MBN: The Monte Bubbles Network

June 28

 'Bodog Music Battle of the Bands' Premieres on fuse July 11 at 10pm ET

-- fuse, the national music television network, and Bodog Music, the groundbreaking international record label, have announced that Bodog Music Battle of the Bands will premiere on fuse on July 11 at 10pm ET. The hour-long, ten episode series is based on Bodog Music's $1 Million Battle of the Bands.

Bodog Music Battle of the Bands provides viewers with a candid behind-the-scenes look at a nationwide music tour and all the talent, competition, and downright insanity that accompanies it. Ten very different bands from ten different backgrounds will converge to bring some of the rawest reality and most intense live performances ever shown on television.

"Bodog Music Battle of the Bands is not your everyday talent show," said Calvin Ayre, Founder of the Bodog Entertainment Group. "We put these bands through some pretty intense competition. Audience votes, coupled with judging on performance, image, songwriting, work ethic, networking, and the ability to self promote, will landed the top bands in the finals. The band that wins gets massive internet fan support, combined with fuse's on-air exposure and Bodog Music's international marketing push. It's the chance of a lifetime."

The series is the culmination of competition that started in March 2006 when more than 7,000 music bands registered online, all vying for internet votes. The winners landed spots at one of the 350-plus live shows hosted by Bodog Music in 17 cities across the United States which narrowed the group to 17, then 10 and ultimately one incredible act.

"You put 10 different bands on the road together for a few weeks, throw the craziest punk judges into the mix and it's guaranteed to be a long, strange trip," says Ayre. "The series on fuse is going to make for some incredible performances and some great TV."

Each episode features live performances from the competing bands and criticisms and praises brought to them by the panel of expert talent judges that feature Johnny Rotten (Sex Pistols/Public Image Limited), Billy Duffy of The Cult, and Punk Goddess, Bodog Music recording Artist Bif Naked. Tour manager Stryker (co-host of syndicated radio show Loveline) guides the bands through their experience along with a crew of celebrities who mentor the musicians on their path to a $1-million grand prize and live on air finale.

"fuse truly cares about music fans, so this show was a logical fit as these bands battle it out by traveling through America's great music cities," said Andy Meyer, director of development and original series, fuse. "The series provides an entertaining look at the drama and tensions that occur within bands on the verge of stardom, and the stress of living and performing on the road. We are excited to have the opportunity to bring this show to fuse viewers."

Online at fuse.tv, viewers can access band bios, host blogs, and view episode guides. For a sneak preview check out bodog.tv and tune in for the series premiere July 11 at 10pm ET on fuse.

About Bodog Music

BodogMusic.com is a division of the international digital entertainment giant Bodog Entertainment. With offices in the USA, UK, Canada, and Europe, this record label features a diverse and growing roster of talented musicians, including: The Vincent Black Shadow, Neurosonic, Wu-Tang Clan, Overkill, Nazanin, Bif Naked, Bishop Brigante, Billy Idol, Warren G, Soma City Ward, and The Heck. Bodog Music also distributes the Warcon Record Label and several acclaimed global movie soundtracks in Europe, including the Academy Award- winning film Little Miss Sunshine, Nacho Libre and Saw III. For the second year in a row, Bodog Music is looking to award $1 million recording and marketing contracts to the top unsigned bands in the world! With two new competitions -- one held in North America and one held in Europe -- "Bodog Battle" will air on major television networks across the globe and online at Bodog.TV. Bodog Music Founder Calvin Ayre, who is recognized as a world authority on branding in the digital entertainment industry, was featured on the cover of Forbes magazine's best-selling "Billionaires" issue in March 2006. For more information, contact publicity@bodogmusic.com. BODOG is a registered trademark of Bodog Entertainment Group.

About fuse

fuse is a music television network offering a window into artists and bands, unorthodox music line-ups, unconventional lives and emerging trends. fuse reflects the rapidly changing interests and attitudes of its 12-34 year- old audience providing a destination for discovery and authentic content that pushes boundaries. Viewers can find a multi-media experience combining TV, Web and mobile technologies incorporating their opinions and ideas into the networks programming. Additional information about fuse can be found at http://www.fuse.tv/. fuse is part of Madison Square Garden, L.P., owned by Cablevision Systems Corporation, which includes the New York Knicks (NBA); the New York Rangers (NHL); the New York Liberty (WNBA); the Hartford Wolf Pack (American Hockey League); MSG Entertainment, which includes concerts and events at Radio City Music Hall, Madison Square Garden, The Theater at Madison Square Garden, and the Beacon Theatre; and MSG Media, which is comprised of MSG and FSN New York; and the Madison Square Garden arena complex, located in the heart of the New York metropolitan area.

Source: Bodog Music

Web site: http://www.bodog.com/
http://www.fuse.tv/

 

 

Paul Anka Celebrates his 50th Anniversary in Music with Classic Songs, My Way

His First CD for Decca to be Released August 28th Featuring Guest Appearances by Michael Buble and More ...

-- Paul Anka is one of this century's most successful entertainers and songwriters, with awards and accomplishments that are unsurpassed. 2007 marks the icon's 50th anniversary in music; to commemorate the occasion he has recorded one of his most heartfelt and personal albums to date, Classic Songs, My Way. Classic Songs, My Way is a collection of Anka's hand-picked favorite songs, covering the gamut of his own greatest hits, to elite singer-songwriters, ballads, pop and adult contemporary classics. The CD also marks Anka's first recording for the Decca label, slated for release on August 28th.

Arranged for big band in the vein of his last critically acclaimed disc, Rock Swings, the new CD showcases Anka's unmistakable vocals, and his uncanny ability to make any song his own with style and panache. Teaming with Michael Buble and a special "surprise" guest, the record boasts musical offerings for longtime fans and new devotees alike. Magical moments on Classic Songs, My Way are plentiful. Listeners will thrill to hear a new duet version of, "My Way," arguably one of Anka's most beloved songs famous the world over. The new recording of "My Way" is available for the first time anywhere on this album. Anka was actually instrumental in discovering fellow Canadian Buble, who was ecstatic to join the legendary singer on their rendition of "(You Are My) Destiny," also pairing the two classic crooners together for the first time on disc.

Other memorable moments on Classic Songs, My Way include the Joni Mitchell treasure, "Both Sides Now," "I Go To Extremes," a Billy Joel original, the Cyndi Lauper staple, "Time After Time," and unexpected renditions of The Killers "Mr. Brightside" and Daniel Powter's "Bad Day."

Paul Anka has a staggering 900 songs to his credit and over one hundred recorded by other artists including Elvis Presley, Barbra Streisand, Linda Ronstadt, and Robbie Williams, among others. His Billboard chart statistics in the U.S. include three # 1 songs: "Diana," "Lonely Boy," and "You're Having My Baby," as well as twenty-two Top 20 hits. Having been nominated for an Academy Award for "The Longest Day," Paul Anka is also recognized for penning signature songs for Buddy Holly - "It Doesn't Matter Anymore", Tom Jones - "She's a Lady", Donny Osmond - "Puppy Love" and the aforementioned "My Way" for Frank Sinatra, as well as the evergreen theme for NBC's The Tonight Show.

For more information please visit www.paulanka.com.

 

Source: Decca Label Group

Web site: http://www.iclassics.com/
http://www.paulanka.com/

 

Major Hollywood Studios and Consumer

Electronics Manufacturers Announce

Blu-Ray Summer Promotion

Summer-Long Consumer Promotion Ties Into The Growing Momentum For The Blu-ray Disc® Format

Campaign supported by major print and online media campaigns

– Seven of the major Hollywood studios and six top consumer electronics manufacturers today announced the launch of the Blu-ray Disc Promotion, a summer-long promotional program intended to encourage customers to experience the unparalleled high-definition experience that Blu-ray™ provides. The promotion gives consumers the opportunity to jump-start their high definition library by receiving five free Blu-ray Discs from a list of over 20 of the most popular titles offered by participating studios when they purchase qualifying Blu-ray players between July 1 and September 30, 2007.

Participating studios include Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Lionsgate Home Entertainment, MGM Home Entertainment, Paramount Home Entertainment, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment and Warner Home Video. Hardware manufacturers include Panasonic Consumer Electronics, Phillips Electronics, Pioneer, Samsung, Sony Electronics and Sony Computer Entertainment.

Consumers who purchase any one of the many qualifying Blu-ray players from participating hardware companies will be able to select five of the following Blu-ray titles, which include new releases and fan favorites. Among the 21 titles in this mail-in offer are: Babel, Black Rain, Blazing Saddles, Chicken Little, The Corpse Bride, The Devil's Rejects, The Guardian, Hart's War, Invincible, The Italian Job, Kiss of the Dragon, The Last Waltz, The Omen [2006], Pearl Harbor, The Phantom of the Opera, Resident Evil: Apocalypse, Species, Stealth, Stir of Echoes, The Transporter 2 and Underworld: Evolution.

The promotion will kick off on July 1, 2007 and will be supported by a major print and online media campaign that will also launch in July. This campaign will be seen in such popular print publications as Maxim, GQ, Rolling Stone and online sites such as CNET and Google among others.

The Blu-ray Disc technology has quickly become a leader in the high definition marketplace and is supported by over 170 companies spanning consumer electronics, computers, gaming, music and movie studios. It represents many of the major brands that consumers have grown to love and trust. Brands such as Sony, Panasonic, Samsung, Pioneer, Phillips, Warner Bros., Paramount, Disney, Fox, MGM and Lionsgate are just a few that are supporting this revolutionary technology.

For more information on Blu-ray Disc, visit www.blu-raydisc.com. Details on the Summer Blu-ray Disc Promotion will be available starting July 1 at www.bluraysavings.com or www.blu-raydisc.com.

 

 

More Artists Announced for 'CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock' on the ABC Television Network Monday, July 23

Additional Performers Include Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, and Taylor Swift

Two-Time "Dancing with the Stars" Champion Cheryl Burke, Dierks Bentley, Brooks & Dunn, George Jones, and Kellie Pickler Appear in Story Segments

The Country Music Association turns up the heat this summer with sizzling concert performances and heart-warming stories featuring some of Country Music's hottest stars on "CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock" -- a two-hour network primetime special airing Monday, July 23 (9:00-11:00 PM/ET), on the ABC Television Network.

Filmed in Nashville during the legendary CMA Music Festival, which began as Fan Fair(R) in 1972, the special features performances by Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town and Taylor Swift. Previously announced performers include Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Big & Rich, Brooks & Dunn, Sara Evans, Martina McBride, Brad Paisley, Kellie Pickler, Rascal Flatts, LeAnn Rimes, Sugarland, Josh Turner, Carrie Underwood, and Reba McEntire in a duet with "American Idol" Kelly Clarkson.

"The artist lineup at this year's CMA Music Festival was amazing and the TV special captures the diversity, talent and top-notch concert production that have made these artists fan favorites from coast-to-coast," said Tammy Genovese, CMA Chief Operating Officer. "This time, everyone has a front row seat for some of the hottest performances of the summer!"

In addition, the special captures the heart of CMA Music Festival, which is the unique bond between Country Music artists and their fans. Taped exclusively for the special, the cameras follow the stories of several Festival attendees who had their dreams realized when they were granted surprise, personal encounters with their favorite Country Music stars.

A former "American Idol" finalist who is now one of Country Music's fastest rising stars, Kellie Pickler knows what it's like to have a dream come true and she shared that experience with Kellie McFarland, 19, a diehard Country Music fan who has dreams of running her own record label. Pickler paid a surprise visit at McFarland's Nashville home and took the aspiring record executive on a tour of her record label. The uber fan got the star treatment and experienced what it is like to live like a Country Music star as she and two friends, Tyler Rider, 20, and Melissa Montgomery, 21, hung out with Pickler and were granted an all-access pass to the event.

Nashville media were buzzing when word leaked during the Festival that Brooks & Dunn would take it back to their road-house roots with an unannounced club concert for their grittiest fans at The Stage. The story began with a local radio DJ announcing the news of the impromptu honky tonk concert and the result was pandemonium as 3,000 fans clogged the streets for a glimpse of the most awarded duo in CMA Awards history. Overwhelmed and moved by their loyal fan base, Ronnie Dunn and Kix Brooks returned the devotion, performing for the packed house, posing for photos and signing autographs well into the night.

Karmela Kondra, 21, Andy Dufort, 23, and Stacey Zurburg, 27, from Calgary, Alberta, and Mike Boyenko, 27, from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, were a group of friends that journeyed to Music City for four days of music and fun, but they got a whole lot more when Dierks Bentley greeted them outside their hotel. Bentley ended up taking them on a tour of Nashville including the Fan Fair Exhibit Hall and the Country Music Hall of Fame, where they met Hall of Fame legend George Jones, and experienced a day in the life of a busy Country star.

Two-time winner of ABC TV's "Dancing with the Stars" Cheryl Burke had a tough assignment -- search through 50,000 screaming, singing, dance-till-dawn concert goers to find the biggest Country Music fans at CMA Music Festival. Once she zeroed in on her picks, she sprung the news that this was their "Lucky Day" and they would be granted backstage meet and greets with their favorite stars.

Sisters Alexa, 13, and Hannah Borroel, 17, of Santa Ynez, Calif., and Melissa Greenfield, 17, of Nashville, Tenn., met on Sugarland's fan web site and then met in person at the Festival, where Burke found them and introduced them to their idols before the duo performed at LP Field. Anna Menghart, 23, and Crystal Cobb, 22, both of Little Rock, Ark., had a backstage meeting with Rascal Flatts. And singer LeAnn Rimes was delighted to meet three of her biggest fans, Tyler Anderson, 19, of Lafayette, La., Claire Gremillion, 18, of Youngsville, La., and Jewel Hicks, 17, of Welsh, La., at her tour bus.

"The relationship between the artists and their fans has been the cornerstone of this event for 36 years," said Genovese. "The story segments in the special communicate the loyalty, admiration and dedication between them."

The CMA Music Festival network television special first aired in 2004. This marks the third consecutive year the special will air on ABC. "CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock" is a CMA production. Robert Deaton is the executive producer, and Gary Halvorson is the director. The special was shot in high definition and will be broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1 channel surround sound.

The annual CMA Music Festival is unlike any other, taking place over four days and featuring more than 100 hours of concert performances, 30 hours of autograph signings with more than 400 artists and celebrities participating. The 2007 CMA Music Festival was the biggest in history with more than 191,000 attendees representing every state and 21 foreign countries.

2008 CMA Music Festival will take place Thursday through Sunday, June 5-8, in Downtown Nashville, and tickets are selling fast. Music enthusiasts, who want to experience the excitement of the Festival firsthand, can order tickets by calling 1-800-CMA-FEST (262-3378); visiting www.CMAfest.com to download an order form to fax or mail; or visiting www.ticketmaster.com to buy online or charge-by-phone at (615) 255-9600. Prices do not include applicable handling fees. Ticket prices are subject to change without notice. All sales are final and non-refundable. Children 3 years and younger are admitted free.

For up-to-the-minute information about tickets, travel information, schedules, artists appearing at 2008 CMA Music Festival and more, visit www.CMAfest.com and sign up for CMA Exclusive, a periodic e-newsletter with exciting artist features and Country Music news.

CMA Music Festival is organized and produced by the Country Music Association. CMA Board member Tony Conway is the Executive Producer of CMA Music Festival. Premiere Radio Networks is the official radio broadcaster. Chevy: The Official Ride of Country Music. Fan Fair(R) is a registered trademark of CMA.

Source: Country Music Association

Web site: http://www.cmaworld.com/
http://www.cmafest.com/
http://www.cmapress.com/
http://www.ticketmaster.com/

 

 

DON BOUCHARD OF ULTRALINK/XLO APPOINTED TO THE CEA'S AUDIO DIVISION BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

Ultralink/XLO Products, Incorporated-the industry's fastest growing manufacturer of audio/video interconnects, cables and power products announced today that Don Bouchard has been appointed to the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) Audio Division Board of Directors. The board currently represents more than 2100 CEA members that are responsible for the $145 billion consumer electronics industry.

"The addition of Don to our Board brings a wealth of experience and expertise," commented Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of CEA. "He is a long-time leader in the consumer electronics and specialty audio community and we are privileged to have him on the Board where he can continue that tradition of leadership in the Association and the industry."

"I've known Don personally for thirty years. His thoughtful and exuberant manner along with a wealth of ideas is sure to make a great addition to the audio board," says Jeff Hipps, The Audio Division Board Chair.

Don Bouchard joined Ultralink/XLO as Vice President of Sales and Marketing in 2003. The company manufacturers high-performance audio/video interconnects, cables, and related power products. A long-time veteran of the consumer electronics industry, Don started in the A/V specialty business in 1972. A passionate audio and videophile, Don has a proven track record in top sales and marketing positions with brands such as Ohm Acoustics, Dahlquist, Acoustic Research, Red Rose Music, Denon and Cello with Mark Levinson. With a 20 year record of participation and support for audio video specialists through PARA - the Professional Audio/video Retailers Association and now a division of CEA, Don also served on PARA's Manufacturer's Advisory Council. Educated with a degree in Psychology from Texas A&M University, Mr. Bouchard is also a highly successful motivational speaker, spokesman, and educator with clients that have included IBM, Tandy, HP, Maritz Corp. and Merrill Lynch.

"I am pleased to be named to the Audio Division Board of Directors," states Don Bouchard, Ultralink's Executive VP, "I look forward to working with the Board to promote the growth, awareness, and powerful sales opportunities of performance audio and to facilitate the real world installation and application of emerging technologies and standards. Yet, pursuit of the "new" should never be a reason to accept mediocre audio performance or abandon the time-proven success of selling a complete, high performance Audio/Video experience."

About Ultralink/XLO Products Inc.
Ultralink/XLO Products Inc., headquartered in Toronto, Canada, is among the top few industry-leading manufacturers of high-performance audio and video cables, interconnects, and the UltraPower brand power conditioning products. Marketed around the world, the Ultralink brand is Canada's market share leader. Much of the corporation's growth and significant product innovations are devoted to the world's transition to custom installation, DTV (digital television), and the popularity of home DVD and multi-channel audio applications. In early 2002 Ultralink Products Inc. acquired XLO Electric Co., Inc. a professional and audiophile reference brand of cables and interconnects. From entry level Ultralink Contractor Series to XLO Limited Edition, Ultralink/XLO spans the widest range of performance wire and cable products available. Ultralink is a member of PARA, CEDIA and the CEA. For more information on Ultralink/XLO and their product brands, please call 909-947-6960 or find them at www.ultralinkproducts.com.


About CEA and the Audio Division

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the consumer technology industry through technology policy, events, research, promotion and the fostering of business and strategic relationships. CEA represents more than 2,100 corporate members involved in the design, development, manufacturing, distribution and integration of audio, video, mobile electronics, wireless and landline communications, information technology, digital imaging, home networking, multimedia and accessory products, as well as related services that are sold through consumer channels. Combined, CEA's members account for more than $145 billion in annual sales. CEA's resources are available online at www.CE.org, the definitive source for information about the consumer electronics industry.

CEA's Audio Division works to raise consumer and industry awareness of the virtues of a quality audio experience and to collaborate with the retailer and integrator communities on projects that promote the importance of audio in home theater and multi-room installations.

CEA also sponsors and manages the International CES - Defining Tomorrow's Technology. All profits from CES are reinvested into industry services, including technical training and education, industry promotion, engineering standards development, market research and legislative advocacy.


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Source: Ultralink/XLO Products, Inc

 

 

BD+ Technologies Launches Content Protection Licensing Program

– BD+ Technologies, LLC, the licensor of BD+, the exclusive added layer of content protection for movies and other premium entertainment released on the Blu-ray Disc standard, announced today the completion of its licensing program.

The program includes the BD+ Specifications and Agreement for BD+ Adopters (Player/Chip Manufacturers), as well as BD+ Content Participants and authorized BD+ code developers. Sample copies of all new license documents, as well as other related information, are available at The program includes the BD+ Specifications and Agreement for BD+ Adopters (Player/Chip Manufacturers), as well as BD+ Content Participants and authorized BD+ code developers. Sample copies of all new license documents, as well as other related information, are available at www.bdplusllc.com.

BD+ is a Virtual Machine-based content protection technology created exclusively for the Blu-ray Disc format. The technology features have already been implemented into all Blu-ray Disc players in the marketplace, however updated technical specifications are now available.

“Fox has vigorously fought against piracy for years and the adoption of BD+ as part of the Blu-ray Disc specification, and an enhancement over and above AACS, was a key factor in our decision to publish on the format,” noted Mike Dunn, President Worldwide, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. “This added layer of content protection gives Blu-ray yet another distinct competitive advantage.”

Bob Chapek, President, Buena Vista Worldwide Home Entertainment, commented, “We are excited that BD+ has now come to fruition. In this day and age, no content provider can risk not fully protecting their assets.”

“The ability to protect IP is the most important issue facing our industry and the level of copyright protection Blu-ray offers is one of the major reasons we supported BD from the onset,” said Steve Beeks, COO and President, Lionsgate. “Adding this extra layer of protection has made us even more confident that we made the right choice for the studio and the public interest.”

On behalf of MGM Home Entertainment, General Manager, Eric Doctorow noted, “This is great news for the market. Content providers can release more product knowing there is stronger copy protection – and for consumers that translates into a greater choice of films.”

“BD+ serves as an additional safeguard to protect next generation HD content from piracy,” said David Bishop, President of Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. “Sony Pictures believes that it will become a valuable option for Blu-ray Disc content providers going forward.”

