANNOUNCES FOURTEEN EARLY PICK-UPS FOR THE 2007-08 SEASON

ABC Television Network today announced fourteen early pick-ups for the 2007-08 season for new breakout series “Brothers & Sisters,” “Ugly Betty” and “MEN IN TREES,” as well as returning hits “The Bachelor,” “Boston Legal,” “Dancing with the Stars,” “Desperate Housewives,” “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Jimmy Kimmel Live” and “Lost.” The announcement was made by ABC Entertainment President Stephen McPherson at the March Development Meeting in Los Angeles. These series join previously announced “America’s Funniest Home Videos,” “Supernanny” and “Wife Swap,” which have also been renewed for the 2007-08 season.

“We have had a strong year, with two of the season’s breakout hits, ‘Ugly Betty’ and ‘Brothers & Sisters,’ and the solid performance of ‘MEN IN TREES,’” said McPherson. “We are pleased that viewers have invested in these new favorites along with our other returning series. These shows provide us with a substantial foundation to make 07-08 our best schedule yet.”

“Brothers & Sisters”

In this compelling drama about the Walker family, we meet a collection of intertwined and somewhat damaged adult siblings who embrace one another unconditionally while striving to reflect the perceived perfection of their role model parents. In the days ahead, they will navigate waves of temptation, deception and grief.

“Brothers & Sisters” leads its CBS drama competition (“Without a Trace”/”Cold Case”) in Sunday’s
10 o’clock hour this season among adults (18-34/18-49), and dominates its time period with each of the key women demos. The freshman drama stands as the No. 2 new series on any network in its hour this season with Adults 18-49, behind only ABC’s high-rated debut of “October Road” (3/15/07).

Ken Olin, Jon Robin Baitz and Greg Berlanti are executive producers. The series is produced by ABC Television Studio.

“Ugly Betty”

The award winning drama from ABC Television Studio, based on the Columbian telenovela “Yo Soy Betty La Fea,” has become an international phenomenon. If you took a moment to get to know Betty Suarez, you’d see how sweet, intelligent and hard-working she is. But few people do, because in the world of high fashion, Betty is the oversized peg in the petite round hole.

The freshman “Ugly Betty” has established itself a competitive second to CBS’ time period veteran, “Survivor,” in Total Viewers, while ranking No. 1 with its core audience of Women 18-34. It has substantially improved the time period, representing ABC's top scripted series in the hour in 12 years.

The series stars America Ferrera as Betty Suarez, Eric Mabius as Daniel Meade, Alan Dale as Bradford Meade, Tony Plana as Ignacio, Ana Ortiz as Hilda, Ashley Jensen as Christina, Becki Newton as Amanda, Mark Indelicato as Justin, Michael Urie as Marc, Kevin Sussman as Walter, Rebecca Romijn as Alexis Meade and Vanessa Williams as Wilhelmina Slater.

Academy Award nominee and Emmy Award winner Salma Hayek is executive producer, along with Silvio Horta, Ben Silverman, Jose Tamez, James Hayman and Marco Pennette.

“MEN IN TREES”

“MEN IN TREES” looks at the relationships between men and women through the eyes of relationship coach Marin Frist, who questions her own advice and resolves to temporarily stay in Elmo, Alaska -- where the ratio of men to women is ten to one -- to get started on her new book… about men.

In its Thursday 10 o’clock time period, "MEN IN TREES" ranks second to NBC’s time period veteran, “ER,” beating CBS’ freshman “Shark” among Adults 18-34. On its most recent original airing (2/15/07), “MEN IN TREES” achieved series-high ratings among Adults 18-49 and with key women.

The series stars Anne Heche as Marin Frist, Abraham Benrubi as Ben Thomasson, Emily Bergl as Annie O’Donnell, Seana Kofoed as Jane, Suleka Mathew as Sara, Derek Richardson as Patrick Bachelor, Cynthia Stevenson as Celia Bachelor, Sarah Strange as Theresa, Lauren Tom as Mai Washington, James Tupper as Jack Slattery and John Amos as Buzz Washington.

Created by Jenny Bicks, Bicks, James Mangold and Cathy Konrad are executive producers of the series, which is filmed in Vancouver, Canada, and is from Tree Line Films, Perkins Street Productions and NS Pictures, Inc. in association with Warner Bros. Television.

“The Bachelor”

“The Bachelor” is the original primetime reality romance series that offers one lucky man and 25 lucky women the unique opportunity to find true love.

romance .

“The Bachelor: Rome” was a strong draw with younger viewers, ranking second to NBC’s “Heroes” in Adults 18-34, Women 18-34 and Teens 12-17. The franchise consistently delivers among its core audience of young women, one of the top TV series this season (No. 3).

“The Bachelor” is hosted by Chris Harrison and produced by Next Entertainment in Association with Warner Horizon Television. Mike Fleiss and Lisa Levenson are executive producers. David Bohnert is co-executive producer.

“Boston Legal”

Back-to-back Emmy Award winners James Spader and William Shatner play Alan Shore and Denny Crane, unlikely kindred spirits among the litigators at Crane Poole & Schmidt. Shirley Schmidt (five-time Emmy winner Candice Bergen), a founding partner of the firm, has been coaxed back to bring order to the office. She keeps an eye on all, particularly Denny – with whom she shares a checkered past.

“Boston Legal,” a consistent performer for ABC, generates an extremely upscale audience. The drama stands as the No. 1 TV show this season, based on the concentration of high income viewers in its young adult audience (Adult 18-49 index w/$100K+ annual income).

It stars James Spader as Alan Shore, Julie Bowen as Denise Bauer, Mark Valley as Brad Chase, Rene Auberjonois as Paul Lewiston, Constance Zimmer as Claire Simms, Gary Anthony Williams as Clarence/Clarice Bell, with Candice Bergen as Shirley Schmidt and William Shatner as Denny Crane.

Created by David E. Kelley, Kelley, Bill D’Elia and Janet Leahy are executive producers of the series, which is produced by David E. Kelley Productions in association with Twentieth Century Fox Television, and premiered October 3, 2004.

“Dancing with the Stars”

“Dancing with the Stars” has established itself as one of television’s most popular programs. During its Fall run, it was the second-most-watched program on television, and the No. 1 unscripted TV series in Total Viewers and Adults 18-49. On its season finale during the 2006 November Sweep, the show achieved its most-watched telecast ever, with an average audience of 27.5 million. In its fourth season premiere, “Dancing with the Stars” delivered its best opening numbers ever.

Hosted by Tom Bergeron and Samantha Harris, celebrities perform choreographed dance routines which are judged by renowned Ballroom judge Len Goodman and dancer/choreographers Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba.

“Dancing with the Stars” is the U.S. version of the international smash hit series, “Strictly Come Dancing.” This version is produced in America by BBC Worldwide Productions. Conrad Green and Richard Hopkins are executive producers, and Izzie Pick is co-executive producer. Rob Wade and Matilda Zoltowski are supervising producers. Alex Rudzinski directs.

“Desperate Housewives”

A primetime soap with a truly contemporary take on the “happily ever after,” this hit series takes a darkly comedic look at suburbia, where the secret lives of housewives aren’t always what they seem.

For the third season in a row, “Desperate Housewives” is Sunday’s No. 1 TV program in Total Viewers and Adults 18-49. It qualifies as the second-highest-rated scripted TV program this season among Adults 18-49, behind only ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy.”

“Desperate Housewives” stars Teri Hatcher as Susan Mayer, Felicity Huffman as Lynette Scavo, Marcia Cross as Bree Van De Kamp, Eva Longoria as Gabrielle Solis, Nicollette Sheridan as Edie Britt, Brenda Strong as Mary Alice Young, James Denton as Mike Delfino, Doug Savant as Tom Scavo, Ricardo Antonio Chavira as Carlos Solis, Andrea Bowen as Julie Mayer, Shawn Pyfrom as Andrew Van De Kamp, Joy Lauren as Danielle Van De Kamp, Josh Henderson as Austin Britt, Rachel Fox as Kayla Huntington and Brent and Shane Kinsman as Porter and Preston Scavo.

Marc Cherry is executive producer and creator. “Desperate Housewives” is produced by ABC Television Studio and is the winner of both the 2005 and 2006 Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy.

“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”

“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” makes dreams come true in every episode. It features a race against time, involving a team of designers, contractors and several hundred workers who all have just seven days to totally rebuild an entire house – and change the lives of the lucky families forever.

For the fourth straight season, ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” ranks No. 1 in its Sunday
8 o’clock time period in the key Adult 18-49 demographic.

The design team includes team leader and carpenter Ty Pennington, Paul DiMeo (carpentry/attitude), Paige Hemmis (carpentry/nut & bolts), Michael Moloney (interiors/glamour), Ed Sanders (construction), Preston Sharp (exteriors/big ideas), Tracy Hutson (shopping/style), Tanya McQueen (interiors) , Eduardo Xol (landscaping) and new designer John Littlefield (nuts & bolts).

“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” is produced by Endemol USA, a division of Endemol Holding. David Goldberg is president of Endemol USA. The series is executive-produced by Denise Cramsey and premiered December 3, 2003 on the ABC Television Network.

“Grey’s Anatomy”

The award-winning drama follows the interconnecting relationships of Seattle’s hottest doctors who live life to its fullest amid the daily life-and-death stakes of their jobs. It’s the drama and intensity of medical training mixed with the funny, sexy, painful lives of interns who are discovering that neither medicine nor relationships can be defined in black and white. Real life only comes in shades of grey.

“Grey’s Anatomy” has established a strong presence on Thursday night, winning its 9 o’clock time period and qualifying as Thursday’s No. 1 TV show across each of the adult demographics. It’s the highest-rated scripted show on all of television this season with key adults.

The series stars Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Grey, Patrick Dempsey as Derek Shepherd, Sandra Oh as Cristina Yang, Isaiah Washington as Preston Burke, Katherine Heigl as Isobel “Izzie” Stevens, Justin Chambers as Alex Karev, T.R. Knight as George O’Malley, Chandra Wilson as Miranda Bailey, James Pickens, Jr. as Richard Webber, Kate Walsh as Addison Shepherd, Sara Ramirez as Callie Torres and Eric Dane as Mark Sloan.

Shonda Rhimes is creator and executive producer. Betsy Beers, Mark Gordon and Krista Vernoff are executive producers. “Grey’s Anatomy” is an ABC Television Studio production.

“Jimmy Kimmel Live”

Emmy-winner Jimmy Kimmel serves as host and executive producer of “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” a distinctive late-night talk show with a diverse lineup of guests, including celebrities, athletes, comedians, politicians and human interest subjects.

“Jimmy Kimmel Live” turned in a record-setting February, attracting the show’s biggest February Sweep audience ever. This season “JKL” is up 12% in Total Viewers and 17% among Adults 18-49 over the same point last year. In fact it’s up the most among the late-night entertainment talkers, and is the only show to grow its delivery in the key Adult 18-49 demographic.

Jimmy Kimmel and Jill Leiderman serve as executive producers and Jason Schrift and Douglas DeLuca as co-executive producers. “Jimmy Kimmel Live” is shot live in front of a studio audience and is produced by Jackhole Industries in association with ABC Television Studio.

“Lost”

The band of friends, enemies and strangers continue to work together to stay alive. But as they have discovered during their 70-plus days on the island, danger and mystery loom behind every corner, and those they thought could be trusted may turn against them. Even heroes have secrets.

For the third consecutive season, “Lost” ranks No. 1 in its time period in Adults 18-49. It is Wednesday’s highest-rated scripted TV program in Adults 18-49, and since entering the hour also qualifies as the No. 1 10:00 p.m. series on any network.

-- ABC --

JENNIFER WESTFELDT

Lauren on the ABC Television Network’s “Notes from the Underbelly”

Jennifer Westfeldt is best known for co-writing, co-producing and playing the title role in the indie hit, “Kissing Jessica Stein,” released by Fox Searchlight Pictures.

“Kissing Jessica Stein” won the Audience Award for Best Feature at the Los Angeles International Film Festival, the Audience Favorites Award at the Chicago International Film Festival, the FedEx Audience Award at the Miami Film Festival, Best Feature at the Louisville Jewish Film Festival, and the GLAAD Media Award for Best Picture. Westfeldt won the Golden Satellite Award for Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical, a Special Jury Prize for Writing and Acting at the Los Angeles International Film Festival, and a nomination for an Indie Spirit Award for Best First Screenplay.

Her television credits include “Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place” (series regular), “Holding The Baby” (series regular), “Judging Amy” (recurring), “Hack” (recurring), David E. Kelley’s “Snoops” and many pilots.

Westfeldt’s most recent films include “How to Lose Your Lover,” “Keep Your Distance,” and her latest solo screenwriting effort, in which she co-stars, “Ira and Abby,” which recently premiered at the Los Angeles Film Festival.

Raised in Connecticut and educated at Yale University, Westfeldt started her career as a New York-based theater actress, starring in more than 25 Off-Broadway and regional productions, including the long-running hit, “The Fantasticks.”

More recently she made her Broadway debut in the critical and commercial hit, “Wonderful Town,” directed by Kathleen Marshall, for which Westfeldt was nominated for a Tony Award as Best Actress, and she co-starred opposite two-time Tony Award winner Donna Murphy.

Westfeldt resides in both Los Angeles and New York.

PERSONAL INFORMATION

HOMETOWN Guilford, CT

BIRTHDATE February 2

-- 2006-07 --BIOGRAPHY

PETER CAMBOR

Andrew on the ABC Television Network’s “Notes from the Underbelly”

Peter Cambor makes his television debut as the expectant father, starring opposite Jennifer Westfeldt, in “Notes From the Underbelly.” He was cast in the series when the show’s creator and executive producer, Stacy Traub, saw him in a production of “The Cherry Orchard” with Annette Benning and Alfred Molina at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles in 2006.

Cambor studied at Deerfield High School, where he was required to take an arts class. His mother suggested taking an acting class and, once he started, he never looked back.

Acting in both high school and in college productions at Wesleyan University, Cambor received a bachelor’s degree in English. Post-graduation, he moved to New York to pursue acting while also bartending and waiting tables. It was then that he decided to continue his studies and received an M.F.A. in acting from the American Repertory Theatre’s Institute for Advanced Theatre Training at Harvard University and the Moscow Art Theatre in Russia.

Cambor recently relocated to Los Angeles from New York. He has played guitar for about 15 years and was in a country band in college. One of his other great passions in life is food, and he enjoys cooking elaborate meals – a talent his parents taught him when he was a child.

PERSONAL INFORMATION

HOMETOWN Houston, TX

BIRTHDAT September 28

-- 2006-07 --BIOGRAPHY

MICHAEL WEAVER

Danny on the ABC Television Network’s “Notes from the Underbelly”

Michael Weaver, a musician and singer initially, was performing in a pub in Vancouver when an agent suggested he consider acting. After taking some classes, Weaver booked his first job -- a scene opposite Jack Lemmon. Shortly thereafter he moved to New York to study full time.

After attending director Mike Nichols’ New Actors Workshop in New York City, Weaver was involved in various off-off Broadway productions, including “Geography of a Horse Dreamer” and “Urban Empire’s Worldly Acts,” as well as work at the Upright Citizen’s Brigade Theater. In addition to his stage work, he showed his diversity with guest starring roles on the critically acclaimed NBC dramas “Law & Order” and “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” and in the Fox Searchlight feature film, “Super Troopers,” from the Broken Lizard Comedy Troupe.

Looking to make a permanent leap into film and television, Weaver relocated to Los Angeles and quickly landed a recurring role on NBC’s “Providence.” Guest starring roles followed on “NCIS,” “Cold Case,” “Monk” and the short-lived ABC comedy, “Hot Properties,” among others. One of Weaver’s greatest assets is his ability to excel in both comedy and drama.

Teaming up with Broken Lizard again, Weaver appeared in their second Fox Searchlight release, “Club Dread,” starring Bill Paxton. Paxton was so impressed by Weaver that he cast him in the Disney film “The Greatest Game Ever Played,” on which he served as director.

Adding writing to his list of talents, Weaver recently sold his own television show to Warner Bros. with Broken Lizard, but the show has been put on hold due to his involvement in “Notes from the Underbelly.”

Weaver continues to play music and has released several records, most recently with his New York based band, The New Black. He currently resides in Venice, California, with his wife, Jennifer, and an occasionally annoying hound dog, both of whom are helping him through his addiction to soccer and golf.

PERSONAL INFORMATION

HOMETOWN Vancouver, Canada

BIRTHDATE February 17

-- 2006-07 --BIOGRAPHY

RACHAEL HARRIS

Cooper on the ABC Television Network’s “Notes from the Underbelly”

Rachael Harris is not just a pretty face. Her boundless humor and quick wit are certain to earn her a place at the top of the comedy world. She will be seen in director Christopher Guest’s upcoming film, “For Your Consideration,” this November.

Harris recently wrapped work on two additional feature films, “Evan Almighty,” starring Steve Carell, and “License to Wed,” starring Robin Williams. Previously she starred opposite Kirstie Alley in the much-talked-about Showtime series, “Fat Actress.” In the largely unscripted comedy, Harris played Alley’s makeup artist, hairstylist and cheering squad member, Kevyn.

Harris is no stranger to comedy or improv. She is perhaps best known for her correspondent gig on the critically acclaimed “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.” In addition she has contributed to VH1’s “The Best Week Ever.” She has also been seen on USA’s “Monk,” “Reno 911,” NBC's “Frasier” and “The West Wing,” HBO's “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” VH1's “I Love The 80s Strikes Back” and ABC’s “According to Jim.”

Her film work includes “Kicking and Screaming” for Universal, opposite Will Ferrell, “Best in Show,” “The Haunted Mansion,” “A Mighty Wind,” “Starsky & Hutch” and “After the Sunset.” She also has an impressive background in theatre, where she has appeared in “The Importance of Being Earnest,” “The Speed of Darkness” and “Home Fires.”

Harris has also seen her share of success in the commercial world. Most recently she starred in a memorable T-Mobile commercial and a series of spots for Quaker Rice Snacks. She has also appeared in GEICO, AVIS, Expedia, Dinty Moore and Outback Restaurant commercials, and she brings to her work that je ne sais quoi that's hard to describe but inherently felt. If commercials had end credits, Rachael Harris would be at the top of the list.

A native of Ohio, after graduating from Otterbein College with a degree in Fine Arts, Harris moved to Los Angeles in the mid 1990s, where she joined the famed comedy troupe “The Groundlings.” She soon became a member of The Groundling Main Company, where she had a chance to focus on her skills and eventually teach class in The Groundling School of Improvisation.

Harris currently resides in Los Angeles with her husband, actor Adam Paul, whom she married in 2003.

PERSONAL INFORMATION

HOMETOWN Worthington, OH

BIRTHDATE January 12

-- 2006-07 --

BIOGRAPHY

MELANIE PAXSON

Julie on the ABC Television Network’s “Notes from the Underbelly”

Melanie Paxson was born and raised just outside of Champaign, Illinois, and left her hometown after high school to pursue a degree in Theater Performance at the University of Missouri-Columbia.