About BD+ Technologies, LLC:

BD+ Technologies, LLC is a joint venture between affiliates of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., which is best known by its Panasonic brand, Sony Corporation and Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation that was formed in 2006 for the purpose of licensing the specification for BD+ content protection technology. The BD+ technology provides an additional layer of content protection for High-Definition movies and other high-value content released on Blu-ray Discs. Visit www.bdplusllc.com for further information.

 

 

Starz Entertainment's Weekly Hot Items List June 28 - July 4

 

 

Friday, June 29

Summer of Stars

RV -- (Robin Williams, Jeff Daniels, Cheryl Hines)

9 p.m. (ET/PT) on Starz

Saturday, June 30

Starz Saturday Premiere

The Guardian -- (Ashton Kutcher, Kevin Costner, Sela Ward)

9 p.m. (ET/PT) on Starz

Black Music Month

Wyclef Jean's All Star Jam at Carnegie Hall

8 p.m. (ET/PT) on Starz InBlack

Multi-platinum award-winning superstar Wyclef Jean welcomes an all-star

gathering to legendary Carnegie Hall in New York City for the first

annual "Clef's Kids" concert. Features performances by Jean, Stevie

Wonder, Macy Gray and Mary J. Blige.

Herbie Hancock: Possibilities

9:05 p.m. (ET/PT) on Starz InBlack

An intimate documentary about Jazz pianist Herbie Hancock and his

in-studio collaborations with a dozen formidable pop recording artists,

collaborations that explore the unexpected, like jazz improvisations.

The film is also about how Herbie's unique world view shapes a creative

environment that encourages artists to step outside the velvet prison of

easy expectations.

Indie Icons

 

Minnie and Moskowitz (John Cassavettes)

9 p.m. (ET/PT) on IndiePlex

Minnie (Gena Rowlands) is a former prom queen who's having relationship

issues as she turns 40 -- and all of her suitors are eccentrics in the

extreme!

Kings of Cool

 

Dr. No -- (Sean Connery)

8 p.m. (ET/PT) on RetroPlex

British Agent 007 goes to the Caribbean where he encounters trained

killers, deadly tarantulas, Honey Ryder and an evil madman bent on using

energy waves to disrupt the planet.

From Russia With Love -- (Sean Connery)

10 p.m. (ET/PT) on RetroPlex

Agent 007 lands in Istanbul with a Russian beauty, a pawn in SPECTRE's

plot to kill him and acquire a secret KGB decoder. Poison-tipped shoes,

villainous thugs and gorgeous women highlight the second James Bond

movie.

Sunday, July 1

Indie Icons

The Cider House Rules (Lasse Halstrom)

9 p.m. (ET/PT) on IndiePlex

A young man (Tobey Maguire) raised in an orphanage ventures out to see

the world -- but love, the death of his mentor and a sense of duty,

propel him towards fateful life decisions.

Tuesday, July 3

SciFi Spectra

A daylong marathon of Sci-Fi films on July 3 corresponds with the

theatrical release of Transformers. Exclusive Starz Movie News and Starz

The Hollywood Reporter pieces looking at Transformers will air

throughout the day.

Begins at 6:35 a.m. (ET/PT) on Starz

Ultraviolet at 6:35 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. -- (Milla Jovovich, Cameron

Bright, Nick Chinlund)

Mars Attacks! at 8:10 a.m. -- (Jack Nicholson, Glenn Close, Annette

Bening, Pierce Brosnan)

Underworld: Evolution at 1 p.m. and 9 p.m. -- (Kate Beckinsale, Scott

Speedman)

Stay Alive at 10 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. -- (Sophia Bush, Jon Foster,

Frankie Muniz)

Pulse at 11:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. -- (Kristen Bell, Ian Somerhalder,

Christina Milian)

The Cave at 2:50 p.m. -- (Cole Hauser, Morris Chestnut, Eddie Cibrian)

Wednesday, July 4

Godzilla Invasion!

A 13-hour marathon hosted by little Steven Van Zandt and his close

friend, Rocky Rialto.

Begins at 9 a.m. (ET/PT) on Encore Action

Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah at 9 a.m. and 4:35 p.m. -- (Kohsuke

Toyohara, Anna Nakagawa, Megumi Odaka)

Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II at 10:50 a.m. and 6:20 p.m. -- (Masahiro

Takashima, Ryoko Sano, Megumi Odaka)

Godzilla vs. Spacegodzilla at 12:45 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. -- (Kensho

Yamashita)

Godzilla vs. Destoroyah at 2:45 p.m. and10:05 p.m. -- (Megumi Odaka,

Momoko Kochi, Kenpachiro Satsuma)

 

 

Source: Starz Entertainment LLC

Web site: http://starz.mediaroom.com/

 

Avaaz.org, Al Gore Organize 5000 Live Earth Parties in 115 Countries

Grassroots climate activists to hold events from Singapore to Sao Paulo - global movement emerging

-- Climate activists affiliated with Avaaz.org, a new million-member global online advocacy group, and AlGore.com, former Vice President Al Gore's personal email list, have organized 5000 parties in 119 countries centered on the July 7 Live Earth concerts, Avaaz announced today.

In addition to watching the concerts, partygoers will take the Live Earth Pledge, committing to personal and political action to combat the climate crisis.

"Live Earth is the best possible moment to start an unstoppable movement to end the climate crisis," said Ricken Patel, executive director of Avaaz.org. "Global public opinion is the new superpower, and Live Earth is giving it a historic jolt of renewable energy."

Avaaz members have registered to host 2500 parties, including 312 in Australia, 100 in Mexico, 121 in Great Britain, 70 in South Africa, 17 in India, and 58 in Slovenia. While all the parties will involve the concerts and the Live Earth Pledge, each is unique -- including:

-- a dance party at a club in Bosnia

-- children's plays about global warming organized in Cotonu, Benin

-- a climate change festival at the International Peace Museum in Ohio

-- a Bahai prayer service in Mozambique

Event details can be accessed through an interactive map at http://www.liveearth.org/. The parties will be "co-hosted" by former Vice President Al Gore, who will appear via an exclusive online video (subtitled into several world languages by Avaaz).

Avaaz members recently delivered a 375,000 petition to the chair of the G8 negotiations, calling for world leaders to begin global negotiations on climate change before the end of the year.

"Avaaz's work to give ordinary people around the world a powerful voice in global decision-making is inspiring, and their climate crisis organizing around the G8 Summit made a significant difference," said Gore. "Through these parties, we can reach more people than ever before and build a truly global movement to solve the climate crisis."

"On July 7th, thanks to Live Earth, 2 billion people will be thinking about climate change. It is a rare and priceless opportunity to build political will, and Avaaz members are making the most of it," said Ricken Patelof Avaaz.org.

Avaaz.org is a new multi-issue online network that provides opportunities for citizens of every country to take concerted action on urgent global problems -- climate change, poverty, the crisis in the Middle East. Avaaz.org's mission is to ensure that the views and values of the world's people shape global decisions. It operates in 12 languages. Recently launched in January 2007, it now has over a million members from every nation of the world. 'Avaaz' means 'voice' in several European, Middle Eastern and Asian languages.

Source: Avaaz.org

Avaaz.org

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

Turner Classic Movies Celebrates the 60th Anniversary of the U.S. Air Force July 24 as Part of the Month-Long Aviation in the Movies Film Festival

To commemorate the 60th anniversary of the United States Air Force, which has a long record of cooperating with Hollywood in portrayals of America's flying force, Turner Classic Movies (TCM) will air a collection of some of Hollywood's most memorable military aviation films Tuesday, July 24, beginning at 8 p.m. (ET). The day devoted to the Air Force comes as part of TCM's month-long Aviation in the Movies film festival, which takes place each Tuesday in July.

Kicking off TCM's tribute to military aviation is a first-hand look at the United States Air Force with Strategic Air Command (1955), starring James Stewart as an Air Force officer recalled to duty. The film boasts spectacular aerial photography of then-state-of-the-art bombers. The evening continues with such high-flying military films as Flying Tigers (1941), Air Force (1943) and Captains of the Clouds (1942).

TCM's Aviation in the Movies festival begins July 3 at 10:30 p.m. (ET) with a look at real-life aviators, including John J. Montgomery, the unheralded 19th-century innovator of glider design played by Glenn Ford in the biopic Gallant Journey (1946). Setting the standard for portraying potential air disasters is William Wellman's The High and the Mighty (1954), airing Tuesday, July 10, at 8 p.m. (ET). The classic is based on Ernest K. Gann's bestseller and stars John Wayne as the copilot of a passenger plane that loses an engine during a flight over the Pacific Ocean.

The Aviation in the Movies festival also features several fetching flight attendants, with Dolores Hart, Lois Nettleton and Pamela Tiffin starring as a perky trio offering coffee or tea (and looking for love) on a flight from New York to Paris in Come Fly with Me (1963), airing Tuesday, July 17, at 10 p.m. (ET). And Spencer Tracy stars in the high-flying WWII romance A Guy Named Joe (1943), set to air Tuesday, July 31, at 8 p.m. (ET).

Turner Classic Movies, currently seen in more than 75 million homes, is a 24-hour cable network from Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company. TCM presents the greatest motion pictures of all time from the largest film library in the world, the combined Time Warner and Turner film libraries, from the '20s through the '90s, commercial-free and without interruption. The network also offers critically acclaimed original documentaries and specials, including the recent Emmy-winning Stardust: The Bette Davis Story, as well as the critically-acclaimed Brando, and Steve McQueen: The Essence of Cool. For more information, visit www.tcm.com.

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, is a major producer of news and entertainment product around the world and the leading provider of programming for the basic cable industry.

Source: Turner Classic Movies

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

 

Major Hollywood Studios and Consumer Electronics Manufacturers Announce Blu-Ray Summer Promotion

Summer-Long Consumer Promotion Ties Into The Growing Momentum For The Blu-ray Disc(R) Format

Campaign supported by major print and online media campaigns

-- Seven of the major Hollywood studios and six top consumer electronics manufacturers today announced the launch of the Blu-ray Disc Promotion, a summer-long promotional program intended to encourage customers to experience the unparalleled high-definition experience that Blu-ray(TM) provides. The promotion gives consumers the opportunity to jump-start their high definition library by receiving five free Blu-ray Discs from a list of over 20 of the most popular titles offered by participating studios when they purchase qualifying Blu-ray players between July 1 and September 30, 2007.

Participating studios include Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Lionsgate Home Entertainment, MGM Home Entertainment, Paramount Home Entertainment, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment and Warner Home Video. Hardware manufacturers include Panasonic Consumer Electronics, Phillips Electronics, Pioneer, Samsung, Sony Electronics and Sony Computer Entertainment.

Consumers who purchase any one of the many qualifying Blu-ray players from participating hardware companies will be able to select five of the following Blu-ray titles, which include new releases and fan favorites. Among the 21 titles in this mail-in offer are: Babel, Black Rain, Blazing Saddles, Chicken Little, The Corpse Bride, The Devil's Rejects, The Guardian, Hart's War, Invincible, The Italian Job, Kiss of the Dragon, The Last Waltz, The Omen [2006], Pearl Harbor, The Phantom of the Opera, Resident Evil: Apocalypse, Species, Stealth, Stir of Echoes, The Transporter 2 and Underworld: Evolution.

The promotion will kick off on July 1, 2007 and will be supported by a major print and online media campaign that will also launch in July. This campaign will be seen in such popular print publications as Maxim, GQ, Rolling Stone and online sites such as CNET and Google among others.

The Blu-ray Disc technology has quickly become a leader in the high definition marketplace and is supported by over 170 companies spanning consumer electronics, computers, gaming, music and movie studios. It represents many of the major brands that consumers have grown to love and trust. Brands such as Sony, Panasonic, Samsung, Pioneer, Phillips, Warner Bros., Paramount, Disney, Fox, MGM and Lionsgate are just a few that are supporting this revolutionary technology.

For more information on Blu-ray Disc, visit http://www.blu-raydisc.com/. Details on the Summer Blu-ray Disc Promotion will be available starting July 1 at http://www.bluraysavings.com/ or http://www.blu-raydisc.com/.

Source: Blu-ray Disc Association

Web site: http://www.blu-raydisc.com/

 

June 27

 

 

NBC to Broadcast Miss Teen USA(R) 2007 Competition Live on August 24 from Pasadena, California

-- Paula M. Shugart, President of the Miss Universe Organization, announced today that the 25th Annual Miss Teen USA(R) Competition will be held in Pasadena, California. The event will be held at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on August 24th, 2007 and broadcast live nationwide on NBC at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

Located at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains, Pasadena is just 15 minutes north of downtown Los Angeles in sunny southern California. During the pageant period, friends, family members and fans are expected to visit Pasadena and millions will tune-in to watch the live telecast.

Montana native, Katie Blair, Miss Teen USA(R) 2006, spent her reign this past year traveling the nation as a spokesperson for various teen issues as well as participating in numerous community service projects around the country. Blair will crown her successor at the conclusion of the two-hour primetime telecast, before an estimated viewing audience of 250 million. Each contestant from all 50 states and the District of Columbia will be judged in three categories: swimsuit, evening gown and interview. The show will conclude with one girl ultimately being crowned Miss Teen USA(R) 2007.

The 2007 Miss Teen USA(R) pageant will take place within the walls of Pasadena's greatest indoor sports and entertainment facility, the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. Built in 1931, the historic theatre is one of the most revered performance halls in the nation.

Along with Executive Producer, Donald J. Trump, and veteran television writer and executive producer Phil Gurin, the Gurin Company will again produce Miss Teen USA(R) 2007. Gurin also serves as Executive Producer and is the Co- Creator of the upcoming NBC primetime game show, "The Singing Bee."

The Hilton Pasadena is the official Host Hotel of Miss Teen USA(R) 2007.

The Miss Universe Organization, producers of the MISS UNIVERSE(R), MISS USA(R) and MISS TEEN USA(R) Pageants, is a Donald J. Trump and NBC Universal partnership. Miss Teen USA spends her year building relationships with organizations committed to education and action, such as Best Buddies, Outside the Classroom, Do Something, Sparrow Clubs and D.A.R.E. For more information visit: www.missteenusa.com.

Source: Miss Universe Organization

 

Little Steven Van Zandt and Alter Ego Rocky Rial to Have an Independence Day BBQ With Godzilla on Encore Action & Vongo

Godzilla Invasion! Marathon Begins July 4th at 9:00 a.m.

-- July 4th, Independence Day, what a great time to celebrate with some good food, a little vino, a few crushed cars, buildings and a mass of fleeing, terrified people. As the Blue Oyster Cult song says - "there goes Tokyo ... " as Encore Action and the Vongo movie download service introduce "B-Movie Theater with Rocky Rialto (a.k.a. Little Steven Van Zandt)." It's a 13-hour marathon Godzilla Invasion! featuring star of stage, small screen, and Underground Garage Radio fame, Van Zandt and hosted by his British Rock star, foppish, bon vivant "cousin," Rocky Rialto.

"Nobody is more qualified than my cousin to host a series of films featuring a cleverly photographed, egotistical, fire-breathing 6-inch lizard," says Van Zandt, "just ask his ex-wife!"

Ever since his discovery beneath the cosmetics counter at Mary Quant, Rocky Rialto's legend has stretched from Carnaby Street to King's Road. Rialto's storied career has included a string of hit singles under the name of Hedley Hedonism and the Young Savage Cobbler's Awls as well as starring in a series of hit films set in swinging London. He subsequently attracted a great deal of notoriety for his incredible Trash culture acumen during his stint as the overnight presenter on the Manx language station Radio Man. Rocky has also penned the long running and frequently scandalous column, Rocky's Road, for the influential music magazine Fleet Street Beat. In addition, Rocky's autobiography, "Life is a B-Movie Starring ... You Baby!" has just been short listed for the prestigious Alan Smithee Award.

Rocky Rialto's knowledge of B-Movies is renowned and he will be bringing his expertise to America when he hosts Godzilla Invasion! on July 4th. The rubber lizard suit may be cheap, the sound may be out of sync, and the sets fake, but don't mention "cheesy" to our host Rocky Rialto -- he takes B-Movies seriously. Like religion, seriously.

Rialto will celebrate the Lizard King, who paves a path of destruction starting at 9:00 a.m. with Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah, followed by Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II, Godzilla vs. Spacegodzilla and Godzilla vs. Destoroyah. Yes, this Fourth of July is like hitting the lottery.

Godzilla Invasion!: Wednesday, 7/4 beginning at 9 a.m.

-- Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah at 9 a.m., 4:35 p.m. - (Kohsuke Toyohara,

Anna Nakagawa, Megumi Odaka)

-- Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II at 10:50 a.m., 6:20 p.m. - (Masahiro

Takashima, Ryoko Sano, Megumi Odaka)

-- Godzilla vs. Spacegodzilla at 12:45 p.m., 8:15 p.m. - (Kensho

Yamashita)

-- Godzilla vs. Destoroyah at 2:45 p.m., 10:05 p.m. - (Megumi Odaka,

Momoko Kochi, Kenpachiro Satsuma)

 

Vongo subscribers have unlimited access to more than 1,000 movies and 2,500 total video selections as well as a live, streaming Starz TV channel for a monthly cost of $9.99. Select popular pay-per-view titles are also available for individual rental. In addition to Windows-based PCs, laptops and portable devices, Vongo subscribers can also transfer their Vongo content onto a TV from the PC for optimal viewing with Media Extenders, such as the Xbox 360, or navigate Vongo and play their movies on the TV with a remote control and Windows Vista with Windows Media Center. Vongo is available as a free download for broadband subscribers in the United States at http://www.vongo.com/.

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 15.8 million and 28.2 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 (http://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 (NASDAQ:LCAPA) (NASDAQ:LCAPB) .

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

 

 

June 26

Scholastic to Host 'Harry Potter Place' -- Outdoor Street Celebration in New York City on July 20 -- Leading Up to Midnight Release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

First Author-Signed U.S. Edition of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows to be Unveiled

Past Harry Potter Contest Winners Reunite at Harry Potter Place

To celebrate the 7th and final installment of the Harry Potter books, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, which will be released on July 21 at 12:01 a.m., Scholastic, the global children's publishing, education, and media company and U.S. publisher of the Harry Potter books, will host "HARRY POTTER PLACE" - a magical and interactive street celebration for kids and adults at Scholastic headquarters in New York City (Mercer St. between Prince and Spring). Scholastic will open "Harry Potter Place" on Friday, July 20 with a press conference at 8 a.m., where the first author-signed U.S. edition of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows will be unveiled. Harry Potter Place will open to the public the same day from 5 p.m. - 11 p.m.

The magical world of "Harry Potter Place" will feature a giant Muggle Board where Harry Potter fans can share personal messages about the Harry Potter books. Muggles will also be mesmerized by the 20-foot high moving Whomping Willow, and entertained with activities and entertainment including: face-painting, wand-making, fire-eaters, magicians, jugglers and stilt- walkers. Harry Potter fans of all ages will also be able to have their photos taken with the cover art from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows in the special Deathly Hallows Gallery. As the excitement builds, the Countdown Clock will track the hours, minutes and seconds until the 12:01 a.m. release.

The Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Knight Bus, a replica of the "violently purple" triple-decker bus from the Harry Potter books, will end its seven-week national tour at "Harry Potter Place" in time for the launch of the 7th and final book. The bus will arrive at the 8 a.m. press conference and will remain parked in front of Scholastic at 557 Broadway from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Fans can line up to board the bus and create a 20-second video expressing their thoughts about the Harry Potter books. Each participant will receive a unique password to view their video at www.scholastic.com/harrypotter.

To help celebrate the launch of the final Harry Potter book, Scholastic has organized a special Harry Potter reunion for winners of the Harry Potter essay contests from past book launches of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2000), Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2003) and Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince (2005). These fans will be reunited at "Harry Potter Place" and be part of the press conference and the midnight launch of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Travel for the reunion is provided by American Airlines, and the Hilton Times Square is providing hotel accommodation and a special reading room for the reunion fans to delve into the 7th book after midnight.

The Scholastic Store, located at the company headquarters will be open on July 20 from 9 a.m. - 11 p.m. for pre-purchases of the book. Pre-purchased books will be distributed starting at 12:01 a.m.; capping the exciting day at Harry Potter Place.

About Harry Potter

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, J.K. Rowling's sixth Harry Potter book, was released on July 16, 2005, and was the fastest-selling book in history selling 6.9 million copies in the first 24 hours. All six Harry Potter books, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, as well as Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince have been number one bestsellers in the United States, Britain, and around the world. Scholastic is printing an unprecedented 12 million copies of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows which will be released at 12:01 a.m. on July 21, 2007. The American editions of the Harry Potter books are published under Scholastic's Arthur A. Levine imprint.

About Scholastic

Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ:SCHL) is the world's largest publisher and distributor of children's books and a leader in educational technology. Scholastic creates quality educational and entertaining materials and products for use in school and at home, including children's books, magazines, technology-based products, teacher materials, television programming, film, videos and toys. The Company distributes its products and services through a variety of channels, including proprietary school-based book clubs, school- based book fairs, and school-based and direct-to-home continuity programs; retail stores, schools, libraries and television networks; and the Company's Internet site, www.scholastic.com.