After appearing in many stage productions in school and training at the Second City Training Center, Paxson was fortunate enough to perform at the Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago. Upon arriving in Los Angeles soon afterward, she appeared in numerous national commercials, most notably in Glad’s “Voice of Reason” campaign. One of her first big television roles was as Joyce DeWitt in the controversial TV movie, “Behind the Camera: The Unauthorized Story of ‘Three’s Company.’” Following guest appearances on several primetime television shows, she landed a starring role in the NBC sitcom “Happy Family,” before being cast as Julie in “Notes from the Underbelly.”

Paxson currently resides in Los Angeles with her husband of three years, Andy, their two dogs, Sophie and Owen, and their cat, Jesse. In her spare time she loves to travel, listen to music and spend time with her friends and family.

PERSONAL INFORMATION

HOMETOWN Champaign, IL

BIRTHDATE September 26

-- 2006-07 --

BIOGRAPHY

SUNKRISH BALA

Eric on the ABC Television Network’s “Notes from the Underbelly”

Sunkrish began acting as a child in community productions in and around the San Francisco Bay Area. While studying at the Bellarmine College Preparatory High School, he helped found A’shore Productions, an Indian-American theater company — the first of its kind on the West coast. After graduation, he began studying theater at UCLA’s School of Theater, Film and Television, where he was trained as an actor under Mel Shapiro’s program and received instruction from the likes of Anthony Hopkins and Annette Bening. Bala recently received his bachelor’s degree in theatre from UCLA in June 2006, at the end of his four years.

Bala began his professional career in Los Angeles while still training at UCLA. His theater credits include East West Players’ world premiere of “As Vishnu Dreams” and “Barriers,” a post-9/11 drama set in New York. His television credits include “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Will & Grace,” “My Name is Earl,” “CSI: NY” and “Vanished.” He also has a lead role in the upcoming “American Blend,” an independent feature starring Bollywood legend Anupam Kher.

In his spare time Bala writes, plays tennis and tries to travel as much as possible. Having grown up alternating between the United States, India and Singapore, he has quite literally lived around the world. He is proud to call Los Angeles his permanent home.

PERSONAL INFORMATION

HOMETOWN Born in Bombay, India/raised in San Jose, CA

BIRTHDATE May 21

-- 2006-07 --

April 9

April 9, 2007
Fast Facts for Sunday, April 8, 2007 (Based on Fast Affiliate Ratings)

Despite Starting off the Night with Repeat Programming, Opposite All-Original Lineups on CBS and NBC, ABC Leads Easter Sunday by 45% in Adults 18-49

ABC’s Repeat "America’s Funniest Home Videos" Tops Original Competition at 7pm

ABC’s "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" Leads at 8pm, Outdrawing Second-Place
CBS’ "Amazing Race" by 2.8 Million Viewers and by 45% Among Adults 18-49

The No. 1 TV Program on Sunday, ABC’s "Desperate Housewives" Dominates at 9pm

ABC’s "Brothers & Sisters" Tops Sunday’s 10 O’clock Hour Among Adults 18-49

Sunday Primetime (7:00-11:00 p.m.)
Although ABC aired repeat programming in the first hour of prime against all-original competition on CBS and NBC, ABC dominated Easter Sunday among Adults 18-49. During Sunday’s primetime, ABC (4.2/11) beat out second-place CBS by 45% (2.9/8), third-place NBC by 100% (2.1/6) and fourth-place Fox by 121% (1.9/5).

ABC’s "Desperate Housewives" stood as Sunday’s No. 1 TV show in Total Viewers and Adults 18-49. ABC aired the Top 3 TV programs of the evening in Adults 18-49, with "Housewives," "Home Edition" and "Brothers & Sisters."
. , with "Housewives," "Home Edition" and "Brothers & Sisters."

"America’s Funniest Home Videos" (7:00-8:00 p.m.)
ABC’s repeat airing of "America’s Funniest Home Videos" delivered a strong second place to CBS during the 7 o’clock, beating third-place NBC’s original "Dateline" by 2.4 million viewers (7.6 million vs. 5.2 million) and by 77% in Adults 18-49 (2.3/8 vs. 1.3/4). The replay "Videos" ranked No. 1 in the hour among Adults 18-34 (1.6/6-tie), Teens 12-17 (1.4/6) and Kids 2-11 (2.2/10).
delivered a strong second place to CBS during the 7 o’clock, (7.6 million vs. 5.2 million)(2.3/8 vs. 1.3/4). The replay "Videos" (1.6/6-tie), (1.4/6) (2.2/10).
"Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" (8:00-9:00 p.m.)
ABC’s "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" won the 8 o’clock hour, beating second-place CBS’ "Amazing Race All-Stars" by 2.8 million viewers (12.0 million vs. 9.2 million) and by 45% in Adults 18-49 (4.2/12 vs. 2.9/8). ABC’s broad skewing "Home Edition" qualified as No. 1 TV show on Sunday evening with Kids 2-11 (2.8/11).
(12.0 million vs. 9.2 million)(4.2/12 vs. 2.9/8). ABC’s broad skewing "Home Edition" qualified as (2.8/11).
"Desperate Housewives" (9:00-10:00 p.m.)
On its first original telecast since the beginning of March, ABC’s "Desperate Housewives" overshadowed its time period competition. The No. 1 TV program of the night, "Housewives" bested second-place CBS’ "Cold Case" in the 9 o’clock hour by 4.2 million viewers (15.7 million vs. 11.5 million) and by 114% in Adults 18-49 (6.0/15 vs. 2.8/7).
"Housewives" bested second-place CBS’ "Cold Case" in the 9 o’clock hour(15.7 million vs. 11.5 million) (6.0/15 vs. 2.8/7).
"Brothers & Sisters" (10:01-11:00 p.m.)
ABC’s "Brother’s Sisters" ranked a strong No. 1 during the 10 o’clock hour in Adults 18-49, topping second-place CBS’ "Without a Trace" by 14% (4.1/11 vs. 3.6/9). The ABC freshman drama also won

its time period among Adults 18-34 (3.0/9) and across each of the women demographics: W18-34 (4.2/11), W18-49 (5.7/14) and W25-54 (6.4/15).
(3.0/9): W18-34 (4.2/11), W18-49 (5.7/14) and W25-54 (6.4/15). During Sunday’s primetime, ABC (4.2/11) (2.9/8),(2.1/6) (1.9/5).delivered a strong second place to CBS during the 7 o’clock, (7.6 million vs. 5.2 million)(2.3/8 vs. 1.3/4). The replay "Videos" (1.6/6-tie), (1.4/6) (2.2/10). (12.0 million vs. 9.2 million)(4.2/12 vs. 2.9/8). ABC’s broad skewing "Home Edition" qualified as (2.8/11). "Housewives" bested second-place CBS’ "Cold Case" in the 9 o’clock hour(15.7 million vs. 11.5 million) (6.0/15 vs. 2.8/7). (4.1/11 vs. 3.6/9).The ABC freshman drama(3.0/9): W18-34 (4.2/11), W18-49 (5.7/14) and W25-54 (6.4/15).

Source: Nielsen Media Research (Fast Affiliate Ratings, Live+SD), 4/8/07

April 9, 2007

with the help of "extreme makeover: Home Edition," A Family in which
the father and son became paralyzed within a TWO-year span will get
a new home that will allow them more freedom to enjoy their lives

"Westbrook Family" -- Ty and the gang of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" will create a home that is accessible for the entire Westbrook family of Lawton, OK, who have suffered much hardship and two separate accidents that left both father and son paralyzed. The episode airs SUNDAY, APRIL 22 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.

Gene is a hero, wounded fighting for his country; now it’s up to "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" to make the Westbrook home safe and handicapped-accessible, and in turn give Gene and James the freedom that they so want back.

The design team for this episode of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" will feature team leader Ty Pennington and designers Paul DiMeo, Ed Sanders, Preston Sharp and Tracy Hutson. The series is produced by Endemol USA, a division of Endemol Holding. It’s executive-produced by Denise Cramsey. David Goldberg is the president of Endemol USA.

"Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" is broadcast with Spanish subtitles via secondary closed captioning. This program carries a TV-PG parental guideline.

April 9, 2007

A WISTERIA LANE RESIDENT IS SUSPECTED OF MURDER,
ON ABC’S "DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES"

"God, That’s Good" – Susan calls off a wedding, Gaby decides to move forward with a wedding, and a Wisteria Lane resident is suspected of murder, on "Desperate Housewives," SUNDAY, APRIL 22 (9:00-10:01 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

"Desperate Housewives" stars Teri Hatcher as Susan Mayer, Felicity Huffman as Lynette Scavo, Marcia Cross as Bree Van De Kamp, Eva Longoria as Gabrielle Solis, Nicollette Sheridan as Edie Britt, Brenda Strong as Mary Alice Young, James Denton as Mike Delfino, Doug Savant as Tom Scavo, Ricardo Antonio Chavira as Carlos Solis, Kyle MacLachlan as Orson Hodge, Andrea Bowen as Julie Mayer, Shawn Pyfrom as Andrew Van De Kamp, Joy Lauren as Danielle Van De Kamp, Josh Henderson as Austin Britt, Rachel Fox as Kayla Huntington and Brent and Shane Kinsman as Porter and Preston Scavo.

"God, That’s Good" was directed by Larry Shaw and written by Josh Senter & Dahvi Waller.

"Desperate Housewives" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound and Spanish audio via SAP.

A TV parental guideline will be assigned closer to airdate.

April 9, 2007

KEVIN HAS A NEW LOVE INTEREST, ON ABC’S "BROTHERS & SISTERS"

Jason Lewis ("Sex and the City") Guest Stars as Chad Berry

"Sexual Politics" -- Kevin falls for a soap opera actor (guest starring Jason Lewis as Chad Berry) who is confused about his own sexuality. Meanwhile, Kitty and Nora dearly regret being sucked in by the sales pitch of an executive matchmaker, on "Brothers & Sisters," SUNDAY, APRIL 22 (10:01-11:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network. (Rebroadcast. OAD 1/14/07)

"Brothers & Sisters" stars Calista Flockhart as Kitty, Rachel Griffiths as Sarah, Sally Field as Nora Holden, Ron Rifkin as Saul Holden, Patricia Wettig as Holly, Balthazar Getty as Thomas, Dave Annable as Justin, Matthew Rhys as Kevin, John Pyper-Ferguson as Joe, Sarah Jane Morris as Julia and Kerris Lilla Dorsey as Paige.
"Brothers & Sisters" stars Calista Flockhart as Kitty, Rachel Griffiths as Sarah, Sally Field as Nora Holden, Ron Rifkin as Saul Holden, Patricia Wettig as Holly, Balthazar Getty as Thomas, Dave Annable as Justin, Matthew Rhys as Kevin, John Pyper-Ferguson as Joe, Sarah Jane Morris as Julia and Kerris Lilla Dorsey as Paige.

Guest starring are Rob Lowe as Senator McCallister, Caroline Aaron as Elise, Mark Harari as the instructor, Jason Lewis as Chad Berry, Rachel Montez Collins as L.A. babe, Paul Cassell as Gary Morris, Ryan Michelle Bathe as Noreen, Sophia Rachel Garcia as Nicole, Susan Santiago as Vanessa, Sulekah Naidu as the hostess, Jim Anzie as the waiter, Robert Michael Morris as Lawrence Magill, Christian Keyes as the bouncer, Chris Flanders as the reporter and Roxy Olin as Michelle.

"Sexual Politics" was written by Monica Owusu-Breen and Alison Schapker and directed by Sandy Smolan.

"Brothers & Sisters" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound and Spanish subtitles via secondary closed captioning.

This program carries a TV-14,S parental guideline.
"Brothers & Sisters" stars Calista Flockhart as Kitty, Rachel Griffiths as Sarah, Sally Field as Nora Holden, Ron Rifkin as Saul Holden, Patricia Wettig as Holly, Balthazar Getty as Thomas, Dave Annable as Justin, Matthew Rhys as Kevin, John Pyper-Ferguson as Joe, Sarah Jane Morris as Julia and Kerris Lilla Dorsey as Paige.

April 9, 2007

GEORGE TAKES DESPERATE MEASURES TO PROVE THAT VIC’S FIANCÉE
IS BEING FAITHFUL, ON ABC’S "GEORGE LOPEZ"

Stacy Keibler ("Dancing with the Stars") Guest Stars

"George Thinks Vic’s Fiancée is Lion about Being a Cheetah" – George seeks help from a popular reality TV game show in order to expose Vic’s cheating, gold-digging fiancée (guest starring Stacy Keibler), on "George Lopez," TUESDAY, APRIL 24 (8:00-8:30 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. (Rebroadcast. OAD 2/28/07)

"George Lopez" stars George Lopez as George, Constance Marie as Angie, Valente Rodriguez as Ernie, Luis Armand Garcia as Max, Belita Moreno as Benny, Emiliano Díez as Vic Palmero and Aimee Garcia as Veronica.

Guest starring are Stacy Keibler as Lindsay and Joel S. Greco as Joey Greco.

"George Thinks Vic’s Fiancée is Lion about Being a Cheetah" was written by Luisa Leschin and directed by Bob Koherr

"George Lopez" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound and Spanish audio via SAP.

This program carries a TV-PG,D parental guideline.

April 9, 2007

VIC CAJOLES GEORGE INTO A FATHER-SON GOLF GAME,
ON ABC’S "GEORGE LOPEZ"

Champion Boxer Oscar De La Hoya Guest Stars

"George’s Bogey-ous Relationship with Vic is Putt to the Test" – Vic feigns fatherly love so George will play in a father-son golf tournament against his long time rival and his son, Tony (guest starring Oscar De La Hoya), on "George Lopez," TUESDAY, APRIL 24 (8:30-9:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.

Guest starring are Oscar De La Hoya as Tony and Eloy Casados as Dr. Anthony Tovar.

"George’s Bogey-ous Relationship with Vic is Putt to the Test"" was written by Rick Nyholm and directed by Joe Regalbuto.

"George Lopez" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound and Spanish audio via SAP.

This program carries a TV-PG parental guideline.

April 9, 2007

DENNY CRANE, ALAN SHORE AND THE AMBITIOUS VANESSA WALKER HEAD TO
NEW ORLEANS TO DEFEND A DOCTOR ACCUSED OF EUTHANIZING PATIENTS
DURING HURRICANE KATRINA, ON ABC’S "BOSTON LEGAL"

Guest Stars Include Nia Long as Vanessa Walker

"Angel of Death" – Denny Crane and Alan Shore, joined by ambitious new attorney Vanessa Walker (Nia Long), head to New Orleans to defend a doctor accused of euthanizing patients during Hurricane Katrina. Meanwhile Claire Simms’ new secretary, the cross-dressing Clarence, wants to file a lawsuit when he’s kicked out of an all-women’s gym, and Denise Bauer weighs the pros and cons of dating Jeffrey Coho, on "Boston Legal," TUESDAY, APRIL 24 (10:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on The ABC Television Network. (Rebroadcast. OAD 1/9/07)

"Boston Legal" stars James Spader as Alan Shore, Julie Bowen as Denise Bauer, Mark Valley as Brad Chase, Rene Auberjonois as Paul Lewiston, Craig Bierko as Jeffrey Coho and Constance Zimmer as Claire Simms and Gary Anthony Williams as Clarence/Clarice Bell, with Candice Bergen as Shirley Schmidt and William Shatner as Denny Crane.

"Angel of Death" was written by Craig Turk & Janet Leahy & David E. Kelley and directed by Tom Verica.

"Boston Legal" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound and Spanish subtitles via secondary closed captioning.

This program carries a TV-14,D,S parental guideline.

April 9, 2007

JIM AND ANDY BATTLE IT OUT OVER A GRILL,
ON ABC’S "ACCORDING TO JIM"

"The Grill II" – Andy’s attempt to sell a grill that Jim gave him a few years ago results in a wildly destructive tug-of-war between the two, on "According to Jim" WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25 (8:00-8:30 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.

"According to Jim" stars Jim Belushi as Jim, Courtney Thorne-Smith as Cheryl, Kimberly Williams-Paisley as Dana, Larry Joe Campbell as Andy, Taylor Atelian as Ruby, Billi Bruno as Gracie and Conner Rayburn as Kyle.

Guest-starring is Siobhan Dunn as officer.

"The Grill II" is written by Christopher J. Nowak and directed by Dennis Capps.

"According to Jim" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound and Spanish subtitles via secondary closed captioning.

A TV parental guideline will be posted closer to airdate.

April 9, 2007

PREGNANCY’S WELCOME AND UNWELCOME SURPRISES BEGIN
TO SURFACE, ON ABC’S "NOTES FROM THE UNDERBELLY"

"Oleander" -- Andrew and Lauren are quickly discovering the pros and cons of being pregnant, including the things that get in the way of intimacy. A definite plus for Andrew, though, are Lauren’s highly noticeable "pregnancy" breasts, which also prove to be the object of attention for the students she counsels. On the downside, Lauren’s sex drive has diminished and Andrew worries they won’t have time to be intimate once the baby arrives. Heartened by his concerns, Lauren makes several attempts to get "in the mood," only to be foiled by various things. Surprises are also in store for Danny and Cooper when they discover they have something in common, on ABC’s "Notes from the Underbelly," WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25 (8:30-9:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

"Notes from the Underbelly" stars Jennifer Westfeldt as Lauren, Peter Cambor as Andrew, Michael Weaver as Danny, Rachael Harris as Cooper, Melanie Paxson as Julie and Sunkrish Bala as Eric.

"Oleander" was written by Steve Joe and Greg Schaffer and directed by Michael Patrick Jann.

"Notes from the Underbelly" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound and Spanish subtitles via secondary closed captioning.

This program carries a TV-PG,D parental guideline.

April 9, 2007

CHARLIE QUESTIONS WHETHER DESMOND HAS HAD ANOTHER "FLASH"
FORESHADOWING HIS DEATH WHEN COAXED INTO JOINING A TREK
ACROSS THE JUNGLE, AND JEALOUSY MOTIVATES KATE TO TURN TO
AN UNSUSPECTING SAWYER, ON ABC’S "LOST"

"Catch-22" – Desmond coaxes Charlie, Hurley and Jin on a trek across the jungle after experiencing one of his future-prophesizing "flashes" -- but is he purposely placing Charlie’s life in harm’s way? Meanwhile, Kate turns to an unwitting Sawyer after seeing Jack alone with Juliet, on "Lost," WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25 (9:00-10:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network. (Rebroadcast. OAD 4/18/07)

"Lost" stars Naveen Andrews as Sayid, Henry Ian Cusick as Desmond, Emilie de Ravin as Claire, Michael Emerson as Ben, Matthew Fox as Jack, Jorge Garcia as Hurley, Josh Holloway as Sawyer, Daniel Dae Kim as Jin, Yunjin Kim as Sun, Evangeline Lilly as Kate, Elizabeth Mitchell as Juliet, Dominic Monaghan as Charlie and Terry O’Quinn as Locke.