Source: Scholastic

Web site: http://www.scholastic.com/
http://www.scholastic.com/harrypotter

 

 

TV Land and the City of Honolulu to Honor Elvis Presley With Life-Sized Sculpture on July 26, 2007

Network Presents 'Elvis Month,' An On-Air Tribute Throughout August Featuring Films, Concerts, Documentaries and Original Special Myths and Legends: Elvis

TVLand.com to Offer Extensive Elvis Content Online

-- TV Land and the city of Honolulu, Hawaii, will dedicate a life-sized bronze sculpture of Elvis Presley on Thursday, July 26 at 10 a.m. (HDT); it was announced today by Larry W. Jones, President, TV Land, and Mufi Hannemann, Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu. The statue will grace The Neal S. Blaisdell Center, formerly The Honolulu International Center, the site of Elvis' 1973 Aloha from Hawaii concert. The sculpture - which commemorates this historic Aloha from Hawaii event seen globally on television -- portrays the King of Rock 'n' Roll as he appeared in that performance and pays tribute to him during the 30th Anniversary year of his passing. Then, in August, TV Land will celebrate Elvis Presley's work with a month-long tribute commemorating his legacy. This ultimate showcase includes: the '68 Comeback Special, Aloha from Hawaii, the documentary Elvis By The Presleys, his much-loved films like Love Me Tender and Wild in the Country, and the original special Myths and Legends: Elvis, which provides insight into some of the long-standing mysteries surrounding Presley.

TVLand.com will be the home of everything Elvis and pays tribute to the King. The site will offer images of the statue, an Elvis photo gallery, statue dedication footage and more.

"Elvis Presley is undoubtedly the ultimate icon of pop culture and one of the greatest entertainers of the 20th century," states Larry W. Jones. "TV Land is thrilled to celebrate his life with this statue dedication and to honor him with a programming showcase this August so that fans will forever be reminded of his amazing legacy that continues to endure."

The tribute to Elvis includes:

Sculpture

This bronze sculpture is the network's sixth work to honor people, places and moments from pop culture by recognizing the site as a "TV Land Landmark." The network's landmarks include: a bronze statue of Ralph Kramden of The Honeymooners at the entrance of New York City's Port Authority Bus Terminal; a sculpture of Mary Tyler Moore from The Mary Tyler Moore Show at Nicollett Mall in downtown Minneapolis, MN; The Andy Griffith Show statue in Raleigh's Pullen Park; a bronze statue of Bob Newhart commemorating his role as Dr. Robert Hartley on The Bob Newhart Show in Chicago and most recently, a tribute to the beloved series Bewitched with a life-size statue depicting a magical view of character Samantha Stevens, played by actress Elizabeth Montgomery, in Salem MA. Fans can visit TVLand.com to see photos, virtual tours of the statues as well as streaming video of some of the dedications.

Studio EIS, a three-dimensional design and sculpture studio in New York founded by brothers Ivan and Elliot Schwartz, is creating the life-sized bronze sculpture. The studio also created The Andy Griffith Show statue, the statue commemorating Bob Newhart's role as Dr. Robert Hartley on The Bob Newhart Show and the statue of Samantha Stevens from Bewitched.

Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. has granted permission for this special tribute and is involved in the approval process of the sculpture.

Elvis Month - TV Land's On-Air Tribute

The statue coincides with TV Land's tribute to Elvis throughout the month of August. In a monumental event, TV Land will showcase a number of Presley's treasured work by airing films, concerts, documentaries and interstitial programming starring and about the King of Rock 'n' Roll throughout the month. The network will also premiere an original special, Myths and Legends: Elvis, a look at some of the most popular mysteries surrounding the icon.

TV Land's programming for Elvis Month includes:

-- Concert Weekends - Performance specials such as Elvis: '68 Comeback

Special, Aloha From Hawaii, Elvis: the Great Performances and Ed

Sullivan's Rock 'N' Roll Classics: Elvis Presley.

-- Documentaries and Made-for-TV Movies -- Elvis By the Presleys, Elvis

and Me, Elvis On Tour and Elvis: His Best Friend Remembers.

-- Feature Movies - Love Me Tender; Wild in the Country; Easy Come, Easy

Go; Fun in Acapulco; Paradise Hawaiian Style; Roustabout; Girl Happy;

Live a Little, Love a Little and Speedway.

-- Myths and Legends: Elvis

A TV Land Original Special - Myths and Legends: Elvis

Thursday, August 16 at 10 p.m. ET/PT

Based on the popularity of season one of TV Land Myths & Legends, this

half-hour special coincides with TV Land's month-long salute to Elvis

Presley. Thirty years after his death, TV Land takes an in-depth look

at some of the most popularly held mysteries about the King of Rock 'n'

Roll and dissects them to separate fact from fiction. Are Oprah Winfrey

and Elvis really related? Was he really only filmed from the waist up

on The Ed Sullivan Show? These and many other mysteries will be

answered in this special.

TVLAND.COM TRIBUTE

TVLand.com currently features a sneak peek of "Elvis Month" on TV Land, video excerpts from Elvis's Aloha from Hawaii special and a photo gallery of Elvis throughout his life. Users can also watch movie trailers from Presley's movies Speedway, Girl Happy and Live a Little, Love a Little, clips from his TV specials and concerts, and in the coming weeks, log on to play The Elvis Trivia Game. The site will also feature images from the statue, footage from the dedication and a blog from Ben Fong-Torres, a former editor for Rolling Stone Magazine, as he shares his comments and special memories about the King of Rock 'n' Roll. TVLand.com will also offer excerpts from a radio interview conducted by KPOI-FM's former DJ Tom Moffatt after Elvis returned from the Army. Finally, fans can watch interviews from the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences with producers who have worked with Elvis and chat with other Elvis fans on the site's message boards.

Now seen in over 90 million U.S. homes, TV Land is dedicated to building the ultimate Baby Boomer entertainment brand on all platforms. Armed with a slate of new original programming, newly acquired Classic TV and movies, multiplatform content and Cause Change, a new pro-social initiative, the network is uniquely positioned to cater to America's 78 million Baby Boomers, the first generation of Americans who grew alongside television. TV Land's program mix features hit originals, popular dramas, sitcoms, westerns and Retromercials. TV Land's roster includes hits like All in the Family, M*A*S*H, The Andy Griffith Show and several others. Furthering the network's commitment to develop original programming that complements its roster of acquisitions, the network regularly showcases original series and specials like I Pity The Fool, Sit Down Comedy with David Steinberg, TV Land Myths and Legends, Generation Boom, TV Land Confidential and the upcoming original series High School Reunion.

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.

Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. (EPE) is based in Memphis, with additional offices in Los Angeles. In addition to Graceland and its related attractions in Memphis, including the Heartbreak Hotel, EPE is aggressively involved in a worldwide licensing program, merchandising, music publishing, and television, film, video and Internet projects. For more information on EPE and Graceland, visit www.Elvis.com. EPE is a subsidiary of CKX, Inc., a publicly traded company listed on the NASDAQ National Market(R) under the ticker symbol "CKXE." Also visit www.ckx.com.

Source: TV Land

Web site: http://tvland.com/
http://www.nick-at-nite.com/
http://www.elvis.com/
http://www.ckx.com/

 

 

Zap2it Users Vote on the Best (and Worst) on TV in the 'Amy Awards'

Zap2it's discerning TV viewers have once again sounded off in the "Amy Awards," the annual online event in which they're given the power to select categories, identify nominees and vote for the winners. The awards let users act as critics and recognize the best and worst TV shows, plotlines, characters, and quotes of the last year.

"Heroes" was the top vote-getter by a wide margin in the "You Had Me at Hello" category, otherwise known as the Best New Show category. "Veronica Mars," came out on top of two user-selected categories. The drama received one out of every two votes cast in the "Excuse Me, I'd Like My Emotional Investment Back" or Most Beloved Canceled Show category. Its namesake character played by Kristen Bell was also selected as the "Character You Wish You Could Magically Be" or Best Character.

Other "Amy Awards" categories this year included the "Kleenex Made a Fortune" category, (Best Tearjerker), "I Was Dead for a Couple of Minutes" category (Most Shocking Moment) and "I Really Shouldn't Be Doing This" category (Best Guilty Pleasure)." For a full run-down of categories and results, visit http://www.zap2it.com/tv/news/tvgal/zap-story-tvgal- amyawardsfinal-2007,0,1853750.story.

"Every year, TV Gal lets actual TV watchers have their say," said Brill Bundy, Zap2it's Managing Editor, "And they never abuse the power. Instead, they prove year after year what shows they really care about."

TV Gal, known in real life as Amy Amatangelo, writes a weekly television column for Zap2it in addition to doing freelance work for the Washington Post and Boston Herald.

About Zap2it

Zap2it is the online entertainment destination for TV and movie fans who want to stay connected to popular shows, films, events, celebrities and to other fans. The Zap2it flagship site (http://www.zap2it.com/) and extensive network of newspaper and media affiliate partners covering top DMAs provide advertisers deep reach among an influential and engaged audience. Zap2it is produced by Tribune Media Services, a division of Tribune Company (NYSE:TRB) . For more information, visit zap2it.com/mediakit.

Tribune Media Services' Entertainment Products division is a leading provider of print, online and on-screen entertainment listings and editorial information to newspapers and online media, cable and satellite operators, and consumer electronics companies. For more information about TMS and its products and services, visit tms.tribune.com.

 

Source: Zap2it

Web site: http://www.zap2it.com/
http://tms.tribune.com/

 

Blockbuster Gives Kids & Families Special Summer Break

'Kids & Family Summer' Celebrates Family Fun Time With $1.99 Kids Movie Rentals & More Kid-Friendly Titles

-- One of America's favorite summer pastimes is watching movies. This year, Blockbuster is making it even easier for kids and their families to spend time together with kid-friendly entertainment. All DVDs in the "Kids" section of participating stores will rent for $1.99 during Kids & Family Summer, which begins today and stretches through the Labor Day weekend. Plus, all BLOCKBUSTER corporate stores are receiving more than 100 additional children's titles which will be featured in the kids' movies section of the store.

"Summer is family movie rental season," said Curt Andrews, chief marketing office for Blockbuster. "Whether it's for an afternoon out of the heat, family movie night or a road trip to see the grandparents, Blockbuster wants to make it easy for families to find great movies to watch together this summer."

Young children renting movies with their parents will find some of their favorite characters among the 100+ new family titles in BLOCKBUSTER stores. Many titles are just for fun, like "Meet Angelina Ballerina," "Bob's Top Team" with Bob the Builder or "Dress Up Day" with Strawberry Shortcake. Others, like "Best Manners -- Invitation to Fun" with Barney or "Bert & Ernie's Word Play" are educational. Some, like "Elmocize" or The Wiggles "Dance Party" will get kids off the couch and moving to the beat. In addition to these new titles, parents and their kids can rent any of the other DVDs in the Kids section for only $1.99.

About Blockbuster

Blockbuster Inc. (NYSE:BBI) (NYSE:BBI.B) is a leading global provider of in-home movie and game entertainment, with more than 8,000 stores throughout the Americas, Europe, Asia and Australia. The company may be accessed worldwide at www.blockbuster.com.

Source: Blockbuster Inc.

 

June 25

 

Cartoon Network and Hasbro Join Forces to Create TRANSFORMERS ANIMATED

Hip Hop Weekly Announces Nominations for 'HHW's 1st Annual Hollywood Honors & Hip Hop Movie Awards'

Black Snake Moan and ATL Lead With Multiple Nominations, Including Best Picture, Best Director & Best Actor

Tyrese, Beyonce, Ice Cube and Meagan Good Cover HHW's Hollywood Issue To Hit National Newsstands July 3

-- Hip Hop Weekly, the urban entertainment world's fastest-moving and fastest-growing magazine, has announced nominees in 8 categories for its first annual "Hollywood Honors and Hip Hop Movie Awards."

Hip Hop Weekly (HHW) breaks new ground by creating the first forum to honor the growing influence of hip hop culture and its celebrities in Hollywood. "HHW's Hollywood Honors & Hip Hop Movie Awards" will recognize the top films, filmmakers, actors and actresses among all movies that have a special appeal to the hip hop culture.

"The impact of the hip hop culture on Hollywood is undeniable," said David Mays, co-founder and CEO of Hip Hop Weekly. "Hip hop's Hollywood pioneers such as Will Smith, F. Gary Gray, Ice Cube and John Singleton have already made profound contributions to the film industry; it is time now to establish a proper forum to recognize the increasing impact of the vision and the talent that those from the hip hop culture are having in this key entertainment arena."

Hip Hop Weekly's first "Hollywood Issue" also includes exclusive interviews with some of hip hop's rising young Hollywood stars, including Tyrese, Elise Neal, Taraji Henson and Outkast's Big Boi; a feature on the "50 Must Have Hip Hop Films" of all-time; and a preview section of this summer's hottest films.

HHW's FIRST ANNUAL

HOLLYWOOD HONORS &

HIP HOP MOVIE AWARDS

OFFICIAL NOMINATIONS

Best Picture

Stomp The Yard

The Pursuit Of Happyness

Black Snake Moan

ATL

Best Actor

T.I., ATL

Will Smith, The Pursuit Of Happyness

Samuel L. Jackson, Black Snake Moan

Tyrese, Waist Deep

Best Actress

Beyonce Knowles, Dreamgirls

Gabrielle Union, Daddy's Little Girls

Meagan Good, Stomp The Yard

Christina Ricci, Black Snake Moan

Best Supporting Actor

RZA, Derailed

Common, Smokin' Aces

David Banner, Black Snake Moan

The Game, Waist Deep

Best Supporting Actress

Jennifer Hudson, Dreamgirls

Taraji P. Henson, Smokin' Aces

Nia Long, Are We Done Yet?

Lauren London, ATL

Best Director

Tyler Perry, Daddy's Little Girls

Chris Robinson, ATL

Craig Brewer, Black Snake Moan

Bryan Barber, Idle Wild

Best DVD

Bastards of the Party

When The Levees Broke

Cocaine Cowboys

Chappelle Show: The Lost Episodes

Best Comedic Performance

Ice Cube, Are We Done Yet?

Queen Latifah, Last Holiday

Regina Hall, Scary Movie 4

Marlon Wayans, Little Man

About Hip Hop Weekly

Hip Hop Weekly is the world's first entertainment and news weekly for the Hip Hop Generation. The magazine covers celebrity news, music, film, TV, fashion and sports from the perspective of the tens of millions of young Americans who identify with hip hop culture. Hip Hop Weekly is published every two weeks and is available nationally at stores such as Barnes & Noble, 7Eleven, Walgreen's, Rite Aid, Kmart, Pathmark and Walmart, as well as airport magazine retailers and magazine outlets in the UK and Canada.

 

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

 

USA Network Ignites New Original Series 'Burn Notice' With First Ever Commercial-Free Airing Presented By DIRECTV

DIRECTV's Best Picture to Glow as Exclusive Presenting Sponsor of June 28 Premiere

-- In a first for USA Network, the premiere of the much anticipated new original series, BURN NOTICE, will air commercial- free in its entirety on June 28 at 10pm/9c, it was announced today by Scott Collins, vice president, ad sales, NBC Universal. DIRECTV, the nation's leading satellite television provider, has been named the exclusive presenting sponsor of the broadcast, which includes a massive fully integrated media and marketing partnership.

The commercial-free premiere sponsorship package with DIRECTV includes all marketing efforts from on-air and online to paid media and promotions.

"As the first series from USA Network to ever air commercial-free, we thought audiences would appreciate the opportunity to learn all about our lead character Michael Westen from beginning to end without interruption," said Collins. "And we're thrilled that DIRECTV embraced the show's unique premise to become our inaugural partner for the BURN NOTICE premiere."

"This is a terrific way to help reinforce our HD superiority message in anticipation of offering up to 100 HD channels by the end of the year," said Jon Gieselman, senior vice president of advertising for DIRECTV. "We are always looking for break-through ways to communicate why DIRECTV has a unique advantage over our competitors."

The sponsorship also includes:

ON-AIR PROMOTION

As the commercial-free presenting sponsor, DIRECTV's message and brand were integrated into all on-air promotional spots, driving viewers to the premiere episode. USA also included DIRECTV in the introduction as well as the customized live-action closing "Thank You" message. USA Network took its creative cues from DIRECTV's current "4th Wall" television campaign where actors recreate a scene from one of their most iconic film or TV shows and then break the "4th Wall" to talk about DIRECTV (seen in recent DIRECTV on-air spots featuring Charlie Sheen from MAJOR LEAGUE and Pamela Anderson in BAY WATCH).

Lead actor Jeffrey Donovan taped an in-character "thanks for watching" 30- second bumper that will air following the premiere. In the spot, his character Michael Westen, a blacklisted spy, is seen disabling a bugging device in his apartment. When he finishes rendering it inoperable, he turns to the camera and says "Thank you for watching this unique commercial-free presentation of BURN NOTICE presented by DIRECTV." He then throws the device into a sizzling frying pan. Additionally the viewer will be reminded of DIRECTV's sponsorship via brand snipes during the telecast.

BRAND INTEGRATION

DIRECTV will be integrated verbally and visually into two episodes during the summer season.

OFF-AIR

DIRECTV will be included as part of the BURN NOTICE launch campaign including national out-of-home, print, newspaper, radio and digital media.

ONLINE

DIRECTV is one of the presenting sponsors of the official BURN NOTICE microsite. Their sponsorship includes pre-roll and display advertising as well as ownership of the specially created Burn Notice Spy Guide which includes a DIRECTV DVR interface and showcases Michael Westen giving users "CIA 101" type tutorials on everyday life situations.

MOBILE

DIRECTV will be the presenting sponsor of the Burn Notice WAP Site and the weekly SMS Scavenger Hunt.

About Burn Notice

When spies get fired, they don't get a letter from human resources, they get BURNED. This summer, USA Network presents BURN NOTICE, a sexy, action- packed original series starring Jeffrey Donovan ("Touching Evil," "Hitch") as Michael Westen, a blacklisted spy. Series also stars Gabrielle Anwar ("The Tudors," "Scent of A Woman") as Fiona, a beautiful ex-IRA operative who happens to be Westen's ex-girlfriend. Bruce Campbell ("Evil Dead," Army of Darkness") stars as Sam, Michael's closest buddy in town, a washed up military intelligence contact who is keeping an eye on Michael for the Feds. Also starring is Emmy(R) Award-winner Sharon Gless ("Queer as Folk," "Cagney & Lacey") as Madeline, Michael's hypochondriac mother, who couldn't be happier to have her boy back in town. BURN NOTICE will premiere with a one-hour episode on Thursday, June 28 at 10pm/9c and will be followed by 11 one-hour episodes.

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 http://www.directv.com/.

About USA Network

USA NETWORK is cable television's leading provider of original series and feature movies, sports and entertainment events, off-net television shows, and blockbuster theatrical films. The #1 basic cable network across the board in 1Q06, USA Network is seen in 90 million U.S. homes. The USA Network Web site is located at http://www.usanetwork.com/. Characters Welcome.

USA Network is a program service of NBC Universal Cable a division 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.

Source: USA Network

Web site: http://www.usanetwork.com/
http://www.directv.com/

VH1 and Entertainment Weekly are Back With Season Two of the Ultimate Pop Culture Competition, 'The 2007 World Series of Pop Culture' and a $250,000 Grand Prize, Premiering Monday, July 9 at 9 PM* on VH1

VH1's New Web Site 'WorldOfPop.com' Gives Fans A Chance To Play And Win Up To $50,000 At Home Throughout the 8-day On-Air Competition

Full Episodes Available For On-Demand Viewing at VH1.com Each Week

VH1 and Entertainment Weekly are teaming up once again to challenge America on their pop culture savvy for VH1's original series "The 2007 World Series of Pop Culture." Presented by Alltel Wireless, this year's show will award $250,000 to the winning team. From the executive producer of "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire," "The 2007 World Series of Pop Culture" is the ultimate pop culture competition designed for teams to display their astounding range of knowledge about everything music, television and film. Hosted once again by NY1 News anchor Pat Kiernan "The 2007 World Series of Pop Culture" will premiere on VH1, Monday, July 9. The series will air Monday-Thursday at 9 PM* for a two-week period of time.

All episodes will be available for on-demand viewing on VH1.com, following the nightly on-air broadcasts. "Meet the Teams" video clips will launch on VH1.com on June 25, two weeks prior to the on-air premiere and the VH1 Blog will offer episode recaps and commentary each morning following each on-air broadcast.

This season, VH1 has upped its "World Series of Pop Culture" digital offerings with the launch of its new site "http://www.worldofpop.com/," a trivia gaming site for fans to test themselves against some of the smartest and addicting online trivia games out there. "WorldOfPop.com" has launched with five games -- for users of various trivia expertise -- and will introduce new games regularly. Users can create profile pages and avatars and starting next month will feature multiplayer and head-to-head gaming.

WorldOfPop.com will also host the "TriviaDome" competition each night immediately following the on-air broadcast at 10 PM*. Users will be presented with 25 questions. Players are eliminated when they get one answer wrong -- the "last man standing" wins $2,500 every night. (Note -- the contest will be played twice every night -- 10 PM on the east and west coasts. Users are eligible to play twice, no matter where they live.)

On the final night of "The 2007 World Series of Pop Culture," a special $10,000 "Ultra TriviaDome" competition will be hosted. There will only be ONE contest (for both coasts) beginning at 10 PM ET. The contest will contain 50 questions, and ALL of the questions will come from the previous nights' episodes. If you've been watching you'll already know the answers!

"The 2007 World Series of Pop Culture" and the nightly online "TriviaDome" competition are presented by Alltel Wireless. Alltel Wireless will provide the $250,000 on-air cash prize and the at-home cash prizes (totaling $50,000). Additionally, Alltel Wireless will present a nightly SMS trivia game where viewers can test their pop culture prowess by texting keyword: IQ to 22422 on their Alltel Wireless phones. During the show, five true/false questions will be sent to users mobile phones. At the end of each show, users will receive their PCIQ score on their mobile phone. Players who answer all the questions correctly will be entered into a randomly chosen drawing for $500 each night.

Can't wait for the nightly "TriviaDome" contest on "WorldOfPop.com" beginning July 9? Visit the new site now where current games offered include:

-- "In Or Out." Users are challenged to figure out what/who DOESN'T

belong in a pop culture-focused grouping.

-- "Puzzle Race." Users answer questions which reveal parts of a famous

face -- the faster you can guess who it is, the better your score.

-- "Too Many Questions." You have the answers, now you just have to match

the questions -- the trick is there are more questions than answers

provided.

-- "Pop Culture Smackdown." Love "Whack A Mole?" You'll love smashing

down the answers to pop culture questions.

-- "Trivia Survivor." Get one wrong, you're off the island!

About "The 2007 World Series of Pop Culture"

Sixteen teams will face off to compete in the biggest team trivia challenge ever. They will also have to face returning champions from the premiere season, El Chupacabra, who will be returning to defend their title. Within a round, a player is eliminated if he or she answers the question incorrectly and his opponent answers correctly. The first team to beat its opponents will win and move on to the next round. In the end, one team will be crowned the champions of "The 2007 World Series of Pop Culture" and receive $250,000 in cash and prizes.

VH1's "The 2007 World Series of Pop Culture" is executive produced by Michael Hirschorn, Jim Ackerman, Matt Hanna and Caroline Perez of VH1 and Michael Davies for Embassy Row. VH1's "WorldOfPop.com" Web site is executive produced by Fred Graver of VH1.

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 http://www.vh1.com/.

Entertainment Weekly, a winner of four National Magazine Awards (two for General Excellence, one for Design and one for Special Interest) is America's leading consumer magazine of entertainment and popular culture. The magazine is a wholly owned subsidiary of Time Inc., and has a guaranteed circulation rate base of 1.725 million reaching an audience of 11 million readers.

Embassy Row is a television production company committed to producing smart and alternative content for broadcast and cable networks and the internet. Moreover, Embassy Row specializes in working with a select group of UK-based production companies to successfully launch their formats and build their businesses in the U.S. market. Powered by a dynamic new partnership with Sony Pictures Television and Game Show Network as well as web giant Yahoo!, Embassy Row drives an ever-growing slate of innovative and original programming, including such hits as Emmy-Award winning Who Wants To Be A Millionaire in syndication, Wife Swap (with RDF Media) on ABC, Chain Reaction on GSN, World Series of Pop Culture on VH1 and The 9 and Talent Show on Yahoo!

Source: VH1

Web site: http://www.vh1.com/

 

 

ANIME EXPO® 2007 ANNOUNCES 2008 RED & BLACK PASS WINNER Nation¹s Largest Convention¹s Also Provides Six (6) Additional Winners Free Passes to 2008 Convention Anaheim, California (June 25, 2007) ‹ Anime Expo® announces Mike Beaudoin as the official recipient of a pair of Anime Expo® 2008 Red & Black Pass. More information and images can be found on the website www.anime-expo.org <http://www.anime-expo.org> . What is a Red & Black Pass? These special passes provide the bearer not only free admission to Anime Expo® 2008, they are also escorted in first into the exhibit hall, all ticketed events and provided premier seating, and more. Red & Black Pass bearers will also be provided custom badges as well. These ³golden tickets² are valued at over $1,000.00 U.S. each. In addition, six (6) other winners have received a complimentary pair of regular attendee badges for the 2008 convention: · Jennifer Chean · Erina Adachi · Mei Ki Wong · Jose Mendoza · Josh King · Scott Riley Winners were picked randomly from attendees that purchased a premier concert ticket from the online Premier Ticket System. Winners will be contacted by Anime Expo® 2007 contest officials. 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! Comi, Infinity Studios, ImaginAsian 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.

 

CYBERCHASEsm Captures First-Ever Daytime Emmy for 'Broadband Program – Children’s'

CYBERCHASE, the ground-breaking multi-platform children’s program on PBS KIDS GO!sm has been awarded the first Daytime Emmy® Award for “Outstanding Broadband Program – Children’s” in the Creative Arts & Entertainment awards ceremony at the Hollywood and Highland Ballroom on Thursday, June 14 in Hollywood, California.

, the ground-breaking multi-platform children’s program on PBS KIDS GO!sm has been awarded the first Daytime Emmy® Award for “Outstanding Broadband Program – Children’s” in the Creative Arts & Entertainment awards ceremony at the Hollywood and Highland Ballroom on Thursday, June 14 in Hollywood, California.

The new Emmy Award recognizes children’s programming distributed via broadband and portable delivery, including the Internet, cell phones and personal media players. CYBERCHASE won the award for content at CYBERCHASE Online (pbskidsgo.org/Cyberchase) tied to My Big Idea, a multi-platform initiative online and on air which introduced viewers to the connection between math and the invention process. Video segments featured both young inventors and the live-action stars of CYBERCHASE.

The Emmy was presented by stars of the television series, The Office – sm Captures First-Ever Daytime Emmy for 'Broadband Program – Children’s' , the ground-breaking multi-platform children’s program on PBS KIDS GO!sm has been awarded the first Daytime Emmy® Award for “Outstanding Broadband Program – Children’s” in the Creative Arts & Entertainment awards ceremony at the Hollywood and Highland Ballroom on Thursday, June 14 in Hollywood, California. The Emmy was presented by stars of the television series, – Brian Baumgartner, Angela Kinsey, and Oscar Nuñez. Ellen Doherty, senior series producer, accepted the award. Award recipients were:

Executive Producers Sandra Sheppard, Frances Nankin

Senior Series Producer Ellen Doherty

Senior Producer Jill Peters

Producer/Directors Bob Morris, Elizabeth Hummer

Producers Suzanne Rose, Michelle Chen, Arash Hoda

Online Executive Producer Anthony Chapman

Online Producer David Hirmes

Performers Bianca DeGroat, Matt Wilson

Head Writer George Arthur Bloom

Upon accepting the award, Ms. Doherty remarked, “I think this has got to be the first time that the Emmy has gone to a show whose story lines revolve around things like fractions and multiplication and geometry!” CYBERCHASE, public television’s daily “math adventure” series, is the leading math media project in America.

This year, CYBERCHASE celebrates five phenomenal years on air, online and in communities across the United States. A new season of CYBERCHASE will premiere this fall on PBS KIDS GO!. Nearly five million viewers watch CYBERCHASE every week, and CYBERCHASE Online has had more than 1.7 billion page views, with visitors spending more than an hour at the site on the average visit. CYBERCHASE is successfully accomplishing its mission to improve kids’ problem-solving and math skills, and inspire them with confidence and enthusiasm toward math; empirical research studies demonstrate viewers understand and take away the math content of the episodes they watch.

CYBERCHASE is produced by Thirteen/WNET New York and Nelvana Limited. Executive producers are Sandra Sheppard, Thirteen’s executive director of Children’s and Educational Programming, and Frances Nankin. Ellen Doherty is senior series producer.

is produced by Thirteen/WNET New York and Nelvana Limited. Executive producers are Sandra Sheppard, Thirteen’s executive director of Children’s and Educational Programming, and Frances Nankin. Ellen Doherty is senior series producer.

Major funding for CYBERCHASE is provided by the National Science Foundation, Ernst & Young LLP, Northrop Grumman Corporation, PBS and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Additional funding is provided by The Volckhausen Family.

Further details about CYBERCHASE are available in the Thirteen Online Pressroom: www.thirteen.org/pressroom.

Thirteen/WNET New York is one of the key program providers for public television, bringing such acclaimed series as Nature, Great Performances, American Masters, Charlie Rose, Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly, Wide Angle, Secrets of the Dead, NOW With David Brancaccio, and Cyberchase – as well as the work of Bill Moyers – to audiences nationwide. As the flagship public broadcaster in the New York, New Jersey and Connecticut metro area, Thirteen reaches millions of viewers each week, airing the best of American public television along with its own local productions such as The Ethnic Heritage Specials, The Thirteen Walking Tours, New York Voices, and Reel New York. Thirteen extends the impact of its television productions through educational and community outreach projects – including the Celebration of Teaching and Learning – as well as Web sites and other digital media platforms. More information can be found at: www.thirteen.org. Nelvana Limited is one of the world's leading international producers and distributors of children's programming and products. Its current stable of franchise properties includes Emmy Award®-winning and globally renowned brands such as Rolie Polie Olie, Babar, Franklin and Beyblade. Nelvana is owned by Corus Entertainment, a Canadian-based media and entertainment company. Corus is a market leader in both specialty TV and Radio. The company's other interests include music, television broadcasting and advertising services. A publicly traded company, Corus is listed on the Toronto (CJR.NV.B) and New York (CJR) Exchanges. Corus’ website can be found at

www.corusentertainment.com.

The National Science Foundation is an independent agency of the United States Government with a mandate to promote the progress of science and engineering in the United States. Given the strong relationship between research and education, the NSF’s mission includes strengthening the quality and effectiveness of the nation’s underlying human resource base. NSF’s cohesive and comprehensive set of education and human resources activities addresses every level of education. The NSF supports the development of stimulating, quality science, mathematics, engineering, and technology education that is vitally important to ensuring a diverse, scientific and technical workforce as well as a citizenry capable of mastering the scientific and technological concepts and skills needed by work, social and home environments of increasing technological sophistication.

PBS KIDS, for preschoolers, and PBS KIDS GO!, for early elementary school kids, are committed to providing the highest quality non-commercial content and learning environment for children across the country. Providing age-appropriate, diverse programming for kids, PBS KIDS and PBS KIDS GO! programs consistently earn more prestigious awards than any other broadcast or cable network. Only PBS KIDS and PBS KIDS GO! have earned the unanimous endorsement of parents, children, industry leaders and teachers. With additional PBS resources to complement its programming, including PBS KIDS online (pbskids.org), PBS KIDS GO! online (pbskidsgo.org), PBS Parents (pbsparents.org), PBS Teachers (pbs.org/teachers), PBS Ready To Learn services and literacy events across the country, PBS is providing the tools necessary for positive child development. PBS is a nonprofit media enterprise owned and operated by the nation’s 355 public television stations, serving nearly 90 million people each week and reaching 99% of American homes.

 

 

June 22

 

MEDIA ORGANISATIONS AND SPORTS BODIES TO PLOT THE FUTURE AT TOP LEVEL ISEMS ’07 SESSION

Many of the world’s leading media corporations, news agencies, journalists’ organisations and sports governing bodies are to meet in a closed-door session at Wembley Stadium, to take the first steps towards redefining the complex and changing relationship between sport and the media.

The invitation-only session is embedded in the programme for the inaugural International Sports Event Management and Security event, which takes place at the showpiece stadium on October 31 and November 1.

Senior representatives of sports governing bodies will join television channels and specialist sports production companies, radio, newspapers, online news organisations and national and international news agencies for a debate which aims to kick-off a series of discussions, which may lead to new guidelines for the coverage of sports events.

The session will be chaired by Nigel Rushman, Managing Director of Rushmans, the company which has handled media services provision and media management at many of the world’s major sports events over the past two decades.

It will be held against a background of uncertainty and some tension between the sports rights holders, their rights holding broadcasters and other media sectors.

“In a fast changing media environment many of the issues spring from principles of free access or so called ‘news access’ to events which date back more than 50 years,” explained Nigel Rushman.

“Under the current system, broadcasters are required to pay huge rights fees to cover sports events. They also meet the cost of the facilities they require. On the other hand, print and online media are accustomed to receiving accreditation to cover events without payment. In addition, they expect the appropriate working facilities to be provided for them at venues. These are additional costs to the sports federation or event host.”

The session will cover issues including:

· Accreditation – a right or privilege?

· Increasing costs of providing media facilities

· Rights holders versus non rights holders – the balance and cost of access

· Press coverage restrictions

· Rate card issues

· News access deadlines

Mike Miller, CEO of the International Rugby Board said: “These are critical issues and this forum is long overdue. We are delighted to support the event and our delegation is looking forward to meeting up with other governing bodies as well as representatives of the media sector.”

The media session is part of a comprehensive two-day seminar programme at the International Sports Event Management and Security event which is the result of the amalgamation of two successful and enthusiastically received events – The International Sports Security Summit and the International Sports Event Management Conference.

The new event is the result of discussion with, and feedback from, high-level delegates and speakers to both events and meets their desire for a single, multi-stream event which covers a broad range of topics at the highest level and which provides a larger-scale exhibition and enhanced networking opportunities.

ISEMS will deliver a sector-leading exhibition, multiple networking opportunities – including the event industry’s first Awards Dinner - as well as its conference and seminar streams. These will focus on event planning and management, security, marketing and the media. Inspirational keynote addresses, stimulating panel sessions and debates and invaluable subject specific presentations will ensure that ISEMS delivers a unique learning and networking opportunity which offers truly significant value.

 

: Special Four Part Series Starts This Weekend

Phil Spector Murder Trial News

Lana Clarkson's Former Publicist Weighs In On The Trial, the Media and His Years With the Murdered Actress

Los Angeles (6/15/07)  The Westside Chronicle, a weekly print newspaper covering the upscale west side communities of Los Angeles, has obtained the exclusive rights to publish a four part series about the Phil Spector Murder trial and it's effect on the writer, veteran Beverly Hills public relations executive Edward Lozzi. Lana Clarkson was his former client and personal longtime friend from 1982 until her death on February 3rd 2003.  The first of this four part series entitled, 'The Phil Spector Trial -She Didn't Have to Die', is scheduled to be published weekly and distributed starting this weekend.

"These past four years of waiting for the inevitable trial of Phil Spector for the murder of my friend, has been hard on all of us that knew and loved Lana Clarkson. I couldn't wait to get into that courtroom, look him in the eye and watch him shake and squirm. For forty years he has abused women and men with loaded guns, threats of unemployment, and bullying foul language. This series is a way for me to vent my frustrations, speak for the many- many- many victims who came forward, and to honor and define my friend, the actress, comedian, and producer Lana Clarkson", states Lozzi.

For the past four years Lozzi has spoken out on national television to counter the fabricated statements and writings of Phil Spector about Lana Clarkson. This includes Lozzi's appearances on CNN, COURT TV, ABC NEWS, Celebrity Justice, K-CAL 9 News, as well as being quoted in Vanity Fair Magazine, Los Angeles Magazine, LA Confidential Magazine, LA Weekly, the Los Angeles Times, Hollywood Today, Parade Magazine, the NY Daily News, the New York Post and now the Westside Chronicle.

The four part series will include information about Lana Clarkson's nurturing and spiritual side, her expertise with firearms and other weapons, her other business's, her obsession with acting, her comedy productions and her faith in the future. This author's experience in this televised murder crime courtroom, including the exposure to the Phil Spector entourage, and the face to face contact with the jury who will decide his fate, are all included and much more.

 Direct link to the second part series of four : http://www.westsidechronicle.com/clients/westsidechronicle/PAGE5B.pdf


The Westside Chronicle
6404 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 750
Los Angeles, CA  90048
310-450-3400
www.westsidechronicle.com
 

 

VEOH NETWORKS LAUNCHES VeohTV THE INTERNET’S NEW KILLER VIDEO APP VeohTV Delivers Single Internet TV Experience for Watching All Online Video - From Major Television Networks to User-Generated Content - SAN DIEGO - June 20, 2007 - Veoh (www.veoh.com), the leader in Internet Television, today announced the beta launch of VeohTV - a revolutionary application that builds on the success of its acclaimed Veoh Player and immediately transforms the online video landscape. VeohTV acts as a specialized video browser and DVR (digital video recorder) for discovering, viewing and managing online video. VeohTV combines the breadth of the Internet with the simplicity of traditional TV and betters it with a patent-pending smart recommendation engine so that viewers can discover more of what they want to watch. Because VeohTV supports open Internet standards, it has access to virtually all of the content on the Internet. “Unlike Joost, which is a closed system with content from a limited number of sources, VeohTV supports open Internet standards, and has access to virtually all of the video content on the Internet, on demand.” said Dmitry Shapiro, CEO of Veoh Networks. “We asked Veoh.com users what they really want in their online video experience and VeohTV is the culmination of that feedback. We believe that it will be the dominant standard for online video consumption moving forward.” Industry heavyweights who have seen early versions of VeohTV have had positive reaction. “It’s a great product” said Barry Diller, Chairman and CEO of Interactive Corp. "Veoh has leapfrogged the field with their dazzling new video application,” said Ross Levinsohn, former President, Fox Interactive Media. “The new Veoh will set the bar very high for others to shoot for, and will be a terrific experience for consumers worldwide." The VeohTV Experience VeohTV presents viewers with a single interface to search, browse and view all video on the Internet, from major television networks such as Fox and CBS, to independently-produced content available on sites such as YouTube, Google Video, Veoh.com and MySpace. As with television, the interface is simple enough to be driven by a remote control, consistent from program to program, and displays video in a full screen TV-like experience. Key features include: * Channels - browse for content by channel (i.e., CBS, NBC, Road & Track channels) * Search - keyword search for videos from across thousands of websites * Favorites - subscribe to content from your favorite shows, channels, and producers, and download and store your favorite videos * Recommended - Veoh’s advanced recommendation engine makes finding interesting content even easier by recommending videos based on user preferences and previous viewing habits * Interact Mode - engage with dozens of “widgets” while viewing videos. Widgets are available to access services from Amazon, eBay, Gmail, Hotmail, CraigsList, AOL, and others. Additional widgets will be added on a continuous basis. VeohTV is Radically Simple and Convenient Once installed on a PC, VeohTV launches into a channel guide, similar to the kind that you find in cable systems. Viewers can browse through channels or search by keywords, and watch full-screen video on demand. VeohTV users are able to stream directly from the host site or, as with a conventional DVR, click a button to download permitted videos and watch them at their leisure, either online or offline. Viewers can also simply connect their computers to their television and utilize their computer’s remote control to sit-back and watch VeohTV in the comfort of their living room on their big-screen TV’s. VeohTV for Content Owners and Publishers VeohTV was designed with content owners in mind - as a powerful marketing and distribution channel that can distinguish and prominently feature their shows to viewers. VeohTV enables viewers to access video directly from the original video owners’ website, allowing content owners and licensors to count the audience and serve advertising. Join the VeohTV beta VeohTV beta will initially be limited. Viewers can register for an invitation to download the free software application at www.veoh.tv or www.veoh.com About Veoh Networks Veoh Networks is an innovative Internet Television company that delivers broadcast-quality video programming via the Internet. The Veoh Networks’ portfolio includes Veoh.com and VeohTV - a free downloadable application that turns online video into Internet Television. Veoh.com is an advanced video hosting and sharing site with over 70,000 content publishers - from Paramount Pictures, Lions Gate, PBS, National Lampoon, Road and Track and Us Magazine to thousands of independent filmmakers and content producers - that currently attracts over 12 million unique users per month. VeohTV makes it easy to turn any computer into a digital video recorder that allows viewers to watch and record shows from thousands of Internet video sources. For advertisers, Veoh offers compelling ways of engaging with a targeted audience and measuring performance of their ad buys. Veoh Networks is a privately held company that is backed by leading technology and media investors, including Shelter Capital Partners, Spark Capital, Goldman Sachs, Michael Eisner’s Tornante Company, and Time Warner Inc. The company’s principal offices are in Los Angeles and San Diego, California.

 

 

VIVID ENTERTAINMENT TO BEGIN SELLING EXPLICIT SEX DVD FEATURING JENNIFER "TOASTEE" TOOF ON JUNE 28^TH; SHE SAYS "WHATEVER!" TO HER ADULT FILM DEBUT

LOS ANGELES –(June 20, 2007) – Vivid Entertainment, the leading adult film studio, says a video featuring 40 minutes of highly acrobatic sex "starring" television personality Jennifer "Toastee" Toof will go on sale in stores nationwide June 28^th. The "Toastee Exposed" video will also be available online.

–(June 20, 2007) – , the leading adult film studio, says a video featuring 40 minutes of highly acrobatic sex "starring" television personality "" will go on sale in stores nationwide June 28. The "" video will also be available online.

"Toastee," who achieved celebrity as a competitor on the popular VH1 reality television show "Flavor of Love 2," was asked about the video recently by Philadelphia Daily News columnist Dan Gross. "I don't really care," she told Gross. "It just happened. I could fight it, but my time and money is going to school." Ms. Toof says she has been accepted to medical school.

"Toastee is cute, energetic and a talented contortionist," says Steven Hirsch, co-chairman of Vivid. "I think her enthusiasm for sex is obvious."

A free preview of the video is available at www.toasteeexposed.com.

The 23-year-old "Toastee" was born and raised in suburban Philadelphia and was a psychology major at Northeastern University . She appeared on the VH1 show "Charm School," vying for the affections of rap artist Flavor Flav. She was bounced from the program after it was discovered that she had done nude modeling and appeared in a porn movie under the stage name "Natalia the Scissor Vixen" – known for clamping men's heads between her thighs. She has also been a guest on The Tyra Banks Show.

"Toastee Exposed" was obtained from celebrity image broker David Hans Schmitt, who says "she may not have made the grade on VH1s ' Charm School ,' but she gets straight as on this tape."

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. Vivid is the first adult company to release a movie on both HD DVD and Blu-ray with “Debbie Does Dallas …Again.” The company is also the first to release a title direct and exclusively to Video on Demand. A reality series about the making of the “Debbie” movie has become a popular Showtime TV series. 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’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.