Guest starring are Sonia Walger as Penny Widmore, Jack Maxwell as Derek, Joanna Bool as Ruth, Andrew Connolly as Brother Campbell, Andrew Trask as older monk and Marsha Thomason as Naomi.

"Catch-22" was written by Jeff Pinkner & Brian K. Vaughan and directed by Stephen Williams.

"Lost" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound and Spanish audio via SAP.

A TV parental guideline will be assigned closer to airdate.

April 9, 2007

SUN DISCOVERS THE IDENTITY OF HER UNBORN CHILD’S FATHER AFTER
BEING EXAMINED BY JULIET, AND DESMOND ALLOWS AN UNLIKELY FOE TO HELP
SAVE THE LIFE OF A MYSTERIOUS NEW ISLAND INHABITANT, ON ABC’S "LOST"

"D.O.C. – After discovering that all of "The Others’" pregnant women died before giving birth on the island, an extremely reticent Sun allows Juliet to examine her -- and uncovers the identity of the unborn child’s father. Meanwhile, Desmond allows an unlikely nemesis to help save the life of a new, mysterious island inhabitant, on "Lost," WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25 (10:00-11:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.

"Lost" stars Naveen Andrews as Sayid, Henry Ian Cusick as Desmond, Emilie de Ravin as Claire, Michael Emerson as Ben, Matthew Fox as Jack, Jorge Garcia as Hurley, Josh Holloway as Sawyer, Daniel Dae Kim as Jin, Yunjin Kim as Sun, Evangeline Lilly as Kate, Elizabeth Mitchell as Juliet, Dominic Monaghan as Charlie and Terry O’Quinn as Locke.

Guest starring are Byron Chung as Mr. Paik, Andrew Divoff as Mikhail, Marsha Thomason as Naomi, John Shin as Mr. Kwon, Alexis Rhee as older woman, Esmond Chung as Paik’s associate and Jean Chung as Paik’s secretary.

"D.O.C." was written by Edward Kitsis & Adam Horowitz and directed by Fred Toye.

"Lost" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound and Spanish audio via SAP.

A TV parental guideline will be assigned closer to airdate.

April 9, 2007

LOVE’S ALL AROUND AT MODE, EXCEPT FOR BETTY, WHO TRIES TO
AVOID THE PEOPLE SHE CARES FOR MOST, ON ABC’S "UGLY BETTY"

"Petra-gate" – Betty, fed up with Daniel, Christina and Henry and how they’ve all disappointed her, does her best to avoid all three. Meanwhile, love’s all around at Mode, as Alexis gets asked out on her first date as a woman; Amanda begins a flirtation with a designer (guest star Mykel Shannon Jenkins) who she assumes is gay; Wilhelmina struggles to deal with the tireless advances of her latest conquest, and Hilda gets a surprise from Santos (guest star Kevin Alejandro). Meanwhile, Daniel goes it alone in dealing with the aftermath of his one-time hook-up with Petra, on "Ugly Betty," THURSDAY, APRIL 26 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. Cristian de la Fuente ("The Class," Univision’s "Sonar No Cuesta Nada") guest stars as Rodrigo, Alexis’ admirer.

"Ugly Betty" stars America Ferrera as Betty Suarez, Eric Mabius as Daniel Meade, Alan Dale as Bradford Meade, Tony Plana as Ignacio, Ana Ortiz as Hilda, Ashley Jensen as Christina, Becki Newton as Amanda, Mark Indelicato as Justin, Michael Urie as Marc, Kevin Sussman as Walter, Rebecca Romijn as Alexis Meade and Vanessa Williams as Wilhelmina Slater.

Guest starring are Christopher Gorham as Henry, Kevin Alejandro as Santos, Jayma Mays as Charlie, Cristian de la Fuente as Rodrigo, Annalynne McCord as Petra, Ivana Milicevic as Lena and Mykel Shannon Jenkins as Dijan.

"Petra-gate," was written by Gabrielle Stanton & Harry Werksman and directed by Paul Lazarus.

"Ugly Betty" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound and Spanish audio via SAP.

A TV parental guideline will be posted closer to airdate.

April 9, 2007

THE ATTENDINGS ARE EXTRA ATTENTIVE TO A PATIENT (WHO HAPPENS TO BE
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HOSPITAL BOARD), BURKE PLANS THE WEDDING
WITH LITTLE HELP FROM CRISTINA, AND THINGS HEAT UP BETWEEN
ADDISON AND ALEX, ON ABC’S "GREY’S ANATOMY"
Mitch Pileggi ("The X-Files") Guest Stars

Elizabeth Reaser ("Sweet Land") Returns as Jane Doe

"Desire" – As the interns of Seattle Grace cram for their upcoming exam, the attendings vie for the Chief’s position by tending to the chairman of the hospital board after he’s admitted as a patient. Meanwhile, Burke struggles to involve Cristina in the wedding planning, things heat up between Addison and Alex, and Derek questions his relationship with Meredith, on "Grey’s Anatomy," THURSDAY, APRIL 26 (9:00-10:01 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

"Grey’s Anatomy" stars Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Grey, Patrick Dempsey as Derek Shepherd, Sandra Oh as Cristina Yang, Isaiah Washington as Preston Burke, Katherine Heigl as Isobel "Izzie" Stevens, Justin Chambers as Alex Karev, T.R. Knight as George O’Malley, Chandra Wilson as Miranda Bailey, James Pickens, Jr. as Richard Webber, Kate Walsh as Addison Shepherd, Sara Ramirez as Callie Torres and Eric Dane as Mark Sloan.

"Desire" was written by Mark Wilding and directed by Tom Verica.

"Grey’s Anatomy" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound and Spanish audio via SAP.

A TV parental guideline will be posted closer to airdate.

April 9, 2007

SEASON FINALE

AUBREY WANTS NICK TO CHOOSE BETWEEN HER AND HANNAH, PHYSICAL PHIL ASKS OWEN’S HELP TO GET PIZZA GIRL BACK, RAY CONTINUES HIS MISSION TO DESTROY
THE GANG, A SURPRISE FOR EDDIE BRINGS ON AN UNPREDICTABLE RESPONSE, AND
NICK MEETS AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR AT HANNAH’S, ON ABC’S "OCTOBER ROAD"

"Best Friend Windows" – Aubrey suspects Nick still has feelings for Hannah and wants him to choose between the two of them, but then Nick meets an unexpected out of town visitor at Hannah and Sam’s. Meanwhile, Nick and the guys give Eddie what they thought would be a welcome surprise, but Eddie surprises them with an unpredictable response; Ray continues his mission to destroy the gang by telling Owen about Ikey and Alison’s secret; and Physical Phil makes a life-changing decision to get Pizza Girl (Lindy Booth) back and asks for Owen’s help, on the Season Finale of "October Road," THURSDAY, APRIL 26 (10:01-11:00 p.m. ET), on the ABC Television Network.

"October Road" stars Bryan Greenberg as Nick Garrett, Laura Prepon as Hannah Daniels, Tom Berenger as The Commander, Warren Christie as Ray "Big Cat" Cataldo, Brad William Henke as Owen Rowan, Evan Jones as Ikey, Jay Paulson as Physical Phil, Slade Pearce as Sam Daniels, Geoff Stults as Eddie Latekka and Odette Yustman as Aubrey.

Guest starring are Rebecca Field as Janet "The Planet" Meadows, Jonathan Murphy as Ronnie, Penny Johnson Jerald as Dean Leslie Etwood, Elizabeth Bogush as Alison Rowan, Lindy Booth as Pizza Girl, Bo Mitchell as Doodie, David Galbraith as pizza guy/dude, Charles Black as local businessman and Reed Diamond as Gavin Goddard.

"Best Friend Windows" was written by Josh Applebaum, Andre Nemec and Scott Rosenberg, and directed by Gary Fleder.

"October Road" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound and Spanish subtitles via secondary closed captioning.

This program carries a TV-PG,D,L parental guideline.

April 9, 2007

A FLASHY DIVA MOM FROM VEGAS SWAPS LIVES WITH
A DOWN AND DIRTY MOM WHO OWNS A SCRAP YARD,
ON ABC’S "WIFE SWAP"

This week in "Browne/Robinson," a diva mom who raises her kids to be primped and perfect divas-in-training swaps lives with a laid-back mom whose family owns a scrap yard and can barely control her immature husband and pack of unruly boys, on "Wife Swap," FRIDAY, APRIL 27 (9:01-10:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

At the end of the swap, when the couples are reunited, will D’eva drop the diva attitude and let her kids be kids? Will Christie scrap their scrap yard and clean up her family’s act?

"Wife Swap" is an RDF USA production. It was created by Stephen Lambert and is executive-produced by Stef Wagstaffe and Stephen Lambert of RDF Media ("Faking It" and "Junkyard Wars") and Michael Davies of Embassy Row ("Who Wants to be a Millionaire"). Mitchell Rosenbaum, Stephanie Schwam Adams and Mike Gamson are the co-executive producers.

"Wife Swap" is broadcast with Spanish subtitles via secondary closed captioning. A TV parental guideline will be assigned closer to airdate.

April 9, 2007

"PEARL HARBOR," THE ACTION-PACKED ROMANTIC DRAMA
STARRING BEN AFFLECK, JOSH HARTNETT & KATE BECKINSALE,
AIRS SATURDAY, APRIL 28 ON THE ABC TELEVISION NETWORK

"Audiences will find themselves swept away . . ."
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

"Pearl Harbor," the blockbuster theatrical feature starring Ben Affleck, Josh Hartnett and Kate Beckinsale, will air as the "ABC Saturday Movie of the Week," APRIL 28 (8:00-11:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network. The Academy Award-winning epic, airing in HDTV format with 5.1-channel surround sound and Spanish audio, also stars Cuba Gooding Jr., Jon Voight, Alec Baldwin, Tom Sizemore and William Lee Scott. (Rebroadcast. OAD: 2/8/04)

In "Pearl Harbor," Ben Affleck ("Daredevil," "The Sum of All Fears," Academy Award-winner for "Good Will Hunting") and Josh Hartnett ("Sin City," "Hollywood Homicide") are boyhood friends who achieve their dream of becoming pilots. Affleck meets, pursues and falls in love with a military nurse (Kate Beckinsale, "The Aviator," "Van Helsing"), but he is anxious to see action and heads to England, where war is raging. He enlists in the Royal Air Force and is later reported killed in action. The efforts of his best friend and girlfriend to comfort each other’s grief lead to their own romance.

The feature won its Academy Award for Best Effects, Sound Effects and was nominated for three additional Oscars – Best Effects, Visual Effects; Best Music, Song; and Best Sound. Among the movie’s stunning effects is a bomb’s-eye view as the explosive crashes through three decks of the battleship Arizona, and gut-churning aerial sequences as Affleck and Hartnett battle Japanese Zeros in the skies above Pearl Harbor’s burning Battleship Row. Oscar winner Cuba Gooding Jr. ("End Game," "Radio," "Jerry Mcguire") portrays real-life Navy cook "Dorie" Miller, who won the Navy Cross for his action on December 7; Oscar winner Jon Voight (TV’s "Pope John Paul II," "The Five People You Meet in Heaven") portrays President Roosevelt, Alec Baldwin ("Brooklyn Rules," "The Aviator," "Along Came Polly") stars as daring aviator "Jimmy" Doolittle, Tom Sizemore (TV’s "Dr. Vegas," "Big Trouble") is Sgt. Earl Sistern, and William Lee Scott ("The Butterfly Effect") is Lt. Billy Thompson.

Starring in "Pearl Harbor" are Ben Affleck as Capt. Rafe McCawley, Josh Hartnett as Capt. Danny Walker, Kate Beckinsale as nurse Lt. Evelyn Johnson, Cuba Gooding Jr. as Petty Officer Doris "Dorie" Miller, Jon Voight as President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Alec Baldwin as Lt. Col. James "Jimmy" Doolittle, Tom Sizemore as Sgt. Earl Sistern, William Lee Scott as Lt. Billy Thompson, Jennifer Garner (ABC’s "Alias") as nurse Sandra, Sara Rue (ABC’s "Less than Perfect") as nurse Martha, Greg Zola as Lt. Anthony Fusco, Ewen Bremner as Lt. Red Winkle, Jaime King as nurse Betty Bayer and Catherine Kellner as nurse Barbara.

"Pearl Harbor," released in 2001, was directed by Michael Bay ("Bad Boys" series; "Armageddon") and written by Randall Wallace ("We Were Soldiers," "Braveheart"). The film is a production of Jerry Bruckheimer Films and Touchstone Pictures. (CLOSED-CAPTIONED)

"PEARL HARBOR" IN HDTV:
The ABC Television Network’s HDTV broadcast of "Pearl Harbor" will air in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound and Spanish audio.

This film carries a TV-14,L,S,V parental guideline. Due to some violence and issue content, viewer discretion is advised.

CORRECTION/UPDATE

As of MONDAY, APRIL 9 (all times ET unless noted)

MONDAY, APRIL 9

TIME CHANGE "DANCING WITH THE STARS: Episode 404" is now scheduled 8:00-9:31 p.m. Originally was 8:00-9:30 p.m.

TIME CHANGE "THE BACHELOR: OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN - Episode 1002" is now scheduled 9:31-11:00 p.m. Originally was 9:30-11:00 p.m.

TUESDAY, APRIL 10 (8:00-9:03 PM)

PROGRAM CHANGE Delete: "GEORGE LOPEZ: George Gets Caught in a Powers Play" (8:00-8:30) and "ACCORDING TO JIM: Cheryl Gone Wild" (8:30-9:00)

INSERT: "DANCING WITH THE STARS: PERFORMANCE RECAP SHOW #2" (TV-PG) (HD/5.1; Spanish audio via SAP) (CC)

TIME CHANGE "DANCING WITH THE STARS: Episode 404A" is now scheduled 9:03-10:01 p.m. Originally was 9:00-10:00 p.m.

TIME CHANGE "BOSTON LEGAL: "Brotherly Love" is now scheduled 10:01-11:00 p.m. Originally was 10:00-11:00 p.m.

SUNDAY, APRIL 15

TIME CHANGE "DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES: Liaisons" is now scheduled 9:00-10:02 p.m. Originally was 9:00-10:01 p.m.

TIME CHANGE "BROTHERS & SISTERS: Game Night" is now scheduled 10:02-11:00 p.m. Originally was 10:01-11:00 p.m.

SUNDAY, APRIL 22 (7:00 – 8:00 PM)

SCHEDULED Tonight’s program is "AMERICA’S FUNNIEST HOME VIDEOS: 1721" -- Program information to come. (TV-PG) (CC; Spanish subtitles via secondary CC).

MONDAY, APRIL 23 (8:00 – 9:30 PM)

SCHEDULED Tonight’s program is "DANCING WITH THE STARS: 406" -- Program information to come. (TV-PG) (HD/5.1; Spanish audio via SAP) (CC)

(9:30 – 11:00 PM)

SCHEDULED Tonight’s program is "THE BACHELOR: OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN: 1004" -- Program information/TV parental guideline to come. (CC; Spanish subtitles via secondary CC).

TUESDAY, APRIL 24 (9:00 – 10:00 PM)

SCHEDULED Tonight’s program is "DANCING WITH THE STARS THE RESULTS SHOW: 406A" -- Program information to come. (TV-PG) (HD/5.1; Spanish audio via SAP) (CC)

FRIDAY, APRIL 27 (8:00 – 9:01 PM)

SCHEDULED Tonight’s program is "GREY’S ANATOMY: Desire" (OAD: 4/26/07) -- TV parental guideline to come. (HD/5.1; Spanish audio via SAP) (CC)

(10:00 – 11:00 PM)

SCHEDULED Tonight’s program is "20/20" – Information to come. (CC)

Posted by Bill at 12:21 PM | Permalink

April 08, 2007

What is Easter?

April 8

Easter got its name from Ostara, the Anglo-Saxon goddess of fertility and rebirth. European tribes celebrated the beginning of spring at the vernal equinox, when day and night are equal in length, by blessing seeds for growth and placing colored eggs on an altar. They believed that this ceremony would bring them fertility for the upcoming year.
Easter got its name from Ostara, the Anglo-Saxon goddess of fertility and rebirth. European tribes celebrated the beginning of spring at the vernal equinox, when day and night are equal in length, by blessing seeds for growth and placing colored eggs on an altar. They believed that this ceremony would bring them fertility for the upcoming year.

Christian missionaries noticed that this pagan celebration took place around the time of the resurrection of Christ, so they adopted Easter as a Christian holiday to increase conversions to Christianity.

Easter Hare

The Romans believed that all life proceeded from an egg, so the egg came to symbolize birth and rebirth. Christians regarded eggs as the seeds of life and attributed them with the symbol of Jesus' resurrection.

The rabbit was used in early Easter celebrations to symbolize fertility, perhaps because these animals give birth to multiple offspring at a time. Anglo-Saxon mythology says that Ostara changed her pet bird into a rabbit to entertain a group of children, and the rabbit laid brightly colored eggs for them.

Easter was once celebrated by giving colored eggs to children and later evolved to hiding them in the grass, where they had supposedly been laid by a hare. Children referred to this Easter mascot as the "Easter Hare," which later became known as the "Easter Bunny."

Easter Bonnet

When Christians adopted Easter, they paired this festival of springtime with a sermon. Following the tradition of dressing up for church, Easter Sunday became a special occasion to wear your very best clothes. In fact, many regarded Easter as the first time to wear a new dress and "Easter bonnet". In the early 1900's families would to stroll to church and home again on Easter to show off their "Sunday best."

Easter Basket

The Easter basket evolved from a Catholic tradition, where each family brought a basket of food to mass on Easter Sunday to have it blessed for the evening meal. Later, children would use Easter baskets to gather colored eggs and candy.

Visit the following sites to learn more about the origins of Easter traditions

The pagan origins of the Easter Bunny

Have you ever wondered where the celebration of the Christian holiday celebrating the resurrection of Christ acquired its unusual name and odd symbols of colored eggs and rabbits?

The answer lies in the ingenious way that the Christian church absorbed Pagan practices. After discovering that people were more reluctant to give up their holidays and festivals than their gods, they simply incorporated Pagan practices into Christian festivals. As recounted by the Venerable Bede, an early Christian writer, clever clerics copied Pagan practices and by doing so, made Christianity more palatable to pagan folk reluctant to give up their festivals for somber Christian practices.

In second century Europe, the predominate spring festival was a raucous Saxon fertility celebration in honor of the Saxon Goddess Eastre, whose sacred animal was a hare. The hare is often associated with moon goddesses; the egg and the haer together represent the god and the goddess, respectively.

Pagan fertility festivals at the time of the Spring equinox were common- it was believed that at this time, male and female energies were balanced.

The colored eggs are of another, even more ancient origin. The eggs associated with this and other Vernal festivals have been symbols of rebirth and fertility for so long the precise roots of the tradition are unknown, and may date to the beginning of human civilization. Ancient Romans and Greeks used eggs as symbols of fertility, rebirth, and abundance- eggs were solar symbols, and figured in the festivals of numerous resurrected gods.