 

MICHAEL EISNER’S VUGURU TO PRODUCE NEW EPISODES OF ITS HIT PREMIERE SERIES “PROM QUEEN” DUE TO AUDIENCE DEMANDS, VUGURU & BIG FANTASTIC WILL PRODUCE A SPECIAL SUMMER CONTINUATION OF ITS EMMY NOMINATED HIT WEB SERIES LOS ANGELES, CA - (June 21, 2007) Michael Eisner announced today that, due to popular audience demand, his independent media studio, Vuguru along with the producers from Big Fantastic will create a summer spin-off series of its Emmy nominated premiere show Prom Queen. The new series, Prom Queen: Summer Heat, will travel to Mexico to continue the story told in the first season with several new twists and turns planned. Favorite Prom Queen characters will return and new ones will be introduced. Prom Queen: Summer Heat will pick up where Prom Queen left off in the summer following prom night. New plot lines will grip the characters and the suspense of Prom Queen will continue over summer vacation. Prom Queen: Summer Heat will be delivered in 15 - two minute episodes over three weeks starting this August. “Prom Queen continues to exceed our expectations in its success across media platforms,” said Michael Eisner. “The fans are craving more and the great thing about the Internet is the ability to meet their demand almost immediately. The summer series will be a wonderful continuation of the incredible talent and creativity of Prom Queen.” “Prom Queen’s incredible fan base has proven that the Internet audience is hungry for a medium that bridges the gap between user generated content and traditional production,” said Chris Hampel of Big Fantastic. “We look forward to continuing the success Prom Queen has had with the summer series.” Vuguru’s first production, Prom Queen, was viewed by close to 15 million people during its original run. Prom Queen was produced with Big Fantastic through a deal brokered by United Talent Agency’s online division. The series was a huge success and considered a pioneer in scripted Internet drama. ABOUT VUGURU Vuguru is a new media studio for Michael Eisner's The Tornante Company. The studio produces and distributes innovative story-driven content for current new media and emerging platforms. Vuguru’s production of Prom Queen is the first of many shows developed and produced by the studio. Privately held, The Tornante Company makes investments in and incubates companies and opportunities in the media and entertainment space. Tornante holds ownership stakes in Veoh Networks and Team Baby Entertainment. ABOUT BIG FANTASTIC LLC Big Fantastic is comprised of a handful of artists who aspire to a fresh and immersive way of storytelling on the Internet. Unified from backgrounds at Washington State University, Michael Mann’s features, and a palette of short films, they collaborated and focused their talents into producing the first daily, scripted and dramatic web-series “Sam Has 7 Friends” in 2006. Big Fantastic is comprised of Douglas Cheney, Chris Hampel, Chris McCaleb and Ryan Wise.

 

95 Countries to Receive Foreign
Language Film Entry Forms for 2007 Oscar®

Beverly Hills, CA — The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences mailed Foreign Language Film award entry forms to 95 countries, facilitating their submissions for the 80th Academy Awards®.

To qualify for the 2007 Awards, a film must be released in the submitting country between October 1, 2006, and September 30, 2007, and be publicly screened in 35mm or 70mm film or in a qualifying digital cinema format for at least seven consecutive days in a commercial motion picture theater.

The dialogue track must be predominantly in a language or languages other than English. Accurate English subtitles are required.

Entry forms and film prints must be received at the Academy by Monday, October 1, 2007. Only one picture will be accepted from each country.

In 2006 the German film “The Lives of Others” won the Oscar over a field of nominated films from Algeria, Canada, Denmark and Mexico.

Countries that have not received entry packets but are interested in submitting a film for consideration should contact Awards Coordinator Torene Svitil at (310) 247-3000, ext. 116, or via e-mail at tsvitil@oscars.org.

Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2007 will be presented on Sunday, February 24, 2008, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and televised live by the ABC Television Network.

 

June 21

 

 

OZZFEST IS SOLD OUT…

………BUT MONSTER ENERGY DRINK HAS YOUR FREE TICKETS

Specially marked Monster Energy 4-packs and 8-packs contain a secret code to score a FREE pair of otherwise sold out Ozzfest tickets!

CORONA, CA ( June 20, 2007) – Word in the metal world is that Ozzfest is SOLD OUT. But don’t despair our metal-minions because Monster Energy Drink has a secret stash of free Ozzfest tickets. Take your devil horns to the nearest store and look for the specially marked Monster Energy 4-packs and 8-packs. “We’re stoked to still be offering fans a shot a pair of tickets,” states Brent Hamilton, Monster music guru.

– Word in the metal world is that Ozzfest is SOLD OUT. But don’t despair our metal-minions because Monster Energy Drink has a secret stash of free Ozzfest tickets. Take your devil horns to the nearest store and look for the specially marked Monster Energy 4-packs and 8-packs. “We’re stoked to still be offering fans a shot a pair of tickets,” states Brent Hamilton, Monster music guru.

With Ozzfest’s generous ticket give away being tapped out across the nation Monster Energy is the only remaining way to score free tickets for the event. “We saw this one coming. Ozzy and Ozzfest have the most incredible and loyal fans and we knew the main stash of tickets would be gone in a day,” said Sam Pontrelli, Monster’s Marketing VP.

Now that the word’s out there’s been a small raid on participating grocery stores, drug stores, superstores, convenience stores and gas stations. “We’re shipping Monster Ozzfest 4-packs and 8-packs like crazy to keep them on store shelves,” explains Geoff Bremmer, Monster Brand Manager. “We have free tickets, but given the mayhem, they won’t last long.”

Monster Energy will redefine this year’s Ozzfest by taking over the main-stage and will unleash the beast to all the metal-heads with their signature drinks. Check out the types – Original Monster Energy, Monster Lo-Carb, Monster Assault, Monster Khaos and the new Monster/80% fruit juice hybrid called M-80. Then there’s the ground-breaking Java Monster premium coffee & cream supercharged with our Monster Energy blend.

Headliner Ozzy Osbourne will be joined by Lamb of God, Static X, Lordi, Hatebreed, Behemoth, Mondo Generator, Nile, Ankla, Circus Diablo, The Showdown, 3 Inches of Blood, Daath, Chthonic and In This Moment. Also, be sure to pick-up BLACK RAIN on Epic Records, its Ozzy’s first studio album of all new material in six years. More details go to www.monsterenergy.com and www.ozzfest.com.

***Visit www.monsterenergy.com beginning 5/1/07 through 8/30/07. THIS IS NOT A TICKET TO OZZFEST. Possession of a code does not guarantee entry into Ozzfest. Codes must be registered and downloaded on line beginning on 6/12/07. Two tickets per person while supplies last. All codes only redeemable for tickets at monsterenergy.com or livenation.com/ozzfest. Patrons MUST have a ticket to enter Ozzfest. Each ticket valid for one show only. Ozzfest shows may not be in all U.S. markets. Offer subject to change without notice. No exchanges or refunds available for sold-out or cancelled shows or for lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed tickets. Complete program details, and Ozzfest show schedule at livenation.com/ozzfest. Offer good for tickets to Ozzfest 2007 only. Tickets may not be resold.

 

Baeble Music Announces Proprietary Channel on ROO.com

-- June 21, 2007 -- Today Baeble Media LLC announces a syndication partnership with ROO.com. ROO now offers streaming clips from Baeble's growing catalogue of live concert programs on its proprietary video player. Baeble will program its own channel on the ROO player, which is available on the Company's website as well as on its partners' sites, which offer the ROO player to its viewers.

"We are thrilled to program our own channel on the ROO player," said Baeble Music CEO Rory Maher. "With this extra distribution channel we expand our reach by millions of viewers and strengthen our ability to connect rabid music fans with the world's hottest emerging acts."

"The new offering from Baeble Music complements original ROO produced content such as exclusive interviews from The Used, Amy Winehouse, Fall Out Boy and Paul Stanley, music news clips about Live Earth, Sonic Youth, Radiohead and U2 and the current catalogue of music including recently added White Stripes, Norah Jones, Arctic Monkeys and Gnarls Barkley," said ROO CEO Robert Petty.

Baeble Music develops quality branded entertainment, offering professionally produced concert programs for purchase, download, as well as free viewing in flash on its site. Baeble features fully licensed, proprietary programming that enables those from outside the nation's largest markets to experience the thriving emerging music scene. Currently, Baeble music features a growing collection of 70+ concerts filmed on locations in the hottest music venues in New York, Los Angeles, and Austin. These high-quality shows selected by Baeble's staff feature some of the country's best up-and-coming acts, from indie-rock groups to heavy metal, Americana, experimental, and pop bands. Users can visit the Baeble Music site and preview each show in free streaming format. They can also purchase the entire show as a DVD or high-resolution Windows Media download.

Baeble Music was founded by Rory Maher, founder of the successful NYC nightclub Rothko, and David Moffly, former Chief Executive and Chairman of Creatas/Dynamic Graphics Group. The two entrepreneurs share the goal of creating high-quality entertainment by promotion and showcasing the nation's best up-and-coming acts.

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. The company's proprietary platform, the ROO Video Exchange, simultaneously services multiple video channels, audience segments and advertisers and, as such, has become the de-facto standard 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.

 

 

Plácido Domingo Announces Woody Allen and William Friedkin
to Direct New Production of
Il Trittico to Open 2008/09 Season

Trio of One-Act Operas by Giacomo Puccini
to be Directed by Academy Award Winners

Woody Allen to Make Operatic Debut Staging Gianni Schicchi
William Friedkin Will Stage Il Tabarro and Suor Angelica

to Make Operatic Debut Staging Will Stage and

Music Director James Conlon to Conduct

(LOS ANGELES, CA) June 21, 2007 – “I am delighted to announce that LA Opera will open its 2008/09 Season with a new production of Giacomo Puccini’s Il Trittico, to be staged by two Academy Award-winning film directors,” announced Plácido Domingo, who holds the title of Broad General Director of Los Angeles Opera. “The three operas that make up Puccini’s unique ‘triptych’ will be split between Woody Allen, who will make his operatic debut directing Gianni Schicchi, and William Friedkin, who will return to LA Opera to direct Il Tabarro and Suor Angelica. Music Director James Conlon will conduct, and the production will be designed by Tony Award winner Santo Loquasto, with lighting designed by Mark Jonathan.” The production will open on September 6, 2008, to be followed on September 7 by LA Opera’s U.S. premiere of Howard Shore’s The Fly, directed by David Cronenberg and conducted by Plácido Domingo. Performances will take place at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 North Grand Avenue, Los Angeles.

“I’ve seduced many a film director into directing opera, starting with John Schlesinger and The Tales of Hoffmann at London’s Covent Garden,” Mr. Domingo continued. “I will admit that my pursuit of Woody takes the prize of the longest pursuit, because LA Opera Chairman and CEO Marc Stern and I first started talking to him some four years ago. I’m especially thrilled that this new Trittico will have the collaboration of both Woody and Billy, because Billy already gave us his take on Puccini’s comic masterpiece five years ago in connection with Bartók’s brooding Duke Bluebeard’s Castle.”

“I have no idea what I am doing,” said Mr. Allen, “but incompetence has never prevented me from plunging in with enthusiasm.”

“Somewhere in the pantheon, I’m sure Puccini is smiling,” said William Friedkin. “To have Woody Allen direct Gianni Schicchi is a match made in heaven. He’s one of the world’s best filmmakers and an accomplished man of theater as well.”

Il Trittico, which received its world premiere at the Metropolitan Opera in New York in 1918, opens with the brooding Il Tabarro (The Cloak), (The Cloak), a masterpiece of the verismo style of opera that focused on the harsh realities of working class people. LA Opera’s production of Il Tabarro features a high profile international cast that includes American baritone Mark Delavan as Michele, a Parisian barge owner who suspects his younger wife of infidelity; Italian tenor Salvatore Licitra as Luigi, a young stevedore who makes a fatal error in judgment; and German soprano Anja Kampe as Giorgetta, the young wife who has fallen out of love. William Friedkin directs. Frequently considered to be Puccini’s finest work, Il Tabarro is a gripping, tightly constructed drama set on the banks of the Seine in 1910, with highly innovative orchestrations that evoke a tense, ominous atmosphere.

which received its world premiere at the Metropolitan Opera in New York in 1918, opens with the brooding (The Cloak), a masterpiece of the style of opera that focused on the harsh realities of working class people. LA Opera’s production of features a high profile international cast that includes American baritone as Michele, a Parisian barge owner who suspects his younger wife of infidelity; Italian tenor as Luigi, a young stevedore who makes a fatal error in judgment; and German soprano as Giorgetta, the young wife who has fallen out of love. directs. Frequently considered to be Puccini’s finest work, is a gripping, tightly constructed drama set on the banks of the Seine in 1910, with highly innovative orchestrations that evoke a tense, ominous atmosphere.

Il Trittico continues with Suor Angelica (Sister Angelica), (Sister Angelica), an unabashedly sentimental work set in a late 17th-Century Italian convent, directed by William Friedkin. Forced to take the veil after bearing an illegitimate child, Angelica learns from her aunt that the child has died. In despair, she drinks poison, realizing too late that suicide will condemn her to eternal separation from the child she so desperately loves. In a miracle of redemption, the Holy Virgin herself appears with the child, welcoming Angelica into heaven. Suor Angelica features an all-female cast led by American soprano Sondra Radvanovsky in the title role, with Russian mezzo-soprano Larissa Diadkova in her Company debut as Angelica’s aunt, a princess whose coldness leads to tragedy. Notable for its sharply defined characters and emotional conflicts, Suor Angelica also features one of Puccini’s great soprano arias, Angelica’s heart wrenching “Senza mamma.”

continues with (Sister Angelica), an unabashedly sentimental work set in a late 17th-Century Italian convent, directed by . Forced to take the veil after bearing an illegitimate child, Angelica learns from her aunt that the child has died. In despair, she drinks poison, realizing too late that suicide will condemn her to eternal separation from the child she so desperately loves. In a miracle of redemption, the Holy Virgin herself appears with the child, welcoming Angelica into heaven. features an all-female cast led by American soprano in the title role, with Russian mezzo-soprano in her Company debut as Angelica’s aunt, a princess whose coldness leads to tragedy. Notable for its sharply defined characters and emotional conflicts, also features one of Puccini’s great soprano arias, Angelica’s heart wrenching “Senza mamma.”

The final opera in Il Trittico is Puccini’s only comedy, the rambunctious Gianni Schicchi. This is the only part of Il Trittico that has been previously staged by LA Opera, in a 2002 double bill with Bartók’s Duke Bluebeard’s Castle directed by William Friedkin. This time, the new production of Gianni Schicchi will be staged by Woody Allen, who makes his operatic debut. Set in medieval Florence, the opera depicts a farcical family squabble, as the survivors of a wealthy gentleman persuade Gianni Schicchi to pose as the deceased and rewrite his will in their favor. The great British baritone Thomas Allen returns as the clever Gianni Schicchi, who has no scruples about including himself as a beneficiary in the will. Two fast-rising young singers, soprano Laura Taulescu and Albanian tenor Samir Pirgu, make their Company debuts as young lovers who hope that the rich man’s fortune will lead to their marriage.

Gianni Schicchi will be the first opera directed by Woody Allen, a three-time Academy Award-winning film director, writer and actor. Mr. Allen began his career as a comedy writer and stand-up comedian. He began writing for television in New York and was hired in 1964 to write the screenplay for What's New, Pussycat? Since then, he has written, directed and starred in dozens of films, including Bananas (1971); Sleeper (1973); Annie Hall (1977), for which he won Academy Awards for director and original screenplay; Interiors (1978); Manhattan (1979), Broadway Danny Rose (1984); The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985); Hannah and Her Sisters (1986), for which he won an Academy Award for original screenplay; Radio Days (1987); Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989); Husbands and Wives (1992); Bullets Over Broadway (1994); Mighty Aphrodite (1995); Deconstructing Harry (1997); Match Point (2005); Scoop (2006) and the upcoming Cassandra's Dream. He has written for the theater such works as his play, Play It Again, Sam, which he later adapted for film and in which he starred.

William Friedkin, who returns to LA Opera to stage Il Tabarro and Suor Angelica, the first two parts of Il Trittico, may be best known for his film The Exorcist (1973), one of the most terrifying films of all time. It received ten Academy Award nominations including Best Director and Best Picture. Prior to that, he directed The French Connection (1971), for which he received the Director’s Guild of America Award and the Academy Award for Best Director. The film also won for Best Actor, Best Editing, Best Screenplay and Best Picture. Other films include Sorcerer (1977), The Brinks Job (1979), Cruising (1981), To Live and Die in L.A. (1985) and Blue Chips (1994). In 1997, he directed a Showtime/MGM television remake of Twelve Angry Men with Jack Lemmon, George C. Scott, Hume Cronyn and Ossie Davis. The DGA nominated him for Outstanding Directorial Achievement for Best Dramatic Special. It was also nominated for six Emmy Awards. He made his operatic debut in 1998 with a widely acclaimed Wozzeck in Florence and his LA Opera debut in 2002 with a double bill of Duke Bluebeard’s Castle and Gianni Schicchi. He returned to Los Angeles Opera in 2004 to direct Ariadne auf Naxos. His latest films include Rules of Engagement (2000), The Hunted (2003) starring Tommy Lee Jones and Benicio del Toro and the recently released Bug starring Ashley Judd.

In just two decades of existence, LA Opera has become, under the leadership of the Eli and Edythe Broad General Director Plácido Domingo, the nation’s fourth largest opera company. The Company created a sensation with its debut production of Verdi’s Otello starring Plácido Domingo in October 1986. Since then, LA Opera has grown to become a company of international stature. Presenting leading productions in the standard repertory as well as new and rarely-staged operas, the Company brings prominent Los Angeles artists and Hollywood figures together with other world-renowned singers, designers, directors and conductors to create productions that attract the attention of international audiences and critics. Highlights of the upcoming 2007/08 Season include one U.S. premiere and three Company premieres. Five productions will be conducted by Mr. Conlon, including the Company’s first fully-staged productions of LA Opera’s groundbreaking Recovered Voices project, highlighting the works of composers affected by the Holocaust.

 

 

ANIME EXPO® 2007 ANNOUNCES AMATEUR ARTIST COMPETITION Nation¹s Largest Convention¹s Manga Café Holding First Contest Anaheim, California (June 20, 2007) ‹ Anime Expo®¹s very own Manga Café (sponsored by Infinity Studios, LLC) will be holding its first amateur art contest from June 29th through July 1st. More information can be found on the website www.anime-expo.org <http://www.anime-expo.org> . Requirements to compete: · Create two original characters - one bishoujo (beautiful girl) and one bishounen (pretty boy) · The characters must advertise the Manga Café · The art must be hand-drawn · The art must be in color · The drawing may be no larger than 8 1/2" X 11" · The drawing must be created in the Manga Café during the convention Three winning entries will be chosen, and those winning artists will have their work proudly displayed on both the Anime Expo® website and the Manga Café's Wall of Fame at future conventions. In addition, each winner will receive an import artbook of his or her choice. The deadline for all entries to be received is July 1st at 5 PM at the Manga Café front desk. Winners will be announced July 1st at 6 PM, and those winners must be present at the announcement in order to claim their prizes. Anime Expo®'s Manga Café will be open from 8 AM to 2 AM June 29th through July 1st and 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM PST on July 2nd. 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, ImaginAsian 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.

 

ANIME EXPO® 2007 EXCLUSIVE CONCERT MERCHANDISE AND MORE Nation¹s Largest Convention¹s Provides Commemorative T-shirts and Other Memorabilia Anaheim, California (June 21, 2007) ‹ Anime Expo®¹s line up of exclusive merchandise is available for preview online now. More information and images can be found on the website www.anime-expo.org <http://www.anime-expo.org> . Items consist of a commemorative concert t-shirt (Official Guest of Honors performing in concert), Baby t-shirts, an exclusive Attendee shirt (with art from FUNimation¹s exciting title ³Mushi-Shi² and more: Costs are: · Concert T-Shirt: $25.00 · Baby-T: $20.00 · Attendee Shirt: $20.00 · Pin: $6.00 · Keychain: $6.00 · Decals: $5.00 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, ImaginAsian 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.

 

June 20

 

ANIME EXPO® 2007 ANNOUNCES AN OPPORTUNITY OF A LIFETIME ³GOLDEN TICKETS² FOR ANIME EXPO® 2008 Nation¹s Largest Convention Hold Promotional Concert Drawing for 2008 Red & Black Passes Anaheim, California (June 19, 2007) ‹ Anime Expo® thanks all attendees for bearing with the Premier Ticket System with a special drawing for premier ticket purchasers. A random drawing for each concert will be done for a pair of free full passes for Anime Expo® 2008. A grand prize drawing will be done for a pair of Red & Black Passes. More information can be found on the website www.anime-expo.org <http://www.anime-expo.org> . What is a Red & Black Pass? These special passes provide the bearer not only free admission to Anime Expo® 2008, they are also escorted in first into the exhibit hall, all ticketed events and provided premier seating, and more. Red & Black Pass bearers will also be provided custom badges as well. These ³golden tickets² are valued at over $1,000.00 U.S. All attendees who purchased a Premier ticket automatically qualify for the drawing. Only attendees that purchase premier tickets via the Anime Expo® online Premier Ticket System will qualify (all other premier ticket purchases are not eligible for the drawing). Anime Expo® and SPJA staff are not eligible. 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, ImaginAsian 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.

 

 

LINDSAY LOHAN AND IVY RESTAURANT SUED FOR AUTOMOBILE CRASH

Injured Party Seeks Accountability From Lohan- Not Just The Money

Los Angeles - Raymundo Ortega has filed suit in Los Angeles Superior Court
against Lindsay Lohan and the Ivy Restaurant for negligence and willful and wanton misconduct stemming from a car accident on Robertson Boulevard in West Hollywood, California in October, 2005.
The lawsuit claims that a nineteen year old Lindsay Lohan's, reckless behavior resulted from an irrational fear of paparazzi. The law suit further alleges Lohan's alcohol intoxication while driving her 604 horsepower V-12 Mercedes Benz SL65 at speeds approaching 60 miles per hour on a crowded two lane commercial street, with a conscious disregard for the safety of others.

Raymundo Ortega's attorney Robert G. Klein, Esq. of Los Angeles, California,
describes his client as a "hard working honest family man" with a wife and children to
support. At the time of the accident Mr. Ortega was working as a bus boy at the local
restaurant on Robertson Blvd. While on his way to work, Mr. Ortega made a slow u-turn on Robertson Blvd in order to park his van. Before he was able to complete his turn, Ms. Lohan.with explosive force, crashed into Mr. Ortega's van rendering him temporarily unconscious.
Instead of checking on Mr. Ortega's condition, Ms. Lohan fled the scene by running into a
local retail store.

Based on witness statements, Ms. Lohan was dining at The Ivy restaurant before the
accident where there are allegations that the Ivy served Ms. Lohan alcoholic beverages
knowing she was under age at the time. Since the accident, Ms. Lohan spent two visits in
rehab for alcohol and drug abuse which, along with other evidence, confirmed the allegations that alcohol intoxication was a cause in this accident.

Mr. Ortega suffered personal injuries. His van, which was the sole source of
transportation for his family, was totally destroyed leaving him without any transportation.
He has incurred substantial medical bills and lost wages. "Mr. Ortega needs to be
compensated for his injuries, but this case is also about accountability. Ms. Lohan needs to be held accountable for putting people at risk", said Robert G. Klein, Mr. Ortega's attorney.
Before this case was filed Ms. Lohan was given the opportunity to "do the right thing"
and compensate Mr. Ortega for his injuries proposing that such an act could work as a
positive service to the community and to bolster Ms. Lohan's tarnished image. That suggestion was rebuffed which eventually led to the filing of this lawsuit.

Case # BC372753 Dept 71 Judge Soussan Bruguera
Raymundo Ortega v. Lindsay Lohan et al
Superior Court of the State of California
County of Los Angeles, Central District

Los Angeles - Raymundo Ortega has filed suit in Los Angeles Superior Court against Lindsay Lohan and the Ivy Restaurant for negligence and willful and wanton misconduct stemming from a car accident on Robertson Boulevard in West Hollywood, California in October, 2005.The lawsuit claims that a nineteen year old Lindsay Lohan's, reckless behavior resulted from an irrational fear of paparazzi. The law suit further alleges Lohan's alcohol intoxication while driving her 604 horsepower V-12 Mercedes Benz SL65 at speeds approaching 60 miles per hour on a crowded two lane commercial street, with a conscious disregard for the safety of others.Raymundo Ortega's attorney Robert G. Klein, Esq. of Los Angeles, California,describes his client as a "hard working honest family man" with a wife and children tosupport. At the time of the accident Mr. Ortega was working as a bus boy at the localrestaurant on Robertson Blvd. While on his way to work, Mr. Ortega made a slow u-turn on Robertson Blvd in order to park his van. Before he was able to complete his turn, Ms. Lohan.with explosive force, crashed into Mr. Ortega's van rendering him temporarily unconscious.Instead of checking on Mr. Ortega's condition, Ms. Lohan fled the scene by running into alocal retail store.Based on witness statements, Ms. Lohan was dining at The Ivy restaurant before theaccident where there are allegations that the Ivy served Ms. Lohan alcoholic beveragesknowing she was under age at the time. Since the accident, Ms. Lohan spent two visits inrehab for alcohol and drug abuse which, along with other evidence, confirmed the allegations that alcohol intoxication was a cause in this accident.Mr. Ortega suffered personal injuries. His van, which was the sole source oftransportation for his family, was totally destroyed leaving him without any transportation.He has incurred substantial medical bills and lost wages. "Mr. Ortega needs to becompensated for his injuries, but this case is also about accountability. Ms. Lohan needs to be held accountable for putting people at risk", said Robert G. Klein, Mr. Ortega's attorney.Before this case was filed Ms. Lohan was given the opportunity to "do the right thing"and compensate Mr. Ortega for his injuries proposing that such an act could work as apositive service to the community and to bolster Ms. Lohan's tarnished image. That suggestion was rebuffed which eventually led to the filing of this lawsuit. Dept 71 Judge Soussan Bruguera

 

June 19

 

Great To Be Nominated"to Feature"The Color Purple"

Beverly Hills, CA — The 1985 Best Picture nominee “The Color Purple” will be screened as the next feature in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ “Great To Be Nominated” series. The story of a young African-American woman’s struggle for identity and self-worth while coming of age in the early 1900s will screen on Monday, June 25, at 7:30 p.m. at the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater. Oscar® nominees Margaret Avery (“Shug Avery”), Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall, two of the film’s producers, will join Desreta Jackson (“Young Celie”) and supervising sound editor Richard L. Anderson for a panel discussion following the film.

“The Color Purple,” based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker, received a total of 11 Academy Award® nominations and introduced film audiences to Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey.

The film received nominations for Best Picture (Steven Spielberg, Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall and Quincy Jones, producers), Actress in a Leading Role (Goldberg as “Celie”), Actress in a Supporting Role (Avery), Actress in a Supporting Role (Winfrey as “Sofia”), Art Direction (J. Michael Riva, Robert W. Welch; Set Decoration: Linda DeScenna), Cinematography (Allen Daviau), Costume Design (Aggie Guerard Rodgers), Makeup (Ken Chase), Music Original Score (Quincy Jones, Jeremy Lubbock, Rod Temperton, Caiphus Semenya, Andrae Crouch, Chris Boardman, Jorge Calandrelli, Joel Rosenbaum, Fred Steiner, Jack Hayes, Jerry Hey, Randy Kerber), Music Original Song (“Miss Celie’s Blues [Sister],” Music by Quincy Jones and Rod Temperton; Lyric by Quincy Jones, Rod Temperton and Lionel Richie), and Writing – Screenplay based on material from another medium (Menno Meyjes).

The Oscar-nominated live action short “The Big Snit” 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.

Tickets also may be purchased online at www.oscars.org/events. There are no minimum order requirements and no transaction or processing fees. Tickets may be purchased online until noon PST on the day of the event.

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.

 

June 17

 

Congratulations Shirley Jones.....She's at it Again!
More Awards and 'Entertainment Tonight'

SHE's Back on Stage in "Oklahoma"-
How Many Decades Later????

Read this:  http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07168/794208-325.stm

 

June 16

Westside Chronicle News Exclusive: Special Four Part Series Starts This Weekend

Phil Spector Murder Trial News

Lana Clarkson's Former Publicist Weighs In On The Trial, the Media and His Years With the Murdered Actress

Los Angeles (6/15/07)  The Westside Chronicle, a weekly print newspaper covering the upscale west side communities of Los Angeles, has obtained the exclusive rights to publish a four part series about the Phil Spector Murder trial and it's effect on the writer, veteran Beverly Hills public relations executive Edward Lozzi. Lana Clarkson was his former client and personal longtime friend from 1982 until her death on February 3rd 2003.  The first of this four part series entitled, 'The Phil Spector Trial -She Didn't Have to Die', is scheduled to be published weekly and distributed starting this weekend.

"These past four years of waiting for the inevitable trial of Phil Spector for the murder of my friend, has been hard on all of us that knew and loved Lana Clarkson. I couldn't wait to get into that courtroom, look him in the eye and watch him shake and squirm. For forty years he has abused women and men with loaded guns, threats of unemployment, and bullying foul language. This series is a way for me to vent my frustrations, speak for the many- many- many victims who came forward, and to honor and define my friend, the actress, comedian, and producer Lana Clarkson", states Lozzi.

For the past four years Lozzi has spoken out on national television to counter the fabricated statements and writings of Phil Spector about Lana Clarkson. This includes Lozzi's appearances on CNN, COURT TV, ABC NEWS, Celebrity Justice, K-CAL 9 News, as well as being quoted in Vanity Fair Magazine, Los Angeles Magazine, LA Confidential Magazine, LA Weekly, the Los Angeles Times, Hollywood Today, Parade Magazine, the NY Daily News, the New York Post and now the Westside Chronicle.

The four part series will include information about Lana Clarkson's nurturing and spiritual side, her expertise with firearms and other weapons, her other business's, her obsession with acting, her comedy productions and her faith in the future. This author's experience in this televised murder crime courtroom, including the exposure to the Phil Spector entourage, and the face to face contact with the jury who will decide his fate, are all included and much more.

 Direct link to the first of four articles: http://www.westsidechronicle.com/clients/westsidechronicle/PAGE5B.pdf

June 15

Smithfield Street Productions Begins Principal Photography

With Blair Underwood Directing “The Bridge to Nowhere”

Starring Bijou Phillips, Danny Masterson, Alexandra Breckenridge, Daniel London

 

Smithfield Street Productions began principle photography on “The Bridge to Nowhere,” Blair Underwood’s feature film directorial debut. Produced by Mike Wittlin and Brian Hartman, the film stars Bijou Phillips, Danny Masterson, Ben Crowley, Alexandra Breckenridge, Daniel London, Thomas Ian Nicholas, and Ving Rhames.

“We had a great first day of shooting” said Mike Wittlin. “There is something special about this set, this particular cast and crew. And Blair [Underwood], as a director, is a natural.”

Speaking of natural, filming in Pittsburgh is a natural fit for this film and these producers for a number of reasons. Smithfield Street Productions is headquartered in Pittsburgh and, in fact, derives their name from a local street that housed the world’s first movie theater (The Nickelodeon), and the other two Partners in the company, Ben Barton and Mike Dolan, are successful Pittsburgh entrepreneurs. At the same time, “The Bridge to Nowhere” is set in Pittsburgh and the story is one of four young men from the rough North Side of Pittsburgh who have a desire to overcome their financial and personal woes. After teaming up with two prostitutes who have moved into the neighborhood everyone battles their own demons, as well as the law, while the business takes off exponentially.

See www.smithfieldstreet.com for more information

 

Smithfield Street Productions Announces Casting Additions

Phillips, Masterson, Breckenridge Join Cast of “The Bridge to Nowhere”

 

Smithfield Street Productions announces the additions of Bijou Phillips, Danny Masterson, Ben Crowley, Alexandra Breckenridge, Daniel London, and Thomas Ian Nicholas to, “The Bridge to Nowhere,” Blair Underwood’s feature film directorial debut, being produced by Mike Wittlin and Brian Hartman.

Also starring Ving Rhames, “The Bridge to Nowhere” is the story of four young men from the rough North Side of Pittsburgh who have a desire to overcome their financial and personal woes. After teaming up with two prostitutes who have moved into the neighborhood everyone battles their own demons, as well as the law, while the business takes off exponentially.

“Brian and I are thrilled with our cast. We wanted top-notch actors who could also bring a certain edginess to the characters, and we feel we have amassed a great talent pool,” explains the film’s producer, Mike Wittlin, President of Smithfield Street Productions. “Additionally,” Wittlin added, “it is an absolute pleasure working with Blair Underwood. His dedication, creativity, and overall sensibility about the script and film making in general make it a pleasure to work side-by-side with him.”

“The Bridge to Nowhere” is Smithfield Street’s third feature film, and principal photography began March 26^th. Smithfield Street will be following this up with a thriller penned by industry veteran, Larry Cohen, entitled “Tremble.” Phillips, Masterson, Crowley, Breckenridge, London, Nicholas and Rhames are one great cast happy to be headed “Nowhere” soon.

 

June 14

Taylor Swift Makes Country Music History With Platinum-Selling Debut

Taylor Swift, MySpace's current top-ranking Country artist and the first bona-fide country star of the MySpace generation, has secured her place in country music history with the recent Platinum certification of her self-titled debut CD, released last fall on Big Machine Records.

Seventeen year-old Taylor Swift is the only female artist in Country music history to write or co-write every song on a Platinum selling debut.

Taylor has enjoyed a near meteoric rise to stardom in recent months. This time last summer she was in a rental car visiting radio stations, introducing her debut single "Tim McGraw." By May of this year, having just been awarded the fan-voted CMT Music Award for Breakthrough Video, Taylor serenaded country superstar McGraw himself with his namesake song on live national television at the Academy of Country Music Awards.

Other highlights of Taylor's debut year have included:

-- Tours with Rascal Flatts, George Strait and Kenny Chesney. She is

currently on tour with Brad Paisley and will join Tim McGraw and Faith

Hill's "Soul2Soul 2007" tour next month.

-- Taylor continues to sell in excess of 30,000 albums a week -- every

week, outselling many of the genre's superstars. Taylor Swift debuted

on the Billboard sales chart at #3 in October of last year, and has

been one of Country's Top 10 sellers for 26 weeks. The CD was RIAA

certified Gold in just 13 weeks, and is now Platinum (sales of over

1,000,000).

-- Taylor was named one of AOL's Best New Artists of the Year, was chosen

by the Los Angeles Times as "One to Watch in 2007," was nominated by

the Academy of Country Music for Best New Female Vocalist, and was

honored by Music Row magazine with their prestigious Critic's Pick

award.

-- Taylor's debut single "Tim McGraw" hit the Top 5 of the country radio

charts, reaching over 30 million listeners a week. The song has sold

more than 500,000 digital downloads and is certified Digital Gold, one

of only eleven country singles to ever reach this milestone. Her

current single, "Teardrops on My Guitar," is rapidly approaching

country's Top 10, this week reaching #12 with a bullet.

-- Taylor has appeared on numerous national television shows, including

"Good Morning America," "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," and "Fox &

Friends."

-- Taylor's videos have received massive airplay on both CMT and GAC,

with both clips topping the country video charts. She is currently the

only country artist with a video in the Top 25 on the Yahoo music

chart.

Taylor is very proud to have the first Platinum CD for Big Machine Records.

To hear music from Taylor Swift, go to: www.taylorswift.com or www.myspace.com/taylorswift.

 

Source: Big Machine Records

 

Web site: http://www.taylorswift.com/
http://www.bigmachinemedia.net/

 

Hip Hop Mogul Sha Money XL Dropping Beats With Eidos for Traxxpad: Portable Studio

-- Eidos Interactive Ltd., one of the world's leading publishers and developers of entertainment software, today announced a new collaboration with hip hop super producer Sha Money XL. As G-Unit executive and CEO/Founder of Money Management Group, Sha Money XL is currently regarded as one of the top producers in the hip hop industry. Sha Money XL has now signed on with Eidos to provide exclusive materials including graphics and skins from his Money Management Group brand along with some of the first downloadable content for Eidos' upcoming PSP(R) (PlayStation(R)Portable) title Traxxpad: Portable Studio.

"I've always been about the best beats, not just the biggest names, and Traxxpad: Portable Studio puts the spotlight on the next generation of producers and beat makers," says Sha Money XL. "Traxxpad is gonna change the game."

Sha Money XL is credited with successfully bringing rapper 50 Cent into mainstream hip hop and has since produced numerous hit singles for artists such as Young Buck, Lloyd Banks, Tony Yayo, Slim Thug, Snoop Dogg, Busta Rhymes, Geezy, DJ Premier, Hi-Tek, and the latest 2Pac release, Pac's Life. He recently formed Money Management Group, an independent firm of producers whose goal is to ensure new musicians a stabilized and flourishing career in music. Sha Money XL's career vision and passion is to offer unique opportunities in the music industry to upcoming talent. This includes hosting the first annual One Stop Shop, a producer's conference where attendees from around the world enroll in workshops centered on everything from publishing and production to studio equipment and artist management.

"We are excited to have such an influential hip hop icon contributing to Traxxpad: Portable Studio," says Senior Marketing Manager for Eidos North America, Kevin Gill. "Sha Money XL is an undeniably talented producer with an outstanding list of hit singles. His support and involvement with Traxxpad: Portable Studio speaks volumes not only to the fact that it is an incredibly powerful music application but it is also software which can inspire everyone from garage musicians to professional music producers."

"Sha Money is without a doubt one of the best in the business," says Studio Director for Definitive Studios, Troy San Jose. "Between the concept of Sha's One Stop Shop and how Traxxpad brings music production to a platform accessible to everyone, this collaboration is a perfect match."

Traxxpad: Portable Studio utilizes a range of high-end, music making applications which focus on different aspects of music creation. It harnesses the power of drum machines, samplers, sequencers and a mini keyboard and puts them into the palms of your hands. Traxxpad is accessible enough for first time users to pick up and play, while the depth allows industry pros to access tools never before available on a handheld.

Fully compatible with PSP(R) system microphone, Traxxpad: Portable Studio allows users to sample any sound, then use the wave editor to trim, adjust gain, normalize or reverse the recording. It is also equipped with over 1000 sounds ranging from drum beats to scratch samples to complete the mix. Finally, Traxxpad: Portable Studio allows users to export their beats to MP3 files to burn music cd's, transfer to an MP3 player, or even make it a ring tone.

Developed by Definitive Studios, Traxxpad: Portable Studio is set for release exclusively on the PSP(R) system in North America this June 2007.

About Eidos Interactive Ltd

Eidos Interactive Ltd is part of SCi Entertainment Group Plc (SEG) one of the world's leading publishers and developers of entertainment software. Eidos consists of publishing operations across Europe and the US and several development studios including Crystal Dynamics, IO Interactive, Beautiful Game Studios, Eidos Studios Hungary, Eidos Sweden and Pivotal Games. The Group has a valuable combined portfolio of intellectual property including: Tomb Raider, Hitman, Deus Ex, Championship Manager, Carmageddon, Battlestations: Midway, the Conflict series and Just Cause.

Some of the titles currently in development include: Kane & Lynch: Dead Men, Crossfire and Highlander.

About Definitive Studios, LLC

Definitive Studios is based out of San Francisco, CA and is dedicated to creating innovative cutting edge titles. http://www.definitivestudios.com/, http://www.traxxpad.com/

About Money Management Group

Money Management Group is an independent firm founded in 2002 in New York City, MMG is a premiere artist management company. See highlights from the 2007 One Stop Shop -- Producer Conference at http://www.moneymanagementxl.com/

"PlayStation", "PS" Family logo and "PSP" are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Memory Stick Duo(TM) may be required (sold separately).

Source: Eidos Interactive Ltd.

Web site: http://www.eidos.com/
http://www.definitivestudios.com/

 

Gabrielle Reece Performs an Amazing Save, William Shatner Pushes Himself to a Personal Best, Bill Cowher Earns a New Nickname, on ABC's 'Fast Cars & Superstars - Gillette Young Guns Celebrity Race'

-- Tonight, in the fourth night of celebrity racing, Gabrielle Reece performs an incredible save; William Shatner screams his way to a personal best; and Coach Bill Cowher earns a new nickname, on "Fast Cars & Superstars -- Gillette Young Guns Celebrity Race," THURSDAY, JUNE 14 (8:00-8:30 p.m. ET) on ABC. Eliminated racers from episodes 1, 2 and 3 include Serena Williams, Krista Allen and John Salley.

Celebrity Racers: singer Jewel, actor William Shatner, skateboarding legend Tony Hawk, actress Krista Allen, 7-time World All-Around Rodeo Champion Ty Murray, former NBA Champion John Salley, former NFL Super Bowl Champion John Elway, World Wrestling Entertainment Champion John Cena, tennis star Serena Williams, volleyball great and model Gabrielle Reece, legendary surfer Laird Hamilton, and former NFL Super Bowl-winning Head Coach Bill Cowher. Gillette Young Guns are Jimmie Johnson, Ryan Newman, Carl Edwards, Kasey Kahne, Kurt Busch and Jamie McMurray.

"Fast Cars & Superstars - Gillette Young Guns Celebrity Race" is hosted by ESPN anchor Kenny Mayne and co-hosted by former Cleveland Cavaliers center and current ESPN NASCAR analyst Brad Daugherty.

"Fast Cars & Superstars - Gillette Young Guns Celebrity Race" was co-created by BBDO and Gillette and produced by Radical Media. Executive producers are Michael Davies and Justin Wilkes. The director is Michael Warren. The series will be broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format with 5.1-channel surround sound.

Upcoming episodes: Sunday, June 17 at 8PM; Tuesday, June 19 at 8PM; and the hour-long Finale airs Sunday, June 24 at 7PM. Visit www.gygtv.com for more show information.

Source: Gillette

Web site: http://www.gygtv.com/
http://www.abcmedianet.com/

 

Let The Party Begin! HSN Turns 30 and Never Looked Better!

-- The Originator of Electronic Retailing Unveils Month-Long Birthday Kick-Off Extravaganza Full of Surprises Starting July 1 --

-- Birthday Celebration to Continue Through Year-End --

-- Befitting the Company that created the multi-billion dollar electronic retailing industry, HSN today announced a month-long celebration to kick off its 30th birthday, beginning July 1st. All the best parties have a theme, and HSN's birthday fest will be no exception with its "We're Going to Surprise You" refrain setting the stage for everything on-air and online through the month of July, as well as through the rest of 2007.

Throughout July, HSN will feature surprises, including new products, special gifts and savings, and celebrity guests who will be dropping in with a few surprises of their own. The party will roll 24 hours a day, with special events throughout each day, including: the Today's Special launch at midnight; "30-Something" at 3:00 a.m., "Sunrise Surprise" from 7:00-9:00 a.m., "Lunch Box Surprise" from noon-2:00 p.m.; "Afternoon Surprises" from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.; and "Prime Time Surprise" at 8:00 p.m.

The festivities begin on July 1st with a BAM!....as world-class Chef Emeril Lagasse makes his debut on the network. Throughout the day, Emeril will showcase his signature Emerilware line, share recipes and tips, and do what he does best: create culinary magic. Day 1 will also mark the kick-off of "The HSN Big 30 Sweepstakes," the biggest giveaway in HSN history, with prizes totaling nearly one quarter of a million dollars. "The HSN Big 30 Sweepstakes," which will run through December 31st, will feature 30 exceptional prizes including exotic trips, professional beauty and fashion makeovers, one-of-a-kind custom designed merchandise, and even a new car, among other items.