Moving forward fifteen hundred years, we find ourselves in Germany, where children await the arrival of Oschter Haws, a rabbit who will lay colored eggs in nests to the delight of children. It was this German tradition that popularized the 'Easter bunny' in America, when introduced into the American cultural fabric by German settlers in Pennsylvania.

Many modern practitioners of Neo-pagan and earth-based religions have embraced these symbols as part of their religious practice, identifying with the life-affirming aspects of the spring holiday. (The Neopagan holiday of Ostara is descended from the Saxon festival.) Ironically, some Christian groups have used the presence of these symbols to denounce the celebration of the Easter holiday, and many churches have recently abandoned the Pagan moniker with more Christian oriented titles like 'Resurrection Sunday.'

Easter, the Sunday of the Resurrection, Pascha, or Resurrection Day, is the most important religious feast of the Christian liturgical year, observed at some point between late March and late April each year (early April to early May in Eastern Christianity). It celebrates the resurrection of Jesus, which his followers believe occurred on the third day (counting inclusively) after his death by crucifixion some time in the period AD 27 to 33 (see Good Friday). This year it will fall on April 8, 2007.
, the , , or , is the most important religious of the , observed at some point between late March and late April each year (early April to early May in ). It celebrates the , which his followers believe occurred on the third day (counting inclusively) after his death by some time in the period AD 27 to 33 (see ). This year it will fall on , .
Easter also refers to the season of the church year, called Eastertide or the Easter Season, lasting for fifty days, from Easter Sunday through Pentecost; and, in the Roman Catholic Church, to the eight-day feast beginning on Easter Day called the Octave of Easter.
also refers to the of the church year, called or the , lasting for fifty days, from Easter Sunday through ; and, in the , to the eight-day feast beginning on Easter Day called the .

In most languages of Christian societies, other than English, German and some Slavic languages, the holiday's name is derived from Pesach, the Hebrew name of Passover, a Jewish holiday to which the Christian Easter is intimately linked. Easter depends on Passover not only for much of its symbolic meaning but also for its position in the calendar; the Last Supper shared by Jesus and his disciples before his crucifixion is generally thought of as a Passover meal, based on the chronology in the Gospels.[1] Some, however, interpreting "Passover" in John 18:28 as a single meal and not a seven-day festival,[2] interpret the Gospel of John as differing from the Synoptic Gospels by placing Christ's death at the time of the slaughter of the Passover lambs, which would put the Last Supper slightly before Passover, on 14 Nisan of the Bible's Hebrew calendar[3]. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, "In fact, the Jewish feast was taken over into the Christian Easter celebration."

The English and German names, "Easter" and "Ostern," are not etymologically derived from Pesach and according to the 8th century Christian monk and historian Bede are instead related to ancient name for the Anglo Saxon goddess, Eostre, who was celebrated during Eosturmonath, equivalent to April/Aprilis[4] Bede wrote in Latin:

"Eosturmonath, qui nunc paschalis mensis interpretatur, quondam a dea illorum quae Eostre vocabatur et cui in illo festa celebrabant nomen habuit."

Translated: "Eosturmonath, which is now interpreted as the paschal month, was formerly named after the goddess Eostre, and has given its name to the festival."

In most Slavic languages, the name for Easter either means Great Day or Great Night. For example Wielkanoc and Velikonoce mean Great Night or Great Nights in Polish and Czech, respectively. Великден (Vělikděn') and Вялікдзень (Vjalikdzěn') mean 'The Great Day' in Bulgarian and Ukrainian respectively.

Easter in the early Church

The observance of any non-Jewish special holiday throughout the Christian year is believed by some to be an innovation postdating the Early Church. The ecclesiastical historian Socrates Scholasticus (b. 380) attributes the observance of Easter by the church to the perpetuation of local custom, "just as many other customs have been established," stating that neither Jesus nor his Apostles enjoined the keeping of this or any other festival. However, when read in context, this is not a rejection or denigration of the celebration—which, given its currency in Scholasticus' time would be surprising—but is merely part of a defense of the diverse methods for computing its date. Indeed, although he describes the details of the Easter celebration as deriving from local custom, he insists the feast itself is universally observed.[5]

Perhaps the earliest extant primary source referencing Easter is a 2nd century Paschal homily by Melito of Sardis, which characterizes the celebration as a well-established one.[6]

A number of ecclesiastical historians, primarily Eusebius, bishop Polycarp of Smyrna, by tradition a disciple of John the Evangelist, disputed the computation of the date with bishop Anicetus of Rome in what is now known as the Quartodecimanism controversy. The term Quartodeciman is derived from Latin, meaning fourteen, and refers to the practice of fixing the celebration of Passover for Christians on the fourteenth day of Nisan in the Old Testament's Hebrew Calendar[7], in Latin quarta decima).[8] In any case, early within the Church it was admitted by both sides of the debate that the Lord's Supper was the practice of the disciples and the tradition passed down.

Shortly after Anicetus became bishop of the church of Rome in the mid second century (ca. AD 155), Polycarp visited Rome and among the topics discussed was when the pre-Easter fast should end. Those in Asia held strictly to the computation from the Old Testament's Hebrew calendar and ended the fast on the 14th day of Nisan, while the Roman custom was to continue the fast until the Sunday following. Neither Polycarp nor Anicetus was able to convert the other to his position—according to a rather confused account by Sozomen, both could claim Apostolic authority for their traditions—but neither did they consider the matter of sufficient importance to justify a schism, so they parted in peace leaving the question unsettled.[9]

However, a generation later bishop Victor of Rome excommunicated bishop Polycrates of Ephesus and the rest of the Asian bishops for their adherence to 14 Nisan. The excommunication was rescinded and the two sides reconciled upon the intervention of bishop Irenaeus of Lyons, who reminded Victor of the tolerant precedent that had been established earlier. In the end, a uniform method of computing the date of Easter was not formally settled until the First Council of Nicaea in 325 (see below), although by that time the Roman timing for the observance had spread to most churches.

A number of early bishops rejected the practice of celebrating Easter (Pascha) on the first Sunday after Nisan 14. This conflict between Easter and Passover is often referred to as the "Paschal Controversy."

April 06, 2007

NBC Universal News

May 7

Universal Studios and I-play Launch Hollywood Movie Minutes on Mobile
Universal Studios' Blockbuster Movie Clips - Live on a Mobile Near You

-- I-play, the mobile entertainment company, and Universal Studios today announced a groundbreaking streaming video service offering the most memorable scenes from Universal's catalog of blockbuster movies to North American fans. 'Movie Minutes' marks the first agreement in mobile history where blockbuster film clips are available on mobile.

Content from Universal Studios' extensive film archive includes scenes from King Kong, The 40 Year Old-Virgin, and The Fast and the Furious, as well as classic hits Animal House and The Breakfast Club. Re-live John Belushi's classic food fight scene from Animal House, Steve Carell's wax job in The 40 Year-Old Virgin, or the monumental battle between Kong and the T-Rex in King Kong. Every day new clips will be available for purchase from the vast Hollywood Movie Minutes library.

I-play has diversified into the broader mobile entertainment space in order to leverage its strong relationships with Hollywood studios and to utilize the full capabilities of its proprietary UNITY content delivery platform. To leverage these strengths, I-play created the 'I-player(TM)'. I-play's proprietary mobile video application that allows consumers to stream video clips and bookmark their favorites to build up a personalized library of videos. Offering usability unparalleled by other mobile video players, Hollywood Movie Minutes allows users to search for their favorite video clips by theme, genre or tag.

"This signals the launch of a ground-breaking service, which brings bite-sized nuggets of blockbuster entertainment to movie fans on mobile for the first time," said David Gosen, CEO of I-play. "Streaming video clips to mobile devices is a huge growth area for us and we are thrilled to be working with Universal Mobile Entertainment and proud to be in a position to offer the best of Universal's film library to North American customers."

Jeremy Laws, Senior Vice President, Universal Mobile Entertainment commented: "People love to talk about, reminisce over, and imitate their favorite moments from film and television. Now those same fans can have clips from Universal's rich film and TV library anywhere they go, anytime they want them. I-play's proven reach and advanced technical platform make them the perfect partner for this project in North America and we look at this as a very natural extension of our strong relationship with them in mobile gaming."

The service is live on Sprint (NYSE:S), Verizon (NYSE:VZ), Rogers (TSX: RCI; NYSE: RG) and Amp'd and is due to be rolled out on other major US carriers imminently.

About I-play

I-play brings the best in mobile entertainment to an audience of over one billion people via a network of over 120 carriers worldwide, including Sprint (NYSE:S), Verizon Wireless (NYSE:VZ), Cingular, Vodafone (LSE: VOD.L) and Telefonica Moviles (NYSE: TEM), amongst others and online portals including http://www.iplay.com/. I-play has been creating mobile games since 1998 and continues to spearhead the creation of mobile entertainment for the next generation. As one of the world's longest established and respected creators of mobile entertainment, the I-play brand stands for quality and the best in mobile development. A move into mobile video content via a license agreement with Universal Mobile Entertainment sees I-play offering the best clips from Universal Studios' most popular blockbuster movies.

I-play's investors are Apax Partners and Argo Global Capital. I-play is headquartered in London, with North American Regional HQ in San Mateo, California and European Regional HQ in Dunfermline, Scotland; development studios in Macclesfield, UK and Bucharest, Romania as well as sales offices in Paris, Hamburg, Madrid, New York and Singapore.

For more information, please call +44-(0)-20-7031-8160 or visit us at http://www.iplay.com/

I-play is a trademark and trading name of Digital Bridges Limited.

About Universal Mobile Entertainment

Universal Mobile Entertainment (UME) generates revenues and enhances brand awareness for NBC Universal's motion picture and television properties through licensing agreements with top-tier publishers. UME oversees the creation of high-quality mobile application services that include games, ringtones, wallpapers, MMS, SMS services and audiovisual services, and ensures ubiquitous distribution through mobile operators and portals worldwide. With offices in Los Angeles, London and Tokyo the team has been aggressive in the mobile content market since 2000 and currently has hundreds of mobile products that are available to consumers in every major territory of the world.

About NBC Universal Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80% owned by General Electric and 20% owned by Vivendi.

Source: I-play

May 4

ROGUE PICTURES AND AMC THEATRES® ANNOUNCE WINNER OF FANS' POLL FOR TOP ACTION MOVIE OF ALL TIME, AS HIT ACTION COMEDY HOT FUZZ CONTINUES THEATRICAL RUN IN BOXOFFICE TOP 10
Published: May 4, 2007

NEW YORK, -- May 3, 2007 -- What is movie fans' favorite action flick of all time? After nineteen days of action-packed voting in Rogue Pictures and AMC Theatres' online poll, the winner was…

…Die Hard. The 1988 classic, directed by John McTiernan and starring Bruce Willis, tallied the most votes out of several thousand cast on a customized page at the theatre chain's official Web site; www.amctheatres.com/hotfuzz. The poll was timed to celebrate Rogue's April 20 U.S. release of Hot Fuzz, the action-packed new hit comedy from the Shaun of the Dead team. After its smash success in the U.K., the movie opened in the U.S. and became the best-reviewed comedy of the year; scored the highest per-screen average of any picture in the U.S. boxoffice Top 10 for two weeks in a row; and has grossed nearly $14 million domestically to date.

One of the most popular movie genres of all time now has its own best-of list, as the fans had the last word and voted for movies from five different decades. The top 25 movies, in order of votes cast, are Die Hard; The Terminator; Lethal Weapon; Se7en; Dirty Harry; The Blues Brothers; Training Day; Bad Boys II; The Untouchables; Man on Fire (2004); Beverly Hills Cop; Bad Boys; L.A. Confidential; Heat; The French Connection; Desperado; Witness; 48 HRS.; The Bone Collector; Serpico; Bullitt; Lethal Weapon 2; Tango and Cash; Hard-Boiled; and The Last Boy Scout. The actors with the most movies in the top 25 were Denzel Washington and Danny Glover, who starred in 3 pictures apiece; the directors with the most movies cited were Michael Bay, Richard Donner, and Tony Scott, with 2 apiece.

Jack Foley, president of theatrical distribution for Focus Features and sibling company Rogue Pictures, commented, "Our partnership with AMC on the promotion for Hot Fuzz was a resounding success. It's clear that Hot Fuzz fans share the moviemakers' enthusiasm for, and appreciation of, the action genre."

Visitors to the AMC Theatres site saw an exclusive online clip from Hot Fuzz, specially introduced by director/co-screenwriter Edgar Wright, co-screenwriter/star Simon Pegg, and star Nick Frost. The trio visited several U.S. cities to promote Hot Fuzz, as they had done prior to the successful 2004 release of Shaun of the Dead (which Hot Fuzz has now outgrossed).

Hot Fuzz's stellar supporting cast includes Academy Award winner Jim Broadbent, Paddy Considine (In America), Timothy Dalton (The Living Daylights), Martin Freeman (The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy), Paul Freeman (Raiders of the Lost Ark), Bill Nighy (Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest), Lucy Punch (The Class), Anne Reid (The Mother), Billie Whitelaw (The Omen), Stuart Wilson (The Mask of Zorro), Edward Woodward (The Equalizer), and plenty of surprises!

A Rogue Pictures presentation in association with StudioCanal of a Working Title production in association with Big Talk Productions, Hot Fuzz is produced by Nira Park, Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner.

Rogue Pictures (www.roguepictures.com) is devoted to producing and distributing high-quality suspense, action, thriller, comedy, and urban entertainment with mainstream appeal and franchise potential.

In addition to Hot Fuzz, current and upcoming Rogue Pictures releases include Bryan Bertino's The Strangers, starring Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman; Robert Ben Garant and Thomas Lennon's Balls of Fury, starring Dan Fogler, Christopher Walken, George Lopez, and Maggie Q; and Neil Marshall's DOOMSDAY, starring Rhona Mitra, Bob Hoskins, and Malcolm McDowell.

Rogue Pictures is part of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80% owned by General Electric and 20% owned by Vivendi.

AMC Entertainment Inc. is a worldwide leader in the theatrical exhibition industry. With a history of industry leadership and innovation dating back to the early 1900s, the company today serves more than 240 million guests annually through interests in 382 theatres and 5,340 screens in 10 countries including the United States. The company is headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri. Additional information is available online at www.amctheatres.com.

###

April 30

Must-Own Collection Features Over 45 Minutes of All-New Bonus Features, Plus the Lightning-Paced Thrillers 'The Bourne Identity' & 'The Bourne Supremacy'
Uncover the Mysterious Past of Jason Bourne on DVD July 24, 2007

Get ready to be blown away with thrilling, heart-pounding excitement when "The Bourne Files: 3-Disc Collection" debuts on DVD July 24, 2007 from Universal Studios Home Entertainment. Packed with amazing fight sequences, phenomenal car chases and spectacular worldwide locations, this new collection features "The Bourne Identity," "The Bourne Supremacy" and over 45 minutes of all-new, exclusive bonus material including an exciting, action-packed sneak peek of "The Bourne Ultimatum." Highly collectible packaging completes this must-own collection arriving in stores just in time for the summer's most anticipated action-thriller, "The Bourne Ultimatum," in theaters August 3rd. Starring Matt Damon as Jason Bourne, the highly successful Bourne films feature an incendiary array of actors, including Oscar(R) winner Chris Cooper ("Breach"), Oscar(R) nominees Joan Allen ("The Contender") and Clive Owen ("Children of Men"), Julia Stiles ("The Omen"), Franka Potente ("Run, Lola, Run") and Brian Cox ("Zodiac").

The films' thrill-a-minute scripts by Tony Gilroy are based on the powerhouse franchise created by bestselling author Robert Ludlum. As he seeks to uncover the truth behind his mysterious past, Jason Bourne hurtles through breathtaking locations including snow-covered Moscow streets and sunny Goan beaches in the action-packed "The Bourne Supremacy," helmed by Oscar(R) nominee Paul Greengrass ("United 93"), who also directs the upcoming, highly anticipated "The Bourne Ultimatum." In "The Bourne Identity," director Doug Liman ("Mr. and Mrs. Smith") creates some of the most exhilarating martial arts sequences and car chases ever filmed. Pre-order close is June 19, 2007. The triple-disc set is priced at $22.98 SRP.

GET INSIDE THE MIND OF JASON BOURNE

WITH AN IN-DEPTH COLLECTION OF BONUS FEATURES

Over 45 minutes of all-new, exclusive bonus features illuminate Bourne's shadowy past and allow fans to delve deep into the mysteries surrounding Jason Bourne, including:

* Sneak Peek of "The Bourne Ultimatum"

* The Ludlum Identity: Robert Ludlum was one of the best selling authors

in history. This mini-documentary uses archival interviews with

Ludlum, colleagues and family members for an extraordinary portrait of

the mastermind behind the Bourne franchise.

* The Ludlum Supremacy: An intriguing feature that reveals new

information about the puzzling history of Jason Bourne.

* The Ludlum Ultimatum: Explore the enigmatic character who has

fascinated audiences for more than 25 years, in this exclusive look at

the enduring power and appeal of Jason Bourne.

The following bonus features associated with "The Bourne Identity" are also included in "The Bourne Files":

* The Bookend Scenes -- Alternate Opening and Alternate Ending: An

alternate opening sequence and complete alternate ending add a new

layer of intrigue. This feature includes an introduction by producer

Frank Marshall and screenwriter Tony Gilroy.

* From Identity to Supremacy -- Jason & Marie: This feature includes

exclusive interviews with Matt Damon and Franka Potente which explore

the making of "The Bourne Identity" -- and build a bridge to the

spectacular sequel, "The Bourne Supremacy."

* The Bourne Mastermind: Robert Ludlum: A fascinating new look at the

late Robert Ludlum, the bestselling novelist who created the "Bourne"

trilogy.

* Access Granted: An exclusive interview with screenwriter Tony Gilroy on

the challenges of adapting Ludlum's 500-page book for the screen.

* Cloak and Dagger: In this feature, CIA liaison officer Chase Brandon

delivers a detailed, real-world analysis of the making of a super-spy.

* The Bourne Diagnosis: Insights into the causes and effects of Jason

Bourne's struggle with amnesia from a UCLA psychologist.

* The Speed of Sound: Join the sound designers from "The Bourne

Identity" and learn what it took to create the audio portion of the

film's heart-stopping car-chase sequence. Then try your hand at sound

mixing with this unique interactive feature.

* Inside a Fight Sequence: Join Matt Damon on the set as he and the

film's Stunt Choreographer map out the explosive action-packed U.S.

Embassy fight sequence.

* Declassified Information: Deleted scenes

* Moby "Extreme Ways" music video

* Feature Commentary with director Doug Liman

The following bonus features from "The Bourne Supremacy" are also featured in this comprehensive collection:

* Explosive Deleted Scenes: Featuring over 10 minutes of additional

action not seen in theaters.

* Crash Cam: Racing through the streets of Moscow: Experience how stunt

coordinators meticulously plan and execute the movie's stunning,

high-speed chase sequence.

* Bourne to Be Wild: Fight Training: Matt Damon didn't become a lethal

weapon overnight. Watch as Matt Damon and the movie's fight trainer

choreograph the film's action-packed, hand-to-hand combat scenes!

* Blowing Things Up: Digital isn't always better. See how some of the

film's most awesome pyrotechnical sequences were created -- without

computerized effects.

* The Go-Mobile Revs up the Action: Feel the rush of being in the

driver's seat with this revolutionary new vehicle used to captured Matt

Damon's high-speed exploits in the movie's jaw-dropping car chase

sequences.

* Anatomy of a Scene: The Explosive Bridge Chase Scene: Step onto the

set and experience the tension and intense preparation as the

filmmaking team plans and shoots one of the movie's most demanding,

dangerous and thrilling action scenes.

* Matching Identities: Casting: See what it took to land a part in this

major action hit.

* Keeping It Real: A look at the edgy and unique style the filmmakers

brought to "The Bourne Supremacy."

* On the move with Jason Bourne: Travel the globe to visit the film's

exotic locations from India to Berlin to Moscow.

* Scoring with John Powell: A special look at creating the pulse-pound

score for the movie.

* Feature Commentary with Director Paul Greengrass

FILM SYNOPSES

"The Bourne Identity"

After being pulled from the sea with two bullets in his back, Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) awakens on a fishing boat with no memory of his involvement in a top-secret, black ops arm of the CIA called Treadstone. The only clue to his identity is the number of a Swiss bank account where he discovers an array of passports and weapons as well as a fortune in cash. As he struggles to regain his memory, his former employers dub him a rogue agent and target him for termination. When an equally deadly assassin codenamed 'Professor' (Clive Owen) is sent to dispose of him, Bourne rediscovers his extraordinary survival skills, including hand-to-hand combat, martial arts and multiple languages, and begins to understand who he really is. As he struggles to unlock the secret of his own identity, Bourne has to deal with his past in order to ensure his own future.

"The Bourne Supremacy"

When his lover is murdered and he is framed for the assassination of a fellow agent, Jason Bourne finds himself on the run again. But as he closes in on his girlfriend's killers, he realizes his former handlers are back on his trail. After his fingerprints are found at the scene of a murder in Berlin, an ambitious CIA operative (Joan Allen) becomes determined to stop him once and for all. Haunted by debilitating fragmented memories as he navigates the labyrinth of international espionage, Bourne (Matt Damon) must outwit, outmaneuver and outmuscle some of the most powerful forces in the world just to survive.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

DVD

Street Date: July 24, 2007

Pre-Order Close: June 19, 2007

Price: $ 22.98 SRP

Selection Number: 61100843

Aspect Ratio for both movies: Anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1)

Running Time:

* "The Bourne Identity" -- 1 hour 59 minutes

* "The Bourne Supremacy" -- 1 hour 49 minutes

Rating for both movies: PG-13

Technical Info for both movies: English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround,

French Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround, Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround,

English SDH, French and Spanish Subtitles

Universal Studios Home Entertainment is a unit of Universal Pictures, a division of Universal Studios (www.universalstudios.com). Universal Studios is a part of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80%-owned by General Electric, with 20% owned by Vivendi.

April 27

FLASH GORDON: SAVIOUR OF THE UNIVERSE EDITION
Published: April 27, 2007

TAKE A BREATHLESS RIDE TO ANOTHER UNIVERSE
IN THE CULT SCI-FI CLASSIC WITH ITS
LEGENDARY QUEEN SOUNDTRACK

All New Digitally Remastered Picture, 5.1 Surround Sound and
Exclusive Bonus Features and Key Art By Renowned Artist Alex Ross Available for the First Time on DVD
August 7, 2007 from Universal Studios Home Entertainment

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. -- April 27, 2007 -- An All-American football player must foil an extraterrestrial plan to dominate the Earth in Flash Gordon: Saviour of the Universe Edition, rocketing into stores August 7, 2007 from Universal Studios Home Entertainment. Available on DVD for the first time, this rollicking sci-fi classic stars Sam J. Jones, Melody Anderson, Timothy Dalton, and Academy Award® nominees Max von Sydow (Pelle the Conqueror) and Topol (Fiddler on the Roof) in the ultimate otherworldly adventure. An all-new digitally remastered picture and 5.1 Surround Sound brilliantly enhance the tongue-in-cheek dialogue, outrageous costumes and over the top sets, as well as the now legendary soundtrack by the celebrated rock group Queen. Directed by Mike Hodges (Croupier, Get Carter) and produced by Dino De Laurentiis (Barbarella, King Kong -1976), Flash Gordon: Saviour of the Universe Edition brings to the screen all the action, romance and fun of the original 1930's comic strip that inspired it. The special edition DVD includes exclusive bonus features, packaging art by renowned comic book artist, Alex Ross, and an "alternate" collectible postcard of the packaging art that make it a must-have addition to the collection of any sci-fi fan. The creation of cartoonist Alex Raymond, Flash Gordon is the original epic outer-space fantasy. The DVD is priced at $26.98 SRP. Pre-order close is July 3, 2007.

BONUS FEATURES BLAST OFF TO EXCITEMENT
The Special Edition DVD includes special bonus features that will take your enjoyment into another galaxy:
• ALEX ROSS, RENOWNED COMIC ARTIST, ON FLASH GORDON - World-renowned comic artist Alex Ross talks about his favorite movie of all time, Flash Gordon, and about how the film has inspired him in his life and work.
• WRITING A CLASSIC: SCREENWRITER LORENZO SEMPLE, JR. - Screenwriter Lorenzo Semple, Jr. speaks about the deliberately campy script for Flash Gordon.
• FLASH GORDON 1936 SERIAL EPISODE - Chapter One of Planet of Peril.

SYNOPSIS
In this wild and wacky update of the 1930's comic strip, maverick scientist Dr. Hans Zarkov (Topol) believes that energy waves emanating from a far-away galaxy are pulling the moon out of its orbit and threatening to destroy the Earth. Along with Flash Gordon (Sam J. Jones), quarterback for the New York Jets, and beautiful Dale Arden (Melody Anderson), Zarkov sets off on a rocket trip to the stars. They follow the energy waves to the distant planet Mongo, where they discover that evil despot Ming the Merciless (Max von Sydow in a deliciously sinister performance) is planning to obliterate life on Earth. Ming decides to add lovely Dale to his harem of concubines and attempts to imprison Flash, who escapes and takes refuge with the planet's rebel forces. He convinces rival Mongo princes Barin (Timothy Dalton) and Vultan (Brian Blessed) to unite their armies, and leads them in an all-out campaign to overthrow Ming and save humanity.

CAST & FILMMAKERS
Director: Mike Hodges
Written By: Michael Allin, Lorenzo Semple Jr., Alex Raymond
Produced By: Dino De Laurentiis
Director of Photography: Gil Taylor
Production Designer: Danilo Donati
Film Editors: Malcolm Cook
Costume Designer: Danilo Donati
Music By: Howard Blake
Cast: Sam J. Jones, Melody Anderson, Max von Sydow, Topol, Brian Blessed, Timothy Dalton

TECHNICAL INFORMATION
DVD
Street Date: August 7, 2007
Pre-Order Close: July 3, 2007
Copyright: 2007 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Price: $26.98 SRP
Selection Number: 61032983
Running Time: 1 Hour 52 Minutes
Layers: Dual Layer
Aspect Ratio: Anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1)
Rating: PG
Technical Info:
• English Dolby Digital 5.1
• Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish, French

Universal Studios Home Entertainment is a unit of Universal Pictures, a division of Universal Studios (www.universalstudios.com). Universal Studios is a part of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80%-owned by General Electric, with 20% owned by Vivendi.

From Universal Studios Home Entertainment: Take a Breathless Ride to Another Universe in the Cult Sci-Fi Classic With Its Legendary Queen Soundtrack, 'Flash Gordon: Saviour of the Universe Edition'

All New Digitally Remastered Picture, 5.1 Surround Sound and Exclusive Bonus Features and Key Art By Renowned Artist Alex Ross Available for the First Time on DVD August 7, 2007 from Universal Studios Home Entertainment

An All-American football player must foil an extraterrestrial plan to dominate the Earth in "Flash Gordon: Saviour of the Universe Edition," rocketing into stores August 7, 2007 from Universal Studios Home Entertainment. Available on DVD for the first time, this rollicking sci-fi classic stars Sam J. Jones, Melody Anderson, Timothy Dalton, and Academy Award(R) nominees Max von Sydow ("Pelle the Conqueror") and Topol ("Fiddler on the Roof") in the ultimate otherworldly adventure. An all-new digitally remastered picture and 5.1 Surround Sound brilliantly enhance the tongue-in-cheek dialogue, outrageous costumes and over the top sets, as well as the now legendary soundtrack by the celebrated rock group Queen. Directed by Mike Hodges ("Croupier," "Get Carter") and produced by Dino De Laurentiis ("Barbarella," "King Kong-1976"), "Flash Gordon: Saviour of the Universe Edition" brings to the screen all the action, romance and fun of the original 1930's comic strip that inspired it. The special edition DVD includes exclusive bonus features, packaging art by renowned comic book artist, Alex Ross, and an "alternate" collectible postcard of the packaging art that make it a must-have addition to the collection of any sci-fi fan. The creation of cartoonist Alex Raymond, "Flash Gordon" is the original epic outer-space fantasy. The DVD is priced at $26.98 SRP. Pre-order close is July 3, 2007.

BONUS FEATURES BLAST OFF TO EXCITEMENT

The Special Edition DVD includes special bonus features that will take your enjoyment into another galaxy:

* ALEX ROSS, RENOWNED COMIC ARTIST, ON FLASH GORDON -- World-renowned

comic artist Alex Ross talks about his favorite movie of all time,

Flash Gordon, and about how the film has inspired him in his life and

work.

* WRITING A CLASSIC: SCREENWRITER LORENZO SEMPLE, JR. -- Screenwriter

Lorenzo Semple, Jr. speaks about the deliberately campy script for

Flash Gordon.

* FLASH GORDON 1936 SERIAL EPISODE -- Chapter One of Planet of Peril.

SYNOPSIS

In this wild and wacky update of the 1930's comic strip, maverick scientist Dr. Hans Zarkov (Topol) believes that energy waves emanating from a far-away galaxy are pulling the moon out of its orbit and threatening to destroy the Earth. Along with Flash Gordon (Sam J. Jones), quarterback for the New York Jets, and beautiful Dale Arden (Melody Anderson), Zarkov sets off on a rocket trip to the stars. They follow the energy waves to the distant planet Mongo, where they discover that evil despot Ming the Merciless (Max von Sydow in a deliciously sinister performance) is planning to obliterate life on Earth. Ming decides to add lovely Dale to his harem of concubines and attempts to imprison Flash, who escapes and takes refuge with the planet's rebel forces. He convinces rival Mongo princes Barin (Timothy Dalton) and Vultan (Brian Blessed) to unite their armies, and leads them in an all-out campaign to overthrow Ming and save humanity.

CAST & FILMMAKERS

Director: Mike Hodges

Written By: Michael Allin, Lorenzo Semple Jr., Alex Raymond

Produced By: Dino De Laurentiis

Director of Photography: Gil Taylor

Production Designer: Danilo Donati

Film Editors: Malcolm Cook

Costume Designer: Danilo Donati

Music By: Howard Blake

Cast: Sam J. Jones, Melody Anderson, Max von Sydow, Topol, Brian Blessed,

Timothy Dalton

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

DVD

Street Date: August 7, 2007

Pre-Order Close: July 3, 2007

Price: $26.98 SRP

Selection Number: 61032983

Running Time: 1 Hour 52 Minutes

Layers: Dual Layer

Aspect Ratio: Anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1)

Rating: PG

Technical Info:

* English Dolby Digital 5.1

* Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish, French

April 23

David Tennant Returns to His Role as the Tenth Timelord, Joined by
New Companion Martha Jones, Played by Freema Agyeman

NEW YORK – April 23, 2007 – SCI FI Channel and BBC Worldwide Americas today announced a major acquisition deal for the U.S. premiere of the third season of Doctor Who. The series will debut on SCI FI in July 2007, kicking off with the Doctor Who Christmas Special: The Runaway Bride, guest-starring award-winning comedy actress Catherine Tate.

In season three, David Tennant returns to his role as the mysterious, time-traveling Doctor. American audiences will meet the Doctor's brand-new sidekick, Martha Jones (Freema Agyeman), in the first official episode of the season, "Smith and Jones."

Chris Regina, Vice President of Programming, SCI FI Channel, said 'Doctor Who' has become a favorite among SCI FI audiences. We are happy to bring the show back for its third season and look forward to following the Doctor's continuing adventures with his newest companion."

Executive Producer and Lead Writer Russell T Davies says, "We were delighted and honored by the second series' success, and we can promise new thrills, new laughs and some terrifying new aliens. The Doctor and Martha are destined to meet William Shakespeare, blood-sucking alien Plasmavores, The Judoon – a clan of galactic stormtroopers – and a sinister Dalek plot in 1930s New York."

The deal, brokered by Lisa Hofer, Vice President of Co-Production & Sales, BBC Worldwide Americas, with the SCI FI Channel grants SCI FI the exclusive first-run rights for Season Three. The second season of the new Doctor Who earned impressive ratings during its airing on SCI FI, delivering an average of over one million viewers each week.

Candace Carlisle, COO, BBC Sales Company, commented, "SCI FI Channel has been a fantastic platform for the Doctor Who Series in the US. We're excited for the Season Three launch and think American audiences will simply love the Doctor's hip new companion."

BBC Video will continue to work with SCI FI Channel on joint marketing promotions to support the Doctor Who brand in the US.

Burton Cromer, Senior Vice President, Consumer Products, BBC Worldwide Americas said: "Our promotional partnership with the SCI FI Channel, both on-air and online, was a significant factor in the fantastic success we've had with the new Doctor Who. It's also helped drive awareness and sales of our 40 plus line of classic Doctor Who titles."

Doctor Who is produced by Phil Collinson. Executive Producers are Head of Drama, BBC Wales, Julie Gardner and Lead Writer Russell T Davies.

Doctor Who is a BBC production in association with CBC in Canada. It has also been sold to over 30 territories internationally, including Japan (NHK), Thailand (Channel 7), South Korea (KBS2), Australia (ABC), New Zealand (Prime), France (France 4), Spain and Portugal (People & Arts), Denmark (Danmarks Radio), Sweden (SVT), Holland (NOS, Channel 3), Italy (Canal Jimmy), Finland (YLE) and Norway (NRK).

About BBC Worldwide Americas:
BBC Worldwide Limited is the main commercial arm and a wholly owned subsidiary of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). The company exists to maximise the value of the BBC's assets for the benefit of the licence payer and invest in public service programming in return for rights. The company has six core businesses: Global Channels, Global TV Sales, Magazines, Content & Production, Home Entertainment and Digital Media. In 2005/06 BBC Worldwide generated profits of 89 million pounds on sales of 784 million pounds.

About SCI FI:
SCI FI Channel is a television network where "what if" is what's on. SCI FI fuels the imagination of viewers with original series and events, blockbuster movies and classic science fiction and fantasy programming, as well as a dynamic Web site (www.scifi.com ) and magazine. Launched in 1992, and currently in 89 million homes, SCI FI Channel is a network of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies.

April 18

TRANSCRIPT: HARDBALL/NBC NEWS PRESIDENT STEVE CAPUS, April 18, 2007

Chris Matthews, host of MSNBC's "Hardball," with NBC News President Steve Capus.

CHRIS MATTHEWS, HOST: Stay with us right now. We have joining us on the telephone, NBC News President Steve Capus. Give us a sense, give us the report on how you learned about this package coming to 30 Rockefeller and how you dealt with it.

STEVE CAPUS, NBC NEWS PRESIDENT: The package, when it arrived at NBC headquarters was originally flagged by the letter carrier. Who pointed out to NBC security that it had a return address from Blacksburg, and so it was immediately brought to the attention of security, even before anybody opened it.

MATTHEWS: Did it have a return address? Did it have the name Cho on it in any way?

CAPUS: It had a different name on it. Not Cho.

MATTHEWS: Ishmael?

CAPUS: That's correct.

MATTHEWS: Is that from "Moby Dick," do you think?

CAPUS: Honestly, I don't know. But the key is when it came in here, NBC security opened it and handled it appropriately and everybody
who touched it wore gloves to keep everything intact. And we
immediately contacted authorities and that set forward the chain of events. And we worked with the authorities this afternoon to make sure that they knew everything that we did. And they requested that we not release some of the information until they had a chance to take a look at it. And we honored that request. And that was the right thing to do.

MATTHEWS: How long did you hold it?

CAPUS: For a matter of hours. I saw a copy around 12:00 noon. And I guess by the first word that went out was at the same time that the Virginia authorities had the news briefing this afternoon at 4:30.

MATTHEWS: What were the items in the package?

CAPUS: There were two things. One was a printout of a PDF type of document. Multi-paged, 23 pages, I believe, of a combination of text and photographs combined in the documents. With the photos embedded in the document. There would be a few lines of text. This kind of rambling manifesto type of statement. And then there would be a series
of photographs. And then the other thing that was in the package was a DVD, a video that was carved into snippets of videotape in quick time files.

MATTHEWS: And so that was the more recent production, apparently.

CAPUS: It is hard to tell, Chris. I don't really know what the timeline is on when those things were prepared or when they were done. Because the investigators are going to have to make a determination of what it, what each of these words means. And I know, you've been in touch with Virginia State Police. I know that they've looked at the
writings, the videotape we've sent some chunks of the video to them and I know that the FBI is in turn, getting them the full videotape.

MATTHEWS: How much more is there of the videotape than what you put on nightly tonight?

CAPUS: I would say there is roughly 10 minutes or so, in total. But that's the guess, Chris. I haven't added it all up.

MATTHEWS: Is it all consistent message of saddness and anger and all the other emotions that were in that short byte?

CAPUS: Very angry. Very, at certain points, agitated. The one thing that becomes clear, because some people were saying, who shot the videotape? As the picture that you're showing right now, it is typical. It is him talking to camera. And somebody might say, who shot
the videotape? On the videotape itself, you can see him lean forward and shut the camera off between the segments.

MATTHEWS: And also, a very steady camera. It looks like he placed on it a shelf or something.

CAPUS: And the still picks, Chris, that are within the PDF file all appear to be grabbed from the videotape.

MATTHEWS: When you look at the picture we're looking at, and I believe you can see the TV picture as well. You see the guy with the outfit he has on. Let me just ask you, when you look at that outfit with the ammo vest and the ammo belt and the fingers exposed with the gloves, the black shirt, the black head ban, all that getup. It does
suggest some planning went into this horror.

CAPUS: I'll tell you, Chris, it gives you chills to look at these photographs. There is a photograph where he has a gun pointed at his
own head. He has a knife at his own neck. He has photographs of hollow tipped bullets lined up on a table or something like that. It is horrifying and chilling.