"With a milestone this significant, we're pulling out all the stops to celebrate both our incredible customers and the new HSN," said Mindy Grossman, CEO of IAC Retailing. "Surprises, especially when they are about great products, are exciting! They pique your curiosity and engage you ... and that's exactly what we want to do, not only for our current customers but also for those people who are experiencing HSN for the first time."

Ms Grossman continued, "Throughout the month, viewers will have the opportunity to enjoy many of our core, established brands, which our customers have come to know and love throughout the years, as well as an array of exciting new discoveries we'll be launching in all categories, including beauty, fashion, and home/lifestyle. And everything will be showcased within the new look and feel of HSN, which emphasizes editorial presentations, engaging formats, and expert guests."

Following the July kick-off, HSN will carry its "We're Going to Surprise You" theme and birthday celebration through the end of 2007, supported by a continued expansion of brands and products offered on HSN and http://www.hsn.com/, the rollout of new advanced services, and exciting new discoveries for customers to enjoy.

Through the years, HSN has developed and/or created mass awareness for countless brands which continue to thrive today at the Company, including Joy Mangano (Huggable Hangers and other home solutions), Chef Wolfgang Puck (cookware), Wei East (beauty and skincare products), Suzanne Somers (fashion, jewelry, and skincare), Perlier (bath, body and spa products), Susan Lucci (fashion, jewelry and skincare), Jennifer Flavin-Stallone's Serious Skin Care, Mine Finds by Jay King, Lauren Hutton's beauty line, Bob Vila (signature tools), Chef Roy Yamaguchi (cookware), Diane Gilman (casual fashion), and Gateway (computers), among many others.

HSN also continues to infuse its merchandise assortment with an array of new brands, which in the last two years have included Sephora, the beauty authority, SCOOP NYC (fashion), Chef Todd English (cookware and tabletop), LUKASTYLE (fashion), Oscar Blandi (haircare), Ken Paves (hair accessories), Serena Bass (tabletop and entertaining), Liberte by Emanuel (fashion), Liz Earle (skincare), Dyson (vacuum cleaners), GE (digital cameras), and Westinghouse (HD TVs), among many others.

About HSN:

The originator of the electronic retailing concept in 1977, HSN, an operating business of IAC (NASDAQ:IACI) , is a global multichannel retailing giant offering thousands of products to enhance all aspects of its customers lives. On HSN and http://www.hsn.com/, customers can find an array of unique products and brand names in categories such as Beauty (e.g., Oscar Blandi, Bliss, Paula Dorf, Liz Earle, Perlier, Sephora, Wei East); Jewelry (e.g., Cameron Cohen, Heidi Daus, R.J. Graziano, Jay King); Home/Lifestyle (e.g., Dyson, Todd English, Emeril Lagasse, ProForm, Wolfgang Puck, Reebok, Bob Vila, Roy Yamaguchi); Fashion (e.g., Randolph Duke, Carlos Falchi, Beverly Feldman, Liberte by Emanuel, LUKASTYLE, Scoop); and Electronics (e.g., Gateway, GE, JVC, Panasonic, Sharp). HSN delivers its merchandise across multiple platforms, including TV, where the network reaches 89 million households and is the 4th largest cable network in the U.S.; online, and through http://www.hsn.com/, which also features value-added video-on-demand and podcasts of products, shows, and tips.

Source: HSN

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

 

VH1 Will Broadcast Live Entire 6-Hour Concert for Diana Across Platforms Sunday, July 1 2007 11AM ET/8AM PT*

VH1, VH1.Com And MHD: Music High Definition Will Air And Stream The Concert Live On-Air And Online From London's Wembley Stadium

Fergie and Joe Perry of Aerosmith Just Added To The Line Up of Performers That Includes Joss Stone, Kanye West, Duran Duran, Lily Allen, And Many More

VH1 Classic Will Air Entire 6-Hour Concert Starting at 12 Noon EDT/9AM PDT One Hour After The Live Broadcast On VH1 And Live Stream On VH1.Com

Fergie has been added to the list of performers who will join William and Harry in commemorating the life of their mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, with the "Concert for Diana," broadcast live from Wembley Stadium on her birthday Sunday, July 1, 2007 . Music fans will be able to enjoy the concert across a variety of VH1 platforms. The 6-hour concert will be broadcast live in its entirety on VH1 11 AM (Eastern)/8 AM (Pacific), streamed live on VH1.com, and simulcast live in HDTV on MHD: Music High-Definition, MTV Network's high-definition music channel. The event will also be telecast on a one-hour delay on VH1 Classic, starting at 12 Noon (Eastern)/9 AM (Pacific). Finally, in addition to the live online stream, the concert will be available for on-demand viewing at VH1.com following the event.

Fergie will take the stage along with Elton John, Duran Duran, Bryan Ferry, Lily Allen, Kanye West, Rod Stewart, Natasha Bedingfield, Nelly Furtado, P. Diddy, Tom Jones, Take That, Will Young, the legendary voice of Supertramp Roger Hodgson, The Feeling, James Morrison, Orson and Status Quo, The English National Ballet, and Joss Stone. Aerosmith's Joe Perry will perform with the legendary Tom Jones.

Anastacia, Josh Groban, Andrea Bocelli, Sarah Brightman, Donny Osmond and Jason Donovan will perform in a special musical medley which Andrew Lloyd Webber has put together for the concert. VH1's Aamer Haleem will bring the day's performers to you from behind the scenes along with a special UK guest hosts Kate Thornton and Dave Berry.

Contacts:

Source: VH1

Source: VH1

 

Web site: http://www.vh1.com/

 

June 13

VEOH’S TRAFFIC INCREASES BY 184% SINCE FEBRUARY, ATTRACTING MORE THAN 12.5 MILLION UNIQUE USERS IN MAY SUBSTANTIAL GROWTH CONTINUES TO ATTRACT MAJOR CONTENT PROVIDERS LOS ANGELES, CA (June 13, 2007) - In May, Veoh Networks (www.veoh.com), the leading innovator in Internet television, announced that its user base grew to 12.5 million. This marks an increase of 19% over April, and a 184% overall rise in traffic since Veoh launched in February with 4.4 million users. This tremendous growth has helped Veoh continue to attract major content providers who are looking to reach its rapidly expanding audience. In the months ahead, Veoh will be launching several new, revolutionary products that will further significantly change the face of Internet television and cement Veoh’s position as the category’s foremost visionary. To date, more than 70,000 video publishers -- from independent producers to some of the best known brands in music, sports, politics, and entertainment -- have chosen Veoh, including CBS, Billboard, Paramount Pictures, Us Weekly, Car and Driver, National Lampoon, Lionsgate, Road and Track, and PBS. Through its powerful syndication system, Veoh automatically syndicates content published on its site to YouTube, Google Video, and MySpace Video, allowing Veoh’s publishers to reach the largest audience in the world. “These numbers reflect a surge in the power and reach of Internet video, and the value that users place on the breadth of high quality, interesting content available on Veoh. Whether viewers are seeking branded shows about music, movies, television, comedy, cartoons or sports, or the latest user-generated content, Veoh delivers a diverse range of choices,” said Dmitry Shapiro, CEO of Veoh Networks. “But we have only just begun. In the coming month, Veoh will unveil the first in a series of next generation products that will significantly impact the entire Internet Television landscape.” While other video sharing sites only offer “video-snacking” of short, grainy clips, Veoh viewers are able to watch long-form, full-screen DVD-quality videos online and offline on any screen thanks to Veoh’s unique peer-to-peer network design and the Veoh Player -- which acts as a virtual Internet Video DVR. Veoh also recently launched its pioneering Home Delivery feature, which gives viewers the freedom to browse and select video content at any time, from any place with an Internet connection, and have it waiting on their Veoh Player when they are ready to view it.

 

The Paley Center for Media will convene its eleventh International Council meeting in the digital media capital of the United States , Silicon Valley , from June 13 to 15, 2007 . Both the location and the new media partners cohosting this year's meeting, reflect The Paley Center for Media's intensified focus on new media and the technologies that fuel them. This is underscored by the institution's recent name change from The Museum of Television & Radio to The Paley Center for Media.

During this year's meeting, IC2007, leading international executives from the media, communications, and technology industries will take part in discussions on such topics as the continuing convergence of traditional and new media; the emergence of social networking and participatory media as an integral part of today's culture; the finances of video distribution across new digital platforms; and copyright issues in the new world.

"The Paley Center's IC2007 is a forum for international media, IT and technology executives as well as global thought leaders to come together on a regular basis for candid, forward-focused conversations about critical issues for their businesses as well as consumers," said Pat Mitchell, president and chief executive officer of The Paley Center for Media. "It is only fitting that the first International Council we convene since announcing our new name, The Paley Center for Media, should be hosted by companies that are transforming the consumer experience -Google, Yahoo!, and Sun Microsystems-and that the meeting be held in the birthplace of new technologies in the United States, Silicon Valley. As the convergence of new distribution technologies and traditional media companies continues, IC2007 presents a unique opportunity to forge relationships between the two sectors in order to better meet the challenges and possibilities that lie ahead for each."

Hosted by Google Inc., Sun Microsystems Inc., and Yahoo! Inc. and in association with the World Economic Forum's Media and Entertainment Governors, more than one hundred executives -- the largest in the history of the International Council - from sixteen countries are expected to attend this year's gathering.

The IC2007 schedule is as follows:

Wednesday, June 13, 2007 - Convergence: The Next Wave

- Convergence: The Next Wave

The opening session is an overview of where convergence is going and how it will affect both traditional and new media, presented with proprietary research by the World Economic Forum's Media and Entertainment Governors.

. A Conversation with Eric Schmidt, Google Inc.

. Gala Dinner with welcome remarks by Arnold Schwarzenegger, governor of California

Thursday, June 14, 2007 - Five Years Down The Road: What Will The Media Landscape Look Like?

- Five Years Down The Road: What Will The Media Landscape Look Like?

. Who's Searching?

Search is the world's fastest growing and most competitive new media platform. Where is the growth coming from and what devices will be driving it? How search will evolve in the next five years and who stands to gain the most?

. A Conversation with Terry Semel, Yahoo!

. Whose Space?

How many players can compete on the social networking and participatory media platforms without saturating the marketplace and who will be left standing? What are the challenges for advertisers to target consumers and can the same community principles of social networking be applied to marketers and retailers?

. Up Close with Jerry Yang, Yahoo!

. Up Close with Chad Hurley, YouTube

. Where's The Money?

What are the financial models to monetize these new platforms of video distribution and how will these new outlets reshape the media landscape?

. A Conversation with Leslie Moonves, CBS Corporation

. Dinner with remarks by Former Secretary of State Warren Christopher

Friday, June 15, 2007 - How are Technology and Regulation Shaping Media?

- How are Technology and Regulation Shaping Media?

. Whose Rights?

How can content creators, Internet Service Providers, and the information technology industry find common ground on copyright protection? What are the next steps needed to achieve a robust and safe marketplace?

. A Conversation with Ivan Seidenberg, Verizon

. What's Next?

What is the next killer app and where will it come from? This discussion will explore the innovative culture of Silicon Valley and how new technologies are nurtured and developed into new business ecosystems.

. A Conversation with Jonathan Schwartz, Sun Microsystems

. Where's It Going?

How will the integration of technology, media, and society shape our culture over the next twenty years? Is anyone being left behind? Can technology bridge the gaps between the first and third worlds?

IC2007 is by invitation only.

About The Paley Center for Media's International Council

Created in 1995, the International Council brings together the chief executives of the world's most important media companies. The role of the Council is to advance the exchange of ideas among these leaders in global media, entertainment, and communications, and to foster a community among them. This is accomplished through both informal and organized discussions on a wide range of critical issues that will define the media and its role in society for generations to come. Past meetings have been held in Rome , Berlin , Madrid , Paris , London , Vienna , Beijing , Cape Town , Montréal, and Istanbul , and now for the first time, in the United States of America . The activities of the International Council are made possible by generous grants from Booz Allen Hamilton, Gustave M. and Rita E. Hauser, Morgan Stanley, Nielsen Media Research, and O'Melveny & Myers, LLP.

About The Paley Center for Media

The Paley Center for Media, with locations in New York and Los Angeles , leads the discussion about the cultural, creative, and social significance of television, radio, and emerging platforms for the professional community and media-interested public. Drawing upon its curatorial expertise, an international collection, and close relationships with the leaders of the media community, the Paley Center examines the intersections between media and society. The general public can access the collection and participate in programs that explore and celebrate the creativity, the innovations, the personalities, and the leaders who are shaping media. Through the global programs of its Media Council and International Council, the Paley Center also serves as a neutral setting where media professionals can engage in discussion and debate about the evolving media landscape. Previously known as The Museum of Television & Radio, the Paley Center was founded in 1975 by William S. Paley, a pioneering innovator in the industry. For more information, please visit www.paleycenter.org.

Rules Approved for 80th Academy Awards®

Beverly Hills, CA –– The governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences approved the rules for the 80th Academy Awards at their Tuesday evening (6/12) meeting. According to Academy President Sid Ganis, the changes they approved represent “a small number of refinements but no major shift in course.”

The most notable adjustment is a one-sentence addition to the rules for the Best Picture of the Year award. While the rule continues to state that the nominees will be those “three or fewer producers who have performed the major portion of the producing functions,” the Producers Branch Executive Committee recommended, and the Board approved, wording that allows a possible exception to that limit: The committee has the right, in what it determines to be a rare and extraordinary circumstance, to name any additional qualified producer as a nominee.

“The committee and the governors believe strongly that it’s very important to have a limit on the number of producers who can be nominated and potentially receive an Oscar® statuette,” explained Ganis. “But we also recognize that a truly unique situation could arise, and we want to have just enough flexibility to allow for that rare occurrence.”

The definition of an animated feature film was altered to further clarify the requirements for that category, in light of the emerging technologies now being used in the production of some movies. An animated feature film is now defined as a motion picture of at least 70 minutes in running time, in which movement and characters’ performances are created using a frame-by-frame technique. In addition, a significant number of the major characters must be animated, and animation must figure in no less than 75 percent of the picture’s running time.

In the Art Direction category, an adjustment now allows for the possibility, again only in unusual circumstances, of two production designers or two set decorators receiving nominations for their work on a given film, but not both. In the past, the rule allowed for only one production designer, though two set decorators could be nominated in rare cases.

New language concerning digital cinema qualification standards, necessary to accommodate evolving equipment and formats, was approved earlier this year. Also approved at that time were the rules for the Documentary and Short Film categories. Documentary theatrical rollout requirement deadlines were moved up, and all documentary and short films may now qualify via the digital cinema requirements as defined for either the 80th or the 79th Academy Awards.

Other modifications of the rules include normal date changes and minor “housekeeping” changes. Complete rules for all categories can be viewed online at www.oscars.org/80academyawards/rules/index.html.

Rules are reviewed annually by individual branch and category committees. The Awards Rules Committee then reviews all proposed changes before presenting its recommendations to the Academy’s Board of Governors for approval.

Academy Award® nominations in all categories will be announced on January 22, 2008. The 80th Academy Awards presentation will be telecast live by the ABC Television Network on Sunday, February 24, 2008.

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©A.M.P.A.S.®

“Great To Be Nominated”
Books “A Passage to India”

Beverly Hills, CA — David Lean’s final film as a director, the 1984 Best Picture nominee “A Passage to India,” will be screened as the next feature in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ “Great To Be Nominated” series. The film, in which the life of an Indian doctor is turned upside down by a rape allegation, will screen on Monday, June 18, at 7:30 p.m. at the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater.

“A Passage to India” earned a total of 11 Academy Award® nominations. It won the Oscars® for Actress in a Supporting Role (Peggy Ashcroft) and Music – Original Score (Maurice Jarre). The film also received nominations for Best Picture (John Brabourne and Richard Goodwin, producers), Actress in a Leading Role (Judy Davis), Art Direction (John Box, Leslie Tomkins, Set Decoration: Hugh Scaife), Cinematography (Ernest Day), Costume Design (Judy Moorcroft), Directing (David Lean), Film Editing (Lean), Sound (Graham V. Hartstone, Nicolas Le Messurier, Michael A. Carter, John Mitchell), and Writing – Screenplay based on material from another medium (Lean).

Prior to the feature, the 1983 Oscar-nominated live action short “Overnight Sensation” will be screened, and the film’s director, Jon Bloom, will participate in a panel discussion.

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.

Tickets also may be purchased online at www.oscars.org/events. There are no minimum order requirements and no transaction or processing fees. Tickets may be purchased online until noon PST on the day of the event.

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.

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©A.M.P.A.S.®

Poison Hits the Chart at #32 With New Album, POISON'D!

'POISON'D! 2007' NATIONAL SUMMER TOUR STARTS TONIGHT!

POISON'D! Features Hot New Recordings of Poison's Favorite Rock Classics, Including Hits Originally Recorded By David Bowie, The Rolling Stones, The Cars, Sweet, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers and More!

HOLLYWOOD, Calif., June 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Poison, one of rock's most iconic and enduring bands, returns to Billboard's Top 200 Albums chart this week with the #32 debut of their new EMI America Records/Capitol release, POISON'D!. Released June 5 on CD and digitally, POISON'D! sold 21,401 units in its first week. Starting tonight in Greenville, SC, Poison will hit more than 50 U.S. cities this summer on their "POISON'D! 2007" tour. The national tour, with RATT joining Poison for most of the dates, includes stops in and around New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, Detroit, Washington, DC and other major tour markets across the country.

Featuring Poison's original members, Bret Michaels (vocals), C.C. DeVille (guitar), Rikki Rockett (drums) and Bobby Dall (bass), and produced by Don Was, POISON'D! presents the band's first new studio recordings since 2002's Hollyweird. Since Poison's 1986 debut, Look What The Cat Dragged In, the band has sold more than 25 million records and DVDs worldwide.

Produced by Don Was at Hensen Recording Studios in Hollywood, POISON'D! packs 13 explosive cover songs, including new recordings of David Bowie's "Suffragette City," The Cars' "You're Just What I Needed," The Romantics' "What I Like About You," Sweet's "Little Willy," The Marshall Tucker Band's "Can't You See" and The Rolling Stones' "Dead Flowers." Some of Poison's best previously recorded covers are also featured on POISON'D!, including KISS' "Rock and Roll All Nite," Grand Funk Railroad's "We're An American Band" and Loggins & Messina's "Your Mama Don't Dance." At Wal*Mart, the CD also includes an exclusive bonus track, Justin Timberlake's "SexyBack."

In July, VH1 will premiere a new reality show, "Rock of Love with Bret Michaels." VH1's description of the show has "the hard-rockin' Poison front man looking for a woman who can truly keep up with his rock-n-roll lifestyle and not become jealous of his one true passion -- performing, which has been the reason for and destruction of most of his relationships."

In 1986, Poison released their debut album, Look What the Cat Dragged In. After years of hard work, touring and controversy, radio and MTV finally took notice of the band and their music, propelling Poison into superstardom. Look What the Cat Dragged In peaked at #3 on the Billboard album charts, charted three singles and sold more than four million copies.

The band's 1988 follow-up, Open Up and Say ... Ahh! went Platinum two weeks after its release. The single "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" hit #1 on Billboard's Singles chart and the album sold more than seven million units. 1990's Flesh & Blood featured a second Gold single, "Unskinny Bop," and the album went multi-Platinum.

In 1991, amidst inner fighting, alcohol, drug abuse and road stories that would make a porn star blush, guitarist C.C. DeVille and singer Bret Michaels collided in an all out fist-fight seconds after leaving the stage of the MTV Music Video Awards (right between Cindy Crawford's high heels and Eddie Van Halen's sneakers). C.C. DeVille left the band.

Through the '90s, Poison continued to tour arenas and amphitheatres and recorded the Platinum Native Tongue and Crack A Smile. After five years of not speaking, Michaels and DeVille met up in 1999 and, with their chemistry and friendship quickly rekindled, the band went into the studio to record Power To The People. One of the most successful reunion tours of all time followed the album's release.

Last April, Poison rocketed into the Billboard Top 20 with the #17 debut of the band's 20th anniversary hits collection, The Best Of Poison: 20 Years Of Rock (Capitol/EMI). The 18-track hits collection was soon certified gold, and Poison tore through the summer of 2006 on their highly successful "20 Years Of Rock" North American concert tour.

Visit http://www.poisonweb.com/ and http://www.myspace.com/poison for the latest Poison news, tour dates and links to other Poison-related websites.

After much speculation and anticipation following the airing of their "Behind The Music" episode on VH1 last spring, multi-platinum hard rock act RATT with vocalist Stephen Pearcy, guitarist Warren DeMartini and drummer Bobby Blotzer will grace the stage together for the first time since 1999. Plans for not only a U.S. summer tour but a full-fledged comeback are being mapped out now as the band prepares to hit the road with Poison. Joining RATT onstage will be bassist Robbie Crane and guitarist John Corabi.

Source: EMI Music Catalog Marketing

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

 

T-Pain's New Album 'Epiphany' Debuts #1

As Breakout Single "Buy U A Drank (Shawty Snappin')" Ranks #1 on Four Singles Charts

Jive Records Claims No. 1 Spot Two Weeks in a Row and Boasts Two Titles in the Top Four on the Top 200 and R&B Album Charts

Konvict/Jive Records recording artist T- Pain, lands at the #1 spot on Billboard's Top 200 and R&B Album charts with his sophomore debut Epiphany. The hit single "Buy U A Drank (Shawty Snappin')," continues to top the R&B/Hip-Hop and airplay charts.