MATTHEWS: What is impressive to us here after interviewing his suite mate who said that he never spoke a word, really, in the months since August when they were all put together in the same suite. They even thought he couldn't speak English very well. And then to hear his very articulate voice in this horrible tape, to hear him use a rich
language. Clearly, he knew how the speak with great fluency. For him to not speak at all in those months before, and now to give this legacy to NBC. It is a stark departure.

CAPUS: You know, I think this is inside the mind of a murderer. And I don't know, that's the way I would characterize it. The authorities need to look at this and really dissect it and pick it apart. You look at the some of the writings and these are just long, ramblings. That honestly, are very hard to follow, Chris.

And there is an extreme amount of anger. It is laced with profanity all the way through it. And I, it is very hard to follow. It really is.

MATTHEWS: His suite-mates said his roommate, a fellow name Joseph said when they would look at his room, at his screen and watch him work, perhaps, they would see him relentlessly, not playing video games but
writing text. English text. Legnthy narratives of some kind. And maybe they were watching him maybe begin to develop this self-biography, this autobiography. This horror here. Did you wait, reporting facts here. Did you await the authorities before opening the package?

CAPUS: No. The package was opened by NBC security. And as I say, they handled it in the appropriate manner. And all the people who work at NBC security are former law enforcement. And we took frankly, their guidance on how this should be handled and we were in touch with law
enforcement immediately.

MATTHEWS: It was a box. It wasn't an envelope. Is that right?

CAPUS: It was a large oversized envelope. I have not seen the original of the documents and thing like that. Everything I've seen is copies that were made. So they didn't, it is not as though they were pushing around the originals around here. We saw some, the documents. And I asked for the originals to be turned over to the authorities as quickly as we could.

MATTHEWS: We're talking now with the President of NBC News, Steve Capus who received this frightening package today. Was there any
concern by the security people at NBC that it might be a dangerous package?

CAPUS: I don't know, Chris. They didn't tell me that. And I know ever since the anthrax incident, everything of a larger size gets checked when it comes into the building. And as I said, the letter carrier who brought it into the building, flaged us to the retrun address. And so they were already on heightened alert because of the
return address.

MATTHEWS: Last question, in terms of the context, the fact that the
killer here, we can call him that, referenced Eric and Dillian, the
killers of Columbine. Does that lead us in the direction this story
will take? That this is, if not a copycat case, certainly a related
case to the horror that happened in Oklahoma?

CAPUS: I'm not in any position to make that determination. He does
in this note, make reference to Eric and Dillan but I don't know beyond that how to interpret this. I'll leave it to the investigators and I have to say, the Virginia State Police, which is taking the lead on this, has done an outstanding job with us today. And we very much appreciate their efforts. And we wanted to work with them every step of the way.

MATTHEWS: And no understanding yet, except perhaps, its prominence, why he would choose NBC.

CAPUS: No indication in the letter, Chris, of why NBC.

MATTHEWS: Thank you very much. Steve Capus, President of the News Division here at NBC News. He is the President of NBC News. Coming up, much more on Cho's manifesto. That's what we're calling it. It is in the package sent to NBC. We got it today in New York.

April 12

ERIC JOHNSON BRINGS SOME 'FLASH' TO SCI FI'S SIZZLING NEW SERIES

'Flash Gordon' Slated to Premiere in August 2007

Eric Johnson has been cast in the title role of SCI FI Channel's newest original action-adventure series, Flash Gordon. Produced by Reunion Pictures, this modern day retelling of the classic comic strip franchise will begin production in May with an eye toward an August 2007 premiere. RHI Entertainment will be distributing the series internationally.

Placing a 21st century spin on a science fiction classic, SCI FI's contemporized version of Flash Gordon follows the all-new adventures of Flash (Johnson) and his companions, Dale Arden and Dr. Hans Zarkov. Ordinary people thrust into extraordinary circumstances, they find themselves as Earth's last line of defense against the forces of the merciless dictator Ming.

The first two episodes of Flash Gordon are being written by Peter Hume (Charmed, Cruel Intentions II) and directed by Rick Rosenthal. Additional casting is currently underway.

Under an agreement with property owner King Features Syndicate, the new series is being produced by Matthew O'Connor and Tom Rowe. RHI's Robert Halmi, Sr. and Robert Halmi, Jr. (Tin Man, Mitch Albom's The Five People You Meet in Heaven, The Ten Commandments), who previously produced SCI FI's popular miniseries event Legend of Earthsea, will serve as Executive Producers on the series.

Canadian actor Eric Johnson is most recognized for his role as Whitney Fordman on Smallville, a character he portrayed for three years (2001–2004). His career began over a decade ago, when he landed the role of "teen Tristan," the younger counterpart to Brad Pitt in the film Legends of the Fall. Prior to and following Smallville, he worked in a number of films, including Texas Rangers, Question of Privilege, Stealing Sinatra and Bang Bang You're Dead. Most recently, Johnson made guest starring appearances in several television series, including Criminal Minds, The Dead Zone, Ghost Whisperer and The Unit.

RHI Entertainment, LLC is the global leader in the production and distribution of groundbreaking miniseries and movies for television. Since the company's inception, under the guidance of Robert Halmi, Sr. and Robert Halmi, Jr., RHI has produced and distributed over 4,000 hours of quality television programming, received 104 Emmy Awards and outperformed the competition annually in viewer ratings. Currently, RHI provides 40-60 new television movies and miniseries a year to networks worldwide.

Reunion Pictures Inc. is a development, financing and production company based in Vancouver, Canada. Its principals, Lisa Richardson, Matthew O'Connor and Tom Rowe each have 30 years of experience in all aspects of the film and television business.

King Features Syndicate is a member of Hearst Entertainment and Syndication Group, which combines The Hearst Corporation's cable network partnerships, television programming activities, and newspaper syndication and merchandise licensing operations. King Features is the world's premier distributor of comics, columns, editorial cartoons, puzzles and games, distributing some 150 features to nearly 5,000 newspapers around the globe. It is one of the largest and most experienced organizations in merchandising licensing. Among its most beloved and successful classic characters are "Popeye," "Betty Boop," "Blondie" and "Dennis the Menace." In recent years, the company has diversified and now represents properties such as the trendy apparel and accessory brands, David & Goliath, the publicly displayed, life-size art sculptures GuitarMania and The Trail of Painted Ponies; the conscientious-living brand, "Mutts," and SeeMore's Playhouse, the new children's series for public television.

SCI FI Channel is a television network where "what if" is what's on. SCI FI fuels the imagination of viewers with original series and events, blockbuster movies and classic science fiction and fantasy programming, as well as a dynamic Web site (www.scifi.com ) and magazine. Launched in 1992, and currently in 89 million homes, SCI FI Channel is a network of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies.

FLASH GORDON © 2007 King Features Syndicate. TM Hearst Holdings, Inc

April 9

QUOTABLES: 'THE CHRIS MATTHEWS SHOW'

Predictions -- Sunday, April 8, 2007

DAN RATHER, HD NET:
"Fred Thompson gets in on the Republican side. Only thing that possibly keeps him out is he's making a lot of money on the outside. He has a chance to succeed Paul Harvey, which is big money. But I think he's in. And Al Gore is thinking seriously about doing it. He's beginning to lose weight."

CYNTHIA TUCKER, ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION:
"If crime continues to rise, it could be the sleeper issue in the next presidential campaign. It's not just a ghetto issue anymore. The middle class has moved back into major cities, made major investments, and because of the example set by President Clinton, who supported local law enforcement, they will expect the presidential candidates to have an answer for that problem."

MICHAEL DUFFY, TIME MAGAZINE:
"In politics, there's the longest running political buddy movie: the friendship between Bill Clinton and George Herbert Walker Bush is about to come to an end. They're giving a commencement speech next month in New Hampshire, but they've decided the friendship should not be continued in public during the 2008 campaign. Some things are good for the dynasties in the off season, not during a campaign."

NORAH O'DONNELL, MSNBC:
"Some are raising questions about how Senator Hillary Clinton could walk into this presidential race with a database of 250,000 donors and only get contributions from 50,000 donors, whereas Barack Obama got contributions from 100,000 donors. Did she not tap the entire database yet? What does that mean about the future of her candidacy?"

April 6

NBC'S 'LAST CALL WITH CARSON DALY' BEGINS ITS FIRST OUTDOOR CONCERT SERIES APRIL 6

PERFORMANCES INCLUDE BLOC PARTY, AKON, JET AND YOUNG BUCK

On April 6, critically praised alternative rock band Bloc Party will kick off the first season of NBC's "Last Call with Carson Daly'" outdoor concert series. Other outdoor concerts will include performances by chart-topping hip-hop artist Akon, Australian rockers Jet and rapper Young Buck. Additional performers will be announced throughout the coming months.

Last Call previously held two outdoor concert events featuring acclaimed singer-songwriter Ben Harper and G. Love who helped kick off the week-long celebration of "Last Call with Carson Daly's" five-year anniversary (February 19-23, 2007).

Additional exclusive behind the scenes footage and full performances from the artists will be available to view though nbc.com and mobile content providers, marking the popular late night show's first foray into multi-platform programming.

Debuting in January of 2002, "Last Call with Carson Daly" boasts diverse bookings in the worlds of entertainment, politics and sports, and has a solid reputation for breaking new bands as well as showcasing the latest acts from the music industry. In addition to guest interviews and musical performances, the show features nightly monologues by Daly, as well as comedy bits and sketches.
"Last Call with Carson Daly" is produced by NBC Universal Television Studio and is taped before a live audience at NBC Studios in Burbank, California. David Friedman and Guy Oseary are executive producers.

Posted by Bill at 08:39 AM | Permalink

April 05, 2007

Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games Coverage

May 3

Weston Bakeries Marks 125th Anniversary by Announcing that it is an Official Supplier to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games

May 3, 2007

The Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) and Weston Foods (Canada) Inc. announced today that Weston Bakeries Limited has been named the Official Supplier of Bread and Baked Goods for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Details of the new partnership were shared at the Weston Family Innovation Centre in the Ontario Science Centre as part of Weston Bakeries Limited 125th anniversary celebrations.

"2007 marks an important milestone in the history of Weston’s and as we celebrate 125 years, we are excited to also celebrate the very best of Canadian athletes,” said Ralph Robinson, President, Weston Foods (Canada) Inc. to an audience including Olympic Gold Medallists Beckie Scott (cross-country skiing) and Brad Gushue (curling) and Olympic women’s snowboard cross Bronze Medallist, Dominique Maltais.

“Weston’s commitment to excellence in Canadian sport is echoed in our support of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and we are delighted to work hand-in-hand with VANOC to inspire all Canadians to celebrate the possible,” he added.

Building on Weston’s proud Olympic history as a sponsor of the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games and 1988 Calgary Olympic Games, this partnership provides Weston Bakeries Limited with Official Supplier sponsorship rights in the Bread and Baked goods category. In addition to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, Weston Bakeries Limited will also serve as the Official Supplier for the Canadian Olympic teams competing in Beijing in 2008 and London in 2012.

“We are pleased to have Weston Bakeries Limited join the team helping to feed the spirit of Olympic and Paralympic dreams,” said John Furlong, VANOC CEO. “Building on their proud legacy which started at the Olympic Games in Montreal and Calgary, Weston is once again demonstrating a strong commitment to excellence and a desire to inspire Canadians of all ages to engage in sport and play.”

W. Galen Weston, Chairman and President, George Weston Limited who helped mark the celebration added: “these are exciting times for Weston Bakeries. I can't think of a better way to celebrate the 125th anniversary of my grandfather’s greatest achievement - the founding of this great bakery - than to be lending our support to Canadian athletes and the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.”

With a passion to providing sport and fitness opportunities for Canada’s children and youth, George Weston Limited., parent company of Weston Bakeries Limited, also announced a donation of $300,000.00 to YMCA organizations across Canada. An exciting new initiative, the Wonder Play, Dream, Grow Community Spirit program will fund community-based programs that help kids stay fit through play. The program will also include funding the building of several playgrounds and training facilities in communities across Canada.

About VANOC
VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the X Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010. Vancouver and Whistler will host the Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010.

VANOC's marketing program is focused on securing mutually rewarding partnerships with shared values to generate sufficient revenue to host successful Winter Games in 2010 and to leave a financial legacy for sport. VANOC’s Worldwide TOP partners include Coca-Cola, Atos Origin, GE, McDonald’s, Omega, Samsung and Visa. VANOC's National Partners are Bell Canada, Hbc, RBC Financial Group, GM Canada, Petro-Canada, and RONA.

VANOC’s Official Supporters include Air Canada, the British Columbia Lottery Corporation, Canadian Pacific, the Royal Canadian Mint, Ricoh Canada Inc., ICBC and Teck Cominco Limited. VANOC’s Official Suppliers are Dow Canada, EPCOR, Haworth Canada, Nortel, Vincor Canada, Workopolis, and Weston Bakeries.

About Weston Foods (Canada) Inc.
Weston Foods (Canada) Inc. is a subsidiary of George Weston Limited, a Canadian public company and is one of North America's leading food processing and distribution companies. Weston Bakeries Limited is one of Canada's leading bakeries with a number of well-known bakery brands including Wonder®, Country Harvest®, D'Italiano®, Thomas'® and Weston®.

® Weston Bakeries Limited, Licensee of the trademarks.

Nortel Named Official Converged Network Equipment Supplier for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games: Nortel Infrastructure to Enable Converged Voice, Data, Video over IP Network

May 1, 2007

Nortel* [NYSE/TSX: NT] and the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) announced today that Nortel will be the Official Converged Network Equipment Supplier for the 2010 Winter Games. As part of the sponsorship agreement, Nortel will supply the network communications equipment required for what will be the first all-IP converged Games network.

Nortel will be providing the converged local area network (LAN) equipment to VANOC at 15 Games venues in both Vancouver and Whistler, as well as at the Vancouver 2010 headquarters and numerous supporting venues.

In addition, Bell Canada earlier selected Nortel to supply the wide area network (WAN) equipment it will use to build a core network to enable secure and reliable communications among all event locations. Bell Canada, the exclusive Telecommunications Services Provider and Premier National Partner for the 2010 Winter Games, will use Nortel VoIP, Metro Ethernet and IP solutions to create and deploy a dedicated carrier-class IP network for VANOC that securely converges all voice, video, and data communications.

With Nortel’s selection by VANOC for the Games’ LAN network and by Bell Canada to supply equipment for the Games’ WAN network, Nortel equipment will be used end-to-end for the 2010 Winter Games.

“VANOC and Bell Canada chose Nortel to supply the network infrastructure for one of the most important, most visible, and most watched sporting events in the world,” said Mike Zafirovski, president and CEO, Nortel. "It takes world-class networking expertise to support an event of this magnitude. With the eyes of the world upon them, VANOC can depend on the strength of Nortel to ensure the success of the Games."

“At Vancouver 2010, we are pleased to build on Canada’s proud history of advancing the way people communicate,” said John Furlong, VANOC CEO. “With Nortel joining our team, we will provide a positive human experience through reliable, secure and mobile communications. We are delighted to welcome Nortel’s employees to our team and invite them to help us celebrate the true spirit and potential of our country.”
Nortel’s six-year Official Supplier partnership with VANOC provides sponsorship rights for the 2010 Winter Games and the Canadian Olympic Teams participating at the Beijing 2008, Vancouver 2010 and London 2012 Olympic Games.

Designed and delivered by Bell Canada and using Nortel equipment, the 2010 Winter Games will be the first ever to converge all of its voice, video and data traffic over a single IP-based network backbone. This will also be the first Olympic and Paralympic Games to use voice over IP (VoIP) for all event locations, allowing athletes and support staff to have true user portability through a phone number that roams with them wherever they go.
“With all our athletes and event staff relying on this network, absolute network reliability and security are of paramount importance,” said Ward Chapin, chief information officer, VANOC. “Nortel’s rich history of designing and deploying some of the world’s most reliable and robust communications infrastructure is why we asked Nortel to design and build our converged LAN. In addition, Nortel’s support to Bell Canada in building the Games WAN will also increase the seamless power of the network while lowering costs to build and operate the network.”

"Given our experience with and trust in Nortel in supporting the delivery of our commercial networks, it was only natural that Bell Canada select Nortel to help us build the wide area network for the 2010 Games,” said Justin Webb, vice president, Olympic Services, Bell Canada. “We are working together closely to create a network for VANOC that delivers uncompromised performance, security, and simplicity, from the core infrastructure down to the individual user.”

Bell Canada will use the Nortel Ethernet Routing Switch 8600 and Optical Multiservice Edge 6500 to create a resilient, high-bandwidth transport network that connects all venues and supporting sites, with the Ethernet Routing Switch 5000 Series converging communications at all location sites. Bell Canada will also be providing network-based VoIP within all VANOC sites and competition venues utilizing Nortel’s market leading Communication Server 2000-Compact and IP Phone 1100 Series sets.

Nortel will directly supply LAN, WiFi, management and network security solutions to VANOC for all venues and supporting sites. Nortel Global Services will also be provided to support the design and deployment of the network.

VANOC's marketing program is focused on securing mutually rewarding partnerships with shared values to generate sufficient revenue to host successful Winter Games in 2010 and to leave a financial legacy for sport. VANOC’s Worldwide TOP Partners include Coca-Cola, Atos Origin, GE, McDonald’s, Omega, Samsung and Visa. VANOC's National Partners are Bell Canada, Hbc, RBC Financial Group, GM Canada, Petro-Canada, and RONA.

VANOC’s Official Supporters include Air Canada, the British Columbia Lottery Corporation, Canadian Pacific, the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia, Jet Set Sports, Ricoh Canada Inc., the Royal Canadian Mint, and Teck Cominco Limited. VANOC’s Official Suppliers are Birks, Dow Canada, EPCOR, Haworth Canada, Vincor Canada and Workopolis.

About Nortel
Nortel is a recognized leader in delivering communications capabilities that make the promise of Business Made Simple a reality for our customers. Our next-generation technologies, for both service provider and enterprise networks, support multimedia and business-critical applications. Nortel’s technologies are designed to help eliminate today's barriers to efficiency, speed and performance by simplifying networks and connecting people to the information they need, when they need it. Nortel does business in more than 150 countries around the world. For more information, visit Nortel on the Web at www.nortel.com. For the latest Nortel news, visit www.nortel.com/news.

Contact

VANOC Communication
mediarelations@vancouver2010.com

Certain statements in this press release may contain words such as “could”, “expects”, “may”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “intends”, “estimates”, ”targets”, “envisions”, “seeks” and other similar language and are considered forward-looking statements or information under applicable securities legislation. These statements are based on Nortel’s current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the operating environment, economies and markets in which Nortel operates. These statements are subject to important assumptions, risks and uncertainties, which are difficult to predict and the actual outcome may be materially different from those contemplated in forward-looking statements. For additional information with respect to certain of these and other factors, see Nortel’s Annual Report on Form10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other securities filings with the SEC. Unless otherwise required by applicable securities laws, Nortel disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

*Nortel, the Nortel logo and the Globemark are trademarks of Nortel Networks.

Propelling Canadian athletes toward unparalleled podium success

April 26, 2007

With a medal in her sights, Canada’s Emily Brydon competes in the women’s World Cup Downhill in Tarvisio, Italy. (Photo courtesy of Reuters)While Canada has previously hosted two successful Olympic Games, it has the distinction of being the only country in the history of the Games not to have won a gold medal in the two Games it has hosted. It happened in Montreal in 1976 and again in Calgary in 1988. But we’re expecting things will be very different in 2010, with Canadian athletes winning big and delivering tangible results through an initiative called Own the Podium 2010, also known as OTP.

Taking things to a new level
Almost immediately upon being awarded the right to host the 2010 Winter Games, the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games (VANOC), through its major corporate sponsors and the Province of British Columbia, collaborated with the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC), the Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) and the Government of Canada to develop a comprehensive and ambitious plan. This plan would not only help propel our Winter Games athletes to unprecedented performance levels, but also give them every edge at winning gold. Today, Own the Podium 2010 is working. With typical Canadian reserve – and overwhelming public approval – it’s changing the face, and psyche, of Canadian sport.

Visually-impaired skier Kathleen Forestell follows her guide down the Super G course en route to a gold medal at the Disabled Skiing Cup in Winter Park, Colorado A year after OTP 2010 was implemented, Canadian winter athletes posted their best Winter Games finish ever, placing third overall in Torino in 2006 – and earning an amazing 13 fourth-place finishes. In the recently concluded 2006-07 World Cup and World Championship season, Canadian high performance winter athletes took it to another level, finishing second, after Germany, with 132 medals.

Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) CEO Chris Rudge called the results “an unequivocal success for Canadian winter sport.” Rudge continued, “Together with VANOC, Own the Podium 2010, Sport Canada, our National Sport Federations and sport partners, the Canadian Olympic Committee will continue to help provide Canada’s athletes with as much support as possible in order to achieve our ambitious goal of finishing first overall at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.”

Canada’s Francois-Louis Tremblay skates during the men’s 500 metre World Short Track Speed Skating Championships. (Photo courtesy of Reuters)Earlier this year, VANOC CEO John Furlong, one of OTP’s strongest and earliest proponents, proudly and justifiably proclaimed: “There has been no better time in the last 50 years to be a Canadian winter athlete. Sponsors are hiring athletes in jobs tailored to them, and corporations are sponsoring them. Many can finally do what top athletes around the world have been allowed to do – train full-time without having to worry about losing a job.”

Own the Podium legacies
The reins of the five-year, $110 million program (half-funded by the Government of Canada and half-funded by VANOC through its major corporate sponsors and the Province of British Columbia, with Bell Canada as OTP’s founding corporate sponsor) are in the experienced hands of Dr. Roger Jackson. Jackson won the only gold medal for Canada at the Tokyo 1964 Olympic Summer Games in rowing with George Hungerford. Together they were awarded the Lou March Trophy as Canada’s top male athletes that year. Jackson is a former director of Sport Canada, a three-time president of the COC, a former dean of the Faculty of Kinesiology at the University of Calgary (from 1978-88) and founder and director of the University of Calgary Sport Medicine Centre. In 1984, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada. He is also an inductee into the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame.

Tangible benefits for Canadian sport
Jackson can easily recite a checklist of legacies that OTP will help forge in Canadian sport.

“There will be multiple improvements from the Own the Podium 2010 initiative. One, the winter sports should win more medals than ever, a feature that very much enhances the presentation of the Games held in Canada. Two, the national sports organizations will be considerably strengthened by the funding and the experience of trying to significantly improve their programs over the five years. Three, there are many programs that are currently building the base of developing athletes who will excel in 2014. Four, there are good experiences with winter sport for the VANOC corporate sponsors, and it is our intention to encourage them to continue their involvement beyond 2010. Five, the OTP initiative is adding new programs or strengthening programs to support [Canada’s] sport system. Six, OTP itself has been created as a single focus to lead Canada’s high-performance initiative, which allows a new coordinated approach to funding, program implementation and policy development.

“All of these have already been achieved or are being achieved,” concluded Jackson.

Creating winning conditions
High-performance initiatives have been launched before but never one that has been athlete- and excellence-driven.

Jennifer Heil celebrates her silver medal finish in the ladies’ moguls finals at the Freestyle World Champsionships. (Photo courtesy of Reuters)Jackson explained that the podium results begin on the ground. “The coaches have better defined and more appropriate working and employment conditions; the number of athletes they are training is more limited to allow the coaches to focus more attention on fewer athletes; there are more coaches and high-performance directors helping winter sports than a year ago; and there is now an emphasis on the professional development of these coaches to bring them to international standards where necessary.

“The top athletes have access to a much better and more comprehensive sport science and medicine servicing, from better-prepared professionals who, themselves, are learning how to work with world-class athletes.” “We have a rare opportunity, “ Jackson continued, “to utilize the Olympic and Paralympic facilities as they are built. Our athletes will therefore be very familiar with the Canadian environment and these specific facilities.

“Both the COC and CPC are stepping up their efforts to create ‘winning conditions’ for their teams for the 2010 Games, which means making sure every attention is paid to the smallest details so the athletes are prepared for the 2010 environment when they compete at home.”

If Canada does in fact top the medal standings in 2010, Canadians can be sure it will be a team effort. Who those medal-winning athletes are remains to be seen, but Jackson is quick to heap praise on the support staff that is already behind them every step of the way.

Canada’s Alexandre Bilodeau is airborne en route to a first place finish at a freestyle ski moguls World Cup competition. (Photo courtesy of Reuters)“The attitude and support of the VANOC sports managers, their leaders – Tim Gayda [VANOC’s vice president, sport] and Cathy Priestner Allinger [VANOC’s executive vice president, sport, Paralympic Games and venue management], John Furlong and the senior marketing and communications teams – is outstanding and very, very valuable to OTP,” said Jackson. “We are helped so often by them. I have never seen such support for the athletes and National Sport Organizations (NSOs) of the host country in all my years with many Organizing Committees. OTP is extremely fortunate to have this support.”

From outside our borders, and excluding hockey, Canadian sport has only on the rarest of occasions been viewed as a threat to top the podium. When the Games begin in 2010, Canadian athletes will be viewed as nothing but. Let the Games begin

Insurance Corporation of British Columbia joins drive towards 2010 -- 2010 Winter Games Licence Plates Unveiled

April 11, 2007

Premier Gordon Campbell, the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC), and the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) announced today a new Official Supporter partnership that will offer BC residents the opportunity to directly support the Games with one-of-a-kind 2010 Winter Games Licence Plates available for BC motorists to purchase starting next week.

”British Columbians are excited and proud to be hosting the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and these licence plates are one more way for all of us to show that pride,” Campbell said. “I want to thank ICBC and VANOC for providing this innovative opportunity for British Columbians to get involved in supporting the 2010 Winter Games as we countdown the 1,038 days until the Opening Ceremony.”

The six-year partnership designates ICBC as an Official Supporter in the “motor vehicle insurance” category of the 2010 Winter Games, including sponsorship rights for the Canadian teams participating at the Beijing 2008, Vancouver 2010 and London 2012 Olympic Games. In addition to the introduction of the 2010 Winter Games licence plates, ICBC will also be the official supplier of motor vehicle insurance for VANOC’s fleet of approximately 4,500 General Motors passenger vehicles.

“ICBC is extremely pleased to support the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and help make these the most successful Winter Games ever,” said ICBC President and CEO, Paul Taylor. “ICBC’s sponsorship provides British Columbians with a number of opportunities to directly support the 2010 Winter Games and promote BC.”

The licence plates allow motorists to showcase both the 2010 Winter Games and their province as they travel inside and outside British Columbia. They will be available for an initial fee of $35 starting the week of Monday, April 16 through Autoplan Insurance brokers across the province with the net proceeds going towards the successful staging of the 2010 Winter Games and as a result, the future success of Canadian athletes.

“With the addition of ICBC to our family, we’re driving the Games onto every highway and into every driveway with a top BC company synonymous with safety and community building,” said John Furlong, VANOC Chief Executive Officer. “Our goal is for all BC residents and Canadians to feel ownership of the Games and ICBC’s reach to all British Columbians will offer everyone the chance to demonstrate their pride and excitement. Following the leadership of ICBC, we’ll now look to develop additional licence plate programs in provinces and territories across Canada.”

ICBC’s contribution to VANOC will include net proceeds from the sale of 2010 Winter Games licence plates and the provision of auto insurance services. Costs for the insurance services will be funded by ICBC’s Optional Insurance business, which competes with other auto insurers in the BC marketplace. ICBC is the largest provider of Optional auto insurance in BC with $ 1.4 billion in net premiums written and 2.2 million customers.

The 2010 Winter Games joins five recent Winter Games that have introduced licence plate programs, including Montreal 1976 and Calgary 1988. The BC licence plates will feature the 2010 Winter Games emblem, and the province’s slogan, “The Best Place on Earth.” The mountain-scene on the 2010 Winter Games plate is that of Mount Garibaldi in Garibaldi Park, located 13 km north of Squamish, 97 km north of Vancouver along Hwy 99 on the road to Whistler. The chosen plate design captures the spirit of the Games while showcasing one of the most scenic and breathtaking areas between Vancouver and Whistler. The image was also used in the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Bid proposal.

VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the X Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010. Vancouver and Whistler will host the Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010.

VANOC's marketing program is focused on securing mutually rewarding partnerships with shared values to generate sufficient revenue to host successful Winter Games in 2010 and to leave a financial legacy for sport. VANOC’s Worldwide TOP Partners include Coca-Cola, Atos Origin, GE, McDonald’s, Omega and Visa. VANOC's National Partners are Bell Canada, Hbc, RBC Financial Group, GM Canada, Petro-Canada, and RONA.

VANOC’s Official Supporters include Air Canada, the British Columbia Lottery Corporation, Canadian Pacific, the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia, Jet Set Sports, the Royal Canadian Mint, Ricoh Canada Inc. and Teck Cominco Limited. VANOC’s Official Suppliers are Birks, Dow Canada, EPCOR, Haworth Canada, Vincor Canada and Workopolis.

Contact

VANOC Communications
mediarelations@vancouver2010.com

April 30

Legacies of Lake Placid Games still delivering after 27 years

April 30, 2007

Volume One of Legacies of North American Winter Games report released today

The first volume of a report commissioned by the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) shows the legacies of the 1980 Lake Placid Olympic Winter Games are still a powerful contributor to the community 27 years after the Closing Ceremony.

The Lake Placid report, which was released today at vancouver2010.com, is the first of three volumes of the Legacies of North American Olympic Winter Games report commissioned by VANOC. The remaining two volumes of the report will be released over the next month continuing with the Calgary report on May 7, and the Salt Lake report on May 14.

, which was released today at vancouver2010.com, is the first of three volumes of the Legacies of North American Olympic Winter Games report commissioned by VANOC. The remaining two volumes of the report will be released over the next month continuing with the Calgary report on May 7, and the Salt Lake report on May 14.

The Lake Placid report is based on research obtained from many documents including newspaper and magazine articles, official reports, studies, books, and original interviews to outline the legacies to the host community of the 1980 Games. Key among the findings are a number of impressive economic and sport legacies including the following:

is based on research obtained from many documents including newspaper and magazine articles, official reports, studies, books, and original interviews to outline the legacies to the host community of the 1980 Games. Key among the findings are a number of impressive economic and sport legacies including the following:

In the 2004–05 fiscal year, 25 years after the Lake Placid 1980 Olympic Winter Games, the overall economic impact of the Olympic Regional Development Authority’s (ORDA) operations to the village and surrounding counties was $323.7 million USD.

In 2004, an estimated 333,535 non-resident visitors used ORDA facilities. The direct impact of visitor spending on the local economy that year was more than $310 million USD, resulting in 1,056.6 jobs.

Almost 90 per cent of the U.S. Olympic Team members at the Torino 2006 Olympic Winter Games had gone through training in Lake Placid at some time during their sports careers.

Lake Placid hosts an average of five World Cups every year, in addition to numerous other competitions.

33 of the 34 medals awarded to the U.S. Olympic Team at the Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Winter Games were won by athletes who trained in Lake Placid.

“As a community that has twice hosted the Olympic Winter Games, Lake Placid continues to enjoy human and economic benefits and lasting legacies,” said VANOC CEO John Furlong. “We are encouraged by the findings of this report and excited about the opportunities the Games present for future generations. Clearly, the Games have the potential of producing so much more than two months of stellar sport performance,” he concluded.

“The State of New York was honoured to host the world at the 1980 Olympic Winter Games, and we continue to welcome visitors from around the world to the Lake Placid region today,” said Sandy Caligiore, Communications Director for the State’s Olympic Regional Development Authority. “The positive economic and social impact of the Games is very real and very alive to this day,” he added.

VANOC commissioned the Legacies of North American Winter Games report believing the most appropriate model for understanding the potential legacies of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games is the experiences of other Winter Games held within the North American context since 1980. The independently-written reports offer detailed look back on the experiences of previous North American Olympic Winter Games hosts.

The Legacies reports, separately and combined, show how the host communities of Olympic Winter Games in North America continue to:

increase tourism in their regions

remind the world of their attractions at subsequent international competition

build sports participation

be national hubs for recreational and competitive sport

help the country’s top athletes achieve their full potential

attract major sports companies to locate there

encourage local children to excel in sport and other areas of life

“The report shows that, on a continent where enthusiasm for and participation in winter sports is widespread, hosting a successful Winter Games can have numerous, multi-faceted benefits, many of which last for generations to come,” said Furlong.

“VANOC is determined to continue this trend, delivering an outstanding Games experience in 2010 and legacies that will continue to benefit the community for many generations to come,” he concluded.

About VANOC

About the Lasting Legacies Report and Author

VANOC commissioned the research and writing of The Legacies of North American Olympic Winter Games report in July 2006. The researcher and author, Kate Zimmerman, has been a journalist in Canada for 27 years, writing for numerous newspapers and magazines. She lives in North Vancouver, BC.

Contact

VANOC Communications

April 27

Vancouver 2010 delivers solid report on Games progress to IOC Executive Board (Beijing)

April 26, 2007

With 1,023 days to go before the Opening Ceremony of the 2010 Winter Games, John Furlong, Chief Executive Officer of the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC), today presented a comprehensive Games update to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board.

The update was presented during the 2007 Sport Accord International Sports Convention. The presentation included a summary of the 4th Coordination Commission, hosted in Vancouver from March 6-8, 2007 and highlighted the significant progress on the venue construction program which moves into its most intensive stage this year. The IOC also expressed its desire for an Executive Board meeting to be held in Vancouver in late 2009 and VANOC warmly welcomed the idea.

Furlong delivered a review of the Organizing Committee's key accomplishments to date, in addition to highlighting VANOC’s 2007 priorities.

Among the topics Furlong addressed:

venue construction program progress

the release of the VANOC Business Plan and Games operating budget, which has been approved by the VANOC Board of Directors, with a public release date scheduled for May 8

a sponsorship and licensing update confirming that 80 per cent of the overall 2007 domestic sponsorship revenue target has been met

accommodation targets and the media accommodation program

development of the 2010 Winter Games ticketing program

modifications to the 2010 sport program, including the addition of ski cross and format changes for speed skating team pursuit and skeleton

finalization of the test event program

"Every single day we are focused on moving the project forward in all key areas," said Furlong as part of his address to the IOC. "A solid partnership is the key to successful Games in 2010 and throughout the past several months our partnership with the IOC and particularly the Coordination Commission members has grown immensely. Your guidance and advice is making our planning better and we thank you for your ongoing support."

Furlong’s update included the presentation of a new Vancouver 2010 video, an eight-minute production featuring progress on the 2010 venues and the people involved in the construction program. Following the video presentation, Furlong spoke to the venue construction program and recognized the tireless efforts of those involved in all aspects of Games preparation.

“We are proud to be introducing this inspiring video to an international audience today,” said Furlong immediately following the presentation. “As we literally start to see our venues coming out of the ground, we are able to share with the world the story of our project while showcasing the many dedicated people behind the scenes who are bringing our project to life.”

In addition to his presentation to the IOC, Furlong addressed a group of International Sport Accord delegates during a panel discussion titled “Working with Your Host City.” Hosted by Susie Simcock of the World Squash Federation, the session focused on models of successful cooperation for host cities of international sporting events.

Contact

New report details lasting legacies of Olympic Winter Games in North America

April 26, 2007

Olympic Winter Games in North America are generally highly successful and leave a multitude of lasting legacies in their host communities, according to a new report commissioned by the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC). The report, which includes a chapter on each of the three previous North American Olympic Winter Games, will be released over the next month as part of a host of activities to mark the 1,000 day countdown on May 19 to the Opening Ceremony of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

The Legacies of North American Olympic Winter Games report, prepared by an independent researcher, documents and illustrates the possible social and economic trends that result from hosting Olympic Winter Games in North America and the lasting impacts of hosting the Olympic Winter Games on a specific community and region.

The report examines the legacies of the three Olympic Winter Games held in North America since 1980: in Lake Placid, Calgary and Salt Lake City. Research sources include previous official Games reports, Games senior leaders, studies, books, newspaper and magazine analyses, and original interviews with individuals who have witnessed firsthand the effects of hosting the Games in their communities. “Social and economic trends are often left unidentified until the facts are pulled together and analyzed in one place, through a common lens,” said VANOC’s Chief Executive Officer John Furlong. “This report, summarizing the legacies of previous North American Olympic Winter Games, outlines trends that should be encouraging to all British Columbians, all Canadians and other North American cities considering bidding for the Olympic Winter Games,” he said.

All three of the previous North American Olympic Winter Games examined in the report were deemed a success in their time. The report shows how these host communities continue to:

increase tourism in their regions

remind the world of their attractions at subsequent international competition hosted there

build sports participation

be national hubs for recreational and competitive sport

help the country’s top high performance athletes achieve their full potential

attract major sports companies to locate there

encourage local children to excel in sport and other areas of life

“The best model for understanding the potential legacies of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games is analysis of other Winter Games held within the North American continent,” said Furlong. “This report offers a frank look back on the experiences of previous North American Olympic Winter Games hosts. While each Games was unique with its own story, the findings clearly indicate a pattern of positive opportunity.”

Due to the significant volume of each report, they will be released at vancouver2010.com on a staggered timeline: Lake Placid on April 30, Calgary on May 7 and Salt Lake on May 14.

The legacy of Winter Games can perhaps be easiest seen through high performance sport. Lake Placid has hosted the Olympic Winter Games twice (1932 and 1980), and has produced 125 local medal-winners since the Olympic Winter Games’ inception in 1924. After Salt Lake staged the 2002 Olympic Winter Games, 69 of the 211 athletes on the U.S. team in Torino in 2006 had trained at the Olympic Games facilities in Salt Lake. At the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Torino, more than 25 per cent of the 196-member Canadian team was from the Calgary area and trained on legacy facilities from the 1988 Olympic Winter Games.