"Buy U A Drank (Shawty Snappin')" recently beat out artists such as Maroon 5, Avril Lavigne, Timbaland, and Ne-Yo to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart as the #1 single in the country. On four separate Billboard charts the single has been firmly set at the #1 position for several weeks: #1 Hot 100 Airplay; #1 Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs; #1 Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay; #1 Rhythmic Top 40, and for seven consecutive weeks T-Pain was the #1 selling ringtone on the Billboard Hot Ringmasters chart.

For the second week in a row Jive Records, the record company to label- mates T-Pain and R. Kelly, claims the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Top 200 chart. Last week R. Kelly topped them all at #1 with Double Up, his ninth solo release, which now rests comfortably at #4; and this week, without missing a step, T-Pain beats out Paul McCartney and Rihanna to the #1 spot in the country. This gives Jive two albums in the top four of Billboards Top 200 chart.

Early rave reviews have already started pouring in for the hit-making songwriter/producer's sophomore effort. Rolling Stone magazine gives Epiphany three stars and exclaims that " ... The hooks come fast and loose ... Epiphany should be lighting up both bedrooms and the clubs." The Washington Post raves, noting that " ... T-Pain's best cuts evoke the dripping grooves of Zapp, the breakneck beats of Baltimore club music, even the punk-funk of Fishbone." The NY Times agrees and states " ... [T-Pain] produced every song on the album, and his thumping beats are the secret behind his success."

One of music's rapidly rising and omnipresent stars, T-Pain's sophomore album Epiphany expresses his growth as an artist and the definition of the album title as a "sudden moment of insight or revelation" truly encapsulates his efforts on this release. On Epiphany, T-Pain takes over the reins as producer, writer and arranger and enlists artists such as Akon -- who discovered and signed him to his Konvict Muzik label, and Yung Joc to hone and master the unique sound that he introduced on his gold-selling debut album Rappa Ternt Sanga.

Recently T-Pain has been crisscrossing the country producing and collaborating for a wide and varied list of mega-artists that include Usher, Britney Spears, R. Kelly, Chris Brown and Busta Rhymes. His follow-up single "Bartender" featuring Akon is rapidly moving up the charts and is following in the footsteps of his chart-topping first single "Buy U A Drank (Shawty Snappin)." Fans can catch T-Pain perform on the Jimmy Kimmel show June 14th.

The Zomba Label Group consists of record labels Jive, LaFace, Volcano, Verity, GospoCentric and Fo Yo Soul. These labels represent a varied group of artists including R. Kelly, Usher, Justin Timberlake, Ciara, Chris Brown, Pink, Tool, Britney Spears, OutKast, Kirk Franklin, Three Days Grace, 311, Nick Lachey, T-Pain, Byron Cage, Buddy Guy, Living Things, YoungBloodZ, Anthony Hamilton, Donnie McClurkin, and Backstreet Boys.

Source: Jive Records

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

 

New York City Welcomes Farm Aid 2007: A HOMEGROWN Festival

Concert to Feature Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Neil Young and Dave Matthews at Randalls Island on September 9

 For the first time, Farm Aid 2007: A HOMEGROWN Festival, founded by Willie Nelson and John Mellencamp, will be held on New York City's Randalls Island on September 9. The annual benefit concert raises funds to support family and urban farming and to promote the purchase of food from these farms throughout the five boroughs. New York City supports local farmers through its Greenmarket program, which serves more than 250,000 residents weekly during its peak season.

Tickets for Farm Aid 2007 go on sale Saturday, June 16, at 10am EDT at all Ticketmaster outlets. Tickets can also be purchased at ticketmaster.com or by calling 212-307-7171, 631-888-9000 or 203-624-0033. For more information about Farm Aid 2007: A HOMEGROWN Festival, visit farmaid.org.

Farm Aid 2007: A HOMEGROWN Festival will celebrate music, food and hands- on activities with family farmers and urban growers. For the first time, concert concessions will feature all fresh, local, organic and family-farmed food.

"New York City is committed to sustainable family farming in all five boroughs, particularly through our Greenmarket program, which supports approximately 180 local farmers at 47 locations throughout the city," said George Fertitta, CEO NYC & Company, the tourism marketing organization for the City of New York. "Farm Aid 2007 will show visitors a greener side of New York City, and we are honored to host this year's concert on Randalls Island."

Farm Aid's mission is to build a vibrant, family-farm-centered system of agriculture in America. Farm Aid artists and board members Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp and Dave Matthews host the annual concert to raise funds to support the organization's work with family farmers and to inspire people to choose family-farmed food.

Since 1985, Farm Aid has raised more than $30 million to support programs that help farmers thrive, expand the reach of the Good Food Movement, take action to change the current system of industrial agriculture and promote food from family farms.

About NYC & Company:

NYC & Company is the official marketing and tourism organization for the City of New York, dedicated to maximizing travel and tourism opportunities throughout the five boroughs, building economic prosperity and spreading the positive image of New York City worldwide.

Source: NYC & Company

 

Web site: http://www.farmaid.org/
http://ticketmaster.com/

 

june 12

 

Justin Timberlake 'Summer Love' is the #1 Song at Radio in the U.S.

First Artist in Nielsen Top 40 History to Chart Four #1 Hits From One Album

Global Roll Out of 'LoveStoned/I Think She Knows' Video Kicks off June 13

Good Charlotte Announced as Opening Act for 2nd U.S. Leg

 -- Jive Records' recording artist Justin Timberlake returns to familiar territory with "Summer Love" the #1 song in the U.S. radio charts. The multi-Grammy winning artist/musician continues to break chart records with his fourth consecutive #1 hit from his critically lauded sophomore effort FutureSex/LoveSounds.

"Summer Love" is Timberlake's fourth #1 song at Top 40 Radio in the U.S. where he has become the first male artist in the 14-year history of the Nielsen BDS CHR/Top 40 to garner four straight Top 40 #1 hits from a single album. According to Radio & Records, a top music industry trade publication, "Timberlake also becomes the first male lead artist with four straight No. 1s ... [And] He also ties the mark for most No. 1s this decade with five ... ." "Summer Love" follows in the footsteps of his worldwide hits "My Love" featuring T.I., "Sexyback" featuring Timbaland and "What Goes Around ... Comes Around."

In keeping with the worldwide demand for Justin Timberlake, the video for "LoveStoned/I Think She Knows" begins its international launch on June 13th at 12:01 AM EST. The video with a special introduction by Justin will kick-off on Yahoo! and they will have exclusive on-line rights in the U.S. and select international markets. The following week MTV will join in and air the video as a TRL 1st Look on June 18th. "LoveStoned/I Think She Knows" was directed by Robert Hales, who has gained acclaim for directing videos for Gnarls Barkley and Jet, and the digital effects were produced by utilizing a never- before used program to develop the cutting-edge look of the graphics in the video.

Currently, his FutureSex/LoveShow is touring overseas and is receiving rave reviews from critics and fans alike. The 2nd leg of the eagerly awaited FutureSex/LoveShow U.S. tour will kick off August, 6th in Memphis, TN at the FedExForum and will feature Billboard chart toppers and multi-platinum rockers Good Charlotte, who are also coming off a highly successful world tour, as the opening act for the whole 2nd leg of the U.S. tour. Good Charlotte released their fourth studio album Good Morning Revival -- which debuted at #7 on Billboard's Top 200 chart earlier this year and features their singles "The River" and "Dance Floor Anthem -- I Don't Wanna Be in Love."

FutureSex/LoveSounds, co-written and co-produced by Justin Timberlake, debuted at #1 on the Billboard charts and broke all digital album sales records. To date it has sold over six million copies worldwide. In coming weeks his FutureSex/LoveShow tour will end its European leg July 10th in London, England at the The O2; and on August 16th, during the 2nd leg of his FutureSex/LoveShow, Justin will headline his first solo HBO concert event at Madison Square Garden, airing September 3rd at 9:00 PM (ET/PT).

Source: Jive Records

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

 

The History Channel(R) Presents Live Worldwide Webcast 2007 National History Day Awards Ceremony

Middle and High School Students Compete for National Awards with Projects Exploring this Year's Theme: Triumph and Tragedy

-- The History Channel(R) will offer a live Webcast to give families, friends, and schools in the U.S. and around the world the opportunity to watch as middle and high school students "go for the gold" at the National History Day Awards Ceremony on Thursday, June 14th at the University of Maryland in College Park.

The History Channel Web site will showcase the Awards Ceremony of National History Day national contest during a LIVE Webcast at http://www.history.com/classroom on Thursday, June 14 from 8:30 am to 12:30 p.m. ET/PT.

National History Day, Inc. is a nonprofit education program that presents an annual national history contest. Students present their findings of in- depth historical research in the form of documentaries, performances, exhibits, and papers and are judged by a panel of experts.

The History Channel, a leading sponsor of National History Day, provides $20,000 in cash prizes to four winning senior student projects as well as the Outstanding History Educator Award to a teacher who has made exceptional contributions to history education.

This year's theme of "Triumph and Tragedy in History" has inspired projects exploring the spectrum of historical figures and events. Students, from across the nation, conducted in-depth research on a wide spectrum of topics such as the Japanese American Interment Camps, the Armenian Genocide, the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire, the Salem Witch Trials, and the break up of The Beatles. They explored pivotal moments in the lives of notables like Stonewall Jackson, Helen Keller, Elie Wiesel, and Jackie Robinson.

Each year's theme is broad enough to encourage investigation of topics from local to world history and from ancient times to the recent past. This year's theme presented a special challenge, asking students to examine the paradox of triumph and tragedy that many historical events present to researchers and scholars.

"The National History Day projects explore events of local, national and international significance, so it is appropriate that the awards ceremony be available globally by Webcast," said Dr. Libby O'Connell, Chief Historian, The History Channel. "We salute all of this year's national finalists and their teachers for their dedication, impressive work and contagious enthusiasm for history."

The goal of National History Day is to promote the study of history by engaging over half a million students annually in the excitement of historical inquiry and creative presentation. Through publications and education programs, NHD trains teachers to move students beyond textbooks and expand their classrooms to include libraries, museums and archives. Nationwide 40,000 teachers currently use NHD curriculum materials. The NHD program received the Charles Frankel Prize for Public Programming and collaborated with the National Archives to create "Our Documents," a national initiative on American history, civics, and service. More information is available at http://www.nhd.org/.

The History Channel(R) is a leading cable television network featuring compelling original, non-fiction specials and series that bring history to life in a powerful and entertaining manner across multiple platforms. The network provides an inviting place where people experience history in new and exciting ways enabling them to connect their lives today to the great lives and events of the past that provide a blueprint for the future. The History Channel has earned four Peabody Awards, three Primetime Emmy(R) Awards, 10 News & Documentary Emmy(R) Awards and received the prestigious Governor's Award from the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences for the network's Save Our History(R) campaign dedicated to historic preservation and history education. The History Channel reaches more than 93 million Nielsen subscribers. The website is located at http://www.history.com/.

Source: The History Channel

Web site: http://www.history.com/
http://www.nhd.org/

 

Hop Productions is Proud to Announce the Release of Fodakis, the New Album from Das Vibenbass and a Release Performance in Seattle at Neumo's

-- Hop Productions proudly announces the release of Fodakis, the new album by Das Vibenbass on Tuesday, June 19th, 2007. The Seattle quartet that is, "crushing the borders of Jazz," presents Fodakis -- a collection of songs that consciously challenge cultural assumptions about the jazz medium.

From Los Angeles to Berlin, audiences have been captivated by the music of Das Vibenbass. Sustaining a spot in the top five of Seattle's KEXP 90.3 jazz charts for over 5 months, the quartet was then nominated for Best Jazz/Experimental act in the Seattle Weekly poll, "Best of 2006." Tours of the United States, Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic have cultivated a devoted fan base spanning many ages, many countries, and many tastes.

A CD release party will take place at Neumo's at 925 E. Pike St., Seattle, Washington, 98112 on Friday, June 29th, at 9pm. Find out more at http://www.neumos.com/.

An unprecedented fifty percent of all profits from this recording are being donated to The Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting music through donation of musical instruments to young musicians.

Fodakis was produced by Das Vibenbass and Loren Weisman. It is a Freedom Solutions Recording Plan (FSRP) album, meaning it was created through a process that saves the artist money by taking budgeting and planning to the next step. It also keeps the artist in control of their music. Lastly, the plan proposes giving a percentage of profits to a charity the artist believes in. Fodakis is being released with two other FSRP recordings from Seattle: R&B artist Jeremiah, and Houston rock group Stretching Madness. More information available at http://www.protectomatic.com/.

CD Summary:

Label: Hop Productions

Band/Group: Das Vibenbass

CD Title: Fodakis

UPC: 837101360777 (Audio CD)

SRP: $10.00

Listen to the new Das Vibenbass album, Fodakis, their first single "Ghost runner on third" and visit their website at http://www.dasvibenbass.com/, or their myspace page at http://www.myspace.com/dasvibenbass for more information on the group.

 

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

 

 

Source: Hop Productions

Web site: http://www.hoppro.com/
http://www.dasvibenbass.com/

 

Carlos Santana to Speak at the Challenge Future Peace Conference June 30 and Perform at the Benefit Concert on July 1 in Bochum, Germany

CONFERENCE PATRONS ARE ARCHBISHOP DESMOND TUTU, ISRAELI VICE PREMIER SHIMON PERES AND BOCHUM LORD MAYOR OTTILIE SCHULZ

PROCEEDS TO BENEFIT MILAGRO FOUNDATION AND DESMOND TUTU PEACE CENTRE

 -- Musician, philanthropist and world citizen Carlos Santana will attend the first annual Challenge Future Peace Conference in Bochum, Germany on Saturday, June 30 and perform at a special benefit concert the next day, Sunday July 1. Conference patrons are South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Israeli Vice Premier Shimon Peres -- both Nobel Laureates -- and Dr. Ottilie Scholz, the Lord Mayor of the City of Bochum. The Challenge Future organization and its sponsors will bequeath donations to, and concert proceeds will benefit, the Bay Area-based Milagro Foundation, founded by Carlos and Deborah Santana, and the Desmond Tutu Peace Center in Cape Town, South Africa.

The June 30 Challenge Future Peace Conference takes place in the historic Jahrhunderthalle in Bochum, a city in the Federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia in western Germany's Rhine-Rhur region. The Conference was conceived to stimulate multi-cultural and inter-faith dialogues and address global issues including initiatives to end poverty, spread social justice, strengthen children's and women's rights and protect the environment. Discussions will also center on Europe's role in the world and the role of artists as peacemakers internationally. The intent is to make this the first of a yearly series of prestigious forums. In addition to the aforementioned patrons, among the dozens of dignitaries and world leaders whose attendance is confirmed are Mikhail Gorbachev, Lech Walesa, U.N. Secretary General Boutros Boutros-Ghali, Prince Hassan of Jordan and German Parliament President Norbert Lammert.

Carlos Santana, who will introduce Archbishop Tutu at the Challenge Future Peace Conference, said, "I am deeply grateful and supremely honored to be part of this superbowl of consciousness. To be in the company and in the presence of all these luminaries and entities of compassion, mercy and forgiveness fills my heart with hope that the Supreme One has a divine master plan for the highest good for life, people and the planet."

Challenge Future's benefit concert is set for 8PM on July 1 at Bochum's Ruhr Congress. Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Carlos Santana will sit in with acclaimed Beninese singer-songwriter Angelique Kidjo and German music superstar Peter Maffay. Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens) is also scheduled to perform, among other acts. Both the concert and main conference are under the direction of Challenge Future founder Sascha Hellen, who is partnering on logistics with World Vision, an international charitable organization overseeing projects globally.

Concert proceeds benefit The Desmond Tutu Peace Centre, a landmark institution aimed at using the experience of the South African people and the example of Desmond Tutu to inspire a new generation of visionary peace builders, and the Milagro Foundation. Since the Santanas established Milagro in 1998, it has granted over $2 million to agencies and programs worldwide serving children and youth in the areas of health, education and the arts.

For more information, log on to http://www.santana.com/

Source: Milagro Foundation

 

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

 

50 Cent, T.I., Ne-Yo, Ciara and Yolanda Adams Throw Down at BET Awards '07 on June 26

Terrence Howard, Tyra Banks, Katt Williams, Queen Latifah, Floyd Mayweather and Big Boi are set to present

-- With the galaxy of stars that BET has booked for the BET '07 AWARDS there's no doubt that the fire marshal will be working overtime at the Shrine Auditorium on Tuesday, June 26. Sparks will be flying throughout the three-hour live telecast that begins at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CDT (tape delayed in the Mountain and Pacific zones) as some of the hottest stars in music, television, movies and sports bring the heat and burn the house down!

Joining rap royalty T.I. and 50 Cent on the performance lineup are R&B crooner Ne-Yo, sultry superstar Ciara, and gospel great Yolanda Adams. The roster of A-list celebrities handing out trophies includes Hollywood's biggest names, including Academy Award nominees Terrence Howard and Queen Latifah, television mogul and former supermodel, Tyra Banks, actor/comedian Katt Williams, Dirty-South hip-hop heavyweight, Big Boi of Outkast and five-time world champion, Floyd Mayweather, Jr. among others. BET is the only award show that recognizes the achievements of music artists, entertainers and athletes in 14 categories; this year's nods for best-in-class performances go to Beyonce with six nominations, followed by Jay-Z, Ciara, Jennifer Hudson, Akon and Gnarls Barkley among others.

Hosted by the inimitable and lovely Mo'Nique, back to host the telecast for an unprecedented third time, this year's show is being billed as "The Main Event" and it's no wonder. While viewers wait to see just how Mo'Nique will bring it, one thing's certain: you know she's going to knock it out of the ring!

Diana Ross, one of the most successful female vocalists of all time, will receive BET's coveted Lifetime Achievement Award for her distinguished career and contributions to popular music for more than four decades. Additionally, Academy Award nominee Don Cheadle will be honored with BET's Humanitarian Award for his efforts to bring awareness to the dire situation in Darfur, as well as the African AIDS epidemic.

Once again the BET AWARDS, cable's undisputed #1 awards show, has all the elements to make it pound-for-pound television's biggest night in entertainment!

Encore telecasts of the BET AWARDS'07 are set for: Friday, June 29 from 8 - 11 p.m. ET/PT; Sunday, July 1 from 8 - 11 p.m. ET/PT; Wednesday, July 4 from 8 - 11 p.m. ET/PT; Friday, July 6 from 8 - 11 p.m. ET/PT; Sunday, July 8 from 8 - 11 p.m. ET/PT; and Saturday, July 14 from 8 - 11 p.m. ET/PT.

ABOUT BET

BET Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom, Inc. (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:and) (NYSE:VIA.B) , is the leading provider of media and entertainment for African Americans and consumers of Black culture on a global basis. The primary BET cable network reaches more than 84 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. BET Digital Networks -- BET J, BET Gospel, and BET Hip-Hop -- are brands that combine to serve a broader and more diverse audience than the core network. BET.com is the number one Internet destination for their target audiences. BET Mobile delivers music, gaming, and video content to the target audiences on wireless devices across virtually all service providers. BET Event Productions is a full-scale event management and production company with festivals and live events spanning the globe. BET International delivers BET content to the consumers of Black culture around the world. BET Networks inspires its audiences to make a difference in their lives and communities with a series of impactful and pro-social initiatives under the Touch BET umbrella.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070612/NETU061
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com

Source: BET Networks

 

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

 

Verizon Wireless Launches 'Text To Vote' at The Apollo Theater's World Famous Amateur Night

Audience Participation Merges Tradition with Technology While Supporting Theater Renovation

Since 1934, aspiring artists and performers have graced the stage of the Apollo Theater's Amateur Night in the hope that approval by the theater's audience will launch their careers. Verizon Wireless, the nation's leading wireless service provider, this week joined with the Apollo Theater to launch a new 'text to vote' program that will modernize the way fans vote for their favorite contestants.

Merging tradition with technology, four finalists will be selected live at the Theater through traditional audience 'applause' voting. Beginning immediately after the show and running through to the following Tuesday at 5 p.m., text message voting will be open to fans across the country to select their favorite from among the final four. The finalist with the fewest votes will be eliminated and the remaining three will advance to the next round.

In addition to audience members in attendance, Verizon Wireless customers with TXT Messaging-capable phones can participate by visiting the Apollo Theater's website and viewing video clips of the most recent competition. To cast their votes family, friends and fans of contestants can simply send a text message to "Apollo" (276556) and, in the body of the message, type their selection: STAR1, STAR2, STAR3 or STAR4 and press 'Send.' The winners will be announced on stage the following Amateur Night and also on the website the following Thursday.

For each vote cast, Verizon Wireless customers will be charged 99 cents and a portion of the charge will go toward the restoration of the Apollo Theater. The Theater launched the first phase of its refurbishment in 2005, at an estimated cost of $25 million. To date, the Apollo renovation is America's most expensive and advanced refurbishment of a landmark theater.

Winners of the first 'text to vote' competition will be announced this Wednesday, June 13th, live at the Apollo.

For more information on how you can cast your vote visit: www.apollotheater.org/amateur_night.html.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving more than 60.7 million customers. The largest U.S. wireless company and largest wireless data provider, based on revenues, Verizon Wireless is headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 65,000 employees nationwide. The company is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodaphone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). Find more information on the Web at www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

Source: Verizon

 

Web site: http://www.verizonwireless.com/
http://www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia
http://www.apollotheater.org/amateur_night.html

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