Calgary, the only Canadian city that has hosted an Olympic Winter Games, has a strong post-Games legacy. The Calgary Olympic Development Association (CODA) is responsible for a financial legacy that makes it the largest private funder of Olympic winter sport in Canada. Canada Olympic Park (COP) is a multi-venue sports complex that is the second-largest tourist draw in Alberta, attracting one million visitors a year – nearly 20 years after Calgary hosted the Olympic Winter Games. Plans are well underway to further develop COP.

The report shows a similar success story regarding New York State’s Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA). In the 2004-2005 fiscal year, a quarter century after the 1980 Lake Placid Olympic Winter Games, the overall economic impact of ORDA’s operations to the village and the counties surrounding it was an estimated $323.7 million USD.

The Salt Lake Organizing Committee (SLOC) decided after the 2002 Games to use its $100 million USD profit to turn Salt Lake City and Utah into “an elite sports capital of the world.” Since 2002, the Utah Sports Commission (USC) has hosted almost 200 major sports events. In 2006 alone, the economic impact of the events the USC helped organize was between $500-600 million USD. The state has also enticed more than 10 major sports equipment companies to call it home.

“The Legacies report shows that on a continent where enthusiasm for recreational and high performance winter sport is widespread, hosting a successful Winter Games can have numerous, multi-faceted benefits, many of which last for generations,” said Furlong.

“VANOC is determined to continue this impressive trend, delivering an outstanding Games experience in 2010 and legacies that continue to benefit the community for many years into the future,” he concluded.

About VANOC

About the Lasting Legacies Report and Author

Contact

April 23

News Release on behalf of Samsung - Samsung Concludes Contract with the International Olympic Committee to Sponsor Olympic Games Through 2016

April 23, 2007

Samsung, an official TOP Partner of the Olympic Games in wireless telecommunications equipment, concluded a sponsorship contract with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on April 23, 2007 at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, China. Samsung first became a full sponsor of the Olympic Games during the Nagano Olympic Winter Games in 1998. According to the new contract, Samsung will officially sponsor the Olympic Games and the Olympic Movement for the next eight years, through the Vancouver Olympic Winter Games in 2010, the London Olympic Games in 2012, the 2014 Olympic Winter Games, and the 2016 Olympic Games.

The Samsung-IOC Olympic Games sponsorship contract signing ceremony was attended by Samsung Chairman, Kun-Hee Lee, who arrived in Beijing after a three-week business trip to Europe, and more than 200 officials in sports from around the world, including International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge, Chief Executive Officer of the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) John Furlong, and London Organizing Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) Chairman Sebastian Coe.

According to guidelines set forth by Samsung Chairman, Kun-Hee Lee in 1996 – “Devise strategies that can raise brand value, which is a leading intangible asset and the source of corporate competitiveness, to the global level” – Samsung decided to sponsor the Olympic Movement to strengthen its global corporate image and brand value and has been carrying out a global marketing campaign with the Olympic Games and the Olympic Movement as the single theme.

Accordingly, Samsung concluded a TOP (The Olympic Partner) sponsorship contract with the IOC in 1997. Since then, the company has been an official sponsor in the wireless telecommunications equipment category, including the Nagano 1998 Olympic Winter Games, the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, the Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Winter Games, the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, the Torino 2006 Olympic Winter Games, and the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. By sponsoring the Olympic Games and the Olympic Movement for the last ten years, Samsung has made great strides towards becoming a “cutting-edge global brand” that leads the mobile phone industry. The Beijing Olympic Games in 2008 are expected to be the climax of the company’s efforts for the last ten years.

In fact, Samsung’s brand value grew more than five-fold from a mere 3.1 billion dollars in 1999 to 16.2 billion dollars in 2006, according to the annual company brand value ratings by Interbrand, the world’s largest brand consulting company. According to Strategy Analytics, a market research organization, Samsung’s global mobile phone market share went up from 5.0% in 1999 to 11.6% last year, and its sales volume increased seven times from 16.65 million units to 114 million units.

The Partnership between Samsung and the Olympic Movement is mutually beneficial. Samsung is demonstrating its cutting-edge wireless technology at the Olympic Games, and is fully living up to its corporate philosophy – “contribute to society” – through the Olympic Movement. Wireless Olympic Works (WOW), first released by Samsung for the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, is a service that enables the real-time transmission of Olympic Games information to mobile phones.

Samsung seeks to boost the value of the Olympic Games and prepare for the Olympic Ceremonies as a worldwide partner in the wireless telecommunications equipment category, making a shift from a voice-based, “mobile phone-centered” sponsorship to delivering all forms of information via the mobile phone.

By sponsoring the Olympic Games for the next eight years, including the TOP VII (Vancouver 2010 –London 2012) and TOP VIII (host countries not yet determined), in addition to the TOP IV (Nagano 1998 –Sydney 2000), TOP V (Salt Lake City 2002 –Athens 2004) and TOP VI (Torino 2006 –Beijing 2008), Samsung will create a strong association between the Olympic Movement and Samsung, and will further enhance the status of the Samsung brand. By concluding a long-term Olympic sponsorship contract, Samsung is proving that investing in the Olympic Games is key to growth of a “brand” and “mobile phones”, and is showing the world that investing in the Olympic Games means unlimited growth potential.

Vice Chairman and CEO, Jong-Yong Yun of Samsung Electronics and International Olympic Committee Marketing Commission Chairman, Gerhard Heiberg held a signing ceremony on Samsung’s eight-year sponsorship at a specially produced signing table at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse on the evening of April 23. Samsung Chairman, Kun-Hee Lee demonstrated great interest by personally welcoming officials in the sports field from across the globe, including the IOC President, Jacques Rogge.

During the signing ceremony on April 23, Daniel Newham from England and Xuchunni from China were joint MCs, and Canadian Ana Yang gave a bubble performance that symbolizes the “Dreams of the Olympic Games and Samsung.” The ceremony was made all the more meaningful with the participation of a performer from England, who plays the main character of the musical “The Little Prince,” officials from countries who will host the Olympic Games, and Sumi Jo, a Korean soprano.

About Samsung Electronics
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2006 parent company sales of US$63.4 billion and net income of US$8.5 billion. Employing approximately 138,000 people in over 124 offices in 56 countries, the company consists of five main business units: Digital Media Business, LCD Business, Semiconductor Business, Telecommunication Network Business and Digital Appliance Business. Recognized as one of the fastest growing global brands, Samsung Electronics is a leading producer of digital TVs, memory chips, mobile phones and TFT-LCDs. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com

April 12

Anti-doping movement aims for clean Games in 2010 and beyond

April 11, 2007

In 1998, a doping scandal of unprecedented scale nearly took the wheels out from underneath the Tour de France (the world’s premier cycling event).

When viewed through the lens of time, this scandal may ultimately be recognized as one of sport’s biggest wake-up calls. With the International Olympic Committee (IOC) leading the charge, the fallout from the controversy resulted in the creation, in 1999, of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The battle against doping was no longer to be fought sport-by-sport, but globally.

Fast-forward to February 1, 2007, when UNESCO (the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization, a specialized UN agency) ratified the International Convention against Doping in Sport. The Convention set a record as the fastest to travel from draft form to ratification in UNESCO’s 62-year history. More significantly, the fight against doping was inscribed for the first time into international law, synchronizing the efforts of sport and civil authority. In paying tribute to the swift passage of the Convention, WADA Chairman Dick Pound attached hyperbole, “it is actually a miracle”, to fact, “an extraordinary commitment by governments.”

Canada has suffered the lows of a doping scandal (Ben Johnson, Seoul 1988 Summer Games) and the highs of dope-free success and championing (Beckie Scott, Salt Lake City 2002 Winter Games) and has emerged as one of the leaders in the international fight against doping. The Dubin Enquiry (commissioned by the Canadian government in 1989 after Johnson tested positive for steroid use following his gold-medal win in the 100-metre final at the Seoul 1988 Summer Games) opened eyes around the world to the scope of the issue and leading to the establishment of the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES). WADA elected Pound as its first chairman in 1999 and, in 2001, selected Montreal for its headquarters.

The Vancouver 2010 Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) tapped into that wealth of leadership when, in November 2006, it entered into a partnership to implement the anti-doping program (for both the International Olympic and Paralympic Committees) for the 2010 Games. Under this partnership, then-CCES General Manager Jeremy Luke was named as VANOC’s director, anti-doping. The Ontario native arrived in Vancouver to take up his position in early March 2007.

There’s no denying the significance of the task Luke and his team face. Earlier this year, IOC President Jacques Rogge called for even greater unity against doping in sport because “science has created more powerful performance-enhancing drugs that are more dangerous to the health of athletes than ever before.”

In that regard, Luke points to the World Anti-Doping Code, the UNESCO Convention, better testing and preventive programs in more countries and the growing number of criminal investigations to search out the miscreants – not only the athletes but, more particularly, the manufacturers, procurers and distributors of illicit drugs – as tools used to fight the anti-doping battle.

Anti-doping mission
VANOC’s approach to anti-doping offers hope that the will to cheat will be absent for any athletes who will compete in the 2010 Games – both because of the fear of being caught and due to increased awareness.

“[VANOC’s] mission in anti-doping is two-fold. One is to make sure we’ve got a cutting-edge doping control program consistent with the IOC and IPC anti-doping rules which incorporates all the latest analytical techniques to maximize the deterrent [with the companion lab facility] so we can send a very strong message to athletes that if you choose to deliberately dope and you come to Vancouver we’ve got a system in place to catch you.”

“But of equal importance," emphasized Luke, is that "[VANOC] wants to do everything it can to inform athletes of the IOC and IPC anti-doping rules, and provide them with the resources in order to be able to make the right decision when it comes to doping.”

In this regard, VANOC has drawn up a five-point information and awareness program which will leverage already-existing anti-doping programs, ”so we won’t be recreating the wheel,” said Luke. He noted that VANOC’s initial plans entailed implementing part of the program with relevant sport partners during the run-up to the 2010 Winter Games, in which a large majority of Olympic- and Paralympic-level athletes are expected to compete.

State-of-the-art testing program
Beyond that, VANOC intends to leave an outreach legacy of its own. “We think in Canada we’ve got a pretty effective way to educate our athletes before major Games. What we want to do is take that program and provide it to National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and National Paralympic Committees (NPCs). We will provide them with various anti-doping resources and do everything we can to get them to use these resources and engage their athletes in the process,” said Luke, adding that this initiative will begin in early 2008.

Luke was quick to point out that VANOC will tap into all the resources the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport has to offer in order to deliver a state-of-the-art testing program. “The CCES is a world leader and has doping control officers across Canada that can be relied on as experts in their field.” Additionally, VANOC “will be bringing other staff from [the CCES], adapting their protocols, their procedures and other aspects of their program and relying on their expertise.”

Values-based sports system
What about education as a longer term tool in the fight against doping in sport? “One of the more effective ways to deal with it,” noted Luke. “is target our youth and create a values-based sports system. This way, if youth are exposed to doping, it’s such an unacceptable thing to do that they would never engage in it to begin with.”

“And from a Canadian point of view, I’d say that at the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport, [education] is a large area of focus. I think what it comes back to is recognizing that doping isn’t the only issue and we shouldn’t deal with doping in an isolated way. It’s about attitudes, values and beliefs. Individuals for some reason when they’re exposed to those things, sometimes make the wrong decisions. We’ve got to focus on how we can create a sports system that is really values-based and would make doping so unacceptable, in the same way that drinking and driving or smoking are now perceived. At that point in time we will really be able to deal with it.”

Just when that point in time may come remains to be seen, but all signs suggest the battle is now being actively fought on behalf of the overwhelming majority of clean athletes. For the few who still haven’t grasped the full impact, Pound, speaking recently on TSN’s Bell Spirit of the Game series, put it bluntly: “It’s just not worth it. It’s not worth what you do to yourself. It’s not worth what you do to your body. It’s not worth what you do to the public who hope and expect you will be following the rules.”

April 5

Fuelling Canada’s podium dreams – Vancouver 2010 Coin Sport Collector Cards available at a corner station near you

April 5, 2007

You may have noticed a shiny curling coin jingling around in your change this winter, the first of 17 Olympic- and Paralympic-themed circulation coins launched by the Royal Canadian Mint (RCM) to celebrate Canada’s Games in 2010. To help make those Games even more spectacular, Petro-Canada and the RCM are offering Canadians an easy way to support Canada’s promising athletes and coaches – all in the time it takes to fill the tank.

The Vancouver 2010 Coin Sport Collector Card program will launch 12 illustrated cards that will include collectable versions of the popular Olympic- or Paralympic-themed 25-cent circulation coins issued by the RCM. The coins are adorned with distinctive red painting to enhance the Maple Leaf in the background.

The cards make a great collectable from the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games and are an excellent way to help Canada excel on the field of play in 2010 and beyond. Part of the proceeds from each $7.95 Coin Sport Collector Card sold will help fund Olympic and Paralympic athletes and coaches through Petro-Canada’s Fuelling the Dream Fund. It’s a program that makes contributions to an innovative program called Fuelling Athletic and Coaching Excellence (FACE) and Own the Podium 2010 (OTP).

Supporting Canada’s aspiring athletes: FACE and OTP

The FACE program
FACE supports up-and-coming athletes and their coaches, who must often struggle with the financial aspect of maintaining their competitive edge. The FACE program aims to close this gap by helping fund summer and winter athletes who are one step removed from being “carded” (qualified to receive funding from the Sport Canada Athlete Assistance Program).

While funding programs have a long tradition of supporting individual athletes, a unique aspect of Petro-Canada’s program is that the coaches of those athletes selected to receive FACE funding automatically receive consideration for a matching FACE grant.

Laurie Wachs coached Jessica Shelby Guenther to a bronze medal in synchronized swimming at the Whitehorse 2007 Canada Winter Games. She said the FACE program has had an enormous impact on helping both her and Jessica reach their goals.

“We are somewhat isolated here in Saskatchewan and these funds will help Jess and I continue to prosper in our sport,” Wachs said. “Jessica just came with the first-ever medal in synchronized swimming at the Winter Games for our province. I know this money is going to help us both so much.”

Own the Podium 2010
Own the Podium 2010 is a sport technical initiative designed to help Canada become the number one nation in terms of medals won at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, and to place in the top three countries overall at the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games.

The focus of the initiative is to provide additional resources and high-performance programming to Canadian athletes, coaches and support personnel to help the country’s athletes achieve podium success in 2010.

A long tradition of support

Petro-Canada has a long tradition of supporting Canada’s Olympic aspirations, beginning with its sponsorship of the Olympic Torch Relay in 1988. Since then, Petro-Canada has awarded over $6 million in scholarships to more than 2,000 non-carded athletes and coaches. Today, Petro-Canada is a National Partner for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

"Petro-Canada has been supporting Canadian athletes and coaches for 18 years," says Steven Keith, director, Olympic and community partnerships. "We are pleased to commit $13 million in future support through our Fuelling the Dream Fund, with contributions to Own the Podium 2010 and our new Fuelling Athlete and Coaching Excellence program."

Each card will launch at the same time as the corresponding RCM circulation coin. This includes the April 3, 2007 release of an ice hockey coin/card, followed by wheelchair curling (July), biathlon (September) and alpine skiing (October ).

Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games Coverage

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Sema News

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April 12

OLIVIA MOJICA MAKES HISTORY AS FIRST "AMERICAN IDOL" CONTESTANT TO GO HARDCORE

– Beautiful brunette singer Olivia Mojica just missed becoming a finalist on “American Idol,” but she will now show she can go all the way in another field – the first contestant on the show to make a hardcore sex video.

The video, which Mojica made with her boyfriend Adam Roberts a month ago in her New York City apartment, was obtained by Vivid, which is currently trying to contact Mojica to see if she will help promote the video and share in revenue from its sale.

A bit of scandal seems to surround the “American Idol” show each season. This year it to revolves around Sanjaya Malakar who may be getting votes generated by Howard Stern, despite of his lack of singing ability. Olivia Mojica’s role in the show’s history is bound to be noted as well.

About Vivid:

LAMAR ODOM’S RICH SOIL ENTERTAINMENT SHOWCASE

A Night of Music and Fashion at Air Conditioned Supper Club

Special Performance by: Ali Vegas (Rich Soil Artist), DJ Superstar Jay

WHERE: Air Conditioned Supper Club

625 Lincoln Blvd.

Venice , California

MORE: The Showcase benefited Odom’s Foundation, Kathy’s Kids, a 501C3 benefiting disadvantaged youth and providing opportunity in the LA and NYC communities.

VEOH ANNOUNCES NEW "HOME DELIVERY" SERVICE

New Veoh Feature Allows Remote Download of Online Video LOS ANGELES, CA (April 12, 2007) - Veoh Networks (www.veoh.com), the leading innovator in Internet television, today announced that a new, pioneering feature has been added to their unique Veoh Player - Home Delivery.

April 11

Nashville Records(TM) Announces Name & Ticker Symbol Change

Nashville Records, Inc. (PINKSHEETS: NSHV) is proud to announce the official name change and new ticker symbol change. The new ticker symbol is: NSHV.

Nashville Records, Inc. President, Gene Sibbett, says, "We were hoping for a great symbol that would represent Nashville Records and the first thing that came to my mind upon receiving the email from the NASDAQ was 'it can't get much better than this.'"

Legal Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Emmy(R) Award Winner Kirstie Alley ('Cheers') Stars In and Executive Produces the Lifetime Original Movie 'Write & Wrong,' (Formerly 'And She Was') About a Middle-Aged Screenwriter Whose Script-Selling Scheme to Beat Hollywood's Youth Obsession Goes Awry

Source: Lifetime Television

Web site: http://www.lifetimetv.com/

Independent Music Artists Level the R&B/Hip-Hop/Rap Playing Fields

The MySpace song tracks can be downloaded for $0.99 each, and purchasers can listen to full-length versions of featured songs or excerpts of any song before buying. To learn more or buy music, visit http://www.myspace.com/arielglover and http://www.myspace.com/atlglover.

Contact:

Ariel A. Glover

(770) 896-6521

gloverariel@yahoo.com

This release was issued through eReleases(TM). For more information, visit http://www.ereleases.com/.

Source: Ariel Glover

CONTACT: Ariel A. Glover, +1-770-896-6521, gloverariel@yahoo.com

Web site: http://www.myspace.com/arielglover http://www.myspace.com/atlglover

Carrie Underwood's 'Wasted' Becomes the Best New Artist GRAMMY Winner's 4th Consecutive #1 Country Single! 'Before He Cheats,' Carrie's Third #1, Now a Hot AC Top 10 and on the Air at MTV!

MTV wants its Carrie Underwood, too, as the Oklahoma beauty and GRAMMY- winning Best New Artist sees the video for "Before He Cheats" newly added into MTV rotation. Remarkably, Carrie becomes the first country artist to hit MTV since 1999's Shania Twain smash, "Man, I Feel Like a Woman."

Natural History Sold December 2^nd

Web site: http://www.myspace.com/arielglover
http://www.myspace.com/atlglover